Chapter 146: then translation of title

Lady Yoruichi, I lost to that guy!

Moreover, I lost to him in an instant!

Am I useless?

After Kurotsuchi left, Sui Feng's eyes instantly welled up with a tear; her usually stern and sharp eyes now held only endless gentle ripples. After her defeat, she could no longer maintain her usual aloof demeanor; she buried her face in Lady Yoruichi's still rather broad chest like a cute kitten, speaking with heartfelt sorrow.

Sui Feng had originally fought Kurotsuchi under the pretense of avenging Lady Yoruichi, but not only did she fail to avenge her, she herself was easily defeated by Kurotsuchi, leaving her deep inside feeling intense resentment and unease.

Sui Feng, it's okay~

Because I also lost to Kurotsuchi...

Losing to him isn't your fault; it's just that guy's strength is too great. Even if I fought him, I wouldn't do any better than you. So cheer up~

After hearing Sui Feng's words, Lady Yoruichi spoke to comfort her. Indeed, Lady Yoruichi had no intention of blaming Sui Feng; she would never ask Sui Feng to defeat someone whom even she herself could not overcome!

Unlike her previous battle with Kurotsuchi, which she lost due to carelessness, this time Sui Feng had been warned by her before fighting Kurotsuchi...

Sui Feng also fought valiantly, unleashing her ultimate technique, Mugen Shunko, at the very start of her battle with Kurotsuchi, yet she still lost, and was easily defeated by Kurotsuchi, who displayed overwhelming power.

This allowed Lady Yoruichi, who was watching the battle, to see many useful things just now...

First, her loss to Kurotsuchi was not due to her carelessness or any coincidence, but because Kurotsuchi truly possessed the strength to defeat her! Even if they fought again, she would merely last a little longer in his hands before losing—nothing more.

Second, Lady Yoruichi noticed that Kurotsuchi had not yet used his full strength in either his battle with her or with Sui Feng, which greatly piqued her curiosity about his true power~

Hmm...

After hearing Lady Yoruichi's words, Sui Feng's expression finally eased a little.

At the same time, she weakly nodded toward Lady Yoruichi.

Sui Feng, do you have anything coming up?!

Before Sui Feng could say more, Lady Yoruichi seemed to think of something and asked her.

Um, I don't have much planned ahead.

Upon hearing Lady Yoruichi's words, Sui Feng immediately replied.

After Sui Feng finished answering Lady Yoruichi's question, she seemed to recall something and added, "As for our division's duties, just leave them to the vice-captain for now; I have high hopes for that kid..."

All right! Then come along and keep me company for a while as we wander around the Thirteen Divisions~

Upon hearing that, Lady Yoruichi smiled faintly.

Oh?!

Lady Yoruichi, what are you planning to do?!

Listening, Sui Feng suddenly felt a faint ominous premonition.

What need is there to say? Of course we'll chase after that Kurotsuchi guy to see which division captain he'll lose to—or if he'll plow straight through all the Thirteen Divisions' captains and clear the Guarding Thirteen Divisions on his own! If that really happens, the Thirteen Divisions' reputation will be utterly ruined!

After hearing Sui Feng's words, Lady Yoruichi spoke eagerly, eager to try.

Um...

Upon hearing that, Sui Feng's expression froze instantly. Whether it was her imagination or not, logically speaking, Kurotsuchi's solo incursion into the Thirteen Divisions should be a huge event, yet she detected no worry in Lady Yoruichi's words—only eagerness to give it a try.

It's as if Lady Yoruichi of the Shihoin family is even more eager than Kurotsuchi himself to see him single-handedly clear the Guarding Thirteen Divisions! From her perspective, since she already lost to Kurotsuchi, it would be best if every other captain of the Thirteen Divisions also lost to him; otherwise, wouldn't it mean only she would be embarrassed?

Such embarrassment is, of course, more fun when everyone shares it~

Lady Yoruichi, do we really not need to inform Commander-General Aramaki about this?!

Besides, if Kurotsuchi really managed to defeat all the captains of the Guarding Thirteen Divisions, then as commander‑general, Lord Aramaki would surely lose face, too. After all, our Guarding Thirteen Divisions are famed as the strongest shield of Soul Society—if they're so easily breached, what's left to call them the strongest?

Sui Feng suddenly felt that the situation was escalating, already heading toward an uncontrollable direction.

Hey! There's no need to bother Teacher Aramaki with this~

Besides, don't you think it would be amusing to see Teacher Aramaki get angry at us because the Thirteen Divisions were broken through by Kurotsuchi alone?

