The moment Nagasawa Masaru finished speaking, at least half of the captains and lieutenants present wore the exact same expression: utter disbelief.
"Pfft!"
Among them, Unohana Retsu—by far the most senior member present aside from Yamamoto Genryūsai himself—couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such an interesting little guy."
Before she became Captain of Squad Four, Unohana Retsu had once been known as the most fearsome criminal in all of Soul Society's history. She lived by the creed that battle was everything, and although she had spent years cultivating a calm demeanor, the bloodlust in her bones now made her all the more intrigued by Nagasawa Masaru. She inwardly praised him with a smirk.
Hmph. That was just her internal monologue, of course.
Otherwise, Masaru would've definitely asked her: what part of him exactly looked "little"?
Every captain-level Shinigami in the Gotei 13 had a unique strength, even if their combat prowess varied widely—from monsters like Yamamoto Genryūsai to more middling fighters like Muguruma Kensei or Komamura Sajin. But there was one trait they all shared: composure.
That said, there were always a few exceptions.
"Hmph. You arrogant brat. Just because you beat a lieutenant, you think you're hot shit now?"
A massive man, towering like a wild boar walking on two legs, stomped forward with surprisingly quick shunpo. He wore the white haori emblazoned with the kanji for Squad 11 and carried a Zanpakutō the size of a door on his back. Scowling down at Masaru with contempt, he spoke in a guttural tone.
This was Kenpachi of Oniyashiro, Captain of Squad 11. In the original manga, he only appeared in two panels, relegated mostly to databooks and fanfiction as a legendary figure.
And sure enough, he lived up to that legend—the guy looked as dumb as a rock.
The moment he opened his mouth, the vice-captains standing behind their respective captains all furrowed their brows, while Aizen remained the only one still smiling pleasantly.
One sentence, and he'd managed to offend both sides at once. That was a special kind of talent.
The Squad 11 lieutenant felt like a ghost had passed through him, suddenly bearing the withering stares of his fellow officers. He looked as though he'd been possessed by actor Li Chengru, shivering in place like sitting on needles.
Even Hirako Shinji, Captain of Squad Five, facepalmed and muttered with exasperation, "Why'd they make that dumbass a captain anyway?"
Despite the collective annoyance at Kenpachi's entrance, Yamamoto Genryūsai, as the head of the Gotei 13, couldn't publicly reprimand him.
Seeing this tacit approval, Nagasawa Masaru leaned around the massive man blocking his view, peeking past that bulky body and addressing Yamamoto directly with a sly smile.
"I've heard that anyone who defeats the current Kenpachi in front of the other captains gets to inherit the title. I'm not really interested in becoming a captain, but... if I manage to defeat him, could I at least join the Gotei 13 as a low-ranking officer?"
"!"
"!"
"!"
His words hit like a boulder tossed into a tranquil lake. Chaos erupted on the scene.
There may be only one word's difference between lieutenant and captain, but the gap in power was astronomical. The most obvious indicator was the second stage of Zanpakutō release—Bankai—a power nearly exclusive to captains.
There's a saying in the world of Soul Reapers: "Not everyone with Bankai is a captain, but every captain has a Bankai."
Well, except for Zaraki Kenpachi who made captain just by mashing buttons.
On average, those with Bankai outclassed lieutenants by at least five to ten times in power.
So when Masaru boldly claimed he would defeat the Captain of Squad 11—even if that guy was a brute most looked down on—it still left many of the captains blinking in surprise.
Maybe it was Masaru's confidence, or maybe it stirred some old memories within Yamamoto. Either way, the old man only paused for a brief second before nodding slowly.
"If you can defeat Kenpachi of Oniyashiro, then I see no reason not to let you join."
Hearing that, Masaru's heart leapt.
Looks like my little life is safe... for now.
Still, a seasoned negotiator like him didn't let the joy show. He kept his calm, serene expression and responded with an airy chuckle.
"Deal."
After all, he hadn't technically joined the Gotei 13 yet. That promise only secured half his life.
If something went wrong, who would he complain to?
Unfortunately, while the negotiation went smoothly, the other party in question—Kenpachi of Oniyashiro—was visibly irritated.
He scoffed at Masaru's attitude, clearly offended by how casually he was being treated.
"Hmph. Big talk, brat."
Then he spun around, pointing at Masaru and barking orders to his poor vice-captain, who was already trying to dig himself into the ground under everyone's judgmental stares.
"Hey! Go get him a new Asauchi! I don't wanna hear excuses about his blade feeling off when he dies!"
As someone who clawed his way up from the Rukongai to captain rank, Kenpachi immediately noticed Masaru's sword was an untouched Asauchi.
Most likely it had belonged to one of the academy students whose uniform Masaru had stolen.
To avoid accusations of bullying or being dishonorable, he actually used what little brainpower he had to insist Masaru get a proper blade.
But Masaru simply declined the "gesture" with a smile, lightly unsheathing the nameless sword at his waist.
"No need. This one's just fine."
Kenpachi said nothing in return. He casually drew his own slab-like Zanpakutō, muttered something dismissive, and warned, "Whatever. Don't cry to me when you're dead."
"Slice him up, Onitō Ōdachi!"
He might be rash and reckless, and Hirako wasn't wrong calling him a meathead, but Kenpachi was still a captain-level Soul Reaper. He knew damn well this kid wasn't just bluffing—he'd knocked out a lieutenant in one hit, after all.
So he went all in and released his Zanpakutō from the start.
With his call, the massive blade in his hand transformed into an equally massive ring-handled broadsword. Classic meathead style. The weapon suited him perfectly.
Then, with a stomp of his foot, Kenpachi launched forward, swinging his blade down toward Masaru in a wide arc.
Masaru smiled as the burly man charged, blade blazing.
Thanks for the gift, Sakamoto-kun.
The Asauchi, a nameless sword used by over six thousand Gotei 13 officers during their academy days, was once called "the most limitless Zanpakutō in terms of potential" by Ōetsu Nimaiya, the Blade God himself.
Before it bonds to a soul and reveals its name, it is nothing more than a blank weapon anyone can wield.
Which suited Masaru perfectly.
"All creation shall turn to ash."
"Ryūjin Jakka."
In an instant, an inferno erupted into the sky.