Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 233 ⥤ The Mind Is Not Such an Inconvenient Thing

A towering elderly man with a muscular build and silver hair stood atop the sky-covering black mist, his expressionless gaze fixed on the battlefield below.

A powerful Reiatsu spread out, instantly enveloping everything within sight. Noticing someone's obvious overacting, he let out a silent, helpless sigh.

My King, are you in your right mind?

This wasn't what we planned — we were supposed to have a pretend fight. How did I suddenly become the final boss villain? Am I really expected to battle all the Quincy?

Thanks to his extensive reading, Baraggan's emotions had grown far more stable. He no longer harbored hatred toward Akira and Aizen for taking Las Noches; instead, he felt grateful for their actions.

Now he could devote himself fully to reading, immersed in an ocean of knowledge without worry. He'd even mastered writing the term PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or 精神的外傷後ストレス障害).

Yet his love of reading had one drawback — Baraggan refused to leave his room. If Aizen hadn't personally ordered it, he'd still be there, absorbed in his books.

The current situation differed completely from their agreement. But as an experienced Hollow, he quickly adapted and played along with Akira's lead.

"Hmph, why should I, the God-King, explain my actions to you?" Baraggan commanded the vast black mist, radiating an imposing aura worthy of true royalty.

His cold eyes surveyed the battlefield as his overwhelming Reiatsu surged forth, eclipsing all others present.

Under Aizen's group's modifications, the Arrancar experiments had advanced far beyond their original scope.

Though the Hōgyoku hadn't reached the state Akira remembered, the experiments didn't rely solely on its power. As Mayuri would say, scientific technology was the key to changing everything.

While the Hōgyoku's emergence involved some chance, continued technological development would surely lead to a second one — just like his Nemuri Project.

The improved experiments had brought Baraggan's Resurrección to near perfection. He retained all his abilities while his Reiatsu increased more than tenfold.

At full power, he matched Starrk, the strongest Lanza, and even slightly surpassed him.

As Baraggan himself noted, knowledge had transformed him in subtle ways.

"Curse you!" Akira's face contorted with rage, "You'll pay for this, Baraggan!"

As his words fell, under countless watching eyes, he burst forth with Reiatsu, knocked away the four people surrounding him, and transformed into a streak of light as he rushed straight toward the old man in the sky.

A giant spirit blade materialized in his hand, and his fierce attack closed in instantly.

Baraggan raised his hand, and the black mist beneath him surged forth, rolling massively toward the incoming figure.

Though he didn't understand Akira's intentions, as a subordinate now, he simply needed to play his part well. The sooner this ended, the sooner he could return to reading.

Shunsui's "Rose-Colored Path" had just received its latest issue, and Aizen had even brought the final Chapter of "The Yin of the Pine Needle" before he came.

What could be more torturous than being kept from books when they lay waiting?

So Baraggan cooperated fully, hoping His Majesty would quickly end this self-directed performance.

As the black mist attacked, a flash of unmistakable fear crossed Akira's face, yet he gritted his teeth and slashed forward. The sword pressure fell violently, instantly cutting a gap in the black mist.

Before the next move could be made, the swarming black mist instantly filled the gap.

Baraggan frowned. This attack power wasn't even as strong as that little panther's — merely flashy and worthless.

But as his thoughts shifted, understanding flickered in his eyes as he grasped Akira's intentions.

The black mist swept forth, devouring the sword pressure and reducing it instantly to nothing.

"Hmph, my power is the strongest in the world. Any being that dares approach me will be aged and decayed by my power — this is the most absolute force of death that stands before all life. Feel death, Quincy." Baraggan raised one finger and softly exhaled.

⤫ Respira ⥤ Breath of Death! ⤬

The next moment, black mist swirled as power deeper than the night itself poured forth, covering the entire sky.

Looking at the approaching black mist, Akira hesitated briefly before activating his Blut Vene and projecting it outward.

⤫ Blut Vene Anhaben ⥤ Shell of Stilled Blood Guise! ⤬

Blut Vene Anhaben was an advanced technique that very few Knights could master. As far as he knew, only Pernida could release it easily.

