Kenpachi

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

Gremmy is an exceptionally tall young man with messy black hair falling over his shoulders. He commonly wears the white captain’s haori of the Eleventh Division, often draped loosely over his Shinigami uniform. 107 138

• Carries a serrated sword. 28
• Frequently travels with Yachiru seated on his shoulder before releasing Nozarashi. 107 138 268 269
• Wears the Eleventh Division captain’s haori after claiming the Kenpachi title. 125 138
• Is described as having an excited grin and an openly battle-hungry demeanor. 107 138
• During the Royal Palace incident, carries his Zanpakutō over his shoulder while running through Seireitei, then drags its jagged blade across the ground as he charges toward the Hill of the Twin Executions. 184
• His Bankai transformation turns his skin blood red and produces two pointed horns. During the battle against Nnoitra, these horns curve like a bull’s, and golden flames burn in his eyes. 269 283
• His Soul Jade-enhanced “White Demon” form has pure white skin, two sharp, sword-shaped horns, and entirely black, pupil-less eyes. Yan Si observes that, apart from lacking a Hollow Hole, he looks little different from an Arrancar. 270

Personality

Gremmy is driven almost entirely by the pursuit of powerful opponents. His interest in Kurayashiki’s captain’s haori begins as a desire to fight its wearer, and he treats the garment as proof of strength worth taking. 28 107

He is impatient with formalities and unconcerned with the danger of challenging captains in the Eleventh Division’s own grounds. Rather than fearing the Hollow army in the Human World, he rushes into it laughing so that he can “stretch [his] limbs.” 107 138

Despite his aggression, he is protective of Yachiru and keeps her close during his travels and battles. 107 138

His leadership follows the same strength-centered philosophy. After taking command, he declares that every seated position, including his own captaincy, may be challenged and won through combat. He also recognizes persistence in defeated opponents: Ikkaku’s refusal to yield earns him an invitation to join the division. 126

The scale of an engagement matters less to him than the quality of its opponents. After the Human World incursion ends, he complains that the battle was boring. Yan Si later relies on his tendency to continue fighting a powerful opponent even if he discovers that he was deceived into attacking them. 139 180

His impatience remains evident during official discussions. At the meeting concerning the Hollowification crisis, he dismisses speculation about the enemy king by declaring that he will smash him if he appears; later, he sits with his eyes closed and his head tilted as though asleep. 196

The prospect of stronger enemies delights rather than alarms him. When Yan Si warns that Arrancars may evolve further, Zaraki welcomes the news enthusiastically. He also attempts to challenge the revived Kurayashiki during a captains’ meeting, standing down only after Yamamoto threatens him with confinement in Muken. 255

He can exercise unusual patience when doing so guarantees a desired battle. After Yan Si promises a properly arranged fight in Muken, Zaraki stops attacking him, agrees to wait a few days, and even offers to share a meal, astonishing his subordinates. 266

Yan Si eventually interprets Zaraki’s apparent devotion to combat as a pursuit of the survival instinct awakened by fear of death. Having grown up surrounded by death, Zaraki became fascinated with the trembling sensation of struggling to survive. His subconscious suppression of his own strength allowed weaker opponents to recreate that sensation after he had become too powerful to feel threatened. 268

His enthusiasm for dangerous expeditions persists after the war. He initially objects to the proposed Hell Investigation Corps because he thinks he has been excluded, then immediately supports the proposal when Yan Si confirms that he qualifies. 311

Abilities & Skills

Battle Instinct and Growth

Gremmy is portrayed as a combatant whose potential can be stimulated through battle and injury.

