Since the Eighth Kenpachi, Kenpachi Azashiro, After Ten Years
After receiving approval from the Central 46 Chamber to transform the residents of Rukongai into soldiers capable of fighting Hollows, Kenpachi Azashiro finally achieved remarkable results. The once weak and fleeing civilians of Rukongai, who would scatter and be killed by even the most ordinary Hollows, now fiercely fought back. Small squads of just ten people managed to slay massive Hollows—this level of combat prowess made them elites even among the Shinigami squads. Most importantly, the Rukongai civilians modified by Azashiro became fiercely loyal to him.
The Central 46 Chamber was thrown into chaos...
"Damn! His power is too dangerous!"
"What if he rebels? What do we do then?"
"We must imprison him! Lock him away in Muken Prison! Only then will our rule be secure!"
"But he hasn't committed any crime...?"
"Fool! Just fabricate some charges—like unauthorized modification of Rukongai civilians and violating moral laws! Then plan an assassination of the Central 46 to seize power!"
"Are we really doing the right thing?"
"It's all for the benefit of the Central 46!"
After much turmoil, the Central 46 Chamber finally issued a warrant for Kenpachi Azashiro's arrest—he was declared an enemy of the state.
Meanwhile, Azashiro calmly sat in his family's courtyard. Having dismissed all his retainers and servants, he was enjoying a final peaceful moment alone with his sister.
"Azashiro... you're truly exceptional. Your sister knows that..." she said softly, holding his hand with a gentle smile.
Azashiro said nothing. He was unsure of his own feelings—was he regretful? Not really. Even knowing the outcome, he would do the same again. Yet, he felt he had failed to protect his sister.
Suddenly—
"Oh my~ What a touching sibling bond," came a voice as a shadow silently appeared in the courtyard.
Azashiro glanced at the figure but said nothing.
"As I said, you'll soon need me. Run while you can," the man smiled.
"Leave here... or be imprisoned in Muken. As long as you live, we will meet again. As for your sister, leave her in my care."
The man was Tokinada Tsunayashiro. He cheerfully spoke to Azashiro, who remained silent, staring intently into Tokinada's eyes, searching for something.
Suddenly, a roar filled the air.
At that moment, several Shinigami in Deathbuster armor surrounded the Kenpachi family courtyard.
"What's going on?"
"Why are they all holding swords?"
Tokinada, replacing Azashiro position, gently pushed Azashiro's sister's wheelchair, smiling at the gathered Shinigami.
"You are... Tokinada of the Tsunayashiro family, sir!"
The Shinigami, recognizing Tokinada's haori, bowed respectfully.
"There is no wanted criminal here."
Tokinada gripped the wheelchair handles tightly and smiled.
"But..."
The Shinigami looked at the woman in the wheelchair, unsure but unwilling to disobey Tokinada.
"I said there's no wanted criminal here. This woman is my wife—Tsunayashiro Takurou."
"If you want to accuse our family, have the Central 46 hold another meeting to discuss it."
"Remind the six judges that they owe their positions to the Soul King and the Five Great Noble Families who created this world millions of years ago!"
Without waiting for their response, Tokinada pushed Azashiro sister slowly out of the courtyard.
The Shinigami fell silent, unwilling to block the noble dispute. Such cases were handled by the Sixth Division, the noble squad led by the Kuchiki family—because ordinary Shinigami couldn't deal with the nobles. This is why only Kuchiki family members could lead the Sixth Division.
The Sixth District of Soul Society was the noble quarter, where the Tsunayashiro mansion stood opposite the Kuchiki estate. Guarded by countless Shinigami in Deathbuster armor, they were not part of the Gotei 13 or the Central 46—they were the private army of the Tsunayashiro family.
"Lord Tsunayashiro!"
After entering, the Shinigami bowed respectfully to Tokinada.
Without replying, Tokinada took Azashiro's sister to a quiet courtyard tended by a few servants.
"Thank you," she said, though blind, she understood the protection she had been granted.
"No problem. After all, your brother and I are... friends."
Tokinada pondered long and concluded he and Azashiro were kindred spirits striving for the same goal.
Outside Rukongai, Azashiro faced Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō with a sigh.
"Oh dear~" Kyōraku said, adjusting his hat. "I didn't want to come either."
"But it's the Captain Commander's order," Ukitake added, frowning. "Azashiro... surrender!"
"I'm sorry, I can't stop here," Azashiro said, drawing his Zanpakutō, ready to fight. Unseen, razor-sharp wind blades surrounded the two captains.
Just as Azashiro prepared to strike, a new, unfamiliar Reiatsu presence made him pause.
"So, not just the Central 46 but even the Soul King himself rejects my plan? I see... So this is what it means for the 'True King' to stand in the sky with his own will," Azashiro murmured, gazing into the distance.
Kyōraku frowned at his muttering.
"I surrender!" Azashiro suddenly declared, tossing his Zanpakutō to Kyōraku.
"A wise choice," Kyōraku said, holding the sword but suspicious of it.
Azashiro was taken to the Central 46 Chamber.
"The Eighth Kenpachi, Kenpachi Azashiro! You stand accused of rebellion! You are sentenced to ten thousand years in Muken! Do you have any last words?" the Chamber demanded.
Azashiro's eyes showed no emotion. He regarded the Central 46 as nothing more than a pile of filth unworthy of words.
Azashiro was sent to Muken prison. Unknown to all, a woman quietly followed him, whispering in his ear—a presence unnoticed by anyone.
Yes, this woman was Azashiro Zanpakutō, named Uro Takurou—one whose Bankai would remain forever released.
"I will be watching over you from Muken, Soul Society," she whispered.
As Azashiro was sealed away, he looked back at the closing gate with a faint smile.
With the Eighth Kenpachi imprisoned, the Eleventh Division's Vice-Captain—an unremarkable man—was promoted to become the Ninth Kenpachi. The only Kenpachi to inherit the title without ever fighting his predecessor.
His name was Isane Kenpachi! (Known as the weakest Kenpachi in history, so weak even Unohana couldn't bear to look.)
The groundwork is set. The next chapter will shift back to the main protagonist's perspective, and soon, the return to Soul Society begins. Yachiru Hachigō will make her appearance.