Unohana's eyes flickered with realization—
She knew exactly what this peculiar force was.
After all, she'd often sparred with Shimo in the way of the sword.
In his words, this was the sword technique known as "Infinity."
Limitless, never-ending—that was Infinity.
Perhaps it held even deeper meaning, but Unohana felt that her current understanding was already enough.
She knew her own limits. The realm beyond that was not something she could tread—at least not yet.
"Is the fight finally over?"
Soi Fon's voice held a subtle hint of nervous tension.
Unohana glanced at the Second Division Captain with mild surprise, then smiled gently.
"If nothing unexpected occurs, the moment their clashing reiatsu subsides… we'll know the outcome."
Soi Fon let out a breath of relief.
"That would be ideal. Maintaining this Kidō barrier is exhausting. I have a backlog of urgent Second Division missions to attend to."
Her last words felt more like a thinly veiled excuse.
Of course, among the gathered Captains—each a seasoned veteran—none missed the subtle shift in Soi Fon's demeanor.
---
Boom! Boom! BOOOOM!
The Kidō barrier trembled violently under the continued impacts.
Destruction is always easier than protection—at least several times over.
It was only due to the combined spiritual pressure of multiple Captains that the barrier had endured this long.
Gradually, the crimson and gold spiritual pressure began to wane.
Like a sudden summer storm—it came fiercely, but faded just as fast.
Under the eyes of all present, the fierce clash between two monsters finally came to a close.
Crimson spiritual pressure raged within the barrier—Shimo, empowered by his Infinity skill had firmly taken the upper hand.
But the battlefield within was a scene of devastation.
Both Shimo and Zaraki lay sprawled across the rubble, uniforms tattered, their bodies covered in wounds.
Blood pooled around them, flowing down their bodies and forming rivulets across the ground.
As the Kidō barrier dissolved, the Captains rushed forward.
"You good now, kid?"
Kyoraku Shunsui gave Shimo a half-annoyed, half-exasperated glare.
"Hey, what could I do?" Shimo chuckled weakly.
"You know Captain Zaraki's personality better than I do."
There was no blame in Shimo's tone—and rightly so.
If he hadn't deliberately come to the Eleventh Division, it's unlikely he and the perpetually-lost Zaraki and Yachiru would've ever even crossed paths.
—
"All unrelated personnel, stand back!"
Unohana's voice rang out, cold and commanding. "The wounded need immediate medical attention."
"Ken-chan! Ken-chan!"
Yachiru Kusajishi had somehow zipped over to Zaraki's side and beamed cheerfully.
"Did you have fun this time?"
Zaraki's gaze drifted toward Shimo, and he gave a barely audible grunt.
"Yeah… that was fun."
Then he closed his eyes, slipping into deep sleep—
To him, the post-battle nap was just as important as the fight itself.
Once it was clear neither of them was in mortal danger, the other Captains gradually dispersed, leaving the rest to Unohana.
Though reluctant, Soi Fon also departed, as she genuinely had urgent missions waiting.
As for the rubble that was once the Eleventh Division barracks…
That would be their own mess to clean up.
After all, it was their Captain who started the whole thing.
Shimo had merely been a passive participant.
Any formal punishment would be symbolic at best—barely a slap on the wrist.
...
Unohana knelt beside Shimo, assessing his injuries.
"…?"
At a glance, she immediately sensed something strange.
"Shimo-kun, your—"
She stopped herself mid-sentence, withdrawing the thought.
Then, with a wave of her hand, she began emergency healing using Kaidō.
"Take both patients to the Fourth Division infirmary.
As for the Eleventh Division's reconstruction, Third Seat Madarame—it's yours."
From the crowd, a bald head emerged.
"But, Captain Unohana—"
"Is there a problem?"
The temperature seemed to plummet.
Ikkaku swallowed his words.
"…No, ma'am."
Yachiru, dragging her Zanpakutō, gave the crowd a cheeky wave.
"Good luck, everyone! I'm going to take care of Ken-chan!"
With that, she bounced off after Unohana.
The Eleventh Division members turned to look at their wrecked barracks—Then turned back.
Tears welled in their eyes.
This mess would take forever to clean up—even with help.
---
Lying on the stretcher, Shimo gazed up at the brilliant blue sky, a sense of peace washing over him.
Yes, all these injuries… were self-inflicted.
Zaraki's spiritual pressure was strong, but still slightly weaker than his own.
And in swordsmanship? Shimo had him utterly outclassed.
But to hide his full power, Shimo had deliberately injured himself just as the fight ended, simulating the backlash of uncontrolled spiritual pressure.
Unohana, however, had noticed the residual energy of Infinity—and instantly understood.
Thankfully, she was gentle, kind, and above all, discreet.
Zaraki too had realized the truth.
