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Chapter 10 - CHAPTER 10

"Damn it! Am I seeing things?! How could Araki be fighting Unohana Yachiryu, the infamous demon of the Soul Society?!"

"Impossible… absolutely impossible…"

Saito stared in disbelief at the two figures clashing in the distance—Araki and Unohana Yachiryu.

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, then widened them to the fullest, trying desperately to see clearly through the chaos of spiritual pressure.

But even when she expanded her spiritual perception to its maximum, the scene didn't change.

Yes, even under such scrutiny, the two locked in deadly combat were unmistakably Unohana Yachiryu and Araki.

At that moment, the strange familiarity she felt from that overwhelming spiritual pressure finally made sense.

It was Araki—the very person she'd been waiting for in the squad leader's room!

"Damn it… What the hell is going on?!"

"Why is Araki fighting Unohana?!"

"Could this be a misunderstanding…?"

"No, I have to ask Araki directly!"

Frustrated and anxious, Saito rubbed her temples. Unable to make sense of the situation, she decided to go confront Araki in person.

But just as she was about to rush forward—

"Hey! Where do you think you're going, kid?"

A rough, heavy hand suddenly grabbed her slender, pale neck from behind, halting her mid-step. A hoarse, time-worn voice echoed in her ears.

"Damn it, let go of me!"

She struggled, but the grip was immovable—like a mountain pressing down on her. Her face darkened in frustration.

But then she glanced behind her…

And froze.

"Captain… Yamamoto…"

Her anger immediately deflated.

Yes—Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, was the one who stopped her.

Just feeling his spiritual pressure up close was enough to crush her rebellious heart.

"Captain Yamamoto… what's the meaning of this?! Why are you stopping me?!"

Saito tried to keep her voice calm as she looked up at the old man.

"Brat. Watch closely."

"Don't interfere in a battle between Araki and Unohana."

With that, Yamamoto flung her aside like a feather. Saito tumbled back and landed with a sharp thud.

Pah~

She fell directly into the ranks of the other captains behind Yamamoto.

"…"

Yamamoto said nothing more. His intense gaze remained fixed on the distant battle.

He owed no one an explanation—not even another captain.

"What's wrong with that old man today…?" Saito muttered as she dusted herself off and shuffled over to Shihouin Chihiro.

"You really should be saying that in front of Captain Yamamoto," Chihiro teased, "Instead of whispering like this behind his back."

"I bet if he heard how much you 'respect' him, he'd explain everything to you."

Chihiro chuckled, rubbing his chin.

"Stop your nonsense!" Saito snapped. Yamamoto might be able to suppress her… but this loudmouth? He had no such right!

Still, her fury simmered down when she saw Yamamoto standing solemnly, commanding total authority without even speaking.

Yes—this was the man whose very presence could suppress even the original bloodthirsty captains of the first generation.

"Haha, calm down. Let me explain," Chihiro said with a lazy smile.

"To be honest, I don't know what's going on either~"

"You're not the only one confused."

"Even we—the captains—have no idea who that guy fighting Unohana really is."

Chihiro's grin didn't waver.

It seemed the mischievous trait of Shihouin Yoruichi had passed down through the generations.

But Chihiro wasn't foolish. He knew if he kept teasing Saito, peace in the 2nd Division would be over.

So instead, he gave her a hint.

"I may not know what's happening… but I do know someone who definitely does."

Saito's eyes lit up. "Who?"

"That would be… Sasakibe Chōjirō."

"Chōjirō?!"

Yes, Sasakibe—Yamamoto's long-time vice-captain. If anyone knew what was going on, it would be him.

"Thanks…" Saito muttered, uncharacteristically grateful.

"No need," Chihiro waved it off.

"In fact, I should be thanking you~"

He smiled slyly.

Because Chihiro also wanted to know the truth—but as a noble from the Shihouin clan, interrogating Sasakibe directly might cause unnecessary complications.

That's why he cleverly sent the Gotei 13's most reckless and simple-minded captain to ask instead.

"…I suddenly feel kind of guilty," he muttered to himself, watching her excitedly rush off.

"Did I really stoop so low as to use an idiot to do my dirty work?"

Meanwhile—

Saito, unaware she had just been weaponized by Chihiro's curiosity, was already approaching Sasakibe Chōjirō with determined steps.

"Vice-Captain Sasakibe…"

Because she needed his help, she even added a rare honorific after his name.

  "Hmm?!" Sasakibe Chōjirō turned his head slightly and looked at Saito Furuobushi with a puzzled expression. "Excuse me, Captain Saito, what would you like to speak with me about?"

  "Mr. Sasakibe, do you know what the relationship is between Araki and Captain Yamamoto?"

  "Why did Araki fight with that terrible woman, Unohana Yachiryu?"

  "And why did Captain Yamamoto allow Araki and that woman to fight here in the Soul Society?"

  Saito Furuobushi bombarded Sasakibe Chōjirō with all the questions on her mind.

