"Amazing..."
The battle between Unohana-san and Captain Zaraki has begun.
A back-and-forth offense and defense continues with neither giving an inch.
It continues, but... huh? The Captain's sword speed is... about twice as fast as what I know...
Is it my imagination? Or is my sense of speed off because I'm watching from a distance?
"Yukawa-sama..."
Oh my, Soifon. We're the same rank of Captain now. We match.
But I can't be chatting nonchalantly like that right now.
"Let's move a little further away... If we get caught in the crossfire, we won't stand a chance."
"Y... Yes..."
After all, right nearby, the first generation and the current generation—two Kenpachis are slashing at each other.
Their destructive power is like a huge typhoon compressed to human size.
'Two Kenpachis... they're coming!!'
Not enough, not enough, not nearly enough.
Level 12 can't fully express it, and 8000 Life Points is like a candle in the wind.
Unless you bring a thousand times that for both, it's unbearable. Rank, Scale, and Link Markers are all insufficient.
The captains of each squad are watching from a distance to avoid getting involved, observing the battle between the two.
However, both of the combatants are the type who don't care about their surroundings.
Even though they are separated by what seems to be a safe distance, the spectators are paying close attention so they can escape immediately.
Still, the danger level is probably just inside the boundary line of the red zone.
And now I realize why this appointment ceremony is being held outside.
Because this was waiting afterward, my inauguration as Captain was conducted outdoors. If they fought inside a room, who knows how much damage would be done.
Knowing this would happen in advance—does that mean the Head Captain is also involved?
"Fast... strong...! That's exactly the you I 'admired'!!"
"You speak of 'admiration' in the midst of battle? You are quite composed...!"
Unohana-san's slashes gradually cut Captain Zaraki's body.
It's a continuous attack relying on the number of moves, but each blow possesses one-hit-kill destructive power from an ordinary person's perspective.
Without even dodging it, Captain Zaraki took it with his body and unleashed a counterattack.
"What is the matter? Is that all?"
However, the flow has been with Unohana-san the whole time.
Lightly parrying a wide swing, she immediately shifts to a counterattack—ah! That movement is!!
"I know that move damn well from that guy!!"
It's the swordsmanship I used many times in spars with Captain Zaraki.
If it's not the first time seeing it, naturally, one or two counter-techniques or countermeasures are prepared.
Matching Unohana-san's movement, as if anticipating it, Captain Zaraki swings his sword—
"...I suppose so."
"Gaaah!?"
—Unohana-san went even further above that.
Matching the opponent's intercepting movement, she dodged the attack by a paper-thin margin, flowed from evasion to attack, and unleashed a thrust into the opponent's left arm.
The tip easily pierces Captain Zaraki's left arm, right through the upper arm.
"Because I trained her to make it so."
"What does, that mean...?"
I'm also wondering "What does that mean?"!
What and how did you train me? Was something instilled in me!?
"I have hammered my swordsmanship into Airi. In other words, if you fight her, you will naturally learn my swordsmanship."
"Gu...h!"
Well, it makes sense.
Inferring the master's sword style from the disciple's fight. That kind of thing is common.
More importantly, it's Captain Zaraki.
The sword has been stuck in him for a while now. Not only that, Unohana-san is slowly twisting her wrist. The tip twists and the wound gradually widens...
Naturally, he raises a voice of pain.
"If you come up with defense methods and countermeasures, they become countermeasures against me directly. If you do that, it will be a somewhat decent fight, will it not? I cannot enjoy a one-sided fight."
Umm... in other words.
You used me as a stalking horse to teach him your hand and train him, right?
Teach the opponent your hand, give them enough time to think of countermeasures, and then defeat them fair and square from the front.
So that's why you've been telling me to "fight Captain Zaraki rather than yourself" in recent years. Because it's not fun if you teach Captain Zaraki yourself.
All for the sake of the coming "day like today."
Yeah, she's definitely crazy.
"Did you understand? Now, let us continue our fun, fun battle!"
"Guuuuh!!"
Ruthless! She pulled out the sword while twisting her wrist all at once!!
If that's done, the muscles and such get churned up into a mess, so it hurts terribly. Probably, the nervous system is damaged too.
Captain Zaraki's left arm is dead in this battle.
"Uoooooooh!!"
"""Wh!?"""
Matching the motion of pulling out the sword, Captain Zaraki unleashed a pursuit blow.
This movement makes the gallery involuntarily raise their voices.
"What is the matter? Did you seriously think you could catch me off guard with this level? Or perhaps, did you lack precision due to mere pain?"
"...Tch!"
It seemed like a surprise attack, but Unohana-san still blocked it.
"Oraaaaaaaaah!!"
However, the movement stopped only for a moment.
