Kijō Kenpachi

Squad 4 Recruitment Booth!

Only a handful of people stood in line waiting for evaluation. Aside from pretty, adorable girls, there were malnourished, frail-looking boys who seemed easy to push around. Its deserted coldness stood in stark contrast to the other divisions. Among the thirteen divisions, Squad 11 was the most popular, with an extremely long line. To the proud graduates, the reputation of a combat division was highly appealing. Joining a combat division was undoubtedly the fastest way to showcase their abilities. Having yet to experience despair, the graduates fantasized about finding success in Squad 11, becoming captains, and reaching the peak of life.

"Ha ha ha..." Seeing the sea of people outside his division's booth, Kijō Kenpachi felt especially proud. For some reason, he actually began mocking Retsu Unohana, captain of Squad 4.

"There really aren't many people here, Captain Unohana! Just say the word, and I'll give half of them to you." Kijō Kenpachi puffed himself up like a victorious rooster, displaying his splendid... feathers.

From the first time he met Retsu Unohana, Kijō Kenpachi had been deeply dissatisfied with this merciful captain praised by everyone. Others might not have noticed, but as the person involved, he could easily sense the indifference and disdain in Unohana's eyes. That lofty, downward gaze made it seem as if he were merely an ant she could crush at will. How could someone as proud as Kijō Kenpachi swallow such an insult?

Considering that Retsu Unohana was a weak woman and the captain of Squad 4, the least combat-capable medical division among the thirteen divisions, Kijō Kenpachi restrained himself from challenging her to a duel. But displeasure was displeasure. Whenever he found an opportunity, he would mock her. Although he never gained the upper hand verbally, he still never tired of it.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto remained expressionless, seated calmly in his chair as though he were oblivious to everything around him, his mind seemingly wandering elsewhere. Shunsui Kyōraku felt awful after hearing Kijō Kenpachi's provocation. Only one thought remained in his mind: Where did this idiot come from, spouting nonsense here? I used to think his brain didn't work right. Turns out he... doesn't have a brain at all.

Shunsui Kyōraku made up his mind to stay as far away from Kijō Kenpachi as possible in the future. If Retsu Unohana ever thought they were close, life would become impossible.

"No need to trouble yourself, Captain Kijō. Squad 4 is a medical division, and our casualty rate is very low. It doesn't matter even if we fail to recruit anyone this time." Retsu Unohana smiled. "On the other hand, Squad 11 recruits the most newcomers every year, yet only a few of them survive. It's truly worrying!"

"Hmph! Under my leadership, Squad 11 will only grow stronger and stronger. But Squad 4... don't let the day come when Captain Unohana is the only one left." His words made Kijō Kenpachi's contempt for Squad 4 obvious. This view was mainstream in Seireitei. The Bleach who risked their lives in battle all looked down, to some extent, on Squad 4 members who swept floors and treated wounds every day.

"You worry too much, Captain Kijō. Squad 4 has always been the largest division in the Gotei 13. In fact, I've been troubled by having too many members!" Retsu Unohana returned a soft stab. Squad 4 members excelled at healing, and in combat, they truly ranked at the bottom among the thirteen divisions. But being at the bottom had its advantages—namely, they lived long enough. Squad 4 had the lowest casualty rate. Even if they failed to recruit a single newcomer for ten years, it would not affect operations.

Before Kijō Kenpachi could reply, Retsu Unohana continued, "However, seeing that so many newcomers are joining Squad 11 this year, I'm no longer troubled. After all, a great many injured Squad 11 members will need treatment then. That way, Squad 4 won't face the awkward situation of having too many hands. I must thank Captain Kijō for your wise leadership."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat steadily on the raised platform, pretending not to hear their conversation. Shunsui Kyōraku, however, lacked his composure. He turned away, his shoulders shaking as he secretly laughed.

"Damn it, you—" Pierced all over by those soft stabs and then mocked by Shunsui Kyōraku, the humiliated Kijō Kenpachi flew into a rage and was about to curse loudly when a casual glance from Retsu Unohana, filled with killing intent, froze him in place.

"Please calm down, Captain Kijō! Many newcomers are watching. Do not lose a captain's manners and dignity." Retsu Unohana smiled, withdrawing her killing intent and becoming once again the gentle, virtuous Yamato Nadeshiko.

"Damn it..." Kijō Kenpachi came back to his senses. Thinking of the ease he had just shown, he felt utterly humiliated and gritted his teeth as he came up with a bad idea.

"Kamikawa, get over here." Kijō Kenpachi roared toward Squad 11's recruitment booth, calling over a large-built male Bleach.

"Captain, you called for me?" Kamikawa, a Squad 11 member, cautiously glanced at the other captains before quietly asking.

The sight only ignited Kijō Kenpachi's inexplicable anger again. He actually ignored me and greeted the other captains first. He has no respect for me at all.

"Go to Squad 4's recruitment booth. Captain Unohana needs help. Her members are too weak to assess the newcomers' true abilities. Go keep an eye on things. Don't let useless trash pretending to be capable sneak into the Gotei 13."

