"Zanpakuto? So that's how it is."
Hearing Borsalino's words, Unohana suddenly understood. She now realized where that faint sense of familiarity with Borsalino came from.
As a Captain-level Shinigami, Unohana had naturally completed the training for her Zanpakuto's Bankai. The first step in a Shinigami's Bankai training was to possess the Reiatsu to materialize their Zanpakuto.
Wasn't Borsalino's current state exactly like a Zanpakuto materialized within the Inner World?
'But weren't Zanpakuto supposed to reside within a Shinigami's Inner World? Since when could a Zanpakuto from the Inner World appear in the external world?'
Thinking this, Unohana's gaze toward Koga carried a hint of inquiry, 'Clearly, the materialization of a Shinigami's Zanpakuto's Spirit in the external world had something to do with third seat Kuchiki.'
'As for the battle between Captain Kyoya and Captain-Commander, it was likely this that had caused the conflict.'
As for Koga's subtle movements, Unohana had naturally noticed them.
With her strength, if she wanted to intervene in the battle between Kyoya and Yamamoto, Koga wouldn't be able to stop her.
However, the current Unohana had no intention of intervening.
Although Yamamoto was at a disadvantage, he hadn't even used his Zanpakuto's Shikai. Unohana believed Yamamoto had his own considerations… whether it was a test for Kyoya or something else.
"Yare yare, Old Man Yama isn't in a good situation..."
Just as Unohana was pondering Yamamoto's intentions, a lazy voice sounded behind her.
"Oh? Captain Kyoraku." Unohana turned and saw Kyoraku with his hands tucked into his sleeves, "The Captain-Commander hasn't even released his Zanpakuto yet. Why would you say he's in a bad situation?"
"Captain Kyoraku?"
Seeing Kyoraku, Koga's expression changed, and he took a few steps back, directly drawing the Zanpakuto at his waist.
Unohana might not necessarily help Yamamoto, but Captain Kyoraku was Yamamoto's disciple. In Koga's view, he was one of the most likely to interfere in the battle between Captain Kyoya and Yamamoto.
"Now, now, no need for such a reaction, third seat Kuchiki." Kyoraku waved his hand at Koga, "I won't attack you."
Unohana glanced at Koga and nodded in understanding. Combined with Kyoya's Zanpakuto beside Koga, it was clear that Yamamoto wasn't refusing to release his Zanpakuto… he couldn't.
From what she knew, once Yamamoto released his Zanpakuto, some uncontrollable event might occur. And the one who could trigger this event was likely Koga.
Kyoya's Ama no Murakumo clashed with Yamamoto's Zanpakuto. The tremendous force sent Yamamoto sliding several meters backward, his feet scraping against the ground.
This made Yamamoto's gaze turn several degrees colder. This was the first time he had been forced back in his battle with Kyoya.
"Captain-Commander, how about it? Shall we continue?"
Kyoya didn't press the attack but instead tilted his head, resting Ama no Murakumo on his shoulder as he asked.
It wasn't that Yamamoto wasn't strong. Being able to fight Kyoya to this extent while Ryujin Jakka was sealed, he was likely the only one in the entire Gotei 13 who could do it.
However, no matter how strong Yamamoto was, he was still thousands of years old, and his physical stamina was no longer what it used to be.
In the high-intensity battle with Kyoya, his stamina depleted even faster.
From initially being able to match Kyoya, to gradually being suppressed and falling into a disadvantage, and now being forced back… if Yamamoto had no hidden cards left, he stood no chance against Kyoya in close combat.
Kyoya stopping at this moment was also giving Yamamoto a way to save his dignity. After all, although he currently held some advantage in the battle against Yamamoto, he hadn't secured a decisive victory, so saying it was a draw wouldn't be wrong.
But if Yamamoto continued, he wouldn't just be losing his dignity…
As the stabilizing pillar of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto was the [Strongest Shinigami]. He couldn't lose.
Once Yamamoto was defeated, it would inevitably greatly impact the morale of the Shinigami. Not to mention, the nobles who had been firmly suppressed by Yamamoto would likely stir up trouble again.
Without Yamamoto's deterrence, once the Seireitei fell into chaos, it would be difficult to restore order.
However, Yamamoto didn't appreciate Kyoya's kindness. Or rather, for Yamamoto, the current battle was far from making him yield to Kyoya!
"Hmph, brat, are you looking down on me?" Yamamoto swung his Zanpakuto, letting the long sleeves of his Shihakusho fall to his waist, revealing his scar-covered upper body.
"I've fought for thousands of years… I'm not so old that I need a child to comfort me! In terms of swordsmanship, I am indeed slightly inferior to you in this state."
This, Yamamoto had to admit. If not for his Reiatsu being over ten times stronger than Kyoya's, he indeed wouldn't be Kyoya's match without releasing his Zanpakuto.
"But a Shinigami's power isn't limited to just swordsmanship! I've dominated the three worlds for many years. My Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido have long reached their peak. Let me show you that even without using my Zanpakuto, I can cut you down with my sword!"
"Oh? Captain-Commander, are you sure you still want to fight?"
Hearing Yamamoto's words, Kyoya raised an eyebrow. Then, he pulled open the long sleeve of his Shihakusho, revealing a bracelet on his wrist, and said to the Captain-Commander.
"Captain-Commander, this item on my wrist was created by the former Captain of the 12th Division, Urahara Kisuke. Its effect is to create a gravity space far exceeding normal levels within a certain range by inputting Reiatsu."
"When not needed, simply stop inputting Reiatsu, and the gravity space it creates will dissipate. Since I started wearing this bracelet, the gravity it creates has been continuously increasing. To be honest, over all these years, I haven't yet tried what level my strength would reach after releasing the gravity space. Now, having you personally test it for me is perfect."
