Meanwhile, as time passed, the Shinigami currently stationed in Seireitei from the Ninth Division and Eleventh Division had almost all gathered in an extremely spacious area.
The former ninth division captain, Kensei Muguruma, was ready to go.
Kuna Mashiro followed behind him, looking as if she wouldn't leave until he explained.
This made Kensei Muguruma quite distressed.
There was nothing to say, as these were all the Captain-Commander's orders, and he couldn't possibly disobey the Captain-Commander's orders… Instead of sharing the bitterness, it was better to bear it alone.
Kensei Muguruma had heard of Tsugikuni Yoriichi; he was not a bad person.
His character was among the highest tier even within the entire Soul Society.
He felt at ease entrusting the Ninth Division to him.
The only thing Kensei Muguruma couldn't feel at ease about was that guy, Zaraki Kenpachi.
Zaraki Kenpachi leaving the Eleventh Division to join the Ninth Division was completely unexpected for Kensei Muguruma.
And once his strength reached the Ninth Division… what would Kuna Mashiro do?
Also… there was the Vice-Captain by his side.
She looked harmless, but her strength was not to be underestimated.
What if Kuna Mashiro was bullied by her, or by Zaraki Kenpachi…
He couldn't just return from the Eleventh Division specifically to teach them a lesson; that wouldn't be according to the rules…
Therefore, in the upcoming battle, he had to make these things clear to Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
It would be best to defeat him; only then would Zaraki Kenpachi not do anything out of line.
Sighing heavily, Kensei Muguruma sat alone in a chair, quietly wiping his Zanpakuto.
As he wiped, he somehow felt his Dantōfū was slightly brighter than usual.
It was probably just an illusion.
He gently breathed onto the blade until it clearly reflected his face, and only then did his mind gradually relax.
He called someone to inquire about Tsugikuni Yoriichi's current whereabouts, only to learn that he was not there.
"Hmm… not here?"
Kensei Muguruma's firm face showed a look of confusion.
His brows furrowed tightly: "Where did he go? The battle is about to begin!"
No one knew Tsugikuni Yoriichi's location except Retsu Unohana.
And Retsu Unohana, adhering to the confidentiality agreement, did not tell outsiders afterward.
So at this moment, it wasn't just Kensei Muguruma who was completely bewildered.
Even Hirako Shinji, who had been constantly following this battle, felt a bit confused when he heard the news that Tsugikuni Yoriichi had disappeared along with Kisuke Urahara.
When he learned that the Captain-Commander was also missing,
He somehow instinctively believed that this matter must be related to Kisuke Urahara.
In the Captain's exclusive seat, Hirako Shinji leaned back casually, showing no semblance of a Captain.
His legs were stretched out freely, as if he didn't care about anything around him.
His seemingly carefree posture actually hid constant contemplation in his heart.
Although he knew this matter had nothing to do with him, leaving at such a crucial moment… honestly, it must not be a small matter.
If it wasn't handled well and affected him without preparation… that wasn't his approach to life.
His gaze intentionally or unintentionally swept over others.
As time passed, a hint of dissatisfaction gradually emerged from the crowd.
The Ninth Division was questioning why they still hadn't seen their new Captain.
The Eleventh Division, on the other hand, was questioning who the culprit was that caused them to change four Kenpachi within a year?
Gojoshibe Kenpachi was ruined by him, his life or death unknown in Hueco Mundo.
Kenpachi Oni Yanma indirectly died at Zaraki Kenpachi's hands because of him.
Zaraki Kenpachi was defeated by him and wouldn't return to the Eleventh Division until he defeated him.
And now it was the fourth Kenpachi… there wouldn't be another accident, would there?
If it happened again, the name Kenpachi would become something like an urban legend.
Whoever became one, died; it was too terrifying.
Listening to these voices, Hirako Shinji smiled nonchalantly.
Urban legend? That was too much; at most, they were just unlucky.
However, their experiences did remind him that before Tsugikuni Yoriichi became a Shinigami, Seireitei seemed to have been very quiet?
After he joined, existences like Kiganjo and Zaraki Kenpachi emerged one after another like bamboo shoots after a rain…
Was his luck problematic? It was incomprehensible.
As Hirako Shinji was musing, the building's large door was suddenly pushed open, emitting a heavy, grating sound that instantly drew everyone's attention.
Rumble.
A person, with the sun at his back, quickly walked in.
Yamamoto Genryusai, Kisuke Urahara, and Yoruichi Shihouin followed behind him.
When the onlookers saw these people, the clamor immediately ceased.
