Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 287 ⥤ There’s a Traitor Among Us!

Atop the ruins of the broken barracks.

The materialized Reishi cast a blue shimmer across the Seireitei, now filled with raging fires and swirling dust of war.

Yhwach surveyed his handiwork with satisfaction.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto lay dead, and four of the five Special War Powers were gone. Nothing could stand in his way now.

Only one matter troubled him — the 72 barriers between the Seireitei and the Soul King Palace. Though his current power could break through them, doing so would drain both time and Reiatsu.

The Gotei 13 posed no threat, but the Zero Division was different. Beyond Ichibē Hyōsube stood three others. Spending too much power on the outer barriers might create unwanted complications.

Yhwach's gaze swept across the blue pillars of light above the ruins.

The Quincy who met his eyes froze as if plunged into ice, their bodies tensing under death's mark.

Should he use Auswählen now?

The Almighty lay just within reach — sacrificing two Knights or some lower-ranking Quincy would suffice to reclaim it.

Yet this could disrupt the Soul King Palace expedition. The Almighty was his special gift for Ichibē Hyōsube — revealing it early would spoil the surprise.

As he contemplated, several figures materialized beside him.

"Your Majesty, Chōjirō Sasakibe has fallen." Jugram reported with reverence, "The other Shinigami Captains are also dead. Under Hashirama's command, we've won a great victory, claiming the Seireitei with minimal losses."

Yhwach nodded, "Well done. Now that this battle is over, we must proceed to our final destination. Between the Soul King Palace and the Seireitei stand seventy-two barriers that can only be breached with the 'Ōken'..."

Before he could finish, Aizen, wearing a different appearance, cut in.

"Your Majesty, there's no need for such trouble. The Soul King Palace is merely an independent space within the Soul Society. Though protected by barriers, it has weaknesses. If we cannot break through, we can simply bypass them."

Yhwach raised an eyebrow, surprised.

He had never paid much attention to the empire's Research and Development Institute, despite their innovations for both regular Quincy and Sternritter alike.

To him, whether foot soldiers or Knights, they were all merely foundation stones for his new world. Their presence might hasten the process, but would not change the final outcome.

Therefore, Yhwach didn't care much about the Quincy. After all, they would all end up being subject to Auswählen in the end.

However, it was remarkable that the Research Institute had developed such sophisticated technology to bypass the Soul King Palace's barriers — their capabilities were truly impressive.

"What are we waiting for then? Bring it forth." Akira grinned, "I can hardly wait to reach the Soul King Palace."

Yhwach glanced at him with satisfaction.

A worthy subordinate indeed. He had not only eliminated Special War Powers, including the Captain of the 11th Division, but had also swiftly dispatched several other division Captains.

Even Zaraki Kenpachi and Kisuke Urahara had fallen by his hand.

Without doubt, Hashirama Senju was the greatest contributor to this victory. Once the new world was established, Yhwach would name him as the empire's heir.

Only a pure existence like Hashirama could lead the Quincy to true prosperity.

Kisuke, wearing a different appearance, began setting up a device similar to a Senkaimon at Aizen's signal.

{T/N: Everyone got Reigai makeup to avoid problems, but only the poor workhorse had to wear a disguise...}

The dimensional gate, infused with a trace of the Soul King's power, could directly bypass the outer barriers to reach the Soul King Palace.

Developed after their previous visit to the Soul King Palace and refined multiple times, the gate was designed to prevent outsiders like Yhwach from detecting any anomalies.

The massive light gate now stood among the ruins, emanating heavy pressure outward.

"Your Majesty, this gate will take us directly to the Soul King Palace." Kisuke maintained a humble demeanor, notably different from the other Schutzstaffel members.

His name was something like Kinosuke — strange, but since Hashirama had recommended him, there shouldn't be any concerns.

"What are we waiting for? Let's storm the Soul King Palace and take that bird's throne!"

