Chapter 313: Chaos in the Noble District
"Turn to dust, Tachikaze!!"
Light flashed as the long sword in Kensei Muguruma's hand transformed into a dagger.
Threads of wind woven from raging gusts danced wildly around him.
Not far away, Ulquiorra remained expressionless.
Though he was countless years older than Kensei, his appearance made him look even younger.
Pale skin, medium-length black hair, a slender build, and a long yukata that accentuated his figure - he looked less like someone in a fight and more like a ronin taking a stroll after drinking.
He wouldn't have looked out of place in the setting of "House of Five Leaves."
Having released his Zanpakutō, Kensei Muguruma roared and charged at Ulquiorra.
Originally, he had wanted to maintain the dignity of a strong warrior - since his opponent wasn't using Reiatsu and was fighting purely with technique, he should do the same.
But the moment they crossed blows, he realized he was no match for this guy.
This seemingly frail and quiet individual fought like an absolute monster.
His strikes were ruthless, every move lethal. Though he wasn't using a Zanpakutō, the sharpness of his hand blades was no less effective than metal.
His skin was incredibly tough - even a Zanpakutō strike could barely leave a mark.
Most outrageous was his unbelievable combat experience.
As a captain, Kensei Muguruma had experienced countless battles both major and minor, so his combat experience should have been exceptionally rich by all accounts.
Yet facing this pretty boy, he felt like a greenhorn just starting out—every move he made was easily seen through and countered in advance.
Left with no choice, Kensei released his Zanpakutō.
Countless gusts of wind transformed into sharp blade-like threads, slashing toward Ulquiorra from all directions.
Seeing these threads, Ulquiorra chose not to block them head-on.
If this were his true form, he would have been confident of remaining unscathed.
But now, encased in this artificial body, he could only synchronize a portion of his Hierro's defensive effect.
If this shell were damaged, his distinctive Hollow Reiatsu would leak out.
That would cause trouble for Lord Mikami.
Ulquiorra extended his hand.
A Zanpakutō materialized out of thin air into his grasp.
Swish!
He drew the blade, tracing a long arc of light through the air.
Over a dozen wind ropes were shattered by his single slash.
Just like his earlier physical attacks, this strike contained not a trace of Reiatsu.
Kensei Muguruma grew even more enraged.
Just how far did this bastard plan to look down on him?
While rapidly closing the distance toward Ulquiorra, he generated more wind ropes.
Watching the frenzied Kensei Muguruma, Ulquiorra concluded this wouldn't be settled quickly.
Since he'd already eliminated his target, he might as well withdraw now.
With this thought, he turned to leave.
Seeing this, Kensei panicked.
"Don't think you can escape!!"
He swung his blade, sending several wind ropes slicing horizontally toward Ulquiorra.
"Too many openings."
Ulquiorra shook his head.
Kensei's ability wasn't bad.
The speed of wind was exceptionally fast—even for a Menos Grande like him who specialized in agility, he couldn't completely ignore the velocity of Tachikaze.
The problem was Kensei's poor utilization.
If he were wielding this blade, he wouldn't so hastily fling the wind ropes outward.
He'd at least preemptively seal the opponent's evasion routes first.
Ulquiorra felt a subtle complexity.
Judging by the white Haori this guy wore, he seemed to be a captain too.
With skills like these, was he really qualified to stand as equals with Lord Mikami?
Just as he prepared to move, he suddenly sensed something and leaped backward.
The moment he evaded, a golden whip slashed horizontally through the space he'd just occupied.
Had it connected, his artificial body would likely have shattered.
He looked up.
A man with golden medium-length hair stood mid-air, holding a Zanpakutō transformed into a golden whip, looking down at them from his elevated position.
"Rōjūrō!!"
Seeing the newcomer, Kensei showed a relieved expression.
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi nodded, about to speak.
Then Ulquiorra—who had been on the ground moments earlier—suddenly appeared right before him.
Under his astonished gaze, Ulquiorra swung his blade single-handedly in a swift slash.
Clang!!!
Rōjūrō hastily raised his sword to block, the tremendous force sending him flying diagonally before crashing violently into a building below.
Kensei's eyes widened, feeling as frustrated as if he'd been kicked by Komamura.
That black-haired guy actually jumped dozens of meters high without using Reiatsu as a foothold, and managed to strike Rōjūrō?
What a joke... What kind of monstrous physical strength was this?!
...
...
The commotion in the Noble District quickly spread to surrounding areas.
In the Eleventh Division barracks, a Shinigami came running in.
