Chapter 304: Kaien's Surprise
In the spectator stands, a young man with black spiky hair watched the fighting platform with unblinking, astonished eyes.
There, Kurosaki Isshin held his Zanpakutō, executing dazzling techniques that easily overwhelmed his opponent.
Watching his uncle fight, Shiba Kaien couldn't help but feel surprised.
But even more than surprise, he felt excitement.
This uncle had always been the type with... well, a very free-spirited personality.
Though naturally talented, he never put in any effort, spending his days lounging on rooftops, chewing on straw.
Many clan members who once held high hopes for him gradually gave up after seeing him like this.
Shiba Kaien found this deeply disappointing.
He had once sought out Shiba Isshin, hoping to persuade this uncle to strive alongside him and become pillars of the Shiba Clan for their generation.
However, when faced with his earnest request, the uncle just laughed it off with vague excuses.
While maintaining surface-level respect toward the main family with impeccable manners, Shiba Kaien knew Isshin had no intention of changing his ways.
After several attempts, he finally gave up.
Rather than hoping this uncle would exert himself for the Shiba Clan, it was better to focus on his own training.
Then one day, he suddenly heard a rumor.
Isshin from the Shiba branch family had joined the Eleventh Division and become one of Satoru's people.
Satoru... he knew that name well.
The prodigy of Shin'ō Academy, who within half a year of enrollment effortlessly defeated his homeroom teacher, passed the Captain-Commander's evaluation, and became the great leader's personal disciple.
After that, he achieved even greater feats—graduating in half a year, defeating captain-level traitors, and indirectly quelling the Tsunayashiro Clan's rebellion.
He had long admired this legendary man.
While pleased, Kaien couldn't help but feel concerned.
Given Shiba Isshin's personality, it was unlikely he'd voluntarily join the Gotei 13.
Undoubtedly, the branch family elders must have forced him in for some purpose.
But could Satoru tolerate his lazy disposition?
He worried that one day he might hear Isshin had been kicked out of the Eleventh Division, which would be terribly embarrassing.
After monitoring the Eleventh Division for some time, Kaien found his fears hadn't materialized.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
But after that, he could no longer gather any information about Shiba Isshin.
This uncle seemed to have vanished into the Eleventh Division, completely lacking his captain's penchant for making headlines every few days, maintaining an inexplicably low profile.
If not for occasionally hearing from the branch family that Isshin still visited, he might have thought his uncle dead.
Just like that, decades passed in the blink of an eye.
He grew curious about how this uncle of similar age had developed.
He'd always heard that everyone Satoru trained became monsters.
Today, he'd see just how monstrous they could become.
With anticipation, Shiba Kaien turned his gaze to the arena.
The longer he watched, the more stunned he became.
That man with the frenzied grin, wildly swinging his Zanpakutō and dominating the arena—was that really Shiba Isshin?
He couldn't help but glance toward Satoru, who was cheering and waving his fists in the distance.
Had Captain Satoru... mechanically reconstructed Shiba Isshin?
Shiba Isshin gripped his sword with both hands, pressing the noble Shinigami opponent with over a dozen strikes until the latter finally revealed an opening, his blade tilting to expose a gap.
Without hesitation, Isshin released one hand from his sword and struck through the opening.
"Pfft!!"
The noble Shinigami spat a mouthful of blood, his stance completely broken.
Though the opponent decisively activated Bankai, the already dominant Shiba Isshin didn't even use Bankai himself, defeating him with just Shikai.
After defeating the noble Shinigami before him, Isshin let out a long breath.
He grinned, revealing an eager smile as he looked toward Satoru behind the judges' platform not far away.
Satoru cheered loudly.
After resting for a while, he returned to the arena.
There, he saw a tall, strong, and hairy figure approaching from the other side.
Komamura Sajin!
Seeing him, Shiba Isshin couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Ah... really, how did we end up facing each other so soon?"
Komamura shook his head. "It's not soon at all. After a few more matches, this competition will almost be decided."
"Lord Shiba, I must warn you beforehand."
"In the upcoming battle, I will give it my all and do everything in my power to defeat you!"
"Do not treat this fight as one of our usual sparring sessions in the Eleventh Division."
