Shijima Chikiri's Resignation Letter / The Second Kenpachi, Yamabuki Teitō

Kenpachi Zaraki's fighting power may indeed be able to increase infinitely as designed in the original work, but there is a limit to the power he can withstand. For example, after activating Bankai, although his attack power is off the charts and his blades can cut through anything, his body cannot withstand such enormous power, and he is destroyed after only a few moves!

At this time, although the young Kenpachi had not yet learned Bankai, or even Shikai, his power could still continuously increase in battles with strong opponents, until he broke through his physical limits.

"It seems this is the limit of what you can endure! Do you want to continue?" Yamabuki Chidori appeared in front of the young Kenpachi in a flash and grabbed him by the neck.

Although Kenpachi's right hand was broken, his reaction was lightning fast. He immediately switched the sword from his right hand to his left, and with his left hand also trained, he was determined to strike the person in front of him.

"Clang!"

The slash landed mercilessly on Yamabuki Chidori's wrist, but to the astonishment of the young Kenpachi, his own wrist had broken from the immense pressure of his full-force strike, yet this man's wrist had only been left with a white mark, without even breaking the skin!

This guy isn't even human!

Both the Hard Skin and the Blut Vene increase with the increase of Reiatsu. At this moment, looking at the entire Soul Society, only the Soul King could probably suppress Yamabuki Chidori's Reiatsu. Moreover, Reiatsu represents the density of the soul, and Shinigami are themselves spiritual beings.

Therefore, the stronger the Reiatsu, the stronger the Shinigami's defense. This can be seen in the initial battle between Kenpachi and Ichigo.

Ichigo used all his strength to strike Kenpachi Zaraki in the chest, but ended up injuring his own hand from the impact.

This was because the difference in their Reiatsu was too great at the time!

With these three conditions in place, there are very few people in Soul Society who can break through Yamabuki Chidori's defenses.

"Both hands are broken, do you still want to hit me?" Yamabuki Chidori smiled. A child is still a child, and can't cause any trouble in my hands!

Young Kenpachi jerked his head back sharply and then headbutted Yamabuki Chidori's nose.

Before he could even touch Yamabuki Chidori, young Kenpachi's head was grabbed and slammed to the ground.

"Damn you brat!" Yamabuki Chidori scolded with a smile.

Young Kenpachi struggled desperately, but the difference in strength between the two was simply too great. Even if young Kenpachi risked his life to explode, he could not break free of the restraints.

Yamabuki Chidori grabbed the young Kenpachi the head, suddenly threw him into the air, and punched him in the Kenpachi.

"Puff!"

Blood spurted directly from the young Kenpachi's mouth as his body slammed into a large tree behind him, breaking more than a dozen bones in his chest and abdomen.

Yamabuki Chidori wasn't afraid to kill him outright. This kid's vitality was stronger than a cockroach's; he survived the Thousand-Year Blood War when Pernida twisted his entire body!

This punch was nothing more than a drizzle to the kid in front of him!

Even so, young Kenpachi lost his fighting ability on the spot, lying on the ground coughing up blood, apparently because a broken bone had pierced his lung.

"Did I go a little too far? He's still just a kid!" Yamabuki Chidori turned to look at her teammates.

The team members responded with wry smiles, "Whatever makes you happy, whatever you say goes!"

Unohana had already treated her wounds. Because of the shield provided by her Shinigami Uniform, she only suffered superficial injuries, which could be quickly healed using the Kido.

"Won't this child... die if we leave him here unattended?" Unohana asked with some concern.

Yamabuki Chidori looked at the young Kenpachi who was vomiting blood on the ground, walked over to him, squatted down, and began to treat the boy's injuries. First, his broken wrists, then his shattered bones. Under Kido's treatment, the young Kenpachi's injuries slowly healed. The young Kenpachi did not resist, but stared straight at the man.

"Kid, what's your name?" Yamabuki Chidori asked without looking up. At this moment, the young Kenpachi didn't actually have a name of his own and didn't know how to answer.

"If you don't have a name, I'll give you one. How about Kenpachi? The strongest Shinigami of all time are given this title. You come from Zaraki District, so from now on I'll call you Kenpachi Zaraki," Yamabuki Chidori said calmly.

