Chapter 413

2-in-1 chapter:

This is the other side story: Part 1

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Seireitei, inside the Eleventh Division.

The heated atmosphere was building higher and higher. Many bald-headed Eleventh Division members faced the arena, shouting wildly, recklessly venting their youth.

This was the Eleventh Division’s training ground, usually the most lively place in the division.

Today was especially so.

The reason was simple: right in front of the arena, a platform had been set up where one person sat at a small table laden with sake and meat.

He had already stripped off his upper clothes, laughing loudly as he raised his sake cup.

"Jie jie jie, you lot, get training! Today we won’t go home until we’re drunk!"

Kaelith laughed as he downed his drink, watching these similarly shirtless, muscular squad members posing in strange stances.

Below, upon hearing his words, the Eleventh Division members responded like they’d been injected with adrenaline.

"Awwooo! Big brother is mighty! Big brother is domineering! Big brother drinks the heavens dry!"

"Big brother achieved great merit recently! With the new year coming, I suggest we all go to the First Division to ask for credit for Big Brother!"

"Yeah, yeah! No better day than today! After we finish drinking, Big Brother should lead us to the First Division!"

"Good, good! And our demands aren’t high! Just let Big Brother enter court without bowing, receive greetings without name, wear sword and shoes in the hall! If that old man Yamamoto agrees, fine; if not—hmph!"

"Exactly! Yamamoto can sit in that position but our Big Brother can’t?!"

Kaelith saw them getting more and more outrageous, burped, and waved his hand: "Today’s a good day for brothers to drink, let’s put those small matters aside for now."

As he spoke, a loud bang came from the arena followed by a shout.

"Bankai!"

"Ryōmon Hōzukimaru!"

A shiny bald head stood on the stage, carrying a massive crescent battle axe on his back, wielding a monk’s spade in one hand and a large sword in the other, the three terrifying weapons connected by chains.

Not far in front of him stood Zaraki Kenpachi, his eyepatch gone, upper clothes discarded somewhere, holding a slender, nicked sword.

At this moment, his face was filled with excitement as he grinned: "Bankai, huh? Somewhat interesting. But at this level, you still can’t beat me."

Below the arena, little Yachiru cheered loudly for both sides as she waved her tiny hands.

"Go Ken-chan! Beat up the shiny bald guy!"

"Go shiny bald guy! Don’t let Ken-chan beat you up!"

"..." Madarame Ikkaku gave her a sideways glance, the corner of his mouth twitching subconsciously.

And in the instant his gaze shifted, Zaraki’s figure suddenly appeared before him, his long sword slashing down with a blast that split the air into vacuum, accompanied faintly by thunder.

That was proof his blade speed had broken the sound barrier.

"You dare get distracted while fighting me? Ikkaku, your attitude toward combat is getting worse."

Before the words were finished, the arena’s floor cracked inch by inch. Madarame Ikkaku was startled, instinctively raising his large sword to block.

With a thunderous crash and dust flying, Ikkaku’s figure was sent flying backward, a long gash appearing on his arm.

Below the stage, the Eleventh Division members became even more excited, screaming wildly.

"Lieutenant Zaraki, cut downwards! Cut downwards!"

"Awwooo! Boss Ikkaku, counterattack! If you lose again it’ll be your 3,105th consecutive defeat!"

"Boss Ikkaku, is your Bankai fake? It’s all just flashy appearance!"

On either side of the arena, there were long tables set with sake and grilled meat. The squad members shouted while stuffing their mouths and drinking heavily.

Ayasegawa Yumichika stood beside the table, elegantly sipping from a crystal glass, occasionally picking up a piece of sushi from the table and savoring it, eyes narrowed in bliss.

As for the intense duel on stage, he showed no interest at all.

They’d fought countless times before; what difference would this one make?

He was also one of the few fully dressed Eleventh Division members present.

Kaelith, a little drunk, also shouted loudly: "Ikkaku, attack his legs! What’s that big axe behind you for? Fight back! If you win, you’re the lieutenant!"

Stoked by Kaelith’s instigation, Madarame Ikkaku howled and his attacks really became more ferocious.

But it was useless.

It only fueled Zaraki Kenpachi’s excitement. In less than ten seconds, with one slash, the arena split like a spider web and Ikkaku was sent flying out of the ring, landing heavily.

