The forest was silent, save for the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind.
A towering figure leaned against a tree, remaining motionless for a long time before finally straightening up and stepping to the edge of the cliff.
He had a rough, menacing appearance—massive in stature, clad in a white haori emblazoned with the kanji for "Eleven," and sporting two metal lip piercings that jutted from his mouth like the fangs of a ravenous demon from Hell.
And yet, this very man was the captain of the 11th Division of the Gotei 13.
Beneath the dense canopy of the forest, a dozen figures dressed in black Shihakushō stood at the ready, their gazes wary, each one armed with a sword at their waist.
Kenpachi Kiganjō curled his lips into a sneer.
"The 2nd and 3rd Divisions were attacked at the same time? What's this? The Gotei 13, the so-called guardians of Seireitei, can't even protect themselves?"
"And this is the force that maintains order in Soul Society? Ha! You're nothing but lapdogs groveling at the feet of the aristocracy. What a joke!"
The members of the 11th Division turned pale with anger, fists clenched, but none dared to refute his taunts.
"Captain, there are no reports of an attack on the Nest of Maggots. Should we move to assist elsewhere?" one of the squad members asked with a slight bow.
Kenpachi Kiganjō cast him a sideways glance.
"Since when do I need you to tell me what to do?"
"But Central 46 has ordered us to provide support. If we disobey, we'll be punished, won't we?"
Maki Ichinose, a member of the 11th Division, voiced his concern, his eyes still brimming with admiration as he looked at Kiganjō.
Seeing this little admirer of his, Kiganjō showed rare patience.
He leaned forward slightly, as if about to place a reassuring hand on Ichinose's shoulder.
Ichinose stiffened, uneasy.
But Kiganjō hesitated for a brief moment. Instead of touching his shoulder, his hand moved downward—resting firmly on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Then, with his other hand, he lightly patted Ichinose's cheek, his grin widening.
"Ichinose, my apologies. This time, I don't have the patience to answer your questions."
The other squad members froze, unsure of what this brute, whose strength far outweighed his intellect, was planning.
Kiganjō fell silent, then slowly unsheathed his Zanpakutō, the motion as casual as if he were brushing away dust.
From deep within the forest, the sickening sound of flesh being torn apart echoed.
Maki Ichinose had been sliced in half by a massive 1.5-meter-long blade. Blood sprayed from both halves of his body—hot, real, and unmistakably not paint. The warmth of it splattered across the faces of those nearby.
"You won't be going anywhere to assist the other Divisions," Kiganjō muttered. "You'll die here—but not without purpose."
"The Five Great Noble Clans achieved something remarkable. They used mortal bodies to overcome gods and carve out a new world."
"It was an extraordinary feat, no doubt. But I have no interest in shaping worlds."
"Do you know that there were once only five noble families? Yet now, they've multiplied like locusts—no matter how many you kill, they just keep coming, devouring everything in their path."
"Have you ever truly seen what life is like in Rukongai's 80th District?"
"I refuse to accept it. I have power—far greater than most. And I deserve to be the locust ravaging the land, not the grain trampled beneath their feet."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I take joy in crushing, ravaging, and destroying life itself. Your corpses will be the proof of my ascent—the steps upon which I climb to power."
"This lunatic has been completely consumed by his sick desires. The captain of the 11th Division, betraying the Gotei 13? Does he even care about the Captain-Commander?!"
The squad members trembled in shock.
Kenpachi Kiganjō was widely regarded as a fool within the Gotei 13. That much was common knowledge.
But no one, not a single soul, underestimated his strength.
Born a warrior from the savage depths of Rukongai, he had seized his position as captain by slaying his predecessor—the 9th Kenpachi, Kenpachi Gosuke.
Though Gōsuke had earned the title of captain without ever challenging his own predecessor for the Kenpachi name, he had nonetheless attained Bankai. And yet, in the end, he still fell to Kiganjō.
That fact alone was enough to prove just how fearsome Kiganjō truly was.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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