The Central 46 was so aggressive that, apart from the Zero Division and Captain-Commander Yamamoto, they had no one or nothing to fear.
As for the Five Great Noble Clans... one-third of these old men are from the Five Great Noble Clans, and another two-thirds are from higher-ranking noble families.
The rest were the sages of Rukongai, who created various things that benefited the development of Soul Society, and that's why they became members of the Central 46.
Some people might think that the five ethnic groups occupied a lot of latrines... oh no, more like a lot of spaces.
Strictly speaking, it was the Central 46 that dispersed the power of the Five Great Noble Clans as much as possible, preventing Soul Society from becoming a one-man show by the Five Great Noble Clans.
As for Yama-jii, his power is actually weaker than that of the Central 46, but even if he makes a mistake, the Central 46 will not pursue it, or rather, cannot pursue it.
Regardless of which incumbent Captain is suddenly wanted or convicted of a crime, Yama-jii will absolutely acquiesce to it. Otherwise, with his interference, the Central 46 will have no choice but to follow his orders...
"First, my Shikai ability is to plunder Reiryoku to heal my injuries, and my Bankai is to dispel all kinds of Kidō-type attacks. Unless the opponent's Reiatsu than mine, I can only fight them in close combat."
Ling organized her thoughts and decided to answer only the three most important questions, ignoring the rest of the miscellaneous ones.
No matter how unhappy he was, the other person was still the one speaking louder. After all, he was neither a nobleman nor the Captain, and whether he could become the Captain depended on whether the other person had much of an opinion.
"Secondly, your question about whether I truly killed Azashiro Sōya implies a doubt that I lack the ability to kill Azashiro. There's no need for that..."
At this point, a cold smile appeared on Zero's lips, "You sages can certainly find powerful figures in Rukongai to test me, or choose from among the existing Captains. I accept any challenge!"
The Central 46 fell silent for a moment. The man in front of them had killed Hideaki Tsunayashiro in front of so many people, and his strength was beyond doubt.
The question "Did you really kill Azashiro Sōya?" can also be interpreted in several other ways. First, did Azashiro Sōya commit suicide because he didn't want to live anymore?
The second possibility is: Did he kill Azashiro Sōya single-handedly, or did he team up with some members of Rukongai?
That question also implied several similar meanings, but Zero offered them the most fundamental solution: try having someone try...
"You've been silent for thirty seconds, so let's move on to the next question: What is my purpose in taking the title of 'Kenpachi'?"
Zero's face then revealed a sinister smile, "Avenging Captain Kuruyashiki is one thing, but another is that, compared to other Captains, being Kenpachi grants you many privileges, including the fact that past transgressions are no longer investigated, isn't that right?"
In the original timeline, the First Kenpachi often got itchy hands and went to Rukongai to slaughter thugs; the tenth Kenpachi Kiganjō, often skipped the Captains' Meetings; and the eleventh Kenpachi killed Squad Member who was getting in his way... These are all manifestations of Kenpachi's privileges.
"You go down and wait!"
Zero was sent away by Central 46. This time, he didn't need to return to the temporary prison, as his unauthorized attack had already been proven clear.
"How about we decide by voting?"
"I agree. Now that it's confirmed he killed Azashiro Sōya, the details are no longer important. The title of 'Kenpachi' must be passed on to him."
"I agree. If we find someone unrelated to Azashiro Sōya's death to inherit the business, the problems will likely be even greater."
"But he killed Captain Tsunayashiro Ninth Division; it would be difficult to control someone like that if he rose to power."
"That's not something we should be concerned with; it's up to Genryūsai to figure out how to handle it."
The vote was passed, with the exception of three elderly Tsunayashiro Clan who abstained to express their dissatisfaction; the remaining forty-three members unanimously agreed.
The reason Zero was summoned this time was less about Central 46 deciding whether he could become Captain, and more about Central 46 assessing his danger and whether he would cause any harm to the Seireitei.
At most, the Central 46 can whisper in Yama-jii's ear; as for the actual appointments, Yama-jii will have to make the final decision.
The Captain cannot the Question to decisions made by the Central 46; and no one can change decisions made by Yama-jii except for the Soul King, not even the Zero Division. They belong to two mutually exclusive roles...
"That kid who used to follow Kuruyashiki around?"
"Show some respect to the New Kenpachi; he's incredibly strong."
"I feel like I've seen him before, a long time ago."
In the First Division's meeting room, all the Captains had arrived. Several familiar Captains and Vice-Captains were exchanging information about the new Captain of the 11th Division.
