"I'll remember your name."
Zaraki Kenpachi thrust his broken blade into the dirt, the blood seeping from his chest dyeing the ground red.
His injuries only looked terrifying; given that he was far from a normal person, they weren't actually fatal.
Naraku Sora casually tossed out a healing Kidō, helping him stop the bleeding first.
"Hey, Zaraki, you haven't forgotten the promise we made before the fight, right?"
Although his healing Kidō couldn't compare to the likes of Aizen or Unohana Retsu, it was much better than an average seated officer's. A simple blood-clotting spell was well within his capabilities.
"Tch, going to become some Captain?"
Feeling the power continuously surging within his body, the look in Zaraki Kenpachi's contracted pupils grew fanatical once more. He stared intently at Naraku Sora, seemingly ready for another slaughter.
"Not interested."
Naraku Sora frowned, suddenly realizing that the guy in front of him was a stubborn thorn who wouldn't yield to reason or force—even harder to deal with than himself.
"Then what if I told you that there are many Soul Reapers in the Gotei 13 who are even stronger than me?"
Hearing this, Zaraki Kenpachi's eyes lit up.
"Although private fights between Captains are strictly forbidden, it's still possible if you submit an application."
"You should know, there is a Captain whose strength is considered the absolute pinnacle of the Soul Society. Countless powerful individuals have met their bitter end under his blade. If you take the position of Squad Eleven Captain—"
"I can introduce you."
Zaraki Kenpachi's gaze grew even brighter, shining like searchlights. His mouth split wide into a cruel, expectant grin, as if he saw his dream life beckoning to him.
Powerful Soul Reapers, fighting to his heart's content.
"Then, after becoming a Captain, can I keep fighting you?"
"Of course, I'll take you on anytime!"
"Alright, I accept."
Zaraki Kenpachi flashed a beastly smile. "I don't really care about the others, because I don't know if you're just using them to trick me."
"But as long as I can fight you in deathmatches over and over again, then becoming this Captain is a guaranteed win."
Naraku Sora: "?"
*When did I get the illusion that Zaraki Kenpachi only had muscles in his brain?*
While the two conversed, Zaraki Kenpachi's injuries had already begun to heal. Though he couldn't continue fighting for the time being, normal movement was no longer an issue.
This exaggerated recovery speed was no less than that of some Menos Grande.
"Even though I lost, this was the most enjoyable slaughter I've experienced so far."
Zaraki Kenpachi grinned, his ferocious face actually revealing a hint of sincerity.
"Therefore, before I hack you to death, make sure you don't get killed by anyone else."
Upon hearing these words, the figure hiding in the shadows watching them suddenly froze.
Unohana Retsu: "?"
She frowned as she looked at the two conversing so happily. For some reason, she had a rather bad premonition.
*Why do I feel like I've been betrayed?*
*Am I overthinking things?*
The first thing he did upon returning to the Seireitei was send the half-dead Kiganjō into [Samghata].
He was a Captain-class Soul Reaper, after all; it would be a shame to let him die before squeezing out all his exploitable value.
Whether it was the two Pals in Shino Prison or Aizen's adopted son, there was a significant shortage of materials for experimental research.
Using their own colleagues for research was a bit too inhumane.
Might as well use those unrepentant or heinous scumbags as materials; it could be considered making the best use of everything.
He hoped the Pals would like this gift.
As if the shackles within his body had been shattered, Naraku Sora's soul circulated smoothly within his vessel. His spiritual power became increasingly solid, and even the strength of his spiritual body received an enhancement.
Thus, wind rose from the ground. Like magma erupting from the earth's crust, amidst the unconcealable intense heat, blood-red Reiatsu coiled around his body, exuding a suffocating coercion.
He took another step toward invincibility.
Through relentless, grueling grinding day and night, coupled with a tiny, insignificant bit of justice-derived gains, Naraku Sora finally broke through to Second-Class Spiritual Power, successfully joining the ranks of the Soul Society's top tier.
