"Based on my knowledge of the Central 46, they've likely discovered my previous plans through so channel."
Sōya didn't hide anything — in his eyes, Akira was the only one worth trusting.
"The Central 46 will probably fabricate false charges against out of paranoia and self-preservation. They'll hand down a punishnt like imprisonnt. After this, it might be a very long ti before we et again."
Clearly, he knew and had accepted the fate that awaited him at the Underground Assembly Hall.
Akira crossed his arms, growing more confused.
From his perspective, he couldn't understand why Sōya would submit so willingly to their treatnt. With his abilities, even if he defected from Soul Society, no one could stop him.
Even if the Captain-Commander personally intervened, he could at most defeat Sōya, but not kill him.
Ever since achieving Bankai, there were very few thods that could end his life — unless the world itself was destroyed.
Seeing his confusion, Sōya's lips curved into a genuine smile.
"Everyone has their own path. These past days since obtaining the bell, I've thought deeply and spoken at length with my sister. She supports all my decisions. Truth is, I've been wanting to lay down my burdens and rest for a while."
Hearing this, Akira suddenly understood.
Rather than being confined in the Nest of Maggots, Sōya was using this opportunity to retreat to the Central Great Underground Prison.
Akira had thought Sōya was weary of life and planning to give Soul Society a Kenpachi-style shock, but his ambition was simply to find a place to retire.
But that made sense.
A century of solitude had left him exhausted in body and spirit. Now that he had finally reunited with his only family mber, taking a rest was fitting.
"My only concern is you, Kisaragi-kun." His gaze returned to Akira, "Though this might be misunderstood, your kindness gave new life. Yet my previous decisions have pulled you into this chaos."
"To repay my debt, I've instructed Gosuke that once you've achieved mastery and made your na known throughout Soul Society, he should pass the title of Kenpachi to you. Consider it my small compensation."
{T/N: Gosuke Kiganjō was the 10th Kenpachi. He is the predecessor of Kenpachi Zaraki.}
Akira: "???"
Before he could respond, Sōya shattered like a bubble and vanished.
Judging from the direction his Reiatsu departed, his destination was the most heavily guarded depths of the Seireitei—
The Underground Assembly Hall!
"Is this sothing you can just give away as you please?" Akira's face fell, "Did you even ask the first Kenpachi's opinion?"
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Shin'ō Academy, Central Cafeteria.
Aizen watched with surprise as the young man before him wolfed down his food.
"So you're now the future Kenpachi."
Akira paused his feasting to glance at Aizen.
"You could say that, but what use is the Kenpachi title to ? Can't eat it, can I?"
Aizen couldn't help but laugh.
The title of "Kenpachi" — a position ordinary Shinigami would sacrifice everything for — ant less than a simple al to this priest.
It was well known that a Shinigami who claid the title of Kenpachi was second only to the Captain-Commander in strength throughout Soul Society.
The title represented not just glory, but an ideal that countless warriors strived toward.
"The situation is more serious than I expected."
Aizen set aside his musings and, while eating with perfect manners, analyzed the situation for Akira.
"Based on what Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Sōya Azashiro have said, this turmoil could affect all of Seireitei — perhaps even all of Soul Society. Only the Five Great Noble Houses could wield such influence without consequences. You'll need to tread carefully."
He concluded with so advice.
"If you find yourself in an impossible situation, seek help from the First Division imdiately. Captain-Commander Yamamoto won't idly watch a Genji School disciple suffer."
Akira nodded, then channeled his concerns into his appetite, diving back into mortal combat with his grilled fish.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Underground Assembly Hall.
In the dim chamber, spotlights fell on the white-robed figure at its center, while judgnt seats towered above, dozens of eyes fixed upon him from the shadows.
An atmosphere of malice perated the hall.
"Captain of the Eleventh Division, was the soul modification incident in East Rukongai's 32nd District your doing?!"
The harsh voice bood from behind the partition, as if volu alone could command authority.
"Yes, it was." Sōya t the high-seated Central 46 with an expressionless gaze.
How ironic.
The scene mirrored one from a hundred years ago — nobles on their platforms, fabricating cris and laughing as if watching theater.
And his family's deaths had been re entertainnt for them.
"For your own ambition, for a grudge that should have been buried, you modified the souls of innocent Rukongai civilians."
The speaker's words dripped with condescension, each syllable proclaid as absolute law.
"Judgnt announced!"
"Eleventh Division Captain Sōya Azashiro, for the cris of illegal soul modification, executing forbidden acts, and killing nobles, your spiritual powers shall be sealed and stripped, and all five senses bound! You are sentenced to 19,200 years in the Central Great Underground Prison's lowest level — the Eighth Prison, Muken!"
Sōya offered no resistance as officers placed the Kidō restraints on him. Dozens of Shinigami escorted him toward the depths of the Underground Prison.
Yet his ears and mouth, which should have been sealed, loosened montarily.
"Sōya Azashiro, do you truly wish to be confined in that terrible prison, where ti and space hold no aning?" A voice whispered in his ear, "Annihilating the Hollows — what a noble ideal. Cooperate with , and I will help you achieve it. All you need do is..."
"Follow your orders?" Sōya's lips barely moved as he let out a scornful laugh, "Such amateur tricks haven't changed in a hundred years. You truly underestimate people..."
The voice's owner's composure cracked.
"Since you insist on this path, enjoy your eternal tornt in Muken!"
Sōya's only response was a mocking smile.
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: If you want more Chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
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/mrblackwing
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