[Character Sign-In: Mochizuki Sōya][Kendo Level +1 → Current Lv. 64][Reiatsu Level +3 → Current Lv. 52][Exclusive Trait Acquired: Kidō Specialization][Kidō Specialization: A true Shinigami is not some brute who only swings a chipped sword at the enemy.A true Shinigami is— elegant.Unshakably elegant. With a smile, cover the battlefield in firepower; drown your foes in endless Kidō.Kidō costs reduced by 50%. Power doubled!]
Boom!
The surge of reiatsu exploded outward, making Kisaragi Akira's assault even fiercer than before.
Ribbons of radiant spiritual pressure spread like grasping tendrils, swirling around his body. Countless razor-sharp blades of condensed reishi spun outward, each one angled precisely at Mochizuki Sōya's vital spots.
Akira slipped through the storm of reishi blades like a flowing stream, his movements light and swift, almost like a darting swallow.
A chilling, vicious aura erupted from him — unrestrained, icy, violent — as if he were venting the fury boiling in his chest.
A faint crease formed between Mochizuki Sōya's brows as he sensed the unnatural change in Akira's state. A thin thread of regret surfaced in his heart.
Perhaps…
…provoking this boy by bringing up the Inverted District had been a little too heavy-handed.
"The gap between us isn't something technique can bridge," Sōya said calmly, his expression steady. "The difference in our reiatsu levels is a chasm that cannot be crossed."
"Kisaragi-kun, you cannot stop me from doing anything."
His words were answered by a single merciless slash — so sharp it seemed intent on cutting even the air in half.
The moment the blade fell, a piercing shattering sound cracked through the arena.
The Mercy of the Dead Sword!
A sword technique stolen from Umazu no Hana Retsu, now unleashed brilliantly in Akira's hands.
The shifting, unpredictable trajectory of the blade caused even Sōya — who controlled every particle of reishi in the execution grounds — to slip for an instant.
Blades of reishi collided and overlapped, weaving into an inescapable net falling from above. The air trembled beneath the pressure, groaning as though on the verge of breaking.
Shikeiryū: Clearing the Clouds!
Crisscrossing sword-light illuminated Akira's cold, determined face.Night itself became a vast stage curtain, and beneath the moonlight, the swordsmanship of the First Generation Kenpachimade its blood-soaked debut upon the execution grounds.
Akira's zanpakutō fell like an invisible hand sweeping aside everything in front of him. Shattered reishi scattered like fragments of starlight, and a chilling cold surged straight toward Mochizuki Sōya's face.
Clang!
The metallic roar rang across the execution grounds.
An invisible barrier had risen before Sōya — perfectly unmoving despite Akira's exploding power and reiatsu.
The difference was obvious.
Akira's head tilted slightly upward, his eyes icy, lips cracking open:
"Hadō #33 — Sōkatsui!"
Sōya's expression finally shifted. His pupils constricted.
He wasn't shocked that Akira could wield Kidō — but that he was casting a #33 Hadō at this distance.Its destructive power would be fully amplified…and would swallow both of them alive.
Brilliant azure flames surged along Akira's blade, lighting up the execution grounds in a blinding instant. The heat erupted violently, scorching the air.
A flicker of the flame brushed his bangs — and a loose strand melted instantly.
Seeing the boy standing before him with absolutely no intention of holding back, Mochizuki Sōya activated his own ability.
Reishi turbulence roared into a storm, tearing across the execution grounds. The tempest swallowed the azure flames completely, annihilating them.
The hardened ground cracked and exploded. The earth surged like a tidal wave, rising layer upon layer until it towered several dozen meters high, curling around Akira like a living creature, sealing him inside.
"My apologies," Sōya murmured softly."But please forgive me for resorting to such a crude method."
Ending the battle in an instant, Mochizuki Sōya looked as if he had done nothing more than tidy a room.
He walked slowly toward Akira, offering a faintly apologetic smile.
"When I saw my sister, I reconsidered my original intentions."
"Eliminating Hollows is a Shinigami's duty — not the burden of the people living in Rukongai."
"When we force nonexistent responsibilities onto them… we become exactly what we once despised."
"Those arrogant nobles looking down on us with contempt…"
Kisaragi Akira's expression shifted. He hadn't expected the situation to unfold like this.
"And the reason I said those provocative things earlier," Sōya sighed, "was simply to understand your thoughts."
Akira narrowed his eyes, the violent aura around him finally easing. Suspicion colored his voice:
"So what you're saying is… you were provoking me on purpose?"
"And what— you were hoping I'd beat you senseless?"
Sōya opened his mouth… then closed it again.
He wasn't wrong, but why did it sound so strange?
"My apologies," Sōya repeated with a soft sigh, lowering his posture.
He was a man of strong principles.
This boy had allowed him to meet his sister. Yet Sōya had responded by conducting such an intrusive test.That alone already went against his own code.
But for the future of Soul Society — for the future of the Shinigami — Mochizuki Sōya was willing to bear others' misunderstanding.
Despite the short time they had interacted, Akira's talent had already surpassed every prodigy of the past century.
If someone like him were to deviate from the right path… the resulting destruction would surpass even Sōya's own potential.
But after this test…
Sōya believed that a person with such unwavering conviction would not stray far, no matter how winding his path.
Perhaps, in the near future… the name Kisaragi would echo throughout all of Soul Society.
Sōya turned his gaze toward the boy imprisoned by the risen earth, thoughtful light flickering in his eyes.
"After I became the captain of Squad Eleven, the Mochizuki clan's seized assets were all returned — even more than before."
"And to thank you for everything you've done tonight…"
"If you don't mind, please accept these belongings."
Akira's eyes lit up instantly.
He hadn't expected a surprise bonus tonight.This Mochizuki guy?He was the real deal.
Trust first.Then wealth.All delivered after he put on his exhausting performance tonight.
"Dawn is approaching," Sōya said as he glanced at the brightening horizon. He raised a hand, releasing Akira from the earth's restraints."Someone from the Spiritual Arts Academy will contact you about these matters later."
"Farewell, you two."
With those words, his body dissolved, scattering into countless particles of reishi that faded into the morning air.
Just as Akira was congratulating himself — fully convinced he had deceived everyone perfectly—
A calm, familiar voice murmured beside his ear.
"Kisaragi-kun… you certainly went through a lot."
Aizen walked toward him with quiet steps, the corner of his lips lifting in a subtly teasing smile.
"With acting skills that polished… you must have practiced quite a bit."
"So, shall we guess…""Just who have you been deceiving with that performance?""It wouldn't happen to be me, would it?"
The moment those words fell—
Akira's heart dropped.
Facing that gentle, warm smile, a cold sweat trickled down his spine.