• Yan Si assesses him as weaker than his younger self while in a dormant condition, but considers that younger version to have possessed at least top-tier second-class spiritual power, possibly first-class. 108
• Kurayashiki’s earlier strike is later credited with stimulating Gremmy’s strength to recover and increase. 124
• His strength is sufficient for him to leave Ikkaku Madarame with a massive, still-unhealed scar across his torso. 124
• As a boy, he defeated Unohana Yachiru, the First Kenpachi. Yan Si treats this earlier victory as evidence that Gremmy had already met the fundamental combat qualification for the title before his formal accession. 107 117
• Yan Si believes additional near-death battles could restore more of his dormant power. His proposed fight against a Squad Zero member is intended both to occupy that opponent and potentially help Zaraki recover more of himself. 117 180
• Unohana later senses his old killing intent gradually awakening as his strength returns. 191
• His use and growth of spiritual power initially operate almost entirely through instinct. When asked to reduce his Reiatsu during his first fight with Yan Si, his attempt instead pushes it toward a higher class. 109
• His strength responds to his surroundings: prolonged exposure to weak opponents can cause him to subconsciously seal away his own power. By the time Yan Si arranges their Muken battle, repeated injuries and losses of consciousness have undone approximately ninety-five percent of these seals. Awareness that powerful opponents still exist helps him avoid suppressing himself again. 266
• Yhwach designates him a Special War Power specifically for combat strength. 281

Swordsmanship

Gremmy fights directly with his serrated blade and favors overwhelming close-range violence.

• He attempts to claim Kurayashiki’s captain’s haori by defeating him in combat. 28
• After becoming Kenpachi, he defeats Gui Yancheng immediately upon arriving at the Eleventh Division training ground. 125
• During the Human World Hollow incursion, he cuts down three Gillian with a single sweep of his sword. 138
• Studies swordsmanship under Captain-General Yamamoto before becoming Eleventh Division captain. 119
• Breaks Ikkaku’s released Hōzukimaru and severely wounds him with a single strike. 126
• Attacks Tenjirō Kirinji repeatedly during the Royal Palace incident. His first slash cuts a piece from Kirinji’s haori, and his subsequent strikes carry enough force to tear through the air, though Kirinji evades and counterattacks. 184
• Matches Kuchiki Kyōka’s masked sword attacks with tremendous physical force, initially using only one hand. Their clash leaves both combatants grievously wounded. 231
• Uses a two-handed kendo stance against Nnoitra, sharply increasing the force of his attacks and driving the Espada backward. 283
• After releasing Bankai against Nnoitra’s evolved form, decapitates him in a single rushing slash. 283
• His instinctive exchanges with Unohana in Muken inspire Chiziro to recognize shortcomings in his own swordsmanship and begin sustained physical and sword training. 315

Spiritual Pressure

Even while described as dormant, Gremmy possesses notable spiritual power and dangerous fighting potential.

• Yan Si gauges his then-current spiritual pressure between fifth- and fourth-class, while judging his true potential to be vastly greater. 108
• His arrival at the Eleventh Division training grounds immediately draws the attention of Kurayashiki Kenpachi, Unohana Retsu, and Captain-General Yamamoto. 107
• His golden Reiatsu reaches the peak of Fourth-Class during his first duel with Yan Si and approaches Third-Class when he unsuccessfully tries to restrain it. 109
• Reaches Third-Class spiritual pressure while training under Yamamoto, making him a genuine captain-level combatant before his formal appointment. 117
• His later recovery is substantial enough for Unohana to anticipate the approach of their long-awaited final battle, although no new numerical spiritual-pressure class is confirmed at that stage. 187 191
• By the preparations for the Muken battle, his unleashed spiritual pressure reaches the peak of First-Class. 266
• His Soul Jade enhancement increases his power further, as acknowledged by Yhwach, but the available developments do not assign the enhanced form a numerical class. 269 270 281

Zanpakutō and Incomplete Self

Yachiru Kusajishi is identified as Zaraki’s manifested Zanpakutō rather than merely an unrelated companion. Yan Si explains that recovering his complete self and his Zanpakutō’s name would very likely cause her to return to the blade, ending her ability to remain independently manifested and enjoy ordinary activities with him. Yachiru nevertheless accepts a dangerous battle that might bring about that recovery. 180

Zaraki’s incomplete knowledge of himself is also noted by Ichibē Hyōsube, who identifies him as an exception among Soul Society’s inhabitants because he had known neither his own name nor his Zanpakutō’s. At that stage, no named Shikai or Bankai release has been confirmed. 185

By the later preparations against Aizen, Zaraki has learned his Zanpakutō’s name but still does not realize that the girl on his shoulder is that weapon. Yan Si states that releasing Shikai will cause Yachiru to disappear. When directly asked whether he would accept never seeing her again as the price of fighting to his heart’s content, Zaraki does not understand the question. 255 266

