"Someone challenged Lieutenant Zaraki and fifth seat Matsumoto?"
In the 11th Division's Captain's office, Kyoya looked up in surprise.
'Must be new recruits, right?'
'Otherwise, the veterans in the division wouldn't be that bold.'
Kyoya chuckled.
He wasn't surprised that someone had challenged Matsumoto Rangiku. After all, while Rangiku's strength was considerable, it wasn't overwhelmingly superior compared to the rest of the 11th Division.
But for someone to challenge Zaraki right off the bat? Only newcomers who knew nothing about the 11th Division would dare do such a thing.
The veterans had almost all witnessed Zaraki's battles with Kyoya.
Zaraki might hold the title of 'Lieutenant', but he was a true Captain-level powerhouse.
"Alright, tell me… who's the one challenging Lieutenant Zaraki?"
"This year's top graduate from the Shin'o Academy, Madarame Ikkaku, Captain Kyoya."
'Ah, that explains it.'
Kyoya nodded.
"Then, the one challenging Rangiku must be Ayasegawa Yumichika, right?"
"Yes."
The staff officer beside Kyoya adjusted his glasses. From Kyoya's tone, he found that Kyoya held considerable expectations for Ikkaku and Yumichika.
That said, Kyoya obviously didn't think these two stood a chance against Zaraki or Rangiku.
But that wasn't surprising.
Rangiku herself was highly talented, and after years of strict training under Kyoya, her strength was exceptional. If she were transferred to another division, she could easily serve as a Lieutenant.
Ikkaku and Yumichika were just fresh graduates from the Shin'o Academy. No matter how strong they were, how far could they really go? Not everyone was a 'monster' like Kyoya.
Even someone like Gin… that level of talent was rare even in a century.
"Arrange it. Tomorrow, let everyone see what our new recruits are made of."
"Understood, Captain Kyoya."
…
"Hey, have you heard?"
"The new recruits who joined today challenged Lieutenant Zaraki!"
"Oh? This year's rookies are that bold? They actually dared to challenge Lieutenant Zaraki?"
"Right? And Captain Kyoya was so intrigued he said he'd personally watch the match tomorrow."
"Oh? Now that's interesting."
"Want to go together tomorrow?"
"Sure, let's do it!"
In the hallway, Ikkaku and Yumichika, who are now clad in their black Shihakusho, overheard the conversations of the 11th Division's members as they walked back to their quarters.
"I didn't expect that guy to come watch our fight…"
"Ikkaku…"
"Do you think he still remembers us?"
Yumichika glanced at Ikkaku.
The reason they had come to the Seireitei and become Shinigami was all because of their encounter with Kyoya back then.
If not for that battle with Kyoya back then, Ikkaku and Yumichika might still have believed that their strength in Rukongai made them the most powerful beings in the Soul Society.
They might have even thought that the Shinigami of the Seireitei were nothing special.
Had they continued with such arrogance, they would have been in serious danger once they eventually encountered real Shinigami, or worse, Hollow.
So, it wasn't just Ikkaku, Yumichika, too, was deeply grateful for Kyoya's intervention.
"Whether he remembers us or not, he definitely will after today!"
Compared to Yumichika, Ikkaku was far more confident.
"Oh?"
"But Ikkaku, from the way these people are talking, it doesn't sound like they have much faith in us..."
"Tch, since when did we need anyone's approval?"
Ikkaku raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he strode toward their quarters.
"Come on, Yumichika."
"Let's rest up today. Tomorrow, we'll give everyone a surprise they won't forget!"
Yumichika chuckled.
'So, Ikkaku wasn't as indifferent to others' opinions as he claimed.'
But that suited him just fine.
His stage had to be the most dazzling, the most beautiful… just like his Zanpakuto.
…
The next day, knowing that Rangiku and Zaraki would be challenged, most of the 11th Division's Shinigami arrived early at the training grounds to secure their spots.
Having learned from the last time Kyoya and Zaraki fought, the spectators had grown wiser… this time, they chose positions as far back as possible.
After all, during the previous battle, their safety had only been ensured because seven or eight Captains had released their Reiatsu to shield them.
But this time, the only Captain watching the game is Kyoya. If Zaraki fully unleashes his Reiatsu, even Kyoya might not be able to fully protect everyone.
Rather than burdening their Captain or fellow division's members, it was better to exercise some self-awareness and stay at a safe distance… judging their seating based on their own Reiatsu.
Those still standing at the front were either confident in their strength or were newcomers who had no idea what Zaraki was capable of.
As the challengers, Ikkaku and Yumichika naturally took their positions upfront.
The fact that most of the 11th Division had chosen the farthest spots to watch left the two of them puzzled.
"Ikkaku, do you think there's some unspoken rule about challenges in the 11th Division?"
"At the academy, everyone pushed forward to get the best view."
"But here, they're fighting for the spots farthest away?"
"No idea."
Ikkaku also sensed something unusual.
But he quickly dismissed it, "I heard we're the only challengers today. Whatever the rules are, as the ones stepping onto the field, standing at the front can't be wrong."
"Fair point."
Yumichika nodded.
He had noticed that the Shinigami nearby were watching them with amused expressions… though there was no malice in their eyes. It was as if they were anticipating some kind of spectacle and didn't want to miss it.
Yumichika sharpened his focus, scanning the surroundings with heightened alertness.
Even if there was no life-threatening danger, he had no intention of becoming anyone's laughingstock.
…
"Captain Kyoya is here!"
Just as Yumichika was observing the crowd, the murmurs of the 11th Division's members rose.
Turning his head, he saw Kyoya and his entourage entering the training grounds.
Kyoya looked just as he had when they first met, nothing has changed.
Though, standing next to the towering man who was over two meters tall, Kyoya seemed almost delicate in comparison.
