The Shifting Kenpachi, Captains' Meeting!

The Seireitei is vast, far larger than it appears. Because of its immense surface area, even battles occurring within its borders often go unnoticed under certain circumstances—provided, of course, that one is not in the immediate vicinity of the conflict.

First, the high-intensity Reiatsu Wave from the 11th Division was detected by the nearby 12th Division's Seireitei Research Institute. Subsequently, the events unfolding within the 11th Division were reported to the 1st Division, which then disseminated the news to the entire Gotei 13.

The source of the high-intensity Reiatsu Wave previously detected by the 12th Division finally had an answer.

The truth was that within the 11th Division, a challenge for the title of Kenpachi had occurred once again.

Witnessed by two hundred squad members and overseen by 4th Division Captain Unohana Retsu, 11th Division Lieutenant Natsuki challenged the 10th Kenpachi, Kiganjo Kenpachi, and ultimately struck him down with overwhelming force.

According to the Kenpachi Succession Ceremony.

Having slain Kiganjo Kenpachi, Natsuki was now the new Kenpachi.

When this news spread throughout the entire Gotei 13, it immediately caused a massive sensation.

The sensation was not merely due to the defeat of Kiganjo Kenpachi.

It was because, in recent years, the turnover of the Kenpachi had been far too frequent.

It felt as though, ever since the 7th Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, a new Kenpachi had been crowned every so often.

While captains of other divisions also changed—and there was a saying circulating in the Seireitei that "Shinigamis who serve as captains for over a century are few and far between"—a captain usually served for at least several decades. Yet, the 11th Division seemed to be treating the title of Kenpachi like wholesale goods, changing hands with alarming frequency.

The 7th Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, goes without saying; he was a true powerhouse. After defeating the 6th Kenpachi, he served for over a hundred years. During his tenure, he accomplished many great feats, the most celebrated of which was his effortless defeat of a Vasto Lorde-level Menos Grande.

He fell at the hands of Azashiro Kenpachi.

Ever since Azashiro Kenpachi, the position of Kenpachi seemed cursed, with subsequent holders unable to retain the title for long.

Azashiro Kenpachi had served for less than a year before committing a grave crime and being imprisoned in Mukaden.

After Azashiro Kenpachi was incarcerated, the captaincy of the 11th Division remained vacant for a time.

Eventually, after deliberation by Central 46, it was decided that 11th Division Third Seat Gosu would fill the position, and thus, Gosu became the 9th Kenpachi.

Shortly after Gosu became Kenpachi, the war between the Shinigamis and the Quincy broke out. Once the years-long conflict ended, Gosu Kenpachi was challenged by the rogue Kiganjo from the Rukon District and was subsequently killed.

Kiganjo, a rogue from the Rukon District who had not been registered in the Gotei 13's records, suddenly transformed into the 10th Kenpachi.

In the few months he held the title of Kenpachi.

The entire 11th Division had been plunged into chaos and filth.

Shinigamis from other divisions were certainly aware of this, but they had no heart to intervene, nor could they; after all, the Kenpachi succession had its own established rules, and Kiganjo had earned his position through his own strength.

Unless a stronger individual appeared to defeat Kiganjo and claim the title of Kenpachi.

But such powerhouses were few and far between in the entire Soul Society.

Even if one were to appear, it was expected to be many years down the line.

Yet, no one expected that in just a few months.

Kiganjo, this 10th Kenpachi, would become a thing of the past.

At a time when the 11th Division had become utterly wretched due to Kiganjo's tyrannical behavior, 11th Division Lieutenant Natsuki stepped forward and killed him.

"What a truly surprising turn of events!"

In the 8th Division, Captain Kyoraku Shunsui was drinking in his office, watching his lieutenant handle squad affairs with leisurely ease. At this time, his lieutenant was not Yadomaru Lisa from the original records, but a middle-aged man wearing glasses; he was taciturn and kept the squad's affairs in perfect order.

Although not a woman, Kyoraku Shunsui seemed to have a penchant for choosing lieutenants who wore glasses.

Kyoraku Shunsui felt a deep sense of lament regarding the affairs of the 11th Division.

Kuruyashiki Kenpachi had been a close friend of his, and for that reason, he had a good relationship with the 11th Division. He had witnessed two Kenpachi succession ceremonies; he was present when Kiganjo defeated Gosu, and he had marveled at the emergence of such heroes from the Rukon District.

Comparatively, Kyoraku Shunsui hadn't cared as much about what kind of person Kiganjo was.

After all, having lived for so many years and being born into nobility, Kiganjo's actions were nothing compared to the darkness hidden within the noble houses.

He never imagined that in just a few months, the Rukon District hero he had once praised would be cut down.

The one who cut down Kiganjo was Natsuki, the 11th Division lieutenant who was usually known for being unsociable.

"It seems my judgment was off. I suppose the old veteran was right; she saw the boy's potential from the very beginning."

The 8th Division's primary duty was intelligence gathering; it was, in essence, an intelligence squad.

Although Kyoraku Shunsui's personality was laid-back, he was a man who enjoyed watching the world go by. No secret or gossip within the Seireitei could escape his ears, and he was, of course, aware that Unohana Retsu had once mentored Natsuki.

