Chapter 390: Friends
"Yo! Everyone, long time no see!"
At the Eleventh Division barracks, a large group of muscular men stood in the square, looking with shocked expressions at the figure standing next to their leader.
Most young Shinigami didn't immediately recognize who this was.
But... all veterans who had served for over two hundred years knew the identity of the man before them.
The captain from three generations ago of the Eleventh Division, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki!
Known as one of the strongest captains since the establishment of the Gotei 13, a man even the Captain-Commander had praised for his formidable combat power!
Of course, compared to those glorious achievements that had vanished nearly two hundred years ago, what made Kenpachi Kuruyashiki even more widely known was that single strike during the previous Hell Incident, which nearly destroyed half of Seireitei.
Those who experienced that night almost all developed Gaki Rōkaku PTSD. Even after many years, they would occasionally have nightmares related to that event.
And now, this man actually stood before them once again!
If not for Satoru being present nearby, many might have already fled in terror.
Seeing the crowd's expressions—some frightened, some guarded, some tense—Kenpachi Kuruyashiki awkwardly raised his hand and scratched his head.
Under everyone's gaze, he took a deep breath.
Then, he abruptly bowed:
"My deepest apologies! Everyone!"
"Because of me, the name of the Eleventh Division has been disgraced!"
Hearing this, the division members all showed surprised expressions.
Satoru stood to the side, quietly observing this scene.
Yes, returning to the Eleventh Division and apologizing to the members in person.
This was Kenpachi Kuruyashiki's request.
Originally, Satoru had thought this scoundrel wanted to challenge him.
He never expected it to be such a boring request.
Hearing Satoru's words, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki sneered:
"Who in all of Hell doesn't know you've become invincibly strong? Even I wouldn't challenge an existence I cannot possibly face."
You praise me as invincible—I quite like that.
But mocking me for having no brains—that I don't like at all.
Satoru immediately applied the Philosophical Hexagon, making Kenpachi Kuruyashiki emit sounds of repentance.
Now, seeing Kenpachi Kuruyashiki bowing before them, the Eleventh Division members exchanged glances.
Then, they all grinned, revealing smiles.
Several older muscle-bound veterans came before Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.
"Captain Kuruyashiki, please raise your head!"
Hearing this, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki lifted his head and looked at the men before him.
Under his gaze, the muscle-bound veterans raised their fists and cracked their knuckles:
"Captain Kuruyashiki, have you perhaps forgotten the rules of our Eleventh Division?"
"Exactly! Captain Kuruyashiki, in our Eleventh Division, when apologizing one must show... pfft-ook!!"
After punching down the squad member who was about to spout nonsense, the muscular eleventh seat grinned and pointed toward the training ground nearby.
"Captain Kuruyashiki, in the Eleventh Division, apologies aren't necessary."
"If there's any problem, just settle it with your fists!"
"Only through the clash of fists and bodies can the most genuine bonds be forged!"
At these words, the squad members erupted in cheers, creating a lively atmosphere.
Watching his subordinates already slipping into festival mode, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki found himself momentarily at a loss.
Was this really the same cold, brutal Gotei 13 from when he was in charge?
And... even if they wanted to settle things in the ring, shouldn't they be using swords?
What's with all this fistfighting?
Though numerous questionable points came to mind, feeling the enthusiastic atmosphere before him, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki eventually broke into a wide grin.
"Alright then! Let me show you... the power of the former Eleventh Division captain!"
Throughout that day, earth-shaking shouts continuously echoed from the Eleventh Division's grounds.
Passing patrol squads all showed relieved smiles upon hearing them.
...
...
Sporting a black eye, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki walked happily through the streets of Seireitei.
Watching this guy looking so pleased despite having taken a beating, Satoru showed a thoughtful expression.
So this predecessor from generations ago had masochistic tendencies?
If that were the case, he could definitely satisfy him thoroughly.
No matter how thick-skinned someone might be, they would all be brought to justice before Risō Jakumetsu!