'What immense Reiatsu...'
Yumichika's expression froze.
He had noticed the armband on the giant man's right arm… the symbol of the 11th Division's Lieutenant.
'This man was undoubtedly the one Ikkaku would soon challenge… Lieutenant Zaraki!'
"Ikkaku…"
Yumichika called out softly, his voice filled with concern.
"Relax, Yumichika."
Ikkaku's grin stretched nearly to his ears.
"I thought this might be a boring fight."
"But the moment I saw that man, I knew… this is the real reason I came to the Seireitei."
"Fighting him… will be pure joy."
"But-"
Yumichika frowned.
Ikkaku's Zanpakuto wasn't some technique-based weapon… it was a direct-combat type.
This kind of Zanpakuto allowed its wielder to utterly crush weaker opponents.
But against someone with overwhelming Reiatsu or a bizarre ability, it left its user dangerously exposed.
In short, a direct-combat Zanpakuto was the ultimate test of a Shinigami's fighting skill.
And judging by the sheer Reiatsu radiating from this man, the gap between Ikkaku and him was anything but small.
"No 'buts'!"
"That man wears an eyepatch… with only one eye, his field of vision is limited."
"If the difference in strength is too great… I'll use that to my advantage."
Hearing this, Yumichika fell silent.
The two of them had survived Rukongai for so long… they were hardly believers in 'fair fights'.
When they were weak, they had done whatever it took to stay alive.
Ikkaku wasn't some battle-crazed fool.
A man who hid medicine inside his sword's hilt clearly understood the value of dirty tricks.
Besides, wasn't real combat all about exploiting your strengths and targeting your enemy's weaknesses?
With both eyes intact while his opponent lacked one, from a strategic standpoint, his field of vision was undeniably wider than the other's… this was an irrefutable fact and one of Ikkaku's inherent advantages.
Or rather, an advantage held by all enemies of that man named Zaraki.
At the start of the battle, Ikkaku had no intention of exploiting this advantage.
But if he truly stood no chance of winning, he wasn't so inflexible that he wouldn't adapt.
"Hmm."
"Hello, everyone!"
"Good morning, Captain Kyoya!"
Kyoya responded with a smile as he made his way to the front of the training ground's main platform and took his position at the forefront.
"Everyone, yesterday marked our 11th Division's annual recruitment day."
"This year, a total of eleven new members have joined the ranks of our 11th Division family."
"Additionally, in accordance with the 11th Division's challenge rules, newly enlisted members possess the priority right to challenge any seated officer regardless of rank disparity within the first three days."
"Since you're all here, it's clear you already know… among the newcomers who joined our division yesterday, two have issued challenges: one against Lieutenant Zaraki and another against fifth seat Matsumoto."
"So, without wasting any more time, let's begin!"
With that, Kyoya flashed away, reappearing at the center of the training ground.
"First match: New recruit Ayasegawa Yumichika challenges fifth seat, Matsumoto Rangiku."
"Both combatants, step forward!"
Hearing Kyoya's words, Yumichika gave Ikkaku a nod before leaping down from the spectator stands.
Meanwhile, Rangiku, who had entered the training ground alongside Kyoya, used Shunpo to appear on the battlefield from the platform.
"I will serve as the referee for this battle. Do either of you object?"
"No."
"No objections."
Rangiku and Yumichika both shook their heads.
"Very well. Then, by my authority, I hereby declare the 11th Division fifth seat's challenge match… begin!"
With that, Kyoya's figure ascended, hovering about ten meters above the training ground.
"Little brother, you better hold out for a while, okay…?"
Once Kyoya had withdrawn, Rangiku winked at Yumichika.
To escape the high-intensity training regimen Kyoya had planned for her, Rangiku was willing to go all out… within the limits of her control, of course.
She decided to prolong the battle as much as possible.
That way, by the time the next match concluded, the day might just end there, allowing her to enjoy a nice beauty sleep instead of undergoing additional training.
"That depends on just how capable you are, sister."
Though Rangiku appeared frivolous, Yumichika didn't dare let his guard down.
In the past day, he had gathered information… this woman who had tempted them into challenging their seniors was none other than Kyoya's 'family'.
Of course, upon learning this, Yumichika had also made sure to investigate how Kyoya would react if Rangiku were injured in battle.
This would determine how his fight with Matsumoto Rangiku would proceed or conclude.
The results of his inquiries left Yumichika quite satisfied.
Within the 11th Division, Rangiku had been injured in battle before.
And every time she was wounded, Kyoya never blamed the one who injured her… instead, he doubled down on Rangiku's training intensity.
Clearly, rather than shielding her directly, Kyoya preferred to make Rangiku stronger so she could stand on her own.
"Hah, quite the bold words, little brother."
"Well then, let's go!"
With the formalities over, both Rangiku and Yumichika shed their smiles and drew their Zanpakuto.
Whoosh!
As the challenger, Yumichika struck first, gripping his sword with both hands and bursting forward with Shunpo.
Clang!
On the other side, Rangiku didn't underestimate Yumichika just because he was a fresh graduate from the Shin'o Academy.
She, too, gripped her Zanpakuto with both hands, parrying his strike.
"Strength and speed aren't bad-"
Feeling the force behind the sword, Rangiku smirked.
"But compared to me, there's still a noticeable gap!"
With that, she loosened her left hand slightly, only lightly gripping the hilt without adding extra force.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Yumichika, though unsure why his opponent's strength had suddenly decreased, didn't let the opportunity slip. Swinging his Zanpakuto with both hands, he unleashed a flurry of slashes, enveloping Rangiku in a storm of steel.
Yet Rangiku narrowed her eyes, her blade moving deftly to block every one of Yumichika's strikes.
"Fifth seat Matsumoto's Zanjutsu is incredible!"