At the same time, the appearance of the new subtitle caused a massive stir throughout the Seireitei!
Sixth Division
"?!"
"The First Kenpachi? No mistake?"
Staring at the screen in a daze, Byakuya Kuchiki couldn't help but furrow his brows as he looked at the name steeped in ancient aura. The First Kenpachi, the first captain of the Gotei 13 from over a thousand years ago, was a figure far beyond even the "grandfather generation"—practically an ancestor of some noble families!
For a moment, Byakuya felt as if he had been transported back in time, to an era over a thousand years ago when the Gotei 13 had just transformed from a group of assassins into an organized force. The title "First Kenpachi" was simply too ancient!
Based on Byakuya's estimation, across the entire Gotei 13, the number of people who could recall this archaic title could likely be counted on one hand!
"Captain…"
"Based on the previous showcases, everyone who makes the list is, without exception, still alive. But… in all my years in the Gotei, why have I never heard anyone mention the 'First Kenpachi'?" Renji Abarai said, his voice tinged with dread as he pondered deeply.
He racked his brain, trying to recall anything related to the "First Kenpachi," but his mind came up blank. He had indeed never heard of this ancient title before!
Logically, that shouldn't be the case!
If the First Kenpachi were still alive, even if their strength had waned with age, their thousand-year tenure alone—comparable to the Captain-Commander's—would ensure they weren't obscure in the Soul Society!
Regarding Renji's doubts, Byakuya frowned, thinking carefully for a moment before shaking his head, clueless. "You're right. As the one who created the title 'Kenpachi,' the First Kenpachi is a legend in their own right. There's no way they'd remain unknown!"
Despite the numerous doubts, whenever the title "First Kenpachi" was mentioned, Byakuya's words were filled with reverence.
"Captain, is it possible…" Renji suddenly thought of a possibility. "Could it be that, for all these years, the First Kenpachi has been imprisoned in Muken?"
"Muken?" Byakuya's eyes widened abruptly. "That's highly likely! It's the only explanation for why neither of us knows of the First Kenpachi's existence!"
"After all, aside from the Captain-Commander, few can freely enter or exit Muken!"
"Unless…" Byakuya thought of another possibility. "For all these years, the First Kenpachi has been living incognito, hiding their past identity!"
"What?" Renji broke out in a cold sweat. "You mean… they've been masquerading under another identity in the Soul Society for over a thousand years?!"
That was terrifying!
A legendary figure deliberately hiding their identity—what could the First Kenpachi be planning?
---
Meanwhile, Eleventh Division Barracks
"Huh… the First Kenpachi? Such an ancient figure is on the list? No way!" Before the transparent screen, Madarame Ikkaku wore an incredulous expression.
What was going on?
Wasn't the ranking about current powerhouses?
Why was a figure from a thousand years ago suddenly listed?
The thought of the Gotei 13 undergoing dozens of captain changes over a millennium made Ikkaku's head spin!
Damn it!
With so many captains throughout history, they couldn't possibly all compete for a ranking, right? That would be chaos!
"Yeah, no offense intended, but aside from the Captain-Commander, the first-generation captains should all be long dead! Otherwise, why have we never heard of their deeds?" Ayasegawa Yumichika was equally puzzled.
Over the years in the division, he had read through many ancient texts and records stored in the Eleventh Division's archives, giving him some understanding of the division's past. From its founding to the present, the Eleventh Division had produced eleven Kenpachis!
The records only mentioned a few notable ones, like the previous Kenpachi, killed by Zaraki Kenpachi, and the seventh and eighth Kenpachis, Kuruyashiki and Mole City Sōya, who were relatively famous. As for the First Kenpachi, there was not a single mention, as if their history had been deliberately erased.
This made Yumichika even more curious!
"Tch… who cares? The showcase is about to start. I want to see just how strong this legendary First Kenpachi is!" Clutching his notched Zanpakutō, Zaraki Kenpachi's eyes blazed with boiling fighting spirit.
First Kenpachi? You'd better not disappoint me, or I won't acknowledge your existence!
---
Thirteenth Division, Office
At the tea table, where the fragrance of tea wafted, Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake exchanged glances, each seeing shock and amusement in the other's eyes.
The shock came from the fact that the First Kenpachi was on the list.
The amusement stemmed from knowing the First Kenpachi's true identity—Retsu Unohana!
"I must say, the video's creator knows how to stir things up!" Sipping his tea, Shunsui smirked mischievously. "I can already imagine everyone's reactions when the footage plays. Jaws will drop!"
Showcasing the First Kenpachi? That was too much!
Ever since she turned over a new leaf and vowed to stop killing, Unohana had been desperate to bury that dark chapter of her past. And she had largely succeeded!
