"To let yourself get into such a state, you're being far too reckless, Brother!" On the vast plains of the Ryūkai District, Azashiro Kōzō supported a heavily injured Azashiro Sōya, looking thoroughly displeased.
Even though his older brother had just killed the powerful seventh-generation Kenpachi, in his eyes, this battle was completely unnecessary.
However, his brother seemed to be in a rather good mood. Draped over his shoulders was a Squad 11 Captain's haori with a hole torn through the back—his sole spoil of war from just moments ago. Well, that, and the practically meaningless title of the eighth-generation Kenpachi.
"You sacrificed an arm just for this torn piece of clothing. We're fugitives! Even with it, you won't become the Captain of Squad 11. I really don't understand the point of doing this!"
"Getting it for the price of a single arm means I actually came out ahead," Azashiro Sōya replied with a smile. Seeing his younger brother's exasperated expression, he patted Kōzō's shoulder with his right hand and continued, "Just consider it my final indulgence before we leave. The outcome is favorable anyway, isn't it, Kōzō?"
"Fortunately, the outcome is favorable!" Azashiro Kōzō rolled his eyes, replying helplessly.
"Then that's all that matters, isn't it? Though our luck wasn't the best this time. If that little guy, Shihouin Kōe, had been nearby, I could have helped you settle an old grudge first," Azashiro Sōya said slowly, looking up at the sky.
"Don't! The materials and personnel are almost all in place. Leaving here as soon as possible is more important than anything else!" After saying this, Azashiro Kōzō muttered under his breath, "You're a grown man, why are you suddenly holding grudges?"
"There's no rush. We'll stay for another half a month. Since we're leaving, we might as well fulfill whatever wishes we can. Though, that depends on whether that little guy delivers himself to our doorstep."
"Brother!"
"That settles it. He isn't Kuruyashiki, just a little guy. I can afford to wait." Seeing his brother's worried look, Azashiro Sōya tried to raise his left hand to make a promise, only to realize he couldn't do it yet. He chuckled and condensed a hand made of Reishi out of thin air in front of Kōzō, saying, "I promise, this is my final indulgence. Half a month. Whether he shows up or not, we will leave the Soul Society!"
"I've had enough! This really is the last time!" Azashiro Kōzō turned his head away, not wanting his brother to see his smile. His brother had become much more cheerful. Perhaps, once they left the Soul Society, the cheerful and gentle brother of the past would return. He suddenly found himself looking forward to their future days in the World of the Living. It was just a pity that their sister couldn't come with them.
...
In stark contrast to the heartwarming scene of the Azashiro brothers joking and bickering, Uesawajiri Tama and the others currently looked as though they had lost their souls.
In truth, they really had lost their souls. And it wouldn't just be them—once they spread the news of what they had just witnessed, every member of Squad 11 would feel the exact same way.
The Captain of Squad 11, the seventh-generation Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, was dead. The soul of Squad 11 was gone.
It was said that men did not shed tears lightly, and the men of Squad 11 were known to bleed rather than weep. Yet at this moment, every squad member present was crying like a baby.
It wasn't just because they had lost their leader. To them, Kuruyashiki was more like a teacher, a close friend, or even family.
But right now, his right leg was twisted into a bloody red rope. They didn't even dare try to straighten it, fearing that even the slightest touch might cause the leg to snap completely.
An ugly blade wound stretched from his abdomen all the way to his collarbone, exposing red, tube-like organs oozing with blood. It was a gruesome sight, but in the eyes of Uesawajiri and the others, there was only heartbreak.
The spot where his heart should have been was completely empty, much like the countless Hollows he had slain in the past. His eyes were wide open, and the blood spilling from his nose and mouth looked like a long red beard, giving him a somewhat comical appearance. Yet, this comical posture only made Uesawajiri and the others acutely feel the agony Kuruyashiki must have endured before his death. Dying in such a manner must have been excruciatingly painful, and he must have passed with immense regret.
However, Uesawajiri and the others were wrong on that point. It might have been painful, but Kuruyashiki Kenpachi didn't die feeling wronged in the slightest. He had kept his eyes wide open simply to take one last look at the Soul Society, and one last look at Azashiro Sōya.
But how could these squad members possibly understand that right now?
"Azashiro Sōya! I swear I'll make him kneel before the Captain and repent!"
As if on cue, the members of Squad 11 tightly gripped their Zanpakutō, wiped the tears from their faces with their sleeves, and stood up, determined to capture Azashiro Sōya and give their Captain justice!
"Get back here! Are you all rushing off to die?!" Uesawajiri Tama, who had replaced Azashiro Sōya as the new 3rd Seat of Squad 11, barked harshly.
"Are we just going to let the Captain's death go? I can't accept that!"
"Of course we aren't letting it go! It's just..." Uesawajiri said, his eyes growing hot and wet once more. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Are we just going to leave the Captain here? If we all die, how... how will the Captain return to the Seireitei? We... we have to bring him home first!"
In that short span of time, these Squad 11 members had likely shed a lifetime's worth of tears. Uesawajiri was right. It didn't matter if they died, but they couldn't just leave Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's corpse out here in the wilderness. Such a humiliation was even harder to swallow than death.
"We won't let Azashiro Sōya off the hook, either!" Uesawajiri took a deep breath, stood up, and scanned each squad member. "It's just not the right time yet!"
"For now, send word back and have all the members assemble! We're going to give the Captain a proper send-off!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
In the 69th District of the East Rukongai, Kōe and Kotetsu Isane were weaving through the winding streets when a voice suddenly echoed in their minds. The two of them stopped in their tracks in unison.
"The Captain of Squad 11... is dead?"
"Don't look at me like that, I heard the exact same message you did," Kōe said, his face beneath his mask turning grave. This was definitely not good news.
"What are you spacing out for? Pass the message along to the people behind us!" Kōe ordered in an exasperated tone. Kotetsu Isane nodded and immediately began casting Kidō to relay the news to the others.
A Captain had died, and not just any Captain, but a unique figure like Kuruyashiki Kenpachi of Squad 11. The Seireitei would likely have to seriously reconsider their stance on Azashiro Sōya.
Kōe pinched his ear, pondering silently in his heart. *'If Azashiro Sōya could kill Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, then taking him down by myself without revealing all my trump cards is a bit unrealistic.'*
*'But should I take the risk? After all, Kōki's Bankai is rather special. Even if I can't defeat Azashiro Sōya, just keeping myself alive shouldn't be hard. Plus, as long as I don't expose Kōki's abilities, taking down Azashiro Sōya is still theoretically possible.'*
*'So, should I wade into these muddy waters now?'*
"The message has been sent. Should we continue with the capture operation, Lieutenant Shihouin?"
"We continue, but we're ignoring the small fry for now!" Kōe had made his decision. "Confirm the location of the squad members carrying Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's body with the vanguard. We're heading to the Ryūkai District!"
"But right now, the other squad members probably won't follow orders."
With the death of a Captain-class officer, unless the orders came from their respective Captains or directly from the Seireitei, no one had the authority to command members of other squads.
And how would the Seireitei react? He was sure they would have an answer very soon.
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