Yamamoto's raised Zanpakuto suddenly paused.
'What kind of joke was this? During their entire battle, he hadn't even released the gravity device's effect?'
As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto was naturally aware that Kyoya had asked Kisuke to create a gravity device for him.
Not only that, but he even knew about the weighted clothing weighing forty tons that Kisuke had made for Kyoya before the gravity device was successfully developed.
After all, the incident where members of the 11th Division had purchased Shihakusho in large quantities from the 12th Division had caused quite a stir in the Seireitei.
Glancing at Kyoya's Shihakusho and Captain's Haori, Yamamoto slowly sheathed his Zanpakuto.
He couldn't continue with this joke anymore.
Whether the gravity device on Kyoya's wrist was deactivated, Yamamoto didn't know.
But the weighted clothing on Kyoya's body had never been removed. That meant, even if Kyoya's earlier words were meant to deceive him, Kyoya had still been fighting him while carrying forty tons of weight.
If he were still young, Yamamoto would have wanted to test Kyoya's limits.
But now, Yamamoto felt it was better to give the younger generation some dignity. What if Kyoya was bluffing? If he exposed Kyoya's lie and ruined the reputation of this [Kenpachi], it would be hard to lead the 11th Division.
As for Koga... Well, given Kyoya's current strength and his rate of improvement, Koga wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.
Since Kyoya wanted him, they might as well assign Koga to the 11th Division and let Kyoya deal with him!
"Hmph! Captain Kyoya, you can test your strength anytime. But what we need to deal with now is the matter of the 6th Division. Whether Koga is transferred to the 11th Division, even as Captain-Commander, I cannot make that decision for Captain Kuchiki. The person you should ask is not me, but him!"
"Oh?" Kyoya raised an eyebrow, feeling amused but suppressing it to avoid offending Yamamoto, "Captain Kuchiki, what do you say?"
Turning his gaze to Ginrei, Kyoya said, "I sincerely invite third seat Kuchiki to join my ranks. As for your concerns, Captain Kuchiki, I think there's no need to worry. Byakuya has been in the 11th Division for over eight years. In these eight years, he has made significant progress and is now the third seat of the 11th Division. If you feel at a disadvantage, I can transfer Byakuya to the 6th Division."
"Is that true?" Ginrei's pupils trembled, and he almost lost his composure, anxiously seeking confirmation from Kyoya.
Why had Kuchiki Ginrei been so desperate after learning about Koga's Zanpakuto's Abilities?
Wasn't it because the heir he had nurtured for years might become a great threat to the Seireitei, yet to protect the Seireitei, he had no choice but to take action?
After making such a decision, the Kuchiki Clan, without an heir, would inevitably decline. By then, the Captain's position of the 6th Division would also be taken by other nobles.
Unlike the 2nd Division, which was renamed after the Onmitsukido of the Shihoin Clan joined the Gotei 13, it wouldn't be wrong to say the 2nd Division was the Shihoin Clan's private division. Although Yoruichi had left the Soul Society, her father, Shihoin Chika, the first Captain of the 2nd Division, was still alive.
Moreover, unlike Ginrei, Chika was still in his prime and not as aged. As long as Chika lived, the 2nd Division would remain under the Shihoin Clan's control. This was indeed the case.
The future Captain of the 2nd Division would be Sui-Feng, head of the Feng Family, a subsidiary noble family of the Shihoin Clan.
Unless something unexpected happened, after Sui-Feng stepped down from the Captain of the 2nd Division, the position would be taken by Yoruichi's younger brother, Shihoin Yushiro!
But now, Kyoya had given Ginrei new hope. Kuchiki Byakuya, the grandson he had once given up on, had actually grown to become the third seat of the 11th Division?
The 11th Division was a combat division. To hold a high seat in the 11th Division, one had to earn it through real combat.
Don't think that just because he was the third seat, Byakuya was weak. It was worth noting that the 11th Division was widely recognized as having two Captain-level fighters.
Its Lieutenant, Zaraki, was also considered by many Captains to have the strength to be a Captain.
If not for Kyoya being the Captain of the 11th Division, it wouldn't be wrong to say Zaraki was the Captain.
Byakuya being the third seat meant that in the 11th Division, aside from Kyoya and Zaraki, Byakuya was the strongest!
This indicated that even if Byakuya hadn't yet reached Captain-level strength, he wasn't far from it.
As long as Ginrei lived a few more years, Byakuya would likely complete his Bankai training and inherit the position of head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of the 6th Division.
"Of course." Kyoya nodded, "Although you've had little contact with Byakuya over the years, Captain Kuchiki, Byakuya is my disciple and often seeks my guidance. How could I not know his progress? Based on my observations, Byakuya indeed has the potential to complete his Bankai Training within five years."
Byakuya's talent wasn't top-tier, but that was only compared to Kyoya.
Compared to others, Byakuya could still be considered a 'genius'. Even if he wasn't as gifted as holders of the [Strongest] series Zanpakuto like Gin or Hitsugaya, he could still be ranked in the top tier below them.
"Good, good, good!" Ginrei laughed heartily before finally calming down, "Captain Kyoya, thank you."
He bowed to Kyoya. "You are a benefactor of the Kuchiki Clan. Koga is in your hands now."
"Captain Kuchiki, if you truly want to thank me, why not ask Haruko-san if she is willing to go to the Rukongai to live with Koga? If Haruko-san is willing, I hope you won't make things difficult for her."
Ginrei glanced at Koga's hopeful expression and sighed, "Very well, if Haruko is willing, I won't stop her from going to the Rukongai."
It had always been people from the Rukongai who yearned for the Seireitei, desperately trying to enter and live there.
If Haruno was truly willing to go to the Rukongai to live with Koga, it would almost set a precedent among the nobles of the Seireitei.