In the 1st Division barracks, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat at the tea table, his right hand gently lifting a teacup to his lips as he took a steady sip.
Suddenly, with a sharp whoosh, a figure flashed into the room.
"What's the situation?"
Yamamoto's voice remained calm, unwavering—an embodiment of the Captain-Commander's composed authority.
"Reporting, Captain-Commander!"
"Captain Kenpachi Aozaki of the 11th Division has left Seireitei with 200 squad members. They are heading north toward Rukongai."
The Inner Court Troop soldier kneeled on one knee as he delivered the report.
"Oh? Are they planning to start from the Zaraki District?"
Yamamoto frowned slightly.
According to the Gotei 13's structure, each division was divided into ten squads, with each squad consisting of anywhere from ten to thirty members.
Two hundred squad members meant nearly an entire division's worth of manpower.
While that number might seem small compared to the armies of the World of the Living, which often numbered in the hundreds of thousands, each of those 200 Shinigami was a warrior of extraordinary ability.
However, the 80th District of Rukongai was vast, teeming with ruthless criminals, some of whom were powerful in their own right.
These individuals were deliberately left there to serve as a counterbalance to the forces of Hueco Mundo.
Sending 200 men to purge the district wasn't unreasonable.
But Yamamoto didn't understand why such a minor matter required a personal report to him.
"Also… Captain Retsu Unohana of the 4th Division has accompanied them."
The soldier continued.
"What?"
Yamamoto's hand trembled, and tea spilled onto the floor.
He turned sharply, eyes widening in shock, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Unohana Retsu?"
"Yes!"
The Inner Court Troop soldier confirmed firmly.
Yamamoto felt his blood pressure spike.
Those two together… Were they planning to wipe Rukongai off the map?
"Immediately notify the 8th and 13th Divisions. Have Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake follow them. If they show any signs of going too far, be ready to intervene at any moment."
Yamamoto's expression was grim as he issued the order.
Against such a terrifying duo, only his other two prized disciples might have a chance of containing them.
The mere thought of those two running wild in Rukongai was enough to give him a headache.
Upon receiving the command, the Inner Court Troop soldier nodded and disappeared in an instant.
Not long after, Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake hurriedly left their respective barracks, sprinting toward northern Rukongai.
As they ran, both muttered silent prayers.
As Masatsuki Aozaki's seniors, they were well aware of how terrifying their mischievous junior was in battle.
And as Yamamoto's longtime students, they had a rough idea of just how ruthless the real Retsu Unohana could be.
...
Just as Yamamoto had been informed, Masatsuki Aozaki wasted no time after leaving Seireitei, heading straight for the Zaraki District with his men.
They didn't stop once along the way.
"Move in squads, spread out, and search every corner of Zaraki District until you find them!"
"Don't just go on a killing spree—focus on gathering intel! Check not only gang hideouts but also the remote areas!"
"If you find any information on the target, do not act on your own. That ronin is no weakling. Report to the Captain immediately if anything happens!"
In a barren field within Zaraki District, the seated officers of the 11th Division shouted their orders, their voices booming across the wasteland.
Masatsuki Aozaki's primary objective wasn't killing—it was finding someone.
But the intel they had been given was laughably scarce.
Four clues, in total:
The target was from Zaraki District.
They used the name "Zaraki" or "Zaraki Kenpachi."
Their strength was comparable to a captain's.
They were possibly accompanied by a little girl with pink hair.
The first two clues were practically useless.
Most people here didn't even have names. Plenty had taken the district's name for themselves.
However, when the squad members heard that someone had dared to call themselves Kenpachi, their blood boiled with indignation.
But the captain had given a direct order—they couldn't afford to disappoint him.
They had to set aside their emotions and take the mission seriously.
Receiving their orders, the squad members unsheathed their Zanpakutō and scattered across the district.
They began their search for Masatsuki Aozaki's target while simultaneously carrying out the Captain-Commander's purge directive.
Zaraki District, located in the 80th sector of Rukongai, was a lawless land filled with hardened killers.
When a fight broke out here, there was no mercy.
But Masatsuki Aozaki wasn't idle either—he kept his Reiatsu perception fully active.
Compared to Seireitei, Rukongai was a wasteland in terms of resources, yet its sheer size was undeniable.
Once his subordinates had dispersed, Masatsuki Aozaki finally turned to his side.
"Are you planning to handle him yourself, or should I do it?"
Retsu Unohana tucked her hands into her sleeves, a gentle smile on her face.
"You should do it. No matter how this ends, Kenpachi isn't meant to be mine."
"Who says that? Haven't I already become your exclusive Kenpachi?"
Masatsuki Aozaki grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Stop joking—you know that's not what I meant..."
Unohana walked over to Masatsuki Aozaki and gently took his hand, as if offering comfort.
"But tell me, how did you even find out about that man?"
"Don't tell me you've been investigating him all this time?"
Had he done all of this… for her?
If not for her, then what reason could he possibly have?
It had to be for her.
As the thought crossed her mind, a small smile tugged at Unohana's lips.
She felt a strange sense of tenderness, looking at the man in front of her.
He had silently done so much, yet he never spoke of it.
This kind of clumsy yet sincere kindness… she didn't even know how to respond to it.
"I didn't do anything special. Just happened to learn a few things."
Masatsuki Aozaki scratched his head, answering honestly.
But did he really think she would believe that?
He couldn't even lie properly—how adorably foolish.
Unohana couldn't help but chuckle, a trace of warmth in her expression.
The two of them stood quietly at the edge of the cliff, the breeze swirling around them.
Without realizing it, they had drawn closer, until they instinctively fell into each other's embrace.
...
Watching from a distance, Gin Ichimaru pulled a face of utter disdain.
This is a battlefield—could you two be any more shameless?!
Thankfully, Mashiro Kuna had been sent on a mission. Otherwise, who knew how far this might escalate?
Sighing in exasperation, Gin turned and said,
"I'll go contact the seated officers. I'll let you know as soon as there's any news."
"Yeah, yeah, sure, whatever—go do your thing," Masatsuki Aozaki waved him off impatiently.
Gin's eye twitched, his jaw clenching in annoyance.
And just who the hell am I doing this for?
You talk to me like that, and you still expect people to help you in the future?!
"…Gin, I appreciate it. I'll treat you to dinner tonight—I'll even cook myself."
As if this was even worth being thanked for…
"No need. I've got work tonight," Gin scoffed before turning on his heel and walking away without another word.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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