Heaven Communicating Talisman Art, 100% Proficiency, Perfected! Unlocking a New Eight Extraordinary Skill! (Continued)

"Phew—"

After letting out a long breath, he stretched, all the exhaustion in his body swept away.

"How long was I asleep?"

He had only just muttered the question when someone pulled back the curtain beside his bed.

Retsu Unohana appeared before him.

"You slept for a whole day and night. No matter how we tried, we couldn't wake you."

"A whole day and night?"

Kyōsuke Kuchiki stared for a moment, then couldn't help smiling.

That really was excessive.

"Did anyone come looking for me while I was out?"

Setting a bowl of plain rice porridge on his bedside table, Retsu Unohana answered calmly.

"Quite a few people did."

"Captain Shihoin, Captain Kuchiki, and your elder brother."

"But you were sleeping soundly and there was nothing wrong with you, so they left after saying a few words."

"Grand Kidō Chief Tsukabishi and Captain-Commander Genryūsai came to see you too."

"But they weren't only here to see you. There was also—"

Before she could finish, another voice rang out behind her.

"Kyōsuke Kuchiki, you're finally awake!"

"Then let's fight to the death! Hurry, I can't wait!"

After a series of heavy, hurried footsteps, Kenpachi Zaraki suddenly bounded to his bedside.

The man wore an eyepatch over the left eye that Dijiang had erased, but he looked even more energetic than before. His remaining eye gleamed as he looked at Kyōsuke Kuchiki.

As always, Yachiru Kusajishi was draped over his shoulder.

"Good morning, Kyō-chan."

She waved her little hand, looking utterly adorable as she spoke.

"Ken-chan woke up last night and stayed here the whole time, just waiting for you to wake up."

"Yeah, Kuchiki!"

A somewhat savage grin spread across Kenpachi Zaraki's face, and he was plainly itching to get started.

"You've completely recovered, right?"

"I found a good place to fight. Shall we go now?"

"..."

At Kenpachi Zaraki's words, Kyōsuke Kuchiki was left speechless.

Good grief, this guy was far too fanatical about fighting.

And that physique of yours defies science!

After suffering such terrible injuries, he was already bouncing around after so little time?

Were the young ladies of the Fourth Division just that capable, or was he too much of a monster?

Even Kyōsuke Kuchiki's own physique, strengthened by the Six Treasury Immortal Thief, couldn't compare to a monster like this.

Sure enough, the gap between people was sometimes wider than the gap between a man and a dog.

Good thing he had the Eight Extraordinary Skills as his cheat!

At that thought, Kyōsuke Kuchiki hurriedly looked at his status panel.

Heaven Communicating Talisman Art: 97.5%!

Fantastic!

Seeing the pure smile on Kyōsuke Kuchiki's face, Kenpachi Zaraki smiled too.

"Looks like you really want to fight me too!"

"Kyōsuke Kuchiki, we really are the same kind of person."

Kyōsuke Kuchiki gathered his thoughts and hurriedly shook his head.

"I don't want to fight you. I just want you to take over as captain of the 11th Division and become a Kenpachi worthy of the name."

It felt great to gain so much proficiency at once.

But the price was too high. After all, Kenpachi Zaraki only had two eyes.

Kyōsuke Kuchiki wasn't some arch-villain. He couldn't go around making people blind.

"...Huh?"

Sure enough, Kenpachi Zaraki looked baffled.

"What's the point?"

"That sort of thing isn't as interesting as fighting."

Hearing that, Kyōsuke Kuchiki looked at Retsu Unohana with something of a headache.

Retsu Unohana shrugged, indicating that there was nothing she could do.

After a moment's thought, she told Kyōsuke Kuchiki the truth.

"As you can see, Captain-Commander Genryūsai tried as well, but he didn't manage to get through to him."

"You'll have to persuade him yourself, Young Master Kuchiki. I'll take my leave first."

"Oh, and Zaraki, this is the Fourth Division. Sorry for the trouble, but please keep as quiet as you can and don't disturb my patients."

Watching Retsu Unohana walk away, Kenpachi Zaraki couldn't help frowning.