"If you let your guard down, you could die."
Hearing Komamura's words, Shiba Isshin narrowed his eyes.
After a few seconds, he asked curiously:
"You also know about the promise Big Brother Satoru made?"
Komamura Sajin was also taken aback.
Wasn't Satoru's promise only known to himself and Ichimaru Gin?
How did Shiba Isshin find out about it?
He instinctively glanced toward Ichimaru Gin outside the arena.
There, the latter squinted his eyes and curved his lips into a fox-like grin, waving happily at him.
Damn it, it really was him!
Komamura couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration.
But immediately after, he adjusted his mindset.
There was no need to hide such matters.
He would defeat these two good brothers fair and square, making Big Brother fulfill his request!
Komamura's aura suddenly transformed.
His usually upright and gentle dog-like face now turned ferocious and terrifying.
His fangs bared, lips curling back, as if he were about to devour the man before him.
Shiba Isshin, too, revealed a manic grin.
"Big Brother Satoru's promise is mine, and Vice-Captain Aizen's promise is also mine!"
What does Aizen have to do with this?!
Komamura was speechless.
Simultaneously, the two drew their Zanpakutō and charged at each other.
In an instant, they were leaping and flipping, leaving afterimages barely visible to the naked eye as they exchanged over a dozen blows.
Their positions shifted back and forth, alternating repeatedly, each strike aimed at the other's vital points with no intention of holding back.
Against those noble Shinigami who had little experience in life-or-death battles, they could afford to fight more freely, knowing they would always win.
But... against one of their own, there was no such leeway.
Competing for the championship against all the Shinigami of the Seireitei was far easier than winning the title within the Eleventh Division itself!
Kill kill kill kill kill!!!!
In the stands, everyone was stunned.
Shiba Kaien swallowed hard.
Good grief... is this a competition for the captain's position?
If I didn't know better, I'd think two starving men were fighting over the last bowl of rice in the world!
That man with the surging Reiatsu, like a Saiyan powering up—was that really Shiba Isshin?
Feeling the intense Reiatsu brushing past his face, Shiba Kaien felt conflicted.
On one hand, he was thrilled that the Shiba Clan had produced such a powerful figure.
Compared to the current Isshin, he, the so-called genius of the main family, seemed as weak as a child.
With such a powerful uncle, the Shiba Clan would surely enjoy greater stability in the future.
On the other hand, he couldn't help but marvel at how Satoru had managed to achieve this.
Despite all his previous efforts—pleading with reason and emotion, appealing as a relative and junior—this uncle had shown no intention of trying hard.
So why had he completely transformed after joining the Eleventh Division?
What kind of charm did Satoru possess?
Watching the man cheering for both sides from the sidelines, clearly reveling in the spectacle, Shiba Kaien shook his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
In the blink of an eye, the battle on the field intensified.
Both combatants had already released their Shikai. The occasional appearance of the Guardian Deity's form and the raging flames made the fight exceptionally thrilling.
Satoru mused that if tickets were sold publicly for this, they could make a fortune.
Whoosh!!
Shiba Isshin's face was ashen, half-illuminated and half-shrouded in shadow under the firelight, resembling a wrathful deity.
Swinging his blade, he unleashed a long, crimson fire dragon that bypassed Komamura's defenses, leaving a deep gash across the latter's waist.
Though the wound was severe, no blood gushed out—it had been instantly cauterized by the flames.
Such excruciating pain would have rendered an ordinary person unconscious, but Komamura paid it no mind.
In the Eleventh Division led by Satoru, anyone who couldn't endure this level of injury had no business identifying themselves as a member!
With a roar, Komamura swung his blade downward with immense force.
Shiba Isshin hadn't expected Komamura to mount an effective counterattack so swiftly, even after being pushed to this extent.
Dodging a fraction too slowly, he suffered a deep cut on his shoulder.
The two pulled apart, locking eyes.
Then, simultaneously, they grinned.
Outside the arena, many who were familiar with Satoru wore subtle, knowing expressions upon seeing those smiles.
The grins were practically carbon copies of Satoru's.
The Eleventh Division… once known as the brute squad, was now something entirely different.
This was a division of relentless outlaws…
On the platform, both shouted in unison:
"Bankai!!"