Immediately, Captain Zaraki continued to move, swinging his long sword violently with one arm to continue the attack. A fierce attack like a storm, as if returning the combo he received a little while ago.
Unohana-san calmly—
—...Isn't her response getting slightly slower?
Captain Zaraki's attacks gradually increase in sharpness, and inversely proportional to that, Unohana-san seems to be struggling.
"Fufufu, have you finally woken up?"
Yet she has a faint smile on her face.
"Hah! Hahahahaha!!"
As if lured, Captain Zaraki also started laughing.
What is this, what is this!?
"Yeah! Sorry about that!! Seems I was half-asleep until just now!!"
"That is good. Then, no concern is needed from this side either."
Neither of their words were lies.
With each blow, explosive power collides, and the aftermath of the battle mercilessly assaults even the spectators.
"Th, This is..."
"Sweat... is it?"
Some captains wiped the sweat dripping from their foreheads and muttered as if they couldn't believe it.
It's no wonder.
Even though they are just watching from a distance, it's like these two hold the power of life and death over everything.
Actually, even I don't have much experience seeing these two this serious.
"Gotcha!"
"Are you that happy about a scratch like this?"
Captain Zaraki's sword cut Unohana-san's shoulder.
But as she says, it's a minor injury. She can heal it without even blinking.
However, giving that "scratch as thin as a hair" was the trigger.
"Yeah, I'm happy!! I'm so happy, so happy, so fun, so fun I can't help it!!"
"...Kuh."
As if offense and defense swapped, Captain Zaraki began to gain the upper hand.
Gradually, wounds increase on Unohana-san, and blood spray wets the area. Every time the swords flash, red flowers bloom, and every time the two move, fresh blood rises like mist.
"I thought I couldn't win! I thought I'd die! But my sword reached!! Is there anything as wonderful as this!!"
"That is excellent..."
I can tell Captain Zaraki's spiritual pressure is rising rapidly every moment.
Against that which breaks through the limits of strength in the blink of an eye, Unohana-san pretends to have composure with her words, but her spare capacity seems to be shaved away rapidly.
I understand well because I've experienced something similar up close.
Facing that shaves away your spirit more than you can imagine.
If I shift my gaze slightly to the surroundings, specifically to their feet. Traces of dragging were carved slightly at everyone's feet.
This is proof that the captains of each squad unconsciously distanced themselves all together.
That's how terrifying the battle between the two is—
—And, just a little enviable.
Have I gone crazy? If I could reach that level... somewhere in my heart, I think so.
An existence that simultaneously gives fear and fascination to the viewer, that was the appearance of the two now.
"...Have you finally returned to those days?"
"Aaah!?"
In the midst of being put at a disadvantage, Unohana-san muttered quietly.
But no one could understand what those words meant.
"Now, the real thing starts from here!"
Because she took action faster than anyone could understand her true meaning.
"""""...Tt!?"""""
Not only Captain Zaraki but everyone including us gasped.
Because Unohana-san vanished in an instant.
The moment I thought I lost sight of her, she appeared while slashing Kenpachi's right leg.
With that wound, probably 20% of his mobility is shaved off.
"Could you not see me?"
It seems many captains couldn't see her; they have dumbfounded expressions.
I can manage to see her because I know the trick. But more than that, Unohana-san is simply moving faster.
If the time she was training with me was about a six or seven, her current movement is...
That's about a fifteen, isn't it!?
The flow that should have been tilting toward Captain Zaraki was pulled back in an instant.
Above all, Captain Zaraki's spiritual pressure rise is gentle... no, isn't this stopped?
Don't tell me he reached his limit!? I-If so, the match is...
"Then, once more. Find me properly this time, Kenpachi."
If it's just the words she's saying, it doesn't sound unlike sweet whispers between lovers.
While uttering such a killer line, she disappeared again.
"Damn it!!"
He probably can't see her yet.
Relying on his wild instinct, he swung his sword, but not there!
"Do you think you can hit me with that level?"
"Wh!"
Did he see her this time?
Unohana-san is jumping around the space inexhaustibly.
Moreover, moving in acute angles instead of curves.
To use an analogy, like light diffusely reflecting inside a mirror house. Like a rubber ball slammed vigorously inside a narrow room.
She is flying around the space vertically and horizontally with great force.
To reveal the trick, that is an application of the technique of solidifying spirit particles to use as a foothold.
Instead of just a foothold, she creates it like a wall and kicks off it to change direction forcibly and freely—a rough technique.
Creating a foothold that crumbles upon kicking in an instant, and then erasing it in an instant so it doesn't get in the way.
Unless momentary spiritual pressure control, instant judgment of the optimal place to create a wall, and instantaneous power to move immediately are combined, it's impossible.
