A Disappointing New Kenpachi!

"Who is it?"

As the lieutenant of the 11th Division, Gosu was the person most concerned about the new Kenpachi.

He had once served as the lieutenant to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, and subsequently to Azashiro Kenpachi; having served directly under two generations of Kenpachi, he understood the differences between them all the more clearly.

Regarding the new Kenpachi, he did not have many demands; he only hoped it would not be someone like Azashiro Kenpachi again.

Hearing Gosu's urgent words, a complex expression flickered across Kyoraku Shunsui's face, but he soon delivered the answer to him: "Gosu, congratulations. From this day forward, you are the captain of the 11th Division and the ninth Kenpachi."

"Me?"

Upon hearing this, Gosu's body shuddered, and he stared at Kyoraku Shunsui in disbelief.

"Do not be surprised; this is the decision of Central 46."

Kyoraku Shunsui explained the ins and outs of the situation.

To be honest, he did not hold high hopes for Gosu becoming the new Kenpachi. Although Gosu had served as lieutenant to both Kuruyashiki and Azashiro and his strength was not weak, could such strength truly qualify him for the title of Kenpachi?

Kenpachi was the title bestowed upon the strongest Shinigami, aside from the Head Captain, throughout the ages.

The succession ceremony for this title was also unique within the entire Gotei 13.

With Azashiro Kenpachi now imprisoned and the seat of Kenpachi vacant, it meant that the traditional method of succession would be difficult to maintain.

Kyoraku Shunsui had assumed that under these special circumstances, the new captain of the 11th Division would be chosen in the traditional manner, such as through a captaincy proficiency test for powerful Shinigamis or by the recommendation of various captains.

These were the selection rituals for the other divisions.

As it turned out, Central 46 held a different view.

They believed that the 11th Division was an extremely unique division, and the method of selecting its captain should not be the same as the others.

They argued that within every division, the lieutenant was the strongest individual after the captain.

Since Gosu had served as lieutenant to two generations of Kenpachi—Kuruyashiki and Azashiro—his strength was presumably formidable. Now that Azashiro had committed a grave crime and been locked away in Mukaden, the captain's position should naturally be filled by the lieutenant.

Even the position of Head Captain was appointed by Central 46.

Historically, after the captains of each division were selected, they still required a formal appointment by Central 46 to be considered legitimate.

After Central 46 made this decision, even though many captains questioned Gosu's ability in their hearts, this was, after all, a matter for the 11th Division, and they were not in a position to interfere. Thus, Gosu became the new captain.

Kyoraku Shunsui had been on good terms with Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, so he had come here personally to inform Gosu of the news.

"Become Kenpachi? I—I can't do it!"

Gosu finally reacted, possessing a clear understanding of his own capabilities.

Even though Kuruyashiki Kenpachi had always instructed him, and even though he had trained diligently, for a Shinigami, talent outweighed training; those with great talent could surpass decades of a mediocre person's training in just a few short years.

While Gosu could not be considered mediocre, he was certainly not a top-tier genius.

His progress in strength had not been fast.

Although he had served as lieutenant, he had never once thought of becoming a captain himself.

Yet now, Central 46 had bestowed upon him such a "great gift."

"This is the decision of Central 46, so for the time being, you need to adjust your mindset, Gosu... Kenpachi."

Kyoraku Shunsui patted Gosu on the shoulder and spoke these words with a complex tone.

Gosu's existence as lieutenant had been a blessing for the 11th Division.

During the periods when both Kuruyashiki and Azashiro Kenpachi had met their fates, it was Gosu who worked hard to boost the morale of the 11th Division, encouraging the members and helping them move past their grief and pain; it was Gosu who had worked to keep the division running.

But that did not mean Gosu was qualified for the position of captain.

Gosu lacked that ability.

Kyoraku Shunsui was very clear on this point.

Those fellows in Central 46 did not understand Shinigamis at all; they assumed that while there was a gap between a lieutenant and a captain, it was not significant. They failed to realize that the gap between the two was unimaginably vast. Gosu's strength, among the current lieutenants of the Gotei 13, could not even be considered top-tier.

How could he have the ability to serve as captain? And as Kenpachi, no less!

Kyoraku Shunsui had many complaints he wanted to voice, but in the end, he did not refute Central 46.

After all, he himself was from a high-ranking noble family and, in essence, belonged to the same group as those people in Central 46.

After the drinking session ended.

Soon, the formal appointment from the 1st Division was delivered to the 11th Division.

11th Division Lieutenant Gosu thus became the ninth Kenpachi. He donned the captain's haori and officially became the master of the captain's office.

It was also after he became captain that Natsuki, who had been the Third Seat, took a step forward to become the new lieutenant.

And the former Fourth Seat, Akagi Ryosuke, returned to the position of Third Seat.

The entire 11th Division thus resumed its operations.

People like Kyoraku Shunsui who did not favor Gosu as captain were, in the end, in the minority.

In any case, within the 11th Division, many members held high hopes for Gosu.

Compared to the previous Kenpachi, Azashiro Kenpachi, who was cold, unapproachable, and utterly indifferent.

They were familiar with Gosu.

After the incident with Azashiro Kenpachi, they had all witnessed Gosu's efforts in battle. Compared to some stranger becoming Kenpachi, they found the idea of Gosu taking the mantle far more acceptable.

At the same time, it was precisely because they were familiar with Gosu.

In the period that followed, the 11th Division seemed to return to the era of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi; the division was once again filled with laughter and cheers. Whenever the members had free time, they would hold drinking parties, and for a while, the entire division seemed to have come back to life.

"Vice-Captain Natsuki, do you believe Gosu is a qualified Kenpachi?"

Inside the 4th Division, Natsuki had come once again to study under Unohana Retsu, who posed this question to him first.

"Captain Gosu is a very responsible and hardworking person; why wouldn't he be a qualified Kenpachi?" Natsuki countered with his own question, though he already had an answer in his heart as to why Unohana Retsu would ask such a thing.

After all, she was the original Kenpachi, the very person who had founded the 11th Division.

Judging by how much Unohana Retsu had cared about the 11th Division in her previous remarks, and the fact that she had suddenly asked this question now, it was clear that even though she was stationed in the 4th Division, her heart remained deeply concerned with the affairs of the 11th.

"Hard work and responsibility do not mean he is capable of holding the position of Kenpachi."

Unohana Retsu's words were blunt and unforgiving.

"Kenpachi is a title that can only be held by the strongest!"

Unohana Retsu did not continue, but the implication behind her words was clear: Gosu was unworthy of the name.