Chapter 227: VS Kenpachi Zaraki
"Hey now... you've got to be kidding me."
Shinji muttered to himself while pulling several nearby Shinigami further away.
The battle between Satoru and that man had stirred up a Reiatsu storm, turning the surrounding air into sharp blades.
Getting too close would be dangerous even for Shinigami.
On the other side, Ikkaku made the same move.
He grabbed the pink-haired girl by her collar and retreated to a safe distance.
"There's actually someone who can match that man blow for blow?"
Ikkaku couldn't help but murmur in disbelief.
Hearing this, the girl he was carrying shook her head.
"That's not right, baldy. That big brother isn't matching Ken-chan at all." (Note)
"Huh?"
Ikkaku showed a confused expression.
From his perspective, that guy called Satoru wasn't losing ground at all.
If this wasn't an even match, then what was?
Under his gaze, the pink-haired girl smiled. "That big brother is far stronger than Ken-chan is right now."
"He's just playing with Ken-chan."
"What?!"
Hearing this, Ikkaku's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
What kind of joke was this?!
After all the times he'd fought Kenpachi, getting beaten to a pulp every time, he'd almost come to believe the man was invincible.
And now someone was toying with him?
Armed with Yachiru's perspective, Ikkaku began re-evaluating the fight and gradually noticed the details.
Though Kenpachi kept slashing with overwhelming force, his Reiatsu overflowing with each strike, that Satoru guy maintained a relaxed expression throughout.
He seemed to predict every one of Zaraki's strikes, positioning his blade to block them well in advance.
Initially, Zaraki had fought with excitement, but soon he began frowning.
"Interesting."
Zaraki grinned wildly, suddenly increasing the force behind his attacks.
The Reiatsu around him began rising in layers.
Sensing Zaraki's change, Ikkaku's eyes lit up.
Zaraki is getting serious now!
Let's see how that guy called Satoru can still take it easy!
However, under his astonished gaze, Satoru Mikami also raised his Reiatsu in response to Zaraki's change.
Its intensity was just about the same as Zaraki's.
This guy... actually adjusted his power so effortlessly?!
Could it be that Reiatsu of this level is something he can casually bring out?
For a moment, Ikkaku found it hard to believe what was happening before his eyes.
Meanwhile, many Eleventh Division members who hadn't run far had rushed back.
Seeing the two locked in combat, the members all showed expressions of surprise.
"He actually made Big Brother Satoru get somewhat serious... This guy is really strong!"
"Where did this monster come from?"
"No wonder Satoru came looking for this guy personally. If he joins the Eleventh Division, it would be like adding wings to a tiger!"
"I get it now. As expected of Satoru! Even though he hasn't been captain for long, he's already thinking of ways to strengthen our division!"
"Captain! Your foresight and strategic vision are remarkable!"
"I must train harder to become Captain's right-hand man!"
"Together with Captain, we'll overthrow the First Division! The Eleventh Division is the strongest!"
"Eleventh Division!!!!"
Yumichika: "...?"
Watching the Shinigami getting excited in the distance, he couldn't help showing a puzzled expression.
Are these Shinigami alright?
On the battlefield, Satoru gripped his sword, clashing fiercely with Zaraki.
He felt somewhat surprised.
Zaraki's strength wasn't as powerful as he had imagined.
Even without the power-limiting eyepatch, Zaraki's strength was only so-so—roughly between vice-captain and captain level, still half a step away from true captain class.
Though there were still many years before the main story began, this gap was too significant...
Driven by curiosity, he increased his power once more.
Reiatsu, rising!
Attack speed, accelerating!
Striking power, strengthening!
Instantly, Satoru achieved an all-around power boost.
Zaraki clearly wasn't prepared for this sudden enhancement.
Sssshhh!!
With a flash of Satoru's blade, a long wound opened on Zaraki's body.
Splurt!!
A flower of blood bloomed from Zaraki's wound.
Looking at the injury on his body, Zaraki showed a somewhat surprised expression.
Then, the smile on his face grew even more frenzied.
"Excellent!"
"You really are strong... wonderful!"
Shouting excitedly, Zaraki swung his sword again.
Despite the bleeding wound continuously gushing blood, he paid it no mind.
Not only was he completely unaffected, his movements actually became faster.
Satoru couldn't help but laugh.
Just as he thought.
This Zaraki guy, though he didn't look like a protagonist, fought exactly like one.
The more injured he became, the more disadvantaged he was, the better he fought.
From his sword, one could clearly sense his excitement and passion for battle.
Someone like this was practically born for the Eleventh Division!
Infected by Zaraki's enthusiasm, Satoru's own excitement gradually rose.
The frequency of their sword clashes increased, the bursting Reiatsu like countless blades slicing through the surrounding rocks and mountains.
As Satoru repeatedly increased his output, Zaraki grew increasingly ferocious.
This sensation of continuously breaking through his limits and growing stronger made Zaraki tremble with excitement.
But as he trembled, he suddenly paused.
Wait...
His trembling wasn't just from excitement.
His muscles were losing strength.
Was his body starting to fail to keep up with his opponent's pace?
Realizing this, Zaraki couldn't help showing a stunned expression.
In all his life, this was the first time he had started falling behind an enemy due to insufficient strength.
This was... even more exciting!!
Zaraki laughed heartily, opening his blood-stained mouth to reveal his white teeth.
He seemed to be grinding his entire being into the furnace of madness, burning it all to produce power that he could pour upon Satoru.
Watching Zaraki's skin turn red and steam begin to rise from his body, Satoru raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly, he threw away the sword in his hand.
In a flash, he moved at a speed barely visible to the naked eye, evading Zaraki's slash and rushing right in front of him.
Then, his fist, enveloped in raging Reiatsu, traced a silver arc and smashed squarely into Zaraki's face.
The immense impact slammed into Zaraki's cheek, sending his brain tumbling violently inside his skull.
Zaraki's eyes widened, and his entire body twitched twice.
Then, with a thud, he knelt down, his butt sticking up as he collapsed face-first onto the ground.