The Central Great Underground Prison, located not far from the Squad 1 barracks, was one of the most important institutions in the Seireitei.
The Soul Reapers here took orders directly from Central 46, holding a status equal to that of the Gotei 13.
Most personnel were transferred here from other organizations, such as the Onmitsukidō, the Kidō Corps, or the Gotei 13 itself.
It was very rare for someone like Naraku Sora to become a jailer immediately after graduation.
This was why, when the young man saw the person in charge of the underground prison, he froze on the spot.
A beautiful woman with pale skin and exquisite features sat dignified in the room. Her black, medium-length hair hung down smoothly, adorned with intricate golden hair accessories.
Her unique temperament formed a stark contrast with the environment of the underground prison.
A generic-looking Soul Reaper spoke respectfully, "Lady Warden, the rookie has arrived."
"Name?"
"Naraku Sora."
"Graduation grades?"
"Excellent."
"Excellent?"
The woman looked up, raising her slender eyebrows. Her flawless black eyes sized up the young man before her.
" The Central Prison is different from other places. If you want to stay here, you must prove your value. It just so happens that new sinners have been sentenced today."
"You will be responsible for escorting them to their corresponding prison cells."
Before Naraku Sora could even open his mouth, the guarding Soul Reaper beside him dragged him out of the room and toward a deep, dark alleyway.
"That was the Warden of the Central Prison. Her status is equivalent to a Captain of the Gotei 13. Before becoming the Warden, she was the Captain of Squad 12."
"Lady Shutara Senjumaru."
"Legend has it that she can see through a person's fate, so never disobey Lady Warden's orders."
Naraku Sora was stunned for a moment before a look of realization dawned on his face.
No wonder she looked familiar. She was a big shot from the future Squad Zero. He hadn't expected her to still be in the Seireitei, let alone serving as the supreme leader of the Central Prison.
However, these things had nothing to do with him; the work ahead was the most critical part.
He hoped his earlier guess was correct.
Soon, led by the Soul Reaper named Nishikawa, Naraku Sora saw the targets of his mission.
Two massive bodies were firmly confined by black chains. Terrifying white bone masks were embedded in their faces, with mouths grinning almost to their ears, saliva dripping down. Their crimson eyes were filled with cruelty and greed.
They were not Soul Reapers!
Naraku Sora's eyes widened. He pointed at the "sinners" in the open space ahead, his expression stiff.
"Senior, does our Central Prison have jurisdiction over this too?"
Nishikawa nodded helplessly. "If they were ordinary Hollows, they would usually be purified on the spot, but these are no ordinary Hollows..."
"They are Adjuchas, kid!"
Naraku Sora frowned, rubbing his chin as he fell into deep thought.
Then he nodded.
"Is it too late to quit the Central Prison now?"
Nishikawa: "?"
'Has this kid lost his mind? Does he think an institution of the Inner Court is the Academy cafeteria, where you can come and go as you please?'
"Too late."
Nishikawa shook his head and pointed at the two Adjuchas not far away. "If you fail to complete Lady Warden's task, the consequences will be more terrifying than death."
After struggling internally for a short while, Naraku Sora decided to bite the bullet.
Although his current level wasn't enough to handle Adjuchas, simply escorting them to their corresponding cells shouldn't be a problem.
He had, after all, trained at the Spiritual Arts Academy for several years.
Thus, under Nishikawa's astonished gaze, Naraku Sora began to mutter under his breath as he walked toward the chain-bound Adjuchas.
If one were close enough to listen, they could vaguely make out a few iconic Kidō incantations.
The closer he got, the more he could feel the terrifying oppression radiating from the Adjuchas. The black chains only restricted their movement and a portion of their Reiatsu.
Menos Grande had always harbored great malice toward Soul Reapers. Whenever a Soul Reaper approached, these two big guys would unreservedly release all their spiritual pressure.
The air seemed to turn viscous, and Naraku Sora's breathing became increasingly difficult.
It felt like a heavy stone was blocking his chest.
Every step was a struggle.
Forced by the circumstances, Naraku Sora grit his teeth with a sound that would set one's teeth on edge, rapidly condensing the Reiatsu within his body.
Burst!
Under the clash of powerful pressures, the oppressive feeling immediately diminished by more than half, and his steps became much lighter.
Seeing this scene, even the eyes of the Adjuchas flashed with a hint of surprise.
Many Soul Reapers had come by in the past few days, but aside from that beautiful woman who nearly slapped the life out of them with a single palm strike, the rest were trash.
Let alone resisting their Reiatsu, most Soul Reapers would be too scared to even approach after accidentally making eye contact.
When did the Central Prison get someone with such guts?
Could it be that a Soul Reaper who had been out on a mission had returned?
While the Adjuchas were still in shock, the young man was already standing before them.
Amidst the burst of viscous, intertwining Reiatsu, Naraku Sora placed his hand on the black chains. He grinned at those hideous bone masks, revealing his white teeth.
"Bakudō #11. Tsuzuri Raiden!"
As the chanting of the final spell ended, brilliant golden lightning surged wildly from his palms, instantly spreading across the chains and rushing into the bodies of the Adjuchas.
The next moment, roars laden with agonizing pain were deafening.
The chains binding the Menos rattled loudly. Their blood-red eyes stared fixedly at the young man in front of them, attempting to vent their inner rage through their gaze.
After giving them a small response, Naraku Sora turned his head to look behind him and shouted, "Senior, which level of hell should these two guys be locked in?"
Nishikawa had been dumbfounded by Naraku Sora's series of actions. Although he knew this kid was a top graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy and had the level of a mid-seated officer at the very least...
He was one too, wasn't he?
Yet, when facing these two ferocious Adjuchas, even a battle-hardened prison guard like Nishikawa couldn't help but feel fearful.
But this kid seemed to not know the meaning of fear. Not only did he charge straight through their Reiatsu, but he even hit them with a suppressing spell once he got close.
"Cough, Level 1: The Hell of Repetition."
Nishikawa snapped back to reality and replied hurriedly.
As soon as the words fell, Naraku Sora tugged at the chains, allowing the Reiatsu of the Menos to rage around him, and walked steadfastly toward the underground prison.
The rest of the process was simple. He went straight down the wide corridor, then found empty cells in the Hell of Repetition.
Open the cell door, throw the Menos in, close the cell door.
After finishing all this, a voice suddenly sounded in Naraku Sora's ear. The air rippled like water, and a black screen floated before his eyes.
[Successfully suppressed Sinner Adjuchas. Sin Value: 777. Participation: 5%!]
[Your Reiatsu has increased. Current Spirit Power Level: Twelve!]
[Your Hakuda has increased.]
[You have obtained Hollow Power!]
Naraku Sora, who had just been immersed in the joy of his improved strength, suddenly widened his eyes, his expression freezing instantly.
'Wait!'
'What power?'