Taken notice

From deep within the collapsed sand, Zaraki Kenpachi's roar echoed through the air.

"Hahahaha!"

"What an interesting Zanpakutō, Saikyō! Show me more of your tricks!" As a golden beam of light erupted, Zaraki Kenpachi's figure reappeared from the remnants of the sandstorm. After freeing himself from the sand formation, he was thrilled and eager to continue the fight with Saikyō. However, as he scanned the area, his excitement faded when he realized his opponent was nowhere to be found.

"???"

"Where did they all go?" Kenpachi's expression froze in disbelief. After finally encountering a worthy adversary, Saikyō and the others had vanished without a trace. His burning battle spirit was extinguished in an instant.

"Ken-chan, they've already run away," Yachiru Kusajishi said playfully as she hopped down from the rooftop and landed beside Zaraki Kenpachi.

"What? They ran away?!" Zaraki Kenpachi's expression darkened with anger. Just when he thought he had found a real challenge, his opponent had fled.

Boom!

Out of frustration, Zaraki Kenpachi's Reiatsu flared up, releasing a sudden burst of golden energy. The already ruined battlefield was further ravaged as the ground shattered and strong winds scattered debris into the air. The entire entrance to the Zaraki District was left in complete chaos.

"Yachiru, why didn't you stop them?" Kenpachi grumbled, clearly displeased as he sheathed his Zanpakutō.

"Huh?" Yachiru was momentarily stunned before she balled her small fists in frustration. "Ken-chan! You're the idiot for calling me an idiot!"

"Idiot!"

"You're an idiot!"

"You're a bigger idiot!"

The two bickered, with Yachiru tossing playful insults. Only Yachiru could act so freely around Zaraki Kenpachi. Anyone else would have been struck down without a second thought.

After all, Kenpachi's title as "Rukongai's First Cut King" wasn't just for show.

"Hmph! How annoying!" Zaraki Kenpachi grumbled. Despite his numerous injuries, which left him drenched in blood, his energy hadn't waned at all. The only thing that truly bothered him was the abrupt end to their battle.

"Ken-chan, let's go back. Saikyō and the others are long gone," Yachiru chirped as she grabbed onto Kenpachi's collar and hung off his shoulder like a piece of candy.

"Oh yeah…" Yachiru added casually, "Before they left, Saikyō told us to visit Seireitei sometime."

"Seireitei?" Zaraki Kenpachi furrowed his brow. Even though he had spent all his time in Zaraki District, Seireitei—the heart of the Soul Society—was something he had heard about many times. However, the Shinigami dwelling there had never piqued his interest.

Kenpachi had never even bothered to visit.

"Ken-chan, are you interested now?" Yachiru teased with a mischievous giggle.

"Yachiru, why would I be interested in those Shinigami? They're just a bunch of hypocrites," Kenpachi replied indifferently. He turned around and walked in the opposite direction, vanishing into the distance.

As for what Zaraki Kenpachi truly thought… no one could ever guess.

---

Meanwhile, back in the Kusajishi District...

"Whew…"

"Saikyō, you're lucky we escaped with our lives this time," Madarame Ikkaku said, still shaken from the experience. Even though they had distanced themselves from the Zaraki District, the fear of what had transpired still lingered in his mind.

"I never want to set foot in Zaraki District again!" Ayasegawa Yumichika sighed. The battle had given him a deep understanding of why the Zaraki District was considered a no-go zone. As long as Zaraki Kenpachi roamed there, it would remain a forbidden land.

"Ikkaku, Yumichika, without this experience, you wouldn't have such an unforgettable memory," Saikyō remarked, holding his Zanpakutō, Yanmo Dark Scythe, which had returned to its sealed form. However, the blade had changed slightly since the beginning. A layer of black luster now coated its once-pure white surface, as though it had been imbued with some special power. The scabbard, too, had taken on a more sinister appearance, with red lines that exuded an eerie aura.

After the awakening of his Zanpakutō, Saikyō could now manipulate various elemental Reiatsu with ease. More importantly, Yanmo had limitless potential for growth, and the moment it fully awakened its attributes, it would be truly unstoppable.

In the long history of Soul Society, Yanmo Dark Scythe would become the only fully multi-attribute Zanpakutō in over two thousand years.

"So, Saikyō, what's your plan now?" Madarame Ikkaku asked once he had finally calmed down.

"There's not much time left. I'll head back to Seireitei in two days," Saikyō replied without hesitation. After all, the distance between Rukongai and Seireitei wasn't short, and time was running tight.

"Leaving so soon?" Ikkaku fell silent. Though they had only known each other for a few days, the bond forged during their battle had brought them closer. Despite their differences in age and rank, they shared a mutual respect.

"C'mon, Ikkaku, Saikyō's a student of the Shin'ō Academy. Of course he has to return after his break," Yumichika said, rolling his eyes.

"You're right. I was being too sentimental," Ikkaku chuckled, rubbing his bald head. "Saikyō, let's have a drink before you go!"

"No problem!" Saikyō agreed with a smile.

This trip to Rukongai hadn't just introduced Saikyō to new friends; it had also led to the awakening of his Zanpakutō. Overall, it had been a perfect journey.

---

Time flew by, and before long, the one-month break had ended.

Within the 1st Division's headquarters, the Captain's Office...

"Well, Chōjirō, have you thoroughly investigated the accident during the field training?" A steady, powerful voice resonated through the room like a low rumble of thunder.

The owner of this voice had long, sharp eyebrows, a cross-shaped scar on the right side of his head, and a silver beard. He wore a purple belt at his waist, and his sturdy frame was covered in countless battle scars. His eyes, bright and vigilant, commanded an air of authority and calm.

This was none other than Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

"Yes, Captain-Commander. After half a month of investigation, I've gathered all the details," Chōjirō Sasakibe, his lieutenant, reported respectfully.

"And who is the key figure in this incident?" Chōjirō lowered his voice before delivering a crucial piece of information.

"It's a freshman named Saikyō."