Chapter 147

Interesting!

After hearing Gengmu's words, Kuze's mouth corners couldn't help but rise, his eyes flashing with endless fighting spirit.

Not bad, in this Court of Pure Souls, you're the second person I want to challenge~

Kuze muttered to himself.

If one were to say, letting Kuze in this vast Court of Pure Souls...

Aside from Commander Huangmu, if one were to find another squad leader whom he most wants to fight to the death, then without a doubt it is the current holder of the title 'Jianba', the captain of the Combat Division, i. e., the 11th Court Guard Squad, Gengmu Jianba.

Heh, speaking of which, we should have fought a hundred years ago.

Kuze smiled at Gengmu and said.

Huh?!

Upon hearing that, Gengmu showed a puzzled expression, finding Kuze's words incomprehensible.

Actually, Kuze wasn't wrong; a hundred years ago, Kuze single-handedly swept through the entire Wandering Soul Street. After discovering that Wandering Soul Street had no more opponents for him, he planned to enter the Court of Pure Souls to seek stronger prey, and at that time his target was Gengmu...

However, Kuze happened to run into Huangmu organizing the second expedition to the Hollow Circle. After calculating, he found the mysterious Hollow Circle more appealing, so he signed up and organized the second Hollow Circle expedition force.

In other words, if Huangmu hadn't organized the Hollow Circle expedition, Kuze and Gengmu should have fought a hundred years ago! But if Kuze had faced Gengmu earlier, it wouldn't be like today, merely sparring; they would have clashed...

but rather for the title 'Jianba' and the identity of captain of the 11th Squad, to engage Gengmu in a life-and-death contest! At that point it wouldn't be just about superiority; it would be about both superiority and life and death! However, after training in the Hollow Circle for over a hundred years and seeing too many 'Great Hollows' comparable to him, he realized he had grown indifferent to the empty fame of 'Jianba'...

Although 'Jianba' bears the title of strongest Death God under the Commander of the Court of Pure Souls, so what? After all, it's merely the strongest under the Commander, still far from the true strongest of the Soul Society. And Kuze's goal has always been that true strongest...

However, having grown indifferent to empty fame doesn't mean Kuze doesn't want to fight Gengmu; on the contrary, after deciding to become the strongest of the Soul Society as his goal, he wants to fight Gengmu even more, for if he can't even defeat the strongest under the Commander, how could he talk about defeating the Commander and becoming the strongest of the Soul Society?!

Kuze never expected Gengmu's temper to be so explosive; after Kuze explained his purpose, Gengmu directly asked if he wanted to die! This really made him feel exhilarated beyond measure~

It seems this man before him is of the same ilk...

What do you mean?!

Without letting Kuze think further, Gengmu bluntly asked.

You don't need to understand what I just said.

You only need to know one thing, and that's enough: I came to the 11th Squad this time solely to fight you.

Kuze said, drawing his Soul-Cutter Sword from his waist.

Interesting!

Upon hearing Kuze's words, Gengmu likewise showed a smile...

Because just now he had decided that the Kuze before him was exactly his kind.

Captain Kuze actually drew his sword first?

Could the guy called Gengmu before us also be a monster?!

As Gengmu and Kuze were laughing with mouths wide open, the belated Axiduo surprisingly discovered that Kuze had actually drawn his Soul-Cutter Sword first; knowing that when Kuze faced Yeyi, Suifeng, and even the captain of the Fifth Squad, he would only nonchalantly draw his sword after the opponent moved, and even when facing the Fifth Squad captain he wouldn't even unsheathe his blade, whereas against Gengmu he drew first, this shows that in Kuze's eyes, Gengmu is an opponent of equal strength, or even superior.

That Gengmu guy is definitely a monster! If we talk purely about combat talent, that Gengmu guy possesses a combat power far surpassing that of us fellow disciples, a true monster~

As Axiduo marveled, a slightly hoarse yet magnetic voice sounded from beside him.

Captain Jingle?

Upon hearing the voice, Axiduo turned his head and saw the captain of the Eighth Squad, Jingle Chunshui, wearing a bamboo hat, his face bearing a hint of nonchalance but his eyes exceptionally sharp.

