The Swordsman of the 7th Division

Next to the Seventh Division's barracks, there was an inconspicuous little kendo dojo, Aikawa Love was standing casually in front of the dojo's door.

The Seventh Division is an inner court unit. With everyone else scattered during this invasion by the Ryoka, the Seventh Division's barracks were unusually quiet.

That's why Aikawa Love dared to come to the Seventh Division. Unlike Hirako, he didn't have any ulterior motives or a secret space within the Seventh Division that no one knew about. The only thing he could think of was a small kendo dojo that no one would come to during this time of the Ryoka invasion.

The owner of this small kendo dojo is named Jin'emon Kotsubaki. He is the father of Sentarō Kotsubaki, the current Third Seat of the 13th Division, and was also the former lieutenant of Aikawa Love and the former Vice-Captain of the Seventh Division.

Like Shiba Iba, Kotsubaki Jin'emon's situation also became extremely awkward due to the sudden defection of Aikawa Love to Soul Society. After a series of investigations by the Stealth Force, he was finally confirmed to be unrelated to Aikawa Love's defection.

However, after the interrogation, Kotsubaki Jin'emon returned to the Seventh Division and discovered that a new captain, Sajin Komamura, had been parachuted into the division.

Sajin Komamura was a highly valued talent by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Whether it was his personal loyalty to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto or the terrifying destructive power after his Bankai, he was more than qualified to be a captain.

Like Shiba, Kotsubaki Jin'emon chose to step down after handing over his duties to the new captain.

Originally, Kotsubaki Jin'emon wanted to retire like Iba Shiba, but just as he was submitting his resignation to the new captain, Sajin Komamura refused his complete withdrawal.

According to Sajin Komamura, it's acceptable for Kotsubaki Jin'emon to step down from his position as Vice-Captain, but it's hoped that he can continue to contribute to the squad.

Firstly, Kotsubaki Jin'emon's body was not as old as Shiba's. Secondly, he possessed exquisite swordsmanship and was a master swordsman known as a swordsman. In order not to waste his swordsmanship, Sajin Komamura sincerely chatted with him and reminisced about the past. Finally, under Sajin Komamura's sincere bow, he agreed to Komamura's request.

However, Kotsubaki Jin'emon stubbornly believed that he should no longer interfere in the affairs of the Seventh Division, so he chose to open a small kendo dojo next to the division barracks, where members who wanted to learn swordsmanship could come to the dojo.

Perhaps because they misunderstood Shiba Senetsu and Kotsubaki Jin'emon, their respective sons, Tetsuzōzaemon Iba and Sentarō Kotsubaki, both held their usual positions in different squads. In fact, under Kotsubaki Jin'emon's tutelage, Iba Tetsuzaemon even became the Tetsuzōzaemon Iba -Vice-Captain of the Seventh Division.

These were all pieces of information that Aikawa Love Urahara Kisuke to secretly gather. He learned that although his Vice-Captain had been implicated, his life was not in danger. Only then did he gradually feel at ease and immerse himself in the world of manga.

Standing at the entrance of the kendo dojo Aikawa Love hesitated. No matter what, Kotsubaki Jin'emon was implicated by him; otherwise, with Kotsubaki Jin'emon's swordsmanship, he might have been capable of being the captain.

Just as Aikawa Love hesitated, his familiar, deep voice came from inside the dojo, "Since you're here, come in. Are you afraid to see people?"

Aikawa Love opened the door and went inside. Inside was the same familiar face: a square face, a scar running through his eye from his forehead to his jawbone, and short hair tied in a small braid, making him look serious yet sharp.

Kyoujin'emon remained kneeling in the center of the Dojo, making no attempt to rise and welcome them. His Zanpakuto lay beside his left leg.

"Ren, your strength has improved again." Aikawa Love exclaimed as soon as he entered the room.

As the person Aikawa Love could trust most, Aikawa Love was well aware of Kotsubaki Jin'emon's strength. Although there was no one from the Seventh Division nearby, Aikawa Love still concealed his spiritual pressure. Kotsubaki Jin'emon's ability to directly recognize his arrival indicated that his strength had improved since then.

"Just an intuition," Kotsubaki Jin'emon said nonchalantly. "After a hundred years, you finally think of coming back for a look?"

"I'm sorry, Blade, I've come back for revenge," Aikawa Love said bitterly.

A sharp sword light stung Aikawa Love's eyes. Aikawa Love instinctively drew his sword, and with a clang, the two swords clashed together.

"Who?"

Kotsubaki Jin'emon asked only one question, and Aikawa Love sensed his anger from his sword. Aikawa Love had no doubt that Kotsubaki Jin'emon would join him in killing Aikawa Love's enemy.

Because the two had gone through so many life-and-death situations together, they could entrust each other with their own support. Even if Aikawa Love said that Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was his enemy, he believed that Kotsubaki Jin'emon would try without hesitation.

Aikawa Love gently pressed down on Tsubaki Jin'emon's sword from behind, saying, "Jin, you don't need to know this. You have your own life to live."

Unlike Aikawa Rai, who is a lone wolf, Aikawa Love is a married man. If Aikawa Love had any attachments in the Seireitei, he wouldn't be able to calmly read manga in the World of the Living.

