"The Ninth Kenpachi… again?"
Hearing Yumichika's words, Abarai Renji couldn't help but grow curious.
The Third Seat, Asido, had returned because of that man.
The Fourth Seat, a member of the Tsunayashiro family, had also joined the Eleventh Division due to his influence.
Just what kind of existence… was the Ninth Kenpachi?
Another thought quickly surfaced in Renji's mind.
"If the Fourth Seat joined because of the Ninth Kenpachi's name… then Captain Zaraki defeated the previous Kenpachi to take the title, right?"
"Wouldn't that mean she should resent Captain Zaraki?"
Since transferring from the Fifth Division, Renji had made an effort to understand the structure and traditions of the Eleventh Division.
Among all divisions, the Eleventh was unique.
The succession of its captain did not follow the standard appointment or examination process. Instead, it was decided through combat the challenger defeating and killing the current captain to inherit both the position and the title:
Kenpachi.
Ayasegawa Yumichika paused briefly when he heard Renji's question, then responded in his usual casual tone.
"She doesn't exactly respect Captain Zaraki… but 'resent' would be too strong a word."
After a moment, he added something unexpected.
"And besides… who told you the Ninth Kenpachi is dead?"
"…Huh?"
Several question marks seemed to pop into Renji's head at once.
Not dead?
Then what exactly happened?
Seeing Renji's confusion, Yumichika continued explaining.
"The Eleventh Division's succession may be based on combat, but there are… exceptions."
"This happened decades ago. At the time, not long after a major incident in Seireitei, the Ninth Kenpachi Gosuke Kenpachi initiated a duel with Zaraki Kenpachi, who was still a seated officer back then."
Renji listened intently.
"At first, everyone thought it was just a sparring match," Yumichika said. "But the outcome came faster than anyone expected."
"Gosuke Kenpachi… lost."
"And after that, he voluntarily relinquished the title of 'Kenpachi' to Zaraki."
Renji's eyes widened.
"…He gave it up?"
Yumichika nodded.
"Not only that he acknowledged Zaraki's strength publicly. Soon after, the Captain-Commander formally approved the succession."
"And just like that… the title passed on."
Renji frowned slightly.
"That's… way too casual."
To him, the name "Kenpachi" carried immense weight. Even during his time at the Shin'ō Academy, he had understood its significance the title given only to the strongest Shinigami of the Eleventh Division.
To pass it on so easily…
"Who says it isn't?" Yumichika replied lightly, though there was a hint of something deeper in his tone.
At that moment, Madarame Ikkaku who had been mostly silent spoke up.
"Don't misunderstand," he said.
"Gosuke Kenpachi wasn't weak."
His expression grew serious.
"In fact… if he had fought seriously, it's hard to say who would've won between him and Zaraki."
Both Ikkaku and Yumichika had lived through that era.
They had witnessed Gosuke Kenpachi's strength firsthand.
Which made his decision all the more incomprehensible.
After that, the two fell silent, as if recalling something from the past.
Renji originally wanted to ask where this former Kenpachi was now, since he was apparently still alive.
But seeing their expressions, he chose not to press further.
Naturally, Gosuke Shigure himself had no idea that his name was being discussed within the Eleventh Division.
If he had known, he might have laughed.
After all
Not only was the Ninth Kenpachi still alive…
The First Kenpachi was as well.
Retsu Unohana.
The very first to bear the name "Kenpachi," now serving as Captain of the Fourth Division.
From a bloodthirsty warrior to the foremost healer of Soul Society her transformation was something few in the current generation even knew about.
As for other former Kenpachi, their fates varied, but the legacy of that title was far more complex than most realized.
Elsewhere, within a quiet courtyard in Seireitei
Gosuke Shigure received a message.
It came from Urahara Kisuke.
In recent years, inspired by advancements in the Human World, Urahara had begun developing devices utilizing reishi-based technology.
What began as crude communication tools had gradually evolved.
Now
He had created something resembling a portable communication device capable of transmitting encoded spiritual signals between the Human World and Soul Society.
Though limited in capacity, it allowed for the exchange of short messages across dimensions.
A significant breakthrough.
Holding the device, Shigure read the message.
The contents were brief
But alarming.
"Shinigami stationed in the Human World have been dying under unusual circumstances. Suspected involvement: Aizen Sōsuke."
Shigure's expression did not change.
But his eyes sharpened slightly.
This development… was not unexpected.
Aizen had always been a man who pursued knowledge without restraint. The disappearance of souls, anomalies among Hollows, distortions in spiritual balance none of these would deter him.
If anything, they would only deepen his curiosity.
After years of studying Hollows, it was only natural that his focus would return to Shinigami themselves.
After all
The soul held countless mysteries.
And Aizen Sōsuke…
Was not someone who would ever stop seeking to unravel them.
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