Seeming to sense Satoru's dubious intentions, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki coughed lightly:
"Being able to properly apologize to everyone has finally resolved a burden in my heart."
Satoru chuckled:
"To prevent you from losing control and causing trouble again, how about going for another beating to prepay the debt?"
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki shook his head:
"No thanks, I'm not some pervert who enjoys getting beaten up. Let's pass on that."
As he spoke, he grinned at Satoru.
"And... those guys didn't forgive me because they beat me up."
Under Satoru's gaze, his expression turned serious:
"They forgave me because of their trust in you."
"In their hearts, they have confidence supported by your strong presence."
"They know that even if similar disasters occur again, someone will step forward to save them from despair!"
"That's... the real reason they forgave me."
Hearing this, Satoru tilted his head.
Was he really that trustworthy?
But Sōsuke often said that he topped the list in his "unreliable rankings."
Ah, so this must be that "tsundere" behavior.
Even though he actually thought Satoru was quite reliable and trustworthy, he was too embarrassed to say it directly, so he could only express it this way...
Hehehe, next chance he got, he'd definitely make that Sōsuke say it out loud!
Hmm, and that biggest tsundere of all, Seinosuke Yamada!
Imagining Yamada blushing, turning away, and reluctantly saying "You're the most trustworthy person in the Soul Society, Satoru!" was enough to make Satoru want to laugh uproariously at the sky.
As he was reveling in his得意, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki suddenly spoke up:
"Captain Mikami, do you know... Captain Zaraki's whereabouts?"
"Hm?"
Hearing that surname, Satoru took two seconds to react before realizing who he meant.
He grinned:
"Who knows? Maybe he's dead."
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki shook his head with a smile:
"If he had fallen into hell, I would definitely know."
"If he died but didn't fall into hell, then Captain Mikami would certainly know."
"After all, you're the only person in all Three Realms who can purify dense Reishi."
To be honest, that was true.
This guy had found the flaw.
He looked at Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.
"I heard that during the position exchange challenge, Sōya Azashiro used dishonorable means to defeat you."
"Are you looking for him now to seek revenge?"
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki shook his head:
"Not at all, I just have some things I want to say to him."
After staring at Kenpachi Kuruyashiki for a few seconds, Satoru raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
With his action, a shadow expanded beneath his feet.
He and Kenpachi Kuruyashiki slowly began sinking downward together.
The latter was initially surprised but quickly composed himself, offering no resistance as he followed the descent.
He had personally "seen" this ability before.
Although he had been completely under hell's control at the time, the memories remained.
Back then, it was this miraculous shadow ability that had stopped his Bankai.
Taking Kenpachi Kuruyashiki with him, Satoru passed through the shadow passage and arrived at a mysterious room.
Entering the room, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki showed a somewhat astonished expression.
It was a laboratory-like room.
Against the wall stood a large tank.
Sōya Azashiro's body was preserved inside, submerged in liquid.
Satoru walked to the control panel, slightly furrowing his brow as he showed a contemplative expression.
He reached out to open the control interface, attempting to do something.
Suddenly, a voice sounded—
[Detecting user as Satoru Mikami... Switching operation mode.]
[Hello, I am the voice operating system. How may I assist you?]
[Please describe your requirements using simple, clear statements~]
[For example: open mini-game interface, play certain movie, contact Kisuke Urahara, etc...]
Satoru's eyes lit up.
Impressive, Sōsuke. When did you develop this thing?
And it seemed to be specifically prepared for him?
After brief consideration, he revealed a smug smile.
So that's it. Sōsuke had finally recognized his research potential and wanted him to help test the latest technology?
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki stood nearby, watching this scene.
Though he didn't know who created this system, he had to admit it was someone who understood Captain Mikami well.
When Satoru approached the control panel earlier, he had thought Sōya Azashiro was done for...
Satoru cleared his throat:
"Awaken Sōya Azashiro."
[Checking permissions...]
[Permission level A-upper, operation permitted!]
[Executing awakening procedure...]
[Awakening complete. Thank you for using!]
Following the system voice, Sōya Azashiro inside the tank slowly opened his eyes.