"I know, that's why you've been hiding in the World of the Living and haven't come back." Kotsubaki Jin'emon knew that Aikawa Love was still worried about him getting involved. "So now, why did you choose to come back?"

"The thief behind this is about to make his move, so of course we should send him on his way," said Aikawa Love.

"You're all back? You didn't come here to say goodbye, did you?" Kotsubaki Jin'emon was afraid that Aikawa Love had come to see him one last time.

It wasn't a secret that Hirako, Urahara, and the others stayed in the World of the Living, because there was no evidence that they wanted to rebel. The Hollowfication Incident was eventually dropped. In addition, Urahara and Yoruichi would sneak back to Soul Society from time to time. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had seen all of this, but he let them go and did not issue a death order to hunt them down.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's talk about the squads. How has everyone been doing these past few years?"

Love changed the subject, asking if this group could really defeat Aizen. Before meeting Tsuna, they were all very confident, but when even Tsuna, who had collectively crushed their Visored, showed fear, everyone in the Visored knew that Aizen possessed considerable strength, and that Aizen wasn't just relying on Kyoka Suigetsu.

After that, the Visored ' goal changed from capturing Aizen alive to fighting Aizen. No one knew if they could succeed. The Visored were all fighting with the glory of the past and the humiliation of Aizen. This decision to return to the squad was to let them say goodbye to the past.

Aikawa Love couldn't say they were going to their deaths, because he knew that Kotsubaki Jin'emon would definitely go with them. With their Visored, that was enough; there was no need to add extra casualties.

Aikawa Love and Kotsubaki Jin'emon sat facing each other. Kotsubaki Jin'emon slowly said, "The Seventh Division? You might not be happy to hear this, but things are definitely getting better without our Seventh Division."

"Is the current captain really that capable?" Aikawa Love sighed. He had a vague suspicion when he obtained information about Sajin Komamura, and now, hearing it from the person he trusted most, he knew he was right.

"Sajin Komamura is an upright and loyal man. Under his leadership, the cohesion of the entire Seventh Division has reached a new level. The division is united like a rope, helping each other," said Kotsubaki Jin'emon. "Originally, I was worried that Sajin Komamura wouldn't be able to manage the division well, but after discovering that he's even better than I imagined, I'm at ease guarding this dojo."

"However, Sajin Komamura still has room for improvement. He is a werewolf, and he thought no one knew. In fact, most of the squad members knew about it, but they just didn't expose it to save face for Komamura."

"If Komamura can let down his guard, the cohesion of the entire squad will increase again, and perhaps his combat strength will also improve."

"His defensive Divine Punishment clearly weakens the power of his swordsmanship. Once he lets down his guard, I believe he has the potential to become the captain of the Seireitei's first tier, both in terms of strength and leadership."

Kotsubaki Jin'emon had a high opinion of Sajin Komamura, but Aikawa Love's claim of being an absolute friend was not an exaggeration, because he was a man known as a swordsman and definitely had the authority to speak on matters of direct combat strength.

"That's great. I'm relieved that the squad is getting better and better."

Although Aikawa Love said this, he felt a slight regret in his heart. He also wanted to return to the squad, but now that the squad had a better captain, he had no reason to fight for the position anymore.

Staying in the World of the Living is pretty good too; at least there are countless comics, and I don't have to worry about those troublesome things about the squads anymore...

"And you, what are your plans for the future?" Kotsubaki Jin'emon seemed to be able to see through Aikawa Love's thoughts, directly pointing out what Aikawa Love was thinking.

"I... I'm a little too attached to the World of the Living world, and I can't live without those wonderful and interesting comics," Aikawa Love said hesitantly.

"Comics?"

"Imagine stories, which depict fantastical yet realistic worlds created by humans in the World of the Living world. If the Seireitei allows it, I might open a manga shop in Rukongai and bring the things I like to Soul Society," Aikawa Love casually mused.

"That's great. I'll definitely visit your shop sometime and check out your favorite anime," said Kotsubaki Jin'emon.

"Tell me about yourself. With your strength, once you've achieved some merit, you should be able to secure a captain's position, right?" Aikawa Love said.

Since Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto has chosen to let Kotsubaki Jin'emon go, the issues related to the Hollowfication Incident are not a big problem. After what happened at the door, Aikawa Love is certain that Kotsubaki Jin'emon is fully capable of taking another step forward.

"Forget it, our Tsubaki family doesn't have such thoughts. As for whether my good-for-nothing son will have any ability in the future, that's up to him," said Tsubaki Jin'emon.

"I think his name is Sentarō Kotsubaki, right?"

"That's right. I'm currently serving as the Third Seat of the 13th Division alongside Kiyone Kotetsu, assisting Jūshirō Ukitake," said Kotsubaki Jin'emon.

"That's great. He might be able to reach a position you haven't reached before." Aikawa Love was referring to the position of squad leader.

"No, that kid didn't inherit any of my swordsmanship talent. His Zanjutsu skills are quite average, which means he naturally lacks the talent to be a captain, and his Bankai training will be extremely difficult..."

Aikawa Love and Kotsubaki Jin'emon chatted like this, two old friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time and had a deep bond, reminiscing about the past, yet each harboring their own secrets, and sharing their current situations with each other...