Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

1st Division. Tea Room.

Shunsui sat on the tatami mat, his face bruised and swollen. He let out occasional groans of pain, looking like death warmed over.

Meanwhile, Genryūsai sat beside him looking refreshed, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out as if he'd shed several years.

Shunsui had gone looking to amuse himself at others' expense, only to become the entertainment himself. His management oversight had earned him a thorough beating from the old man.

Yet strictly speaking, none of this had been his doing.

He hadn't seen former 7th Division Captain Okama Shinji once during the entire trial. By the time news reached him, the ex-Captain was already in the Central Great Underground Prison.

What truly shocked Shunsui was the Central 46's audacity—not only tampering with imprisonment methods but targeting the prisoners themselves.

The Central Great Underground Prison predated even the Central 46. These people had clearly been blinded by power, losing sight of what truly mattered.

Reflecting on this, he couldn't help but admire Kōga Kuchiki anew.

A true hero of Soul Society, without question.

When the opportunity arose, he would definitely have to improve his living conditions in the Muken.

In the silence, Genryūsai observed his two disciples from the corner of his eye. Having beaten one of them, his anger had largely subsided.

Though Akira's methods were somewhat excessive, he hadn't done anything truly wrong on this mission—at most, the prison repairs would require considerable time and effort.

Moreover, suppressing the Hell Rebellion was such a serious matter that it could even be considered meritorious service.

{T/N: Note that when the conversation is about the Underground Prison, it's common to call it Hell. It's based after it.}

The only concern was that there were too many prisoner casualties this time, with several levels of the Prison being completely emptied.

"Kyōraku, you'll be in charge of the Konsō (Soul Burial) Ceremony this time." Genryūsai spoke slowly after pondering for a moment, "Given the identity of the deceased, keep everything simple."

{T/N: The Konsō they are talking about is different from the one used on Pluses. Since a normal Shinigami's death is quite natural, the Reishi is already dispersing, but their body is still there because it's not an immediate process, their Reiatsu is still strong. So it would be more like a "destruction" of the body to facilitate the process.}

They were all criminals of Soul Society who had committed various grave offenses — it wouldn't be appropriate to have too grand a ceremony.

Shunsui nodded and reminded him, "Yama-jii, don't forget about those deceased Captain-class Shinigami. A Konsō Ceremony alone won't be enough to appease their souls."

Hearing this, Genryūsai remained silent for a long while, until someone started dozing off beside them. Then he finally spoke again.

"Like before, we'll hold a Konsō Reisai. Through the ceremony, let these people rest in peace..."

{T/N: Konsō Reisai (Soul Burial Ceremony Ritual) is the specific form of Soul Burial for powerful Captain-level souls, since the Reishi within their bodies is bound by their powerful Reiatsu. Only Spirit Class Rank 3 and above require this.}

However, before he could finish speaking, Akira suddenly awoke beside them, hurriedly looking around before his gaze settled on the faces of the two men opposite him.

"Hmm, I think I just heard something incredible. What you're talking about... Is it the Konsō Reisai that I understand it to be?"

Genryūsai frowned, "What do you mean?"

Akira wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and said seriously, "A Shinigami's body is made of Reishi, and when they die, their body returns to Soul Society in the form of Reishi. But for those above Rank 3, their Reiatsu is too concentrated to return. The Konsō Reisai exists to allow them to return to Soul Society."

At these words, both Genryūsai and Shunsui's expressions turned somewhat strange.

The content Akira had just explained was something that could be learned at the Shin'ō Academy. Any Shinigami randomly picked from the Gotei 13 could probably recite it perfectly.

But if that Shinigami was Akira, it was more than a little unsettling.

This guy actually studied?! Had the sun risen in the west?

Genryūsai nodded slightly, acknowledging, "That's correct. Though there are some slight differences in purpose."

He exchanged glances with Shunsui, nodded almost imperceptibly, and was about to explain the true purpose of the Konsō Reisai when Akira interrupted again.