At this point he was drenched in blood, unable to even maintain his Bankai state.

Ayasegawa Yumichika walked over and pulled a delicate pocket watch from his breast pocket: "Not bad, you lasted three seconds longer than last time."

Madarame Ikkaku was enraged. Ignoring his wounds, he leapt up, grabbed Yumichika’s collar, and shouted: "Quit your sarcasm! If you’ve got the guts, get up there yourself!"

Yumichika shrugged, brushed his hand aside, and smiled: "A brute’s fight doesn’t suit my aesthetics."

Ikkaku became even angrier.

On the stage, Zaraki Kenpachi grinned wildly, shouting: "Who else?!"

Below, the crowd briefly fell silent—no one stepped up.

Then the Eleventh Division members began boasting loudly.

"Lieutenant is mighty! Lieutenant is invincible under Big Brother!"

Zaraki Kenpachi laughed heartily.

Not far away, Gin Ichimaru rubbed his forehead and sighed. Like Yumichika, he was also among the few squad members who hadn’t torn off their clothes.

Kaelith raised another bowl of sake:

"Hoho! Kenpachi, your strength has improved again! As expected of the strongest after me… At this point, the heroes of Seireitei are only you, me, and Sōsuke! Come, drink!"

Zaraki Kenpachi grinned and was about to step down from the arena when a messenger from the Eleventh Division hurried over and spoke to Kaelith:

"Big Brother, Vice-Captain Sasakibe has arrived."

"Hm?" Upon hearing this, Kaelith instantly sobered up halfway.

It wasn’t because of Chōjirō Sasakibe himself, but as the First Division’s lieutenant, if he had come, it must be to deliver orders from old man Yamamoto.

Kaelith thought to himself: "Could it be that today’s plotting has been exposed to Yamamoto?"

He shook his head, dismissing the thought—impossible. The Eleventh Division had always acted with utmost caution; every member was as wise as Kongming himself, geniuses all—how could there be a leak?

It must be something else.

Then he began thinking: had he caused any trouble recently?

After confirming he hadn’t, his confidence swelled and he said to the reporting squad member: "Please, invite Vice-Captain Sasakibe in."

A moment later, Sasakibe Chōjirō entered the courtyard. As soon as he stepped in, he was stunned by the sight: muscles gleaming everywhere, and row after row of shining bald heads.

The whole scene left him deeply shocked, momentarily lost in a daze.

He only regained his senses when Kaelith spoke to him.

“Vice-captain Sasakibe, what’s up with old man Yamamoto… ahem, I mean, is there something the teacher needs?”

Sasakibe shook himself from his thoughts, making an effort to avoid looking at this visual pollution and focusing only on Kaelith—who, though shirtless, at least looked decent and, most importantly, had hair.

“The Captain-Commander asked me to invite you over.”

Kaelith raised an eyebrow, thinking as expected, but cautiously asked, “Did he say what it was about?”

Sasakibe shook his head. “No, only that you must come in person.”

“I see.” Kaelith stroked his chin, snapped his fingers and said, “Boys, train and eat well. I’ll be right back. Kenpachi, I leave this place to you for now.”

At his words, members of the Eleventh Division immediately ran over carrying clothes.

“Boss, let’s get you dressed.”

Their movements were practiced—they quickly put an undershirt on Kaelith.

“Boss, your haori.”

Next came a captain’s haori with gold trim, draped neatly over Kaelith’s shoulders.

Sasakibe, sharp-eyed, happened to glimpse what looked like a large “1” on the back of the haori as it was being put on.

He exclaimed in shock, “Captain Kaelith, this haori…?”

One of the squad members nearby immediately snapped, “Idiot! That’s the wrong one! Switch it, quick!”

Then, under Sasakibe’s stunned gaze, they swiftly stripped off the haori and somehow produced a proper Eleventh Division haori to drape over Kaelith.

Sasakibe let out a long sigh and decided to pretend he hadn’t seen anything.

Afterward, Kaelith set off with Sasakibe toward First Division.

The walk was uneventful. Upon arrival, Sasakibe said, “Captain Kaelith, the Captain-Commander is waiting for you in the back room. You can go on your own.”

