A considerable amount of time had passed since the Hollowification incident, and normalcy had somewhat returned to Soul Society. Unlike what I might have expected, Sosuke Aizen didn't go into hiding and returned personally soon after. He was fully healed, speaking of the power of the Hogyoku, which likely enabled him to recover completely. I don't know his plan, but he will surely prepare a powerful Arrancar just for me or some other clever plan. Honestly, I don't really worry about him all that much. The Head, Captain Yamamoto, was informed about my findings and the truth about what happened that day. He told me to wait before doing anything and report as soon as I noticed something strange.
The power of Kyoka Suigetsu is truly a bother for anyone who isn't me. It is perfect for Aizen, given his scheming nature, and will suit him well in the future. I honestly hope that he goes through with his plans. Over the years, I have become the official strongest Shinigami in the Gotei 13, with no one coming close. Or at least that's what most believe since I hold the title of Kenpachi. I know that there is quite a lot of depth even in the current era of the Gotei 13, starting with the original Kenpachi, Yachiru Unohana, AKA Retsu Unohana. She has been observing me after my fight against the former Kenpachi, and I can feel her feelings spike in rather ... strange directions. Her wish to challenge me is huge, but she is holding herself back due to her guilt.
Then there is the Head Captain himself, Yamamoto Shigekuni. He is a true powerhouse, and I am not sure I could defeat him in his Bankai state. His Shikai, on the other hand, is no longer a problem in the slightest. I not only withstand the heat of 10,000 °C, but I am also working on improving it further. My speed is beyond what anyone in the Gotei 13 could ever hope to achieve, and that is an understatement. My speed is significantly faster than the speed of light. I constantly use Kido to add both weight and air resistance to my body, allowing me to train most effectively and least destructively possible. So, unless Head Captain Yamamoto comes at me with his Bankai right away, he will die before he realises what happened to him.
Apart from that, I have felt a deep darkness hiding within Captain Kyoraku's Zanpakutō, and judging from what I know about it, that is indeed true. Still, it wouldn't be a problem for me at this time, and no matter what he could dish out, not even his Bankai would matter to me. That's pretty much it. Apart from those, no one is even close to being dangerous. Naturally, I am not stupid enough to neglect my training or underestimate someone. However, I still hope for a good fight soon; otherwise, I may need to develop more effective training methods.
Speaking about training. Apart from constantly putting my body under pressure using Kido, I have also been training with my Zanpakuto and have truly gotten to know Senmanzakura. Unlike other Shinigami, I don't see my Zanpakuto as a tool, a subordinate or a partner. No, that's wrong. My Zanpakuto is the manifestation of my inner world, my power and soul. It is, for all intents and purposes, me. It has its own character, which, as it turns out, is as much mine as the one I display outwardly. We are one and the same. This understanding has brought me so much closer to Senmanzakura that we are surely not far from finally becoming one.
That's right; I might be close to fusing with my Zanpakuto, but something is still missing.
Before the Hollowification incident, I could manifest 20 million blades in Shikai, multiplied by 1'000, which was 20 billion in Bankai. But that number is already so old that it might be a joke, honestly. I have reached over 729 million blades in Shikai as of now, and counting. I suspect that I will achieve some kind of evolution or change once I reach that big 1 billion mark.
.
"How is Rukia doing, Byakuya?" My grandfather asks me as we're eating.
Over the years, Rukia and Hisana grew up fine as part of the Kuchiki Household. Hisana caught the same disease as she did in canon, though. The healers are doing what they can, but with two of the most skilled Kido users gone, there is not much hope. I will ask Captain Unohana; maybe she will be willing to help if she gets what she wants.
"So are you ready?" Grandfather asks.
"Ready for what?"
"To take over my position. As Captain of the 6th division."
"I was not aware that you were stepping down. When did you decide to do this?" I ask him.
"It was a spontaneous decision. I have seen what you are capable of when dealing with the mindless brutes of the 11th and believe that you could do so much more should you take up the family position of Captain of the 6th. Besides, I am getting old. Your father would have taken the position already."
"I am sure-"
"Captain, Kuchiki," a messenger arrives.
"Yes?" "Yes?"
"Uhh, I mean Captain Kuchiki Byakuya. There has been a challenge issued. Someone challenged you as Kenpachi," the messenger says.
I think about it and realise that this might be the best way to abdicate from my position. I stand up and nod towards my grandfather.
"I shall take my leave, Grandfather."
"Now, you don't think I would allow you to face a challenge for the position of Kenpachi and not attend, do you?" Grandfather says and stands up.
"Then let us go."
We go to the 11th Division barracks and find a large crowd waiting for us. The Captain Commander Yamamoto is also present. That is surprising. I was not expecting to see so many people present for a mere challenge. But he isn't the only Captain present. Captain Kyoraku and Unohana are also present. And from what I can tell, so is Sosuke Aizen.
I walk forward and look at the challenger. It is a tall and muscular Shinigami with a wild and aggressive appearance. I hear his sword shout pathetically and see the bloodlust he emits. He is a brute and savage, all things considered. But he does emit a powerful presence. However, no matter how big the cloud appears, it is still only a cloud.
"Are you the one I need to kill?" he asks.
"If you desire the position of Captain of Squad 11, yes."
