"Death… Poison Blade!"
Akainu's arm bubbled violently as scorching magma flowed across its surface. Drops of molten rock fell onto the deck, burning through it and leaving behind one blackened hole after another.
His gaze was savage.
The crimson suit he wore blended almost seamlessly with the blazing magma, and even the word "Justice" on the back of his Marine coat was swallowed by the searing glow.
If one didn't already know who he was—
they might have mistaken him for a demon.
"One Admiral… and three Vice Admirals?"
Ren Kuro's eyes swept across the five warships. Aside from Akainu, he also recognized Onigumo, Dalmatian, and Doberman among the ranks.
Five warships.
Three Vice Admirals.
This lineup was only a step below a Buster Call.
"The Marines really think highly of me."
"Death," Akainu said coldly, killing intent pouring from his body, "openly robbing the Heavenly Tribute—your crimes are unforgivable."
"So this is another Marine Admiral…"
Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes, a strange gleam flashing within them.
Compared to Kizaru's light—
Akainu's magma was far more visceral, far more oppressive.
And in terms of sheer destructive power—
it was undeniably superior.
"…Magma."
Byakuya Kuchiki's gaze sharpened slightly.
"He's strong."
For the first time—
a clear spark of battle intent rose within him.
"Captain Kuchiki," Gin said with a smile, "I've already set my sights on him. I can't allow anyone else to take my prey."
"No."
Byakuya's voice was cold.
"As agreed before—he's mine."
The moment the words fell—
his figure vanished.
"Ah… Captain Kuchiki really is unreasonable."
Gin still smiled, but his gaze had already shifted toward the three Vice Admirals.
"A snake hunts its prey…"
"I'll play with the three of you."
His figure disappeared as well.
"…Am I getting sidelined again?"
Watching both of his companions vanish, Ren Kuro's lips twitched slightly.
Treating a Marine Admiral as prey—
that was something only captains of the Gotei Thirteen would dare to do.
"Well, as the captain, I can't fall behind either."
In the next instant—
Ren Kuro appeared directly on the remaining warship.
And with his arrival—
a massacre began.
On Akainu's Warship
Using Shunpo, Byakuya appeared on deck without the slightest warning.
"Don't move!"
The Marines hadn't even noticed his arrival at first, but as elite Headquarters soldiers, they quickly reacted and surrounded him from all sides.
Even with hundreds of soldiers encircling him—
Byakuya remained expressionless.
His gaze locked directly onto Akainu.
"Who are you?" Akainu stepped forward, his coat billowing behind him. His eyes narrowed slightly—this man had not appeared in any intelligence reports.
"Captain of Squad Six—Byakuya Kuchiki."
His voice was calm, but the cold nobility he exuded made him feel like an untouchable glacier.
"So… you're one of Death's companions."
Akainu's voice dropped, magma surging along his arm as if ready to erupt at any moment.
"There's no need to ask what you already know."
Byakuya drew his Zanpakutō.
"My blade will reflect the shape of your death."
"In the name of justice, no evil shall be allowed to exist!"
The moment Senbonzakura appeared, a powerful sense of danger flooded Akainu's instincts.
He didn't hesitate.
He struck first.
"Dai Funka!"
With a roar, magma surged outward, forming a massive fist that crashed toward Byakuya.
That blazing fist—
had incinerated countless powerful pirates before.
"Shunpo."
Byakuya vanished instantly.
Having trained under Yoruichi, his speed was absolute.
BOOM—!
With his target gone, Akainu's attack slammed into the deck instead.
Even though he pulled back most of the force at the last moment—
the magma still blasted a massive hole through the warship.
"Fast…"
Akainu's eyes sharpened.
"…but not enough."
"Inugami Guren!"
Without hesitation, he launched another attack, trying to overwhelm Byakuya through sheer destructive force.
"Futile."
Byakuya's expression didn't change.
He began to chant.
"Ruler… mask of flesh and bone… all creation, flutter of wings… you who bear the name of Man…"
"Engrave twin lotuses upon the wall of blue flame, and await the abyss of conflagration in the distant heavens—"
"Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui!"
Two torrents of blue flame merged into one—
and collided head-on with Akainu's magma.
BOOM—!
The explosion shattered the magma attack into fragments that scattered across the deck, igniting the warship itself.
Flames spread rapidly.
Within moments—
a blazing inferno surrounded both men, forming a fiery cage at the center of the deck.
To leave that circle—
one of them would have to fall.
"…I didn't expect this."
Akainu's expression turned grave.
"In addition to Death and Poison Blade… there's another Admiral-level fighter."
After just a brief exchange—
he had already understood how dangerous Byakuya was.
"Is that all?" Byakuya said coldly, gripping his Zanpakutō in reverse. "If this is the extent of a Marine Admiral's power…"
"…then I will personally erase you."
A vast surge of Reiatsu exploded outward.
The blade in his hand shone with blinding brilliance.
Even the air itself began to tremble.
Then—
Byakuya spoke.
"Bankai… Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
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