The Unforgiven Shinigami, Chapter 56 Renji Abarai's Roar - My head hurts...
Renji Abarai pressed his forehead, forgetting how much alcohol he'd been forced to drink last night. Rangiku was just too aggressive; she held two bottles in one hand, not only chugging them down herself but also dragging others along. He simply couldn't handle it.
He looked around his bedroom, rubbing his temples. He remembered that it was Momo Hinamori who helped him move back here; he should thank her later.
Renji Abarai glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was only 8:30 a. m. Hmm, 8:30?!
His eyes widened suddenly, and he jolted awake. Ignoring his headache, he jumped out of bed and prepared to go to the Thirteenth Division's base to carry out his work.
As for challenging Byakuya Kuchiki, that will definitely have to wait until after 5 PM; I can't let it interfere with today's work.
I worked until 5 p. m.
The sun was shining brightly outside, showing no sign of evening.
Renji Abarai stretched. The lack of personnel had made the team's work a bit more demanding, but he managed to finish it within eight hours.
The main issue is that the surrounding residents tend to handle their own problems rather than asking the Thirteenth Division to step in and resolve them.
Lisa Yadōmaru brought in a cup of tea and said, " Abarai, have some tea before you continue your journey."
"... I feel like there's something odd about what you're saying. I'm not going to the execution ground."
Renji Abarai muttered, still holding his cup, "Can't you just be honest about how much you care?"
He took a sip, and a burning sensation shot through his tongue. "Pfft, so spicy!"
"Haha, who cares about a guy like you?"
Lisa Yadōmaru gave a mischievous smile, then said seriously, "Don't get beaten too badly. There aren't many people in the Thirteenth Division to begin with."
"I will not lose this battle."
Renji Abarai was full of confidence.
"Tsk, your opponent is Byakuya Kuchiki, you're still too green."
"I know, I've known that for a long time."
Renji Abarai murmured to himself, not feeling discouraged. People around him had been saying things like "it won't work" for a long time.
Kira said that Rukia, who joined the Kuchiki Clan, is different from the others at the Shin'ō Academy.
The 11th Division, including Mr. Ikkaku and Yumichika, have all said similar things.
But he didn't give up. If he gave up over something so small, how could he dare to tell Rukia that he liked her?
He, Renji Abarai, is saying goodbye to his past self today and stepping into a brand new future.
The Kuchiki Clan Estate.
This area can be described as the center of the new aristocratic district, where the buildings are much simpler than those around them, and the architecture is a return to the Japanese style.
Renji Abarai stood in front of the door, raising his hand to knock, but the front door was already open.
Byakuya Kuchiki walked out from inside, without the ornaments of a nobleman on his head, nor the Captain's Haori and new Shihakushō, but just a moon-white kimono with his Zanpakuto hanging at his waist.
He is no longer the head of the Kuchiki Clan, nor the 6th Division; he is merely Rukia Kuchiki's older brother.
"Follow me." Byakuya Kuchiki said calmly, Shunpo left.
Renji Abarai, then Shunpo to catch up. Looking at the figure in front of him, he gritted his teeth, wanting to overtake.
Byakuya Kuchiki suddenly disappeared into a building, and he followed him inside, all the way to the bottom floor.
"Here it is?"
Renji Abarai somewhat puzzled.
"This is the New Muken created by the Kidō Corps, and it's also the arena where you and I can fight."
Byakuya Kuchiki answered calmly, pushed open the door, and walked inside. They definitely couldn't fight outside, otherwise, the clash of Reiatsu would cause nearby residents with low Spiritual Power to faint.
Kuchiki Estate, it couldn't withstand the weight of this special location.
Renji Abarai followed them inside. The ground was made of brown rock, and there was a tall stone pillar in the northwest, from which multiple Reiatsu surged.
The captains and vice-captains, who had some free time, naturally wouldn't miss this rare captains' battle, and they set out sunflower seeds, drinks, and mineral water.
Taking advantage of the situation, Shinji Hirako set up a betting operation, hoping to earn some extra money. "Let's gamble and see who wins and Captain Kuchiki are 1 to 1, Captain Abarai are 1 to 10."
"I bet on Captain Kuchiki, 50,000 rings."
Hiyori Sarugaki pulled out cash, intending to bankrupt the bald man.
"I bet on Captain Kuchiki, 30,000 rings."
They were all pressing down on Byakuya Kuchiki, Shinji Hirako thought to himself that there was no way to open the betting.
Shiraishi pulled out some money, "I'll bet on Abarai, 10,000 rings."
As his former boss, he definitely had to stand up for Abarai; it would be too pitiful if no one supported him.
Momo Hinamori also pulled out 20,000 rings, "I'm betting on Abarai- kun."
"I'm also betting on Abarai." Izuru Kira felt that since they were classmates, he should support them and bet a thousand rings out of friendship.
"I'm truly impressed by them."
Renji Abarai remarked, "I don't even need to go over there to know what they're thinking; this isn't acting."
Are you afraid of embarrassing yourself in public?
Byakuya Kuchiki asked casually. He had initially disagreed with others watching the match, but Yoruichi said that it would test Abarai's resolve. After thinking about it, he decided not to stop others from watching.
A man who backs down for fear of making a fool of himself is not Rukia should be entrusted with.
Renji Abarai smiled and said, "No, I'm afraid Captain Kuchiki will lose face if he loses."
The Reiatsu suddenly surged.
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression remained unchanged as he gripped the hilt of Senbonzakura's sword. "Oh, you can't kill enemies or protect anyone just by talking tough."
"Let me show you the power I honed to defeat you! Bankai: Sōō Zabimaru!"
Renji Abarai had no intention of testing the waters. He understood that the enemy was very strong, and he couldn't win without going all out. So he went straight for Bankai.
" Bankai · Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Byakuya Kuchiki didn't use his Shikai to deal with it, as that would be too disrespectful to his opponent. Senbonzakura released his grip, the sword fell to the ground, and disappeared silently.
At the same time, enormous blades rose from both sides, and in Renji Abarai's vision, the blades, like flower petals, scattered, beautiful and poetic, yet filled with deadly danger.
It moved so fast that it engulfed Renji Abarai in an instant.
"It's over." Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly. With such meager strength, what did they think they could possibly do to Rukia?
The next second, intense Reiatsu was released from beneath the petal-shaped blades, and the surging blades were all blown away by the blast.
Byakuya Kuchiki's cheek was slashed by a blade, and a look of shock appeared in his pupils.
Renji Abarai stood there unharmed, a thick, hairy, baboon-like arm beside his left arm, and said with a broad smile, "All those years of training haven't been for nothing, Byakuya Kuchiki!"
"Oh."
Byakuya Kuchiki snapped out of his daze, waved his hand, and Senbonzakura's blades stopped scattering and rolled forward again.
He was somewhat serious about it.