Yo~ Axiduo, long time no see~

Upon hearing Axiduo's greeting, Jingle chuckled and looked at him, saying hello.

Captain Jingle, we really haven't seen each other in a long time, probably over a hundred years~

Upon hearing Jingle's words, Axiduo's face showed a hint of flattered surprise; he hadn't expected so much time to have passed, yet Jingle still remembered his name.

Hahaha...

Jingle gave a light chuckle upon hearing that.

Yo! Chunshui, you're here!

As Jingle chuckled lightly, Yeyi and Suifeng appeared beside them at some point.

Senior sister and little Suifeng, you're both here~

Come to think of it, Senior Sister Yeyi actually came too; that's really beyond my expectation!

I thought Senior Sister Yeyi generally isn't too interested in this sort of thing~

Jingle looked at the arrivals and greeted them with a chuckle.

Don't call me little Suifeng; I'm older than you!

Suifeng's eyelid twitched slightly upon hearing Jingle's words.

Huangmu always calls her little Suifeng, that's fine, but you, a mere Jingle Chunshui, what right do you have to call her little Suifeng, as if you made her younger than Huangmu by a generation~

Haha, got it, little Suifeng~

Upon hearing that, Jingle replied indifferently.

That Kuze guy beat me and Suifeng, so of course I had to come watch.

At that moment, Yeyi responded to Jingle.

I see.

Upon hearing that, Jingle's expression showed a hint of realization.

Indeed, as he had guessed, that Kuze guy is challenging the squads in order of their numbers, starting from the lowest, one after another...

After Jingle confirmed his speculation about Kuze, a sudden curiosity arose in his heart.

In that case, that Kuze guy must have also gone to the First Squad to challenge Commander Huangmu, right?!

And also, I don't know whether Kuze went to the Fourth Squad to challenge Madam Uohana...

Hahaha, it's rare for me to develop such strong curiosity about a man~

After Jingle harbored those two questions in his mind, he suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Axiduo~

Based on the principle of asking when you don't know, Jingle directly looked at Kuwoofu's little follower, Axiduo.

I'm here! May I ask, Captain Jingle, what do you need from me?!

Upon hearing Jingle's words, Axiduo's body shuddered instantly, and he immediately turned around to look at Jingle and ask.

Eh, I called you, but it's not a big deal……

I just have a question in my mind right now that makes me extremely curious, so I plan to ask you~

After hearing Axiduo's words, Jingle replied with a hehe laugh.

You say it, I will answer anything!

After hearing Jingle's words, Axiduo immediately bowed to Jingle and indicated he would tell Jingle everything he knew.

Thanks! Then, Axiduo soldier, can you tell me now what the win rate is for Kuwoofu challenging the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?!

Jingle deliberately dug a trap in his own question; he did not directly look at Axiduo to ask whether Kuwoofu had gone to challenge Aramaki and Unohana Retsu to satisfy his gossip desire, but instead, appearing to care about Kuwoofu's strength, he asked Axiduo about Kuwoofu's current win rate……

If Axiduo were to answer Jingle's question, he would mostly need to tell him which divisions Kuwoofu has challenged so far and the results of those challenges~

Er……

After hearing Jingle's words, Axiduo's expression flickered with hesitation.

However, after meeting Jingle's eyes full of curiosity (gossip desire), Axiduo decided to still tell Jingle all the information he knew.

So far, Captain Kuwoofu has fought a total of four battles, winning three of them!

Axiduo briefly told Jingle.

Oh, could you please elaborate on the details?!

Jingle continued to ask Axiduo.

Okay, Captain Jingle.

Upon hearing that, Axiduo didn't ponder long before planning to continue telling Jingle the situation of Kuwoofu's battles against the many captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, since this wasn't a secret, and since he had already intended to speak, he wouldn't hide it from Jingle Chunshui.

