Bang!
Zaraki kicked open the door to one of the Fourth Division's wards and strode inside. He grabbed the bald man lying on the bed and pulled him up.
"Hey…"
"Who the hell…?"
Ikkaku Madarame, abruptly dragged from his slumber, was furious. He turned with a murderous glare, only to be met with a sight that shocked him, replacing his "murderous intent" with "terror."
"Captain… Captain Zaraki, what are you doing here?"
"Huh? Ikkaku, you found such a good opponent and didn't even call me? Enjoying it all by yourself?"
Zaraki's eyes shone with a battle-hungry frenzy. Since his spiritual pressure had fully awakened, and he had learned his Zanpakutō's name, his strength had reached a level where, in the entire Seireitei, perhaps only Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Ailin were stronger. He had become the third strongest fighter in the Soul Society.
However, this newfound power didn't bring Zaraki any joy. The Eleventh Division members who had once been able to spar with him could no longer even arouse a flicker of excitement.
Even when he actively suppressed his spiritual pressure, his familiarity with his subordinates made it impossible for him to get excited.
He desperately wanted a new opponent.
Of course, this opponent had to be strong enough. If they weren't even captain-level, Zaraki, even when suppressing his spiritual pressure to lieutenant-level, could easily defeat them. There wouldn't be any joy in such a battle.
Three days ago, after hearing that one of the Ryoka invaders had managed to defeat Ikkaku in his Bankai state, Zaraki had rushed out of the Eleventh Division barracks, eager for a good fight.
Sadly, Ichigo Kurosaki had already been taken by Yoruichi Shihōin to Kisuke Urahara's former underground base to train. Zaraki had spent three days searching the Seireitei, but he couldn't find Ichigo.
Finally, Yachiru Kusajishi, perched on Zaraki's shoulder, had given him an idea.
Find Ikkaku Madarame. Ikkaku, having been defeated, would undoubtedly seek a rematch. He would definitely know where to find Ichigo.
"Where is that Ryoka who defeated you? Take me to him!"
"Wait, wait, wait, Captain Zaraki. I've been lying in bed for three days. How could I possibly know where Ichigo Kurosaki is?"
"Huh?"
Zaraki was displeased. "Ikkaku, Yachiru said you know, so you should know. If you can't take me to him, then you'll have to fight me!"
While Ikkaku Madarame was also a battle maniac, passionate about fighting, he preferred battles where both sides were evenly matched, fighting with their lives on the line.
Judging by Zaraki's expression, if Ikkaku agreed to fight him now, Zaraki wouldn't hold back.
Would that even be a fight? It would be a massacre!
Seeing Zaraki about to draw his Zanpakutō within the Fourth Division ward, Ikkaku leaped out of bed.
"Wait, wait, wait… Captain Zaraki, I remember! Ichigo Kurosaki came to the Seireitei to rescue my sister, Shino. We just need to go to the Palace of Penitence and wait for him. If it's Ichigo Kurosaki, he'll definitely go there."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Little Ichi will definitely wait for Little Ken there!"
Zaraki never doubted Yachiru Kusajishi's words. If Yachiru said Ichigo would be waiting at the Palace of Penitence, then he would be there.
"If we don't find him at the Palace of Penitence, we'll just take the person he's trying to rescue. That way, he'll come to us."
"But Captain Zaraki, if we do that, we'll be attacked by the other captains."
"Hahaha, isn't that perfect? I'm feeling quite excited right now!"
A smile touched Ikkaku's lips as he followed Zaraki out of the ward. He knew that the reason Zaraki wanted to rescue Shino Madarame from the Palace of Penitence was to prevent their fight with Ichigo from interfering with Ichigo's mission.
While Ikkaku had already planned to go to the Palace of Penitence and rescue his sister with Ichigo, having Zaraki with him would greatly increase their chances of success.
After all, Ailin had told him to "wreak havoc."
"Captain Zaraki, wait for me!"
As Ikkaku and Zaraki left the ward, another patient, sharing the same ward, lifted his blanket, revealing a stoic face.
It was Yasutora Sado, who had been injured by Nanao Ise.
"They're so strong!"
While he hadn't seen a captain's haori on the spiky-haired man, the sense of danger emanating from him was no less than the captain with the pink floral haori.
Thankfully, from their conversation, Chad realized that they were also going to rescue Shino Madarame.
Ignoring his injuries, Chad got out of bed and followed Ikkaku and Zaraki.
"Huh?"
Hearing footsteps behind him, Ikkaku turned and saw Chad.
"Who are you? Why are you following us?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Chad spoke.
"My name is Chad. I'm Ichigo's friend."
"Heh, you're that guy's friend?"
Ikkaku felt a sense of relief. He was grateful to those who had dared to come to the Seireitei to rescue his sister.
"In that case, follow us! But if we encounter any enemies, I won't be able to protect you."
"Okay."
…
Bang!
A golden spatial ripple suddenly appeared within the Fourth Division's courtyard. A figure, covered in blood, fell from the ripple onto the ground.
"It's… It's Captain Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division!"
"Quick, quick, quick! Where's the medical team? Hurry!"
