Inside the 1st Division Captain's Office...
Led by Kensei Muguruma, a group of captains with relatively weaker talent couldn't help but feel a wave of despair.
Each of them was a genius in their own right, having trained for centuries to reach their current level of strength.
Yet today, the pride they held as prodigies had been utterly shattered by the young man standing before them.
Perhaps in his eyes, they were no different from ordinary Shinigamis.
Masatsuki Aozaki spoke confidently, recounting the battle as it had been refined and framed by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto himself.
As expected of the strongest Shinigami in history—one who had lived as long as the Gotei 13 itself—Yamamoto's vast combat experience ensured that even when Banshō Senran's abilities were subtly altered to sound more plausible, the narrative remained just as compelling.
When Masatsuki finished describing the decisive strike that had severely wounded Kenpachi Kiganjō, he turned to look at Yamamoto.
"In the end, Master arrived just in time."
"That's more or less how it happened." Yamamoto nodded, his voice steady. "By the time I arrived at the scene, Kenpachi Kiganjō was already dead."
"A Zanpakutō capable of using all forms of Kidō... that's unheard of," Love Aikawa remarked in astonishment.
Shinji Hirako nodded in agreement. "Not just that—being able to take down a Bankai with only a Shikai proves just how terrifying this Kidō can be."
Kensei Muguruma also nodded, though a hint of envy flickered across his expression.
His Zanpakutō, Tachikaze, was of the Wind element, but among Wind-based Zanpakutō, its power was far from exceptional.
In terms of real combat effectiveness, it was leagues behind Katen Kyōkotsu, another Wind-type Zanpakutō.
Though Katen Kyōkotsu's ability, Bushōgoma, might not be stronger than Tachikaze's in sheer force, it had a special ability that Tachikaze lacked, making it far more formidable in battle.
"Junior Brother really is something else," Shunsui Kyōraku mused lazily as he adjusted his straw hat.
"I just never expected Master would personally come to save him. Wouldn't that be favoritism? It almost makes me jealous~"
Jūshirō Ukitake waved a hand. "Come on now, Shunsui. If you were in danger, Master would save you too."
"Really? I just can't picture the old man coming to my rescue," Kyōraku said, spreading his hands in an exaggerated manner, looking every bit like someone asking to be smacked.
Yamamoto shot him a sharp glare, releasing a faint yet chilling aura of killing intent.
Feeling the pressure, Kyōraku pouted but ultimately straightened his posture—albeit reluctantly.
Ukitake could only shake his head with a wry smile.
Yamamoto fell into brief contemplation before solemnly declaring,
"Since Masatsuki Aozaki has defeated Kenpachi Kiganjō, I hereby confer upon him the title of 'Kenpachi.' Do any of you have objections?"
The Captain-Commander had spoken. None of the captains dared to argue, nodding in agreement one after another.
Truthfully, none of them had strong opinions about who held the title of "Kenpachi."
Once upon a time, "Kenpachi" had been a title reserved for the strongest swordsman in all of Soul Society.
Among the Gotei 13, whoever bore the name "Kenpachi" was widely acknowledged as the strongest Shinigami beneath Yamamoto.
But in recent centuries, the weight of that title had diminished drastically...
All because of two individuals.
The first was the 8th Kenpachi, Sōya Azashiro.
It wasn't that he lacked strength, but the method he used to defeat his predecessor, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, was seen as dishonorable by the 11th Division.
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki had been a formidable warrior.
In the world of Bleach, the primary enemies of the Shinigami were Hollows.
Hollows were classified into regular Hollows and Menos.
Regular Hollows were roughly on par with the average Gotei 13 foot soldier, whereas Menos were comparable to Seated Officers or stronger.
Menos were further divided into three ranks, from lowest to highest: Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde.
Vasto Lorde-class Menos were more powerful than even ordinary Captain-level Shinigami.
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, the 7th Kenpachi, had a record of slaying Vasto Lorde—one of the most dangerous Hollow species.
Not only that, but he had even been invited to join the Royal Guard.
Though he ultimately declined the offer, his strength had been recognized by them.
Yet, when he accepted Sōya Azashiro's challenge, he died without even activating his Bankai.
It was said that when Kuruyashiki fell, the 11th Division erupted in fury, with countless soldiers drawing their Zanpakutō, ready to cut down Azashiro where he stood.
If not for Kuruyashiki using the last of his strength to restrain them, the division would have likely fallen into chaos.
...
The second was the 9th Kenpachi, Gosuke Kenpachi.
The unfortunate man who was ultimately slain by Kenpachi Kiganjō.
After inheriting the title of Kenpachi, Sōya Azashiro attempted to transform the residents of Rukongai into weapons of war to battle the Hollows.
However, upon realizing that the Soul King disapproved of his actions, he surrendered himself and was imprisoned in the Central Great Underground Prison.
Gosuke Kenpachi had originally been the Lieutenant of the 11th Division.
With Azashiro imprisoned, and no challengers left to contest him, he attained Bankai and directly inherited both the title of Kenpachi and the captaincy of the 11th Division.
He held his position for decades—until he was ultimately slain by Kenpachi Kiganjō, a warrior from Rukongai.
If Sōya Azashiro had been rejected by the 11th Division for his dishonorable tactics, then Gosuke Kenpachi had simply been too weak.
Kenpachi Kiganjō's Zanpakutō ability was nothing more than brute strength—pure, unrefined power. He had no talent for deception or strategy.
The fact that he overwhelmed Gosuke in a straightforward clash only proved that there had been a significant gap in raw power between them.
...
After a long silence, Yamamoto finally spoke:
"In that case, I hereby appoint Masatsuki Aozaki as the 11th Kenpachi. After this captain's meeting, I will personally report it to Central 46."
Standing at the edge of the room, Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
Just like that, the title of Soul Society's Strongest Swordsman had fallen onto his head.
He knew himself well enough—regardless of the title, he was still far from being the strongest swordsman in Soul Society.
At his current level, he could likely hold his own against a standard captain like Kensei Muguruma… but that was about it.
Masatsuki exhaled lightly, shaking his head.
The path of the strong was a long and arduous one. There was still much climbing to do.
...
Yamamoto tapped his cane against the ground once more, glancing at two particular disciples in the crowd before continuing:
"Next, we will discuss the succession of the 11th Division's captaincy. Do any of you have a suitable candidate?"
Shunsui Kyōraku immediately understood the hint and replied with a casual tone,
"Old man, is this even something we need to discuss?"
"I mean, since Masatsuki is already Kenpachi, we might as well just make him captain too."
"For the past thousand years, every Kenpachi has been the captain of the 11th Division."
"That's just how it's always been. No need to go breaking tradition now."
Yamamoto frowned. "The captaincy of the 11th Division must be inherited through a formal ceremony, witnessed by the division members."
Kyōraku waved a hand dismissively.
"You're sure it was Masatsuki who killed Kiganjō, right? And tell me—who in the Gotei 13 is more qualified than you to decide whether he's worthy of leading the 11th Division?"
"But Masatsuki has yet to master Bankai," Yamamoto said, furrowing his brow.
"I don't recall Bankai ever being a requirement to become a captain," Jūshirō Ukitake added thoughtfully.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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