BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

This unprecedented order sent shockwaves through the hearts of all who heard it!

In other words, Captain Yamamoto believed that in order to capture or kill Akira, four captain-level combatants had to be deployed simultaneously to ensure success. Even with three captain-class fighters, victory was not guaranteed—Akira's strength was simply too terrifying!

"Yes!"

After the initial shock, the captains took their orders and withdrew one after another, silently digesting the fear that lingered in their hearts.

After leaving the 1st Division's barracks, Akira stealthily made his way toward the Central Underground Council Hall. Normally, without an official order from Central 46, no Shinigami was permitted to approach this area. However, for now, it seemed like the perfect place to rest, recover his spiritual power, and wait for tonight's lottery draw.

"I wonder if Aizen is still hiding here…"

Akira circled the Central Underground Council Hall, pondering to himself.

Based on the knowledge he had acquired from various sources, Aizen had always hidden in one of two locations after faking his death—either the Central Underground Council Hall or the Seijōtōkyorin (Pure World White Tower). The reason was simple: Aizen needed to ensure that when someone arrived to receive orders, Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis could manipulate the situation accordingly. That's why Aizen Sōsuke, Tōsen Kaname, and Ichimaru Gin would often be stationed here.

But now, with Tōsen Kaname dead at Akira's hands, it was unclear whether Aizen had altered his plans.

"Am I sharing a hiding place with Aizen?"

The thought made Akira chuckle to himself.

However, after careful consideration, he doubted that Aizen would remain in the Central Underground Council Hall for long. This location, while secretive, was still accessible under special circumstances. In contrast, the Seijōtōkyorin was a true forbidden zone of the Soul Society, offering far greater security.

"In that case, when I went to Seijōtōkyorin and shattered the Twin Thunderbolts, I wonder if I managed to startle Aizen?"

Akira smirked mischievously. After all, Aizen had suffered significant losses due to Raikōhō before—perhaps he had even developed a psychological fear of the technique.

Having made his decision, Akira stepped into the Central Underground Council Hall.

As expected, Aizen was nowhere to be found. The only thing that remained were the lifeless bodies of Central 46.

And, of course, a man with a fox-like grin.

"Hello there, Lord Akira~" Ichimaru Gin greeted playfully. "Since you barged in so boldly, I assume you've figured out Aizen's plans?"

Akira nodded, casually kicking aside a corpse before taking a seat.

"You got here fast."

Ichimaru Gin chuckled. "Well, the Central Underground Council Hall happens to be my post. After your fight with the Head Captain, I rushed over without delay. Didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"Oh?" Akira stroked his chin. "So you're saying that instead of rotating shifts daily, you're now permanently stationed here?"

"Well, given the shortage of manpower, it makes sense. Not to mention, if someone were to discover an intruder here, it's far better for it to be me than for Aizen to be exposed, right?"

Ichimaru Gin's eyes widened slightly.

"Lord Akira… You really do know more than I expected. How fascinating…"

"Indeed," Gin admitted, his grin never fading. "Before you killed Tōsen, the three of us took turns on duty. But now, I suppose things have changed. So tell me—what brings you here today?"

Akira waved his hand dismissively and said, "I don't have any orders, but do you have something to tell me?"

Ichimaru Gin nodded and replied, "After the war, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni issued a direct order—your wanted level has been raised to the highest rank."

Akira chuckled. "That's pretty good!"

Ichimaru Gin: "?"

"Uh, don't mind me," Akira waved. "Go on."

"Oh…" Ichimaru Gin was momentarily stunned. "Additionally, Yamamoto-sōtaichō has strictly forbidden any Shinigami below captain rank from engaging in battle with you…"

"What!?" Akira exclaimed in frustration. "That old man is looking down on me! How can I not fight them?

"If fewer lieutenants challenge me, wouldn't that reduce the overall survival crisis?"

Ichimaru Gin: "??"

Wait a minute… Your reaction is kind of strange…

Yamamoto-sōtaichō clearly issued this order because he acknowledges your immense strength.

This is practically the same as a battlefield command saying, 'Run if you see this person!' It's something you could brag about for a lifetime.

Cough "Forget it. Just continue," Akira said, coughing lightly.

"Well… alright…" Ichimaru Gin wiped his forehead and continued, "Finally, Yamamoto-sōtaichō has declared that even if a captain-level Shinigami encounters you, at least four captains must engage you together. So be careful…"

Upon hearing this, Akira clapped his hands. "Fantastic!"

Ichimaru Gin: "???"

What's so great about this? This is seriously dangerous!

At the very least, if it were him, facing four captains at once would mean getting beaten to a pulp in seconds.

Although Ichimaru Gin considered himself one of the stronger captains, he was nowhere near capable of taking on four at the same time.

"It's really hard to understand the Akira Sama's thinking… Maybe the courage to embrace danger is the secret to his overwhelming strength?" Ichimaru Gin thought to himself.

He truly couldn't grasp the mindset of the strong.

Now that he understood the overall situation, Akira's next priority was to recover as much as possible.

Then… he would wait for today's Survival Reward.

"Today's crisis is no less dangerous than facing Aizen," Akira murmured, both reflective and eager.

He had already anticipated that he would struggle against Yamamoto's Bankai, which was why he had prepared for a double reinforcement in advance.

After all, some of the abilities in Yamamoto's Bankai didn't release flames at all, making it impossible to absorb them with Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.

Moreover, even in its Shikai state, the sheer mass and heat of Ryūjin Jakka's flames were already pushing the limits of his ability to consume them.

"I just hope today's survival reward will help me grow even stronger!"

Time passed second by second until, finally, midnight arrived.

[Congratulations to the Host for successfully surviving another day! You have received a lottery reward!]

The moment the system prompt appeared, Akira clicked on the draw without hesitation!

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