บท 80: Chapter 80 ⥤ One Beating is Bad, Two Beatings is Attempted Murder
One look told him exactly where he was.
Coordinated Relief Station, Room Two.
Though waves of sharp pain tormented his nerves and his entire body screamed in protest, he paid it little attention.
Despite his anger, old man Genryūsai had maintained his rationality. Even such a heavy hit wouldn't cause severe injuries.
Akira stared at the ceiling, contemplating how the same punching stance and force could yield such different levels of destruction.
The two were in completely different leagues.
In their second fight, if the old man hadn't held back and controlled his power... Akira would have been reduced to nothing but a puddle of blood splattered across the dojo floor, without even a finger-sized piece remaining.
No match, absolutely no match.
He shook his head, pushing aside thoughts of reversing the heavenly formation.
He tested his injured body, moving first his left leg, then right foot, then midsection, followed by his right hand...
Wait, why was it being held down again?
Akira instantly recalled his previous experience in the hospital room.
Cold sweat poured down his back. He stiffly turned his head, only letting out a relieved sigh after seeing who sat beside the bed.
Thankfully it wasn't that giant Tessai.
"Long time no see, Kisaragi-kun."
With a gentle smile that seemed capable of healing all ailments, Unohana pressed her hands on his right hand, caressing it with the softest touch.
Green healing light penetrated his skin, activating the Reiryoku hidden in his cells, stimulating his Reiatsu, and maximizing his Spiritual Body's self-healing ability.
"I never expected you would choose to join the Genji School." Unohana spoke softly, her black eyes lowered as she observed his injuries healing, "And even actively seek out the Captain-Commander for training. Someone like you..."
"A talent?" Akira interjected curiously.
Her smile froze slightly, and after a pause, she continued, "Children who face death so fearlessly are becoming rare these days."
His face darkened.
What kind of comment was that?
He hadn't chosen this path — it was old man Genryūsai's harsh training that had nearly destroyed him with a single punch.
If only that hot-tempered old man could be as gentle as you, would I be suffering like this?
Of course, such thoughts had to remain unspoken. While Akira wasn't afraid of death, he certainly didn't seek it out.
There was, after all, a clear difference between taking calculated risks and having a death wish.
Yet despite her gentle demeanor, the woman before him was no less formidable than Genryūsai. In some ways, she was even more terrifying.
"However, since you've started training in Hakuda..." Unohana's tone shifted, her gentle smile taking on a dangerous edge, "Your Death Sword Style must have improved as well, right?"
Akira sharply inhaled, staring at the beautiful woman beside his hospital bed in shock, his teeth aching.
Great, so now I've gone from getting beat up by one scary teacher straight to another?
"Your injuries aren't serious." Unohana released his right hand, ending the treatment. She leaned forward, tucking in his blanket, and whispered near his ear, "Remember to wait for me at the dojo tonight. I want to personally assess your training progress."
After saying this, she gracefully left the hospital room to attend to other official duties.
Meanwhile, Akira stared at the ceiling with lifeless eyes, wondering what excuse he could possibly use to avoid her examination.
Life is hard, the young man sighed.
Hopefully Captain Unohana won't be too harsh tonight...
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
That night brought a fierce battle.
Like Genryūsai's approach but even more extreme, it was completely unreasonable combat.
The moment Akira stepped into the dojo, a fierce slash greeted him. Swift as wind, the technique split the air, adding a touch of chill to the already cool night.
Though merely a bamboo sword, its presence was no less intimidating. Heavy, thick killing intent rushed toward him, making it feel as if he faced not training equipment, but a terrifying mountain of corpses and sea of blood.
Warned by instinct of the danger, Akira emptied his mind, raised his bamboo sword, and met the attack head-on at a speed difficult for the naked eye to follow.
⤫ Jigoku Arashi Kire ⥤ Hellish Storm Cut! ⤬
The essence of the Death Sword Style shone forth in this moment!
Under the moonlight, two figures drew close and crossed paths like dance partners, their movements complementing each other perfectly.
Silent as a light melody, countless notes collided and merged in the clash of bamboo swords, their symphony building steadily to its peak...
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
When Akira returned to the Shin'ō Academy, he was completely exhausted — sore waist, aching back, cramping legs — looking thoroughly worn out.
Even Aizen wondered if he had been training or drinking in Rukongai.
How could he be so depleted?
"Ah, don't even mention it." While lamenting, Akira massaged his calves continuously, trying to relieve the muscle soreness.
Two consecutive high-intensity battles — forget about him, even an iron man couldn't handle it.
Moreover, that ruthless Unohana, to keep him fighting all night, had brought out her self-developed stimulant drug. She had coaxed and tricked him into taking it, forcing him to continue without rest. She had treated him as less than human.
{T/N: Me right now: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )}
When Aizen learned of his ordeal, he fell silent.
The fact that his friend had returned alive was truly fortunate.
He realized his previous assessment had been too simplistic. Among academy students, Akira was indeed formidable, capable of taking on a hundred opponents.
But against Captain-level fighters, especially Genryūsai and Unohana, he was in a completely different league.
After being beaten by these two, mere survival was an achievement.
Or rather, only this priest could endure such high-intensity combat. Anyone else would have ended up in the intensive care unit of the Coordinated Relief Station.
Thinking this, his gaze toward Akira filled with sympathy.
"By the way, those assassins who attacked us were identified." Aizen said, breaking through his friend's sighs, "Kaoru-sensei came by this afternoon to warn us. You need to be careful these days."
"What assassins?" Akira raised his head, confused.
Aizen fell silent, suddenly worried that his close friend's brain might have been damaged from the beating.
