Chapter 261: Who Dares to Kill Me!
Looking at Rangiku before him, Satoru was first taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh.
"Rangiku, I suggest you think this through carefully."
His recruitment standards for the Eleventh Division were quite different from when he was in the Second Division.
The core members of the Second Division were all trained internally, so they didn't rely much on campus recruitment.
Those recruited from the academy mostly ended up in clerical positions.
Only those with truly exceptional talent might receive special promotions.
Kisuke was a typical example of the latter.
But the Eleventh Division was different.
Those who joined the Eleventh Division would eventually see real combat.
Although many female students, captivated by Satoru's calligraphy and (feigned) demeanor, blindly chose the Eleventh Division, and quite a few were selected each year, Satoru actually had his own criteria.
He only recruited students who genuinely had the courage and potential to fight Hollows in the future.
If someone joined just to get close to him but lacked actual combat skills, he would never recruit them just to send them to their deaths.
Hearing Satoru's words, Rangiku smiled.
"Oh ho, what, are you worried about me?"
"I wouldn't say worried, mostly just afraid you'll cause trouble once you join the Eleventh Division."
"Hey."
Rangiku rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Then, she grinned and reached out to pat Satoru's shoulder.
"Don't worry, I've already made up my mind."
"Even though the Eleventh Division has intense combat, all these years of training haven't been for nothing!"
"Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about Tōsen and the others."
Seeing Rangiku's determination, Satoru said no more and stamped her application as approved.
Not far away, a group of male students watched from a distance.
Seeing Rangiku join the Eleventh Division, some of them immediately followed and submitted their own applications.
Satoru nodded with satisfaction.
As expected of Rangiku, making such a positive impact on her very first day.
Excellent, truly excellent!
Next, Madarame Ikkaku, Ayasegawa Yumichika, Kaname Tōsen, and Komamura Sajin—all four of them—joined the Eleventh Division as graduates.
For a moment, the crowd grew noisy.
Most of the outstanding talents from recent graduating classes were gathered here.
With all these people joining together, how strong would the Eleventh Division become in the future?
The sharper ones began to suspect something.
These geniuses must have gotten some inside information.
The Eleventh Division was likely going to offer some very attractive benefits in the near future!
The students glanced at each other, then all rushed toward Satoru in a competitive frenzy.
The captains of other divisions, witnessing the bustling scene at the Eleventh Division and then looking at the meager offerings before themselves, couldn't help but feel as frustrated as if they'd been kicked by Komamura...
...
...
After bringing the new graduates back to the Eleventh Division, Satoru handed them over to Zaraki.
As for familiar faces like Rangiku and Madarame, he kept them with him.
Once the newcomers were mostly settled, Satoru gathered all current Eleventh Division members present at the barracks.
"Everyone!"
"Though these beside me are this year's fresh graduates, I'm sure you're already quite familiar with their faces."
"These rascals have been frequenting our division constantly over the years."
"Now that they've graduated, they've all joined the Eleventh Division."
"To maintain our division's fine tradition, I've decided... to hold a martial arts tournament!"
"All Eleventh Division members may challenge each other for position swaps through duels!"
Upon hearing this, the members' eyes lit up with excitement.
What? These students just joined and they're already attempting a collective overthrow of their seniors?
We veterans will have to properly teach them a lesson!
With excited smiles, pairs of opponents stepped onto the platform.
The Eleventh Division barracks immediately filled with battle cries and explosive sounds of combat collisions.
Witnessed by Captain Satoru, Vice-Captain Zaraki, and the vice-captain's external brain—Kusajishi Yachiru, the Eleventh Division's positions quickly underwent a major reshuffling.
After the position swaps, the Eleventh Division roster stood as follows:
Captain: Satoru Mikami
Vice-Captain: Kenpachi Zaraki
Third Seat: Komamura Sajin
Fourth Seat: Kaname Tōsen
Fifth Seat: Madarame Ikkaku
Sixth Seat: Matsumoto Rangiku
Seventh Seat: Ayasegawa Yumichika
...
Looking at the list in his hand, Satoru couldn't help but click his tongue.
Damn, this Eleventh Division is really something else.
Including Rangiku, who's full of potential, from the captain to the sixth seat, they're all captain-level.
What is this?
The mini Gotei 13?
With such a lineup, where in the vast Seireitei can't they go?!
