When the smoke cleared, the foundation of the Repentance Cell had already been reduced to rubble, sinking even further into the ground. The entire area had caved in, more than ever before.
The towering white buildings surrounding the Senzaikyū had been reduced to ashes, the scene looking utterly devastating.
"So that's how it is. You knew you couldn't win, so you withdrew decisively?"
Akira waved his hand, dissipating the lingering embers as he surveyed the now-empty battlefield, lost in thought.
Whether it was Kurosaki Ichigo or Shihōin Yoruichi, both had been buried momentarily, only to escape in an instant.
"To think they could accomplish so much in that short moment... The speed of the Quincy's Hirenkyaku in its final form is truly remarkable."
However, this technique, meant for battle, had now been repurposed for retreat.
In truth, Ishida Uryū's actions were not difficult for Akira to understand.
After the earth-shattering battle that had just unfolded, Ishida had come to a stark realization—
Even with the momentary ascension he achieved by sacrificing his Quincy powers, he was still far from being able to defeat Akira.
Continuing to fight would only lead to uncertainty, and given the time limit of his Letzt Stil, once the form dissipated, he would be left completely vulnerable.
But there were people he needed to save. That was his priority.
Thus, he abandoned the fight against Akira, using his last reserves of strength to create an opening and rescue his allies instead.
"Hm?"
Akira's expression suddenly changed as he turned his gaze to the distance.
Although the incoming presence was deliberately suppressing their Reiatsu, it was impossible to hide from Akira's heightened perception.
——Yamamoto Genryūsai was approaching rapidly.
"After sensing the disturbances in Reiatsu from my battle with Kurosaki Ichigo and the others, he must have realized that all the disturbances were concentrated here. That means there's no need to guard other areas."
Akira quickly deduced the situation.
However, after a string of battles, his energy reserves were running low.
On top of that, the lingering effects of poison still hadn't faded.
Considering all of this, Akira made a swift decision—it was best to retreat for now and reassess the situation tomorrow.
With this in mind, he rose to the same height as the Repentance Cell and locked eyes with Kuchiki Rukia, who was lying at the edge of a collapsed section, peering down.
"I let you out for some air, but unfortunately, I can't take you with me just yet."
"Oi! What the hell is going on?!"
Rukia waved her hand in exasperation. "Do you even realize I almost died because of you just now!?"
"Haha, how could that be?" Akira chuckled.
"I knew exactly where you were—hiding in the corner of the Senzaikyū. After careful calculations, I ensured that you wouldn't be harmed."
"...Is that so?"
Rukia looked skeptical.
Logically speaking, the Sekkiseki stone that made up the Repentance Cell was known to completely block the detection of spiritual energy. There should have been no way to pinpoint her location through Reiatsu alone.
Yet at the same time, she knew Akira well enough to understand that he wouldn't lie about something this significant.
"In any case, things have shifted a bit. Taking you now would only complicate matters."
Akira turned away. "There's no need to rush. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Eh?"
Rukia blinked in surprise. "What do you mean 'see you tomorrow'? Are you planning to show up at my execution?!"
"You absolutely mustn't! Even though I know you're powerful—far beyond the average Captain—you have no idea the true strength of the Head Captain!"
Rukia knew that Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni would be present at her execution, and if Akira showed up at that time, he would undoubtedly be walking into his own death.
"Hmph, speaking of Yamamoto Genryūsai…" she muttered, "he arrived not long after."
"I have a message for him," Akira scoffed. "Tell him—" His eyes gleamed with confidence. "We'll see each other tomorrow!"
Rukia's eyes widened in shock. "Are you seriously planning to fight the Captain-Commander?! Be realistic!"
Akira simply waved her off before vanishing into a flash of lightning, his voice trailing behind.
"What are you talking about? Didn't I already tell you? That old man Yamamoto—I've beaten him once before!"
Not long after Akira disappeared, Yamamoto Genryūsai arrived at the scene with a dark expression.
"Tsk, too late again?" he muttered, scanning the area. "In terms of speed, there are few in the Seireitei who could rival Akira…"
Though he had anticipated this possibility, it still left him displeased. What he didn't realize was that during their previous encounter, Akira had only displayed the raw speed of Shunpo. If he had utilized the full extent of his lightning-based teleportation, no one in the entire Soul Society would be able to match him.
Yamamoto turned his attention to the ruins of the Senzaikyū, where he found Rukia Kuchiki sitting amidst the rubble, visibly shaken.
"So, you followed the rules and didn't escape with Akira," he observed. "Tell me, did he leave a message for you to relay?"
Rukia's head snapped up in surprise. "You… how did you know?"
Yamamoto's gaze remained steady. "If it were any other criminal, I wouldn't be certain. But Akira is different—he has both strength and the resolve to use it. Someone like him wouldn't simply flee upon sensing my presence. That would be far too simple."
Though she kept a neutral expression, Rukia felt a storm raging within her.
Even though they stand against each other, the Captain-Commander actually acknowledges and respects Aki?!
Just what has he done in these past days to make even Yamamoto Genryūsai see him in this light?!
After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke.
"He told me to tell you… 'Tomorrow, see you at the execution grounds.'"
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed before he let out a gruff chuckle. "Hah. Arrogant brat."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
There was no need to chase Akira down.
After all, if he said he would come—he would come.
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