"Heh," he grins savagely and raises his sword.
He swings it downwards with a mighty swing. I can tell that he is already far more physically powerful than most other Shinigami. However, his form is pathetic.
*SHING*
*BOOOM*
As the dust settles, the boy from Zaraki sees me block his attack with a small knife. He pulls back.
"How pitiful, weak one. Is it your courage or ignorance that causes you to turn your sword on me?"
My voice sounds through the area and reaches him. But I can tell that he is not listening. His grin widens, as do his eyes. Instead of answering, he attacks me again. I block his strike with my knife and move backwards, as he moves forward. He slashes his sword without form, simply using pure strength and instinct.
"If you were competent enough as a swordsman, you should feel the disparity in our abilities even before we cross swords," I tell him and block another attack.
He continues to attack, and they grow more erratic and aggressive. He digs deeper and deeper into his true power and potential. His Reiatsu spikes and reaches new heights as we fight. But none of this matters. In the hierarchy of attributes, only speed reigns supreme. I stop moving back and instead advance, stabbing my knife into Zaraki with full force. Through my use of Haki, he wound penetrates his chest fully.
Blood splashes around and comes out of his mouth.
"Ha... hahaha... HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Zaraki attacks me more and uses even more Reiatsu to swing his Zanpakuto. I block all of his attacks and continue to slash his body all over. The wounds stack up, but don't slow him down a lot. He seems to relish the fight far too much. What a pitiful sight this is.
"State your name," I say.
"I don't have a name. I come from Zaraki," he says with a crazed smile.
"Then, man from Zaraki, as a swordsman's courtesy, I will end this using my Zanpakuto."
I unsheathe my Zanpakuto. All those who are powerful enough can feel the sudden change in the atmosphere. My presence changes as I touch Zenmanzakura. The edge we have honed for centuries has grown sharp enough to cut down anything and anyone. Without even releasing my Reiatsu, the air grows heavy and oppressive. I can see Zaraki feeling if, but simply not caring about it.
He pulls back his Zanpakuto and flashes towards me. I do the same.
"Fall."
*SHIING*
.
"Where are you going? This fight is not over ...", Zaraki says with difficulty.
He lies on the ground, with a deep wound, cutting him diagonally. There is a lot of blood flowing out of him and onto the ground. I look at him with my usual expression and don't know what to say to him. In my opinion, this fight is over.
"This is a battle with swords, not some fistfight. As long as one of us is still breathing, this fight is not over," he continues.
"And why do you crave death so much, man from Zaraki? Are you tired of living? Cutting you again would be pointless."
"You mean you need a reason ... to fight. Why don't you just accept it? You crave power... isn't that right? You enjoy fighting ... as much as I do. And anyone who loves power ... loves to measure that power in battle. It's a simple fact... The question is... do we fight in order to gain more power or do we gain more power to fight ... I haven't figured it out yet... But who cares? One thing is for certain... There is no reason we should ever deny it, or try to change it, because we were born this way!
You have always wanted to fight, and you always will ... It's part of you, you do it instinctively ... You have no choice but to fight! And because it's the only way to gain power ... if you want to control that power ... Fight! Take your sword and cut me down!", Zaraki is screaming the last part.
My expression doesn't change. I look at this wild beast in front of me, who has managed to stand up again, despite the wounds he sustained. That, at least, is deserving of respect. I look him in the eyes and see his drive, his resolve, his desire. He craves ... enjoyment. Enjoyment through battle. He craves a worthy opponent, and now that I have arrived, he seems revolted about the way I handle myself.
"What do you desire once you've obtained power, a weak one?"
"Huh?"
"You just claimed that you crave power. But what do you desire once you have obtained it?"
"Who cares about that? The moment is all that matters."
My gaze remains the same as I lock eyes with him, seeing his drive, resolve, and insatiable desire for battle. I shake my head.
"I relish in measuring myself against worthy opponents. It's why I ended the previous Kenpachi. Progress can only be truly gauged when faced with a challenge. However, there's a nuance you seem to overlook. I won't kill you because, at this moment, I don't see a worthy adversary standing before me."
Leaning in slightly, I continue.
"I am not a slave to my likes and dislikes. I choose when and where to fight. This battle, however, is over. To persist would only prove one thing: that you are a lunatic who refuses to acknowledge defeat, preferring death over the reality of loss. I won't indulge in that madness. There are battles worth fighting, and then there are those that only lead to pointless destruction. This, Zaraki, is the latter. So you either accept your defeat and live to fight another day, against a foe whom you can truly challenge with your strength or ... you die, right here, right now. So choose."
His Reiatsu bursts out of him. It is a lot of it, and there is a sinister feeling that the rest of the Shinigami get as they see it. It appears that some of his powers have been unlocked. As he unleashes a strong enough surge of Reiatsu, it becomes visible and yellow. And behind him, his intent mixes with it, appearing as a skull.
I respond in kind and release some of my Reiatsu to match his. Red lightning crackles around my blade, with my Haoshoku Haki pressing down on the spirits of all those around. Except the Captains, everyone else is knocked out. I'm going a bit too far here, but it's been a while since I've had the opportunity to use this much power. Even if I am nowhere near giving my all.
Zaraki and I attack simultaneously.
"Don't live so hastily, young man."
*BOOOOOOM*