Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

"Money will eventually disappear, but honor never will. Little Sōya, you have better talent than your sister, so you will surely become a Shinigami strong enough to shoulder everything — just like our ancestors..." She smiled gently, like warm sunshine in a spring breeze.

In a family consumed by the stench of money, she was like a lotus growing from the mud — pure and noble.

Though the Azashiro family's boy could never match his sister, her smile was his only solace. For him, no effort was too great if it meant seeing that smile again.

"Well, I suppose I'll become a Shinigami then. But sister, don't stand in my way!"

With these defiant thoughts, the Azashiro family's boy began his studies.

Hearing his stubborn words, his sister smiled gently and said, "Little Sōya will surely surpass our ancestors and become a role model for the Azashiro family!"

That comforting smile etched itself deep in the young boy's heart, becoming his greatest motivation to grow stronger and study, even though he could barely lift a bamboo sword.

However, their peaceful life shattered suddenly.

Several high-ranking nobles, coveting the Azashiro family's wealth, conspired against them. They fabricated evidence that the family was plotting to overthrow the Five Noble Houses and the Royal Family.

Soon, all members of the family were arrested.

When the verdict came, the Azashiro family met its end. Everyone was sent to the execution grounds — a massive pit where they were forced to fight Hollows to the death.

Above, the nobles who had falsely accused them watched with sneering mockery. They sat in the stands, reveling in the sight of the condemned suffering below, where blood and corpses painted a hellish scene.

The Azashiro family, having focused on commerce for years while neglecting their legacy of strength, couldn't defeat even a single execution Hollow.

The Azashiro family's boy was the last to be sent to the execution grounds. From his cell beside the pit, he witnessed the horrific slaughter of his relatives, his frail body trembling with fear.

When only the boy and his sister remained of the family, the execution method changed. The siblings were sent into the pit together, where the guards removed their restraints and gave each of them an Asauchi.

The executioner sneered from the high platform, "This battle will prove one thing — the once-revered Azashiro family has no strength worthy of our respect. Their bloodline is worthless. These siblings are all that remains, and even together they cannot kill a single Hollow. This proves the Azashiro family's fall from power!"

Though the boy couldn't understand their words, when he heard these corrupt nobles cursing his sister, an uncontrollable anger blazed in his heart like a surging fire.

The execution began.

A massive Hollow appeared before them, its blood-filled eyes hungry for flesh. Its powerful Reiatsu bore down on the boy's small body, and his face contorted with despair as he trembled uncontrollably.

Just as fear engulfed him, his sister turned back with her familiar gentle smile.

"It's alright, Little Sōya. I'll make sure you get out of here alive."

What happened next became a blur in the boy's memory. He only remembered the unusually hot blood that splashed across his face.

The giant Hollow stood covered in grotesque wounds, thick blood streaming down its massive body and pooling on the ground. In its ugly jaw lay the young woman's body.

The boy gripped his Asauchi, desperate to save his sister, but fear paralyzed his entire body.

At that moment, the dying young woman looked back at him. There was no blame in her gaze as her lips curved into one last gentle smile.

"Little Sōya, you must become a Shinigami with great power..."

As her soft whisper faded, complex Kidō incantations followed.

The next moment, intense blue flames engulfed the Hollow's grotesque face, consuming everything.

The boy's wail caught in his throat, emerging only as a hoarse cry of ultimate grief...

Like a beast.

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'What happened after that?' Akira wanted to ask, but held his tongue, knowing it might be like rubbing salt in the wound.

Aware of the vast difference in their strength, he suppressed this suicidal impulse.

Sōya calmly glanced at the two beside him, as if seeing through their thoughts, and continued the story.

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The boy had barely regained his senses when the executioner's ugly sneer echoed from the high platform.

"The last boy of the Azashiro family has dried his tears — seems he's ready to fight! Let's give him a big round of applause!"

Though the boy couldn't yet grasp the meaning of these words, what followed shattered any remaining hope and laid bare the nobles' true depravity.

"Alright, release the next Hollow into the execution grounds."

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"The story after that doesn't matter anymore." Sōya cut off their interest with an explanation, "Due to the special nature of my Zanpakutō, the Reishi that Soul Society decomposed that day remained in the execution grounds. So..."

His calm gaze fell on Akira.

"I'll do my best!" The young man thumped his chest, though his voice betrayed his uncertainty.

His previous rituals had only gathered Reishi from the recently deceased. Attempting to collect and manifest Reishi from someone who died a hundred years ago seemed nearly impossible.

Under their puzzled gazes, Akira produced an altar table from his school uniform sleeve. From within his chest, he drew forth incense, bells, ritual wands, and a teacup filled with clear water.

Then, from his crotch, he retrieved a pristine set of shrine priest's clothes.

In moments, the Shin'ō Academy student transformed into the Head Priest of the Sakahone Shrine.

Fragrant smoke from the lit incense wafted through the execution grounds while gentle bell rings echoed through the empty space.

"In the name of Shrine Priest Akira, I summon the One-Eyed Great God Mimihagi..." Akira's fingers moved skillfully, weaving countless hand seals while he chanted and released his strongest Reiatsu.

He reasoned that since he was summoning someone from a century ago, using more Reiatsu than usual should be acceptable.

With that thought, he completed the final steps of the ritual.

Boom!

A massive boom erupted in the execution grounds, its force reaching the dome!

Before their astonished eyes, a huge, sacred black shadow loomed above Akira's body, distorting the surrounding Reishi.

The black ink continued to spread until darkness engulfed everything!

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