Had he gotten stronger?

Why did it feel like this woman...

Wasn't as strong as she used to be?

Forget it. The most important thing was fighting Kuchiki again!

With that thought, he promptly turned his attention back to Kyōsuke Kuchiki.

The next second, Kyōsuke spoke.

"Zaraki, first go find the Captain-Commander and inherit the name Kenpachi. Then take over as captain of the 11th Division."

"Huh? Why?" Kenpachi Zaraki asked, his face full of confusion.

Rather than explain himself further to this battle maniac, Kyōsuke Kuchiki got straight to the point.

"The captain of the 11th Division is recognized as the strongest in the Gotei 13."

"Plenty of strong people will come to challenge you."

"You'll also be sent to dangerous places to take on powerful enemies."

"If you like fighting and want to get stronger, that's the best place for you."

"And once you become captain of the 11th Division, you can openly challenge Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

"He's the strongest Soul Reaper, much stronger than me. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Understand?"

Kyōsuke Kuchiki sold Captain-Commander Yamamoto out without hesitation.

After all, the old man had brought this about, so it was only natural for him to do his part. He could consider it a contribution to the Seireitei.

"Got it."

Kenpachi Zaraki nodded, a look of anticipation on his face, though on that face it looked rather frightening no matter how one saw it.

The next second, he turned and left without a moment's hesitation.

"Yachiru, we're going to find the old man!"

Yachiru Kusajishi poked her head out from behind Kenpachi Zaraki and said goodbye to Kyōsuke Kuchiki.

Pointing with her little hand, she said cheerfully:

"Yay! Ken-chan, this way!"

"Got it!"

Watching the two figures, one big and one small, walk away, Kyōsuke Kuchiki couldn't help letting out a long breath.

Good. Now he could join the Kidō Corps without worrying.

He got out of bed and changed his clothes, but just as he was about to leave, he saw Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi come back.

"..."

The corner of Kyōsuke Kuchiki's mouth twitched slightly as he pointed in a direction.

"The First Division Barracks are over there. The Captain-Commander should be resting there."

Like Zoro from the neighboring world of One Piece, these two were both notorious for their terrible sense of direction.

Yachiru Kusajishi not only had a terrible sense of direction, she also loved giving people directions. She was really bad at it but loved doing it anyway.

He'd thought the two had come back to ask for directions.

Kenpachi Zaraki looked disdainful.

"That doesn't matter. Yachiru will give me directions."

"More importantly, Kuchiki, when are you going to fight me again after I become captain?"

As the man spoke that last sentence, his fighting spirit and killing intent surged without end, almost becoming visible to the naked eye.

The question made Kyōsuke Kuchiki feel a rare trace of pressure.

If he agreed, given Kenpachi Zaraki's personality, wouldn't the man come looking to fight him every few days?

No, no, he didn't want to spend his days fighting desperately to make progress!

Rather than risk his life against Zaraki, he'd much rather cut down the likes of Kiganjō.

His progress would be a little slower, but at least it was safe.

After all, for someone who came into his own in the "late game," he had to stay alive to deal damage.

"...We'll talk about it later."

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he hurriedly added:

"I have something to do, so I'm leaving!"

"Remember to report to the Captain-Commander!"

Afraid that Kenpachi Zaraki would chase after him again, Kyōsuke Kuchiki hurriedly used Shunpo several times and made a swift exit.

Compared with the Thirteenth Division, whose barracks were located in different places, the Kidō Corps was more like a large administrative organization.

To make carrying out missions more convenient, the Kidō Corps had offices throughout the Seireitei.

He had now arrived at the Kidō Corps headquarters.

Looking at the magnificent, enormous building before him, he had yet to enter when he saw a figure flash out.

"Grand Kidō Chief Tsukabishi!"

"...Vice Kidō Chief Kyōsuke!"

Tessai Tsukabishi came to an abrupt halt, then flashed over with a few steps of Shunpo.

After looking Kyōsuke Kuchiki over, he reached out with some excitement and patted him on the shoulder.

"Just as Captain Unohana said, you really are awake!"

"I was just about to go find you."