Looking at the scene before him, he slightly frowned.
"Satoru and Captain Kuruyashiki standing together...? Why would I dream something like this."
After his confusion, he prepared to close his eyes again.
Suddenly, with a "Bang!" from the glass tank, his eyes snapped wide open again.
Under his somewhat astonished gaze, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki approached the jar and pressed both arms against it:
"No... Shitō, what is this?"
Though unsure why Kenpachi Kuruyashiki could question him so vividly even in a dream, Sōya Azashiro answered truthfully:
"I violated the law and was sentenced to imprisonment by Central 46. I cannot leave this jar."
"Central 46?"
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki appeared surprised.
Under his watchful eyes, Sōya Azashiro recounted in an even tone and pace everything that had happened since he became a captain.
The implementation and subsequent cancellation of the Vanguard Project.
The judgment from Central 46.
The will of Zero Division.
His confinement in the Central Great Prison.
He even shared his subsequent plans with this deceased man before him - including the conception of removing the prefrontal cortex from all humans.
After hearing Sōya Azashiro's experiences, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki furrowed his brow, showing a contemplative expression.
"I see... Eliminating all Hollows from the world - that's your goal."
"No wonder, when I accepted your challenge back then, I sensed you were painfully pursuing some seemingly unattainable dream."
"So this is what it was..."
Looking at the consistently clear figure of Kenpachi Kuruyashiki standing before him, Sōya Azashiro seemed to suddenly understand something.
His eyes gradually widened in astonishment:
"You... are you really Captain Kuruyashiki?"
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki looked at him:
"Oh, the genuine article!"
Sōya Azashiro's eyes widened further, momentarily unable to process this reality.
After a brief moment of shock, he lowered his head toward Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.
"I'm sorry, Captain Kuruyashiki, for using such methods against you."
Though he didn't understand why deceased people would resurrect and appear before him, through his interactions with Aizen and Satoru, he had come to realize that nothing was impossible when facing these two.
"If it weren't for me, you would now..."
"My affairs have long ceased to matter."
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki shook his head, interrupting Azashiro.
Under the latter's somewhat surprised gaze, he revealed a smile:
"Azashiro, you are the man who defeated me honorably and inherited the Kenpachi name."
"Though your ideology may be extreme, I can sense that you did this for the Seireitei, for the Soul Society."
"In that case, you have not betrayed the meaning of 'Gotei'."
"Rather than drowning in self-blame and regret over the past, figuring out what to do next is what you should be focusing on."
"I forgive you, Azashiro."
"And you too should figure out how to make peace with yourself."
He slowly withdrew his smile, adopting a serious expression.
"Azashiro, the Soul Society is facing calamity."
"I wish I could protect the Seireitei and help it survive this catastrophe."
"Unfortunately, I can no longer do so."
"But you still can."
"Think clearly about what you should do, what path you should take!"
"Unlike me, you still have a future."
...
...
Walking back, Satoru looked curiously at Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.
"About what you said earlier... do you already understand your situation?"
Kuruyashiki smiled and nodded:
"Yes, that Lord Aizen has clearly explained our circumstances and the fate we will face."
Recalling the scene of Aizen lecturing all former hell guards, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki felt emotional.
That man must have taken the initiative to shoulder this pressure because he didn't want to leave all responsibility to Satoru alone.
He looked at Satoru.
"Captain Mikami... truly has a wonderful friend."
Hearing this, Satoru showed a proud expression:
"Of course, my Sōsuke is invincible!"
...
...
For the following period, Satoru remained active in hell.
During the process of reforming hell, he discovered a wonderful application for it.
The miasma of hell brought intense pressure and discomfort to Shinigami.
The Reishi of hell also made Shinigami uncomfortable and difficult to move.
If that were the case, with some modifications, couldn't he create a training ground similar to the trial path in the Priest's temple in the Soul King Palace?
Thinking this, Satoru couldn't help but marvel.
He was truly a fucking genius!
With Aizen's help, within less than a week, the first batch of trial programs was officially completed!