I'm not seeing things, am I?! That guy Aoyama… he actually learned how to release his Zanpakutō! Damn it, when did that even happen? He already had the qualifications and strength to rank among the top ten seats. Now with this… the moment he graduates, Aoyama might instantly become a Third or Fourth Seat-level figure!
"Forget it! Aoyama isn't like us trash. Even though he was born a commoner, without noble blood to win the upper echelons' favor, his talent and power alone could push him all the way to Vice-Captain. He's definitely someone destined to be terrifyingly strong!"
"True… even though we've been learning the same four disciplines—Zanpakutō, Hakuda, Kidō, and Shunpo—Aoyama always manages to pull ahead, becoming one of the best in every class. No matter how hard we chase after him, we'll never catch up. From now on, all we can do is watch his back from a distance."
To the chatter behind him from those cowardly Shinigami who hadn't even dared to strike, Aoyama didn't spare a shred of interest. Why waste time listening to useless whining when he could just keep swinging his Zanpakutō and cutting down more Hollows?
After all, in the ninja world, Hollows didn't exist. Bijū weren't things anyone could casually punch around, and even the strongest ninja could still fall victim to an assassination from the weak.
Ninjas were killers and deceivers by nature.
Life in the shinobi world had never been comfortable. So the chance to step into other worlds thrilled Aoyama—it felt just like someone stuck in their hometown for far too long, itching to see the wider world beyond.
Now, Kongō's body had grown to over four meters tall, and the massive axe he wielded grew proportionally. Just his presence sent the Hollows stumbling back before he even swung.
Beating his chest and roaring, Kongō's murderous intent spilled out like a tidal wave. His savage eyes gleamed with bloodlust—he wanted nothing more than to slaughter every twisted, malformed Hollow in sight.
The Seireitei's Technology Development Bureau, observing all this, was utterly shocked. A mere Shinō Academy student who hadn't even joined the Gotei 13… already wielding Shikai, something only Vice-Captain–class Shinigami were expected to achieve.
Across all of Soul Society, even if you didn't join the Gotei 13, simply mastering Shikai meant you could earn a comfortable life, serve as a noble's personal guard, or even hold real authority in special institutions.
Mastery of Zanpakutō release was a dividing line between the masses and those with status.
With a savage grin, Aoyama slashed wildly. Each strike of his blade ripped screams from the Hollows, his spirit lifting higher with every kill. He swung harder, faster, pouring everything into each cut. He wanted their end to come swiftly, with little pain.
But unlike Kongō—whose presence alone struck terror into Hollows—Aoyama still didn't inspire fear. Swinging his Zanpakutō once more, he dashed toward his next target.
Suddenly, a gate creaked open—the passage from Soul Society to the World of the Living. The great doors split apart, and several imposing figures stepped through.
Each one carried such overwhelming power that weak Hollows would have died of fright just from the pressure.
Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of the 11th Division!
Yachiru Kusajishi, 11th Division Vice-Captain!
11th Division Officers Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika!
Tōsen Kaname, Captain of the 9th Division!
And behind them, a squad of lesser Shinigami reinforcements. For two Captains and a Vice-Captain to be sent… Soul Society clearly viewed the Menos invasion as a dire threat.
Normally, each Division had its own tasks, and rarely did anyone overstep their assigned duties. But in special circumstances, the Head Captain himself could order multiple Captains to respond. Hence, this rare joint arrival.
From atop Zaraki's shoulder, little pink-haired Yachiru pointed cheerfully at Kongō and shouted, "Ken-chan! Look, it's a monkey!"
The word "monkey" seemed to hit a nerve. Kongō, who had been in mid-slaughter, froze, turned his massive head, and roared furiously at her, hefting his axe threateningly. He clearly hated the insult.
Zaraki glanced at him and snorted. "Not a Hollow, not a Shinigami… but fighting Hollows anyway. Must be someone's Zanpakutō ability. Hmph. Summoning-type releases, huh? Boring. Nothing's better than straight-up slashing."
Meanwhile, Tōsen had already unsheathed his Zanpakutō. Without a word, he leapt into the sky, blade flashing toward the rifts in space to strike down the descending Menos in one swing.
The sudden appearance of so many heavyweights drew every eye. Just a glance at the pink-haired Vice-Captain made Aoyama's fingers itch to swing his blade.
Yachiru didn't care about Kongō's anger. With a playful giggle, she leapt off Zaraki's shoulder and landed neatly on Kongō's massive neck, riding him as if he were some kind of oversized steed.
Kongō tried to resist—tried to throw her off—but nothing worked. No matter how cute and harmless she looked, Yachiru was a terrifying monster with Vice-Captain–level power.
In the shinobi world, she'd rank at least on the level of a fully unleashed Pain. If she released her Zanpakutō, she'd likely require a half–Six Paths–tier fighter to suppress her antics.
Suppressing his urge to draw his blade against her, Aoyama instead raised a brow and turned his sharp grin toward Zaraki. Resting his Zanpakutō across his shoulder, he taunted, "The title of Kenpachi sounds pretty good. I think I'd like one too."
Above, more and more Menos tore through the sky, trying to descend into the world. The scene looked apocalyptic—disasters piling one atop another. The sheer pressure cracked the earth below like earthquakes.
But Aoyama didn't care about rushing up to help. For all he knew, this whole situation was just another game set up by Aizen himself.
If he wasn't planning to confront Aizen Sōsuke directly, then the best way to pass the time was slaughtering Hollows. And if that got boring… cutting down a Shinigami or two might be even better—especially a strong one.
Kongō roared eagerly at Aoyama's words, clearly ready to fight. But with Yachiru still perched on his neck, all he could do was growl in frustrated helplessness.
Zaraki's lips curled into a feral grin. "Interesting. You want my name? Then come take it! If you can cut me down, I'll give you my title of Kenpachi, and even my Captain's seat. All yours!"
Aoyama arched a brow. "Why would I want anything you're willing to hand over? I just want to kill you—or be killed by you. That's all."
The trainee Shinigami behind him, too timid to even raise their blades, could only stare in shock. To hear Aoyama speaking so brazenly to a Captain… their faces froze in utter disbelief.