Kapitel 41: Sudden Change in Situation

Seireitei West Gate White Road Gate.

Gatekeeper, Hīrō Jidanbō stood in front of the door and roared loudly:

"Hahahahaha! Very good! You are the first person who can take on my axe! But it won't go the same way next time!"

Jidanbō then immediately used his deadly technique, Juppon Jidanda Matsuri.

Jidanbō swung his enormous axe, which was almost as heavy as a small boat, ten times in a row.

Gatekeeper's job was protecting the gate.

There was nothing out of place aside from the blow of that gigantic axe being blocked. However, unlike usual, Jidanbō was facing Seireitei this time instead of Rukongai, as if preventing anyone from leaving Seireitei.

After several seconds, all that was left in front of Jidanbō was a big hole after around 35 consecutive strikes.

"Oh crap… I went too far." Jidanbō, who thought he had crushed his opponent into smithereens, was celebrating his hollow victory.

Meanwhile, a man who Jidanbō thought was supposed to be smithereens by now was walking nonchalantly toward the opposite direction, completely unscathed.

The man had long black hair kept tied in a ponytail with a golden band that would belong to that of royalty, except for two long strands on opposite sides of his forehead that hung downwards. The gentle and docile appearance of his was unwavering as there was not even a speck of dust on his clothes.

Although he could feel the gaze of Rukongai's residents, he kept walking forward without a care.

However, a few seconds later, the man stopped and vigilantly stared as if there was something in front of him.

In the next moment, two men appeared before Azashiro Kenpachi, blocking his advance.

One was a gentle-looking man with white hair, and the other was a man wearing a pink, flowered lady's kimono and a bamboo hat. It was Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō.

"Good grief, seems like waiting for you here was the right move. So you did manage to defeat those three, huh?"

"It's just as you said, Kyoraku. Azashiro really is stronger than an average Captain."

Even with two of them blocking his way, Azashiro Kenpachi was unfazed and said indifferently: "If you agree with my idea, then I hope you can assist me with it. If you don't, I advise you to stay out of this since it'll be just a waste of Reiryoku."

"Now that's a tough idea to agree with." Kyōraku Shunsui said as he untied the knot of his bamboo hat and faced Azashiro directly. "The idea of turning Rukongai's people into soldiers to storm Hueco Mundo is too extreme that I can't agree with it."

"Central 46 is just overly cautious and refuses my idea to save their own ass. As far as I know, those guys had no desire to change things and were satisfied with just maintaining the status quo. I believe you two realize that as well, right?" Azashiro Kenpachi said indifferently.

But, of course, the two Captain's answer didn't please him.

"Well, you might be right. It would be so much easier if they want some change. Even so, surely there are other better ways to deal with this, no?"

"Azashiro…I know that you're doing this for the greater good, but your method is a problem. Two of us stood here out of our own free will. It has nothing to do with Central 46."

A clear rejection.

Seeing Azashiro Kenpachi had no intention to back away, Kyōraku Shunsui disappointedly said:

"But boy, this is a hassle. You did defeat three Captains easily by yourself. Old Yamamoto seriously underestimated your strength."

Kyōraku Shunsui then took off his flashy Kimono, followed by a sigh—

Upon seeing Azashiro Kenpachi was about to take out something that resembled a bottle, Kyōraku Shunsui immediately responded with a lazy tone: "Let me tell you beforehand, it's pointless to bribe me with sake."

"…Hmm, this is a problem. Are you sure you don't want to see it first?"

Kyōraku Shunsui wavered a little while Ukitake Jūshirō next to him interrupted: "Indeed, our mission is to defeat Hollow and maintain the balance between Soul Society and Human World. However, I don't think using Rukongai's residents as the instruments of war is against my moral compass."

Apparently, Ukitake Jūshirō was hell-bent on persuading Azashiro Kenpachi. However, Azashiro Kenpachi obviously wouldn't change his mind just because of his little speech. Azashiro completely ignored him and shifted his attention to Kyōraku Shunsui instead: "Kyōraku Shunsui, you should know what I'm talking about, right? Although you seem laid-back most of the time, you will do anything when it's do or die time, right?"

"You overestimate me. I'm not the type of guy who would use any means necessary to achieve my goal."

"Is that so? I'd say you're the most cautious Captain aside from Captain-Commander, oh well, whatever you say."

Azashiro Kenpachi immediately continued, "Ensuring the balance between Soul Society and Human world is the priority for us Shinigamis. Just like the hell guards that always punish sinners for eternity, we must also cast aside our emotions to do our duty. Feeling and emotions are not unnecessary in our job. All history and tradition in Soul Society is just a shackle that prevents us from accomplishing our mission, and it's all because of Central 46's incompetence."

"You're clearly mistaken. Our sense of morality is fundamentally different. Soul Society's laws and rules may be mistaken at times…but at least, not now."

"So that's how it is… Then, there is no need for another word." Azashiro Kenpachi walked toward the two Captains.

"You aren't going to disappear into thin air as usual?"

Azashiro Kenpachi did not answer Kyōraku Shunsui's question.

As Azashiro Kenpachi took another step, both Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō put their hands on scabbard at the same time

"When the Flower Wind Rages, the Flower God Roars, When the Wind of Heaven Rages, the God of the Underworld Sneers -'Katen Kyōkotsu.'"

"Waves, Become my Shield, Lightning, Become my Blade -'Sōgyo no Kotowari.'"

These two veteran Captains immediately used their Shikai right off the bat. After all, they were up against a Kenpachi who could defeat 3 Captains without even a scar on him.

"…It's futile." Azashiro Kenpachi slowly raised his hand, aiming it at Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō as he began a Kidō's incantation.

However, he stopped without finishing his incantation. Ignoring both Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, Azashiro Kenpachi turned around and stared at the corner of Seireitei's wall in the distance, whispering: "So… …Even Soul King disapproves my action?"

"?"

"What are you talking about?"

Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō did not quite catch what Azashiro Kenpachi murmured about, but what they did realize was the indifferent Azashiro Kenpachi finally showed emotion on his face. However, before they realized what it was, the slight change in Azashiro Kenpachi's face was gone, and he put down his hand.

"…Alright, I give up. I will obediently accept the trial from Central 46."

Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō frowned and looked at each other in doubt.

"What's with you all of a sudden, Azashiro? Your response completely throws me off."

Kyōraku Shunsui stared at Azashiro Kenpachi doubtfully, "Could it be that you have another plan?"

"Kyōraku, you are too skeptical." Azashiro Kenpachi then turned back. "Or are you saying that I should go back by myself?"

Hearing Azashiro Kenpachi's words, Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō had no choice but to cast away their doubts and escorted Azashiro Kenpachi back to Seireitei.