Chapter 228

  Kaelith’s sinister pn fell apart.

  He’d tracked down Zaraki Kenpachi in hopes of handing him the Eleventh Division Captaincy…only for Zaraki to refuse ftly. Zaraki had made up his mind: train hard, then sughter Kaelith so the tter would forever be his sparring partner. Not until he defeated Kaelith fair and square would he consider becoming Captain.

  Exasperated, Kaelith couldn’t believe that a clueless hacker who only knew how to hack and ssh could be so scheming.

  Luckily, he’d soon come up with a Pn B.

  If Zaraki Kenpachi wouldn’t take over, well, there was always Urahara Kisuke, right?

  That kid’s raw Reiatsu was nothing special compared to Kaelith’s, but using his mysterious “Tenshintai,” he’d somehow achieved Bankai. Surely making him Eleventh’s Captain would be… perfect?

  Brimming with excitement, Kaelith rushed to the Second Division’s territory to nab Urahara for the job—only to discover he was nowhere to be found. Questioning Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Kaelith learned that from the very day Kaelith had gone to the Eleventh, Urahara had vanished.

  In Urahara’s private b, Kaelith found only a note:

  > **Greetings, Mr. Kaelith> I trust you’re well. > Until such time as you find a suitable scapegoat to fill the Eleventh Division Captain’s seat, I shall be in hiding. > Wishing you ever-greater success. > – Urahara Kisuke**

  “You bastard!!!”

  Kaelith ground his teeth, tearing the note to shreds. That damned peasant—Urahara… how dare you!

  Seething with frustration (and vowing payback on Urahara someday), Kaelith left.

  …

  Somewhere in Rukongai’s mountain forests, Urahara Kisuke reclined under a makeshift grass shelter, idly flipping through a book.

  Abruptly, he sneezed. Setting down the book, he cast a gnce in the direction of Seireitei.

  Sure, he’d probably earned Kaelith’s eternal wrath. Likely Kaelith would give him a savage beating if they crossed paths again.

  But… that was still better than being stuffed into Eleventh Division’s Captain seat.

  A man must know which battles to fight and which to dodge.

  Grinning, Urahara sank back, returning to his reading. Live for today, worry about tomorrow ter!

  …

  At the Fifth Division gates, Aizen Sōsuke took a stack of documents handed over by a squad member. He was just about to head back when he spotted Kaelith racing by in the distance.

  One gnce, and Aizen’s brow furrowed.

  Kaelith’s clothes were filthy—caked in dirt, shredded in pces by sword-csh aftershocks. Though he didn’t seem hurt, there was no hiding he’d just been through a sizeable brawl.

  And as for his own captain, Hirako Shinji…he’d apparently accompanied Kaelith to North Rukongai but had returned without so much as a speck of dust on him.

  At the crucial moment, Shinji was obviously no help at all.

  Picturing that zy, smirking face of his captain, Aizen’s eyes narrowed.

  …

  A few days ter, Kaelith arrived at the First Division barracks. All Captains had gathered for the occasion—lined up in two rows, cd in their white haori, they turned to face the entrance.

  Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe stood at Yamamoto’s side with a faint air of nostalgia. Hands behind his back, he announced in a carrying voice:

  “Hear ye, the induction ceremony of the new Captain of the Gotei 13—begins now!

  New Captain, enter!”

  All eyes shifted toward the doorway, where a figure slowly strode in: bck Shihakushō beneath the familiar white Captain’s coat.

  “Eleventh Division Captain—Kaelith!”

  Kaelith sauntered forward and let out an easy, “Yo—everybody eaten yet?”

  Reactions varied.

  Love Aikawa and Kensei Muguruma, who had once taken odd jobs with Kaelith, weren’t surprised in the least. Love discreetly gave Kaelith a thumbs-up.

  Unohana Retsu seemed lost in thought, an unreadable expression on her face.

  Hirako Shinji wore his same easygoing half-smile.

  Kuchiki Ginrei was all aristocratic indifference.

  Kyōraku Shunsui tipped his straw hat and smiled.

  Hikifune Kirio fshed a quick “V” sign.

  Ukitake Jūshirō just smiled warmly.

  With Yamamoto’s official decree, Kaelith—who hadn’t even graduated the Academy three full years before—was now formally recognized as Captain of the Eleventh Division.

  After the ceremony, a few of the Captains and Lieutenants he knew well gathered to celebrate with food and drink.

  All felt it was only natural Kaelith lead the Eleventh. They were far more intrigued by the rumor that Eleventh had gained a fearsome new Lieutenant, a wandering swordsman from the 80th district.

  Kaelith sang Zaraki’s praises so loudly it annoyed Hirako Shinji, who quietly grumbled to Aizen:

  “Hey, Sōsuke, not to stir the pot, but d’you hear the way Kaelith’s talking? Seems like he’s convinced his new Lieutenant is stronger than you, huh?”

  Aizen just shot Shinji a calm look, not responding.

  Then Kaelith turned to Omaeda (who was still a seated officer at this time) to ask about Yoruichi and Soifon.

  “Lady Yoruichi’s gone off for special training with her cn’s family art. She took Soifon with her,” Omaeda expined. “It’s been about a month, I think.”

  Kaelith nodded, picturing Yoruichi and Soifon, parted for a serious training arc like the cssic “MC trains away for a time skip.” When they returned, they’d likely appear reborn and more powerful than ever—like Naruto returning from Jiraiya’s tutege or the Straw Hats post-two-year training.

  He was kind of hyped to see that.

  …

  After officially becoming Captain, Kaelith found his days slightly busier. Among all Divisions, the Eleventh responded the fastest to Hollow appearances in Rukongai. Consequently, they also suffered the highest casualty rates.

  Kaelith spent time reshuffling unit compositions—rather than making multiple flimsy squads, he preferred fewer squads packed with strong fighters.

  As a result, the Eleventh’s mortality rate dropped, thanks also to Kaelith and Zaraki. Whatever the enemy, they could ftten it with ease.

  Today, Kaelith took a group of Eleventh officers out to Rukongai for barbecue. After the meal, he told them to head back while he made his way alone toward the Fifth Division.

  Earlier in the day, Aizen had sent a coded note saying he needed Kaelith’s help with some project. But as Kaelith walked, he suddenly froze in his tracks. Off in the distance, he saw a dark-skinned man kneeling at the entrance to the Central 46 Chambers, frantically shouting:

  “She was murdered—she was killed! I beg you—please find the murderer!”