Unohana tilted her head slightly in curiosity. "The strongest Shinigami of all time is given the title ' Kenpachi '? When did this rule come about? I don't know about it."

Yamabuki Chidori turned around and winked at her wife. The couple were of one mind, and Unohana immediately realized that her husband was just teasing the child!

"My name is Yamabuki Chidori, and I'm a member of the Gotei 13. Kid, if you want to join the Gotei 13 in the future, come find me in Seireitei." Yamabuki Chidori gave the young Kenpachi's wounds some basic treatment to prevent them from threatening his life. As for the rest, he left it to Kenpachi Zaraki's beastly regenerative abilities!

After treating Kenpachi Zaraki's wounds, Yamabuki Chidori went to his wife's side to help her treat her own wounds.

The wound was treated quickly.

I'm certain that not even a single scar will remain.

Unohana looked at the young Kenpachi and whispered, "Shouldn't we take him back? He's a promising talent; if we train him properly, he'll definitely become a formidable warrior in the future!"

Yamabuki Chidori said softly, "Even if we bring him over, what difference will it make? A tiger becomes a tiger because it lives in the jungle. If a tiger is kept in captivity, is it still a tiger? It's just a sick cat! He has his own growth trajectory. Maybe one day he'll come looking for us in the Gotei 13."

Unohana nodded, saying that forcibly interfering in someone else's growth trajectory might not be a good thing, and could even backfire.

After everyone left, the young Kenpachi lay in the snow and ice, feeling that today had been incredibly pleasant; he had never imagined that such a powerful person existed in the world.

A moment later, the young Kenpachi stood up from the icy snow, and from then on he had a new goal.

I need to become stronger, at least stronger than the man I met today!

I never knew I could enjoy such wonderful creations without suppressing my power!

That suppression is utterly ridiculous!

He dragged his aching wrists to pull the Zanpakuto from the tree, and the instant his fingers touched the blade, a gentle female voice came from the Zanpakuto into his heart.

"You've finally heard my voice. Do you want to know my name so you can gain even greater power?"

Chapter 36: Shijima Chiru's Resignation Letter

Back in Seireitei, Yamabuki Chidori had just sat down in her chair when Chōjirō Sasakibe rushed over to deliver a message.

"Brother Yamabuki, the Captain Commander needs you to come over," said Chōjirō Sasakibe.

After seventy years of growth, Chōjirō Sasakibe's appearance has also changed from that of a boy to that of a young man.

"Huh? The Old Man wants to see me?" Yamabuki Chidori was slightly taken aback. Nowadays, unless something very important happened, the Captain Commander wouldn't ask him to discuss it.

Could something significant have happened in Seireitei while I was away?

Yamabuki Chidori didn't dare delay and hurriedly arrived at the First Division Barracks. The Captain Commander was sitting there staring at a document in his hand, with a worried look between his brows.

Yamabuki Chidori was very curious; what could possibly be causing the Old Man such distress?

After Yamabuki Chidori arrived, Chōjirō Sasakibe, very sensibly, withdrew, leaving only the Captain Commander and Yamabuki Chidori in the room.

"Captain Commander, is something the matter?" Yamabuki Chidori asked with a curious look.

The Captain Commander sighed softly, then handed the documents in his hand to Yamabuki Chidori: "Take a look at this first!"

After carefully reading through the results document for the Yamabuki Chidori, a look of sudden realization dawned on him. "So that's how it is! No wonder the Captain Commander was worried!"

In fact, the content of this document is very simple and does not involve the survival of the world. It is a very simple resignation letter, written by Shijima Chiru.

Current Fourth Division Captain of the Gotei 13.

Yamabuki Chidori never expected that the first Captain to resign would be the usually unassuming Shijima Chiru.

"What do you think about this? Should I let them leave?" The Captain Commander, somewhat troubled.

Because, in essence, when the Gotei 13 was formed seventy years ago, all the Captain and Yamabuki Chidori were partners. Now that someone is tired of this life and wants to leave, it is reasonable for him, as the Captain Commander, not to stop them.

Moreover, since Shijima Chiru has submitted his resignation letter, it means that he has made up his mind to leave. Even if you force him to stay, it will only make things more awkward.

Without hesitation, Yamabuki Chidori signed her resignation letter.

"You were so quick to do him a favor, but who will lead the Fourth Division after he leaves? We can't just leave it leaderless, can we?" the Captain Commander asked.