Others — like the defeated Driscoll, Gerard Valkyrie, and the repeatedly beaten Bazz-B — hadn't mastered this technique.

Unlike normal people, he chose to project it on his pants. Though thick-skinned, Tsukiaki didn't have a habit of running around naked in public. Besides, if the defense was set too high, it would undermine the impact of this performance.

If Baraggan attacked with all his might but couldn't scratch him, that would be rather awkward.

The black mist descended. The spirit blade was the first to decay. Under countless shocked gazes, the supposedly indestructible Spiritual Weapon dissolved into nothingness, merging with the deep darkness.

"How could this be..."

"Is this the power of the King of Hueco Mundo?"

"How terrifying!"

Akira showed an expression of disbelief, but he didn't hesitate long. Gritting his teeth, he deployed a Quincy Zeichen (Destruction Mark) in the sky.

⤫ Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger ⥤ Holy Chant: Sanctuary Veneration! ⤬

His right hand spread its five fingers, and light beams containing complex incantations fell from his fingertips, expanding like a water screen.

In the next moment, brilliant light bloomed to its fullest. Countless Quincy crosses stood in the sky, covering the black mist and becoming the most dazzling sight under the night sky.

The night was torn apart as brilliant radiance transformed the battlefield into daylight. Intense explosive flames spread wildly — searing heat permeated and enveloped everything, resisting the black mist's decay.

But when the two forces collided, the black mist merely slowed slightly, its decaying power continuing to devour the Sankt Zwinger.

Large swaths of Blue Flames and Quincy crosses were consumed, dissolving into nothingness in the darkness.

"It's all futile." Baraggan said confidently, "No one can stop the God-King's advance, no one! Invader, pay the price for your reckless behavior!"

Just then, Lilynette fired a Cero, attempting to blast someone to pieces with a sneak attack.

But Akira seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, catching the incoming Cero with his bare hand. His five fingers gripped tightly as countless Reishi fragments scattered like rain.

⤫ Schrift: W ⥤ Sacred Letter: The World! ⤬

Black patterns appeared on his body, with both Blut Arterie and Blut Vene manifesting simultaneously. Tree-like patterns mixed on his perfect form, creating a dizzying sight.

Harribel and the others launched another attack against him, and both sides became entangled in battle.

Seeing Akira surrounded by four people, Baraggan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Going one-on-one with this guy in single combat was nerve-wracking.

Even though he had held the upper hand in their previous battle, he still didn't dare relax even slightly. He knew well how terrifying that person was — the power being displayed right now was probably not even one percent.

The five Lanza launched their coordinated attack, countless dazzling techniques exploding and blooming under the night sky as heavy Reiatsu came crashing down.

The gravity on the battlefield intensified once again. The lower-ranking Quincy had begun retreating under Candice and the Sternritter's command.

Their mission yielded few captures — among the Arrancar, they had only managed to catch Sōton, a giant Hollow hamster.

At this stage of the war, pressing forward would only result in heavy casualties. The opposing Hollows had captured just as many Quincy and Sternritter.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate.

In the distance, Bazz-B and Grimmjow fought to exhaustion. Running on nothing but fighting spirit, they traded fierce punches with unwavering enthusiasm.

Their final clash — blazing flames against the Panther King's claws — ended with both warriors collapsing simultaneously. Their allies quickly dragged them to safety.

Szayelaporro, sensing an opportunity, cleverly feigned defeat and allowed Pernida to capture him.

The golden wings of the Quincy: Vollständig bound him completely — their overwhelming power locked down his limbs and sealed his Reiatsu. Spirit threads encased him from all sides, ready to counter any tricks.

At that moment, Akira unleashed a charged punch. The shockwave exploded outward as Blue Flames spread in all directions, forcing Lilynette back.

"Baraggan, is that all you've got!" He sneered, "All forces, retreat!"

At his command, Candice drew out the Sun Key, charged it with spiritual energy, and opened the Gate of the Sun. The Quincy began their withdrawal.

"Hmph, you think you can come and go as you please?" Baraggan thundered, "Do you think Hueco Mundo is your playground? Stay here for your king!"

"Rot..."

