Roarrr!
Hahaha! That's it! Come on, let's hurt each other!
Roar!
"You beast! To be able to last this long, you're already stronger than your master! A summoning-type Zanpakutō is really interesting. Come on, swing again!"
Kenpachi Zaraki and Kongō clashed like two raging monsters. Their fight was a bloody slaughter, each with massive builds, standing toe-to-toe without an ounce of hesitation—you slash with your blade, I swing down my axe. Neither of them even thought about dodging.
But in this kind of fight, Kongō was clearly at a disadvantage. His strength was inferior to Zaraki's, and he had no spiritual pressure armor to protect his body. Wounds covered him, and his thick fur had already been dyed a deep crimson with blood.
Facing him, Kenpachi stood like a laughing demon, recklessly swinging his sword. Even without consciously defending, his overwhelming reiatsu wrapped around him like an invisible suit of armor. Kongō's axe blows landed but meant nothing against that defense.
Meanwhile, Aoyama once again lifted his Zanpakutō. With a sharp intake of breath, he dashed behind Kenpachi, thrusting for the same target as before—the kidneys. If I've already chosen to throw away shame, then I'll see it through to the end, he told himself.
Nearby, the pink-haired loli Yachiru Kusajishi cheered excitedly, waving her little hands. Her giggling face was so cute that it made people want to pinch her chubby cheeks.
Ikkaku Madarame, however, stood with arms crossed and a scowl, looking utterly fed up. His bald head had nearly been smacked into a red lantern by Yachiru's relentless pats. His sharp, triangular eyes glared with such menace that, if this weren't the wrong time to draw his blade, he'd have chopped her in half already.
And then there was Yumichika Ayasegawa, even more miserable—carrying Yachiru on his back like a human mount. His suffering was beyond words. People could only look at the brothers with pity.
Squelch!
Aoyama's blade pierced into Kenpachi's side again, right at the kidney.
Kenpachi twisted his head to look down, annoyed, his spiritual pressure flaring outward. The crushing weight of it pinned Kongō in place, stopping the beast's next swing. Looking down at Aoyama's frozen stabbing posture with a sneer, Kenpachi said,
"Kid… I admire your guts, but stabbing me in the back? That's a bit shameless, don't you think?"
Aoyama shook his head seriously. "What backstab? There's no such thing. You're fighting my summon—my Zanpakutō. But it's me who issued the challenge. It's my blade you're facing, and it's my blade that's striking you. Tell me, where's the problem in that?"
Kenpachi's grin widened. "Interesting. I'm liking you more and more. You should think about joining my squad. Even though your Zanpakutō isn't for head-on combat, and you're not as much of a battle maniac as Ikkaku, you're still not bad. Come to my squad."
"Roarrr!"
Kongō bellowed in protest. Though he was frozen under Kenpachi's spiritual pressure, he could still roar—an unmistakable beast's warning to everyone around.
Aoyama's gaze stayed steady. "Joining as a squad member? No thanks. I don't want that. All I want… is the title of Kenpachi. Even if I have to throw away my pride—if it leads me to victory, that's all that matters."
Kenpachi barked out a laugh. "Hah! Now that's interesting! A brat like you, with the right training, could become a hell of a warrior!"
"Tch. Being a brainless warrior doesn't interest me. I prefer the way of the ninja—betrayal, deception, ambushes, and underhanded tactics. Whatever it takes."
"Ninja? Let me think… oh yeah, there used to be some ninja. They ended up joining the Second Division. Filthy rats crawling in the sewers, weren't they?"
Aoyama's eyes sharpened. "Filthy sewer rats? Sorry, Captain Zaraki, but I can't pretend I didn't hear that. If you don't take those words back… my blade will pierce your throat."
Another captain's presence suddenly made itself known—the mysterious Soi Fon of the Second Division.
Stealth Force… their gear and their methods truly were similar to those of a ninja.
By now, the area was packed with spectators. Among them were no less than five captains, with several vice-captains also arriving. Hundreds of Shinigami crowded in to watch, curious about the reckless rookie who dared challenge the name of Kenpachi.
Among them were:
8th Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui and his vice-captain Ise Nanao.
2nd Division Captain Soi Fon and her vice-captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
5th Division Captain Aizen Sōsuke.
3rd Division Captain Ichimaru Gin.
10th Division Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
6th Division Vice-Captain Renji Abarai.
4th Division Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane.
Every one of them wore the same amused and curious expression, eager to see what kind of madman had the guts to go against Kenpachi.
But just as Soi Fon prepared to move, an unexpected figure stepped into view, his voice stern:
"By order of the Head Captain, this Kenpachi challenge is suspended. Regardless of the outcome, this battle must not continue."
It was Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chōjirō, of the 1st Division.
Kyōraku raised an eyebrow. "Vice-Captain Sasakibe, may I ask why? The old man may meddle in many things, but he's never interfered in Kenpachi's challenges before."
His words echoed everyone's thoughts.
Aoyama also paused, signaling Kongō to calm down. If this order came directly from Yamamoto's vice-captain, it couldn't be ignored.
Sasakibe's face remained stern. "This is a command from Central 46. It cannot be denied."
The crowd fell silent. Nobody dared press further. They understood now that the battle was truly over.
Kenpachi clicked his tongue in annoyance, then swung his sword with brutal force. His spiritual pressure exploded outward, manifesting as a flying slash.
The air itself seemed to roar—this was Kendo's Sword Pressure.
"Annoying bastard. Take this hit, and then you can leave with the brat."
Sasakibe drew his Zanpakutō instantly, releasing it without hesitation. Lightning crackled as his blade transformed into a rapier-like weapon, and he lunged at the incoming slash with all his strength.
"Bankei!"
The strike barely held. Sparks and thunder shook the sky. Though Sasakibe was forced to use nearly all of his power, he managed to block Zaraki's one slash.
Even so, the feat was astounding. To stop a blow from Kenpachi Zaraki at all was proof enough of his strength.
Aoyama could only spread his hands helplessly. He had no idea how he had attracted the notice of the Head Captain, let alone the intervention of Central 46. The situation made no sense.
But one thing was clear this paperwork vice-captain was far from weak.