"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!!"
"Bankai!!!!"
"Engetsu!!"
A colossal, black-armored guardian erupted from behind Komamura Sajin.
At the sight of his manifestation, the Shinigami of the Kuchiki clan wore expressions as if they'd seen something utterly bewildering.
According to their intelligence, Komamura Sajin's Bankai was supposed to be an armored powerhouse, relying purely on brute strength.
Yet the Bankai displayed by Komamura before them was entirely different from what they knew.
The massive cannon barrel resting on his shoulder, the densely packed armor plates exuding a dangerous aura covering his body, and the strange tank strapped to his back—all radiated a terrifying presence!
Without a doubt, these were all super weapons!
Seeing Komamura's appearance, Shiba Kaien drew a sharp breath.
Was this... Zanpakutō modification technology?
If he remembered correctly, this should be the specialty of Twelfth Division Captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
That somewhat eccentric man had secured his captain position precisely through this technique.
Thinking about it, it made perfect sense—Mayuri Kurotsuchi was also part of the Mikami faction.
At this realization, Shiba Kaien suddenly felt a chill of fear.
Just how far had the Mikami faction's influence spread?
If that man truly intended to do something, could the Gotei 13 actually stop him?
Or rather... would they even try to stop him?
Then, he turned his gaze toward Shiba Isshin.
Outwardly, the latter hadn't changed much.
He still wore his Shinigami Uniform, holding his Zanpakutō.
The only difference from before was the blazing sun manifesting behind him.
This radiant sun emitted terrifying heat, distorting the scenery around Isshin.
From the noble seats, many exclaimed in surprise:
"Such a small Bankai? What can it possibly do!"
"The size of a Bankai reflects one's Reiatsu. Shiba Isshin's Bankai was probably forcibly accelerated."
"It's no good—completely outmatched compared to that big dog from the Mikami Family!"
Unlike these casually commenting nobles, everyone present—whether Komamura in the arena, the observing Kaien, or others—all wore serious expressions upon seeing Shiba Isshin's Bankai.
So powerful...
Ichimaru Gin stroked his chin.
Although Shiba Isshin belonged to the Mikami faction, he mostly followed Aizen. His true capabilities were hard to gauge.
The reason Gin had shared Satoru's promise with Isshin was to make him reveal his true skills earlier against Komamura, allowing for proper analysis.
Standing behind the referee's platform, Satoru leaned forward with his hands on the table.
"Whoa... Impressive. I wonder how it compares to Ryūjin Jakka?"
Hearing this, Risō Jakumetsu hanging at his waist couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Even though it was half flame-element itself, why did he never think of it at times like this?
"What do you think? The kid's presence is quite remarkable, isn't it?"
Hearing the voice, Satoru turned to look.
Aizen had arrived at the scene at some unknown time.
Watching Shiba Isshin in the arena, Aizen smiled faintly.
Initially, he kept Isshin close because in another world, this man's son would become a key figure in destroying his plans.
By keeping Shiba Isshin under his watch, he could monitor when these events might occur, preparing himself mentally for when the time came.
But as time passed, he gradually found this noble-born man quite agreeable.
Similar to Satoru, Shiba Isshin possessed a sincere nature—he genuinely repaid anyone who treated him well.
Nurturing Isshin felt like cultivating a weaker version of Satoru from scratch.
This pleased him greatly.
Gradually, Shiba Isshin had grown to his current level.
That young man who, when he first joined the Eleventh Division, was full of openings and acted like a fool, had now become a captain-level expert capable of standing on his own.
It was somewhat moving.
On the field, the two men who had unleashed their Bankai each executed their techniques.
Komamura roared, commanding his Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō to simultaneously use the machine gun, Kidō Cannon, and flamethrower.
Three attacks, each capable of easily killing a vice-captain-level fighter, converged toward Shiba Isshin.
Facing this terrifying assault, Shiba Isshin remained calm.
Only when the machine gun bullets were right in front of him did he suddenly swing his sword forward—
"Getsuga Tenshō!!!"
A crescent-shaped slash, gleaming with pure white light, surged from his blade.
Behind him, a brilliant white daylight erupted.
The white light instantly swallowed the figures of both men!!