He subsequently releases Nozarashi in Muken. Yan Si explicitly identifies the enormous released blade with Yachiru, establishing the connection between his companion and his weapon in its released state. 268 269

Nozarashi

During the battle in Hueco Mundo, a Cross Insignia fails to steal his Bankai: the enormous blade and its blood-red power remain intact despite the device’s attempt to extract them. This demonstrates resistance to that particular theft attempt, rather than immunity to all Quincy techniques; he is subsequently confined by The Jail. 283

Endurance and Resistance

• Continues fighting Kuchiki Kyōka despite multiple sword wounds and survives a Cero directed at his head that strips away his face. Unohana later heals him. 231
• Survives Aizen slicing open approximately half his neck; his injuries have completely healed by the later captains’ meeting. 233 255
• In his evolved state, allows Kensei’s Bankai blades to penetrate his abdomen and endures their internal explosive force long enough to deliver a devastating counterattack. 270
• Remains unaffected by the killing intent within Unohana’s blood-colored mist during the confrontation following Yan Si’s apparent death. 271
• Survives more than eighty years of fighting and confinement in Hell before entering one of its connected worlds. The prolonged ordeal leaves the surviving expedition members exhausted and emotionally numb. 322

Equipment

• Serrated sword / Nozarashi — Gremmy’s primary weapon in direct combat; later confirmed to possess Shikai and Bankai releases. 28 268 269
• Eleventh Division captain’s haori — Claimed after defeating Gui Yancheng and retained during the Human World deployment. 125 138
• Manifested Zanpakutō companion — Before his Shikai release, Yachiru remains independently manifested beside him; her existence in this form is linked to his incomplete recovery of himself and his weapon’s name. She later returns to the weapon when Nozarashi is released. 180 255 266 268 269
• Soul Jade — Supplied by Yan Si after his defeat in Bankai during the Muken battle; awakens his new white, Hollow-like form. 269 270

History

Origins and Succession of the Kenpachi Title

Kenpachi is the combat-based title associated with leadership of the Eleventh Division. It means “the strongest sword” and is described as synonymous, in a qualified sense, with the strongest Shinigami, emphasizing fighting spirit and killing ability rather than an absolute ranking of every form of power. 29

The division’s traditional requirement is to defeat the current Kenpachi head-on before its members, establishing the victor’s right to the captaincy and its white haori. The tradition is also described in fatal terms: the victor lives and the loser dies. Kurayashiki, who obtained the position by killing his predecessor, refuses to abandon that principle when defeated. 105 107 110

The known succession figures and claimants include:

The tradition’s apparently absolute killing requirement contains a notable contradiction: Unohana remains alive despite having lost to Gremmy years earlier. Yan Si identifies her survival as a possible way to preserve succession without requiring every defeated holder to die. 107

The continued use of “Kenpachi” in former holders’ names does not necessarily indicate simultaneous official possession of the title. At the meeting organizing the Hell Investigation Corps, the narration counts Zaraki, Unohana, and Chiziro as three Kenpachi present while explicitly clarifying that the latter two no longer officially hold the title. 311

Childhood Victory over the First Kenpachi

While still a boy, Gremmy defeated Unohana Yachiru. By the time he arrives at the Eleventh Division’s succession duel, he remembers her only through fragmented impressions of bloodshed and cannot reconcile those memories with her gentle appearance as Fourth Division captain. His presence, and the name of his companion Yachiru, nearly provoke Unohana into drawing her sword before Yamamoto restrains her. 107

Unohana later describes her medical service as a means of atoning for an old mistake while awaiting an ultimate fight to the death. She watches Zaraki’s recovery closely, initially judging that his restored strength is still insufficient for the confrontation she desires. 187

Yan Si later explains that Unohana’s appearance in Zaraki’s childhood briefly restored the fear of death that his overwhelming strength had deprived him of. His subsequent subconscious sealing of his own power was an attempt to experience that survival response again. Their encounter likewise awakened Unohana’s fascination with facing death through combat. 268

District 80 “Demon”

