"…"
Zaraki Kenpachi remained silent.
Although his body was weak, for some reason, he felt much lighter.
Perhaps it was because he could no longer cut anyone down.
Is this the true power of a Shinigami? Shikai…
He had heard of it, and he had witnessed it, yet for some reason, he could never awaken it himself.
The Shinigami he had encountered at the same time were also far less powerful than Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
A formidable opponent, a good opponent.
Clang!
Just then, Yachiru took down the Zanpakuto that was stuck above her head.
She leapt onto Kenpachi's shoulder, wrapped her arms around his neck, and her joyful tone was mixed with a hint of relief:
"Kenpachi, don't be angry. Even though you lost, you still have me."
"Let's go become Shinigami."
"That way, maybe you can also learn Shikai."
Zaraki Kenpachi said nothing, just quietly looked at her.
His rugged face was filled with silence, which was completely out of character for him.
However… Zaraki Kenpachi believed that his current expression perfectly reflected his state of mind.
As Tsugikuni Yoriichi finished recording the number of Hollows and turned to leave,
Kenpachi suddenly spoke, "Hey, Tsugikuni, what's your Division number?"
"If I join your Division, can we still have passionate fights in the future?"
"…"
Yoriichi slowly turned around and replied, "Tenth Division."
"You can fight me, it's fine, after all, actual combat is the only way to hone one's skills."
"But…"
"Aren't you called Zaraki Kenpachi? Your rightful place should be the Eleventh Division."
Zaraki Kenpachi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Then, are the Eleventh Division and the Tenth Division close?"
"If I cut down the captain of the Eleventh Division, does that mean I can rival you in swordsmanship?"
"It depends." As he had a mission, Yoriichi did not answer further, he only gave two suggestions.
"If you successfully join the Eleventh Division, perhaps you can spar with Captain Retsu Unohana of the Fourth Division."
"I don't know if she's as cold and heartless as you say, but in the eyes of most Shinigami, she's an extremely gentle person."
"Most likely she won't refuse your request to spar, after all, you two met hundreds of years ago."
"Secondly, I can introduce you to my captain, who is also a very strong Shinigami."
"Of course, all of this will have to wait until you join the Gotei 13."
…
While the two were talking,
Not far away,
A bald man and a purple-haired youth were rapidly approaching the location where Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zaraki Kenpachi had fought.
The bald man wore a simple short coat, with ragged shorts that almost blended into the yellow sand, and was barefoot, his demeanour exuding a hint of roguish charm.
The purple-haired youth beside him seemed much gentler, a light-colored yukata covering his slender body.
Even while running, with the wind blowing in his face, he didn't forget to fix his hair, his slender pinky finger slightly raised.
Faintly, the frantic shouts from behind them could be heard.
"Hey!"
"You two, stop right there!"
"Not only did you not pay the toll, but you also injured two of my brothers. Do you think we, the Twenty Heroes of Kūkyō, are to be trifled with?"
"…"
Ikkaku Madarame, the bald man, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth slightly.
Facing the pursuit of the so-called "Twenty Heroes of Kūkyō,"
He ran, not forgetting to shout back:
"What Twenty Heroes, I think you're twenty bears!"
"Twenty people, and you can't even beat two of us. What's the point of living? Just hang yourselves!"
"Charging a toll? Bah! I won't give you a single hair!"
"Ah, ah, ah!" The "Twenty Heroes" behind them were so enraged their faces turned red.
As the bullies of One of the Districts 78 of North Rukongai, [Kūkyō], when had these twenty brothers ever suffered such humiliation?
Normally, they got whatever they wanted, but today they were outsmarted and ran into two tough opponents.
Without a word, they punched one of their brothers down. If they hadn't drawn their blades in time, they would have been wiped out.
If this grudge wasn't avenged,
They might as well disband on the spot.
Just as they were fuming with rage, the youth beside Ikkaku Madarame spoke elegantly:
"How ridiculous, a bunch of utterly ugly guys dream of catching up to us. They should go look at themselves in a puddle of urine."
"Am I, Yumichika Ayasegawa, someone that you bandits can catch?"
"Ikkaku, let's go, don't bother with these clowns."
He then slowly lowered his voice, "Did you feel those two spiritual pressures just now?"
"Very strong, stronger than any Shinigami we've encountered before. I suspect more Shinigami have arrived, Ikkaku, this is our chance!"
"I heard that some strong guys are blocking the way in the districts ahead. We don't have Zanpakuto, so we're at a disadvantage."
"To become a Shinigami and live a life of prestige, we must reach one of the Districts, so we must establish contact with them…"
"Are you sure?" Ikkaku Madarame raised an eyebrow, the corners of his eyes, naturally adorned with orange-red eyeshadow, appearing somewhat demonic:
"What if they're not Shinigami, but Hollows?"
"That monster is not an opponent we can handle with our strength."
"So we just observe secretly and don't get close, isn't that good?"
Yumichika Ayasegawa's lips slowly curved upwards.
His gaze subtly flickered behind him:
"Also, don't forget about those guys behind us."
"Those idiots might be able to test the danger for us."
"…"
"You're right." Ikkaku Madarame thought for a moment and agreed,
"One of the Districts 79 is already poor, and yet there are still people collecting tolls. These people deserve to die."
"Let's lead them around for a few laps first…"
…
"Hmm?" Just as Yoriichi finished speaking, he vaguely caught an unusual sound.
He looked in the direction his intuition led him, only to see two small black dots rapidly enlarging on the distant horizon, as if someone was running at full speed.
And behind them, a group of blurry figures followed closely, like dust swept up by the wind.
Natives of One of the Districts 79?
Yoriichi mused to himself.
Of course, he didn't pay too much attention; as long as they weren't Hollows, it was fine.
He still had a mission to submit.
After a brief farewell to Zaraki Kenpachi, he instantly left the area.
Zaraki Kenpachi stood still, seemingly having heard some sounds as well.
He watched Tsugikuni Yoriichi leave, disappearing into the horizon.
While listening to Yachiru's incessant chatter, he scanned the direction from which the figures were rapidly approaching.
His previously calm state of mind once again stirred with some ripples.
His pupils flickered.
Hoo…
He calmed his breathing.
Zaraki Kenpachi slowly sheathed his blade, sat cross-legged on a stone, his gaze stern, quietly awaiting the approach of that group of people.
After Tsugikuni Yoriichi left, an inexplicable craving surged within him, like an instinct, seemingly in urgent need of a baptism of blood.
No matter who they were,
As long as they suited his taste, he could cut them all down.