"You are not shallow," Aizen remarked, his tone calm yet edged with subtle reproach. "But at times, your perspective is too narrow. Do not overly concern yourself with the strength of our enemies. For on the path we tread, there are no adversaries. What we require are only companions who can join us in stepping into a new world."
As he finished speaking, a fleeting trace of loneliness and sorrow surfaced in Aizen's otherwise indifferent gaze.
Hearing this, Tosen froze momentarily, overwhelmed. Instinctively, he dropped to one knee before Aizen, pledging his unwavering loyalty.
"Tosen Kaname shall faithfully follow Lord Aizen's will and stand steadfastly by your side."
Aizen glanced at Tosen, his serene expression betraying a hint of disappointment.
Tosen… as expected…
"Admiration is the furthest distance from understanding."
"If all I sought were subordinates at the level of Captains, they would be countless. Yet even you, one who somewhat comprehends my ideals, remain incapable of grasping the truth."
However, none of these thoughts showed on Aizen's face. Instead, he replied with a tone of appreciation, almost as if commending Tosen's devotion.
"Tosen, I have always trusted in your loyalty. The future you anticipate shall undoubtedly come to pass."
"Thank you, Lord Aizen," Tosen responded fervently, his voice trembling with emotion. Yet, before he could continue, the device in his hand emitted a sharp signal, drawing his attention.
"Lord Aizen, the spiritual pressure emitted by Sarugaki Hiyori has successfully attracted Kenpachi Zaraki of Eleventh Division. He is now heading towards Fourth Division barracks."
Hearing this, Aizen smiled faintly.
"No matter. Captain Unohana has already drawn her blade. This means that the long-awaited clash with Kenpachi is about to commence."
"The… clash of the Kenpachis?" Tosen asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
"Precisely," Aizen replied, adjusting his glasses. "Unohana Retsu, the Captain of Fourth Division—renowned as the greatest healer and practitioner of kaido—was once the first Captain of Eleventh Division. She was the most infamous criminal in Soul Society's history, a master of all sword styles, and earned the title 'Yachiru' as the original Kenpachi."
"What?!" Tosen exclaimed, stunned. Were it not for his deep trust in Aizen, he might have questioned the authenticity of such a claim.
After all, who could reconcile the soft-spoken and elegant Captain Unohana with the image of a bloodthirsty fiend?
"But if Captain Unohana was the first Kenpachi, how did she come to lead the Fourth Division? And why has no one ever witnessed her drawing her sword in battle?" Tosen asked, his curiosity overcoming his shock.
"That is precisely the point," Aizen explained. "A being who once reveled in slaughter and sought purpose in endless combat has endured centuries of restraint. When such a person draws their sword again, the killing intent they unleash will be nothing short of terrifying. Even I cannot help but feel a sense of anticipation…"
Aizen's words trailed off as he adjusted his glasses once more.
"As for Zaraki Kenpachi, he is a beast born solely for combat. According to the records in the Great Spirit Book Gallery, it was he who wounded Unohana a thousand years ago, forcing her to relinquish her position as Captain of Eleventh Division."
"This will be a battle spanning a millennium. By the laws set by the Central 46, one Kenpachi must perish."
Tosen nodded in agreement, though a faintly absurd thought crossed his mind:
Did Lord Aizen deliberately orchestrate this clash of the Kenpachis… for Senju Makoto?
Perhaps to shatter Unohana's refined image in Makoto's eyes, driving a wedge between them? Or is he hoping Zaraki will kill Unohana outright, creating a rift between Makoto and Soul Society for their disregard of her life?
More importantly, Tosen understood that the tradition of "one Kenpachi per generation" stemmed from the Central 46's fears. The Kenpachis—wild, rule-defying warriors—posed a threat to the order and hierarchy of Soul Society. The brutal succession ritual ensured their numbers remained limited.
If Makoto were to uncover this truth, he might well harbor resentment towards Soul Society's noble class.
---
Meanwhile, in Fourth Division's barracks, a suffocating blood-red spiritual pressure engulfed the courtyard, evoking the image of a sea of corpses and rivers of blood.
Many of Fourth Division's ordinary members collapsed under the immense weight, unconscious. Even seated officers and vice-captains found themselves gasping for air, paralyzed by fear.
No, it was more than fear. It was the sheer terror of the murderous intent emanating from one being—a monster.
Yes… a monster.
Unohana stood in the center of the courtyard, utterly transformed. Her usually gentle demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Her braided hair had come undone, her flowing locks partially obscuring her face.
Beneath the veil of hair, her gaze burned with unrestrained, boundless killing intent.
Nearby, Love Aikawa—Captain of Seventh Division—had already succumbed to hollowfication due to a blow from Yoruichi. This left five Captains hollowfied, with only Kyoraku Shunsui and Ginrei Kuchiki still untainted.
But Ginrei's advanced age and frail spiritual body left him on the verge of collapsing. Against five hollowfied Captains, Shunsui could not hold the line alone.
And so, Unohana found herself at the forefront, her composure eroding as primal urges resurfaced. It was as if placing a starving beast amid an irresistible feast, tempting her resolve to its breaking point.
Finally, for a fleeting moment, Unohana perceived everyone around her as enemies—beings to be slain without hesitation.
Succumbing to instinct, she drew her zanpakuto.
With a familiar rush of power surging through her, her spiritual pressure exploded, scattering even the faint remnants of her former restraint.
Kill…
Once more, I can find solace in death.
Though her vision cleared, her blade had already tasted blood in her mind. The killing intent now unleashed could no longer be suppressed.
Her barely intact sanity disregarded the weaklings around her, focusing solely on the hollowfied Captains who reeked of combat and carnage.
In the blink of an eye, Unohana vanished.
Reappearing before Love Aikawa, she struck with her zanpakuto—a perfect, precise blow that pierced his skull effortlessly.
========================
Consider joining me on P@treon For 50+ Advance Chapters:
P@treon: p@treon.com/JustaPasserby