"What do you mean?"
Zaraki glanced at Yachiru, then at Kyoya.
"With your abilities, you should be able to sense it, right?"
Kyoya spread his hands slightly, explaining to Zaraki: "In the entire Seireitei, there are at least three people who could pose a threat to you."
The first is Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who is undoubtedly the Strongest Shinigami.
Had he not spent these thousand years bound by the duty of protecting the Seireitei, placing too much importance on it, he would be truly 'invincible'.
In fact, Kyoya suspected that the giant Hollow named [Ikomikidomoe] by Ichibe, which attacked the Soul King Palace over a thousand years ago, might have been deliberately allowed to win by Yamamoto so it could enter the Soul King Palace… just to observe the true state of the Soul King.
Otherwise, Kyoya couldn't imagine Yamamoto losing.
Of course, it was also possible that Yamamoto hadn't yet become a Shinigami a thousand years ago and hadn't obtained Ryujin Jakka, the strongest fire-type Zanpakuto.
In that case, his defeat at the hands of that Hollow wouldn't be hard to understand.
From the actions of many antagonists toward Yamamoto, it was clear that what they feared was Yamamoto wielding Ryujin Jakka.
Aizen went to great lengths to create Wonderweiss Margela to seal Yamamoto's Zanpakuto abilities.
Yhwach did the same… only after ambushing and sealing Yamamoto's Bankai did he dare face him directly.
Otherwise, even an unawakened Yhwach wouldn't be Yamamoto's opponent.
Royd Lloyd's ability, [The Yourself], allowed him to imitate his opponent's memories, psyche, and abilities.
The Yhwach he transformed into might not have had the full power of the real Yhwach, but he was at least 70% as strong.
That level of strength was no weaker than Yhwach a thousand years ago, when his eyes were sealed by Ichibe.
Yet even so, he was slain by Yamamoto.
With Zaraki's current Reiatsu, Yamamoto possessed the ability to kill him in a single strike.
The second one is the Captain of the 4th Division, Unohana Retsu!
The title [Greatest Criminal in Soul Society] wasn't given lightly.
Moreover, Unohana was the only Shinigami who, with equal Reiatsu, defeated Zaraki purely through Zanjutsu.
And she did so after being impaled through the chest by Zaraki in his stronger state.
The third one, well, Kyoya believed that even in Zaraki's current state, he could kill him with a single sword strike.
And Aizen could also defeat Zaraki as he was now.
After all, Zaraki's Reiatsu was being sealed away bit by bit by his subconscious. To unseal it, he could only do so gradually.
For example, during Zaraki's fight with Aikawa earlier, his Reiatsu had been unsealed from 3d-class to 2nd-class Reiryoku.
Once Aizen figured out the pattern of Zaraki's Reiatsu unsealing, he could kill Zaraki before he could unleash it further.
If Unohana in her Bankai could repeatedly kill Zaraki at that time, there was no reason Aizen couldn't do the same.
"If you were defeated by us, have you ever considered what would happen to that little girl?"
Hearing Kyoya's words, even Zaraki couldn't help but frown.
The possibility of being defeated and dying wasn't something Zaraki hadn't prepared for.
In fact, Zaraki believed that dying after an exhilarating battle would be an incredibly satisfying experience. Perhaps that was the very purpose of his existence in this world.
Because of this, Zaraki had felt deep regret after losing to Unohana hundreds of years ago… only to not be killed by her.
At the same time, he wondered if he had been too weak, not 'worthy' of being killed by her.
That battle had given him unparalleled joy, enough to be remembered for a lifetime.
But had that woman felt the same?
Had she enjoyed their fight as much as he did?
Upon entering the Seireitei, Zaraki had immediately sensed that woman's presence.
However, Zaraki felt that unless he grew stronger, he had no right to stand before her and challenge her again.
Before Kyoya asked this question, Zaraki had never once considered what would happen to Yachiru if he died.
For a moment, Zaraki turned his head to look at Yachiru.
Seeing Zaraki's gaze, Yachiru waved her hands cheerfully, grinning widely: "Ken-chan is the strongest! He'd never lose to you guys!"
Zaraki's lips twisted into an exaggerated grin as he burst into laughter-
"Hahahaha…"
Zaraki laughed wildly, swinging his Zanpakuto in his right hand-
Boom!
A twenty-meter-tall stone pillar beside him split diagonally, crashing to the ground with a deafening roar.
Anyone who examined the severed surface would find it smooth as a mirror… cut effortlessly by Zaraki's casual slash.
"Come fight me!"
At this moment, Zaraki's Reiatsu erupted once again.
He didn't answer Kyoya's question with words. Instead, he used action to express his resolve!
Whoosh!
With a burst of Reiatsu underfoot, Zaraki's figure shot toward Kyoya like a black streak.
Clang!
Boom!
Kyoya's Zanpakuto clashed with Zaraki's, unleashing a deafening shockwave. The violent collision created a devastating force that obliterated everything around them.
"So impatient."
Kyoya shook his head but didn't give up on persuading Zaraki.
"Among the Gotei 13, the 11th Division is the most unique."
"Because the Captain of the 11th Division isn't appointed through recognition or recommendation by other Captains."
"Instead, any Shinigami who wants to become the 11th Division's Captain must challenge the current Captain in front of over 200 division's members. If they defeat the Captain, they take their place as the new Captain."
"Moreover, the captain of the 11th Division holds another title in the Seireitei-"
"The Strongest Shinigami, Kenpachi!"
Zaraki's pupils contracted sharply.
Memories of that woman flashed in his mind.
If he wasn't mistaken, that woman had worn the same white haori as the man before him… even the number on the back was identical!
Kyoya looked up, seeing the turmoil in Zaraki's eyes.
