In the few seconds Tōshirō was thinking, the auras rising in various parts of Seireitei began to dissipate.
Precisely locking onto targets and launching attacks, Tatsuma's speed in eliminating enemies was beyond everyone's imagination. From the start of the battle to the end, it was over in less than three minutes.
Looking at this scene, a strange look flashed in Rangiku's eyes. "Captain, I want to take a leave of absence."
Tōshirō asked, "Leave of absence? Do you have something urgent?"
"Hehe. Nothing much, I just heard that the izakaya on West Street has new stock, and I'm going to try it."
"Then your leave is canceled."
"Eh... Don't be so heartless."
Rangiku waved her hand and disappeared from her original location before Tōshirō could react.
"Today's work is finished, so consider me getting off work early."
"Hey!" Tōshirō frowned.
However, after hesitating for a few seconds, he gave up the idea of dragging Rangiku back.
Ever since the battle half a month ago ended, Rangiku seemed like a different person. Not only did she finish her work every day, but she hadn't even touched alcohol once.
After a long time, Tōshirō even had the illusion that she had been possessed. Since Rangiku wanted to go drinking today, then let her have a day off and relax.
"Sigh, none of them make me feel at ease."
...
Soul King Palace.
A tall, bald man with thick eyebrows and a beard stood beside a platform, looking down below.
"Found you, you're indeed here."
Oetsu walked over leisurely with his hands in his pockets from not far away.
"Monk, I just sensed the Red Dragon Emperor's aura from below. What has he done now?"
Ichibei recounted calmly, "He killed Tokinada, then created clones to attack the mansions of thirty-four noble clans."
Oetsu said, "Tokinada? When Shunsui reported, didn't he say he wouldn't act against the Four Great Noble Clans?"
"You misheard. He said he would preserve the status and power of the Four Great Noble Clans."
"He can play it like that?" Oetsu was stunned.
None of the Zero Division were fools. After Ichibei's reminder, he quickly understood.
Shunsui or rather, Tatsuma behind him, played a word game.
Preserving the status and power of the Four Great Noble Clans without acting against the Four Great Noble Clans.
"He's truly audacious."
Ichibei said, "He has the confidence and ability to do so."
"That's true, but going on like this might not be good."
"It's indeed not good, so the Soul King has given me a new directive."
"Oh?!"
Oetsu narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming serious.
Since coming to this world, the Soul King had finished his role as a wedge. However, for some reason, the Soul King had not issued a directive for the Zero Division to help him find a body and restore his power.
On the contrary, after meeting the God of the Bible, the Soul King fell into a long slumber, only occasionally waking.
As he recalled, the last time the Soul King awoke to give an order was hundreds of years ago.
"What did the Soul King say?"
Ichibei said, "He asked me to invite Tatsuma up as a guest."
"Huh?"
Half an hour later, at the First Division barracks.
Bang!
Shunsui temporarily stopped his report and looked towards the entrance.
"Captain Zaraki, what are you doing?"
"Looking for someone."
Zaraki's gaze passed over Shunsui, staring intently at the man standing behind him.
"Tatsuma! Come fight me!"
"Alright."
"Haha! That's refreshing!"
Zaraki burst into laughter, drawing his sword and slashing without another word. Tatsuma remained unfazed, raising his hand to catch the Zanpakutō.
"Didn't you eat? Is that all the strength you have?"
His other free hand clenched into a fist, smashing forward without mercy. With the point of impact as the center, Zaraki's body folded in half and was sent flying backward in the next instant.
Boom! Boom! Boom...
A series of roars sounded, and Zaraki vanished from the room as a blur. All the walls in his path were smashed through, and he finally created a massive crater a kilometer away.
"Whoa! Ken-chan was defeated!"
Yachiru, who had run in with him, widened her eyes and let out a surprised cry, then ran out through the hole.
"Sorry! My Captain caused trouble!"
"We are very sorry!"
Ikkaku and Yumichika, who ran in two steps behind, quickly apologized.
"It's nothing. Go take your Captain to the Fourth Division for treatment."
Tatsuma didn't mind, waving his hand to dismiss the two before looking at the trait Zaraki had dropped.
[Berserker (Gold): For every 1 HP lost in battle, Strength and Speed increase by 5.]
The effect was decent, but the biggest problem now was that no one could make him bleed.
Tossing Berserker into his storage, Tatsuma looked at Shunsui standing beside him.
Prompted by Zaraki, he suddenly remembered he hadn't farmed traits from the Gotei 13 yet.
"Shunsui, come fight me."
"Huh?" Shunsui was stunned, pointing to himself. "Me?"
Tatsuma said, "As the acting Captain Commander, failing to discipline your subordinates and acting without authorization, you should be punished."
"Considering your difficult work, I've decided to give you a chance. If you can withstand one punch from me, I'll let you off."
Tatsuma raised his fist, and a vast, terrifying pressure emanated from him.
"Tatsuma, you're giving me too much credit." Shunsui raised both hands, a helpless, bitter smile on his face.
While Zaraki was reckless, his strength was genuine.
How could he possibly withstand Tatsuma's punch when it could knock out that tank with one blow?
"I surrender. Let's talk..."
Bang!
A surging airflow swept past, leaving a bloodstain on Shunsui's cheek.
"Too much nonsense."
Tatsuma slowly lowered his fist. "When I tell you to fight, you fight. Why so many words?"
"Could it be that after two days as acting Captain Commander, you've gotten too full of yourself and don't put me in your eyes anymore?"
"Uh... alright."
Shunsui drew his Zanpakutō.
He understood now.
Zaraki was just an excuse, Tatsuma's real goal was to fight him. Since that was the case, he could only cooperate.
"Here I come!"
Boom!
[Congratulations on successfully defeating Shunsui Kyoraku, you have obtained the Red Trait: Game Master.]
[Game Master (Red): When engaging in game-related activities, you can quickly understand their essence and find ways to win.]
Red trait?
Glancing at Shunsui, who was lying unconscious at his feet, Tatsuma was a bit surprised.
However, upon closer thought, Shunsui was indeed a bit lacking compared to a talent monster like Zaraki.
His true strength lay in his broad vision and understanding gained from time, as well as his relatively sharp mind.
In terms of actual combat power, Shunsui could not compare to a fully powered Zaraki, or an existence like Yamamoto, who had reached the limits of a Shinigami.
"Never mind, it's better than nothing."
He used a Senjutsu to wake Shunsui, then gave his first command.
"Call all the Gotei 13 members over. I will personally supervise and test their strength today."