⤫ Resurrección: Arrogante ⥤ Returning Blade: Grand Emperor of Skulls! ⤬

From his long outer robe, he drew a circular axe adorned with eyes. As the blade hung downward, thick black mist poured forth.

Purple-black Reiatsu enveloped him. A crushing weight descended upon the battlefield, making the vast desert sands tremble violently.

His power surged outward in massive waves.

The skeleton-like Hollow emerged slowly, his hollow eye sockets fixed ahead:

⤫ Gran Caída ⥤ Axe of Ruin! ⤬

Rolling black mist swept forth in all directions.

As the star of this grand performance, Baraggan unleashed his full power at an unseen signal.

Just as his attack was about to land, a figure charged straight toward the black mist — death itself — with resolute determination.

The Quincy watched wide-eyed as their leader used his mortal body to buy them time.

"The Captain..."

Their faces filled with complex emotions.

Never before in the Wandenreich's centuries-long history had there been such a Knight.

At this moment, that godlike figure was deeply imprinted in their hearts.

Indeed! Such a person is truly worthy of following!

Only His Majesty Hashirama would treat ones like us with such equality, sincerity, and gentleness! Serving such a person is our lifelong pursuit!

At this moment, fervent expressions appeared on the Quincy's faces.

Harribel noticed this scene and let out a helpless sigh. She was all too familiar with it. These foolish people, blinded by appearances, couldn't see that person's true, ugly face.

Back then, she too had been deceived like this, which was why she had stayed in Las Noches.

All that kindness was nothing but lies!

The Quincy showed no foolish intention of sharing life and death with their Captain, but strictly followed orders, retreating into the Gate of the Sun.

Soon, only a group of conspirators remained on the bare desert.

"That's a wrap, that's a wrap!" Akira punched away Lilynette, who had tried to rebel against her superior, sneering, "Mere female brat, how dare you oppose the heavenly law. Nothing but small fry."

Baraggan looked at His Majesty's completely unharmed and still faintly glowing perfect body, finding himself at a loss for words.

He remembered when he first met Akira — his Senescencia could still cause serious damage then, directly decaying his skin and flesh. Although it was countered by his recovery speed, it still had some effect.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

But now, after so much time had passed, his power that could decay everything in the world couldn't even breach his defenses.

It seemed rather excessive.

Just then, Aizen, who had been hiding and observing near the battlefield, flickered into view, staring expressionlessly at someone.

"Ahem, Sōsuke, let me explain..."

⤫ Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi ⥤ Black Coffin! ⤬

Black currents spread and proliferated, instantly devouring someone like a bursting flood, with sounds of clashing metal erupting from within the darkness.

When the black coffin retreated, Akira reappeared before everyone's eyes, covered in white marks.

Aizen took a deep breath, his feelings complicated. At his current Reiatsu level, even an Eishōhaki (no chant) Kurohitsugi couldn't damage that person anymore.

Had he truly been left so far behind?

As this thought arose, his mood grew increasingly complex. When had that person, whom he had once surpassed, managed to run so far ahead of him?

Aizen narrowed his eyes.

How irritating. Vaguely, he developed some dangerous thoughts that deviated from the plan.

"Speak." He regained his composure, watching that person with his usual intensity.

"Actually, it's related to your discovery." Akira grinned, slowly explaining his thoughts.

It was actually quite simple.

Since absolute loyalty and fanatical faith could be used to share damage from the soul, why not use this principle to block the so-called Auswählen, the "Consecration".

{T/N: Remember that, since his soul is immortal, it's as if he's placing protection on all those who are faithful to him. This way, the effect of Auswählen will be severely reduced. I'm not sure if it will completely block all damage, or "withdrawal", but it will prevent many people from dying needlessly.}

As everyone knows, Auswählen is the key to Yhwach recovering his power. Blocking it would be like cutting off one of his arms.

As he continued explaining, the expressions of those present grew strange, as if they were seeing an entirely different person before them.

Good heavens, their God-King had grown a brain!

Akira's expression brightened with excitement.

"A great man living between heaven and earth cannot remain subordinate to others for long! If Yhwach can do it, why can't I? Since we're pursuing excitement, let's go all the way! Soon, you all shall follow me into the Wandenreich!"

⤫⤬⤫

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