"Coincidentally, I am the current Captain of the 11th Division… Kyoya Kenpachi!"
"So, tell me… do you want to fight me like a wild beast here, only to be hunted down by stronger members of the Gotei 13 afterward, ending both your life and that little girl's?"
"Or… would you rather join the 11th Division, challenge me in front of the entire division, and make it official?"
"If you join, both you and the girl can become registered Shinigami of the 11th Division. You won't be treated as Ryoka."
"Win or lose against me, that girl can live in the Seireitei as a Shinigami."
"Tch."
Whether it was the [11] on Kyoya's Captain's Haori or his promise that Yachiru could live safely in the Seireitei, something in Zaraki's demeanor shifted.
After a few seconds, Zaraki scoffed, retracting his Reiatsu. He stopped pushing against Kyoya and sheathed his Zanpakuto.
Seeing this, Kyoya smiled. He knew he had convinced him.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the 11th Division and register you both as members."
"By the way, what are your names?"
Though Kyoya already knew Zaraki and Yachiru's names, he was aware that 'Zaraki Kenpachi' was a title, combining the name of his birthplace, which is Zaraki District, and the Strongest Shinigami's title, Kenpachi.
Before this moment, Zaraki might not have even had a real 'name'.
The only name he had ever given was to Kusajishi Yachiru.
[Yachiryu] is the name of the woman that left the deepest impression on Zaraki.
[Kusajishi] is because he had found Yachiru in the Kusajishi District.
As for how Yachiru addressed Zaraki, it has always been 'Ken-chan'. (T/N: The Ken here means sword.)
Almost as if, in Yachiru's eyes, Zaraki's sword was his true self, and the man was merely the vessel it controlled.
After all, when Yachiru first appeared before him, the first thing she touched wasn't Zaraki… but the sword planted in the ground beside him.
Just as Kyoya expected, when asked for his name, Zaraki fell silent for a moment before growling:
"Zaraki. From today on, my name is Zaraki!"
"That's Yachiru. Kusajishi Yachiru!"
"Zaraki and Kusajishi, huh?"
Kyoya nodded. "I see."
"The name 'Yachiru' was taken by the first Kenpachi of the Gotei 13 because she claimed to have mastered every Zanjutsu style in Soul Society."
"You named the girl 'Yachiru', so I assume you also intend to add 'Kenpachi' to your own name, right?"
"'Zaraki Kenpachi' and 'Kusajishi Yachiru'..."
"I look forward to the day you defeat me and become the next 'Kenpachi.'"
Zaraki glanced at Kyoya. Though he hadn't put that much thought into naming himself and Yachiru, something about Kyoya's words resonated with him.
He would defeat this man in front of him and become Zaraki Kenpachi!
…
By the time Gin arrived at the scene, he caught the tail end of Kyoya's words to Zaraki.
It made him pause, but after sensing the overwhelming Reiatsu radiating from Zaraki, a faint smirk curled on his lips.
'If this guy joined the 11th Division, our 11th Division's strength would skyrocket.'
As for whether his own position as Lieutenant would remain secure, Gin didn't particularly care.
Though he was still in the 11th Division, he hadn't severed ties with Aizen.
According to the arrangement made by Aizen for him, only by making him the Captain of a certain division could he provide assistance to Aizen's plan in the future.
So, barring unforeseen circumstances, within the next decade, he would leave the 11th Division and take over another division.
After all, the easiest way to become a Captain was to join a division that lacked one.
Gin didn't believe Aizen could eliminate Kyoya, but he also didn't want to drag Kyoya into Aizen's schemes.
Kyoya just needed to protect Rangiku.
As for the rest… Gin will handle it himself!
…
"Captain Aikawa, these two Shinigami… the 11th Division will take them."
Kyoya led Zaraki and Yachiru to Love Aikawa, cutting straight to the point.
"As a personal favor to me, I'd appreciate it if you let this matter slide."
"Of course, regarding the Ryoka who invaded the Seireitei… thanks to Captain Aikawa's immense strength, they were swiftly eliminated, protecting our home."
"I can personally vouch for that."
"How about it?"
The corners of Aikawa's mouth twitched a few times.
What could he even say?
Kyoya had already framed the narrative perfectly… both the flattery and the out.
Besides, if Kyoya hadn't intervened, Aikawa would've been killed by Zaraki.
Speaking of which, including this time, Kyoya has saved his life twice.
On top of that, Kyoya's claim that Aikawa had 'single-handedly defeated the Ryoka not only preserved his reputation but also polished his record.
At the very least, the nobles in the inner district couldn't quietly label him as incompetent anymore.
Personally, Aikawa couldn't care less about noble politics, but if his reputation suffered, his division's members would inevitably face harassment from those highborn bastards.
Scratching his head awkwardly, Aikawa forced out a dry chuckle.
"Hahaha, Captain Kyoya, you're basically handing me a medal here. Refusing would make me the ungrateful fool, wouldn't it?"
"Don't worry… I'll make sure the Captain-Commander gets the right... version of events."
"Good. I'll leave it to you then."
Kyoya nodded in satisfaction.
Aikawa might look like a brute, but he wasn't a fool.
After all, if this was officially recorded as 'Captain Aikawa's solo victory', then Kyoya couldn't possibly appear as a witness to corroborate the story.
Aikawa would be reporting directly to Yamamoto. Unless Yamamoto or the Central 46 demanded concrete proof of the Ryoka's elimination, which they wouldn't, given the ceased destruction, they'd have to take Aikawa at his word.
At the end of the day… the threat was neutralized, and the Seireitei was safe. Who would question the details?
"let's go!"
With a final nod to Aikawa, Kyoya turned and led his new recruits, Zaraki, Yachiru, and Gin, toward the 11th Division's barracks.