Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

Noble Street, Kuchiki Manor.

"Lord Kyōraku, Captain Kisaragi."

Wearing Soul Society's latest model of glasses, Ginjirō Shirogane stood guard at the door, welcoming guests who came to offer their congratulations. As a retainer of the Kuchiki family, his etiquette was impeccable.

{T/N: Ginjirō is the one who paid the bill for Sōjun in the first chapters. I think you remember him. And for those who remember even more, you know that I got his name wrong. The guy actually exists in the Bleach universe, but I didn't recognize him.}

His formal way of addressing people was telling — Shunsui represented the Kyōraku family's congratulations, while Akira represented the Gotei 13.

However, neither of them cared much for such formalities.

Akira waved his hand dismissively, "We're all familiar faces here, no need for such ceremony. Just remember to send me a few pairs when you get new glasses in stock."

Ginjirō couldn't help but smile.

This 11th Division Captain was quite the character. Their first meeting at Shin'ō Academy had nearly given him high blood pressure.

Yet Akira's rise had been remarkable. Before Soul Society could even react, a new star had steadily ascended, becoming an existence that none could ignore. Even the Kuchiki family, one of the Five Great Noble Houses, dared not cross him.

The fate of Tsunayashiro stood as a stark warning — though they had brought it upon themselves, this man's role in their downfall was undeniable.

"I never expected Captain Kisaragi would take interest in accessories like glasses. You have excellent taste." Ginjirō bowed slightly and smiled, "Wearing glasses enhances one's scholarly appearance and naturally draws favorable impressions."

He had recently opened an eyewear shop called Gin Tonbo (The Silver Dragonfly). Though just a side business, it had flourished. Through the Kuchiki family's connections, its reputation had spread throughout Rukongai, attracting even noble customers. Business was thriving.

If the 6th Division weren't currently without leadership, he might have considered resigning from his Lieutenant position to focus entirely on his shop.

"Don't misunderstand." Akira shook his head, "Such combat-hindering accessories aren't for me. They're for a friend — Third Seat of the Twelfth Division, Sōsuke Aizen."

Ginjirō nodded in understanding.

He knew of the friendship between Akira and Aizen. The two had been inseparable since their days at Shin'ō Academy.

That Aizen was quite the genius himself. Though not on Akira's level, becoming 12th Division's 3rd Seat at such a young age spoke to his talent.

Geniuses truly do attract each other.

Ginjirō led them to the reception hall. The previously bustling room fell silent, all eyes turning to the 11th Division Captain.

It was only a momentary glance — everyone quickly averted their gaze, trying their best to avoid eye contact.

"Little brother, you certainly command respect among the nobles." Shunsui patted Akira's shoulder teasingly, "These folks don't show such timidity even before Yama-jii."

Though he had lowered his voice, everyone present possessed some degree of Reiryoku, making his whispers as clear as if he'd spoken directly into their ears.

The nobles caught the mockery in his words but only lowered their heads further. Who could blame them when standing next to Shunsui was an unprecedented fearsome figure in Soul Society's history?

Akira paid it no mind and took his seat with his senior, quietly waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin.

Under countless expectant gazes, the newlyweds took the stage, commencing the complex and solemn ceremonial procedures. As an exemplar among noble families, the Kuchiki family's grand wedding was nothing less than expected.

Shunsui watched from the side, drowsy and disinterested. In contrast, Akira beside him showed great interest, observing every detail of the ceremony.

Noticing his junior's behavior, Shunsui rubbed his eyes forcefully, as if witnessing something impossible.

"Brother Kyōraku, tell me..."

Just as he wondered if someone had replaced Akira, the young man pondered aloud.

"Are the Shihōin wedding ceremonies this complicated too?"

Shunsui: "..."

Indeed, he shouldn't have gotten his hopes up.

As evening approached, the newlyweds finally completed the last step amid everyone's blessings.

Just as the guests were departing and Akira was about to leave, Sōjun, dressed in elegant attire, approached him.

"Captain Kisaragi, might I have a word?"

Hearing this, Shunsui nodded with a smile and bowed before taking his leave. Before his junior could stop him, he turned and vanished from sight.

His path led neither toward the 8th Division's barracks nor the Kyōraku residence, but rather toward the Junrinan District of Rukongai.

Tch, off to the pleasure quarters again. This guy will die alone…

Akira shook his head in disdain, making a mental note to report this to Lisa later.

Led by Sōjun, they entered an adjacent room, quiet save for the crackling of burning firewood.

"What do you need?" Akira sat cross-legged on the tatami, "Considering you've been my generous patron before, I'll help if I can."

Sōjun was, without question, a genuinely kind person. Having received significant help from Akira previously, he always remembered this debt and provided whatever assistance he could, whether financial or through his authority.

When the 11th Division needed large quantities of precious materials to construct their barracks, a significant portion came from the Kuchiki family.

One good turn deserves another — Akira wasn't one to forget favors.

Though in Sōjun's view, these were merely things he should have done anyway.

It was this sincere exchange between friends that had preserved their good relationship until now.

Sōjun's face showed unease as he hesitated, "It's a long story."

"Child without a mother?"

Sōjun replied irritably, "Kikuna is perfectly healthy, there's nothing wrong with her!"

This time it was Akira's turn to be stunned.

Before he could ask further, words spilled from him like water from a broken teacup.

As it turned out, Sōjun had met Kikuna by chance, and their feelings blossomed into a lifelong commitment. Their moonlit meetings grew passionate, and one thing led to another.

Due to some oversight, the woman became pregnant, necessitating a swift marriage.

