CHAPTER 20

In Soul Society, the gap between the security of Seireitei and Rukongai is vast.

While there are varying degrees of order among the different districts of Rukongai, from the 70th district onward, daily life is steeped in violence—blades flashing, bloodshed constant, and death an ever-present companion.

By contrast, Seireitei—the inner sanctum for Shinigami and the noble houses—rarely reeks of violence, despite being rife with political maneuvering and secret agendas.

Yet even within Seireitei, one place defies its refined nature: a violent, chaotic zone reminiscent of Rukongai's outermost districts, where the clang of clashing blades never truly fades.

This place is the domain of the 11th Division—infamous for its love of battle, led by fighters who embrace brutality and valor in equal measure.

Known unofficially as Bridetown, this sector is steeped in the fierce spirit of the 11th. Its residents, shaped by the squad's longstanding presence, exhibit a ruggedness that contrasts starkly with the refined demeanor of nobles elsewhere in Seireitei.

The 11th Division, marked by its sawgrass insignia, sits at the heart of Bridetown. Over time, its presence has saturated the district with an almost palpable atmosphere of conflict.

But when Gosuke Shigure returned to the 11th Division this time...

There was no trace of that familiar bloodlust. Instead, the halls of the squad barracks were soaked in alcohol and gloom.

Dozens of Shinigami remained holed up within the division compound, lost in drink and subdued in spirit.

Because of lingering traditions from the era of Captain Tsubakiyashiki, the division still included many female Shinigami. Now, those women drank shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts, the usual discipline and fire replaced by a haze of despair.

One of the more observant members noticed Gosuke entering.

His eyes lit up—then dimmed again—but he still stood and greeted him: "Vice-Captain… you're back."

The words echoed through the room, drawing eyes toward Gosuke.

Those who didn't know him well called him "Vice-Captain." Those closer to him called him "Gosuke."

Among them was Gomisawa Yumi, the Ninth Seat. She was also the first face Gosuke had seen after his rebirth. Reeking of alcohol, she staggered over.

"Gosuke... The Captain…"

"It's true," Gosuke cut in, answering before she could finish.

Hearing those words, many of the Shinigami's expressions darkened. The truth still weighed heavily on them.

Though Kenpachi Mochisei had only held the title for a little over a year, earning it by defeating the previous Kenpachi, Tsubakiyashiki, the squad had come to accept him.

They were no strangers to death. If anything, they revered it in the heat of combat. But they respected strength above all—and in his time, Kenpachi Mochisei had proven himself time and again on the battlefield.

Though distant in personality, he was a relentless warrior. In every fight, he triumphed without hesitation.

On the surface, the squad maintained a professional distance. But internally, many had begun to acknowledge Mochisei as a true Kenpachi.

That's why the revelations struck such a blow.

Kenpachi Mochisei wasn't a war hero—he was a war criminal.

When he turned himself in, and Gosuke was taken to the Senzaikyū for suspected collusion, an inquiry descended on the 11th Division. Other squads came and investigated every inch, and the squad members learned the full scope of their captain's betrayal.

The weight of that truth crushed their morale.

"You've all just been here drinking this whole time?" Gosuke asked, his eyes scanning the room, stopping on Yumi.

Yumi gave him a bitter smile. "What else can we do?"

"The Captain committed a capital crime. You were locked up for suspected association. We lost both our pillars in an instant. So we drink. That's all we've got."

Gosuke was silent.

After a pause, Yumi brightened, putting on a half-sober grin. "But at least one of you came back. That means you're in the clear."

"Yeah," he replied simply.

"That's good. We really couldn't handle losing both our Captain and Vice-Captain at the same time."

Mentioning the Captain again brought a somber tone. The same shadow appeared in every member's eyes.

Gosuke understood that grief.

More than a year ago, they had mourned the previous Kenpachi, Tsubakiyashiki.

Back then, it had been his grief too—Gosuke had felt that loss more than anyone.

But Gosuke Shigure was no longer the man he used to be.

"We may have lost another Kenpachi," he said quietly, "but the Eleventh Division still stands. As long as it does, the name of Kenpachi will live on. Someone new will rise to carry it."

Then, he raised his voice slightly, meeting everyone's gaze.

"So tell me... what would you say if I became Kenpachi?"

A hush fell across the barracks.

Then, laughter erupted.

"Gosuke, seriously?" one Shinigami laughed. "You're a solid Vice-Captain, sure. But Kenpachi? That's still a ways off."

The others chuckled in agreement.

They knew Gosuke well. They respected him. But they also knew he preferred handling logistics over fights, and that much of the division's operations had been dumped on him by more combat-hungry members.

Yes, he was strong—but was he Kenpachi-strong?

Within the 11th, many aspired to the title. But they also knew the truth: few could truly bear the burden of the name. Few could wield its power.

Gosuke's sudden declaration may have been arrogant—but it broke the gloom like sunlight through clouds.

Laughter echoed through the halls, and for the first time in days, the heavy air of the 11th Division was lifted.