Due to the intervention of the two Captains, Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, Kisuke Urahara's Captain assessment concluded.
Under Yamamoto Genryusai's command, even though Zaraki Kenpachi was filled with a thousand displeasures and ten thousand unwillingnesses, he could only forcefully suppress this surging anger deep in his heart.
Although Kyōraku Shunsui made a lot of sense, he couldn't be bothered to listen.
Fighting was his only joy in life; making him stop fighting was even harder than killing him.
Exhaling hot air through his nostrils, Kenpachi's gaze turned to Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and he said unhappily, "I didn't enjoy this fight at all!"
"Tsugikuni!"
"You said you don't like to fight, but I don't believe it! Your combat skills are far superior to mine, which must be an instinct honed through extensive fighting!"
"You're just like me; I don't believe you'll remain silent now!"
"I will definitely use my perseverance to make you agree to fight me!"
"…"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi remained silent.
He really wanted to tell Kenpachi that those combat skills were innate.
Touhou Sekigan allowed him to see every move of his opponent, enabling him to dodge and attack.
In the Human World's terms, it was like a pre-written script, an instinct deeply ingrained in his bones.
This was also why Touhou Sekigan was called the ultimate realm…
Humans in this world probably couldn't activate it, as the Human World he was in was not entirely the same as the Shinigami's Human World.
To date, he had never heard of any Shinigami other than himself possessing Touhou Sekigan.
Even if he told Kenpachi, he might not understand. So, regarding this matter, as well as the Mark, he had never spoken to outsiders about them.
Instead of showcasing his uniqueness and becoming the center of attention, it was better to act discreetly.
Sighing helplessly, Tsugikuni Yoriichi watched Kenpachi turn and stride away.
When Kenpachi disappeared from the clearing and entered the forest, Yoriichi remained silent.
As Yamamoto Genryusai and the few Captains with him departed, Kyōraku Shunsui finally let out a long sigh of relief and relaxed.
He patted his chest and loudly said,
"Oh my~ Old Man Yama finally left. Well, Captain Urahara, congratulations! How about we go celebrate?"
"Your Bankai is quite unique. We discussed it earlier and unanimously agreed that, in the history of Seireitei, its power could rank among the top ten."
"I didn't expect you to be so humble in appearance, yet your strength is so formidable. Captain Yoruichi, too, kept you hidden and only informed us now."
"Haha…" Kisuke Urahara was a bit embarrassed by the praise. He forced a couple of laughs and quickly waved his hand, saying,
"Not at all, it was just luck. I can't compare to Captain Yoruichi."
"Although I've mastered Bankai, I'm not proficient with it yet. With my current strength, I can only maintain it for two minutes."
Any Bankai has a time limit, which is related to the Shinigami's own spiritual pressure.
The stronger the spiritual pressure, the longer the duration, and the power also increases exponentially.
For instance, Yamamoto Genryusai can activate his Bankai to evaporate all the water within the entire Soul Society.
However, other Shinigami's fire-type Bankai would struggle to dry up even a lake—even if it covered thousands or tens of thousands of square kilometers, it's still just a lake.
"Two minutes is already very long. Some Shinigami who just activate their Bankai can't even last ten seconds!"
Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled, "Of course, he can't compare to my junior disciple."
"It's just that he doesn't like the atmosphere of the Eleventh Division, otherwise he would have passed the Captain assessment and pushed Kenpachi out days ago."
"That kid Kenpachi is quite arrogant. But it's understandable; it's said that he and Captain Retsu Unohana have had a feud lasting hundreds of years."
"Captain Retsu Unohana is a top expert within Seireitei, famous in Seireitei hundreds of years ago.
For him, she should be a difficult opponent to even approach, let alone defeat."
"Yoriichi, compared to him, is quite evenly matched. Perhaps it's for this reason that he considers him the first opponent to defeat…"
"This personality is quite troublesome."
Kyōraku Shunsui rubbed his temples, falling into thought.
He thought for a while and found no better solution…
Disliking trouble, he could only choose to forget about it and let the two resolve it themselves.
He raised his eyes, looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and said, "I remember you and Captain Urahara have a certain friendship, right? How about we go celebrate together?"
"…No thanks." Yoriichi shook his head, "I…"
"Hey, don't be limited by missions." Kyōraku Shunsui interrupted,
"Work-life balance and socializing are all essential. Just one day… no, half a day, it won't delay your training at all."
"Regarding this matter, I will speak to my teacher myself."
"Today, you'll accompany my senior brother and me."
Having said that, regardless of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's attitude, Kyōraku Shunsui pulled him and Kisuke Urahara and strode towards Rukongai.
The atmosphere was somewhat lively.
Jūshirō Ukitake stood behind the group, his eyes slightly curved.
It had been… so long since he had felt such youthful vitality.
Originally, Seireitei was like a stagnant pool.
But ever since Tsugikuni Yoriichi joined,
It inexplicably stirred up ripples.
To this day,
It had formed waves, and he wondered how high these waves could reach.
He hoped it could remain this lively.
Only by continuously injecting fresh blood would Seireitei not decay, and the will of the Shinigami would not be extinguished.
"Cough, cough…"
Clenching his fist, Jūshirō Ukitake lightly coughed twice, watching the group walk further and further away, when suddenly he heard:
"Ukitake, hurry up and catch up! Tonight we won't go home until we're drunk… Oh, I forgot, you can't drink alcohol. How about some fruit juice!"
"Is milk okay, haha!"
Kyōraku Shunsui's voice came intermittently, sounding like the unrestrained words of an old man, and upon closer inspection, even a bit lewd.
But Jūshirō Ukitake didn't mind.
He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a faint smile.
Stepping forward, he took a deep breath and said loudly,
"Coming!"
…
At the same time.
Fifth Divsion.
Hirako Shinji stood in front of a mirror, carefully adjusting his attire, preparing for tomorrow's Captains' meeting.
His fingers lightly brushed his golden long hair that covered his earlobes, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes, even the corners of his mouth slightly downturned.
"Tch."
Feeling that his grooming was at its limit, his gaze passed through the mirror, glancing sideways at the man in the corner of the room, and he casually asked,
"Sōusuke, what do you think of the Captain-Commander's new disciple?"
"I remember you sent him a very expensive gift before."
"Did you notice him back then?"
"Captain, you actually remember that…" Aizen feigned surprise, raising his head, "More or less. When he enrolled, I was the one who took him to see the Captain-Commander."
"From the Captain-Commander's attitude towards him afterwards, it was clear that the Captain-Commander thought highly of him."
"Anyone he thinks highly of, I naturally pay attention to. Because who knows, he might join my Fifth Divsion someday."
"It's just a pity he went to the Tenth Division after graduation.
However, I believe that given his talent, he can shine no matter which Division he's in. Now, it's exactly as I predicted."
"He's been taken as a disciple by the Captain-Commander; it shouldn't be long before he surpasses me, right?"
"Heh…" Hearing this, Hirako Shinji smiled.
Others might not know, but how could he not know?
Aizen had been hiding himself very deeply from the very beginning.
Otherwise, why would he constantly keep an eye on him?
Perhaps…
Without his knowledge, Aizen's strength had already reached his level, and it was only a matter of time before he, Hirako Shinji, died, and Aizen would naturally become a Captain.
To say such things now,
He truly didn't know if he was being humble, modest, or something else…