He sighed, looking at the bewildered youth with pity as he slowly said:
"You were backstabbed. Those people who tried to assassinate you last time were from a branch of the Azashiro clan. They betrayed Soul Society and joined the rebel forces..."
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
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บท 81: Chapter 81 ⥤ Darkness Beneath the Surface
Initially, this rumor spread among just a few people, but it quickly became the talk of the entire Seireitei. Even students at the Shin'ō Academy were discussing it everywhere.
Being the family of 11th Division Captain, Sōya Azashiro, this news drew widespread attention. The thoughts of Soul Society's leadership, however, remained a mystery.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Kidō classroom.
At the podium, the new Kidō instructor spoke eloquently about the latest developments in the Kidō system, including innovations proposed by the new Grand Kidō Chief, Tessai Tsukabishi.
He lectured on, oblivious to the bewildered students below.
For these students who hadn't yet mastered basic Kidō, the concept of combined Kidō was deceptively simple — but its deeper complexities might as well have been written in hieroglyphics.
It was like teaching calculus to elementary school students — completely beyond their grasp.
With curiosity gleaming in his eyes, Akira tilted his head back and asked without turning around.
"Wasn't the Azashiro family completely wiped out years ago? How did a branch family suddenly appear?"
Aizen shook his head and explained quietly.
"The main family indeed only has Captain Azashiro left." His gaze was profound, as if lamenting something, "Originally, that group of conspiring nobles planned to move against the branch family, but before they could act, Sōya killed all the nobles who came to watch the 'execution'. After that, the matter was simply dropped."
Akira frowned, experiencing an oddly familiar sense of déjà vu.
"Wait, if I remember correctly — years ago, wasn't the Azashiro main family also framed with false charges? All family members were killed except Captain Azashiro. Could this current incident also be..."
Hearing this, Aizen raised his eyes, looking at the priest with approval and saying with slight satisfaction, "That possibility certainly exists. However, we'll need to wait for the investigation results to know the specific situation. Most likely, the Onmitsukidō will be coming for you soon."
Akira slowly displayed a question mark.
"The Azashiro family has betrayed us, why would they need to investigate the victim?"
Aizen gave him a penetrating look and warned, "Don't forget, Captain Azashiro has transferred all the family assets to your name. You're no longer just a victim — you could be seen as an accomplice to the betrayal..."
The change in status had come with dizzying speed. In an instant, he'd gone from loyal subject to suspected traitor.
Akira sank into existential contemplation.
He hadn't touched any of the Azashiro family's money yet. Would returning it now make any difference?
The tedious Kidō class drew to a close with the teacher's dismissal.
Under the watchful eyes of many, the new Kidō instructor approached the pensive Akira and spoke with genuine warmth.
"Student Kisaragi, allow me to introduce myself again. I am Hachigen Ushōda..."
At these words, Akira snapped from his thoughts and stared wide-eyed at the well-proportioned man with pink short hair before him, his face registering shock.
The man continued gently, "Currently the 7th Seat of the Kidō Corps, temporarily serving as the Kidō instructor for the Academy's elite class."
Akira stood motionless, carefully studying this Kidō instructor who seemed at once familiar and foreign.
In his memory, Hachigen was supposed to be a large, rotund man with both a broad frame and heart. Yet his current appearance bore no resemblance to what he would become.
What transformations lay between now and then — could time truly be such a merciless blade… or pound(s)?
Though puzzled by the student's apparent surprise, Hachigen delivered his message dutifully.
"The Grand Kidō Chief asked me to inform you that the doors of the Kidō Corps are always open to you. Should you face any insurmountable troubles, you may seek aid from the Kidō Corps."
After delivering this message, he offered a slight smile and left the classroom.
The implication was clear: As Grand Kidō Chief, Tessai must have acquired sensitive information that prompted him to send Hachigen with this message.
Akira understood this immediately.
Aizen too had caught on, pausing briefly before speaking with gravity.
"I'm not well-versed in noble affairs. From our current positions, we can't know what Soul Society's leadership is planning. You should speak with Yoruichi Shihōin and Captain-Commander Yamamoto—they might have answers."
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
1st Division barracks, Tea Room.
The fragrant aroma of tea wafted through the air as the teapot bubbled softly.
Like clockwork, Genryūsai could always be found in one of three places: the tea room, the office, or the training hall.
Each time, his posture remained unchanged from the previous encounter.
"Coming to ask this old man was the correct decision." Genryūsai stroked his beard and spoke in a deep voice, "We have indeed uncovered the assassin's identity. However, this matter runs deeper than it appears."
Under Akira's curious gaze, he revealed the hidden truth.
Soul Society's power was divided among noble factions, whose ruthless struggles for influence knew no bounds. Beyond open warfare, they readily employed framing, slander, and assassination.
Throughout millennia, Genryūsai had witnessed such incidents repeatedly. At times, circumstances had even drawn him into these conflicts.
The Azashiro family incident was merely a stepping stone in the greater power struggle between major noble houses.
Put simply, one noble faction was positioning to strike against another, using the Azashiro family's alleged betrayal as their opening gambit.
And Akira was nothing more than an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
{T/N: Mimihagi might just swoop down to save its fave priest from all this drama.}
After hearing the old man's analysis, Akira frowned.
"So I'm just collateral damage? A side dish!?"
Genryūsai maintained his stoic expression as he poured tea, took a measured sip, and replied matter-of-factly.
"What else did you expect? Did you think those high and mighty people would care about a genius? Don't take yourself too seriously." He set down his teacup and spoke with the gravity of a mentor, "To them, even the Gotei 13 — Soul Society's core defenders — are mere disposable tools. They fear only those who wield power great enough to destroy everything..."
Akira studied the elder's serious expression, sensing deeper meaning in his words.
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing
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