First, Captain Kuwoofu's first challenge was the captain of our Soul Society's First Division, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Aramaki; the result was that Captain Kuwoofu was instantly killed……

Next, Captain Kuwoofu went to the Second Division; I didn't see it, but the final outcome was that Captain Kuwoofu's strength, in the subsequent Third and Fifth Divisions, he displayed overwhelming power, instantly defeating his opponents and securing victory.

Axiduo said this while puffing out his chest with immense pride, as if he himself had accomplished these things.

Oh? So you really challenged Teacher Aramaki?

Upon hearing that, Jingle muttered to himself, feeling no surprise at Kuwoofu being instantly killed by Aramaki; on the contrary, if Kuwoofu hadn't been instantly killed by Teacher Aramaki, that would have been a big problem……

What about the other divisions?!

Immediately after, Jingle asked Axiduo again, still curious whether Kuwoofu had gone to the Fourth Division.

Er……

As for the other divisions! Including you, Captain Jingle of the Eighth Division, all of you refused Captain Kuwoofu's challenge; among them, the captain of the Fourth Division, Unohana, voluntarily gave up the challenge by Captain Kuwoofu, while the captain of the Tenth Division, Shibo, went out on a mission and wasn't in Soul Society.

After hearing Jingle's question, Axiduo also sensed that Jingle seemed to have some ulterior motive, but he still told Jingle everything in detail.

He didn't go to the Fourth Division, what a pity~

Originally I still wanted to see what Captain Unohana looks like when she loses her temper~

That must be incredibly terrifying~

Hahaha……

Upon hearing Axiduo's words, Jingle showed a regretful expression.

That Captain Jingle, I also have a question I want to ask.

Axiduo looked at the regretful Jingle, first scratched his cheek, then plucked up his courage to ask Jingle.

Oh? Feel free to ask any question!

Upon hearing Axiduo's words, a flicker of curiosity appeared in Jingle's eyes; frankly, he was also quite curious what question Axiduo had for him, so Jingle openly spoke to Axiduo.

That Captain Jingle, may I ask, as the captain of the Fourth Division, aka the Medical Division, Captain Unohana, is she really that strong? Captain Kuwoofu also said that Captain Unohana's strength is very great; speaking solely of swordsmanship, she is above him……

Axiduo looked at Jingle and asked curiously, if one person says Unohana is strong, that's fine, but when all the strong ones say Unohana is strong, then her strength is absolutely terrifying; however, Axiduo doesn't understand, Unohana is just a doctor, where exactly is her strength? Judging by appearance alone, Unohana looks more like a kind big sister, someone who looks like she can't fight at all.

Axiduo, when did you enter Soul Society?

Upon hearing Axiduo's words, Jingle raised his eyebrows slightly and posed a counter-question to Axiduo.

About two hundred years ago……

Upon hearing that, Axiduo thought for a moment and then explained.

Oh, then it's no wonder!

As soon as Jingle heard that Axiduo had entered Soul Society about two hundred years ago, he immediately felt it wasn't so strange.

May I ask, Captain Jingle, is the time I entered Soul Society related to my question?

Axiduo looked at Jingle's suddenly enlightened expression and couldn't help but ask.

"Of course there is a relation." Jing Le first nodded at A Xiduo, then showed a reminiscent expression, murmuring: "Although I too have only heard about it and haven't personally witnessed that era, I have indeed personally witnessed the strength of Madam Unohana!"

"First, I need to ask you a question, A Xiduo..."

"Do you know the meaning and origin of the title 'Sword Eight', the captain of the Eleventh Division?"

Jing Le continued to pose a question to A Xiduo.

"The meaning and origin of Sword Eight?"

A Xiduo froze upon hearing that; he hadn't really given it much thought.

"Sword Eight isn't just the strongest Soul Reaper in Soul Society aside from the Captain-Commander, right?!"

Although A Xiduo didn't know what connection there was between Jing Le's question and his own question, he still looked at Jing Le and answered, after all Jing Le is the captain of the Eighth Division, and in terms of rank he is not only above this squad member of his, but also above the captain of the special squad under the First Division, Ku Wu Shi.

"That's correct..."

"But do you know the origin of the name 'Sword Eight'?"

Jing Le continued to ask Axiduo.