Although he still couldn't beat those he couldn't beat before, he should be able to settle the score from last time.
Aside from the Reiatsu gains, even the newly learned Shunkō had its experience points directly boosted by a large margin. Now, Naraku Sora could easily activate Shunkō.
Furthermore, by utilizing the Kidō technique of Hanki, he suddenly gained some inspiration for fusing Shunkō with his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Now, the development time for his new technique could be greatly shortened.
Leaving [Samghata], Naraku Sora headed straight for the laboratory and informed the two workaholics about the new material.
Urahara Kisuke was "overjoyed." He immediately put down his work and hastily helped a certain someone write a Captain recommendation document—
Recommending the Rukongai ronin, Zaraki Kenpachi, for the position of Squad Eleven Captain in his capacity as the Prison Warden.
Upon seeing the recommendation document, Yamamoto furrowed his brows, immediately feeling somewhat displeased and angry.
In order to shirk responsibility, this bastard brat actually grabbed a random person from the Rukongai and directly named him Zaraki Kenpachi.
Did he really think that because I am old, I can no longer swing Ryūjin Jakka?
Just as Yamamoto was about to call the boy over to administer an iron fist of love, Sasakibe Chōjirō appeared in time and suggested:
"Since the recommendation document states that this is the most suitable person to serve as the Squad Eleven Captain, whom Lord Naraku found after going through untold hardships and traveling over mountains and rivers..."
"...then we might as well beat him at his own game and have this person take the Captain proficiency test directly."
"Once he fails the test, we can force the Captain's position onto Lord Naraku on the spot. Surely he won't have any reason to refuse then."
"Hmm..."
Sasakibe Chōjirō shook his head, indicating that he wasn't very optimistic about the candidate.
If grabbing a random person from the Rukongai yielded someone with the caliber of a Captain, the Gotei 13 wouldn't be in its current state of lacking capable successors.
In his view, this was purely a nonsensical stunt pulled by Lord Naraku to escape his duties.
"Then who should be responsible for the Captain proficiency test?" Yamamoto's brows relaxed. "That brat Sora is definitely out. He even dared to kill a Tsunayashiro; cheating and going easy on someone would be child's play for him."
Sasakibe Chōjirō thought for a moment:
"Why not let Captain Muguruma Kensei do it?"
"Previously, when he went to the World of the Living to execute the Quincy mission, he fell for the enemy's trap due to a moment of carelessness, which left him feeling rather depressed."
"Right now is the perfect opportunity for him to regain some confidence through this Captain proficiency test."
Yamamoto nodded, revealing a satisfied expression. "Chōjirō, you are much more reliable than that bastard brat."
Sasakibe Chōjirō: "..."
Although he knew Lord Genryūsai was praising him, for some reason, being compared to Lord Naraku gave him a very strange feeling.
When he learned that a Captain proficiency test was going to be held, Naraku Sora was taken aback for a moment.
And upon finding out that the person testing Zaraki Kenpachi was Muguruma Kensei, he made an advance trip to Squad 4 and booked a premium ward in the Comprehensive Relief Clinic.
Hearing this, Yamamoto immediately felt relieved.
It seemed this brat also knew the level of the person he had brought in.
Three days passed quickly. The location for the Captain proficiency test was set at the Squad Eleven barracks.
The Captains arrived at the scene on time, standing on the high platform to watch.
Kyōraku Shunsui, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, walked over to Naraku Sora with a smile. He nudged him with his elbow and said:
"Sora, you look like you have a lot of confidence in that guy."
"Let me give you a little inside scoop. Ever since Captain Muguruma returned from the World of the Living, he's been training bitterly, even handing all his official duties over to his Lieutenant."
"He practically wishes he could stay in the dojo twenty-four hours a day."
Naraku Sora glanced at the ill-intentioned Kyōraku Shunsui and grinned:
"If he lasts three minutes, I'll admit defeat."
Kyōraku Shunsui: "?"
