Two of Yamamoto Genryūsai's most esteemed disciples finally fought side by side!
Faced with their combined strength, Akira did not show the slightest contempt.
"Even though I know Jūshirō's Bankai ability, it's still an incredibly troublesome power. And with Kyōraku's Katen Kyōkotsu watching for an opening..."
Akira's mind raced as he quickly made a decision.
"Looks like I'll have to use my newly acquired Shikai ability!"
This thought process occurred in an instant.
On the opposite side, Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake launched a fierce assault!
"Shh! Shh!"
With blinding speed, their Shunpo movements flanked Akira from both sides, encircling him in an instant.
Then, striking from the trickiest angles, the duo attacked as if playing a dangerous game.
"Final act—Itokigiri: Iron Blood Stains the Throat!"
Kyōraku Shunsui's Zanpakutō suddenly disappeared into its scabbard, replaced by a razor-thin thread of Reishi condensed at his fingertips.
He was executing the final stage of his Bankai—Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū!
"He realized that normal slashes have little effect on me, and that lightning-based attacks might restrain me. So he's using Iron Blood Stains the Throat—a technique that triggers an explosion on contact?"
Even under siege, Akira couldn't help but admire Kyōraku's quick thinking.
Indeed, with this method, neither could Akira conduct electricity to counteract attacks, nor could his elemental form neutralize the volatile energy of an explosion.
Meanwhile, Jūshirō Ukitake's dual-wielding Zanpakutō, Sōgyo no Kotowari, complemented Kyōraku's attacks with a relentless barrage of counterstrikes.
Too bad their opponent was Akira!
"Invert—"
Akira raised the Hikari Mirror in his left hand. With a surge of power, the trajectory of Kyōraku's spiritual thread was forcibly distorted.
In his right hand, he wielded the Sword of Oath of Victory, clashing fiercely against the Yin-Yang energies of Sōgyo no Kotowari!
One warrior against two, effortlessly using both hands in battle!
"Itokigiri: Iron Blood Stains the Throat isn't binding him at all! What the hell—?!"
Kyōraku Shunsui felt a growing sense of frustration.
"Is this another one of Akira's new abilities?! Just how many powers does he have?!"
Jūshirō Ukitake, on the other hand, felt nothing but awe.
"You've got to be kidding me! Even while focusing on Kyōraku, he's still matching me in combat with just one hand!?"
Under normal circumstances, Akira could only focus on one opponent at a time. But now, even with Kyōraku and Ukitake pressing him from both sides, he fought as if he had eyes everywhere.
It was utterly baffling.
"Clang!"
A fierce collision sent sparks flying. Then, the Sword of Oath of Victory flared with radiant golden energy!
The searing heat instantly melted the frost accumulating on its blade, making Ukitake's heart tighten.
"Bipolar Reversal!"
Without hesitation, Ukitake activated his ability, dispersing the golden energy before it could fully take form.
But then—
The golden light surged forth once again, repeating the exact same process!
"Bipolar Reversal!"
Jūshirō Ukitake could only maintain his abilities in the sword fight against Akira, repeatedly forcing an interruption to the latter's true name release.
At first glance, it seemed that Akira was being suppressed. However, after several exchanges, both Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui fully grasped the reality of the battle.
"This guy…!" Kyōraku gritted his teeth. "He's actually holding the two of us down on his own!"
Akira manipulated the trajectory of Kyōraku's attacks while simultaneously using his relentless charge to pressure Ukitake, preventing him from utilizing his Bankai for anything other than countering.
"His ability to fight on two fronts is unparalleled," Kyōraku muttered. "At this rate, this fight won't have a conclusion!"
He suddenly called out, "Then I guess I have no choice but to use that technique!"
Ukitake nodded, taking a deep breath. "Understood. I'll be ready!"
In the next instant, Kyōraku's overwhelming Reiatsu materialized, transforming the battlefield into a vast expanse of deep water.
"Third Dan!"
The water engulfed everything indiscriminately, submerging Akira, Kyōraku, and Ukitake alike.
"So, he really did resort to this in the end…" Akira felt a subtle weakness creeping into his body.
Though not as lethal as seawater or seastone, ordinary water could still slightly suppress certain abilities. This phenomenon had been observed before—even in One Piece: The Strongest Enemy Z, characters like Luffy and Brook displayed notable lethargy just from being doused in fresh water.
And now, Akira was fully submerged.
The effect wasn't as severe as seastone's complete nullification, but it significantly weakened his speed and strength.
Both Kyōraku and Ukitake sensed the shift immediately. Though they didn't understand the reason, they could tell that this technique restrained Akira.
They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with determination.
"This is our chance!"
Without hesitation, both Captains launched a full-power assault on Akira.
Yet, as their blades closed in, he remained eerily calm. Raising his Hikari Mirror, he made no move to block or evade.
The two Shinigami hesitated for a split second—this wasn't a typical defensive stance. What was he planning?
But there was no turning back now. Their weapons had already been unleashed.
"Reflect—Hikari no Kagami!"
The command was faint in the water, barely audible.
An instant later, Itokiribasami and Sōgyo no Kotowari sliced through Akira's neck in unison.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted. Itokiribasami's jagged spiritual detonation forced open a waterless space, sending ripples of shock through the battlefield.
Kyōraku and Ukitake, gasping for breath, watched intently.
"This is it," Kyōraku muttered. "This isn't another illusion—this time, we really got him!"
They scrutinized the dissipating water, and sure enough, Akira's body remained, blood slowly diffusing into the surroundings.
"Finally… finally…"
A sense of relief washed over them. They exchanged weary but victorious smiles.
"Akira is dead at last."
This battle had been nothing short of perilous—one wrong move could have meant their deaths. But now, pride welled up in their hearts.
Even someone as formidable as Akira had fallen before their combined might.
And then—
His body vanished.
Their smiles froze.
For a split second, neither of them turned.
Then, the entire battlefield was suddenly illuminated by a blinding light.
"EX—CALIBUR!!!"
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