This is also one of the reasons why the Captain Commander doesn't want to let people leave. Captain-level combat power is something that can only be produced a few times in a hundred years. With Shijima Chiru leaving, it is indeed a difficult problem to find a successor.

Yamabuki Chidori took a sip of tea and suddenly said, "Old Geezer, do you remember the idea I mentioned to you more than seventy years ago—to form a special medical unit? It was only because of a shortage of manpower that this idea couldn't be realized. Now that we have plenty of soldiers and generals, shouldn't we put this into practice? You know, having an extra medic on the battlefield greatly increases a soldier's chances of survival. Even if Yhwach is temporarily defeated, there will be more crises waiting for us in the future. We must be prepared."

Captain Commander Yamamoto asked, "You mean you want to transform the Fourth Division into a dedicated medical division? Then who should be the Captain? Tenjirō Kirinji is a highly skilled doctor, but he has always served as a doctor and hasn't participated in any divisional work. If we directly appoint him to the Fourth Division, I'm afraid the members will be dissatisfied."

"I can recommend someone, Unohana Yachiru." Yamabuki Chidori recommended his wife without hesitation.

Actually, he also had his own selfish motives. Once the Fourth Division successfully transforms, it will change from a combat division to a logistics and medical division, and its opportunities to go to the battlefield will decrease.

He had witnessed the battle between Unohana and the young Kenpachi today, and it pained him deeply.

Why not just send Unohana to the medical team to focus on logistics?

Captain Commander Yamamoto exclaimed in shock, "Are you kidding me? Sending Unohana to be the Captain in charge of treating crimes? Understanding human anatomy and understanding disease are two completely different things!"

"You don't need to worry about that. Her medical skills are second only to mine and Tenjirō Kirinji in the entire Soul Society. She's more than capable of treating ordinary knife and sword wounds. Besides, I can keep teaching her so her medical skills can continue to improve," Yamabuki Chidori said. "The only downside is that the position of Captain of the Eleventh Division is vacant, and we'll need to find a new fighter to fill it!"

Yamabuki Chidori knew absolutely nothing about the Second Generation Kenpachi.

From the Blood War a thousand years ago to two or three hundred years before the main storyline begins, the descriptions of this period in both the anime and manga are extremely scarce. He only knows that the 11th Division Captain changed very quickly, with six Captain in just six or seven hundred years.

More than two hundred years before the main storyline began, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi emerged by defeating the Sixth Kenpachi in a one-on-one battle, displaying extremely formidable strength. Even the Zero Division extended an offer to him, but unfortunately, he refused.

Not long after, Jōshirō Ukitake defeated Kuruyashiki Kenpachi with his Bankai abilities.

That battle was actually quite controversial because Kuruyashiki Kenpachi could have activated his Bankai before dying, taking the entire Seireitei down with him, but he didn't do that and chose to accept his own death.

Not long after becoming the Captain of the 11th Division, Jōshirō Ukitake started causing trouble, and in the end, he had no choice but to surrender and was suppressed in the Mugen Jigoku.

As a result, the position of "Kenpachi" became a deadlock. There was no other way but to let Gosuke, the Lieutenant of the 11th Division at the time, temporarily take over the position of Captain. However, not long after, a brute from Rukongai, Kenpachi Kiganjo, defeated this unqualified "Kenpachi" and became the tenth Kenpachi!

According to later recollections of the Captain, he was a very rude and arrogant man, disliked by everyone. He did not hold the position of Kenpachi for long before Kenpachi Zaraki appeared. It is said that Kenpachi Zaraki killed Kenpachi Kiganjo with just one blow and seized the throne of the 11th Division Captain.

In just two hundred years, the 11th Division has undergone five Captain changes. For an organization, frequent changes in leadership are not conducive to long-term development.

Meanwhile, there is absolutely no information about the second to Sixth Kenpachi, and no one knows why Unohana became the Fourth Division Captain in the original timeline, or how the second Kenpachi rose to power.

It's all a mystery.

After asking the question, Yamabuki Chidori found that the Captain Commander was staring straight at her.

"Um... Captain Commander, why are you looking at me like that?" A sense of foreboding flashed through Yamabuki Chidori's mind.