It's quite difficult to use in actual combat where the situation changes every moment, but...
As expected of Unohana-san, she uses it as if it were natural.
I was taught too, but it's impossible to master flying around vertically and horizontally like that.
"Gaaah! Damn! Where—"
"You seem to have quite bad eyes."
"Guh...!"
And that technique doesn't choose the place, angle, or timing of the attack.
Kicking the wall the moment a slash is released to take distance and feint.
Or, the moment after slashing the shoulder from above, aiming for the ankle.
She can construct attacks as she pleases.
It is precisely because the relatively small and light Captain Unohana uses it that she can move this freely.
For large people like me or Captain Zaraki, movement is inevitably restricted.
Above all, being able to master it this much is only possible because of her swordsmanship, spiritual pressure, and experience.
If you try to imitate it poorly, you'll self-destruct in an instant.
For those reasons, I don't use it much, but...
Come to think of it, maybe Soifon could master it better. She's seen it already, so I'll teach her properly next time.
"Gotcha!"
"Fool!"
He reacted!? Or was it a coincidence!? Captain Zaraki responded to the movement.
Moreover—
"What..."
"H-He sacrificed his left arm!?"
"Hah! It doesn't move properly anyway!! Then be grateful it served as a shield!!"
—He escaped the difficulty by offering his own left arm as a sacrifice to the deadly blow.
Certainly, since it doesn't move, it might be unavoidable!!
Wow... it was already a serious injury, but is that okay...
The left arm looks like it's about to be torn off from near the root any moment. It's only connected by a single piece of skin...
He's bleeding like a waterfall... isn't the match over with this...
"Yeah! That's right!! Not yet, it's just one left arm!! I still have my right arm, and legs! I haven't fought enough yet, aaaaaah!!"
"...!"
...Eh? Um, Captain Zaraki is shouting something... is that, don't tell me...
Hey, Nubatama... could it be...
'He, He is conversing with his Zanpakuto...'
I knew it!?
Because Unohana-san also had a surprised face!
Even so, now, at this last moment! Don't tell me he's awakening to Shikai!?
"As expected of Kenpachi... reaching that far was unexpected."
"Aaaah!!"
Uugh! Captain Zaraki's spiritual pressure rose even further!?
I thought he reached the ceiling long ago, but he extended further by combining power with his Zanpakuto!
Moreover, his reaction has improved! Following the movements of the vanished Unohana-san—
"...However, it is not outside of assumptions."
—No, he's one move late.
Where she appeared was exactly right in front of Captain Zaraki.
And the moment she showed herself, the match was decided.
"Ga... gaaaaaaah!!!!"
A diagonal slash imbued with enough power to cut the torso in two.
While spewing a large amount of blood rivaling the bleeding from his left arm, Captain Zaraki fell with a thud.
'Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!!'
...Why is Nubatama so surprised?
'No, well, Unohana-dono won... N-No!! It is nothing...'
You thought Unohana-san would lose.
"Damn... my body, won't move, anymore...!! It's this fun... more! Let me enjoy more!! Finally, finally I could know...! Let me fight!! Don't almost die from just this!! Pathetic...!! Not yet!! Still, from here on...!!"
Despite falling face down and looking like he's about to die any moment, Captain Zaraki is groaning.
Looking just at this, he doesn't seem like he's dying at all.
...Wait, this isn't the time to be saying that!!
"Captain Yukawa, may I ask you?"
"Of course!"
Moving faster than Unohana-san could ask, I use Kaido on Captain Zaraki.
First the torso, or rather the bleeding is bad! If I do this poorly, the left arm will be useless for life!!
This is a bit, I can't relax for a second!! Nubatama, you help too!!
'L, Leave it to me!!'
Blood transfusion! First, blood transfusion!! Not enough blood! Not enough time!!
If you knew this would happen, at least let me bring a set of medical tools in advance, Unohana-san!!
■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□
"Yukawa-dono..."
"Yukawa-sama, are you okay...?"
"Somehow..."
"Ai-chan, good work."
With the momentum of shaving off my own life, I somehow completed Captain Zaraki's treatment.
I'm tired. It was a big job.
It's tough because I consumed too much spiritual pressure. Probably my complexion is very bad right now.
Perhaps thanks to that, his life was saved.
With his recovery power, I think he'll revive immediately, but for now, absolute rest is still required. He's fainted, after all.
"Thank you, Airin."
I was thanked by Soifon, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Kyoraku, and Vice-Captain Kusajishi.
...Huh? Why is Vice-Captain Kusajishi here?
"Now then, I think there are no complaints with this."
I wondered, but Unohana-san—huh? Captain Unohana since she won?—spoke up.
