"Too close… there's no dodging this, and no time to revert my Resurrección. In that case…"
Szal Apollo glanced at the approaching Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, just inches away. The corners of his mouth lifted—he had just thought of something interesting.
Pfft—
With the sound of a blade piercing flesh, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's sword easily tore through Szal Apollo's hierro, leaving a gaping wound in his abdomen.
"You're a Vasto Lorde–class Hollow, right? Then why don't you have a mask? "
Both hands gripping his sword hilt, Kuruyashiki asked the question with genuine curiosity.
"Who knows? Why don't you guess for yourself? "
Szal Apollo smiled faintly. At some point, a thick syringe had appeared in his right hand.
Shhh!
In an instant, the syringe pierced straight through the spiritual pressure–clad body of Kuruyashiki, stabbing into his very soul. A strange, unknown substance was injected, merging seamlessly into his body.
Cough… cough…
A wave of dizziness hit Kuruyashiki head. Pulling his Zanpakutō free from Szal Apollo's abdomen, he staggered back a few steps, clutching his head and dropping to one knee.
"What… did you do to me? "
"Who knows? Let's just say… it's something good."
Ignoring the blood pouring from his wound, Szal Apollo leapt into the Garganta behind him and disappeared without another word.
Kuruyashiki stayed kneeling, holding his head for nearly a full minute before rising to his feet again.
"Strange… I feel… different…"
There was something new inside his body, but he couldn't tell exactly what.
"Now's not the time for self-checks."
Shaking his head, he raised his Zanpakutō and set about slaughtering the Hollows still rampaging through the area.
With Szal Apollo gone, the leaderless Hollows quickly fell into chaos. Under Kuruyashiki overwhelming strength and the combined suppression of Squad 11, they were soon cut down where they stood.
An hour later.
"Oh-ho~ isn't that Captain Unohana? "
Squad 8 Captain Kyōraku Shunsui strolled in with his subordinates, yawning as they crossed paths with Squad 4 Captain Unohana Retsu, who had also arrived as reinforcements.
"Captain Kyōraku? Looks like the Head Captain is taking this seriously."
Unohana was slightly surprised. Counting herself, Kyōraku, and Kuruyashiki, Yamamoto had deployed some of the most powerful captains in the Gotei 13.
"Hopefully it's not too much trouble."
Shunsui shrugged lazily and walked alongside Unohana toward Kusajishi District—where they found Squad 11 already throwing a full-on victory feast.
"My, my~"
"Looks like it's all been taken care of."
"As expected of Kuruyashiki, the strongest Shinigami in the Seireitei."
Unohana smiled softly as she watched Kuruyashiki drinking heartily with his squad.
"Hm? " Shunsui tilted his hat slightly, glancing at Unohana's smile. He muttered under his breath, "Are you praising Kuruyashiki… or yourself? "
"What was that, Shunsui? "
"Ah—nothing, nothing. Let's join the feast. Days like this call for another drink."
Trying to hide his unease at her smile, Shunsui pulled his hat lower and stepped into the rough banquet.
"Yo, Kuruyashiki. Looks like we're late to the party."
The two captains greeted each other like old comrades—both top-tier fighters who shared a certain mutual respect.
"Not late. The feast just started."
Kuruyashiki grinned.
"In that case, right on time."
Shunsui sat beside him and poured himself a drink.
"My, is there room for me? "
Unohana stepped in with a pleasant smile and promptly sat between them without waiting for an answer.
"O-of course…"
Kuruyashiki nodded stiffly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Of all the Gotei 13, the one he feared most was the woman in front of him.
"By the way," Unohana began, "I overheard some chatter outside. They said you killed a Gillian-class Menos without even releasing your Zanpakutō, and that you might be the strongest Kuruyashiki in history. Is that true? "
Kuruyashiki shook his head. "Not really. The Head Captain, Captain Kirio Hikifune, Captain Shutara Senjumaru, and some from the noble houses—Kuchiki and Shihōin—can kill Hollows without releasing their blades too. Besides, both of you could do the same."
Shunsui just gave a small smile, saying nothing to agree or disagree.
"Speaking of which, Captain Kyōraku—if you faced a Vasto Lorde, could you win? I have to admit, though I killed the other Hollows, I failed to take down the one leading them. He escaped."
"Vasto Lordes, huh? Those things are monsters. Super scary."
"For someone like me, whether I could kill one would depend on luck."
Kuruyashiki narrowed his eyes, catching the unspoken truth—Shunsui was saying he wouldn't lose, but killing one was another matter.
Kuruyashiki laughed. "The Seireitei is getting stronger. Someday every captain in the Gotei 13 might be able to beat a Vasto Lorde. Maybe even lieutenants, too. That way, even if I die, the Seireitei's strength won't waver."
"Die? Don't joke. The only one who could kill you is the old man—if you went crazy enough to fight him."
They both knew Yamamoto was in a league of his own. While most Shinigami needed Zanpakutō or Kidō to kill Hollows, the Head Captain could beat one to death with his bare fists.
Kuruyashiki only chuckled. "The world has plenty of strong people. I'm not nearly as strong as you think."
"Tsujishiro Souya, here to challenge the Seventh Kenpachi—Kuruyashiki Kenpachi of Squad 11! "
The announcement cut through the party. A striking man with long black hair strode forward, standing before Kuruyashiki.
"You see? The next generation's already here to challenge me."
Kuruyashiki eyes lit up like a predator's. "I accept, kid."
Shunsui raised an eyebrow. "That's the last scion of the Tsujishiro clan? To think he's already grown strong enough to challenge Kuruyashiki… but honestly, I don't like his odds. Kuruyashiki a monster among monsters."