Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 293 ⥤ The Old Era and the New Era

When Ichibē sealed the black sludge that remained after Yhwach's death into the crystal, the collapse of the Sangai halted abruptly, and everything returned to normal. The Reishi floating in the outside world began gathering toward the Soul King Palace, until the atmospheric Reishi density reached several times that of Soul Society.

Looking at the massive crystal floating in the center of the inner sanctum, Aizen furrowed his brow. Though the battle's aftermath had been dealt with, new problems emerged.

How long would Yhwach remain in this state? Would he ever awaken from his slumber?

Even when the founders of the Five Noble Houses had severed the Soul King's limbs and organs, he could still perceive the outside world — a state that could be considered true omniscience and omnipotence.

Could Yhwach, having devoured the Soul King, achieve the same?

Aizen voiced these concerns to the monk.

After a moment's reflection, Ichibē answered, "I cannot say exactly how long this will last, but Yhwach, having consumed His Majesty the Soul King's body, has become immortal. He is now part of the world's foundation. Unless the world itself is erased, Yhwach cannot truly be killed."

Aizen fell into silent contemplation.

The Soul King, as the linchpin of the Sangai, had sought to remove himself from the throne for specific reasons. Akira's appearance had accelerated this process. The Soul King's original plan had been to create a being with suitable authority to serve as his successor.

Aizen knew his own Hōgyoku was part of that plan. His life's path, while not entirely smooth, had avoided major disruptions. Clearly, some guiding force had been at work.

After extensive investigation and analysis, he confirmed the Soul King's will had shaped these events. Aizen suspected the Soul King had intended for him to become the Sangai's linchpin.

Fortunately, interference had come. Akira's existence had fundamentally altered the Soul King's plans. After all, one who possessed the world's will was truly the world's own child — something even the Soul King couldn't match.

"Though the chance is small now, as time passes, this probability will grow infinitely." Ichibē's expression turned grave as he continued, "Yhwach will eventually awaken and return to the world even more powerful than before. When that time comes, if you all still live, you must rise to stop him as you did today."

Akira: "?"

How dare this old monk say such things?

He glared at the monk with hostility, considering the best spot to land a punch.

"Urahara, what's your opinion on this?"

Aizen's casual question immediately unsettled Kisuke, who had been trying to stay uninvolved.

Why drag him into this? He was just here to observe!

Akira's gaze shifted to his trusty workhorse, instantly causing cold sweat to break out on Kisuke's face.

No one knew his Captain better than he did. That look in his eyes meant trouble was brewing, and someone was about to have a very bad time.

Sure enough, Akira's next words made his heart skip a beat.

"I almost forgot about my capable subordinate. Kisuke, throughout the Sangai, your wisdom is second only to mine. Surely you can think of a solution?"

With a bitter expression, Kisuke wracked his brains for a strategy.

Everyone watched this young Shinigami — in whom Akira had placed such high hopes — wondering what solution this ordinary-looking death god would devise.

After a brief silence, Kisuke's eyes lit up, and he raised his right hand, pointing with his index finger.

"Hey, let's make a backup Soul King!"

Aizen frowned, the monk was confused, and Akira was completely bewildered.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, he explained his plan, "Since the Sangai's linchpin can be replaced, why not treat it like mechanical equipment that needs regular maintenance and replacement? Even the 11th Division's gravity room needs maintenance — why should His Majesty the Soul King be any different?"

The monk stroked his beard thoughtfully, "But if creating a linchpin for the Sangai were that simple, His Majesty wouldn't have needed to expend so much time and effort."

Hearing this, Akira patted the monk's shoulder and grinned, "Old monk, times have changed. Let me introduce you again to these two, my brain trust — the wisest beings in the Sangai after me: Twelfth Division's Third Seat Sōsuke Aizen and Eleventh Division's Third Seat Kisuke Urahara.

Additionally, I have other brilliant minds under my command who are no less capable: Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Pink Chinchorro, and others. Any one of them could stand on their own as a wise person. When these people work together, they'll unleash amazing potential. Never mind a linchpin for the Sangai — they could create an entire Soul King for you to see."

Ichibē nodded, no longer arguing.

In principle, such a thing should be impossible, but principles now lay in Akira's hands. For someone who could literally beat a Soul King to death with his fists, the monk had neither the courage nor the strength to oppose his wishes.

If this kid got serious, not just one monk with eyes — even eight or ten of them would be easily dealt with.

"The key issue now is materials." Kisuke reminded them, "The materials needed to create a linchpin for the Sangai aren't easy to find."

Aizen's gaze lowered slightly, and his calm voice echoed through the empty inner sanctum, "Leave the materials to me."

Seeing this, Kisuke relaxed and began to conceptualize the design plan.

The monk, seeing everyone reach an agreement, could say nothing more and could only continue his duty of guarding the Soul King Palace.

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In Soul Society.

When the Auswählen ceremony began, the war had already ended. Yhwach's zealous followers were eliminated, leaving only devastation behind.

Next came the Seireitei transfer plan. The ruins were cleared completely, and the Tenkai Kecchu completed their mission, returning the Seireitei from Hueco Mundo to its original location.

Worth noting is that this process consumed quite a few nobles who had been plotting in the shadows. As someone put it, these types — who abused their status during peacetime and emerged to disrupt morale during war — were just wasting Reishi by existing in the world, so they might as well be dealt with in one go.

Though they kept claiming it was for Soul Society and the Seireitei, their behavior was no different from that shadow village's Danzō. Even if they behaved now, they would still cause trouble later.

Regarding this, Genryūsai didn't say much, but his face showed contentment.

In his eyes, though that disciple appeared simple and rash, he possessed subtle wisdom. Under Akira's leadership, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the Wandenreich were all gradually moving toward prosperity. He was truly a perfect example of appearing foolish while being wise.

