BLEACH : THE NINTH KENPACHI

One strike. Then another.

Zaraki Kenpachi's attacks were wild, completely devoid of form.

Yet there was no denying the sheer threat behind each swing.

Because Zaraki Kenpachi was powerful—overwhelmingly so.

Because his Reiatsu was monstrous.

Each of his seemingly random slashes carried with it immense spiritual pressure.

There was no need for technique.

A single blow from his crude blade could maim or kill most beings outright.

It was the embodiment of the old adage: overwhelm all technique with sheer force.

But brute strength can't always prevail—especially against the right opponent.

Had this been the Zaraki from years ago—before he unconsciously sealed his own power—

Gosuke Shigure would've approached this battle with the utmost caution.

Because that version of Zaraki fought on pure instinct, with no rhythm to his swings.

Even Unohana Retsu—who had once claimed mastery of every sword style in Soul Society—was gravely wounded by that same wild child.

If she could be caught off guard, so could anyone.

And Gosuke knew that all too well.

That Zaraki was a beast born only to fight.

But the current Zaraki? He was far from that terrifying form.

In his captain's examination, Gosuke Shigure had crossed blades with Unohana herself. His mastery of swordsmanship was not beneath hers.

So now, facing Zaraki's barrage—

He appeared calm.

Despite Zaraki's speed, Gosuke could parry each blow with precision—his sword always rising at just the right angle, at the right moment.

And it wasn't just defense. Every so often, Gosuke returned with his own strange, angled strikes—deeply cutting into Zaraki's flesh.

More and more blood spilled from the wild warrior.

Profuse bleeding—so much that anyone else would've collapsed by now.

But this world was different.

Here, soul bodies could take immense punishment. Especially ones like Zaraki—who seemed to grow stronger the more he bled.

The pain only drove his fighting spirit.

"Aaaaarghhh!!"

Zaraki roared, his blade swinging with renewed savagery. Again and again—no thought of stopping.

He was like a wild animal, utterly tireless.

Not far away, the middle-aged man—thrown clear by Gosuke earlier—watched in awe and terror.

He had known Zaraki was a monster. Everyone in the Zaraki District did.

But now, someone was going toe-to-toe with him—and even pushing him back.

"Monsters… they're both monsters…" the man muttered, trembling.

He didn't want to stay in this place for another second.

He turned and fled.

Neither Gosuke Shigure nor Zaraki paid him any attention.

CLANG!

With a sharp clash of steel, Gosuke's sword severed Zaraki's worn-down Zanpakutō. In the same fluid motion, Gosuke reversed his blade, driving the dull edge into Zaraki's chest and sending the larger man flying backward.

Zaraki hit the ground hard.

But he didn't stay down.

Still gripping the broken hilt of his sword, he prepared to rush back into the fray.

Gosuke moved first.

"Bakudō No. 30: Shitotsu Sansen!"

Three golden beams of light shot forward, pinning Zaraki's arms and midsection to the ground. He struggled, and his Reiatsu flared explosively.

But before he could break free, Gosuke was already in front of him.

"Stop. If this continues, you'll die from blood loss."

Zaraki only knew offense. No defense.

If his attacks connected, perhaps he'd win.

But if every strike was parried, and every counter landed?

Then all that reckless, bloodthirsty aggression became a death sentence.

Zaraki had suffered wound after wound.

Meanwhile, Gosuke hadn't taken a single hit.

"Why stop?" Zaraki asked, face twisted in a grin. "Isn't dying in battle the best way to go?"

Gosuke Shigure's voice remained calm.

"Maybe. But wouldn't it be a waste to die before facing even greater opponents?"

"I can tell you love to fight—live for it.

So… how about fighting even stronger enemies?"

The words weren't just persuasive.

They were tempting.

To someone like Zaraki, they were irresistible.

"Stronger enemies... more battles?"

Zaraki's pupils narrowed.

His bloodlust no longer targeted Gosuke directly—it shifted. Turned curious.

He stopped struggling. Let the Bakudō hold him.

But his gaze remained locked on Gosuke.

Seeing that Zaraki was now listening, Gosuke continued:

"It's a shame for someone like you to stay hidden out here in Rukongai. Even in Zaraki District—where the strongest gather—your opponents are still just wandering souls."

"Fighting weaklings for decades… that must get dull."

"If what you truly want is to challenge stronger foes, then you need to come to Seireitei. Become a Shinigami."

"No… you already have a Zanpakutō. Technically, you are one."

"What I mean is—join the Gotei 13."

"Join the Gotei 13?" Zaraki repeated, surprised.

A soft smile formed at the corner of Gosuke Shigure's lips.

"That's right."

"You said earlier that my uniform felt familiar, didn't you? This haori—it's the garment of a Gotei 13 captain."

"If it looks familiar to you… that means you've fought one of us before."

"Join the Gotei 13, and you might meet them again."

"You might fight them again."

At that, Zaraki's mind flashed back—

To her.

The woman with the cold eyes. The precise blade. The pain and excitement of that battle.

The scar she left on his face.

He hadn't known her title back then. Hadn't cared.

But now he understood.

She was a captain of the Gotei 13.

'Join the Gotei 13… and fight her again?'

He couldn't help but imagine it.

The idea stirred something inside him—something deeper than even his craving for battle.

Until today, Zaraki never once considered becoming a Shinigami.

He only wanted to fight strong opponents.

But now, thanks to Gosuke Shigure, he understood something more:

Joining the Gotei 13… meant access to endless battle.

Endless strength.

He was moved.

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