After hearing Sui Feng's words, Lady Yoruichi indicated that Sui Feng need not worry about Aramaki at all.

Filial! Really too filial!

In response, Sui Feng couldn't help but praise her, saying her Lady Yoruichi truly lives up to being Aramaki's thoughtful little padded jacket, the chief disciple of the Genryū style, exceedingly filial, having truly grasped the commander‑general's essence~

Yes, if Sui Feng remembers correctly, Commander‑General Aramaki was once just as filial to General Yamamoto, having once shown his filial piety outward and now returned it all—this could only be called inheritance, right?

Moreover, Teacher Aramaki hardly has the leisure to worry about Kurotsuchi's affairs right now!

If I'm not mistaken, at this time Teacher Aramaki is probably busy with Lieutenant Commander Unohana in the First Division's headquarters, engaging in... impart~

Lady Yoruichi stroked her chin, realizing she was practically a genius for instantly guessing what Teacher Aramaki was up to! What? You dare ask what Teacher Aramaki is doing at this hour? Obviously he's... doing Lieutenant Commander Unohana~

Um...

Upon hearing Lady Yoruichi's words, Sui Feng's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Each individual word Lady Yoruichi spoke was familiar to Sui Feng, but once strung together she didn't recognize any of them~

In short, you don't need to overthink it—just come with me!

Saying that, Lady Yoruichi turned into a jet‑black shadow and pursued the direction Kurotsuchi had gone.

I understand, Lady Yoruichi.

After hearing Lady Yoruichi's words, Sui Feng stopped talking and followed her closely.

For a time, Lady Yoruichi and Sui Feng, captains of the Second and Third Divisions, formed the strongest spectator party.

Meanwhile...

Kurotsuchi strode forward with a determined gaze.

At his side was Ashido, who had come running after him.

Captain Kurotsuchi, where are you headed next?!

Could it be that you truly intend to challenge all the captains of the Guarding Thirteen Divisions single‑handedly?

Ashido asked him.

I am not doing this to challenge the captains' positions.

I just simply want to see where my limits truly lie.

Ku Wushū listened to Axiduo's words and then spoke lightly.

Heh, truly a crazy move.

Axiduo couldn't help but let out a light smile after hearing Ku Wushū's words; although Ku Wushū didn't clearly answer his question, this also counted as an answer, and he was shocked by Ku Wushū's overbearing action!

However, this indeed is Ku Wushū's style—challenging the Thirteen Court Guard Squads single‑handedly, which actually bears a few traces of the legendary 'Sword Eight's' demeanor!

If it weren't for the fact that the current Thirteen Court Guard Squads already have a 'Sword Eight' who is a top disciple of Captain Huangmu, Axiduo would absolutely believe that Ku Wushū would become the next generation's Sword Eight, leading the Eleventh Division through thorns and brambles.

After Axiduo obtained the information he wanted, he stopped talking and silently followed Ku Wushū's side, until he noticed that Ku Wushū's direction was not toward the Fourth Division but toward the Fifth Division, at which point he showed a look of doubt.

Captain Ku Wushū, have you taken the wrong way?!

It seems ahead leads to the Fifth Division, not the Fourth Division.

If you intend to challenge all thirteen squads single‑handedly, the Fourth Division shouldn't be left out, right? I've heard the current captain of the Fourth Division is Captain Huangmu's wife, and her strength is quite formidable……

Axiduo seemed to think of something, looking at Ku Wushū and asking.

Um……

When Ku Wushū heard Axiduo's words, he fell silent at once.

Ku Wushū just kept his head lowered, silently gazing at Axiduo. If it weren't for their years of acquaintance, knowing Axiduo's personality and that he meant no harm, Ku Wushū really wanted to grab Axiduo's collar and demand: 'Are you doing this on purpose or by accident?! You just said that Captain Maozhihualie of the Fourth Division is Captain Huangmu's wife, yet you still let me challenge her—do you have a screw loose? Or do you think I, the commander of the Hollow Expedition Force, have lived too long and am getting in the way of your promotion to official deputy commander?!'

Captain Ku Wushū, you don't know the way to the Fourth Division, do you?!

I can guide you there! To be honest, in order to help Lord Ku Wushū, I've already memorized every road of the Soul Society precisely in my mind; no matter where you want to go, just tell me and I'll take you there……

Axiduo continued to whisper nonstop into Ku Wushū's ear.

I really thank you~

You truly are worthy of being my deputy; you've helped me a great deal.