Then, their gazes uniformly turned towards Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who was in front of the three.
Some Shinigami saw him for the first time and thus found him very ordinary.
At most, the markings on his forehead were a bit special.
However, his demeanor was very unique, like a calm body of water, as if everything around him, including gazes, couldn't affect him.
He was the new Captain of the Ninth Division?
Some people compared him with Kensei Muguruma.
They found… the veteran Captain still had the advantage.
After all, if some Shinigami remembered correctly, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was their junior's junior's junior… in short, he was quite young in terms of seniority and age.
Even if he mastered Bankai at such an age… even if he trained constantly, his strength would certainly not be very great.
Yesterday, they heard that Yamamoto Genryusai was injured, but now it seemed to be pure nonsense.
Furthermore… Kensei Muguruma was about to assume the position of Eleventh Division Captain.
If he couldn't win… where would the credibility of the Kenpachi title lie?
Considering everything, some Shinigami believed that this battle would probably just be a formality.
However, they soon discovered that this guess was completely wrong.
As Tsugikuni Yoriichi entered, the waiting time gradually ended.
Kensei Muguruma, wearing a sleeveless vest, quickly stepped forward.
Yamamoto Genryusai sat in the main seat under everyone's gaze, with Yoruichi Shihouin and Kisuke Urahara standing beside him.
Thump.
He lightly tapped the ground with his cane, coughed twice, and slowly said:
"This Captain succession ceremony will be personally presided over by me, Yamamoto Genryusai."
"You must display your strength as much as possible in front of your respective squad members; only then can you gain their recognition."
"Any objections?"
No objections.
"Very good."
Yamamoto Genryusai nodded slightly.
"Since that's the case, let's begin. Remember, any means can be used in this battle, but be sure to stop before causing serious harm."
As soon as these words were spoken, some Shinigami in the stands began to discuss.
Unaware of the truth, they thought the Captain-Commander's words were a caution to Kensei Muguruma.
Some Shinigami of the Ninth Division clearly knew the power of Kensei Muguruma's Bankai.
A Kido wind-type Zanpakuto that causes internal destruction, for Shinigami of the same rank,
One hit meant injury.
To be cautioned by the Captain-Commander in such a way—
—As expected of Captain Kensei!
Kensei Muguruma nodded slightly.
As he wasn't sure who Yamamoto Genryusai's words were directed at, he subconsciously thought it was to tell him to hold back in the battle.
So, when Yamamoto Genryusai's steady voice fell,
He showed a confident smile: "Don't worry, I won't waste too much of your time! My Dantōfū is very strong!"
"…"
Yamamoto Genryusai didn't say much, only gave him a faint glance, then announced the official start of the battle.
The surrounding air, with the drastic change in atmosphere, instantly became as thick as glue.
A majestic spiritual pressure erupted from Kensei Muguruma's strong body, like surging waves crashing against rocks:
"Be reduced to ash, Dantōfū!"
The long sword in his right hand instantly transformed into a sharp dagger, glittering with cold light under the refraction of the surrounding light.
As he swung it, green wisps of light rippled through the air, seemingly restrained but hiding explosive power.
As his state adjusted,
Bang!
He stomped and charged forward fiercely.
…
…
Captain's seats.
"Who do you think has a better chance of winning?"
Hirako Shinji asked casually, his tone lazy, as if the battle between the two was just a seasoning in life, insignificant.
"I've only met this Tsugikuni Yoriichi once. Does anyone know what his Zanpakuto ability is?"
"How does it compare to Dantōfū?"
Kyōraku Shunsui, sitting beside him, shifted his gaze and smiled: "Captain Hirako, there's no comparability between the two."
"Yoriichi usually doesn't release his Zanpakuto because it's too dangerous."
"If you often interact with the nobles, you'll know that his sword has subtly gained a nickname among them."
—"The Blade of Absolute Justice."
"Also, the Sword of Damocles."
"The Sword of Damocles?" These words piqued Hirako Shinji's interest. He slightly opened his eyes, his gaze mixed with doubt and curiosity.
"Captain Kyōraku, you're not trying to trick me, are you? Is it really that powerful?"
He knew that, although it was a legend from the Human World,
This sword represented absolute balance and authority, and sometimes even divine retribution.
Such important and special meanings…
Why hadn't those nobles sanctioned him?
Seemingly seeing the doubt in Hirako Shinji's eyes, Kyōraku Shunsui slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a meaningful smile:
"They wouldn't dare."
These four words, like a final decision, made Hirako Shinji fall silent.