"I don't know about that......"

Axiduo, hearing this, helplessly shook his head.

"In legend, long long ago, before the Guardian Thirteen Squads were formed, in this Soul Society, on a certain day, a person extremely obsessed with swordsmanship suddenly appeared—a great villain......"

"That great villain, relying solely on the sword in his hand, subdued all swordsmanship schools in the Soul Society! And whenever he defeated a swordsmanship school, he would take its essence......"

"Over time, even that great villain himself didn't know how many schools' swordsmanship he had mastered! And he never stopped, gleefully using his sword to constantly challenge and insult the swordsmanship of the Soul Society!"

"Finally, one day, that great villain mastered the essence of all swordsmanship schools in the Soul Society, and the one who controlled all sword ways became the 'Eight Thousand Flow'! This is the origin of the name 'Sword Eight'."

Jing Le told Axiduo the story he had heard from his parents and elder brothers when he was a child.

"Eight, Eight Thousand Flow?"

Axiduo looked shocked at this moment; he could not imagine anyone daring to use such an imposing title as "Eight Thousand Flow" as their name—if such a person truly existed, then each day they lived under that name would be an insult to the swordsmanship schools defeated by them.

But Axiduo felt puzzled—what does this have to do with his question?!

"And the name that Unohana Teacher used about six hundred years ago was Unohana Eight Thousand Flow!"

Immediately after, Jing Le's answer rang in Axiduo's ears.

"So, Captain Unohana is that great villain?!"

For a moment, Axiduo felt that his whole self was not well.

However, what truly stunned Axiduo came afterward……

"Unohana Eight Thousand Flow was the captain of the first generation Eleventh Division! The founder of the Guardian Eleventh Division, the definer of the combat division style! Also the first generation Sword Eight, and it is precisely from Captain Unohana that the name Sword Eight became the shared title of the Eleventh Division captains, and the Eleventh Division also became the only division in the Guardian Thirteen Squads that can only assume office by defeating the previous captain......"

While Axiduo was dazed, Jing Le continued speaking to him.

"Eh?!"

Upon hearing this, Axiduo was completely dumbfounded; he never expected that the usually kind and approachable Captain Unohana was actually a member of the legendary first generation Guardian Thirteen Squads who killed without blinking~

What's more terrifying is that Unohana is also the first generation Sword Eight; Axiduo had studied the history of the first generation Thirteen Squads at the Spiritual Arts Academy, although that history was only briefly mentioned, yet from fragments he had seen endless blood and slaughter……

According to their honest history, back then the Thirteen Squads were entirely composed of a group that only knew killing—put another way, all thirteen divisions were combat divisions, and the captains of those Thirteen Squads were thirteen Sword Eights! And Unohana serving as Sword Eight in such a Thirteen Squads indicates what? It indicates that Unohana is the Sword Eight among Sword Eights!

"Not right……"

However, after a brief moment of thought, Axiduo suddenly noticed a loophole.

"Since Captain Unohana is the first generation Sword Eight, how was she defeated?!"

"In the Guardian Thirteen Squads, besides Head Captain Araki, who else could defeat Captain Unohana?"

Axiduo felt Jing Le was just bluffing him.

"You also said that in the Thirteen Squads, only Teacher Araki could beat Unohana Teacher……"

Jing Le, hearing this, looked at Axiduo speechlessly—Axiduo, haven't you just spoken the answer yourself?!

Is the other party truly unaware, or feigning ignorance?!

"You mean……"

At this moment, Axiduo also reacted, his face changing in shock.

"Yes, before Teacher Araki became Head Captain, he was the Sword Eight of the Eleventh Division—that is, the second generation Sword Eight; and the current Gengmu Sword Eight, like me, is one of Teacher Araki's disciples, and is now the third generation Sword Eight of the Soul Society! Since Gengmu took up the Sword Eight title, the captain of the Eleventh Division has not changed~"

Jing Le continued to dispel Axiduo's doubts.

"Wait, if inheriting the Sword Eight title requires defeating the previous Sword Eight, then doesn't that mean the current Captain Gengmu has already defeated Head Captain Araki?!"