  "Well, you certainly ask a lot…" Chōjirō's eye twitched slightly at her barrage. "Please allow me to answer them one by one."

  He rubbed his temples, obviously overwhelmed, but still responded in a polite and composed tone.

  "Okay~"

  Saito nodded gently. For once, she was quiet, like a curious child patiently waiting for Chōjirō's explanation.

  "First, let me address your first question..."

  "How should I put this? Araki is actually a disciple of Captain Yamamoto. Of course, their relationship isn't just that of teacher and student—it goes much deeper."

  "To be frank, Araki is one of the most naturally gifted swordsmen I've seen in my life. His talent is beyond envy or comparison. Even compared to the current Captain Unohana, he's not far behind."

  Chōjirō began by explaining the nature of Araki's connection to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

  "As for Araki's true identity..."

  "Captain Saito, you've surely heard the rumors. A few years ago, a man was awarded the Menkyo Kaiden at the Genjijuku—the swordsmanship school led by Yamamoto himself. That man... was Araki."

  He spoke of Araki's past accolades with no small amount of admiration.

  "That guy Araki actually received Menkyo Kaiden in Genryū from old man Shigekuni?! No wonder he's so strong—he's a monster!"

  "Wait, but if Araki is really Captain Yamamoto's disciple, shouldn't he have stayed in the Soul Society? Even if he had no loyalty to the Gotei 13, shouldn't he at least be part of the 1st Division? Are you pulling my leg, Vice Captain Sasakibe?"

  Saito stared at Sasakibe suspiciously. She might not be the sharpest blade in the armory, but she wasn't entirely clueless either.

  "Well… this matter is rather complicated. Even if I tried to explain everything now, it wouldn't be easy to convey it all clearly."

  "Captain Saito, for now, just know this: Araki has returned to assist Captain Yamamoto."

  Chōjirō tactfully ended the subject, clearly reluctant to delve deeper.

  "Uh…"

  Saito Furuobushi fell silent, unsure how to respond.

  "As for why Araki is fighting Captain Unohana..."

  "My guess is that Araki is aiming for the title of Kenpachi."

  "He probably wants to prove that Yamamoto's sword style—Genryū—is the strongest swordsmanship in the Soul Society, and defeating Captain Unohana would certainly do that."

  Chōjirō's eyes held an almost spiritual reverence as he looked toward Araki.

  To him, Araki truly was Genryūsai's proudest disciple.

  "No one could have imagined that the first thing Araki would do upon returning to the Soul Society would be to challenge the infamous Kenpachi, Unohana Yachiryu."

  "He wants to prove the strength of Genryū. To protect the legacy and honor of Master Yamamoto Genryūsai. Compared to him, I still have so far to go..."

  Chōjirō sighed and shook his head, humbled by Araki's resolve.

  If Araki had overheard him at that moment, he would have probably laughed and said:

  "Suzu, you're brilliant—you figured it out! I, Araki, only challenged Unohana to prove my loyalty to Genryūsai and to show the superiority of Genryū! This has nothing to do with her body or my Fullbring, I swear!"

  "Araki is so admirable!"

  Saito Furuobushi's eyes widened in astonishment at the story. She hadn't expected Araki's duel with Unohana Yachiryu to carry such profound meaning.

  "When Araki defeats Captain Unohana, he'll inherit the name Kenpachi. He'll become captain of the 11th Division and serve Genryūsai faithfully from now on."

  Chōjirō's voice was filled with emotion. Just imagining Araki serving alongside him under Yamamoto stirred something in him.

  As for the possibility that Araki might lose…

  Chōjirō didn't even entertain the thought. He had full confidence in Araki.

  Based on everything he knew, Araki would never challenge Unohana without being absolutely prepared.

  Every battle Araki had entered had ended in victory—without exception.

  After all, this was the man who had once forced even Yamamoto Genryūsai to fight at full strength, and as a result, had earned the Menkyo Kaiden of Genryū.

  "Huh?!"

  "Wait a minute, Vice Captain Sasakibe—you just said Araki will stay in the 11th Division and replace that vicious woman Unohana as captain?!"

  Saito's realization hit her like lightning.

  "Of course~"

  "Once Unohana is defeated, she'll naturally relinquish the title of Kenpachi and her position as captain of the 11th Division to Araki. That's just her way."

  Sasakibe smiled at the startled Saito and continued lightly.

  "What?! Why is this happening?"

  "I was here first..."

  Saito's starry eyes dimmed like a candle snuffed out.

  She had fully expected Araki to become the vice-captain of her 6th Division.

  But things clearly weren't going according to her plan.

  For the first time in a long while, Saito Furuobushi fell into deep thought.

  There was good news and bad news.

  The good news: Araki seemed to be joining the Gotei 13.

  The bad news: He wasn't joining the 6th Division, but was replacing that awful woman Unohana Yachiryu as the captain of the 11th...

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