First, Cut Down Tokoyo Misao

In fact, shortly after Kenpachi Azashiro, the former captain of the 11th Division, was taken into custody in Muken, the eighth level of the Central Great: The Jail,

Captain-Commander Yamamoto had already sent people to Rukongai to find a powerful villain.

Leaving the 11th Division, Seireitei's strongest combat force, without a captain for a long time was no good.

At the time, Sasakibe had wondered who in Rukongai could command such attention from Lord Genryūsai.

Only after he heard the man's story did he have to take the matter seriously.

He personally led a group to find the man in Rukongai and left subordinates to keep watch on him along the way.

That man was Zaraki.

"Given the procedures for transferring between divisions, it will take at least ten days. Take this opportunity to lead him over there and see how Tokoyo Misao reacts."

"He's young but puts on an air of maturity. Perhaps that beast will bring something out of him."

Ever since Tokoyo Misao entered Soul Society, proclaimed himself a great noble, and came to Captain-Commander Yamamoto's attention,

the Captain-Commander had never stopped keeping an eye on him, though he had not given him much thought before.

Only when Tokoyo Misao grew stronger and stronger and graduated from the Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts in six months did he pay him a little more attention.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto had looked over the information gathered on Tokoyo Misao during this time and reached a judgment: he was a promising young man who pretended to be mature.

"Understood, Lord Genryūsai. I'll notify my subordinates to guide Zaraki to the 11th Division at once." Chōjirō Sasakibe immediately accepted the order.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto looked at the lights coming on across Seireitei and murmured, "Young people should have some energy."

Several days later, on the day Kenpachi Saki died and Zaraki took office, in the First Division's general affairs office.

"Lord Genryūsai, Kenpachi Zaraki is at the gate."

Chōjirō Sasakibe kept his head slightly bowed.

He really had not expected that, when the original plan had been to bring Kenpachi Zaraki into conflict with Tokoyo Misao,

Kenpachi Zaraki would end up coming to the First Division's gate instead.

With a clack, Captain-Commander Yamamoto set the brush in his hand down on the desk.

He spoke slowly.

"That little brat actually ran away."

Before Kenpachi Zaraki reached the First Division's gate, members of the Stealth Force had already passed along the intelligence.

It included the fight in the 11th Division's training grounds and the conversation between Tokoyo Misao and Kenpachi Zaraki.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had thought the beastlike Kenpachi Zaraki would bring out some youthful spirit in Tokoyo Misao. Even if they caused a little trouble, it would not have mattered.

But he had actually run away and lured Kenpachi Zaraki over to find him instead.

"Lord Genryūsai, should I let Kenpachi Zaraki in?" Chōjirō Sasakibe asked softly.

According to the rules, Kenpachi Zaraki, as a captain, could of course see Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

In fact, he also had the right to enter directly without being announced.

Of course, that meant he did not have to wait at the gate for permission to enter the First Division. He still had to wait in the reception room.

It was just that Kenpachi Zaraki knew none of this.

"That brat is trouble too."

As he spoke, Captain-Commander Yamamoto stood up, leaned on his cane with both hands, and walked out one step at a time.

After leaving the general affairs office, he turned right, toward the training grounds, and said,

"Bring that boy over."

"Yes." Chōjirō Sasakibe immediately ran toward the main gate.

When he opened it, he saw Kenpachi Zaraki dangling Kiyoyuki Yamanaka by the collar in his right hand.

Seeing Sasakibe standing in the middle of the gate, Kenpachi Zaraki first looked him over.

He noticed the man's white hair, then saw his white haori, and frowned.

"This is Captain-Commander Yamamoto? He doesn't look that strong."

Yachiru Kusajishi, perched on his shoulder, pointed at Sasakibe's face with a grin. "A handlebar mustache, hahaha."

The corners of Sasakibe's mouth twitched rapidly twice despite himself.

Fortunately, as a Soul Reaper of a thousand years, he had long since developed excellent self-control and forcibly suppressed his displeasure.

"I am the First Division's vice-captain, Chōjirō Sasakibe. Follow me. Lord Genryūsai knows why you've come."

"Oh, it's not you? That's a relief."

Kenpachi Zaraki released his right hand, and Kiyoyuki Yamanaka fell to the ground with a thud.

"You can go back now."

He waved at Kiyoyuki Yamanaka as though shooing away a fly, then followed Vice-Captain Sasakibe toward the training grounds.

Chapter 63: First, Cut Down Tokoyo Misao

In the First Division's training grounds.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto stood quietly in the center, leaning on his cane with both hands, his eyes closed and his back bent. He seemed to have fallen asleep standing there.

Chōjirō Sasakibe appeared around the corner of the corridor.

Kenpachi Zaraki was right behind him, with Yachiru Kusajishi on his shoulder.

They spotted Captain-Commander Yamamoto standing in the middle of the training grounds at once.

This time, Kenpachi Zaraki did not frown. Instead, he found it somewhat strange.

What's going on?

Why does that old man feel kind of weak, but also seem really strong?

Kenpachi Zaraki scratched his chin and stared at Captain-Commander Yamamoto as he spoke.

His beastlike instincts were telling him that the old man standing in the middle of the grounds was strong.

But the sight before him told him that this was just an old man who had fallen asleep standing up. How strong could he be?

The disconnect between what he saw and what he sensed annoyed him greatly.

"Ken-chan, Ken-chan, that old man is really strong."

Yachiru Kusajishi patted Kenpachi Zaraki on the head, pushed off with both feet, and jumped down from his shoulder. She stood there outside the grounds instead of following Kenpachi Zaraki in.