Before entering the Gotei 13, Gremmy lived in District 80, Zaraki, where he was feared as the “Demon.” Kurayashiki Kenpachi and Lieutenant Ashido investigated the district after hearing rumors of a powerful killer. 27

Kurayashiki’s visit was prompted by Yan Si’s novel, The Killer of Meteor City, whose descriptions he and Ashido associated with Zaraki District. The novel’s actual model was the First Kenpachi, Unohana, rather than the young man they found there. 24 33 34

Gremmy fixated on Kurayashiki’s captain’s haori and attacked in an attempt to obtain it. Kurayashiki defeated him with a single slash, leaving the captain disappointed that the anticipated battle ended so quickly. Although the victory appeared effortless, Kurayashiki later tells Unohana that he became carried away and used all his strength; Ashido stopped Gremmy’s bleeding, allowing him to survive. 28 29 31

The encounter nevertheless awakened and stimulated Gremmy’s dormant strength. His later recovery made him stronger than before and contributed to the severe wound he later inflicted on Ikkaku Madarame. 124

Kenpachi Challenge

Gremmy and Yachiru arrived at the Eleventh Division’s training grounds during Chiziro Sochika’s formal challenge against Kurayashiki Kenpachi. Gremmy openly declared his intention to take the captain’s white haori and chose to confront Chiziro first. 107

Unohana arranged for Yan Si to stop Gremmy before he could interfere with the succession battle. Gremmy eagerly accepted the fight, but Yan Si defeated him at the cost of devastating injuries to his own arm. 108 110

Kurayashiki subsequently suffers fatal injuries in his duel with Chiziro. Although Yamamoto offers him the opportunity to withdraw, Kurayashiki insists that a Kenpachi must not make excuses and continues attacking until he is killed. Yamamoto recognizes Chiziro as the new Kenpachi, while Yan Si carries the unconscious Gremmy away with Yachiru following them. 110

Training and the Succession Crisis

Gremmy trains under Yamamoto after the succession duel and reaches Third-Class spiritual pressure. Yan Si considers him the natural eventual successor to the Eleventh Division, but the title becomes difficult to transfer after Chiziro voluntarily surrenders and is imprisoned in Muken without being defeated. 116 117 119

Yoruichi proposes that Yan Si take the vacant captaincy, partly to prevent an unqualified outsider from exploiting the division’s weak temporary leadership. Yan Si refuses, noting that Gremmy is studying swordsmanship under Yamamoto and would likely defeat whoever took the position in the interim. 119

Unohana visits Chiziro in Muken and invokes her identity as the First Kenpachi. Because Chiziro has not been defeated, he still regards the title and his retained captain’s haori as rightfully his. Unohana releases Minazuki and fights him to give the succession a proper conclusion; when Yan Si returns his attention to the duel, it has ended with Chiziro gravely injured and Amatsuyu Takuru shielding him from a killing blow. 120 121

Afterward, Unohana asks Yan Si to watch over the Eleventh Division. Yan Si also approaches Gremmy at the First Division training grounds, presenting the vacant Kenpachi position as an opportunity for prestige and battles against strong challengers. 122

Becoming Kenpachi

Following the instability caused by Chiziro’s imprisonment and the Eleventh Division’s vacant captaincy, Yan Si wrote a prediction that Gremmy would become Kenpachi in the near future. 124

Gremmy later arrived after Gui Yancheng defeated the division’s acting captain. He immediately challenged Gui, defeated him, and reclaimed the captain’s haori, establishing himself as Gremmy Kenpachi. 125

The officers accept him instinctively as someone they can follow. He then fights Ikkaku, defeats him with one strike despite Hōzukimaru’s release, and invites him to join the division because of his refusal to surrender. Gremmy also attempts to challenge Yan Si, who escapes with Flash Step after distracting Yachiru with candy. 126

Before entering the barracks, he appoints Yachiru lieutenant and declares that all ranks, including his own, will be determined by strength. Any member may challenge an officer above them. 126

Human World Hollow Incursion

Gremmy later entered the Human World through a modified Senkaimon with Yachiru, Ikkaku Madarame, and Yumichika Ayasegawa. He ignored organized tactics and charged alone into a large Hollow force, killing multiple Gillian with ease. 138