The Captain Commander reached out and patted Yamabuki Chidori on the shoulder. "I already have someone in mind for the position of Captain of the 11th Division."

The smile on Yamabuki Chidori's face grew increasingly stiff, "You... you're not talking about me, are you?"

"Hahaha! As expected of the Chief Strategist, so clever!"

Chapter 37: The Second Generation Kenpachi, Yamabuki Chidori

Yamabuki Chidori hurriedly said, "Captain Commander, are you mistaken? I'm a civilian employee, how can I be the Captain of the 11th Division? The 11th Division is the strongest unit in our Gotei 13, it must be led by the strongest fighter..."

Wait a minute, it seems like I'm the strongest fighter right now!

"I... I don't have that much energy! I also have to manage the Staff Department. I have to control the overall direction of development at all times, don't you think?" Yamabuki Chidori didn't want to put such a dangerous task on her shoulders.

Captain Commander Yamamoto calmly took a sip of tea, then said with an air of composure, "Young man, I believe in your abilities. You will definitely become the best Captain. Besides, the members of the 11th Division also believe in your abilities. I have high hopes for you!"

You're still a teenager? I'm almost a hundred years old! Why do I still have to do so much work!

And judging from your expression, I know you definitely don't want to give me a raise. Besides, even if you did, it wouldn't make any difference since all my salary goes straight to my wife! Although Unohana never restricts her financial freedom, something just doesn't feel right!

"It's settled then! As soon as Shijima Chiru leaves, I'll immediately transfer Unohana to the Fourth Division as Captain, and then you'll naturally become the new Captain of the 11th Division. Good luck." Captain Commander Yamamoto made the decision right away.

Yamabuki Chidori walked outside dejectedly. Oh, and while she was at it, she decided to go see Shijima Chiru.

When Yamabuki Chidori arrived at the Fourth Division's Barracks, she found Shijima Chiru surrounded by many members of the Fourth Division.

"Captain, we heard you're resigning? Is it true? Why? Did you suffer some injustice? Tell us, and we'll definitely help you resolve it!"

"Yes, Captain! If you have any difficulties, just tell us, and we'll definitely find a way to help you solve them."

"Captain, what will we do if you leave? Have you encountered some difficulties? We may not be able to help you due to limited capabilities, but we still have the Chief Strategist and the Captain Commander! They will definitely find a way to help you!"

Looking at her adorable teammates, Shijima Chiru gave a wry smile, "Why is everyone looking so gloomy? I just changed jobs, it's not like we're parting ways forever. I live in Rukongai, you can come visit me anytime you have time."

"Ahem!" Yamabuki Chidori coughed softly, drawing the attention of all the team members.

"Chief Strategist, you've arrived! Please try to persuade the Captain!" The team members all looked sorrowful.

After all, they've been comrades-in-arms for over seventy years; how could they not have any feelings for each other? Besides, although Shijima Chiru was an assassin, he was kind and gentle in his daily life and deeply loved by his teammates.

Yamabuki Chidori took out Shijima Chiru's resignation letter from the clothes; it had her own and the Captain Commander's signatures on it.

Upon seeing this, the team members all wore expressions of sorrow.

"Everyone, please go outside first. Your Captain and I have something to discuss," said Yamabuki Chidori.

The team members all left the Barracks, leaving only Yamabuki Chidori and Shijima Chiru behind.

"How about we go grab a drink?" Yamabuki Chidori suggested with a smile.

The two of them set up a small banquet table, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.

"Actually, I knew the Captain of the Gotei 13 would be replaced, but I didn't expect it to come so soon, and that you would be the first to leave." Yamabuki Chidori's tone was filled with helplessness. "Can you tell me your reasons? I'm so curious!"

Shijima Chiru took a small sip of sake from her small cup, then looked at the cup in her hand and said, "It's nothing really, I just don't want to live this kind of life anymore. Fighting the Wandenreich is the responsibility of everyone in Soul Society. Now that the biggest crisis has been resolved, can't I take a break?"

Yamabuki Chidori gave a bitter smile. It turned out that she wasn't the only one who wanted to retire; everyone had the same idea, they just hadn't said it out loud.

Yamabuki Chidori can still recall the first time she met Shijima Chiru. The two of them even got into a fight over a minor murder case, and she almost killed Shijima Chiru.