BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

The reiatsu that erupted from Suzumushi instantly transformed into a vast black dome, enveloping Tōsen Kaname and his target.

Within Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi, all sensory perceptions—sight, hearing, smell, and even spiritual energy detection—are completely erased. The only one unaffected is the wielder, Tōsen Kaname himself, who retains his five senses as long as he holds the sword's hilt.

Tōsen's intent was clear: to render his opponent utterly helpless, reduced to relying solely on touch, and then to mercilessly cut them down. Because only the sword's wielder maintains full sensory awareness, even Ichimaru Gin would be powerless inside the Bankai's domain. Thus, Tōsen deliberately excluded him after activating it.

Standing outside the impenetrable black barrier, Ichimaru Gin observed the unfolding situation, his sharp gaze narrowing. He finally had a moment to reflect.

"Aizen told me about Akira... but the intel never mentioned that his Shunpo was this fast."

Recalling the opponent's near-instantaneous movements, Gin felt a rare sense of unease.

Gin had graduated from the Shin'ō Academy in just one year—a feat achieved only by extraordinary prodigies. Moreover, he had spent years in the company of formidable figures like Aizen, accumulating experience and mastery far beyond ordinary captains.

Even so, Gin had never witnessed Shunpo of this caliber.

"That's not just Shunpo... it's more like spatial teleportation."

A cold sweat formed on Gin's temples. Despite being the ones to launch the ambush, in mere moments, Akira had turned the tables, critically injuring a captain-level combatant.

Clearly, he was far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

Inside the darkness of Enma Kōrogi, Tōsen Kaname smirked as he observed Akira standing motionless.

"Hmph… Even someone as strong as you becomes completely vulnerable when deprived of all senses."

Slowly, he advanced, raising his Zanpakutō, preparing to deliver a fatal strike.

Yet, in that instant, an unsettling feeling prickled at the back of his mind. A sense of wrongness.

Akira had avoided falling victim to Suzumushi's Shikai… so could he have found a way around Bankai as well?

Before Tōsen could fully process this thought—

A sudden gleam of cold steel flashed through the void.

"Guh!"

Tōsen twisted desperately, but he wasn't fast enough. A deep gash tore across his chest, blood spilling freely.

His breath hitched. His hands trembled.

"You… you can actually see me?!"

For the first time, a flicker of genuine fear entered Tōsen's voice.

Indeed, Akira had been struck by Enma Kōrogi and had lost nearly all his senses.

But just like with Suzumushi's Shikai, one ability remained completely unaffected—

His Observation Haki.

To him, Tōsen's presence and movements within the Bankai's void were as vivid and distinct as candlelight in absolute darkness.

"Damn you! Answer me!"

Fury overtook Tōsen as he roared, unleashing a fierce Kidō incantation.

"Hadō #58: Tenran!"

With his senses compromised and his injury severe, engaging in close combat was no longer an option. Instead, he opted for a ranged spell to test whether Akira could truly perceive him.

"Wind King's Hammer!"

Akira's voice rang out coldly.

The violent gusts from his counterattack tore through Tenran, shattering the Kidō effortlessly.

"Boom!"

The backlash hurled Tōsen backward, sending him tumbling across the battlefield. His body was now marred with additional wounds, scratches, and bruises.

Yet, none of those injuries compared to the true devastation—

The realization that Akira could, in fact, see him.

Tōsen's lips curled into a grimace. His breath came in ragged gasps.

"How… how are you doing this?!"

His greatest weapon—his absolute reliance on Bankai—had been utterly nullified.

It was as if his trump card had been stripped away, rendering him completely vulnerable.

Akira tilted his head slightly, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Your Bankai is impressive. In fact, it's quite similar to Aizen's Zanpakutō ability."

A brief pause. Then, a smirk.

"But you made a crucial mistake… assuming that no one could perceive you inside it."

Akira didn't answer directly. Instead, he raised his hand and aimed at Tōsen Kaname, lightning crackling around him.

"Raikou!"

A blinding bolt of lightning shot toward Tōsen at incredible speed.

"Aaaaghhh!"

Tōsen let out a wretched scream as his body convulsed from the electric shock before collapsing limply to the ground.

"This means I have no need to hide in battle. Consider yourself honored—you will witness my true strength!"

Akira strode forward, each step amplifying the electric energy surging around him. The crackling thunder intensified, forming a volatile aura around his body.

"Raijin—Kaikai!"

With each syllable, the air trembled as an overwhelming surge of lightning erupted from his form. This was a technique he had perfected after mastering the Goro Goro no Mi—a fusion of Raikou (Lightning Strike) and Houden (Discharge).

In an instant, a sea of lightning burst forth, engulfing the entire Suzumushi barrier!

"BOOOOOM!!!"

Outside the barrier, Ichimaru Gin could only watch in astonishment as a blinding blue light tore through the darkness, followed by a devastating explosion.

"Boom—!!!"

The sheer force of the blast sent Gin skidding backward for hundreds of meters. When he finally steadied himself and opened his eyes, the battlefield had completely changed. The ground was scorched black, smoke rising in thick plumes.

At the very center stood Akira, unscathed, with Tōsen's unconscious and charred body sprawled at his feet.

"That… was so fast!?"

For the first time, Ichimaru Gin felt the pressure of an opponent outside of Aizen. His grip on his Zanpakutō tightened instinctively.

Tōsen had barely activated Bankai before being overwhelmed. If Gin wanted to survive, he would have to fight with everything he had.

"Bankai—"

Just as he began to release his power, Akira's cold gaze met his from above.

"Do you want to die? Or do you want to live?"

Gin's breath hitched. He hesitated.

That tone—it wasn't a threat. It was a statement of absolute certainty. If he continued, he would die.

Gin knew it too well. Judging from Tōsen's utter defeat, even Bankai wouldn't make a difference. Especially against that terrifying speed… Was it even faster than Kamishini no Yari? If so, then it completely nullified his greatest advantage.

He slowly lowered his blade.

"What are you saying? Are you offering me a way out?"

"I can help you achieve your goal," Akira said casually. "I can help you get your revenge."

Gin's eyes widened.

"You—! You know!?"

"Of course," Akira replied indifferently. "You've been playing the role of Aizen's right hand, but in truth, you're only waiting for your chance to strike. It just so happens that Aizen is also my enemy… meaning we share the same target."

Gin's heart pounded as Akira extended his hand.

"Swear your allegiance to me. Pledge your loyalty, and I will lead you to Aizen's death."

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