Inside the First Division barracks, a solemn promotion ceremony for the new captain of the Sixth Division was being held.
However, unlike usual, Kazuma was not dozing off.
Instead, he was desperately holding back laughter.
His face was twisted as if he were enduring immense pain, yet he was trying with all his might not to laugh out loud!
The other captains in the barracks noticed his unusual expression and all cast puzzled looks at him.
They could not understand why Kazuma was acting so strangely.
Some even wondered if he had suddenly lost his mind.
Noticing that everyone was looking at him, Kazuma forced down his laughter and explained, "Sorry, everyone! I suddenly remembered something extremely amusing. I really couldn't hold it in."
The moment he finished speaking, he could no longer suppress the laughter in his heart and burst out laughing.
As for today's main character, Byakuya Kuchiki, his face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
He knew exactly why Kazuma was laughing, because he was the unfortunate victim!
Ever since that day when Kazuma and Kōga had tricked him into using Bankai, Byakuya had engraved the matter deep in his heart and written both their names in his mental grudge book.
Even though Hisana had advised him countless times to let it go, she still could not calm the resentment in his heart.
If not for the fact that he knew very well he could not defeat those two, he would have already taken his blade and gone to settle accounts with them.
After all, the last time he had been teased like that was when he was a child.
Back then, that hateful cat demon, Yoruichi Shihōin, had always liked to tease him.
But in the end, he had still learned from her the secret Hohō technique, Shihōin Style, Third Form: Utsusemi.
This technique allowed him to quickly leave his original position while leaving behind his outer garment, making the enemy believe they had struck his real body when they had actually only hit his clothing.
In addition, he had also gained some unique insights from Yoruichi's footwork and successfully developed a special Shunpo technique called Senka.
This Shunpo incorporated rotational movement, allowing him to quickly move behind his opponent and pierce through and destroy their Saketsu and Hakusui.
After hearing Kazuma's explanation, the other captains became even more confused, while Byakuya Kuchiki's expression grew even uglier.
At that moment, Kazuma finally finished laughing.
He decided to tease Byakuya a little more, so he deliberately walked in front of him with a playful smile on his face.
"Byakuya-chan, you're not still angry with us, are you? Come on, don't be so petty. It was just a joke!"
After saying that, he could not help laughing again.
When Byakuya heard this, his eyes widened.
He glared fiercely at Kazuma, then coldly snorted and turned away with an arrogant air.
In his heart, he secretly thought that this man was truly hateful.
To dare tease him like this—when he had the chance in the future, he would definitely get revenge.
Watching Byakuya leave, Kazuma laughed even harder.
The other captains, however, stared at everything in complete confusion.
They truly could not understand why Kazuma had suddenly done something like this to Byakuya, causing what should have been a proper promotion ceremony to end so hastily.
After a while, Kazuma finally stopped laughing, though there was still a smile on his face.
He looked at the other captains and shrugged helplessly.
The other captains could only shake their heads in resignation and leave one after another.
...
In the entire barracks, only Kazuma and the Captain-Commander remained.
Kazuma stood there quietly, recalling what had just happened, and could not help laughing again.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto was so angry that his beard practically bristled.
He glared at Kazuma and shouted, "Kazuma! What exactly did you do to make Byakuya hold such a grudge against you?"
Kazuma blinked and said with an innocent expression, "Nothing much. It's just that Byakuya's Zanpakutō can turn into cherry blossoms, right? So Kōga and I wanted to properly appreciate the beautiful sight of the cherry blossoms. We used a sparring match as an excuse to make him use Bankai. Then, after we finished looking at the cherry blossoms, we just left, making him use Bankai for nothing!"
After saying that, he even revealed a harmless smile.
After listening to Kazuma's words, Captain-Commander Yamamoto nearly fainted on the spot.
He never would have imagined that Kazuma and Kōga would actually do something like that.
"You… You two are simply fooling around! Is Bankai something to be used for cherry viewing?"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto shouted angrily.
"But speaking of which, is his Bankai really that beautiful?"
It seemed even the Captain-Commander had a gossipy side.
Kazuma smiled carelessly and said, "Oh, Captain-Commander, don't be angry. We just wanted to broaden our horizons. Besides, Byakuya didn't suffer any real loss. And the scenery really was beautiful. Captain-Commander, do you want to have him use Bankai for you to see too?"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto was so angry his beard trembled.
He pointed at Kazuma and said, "You brat. Even after living for a thousand years, you are still like this. If you cause trouble again, I will not let you off!"
"Ahem."
The Captain-Commander lightly coughed twice, then brought the conversation back on topic.
"How is the matter with Aizen now?"
"Rest assured, Captain-Commander. Everything is still under control. I have also secured an insider, so we won't be caught off guard if something unexpected happens."
Kazuma spoke confidently to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Who?"
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Captain of the Third Division, Gin Ichimaru," Kazuma answered.
"What did you promise him to make him stand on our side?"
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto continued asking.
"Gin Ichimaru stayed by Aizen's side in the first place because he wanted to stab him in the back. He isn't a real traitor," Kazuma explained.
"Oh? Tell me about it. You have not reported this matter to me before."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at Kazuma with some curiosity.
And so, Kazuma briefly reported the matter between Gin Ichimaru and Rangiku Matsumoto to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
After listening, the Captain-Commander narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming sharp, as if he could see through everything.
"According to what you said, Rangiku Matsumoto's soul contains the Soul King's nail, and Aizen took that part to create the Hōgyoku. So Gin Ichimaru approached Aizen in order to take back that part of her soul?"
"Yes, exactly," Kazuma calmly nodded in response.
"Mm. This is indeed one of the better pieces of news I have heard in all these years."
The corner of the Captain-Commander's mouth rose slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.
"If there is nothing else, I'll head back first."
As Kazuma spoke, he prepared to turn and leave.
However, at that moment, the Captain-Commander stopped him.
"Wait. Regarding Byakuya Kuchiki, you had better find a way to appease him. After all, he has already become a captain now. We need to leave him some dignity."
Kazuma agreed with a cheerful smile, but secretly began thinking to himself.
He knew very well that he had completely offended that big cabbage this time.
It would be better to think of a way to compensate him.
Then he turned and left the barracks.
Along the way, Kazuma was still troubled over how to compensate Big Cabbage.
However, when he recalled that beautiful scene of cherry blossoms from before, he felt that everything had been worth it.
As for Byakuya's revenge, that could be slowly dealt with later.
---------
Read 30 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator