BLEACH : THE NINTH KENPACHI

"Still," Gosuke Shigure said thoughtfully, "I'm curious—why did the leader of the Jūban-tai tell me this specifically?"

Kyoraku Shunsui gave him a half-smile and replied,

"Maybe because I'm also a noble."

He sipped from his sake cup and added,

"Nobles are people too. Honestly, there's nothing inherently nobler about us than anyone else. I mentioned the Mocheng clan before… I wonder what you thought after hearing that."

He looked off in the distance for a moment, then returned his gaze to Gosuke.

"What I want to say is, not all nobles are bad. In fact, most of them are decent folk trying to hold on to what they've been given. You don't need to hate them."

"That's all."

Gosuke Shigure's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes glinted slightly. He didn't say anything in response, but he picked up on the undertones in Kyoraku's words—unspoken truths about the world of Soul Society, the line drawn between commoners and the noble clans.

The divide had existed for centuries.

In the earliest times, there had been direct clashes—open conflict between the lower districts of Rukongai and the ruling nobility of Seireitei.

Over time, the nobles gained supremacy, emerging as the victors and securing their dominance over the spiritual world.

Civilians were pushed to the margins, left to fight for survival in the outer districts.

Yet, this world was not one that nobles could sustain alone. Their influence and wealth were vast, but without the strength and potential of the common people—many of whom became Shinigami—the balance would collapse.

To preserve their privilege, nobles created laws. Regulations. Systems to bind the commoners even once they crossed into Seireitei and donned the black robes of Shinigami.

But these rules were designed to protect aristocratic interests. And many among the nobility didn't follow their own decrees.

Naturally, not all civilians accepted this imbalance.

Rebellions rose. Rulebreakers emerged.

And some of the very strongest Shinigami—those powerful enough to command attention—had started as commoners.

"Do I look like the kind who plays by the rules?" Gosuke thought to himself with a faint smile.

Back at the barracks of the Eleventh Division, Zaraki was still absent.

Lately, he had been training intensively under Captain Unohana Retsu's watchful eye. Most of his time was now spent in the Fourth Division barracks.

Yet the events of today clearly bore his signature.

Gosuke couldn't help but feel curious. What had happened that would make even Head Captain Yamamoto choose to keep the truth hidden?

At the same time, within the Fourth Division barracks…

Head Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto remained on site, intercepting squad after squad of curious captains who had rushed to investigate the enormous surge of Reiatsu earlier that day.

He had arrived swiftly—faster than any other captain—and spoke to Unohana Retsu in private.

After learning the real cause of the disturbance, he decided then and there that the truth would not be made public.

Once he had quietly dismissed the last of the inquiring captains, Yamamoto returned to Unohana's side.

Specifically, to the space where Unohana stood watching over Zaraki Kenpachi—the Eleventh Division's powerful recruit—engaged in brutal, hands-on training.

At first, when Yamamoto had sensed the overwhelming spiritual pressure from the Fourth Division, he feared someone had released Bankai inside the medical corps' barracks. That a battle had broken out.

He was partly right.

But after speaking to Unohana, the truth was even more shocking.

During a lesson between her and Zaraki, the raw spiritual pressure unleashed by Zaraki had destabilized the entire building.

Unohana explained calmly that Zaraki was a new Shinigami brought in from Rukongai by Gosuke Shigure, the current Kenpachi.

And Zaraki, despite lacking even a Shikai, possessed an unfathomable amount of latent power. The incident was not a battle, but simply an overflow of his Reiatsu.

Unohana spoke of him with rare admiration.

She even seemed pleased by the destruction caused.

Though it wasn't her power, she clearly took pride in nurturing such a monster.

Yamamoto was startled—but intrigued.

And then he made a decision.

He would also train Zaraki.

He had known Unohana for centuries—once feared as Yachiru Unohana, the first Kenpachi—and knew she wouldn't praise someone lightly. If she saw such potential in Zaraki, it had to be real.

Zaraki had yet to unlock even Shikai, yet his spiritual pressure already rivaled that of many seated officers.

If trained—if taught to wield a Zanpakutō properly, to awaken Bankai, and to master Hakuda and Zanjutsu—Zaraki could become one of the most valuable assets in the Gotei 13.

The thought stirred something long buried in Yamamoto's heart.

Centuries ago, before becoming the Head Captain, he had trained countless students at the Spiritual Arts Academy. He was its founder, its first principal. Beneath his stern demeanor still beat the heart of a teacher.

"Zaraki," Yamamoto said, stepping forward,

"after you finish here, come find me. I will teach you a stronger way to wield your blade."

"Huh?" Zaraki gave the old man a sidelong glance.

To him, Yamamoto was just another crusty elder.

What could he possibly offer?

But before Zaraki could scoff, Unohana spoke up, her tone commanding:

"This is Yamamoto Genryūsai. Head Captain of the Gotei 13. The strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society. If he offers to teach you, you accept. It's an honor."

Zaraki's eyes lit up.

The strongest Shinigami?

If that were true… then this old man might actually be worth learning from.

"If she says so, I guess I'll tag along," Zaraki muttered.

Though usually defiant and wild, Zaraki's submission to Unohana's authority caught Yamamoto's attention. It hinted at a deeper bond or respect. A past. Perhaps something even darker.

He didn't ask questions.

Instead, he turned to Unohana and made another suggestion:

"Zaraki's spiritual pressure is overwhelming. He can't control it properly. Ask Hikifune Kirio of the Twelfth Division to create a limiter device for him. It may help him train more efficiently."

Unohana nodded.

"I understand."

Shortly afterward, Yamamoto left the Fourth Division quietly.

The damage to the Fourth's barracks was significant—but the official story released to the Gotei 13 was simple:

Captain Unohana, in the process of developing a new Kidō technique, had lost control of her spiritual pressure, causing structural damage.

The story was implausible—but few would dare to question it.

It held long enough to prevent further investigation.

And to Central 46—the true authority behind the Soul Society—Yamamoto presented a different explanation.

The members of Central 46 were all noble-born, with little combat experience themselves. Though they wielded political power, they were disconnected from the battlefield.

What happened in the Fourth Division was no minor matter.

If that kind of destruction could happen to one squad, what would stop an upstart from attacking Central 46 next?

They demanded answers.

Yamamoto's reply was simple.

It was not a rebel or a rogue action.

It was a test—a Shinigami of immense potential undergoing supervised training. If guided properly, this Shinigami would become one of the most powerful weapons in the Gotei 13's arsenal.

The nobles were satisfied with that.

Even if they doubted it, they lacked the strength to oppose the decision.

And so, the incident was sealed.

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