Hearing this, Kaelith relaxed. Looks like it’s nothing serious, he thought. Otherwise Yamamoto wouldn’t meet me somewhere private like this.

In a lighthearted mood, he grinned, swaying casually as he walked toward the rear garden of First Division.

He knew this place better than his own home.

Crossing the corridor, he arrived at Yamamoto’s room and knocked cheerfully: “Teacher! Your favorite, cutest, most promising, and most understanding disciple has arrived!”

As he knocked, his mind drifted.

Come to think of it, the last time I was here was when that Aizen from another world came, and I brought him here to borrow Ryūjin Jakka.

Time flies—it’s already been so long. I wonder how that Aizen’s world is doing now?

If time passes similarly, they should’ve reached their finale by now.

Lost in thought, he was snapped back by Yamamoto Genryūsai’s deep voice from inside: “Enter.”

Kaelith chuckled and pushed the door open.

Inside, Yamamoto was kneeling before a low desk, one hand holding a letter, the other stroking his beard thoughtfully.

“A letter?”

Kaelith was puzzled. He sat cross-legged directly across from him and asked bluntly, “Teacher, what do you need me for?”

Yamamoto looked at him and placed the letter on the table. Kaelith glanced at it and saw that it was written in English, piquing his curiosity even more.

Yamamoto said slowly:

“It’s nothing serious. There’s a diplomatic mission I need you to handle.”

“I thought, if you’re going to take over Seireitei someday, you’ll have to deal with them eventually. This is a good chance to familiarize yourself.”

Kaelith’s expression changed at once. He declared righteously and indignantly, “Who said I want to take over Seireitei? Teacher, you mustn’t believe such rumors—there must be schemers trying to sow discord! Don’t be fooled!”

Yamamoto let out a chuckle.

“Alright, let’s set that aside. Let’s talk about this letter. Do you know about the Western Branch?”

“Huh?” Kaelith blinked, a question mark practically appearing over his head.

These three words meant absolutely nothing to him.

Yamamoto wasn’t surprised by his confusion and continued patiently:

“It’s normal you don’t know. We haven’t had dealings with them for over a thousand years. The last time we interacted was when Yhwach led the Quincy from their territory into ours…”

He sighed, turning his gaze toward the western window. His eyes seemed to drift far, far away, clearly lost in memory.

Kaelith didn’t interrupt him but silently processed the shocking information.

Of course he knew who Yhwach was—he’d heard that name so often he was sick of it. He’d read the records and intel on the battle a thousand years ago countless times.

Though he hadn’t finished reading The Thousand-Year Blood War arc before transmigrating, thanks to years of study, he was confident he could strip Yhwach bare.

If Yhwach was still at his thousand-years-ago level with no new tricks, Kaelith was sure he could overwhelm him.

But judging from what old man Yamamoto was saying… Yhwach wasn’t originally from here? He’d come from some place called the Western Branch? This was news to him.

This made him genuinely curious about this Western Branch.

So he asked directly, cutting into Yamamoto’s reminiscing: “Teacher, what exactly is this Western Branch? Is it the Quincy stronghold?”

Yamamoto withdrew his gaze and shot him a disapproving look but chose not to scold him. Instead, he explained patiently:

“The so-called Western Branch is part of Soul Society, just like Seireitei. It’s one of the key forces maintaining world stability. Its full name is the Western Branch of Soul Society. Correspondingly, our Seireitei is known as the Eastern Branch of Soul Society.”

Kaelith was utterly shocked. This was the first he’d ever heard of such a thing.

What?! There was no information like this when I watched Bleach in my previous life!

But within seconds, he accepted it completely. It’s just a new setting. No big deal.

Then his gaze toward Yamamoto shifted slightly.

Yamamoto, perceptive as ever, immediately sensed the change and growled, “You ungrateful disciple! What’s that look supposed to mean?!”

Kaelith sneered: “Tch. I used to think you were the supreme leader of Soul Society, but turns out you’re just a branch manager after all. Hah.”

He sighed and shook his head, as if to say you’re nothing special after all.

Yamamoto’s blood pressure spiked instantly and he reflexively reached for Ryūjin Jakka.

The moment Kaelith saw him move, he quickly bowed deeply:

“I’m terribly sorry, I must’ve lost my mind for a second!”

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