บท 107: Overwhelming Strike

After remaining silent for a moment, Zaraki nodded. "I understand, I will go."

Admitting one's weakness was not an easy thing. However, since this woman had found him a teacher, she must have some expectations of him! To meet these expectations, Zaraki decided to work hard to become stronger, striving to defeat her in their next battle!

"Isane."

"Captain Unohana." Upon hearing the captain's call, Insane Kotetsu promptly responded.

"For the next two days, your task is to take care of him. After his injuries have fully healed, take him to the 1st Division Captain-Commander."

"Yes, I understand, Captain Unohana."

***

With Zaraki's constitution and spiritual pressure, the injuries inflicted by Ailin had fully healed within three days under Retsu Unohana's treatment.

Under Insane Kotetsu's guidance, Zaraki came to the 1st Division.

As for Yachiru, during the time Zaraki went to the 1st Division to learn swordsmanship from Captain-Commander Yamamoto, she was temporarily left at the 4th Division by Zaraki.

The lively and adorable Yachiru was now the mascot of the 4th Division, very popular with everyone.

Following behind 1st Division Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe, Zaraki was led to a training ground with a massive bronze gate.

"Mr. Zaraki, I'll leave you here. The Captain-Commander is waiting inside for you."

Vice-Captain Sasakibe, though only a vice-captain, was not weaker than the captains of other divisions.

Possessing the strongest lightning-type Zanpakutō, Gonryōmaru , he was even able to leave a scar on Captain-Commander Yamamoto's head during their battle, changing the "丿" in Yamamoto's name to "乂".

Despite his formidable strength, Vice-Captain Sasakibe was low-key and humble, treating everyone with respect.

Even though Zaraki was just someone from the Rukongai, Vice-Captain Sasakibe addressed him as "Mr."

After Vice-Captain Sasakibe left, Zaraki slung his tattered Zanpakutō over his shoulder and pushed open the heavy bronze gate.

Rumble—

The interior of the training ground was dim. After Zaraki pushed open the gate, the sunlight from outside streamed through the cracks, dispelling the darkness inside.

Stepping into the training ground, the first thing Zaraki saw was an old man with a slightly hunched back, not far from where the bright sunlight was shining.

"Is that the person that woman said would teach me swordsmanship? Old man."

Although he had come to learn this "swordsmanship", with Zaraki's character, if the one teaching him was weak, he had no interest in learning.

Even if this old man was possibly the "strongest Shinigami in a thousand years" as that woman had said. Who knows without fighting?

"Hahaha, old man, let's battle! Let me see how strong this 'strongest Shinigami in a thousand years' is that the woman spoke of!"

Finishing his words, Zaraki erupted with spiritual pressure, swinging his Zanpakutō as he charged towards Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

"Hmph, insolent fool."

Inside the training ground, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto opened his eyes and looked towards Zaraki.

The first impression was quite poor.

Rustle rustle...

The cane in Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's hand scattered into countless wood dust spirit particles, revealing his Zanpakutō.

The strongest fire-type Zanpakutō - Ryūjin Jakka!

Of course, to battle the current Zaraki, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did not need to release his Zanpakutō.

Clang! Clang!

In the dim training ground, sparks flew everywhere. Two figures clashed in the darkness, their surging spiritual pressures and the impact of their clashing blades inflicting tremendous damage to the training ground.

Were it not for the high strength of the barrier around this training ground, Zaraki and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's battle would have destroyed it long ago.

"Hahaha..."

"This is it, come and fight!"

Amidst the clanging of their weapons, Zaraki's maniacal laughter could occasionally be heard.

In response to Zaraki's provocation, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did not reply, only increasing the force behind his sword strikes.

"Shh—"

***

As night fell, Retsu Unohana brought the heavily injured Zaraki back to the 4th Division for treatment under Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's orders.

Three days later, with his injuries healed, Zaraki returned to the 1st Division and began formally receiving swordsmanship lessons from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

However, what Zaraki did not know was that after their battle three days prior, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had seen Zaraki's immense potential and battle-loving nature, fearing that if he grew stronger, he might endanger the peace of the Seireitei.

