"Hmph."
Kenpachi snorted indifferently.
His gaze swept around, as if he wanted to say something, but considering his current location, he ultimately said nothing.
Two minutes later, the battle ended with Ikkaku's defeat.
His Zanpakuto was left with only its blade.
The hilt had shattered into a pile of sawdust, scattering on the ground like snowflakes.
Even the seemingly intact blade was covered in dense, lightning-like cracks, as if it would crumble at a touch.
If Kuna had not held back at the last moment, Ikkaku would have been even more disheveled.
Ikkaku retreated with a vexed expression, while Kuna's face was beaming with an excited smile, as if the intense exercise just now had not affected her at all.
Yoriichi announced the result of the battle.
Then, Kuna suddenly pointed at one person: "Yachiru, I challenge you!"
Another sudden declaration of war, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.
However, everyone, including Yoriichi, had already expected it.
This replacement of Seat Officers was, in essence, prepared for Kuna and Yachiru.
Yachiru leaped down from Kenpachi's shoulder, transforming into a light butterfly gracefully landing on the ground.
The pink Zanpakuto at her waist made a crisp clinking sound.
With an innocent smile, she slowly said:
"Kuna, I accept your challenge."
…
Soon after.
Sixth Division.
"Damn it!"
"He escaped from prison!"
Several shocked shouts came from the Sixth Division barracks, their voices filled with astonishment and anger, like a bolt from the blue, breaking the previous tranquility.
Some Shinigami looked anxious, gathering one after another, attempting to capture the noble prisoner who had escaped from the prison.
After some Shinigami directly affiliated with the Kucihki Clan pursued him, Kuchiki Sōjun slowly walked out of the room.
His face was pale, and he made an urgent statement while coughing:
"Among us, there is a traitor."
"What?" At these words, all the Shinigami present stiffened.
In that instant, it was as if time had stopped flowing, and the air became heavy.
Traitor… this word was like a heavy stone, weighing on everyone's heart.
Some Shinigami looked at each other, their brows deeply furrowed.
Kuchiki Sōjun watched this scene, feeling a little heavy-hearted.
Although there was no evidence.
For instance, the Shinigami who assisted the escape committed suicide immediately after the other party left.
Not a single clue was left behind.
But intuition told Kuchiki Sōjun that this matter was definitely related to the Tsunayashiro Clan.
Taking a deep breath, Kuchiki Sōjun forced himself to say:
"From now on, the Sixth Division is on lockdown. I have already notified the Ninth Division to investigate this matter with us."
"Since the escape time was not long, and there are guards throughout Seireitei, including near Rukongai, he is bound to be caught, but… his escape has sounded an alarm for us."
"Everything will be discussed after my father returns. For now…"
His gaze gradually deepened, and Kuchiki Sōjun issued an order.
"Ginrei, seal all entrances and exits of the Sixth Division."
"We must thoroughly investigate the mole."
"Yes!"
…
By the time the Kucihki Clan Shinigami arrived at the Ninth Division, it was five minutes later.
In these five minutes.
The battle between Kuna and Yachiru had already ended.
The former was defeated without question.
Her speed simply couldn't keep up with Yachiru, so every full-power kick missed.
Her stamina and spiritual pressure were thus depleted.
Compared to Yachiru.
She could easily dodge with just a light step, consuming very little stamina.
With this disparity, even Kuna, with her big heart, couldn't help but feel a bit of despair.
Just like in the battle with Ikkaku, Ikkaku used all his moves, while she still had significant reserves.
Similarly, she used all her moves, but Yachiru didn't even draw her Zanpakuto… This wasn't just reserves; it was completely holding back.
Like an ocean.
With such incredible speed, she didn't believe Yachiru was out of strength.
So, from the moment she realized this, she understood that Yachiru had been going easy on her.
The reason she didn't attack was also to preserve her dignity.
To be so cruel to such a cute, innocent, and kind person was simply a heinous crime.
Kuna didn't know what was wrong with her.
As soon as these thoughts surfaced, she inexplicably raised her hands in surrender.
It wasn't until the battle ended and she came to her senses that she realized.
It was probably because she had no resistance to cute things.
Ah… so annoying, but also a little excited, because Yachiru was just too cute.
