章節 35: Bad News, The Death of Sword 8!!

"Oh, come on, Kimura. You've become a Lieutenant, and you still want me to treat you?"

Hirako Shinji looked at Kimura Muyang helplessly as the guy in front of him obviously had the highest position among their group. In other words, Kimura Muyang had the highest income yet still wanted him to treat Kimura Muyang.

"Baldy Shinji, you are in no position to say that. You often come to our barrack and join our feast even though you're from the 10th Division."

Hiyori said in a condescending tone while glaring at Hirako Shinji.

"Now, now, there is no way I can refuse Captain Hikifune's homemade cooking."

"Eh~~What was it about the 12th Division again?" Kuna Mashiro curiously asked with a ridiculously adorable expression.

Kimura Muyang hurriedly glanced at Hirako Shinji as a warning. Hirako Shinji alone already increased his workload. He shuddered at the thought of any more people coming to their base and joined the feast. He simply couldn't bear washing any more tablewares.

"No, it's nothing." Hirako Shinji waved his hand, immediately switching to his poker face.

"Hm? Is that so?" Kuna Mashiro looked at Hirako Shinji doubtfully, but when she saw nothing weird about Hirako Shinji, she was back to harassing Kensei.

Meanwhile, Lisa just glanced at Kimura Muyang without saying a word. Her Captain, Kyōraku Shunsui, often visited the 12th Division. She was also acquainted with the 12th Division Captain, so she obviously knew what they were talking about.

"By the way, why didn't Aranmaru come today. Is 11th Division that busy?" Love asked out of the blue.

"Oh, come to think of it, you're right. That annoying babyface didn't come. What's wrong with him?" Hiyori wondered after taking a look around her.

Because Aranmaru Shishin was pretty close to Kimura Muyang during their Academy days, the rest obviously knew about him. Because of Aranmaru Shishin's appearance, Hiyori has always called him babyface. Coupled with the way he talked, which was how to put it... tactless and incredibly honest.

"Apparently so." Kimura Muyang put down his chopsticks and said after a brief pause: "It seems that he is heading to Rukongai to fight Hollow. A Hollow was sighted around that area."

"Aren't you technically a Lieutenant? Why didn't you head out instead?" Hirako Shinji teased Kimura Muyang.

"Hehe. Our 3rd Seat should be able to handle it. Besides, they're just checking things out, and there's a chance it was just a false alarm." Kimura Muyang was slightly embarrassed because Hirako Shinji had a point, so he just changed the topic with a silly smile on his face, " but this shouldn't be a problem for the 11th Division. Even Captain Kuruyashiki went there in person. There should be nothing to worry about."

"Captain Kuruyashiki." A momentary silence covered the room when the name Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was mentioned. Captain Kuruyashiki was the most well-known Captain right after the Captain-Commander in Gotei 13. No one wouldn't bat an eye when they heard his name.

"Well, if Captain Kuruyashiki is with them, then there will be no problem." Love said, breaking the silence. Everyone nodded, agreeing with Love. After all, the title 'Kenpachi' is not just for show, especially Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, whose strength was recognized by everyone in Gotei 13.

"Shua~ ~"

The door was forcefully opened, and as everyone's attention was focused on the door, they saw Aranmaru Shishin was standing dejectedly by the door.

"You decided to come now of all time, babyface?" Hiyori picked a fight with Aranmaru Shishin without hesitation the moment she saw him.

"Hiyori!" Hirako Shinji suddenly yelled, but unlike their usual banter, he sounded serious this time.

As Hiyori glanced and noticed that there was no trace of the usual silly smile on Hirako Shinji's face, she immediately took a look around and noticed that the rest of them seemed a bit off too. That was when she realized she had made a mistake and immediately shut her mouth.

"Aranmaru, what's wrong?"

Kimura Muyang realized something must've happened when he saw Aranmaru Shishin, who was always spunky and optimistic seemed dejected like this.

"Kimura ~~~"

Hearing Aranmaru Shishin sobbed shocked everyone. Since when did this guy become such a crybaby?

As everyone saw Aranmaru Shishin's red and swollen eyes, they knew from a glance that he must have cried. Despite his babyface, he was unexpectedly tough, both physically and mentally, so seeing him in this state definitely surprised everyone.

"Yo, babyface, did someone harass you? Tell me who, and I'll beat them up." Hiyori smacked her own chest to show how dependable she was.

Everyone ignored Hiyori and waited for Aranmaru Shishin's answer.

"Captain...Captain, he's...dead!"

Seeing his friends in front of him, Aranmaru Shishin was on the verge of tears.

Everyone was shocked beyond belief when they heard the news about Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's death. He was the 11th Division Captain! The 7th Kenpachi! How could a man of his caliber die?

"How is this possible! A man as strong as Captain Kuruyashiki can't be dead. You've gotta be joking, right Aranma…"

Kensei couldn't finish his sentence when he saw Aranmaru Shihin's expression. He seemed so sad that this couldn't be a joke.

Kimura Muyang took a few deep breaths to regain composure. He had long known that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi would die in the near future. Otherwise, Zaraki wouldn't become a Kenpachi. However, after meeting Kuruyashiki Kenpachi in person, he couldn't help but admire him and understood why he earned the respect of many people.

Moreover, Kimura Muyang once visited Kuruyashiki Kenpachi at the 11th Division and sparred with him, the result being Kimura Muyang defeated even with Kuruyashiki Kenpachi still holding back. So he knew that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was no ordinary Captain.

"Who is it, Aranmaru? Who kills Captain Kuruyashiki?" Kimura Muyang asked directly.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Aranmaru Shishin. They were also curious who managed to kill the formidable 11th Division Captain.

"Azashiro Sōya." Aranmaru Shishin uttered a name with bloodshot eyes.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. They've never heard of this name whatsoever. How could a nobody kill one of Gotei 13's Captain? And Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was no ordinary Captain to boot.

After pondering, Kimura Muyang then said: "So, he'll be called Azashiro Kenpachi from now on..."

Everyone was taken aback but then nodded. As per the 11th Division's rule, one could become the next Captain upon defeating the current Captain in front of 200 Division members. So, apparently, this person named Azashiro Sōya has now inherited the title 'Kenpachi' and 11th Division Captain.

"Aranmaru, what are you planning to do?" Kimura Muyang asked because he knew that Aranmaru Shishin joined the 11th Division because he admired Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. Now that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was killed at the hands of a man named Azashiro Sōya, Azashiro Sōya would take over as the next 11th Division Captain, so Aranmaru Shishin may not stay in the 11th Division anymore.

"I don't know what to do. I'm not in the mood to discuss it. Captain, he actually…"

After this sudden turn of events, everyone was no longer in the mood to continue drinking. The news wasn't known by the public just yet, but it would spread throughout Gotei 13 soon. After all, the death of a Captain was no trivial matter, especially a Captain with major influence like Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.

No matter how Kimura Muyang looked at it, he realized there was no way to console Aranmaru Shishi, so he told him to go home. Everyone also headed back to their room, but they didn't know a storm was brewing somewhere else.