Chapter 36

A middle-aged man, sturdy of build, brimming with noble air, carrying the bearing of one long accustomed to the highest seat of power.

At this moment.

He was frowning tightly, staring at Tsunayashiro Tokitan, who was wrapped in bandages on the bed.

Half a month had already passed.

Tokitan still had not recovered; the talent of his latter half of life was already half ruined.

"Today, we begin to act."

"Tokitan, your father will absolutely not let you swallow this bitter grievance."

The head of the Tsunayashiro clan said softly; on the bed, Tokitan's face twisted, his eyes brimming with savage satisfaction.

He, whose arm had been severed—

Toward Kuchiki Senya, he wished he could eat his flesh and drink his blood!

"Rest well."

The head of the Tsunayashiro clan left the room, raising his head to gaze at the azure sky.

The news from Rukongai.

Was no secret.

The current Kuchiki Senya—his strength surpassed that of a captain, unfathomably deep; only the most perfect plan could strike him down in one blow!

The head of the Tsunayashiro clan gently shook his head; in his sharp eyes, cold light gleamed, and his resolve to kill was fixed.

The clan had already mobilized its hidden reserves.

Tonight.

Was the moment of decisive victory!

……

At this moment.

Senya Pavilion.

Kuchiki Senya lay sprawled on a grand sofa draped in splendid silks and brocades, with all manner of fine wines, snacks, and fruits arranged on the table…

His face languid as he sipped his drink.

Beside him.

Stood several girls in maid outfits, gently massaging his shoulders.

Half-heartedly, he played Dou Di Zhu with Hisana and the other management girls.

This was the age of the Shinigami.

Not the modern world of his previous life.

Smartphones, computers, and the like had yet to develop; the entertainment options of today were limited to non-intelligent things like playing cards.

To play on computers, or the various AAA masterpieces of his previous life, he'd have to wait another hundred years or so.

However.

These were quite enough for now.

"Rocket!"

Kuchiki Senya slammed down his last two cards with a flourish, declaring his victory.

【Ding.】

【The Host plays cards with the young ladies, enjoying life.】

【The Host's Hand-to-Hand Combat level has been raised to captain-class!】

031. Spatial Passage—Arrancar!

Hakuda.

Captain-class!

Kuchiki Senya smiled faintly.

Previously, his Hand-to-Hand Combat had been elite-class, on par with a vice-captain.

Now it had jumped straight to captain-class!

In Soul Society.

Zankwatsu—Sword, Fist, Walk, Ghost—that is, Swordsmanship, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Flash Step, and Kidō—constituted a Shinigami's strength.

Most people focused their training on swordsmanship, on the Shikai and Bankai of their Zanpakutō.

Pouring the bulk of their effort into that.

Those with severe imbalances were everywhere.

However.

Taking Hand-to-Hand Combat and Kidō to their ultimate limits could also unleash combat power on par with a captain—or even surpassing one!

Shihoin Yoruichi's Hand-to-Hand Combat level, during the main storyline, had already reached captain-class!

She was also one of the strongest Hand-to-Hand Combat practitioners in the original work.

As for Aizen—

His Kidō ability was outrageously powerful, beyond any challenger's reach, and it was also his primary means of attack.

After all.

Kyōka Suigetsu was the strongest illusion-type Zanpakutō.

It did not possess the offensive might of Ryujin Jakka or Tenchū Zangetsu.

What Aizen could rely on was, for the most part, Kidō.

However…

His strength came only from orthodox Ghost Dao; he had never broken through it to develop abilities like the "Yin-Yang Wind Curse" and other forbidden techniques.

It was full of limitations.

"Very good."

Kuchiki Senya nodded in satisfaction, his body feeling incomparably light, brimming with explosive power.

A casual clench of his fist could produce the "bang bang~" of compressed air bursting!

A strong hand splitting a skull — nothing more than this.

An improvement in Hand-to-Hand Combat level.

The most direct effect was a massive boost in physique!

At the same time.

Nerve reflex speed, combat experience, and so on — an all-round metamorphosis!

……

"Come on, let's keep playing."

After familiarizing himself with the sudden surge of power in his body, Kuchiki Senya lazily pulled out a new deck of cards and looked at the few girls before him.

"No no, we're not playing anymore. If we keep going, we'll lose all our salaries."

The few girls were on the verge of tears.

Their boss looked as if he was swaying on his feet and had drunk quite a bit, yet his card-playing skill was simply divine.

They played all night!

They hadn't won a single round!

Kuchiki Senya didn't press the matter either. He waved a hand and casually tossed two grapes into his mouth.

Shinki.

Was standing before him, reporting on the recent period's revenue for Senya Pavilion, as well as the management accounts.

Time flowed on.

Senya Pavilion.

It was already deep into the night.

Yet the lights still blazed brilliantly, filled with an air of extravagant splendor.

The guests had gradually departed one after another, and Senya Pavilion had reached a rare moment of leisure.

Kuchiki Senya lay casually on a fur, a glass of strong liquor swaying in his hand, with only the girls' singing and chatter left in his ears.

However.

Not even a single insect chirp could be heard from outside — all was silent, leaving only the tranquil night.

"Today really was a quiet day." Kuchiki Senya smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth and tossed the wine glass to Shinki.