Upon hearing that, Ku Wushū's eyelid twitched slightly.

To be honest, Ku Wushū was discovering for the first time that Axiduo's personality was somewhat single‑minded……

Having said that, if Axiduo weren't single‑minded, he wouldn't have, like in the original story, fought alone in the Hollow realm for so many years~

No need to thank me!

At this moment Axiduo still hadn't caught the meaning behind Ku Wushū's words.

However, I currently have no intention of challenging Captain Maozhihualie……

Ku Wushū thought for a moment and decided to explain the reason to Axiduo, otherwise this kid's single‑minded tendency might flare up again.

Oh? Why is that?

Axiduo showed a hint of doubt upon hearing that.

Speaking purely of swordsmanship, I am no match for Captain Maozhihualie.

Upon hearing that, Ku Wushū shook his head directly.

Eh? Is Captain Maozhihualie that strong?

Axiduo's eyes twitched slightly upon hearing that.

Heh, Captain Maozhihualie's strength far exceeds your imagination!

Ku Wushū looked at Axiduo's shocked expression and gave a faint smile.

As Ku Wushū said, if we talk only about swordsmanship, Maozhihualie is absolutely above him! And in other aspects—such as barehanded combat, flash steps, and spirit way—she is absolutely not weaker than him! There is no doubt that Maozhihualie is definitely his arch‑enemy……

To defeat an opponent like Maozhihualie, he has no other recourse besides his Final Release, but unfortunately his Final Release is currently unusable! The Central Forty‑Six Chambers once explicitly forbade him from using his Soul‑Cutting Sword's Final Release in the Soul Society under any circumstances.

Then the question arises: setting aside whether using his Final Release could actually let him beat Maozhihualie, without it he is absolutely incapable of defeating her—a fact he knows all too well, and his Final Release is presently banned. In other words, even if we ignore the connection between Maozhihualie and Huangmu, facing her would give him not the slightest chance of victory, so perhaps it's better not to go……

Eh?!

Axiduo was hearing for the first time Ku Wushū use the two words 'strong' to describe someone other than Captain Huangmu.

Moreover, in a certain sense, Captain Maozhihualie might even be stronger than Captain Huangmu~

Just as Axiduo was feeling doubtful, Ku Wushū hit him with another harsh remark.

What? Captain Ku Wushū, what do you mean?

Upon hearing that, Axiduo immediately rushed to Ku Wushū's side and asked doubtfully.

Yeah, what exactly does that mean? Who would know?

Ku Wushū said this with a smile on his face and walked forward.

He left only the utterly bewildered Axiduo behind.

First Division.

Pap pap pap……

A continuous series of slapping sounds kept echoing in the empty captain's chamber's rear hall.

At this moment, Huangmu and Maozhihualie used the lectern that Huangmu normally employed for speeches in the captain's chamber as a fulcrum, bracing it like a screw and nut, and produced a continuous string of fierce combat sounds.

Beneath the two near‑bottomless‑stamina monsters Huangmu and Maozhihualie lay Zhaiteng the Immortal, wielder of the spirit‑way type Soul‑Cutting Sword, completely unable to keep up with their pace; he didn't last a few rounds before collapsing to the ground, tongue lolling, unconscious.

Huh?!

Just as Huangmu and Maozhihualie's battle was gradually reaching its climax, Huangmu suddenly frowned slightly, a sense of unease stirring in his mind.

What's wrong?

Maozhihualie seized the moment to wrap her arms around Huangmu's neck, pressing close to his ear and whispering.

Suddenly, for no reason, I felt a bit impulsive and slightly uneasy……

I always feel that, during our training period, within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads where no one is in charge, something major we don't understand seems to be unfolding.

Huangmu, upon hearing this, spoke frankly.

Why don't you go take care of it first?

Maozhihualie is indeed thoughtful; she can set aside her fight with Huangmu for now, everything giving priority to Huangmu's duties.

「No need for this! As long as those little brats don't take advantage of our fight to overturn the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, just let them be! 」

Aramaki, upon hearing Momo Hinamori's words, couldn't help but show a faint smile, smiling at Momo Hinamori.

「Good! 」

Momo Hinamori has always been a woman of few words; she didn't say anything, but her movements grew increasingly forceful.

「Hmph! 」

And as Aramaki felt Momo Hinamori's gradually increasing strength, he also began to get serious.

His battle with Momo Hinamori today has only just begun……

「Ababababa……」

As the battle between Aramaki and Momo Hinamori grew ever fiercer!

