Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works! Chapter 268: The Spectators

Furthermore, during Rukia's assault over a decade ago, Kyōraku had sensed Ailin's fury, his potential to unleash a devastating purge against the Seireitei's nobles. But in the end, at Rukia's insistence, he had held back, entrusting the matter to her and allowing her to seek retribution on her own terms.

The captains' eting, though brief, focusing solely on Yhwach's revival and his growing power, had left everyone with a heavy heart.

Under Head-Captain Yamamoto's orders, the Twelfth Division began scouring the world, searching for traces of the surviving Quincy.

If Kurotsuchi could locate the Quincy Empire's hideout before Yhwach regained his full strength, the Seireitei could launch a preemptive strike and eradicate them, effectively neutralizing the Quincy threat.

The other captains focused on training, honing their skills.

Retsu Unohana, in particular, seed to be conducting a more intensive training regin with Zaraki.

For a ti, the World of the Living, Hueco Mundo, the Soul Society, and even the Wandenreich entered a period of uneasy calm, each faction accumulating strength, waiting for the opportune mont to strike.

...

One day, after informing Haruko, Ailin left ho.

It was the day of his ten-year battle with Zaraki.

While the others might not know, Ailin understood that this could be their final battle. After this fight, the Seireitei would be plunged into chaos.

First, Sōsuke Aizen's betrayal. Then, the Thousand-Year Blood War. And finally, Tokinada Tsunayashiro's rebellion.

Each incident would occur within a decade of the last.

As usual, the Eleventh Division mbers had already secured their viewing location in Rukongai. But to Ailin's surprise, several unexpected guests had co to observe the battle.

Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division.

Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division, and his vice-captain, Renji Abarai.

Toshiro Hitsugaya, the captain of the Tenth Division.

Kaien Shiba, the vice-captain of the Eleventh Division, and Rukia Kuchiki, the Third Seat.

And even Shunsui Kyōraku, the captain of the Eighth Division, was present.

Ailin simply nodded to them in greeting.

A few years ago, the pillars of spiritual energy that had appeared in the World of the Living had been detected by the Shinigami Research and Developnt Institute. Kurotsuchi, who harbored a grudge against Ailin, had imdiately sent the report to Head-Captain Yamamoto, claiming that Yhwach, the Quincy King, had revived.

He also suggested that Yhwach's revival was connected to Ailin. After all, the last Quincy in the World of the Living had been spared because of the agreent Ailin had facilitated.

It was Ailin's protection that had allowed the Quincy to reerge.

The most obvious evidence was that, according to the Seireitei's surveillance, Sōken Ishida was supposed to be the last Quincy. But there had been three pillars of light.

In other words, there were two other Quincy in the World of the Living, hidden from the Seireitei.

This was a thorn in the Soul Society's side.

Therefore, even with Soi Fon, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Toshiro Hitsugaya vouching for Ailin, Yamamoto had instructed Kyōraku to keep a close eye on him.

If Ailin was truly connected to the Quincy, Kyōraku was to intervene, stalling for ti until Yamamoto could arrive.

The captains present were there to observe Ailin and Zaraki's battle, to gauge their own strength against those at the pinnacle.

Kyōraku had another, more crucial mission.

If Ailin attempted to kill Zaraki during their battle, weakening the Seireitei, Kyōraku was to intervene and stop him.

...

"Oh?"

Ailin looked at Zaraki with a flicker of surprise. He then glanced at Retsu Unohana.

As expected, it had to be Unohana to help Zaraki achieve his final awakening.

However, he was curious. What had happened for Unohana to be alive after guiding Zaraki to his full potential?

"Impressive, Zaraki. You've finally reached a level that can pique my interest."

Compared to before, Zaraki seed more mature and composed. But he also seed far more dangerous.

"Ah, I have you to thank for that. If you hadn't told that my body was too weak, that I needed to focus on physical training, I might have done sothing I would regret for the rest of my life."