Kuna was conflicted; she even wanted to snatch Yachiru away from Kenpachi.
Though it was likely she wouldn't be able to.
With these thoughts in mind.
Thump, thump, thump!
The barracks door was suddenly knocked.
At the same time, a powerful voice rang out.
"Excuse me!"
"I am Kuchiki Shinji, Ninth Seat of the Sixth Division!"
"Is the ninth division captain, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, present?"
"Vice-Captain Kuchiki Sōjun asked me to submit an application to you!"
"…"
"Come in, the door isn't locked."
Yoriichi slowly turned his head.
Creak.
The door was pushed open, and a silver-haired Shinigami walked in.
He had never seen him before, but judging by the name, he was probably from a branch family of the Kucihki Clan.
Kuchiki Shinji quickly stated the application made by Kuchiki Sōjun, and Yoriichi understood upon hearing it:
"Understood. Kenpachi, Yachiru, you two go help them first. I will be there shortly."
"Although the escaped prisoner is a noble, after being arrested, he has probably lost his noble status, so you two don't need to hold back."
Yoriichi looked at Kenpachi and Yachiru and slowly said.
Upon hearing the words "don't need to hold back," Kenpachi's eyes visibly lit up.
"Hahaha!"
He laughed loudly, drew his sword, and swung it fiercely.
Swish!
Golden spiritual pressure transformed into a sword-wave instantly erupted, but was immediately absorbed by the killing stone.
He strode forward.
His voice was bold: "You said it, Tsugikuni!"
"No need to hold back!"
"If that's the case, there shouldn't be a big problem if I just cut him down, right!"
"If you can do it, as you wish." Yoriichi's tone shifted, and he spoke contemplatively.
"However, this operation is led by the Sixth Division. It's unlikely you can win against their Captain."
"Is that so!" Kenpachi didn't believe it; instead, a clear fighting spirit rose in his eyes.
Could any Captain be stronger than Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Retsu Unohana, or Yamamoto Genryusai?
He decided that if the Sixth Division Captain wasn't strong, he would rather risk offending the nobles and seize control!
Killing a Shinigami is a crime.
Killing a prisoner.
Cutting him into a thousand eight hundred pieces, no one could say anything.
At most, he would receive a verbal reprimand.
After all, the person would be dead.
…
Since the incident occurred extremely suddenly, like a sudden storm that instantly shattered the previous tranquility, the sparring had to be temporarily suspended.
As Kenpachi strode away with Yachiru, the former Vice-Captain, now Fourth Seat, Kuna, rushed into the room like a whirlwind.
A moment later, she came running out, thump-thump-thump, holding a Captain's haori.
Yoriichi saw the haori and only then remembered what he was missing.
He slowly extended his hand and took the haori.
He had just put it on.
Nearby, several Seat Officers gathered around, sheathing their Zanpakuto while speaking excitedly:
"Captain, let us go too!"
"We haven't had much work lately; our hands are getting rusty!"
"Although we don't know what happened with the Sixth Division, it must be a big deal."
"This is the first time our Ninth Division is apprehending a noble."
"It should be enough for us to boast about for a lifetime."
There were specialized execution teams among the nobles, but due to the betrayal incident, the number of trustworthy Shinigami within those teams became very few.
With a shortage of personnel, they had to call for outside assistance.
Conveniently, the Ninth Division's duty was to apprehend prisoners.
Yoriichi thought for a moment and did not agree to their request for everyone to act together, only picking out a few individuals:
"Kuna, Yumichika Ayasegawa, and… Tōsen Kaname will act with me. The others will remain here to perform guard duties."
At these words.
The eager Seat Officers all widened their eyes:
"Only three?"
That number was too small. Even with Kenpachi and Yachiru, the team would only be six people.
Not to mention, Kenpachi and Yachiru had already gone ahead of them…
Yoriichi surveyed the crowd:
"Quality over quantity in a team. I understand your concerns, but this is not an easy task."
"The perpetrator's identity is special. One misstep, and your careers could be affected."
"Kuna was the former Vice-Captain, familiar with the Ninth Division's work and procedures. Yumichika Ayasegawa was born in Rukongai and is indifferent to career advancement…"
"Then what about Tōsen Kaname?" Before Yoriichi finished speaking, a Seat Officer asked, puzzled, "He's just a Twentieth Seat who just joined the Ninth Division."