Only the comatose Saito the Immortal emitted a string of "ababa" sounds from his mouth.

Good, a world where only Saito the Immortal is injured has been born.

Meanwhile……

The barracks of the 5th Division.

After Kurouyashiki explained his purpose to the captain of the 5th Division……

This captain, who rose from nobility, smiled and agreed to Kurouyashiki's sparring request; in the eyes of this captain, who hails from the upper nobility, their bout would mostly be just a show~

He's seen too many such shows; saying they want to spar with him, the outcome of this match is already decided! The result will surely be a draw between him and Kurouyashiki, so neither will lose face.

In fact, it's not hard to understand Kurouyashiki's intention in seeking him out if you just think about it: after a century away, Kurouyashiki's return to the Soul Society needs this captain's help to make a name for himself in the Soul Society……

And he could also gain Kurouyashiki's friendship, while spreading the news that he fought to a draw with the commander of the Hollow Realm Expeditionary Force, proving he's no nobody—so why wouldn't he do it?!

However, the sparring match between Kurouyashiki and the current captain of the 5th Division ended in an instant within that captain's beautiful dream……

「Plop! 」

With a soft sound, the captain of the 5th Division, his eyes rolling back, knelt before Kurouyashiki and the assembled 5th Division troops with a "plop," and completely lost consciousness.

「Captain Arimura?! 」

For a moment, the 5th Division soldiers were all dumbfounded. They never imagined that their mighty, invincible captain couldn't even withstand a single move from Kurouyashiki!

「Next division……」

Kurouyashiki said, then prepared to head to the next division.

However, just as Kurouyashiki was about to leave, he suddenly sensed something, immediately turned his head, and looked toward the assembled 5th Division soldiers.

Just as Kurouyashiki was about to leave the 5th Division, amidst those he hadn't even glanced at, he suddenly felt a sharp gaze from among the 5th Division soldiers……

Without a doubt, the owner of that gaze is definitely a monster-level existence; even he has no absolute confidence of defeating them.

「Is it an illusion? 」

However, when Kurouyashiki's gaze fell upon the 5th Division soldiers, that feeling he'd had before suddenly vanished without a trace, just as it had arrived without any sign, and it departed just as swiftly, leaving no trace.

「No! It can't be an illusion~」

After leaving the 5th Division's barracks, Kurouyashiki turned his head and took a deep look; in his view, this division was absolutely the weakest in terms of combat strength among the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Kurouyashiki didn't expect he could also misjudge, or rather, given that the Thirteen Court Guard Squads have existed for such a long time, it's not surprising that some hidden talents lie within.

「Haha, interesting! 」

「Once I've challenged all of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, I'll come back to find you. 」

Kurouyashiki, looking at the 5th Division behind him, let out those bold words.

「Captain Kurouyashiki, what did you discover? 」

In response, Kurouyashiki's lackey Ashido immediately came to his side to ask.

「It's fine, let's go! 」

Kurouyashiki said, taking his lackey Ashido with him as they headed toward the 6th Division.

「Oh my, such keen awareness—you were almost discovered~」

After Kurouyashiki left, the gate of the 5th Division barracks behind him suddenly twisted, and then revealed a seemingly ordinary brown-haired youth—none other than Sosuke Aizen.

This fake captain of the 5th Division, naturally Arimura, who was instantly slain by Kurouyashiki, while the true captain of the 5th Division is naturally Sosuke Aizen!

From the moment Aizen joined the 5th Division, the division has essentially become his shape~

Meanwhile……

Having left the 5th Division, Kurouyashiki immediately hit a wall. The captain of the 6th Division, his next target, Ginrei Kuchiki, outright refused to see him, citing business……

The captain of the 7th Division outright refused Kurouyashiki's invitation.

As for Shunsui Kyōraku of the 8th Division, he couldn't be bothered to fight Kurouyashiki and instead invited him for drinks.

The 9th Division's captain, Tsunayashiro, likewise didn't see Kurouyashiki.

The captain of the 10th Division, Reppū Shibata, wasn't in the division—he'd gone out on a mission……

After being rebuffed by five consecutive divisions, Kurouyashiki finally arrived at the 11th Division.

Then he encountered the youthful Kenpachi Zaraki.

「So you've come looking to die?! 」

Upon learning Kurouyashiki's purpose, Zaraki raised his eyebrows slightly.

He didn't refuse Kurouyashiki; on the contrary, he was eager for someone to spar with him!

Since Zaraki took over as captain of the 11th Division, he's been invincible for too long, already worried from lack of opponents.