Ginrei, being no rigid traditionalist and noting Kikuna's status as a higher noble, promptly reported to the Golden Seal Noble Assembly, which approved their union without delay.

Akira listened, thoroughly amused.

"I never thought someone as proper as you would be such a rebel. Pregnancy before marriage, shotgun wedding — well done indeed, Sōjun."

Now he understood where Byakuya's rebellious streak came from — it all traced back to this root.

One face in public, another in private. These nobles certainly knew how to play their games…

How could someone as earnest as Sōjun handle such teasing? His face flushed immediately, bringing color to his usually pale complexion.

Until a violent fit of coughing interrupted them.

Staring at the blood on his handkerchief, Akira furrowed his brow.

"An old injury?"

Sōjun nodded helplessly, "This is actually why I asked you here. As the family's only legitimate eldest son, I'm ashamed that I can't help shoulder my father's burdens or protect our family's honor. It's a congenital condition — even Captain Unohana can't cure it. And I feel my body weakening. At this rate, I fear I won't live to see my child grow up."

Hearing this, Akira took a deep breath and declared confidently, "Then you've come to the right person! Though I may not follow Yama-jii's legacy, I excel at teaching the younger generation. After you pass away, let him become my student, and I'll restore the Kuchiki family's glory!"

Sōjun: "..."

He suddenly felt a strong urge to stay alive longer.

"Just kidding." Akira's mischievous expression vanished, "Sister Retsu specializes in conventional treatment. Since she can't help, we'll need something more extreme. Don't worry, I'll handle this. Without my permission, you won't be able to die even if you wanted to..."

This exaggerated display only increased Sōjun's worry.

But with no better options available, he could only place his hopes in the miraculous Akira. Perhaps he would find a solution.

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Seeking answers to his questions, Akira returned to the 11th Division.

He moved swiftly between the barracks, his form flickering like a shadow as he headed straight for his destination.

Soon, he stopped before one of the barracks. Before he could knock, the metal security door slid apart smoothly, retreating into the walls.

"Captain, please come in..." Kisuke's voice was heavy with exhaustion. Despair and dejection seemed to envelop him like a suffocating net.

Life was just too hard.

The room was filled with complex equipment, arranged in a way that turned the spacious area into a maze — yet somehow maintaining an inexplicable orderliness.

As a scientist, having some quirks was normal. Akira was understanding.

Under Kisuke's weary gaze, he skillfully navigated through the equipment, settled into his usual spot, and began explaining.

"It's not really a big deal..."

After hearing the explanation, a thoughtful look crossed Kisuke's eyes.

"I've heard about Sōjun Kuchiki's condition before. To think even Captain Unohana would be at a loss... Ordinary methods won't work in his case." His concern for the Kuchiki noble was evident.

The 11th Division's current development owed much to the Kuchiki family.

His Captain might make empty promises, but only someone as honest as Sōjun would turn those promises into reality. If he were gone, the Kuchiki family might continue supporting the 11th Division out of fear of Akira's influence — but they wouldn't be as cooperative.

Indeed, helping others meant helping oneself. To make his future work easier, Kisuke knew he would need to put in some overtime.

"By the way, Kisuke." Before leaving, Akira made one final remark, "If you can't find a way, I'll handle it. Though I can't completely cure that piggy bank, keeping him alive for a few hundred years shouldn't be a problem."

Hearing this, Kisuke's eyes widened in surprise. Before he could speak, he caught only a blur as the figure on the sofa vanished.

He gazed at the wide-open door, a contemplative look in his eyes.

"The power of the Soul King's Right Hand..."

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Having entrusted Sōjun's treatment to Kisuke, Akira felt quite at ease.

Throughout all of Soul Society, no one could surpass Kisuke in scientific research. Even Aizen could at best match him — and that was only possible with his extraordinary wisdom supporting him.

If even Kisuke couldn't save Sōjun, they'd have to initiate Plan B.

For quite a long time after that, Akira settled into a monotonous lifestyle.

Eating, sleeping, and beating up Zaraki. For variety, he'd occasionally beat up Sajin or Kaname. Of course, Ikkaku and Yumichika also received their share of the Captain's "attention" (aka beating).

Training the 11th Division's Shinigami, advancing Kisuke's research, and monitoring Sōjun's health became routine.

Sometimes he'd visit the Shin'ō Academy to check on Rangiku's progress. Surprisingly, she had not only caught up in combat classes but had also completed all her theory courses.

Professor Uruoi praised her talent endlessly, making Akira somewhat jealous — when he was a student, that extortionist had never praised him once.

At this rate, she would graduate from the Academy soon.

When Akira asked which division she wanted to join after graduation, Rangiku's answer was decidedly girlish: any division would do except the 11th.

Akira scoffed, declaring on the spot that even if she begged him later, he wouldn't let her join his Division. In response, Rangiku made a face at him.

Perhaps due to their personalities, she found herself inexplicably relaxed around him. She didn't need to think about anything — just being happy was enough.

This cheerful time continued for nearly a year, and just as Akira had accumulated another large pile of konpeitō and dried persimmons from his Check-ins, Aizen came to find him.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

"Latest news from Szayelaporro."

In the laboratory in Rukongai, Aizen interpreted the content on the screen.

"The Arrancar have discovered traces of new Vasto Lorde."

"What are we waiting for?" Akira sprang to his feet, "Let's go!"

Aizen glanced at the various equipment in the laboratory and the complex recorded data, summarized the contents in his mind, then nodded.

"Let's go then."

The Kidō activated, space shattered, and a deep, pitch-black Garganta gradually opened.

The two figures disappeared into it...

⤫⤬⤫

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