Hearing the excited voice beside him, Yhwach nodded.

Judging by his expression and tone, there wasn't a hint of pretense. This Captain of his Schutzstaffel genuinely wanted him to replace the Soul King and create a new world.

At this thought, Yhwach's lips curved into a smile, "Let's go."

With that, he entered the dimensional gate first, Jugram following close behind.

Akira gave the others a meaningful look before proudly following.

BG9 followed closely behind him, completely subservient in manner.

This battlefield had made it notice something wasn't quite right. But as long as it stayed by Hashirama's side, what did it matter if things weren't right?

Aizen nodded in response, glanced at Szayelaporro in the distance, then entered as well.

Kisuke smirked, barely containing his grin, flashed an OK sign to the crowd, and formally entered the dimensional gate.

The final act was about to begin — how exciting.

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As soon as Yhwach left, Szayelaporro opened a Garganta, letting in the Shinigami and Arrancar who had been waiting in the Dangai.

Instantly, chaotic Reiatsu filled the ruins, making the air thick and heavy.

Genryūsai looked at the scene before him, his heart heavy with emotion.

Though he hadn't experienced it personally, he could feel the horror of this war. If not for Akira and the others, what lay before them would not be mere Reigai copies.

He could imagine how his spirit would have shattered if Chōjirō had truly died at Jugram's hands, as shown in the scene.

Shunsui, Jūshirō, his wayward disciple...

War was cruel, without doubt. Anyone could die, himself included. But if these people had died before him, even Genryūsai couldn't guarantee his sanity.

Fortunately, none of this had actually happened.

He took a deep breath, his furrowed brow smoothing as his calm, steady voice echoed across the ruins:

"Everyone, let us begin. Let's end this war and completely shatter Yhwach's final dreams."

As his words fell, everyone responded in unison. The sound was magnificent, reaching to the heavens.

The next moment, the Captains led their Lieutenants and Seated Officers, dispersing throughout the Seireitei, their powerful Reiatsu filling the ruins.

Seeing the Shinigami appear before them once again, the Quincy felt trapped in a nightmare.

An illusion? When did this happen?!

Those who should have been dead showed fierce grins, gripping their Zanpakutō with menacing aura, launching relentless attacks against the exhausted Quincy.

Army against army, general against general.

Looking at the gentle woman who suddenly appeared before her, Candice felt an ominous premonition.

For some reason, when she saw the other's smile, an inexplicable chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to her head.

Unohana calmly looked at her opponent, her lips curling slightly upward.

"What a nice girl, Akira would like you."

Hearing these words, Candice's face twisted with displeasure and disgust as she spat back venomously:

"You're not bad yourself, Lord Hashirama would be pleased!"

Unohana paused briefly, then smiled even more cheerfully.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Seeing her reaction, Candice's frown deepened.

What was wrong with this woman? How could she miss such an obvious insult? Where was her shame?!

{T/N: Basically calling her a prostitute.}

And why were the Shinigami who had died suddenly appearing again? What was happening to Soul Society?

Candice knew she wasn't one for deep analysis. She just needed to defeat this enemy to get her answers.

Though this woman was a Captain, Candice was no weakling herself.

⤫ Vollständig: Barbarriel ⥤ Complete Holy Form: Thunder of God! ⤬

A massive Quincy cross rose to the heavens. In its divine light, Candice wore a star-like Quincy Zeichen on her head, multiple lightning-wing formations materializing behind her, radiating overwhelming presence.

The woman opposite her still maintained that gentle, weak appearance. She didn't look threatening at all.

A maniacal smile spread across Candice's face as she prepared to unleash her full might. But just as she was about to strike, the scene transformed.

⤫ Bankai: Minazuki ⥤ Final Release: All Things' End! ⤬

A thick, viscous sea of blood surged forth, crushing down in all directions. Bone-chilling cold filled the ruins as killing intent pierced through to her very core.

Candice's expression froze.

