Half a month had passed since the last time a Menos Grande descended into the World of the Living.
All the students who had gone on that mission were now officially recognized by the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy and granted graduation, qualified to join the Gotei 13.
But graduation alone didn't mean automatic acceptance. To truly join the squad they wished for, they still had to be acknowledged by that division.
For example, the 4th Division, whose duty lay in rescue and medical treatment, held a unique position in Soul Society. When they recruited new members, they didn't prioritize combat strength at all, but rather a student's ability and talent in Kaidō—healing techniques.
Kaidō.
Unlike Hadō or Bakudō, Kaidō was Kidō solely dedicated to healing, with no offensive purpose.
Then there was the 2nd Division, also known as the Onmitsukidō, responsible for intelligence and assassination. Their duties were not unlike the ANBU of the Hidden Ninja Villages, though in certain aspects, they even surpassed them.
The perspective shifted again until it arrived before the gates of the 11th Division.
Holding his graduation certificate from the Shin'ō Academy, Aoyama kicked the massive gates open with a loud bang, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"Zaraki Kenpachi! Get out of here and take your beating!"
The name Kenpachi symbolized the strongest.
Those who seized that name by force were called wild beasts who lived only for battle. Zaraki Kenpachi, the current holder, was said to have no technique, no artistry—only raw, brutal power that tore through opponents like paper. His terrifying strength was so overwhelming that even Head-Captain Yamamoto himself had to acknowledge it.
In all of Soul Society, no one didn't know the name Kenpachi. So when word spread that someone was openly challenging the 11th Division Captain Zaraki Kenpachi, it was like a spark falling into dry tinder—news spread like wildfire, and crowds quickly gathered.
As the doors crashed down, Aoyama remained standing with his foot still raised, only to see a swarm of Shinigami rushing out with their Asauchi drawn. A savage grin spread across his face.
"A bunch of insects. Don't block my way. Call your Captain out here already! I've come to challenge for the title of Kenpachi!"
Madarame Ikkaku furrowed his brow. After a whisper from a nearby Shinigami, his eyes widened in surprise.
"It's you! During the last mission to the World of the Living, you were the only rookie who released his Zanpakutō… I didn't think you'd actually have the guts to challenge Captain Zaraki!"
Ikkaku planted his feet, resting his hand on his hilt.
"But don't think you'll get to see the Captain right away. First, you'll have to get through me! Let this senior show you just how reckless you are, rookie!"
Ikkaku's name was famous within the 11th Division. Though he held no Vice-Captain seat and though he didn't carry the same charm as the pink-haired Yachiru Kusajishi, everyone in the division agreed that his combat strength was on par with any Vice-Captain.
The moment Ikkaku prepared to step forward, the furious Shinigami behind him all backed away in unison—they had no wish to get caught in the fight and sliced apart in Ikkaku's fury.
Ayasegawa Yumichika regretfully sheathed his blade, stepping behind Ikkaku with a shake of his head.
"To come cause trouble in our 11th Division—even if he's just a rookie, he's bound to get famous. But since Ikkaku's taking him seriously, he won't die… though he's definitely going to get beaten bloody."
Aoyama, meanwhile, gazed at Ikkaku, who had already released his Zanpakutō into its naginata-like Shikai. Curling his lip in disdain, Aoyama said flatly:
"And who exactly are you? Are you the Captain of the 11th Division? Sorry, but I came here to challenge Zaraki Kenpachi—the man who bears the title of Kenpachi. Not just any stray cat or dog qualifies to fight me. Honestly, looking at you makes me sick. Step aside."
"You bastard!"
Ikkaku's rage boiled over, his foot lifting as he prepared to strike—but before he could move, an overwhelming spiritual pressure descended on him like the weight of a feral beast, forcing his shoulders down.
"This reiatsu…"
"It's the Captain!"
Only Zaraki Kenpachi possessed the spiritual pressure vast enough to suppress even Ikkaku with sheer force alone. No one else in the 11th Division came close.
Aoyama turned his gaze toward the figure walking lazily out of the barracks—yawning, rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep. Seeing Zaraki, Aoyama gave a satisfied nod.
"Finally. Just as we agreed, I'm here to challenge you. You'd better be ready to defend your title of Kenpachi."
Zaraki rubbed at his eyes again and gently picked up the still-dozing pink-haired Yachiru from his shoulder, handing her over to Yumichika. He yawned widely.
"So it's you. I've been waiting for a while… Thought you'd lost your nerve and wouldn't come."
And with that, an even greater wave of crushing spiritual pressure surged out of Zaraki like a tidal wave, crashing against Aoyama as if to test whether the rookie would break.
But Aoyama didn't flinch. His face betrayed no fear or hesitation, only steady defiance. He lifted his gaze and said firmly:
"I didn't expect the so-called beast to be this considerate—trying to scare me off with reiatsu, huh? But that won't work on me. I've been aiming for the Kenpachi title for a long time. Enough wasting time. Draw your sword!"
Nearby, Ikkaku clenched his jaw, shooting a glance at Yumichika. Yumichika, carrying Yachiru on his back, only sighed in mild exasperation.
"Vice-Captain sure can sleep soundly… too bad she won't see how the Captain disciplines this rookie."
Yumichika's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued:
"Still, that kid's impressive. To withstand the Captain's reiatsu without even flinching—that makes him a real talent. To walk straight out of the Shin'ō Academy and pick a fight with the 11th Division… there's a chance the Captain might even take a liking to him."
Ikkaku snorted.
"Hah, no way! A captain wouldn't keep around someone who doesn't have the strength to back it up. He's just a fresh brat from the Academy. At best, he'll get smacked around and tossed out."
"We'll see. I believe that kid can withstand at least one strike from the Captain."
"One strike…?"
Ikkaku raised a brow, but he didn't disagree. To resist Kenpachi's reiatsu without cowering was no small feat.
After all, in the entire 11th Division, you could count on one hand the number of people who could stand tall under Zaraki Kenpachi's spiritual pressure.
Because the man who bore the name Kenpachi truly was a monster.
Zaraki grinned widely, baring his teeth.
"Interesting brat… Then come on! Try and wound me! If you can beat me, the title of Kenpachi will be yours!"
His weapon was a battered, jagged sword full of chips and cracks—something so worn down it could've been mistaken for scrap metal left abandoned in the gutter. Yet in Zaraki's hands, that blade had slaughtered countless enemies. It was his beloved sword… though he still had no idea what its name was.
Aoyama tightened his grip on his Zanpakutō, eyes filled with determination.
"Perfect. That's exactly why I'm here. Since you've accepted my challenge, I won't be holding back!"
"Come forth—Kongō!"
Zaraki tilted his head, watching as Aoyama's Zanpakutō ability manifested.
Oh? A release, huh? Looks like a summoning-type Zanpakutō. You think you can take me down with a monster you call out of your sword? Hmph… is that it?!