Bleach: My Zanpakutō Is the Entire Underworld

The scroll slowly unfurled, revealing line after line of delicate handwriting:

"Host: Asano Kiyoshi

Zanjutsu: 40 (In a life-and-death battle, your swordsmanship improved greatly, reaching the peak of Fourth-Class Reiatsu) +2.1

Hakuda: 40 (The spirits of the underworld turned into flesh and blood, strengthening your body to the peak of Fourth-Class Reiatsu) +2.3

Kido: 40 (Perfect control over spiritual particles, flawless Kido release—peak Fourth-Class) +2.4

Shunpo: 40 (A powerful body, impeccable control of spiritual power—peak Fourth-Class) +2.1

Reiatsu: 94% of Fourth-Class (The evil souls you buried turned into the fertilizer for blooming flowers.)

Overall Evaluation: 160 (A flawless Fourteenth Seat-level strength. If a Shinigami's spiritual body peaks at Fourth-Class, then you are the strongest in the world!)"

However, behind this time's stats, some gray numbers had appeared. As if noticing Kiyoshi's confusion, new text slowly emerged on the scroll:

"Note: Since the host has reached the absolute peak of Fourth-Class Reiatsu, values absorbed from the Path of Yomi can no longer manifest. Host is advised to immediately break through to Fifth-Class Reiatsu!"

Looking at the message, Asano Kiyoshi sighed helplessly. Right now, he had two ways to raise his Reiatsu:

Tempering his control over his spiritual body — in other words, being relentlessly beaten up by Old Man Yamamoto.

Killing enemies and extracting soul fragments to absorb Reiatsu — somewhat like the "O" from the Sternritter.

After thinking about it, he figured he had enough time.

Last time he checked Komamura Kojirō's stats, the guy was around 159. So unless Kojirō pulled out some hidden power, it was unlikely he'd surpass him.

Still, with the deep resources of the Four Great Noble Houses, he couldn't be careless. This wasn't a game—if he lost once, every step afterward could go downhill.

While pondering, Kiyoshi arrived at the place he had agreed upon with Rukia and the others. Seeing the familiar small wooden cabin, a smile naturally formed on his face.

A familiar onion-head-like figure seemed to sense something and ran out of the house. When she saw the youth bathed in morning light, her face lit up with warmth and she shouted from afar:

"Big brother Asano Kiyoshi!"

Hearing Rukia's energetic voice lifted Kiyoshi's spirits. Watching the kids run toward him, he pulled out a handful of candy from his pocket and handed it to them. Even if these kids might be older than him in age, he looked the part of the big brother, and that was enough!

The children were fascinated by the unfamiliar sweets. After a bit of catching up, Kiyoshi learned that they all wanted to follow him to the Shin'ō Spirit Academy.

It wasn't surprising—most of them were orphans with no attachment to the place. Their only bonds were the friends around them, so they had no reason to stay.

With the group in tow, Asano Kiyoshi began the journey back.

Nothing significant happened along the way—just a few idiots who didn't know better. After discovering they were seasoned organ traffickers targeting children, Kiyoshi wiped them out on the spot.

Sure, he could've absorbed their Reiatsu—but Kiyoshi knew: people need bottom lines. Break it once, and there will always be a second time. He refused to become a mindless killer. That kind of person was what he hated most.

They returned to the house near the Shin'ō Academy, where Granny Hana warmly welcomed the children.

This year's admissions period was over, and due to long-term malnutrition, the children couldn't meet the academy's requirements. So Kiyoshi decided to let them stay for now.

Then, without wasting time, he went to report to Old Man Yamamoto.

When Kiyoshi described how he eliminated the Yingkou Gang, Yamamoto's face clearly showed a hint of satisfaction. He said:

"Hmm. Being able to assess the situation and decide whether to spare enemies, comparing known data to detect lies, and knowing how to strike indirectly—you're already better than some fool I taught before."

When Kiyoshi mentioned turning Musashi Gasa over to the girl and the crowd, Yamamoto paused, deep in thought. After a long silence, he said:

"What you did was right… At least, in this old man's eyes."

Kiyoshi couldn't quite read the old man's thoughts. But based on how he maneuvered among the nobility, perhaps Yamamoto had deeper reasons for awakening the will of the commoners.

But when Yamamoto heard about Yingkou Akira's Hollowfication, his expression changed drastically. His spiritual pressure instantly burst forth like a bottomless ocean, nearly crushing Kiyoshi to the floor.

The air around them became oppressively hot, even warping space itself under the weight of Yamamoto's fury.

Fortunately, it lasted only a moment. Yamamoto quickly reined in his emotions. Seeing the sweat-drenched Kiyoshi, he apologized:

"Sorry. I lost control for a moment. Take some of my homemade senbei later."

Seeing the old man's kind smile, Kiyoshi wiped his sweat and nodded.

But just as he smiled, Yamamoto continued:

"Regarding Yingkou Akira, you must never speak a word. This matter is beyond your current standing. Remember—what you killed was a Shinigami traitor, not a Hollow. No matter who asks, that's what you say. Understood?"

Kiyoshi immediately nodded, showing he understood.

Satisfied, Yamamoto changed the topic and asked Kiyoshi a question in a calm, gentle tone:

"Can you tell me why you did all that in the 79th District? How do you see the people of Rukongai?"

Hearing the question, Kiyoshi paused briefly. Then, without any hesitation, he smiled and answered:

"Because of the bottom line in my heart. The people of Rukongai… they're no different from us. They're people too. Power isn't the only way to distinguish human beings."

T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle

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