What more could one ask for in a son?

Genryūsai chuckled, turned away from the bustling crowd, and walked toward the division barracks with his cane.

It was time to draft his resignation letter as Captain-Commander.

Akira suddenly became alert, sensing an approaching malicious intent.

But on second thought, Yhwach had been dealt with, and throughout the Sangai, no one could match him in single combat — not even Aizen with his Hōgyoku fusion.

What was there to worry about?

Never mind, forget about it. Even if the sky fell, his filial step-son and Seireitei's finest workhorse would be there to hold it up. Let the music play on and the dance continue.

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In the peaceful time that followed, Akira finally lived his dream life of leisure, spending his days walking birds and playing with dogs.

The heavy post-war administrative duties fell to the capable officials within the Seireitei — Genryūsai, Aizen, Kisuke, Kaname, Gin, and others.

As for Akira, when he wasn't mooching meals at the 1st Division, he socialized with everyone — Yoruichi, Unohana, Rangiku, Candice, Bambietta, and others. He would occasionally stroll around the Soul King Palace to visit a certain cloth-loving beauty.

He had become, essentially, an unproductive wanderer.

Yoruichi had dropped hints about proposing to the Shihōin family, but Akira played dumb. With so many women in his life, showing favoritism wouldn't be wise.

Though most didn't mind the situation, it went against his conscience. Taking advantage and walking away wasn't his style.

During this peaceful period, the first post-war Captains' Council convened at the 1st Division headquarters.

This meeting was unusually crowded, with the vast room nearly full. Beyond the twelve Captains and Genryūsai, both the Lanza from Hueco Mundo and members of the Sternritter attended.

The Captains regarded the Quincy across from them with complex expressions, harboring countless unspoken complaints. They had been mortal enemies mere days ago, yet here they stood, calmly attending the same meeting.

This remarkable transformation defied explanation.

Without question, it all traced back to Akira, now Soul Society's most influential figure.

Speaking of the 11th Division's Captain, what's he doing right now...

Oh, he's spacing out. Well, that's fine. It makes sense.

Whether Captains, Arrancar, or Quincy, they all found this unsurprising, having grown accustomed to his behavior during meetings. Nothing unusual about it.

Genryūsai struck his cane heavily against the ground, the dull sound drawing everyone's attention away from Akira.

"Everyone, I've called you here to announce something. For various reasons, I have decided to pass the position of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 to my beloved disciple Akira Kisaragi. Starting today, he will serve as both Captain-Commander and Captain of the First Division."

Someone snapped out of their daze and gave Genryūsai a questioning look.

Yama-jii, have you lost your mind?!

Akira was dumbfounded, never expecting the old man to relinquish his post at such a crucial moment.

With a troubled expression, he appealed to Genryūsai's sense of duty, "Master, the Seireitei needs rebuilding — this is the time for you to demonstrate your abilities. How can you indulge in temporary comfort and delay Soul Society's development plans? Moreover, as everyone knows, this disciple lacks experience and cannot handle such responsibility. Let me continue to hone myself in the Eleventh Division for a few hundred years before taking over your position."

Originally, Akira had his eye on the Captain-Commander position, but after witnessing the old man's paperwork burden firsthand, he immediately abandoned that idea.

He could barely manage the 11th Division's administrative duties; taking on paperwork from thirteen divisions would be like a death sentence.

Genryūsai shook his head and explained, "After this battle, I clearly understand that I can no longer keep pace with the world's changes. Continuing to hold onto power would only hinder the Seireitei's development. To use your frequent saying... I am a remnant of the old era, and there are no ships in the new era that can carry me anymore."

At this point, he paused, looking at Akira with wise eyes and a slight smile.

"However, you needn't worry about handling the administrative duties. I have my own solution."

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Next door, Kisuke, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, stared at the appointment letter from Chōjirō with a twisted expression, as if the sky had fallen.

"How did it come to this, how did it come to this!"

Shameful wails echoed through the room as tears streamed down his rough face. Kisuke could no longer see any light in his future.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, I despise you!

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In the meeting room, hearing Genryūsai's words, everyone was initially surprised but quickly composed themselves.

Lord Akira Kisaragi as Captain-Commander? It made perfect sense.

His achievements spoke for themselves: he had unified Hueco Mundo and the Wandenreich, fostered harmony between the Sangai, defeated Yhwach, thwarted his wild ambitions, and saved the world from disaster.

As for strength, throughout the Sangai, who could claim to withstand even a single one of his punches?

Though his personality might be rash at times, such matters were trivial. For someone of his caliber, becoming Captain-Commander was only natural.

When the master and disciple finished their debate, Unohana was the first to speak.

"Agreed."

The other Captains followed suit, unanimously insisting that Akira must take the position of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

Gin produced a pre-prepared white haori and draped it over Akira's shoulders. The character "一" was emblazoned on its back.

Nearby, Jugram's face took on a thoughtful expression.

After everyone had spoken, he raised his hand. All eyes turned to scrutinize him.

Yet Jugram, with his characteristic poise, remained unfazed by the attention.

He stepped forward and spoke with measured conviction, "Yhwach is dead, and the emperor's throne of the Wandenreich stands vacant. The Quincy have fallen into disarray, uncertain of their path forward."

Looking at the blond man beside him, Akira felt an immediate sense of foreboding.

"The empire urgently needs a new emperor to guide us. After deliberations among the Sternritter, we unanimously nominate you as our new emperor."

With these words, Jugram manipulated Reishi to create a deep red cape and skillfully draped it over Akira's shoulders.

Feeling the weight of both garments, he wanted to cry:

You're really making things difficult for your emperor!

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