Within the bowels of Hell, beneath its vaulted do.
The mighty ancient nos that had monts ago raged so violently now lay trembling on the ground. The two other nos that had been approaching decided—quite wisely—to slink back into the shadows.
Higashi Shuuichi, looking up at the familiar figure before him, felt his heart settle.
"Captain Kuryashiki, you may not know , but I definitely know you."
Now that he'd confird the identity of the man before him, Shuuichi could finally let go of the anxiety clenching his gut.
After all, Kuryashiki Kenpachi was a man once hailed as the only person who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Genryūsai Yamamoto.
Sure, he probably wasn't as monstrous as Yamamoto in his pri, but if anyone could keep Shuuichi alive in Hell, it was definitely this guy.
"Back over two hundred years ago, you were still Captain of the Eleventh Division. I was just a kid in the outer districts of Rukongai. I was lucky enough to see you lead your squad back from Hueco Mundo after a decisive victory!"
Shuuichi was gushing. To anyone watching, he looked like a total fanboy.
Fortunately, with the exception of a certain antisocial first Kenpachi, most Eleventh Division Captains had decent emotional intelligence—and even better instincts when it ca to praise.
Kuryashiki Kenpachi leaned back on the round beast he'd casually tad, lips curled into a pleased grin.
"Oh yeah, I rember that.
There was so cocky Vasto Lorde trying to stir things up in Hueco Mundo. Didn't like his face, so I chased him down, slaughtered all his lackeys.
Would've added one more Vasto Lorde to the body count if so guy calling himself Baraggan hadn't shown up to crash the party."
He said it like killing a Vasto Lorde was no different than squashing a bug. Shuuichi sucked in a cold breath.
This was what a true heavyweight looked like.
Not Aizen Sōsuke with all his secret plotting. Not Unohana Retsu hiding her blade behind healing arts. Not Zaraki, who lost himself chasing the thrill of battle.
True strength ant owning it—loud and proud—like Kuryashiki.
"As expected of you, Captain Kuryashiki!" Shuuichi laid it on thick.
"But... from what you said, does that an you've been down here since you died? Over two hundred years ago?"
Kuryashiki didn't miss a beat. In fact, he caught the subtle implication faster than expected.
Over two hundred years?
Had he really been down in this pit for so long without realizing it?
"That's right, Captain. Ever since I heard your story, I've been deeply inspired. It was because of you that I decided to beco a Shinigami.
I've always dread of becoming soone like you—walking freely through Hueco Mundo, standing alone against Vasto Lordes!"
Shuuichi's eyes glead with genuine admiration.
For a mont, Kuryashiki looked like a beacon of light, a guiding star that had led Shuuichi to his path.
He sounded so fired up, so heartfelt, that even Kuryashiki looked slightly embarrassed.
"Eh... kid, maybe you're laying it on a bit thick. There were plenty of Shinigami stronger than in the Soul Society. No need to even bring up the Captain-Commander.
That Ichijō kid—he inherited the Kenpachi na, after all. Stronger than , probably. I bet he's done alright for himself since."
Kuryashiki drifted into mory. That celebration feast after a victory in Hueco Mundo. The cold, calm Ichijō. Their unexpected duel. The unshakable resolve in the kid's eyes.
He'd never held a grudge against Ichijō Kenpachi for killing him that day. He didn't regret not using his Bankai.
That was just the fate of those who bore the na Kenpachi—the strongest must always be challenged, and they must accept the outco, win or lose.
But then Kuryashiki noticed the shift in Shuuichi's expression—no more bright eyes or glowing admiration. Just hesitation. Sha.
"Ichijō got himself killed too, didn't he?" Kuryashiki's voice dropped, brow furrowed. "Recently, right? If soone like him fell into Hell, I'd have noticed by now."
Shuuichi didn't answer.
He bit his lip, gaze lowered, no longer eting Kuryashiki's eyes.
"Hey, kid. I don't care if you're Gotei. I don't like people hiding shit from —especially not soone I'm taking under my wing."
That booming voice didn't carry anger, just the weight of a man who'd seen too much.
Life in Hell had shortened Kuryashiki's fuse, worn away at what used to be exemplary patience.
Shuuichi sighed.
"Alright, Captain Kuryashiki..." he mumbled like a child caught lying.
"Ichijō Kenpachi didn't die in battle. He was imprisoned... by Central 46. In Muken."
"WHAT?!"
The pressure that exploded from Kuryashiki nearly tore the plane apart.
The ancient nos that had been groveling on the ground was instantly vaporized by a single brush of that raw fury.
Shuuichi, much closer, gulped. Hard.
Good thing Kuryashiki hadn't gone into full rampage mode. He might've been turned to paste.
"Tell ," Kuryashiki growled, "Was it those noble bastards again?
Ichijō made it damn clear he wasn't going to bla anyone for what his family had done. He didn't want revenge!"
He didn't know that Ichijō's ideology had twisted, corrupted by contact with the Soul King's will. All he saw was injustice.
"I'm sorry, Captain... I don't know. I can't give you that answer."
Shuuichi lowered his head, fists clenched. His voice was heavy with guilt and frustration.
He hadn't given Kuryashiki a clear answer. But in that silence, he'd confird everything.
Kuryashiki clenched his jaw.
Ichijō had been frad. It had to be the nobles. Those rotten bastards.
"Kid," he finally said, "That Zanpakutō you used earlier—it lets you leave this place, doesn't it?"
Kuryashiki's voice had lost all of its earlier ease. It was grave now. Steel-edged.
"Yes, Captain Kuryashiki. My na is Higashi Shuuichi. I'm currently the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division.
I ca to Hell on behalf of one of the Five Noble Families— the Dōma Clan. They asked to descend into Hell and subdue a Sinner or a Jōnin. Then, by guiding their spiritual particles back to the Soul Society, we could purify them."
No point lying anymore. A partial truth hid the whole much better than deception.
"One of the Five Great Noble Houses... Dōma?"
But Kuryashiki clearly wasn't impressed.
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