"Vice-Captain Kenpachi! Something terrible has happened! A commoner has killed a noble!"
"Ah...?"
Kenpachi Zaraki had been sleeping against a large tree. Hearing this, he opened his eyes in surprise.
Who's this brave soul... I'd kinda like to meet them.
Ichimaru Gin grinned, radiating the joy of someone who enjoys watching chaos unfold.
The other squad members were only briefly shocked before returning to their duties.
Komamura, who had been studying the usage of his new weapon, looked over.
"What are the specific circumstances? Why did the fight occur?The squad member replied: "I heard that noble insulted our big brother!""
"?"
For a moment, the entire area fell silent.
Ichimaru Gin's smile vanished as he placed his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Kenpachi Zaraki stood up.
Just as he was about to speak, Grimmjow jumped out first.
"Bastard! Who's tired of living, daring to insult Lord Mikami!"
He turned to look at the Eleventh Division members he had just sparred with.
"Hey! You lot, come with me! Let's go eliminate that guy!"
"Whoa!!!"
Dozens of squad members rose to their feet simultaneously.
Seeing this, the remaining squad members also grew excited and followed along.
Kenpachi Zaraki: "..."
This kid sure makes himself at home.
But it didn't matter - having someone else say all that saved him the trouble.
Just as the group was about to depart, Tier Harribel and Nel appeared together.
"Grimmjow, what are you planning to do?"
Having just returned from scouting the area, the two women found Grimmjow leading such a large group of Shinigami, apparently preparing for some major action.
Grimmjow glared: "Someone insulted Lord Mikami!"
The moment these words left his mouth, killing intent erupted from both women.
Several weaker squad members couldn't help but shiver.
"Lead the way. We'll slaughter that bastard."
"Hmph, try to keep up with me!"
Grimmjow marched out the Eleventh Division gates with the massive crowd surging behind him.
Watching their retreating figures, Yumichika showed a complicated expression.
Do these people even know where they're going?
And... wasn't that noble already dead? Who exactly are you going to cut down?
Over a hundred Shinigami surged toward the Noble District in a mighty procession.
Along the way, they encountered another group.
It was Unohana, Seinosuke Yamada, and the large medical team they were leading.
Having heard about nobles being attacked, they had immediately rushed to the scene with their team.
Seeing the Eleventh Division members, Unohana showed a contemplative expression.
She flashed forward, blocking the path of the procession.
"Wait, what's happening here?"
Seeing this woman who suddenly appeared, Grimmjow showed anger.
"Woman, get out of the way, don't block..."
Before he could finish, his eyes widened abruptly, freezing in place.
In his vision, Retsu Unohana smiling at him seemed to radiate overwhelming bloodlust.
That terrifying pressure made even him, who had slaughtered countless Hollows, feel as if his heart was being squeezed.
"What's... happening here?"
Ichimaru Gin quickly spoke up:
"Captain Unohana, a noble insulted Brother Satoru, and our people... took care of it, causing a minor issue."
"Captain Unohana can continue leading your team to provide aid! We won't cause any trouble!"
As a core member of the Mikami Group, he had some understanding of Retsu Unohana's power.
If that idiot Grimmjow offended her, there would be serious trouble.
Better to quickly smooth things over now and retrieve the troublemakers first.
Hearing Gin's words, Retsu Unohana didn't move aside.
She slightly opened her eyes, revealing a cold gaze.
"A noble... insulted Satoru-kun?"
"Heh, very well."
"Let me see which noble family it was... I'll have their entire clan die in a medical accident."
With that, she turned and headed toward the Noble District with intense killing intent.
Ichimaru Gin: "..."
While the process was somewhat strange, the outcome seemed acceptable?
...
...
In the Noble District, three figures weaved back and forth, engaged in fierce combat.
Kensei Muguruma had completely lost his temper.
He believed this pretty boy before him was looking down on him too much.
These skills were definitely not something an ordinary soul could master.
This guy must have Reiatsu, and not low-level either.
Yet he wasn't using any of it.
He was a Captain, after all - how could he allow himself to be so disrespected?
He gathered all his strength, determined to fight Ulquiorra to the death today.
Meanwhile, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi was considering much more than he was.
It was clear that Ulquiorra had no intention of prolonging the fight, nor any desire to compete with them.
If someone was determined to leave, why not use Reiatsu instead of relying solely on physical combat?
Clearly, there was some reason this guy couldn't use his Reiatsu.
Probably, his Reiatsu was highly distinctive—anyone who sensed it would immediately recognize his identity.
