Chapter 27

After all.

Good-looking, noble birth, powerful strength…

Absolutely captain-level combat power! A few pointers from him would raise one's understanding of the sword path to a whole new level.

Kuchiki Senya patted Bai Zai's shoulder. "Bai Zai, I won't be going home tonight. Let Grandfather and Father know."

With that, Kuchiki Senya went "gulp gulp~" and drank the wine dry.

His figure flashed, and he shot off toward Senya Pavilion on Wandering Spirit Street.

Bai Zai's handsome face turned black as a pot, his forehead full of dark lines, his heart filled with doubt.

His own elder brother.

Would there really come a day when he turned back from his wrong path and made a determined effort?

……

Outside the academy.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto is really far too kind to this Kuchiki Senya…"

Renji Abarai—no, Muguruma Kensei—his tone carried a hint of envy.

Back then.

When he became a captain, it was after endless trials and tribulations.

And now, Kuchiki Senya had publicly refused the Captain-Commander, yet still had an olive branch extended to him.

Given such an excellent condition as "can serve as captain at any time."

"This is also his strength."

Kyoraku Shunsui at the side laughed easily, his stubbled face full of salted-fish vibes, throwing an arm around Muguruma Kensei's shoulders.

"This Kuchiki Senya, not only is his potential off the charts."

"The Senya Pavilion he runs is also first-rate among the first-rate, the pinnacle of pleasure quarters—come keep me company and take a look later."

"Especially the pleasure quarter on Wandering Spirit Street, it just opened not long ago, still offering discounts."

"I refuse!"

Muguruma Kensei said righteously.

……

The news from Shino Academy was no secret at all.

Kuchiki Senya took the thousand-year strongest Shinigami, the ceiling of combat power Captain-Commander Yamamoto's Shikai slash—without a single hair harmed!

In just a single day, the news spread throughout the entire Seireitei!

Even Wandering Spirit Street was filled with legends of him.

"Truly terrifying, this kind of heir of a great noble house."

"I heard Kuchiki Senya is also the boss of Senya Pavilion. In the future, keep your eyes sharp—don't mess with anyone from Senya Pavilion."

East, West, South, North four districts, districts 1 through 80.

From the leaders of major organizations down to local thugs and rascals, everyone had heard the news.

While marveling and feeling awe in their hearts, they also held Senya Pavilion—Kuchiki Senya's enterprise—in awe.

Not daring to cause any trouble at all.

Wandering Spirit Street District 80, Saraki District.

Two men with thuggish faces, big scars on their heads, looking very fierce and vicious, were also discussing the matter concerning Kuchiki Senya.

"This Kuchiki Senya, what a waste. He doesn't want the captain position—give it to me and I'd take it!"

Ling 3

Long 71

Fei 72

Lu 9

Xiao 11

Shuo 9

"Hah, forget it. A seated officer alone could scare the piss out of you, and you want to be captain?"

Just at this moment.

A low, hoarse male voice rang out.

"You two, tell me that man's intel."

"Heh heh, who the… Kenpachi Zaraki???"

A man with a fierce face, sharp angular features, an extremely tall and burly build.

Carrying a Zanpakuto covered in pits and notches like a jagged saw, without any movement, a fierce murderous aura came rushing at them.

On his shoulder, a little girl with pink hair was perched, smiling as she watched them.

Kenpachi Zaraki!

One blade slashing through Wandering Spirit Street.

A man whose head was full of muscles, a man of slaughter—the people who died under his hands were enough to pile into a small mountain!

Just hearing his name was enough to make children stop crying and people flee in terror.

The two burly men both hunched over, cautious, hurriedly putting flattering smiles on their faces.

"Lord Kenpachi…"

…….

023. What on earth is he thinking

Not long after.

"Senya Pavilion in the 1st District of Rukongai?"

After Kenpachi Zaraki received the intel,

he left with his blade in hand, the corner of his mouth twitching, his tattered clothes fluttering in the wind.

"I don't get it."

"Why would a powerhouse like that be obsessed with wine, women, and song?"

"Every powerhouse has their own little hobby, you know." Kusajishi Yachiru rubbed her chin, flashing a sunny, childlike grin.

"Still, none of that matters."

Saying so,

battle intent flared in Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes. His spiritual pressure surged like an endless, boundless ocean, and the surrounding trees snapped — *crack, crack* — one after another.

The man looked just like a beast desperate to vent itself.

As long as he was strong enough,

as long as it brought him joy, that was enough!

……

Seireitei.

The Gotei 13.

"Kuchiki Senya's refusal is, for us, a good thing as well."

Captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Kiganjō.

Captain of the 3rd Division, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi.

Captain of the 5th Division, Shinji Hirako…

The captains had gathered to chat, and in their words was nothing but bafflement at Kuchiki Senya's way of thinking.

However.

In their hearts, they also felt a measure of relief.

After all.

If Kuchiki Senya had come here, it would have meant that one of them would be out.

Their captain's seats — every one of them had fought tooth and nail to earn them.

And besides.

among their own subordinates, there were people with burning ambition for the captain's seat, training hard every single day,

striving for the day they could defeat their captain and take the position.

"Rather than gossiping about this, we'd all do better to strengthen ourselves."