But he said nothing—not out of cunning, but simply because he didn't care.
All he lived for… was the fight.
And Shimo's existence reignited that fire within him.
---
Fourth Division — Central Infirmary.
Shimo had visited this place many times…
But this was his first time coming in as a patient.
The squad members stared in disbelief.
Their invincible Lieutenant… injured like this?
Then they saw the second patient being brought in.
Zaraki Kenpachi.
Ah.
Now it made sense.
…Wait. Kenpachi Zaraki?!
Gasps spread through the room.
"Did Lieutenant Shimo just fight Captain Kenpachi?"
"Looks like the Lieutenant's injuries are lighter, actually…"
"They say the Eleventh Division's full of monsters, but our Lieutenant beat theirs?"
"I'm in logistics and this still doesn't compute!"
Zaraki scowled.
The buzzing whispers felt like a swarm of flies in his ears.
Defeat—the bitter taste was beginning to settle in.
"It's okay, Ken-chan!"
Yachiru, as always, read him like a book.
"We'll surpass Shimo-chan together!"
Her carefree smile had no place for sorrow.
Zaraki flinched slightly, then muttered,
"Annoying…"
—
Roommates?!
Whether out of twisted amusement or genuine shortage, Unohana placed Shimo and Kenpachi Zaraki in the same hospital room.
Shiba Kukaku burst into the room the moment she heard the news.
"Shimo-kun!"
Despite her brash personality, Shimo suddenly realized—
Kukaku had all the gentle qualities one would expect of a woman.
Qualities that were often overshadowed by her bold demeanor.
The moment her hands touched his, she noticed—
"You're not as hurt as I thought…"
Relieved, she sighed,
"I thought I'd become a widow before I even got married."
Shimo: "???"
"Since you're okay, I'll let you rest now."
Beaming, she added,
"Recover well! I'll become your right-hand woman in no time!"
She bent down and pressed a cool kiss to his forehead.
As she left the room, Shimo stared up at the white ceiling.
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
---
Soon after, Yachiru came bouncing in with a grin.
"Shimo-chan! Thanks for giving Ken-chan such a fun fight!"
"This is a gift from us!"
She held out two hands—overflowing with konpeitō (sugar candy).
Shimo blinked, then looked to the other bed.
Zaraki growled,
"Yachiru, you talk too much!"
Shimo smiled and accepted the candy.
To Yachiru, konpeitō was sacred—it represented their bond.
That she gave it to him… meant something.
Then—
[Check-in task complete. Distributing reward…]
[Congratulations! You have unlocked your Shikai's second ability: Spatial Severing!]
Shimo's eyes narrowed.
So his Zanpakutō, Akatsuki, was still time-based…
But check-in tasks granted spatial abilities.
From Spatial Suspension to Spatial Severing…
On the surface, they seemed simple.
But only he knew the true potential hidden within.
As for time-based powers…
Those, he had to earn it himself.
Within his Zanpakutō's inner world, the "Staircase of Time" remained his fastest path to growth.
Currently, he could stop time for 7.13 seconds—
Twice.
His ability to reverse time hadn't improved,
But he felt it.
That long-dreamed-of power… was close.
---
First Division – Captain's Office
Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, and Unohana sat quietly.
Yamamoto Genryusai sat at his desk, stern-faced.
"Captain Zaraki of the Eleventh Division challenged Lieutenant Kyoraku Shimo without authorization.
The battle that followed destroyed the entire Eleventh Division barracks."
His powerful voice echoed through the room.
"This incident has drawn the attention of Central 46.
However, due to Captain Zaraki's… unique nature, and the fact that neither combatant released their Zanpakutō—
Central 46 has deferred judgment to me."
"I will now hear your thoughts."
Shunsui immediately spoke:
"Old man Yamamoto, our Shimo's innocent! He was just doing his job!"
Unohana nodded after a moment's pause.
"Shimo-kun was forced into battle. He didn't initiate anything."
Yamamoto turned to Ukitake.
"My judgment, Head Captain… is the same. Shimo is not at fault."
Silence.
Then Yamamoto closed his eyes like a weary old man.
"Very well. This shall be the verdict."
---
Shimo was sentenced to five years of confinement in Seireitei—
In effect, a slap on the wrist. A formality.
Zaraki, however, was exiled to the border of South Rukongai—to fight Hollows.
Also for five years.
Shimo thought to himself:
For someone like Zaraki… that's more like a reward.
"Well, I suppose I'll take the chance to rest."
---
Five Years Later
At the Kyoraku residence, Shimo looked up, shocked.
"Captain Isshin is missing?!"
Shunsui's face was grim.
"According to the Department of Research and Development, they've lost all trace of Shiba Isshin's reiatsu."
"He may be dead… Or worse—"
"He's defected from the Soul Society."
-------------------///
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