Chapter 98: Would you like me to assist?

In the end, Makoto decisively abandoned the idea of conducting a deep conversation with Kusajishi Yachiru—a petite girl with a mischievous personality—in hopes of persuading her to change his nickname.

As everyone knows, the only ones who can handle a "loli" are either a seasoned older man or a pediatrician.

Makoto, being a virtuous gynecologist, was clearly not qualified for either category. If he tried to resort to force, who would end up yielding to whom was highly uncertain.

Following Kusajishi Yachiru's direction, Makoto leaped onto a rooftop and peered downward from the other side.

Apart from the wild-haired Kenpachi Zaraki, standing opposite him was another figure…

A man with striking short white hair, chiseled and handsome features, and a robust, muscular physique. His slightly open Shihakushō revealed his abdomen, branded with the number "69."

There was no doubt—this "69" symbolized none other than the captain of the Ninth Division, Muguruma Kensei, a man who embodied both charisma and sheer coolness!

At this moment, Muguruma Kensei stood in the specially designed combat arena of the Eleventh Division, facing Kenpachi Zaraki. Surrounding them were members of the Ninth and Eleventh Divisions, cheering fervently.

"Captain Kenpachi, crush them!"

"Yo, Kensei! Kensei! Kensei!"

"Boss for the win! Boss for the win!"

The tension was palpable. A duel between captains was about to begin, igniting an irrepressible excitement among the onlookers.

The Eleventh Division was famously known as the "combat division," and the bearer of the "Kenpachi" title was celebrated as the "Strongest Swordsman in Soul Society."

However, the former Eleventh Division Captain—the tenth Kenpachi, Gosuke Kiganjo—had been universally regarded as weak and despised by many other captains.

The emergence of a new Kenpachi had reignited the Eleventh Division's fervent desire to erase the shame of weakness.

Meanwhile, Muguruma, known for his bold and combative nature, finally accepted Kenpachi Zaraki's repeated invitations to fight.

Watching Kensei's confident demeanor, Makoto couldn't help but notice something: If Aizen eventually carried out his Hollowfication experiments as in the original timeline, many captains and vice-captains, including Muguruma Kensei, would be forced to flee the Soul Society.

These individuals… were fertile, untapped soil for the integration of the "Seeds of the Forest."

Allowing such valuable "soil" to leave would be an enormous loss for Makoto.

As this realization dawned on him, his gaze toward Muguruma became intense. Perhaps he needed to find a way to forge connections with these captains and vice-captains.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the battle between Zaraki and Muguruma officially commenced below.

The terrifying spiritual pressure of two captains exploded, and their equally muscular forms collided with a shockwave that rippled through the surroundings.

After an initial exchange of blows, Muguruma wasted no time and unleashed his Shikai.

"Turn to ash! Tachikaze!"

A seemingly unassuming short blade appeared in Kensei's hand, reversed in his grip. With a simple motion, it summoned powerful gusts of wind, transforming him into a human vortex.

Yet, faced with the overwhelming spectacle of Muguruma's Shikai, Zaraki tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with apparent disappointment.

"A Kido-type Zanpakuto? Such flashy tricks. Don't let me down."

These words, tinged with disinterest, sounded like provocation to Muguruma. His face hardened with a flicker of anger.

"Explosive Charge!"

Kensei gathered an immense amount of spiritual energy into Tachikaze and charged at Zaraki, a glowing cyclone of fury.

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed as the ensuing storm violently whipped through the area, forcing the observing Shinigami to shield their eyes.

Sitting on Makoto's head, Kusajishi's tiny frame was nearly blown away. She clung tightly to his hair, barely preventing herself from being flung into the air.

Gradually, the storm subsided…

The sight at the center of the arena left everyone wide-eyed in shock.

Tachikaze rested against Zaraki's chest, leaving only a faint white mark. It hadn't even pierced his spiritual pressure defense.

"Impossible!"

Muguruma stared at his Zanpakuto in disbelief. Even in Shikai, it was unthinkable that he couldn't breach Zaraki's defenses.

Zaraki glanced down at his chest and, with a flicker of impatience, swung his jagged blade at Muguruma.

Squelch-

A red line opened across Muguruma's chest, blood spurting out as he stumbled backward.

The scene left the audience stunned. No one had expected the Ninth Division's captain to appear so helpless against Zaraki Kenpachi.

Though Muguruma clutched his wound and remained standing, the outcome seemed unmistakable.

Pointing his jagged blade at Muguruma, Zaraki growled, "Come on! Use Bankai. A mere Shikai isn't even worthy of being called a toy!"

However, unlike Zaraki, Muguruma wasn't one to throw caution to the wind for the sake of a fight. Without authorization, captains weren't allowed to release their Bankai.

Besides, after their exchange, Muguruma doubted that even his Bankai would turn the tide.

Admitting defeat, Muguruma sighed. "Captain Zaraki, you're formidable. I concede."

The match, anticipated with such enthusiasm, ended anticlimactically, leaving the spectators baffled.

Zaraki left, his expression one of visible disappointment. The Eleventh Division members, however, celebrated as if it were a festival.

"Eh? That's it? So boring…" Kusajishi pouted, her tone mirroring her discontent.

"Well, Makoto, I'm off. Be sure to visit the Eleventh Division sometime!"

With that, Kusajishi followed Zaraki, leaving Makoto to focus on his real target.

Appearing before Muguruma in a flash, Makoto smiled warmly.

"Captain Muguruma, I'm Senju Makoto from the Fourth Division. Would you like me to assist with your treatment?"

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