The sounds of battle gradually ceased.
As the dust and smoke dissipated, Zaraki's blood-soaked figure stood tall and straight where he was. In contrast, Soifon was merely panting heavily, without a single drop of blood on her person.
"Captain Soifon, did you win?!"
Watching from the perspective of a layman, Rangiku Matsumoto only saw that the terrifying man was covered in blood.
"Stupid busty airhead, the winner hasn't been decided yet."
Yachiru Kusajishi poked Rangiku Matsumoto's cheek.
Flicking the bright red blood from her blade onto the wild grass beneath her, Soifon sheathed her Zanpakutō.
This action caused Zaraki to freeze for a moment, his brow furrowing tightly.
The gap in Spiritual Pressure was simply too large. Although she could maneuver and stall for a while using her movement techniques and swordsmanship, every clash of blades was a massive drain on her stamina.
Moreover, the opponent almost never dodged her attacks, allowing her blade to cut his body as if he were merely playing a game.
He really is a monster... Zaraki Kenpachi.
Even though Soifon hadn't used her Shikai or Shunkō, both sides had held back to some extent.
After all, given his personality, he might truly have stood still and let Soifon stab him twice just to test the waters, and then he would have collapsed.
"Tch... You're not fighting anymore?"
Zaraki rested his Zanpakutō on his shoulder. Blood flowed out of his wounds in greater volume with the movement.
"I cannot defeat you right now," Soifon said, her voice slightly hoarse. "However, I know a place where you can fight to your heart's content."
Zaraki's pupils dilated slightly, an interested expression appearing on his face. "...Where?"
Soifon raised her hand and pointed toward the Seireitei.
"The Gotei 13, Eleventh Division." Soifon looked into Zaraki's eyes. "The Eleventh Division is the combat division. You won't lack for battles there."
At that same moment, Kiganjō Kenpachi shuddered, feeling a chill as if he were being watched by a predatory beast.
*
First Division, Meeting Room.
"That concludes the report for this mission, Captain-Commander."
Soifon and Rangiku Matsumoto stood before Captain-Commander Yamamoto, accompanied by the bloodied Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi sitting on his shoulder.
It really is reassuring to be by the Captain-Commander's side.
Even Rangiku Matsumoto, who had been scared to death of Zaraki just moments ago, spoke much more clearly now, no longer as guarded as she had been on the road.
This is the confidence the Captain-Commander gives me.
While the Captain-Commander reviewed the mission report, Soifon pulled up the system, only to find no text indicating a mission trigger. She felt a bit disappointed.
As expected, if I don't win, I can't trigger a reward?
After all, the last few spars only triggered missions after a victory. This system is truly hard to read.
After reviewing the report for a moment, Captain-Commander Yamamoto set it aside.
"The investigation into the Adjuchas attack and the suspected remnants of the Hollowfication experiments will end here for now. We shall discuss the specifics with the other Captains during the next Captains' Council."
"You have worked hard, Captain Soifon."
He looked up, first nodding to Soifon.
Then, his gaze—majestic and scorching like the blazing sun—passed over Soifon and Rangiku Matsumoto...
...And fell upon the man behind them, a blood-soaked presence with an overwhelming aura, and the tiny pink figure on his shoulder.
The wounds on his body had already scabbed over. From the angle of the cuts and the swordsmanship style utilized, Captain-Commander Yamamoto knew this was Soifon's handiwork.
As if sensing this unusual gaze, Zaraki nonchalantly shouldered his rag-wrapped Zanpakutō and grinned.
Those battle-hungry eyes met the Captain-Commander's gaze without the slightest hint of avoidance.
Their gazes locked and sparked. A scorching battle intent rose from Zaraki, and his Spiritual Pressure began to faintly leak out.
Possessing such Reiatsu... he already surpassed the majority of the Captains in the Gotei 13.
A resident of the Rukongai with high Captain-level Spiritual Pressure?
No, he looks more like a pure beast of battle that crawled out of countless bloody slaughters.
Moreover, looking at the injuries on his body, Captain Soifon was actually able to 'invite' this man back to the Gotei 13 without taking any damage herself?
Impressive.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto gave Soifon a slightly surprised look; he had to view this new-generation Captain in a new light.
"What is your name?" Captain-Commander Yamamoto asked Zaraki, tapping his wooden staff with his finger.
"Zaraki. No name." Zaraki bounced the pink-haired girl on his shoulder. "She is Yachiru Kusajishi. We're together."
"Since you have no name..."
As such a powerful combat asset, it was impossible for the Captain-Commander to let Zaraki leave. He was already considering which vacant division to place him in as Captain.
"No, I'll have a name very soon."
"Hmm?" The Captain-Commander's brow furrowed, sensing that things were not simple.
"Kenpachi. That will soon be my name."
Sure enough, Zaraki gave a grim, wide-mouthed grin.
Slap—
Soifon facepalmed. Had she known, she wouldn't have explained so much about the Eleventh Division to this guy; now she was going to get lectured.
It took a long while for Rangiku Matsumoto and the Captain-Commander to process the meaning behind Zaraki's words.
What an arrogant fellow. Is he going to be blown away by the Captain-Commander in one hit?
Rangiku Matsumoto took a step back, pulling her good sister Soifon along with her.
"I believe your strength is sufficient to serve as Captain for other divisions of the Gotei 13. There is no need to..."
"Isn't the Eleventh Division the combat division?"
"It is..."
"Then I'm going to the Eleventh Division to challenge that guy named Kiganjō Kenpachi. I'll be the Captain."
"Zaraki, the other divisions can also engage in battle..."
"Then why is the Eleventh Division called the combat division? Isn't that redundant? Old man!"
"..."
The Captain-Commander's fist clenched tight.
Don't get angry. Don't get angry.
It was lucky for this Zaraki that he wasn't facing the Captain-Commander from a thousand years ago, or he likely would have been struck by a Sōkotsu by now.
"Anyway, if you don't let me go to the Eleventh Division, I'm not joining the Gotei 13!"
Zaraki turned around, carrying Yachiru Kusajishi, and looked ready to walk straight out of the meeting room.
"Wait!"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto called him back. A flash of calculation crossed his eyes, deciding the fate of a certain individual.
"Oh?" Zaraki looked back. "Old man, do you agree?"
"If possible, leave him alive," the Captain-Commander said, stroking his long beard. "Can you do that?"
Although Kiganjō's strength wasn't great and his mouth was loud, he was still a Captain-level combatant. Even if he wasn't the Kenpachi, he could fill a slot in another division. Or so the Captain-Commander thought.
"Ah? I can't guarantee that." Zaraki scratched his head. "It depends on if the guy can withstand a cut. If he dies in one hit, there's nothing I can do."
Stepping out of the meeting room door, Zaraki paused and looked back. "Right, where is the Eleventh Division located?"
The Captain-Commander gestured with a hand. "Sasakibe, lead him there."
With that, only Soifon and Rangiku Matsumoto remained in the large meeting room.
"Then... Captain-Commander, we shall also take our leave."
Seeing the situation turning sour, Soifon also wanted to make a quick exit.
Time to bail!
"You girl! You think you can run away after costing me a Kenpachi?!"
The old man was very angry. How did this child Soifon, after becoming the Captain of the Second Division, develop that same irresponsible air that Yoruichi Shihōin used to have?
It's all the fault of that inherently evil Central 46!
_____
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