This kind of Captain's inauguration ceremony can be attended by Vice-Captain or not, depending entirely on the Captain's own wishes. Several Captains here have brought their adjutants.
When the door opened and Yama-jii entered, all whispers ceased. Once everyone was present, Yama-jii called out in a deep voice to the outside, "Come in!"
Ta-da...
The sound of steady footsteps approached, indicating that the person was not nervous. As a young man wearing Red Long Robe underneath a white Captain's Haori appeared, everyone's eyes turned to him.
As he was being sized up, Zero was also sizing up the Captains standing on either side. As he walked towards the last seat on the left, he greeted them, "Good morning, Captains!"
"Enough with the nonsense, let's begin the inauguration ceremony for the new Captain." Yama-jii tapped his cane, and the entire room fell silent. "Eight days ago, 11th Division Captain Azashiro Sōya fled to escape punishment. Nangong Ling, undeterred by his power, pursued and killed him alone in West Rukongai."
"After evaluation, it has been determined that Nangong Ling possesses the full strength to inherit the title of 'Kenpachi.' Therefore, he is hereby appointed as the Captain of the 11th Division, and his name is changed to Nangong Kenpachi. That's all!"
Yama-jii's words stirred up a storm in the hearts of the Captains present. In just a few years, the name Kenpachi had changed hands twice, which was a bit hard to accept...
Having met the Captains for the first time, Zero began to visit each of their Squad Barracks. The purpose was not so much to meet and get to know them, but rather to estimate the maximum Reiatsu each of them could release, so as to determine their normal strength.
The Second Division Captain, Kiyoki Shihoin, appears to be a refined middle-aged man, but he is skilled in violent, hand-to- Hakuda, which is almost identical to Yama-jii's fierce fist techniques. The release of his Zanpakuto is also related to Zanpakuto -Hakuda.
Kiyoki Shihoin's son, Yushiro Shihōin, was somewhat timid, which represented his refined side; while Yoruichi Shihōin represented his wild side.
Its Vice-Captain was a woman with several metal arms on her back, named Senjumaru Shutara. According to Zero's senses and the basic Reiatsu chart he established, this Vice-Captain was almost at the Captain-level.
The Third Division Captain, Kasumioji Yakumo Kasumioji, was able to take over the position of the Yagumo Ryūtōji Clan entirely thanks to her; without her, the Kasumioji Clan would not have had its glory days, but unfortunately, that glory is about to pass.
I didn't recognize the Vice-Captain; it was Chitetsu Iba. That woman looked a bit older, but she was very strong.
Retsu Unohana, the Fourth Division Captain, is known as "Sister Retsu" to Zero. She was the First Kenpachi. Upon closer observation, Zero also noticed that many Captains treated her with great respect.
However, Zero secretly called her Hana-nee. She loved flowers and plants so much that she even organized flower appreciation festivals and flower arrangement festivals.
Hana-nee brought her Kiyōnosuke Yamada. She didn't know him at all, but he had a deep understanding of the acupoints on the human body and knew exactly where each tissue was located. His Kaido was superb.
The Fifth Division Captain, Seigen Kyōshiba, is a red-haired guy. He is Shusuke Ihana's older brother and was mentioned by Ika, so Zero also knows him.
The Vice-Captain is none other than his sister Shusuke Ihana. The two are twins, born only minutes apart.
The Sixth Division Captain was Kuchiki Ginrei, and the Vice-Captain was Ginjiro. At this time, Ginjiro was still a young man who ran a side business selling glasses and was living a very comfortable life.
The Captain of the Seventh Division is named Komamura Tarō. This guy is Werewolf Clan, and his appearance is like that of a Shiba Inu except for his ears... If Zero has watched Soul Reaper carefully, he will know Sajin Komamura, and this guy is Sajin Komamura's uncle.
He left because of a disagreement with his biological father, which was also a disagreement with the old werewolf from the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Because he secretly learned and created a unique humanization technique, he was able to roam freely in Soul Society. People were only curious about why he had Shiba Inu ears. It can be said that his situation was much better than that of Komamura, who appeared later.
The Captain of the Eighth Division is Kyōraku, Vice-Captain is Hitomi Ise. You might not believe it, but she's Kyōraku's sister-in-law. However, judging from the situation, she's about to retire.
Kyōraku didn't get along with his older brother before, but after the Vice-Captain became his sister-in-law, their relationship improved, and Kyōraku often went to his brother's house to play, though what he played is unknown.
