The battlefield was scarred beyond recognition.
Cracks split the earth. Dust still hung in the air.
At the center stood two men — swords drawn, eyes locked.
Zaraki Kenpachi.
Kiganjo Kenpachi.
Two warriors facing each other in a duel for the name Kenpachi.
Around them stood Bai Chen, several captains, and hundreds of Shinigami, all watching in tense silence.
"You're called Zaraki, right?" Kiganjo sneered.
"Named after the district? Heh… cute."
The two stepped forward into the circle.
This would be a life-or-death duel.
Winner takes the title.
Loser… dies.
"Ha!" Zaraki laughed, voice booming.
"Didn't think I'd wake up after three days and get to fight right away!"
His hulking body radiated feral excitement.
"God… this feeling. Every damn cell in my body is screaming with joy!"
He grinned like a beast finally let off its leash.
Across from him, Kiganjo's expression darkened.
Being publicly taunted — in front of captains and subordinates — infuriated the veteran Squad Eleven commander.
Yes, Zaraki looked dangerous.
Wild.
Savage.
But Kiganjo was still a Kenpachi — a captain of the combat division.
Backing down was never an option.
"What your name is… doesn't matter," Zaraki said, grin widening.
"Soon as I kill you, I'm Squad Eleven's captain. Simple, right?"
The blatant provocation ignited the crowd.
"Did he just say that?!"
"He's insulting Squad Eleven!"
"Captain Kiganjo — cut him down!"
Squad Eleven members shouted furiously, pride wounded.
Among the purification unit, Ikkaku muttered uneasily:
"So… if Zaraki wins… he actually becomes a captain?"
Bai Chen chuckled.
"You're worried because you think Zaraki's already won."
"…Yeah," Ikkaku admitted.
"That other guy's dead meat."
Bai Chen smirked.
"If it were anyone else challenging a captain… would you think they stood a chance?"
Ikkaku froze.
He understood immediately.
For over a thousand years, no outsider had defeated a captain in open combat.
Zaraki was the exception — not the rule.
"Relax," Bai Chen said, clapping his shoulder.
"Once this is over… you guys are basically moving into Squad Eleven."
He said it casually.
Like victory was inevitable.
Because to Bai Chen… it was.
Back in the arena—
"Come on!" Zaraki roared.
"Show me what a captain's got!"
Kiganjo answered with silence.
Then—
BOOM!
Captain-class spiritual pressure exploded outward.
His white haori whipped violently.
The ground deepened its fractures.
Squad Eleven erupted in cheers.
"Captain Kiganjo!"
"Cut him in half!"
Even other captains felt the weight of his presence.
"That's why I tell you to avoid Squad Eleven," Isshin muttered to Rangiku.
"They're all monsters."
Rangiku frowned.
"If he takes a full swing… Zaraki's done."
But Zaraki's reaction?
Pure disappointment.
"…That's it?" he scoffed.
"This is Kenpachi? You're kidding me."
To others, Kiganjo's pressure was overwhelming.
To Zaraki?
It felt like a breeze.
"WHAT?!" Kiganjo snapped.
"You're mocking my spirit pressure?!"
His rage exploded.
Blade flashing—
He swung.
A killing strike meant to cleave man and weapon alike.
Observers braced for blood.
Then—
SHNK!
Zaraki did something no one expected.
He flipped his wrist…
…and threw his sword straight into the ground.
He stood there.
Bare-handed.
Completely open.
The arena erupted.
"What is he doing?!"
"He dropped his sword?!"
"Is he trying to die?!"
No one understood.
It looked like suicide.
Except Bai Chen.
He folded his arms, expression calm.
A knowing smile tugged at his lips.
"Of course…" he murmured.
"Even now… Zaraki's got the same bad habit."
He enjoyed this.
Dropping his guard.
Letting opponents hit him first.
A twisted thrill — his personal way of leveling the fight.
Zaraki called it a "handicap."
To his enemies…
It was psychological torture.
Bai Chen's eyes shifted to Kiganjo.
The captain's fury was mixed with confusion.
And soon…
Shock.
"Just wait," Bai Chen muttered.
"When he realizes his blade can't even scratch Zaraki…"
"…that's when his spirit breaks."
Because the gap in their power?
Was absolute.
And Kiganjo was about to find out the hard way.
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