After hearing Jing Le's words, Axiduo suddenly thought of something, and his face drastically changed.

"If Gengmu truly defeated Head Captain Araki, then wouldn't it be effortless for Gengmu to defeat Captain Ku wu shi? After all, Captain Ku wu shi was instantly killed by Head Captain Araki!"

"That certainly is not the case……"

"The situation between Teacher Araki and Disciple Gengmu is quite special!"

"Because the Sword Eight title itself, aside from the Head Captain, is the strongest death god in the Guardian Thirteen Squads; even Unohana Teacher, as the first generation Sword Eight, once lost to the previous Head Captain, that is, my grandmaster……"

"So after Teacher Araki defeated my grandmaster and successfully ascended to Head Captain, Disciple Gengmu smoothly rose from the Vice Captain position of the Eleventh Division to the current captaincy, thereby inheriting the Sword Eight title."

Jing Le rubbed his head and recounted the events to Axiduo.

"I see……"

Axiduo, upon hearing this, finally breathed a sigh of relief; if Gengmu had indeed once defeated Araki, then now Captain Ku wu shi going up would be seeking death.

"Captain Ku wu shi, go for it!"

After Axiduo heard Jing Le explain everything clearly, he looked toward Captain Ku wu shi's direction and clenched his fists.

At the same time……

After Ku wu shi and Gengmu had a brief standoff, they both went straight to the empty rear garden of the Eleventh Division!

Well, the reason this garden is called empty is because after Araki left the Eleventh Division, it is no longer used for growing flowers, but serves as Gengmu's battleground to vent his fighting desire.

"Hey! Are you ready?"

In the rear garden of the Eleventh Division, Gengmu and Ku wu shi stand face to face at opposite ends of the garden.

These two, who in the original story never met due to various regrets, are two generations of Sword Eight, both over two meters tall like brown bears, and between them there are none of the elaborate formalities nobles observe before a duel……

They merely asked each other if they were ready, then both tightly gripped their Soul-Cutting Swords.

"Ready……"

As Ku wu shi's words fell, Gengmu, who had originally been standing a hundred meters away from Ku wu shi, had already arrived before him, and his Soul-Cutting Sword swung straight at Ku wu shi's head.

"Hiss!"

Ku wu shi watched Gengmu rushing straight at him, his eyes flickered slightly, then he immediately moved to block.

"Clang~"

Accompanied by a clear metallic sound, their Soul-Cutting Swords burst forth a string of dazzling sparks.

The next second, Ku wu shi was directly blown several meters away by the immense force transmitted from Gengmu's Soul-Cutting Sword, his feet carving two deep grooves in the sand.

What a heavy sword.

Ku Wu Shi looked at his slightly numb hand, and without realizing it, his eyes blazed with fierce fighting spirit.

After Ku Wu Shi received Geng Mu's sword, he knew he had found the right opponent!

Haha, interesting! You're pretty hard to cut~

As for Geng Mu, upon seeing that Ku Yu Shi had blocked his strike, he realized he too had found suitable prey.

Meanwhile, the surrounding troops who had heard the news and gathered to watch were all dumbfounded.

That big guy actually blocked Captain Geng Mu's strike and didn't fall?!

The members of the Eleventh Squad showed endless bewilderment and shock in their eyes.

Captain Ku Yu Shi was actually sent flying by a slash? This is the first time since Captain Huang Mu...

A Xiduo's eyes were also filled with bewilderment and shock.

Those familiar with Geng Mu and Ku Yu Shi were all shocked by the power displayed by their formidable opponent at this moment.

Hehe, what an interesting scene to witness~

At the same time, a brown-haired boy was silently hiding in the darkness, watching everything before him.

Roar!!

Again!!

As for Ku Yu Shi and Geng Mu in the battle, they let out beast-like roars, then turned into two blurs and collided.

The terrifying spiritual pressure released from their bodies shot straight up to the heavens at this moment!

These two men, like brown bears, in their fight now, rather than being a clash of techniques between two Death Gods, are more like two ravenous beasts mutually gnawing at each other.