As Satoru grinned foolishly, Zaraki walked over.
"Big Bro!"
"I'm here to challenge you!"
Hearing this, Satoru glanced at him.
Over the years, Zaraki had indeed improved rapidly. Though he couldn't release his Zanpakutō, his "New Year's Greeting Swordplay" alone was enough to reach captain-level.
However, he was still far from defeating Satoru.
This challenge felt less like a real fight and more like an open request for a sparring partner.
Satoru didn't dislike Zaraki's little scheme.
Someone with such pure intentions, solely focused on fighting and growing stronger, had a high level of purity worthy of praise.
Just as he was about to agree, Rangiku ran over as well.
"Yū! I want to fight you too!"
Satoru lifted his head, crossed his arms, and showed a mocking smile.
This mere Rangiku—a freshly graduated brat, a rookie who just got her "Village Good Sword" and hasn't even left the starter zone—dared to challenge him, the Chaos Demon King?
Duels aren't that simple!
The moment you jump in and declare a duel, those ten attack points might not end up on your side!
As he was about to taunt her, the others gathered around as well.
Looking at the group before him, Satoru thought for two seconds.
Then, he revealed a bright smile:
"Fine, then all of you come at me together!"
His words left everyone stunned.
Zaraki was the first to voice his displeasure: "Big Bro, wouldn't it be more fun with just the two of us?!"
"You are mistaken," Komamura shook his head. "Vice-Captain Zaraki, I have learned much over the years and am no longer the same as before."
Rangiku stuck out her neck: "Yeah, yeah! Zaraki, don't think just because you're bigger you're all that! I'll surpass you sooner or later!"
Komamura: "..."
He was the biggest one present.
Rangiku's comment had inadvertently dragged him into the line of fire.
As they argued, Satoru hummed a little tune and walked toward the training ground.
Seeing this, the group exchanged glances.
Then, they all nodded and followed him.
The Eleventh Division members who were about to disperse turned back upon hearing the commotion on the field.
Seeing the lineup, everyone was shocked.
"Is... is this the final match for seat replacement?"
"So many people challenging Big Bro together?"
"If they win, will Big Bro step down?"
"Then who would become captain? All of them together?"
"I get it—if that happens, Big Bro would have to do all the work from the seventh seat to the vice-captain by himself!"
"Shocking! Big Bro actually has that much energy!"
"As expected of Big Bro!"
"Big Bro! Do my work too!"
"BIG BROOOOOO!!!!"
Listening to the excited roars from the crowd, Satoru proudly raised his head.
See this? This is what you call popularity!
Seeing that he was about to brutally crush these rebellious scoundrels, his subordinates were cheering and shouting!
Under the enthusiastic gaze of the crowd, Satoru casually took off his haori and tossed it off the platform.
Then, with a refreshing smile, he pulled open the top half of his Shinigami Uniform to both sides.
After this signature starting pose, Satoru raised his arms and beckoned upward with both hands.
The audience erupted into even more frenzied cheers.
"BIG BRO!!!"
"I want to lick Big Bro's sweat!!"
"I want to lick Big Bro's black go stones!!"
"?"
Hearing the suspicious shouts from the crowd, Satoru shot a wary look.
Meanwhile, the officer group was growing impatient.
Zaraki charged forward first, letting out a wild laugh as his Reiatsu surged, heading straight for Satoru.
Facing Zaraki's tetanus-inducing, saw-like sword, Satoru sidestepped, dodging the first strike, then closed in and slammed into Zaraki's chest with a powerful Iron Mountain Tackle.
THUD!!!
With a dull thud, Zaraki was sent flying backward, crashing into Madarame who was following behind.
Satoru maintained his Iron Mountain Tackle pose, twisting his upper body twice.
Then, he suddenly performed a one-handed backflip, kicking toward Ayasegawa, who was preparing to strike him from behind.
"Ugh!"
Ayasegawa failed to dodge in time and took the kick squarely on his shoulder, letting out a pained grunt.
"Roar, Tenken!!"
Just as Satoru finished kicking Ayasegawa and was about to use the recoil to flip back, he heard Komamura's shout.
A seven-to-eight-meter-long arm, entirely condensed from Reishi, suddenly materialized in mid-air.
In its giant hand was a massive long sword.