That action surprised Chōjirō Sasakibe somewhat, but he did not look back.

He walked behind Captain-Commander Yamamoto and stopped, then extended a hand.

"Lord Genryūsai, Kenpachi Zaraki is here."

Only then did Captain-Commander Yamamoto straighten up slightly. His closed eyes opened a crack, and he sized Kenpachi Zaraki up for a few moments. Then he turned his head toward Chōjirō Sasakibe and spoke in the slow tone of an old man.

"Do I need to take off my clothes to deal with a brat like this?"

Hearing that, Chōjirō Sasakibe bowed and withdrew to the edge of the training grounds, standing beside Yachiru Kusajishi.

"So you're the absolute pinnacle of Soul Reapers that guy was talking about? The strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years?"

Kenpachi Zaraki rested his long, serrated blade on his right shoulder.

Even now, standing before Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, his instincts and his eyes were still at odds, and the conflict was growing worse.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto straightened his back, which had been bent somewhat like an old man's out for a stroll, and spoke in a tone that seemed tinged with regret.

"That's right. I am indeed the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years."

"You brats are a real disappointment."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Kenpachi Zaraki grinned.

He raised his long, serrated blade high with one hand and roared, "If you're the strongest Soul Reaper, then let's fight to the death!"

"Don't shout, you brat." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto opened his eyes fully. Holding his cane in his left hand, he clenched his right into a fist and continued,

"You're not worthy of fighting me to the death yet."

"Hmph!" Two streams of hot breath burst from Kenpachi Zaraki's nostrils. He stepped forward with his right foot, and the ground of the training field sank instantly.

His Spiritual Power erupted from his entire body, and he swung his right hand down fiercely.

A fierce storm of Reishi burst out from the training grounds and spread in every direction.

The savage downward slash made even the air shriek as though it could barely withstand the strain.

Facing an attack that seemed ready to cleave the training grounds in two with a single blow, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's expression did not change.

Instead, he took a small step toward Kenpachi Zaraki. His clenched right fist became a blur, striking the wrist of Zaraki's sword arm with pinpoint accuracy.

With a tremendous bang, a gale swept out in every direction.

The immense force of the punch not only stopped Kenpachi Zaraki's slash, but also sent his right arm involuntarily bending backward. His whole body was thrown off balance, his right foot lifted from the ground, and only the heel of his left foot remained in contact with it.

"Interesting." Kenpachi Zaraki burst out laughing. He felt no fear at all despite the situation; instead, his fighting spirit only intensified.

He stomped his right foot down behind him, steadied himself, and once again brought his blade down from above.

"Brat, you don't know how to adapt at all."

The next instant, Captain-Commander Yamamoto stepped forward again and struck Kenpachi Zaraki's wrist with his right fist once more.

Just as in their previous exchange, the immense force nearly sent Kenpachi Zaraki flying.

But this time, Kenpachi Zaraki braced his right foot firmly against the ground, keeping the force from throwing him off balance.

Kenpachi Zaraki opened his right hand and let the long, serrated blade fall into his waiting left hand, then thrust it forward fiercely.

But only when he put his strength into the thrust with his left hand did he discover that Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had somehow already moved in front of him.

How is he so fast? The question flashed through Kenpachi Zaraki's mind, but all such thoughts vanished the next instant.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto was bent forward, his left hand holding his cane planted in the ground, his right fist drawn back at his waist.

As Kenpachi Zaraki switched the long, serrated blade to his left hand and prepared to thrust, Yamamoto's fist had already gathered its strength, and he drove it into Kenpachi Zaraki's stomach.

Boom! The instant the fist struck his stomach, an explosive report like a thunderclap rang out.

The sound echoed through Seireitei, loud enough for even people far away in Rukongai to hear.

Kenpachi Zaraki's body doubled over as an immense force propelled him rapidly backward.

"Tsuriboshi." Chōjirō Sasakibe used Shunpo to reach the wall of the training grounds, then extended both hands and used Bakudō: Tsuriboshi to catch Kenpachi Zaraki as he flew like a shooting star.

But the instant that immense force struck the yellow curtain of light formed by Tsuriboshi, it nearly shattered it.

"Tsuriboshi, Tsuriboshi!"

Chōjirō Sasakibe used Tsuriboshi twice in succession before he finally managed to stop Kenpachi Zaraki.

After Kenpachi Zaraki landed, he opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood with a pfft.

He casually wiped the corner of his mouth and grinned. Even with his internal organs shattered, he did not back down; his fighting spirit climbed higher and higher.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto said, "Chōjirō, go tell Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division to come save him."

"Yes."

Chōjirō Sasakibe's figure immediately vanished from the spot.

"What's there to save? If I die at your hands, it's because I'm not strong enough!"

Kenpachi Zaraki still gripped his long, serrated blade tightly in his left hand as he walked back toward the training grounds.

"Brat, do you seek the thrill of battle?" Captain-Commander Yamamoto did not continue attacking, but asked him instead.

"That's right! Come on, let's keep fighting to the death!" Kenpachi Zaraki charged at Captain-Commander Yamamoto again and swung his blade.

This time, however, Captain-Commander Yamamoto used his footwork to dodge each of Kenpachi Zaraki's attacks with ease.

But he did not counterattack, simply continuing to dodge.

He said nothing. Even when he caught a major opening in Kenpachi Zaraki's defenses, he merely tapped him lightly with the cane in his hand before continuing to evade every attack.