The End

"Hadō #91. Senjū Kōten Taihō!"

As Kimura Muyang spelled out the Kidō's name, Yamamoto Genryūsai's brows were even more furrowed. Even he wouldn't be able to escape unscathed if he took a #90s Hadō head-on.

As Kimura Muyang finished his chanting, several bright red spheres emerged around him, however...

The bright red spheres gradually dimmed and eventually disappeared...

Kimura Muyang clicked his tongue as he realized his attempt to use a high-level Hadō failed even though he had a feeling that'd be the case since he never practiced that Hadō at all.

Even though he didn't show it, Yamamoto Genryūsai was actually relieved. Had he took that Hadō head-on, he would sustain a considerable amount of damage.

After subconsciously sighing in relief, Yamamoto Genryūsai was suddenly taken over by anger. To think that the kid in front of him used a Captain-Commander like him as a test subject was simply insulting!

"Boom~~bang!"

A pillar of flame suddenly burst out from Yamamoto Genryūsai, destroying Kimura Muyang's Bakudō and blowing the ceiling away in the process.

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"My, oh my."

All Captains in front of the 1st Division's barrack spontaneously looked up as they saw the flame pillar.

"It's really hot! To think that it has gone this far!"

Kyōraku Shunsui said after one glance at the flame pillar.

"It's gonna be alright."

Unohana Retsu gently comforted after seeing Hikifune Kirio, who clearly seemed even more anxious.

"But..." Even though Unohana Retsu tried to comfort Unohana Retsu just now, after pondering for a moment, she added, "No matter what the result of this battle, you may have to pick a new Lieutenant."

"To think that he can come this far against Captain-Commander... Is he really a Lieutenant?"

Someone of this caliber should be able to serve as a Captain, or else...

Unohana Retsu didn't say what was on her mind out loud when she saw the look on Hikifune Kirio's face.

Perhaps Hikifune Kirio herself already knew about this, but she subconsciously kept that thought away.

Unohana Retsu then shifted her gaze toward where the fight took place and seemed to fall in deep thought.

----------------

Meanwhile...

Kimura Muyang fell to the ground weakly. His upper half clothes were completely burned by the Yamamoto Genryūsai's scorching flame, and the Zanpakuto in his hand had already returned to its sealed shape.

Yamamoto Genryūsai himself has long lost the composed look he had at the beginning. His clothes were tattered, but the most worrying thing was his beard.

The long white beard that Yamamoto Genryūsai cherished every day was cut by Kimura Muyang. The beard that he plaited regularly was now on the ground.

Yamamoto Genryūsai's heart ached as he looked at his scattered beard on the ground. He then shifted his gaze towards Kimura Muyang, and there was a trace of exasperation in his eyes! He was determined to teach Kimura Muyang a lesson for cutting off his beard.

"Now, Old man Yama." Kimura Muyang closed his eyes, and his tone was different than before, "Is the old man Kimura Kazuya really dead?"

Instead of answering Kimura Muyang's question right away, Yamamoto Genryūsai slowly sheathed his Zanpakuto and turned around with his back facing Kimura Muyang. It was as if his mind wandered somewhere else.

"Yeah."

It was as if every ounce of his strength left his body as soon as Kimura Muyang heard Yamamoto Genryūsai's answer.

"Don't you have anything else to say?"

Kimura Muyang suddenly asked, but his tone was so dull this time.

Yamamoto Genryūsai was silent for a moment before answering Kimura Muyang's question, and he sounded completely different than usual.

"Kimura Kazuya is Chōjirō's best friend. Just like Chōjirō, he was once my right-hand." Yamamoto Genryūsai said briefly.

Yamamoto Genryūsai didn't say much, and Kimura Muyang didn't delve any further, just lying there in silence.

"Kimura Kazuya passed away in peace. He didn't have any regrets, and even if he had, it's you.

Yamamoto Genryūsai suddenly said after a moment of silence.

Hearing what Yamamoto Genryūsai said, Kimura Muyang could feel something coming out from the corners of his eyes and suddenly covered his face with his hand. Kimura Muyang then said with a sobbing voice: "Can you leave me alone for a moment?"

Yamamoto Genryūsai then left without saying a word, leaving Kimura Muyang alone in the ruin that was left due to the aftermath of their battle. The moonlight shone on Kimura Muyang's body, making it even clearer how sad Kimura Muyang was.

"Captain-Commander!"

One of the 1st Division members immediately saluted Yamamoto Genryūsai the moment he saw him came out of the Captain's Office.

"No one is allowed to go past this point without my permission." Yamamoto Genryūsai ordered.

"Understood!"

Yamamoto Genryūsai then kept walking after giving an order. After all, the Captains were waiting for him up ahead, and he had to calm them down before things went out of hand.

"Oh, Old man Yama is here."

"Captain-Commander!"

Everyone immediately saluted as soon as they saw Yamamoto Genryūsai coming.

Although they didn't show it on their face, they were actually quite surprised. Captain-Commander's clothes were tattered and had several holes. If that wasn't surprising enough, Captain-Commander's beard definitely sealed the deal.

As far as they remembered, Yamamoto Genryūsai has always cherished his beard as if it was his life itself, and that very beard was now really short, and not a trace of dignity was exuded from it anymore!

Noticing the surprised look in everyone's eyes, the anger that Yamamoto Genryūsai kept hidden earlier almost burst out once again. Kimura Muyang actually managed to embarrass him in front of everyone.

However, Yamamoto Genryūsai did not show his frustration on his face. After looking at every Captain in front of him, Yamamoto Genryūsai said: "It's nothing serious, just a little brawl, that's all. Now, return to your respective Division and resume your duty!"

Just a little brawl!

Of course, such an answer would raise a question among the Captains in front of him. Would a little brawl cause this much damage?

However, since the Captain-Commander himself said so, there was no need to escalate this matter, so all Captains just nodded slightly and left.

"Captain-Commander," After almost all Captains left, and only a few of them remained there, Hikifune Kirio couldn't help but ask, "Lieutenant Kimura he..."

Yamamoto Genryūsai glanced at Hikifune Kirio, "He has his hands full right now. He will be staying in the 1st Division tonight and may return to his Division tomorrow."

Yamamoto Genryūsai turned around and left, leaving only those words.

"It's fine. Since Old man Yama said it himself, there should be no need to worry! Just wait for your Lieutenant's return tomorrow." Kyōraku Shunsui couldn't help but comfort Hikifune Kirio when he saw the look on her face, "You know, believing in your men is part of being a Captain!"

"Yes, Kyōraku is right, Hikifune, don't worry about it." Ukitake Jūshirō also tried to ease Hikifune Kirio's mind.

With both Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō convincing her, followed by Unohana Retsu's gentle eyes, Hikifune Kirio was a little bit relieved, "If you guys say so, then there's no choice but to go back and wait patiently."