Immediately after, Kyōraku Shunsui added: "Of course, Yoriichi's swordsmanship is exceptionally skilled."
"Even without releasing his Zanpakuto, his strength far surpasses that of some ordinary Captains."
As his words fell, in the arena, as if to verify his words,
No matter how Kensei Muguruma swung Dantōfū, leaving afterimages, he still couldn't touch Tsugikuni Yoriichi in the slightest.
The majestic wind pressure blew Tsugikuni Yoriichi's Shinigami uniform, and each time it was about to make contact, it would be quietly blocked by a suddenly appearing blade.
The timing of its appearance was flawless, like a carefully designed guidance game.
At first, Kensei Muguruma didn't react, but after one, then two, then three, then four times…
No matter how dull he was, he noticed these anomalies.
So, Kensei Muguruma, not believing in evil, accelerated his swings.
The dagger he clutched tightly roared, coiled, and spun in mid-air like a swimming dragon.
Clang!
An upward slash was ineffective.
Ping!
A diagonal thrust was blocked.
Whoosh!
A spectacular horizontal slash could not advance an inch, and the accompanying explosion vanished into nothingness.
—Dantōfū could cause explosions upon contact with objects. Logically speaking, if the spiritual pressure was strong enough, it could even blow up the opponent's Zanpakuto in one go.
Why…
Suddenly remembering something,
Kensei Muguruma's expression changed. He hastily swung his dagger, his pupils slightly constricted: "Your spiritual pressure isn't Third Grade?"
"Third Grade?" Tsugikuni Yoriichi casually blocked the attack, thought for a moment, "That was a long time ago."
"How long is 'a long time ago'?"
The information he knew about Tsugikuni Yoriichi was that he had only graduated from the academy a year ago.
A year ago, Third Grade.
A year later… it changed?
What the hell was going on? Why hadn't anyone told him?
Actually, minor things like spiritual pressure increases, if the person involved doesn't actively mention it, others can only learn passively.
Kensei Muguruma had never fought Yoriichi before, and they rarely met.
Naturally, he didn't know.
Yoriichi replied casually: "About two months."
"Two months?" Kensei Muguruma wanted to curse. Was two months 'a long time ago'? Was there no problem with such a monstrous rate of improvement?
He knew why his Dantōfū was ineffective; it turned out the opponent's spiritual pressure was stronger than his…
And, his swordsmanship was also more superb.
As if he could foresee the future.
Zaraki Kenpachi's opponent was this kind of monster?
Unbeatable. Truly.
But in front of so many people, he couldn't just surrender, so…
Taking a deep breath, he secretly apologized—since you don't want to release your Zanpakuto, then don't blame me. Even if I lose, I can't lose so miserably…
He let out a low roar:
"Bankai!"
"Tekken Tachikaze!!"
Like a typhoon howling, immense spiritual pressure, carrying sudden gusts of wind, swirled around him, transforming into a roaring giant dragon.
The dagger in his hand vanished, replaced by serrated blades attached to his forearms, with black treads connected to his arms floating behind him.
These sights reflected in Yoriichi's eyes, his expression showing no great ripple.
After what had just happened, fighting Kensei Muguruma became commonplace.
However, he still had to listen to his teacher's words.
Give some pointers.
It was better than winning without a fight.
Although Kensei Muguruma was a veteran Captain, his combat technique… was somewhat overly reliant on his Zanpakuto.
Whether it was Shikai or Bankai, their power depended on the sword's characteristics.
Explosions.
If there were no explosions…
Kensei Muguruma extended a fist, interrupting Yoriichi's thoughts: "Hey! What kind of look is that? Give me some reaction, will you!"
"Have you seen my Bankai before?"
Yoriichi came back to himself: "No, I haven't."
"Then aren't you worried?"
"Worried about what?"
"Worried that I'll hurt you!" Unable to comprehend his words, Kensei Muguruma clenched his fist, his voice filled with dissatisfaction.
"Don't underestimate me, you bastard! My Tekken Tachikaze is completely different from before!"
Now, even without touching his opponent, he could unleash explosive spiritual pressure, powerful enough to flatten a small town.
"Mm." Yoriichi only nodded slightly, giving no further indication.
He slowly raised his Zanpakuto, signaling that the opponent could attack.
Seeing this, the veins on Kensei Muguruma's forehead throbbed continuously.
Somehow, the calmer Tsugikuni Yoriichi's expression was, the more enraged he became.
It was like performing a juggling act in front of a blind person.
Had he become a clown?
Give some reaction, damn it.
Bastard.