"Shihouin Kenpachi! Shihouin Kenpachi!" On the roof of a distant building, Yoruichi waved her fists as she watched Kōe being welcomed by the entirety of Squad 11.
"Urahara, look at this guy acting all calm and collected. I bet he's actually floating on cloud nine right now!" Yoruichi patted Urahara Kisuke beside her, feigning a look of disgust, though she couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
It went without saying that the three of them were thick as thieves, having grown up together since they were in diapers. Although Kōe's face was currently devoid of emotion, if his heart had a face, its grin would probably stretch from ear to ear!
This feeling of seemingly becoming the center of the world was truly marvelous. For a brief moment, Kōe even forgot that his original intention was merely to exchange Azashiro Sōya's corpse for Konrad, rather than to avenge Kuruyashiki Kenpachi or prove his own honor.
*'Is this what it feels like to be an idol?'*
While Kōe was secretly reveling in the moment, Yoruichi on the roof kept shaking her head. He used to always complain about her father, Shihōin Dōzō, putting on airs, but wasn't he doing the exact same thing now? Men and their lying mouths.
"Kōe will probably be busy next, so we don't need to keep following him, right?" Urahara pointed at Kōe, who was heading toward the Squad 11 barracks, and reminded Yoruichi.
After using the Tenshintai to achieve Bankai, Urahara had enjoyed a period of leisurely free time. However, the good times did not last long. Yoruichi had finished sorting out the basic theories of Shunkō, and since Kōe was away, Urahara was drafted as a laborer. During the time Kōe was out, he had been constantly assisting Yoruichi with her Shunkō training.
"Let him show off for a bit. Once he's done, I'll have him come over and help me too!" Yoruichi made a fierce expression at the distant Kōe, then turned around and continued, "A Kenpachi, huh. Why didn't I think this title was so cool before?"
"Whether he can actually become the Kenpachi in name is still up for debate." Urahara glanced at Kōe and muttered to himself. He then turned and followed Yoruichi away. Training Shunkō was no easy task; it relied on talent, but even more so on slow, grinding effort.
...
Kōe had no idea that he had already been pre-booked as a laborer by Yoruichi the moment he returned. At this moment, he was inside the Squad 11 barracks, paying his respects to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
The barracks of the Gotei 13 all occupied massive areas, and each had its own unique characteristics. For example, Squad 1, which Kōe belonged to, was built on the side of the central peak of the Seireitei, resembling a temple suspended in mid-air.
In contrast, the defining feature of the Squad 11 barracks was its simplicity. There were large open spaces inside for the squad members' daily training, and even independent rooms specifically for private sparring. The martial ethos of Squad 11 was evident from this alone.
Behind the captain's residence at the innermost part of the barracks lay a deep pit. The pit was filled with all sorts of Zanpakutō, but they all seemed to be covered in a layer of dim mist. Even though there was not a single trace of rust on them, they gave off a lifeless, deathly aura.
These Zanpakutō had all lost their masters, and their masters had all been members of Squad 11 in life. This place was known as the Sword Mound, the graveyard of Squad 11.
In the center of the Sword Mound stood a stone platform bearing a single, solitary square stele. In front of the stele, a Zanpakutō rested quietly on a stone sword stand. This was Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's tombstone.
In Squad 11, anyone other than the captain could only leave their Zanpakutō in the Sword Mound after death. The captain, however, could leave a tombstone on the central stone platform. But this tradition only began after Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, so there were no steles for any other previous captains on the platform.
However, despite having a tombstone, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's corpse was not here. All Shinigami, including captain-class ones, had their bodies cremated after death, turning them into the most basic Reishi to return to the cycle of reincarnation. Therefore, this could only barely be considered a cenotaph for Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
Even so, Kōe pressed his palms together against his brow, bowing slightly and remaining motionless for nearly fifteen minutes. Unlike when he was being welcomed, Kōe's mind was completely devoid of stray thoughts. Toward this Kenpachi, who had an illustrious military record yet treated others with kindness, he held nothing but respect.
"Although he did wrong, he was not a shameful person at his core. He did not bring disgrace to you, nor did he bring disgrace to the title of Kenpachi. You can rest in peace." After saying his final words, Kōe bowed deeply to the tombstone and turned to leave the stone platform.
Just as he left the Sword Mound, the lieutenant of Squad 11, Gosuke, stepped forward with red eyes and said, "Thank you so much. Thank you for avenging the captain."
Kōe waved his hand, signaling him to dispense with the formalities. Seeing this, Gosuke pointed to the two stone coffins beside him and continued, "Also, regarding the disposal of Azashiro Sōya, please give us your orders!"
Hearing this, Kōe truly didn't know what to say. Although he had defeated Azashiro Sōya and theoretically inherited the title of Kenpachi, Squad 11 was not the Kenpachi's private army. Otherwise, the moment Azashiro Sōya defeated Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, the entirety of Squad 11 would have betrayed the Seireitei to follow Azashiro Sōya.
Therefore, in the Seireitei, the title of Kenpachi was fearsome, but to exercise actual authority, Kōe could currently only use his status as the lieutenant of Squad 1.
But this was a matter for Squad 11. Before the next captain officially took office, it was only right for Gosuke, who stood before him, to make the decision. Yet now, Gosuke was passing the buck to him. Wasn't this just putting him on the spot?
Kōe scanned his surroundings. Sure enough, some of the surrounding squad members were clenching their fists, gnashing their teeth as if they wanted to crush the stone coffins in front of them, while others had shifting gazes, closing their eyes and shaking their heads before casting their eyes upon Kōe.
These squad members with their varying expressions weren't doubting Kōe's qualifications to handle Squad 11's internal affairs. They still held respect in their hearts for Kōe, who had avenged their captain and inherited the title of Kenpachi.
It was just that it was hard to please everyone. Even Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's words weren't universally accepted by all the squad members. Having such a troublesome matter fall on his head truly gave Kōe a headache. After all, he was someone who hated trouble the most.
"Azashiro Sōya indeed committed a grave crime, but it is also a fact that he defeated Kuruyashiki Kenpachi—defeated him fair and square!" Seeing the surrounding squad members growing restless, Kōe raised his hands and pressed them down, halting the commotion before continuing, "Of course, I understand that you all cannot accept what he did to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, and that you wish you could tear him to pieces!"
"But casting aside his identity as a fugitive, he did earn the title of Kenpachi by his own strength, a title that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi viewed as a badge of honor!" As Kōe spoke, he struck the stone coffin in front of him open with his palm. "If a Kenpachi cannot even enter the Sword Mound after death, wouldn't that bring disgrace to the title of Kenpachi?"
After finishing his words, Kōe looked around and saw that the squad members' emotions had calmed down before he continued, "Of course, his actions make him unworthy of having his name recorded in the Sword Mound!"
Kōe pulled Azashiro Sōya's Zanpakutō from the stone coffin and tossed it over his shoulder without looking back. The Zanpakutō spun in the air before stabbing firmly into the ground in front of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's tombstone. Its hilt tilted slightly forward, as if it were paying respects to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
Immediately after, Kōe lightly tapped his index finger. Azashiro Sōya's corpse inside the stone coffin suddenly burst into flames. Along with the rising sparks, it quickly vanished into nothingness.
"He shall spend endless years repenting for his sins in front of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi!"
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