After the captains seal the inter-realm rift, he returns to Soul Society with the others and complains that the battle was boring. 139

Search for the King

When the King first triggers Seireitei’s invasion alarm, Zaraki is conducting training that consists of overwhelmingly beating his own subordinates. His irritation at the interruption immediately changes to excitement when Ikkaku explains that the sound signals an intruder. Zaraki and Yachiru set out to find the invader, initially heading south while Ikkaku and Yumichika go toward the northern gate. 143

Following the mysterious King’s appearance in Seireitei, Gremmy searches for him alongside Ikkaku and Yumichika. On encountering Yan Si, his instincts urge him to fight, but Yan Si evades his attempts and treats Yachiru to snacks instead. 149

Royal Palace Incident

Yan Si later recruits Chiziro to help him reach the Royal Palace. Their plan requires Chiziro to use Reishi-based illusions to make Zaraki mistake the descending Squad Zero member for the King. Yan Si reasons that Zaraki need not win: once engaged with a powerful opponent, he will continue fighting even if he learns that he was manipulated. 180

Yan Si separately secures Yachiru’s cooperation, warning that Zaraki could die but explaining that the battle might restore more of his dormant self. Yachiru accepts both the danger and the possibility that his recovery would cause her to return to his blade. She takes a Hell Butterfly to guide him, and she and Yan Si promise that Yan Si will fight Zaraki once Yan Si is well. 180

When Tenjirō Kirinji descends to escort Hikifune to the Royal Palace, Yachiru directs Zaraki to follow the butterfly toward the Hill of the Twin Executions. He rushes past Unohana’s attempt to stop him and attacks Kirinji, whom Chiziro’s interference makes him perceive as the black-robed King. 184

Zaraki repeatedly pursues Kirinji while Chiziro restrains Hikifune and confronts Yamamoto. Unohana identifies abnormal Reishi around Zaraki’s ears and recognizes Chiziro’s involvement. The fighting occupies Kirinji as Yan Si charges toward the Royal Palace staircase; Kirinji evades Zaraki’s attacks and counterattacks while trying to regain control of the situation. 184

Continued Recovery and Unohana’s Preparations

After the Royal Palace incident, Unohana observes that Zaraki has recovered much of his strength but is not yet ready for her ultimate battle. His killing intent continues awakening, and she eventually begins arranging the Fourth Division’s future in anticipation of their approaching final confrontation. She permits Lieutenant Yamada to accept another position because she intends to recruit a more suitable, talented Academy student. Their anticipated confrontation does not occur at this stage; they later fight after both evolve during the Muken operation. 187 191 269 270

Hollowification Crisis

Zaraki attends the captains’ meeting concerning Shinigami being contaminated and transformed into Hollows. While other captains discuss whether the incidents constitute a probe or experiment, he declares that he will destroy the responsible king if he appears. 196

Battle on the Hill of the Twin Executions

Zaraki leads the approaching captains toward the Hill of the Twin Executions, where Aizen and Tōsen are waiting. Yachiru points out Kuchiki Kyōka as a masked opponent, and Zaraki immediately challenges him, associating the word “Visored” with strength. 231

Kyōka uses his mask, swordsmanship, and Cero against Zaraki. Despite suffering wounds across his chest and waist and taking a Cero to the head that strips away his face, Zaraki survives and continues their brutal exchange. Both combatants are grievously wounded, but Kyōka eventually loses his nerve. Unohana heals Zaraki and declares the fight over, and he turns away. When Kyōka attempts to pursue him, Byakuya blocks the attack with Senbonzakura and tells Kyōka to stop disgracing the Kuchiki name. 231

During Aizen’s subsequent revelation and attack on the gathered Shinigami, Zaraki charges him eagerly. Aizen acknowledges his clear desire for battle, then moves behind him and slices open half his neck, sending him crashing to the ground. Zaraki survives and has completely recovered by the later meeting concerning Hueco Mundo. 233 255

Return of Kurayashiki and Preparations for War

After Aizen’s departure, Yamamoto orders Yan Si to assist in awakening Kurayashiki as a potential candidate for a solo raid on Hueco Mundo. The revived former Kenpachi later serves as the Court Security Guard Squad’s Eleventh Squad Captain. 236 255