Despite the blood covering his body, the Fourth Division members instantly recognized the injured Shinigami.
After all, in the entire Gotei 13, only Toshiro Hitsugaya had such a youthful appearance.
In a flurry of activity, two or three seated officers from the Fourth Division arrived and immediately began treating Toshiro with healing Kidō. Someone else used a Hell Butterfly to inform Captain Unohana of Toshiro's severe injuries.
After the death of Captain Aizen, Captain Hitsugaya was now seriously injured. This unsettling news caused many Shinigami to feel uneasy. How many years had it been since a captain had been injured or killed? And now, two captains in a row?
While Aizen was known as a "good guy," as a captain, his strength was undeniable.
Toshiro Hitsugaya was even more impressive. As a once-in-a-millennium genius, Ailin's disciple, and the wielder of Hyōrinmaru, the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō, many compared him to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Therefore, even though Toshiro was less than a hundred years old, everyone knew his strength wasn't weak among the captains.
First Captain Aizen, now Captain Hitsugaya. Who would be next?
However, unlike the ordinary Shinigami, the captains knew why Toshiro had been injured.
He and Gin Ichimaru had fought near Ailin's residence the previous night, disturbing Haruko Kuchiki. This had resulted in Ailin's punishment.
Gin Ichimaru had also been sent out of Ailin's Unlimited Blade Works at the same time. But unlike Toshiro, besides his slightly torn haori and disheveled appearance, Gin wasn't injured.
It seemed that even though Ailin was angry, he had only given Gin, an accomplice, a light punishment. He hadn't lost control.
This brought a sense of relief to those who were secretly observing Ailin. They feared an unrestrained Ailin.
As long as Ailin still had attachments within the Seireitei, he wouldn't disrupt its order.
…
Kaname Tōsen, the captain of the Ninth Division, and his friend, Sajin Komamura, the captain of the Seventh Division, were heading towards Sōkyoku Hill. But on their way, they encountered Zaraki, who was also heading towards the Palace of Penitence.
"Captain Zaraki, we're going to Sōkyoku Hill. Would you like to join us?"
Sajin Komamura invited Zaraki. While Zaraki's official title was lieutenant, the captains knew that it wasn't because he was weak. It was because Ailin's strength was simply too extraordinary.
In terms of absolute power, many captains might not be Zaraki's match.
Therefore, even though Zaraki was only a lieutenant, no Shinigami in the Seireitei would truly treat him as such.
Moreover, compared to Ailin, who rarely involved himself in the Gotei 13's affairs, Zaraki was the one who interacted with the other captains the most.
"Sōkyoku Hill? Why would I go there?"
Zaraki shook his head, then explained his intentions to Tōsen and Komamura.
"I'm going to take that prisoner from the Palace of Penitence. Then, I'll wait for the Ryoka who defeated Ikkaku to come and fight me."
"Captain Zaraki, do you even realize what you're saying?"
Komamura's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Captain Zaraki, the Central 46 has issued their final verdict. Shino Madarame will be executed today at Sōkyoku Hill. If you go to the Palace of Penitence and take her away, you'll be violating the Seireitei's decree."
"The Seireitei's decree? What's that?"
Zaraki tilted his head, looking at Komamura with confusion.
"Well, I don't know, and I don't care. I'll do whatever I want. If that violates some decree, then so be it."
After speaking, Zaraki tried to bypass Tōsen and Komamura, continuing towards the Palace of Penitence.
But—
"Stop!"
Komamura spread his arms, blocking Zaraki's path.
"Captain Zaraki, please reconsider. I won't allow you to violate the Seireitei's decree. If you don't give up, then I will have to stop you here."
"Interesting."
Zaraki stopped and looked up at Komamura, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Do you mean you want to fight me here?"
"No, Captain Zaraki…"
Komamura tried to speak, but Tōsen stopped him.
"Sajin, give up. That guy is a beast. He doesn't care about anyone or anything else. He's a beast consumed by the desire for battle. You can't reason with him. Only absolute strength can make that beast obey."
"Hahaha, blind man, you understand me quite well."
Zaraki wasn't offended by Tōsen calling him a beast. In fact, he felt that the word "beast" was quite fitting.
"Then both of you come at me. It's been a long time since I've fought against two strong opponents at the same time."
"Arrogant!"
Komamura roared. As one of the thirteen strongest individuals in the Seireitei, when had he ever been looked down upon?
He drew his Zanpakutō.
"Roar—Tenken!"
Without hesitation, Komamura released his Zanpakutō. While he was angry at Zaraki's arrogance, he wouldn't underestimate him.
As the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division, Zaraki's abilities were no secret to the captains of the Gotei 13.
The most shocking aspect of Zaraki's strength was that he didn't rely on releasing his Zanpakutō. With his spiritual pressure alone, he could rival the Gotei 13 captains.
If a captain fought Zaraki and didn't release their Zanpakutō immediately, they would most likely be defeated in an instant.
As Komamura shouted and raised his Zanpakutō, a massive black arm, wielding a gigantic weapon, mirrored his movements and slammed down towards Zaraki!