Countless thoughts raced through Akira's mind as fragmented memories of his battle with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni resurfaced.
His peak-level instincts were operating at full capacity, his mind desperately searching for inspiration within those fleeting images.
"Maybe this will work!"
It was a risky idea.
From what Akira understood, Dragon Slayer Magic—specifically the Flame Dragon Slayer Magic—could not consume flames of a higher tier than dragon flames. For example, Natsu Dragneel had failed to devour God Slayer Flames, and the nature of Amaterasu's black flames was an enigma, its level unknown.
However, Natsu had ultimately managed to consume divine flames under special circumstances, and Akira's situation was different. Amaterasu was under his own control.
"While fire-based Dragon Slayer Magic cannot consume its own flames, Amaterasu operates on an entirely different power system… so shouldn't it fall outside that limitation?"
His thoughts raced.
Moreover, Amaterasu was not a conventional flame—it ignited from his focal point, rather than being conjured from within his own body. Coupled with his mastery of Flame Control, he arrived at a conclusion.
"It's worth a try!"
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes. He sensed a shift in Akira's spiritual pressure.
"Does he actually have another trump card?"
"Amaterasu!"
As Akira's bleeding eyes ignited the black flames once more, Yamamoto scoffed.
"So, this is it? Do you really think repeating the same trick will work on me?"
To the Head Captain, Akira's desperation was obvious—he had exhausted all other options.
But Akira only smiled.
"Who said I was using Amaterasu to attack you?"
"What?!"
Yamamoto's eyes widened as he saw something unexpected—Akira guiding the Amaterasu flames into his mouth through Flame Control!
A deep groan escaped Akira, his expression momentarily contorted with pain. But at the same time, Yamamoto felt a rising sense of unease—an unmistakable surge of danger.
"I don't know what he's trying to do… but I cannot allow him to succeed!"
Acting on instinct, Yamamoto swung Zanka no Tachi: Higashi—Kyokujitsujin in a decisive arc, the blade of residual flames capable of incinerating everything in its path.
"Om—!"
Yet for the first time, Yamamoto's strike met resistance.
A layer of black fire materialized out of thin air, holding the Zanka no Tachi at bay. The old captain could feel his flames cutting through, but at an agonizingly slow pace—too slow.
Akira retaliated.
"Black Flame Dragon's… Fanged Rend!"
His hands erupted with dark flames, and he struck Yamamoto with immense force.
"Boom!"
Amaterasu detonated.
If the black flames had previously burned their targets, now they exploded upon impact—a fundamental shift in both offensive power and method.
Yamamoto swiftly retreated, his Sanken no Taitoku (Sun Prison Robe) shielding him from the brunt of the blast. But when he glanced down, his expression hardened.
His prison robe had been torn.
Worse yet, the lingering black flames were actively consuming the flames of his Zanka no Tachi!
"Flames… devouring flames?!"
This scene was beyond the comprehension of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Though he could feel it—the temperature of the black flames was far lower than the 15 million degrees of Zanka no Tachi: Kita—Tenchi Kaijin (Longsword of the Remnant Flame: Heaven and Earth End in Ash), yet this fire, Amaterasu, was no ordinary natural flame. It possessed a terrifying characteristic—"it burns without being extinguished."
"Success—!"
Akira stood before Yamamoto, his body wreathed in raging black fire.
"Amaterasu: Black Flame Dragon Mode!"
"So, this is a new technique you came up with on the spot…" Yamamoto narrowed his eyes.
"I must admit, it is visually striking. But do you truly believe that altering the form of your flames will enhance their power?"
From Yamamoto's perspective, Akira's previous usage of Amaterasu and Flame Control had treated the black flames as a mere weapon—something wielded externally.
But this—this was different.
With Black Flame Dragon Mode, Amaterasu had become a part of Akira's very being, flowing through him as naturally as his own limbs.
"I didn't expect the fusion of Ryūen Jakka's flames and Amaterasu to cause a fundamental change…" Akira murmured, watching the surging black flames in his hands with excitement. This was undoubtedly true fire!
"Come, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni…" Akira clenched his fists, a confident smile spreading across his face. "Let's begin round two."
"Foolish child!"
Yamamoto said nothing more. He took the initiative, launching a direct assault.
He had already assessed the situation—Akira was dangerous. He had to be completely erased from existence.
"The Roar of the Black Flame Dragon!"
But before Yamamoto could close the distance, a tidal wave of black flames surged toward him like an apocalyptic tsunami.
Tch…!
Without hesitation, Yamamoto summoned the flames of Zanka no Tachi and unleashed them to counter the onslaught.
"As expected—his black fire can devour other flames…!"
Even though Zanka no Tachi's flames boasted a temperature equal to the heart of the sun, Yamamoto could feel Amaterasu consuming them, eating away at his own fire like a living force.
Even the heat of a dying sun could not halt this process.
"What kind of flames are these!?"
Shh!
Before their clash could reach a conclusion, Akira leaped high into the air.
Yamamoto's gaze snapped upward, his eyes widening.
Akira hovered above, arms raised, as a massive black sphere of flames—4.4 meters in diameter—began to form.
"The Brilliance of the Black Flame Dragon!"
Like an asteroid descending from the heavens, the colossal Amaterasu fireball came crashing down.
"Hrgh…!"
Yamamoto roared, mustering every ounce of his remaining Zanka no Tachi flames.
He channeled them skyward, creating a sphere of fire so intense it was as if a miniature sun had materialized on Earth itself.
"BOOOOM—!!!"
In a single instant, the black sun and the red sun collided in the sky.
The distant Shinigami of the Gotei 13, having long retreated to safety, could only perceive the faintest of silhouettes.
But then—
A blinding explosion of black and red light tore through the heavens, illuminating the world as if the sky itself had been split in two.
A searing heatwave surged outward, so intense that it burned into the retinas of all who dared to look upon it.
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