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Inside the First Division Captain's Office.
Led by Kensei Muguruma, a group of less talented Captains couldn't help but feel a sense of despair.
They were all geniuses, having cultivated for hundreds of years to achieve their current strength.
But that pride of being a genius was completely shattered today by the young man in front of them!
Perhaps in the eyes of this young man, these Captains were no different from ordinary people.
Aozaki Reiji spoke eloquently, recounting the battle process personally refined by Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Yamamoto was indeed the strongest Shinigami, existing alongside the history of the Gotei 13, with rich combat experience. Even though Shinra Bansho's abilities were vaguely altered, the story was still captivating.
After describing the blow that severely injured Kenpachi Kiganjo, Aozaki Reiji looked at Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Finally, Teacher arrived."
"That's roughly the situation." Yamamoto nodded, saying in a deep voice, "When this Old Man arrived at the scene, Kenpachi Kiganjo was already dead."
"A Zanpakuto that can use all types of Kido is truly unheard of," Captain Rojuro Otoribashi exclaimed.
Hirako Shinji echoed, "Not only that, but defeating a Bankai with a Shikai is enough to show the powerful might of the Kido."
Kensei Muguruma also nodded, a hint of envy emerging in his heart.
His Zanpakuto, "Tachikaze," belonged to the wind system, and its power was not particularly strong within that system.
In terms of practical combat effectiveness, it was far from "Katen Kyōkotsu," which also belonged to the wind system.
Although Katen Kyōkotsu's Bankai, Kageoni, might not be as strong as Tachikaze's ability.
However, Katen Kyōkotsu also possessed special abilities that Tachikaze did not, making its practical combat effectiveness far superior to Tachikaze.
"Junior Brother is indeed formidable."
Kyōraku Shunsui adjusted his straw hat and said lazily, "I just didn't expect Teacher to personally go and save Junior Brother. Is this considered differential treatment? It makes me, also a disciple, a bit sad~"
Ukitake waved his hand, "Alright, Shunsui, Teacher would also go save you if you were in danger."
"Really? It's hard to imagine what the Old Man would look like coming to save me," Kyōraku Shunsui spread his hands, looking like he was asking for a beating.
Yamamoto glared at him with sharp eyes, emitting an almost imperceptible killing intent.
Upon being threatened, Kyōraku Shunsui first pouted, then reluctantly straightened up and composed himself.
Seeing this, Jūshirō Ukitake could only stand aside, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
Yamamoto showed a thoughtful expression, then said solemnly after a moment:
"Since Aozaki Reiji defeated Kenpachi Kiganjo, this Old Man hereby bestows the title of 'Kenpachi' upon Aozaki Reiji. Do any of you have objections?"
Since the Captain-Commander had spoken, how could these Captains not comply? They all nodded in agreement.
In fact, everyone wasn't too concerned about the ownership of the title "Kenpachi."
Once, "Kenpachi" was the title of the strongest swordsman in Soul Society.
Among the Gotei 13, those who became Kenpachi were almost always the strongest Shinigami after Yamamoto.
But in recent centuries, the value of this title had sharply declined.
—Because of the existence of two individuals.
The first was the Eighth Kenpachi, Azashiro Kenpachi, whose original name was Azashiro Souya.
It wasn't that he lacked strength, but the means by which he defeated the previous Kenpachi, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, were considered dishonorable by the Eleventh Division Squad members.
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki was very strong.
In the world of Bleach, the main opponents of Shinigami are Hollows.
Hollows are divided into ordinary Hollows and Menos Grande.
Ordinary Hollows are similar in strength to ordinary Gotei 13 Squad members, while Menos Grande correspond to Shinigami of Seated Officer-class and above.
Menos Grande themselves are divided into three levels, from lowest to highest: Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde.
Vasto Lorde's power surpasses that of ordinary Captain-class Shinigami.
And Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, the Seventh Kenpachi, had the record of slaying a top-tier Menos Grande, a Vasto Lorde.
Not only that, he was also invited to join the Zero Division.
Although he ultimately declined the invitation to join, his strength was recognized by the Zero Division.
However, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki died without even using his Bankai when he accepted the challenge.
It is said that when Kenpachi Kuruyashiki was defeated, there was widespread indignation, and the Eleventh Division Squad members all released their Zanpakuto, expressing their desire to kill Azashiro Souya.
It was only thanks to Kenpachi Kuruyashiki using his last bit of strength to stop them before he died that an internal rebellion caused by the Eleventh Division Squad members was avoided.
The second was the Ninth Kenpachi, Kenpachi Gosuke.
This Kenpachi was the unlucky fellow killed by Kenpachi Kiganjo.
After Azashiro Souya became Kenpachi, he wanted to transform the residents of Rukongai into war weapons to conquer Hueco Mundo, but realizing the Soul King did not wish for him to do so, he surrendered and was imprisoned in Muken.
Kenpachi Gosuke was originally the Eleventh Division Vice-Captain.
When Azashiro Souya was imprisoned, he had perfected his Bankai and there was no one to challenge him, so he directly inherited the title of Kenpachi and the position of Eleventh Division Captain.
He served as Captain for decades, only to die at the hands of Kenpachi Kiganjo, who was from Rukongai.
If Azashiro Souya's methods were despised by the Eleventh Division Squad members, then Kenpachi Gosuke was purely lacking in strength.
Kenpachi Kiganjo's Zanpakuto ability was simply a head-on clash; his mind didn't possess the ability to scheme against others.
This could only mean there was indeed a gap in their raw strength.
After a long silence, Yamamoto spoke:
"Since that is the case, this Old Man hereby appoints Aozaki Reiji as the Eleventh Kenpachi. After the Captains' meeting, this Old Man will personally report to the Central 46."
Aozaki Reiji stood at the edge of the room, feeling a sense of emotion.
The title of "Soul Society's Strongest Swordsman" had fallen to him so inexplicably.
He knew his own limitations; even with the title of Kenpachi, he was still far from being Soul Society's strongest swordsman!
With his current strength, dealing with ordinary Captains like Kensei Muguruma was about right...
Aozaki Reiji gently shook his head, lamenting that the task was heavy and the road long, and the path of the strong still required continuous climbing forward.
Yamamoto's cane tapped the ground again, and he winked at his two proud disciples in the crowd, continuing:
"Next, we will discuss the succession of the Eleventh Division Captain. Do any of you have a suitable candidate?"
Kyōraku Shunsui understood, and his tone was somewhat understated:
"Old Man, it's not that I'm questioning you, but is there any need to discuss this issue?"
"Since Reiji has already become Kenpachi, why not just let him be the Captain?"
"For the past thousand years, the Kenpachi has always become the Eleventh Division Captain."
"Hasn't the Eleventh Division always been this way? There's no need to break the rules now!"
Yamamoto said sternly, "The ceremony for the Eleventh Division Captain's succession must be conducted in the presence of the Eleventh Division Squad members!"
Kyōraku Shunsui waved his hand, "Are you sure Reiji killed Kenpachi Kiganjo? Who in the Gotei 13 is more qualified than you to decide whether Reiji can become the Eleventh Division Captain?"
"But Third Seat Reiji has not yet learned Bankai…" Yamamoto frowned.
"I recall that the conditions for selecting a Captain do not include the requirement of having learned Bankai, do they?"
Jūshirō Ukitake showed a thoughtful expression.
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