"The culprit is a noble named Azashiro Soya. He declared that by defeating Captain Kuruyashiki, he has become the eighth 'Kenpachi'. B-but..." the messenger's voice trembled, "Because Captain Kuruyashiki had extremely high prestige within the 11th Division, the members do not accept Azashiro Soya. They even... even threatened to kill him to avenge their Captain!"
The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly froze.
Although the succession of 'Kenpachi' had always been brutal, and one could even say each generation of Kenpachi ascended to the captain's seat by stepping over their predecessor's corpse, they still found it hard to believe that the immensely strong Kuruyashiki, who could slay Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande, had been killed.
"Azashiro Soya... so it's him!" Yamamoto frowned slightly, a complex glint in his eyes.
The 5th Division's Captain asked, "Old man, you know him?"
Yamamoto said gravely, "You must have heard about the Azashiro Family's incident. Many members died tragically in one night. The Central 46's final explanation was 'The Azashiro Family made a pact with the devil, attracting a Hollow attack'. The remaining members were also sentenced to death for this crime."
"Azashiro Soya's sister, at the execution ground fighting Hollows to protect him, forced herself to use a Kido she couldn't normally use, causing her body to explode, perishing together with the Hollows."
"The nobles observing the execution were still unsatisfied, ordering more Hollows released into the execution ground. It was then that Azashiro Soya awakened his Zanpakuto. The Zanpakuto's power slaughtered every noble present without exception. The bloodshed of that tragedy was no less than today's courtroom scene."
"So it's him. He is the [Kamaitachi]," The 5th Division's Captain said, quite surprised. The official story he heard was that the [Kamaitachi] had committed the crime.
He pressed further, "Having committed such a grave crime, wasn't he imprisoned?"
Yamamoto shook his head slightly. "Azashiro Soya himself expressed regret for this indiscriminate slaughter. The Central 46, considering his remorse and that the slaughter resulted from the uncontrolled power of his newly awakened Zanpakuto, did not arrest him."
Unohana chuckled lightly. "The Central 46 was afraid again, as expected. But unfortunately, that Azashiro Soya showed his weakness. Since he regrets the killing, the Central 46 likely no longer fears him."
Her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction. In her view, how could someone inheriting the [Kenpachi] title be so weak?
Yamamoto gave her a rather speechless look. His old comrade was usually reserved, yet today she was particularly talkative.
"Regardless, since he defeated Kuruyashiki, he is the new 11th Division's Captain," Yamamoto slowly stood up, his cane thudding heavily on the floor. "Meeting adjourned. All Captains, accompany me to meet this new comrade."
…
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the gaps between cherry blossom trees, casting dappled light on Shin'o Academy's training ground. The speckled shadows swayed gently on the ground.
Training had just ended. Students gathered in small groups, resting and chatting.
Omaeda wiped the sweat from his brow and sidled up to Setsuna, who was tidying protective gear. His face showed a mix of curiosity and envy.
"Setsuna," He lowered his voice, "Which division are you planning to join?"
Omaeda rambled on, "With your strength, no matter which division, you'd start solidly as a Lieutenant, right? I heard the 3rd and 5th Divisions are lacking Lieutenants. If you want to go, those Captains would definitely fight over you!"
Setsuna smiled slightly. "But I'm not planning to be a Lieutenant."
Omaeda was taken aback. Then, thinking himself clever, he guessed, "You mean you want to slowly climb the ranks starting as a seated officer? With your strength, there's no need—"
"I plan to go straight to the top," Setsuna interrupted him. "Become a Captain of the Gotei 13 directly."
"You want to become a Captain directly?" Omaeda's eyes widened in shock.
For him, becoming a seated officer directly after graduation would be quite an achievement. But now, he heard Setsuna wasn't even satisfied with Lieutenant.
Yoruichi nearby became interested. "Becoming a Captain isn't that simple. According to Gotei 13's rules, there are three ways to become a Captain."
She extended three fingers, explaining one by one. "First, pass the Captain Proficiency Test witnessed by the Captain-Commander and three current Captains. Second, receive recommendations from six current Captains and gain approval from at least three of the remaining seven Captains. Third, defeat the current Captain in a duel witnessed by 200 division members."
Yoruichi looked at Setsuna. "The first two require connections and seniority, which you certainly don't have. So, which current Captain do you plan to challenge?"
Setsuna nodded. "I plan to challenge the 11th Division's Captain."
"The 11th Division?" Omaeda said hesitantly. "I heard the 11th Division's Captain Kuruyashiki is hailed as the 'strongest Shinigami'! Moreover, he's the first Shinigami the Central 46 warned 'under no circumstances is he to use Bankai near the Seireitei'!"
He seemed afraid Setsuna wouldn't take it seriously, adding, "Although Instructor Ishiwara said Captain Kuruyashiki and that Zaraki are evenly matched, Captain Kuruyashiki was probably going easy on him."
Setsuna chuckled. "Strongest Shinigami? What about the Captain-Commander?"
Seeing Setsuna didn't seem to plan on changing his mind, Omaeda remembered another issue. "Also, I heard Captain Kuruyashiki had extremely high prestige in the 11th Division. Even if you really defeat him, you might not gain the 11th Division's acceptance."
Just then, Yoruichi suddenly interjected. "That, on the contrary, isn't a problem."
"Huh?" Omaeda looked at her, confused.
Yoruichi said gravely, "I just received the news. Kuruyashiki Kenpachi is already dead."
"What?" Omaeda was so shocked his tongue tied, stumbling over his words. "Th-that incredibly strong Captain Kuruyashiki was killed? By who?"
Yoruichi's expression was serious. "A noble named Azashiro Soya. And indeed, as you said, the 11th Division's members don't accept him. They even want to kill him to avenge their captain."
Omaeda felt quite distressed. "Isn't that even more dangerous? To kill Captain Kuruyashiki... how terrifyingly strong must he be?"
At this point, Setsuna was also somewhat surprised. He frowned slightly. "Kuruyashiki Kenpachi is already dead? What a pity. I was looking forward to challenging this Kenpachi."
As for Azashiro Kenpachi, the Shinigami jokingly called the [Domestic War Phantom God] in the original work, Setsuna wasn't too concerned.
He patted Omaeda's shoulder. "Don't worry. The 11th Division's Captain's position will definitely be mine."
Yoruichi seemed to fully believe Setsuna's confidence. She said directly, "After you become Captain, remember to reserve the Lieutenant's position for me."
This again shocked Omaeda. "Yoruichi, aren't you going to the 2nd Division? The 2nd Division's Captain has always been held by the Shihoin Clan's head!"
He had been thinking of joining the 2nd Division and getting on the good side of Yoruichi, the future captain, early. But Yoruichi was running off directly.
Yoruichi waved her hand dismissively, as if it were obvious. "What's the big deal? When my father is about to retire, just have the Captain-Commander temporarily transfer me from the 11th Division back to the 2nd Division, right? It's just an internal personnel transfer within the Gotei 13. The procedure is simple."
Omaeda was stunned. Thinking it over carefully, he murmured, "Seems it can indeed be done that way."
He couldn't help but show an envious expression. The status gap between ordinary nobles like him and the Five Great Noble Families was truly immense.