Unohana drew her sword with deliberate slowness, its clear ring echoing through the air, dispersing the lightning itself.

Then came a single, elegant slash.

Blood-red light erupted, and that gentle smile appeared before Candice's face, the sharp blade hovering an inch from her fair neck. The overwhelming Reiatsu felt like countless hands crushing her heart, making breath impossible.

Looking at her opponent, Candice's heart sank into despair. She hadn't imagined such terrifying strength — she couldn't even track the woman's movements, let alone defend against them.

With death's cold breath so near, terror flickered in her eyes.

This woman didn't seem to intend to kill her. Could it be that she wanted to offer her to that man called "Akira"?

Damn it, she couldn't let her succeed! Her man is Hashirama!

Sensing the power surging within Candice's body, Unohana's face showed a hint of surprise. At this critical moment between life and death, she could still unleash such amazing potential.

"Akira, you really do have good taste."

⤫ Bankai: Sklaverei ⥤ Final Release: Holy Slave! ⤬

Candice, giving it her all, squeezed out every bit of power hidden in her cells, unleashing her strongest attack yet.

⤫ Electrocution ⥤ Electrical Destruction Punishment! ⤬

Rumbling lightning gathered in her right hand, then crashed down like divine punishment. In an instant, the area before her erupted in violent lightning storms, crackling electrical arcs filling every corner of sight.

But before Candice could feel relief, the viscous sea of blood surged up from below, obliterating the lightning storm with overwhelming force.

Finally, that cold blade remained, just as before, gently resting against her neck.

Seeing this, Candice showed a resigned expression, "Ugh... just kill me..."

Unohana smiled, "What if I told you that Akira and Hashirama are the same person?"

Candice: "?"

She felt like she'd just heard something incredible.

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"Coming back from the dead, are you all Gerard?!"

Bazz-B let out an angry roar, his right hand sweeping upward as scorching flames rose from the ground, painting the sky crimson.

Having been beaten by Akira numerous times, his strength had improved dramatically. Excluding the Schutzstaffel, he could rank at least third strongest — even considering some of the overpowered Schrift abilities.

"You can eat carelessly, but you shouldn't speak carelessly." Shunsui leaped into the air, dodging the flame attack with a relaxed expression, "Those were just our copies earlier. Now you're facing the real ones."

Having been frequently beaten by the old man, he had extensive experience fighting fire-type enemies and could easily handle this level of combat.

Without exaggeration, these flames weren't even as threatening as Yama-jii's sweet potato-roasting flames.

"Copies, real ones..." Terror flashed in Bazz-B's eyes as he grasped a frightening possibility, "Don't tell me you were prepared for this war all along?!"

Shunsui smiled, "That's right. Not only that, we know the abilities of all Sternritter, your attack timing, battle strategies — we even know the meal supply schedule in the empire's cafeteria!"

Bazz-B felt as if he'd been plunged into ice — despite the scorching flames around him, he felt an indescribable chill.

There was a traitor among them!

And this traitor must be in a high position, since even he didn't know some of the information Shunsui mentioned.

Is it you, Jugram?! Have you fallen so low as to conspire with the Shinigami?!

An unspeakable anger welled up inside him, and Bazz-B let out an earth-shattering roar.

⤫ Burning Hell! ⤬

Extreme heat concentrated in his right hand, unleashing spiral flames that howled forth, instantly stealing all moisture from the surrounding air.

Shunsui's playful smile vanished, his face turning serious.

This level of attack needed to be taken seriously. They couldn't afford to slip up at the finish line when victory was so close.

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Meanwhile.

Above the Soul King Palace, a massive gate of light materialized, standing on the neat approach.

As several figures emerged from it, the air grew heavy with tension.

Yhwach gazed at the Greater Palace in the distance, a flash of complexity crossing his eyes before being replaced by ferocity and greed.

Father, I will soon free you from your endless suffering...

⤫⤬⤫

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