"Actually, Reishi above Rank 3 can never return to Soul Society's soil, no matter what we do. Since we can't let them float around Soul Society forever, the true purpose of the Konsō Reisai is to make the deceased Captains... fall into Hell."

At these words, the room fell silent.

Both Genryūsai and Shunsui stared at their usually dim-witted companion with bewildered expressions, the scene before them seeming utterly absurd.

It was like watching a foolish son suddenly have an awakening and get accepted into a top university with perfect scores — so extreme it felt unreal.

Shunsui scratched his chin thoughtfully, "That's exactly right. But how did you know? When Yama-jii told me about it, he was all mysterious and kept insisting that besides him, no one else knew. So it's actually common knowledge?"

The moment he finished speaking, the room's temperature rose subtly, and he quickly let out a nervous laugh.

He'd spoken too candidly, momentarily forgetting the old man's presence.

"Oh, that? Mimihagi (my brother in arms) told me." Akira explained matter-of-factly, "As you know, I'm the only designated priest of the Sakahone Shrine, and I've performed all sorts of rituals and ceremonies. For things like the Konsō Reisai, naturally the Great One-Eyed God wouldn't keep anything from me."

Understanding dawned in Genryūsai's eyes.

If Mimihagi was involved, everything made sense. As the Right Arm of the Soul King, even with its independent consciousness, it still retained knowledge from its million years of existence.

"Though it's difficult to accept…" Genryūsai said softly, "This is our only option. Rather than letting the Captains drift endlessly through Soul Society, it's better to let them descend into Hell early. When I die, it will be the same — though Hell isn't exactly a pleasant place..."

Hearing this, Akira's expression grew serious.

"Actually, there is a third option."

At these words, two sharp gazes immediately fixed upon him.

He cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and declared proudly.

"That's right, it's me — the Head Priest of the Sakahone Shrine!"

Genryūsai had momentarily overlooked his disciple's position as Shrine Priest, distracted by his reckless behavior.

Yet upon reflection, Akira had never been one to joke about such matters.

With this in mind, Genryūsai said, "Explain everything in detail. I need to know all particulars and contents, without omission. And if there are matters not meant for others' ears... Kyōraku, out!"

Shunsui: "?"

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"In short, you recommended yourself to become the High Priest for both the Konsō Ceremony and Konsō Reisai to allow the Reishi of deceased Captains to return to Soul Society."

Aizen summarized, setting down his chopsticks in the 12th Division's cafeteria.

Moments ago, Akira had given him a detailed account of recent events, including the prison break at the Central Great Underground Prison.

Though discussing someone's head being obliterated during a meal was unsettling, Aizen's curiosity drove him to listen patiently to the rambling tale.

Akira nodded, devouring the 12th Division's newly developed boneless grilled fish in a few bites, and mumbled through his food.

"Though I've never been to Hell, from the Boss' description, it's a terrible place. Once you fall in, Hell marks your soul — you can never escape its bindings."

Hearing this, Aizen fell into deep thought.

According to the Shin'ō Academy's records and certain secret documents he'd discovered, Soul Society's Reishi circulated in an unknown pattern.

Yet the revelation that Shinigami of 3rd Seat and above couldn't return to Soul Society after death through the Konsō Reisai was entirely new information.

That Genryūsai would share such secrets with Akira meant he'd already marked him as a potential Captain-Commander successor.

Watching his companion struggle with his peas, Aizen released an imperceptible sigh.

If this fellow actually inherited the Captain-Commander position, his first move would likely be redesigning the Shihakushō uniform to match the 11th Division's promotional wear.

Picturing such a scene, Aizen quickly shook his head.

The image was too magnificent to contemplate.

"Sōsuke, are you attending the Konsō Reisai?" Having finally swallowed his last bite, Akira looked up at Aizen, "A Captain's death is a rare chance — who knows when we'll see another?"