Thus, when teaching Zaraki, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto deliberately taught him a relatively gentle form of swordsmanship unsuited to Zaraki's nature, hoping to suppress his "pure" fighting spirit.

Unfortunately, Zaraki's instincts made him strongly reject this form of swordsmanship.

In the end, Zaraki only learned how to wield his sword with both hands from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto before ceasing his lessons at the 1st Division.

***

"Oh? There was such a thing?"

In the Rukongai, a hell butterfly hovered over Ailin's hand.

After reading the information from the hell butterfly, Ailin said to Gin Ichimaru, who was training, "Gin, continue practicing here. Someone has come to the 11th Division to challenge me, so I need to go back for a bit. If you encounter any danger, unleash your full spiritual pressure, and I'll rush over immediately."

"Yes, I understand, Captain Ailin."

After witnessing Zaraki's explosive power, Gin's pursuit of strength had become even more urgent.

***

Boom!

A figure flew out from the gates of the 11th Division, crashing into the wall opposite and creating a few cracks. Spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, they slowly slid down the wall.

Bang!

Boom!

Shh!

Bang!

"Ah..."

"Cough..."

On this day, the Gotei 13's 11th Division suffered its greatest blow in nearly a thousand years.

Two people, no, or more accurately, only one person, had single-handedly torn through the 11th Division.

"You, who are you?"

Kiganjo, the 11th Division's vice-captain, gripped his Zanpakutō, his face drenched in sweat.

This man was unbelievably strong. No one in the entire 11th Division could withstand even a single strike from him before being overwhelmed by his immense power.

Facing Kiganjo's question, Zaraki paid no heed.

Now, he only came to find that person and issue a challenge.

"Didn't that woman say the Shinigami of the 11th Division were the strongest in the Seireitei? How are all of you so weak?"

"..."

"Damn it!"

Cold sweat poured from Kiganjo. Just where had that guy come from?

In the entire 11th Division, aside from Captain Ailin, no one was likely his match. But as the 11th Division's vice-captain, Kiganjo absolutely would not allow himself to surrender without a fight.

"It is not for an outsider like you to comment on the strength or weakness of the 11th Division. I am the 11th Division's vice-captain. The next battle shall be between you and me!"

"Yaah!"

"Shh—"

By the time Ailin returned to the 11th Division, all its members had already been defeated by Zaraki. However, what reassured Ailin was that although their injuries ranged from light to severe, not a single one had died.

"Captain Ailin."

"Captain Ailin is back."

Seeing Ailin, the Shinigami lying scattered around the 11th Division grounds immediately rose, loudly announcing Ailin's return.

Don't ask why they didn't get up earlier—they had just been knocked unconscious and only regained consciousness upon seeing Captain Ailin.

Yes, the 3rd Seated Officer, had been knocked out too many times and was truly unable to wake up now.

Vice-Captain Kiganjo was also "helped" up, trembling as he approached Ailin.

"Apologies, Captain Ailin, I could not stop this man..."

"No, if it's him, you being unable to defeat him is normal."

After consoling Kiganjo, Ailin looked towards Zaraki.

"Hahaha..."

Zaraki drew his Zanpakutō from his waist and pointed it at Ailin. "Hey, Ailin Kenpachi, I've come to challenge you!"

"Zaraki, as captain of the 11th Division, I accept challenges from anyone at any time. However, you are still too weak at the moment. Are you sure you want to challenge me now?"

"Enough talk, a challenge is a challenge. And I'm not the same as I was a few days ago. Come and fight, Ailin Kenpachi!"

"How foolish." Ailin shook his head. "Zaraki, it seems you still haven't grasped the gap between us. For our upcoming battle, I hope you don't blink, because it will be over in an instant."

Ailin's figure suddenly appeared before Zaraki, his right hand outstretched and almost covering half of Zaraki's face.

Then—

Boom!

Zaraki's body, over a head taller than Ailin, was forcefully slammed head-first into the ground by Ailin, creating a crater over three meters deep.

"Cough..."

Struck with such an attack, Zaraki could not help but cough up a mouthful of fresh blood.