"Driving the former Captain to the brink of death. And splendidly treating the former Captain who was driven to the brink of death. I believe all the current Captains were able to know the new Captain's skill."
...Ah! I see. That's it.
Treating Captain Zaraki—Squad Member Zaraki since he lost?—who suffered this much serious injury, I can demonstrate my ability as the Captain of Squad 4, and above all, my Kaido skill in front of all the Captains.
And as for Captain Unohana, she proved her sword skill more than enough.
In other words, she used this as a place for demonstration too.
So that no unnecessary complaints or nitpicking would be made.
...The main purpose was probably her own fight, though.
"With this, there should be no objections?"
"...It cannot be helped."
The Head Captain made a sour face as if he had bitten into a massive amount of bitter bugs.
Inferring from this exchange, I don't know the details, but Captain Unohana must have made some outrageous request.
And from this result, the Head Captain was reluctantly made to accept the demand.
"Now then, Kenpachi Zaraki."
"...What is it? You don't have to kill me? Isn't that what a Captain of Squad 11 is?"
Whoa! You regained consciousness already!?
Or rather, just speaking should be considerably painful... why can you be so calm!?
"No way. I became a Captain to raise you, you know? So why must I kill you?"
"Raise me, you say...?"
"Yes, that is right."
Captain Unohana narrowed her eyes as if nostalgic for the distant past.
"Long ago, when I first fought you, my immaturity caused a lid to be put on your power. That was so shameful, so shameful, I couldn't help it. Frustrating and frustrating, but one day, there was an encounter."
Saying that much, she turned her gaze to me this time.
"Eh... me?"
"Yes, that is right. Although, at first, I only thought of you as someone who might become a playmate for Kenpachi."
Ah, cruel. You only saw me as a disposable pawn.
"But you, although it took time, grew into a Kaido user surpassing me. And your sword skill also improved."
I'm sorry for being an unworthy disciple.
"Your sword skill shattered Kenpachi's shackles little by little. And your Kaido saved him no matter how serious the injury. Both, just as I desired."
"Th... Thank you...?"
How should I react?
"With you here, Squad 4 is fine now. And with you here, no matter how much injury is sustained, there is no problem... for me, and for Kenpachi."
...Hm? The clouds are looking suspicious...
"Kenpachi, I will train you until you can use your full power in the true sense. Until the time you tear off all shackles, master your Zanpakuto, and can fight by manipulating all the power hidden within your body as you please... I will kill you thoroughly, and Airi will heal you."
"Eh, um..."
"At the end of that road, you will come to be called the strongest Soul Reaper. Well, you probably do not care about the title of strongest..."
Is my will being ignored!?
No, well, he's a colleague, so if he's dying, I'll heal him!
At least confirm with me!!
"Yeah, I'm not interested... I don't care about strongest or whatever, I want to fight you... I want to fight more!!"
"That is why I am saying you can fight, right? ...Ah. Perhaps, do you think... if you become the strongest, you will kill me?"
"..."
Although he is silent, seeing him clenching his back teeth strongly, I hit the bullseye.
"I am being underestimated. The current me is stronger than the current you; I have already proved that, have I not? And I will become much, much stronger than now. So as not to bore you... and to raise you to greater heights..."
My massage is also there, after all.
"Above all, I have my pride too. I will stay above you for the next hundred years. So, please learn under me and become strong. Vice-Captain Zaraki?"
"..."
Vice-Captain Zaraki.
The moment he was called that, he showed an expression like he was bewitched by a fox, but eventually, a grin floated on his face.
"Heh! Interesting!! Learning from people is something I hate, but just this once, it's a different story! I'm in, on that proposal! Ouch..."
"Good for you, Ken-chan! Retsu-chan and Airin said they'll help too!"
"Yachiru! I got it, so don't touch the wound!"
Vice-Captain Kusajishi—is that okay? The post?—is happy while patting Vice-Captain Zaraki.
However... my helping is confirmed, isn't it...
Whatever, as long as I don't die, anything is fine.
"I-Is it alright, Head Captain!? For two Kenpachis to exist...!"
"It matters not. I have already obtained permission from Central 46."
A little distance away, Captain Tosen is confronting the Head Captain.
"Retsu Unohana becoming the Captain of Squad 11 and training Kenpachi Zaraki. Including the existence of two Kenpachis, there are no problems with any of it."
"However...!"
"Persistent! It has already been decided."
"Kuh...!"
He backed down after being told that, but...
Huh? He's revealing his emotions unusually for Captain Tosen.
With an unconvinced expression, he is being comforted by Captain Komamura.
The Head Captain also has an incredibly unpleasant look on his face, though.
Anyway—
On this day, two Kenpachis came to exist in the Seireitei.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]