"Uh... wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Kamikawa had some sense, at least. The moment he heard this, he panicked.

"Are you challenging my authority as captain? Even Captain Unohana has agreed, so why are you still talking nonsense?" Kijō Kenpachi raged and kicked him away.

"Isn't that right, Captain Unohana?" Kijō Kenpachi lowered his head sharply, looking down at Retsu Unohana from above. This angle thoroughly satisfied his self-esteem.

"Hey, hey! Captain Kijō, that's going too far!" Shunsui Kyōraku frowned. Though he hated trouble by nature, he could not simply hide his head and watch the show now.

"It's fine. Then I'll have to trouble Captain Kijō."

Unexpectedly, Retsu Unohana agreed. Seeing this, Shunsui Kyōraku could not say anything further. He pulled his straw hat lower and murmured, "How strange. Captain Unohana isn't someone who would willingly suffer a loss!"

Since none of the captains objected, Kamikawa stopped holding back. He swaggered over to Squad 4's recruitment booth and swept his eyes around fiercely. Several adorable girls and timid boys took a frightened step back. Only Duke remained motionless, standing where he was.

Today is my first day entering the thirteen divisions. Tonight, I'll ask Iba out for some fun. There's a great barbecue place in South District 1 of Rukongai. Duke was lost in random thoughts when someone suddenly grabbed him by the collar, snapping him back to his senses.

"Bro, what's your name?" Standing so close to a musclebound guy made Duke feel a chill down his backside.

"Brat, you dare ignore me? You're pretty arrogant!"

"Huh?" Duke was shocked. He had clearly done nothing. How had he offended this guy? Could it be... could it be... this was the classic scene where a villain provoked the protagonist, tried to show off, and ended up getting slapped in the face? Who would have thought that nearly fifty chapters in, he could finally enjoy treatment like a protagonist? So happy... Tonight, he would not make Iba treat him to barbecue. They would split the bill and pay for their own meals. What a bargain for him. But Duke was in a good mood today!

"Brat, are you even listening to me?" Kamikawa's provocation had initially contained an element of acting, but after being ignored by Duke again and again, the act became real. He roared in fury.

"I'm not a brat. Your mouth is the one that stinks... I'm going to throw up."

"Bastard! I challenge you to a duel!"

"Is this really all right, Captain Unohana? That kid looks rather dull!" Shunsui Kyōraku wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. This year's newcomers really were... interesting.

"It's fine..." Retsu Unohana stared intently at Duke, placing her trembling hand on the hilt of her Zanpakuto. Even after sealing away her blade for many years, she could not forget that impulse as a supreme swordswoman. It was the instinctive reaction of facing a strong opponent. To Shunsui Kyōraku, Duke was merely a foolish, vacant-looking kid, but she saw a resting beast...

"You lost your composure, Captain Unohana." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto opened his eyes and spoke calmly.

"My apologies!" Retsu Unohana returned to normal.

Shunsui Kyōraku was extremely intelligent. Their exchange struck his ears like thunder. He quickly turned to look at Duke standing in the center of the training ground, and the moment he did, his expression turned grave.

"Talking nonsense!" Kijō Kenpachi sneered and gave Kamikawa a look.

At the training ground in front of Squad 4, Kamikawa received his captain's order and immediately grinned viciously. "Kid, don't blame me if you die. Blame your bad luck."

"My fate is mine, not Heaven's... something like that." Duke thought back. Usually, protagonists had to say something like this when showing off.

"What the hell are you talking about? Draw your sword already!"

"I can't! If your blood gets on her, she won't be happy... because you're too weak." Duke placed one hand behind his back, striking the pose of a master as he tried his best to imitate the tone of the protagonists he remembered.

"Bastard!" Kamikawa drew his Zanpakuto and leaped into a downward slash at Duke. "I'll be taking that shoulder of yours!"

Hado #4 Byakurai! A bolt of lightning appeared at Duke's fingertips and shot toward Kamikawa, piercing through his right shoulder.

"I'll be taking your shoulder," Duke said softly. At that moment, he finally understood why male protagonists always loved showing off. It felt great—absolutely great!

"Arghhhhh!" Kamikawa fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder and howling. The scene drew plenty of attention. Although battles had never ceased at the training ground before Squad 11 and the atmosphere there was incredibly heated, it was the first time anyone had seen a newcomer instantly defeat a senior.

"I wonder whether you can take my shoulder as well?" The furious Kijō Kenpachi appeared before Duke in a flash, cursed Kamikawa as trash, kicked aside the still-wailing man, and glared viciously at Duke.

"The captain... of Squad 11?" Duke was somewhat confused. He did not recall offending this "Kenpachi." Why was he looking at him as if Duke had murdered his father?

"You took down one of my members with a single Kido. Pretty impressive, aren't you?" He had intended to teach Squad 4's newcomer a lesson, but Duke had embarrassed him instead. Kijō Kenpachi's killing intent surged.

"Not bad."

"In that case, let me, Kijō Kenpachi, be your opponent and test whether you are qualified to enter the Gotei 13..."

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