He was also well-versed in Natsuki's background.

Coming from an unconventional path, he had risen to become the 11th Division's Third Seat in just a few short years, and subsequently, its lieutenant.

He was a genius beyond reproach.

It was understandable that Unohana Retsu would cherish such talent.

Yet, he hadn't expected that in so few years, this genius would have fully matured.

Now, he was set to bear the name of Kenpachi and serve as a captain of the Gotei 13.

Kyoraku Shunsui pondered another matter.

Natsuki had once been the lieutenant to Gosu Kenpachi. Gosu Kenpachi had been killed by Kiganjo, and now, Natsuki had killed Kiganjo. This proved that from the very beginning, Natsuki's strength had surpassed that of Gosu. Yet, even so, Natsuki had never considered challenging Gosu Kenpachi to claim the title for himself.

And now, Natsuki had chosen to kill Kiganjo.

It must be said, some people are truly not very likable.

The other divisions, upon learning of the situation regarding the 11th Division, could only sigh in succession.

Although the succession of the Kenpachi had been rather frequent, the deed was done, and they had no choice but to accept it.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A crisp, rhythmic tapping suddenly echoed near the captain's offices of every division in the Gotei 13, and black Hell Butterflies fluttered throughout the barracks. As the butterflies danced, the voice of Head Captain Yamamoto, carried by the special Bakudo known as Sakanade, resonated in the ears of every captain.

"All captains and lieutenants, proceed immediately to the First Division Meeting Hall for a captain's meeting."

"As stated!"

The information conveyed this time was extremely concise, and it specifically emphasized the need for lieutenants to attend as well, which indicated that the matters to be discussed were not overly classified.

Captain's meetings in the Gotei 13 generally fall into two categories.

One requires the attendance of both captains and lieutenants, while the other is restricted solely to captains.

The former involves matters concerning the entire Gotei 13, requiring both captains and lieutenants to participate and listen in, while the latter concerns matters of extreme importance—so significant that even lieutenants are not qualified to know, and only captains are permitted to participate.

In his office, Kyoraku Shunsui looked at his lieutenant and said softly, "Let's go. We are heading to the First Division Meeting Hall to meet that new Kenpachi."

Although the Head Captain's message did not specify the agenda, Kyoraku Shunsui had already guessed it, given the major events that had occurred recently.

Without a doubt, today was the inauguration ceremony for the new Kenpachi.

The Kenpachi Succession Ceremony requires certain conditions to be met.

Once all conditions are satisfied, defeating the incumbent Kenpachi allows one to become the new Kenpachi.

However, this does not mean one can take office immediately after killing the incumbent.

Afterward, the captain who witnessed the event must report it to the First Division. The Head Captain then conveys this to the Central 46, and only after obtaining the formal appointment from the Central 46 can the title of Kenpachi be officially bestowed upon the victor. The successor must also make an appearance at the First Division Meeting Hall to meet the other captains and lieutenants; this is much like the inauguration ceremony for any other division captain.

Aside from Kyoraku Shunsui, the captains and lieutenants of the other divisions, upon receiving the Head Captain's order, also hurried toward the First Division.

The First Division is located in the central area of the Seireitei, perched atop a high mountain; it is the highest point in the entire Gotei 13. Outside the First Division captain's office, there is a courtyard where, if one stands a bit higher, one can overlook most of the Seireitei.

It is also the division whose barracks are situated at the highest altitude within the Gotei 13.

The reason it is so unique is not just because it is the First Division, the head division, but also because beneath it lies the Great Underground Prison of the Soul Society, the lowest level of which, "Mukaden," is notorious for housing the most heinous criminals in history.

As the captains and lieutenants arrived at the First Division, the gates were already open. The various captains and lieutenants passed through the corridors and first arrived before a wall covered in many placards. The captains or lieutenants stepped forward to flip the placards, revealing the text on the back, which signified that their respective divisions had arrived—a sort of check-in ritual.

After completing the check-in, the captains and lieutenants passed through the door next to the wall, traversed several more corridors, and finally arrived at a remarkably spacious hall. This was the First Division Meeting Hall.

It was also the place where the Gotei 13 captains usually held their meetings.

The hall was vast and empty, with no seats, so all the captains and lieutenants chose to stand.

Then, the Head Captain arrived.

Head Captain Yamamoto wore his white haori and looked incredibly aged, leaning on a cane in his hand.

Thump!

He tapped his cane lightly against the wooden floor, and instantly, all the captains fell silent.

"Since you have all arrived, I shall not dwell on the details. I presume you have all guessed the matter at hand. A few days ago, the 10th Kenpachi, Kiganjo Kenpachi, fell in a head-to-head duel. According to the Kenpachi Succession Ceremony, the one who defeated him shall become the new Kenpachi—the 11th Kenpachi!"

"Captain Natsuki, come out and meet everyone."

As Head Captain Yamamoto's words echoed, a figure wearing a white captain's haori walked in from outside the door. Looking at the various captains and lieutenants, Natsuki was no stranger to them, having interacted with them while he was still a lieutenant.

But at this moment, he still said to the crowd, "Everyone, I look forward to working with you all from now on!"