Chapter 63: It was all Kurosaki's doing, every single thing
The flashing torrent of spiritual power shot out like a cannon.
Completely engulfing him.
Ten seconds later, Ichigo found the dying Kenpachi in the ruins of another block.
"It's good that he's not dead."
He was visibly relieved to find that Kenpachi was still alive.
"A-Ichi!"
"Eh? You are… Eleventh Division Lieutenant Kusajishi Yachiru?"
"That's right! …Thank you, A-Ichi."
Yachiru glanced at Kenpachi and said earnestly, "A-Ichi didn't hesitate to get injured to create an opportunity for a one-hit kill… but he didn't actually kill Little Kenpachi, and the other A-Ichi, though ill-tempered, also helped Little Kenpachi get stronger… Thank you both very much!"
With that, she bowed deeply.
"…You guys in the Eleventh Division are really strange, thanking an opponent who beat your Captain like this… Honestly, I felt pretty despicable…"
Ichigo scratched his head.
"Letting others wear down the opponent first, understanding their fighting style, then jumping out when the opponent plans a desperate counterattack to catch them off guard, not to mention trading injuries… There's really no sense of accomplishment in winning."
"Then next time, A-Ichi and Little Kenpachi should have a good fight again! In the way you both like!"
Yachiru straightened up, revealing a brilliant smile.
"Uh… I think I'll pass on that. I don't want to fight that kind of unkillable monster again."
Ichigo's mouth twitched slightly, and he slipped away after kindly reminding her, "You should take him to the Fourth Division first."
Leaving Yachiru alone, quietly watching over Kenpachi.
"Little Kenpachi… we met a great opponent. Next time… let's have a two-on-two tag team battle."
Fourth Division, General Relief Station.
"Due to timely medical attention, Captain Kenpachi is out of danger."
Retsu Unohana pushed open the door to the first operating room and gently explained the situation to the pink-haired young girl who had rushed over, as well as to Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa from her division.
"Phew… Thank you for your hard work, Captain Unohana!"
Ikkaku and Yumichika's hearts, which had been in their throats, finally settled. They bowed deeply and solemnly thanked Retsu Unohana.
"It's mainly Isane's credit. I've been busy examining Vice-Captain Hinamori's body and only came to help a little… If possible, when Captain Kenpachi wakes up, please try to persuade him not to be discharged immediately, to avoid worsening his injuries."
"We… we'll do our best!"
Retsu Unohana also knew that this task was a bit much to ask of them, so she sighed softly, her gaze turning to the silent Yachiru.
"Lieutenant Yachiru, may I ask who Captain Kenpachi was fighting?"
"At first, we encountered a ryoka, but later… the ryoka was rescued, and we chased after them, and then this happened."
Yachiru's eyes darted around, and she spoke vaguely.
"So who exactly did it? Speak clearly, Lieutenant!"
Ikkaku was scratching his ears in frustration.
"To rescue a ryoka from the Captain and injure him like this, it's impossible that you didn't even get a good look at their face, right?"
"Tell me the specific features, I…"
"Baldy, what do you intend to do?"
Yachiru's gaze was unfriendly, making Ikkaku break out in a cold sweat.
"Knowing this, do you think you can defeat them? That's a powerful enemy that even Little Kenpachi couldn't beat after his Shikai."
"?!"
"You said Shikai?!"
"The Captain…?!"
As soon as this was said, not only Ikkaku and Yumichika, but even Retsu Unohana was slightly stunned.
The name of the current Captain of the Eleventh Division was known throughout the entire Seireitei.
His origin was also no secret.
He had, with a broken sword he picked up, killed the previous Kenpachi in plain sight.
Kido? Shunpo? Sword fighting? Hand-to-hand combat?
To say he knew none of them would be false, but he was indeed self-taught, almost relying solely on pure sword fighting to confront all opponents, earning the Shinigami's awe with his overwhelming strength and wild fighting style.
This madman… would he also have a day when he released his Zanpakuto and fought like a Shinigami?
And even after being pushed to such an extent, he still couldn't avoid defeat.
It truly made one shudder to think about it.
What exactly happened?
Who exactly… did he encounter?
"It was Kurosaki ichigo, wasn't it?"
Retsu Unohana said abruptly.
"Kurosaki… Ichigo? Who is that?"
Ikkaku frowned.
"Ikkaku, your information is a bit outdated. That is one of the most outstanding Freshmen at the Spirit Arts Academy this year. He caused quite a stir a while ago, and along with another equally famous genius, he is a disciple of Captain Aizen, quite popular in the Gotei 13."
Yumichika explained in a deep voice.
Ikkaku's expression contorted, his tone filled with disbelief.
"…You mean to say, a Freshman who just enrolled less than a year ago defeated the leader of the strongest fighting division in the Gotei 13? And there's more than one such Freak?!"
