Unlike the heated atmosphere outside, where people were racing to discuss the news of nobles being imprisoned, the interior of Shino Prison appeared remarkably harmonious under a certain person's governance. The guards were diligent, the criminals were well-behaved, and the entire place presented a thriving scene of peace and prosperity. In short, things were looking up.
It was worth mentioning that since the arrest and imprisonment of the nobles from the Yokota house, Naraku Sora had been promoted to Third Seat of Shino Prison by Shutara Senjumaru. He was the third-in-command in name, but the top authority in practice.
The Prison Warden, Shutara Senjumaru, only exercised her authority when dealing with essential files and documents. At all other times, she either holed up in her laboratory like a shut-in researcher or went to check if Naraku Sora was 'developing' properly. Occasionally, she would head out to the Rukongai because she was short on specific materials.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri was much the same. However, Naraku Sora had noticed that the way this guy looked at him lately was becoming increasingly wrong, as if he were sizing up some rare treasure. It inevitably gave Sora a sense of revulsion.
Since both superiors were hands-off, the task of building up Shino Prison naturally fell on Naraku Sora's shoulders. Fortunately, he enjoyed the work.
For instance, at this moment, as Naraku Sora walked through the Hell of Reviving, countless malicious gazes instantly swept toward him. But when they saw clearly who it was, everyone bowed their heads in unison. He was not someone to be trifled with.
The first level, the Hell of Reviving, held the largest number of prisoners. Most of the noble members had been moved here because Central 46 had yet to issue a verdict, and the holding cells could not accommodate such a large number of sinners. At the same time, based on the 'Hope Therapy' invented by Naraku Sora, the criminals on this level were quite well-behaved. Even when facing new guards, they only cast malicious looks and rarely caused trouble.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Take, for example, the two massive beings currently bound by black chains, staring with murderous eyes at the youth standing outside the cage as if there were a blood feud between them.
"I remember you, brat."
"You're the one who locked us in this godforsaken hole."
"When I get out, I'm going to eat you."
Watching the two Adjuchas continuously talk tough, Naraku Sora clenched his fist and slowly raised it, a hint of anticipation showing in his eyes. "That's fine. I'll give you a chance. But are you really prepared?"
In that instant, the Adjuchas froze. Through their confusion, they saw a smile on Naraku Sora's face.
A blood-red aura, as if blotting out the sun, rose from behind the youth, instantly submerging everything. A ferocity that transcended that of Greater Hollows filled the entire cell, casting their very existence into shadow. A massive pressure, like the deep sea, bore down on them, surging with an extreme chill that made the Hollows tremble.
What exactly had happened to this Soul Reaper?!
Or had they been locked in prison for too long, and the world outside had undergone earth-shattering changes? Even the brat who was once responsible for guarding them had become a powerhouse among Soul Reapers. Otherwise, what was with this suffocating pressure?
Creak—
Silently, the iron door of the cell opened. The black chains binding the Adjuchas fell away without a sound, and even the Kidō seals beneath the chains were released simultaneously.
Once they regained their freedom, the Adjuchas did not come out immediately. One stared warily at the youth outside the cage, suspecting him of some foul play. They were reminded of that woman from before, who would cut their flesh and drain their blood whenever she felt like it.
The two sides stared at each other as if competing in a test of patience.
However, the instinctive desire for freedom eventually overrode the inner worry. The body of the released Adjuchas suddenly blurred into motion, and a violent Reiatsu filled the vast prison. The guards broke into a cold sweat, their tense bodies trembling slightly. The absolute gap in Reiatsu left them with no courage to face a Greater Hollow directly. If Naraku Sora hadn't been standing there, shouldering the vast majority of the pressure for them, many would have already collapsed to the floor.
Just as it was about to charge out of the cell, Naraku Sora's voice reached the Adjuchas's ear again.
"Do you know what hope is?"
"Get lost!"
A furious roar echoed in the prison. The Greater Hollow's face was distorted, its crimson eyes full of rage as it swung its massive palm without hesitation.
Then, it missed.
A flash of confusion crossed the Adjuchas's ferocious face, but in the next moment, its eyes widened. It felt a sensation of lag and numbness in its waist and abdomen. Immediately after, an intense, tearing pain spread from its waist, instantly sweeping through its entire body.
It looked down in shock.
That loathsome face was already within reach. A fist wrapped in Reiatsu had slammed heavily into its defenseless waist.
In the next moment, the massive body suddenly bent under the explosion of power. Like a meteorite, it soared over the heads of the crowd and crashed heavily into the prison wall, nearly snapping the entire section of the wall.
Following that, the Adjuchas crawled out from the cracks in the wall. Its hunched body erupted with a surging Reiatsu, like a dam opening its floodgates. The atmosphere within the cell and even the entire space vibrated and roared, bursting with echoes. Under this heavy pressure, everything seemed on the verge of collapse.
A savage and frantic expression appeared within its crimson pupils. The Adjuchas finally understood why the other party had set it free. He wanted to use a clash to test his own growth.
What a despicable idea!
'I will never let you have your way. Using me as a whetstone will be the biggest mistake of your life.'
The Adjuchas's momentum soared, ignoring the flash of fanaticism in Naraku Sora's eyes and the terrifying aura it had sensed earlier in the cell. It lunged toward the youth standing at the end of the corridor.
Naraku Sora responded by raising his right hand. He clenched his fingers, and his muscles and bones shifted with a sound like hard iron rubbing together. A scorching heat erupted violently.
Standing his ground, Naraku Sora twisted his waist and punched forward with a fist like iron.
"Ikotsu!"
In an instant, a thunderous roar erupted. A terrifying power, enough to make one suffocate, was poured entirely into the Greater Hollow's massive frame. As if hit head-on by a high-speed train, the sound of shattering bone spread from its chest, instantly echoing throughout its entire body.
The Adjuchas fell heavily to the ground, its gaze toward Naraku Sora now filled with pure terror.
Is this kid really a Soul Reaper?!
After dealing with one, Naraku Sora turned his gaze toward the cell. Staring at the remaining Adjuchas, he revealed an expectant smile.
"Your turn..."
Inside the cell, the Adjuchas shivered, its massive body curling into a ball. Its eyes no longer held any desire for freedom, only a deep attachment to life. Freedom was precious, but life was worth more. Its cellmate, who was about as strong as it was, had been taken down with a single punch. How much better could it possibly do?
With a living example right in front of it, trying to escape would be a bit impolite.
Seeing the other party's stubborn resistance and refusal to cooperate, Naraku Sora had no choice but to lower himself. He stepped into the cell to have a chat with this Adjuchas about the meaning of hope.
As that demon-like figure drew closer step by step, a hysterical voice of despair echoed through the prison:
"Don't come over here!"