Now, a thousand years later, no one in the Soul Society remembered who the First Kenpachi was, nor did anyone suspect Unohana's past. She had truly left it behind!
But…
"Heh, if she had a choice, Unohana would probably smash the pause button without hesitation!" Ukitake teased.
"Exactly. Let's just sit back and enjoy the show…" Shunsui stretched lazily, whistling carefree.
For now, he just wanted to be a quiet bystander!
---
Meanwhile
In the showcase video, the subtitle slowly faded. The scene shifted to a new setting—dark, silent, and pitch-black, where one could barely see their hand in front of their face. The endless corridor was lined with faint spiritual pressure barriers, blocking any intruders.
Boom—!!!
A heavy door slowly opened. Through a sliver of light piercing the gap, a wild figure could be faintly seen, carrying a Zanpakutō and stepping forward.
As the final ray of sunlight illuminated the figure's face, revealing their appearance, it caused an uproar throughout the Gotei 13!
---
"Huh?!"
"What's going on… Isn't that Captain Zaraki?!" Ikkaku gaped, dumbfounded.
The face revealed in the sunlight was none other than Zaraki Kenpachi!
"???"
"What does this mean? Isn't this round about the First Kenpachi? Why is it starting with Captain Zaraki?!" Yumichika was equally baffled.
What confused them even more was the confined space Zaraki was in—a place they had never seen before!
"Ikkaku, Yumichika…"
"For some reason, seeing this place makes my blood boil, and my heart roars with excitement!" Zaraki stood up, mimicking the video's version of himself by hoisting his Zanpakutō onto his shoulder.
In that moment, the future and present Zaraki seemed to resonate, both fearless and unyielding!
As expected, the next scene showed Zaraki emerging from the darkness into a spacious, brightly lit chamber.
The camera followed his gaze, slowly focusing on the other side of the room!
"This is…" Ikkaku squinted, then shouted in shock, "Look! There's someone with their back to us!"
"Who is it?!"
Because the figure faced away from the camera, their appearance wasn't clear. But when Ikkaku's gaze shifted downward to the number etched on the white captain's haori, his pupils dilated.
He stammered in disbelief, "That's… four?"
"Could it be… Captain Unohana?!"
After blurting out Unohana's name, Ikkaku swallowed hard. Even through the screen, and despite it being just a silhouette, the moment his gaze locked onto her, his heart raced, and every hair on his body stood on end, as if he were staring at a pile of skeletal remains!
This terrifying aura was completely different from Unohana's usual demeanor!
"What's going on? Why is Captain Unohana here, and why does her presence feel so terrifying?!" Yumichika was equally horrified, nearly suffocating from just a silhouette.
"Could it be…"
"She's… the First Kenpachi?!"
---
The same scene played out across every corner of the Soul Society. Anyone who saw Unohana's silhouette and felt the murderous aura emanating from her—captain-level or below—was struck with dread!
"No way!"
"Don't tell me… Captain Unohana is the First Kenpachi?!" Byakuya was stunned, his breathing nearly stopping.
Just moments ago, he and Renji had speculated at length about the First Kenpachi's abilities and appearance. After much discussion, they had almost unanimously concluded that the First Kenpachi was likely a ferocious, menacing figure!
Who could've imagined…
The legendary figure was Retsu Unohana?
This was too absurd!
"It's fake! Captain, we must be mistaken! Someone else will appear next, and that person will be the real First Kenpachi!" Despite feeling the overwhelming, chilling aura radiating from Unohana's silhouette, Renji still refused to believe his eyes. His long-held image of "Flower Sister" made him instinctively deny it all!
"You're right! It must be a mistake! There's no way Unohana could be linked to 'Kenpachi'!" Byakuya, too, was shaken, his long-standing beliefs shattered by the scene.
However—
As the video continued, when Zaraki Kenpachi stepped into the chamber, the figure in the captain's haori slowly turned. As the number "four" disappeared behind her, Retsu Unohana's face appeared on the screen!
At that moment, the black braid usually tied across her chest was undone, revealing a distinct sword scar below her throat, above her collarbone!
Moreover, Unohana's eyes were no longer gentle. Gone was the compassion expected of a healer. Instead, her dark eyes gleamed with a demonic, blood-pool-like intensity!
If before, she was a revered medical captain, kind-hearted for centuries, at this moment… Unohana had fully reclaimed the memories she had abandoned!
The figure from a thousand years ago, the unprecedented villain who struck fear into countless hearts in the Soul Society!
"Zaraki Kenpachi…"
Her blood-red eyes fixed on him. Unohana reached for her waist, slowly drawing her Zanpakutō.
In a cold, detached tone, she issued a challenge:
"Are you ready to fight the First Kenpachi to the death?"
--------------------------------------------
The plans are now available.
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