"Is he worth your high regard?"
Since this competition was beneficial to everyone, giving everyone a chance to climb up, their hostility towards Yoriichi had mostly faded away.
Yoriichi replied: "He is the scribe, responsible for recording the entire process of this operation. Any problem?"
"…"
This answer completely surprised them, so after a moment of stunned, their expressions were helpless: "No problem."
However, at this moment, Yumichika Ayasegawa suddenly asked: "I have a question."
"What about Ikkaku?"
"He and I are both from Rukongai, and equally indifferent to career advancement. Why isn't he included in this operation?"
"His Zanpakuto is broken." Yoriichi's answer was quite concise.
Hearing this, Yumichika Ayasegawa fell silent.
He lowered his head slightly, seemingly pondering something.
A moment later, he sighed and gave Ikkaku a helpless look.
A broken sword, this was indeed an irrefutable reason.
Although it was a Shikai-level breakage and could slowly recover over time, even the fastest recovery would still take time.
Now was clearly too late, and losing his Zanpakuto would undoubtedly mean losing his greatest asset for Ikkaku, who relied on Zanjutsu.
If his strength was previously at the level of the top few Seat Officers…
Now, he probably couldn't even beat the Twentieth Seat, Tōsen Kaname.
This was quite fatal for combat personnel.
Yoriichi couldn't let him take this risk.
Ikkaku wanted to retort, because his pride made it difficult for him to accept being excluded, but when the words reached his lips, he realized.
This so-called pride was just bravado.
Like those weaklings.
Because they lost, they would say they were not in good condition… finding all sorts of excuses to cover up the fact of their defeat.
Was he one of those weaklings?
Broken is broken.
So, he could only watch as Tsugikuni Yoriichi led a few Seat Officers away from the Ninth Division.
And at the same time, his burning pride made him start to focus on hand-to-hand combat skills.
If… he was proficient in boxing and kicking.
Even without a Zanpakuto.
His combat power wouldn't be drastically reduced, right.
It's decided.
He would start training in this area once they returned! This was also preparation for surpassing Kenpachi!
…
East Rukongai.
A group of Shinigami ran hurriedly along the winding path, their footsteps heavy and powerful, each step stirring up dust from the surrounding dirt.
Their faces were anxious, their actions decisive, and faint voices could be heard:
"Did that guy escape in this direction?"
"Damn it, Ginrei is angry! If we can't catch him, none of us will get off easy!"
"The tracks are this way, but… there's a fifty percent chance they're fake. We have no other choice; no one expected the traitor to be Sōjun's confidant."
"He died too quickly, leaving no clues at all. If the situation escalates, this matter will definitely be classified as an internal conflict of the Kucihki Clan."
"All of Ginrei's deployments will be in vain…"
Swish, swish.
A whooshing sound, and as soon as the words fell, a Shinigami suddenly stopped, seeing another set of tracks.
These tracks pointed towards the rear area of East Rukongai; they had almost reached District 20 along this chase… How could that guy run so far?
"Hmph, whether it's real or fake, Rukongai only has eighty districts in total. Unless he escapes to Hueco Mundo, he won't get away no matter what."
The few continued their actions, unaware that at the same time they were making their deployments, the Tsunayashiro Clan was also making a move.
With the head of the family beaten to such a state, and the Kucihki Clan's targeting about to strike, they had to divert attention to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
Tsunayashiro Yashin submitted the Hollowfication powder.
Previously, he had bribed someone in the Ninth Division to add a bit to Kensei's consumables, but the results were not satisfactory.
He didn't know if it was simply ineffective or if it just missed the target.
He didn't dare to act rashly, as this matter shook the very foundation of the Shinigami.
He could only hand this item over to the clan elders and let them decide.
The clan elders were quite shocked by this matter, scolded Tsunayashiro Yashin, secretly gave him some compensation, and then smilingly took the item away.
This was a good thing; nothing was more profound for framing someone than an on-the-spot Hollowfication. As for whether it would work…
Tsunayashiro Yashin didn't dare to experiment, fearing loss of control, but these clan elders dared, didn't they?
First, they would try it on that noble.