The arm moved in perfect sync with Komamura's actions.
Komamura gripped his Zanpakutō and performed a slashing motion.
The giant arm in the sky mimicked the exact same slash, aiming straight for Satoru!
SWISH!!
The blade flashed, its sharp residual energy carving a deep groove into the training ground.
Satoru's figure had vanished.
"Did Big Bro get chopped up?" a spectating Shinigami blurted out.
"I'll chop you up!" several nearby Shinigami angrily retorted.
On the field, the blind Tōsen suddenly turned his head upward.
Noticing his movement, everyone sensed something and looked up.
There, perched on the giant blade of Tenken in mid-air, Satoru stood calmly with his arms crossed.
Seeing everyone's eyes on him, Satoru kept his arms crossed and raised one hand, wagging his index finger.
"Too slow, too slow!"
"Komamura, your Zanpakutō is fine for crushing weaklings, but against opponents of the same level or higher... I suggest you change your approach."
Komamura's Zanpakutō was similar to Susanoo but far inferior.
Susanoo could wield divine tools and possessed special abilities, while Komamura only had pure physical attack power.
Hmm... special abilities.
Satoru fell into thought.
Mentioning giants brings to mind colossi.
Mentioning colossi brings to mind efficiency... cough cough cough.
Mentioning colossi brings to mind war machines.
Satoru's eyes lit up as an idea struck him.
Although Komamura's Zanpakutō had rather ordinary abilities, he could help modify it.
Didn't Mayuri use technological means to transform his Bankai into all sorts of miraculous abilities?
Imagine a behemoth like Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō with two large missiles on its shoulders, flamethrowers in its hands, and lasers shooting from its mouth...
Just the thought was exciting.
Ah, and most importantly.
When the time came, cover Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō in reactive armor.
Anyone who dared to attack it directly would face a saturation counterattack.
Let's see who would still try to use Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō as a weak point!
As Satoru rapidly brainstormed, a cloud of gray mist had unknowingly drifted near him.
"Growl... Haineko!"
Rangiku swept her arm sideways, and countless metal particles swarmed toward Satoru, enveloping him completely!
Satoru stood still, offering no resistance as the particles wrapped him into a sphere.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!!
Once Satoru was engulfed, the metal particles began moving rapidly.
The entire sphere transformed into a meat grinder, with countless iron sands churning violently.
But that wasn't all—Tōsen also drew his sword—
"Sing, Suzumushi!"
He leaped into the air, swinging his Zanpakutō.
Dozens of long, sharp blades materialized out of thin air, piercing into the iron sand sphere from all directions.
The effect was like a magic trick where swords are thrust into a box containing a person from every angle.
Zaraki stomped the ground fiercely, gripping his tetanus-inducing blade, and launched into a flashy leaping slash, charging toward Satoru's direction.
Seeing his move, Rangiku cooperated seamlessly, dispersing the iron sand to allow Zaraki to unleash his full power.
But the moment the iron sand dissipated, everyone froze in astonishment.
Inside the iron sand sphere, Satoru had twisted his upper and lower body into a bizarre, contorted posture, like some cultist deep in prayer.
Through this series of movements, he had dodged every long blade Kaname thrust into the sphere.
As for Rangiku's iron sand, it had only shredded his clothes into rags.
His body, shimmering with a crystalline Reiatsu glow, showed not a single scratch!
Facing Zaraki's leaping slash, Satoru maintained his eldritch yoga pose, grinning wide to reveal a demonic smile.
"Zaraki, my disciple, today your master shall teach you a lesson."
"A leaping slash isn't something you just use recklessly!"
Under Zaraki's stunned gaze, Satoru charged toward him with maniacal laughter.
When only a few steps apart, Satoru leaned back and performed a sliding tackle.
He drew his Zanpakutō, still in its sheath, from his waist.
Then, he swung it straight at Zaraki's crotch—too fast for the latter to change his stance.
With a dull thud, Zaraki crashed to the ground.
This man of steel, who wouldn't even flinch when slashed to ribbons on normal days, now clutched a certain delicate area with both hands, utterly unable to stand.
Every male present swallowed hard in unison.
Satoru let out a sinister chuckle, hoisting his sheathed Zanpakutō over his shoulder.
"Who dares to kill me! Who dares!"
"Is there anyone under heaven who dares to kill me!"