Zaraki resents being left out of the expedition and attempts to challenge Kurayashiki during the subsequent meeting. Yamamoto threatens to confine him in Muken, forcing him to stand down. Yan Si explains privately that Kurayashiki’s relative restraint made him a more suitable intelligence-gathering participant, whereas Zaraki would not willingly abandon a sufficiently exciting battle. 255

At this point, Zaraki has essentially recovered his original strength and learned his Zanpakutō’s name, although he still does not recognize Yachiru’s true identity. Yan Si’s warning that Arrancars may evolve further only increases his excitement about the coming conflict. 255

Muken Battle and Soul Jade Evolution

Yan Si considers Zaraki and Unohana suitable candidates for Soul Jade evolution because of the intensity of their emotions. He initially characterizes them as embodiments of combat and slaughter, later concluding that their shared underlying drive is the fear of death and the survival instinct it awakens. 256 268

When Yan Si visits the Eleventh Division to arrange a battle in Muken, Zaraki immediately attacks him. Yan Si avoids the attack and promises that they will fight in a place where collateral damage will not be a concern. Zaraki agrees to wait. By then, he has removed approximately ninety-five percent of his subconscious restraints and can unleash peak First-Class spiritual pressure. Yan Si also asks whether he would accept losing Yachiru forever in exchange for unrestricted battle, but Zaraki does not understand the implication. 266

On the appointed day, Yan Si finds Zaraki and Yachiru waiting at the division entrance and leads them to Muken, where Unohana and Chiziro are already present. Zaraki recognizes Unohana as the opponent who once made him feel threatened with death, and the two immediately prepare to fight. Yachiru reminds Yan Si of his promise, and Yan Si instead intervenes to face both combatants himself. 268

Yan Si’s released presence makes Zaraki and Unohana experience the fear of true death. He repeatedly wounds them with overwhelming attacks until Zaraki releases Nozarashi and demands another round. The released weapon takes the form of an enormous cleaver, returning Yachiru to her identity as his blade. 268 269

Zaraki continues attacking despite accumulating injuries, then releases Bankai, transforming into a red, horned figure wielding an enlarged, mist-wreathed Nozarashi. Yan Si defeats him and cuts off one of his horns before supplying him with a Soul Jade. The resulting evolution produces his white-skinned, sword-horned form, which charges Unohana after she has undergone her own Soul Jade evolution. Their long-anticipated confrontation finally begins, but neither dies in this battle. 269 270 311

The operation also serves Yan Si’s plan to fake his death. During its aftermath, Zaraki fights Kensei, enduring internal explosions from the latter’s Bankai and gravely wounding him with a counterattack. Zaraki subsequently claims responsibility for killing Yan Si, provoking Gin Ichimaru; Byakuya intervenes to block Zaraki’s retaliatory slash. The assembled captains attempt to prevent further losses among their own fighters. 268 270 271

War in Hueco Mundo

Zaraki continues seeking an expedition to Hueco Mundo, although Yamamoto cuts off his attempt to propose one at a captains’ meeting. Later, when he questions being excluded from Human World garrison duty, Yamamoto explains that the Eleventh Division is an assault force and promises opportunities once the Wandenreich is located. 274 280

During the confrontation with the Quincy, Yhwach identifies Zaraki as a Special War Power for combat strength and notes that his Soul Jade enhancement has made him still stronger. 281

Nnoitra subsequently chooses Zaraki as an opponent because he seeks the despair necessary to stimulate further evolution. They exchange increasingly violent attacks, with Zaraki using two-handed swordsmanship before Nnoitra reveals his Soul Jade-evolved form. Zaraki accepts repeated deep wounds without retreating, then assumes his red, horned Bankai form and decapitates Nnoitra. 283

A subsequent attempt to steal his Bankai with a Cross Insignia fails, leaving Nozarashi and his blood-red power intact. The Quincy confrontation continues, and Zaraki is subsequently confined by The Jail. 283

Later in the battle, Zaraki and Unohana are again seen exchanging blows with each other. After Yhwach nullifies Kurayashiki’s Bankai and kills the former Kenpachi with a Heilig Pfeil, Zaraki and Unohana attack the Quincy king together. Yhwach blasts them away using Yamamoto’s Zanjitsu Gokui. 289

