"Of course I'm not convinced! It's just that my Zanpakuto broke. Why am I being judged as the loser? Although Kisuke Urahara's Bankai is indeed very powerful and can theoretically instantly kill me, it hasn't killed me yet. As long as I'm faster, I can definitely ignore Kisuke Urahara's attacks and then defeat him!" Zaraki Kenpachi had this confidence!
He clenched his fists, just about to argue loudly.
The next second, Yamamoto Genryusai turned his gaze to the nearby forest and spoke with authority:
"You three brats, come out. How long are you going to watch from there?"
As his voice fell,
"Creak—"
With a faint rustling of broken leaves, Kyōraku Shunsui slowly rubbed the back of his head as he was the first to emerge from the forest.
A sheepish smile hung on his face, with a hint of deliberately feigned shyness.
His helpless gaze slowly swept over Yamamoto Genryusai and Zaraki Kenpachi. When he saw his teacher's stern, unsmiling expression, his tone was a bit forced:
"Teacher, don't be so serious."
"It's a rare Captain assessment, and both Ukitake and I wanted to see it for ourselves, to see what kind of Shinigami would emerge after Captain Eiyuu."
"Is this Captain Urahara?! He's very young!"
Kyōraku Shunsui's gaze turned to Kisuke Urahara, attempting to change the subject.
After all, the content of the Captain assessment was confidential, involving some important information, especially Bankai.
Even as the Captain of the Eighth Division's intelligence squad, he couldn't possibly know what all Captains' Bankai abilities were.
Observing this battle was already an overstep.
Hmm... except for Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Seeing Kyōraku Shunsui's uninhibited demeanor, Yamamoto Genryusai was furious, even his thick white eyebrows twitched twice.
He heavily stomped the ground:
"Don't try to change the subject, old man."
"You've all witnessed what happened today. As the most important ability of a Shinigami, regarding Kisuke Urahara's Bankai, remember to keep it a secret from this old man."
"Otherwise, this old man will punish you without mercy!"
"Especially you."
The topic shifted to him, and Kyōraku Shunsui waved his hand:
"Oh, Teacher, aren't you still trusting me? Everyone in Seireitei knows I'm the most tight-lipped. Last time, the Shihouin tried to ask me about my junior brother's preferences, and I didn't tell them a single word."
"Actually, at the end of the day, no one would risk offending another Captain by leaking information. They're not idiots; I wouldn't do something that doesn't benefit me!"
This was honest, and Yamamoto Genryusai's expression softened slightly.
At this moment, Jūshirō Ukitake and Tsugikuni Yoriichi also emerged from the forest, one after the other.
The former coughed as he walked, head bowed, his voice low:
"Teacher, please don't blame Kyōraku. I also bear some responsibility for this matter."
"Although I know it's against the rules for more than three Captains to be present during a Captain assessment, this matter is, after all, related to our junior brother."
He slowly looked up, gazing at the enraged Zaraki Kenpachi, his tone amiable:
"Hello, I am Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division. Please guide me in the future."
Zaraki Kenpachi scoffed, seemingly casually glancing at Jūshirō Ukitake, but in reality, his heart was full of disdain.
In his eyes, Jūshirō Ukitake looked very weak, even breathing heavily while walking. Such a person was not worth his time to cut down.
His attention was entirely focused on Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who was behind Jūshirō Ukitake.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's expression was as calm as still water, as if nothing in the world could stir ripples in his heart.
Seeing this, Zaraki Kenpachi's brow twitched, and he loudly declared: "Tsugikuni! Did you do this?!"
"I just wanted to have an exciting fight with you! Where did this Kisuke Urahara come from?!"
It was only because he didn't have his Zanpakuto now; otherwise, he would have gone up and cut him without a second thought.
It was too difficult for a warrior like him to fight a tactical monster like Kisuke Urahara.
Although Tsugikuni Yoriichi's Zanpakuto was also unreasonable, capable of forcibly weakening one's spiritual pressure, battles with him were at least close-quarters combat.
But Kisuke Urahara?
He'd fight for a bit, then retreat, firing from a distance, and at the end, he'd even use spatial cutting and matter manipulation...
What kind of battle was this?
Hearing this, Yoriichi quietly swept his gaze over Zaraki Kenpachi and shook his head slightly: "This matter has nothing to do with me."
"I remember, I already told you very clearly last time, don't treat life as a game. I'm not interested in your Kenpachi title."
"But I'm interested in you!" Zaraki Kenpachi clenched his fists, "Ever since I was defeated by you last time, I've been thinking about defeating you every moment!"
"You are the second person in seven hundred years to defeat me. Only by defeating you can I challenge Retsu Unohana!"
"I became a Shinigami according to your words, but why won't you fight me?!"
"If the battle you're referring to is a spar, then I have no objection, but a life-or-death battle…" Yoriichi sighed softly,
"It's still the same thing, there's no need to create tragedy and other bitter fruits for a momentary fit of pique."
"Shinigami fight to protect Seireitei, to protect the Three Realms."
"Not for status or pleasure."
"There is no pleasure in fighting, that's what I believe."
To the side, Kyōraku Shunsui smiled.
He looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi with gentle eyes, his expression showing clear admiration.
—Interesting.
This thought coincided with his own; he also hated fighting throughout his life.
No... not just him, basically, Shinigami over several hundred years old were not enthusiastic about fighting.
Life-and-death struggles, they had grown tired of them hundreds of years ago. Those who constantly talked about them were either madmen or fanatics.
Like, Zaraki Kenpachi.
He stroked his chin and agreed: "Indeed, I stand with junior brother on this one.
Fighting truly has no pleasure whatsoever; it only brings all sorts of hardships, sorrow, and pain."
"If you want to fight, if you want to pursue the thrill between life and death, if you want to improve your strength, there are so many Hollows to choose from, why pick fellow Shinigami?"
"You're taking the narrow path, Kenpachi."
Zaraki Kenpachi snorted: "Who are you?"
What an annoying guy.
I cut down so many souls in Rukongai without any problems, so why am I being constrained everywhere now that I've become a Shinigami?
After becoming a Shinigami, with an official background, shouldn't I be able to cut down whoever I want?
"Tsk…" Kyōraku Shunsui didn't know how to explain this matter. He just replied with his name and then fell into thought.
At this moment, he finally understood his teacher's difficulties. With such a guy joining Seireitei, the days ahead would likely not be peaceful.
"Cough cough." Yamamoto Genryusai coughed twice, interrupting their conversation:
"The meaning of battle is something we won't discuss for now; it has no relation to this assessment."
"Given that the other Captains, besides myself, have all expressed approval for Kisuke Urahara's performance…"
"This matter is settled for now; you all shall not question it."
"You may disperse."
"Zaraki Kenpachi, take your sword to the Twelfth Division. They will repair it. Remember, do not cause trouble."