Then, his left hand pressed against Ailin's right, trying to pry it off his face, while his right hand raised his Zanpakutō, slashing down at Ailin.

"Armored!"

Clang!

A large amount of spiritual energy coalesced outside Ailin's body into a visible spiritual barrier. Zaraki's attack struck Ailin's body but only scattered a few sparks, causing no damage to Ailin at all.

"You can't even cut properly. Is this what you meant by not being the same as a few days ago?"

Pinning Zaraki's head down, Ailin lifted him out of the crater. At Ailin's height, he could barely hold the taller Zaraki aloft.

"Hadō No. 11 - Tsuzuri Raiden!"

Following Ailin's incantation, blue lightning gathered in his right hand, then spread along his arm and across Zaraki's body.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle...

The Tsuzuri Raiden attack did not actually injure Zaraki, but the lightning temporarily paralyzed him. Ailin then flung his arm, flinging Zaraki high into the air.

"Hadō No. 88 - Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"

Boom!

A bolt of lightning over a meter thick burst from the ground, engulfing Zaraki. After the lightning faded, Zaraki fell from the sky, collapsing like a puddle of mud and expelling black smoke from his mouth.

Taking the full force of the 88th Destructive Way, even Zaraki was severely injured and lost the ability to continue fighting.

Ailin walked over to Zaraki and spoke, "Zaraki, join the 11th Division and become my vice-captain. If you become my vice-captain, I can promise you one chance to challenge me every ten years. When we fight, I will not use any means other than swordsmanship. What do you say?"

Finished speaking, Ailin did not wait for Zaraki's answer. Instead, he first healed the more severely injured members with Kidō, then had the other members go to the 4th Division for treatment. Zaraki was sent along as well.

The trouble caused by Zaraki would be resolved by the 4th Division. A few days later, all 11th Division members had recovered and returned from the 4th Division to the 11th Division grounds.

Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi came back with them. After being defeated so overwhelmingly by Ailin that day, Zaraki understood that his current strength still had a vast gap from Ailin's. More importantly, Ailin had agreed to only use swordsmanship when Zaraki challenged him.

The Destructive Ways and such had no sense of impact - it was Zaraki's most hated way of fighting.

To these members who had just been "taught" by Zaraki, no one objected to him becoming the 11th Division's vice-captain.

Even the former Vice-Captain Kiganjo bowed his head.

He did not know that without Ailin present, Kiganjo could have been captain for decades, but would have eventually been killed by Zaraki.

Now with Ailin around to keep him in check, Kiganjo avoided becoming 11th Division captain and thus averted his demise.

After Zaraki joined the 11th Division, Ailin was completely relieved. With Zaraki current strength, he was undoubtedly at the captain level.

The 11th Division's combat missions could be completed by Zaraki alone, with no need for Ailin's involvement.

Thus, leaving the 11th Division in Zaraki's hands, Ailin returned to the Kichiki Family, enjoying a blissful semi-retired life with Haruko.

***

"Shoot to kill him, Cero!"

A flash of white light, and the bald Shinigami felt a chill in his chest. Looking down, he saw the tip of a blade protruding from his chest, blood dripping down.

"Oh? Interesting."

Beside the bald Shinigami, Sōsuke Aizen turned to look back along the path of the blade in the Shinigami's chest, seeing a small Shinigami standing dozens of meters away.

This end of the forty-meter-long blade was gripped in that small figure's hand. Within the white light, the forty-meter sword shrank, reverting to the ordinary form of a Zanpakutō.

The bald Shinigami collapsed to the ground, the light fading from his eyes.

"So, within just three short years of entering the Eleventh Division, you've become a genius seated officer. I wonder why the 5th seat of the 11th Division wants to kill our 5th seat in the Fifth Division? Are you trying to provoke a fight between the Fifth and Eleventh Divisions?"

Although their own division's fifth seat had been killed, looking at the demeanor of Sosuke Aizen, there was not even a hint of sadness or anger. There wasn't even a thought of seeking revenge for the death of their own division's Shinigami.

It was as if the Shinigami killed by Gin was not his companion, but merely an ant crushed underfoot.