Ailin's eyes widened in realization. While Zaraki hadn't specified what that "regret" was, Ailin could guess.

The news of the Quincy's imminent arrival must have spurred Unohana into action. After all, as the first Kenpachi, she had been among the strongest fighters during the war against the Quincy Empire a thousand years ago.

Among the current Gotei 13, aside from Yamamoto, Unohana was undoubtedly the one most familiar with the Quincy.

Besides Yhwach, who could rival Yamamoto, the Quincy Empire had possessed nurous fighters on par with captains.

Since Yhwach had chosen to return, he must have made thorough preparations. Just as Yamamoto understood Yhwach, Yhwach also understood Yamamoto. He wouldn't attack without a plan, without the confidence to conquer the Soul Society.

Thus, Unohana had left a letter, entrusting her final lesson to Zaraki. And Zaraki had finally achieved his full potential.

It seed that because he had heeded Ailin's advice, his control over his power had increased, allowing him to spare Unohana's life after defeating her.

For Zaraki, Unohana was a special existence. She was the first to awaken his joy of battle, the one who had given him his first taste of defeat. Unohana was both the person he admired most and the one he desired to surpass.

She was like a white moonlight, a guiding beacon.

Zaraki had learned swordsmanship from Unohana and, in the end, had defeated her, fulfilling his childhood dream. But now, an even stronger opponent stood before him.

Ailin Kenpachi!

Zaraki drew his battered Zanpakutō, his captain's haori billowing in the wind. While he hadn't released his spiritual pressure, the spectators felt an oppressive weight descend upon them.

Golden spatial ripples materialized, and a Zanpakutō hilt erged from the void.

With Zaraki's current strength, King's Treasury was no longer effective against him. To injure him, Ailin would have to use captain-level Zanpakutō.

A direct confrontation would be far more effective than using King's Treasury for insignificant attacks.

Boom!

Without warning, a loud bang was heard by all.

Zaraki vanished. The next mont, Ailin disappeared.

But unlike Zaraki's explosive departure, Ailin's movents were silent and subtle. If one wasn't paying attention, they might not even notice he was gone.

In an instant, they reappeared between the spectators. Zaraki slashing downward while Ailin swung diagonally.s

Boom!

The collision of their Zanpakutō erupted in a thunderous roar. A powerful shockwave radiated outward, pulverizing the ground beneath them.

The earth buckled, forming a crater dozens of ters wide. Debris, flung into the air, was instantly obliterated by the shockwave.

The spectators paled. Even the Eleventh Division mbers were terrified.

They had never imagined that the first clash between Captain Zaraki and Captain Ailin would generate such a powerful shockwave, surpassing all their previous battles.

"Damn it!"

"Bankai—Ryūmon Hōzukimaru!"

"Bankai—Hachiryū Iron teor!"

Ikkaku Madara and Kiganjō instantly released their Bankai, forming a barrier to protect their subordinates.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Retsu Unohana, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Shunsui Kyōraku unleashed their spiritual pressure, shielding their lieutenants from the shockwave. While they hadn't released their Zanpakutō, their spiritual pressure was no weaker than Madara's and Kiganjō's Bankai.

Swoosh!

Soi Fon was a bit weaker than the other three captains. Her captain's haori shattered as lightning erupted from her shoulders, allowing her to stabilize herself in mid-air.

"He's so strong!"

While they knew that Ailin and Zaraki fought every ten years, they never imagined that Zaraki had beco this powerful.

Based on his current strength, aside from Kyōraku, even with their Bankai, they doubted they could last long against him.

Unohana, undoubtedly, had the most experience.

She had used her Bankai to finally push Zaraki to his final awakening. But even she had been defeated. Moreover, she knew that Zaraki, after defeating her, had gained even greater power.

She wondered if Zaraki, in his current state, could finally defeat Ailin and claim the title of "Kenpachi."