In the Soul Society, after the change of captains in the Eleventh Division, a brief period of turbulence quickly subsided, and peace was restored once more.
"Sister... I have become the captain of the Eleventh Division of the Gotei 13, just as we promised, and have become a very excellent Soul Reaper."
Soya Azashiro... no, he should now be called the Eighth Kenpachi. The man currently known as Kenpachi Azashiro, the captain of the Eleventh Division, was pushing a woman in a wheelchair through the empty courtyard, speaking softly.
"Hahaha, as expected of Soya. I knew you could bring back all the glory of the Azashiro family."
The woman sat in the wheelchair with her eyes tightly closed, a faint smile on her face.
"Pfft... Hahahaha... What do you mean, 'bring back the glory of the Azashiro family'?"
"A man who only won against Kuruyashiki Kenpachi through a sneak attack and became the Eighth Kenpachi dares to talk about restoring the family's glory? That's just laughable."
A sharp and piercing laughter rang in Soya Azashiro's ears, causing the hand pushing his sister's wheelchair to tremble slightly.
"Shut up!"
Soya Azashiro turned to face the person beside him, saying fiercely.
"Pfft~ Are you embarrassed? Because I hit a nerve, and spoke the truth about how you used despicable means to win against Kuruyashiki Kenpachi?!"
The person slowly walked towards Soya Azashiro, revealing herself. The woman looked somewhat similar to Soya Azashiro, wearing an ornate kimono, with her right eye covered by a strap, exuding an aura of cunning.
"Togame I don't want to argue with you in front of my sister."
Soya Azashiro forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, his body trembling slightly.
"Soya, are you arguing with Ms. Togame again? You shouldn't do that!"
"You shouldn't argue with your Zanpakuto, you know!"
Just as Soya Azashiro was getting angry, his sister, sitting in the wheelchair, spoke.
"I know, Sister."
Soya Azashiro nodded helplessly to his sister.
"Ms. Togame, you're in this direction, right? I'm sorry! Because my eyes and legs were injured by my own Kido, I can't see you, but I'm sure you must be very beautiful~ Please take care of my silly little brother."
Soya Azashiro's sister turned slightly, smiling in the direction of Togame.
"..."
Soya Azashiro looked at his sister, who was still worried about him even after suffering such severe injuries, and felt a pang in his heart. Unfortunately, even if her eyes weren't injured, she still might not be able to see Togame. But one thing his sister said was correct: his Zanpakuto, Togame, was indeed beautiful, just like his sister.
Yes, the beautiful woman with a strap over her right eye looked exactly like the woman Soya Azashiro was pushing in the wheelchair.
"By the way, Soya, have you gone to the Shiba family?"
Just as Soya Azashiro was silently feeling sorry for his sister, she asked.
"Uh... I haven't had time yet!"
Soya Azashiro looked flustered upon hearing his sister's words.
"Really, how can you not go? Have you forgotten the great benefactor who saved us siblings?"
Soya Azashiro's sister said sternly.
"No, I wouldn't dare to forget!"
Soya Azashiro shook his head repeatedly. Even now, he couldn't forget what had happened back then.
He still remembered his despair at that time, facing the Hollow roaring and preparing to kill him, facing the nobles who were laughing and mocking him from the stands as if it were a game. His sister was prepared to sacrifice herself and take the Hollow with her to save him. At the last moment, a white figure transferred his sister away from the explosion, although it was a little too late, causing her to lose her eyes and legs. But that was enough; he was already very grateful. At least his sister was still alive.
"Then hurry up and go, and tell him that you've become a captain!"
Soya Azashiro's sister urged him repeatedly.
"But, Sister, what about you?"
Soya Azashiro frowned upon hearing his sister's words.
"Go on! The servants will take care of me here; you don't need to worry."
Soya Azashiro's sister gave him a gentle smile.
"Alright, Sister."
Soya Azashiro knew that no matter what he said, he couldn't change his sister's mind at this point, so he nodded slightly.
"Go quickly!"
Soya Azashiro's sister urged him.
"Alright, Sister."
Soya Azashiro listened to his sister's words and quickly ran towards the gate, not forgetting to instruct the gate guards to take good care of his sister before leaving.
Soya Azashiro, wearing the Eleventh Division captain's haori and carrying a katana (not his Zanpakuto) at his waist, bought a box of high-end sweets and hurried towards the Shiba family.
"Whoosh!"
Just as Soya Azashiro arrived at the gate of the Shiba family, several members of the Onmitsukido, clad in black, blocked his path.
"Please pass this sweet to Shiba Yoruichi-sama, and tell her that I will come to visit again in person when Sougo-sama returns."
Soya Azashiro seemed to have expected the Onmitsukido to appear. He handed the sweets to one of them, saying words that left them puzzled.
"Then, I'll take my leave."
Soya Azashiro said, turning around and preparing to leave.
And just as Soya Azashiro turned around, he happened to bump into a man with two Zanpakuto at his waist.
"..."
Soya Azashiro's face flashed with displeasure as he looked at the man in front of him, but he didn't say anything.
"Hmm?"
The man with shoulder-length hair and slightly narrowed eyes showed a hint of curiosity after seeing Soya Azashiro.
"To meet the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society, the Eighth Kenpachi, at the gate of the Shiba family is truly my honor."
Although Soya Azashiro didn't intend to pay attention to the man, the man was very interested in Soya Azashiro.
"..."
Soya Azashiro was silent for a moment after hearing the man's words.
"If you're here to offer that Zanpakuto to that person, I advise you to go back. That person is not currently in Seireitei."
Soya Azashiro looked at the Zanpakuto at the man's waist and said coldly.
"Hmm?"
The man's eyes widened instantly upon hearing Soya Azashiro's words, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He didn't know how the man in front of him knew the purpose of his visit, but he knew that the other party wasn't lying to him.
"..."
Soya Azashiro ignored the man, brushed past him, and strode away.
"Interesting~"
The man... whose real name was Tokinada Tsunayashiro, smiled like a cunning fox behind Soya Azashiro, watching him leave with a smile.
"Seriously, she's not here? I went to great lengths to steal this Zanpakuto. It seems I'll have to return it to that good-for-nothing who doesn't deserve it for now!"
Tokinada Tsunayashiro played with the Zanpakuto in his hand, shaking his head helplessly. In Tokinada Tsunayashiro's eyes, the strongest should be with the strongest, and the strongest Zanpakuto in the Soul Society in his hand should be wielded by the strongest person in the Soul Society.