Hell Investigation Corps

Zaraki attends the meeting at which Soul Society organizes the Hell Investigation Corps. The gathering includes him, Unohana, and Chiziro, although only Zaraki remains an official Kenpachi. When Yan Si proposes sending the oldest and strongest fighters from the three realms, Zaraki objects because he wants to participate. Yan Si points out that his existence during Unohana’s tenure as Kenpachi makes him close to a thousand years old and therefore eligible, whereupon Zaraki enthusiastically supports the proposal. 311

In Hell, the expedition encounters copies of the First Generation captains made from Hell’s power and their memories. Obana Danjirō challenges Zaraki while the other expedition members face their own opponents. The copies regenerate as long as Hell endures, making ordinary victories insufficient to end the conflict. 314

After more than eighty years, the survivors are exhausted and emotionally numb. Yan Si and Aizen discover that Hell receives power through gates connected to other worlds and conclude that these connections must be severed. When Aizen opens all six gates, Zaraki and Unohana enter the dark red gate together, while other groups take separate routes and Yan Si returns to Soul Society with Byakuya. 322

Relationships

• Yachiru — Constant companion who rides on his shoulder; Gremmy keeps her close and is protective of her safety. He appoints her lieutenant after taking command. She is subsequently identified as his manifested Zanpakutō and willingly helps arrange a dangerous battle that could restore him, even if doing so causes her to return to the blade. Although he eventually learns Nozarashi’s name, he initially remains unaware that Yachiru is the weapon itself. She accompanies him to Muken and returns to the blade when he releases Nozarashi. 107 126 138 180 255 266 268 269
• Kurayashiki Kenpachi — Former Eleventh Division captain who defeated Gremmy with one slash in District 80; that wound later stimulated Gremmy’s recovery. Kurayashiki recognizes his talent and defends his right to seek a fight when he intrudes on the succession duel. After Kurayashiki’s revival, Zaraki immediately seeks another battle with him, even attempting to begin one during a captains’ meeting. 28 29 107 124 255
• Yan Si — Defeated Gremmy during the Eleventh Division succession crisis; later predicts that Gremmy will become Kenpachi. Their shared training under Yamamoto gives Yan Si an opportunity to encourage his interest in the vacancy. Yan Si repeatedly avoids further duels and later arranges his confrontation with Kirinji through Chiziro and Yachiru. He eventually fulfills the promised Muken battle, forces out Zaraki’s Shikai and Bankai, and supplies the Soul Jade responsible for his further evolution. Zaraki’s later claim to have killed him forms part of the aftermath of Yan Si’s staged death. 108 110 122 124 126 149 180 184 266 268 269 271
• Chiziro Sochika — Gremmy intended to fight him first when Chiziro challenged Kurayashiki for the Kenpachi title. Chiziro later uses Reishi-based sensory interference to make Zaraki attack Kirinji as though he were the King. He participates in the later Muken operation, and watching Zaraki and Unohana’s instinctive swordsmanship inspires him to improve his own physical and sword training. 107 180 184 268 269 315
• Ikkaku Madarame — Survived a severe slash from Gremmy and seeks another fight with him. After becoming captain, Gremmy defeats his released Hōzukimaru but respects his refusal to yield and invites him into the division. Ikkaku later accompanies him during deployments and the search for the King. 124 126 138 149
• Gui Yancheng — Rival claimant whom Gremmy defeats to take the Eleventh Division captaincy. 125
• Unohana Retsu / Unohana Yachiru — First Kenpachi, whom Gremmy defeated while still a boy. She monitors his dormant strength and subsequent recovery, awaiting a final battle worthy of her. Her preparations for the Fourth Division’s succession reflect her expectation that this confrontation is approaching. They eventually fight after both undergo Soul Jade evolution in Muken, survive the encounter, later attack Yhwach together, and enter the dark red gate together during the Hell expedition. 107 187 191 269 270 289 322
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni — Trains Gremmy in swordsmanship before his accession to the Eleventh Division captaincy. Gremmy reaches captain-level spiritual power during this period. Yamamoto later restrains his disruptive challenges during meetings and reserves the Eleventh Division for offensive deployment rather than garrison duty. 117 119 255 280
• Yumichika Ayasegawa — Eleventh Division member who accompanies him to the Human World and later helps search for the King. 138 149
• Tenjirō Kirinji — Squad Zero member whom Zaraki attacks under Chiziro’s illusion during the Royal Palace incident. Kirinji evades his repeated slashes and counterattacks. 184
• Kuchiki Kyōka — Masked opponent whom Zaraki eagerly challenges on the Hill of the Twin Executions. Their brutal exchange leaves both grievously wounded, but Kyōka loses his nerve before Unohana ends the fight. 231
• Aizen Sōsuke — Recognizes Zaraki’s clear desire for combat but swiftly defeats him by slicing open his neck during his departure from Soul Society. They later participate in the same expedition to Hell. 233 322
• Kensei Muguruma — Attacks Zaraki during the aftermath of the Muken operation and is gravely wounded by his counterattack despite using Bankai and Hollowfication. 270 271
• Nnoitra Gilga — Chooses Zaraki as an opponent capable of giving him the despair needed for evolution. Zaraki ultimately decapitates his Soul Jade-evolved form with Nozarashi. 283
• Yhwach — Designates Zaraki a Special War Power for combat strength. Zaraki later attacks him alongside Unohana after Kurayashiki’s death, but both are blasted away. 281 289
• Obana Danjirō — A Hell-made copy of the First Generation captain who challenges Zaraki during the expedition. 314