The Ninth Division... I won't go into details. The Captain died in battle and hasn't been promoted since, and the Vice-Captain hasn't reached a level where he's competent enough.
Judging from their abilities, the most suitable person should be Kōga Kuchiki, but Kōga too arrogant and domineering. After being transferred to the First Division as the Third Seat, he did not change his ways, and many of his teammates had a lot of complaints about him.
The Captain of the Tenth Division Shiba Kūsei, is one of the Five Great Noble Clans, but no one knows who the Vice-Captain is; that person didn't come.
The Twelfth Division's Vice-Captain is named Kirio Hikifune, a beautiful girl who looks even younger than Shusuke Ihana. The Vice-Captain herself is not present, and her current Vice-Captain is not Hiyori Sarugaki.
The Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Ukitake, and the current Vice-Captain, Harunori Kashōmaru, are both absent; Zero has only heard of them.
At this point, Zero had met all the Captains; the only one missing was perhaps the Vice-Captain level...
News of Azashiro's murder had been kept under Sealing, and the members of the 11th Division had been trapped in the Squad Barracks area for eight days before they were told they were free to move around.
But what followed was the appointment of a new Captain. As they watched that familiar figure appear wearing the Captain's Haori, there was only one thing they could understand... The Eighth Kenpachi was a thing of the past, and now it was the Ninth Kenpachi!
"Listen up, everyone. From this day forward, whoever goes on a mission must also be bound by this condition: if they encounter an enemy with strength around the Fifth Seat, whether it's a Hollow or Pluses, they must return alive and report their location..."
This was Zero's first order as Captain: to have everyone search for prey for him, and all he had to do was search for them at the right time.
The next order was to make Gosuke the Vice-Captain, and Kensei Muguruma, who had a lot of opinions about Zero, became the Third Seat.
When Zero was gone for more than a decade, it was Kensei suggested to Kuruyashiki, "Don't keep the Vice-Captain position for someone who is rarely around," although that suggestion was rejected.
Some people are convinced, while others are not. Kensei happens to represent the group that is not convinced. Most of these people are newcomers or people who have never seen Zero and Gosuke fight.
"Captain Nangong, I want to challenge you! We won't fight with our Zanpakuto. If you can defeat me, I'll acknowledge you."
After Zero assigned tasks and positions, Kensei was encouraged to step forward and issue a challenge, with several grinning figures behind him.
"No Zanpakuto? Heh heh, I don't know where you got your confidence, but I accept, provided there's a wager: if you lose... you have to clean the team's public toilets for ten years!"
After Zero accepted the challenge, he added another wager, so large that Kensei's expression changed several times.
Kensei the Roar inwardly. "Ten years? Are you kidding me? I don't wash my socks for a month, and I change my clothes every seven days. Before, if I forgot to wash them, I could just spray some perfume on them and wear them again. Now you're saying I have to clean the toilet for ten years? How is that even possible...?"
"Kensei, promise the Captain, your fists are the hardest, and you're definitely the strongest without weapons."
"Yes, Kensei. Captain Nangong defeated Captain Azashiro. It could just be that their Zanpakuto properties were incompatible."
"That's right, Kensei, have you forgotten that you killed Giant Hollow with your bare fists? Even without Zanpakuto, you could definitely challenge Captain Nangong..."
What does it mean to betray your teammates? Kensei's three current teammates are betraying him; they are encouraging Kensei to challenge Zero. These people are all Vassal of Great Nobles, and they have ulterior motives.
"Enough with the nonsense!" The arrogant Kensei muttered under his breath, then strode confidently toward Zero and proclaimed, "I agree. As the Captain, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"
"Haha, interesting thinking! You're talking like you've already won. Come on! You could clean toilets for a year!"
Zero burst into laughter. In his Shikai, he might not be able to withstand ten punches from Yama-jii, but he was more than capable of taking on Kensei, who was at the Third Seat.
After the 11th Division's training area was cleared, Zero smiled and asked, "Ready?"
"Hmph, come on!"
Kensei's simple words signaled the start of the fight, with hundreds of Squad Member watching from the sidelines.
Zero moved, moving behind Kensei at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. Just as he was about to deliver a punch, Kensei turned to dodge, and then, taking advantage of Zero's opening, punched Zero in the stomach.
A terrifying surge of Reiryoku emanated from him, yet Zero remained completely still, while Kensei's expression subtly changed.
That's it?
The casual question reached his ears like a thunderclap, and then Zero delivered a Liver-Shattering Punch to Kensei's abdomen, ending the fight...