Aizen paused, thought for a moment, then nodded seriously, "I'll go."

His intuition told him that missing this Konsō Reisai would be something he'd regret. Under Akira's intervention, this ceremony would be unlike any recorded in Soul Society's history.

But it was precisely its uniqueness that drew him. After all, wherever this unlucky fellow appeared, the unexpected was bound to follow.

With that thought, Aizen rose from his seat, gave his friend a few brief instructions, then hurriedly left the cafeteria for the Captain's office.

Watching his retreating figure, Akira grinned and knocked on the table.

"Hey, three orders each of garlic bread, scallion pork ribs, and salt-baked fish! Today I'm eating till I burst!"

Hearing this, the cafeteria chef's eye twitched, but not daring to object, he silently returned to cooking.

As everyone knew, this 3rd Seat of the 11th Division was just an Appointment Ceremony away from becoming Captain.

Their 11th Division Lieutenant Gosuke Kiganjō had recently requested a transfer to become a Seated Officer in the 4th Division. Though it was quite a demotion, he seemed content with it, so no one questioned his choice.

The real problem was that with Gosuke gone, no new Lieutenant appointed, and Akira too lazy to manage division affairs, the 11th Division had fallen into chaos.

They didn't even have a proper chef in their Division cafeteria, which explained why their future Captain frequently came to mooch meals from the 12th Division.

Of course, he occasionally visited the 2nd Division as well.

In Akira's words, most of 12th Division's dishes were provided by Aizen, and both their taste and presentation were first-rate. As for the 2nd Division visits — that was purely for variety. Since he wasn't paying anyway, he might as well sample everything.

What's that? 12th Division's finances are tight?

What does that have to do with his 11th Division?

"Hurry up, hurry up!" Akira urged, "It's been five seconds since I last ate!"

The cafeteria chef wiped the sweat from his brow and continued laboring between the stoves, their flames leaping high.

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12th Division Captain's Office.

Aizen lightly knocked on the door, and Kirio Hikifune's voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Aizen pushed open the door to find the office filled with scientific equipment and meticulously arranged test tubes, reflecting its owner's distinctive style.

"Sōsuke, I was just about to look for you." Before he could speak, Kirio smiled, "The Captain-Commander just notified us about the Konsō Ceremony and Konsō Reisai. Hiyori (Sarugaki) is away on other duties, and I'm at a crucial stage in my experiment, so I can't leave. After consideration, you seem most suitable. Could you attend in my place, if you're not too busy?"

Aizen blinked, having been planning how to convince her. To his surprise, Captain Hikifune had cooperatively offered exactly what he wanted.

"I understand." He nodded, accepting.

As she returned to her experiments, he quietly left the room.

Long after he had gone, Kirio lifted her head with a puzzled expression.

"Why do I feel like I forgot something? Oh well, never mind — let me finish this research first, it's almost done."

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Following the 1st Division's advance notice, all divisions had made thorough preparations and arrived early for the Konsō Ceremony.

A massive wooden platform, specially constructed in the open ground, held a dark mass awaiting its final fate.

Akira's brutality had left dozens of 4th Division members spending several days attempting to piece together the bodies. Unable to complete their task, they had resorted to using special containers instead.

Though the sight was unsightly, the ceremony could still proceed normally — there was no use complaining.

Led by Genryūsai, all the Captains stood before the wooden platform, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Chōjirō stepped forward and recited the funeral rites.

Though the deceased were criminals, proper procedures had to be followed, especially since some were members of the Onmitsukidō.

Once the recitation concluded, several masked Shinigami appeared around the wooden platform, holding torches as they solemnly set it ablaze.

The roaring flames shot straight into the sky, illuminating the dim heavens.

This process proceeded without incident.

But this was merely today's opening act — the real main event would formally begin when the snow-like ashes fell.

Next would be the Konsō Reisai...

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