Hirako Shinji leaned back lazily in his chair, wearing an expression that said he was ready for a good show:
"Third Seat, who do you favor more?"
"I have a feeling that brat Naraku Sora is going to be out of luck this time."
Aizen looked at him expressionlessly and said in a deep voice:
"Captain, if you have so much free time, you might as well handle your own work."
"Instead of shoving it onto your subordinates and making them solve it for you."
Hirako Shinji: "..."
*Damn it, I almost forgot this guy always sides with outsiders.*
Soon, the area around the training grounds was packed with people.
The members of Squad Eleven were also very interested in this Captain proficiency test, hoping for a decent Captain to arrive.
They didn't ask for someone overwhelmingly strong; as long as he could lead them to enjoy the thrill of battle, that was enough.
Soon, two figures walked into the training grounds.
Muguruma Kensei looked at the tall, lean, and fiercely scarred Zaraki Kenpachi. He took a deep breath and said with a serious face:
"I will never stumble over the same problem twice, so I will go all out for this test."
A hint of impatience surfaced on Zaraki Kenpachi's face:
"Whatever. So many rules just for a fight, what a pain."
With a command from Sasakibe Chōjirō, the test officially began.
Muguruma Kensei didn't hesitate at all, activating his Bankai immediately.
Metal treads wrapped around his arms as tyrannical Reiatsu erupted violently. Gale-force winds rose from the ground, creating an exceptionally massive spectacle.
The audience outside the arena held their breath in concentration.
Zaraki Kenpachi looked at the hurricane shooting straight into the sky, a hint of interest finally appearing on his face. He pointed his jagged longsword forward, and a golden stream of light rippled across his scar-riddled body.
"Sora really didn't lie to me. Although he's a bit worse than him, he's barely worth fighting."
The moment his words fell, the earth suddenly trembled. The solid ground cracked into numerous fissures under Zaraki Kenpachi's stomp as his figure tore through the air.
He stirred up violent ripples amidst the howling gales.
The terrifying stance caused Muguruma Kensei's pupils to shrink drastically. This test seemed quite different from what he had anticipated.
Before he had time to ask, the jagged longsword had already appeared right before his eyes.
Then, without any explanation, it slashed downward. The hurricane let out a tearing wail as it was split to both sides.
Muguruma Kensei's eyes widened. Gripping his knuckle blades with both hands, he fiercely punched forward.
The surging gales tore the ground beneath his feet to shreds, leaving behind hideous ravines.
Under countless expectant gazes, the two clashed violently.
Boom!!
Shining Reiatsu light erupted recklessly, dyeing the sky a brilliant gold. Blade-like shockwaves burst forth, scraping viciously against the Kidō barrier and causing ripples to spread across it.
"Haha, let's slaughter!"
Amidst his beast-like, maniacal laughter, Zaraki Kenpachi unleashed a tyrannical barrage of attacks forward, as if he knew no fatigue.
In just a few breaths, he completely suppressed Muguruma Kensei.
A horizontal slash from the knuckle blades left a mark on that ferocious body. Blood spurted out, seemingly turning the tide.
However, the appearance of injuries only further stimulated Zaraki Kenpachi's ferocity.
Driven by instinct!
As if feeling no pain, he naturally raised his jagged longsword toward the crack-filled Reiatsu shield and defensive stance—
And slashed!
An indescribably massive and terrifying force poured entirely into Muguruma Kensei's body through his knuckle blades. The deafening sound of clashing metal echoed throughout the training grounds.
Muguruma Kensei felt as if he had returned to his own Captain proficiency test from the past, facing not Zaraki Kenpachi, but the examiner—
Naraku Sora!
Amidst a savage grin, blood overflowed from Zaraki Kenpachi's body. The golden Reiatsu light invaded forward like an evil spirit, accompanied by a full-powered downward slash.
A figure suddenly flew out, crashing heavily against the Kidō barrier.
When the crowd saw clearly who that figure was, the entire audience was in an uproar!
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