Notable Quotes

“I don't care who my opponent is, hurry up and come on. I still have to fight that big guy after this!” 108

“Looks like I can stretch my limbs a little.” 138

“Aren't you the King?! If you're the King, fight properly!” 184

“Who cares what king he is? If he dares show up, I'll smash him.” 196

“As long as we can fight, what else matters?!” 231

“I killed Yan Si.” 271

“I'm going too! Shouldn't I be the one doing something like attacking Hell?!” 311

Trivia

• Gremmy was initially known as Gomukure, the “Ogre,” before being identified as Gremmy Kenpachi. 107 125
• The title Kenpachi is tied to the Eleventh Division captaincy and is earned through defeating the current holder. 106 110
• Later narration also refers to him as Kenpachi Zaraki, alongside the name Gremmy Kenpachi. 132 138
• The formal succession tradition emphasizes defeating the incumbent publicly before the Eleventh Division, rather than merely being appointed to administer its affairs. The former Third Seat’s temporary leadership therefore does not automatically make him Kenpachi. 105 119
• Unohana’s survival after losing to Gremmy provides a direct exception to the tradition’s stated expectation that the defeated Kenpachi must die. Yan Si uses this discrepancy when considering how to preserve the title’s inheritance. 107
• Chiziro is singled out as the Kenpachi who relies primarily on his Zanpakutō’s Reishi manipulation rather than pure swordsmanship. 103
• Kurayashiki’s Bankai, Gakurai Corridor, belongs to an earlier title holder, not to Gremmy. It manifests an enormous devouring mouth and consumes Kronos, his temporal power, and the surrounding terrain; its use is forbidden within Soul Society, and its aftermath temporarily prevents Kurayashiki from using Shikai. 29 98 100
• Yan Si selects Zaraki for the Royal Palace diversion partly because his established reputation as a battle maniac makes manipulation by an enemy believable, reducing the expected severity of punishment compared with openly involving Yan Si’s other allies. 183
• “The strongest sword” is the title’s stated meaning, but its associated claim to being the strongest Shinigami is qualified by an emphasis on fighting spirit and killing ability. Yamamoto is still explicitly regarded as the strongest Shinigami in the later war preparations. 29 255
• Kurayashiki’s return does not create a second official Eleventh Division Kenpachi: he serves in the separate Court Security Guard Squad, while Zaraki retains the Gotei 13 captaincy. 255
• The Hell Investigation Corps meeting brings together three figures called Kenpachi—Zaraki, Unohana, and Chiziro—but explicitly recognizes only Zaraki as the current official holder. 311
• Zaraki does not remember his own age. Yan Si estimates his eligibility for the Hell expedition from the fact that he was already alive while Unohana still bore the Kenpachi title. 311

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