"…I didn't know they were so powerful. It's severely inconsistent with the rumors. I can only say it's a good thing the Captain is still alive, otherwise we might have had an even more exaggerated Captain."
Yumichika bit his thumbnail, his mood quite complex.
"Don't even think about it. From the moment they helped the ryoka, there's no place for them in the Gotei 13 anymore."
Ikkaku waved his hand impatiently and earnestly asked Retsu Unohana.
"Captain Retsu Unohana, do you know that guy called Kurosaki ichigo?"
"Not really know him, I've met him once."
Retsu Unohana's thoughts went back to that afternoon.
"I taught him a little swordsmanship and Kaido."
"No wonder A-Ichi dared to take a direct blow from Little Kenpachi. He recovered quickly even after being injured."
Yachiru suddenly understood.
"There's such a thing… did he wear down the Captain with a strategy of trading injuries? What a shameless tactic."
Ikkaku exclaimed upon hearing this.
"This kind of tenacious opponent doesn't feel the cruelty of battle at all, completely pursuing victory. It's truly beautiful."
Yumichika also shook his head and commented.
"You two idiots, what do you know!"
Yachiru jumped up and hit both their heads, then put her hands on her hips and said with a look of disappointment, "What Little Kenpachi likes most is to fight. An opponent who can't die is the best opponent! Besides, A-Ichi isn't weak, he also has a second personality!"
"What! Two against one? That's no different from those guys who use many tricks in turns, equally despicable!"
"Now we have no choice but to get revenge for the Captain! Let's go, Ikkaku, once we find them, we'll take them on together."
"Oh!"
Perhaps they were dizzy with anger, or perhaps they instinctively sensed danger.
The two ran off in a hurry.
They didn't notice Retsu Unohana's gaze growing colder.
"Lieutenant Yachiru, could you please help discipline these two who are running around in the hospital afterward?"
"Ah? No problem! Leave it to me."
"Also, regarding Kurosaki ichigo helping the ryoka, please tell them not to report it."
"Eh?"
Yachiru was bewildered.
She didn't mind, in fact, she quite hoped to repay Ichigo and thank him for showing mercy.
But shouldn't she be the one to say that?
"It's like this… I found some clues on Vice-Captain Hinamori's body that I need to confirm with someone personally. Before that, I want to try and trust Kurosaki-kun, and also… Shimiya, trust that they are aware of what they are doing."
Retsu Unohana looked out at the seemingly calm scenery outside the window, a lingering worry hidden between her brows.
…
Sōkyoku Hill, truly the central area of Seireitei.
Frankly speaking.
Shimiya Takeru did not want to fight fiercely in this area.
Because it was very likely to affect the large public bath.
He went in a hurry last time and missed out on many experiences.
He also hadn't personally admired the blooming cherry blossoms, or enjoyed tea and drinks while soaking in a pool with falling cherry blossoms.
It's hard to say whether this concern prompted him to agree to bathe in the hot springs at Sōkyoku Hill's secret base with Yoruichi, but in any case, they had already bathed.
As for comfort, it was indeed comfortable.
The hot springs with healing effects even washed away the fatigue accumulated from his training these past few days.
"So… while I was fighting Kenpachi, you were here bathing in the hot springs with Yoruichi and Inoue?!"
"Not entirely. I also discussed many things about our teacher with Yoruichi, getting to know each other better, which will help with future cooperation, and can be considered a contribution to alliance diplomacy."
"…"
Ichigo was speechless.
"Instead of that, let's eat something to replenish our energy first."
Shimiya Takeru pulled him to the rocky clearing where Yoruichi and Orihime were. On the ground, a luxurious rug was spread, covered with a pile of exquisite bento boxes. Several opened boxes were filled with delicacies from land and sea.
Seeing these things, Ichigo couldn't help but rub his eyes.
"Yoruichi, Inoue… where did all these things come from?"
"Don't make such a fuss. My younger brother, Yūshirō, sent them. We can't just hide here without eating or drinking until tomorrow noon, can we?"
Yoruichi's way of doing things made Ichigo vaguely see the shadow of Shiba Kūkaku. This sense of familiarity was also one of the reasons they quickly became close.
"Shihōin Clan has been here? Wait a minute… is Yoruichi the long-lost sister that guy mentioned?"
"Well, those are old stories."
"Kurosaki-kun, you seem to be injured?"
Orihime immediately noticed the damage to his Shinigami uniform.
"Ah? That… it's nothing, I healed myself. My Kaido is no less than that of the Fourth Division… Of course, compared to Unohana, it might still be a bit lacking."
"Then let me fix your clothes for you."
"Oh… this ability is so convenient."
Ichigo watched as the lapel of his clothes returned to normal under an orange-yellow glow. His words of refusal turned into exclamations.
"It's alright. In my opinion, the truly useful ability is the power to defeat an opponent, just like Shimiya and Kurosaki-kun."