Who fit such a description?
Numerous conjectures flashed through his mind.
Remnants of the Tsunayashiro rebels, escapees from the Central Great Prison, exiled Shinigami…
Whatever the case, he absolutely couldn't let this guy get away today!
Amid the chaotic aftermath of the fierce battle, Shinji Hirako arrived with several dozen Shinigami.
His Fifth Division was located quite close to the Noble District.
Sensing the combat Reiatsu emanating from this area, his intuition told him something major was about to happen.
Without time to ponder further, he quickly gathered some men and rushed over.
The Noble District was filled with influential figures—if anything happened here, he'd likely face a mountain of trouble.
Inside the carriage, the nobles who had been trembling in fear moments earlier now wore expressions of fury upon seeing Hirako arrive with his team.
"Hey! You, hurry up and take your men to kill that guy!"
"Chop him to pieces, pieces! Avenge Young Master Kurashima!"
Avenge?
Hirako froze for a moment, then glanced into the carriage.
His face paled at the sight of the headless corpse lying inside.
A noble, dead?!
This was serious!
Gritting his teeth, he ordered, "Secure the area!"
The Fifth Division members nodded and sprang into action.
Suddenly, a voice rang out—
"Everyone! Hit the ground! Eleventh Division business!!"
Led by Kenpachi Zaraki, Komamura, Ichimaru Gin, Tōsen, Grimmjow…
A large group charged over, their oppressive presence staggering.
Over a hundred men fanned out, surrounding Hirako and his team.
Hirako's expression darkened. "Vice-Captain Zaraki, don't act recklessly! Something major has happened here!"
"Bullshit! Which noble insulted the boss? Step forward!"
Insulted Satoru?
Hirako seemed to grasp what had occurred.
Simultaneously, he couldn't help but feel irritated.
Had these Eleventh Division madmen completely abandoned the law?
Killing someone just over a few insults?
Did they even understand what killing a noble meant?
He raised a hand, resting it on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Noticing his movement, Gin quietly drew his own blade.
"Members of the Fifth Division, are you interfering with the Fourth Division's medical duties?"
Unohana's voice cut through the tension.
She had arrived with a squad from the Fourth Division.
Though the Fourth Division was a medical unit, under the influence of Vice-Captain Seinosuke Yamada, they weren't entirely incapable of combat.
Led by Seinosuke, the Fourth Division members drew their swords.
Regardless of their actual combat prowess, their imposing aura was certainly intimidating.
"Captain! We're here!"
A large group of Shinigami in white haori rushed over.
At a glance, one might mistake them for a gathering of Captains.
A closer look revealed that the numbers on their white "haori" weren't Captain designations, but the characters for "Muguruma Ninth Division."
These were the elite Ninth Division members Kensei Muguruma had trained over the decades.
Over a hundred Ninth Division members surged forward, drawing their Zanpakutō in alarm upon seeing their Captain engaged in mid-air combat.
Witnessing this, the Eleventh Division could hold back no longer—they, too, drew their blades in unison.
"You bastards, looking for a fight?!"
The Ninth Division members were somewhat startled.
Wasn't someone attacking the nobles? Why was the Eleventh Division suddenly switching sides?
Could it be... that those attacking the nobles were these Eleventh Division guys?
Considering the Eleventh Division's usual behavior, they realized this possibility wasn't low at all!
Immediately, the Ninth Division members adopted vigilant expressions, pointing their swords toward the Eleventh Division's direction.
Seeing this, Kenpachi Zaraki revealed a ferocious grin.
Just then, someone shouted:
"The noble squad is coming!"
Turning to look, sure enough, led by Shiba Isshin, a large number of Shinigami were rushing toward them.
As the division closest to the Noble District and also the one with the lightest daily workload, Shiba Isshin had brought the most people - over two hundred strong.
Seeing Shiba Isshin, the Ninth Division members breathed sighs of relief.
The Sixth Division would definitely side with the nobles. With so many of them, they should be able to suppress the Eleventh Division.
Shiba Isshin arrived at the scene and couldn't help but feel shocked at the large-scale commotion before him.
How could an attack on a noble cause such an uproar?
Spotting familiar faces from the Eleventh Division, he quickly asked:
"Everyone, what's going on?"
After hearing Ichimaru Gin's explanation, Shiba Isshin's face darkened.
Why were these nobles so incapable of learning from past beatings?
After assessing the situation, he pondered for a moment before speaking:
"Surround the Ninth Division for me!!"