BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

As soon as those words left his mouth, the surrounding Shinigami were momentarily stunned, wondering if they had misheard.

Did Akira just say he wanted to challenge the captain?

Challenge Byakuya Kuchiki—the head of the esteemed Kuchiki family, one of the Four Great Noble Clans?

"Heh… is this some kind of vendetta against the nobility?" someone murmured.

Byakuya Kuchiki let out a quiet, disdainful scoff. In his eyes, this was nothing more than Akira's rebellious defiance against the Four Great Noble Clans, born from resentment.

But so be it.

Though Byakuya had silently condoned the actions of the other three noble houses against Akira, he had never personally intervened. Now, however, he had a legitimate reason to put the upstart in his place—and remind the world that the nobility was not to be trifled with.

"It is indeed one of the laws of the Gotei 13, and I accept your challenge," Byakuya stated coldly.

Within the Gotei 13, there were only three recognized ways to attain the rank of captain:

Passing the captain proficiency exam under the witness of at least three captains, including the Head Captain.

Receiving a nomination from at least six captains, followed by the approval of at least three others.

The method Akira was invoking—defeating the current captain in a formal battle, witnessed by at least 200 squad members.

"Quite bold of you," Byakuya remarked. "Clear the area to prevent unnecessary casualties."

Akira, holding his Zanpakutō with unwavering composure, stepped forward. "There's no need. This battle will not spill over to bystanders."

The declaration stirred murmurs among the onlookers.

Arrogant! they thought. Isn't he the one who should be worried about survival?

Renji Abarai scoffed from the sidelines. "Captain's Shikai alone is more than enough to end this."

It was well known that Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura was among the most powerful Shikai in Soul Society. Some Shinigami possessed only average Shikai, but Byakuya—having undergone training with Squad Zero—had honed his Zanpakutō to the point where its Shikai could rival a weaker Bankai.

"You'll regret this," Akira murmured.

Without another word, Byakuya drew his Zanpakutō and pointed it downward.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura."

In an instant, the blade disintegrated into thousands of razor-sharp sakura petals, dissolving into the air like a mesmerizing yet deadly storm. The beautiful display concealed an overwhelming killing intent as the petals surged toward Akira in a relentless tide.

"Akira is finished…!" someone gasped.

However, before anyone could process what was happening, Byakuya's eyes narrowed in surprise—Akira had vanished.

Impossible.

The swarm of sakura petals slashed through empty space. And then—

A piercing chill crept along Byakuya's neck.

The crowd fell into stunned silence.

Akira was behind him.

"...What!?"

Byakuya's pupils contracted. Though he couldn't see the attack, he could feel it—a blade rested against his throat.

The entire battlefield was frozen in disbelief.

"Did… did he just use Shunpo?"

Renji stood there, eyes wide. That speed… It's beyond anything I've ever seen!

Akira's voice cut through the silence.

"Your no-wound zone—an 85cm radius around you where Senbonzakura's petals won't cut—is impressive."

Byakuya's grip on his Zanpakutō tightened. This was no ordinary opponent.

Akira narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "The moment you step into this space unknowingly, your fate is sealed—you will be completely beheaded."

His words sent a shock through Byakuya Kuchiki, his composed demeanor cracking into sheer disbelief.

"How does he know such a thing?!"

Before Byakuya could process it further, Akira calmly sheathed his blade.

"Defeating you like this wouldn't be convincing enough," he remarked. "Let me help clear the battlefield first."

The moment he finished speaking, Akira drove the Sword of Vowed Victory into the ground.

"Wind, howl!"

With an overwhelming surge of spiritual power, the Wind King's Barrier expanded beyond its normal range.

A colossal tornado erupted from the ground, spiraling into the heavens. The devastating gusts swept away the unsuspecting Shinigami in the vicinity, hurling them thousands of meters away. Most landed with painful crashes, dazed but conscious—just far enough to witness the impending battle from a safe distance.

"What's going on?!"

Just outside the Sixth Division's headquarters, Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu Kurotsuchi arrived at the scene, only to be met by the violent winds tearing through the area.

Had they not been seasoned fighters, even they might have been caught in the storm's fury like the others.

Mayuri narrowed his eyes, a sinister grin creeping onto his face. "Akira... so you really went ahead and acted within the Sixth Division's territory?"

The scientist's mind raced with excitement—this was the perfect chance to study Akira's Zanpakutō firsthand.

Dashing into the scene, he quickly caught sight of the two warriors standing apart, locked in a silent clash of wills.

Byakuya Kuchiki, usually the picture of composure, was now visibly fuming. His pride, his dignity as the captain of the Sixth Division and the head of the Kuchiki Clan, had been deeply wounded.

His voice was cold, laced with uncharacteristic fury.

"A moment ago… you had the perfect opportunity to finish me. And yet, you let it slip away so arrogantly. This blatant insult—I will not forget it!"

A crushing spiritual pressure erupted from Byakuya, the weight of his fury made tangible.

Akira's casual dismissal was like a slap to his face, as if he was silently declaring:

"Even if you go all out, I can defeat you anytime."

Such contempt was unacceptable.

Byakuya's expression darkened. If Akira believed he could take him lightly, he would soon regret it.

"Bankai… Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"

He dropped his Zanpakutō into the ground. Ripples spread outward as enormous mirrored blades rose from the earth.

Then, in a flash, the blades shattered into a storm of countless razor-sharp petals—infinitely more than in his Shikai state.

Kurotsuchi Mayuri watched, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. "To resort to Bankai against someone who isn't even a vice-captain?"

His fascination only deepened when he recalled Byakuya's words.

And yet, standing before this overwhelming force, Akira's expression remained unmoved.

"This isn't arrogance," he said coolly. "It's simply an assessment of reality. Only by defeating you at full power will the world truly acknowledge my strength."

Byakuya's eyes flashed with fury. "That is arrogance!"

"Since I have unleashed my Bankai, I will allow you to release your Zanpakutō as well."

But Akira simply tightened his grip on the Sword of Vowed Victory, a confident smile playing on his lips.

"That won't be necessary."

His aura sharpened, the sheer force of his conviction cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Because this battle will be over in mere moments."

Visit patreon.com/shirokendama for more chapters