Chapter Fifty: First Encounter

In the darkness, a suffocating atmosphere pressed down.

A blunder.

A terrible miscalculation.

As the gloom gradually dissipated, the master of that oppressive aura emerged, radiating a presence so overwhelming it could make one faint.

A grave error indeed—

Yhwach covered half his face with a single hand, stooping slightly as he sat upon his solitary, lofty throne.

Though the Soul Society boasted "supreme combatants"—the highest level of power, enough to plunge the Quincy forces into despair—and though fewer than three on his own side could even face them, never before had he felt so powerless.

When they had first calculated the Soul Society’s "supreme combatants," it was not only because they were "top-priority targets for elimination," but also because there was a strong chance they would not participate in battle at all.

In other words, from the very beginning, these "supreme combatants" were never fully factored into the Quincy’s plans.

The most they had expected was that two such beings would join the fray.

Yet now, a third "supreme combatant" had entered the field.

For the "Silver Cross Knights," this was a blow so devastating it threatened to annihilate hope.

Was my plan flawed?

Could it be that my strategy was wrong from the start?

No…

Yhwach closed his eyes, allowing darkness to devour his vision.

Subordinates are pieces to be sacrificed from the outset; there was nothing amiss with his plan.

Then, surely—

We have underestimated the Soul Society.

He exhaled softly, resignation in his breath.

"Oh my? It seems the situation is quite dire."

"…"

A sudden voice rose from behind Yhwach’s throne, prompting him to shift his gaze involuntarily.

"You seem to be in a predicament, Yhwach."

The newcomer spoke not with the reverence or fear typical of other Quincy, but instead with a tone laced with mockery.

"You certainly didn’t describe things this way to me before."

He wore a white cloak, but his jet-black uniform was in stark contrast to other Quincy. Wild, bushy hair, exaggerated goggles, thick lips, and a smile of utter detachment adorned his face.

"…It’s you," Yhwach said coolly. "Mohammed."

"A bit late for ‘It’s you,’ isn’t it?" Mohammed straightened himself up with a hand on Yhwach’s throne.

"In this situation, the ‘Silver Cross Knights’ will be in tears."

"So, what will you do, Yhwach?"

"…"

Faced with Mohammed’s question, Yhwach fell silent once more.

The King of the Quincy, at a loss before the Soul Society.

"Well, in that case, let me lend you a hand." Mohammed shrugged indifferently and shook his head.

"Is this—your own will to enter the battle?" Yhwach turned, watching Mohammed, who seemed about to leave.

"Zero Division Captain of the Silver Cross Knights—Mohammed Digedara."

"Relax. I am but a shadow. I know exactly what must be done, because…"

Mohammed paused, half-turning his head. "That was the condition I agreed to when I made my pact with you."

"…"

From the darkness, a new terror emerged!

……………………………………………

Seireitei, First Division quarters.

To be honest, with the ongoing conflict against the Quincy, captain meetings had been convened here with increasing frequency—much to the headache of Chojiro.

Arranging the meetings, notifying each captain in office—all this fell to him as the lieutenant of the First Division.

Yet, as the First Division’s captain and the overall commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Shigekuni Yamamoto could settle matters with a word or two.

Sometimes Chojiro truly felt it might be better to transfer to another squad and become captain himself.

"…That’s the current situation," Chojiro reported on recent battles with the Quincy. Although Kirinji had been added to their ranks, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads had still lost four captains, and barely had enough left to count on two hands.

"Nangetsu and Gokumaru…"

Onizuka Komon trailed off.

The grievous injury of Minamo Nangetsu and the disappearance—almost certainly fatal—of Gokumaru Kenpachi was a heavy blow to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

"While the Quincy have lost equivalent high-ranking officers, judging by their leader’s attitude, those men were little more than cannon fodder," Jingu Kichiyemon accurately assessed Yhwach’s view of his subordinates. At this rate, it would be their own side who could no longer hold out.

"Therefore, in a few days, we’ll appoint a new captain to take over the Fourth Division."

"!!!"

Everyone—except Kirinji—was taken aback by Yamamoto’s declaration, including Chojiro.

"A new captain…? Is there anyone left with that level of strength?" Kazuki Amanomiya asked.

"It’s a ‘Kenpachi,’" Kirinji answered, chewing on a thin stick he’d fished up from somewhere.

"Kenpachi? But isn’t Gokumaru already…"

Chojiro couldn’t process it at first.

"Idiot, did anyone ever tell you Gokumaru was the ‘first’?" Kirinji snapped, biting down irritably on the stick.

"!"

"Lord Yasuda had two disciples: myself, and the master of the ‘second generation’ Gokumaru—the very first Kenpachi."

"Wait, then…"

At last, Chojiro realized who this ‘first’ Kenpachi truly was.

"Come in," Yamamoto said calmly.

The doors to the First Division captain’s office opened from the outside, and the new captain entered.

Of medium height, clad in a loose shihakusho beneath the white haori, her long, dark hair tied behind her head, with two locks framing her face.

"The new Fourth Division Captain—Yachiru Unohana."

"Whoa…" Chojiro let out a low groan.

Completely unlike the cunning, sharp-tongued woman he’d imagined.

No, more like two people who merely happened to share the same name.

Yachiru Unohana before him radiated a razor-sharp aura, yet mingled within it was the compassion of a gentle mother.

She must not yet be ‘the Healer’s Blossom,’ Chojiro thought to himself.

"…"

Unohana glanced briefly in Chojiro’s direction, making him flush bright red.

"Haha? Shy, are we? Don’t tell me you’ve got your eye on her, eh?" Kirinji slapped Chojiro hard on the back.

"Ow! What the hell are you talking about? Don’t shout it out loud!"

Though he’d once promised himself, upon inheriting this body, to win Unohana’s heart, now that he stood before her, a sudden sense of inferiority washed over him.

"I’m hardly worthy," he muttered under his breath, not entirely sure why he felt that way.

Was it her nobility? Or simply his own inadequacy?

He didn’t have a clue.

"…"

Hearing his muttered words, Unohana averted her gaze and looked back to Yamamoto.

"It’s your first time taking up a captain’s post; there will be much you don’t know. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough lieutenants to assign you an assistant… Chojiro!"

After a moment’s silence, Yamamoto suddenly called out.

"Ah? Yes, sir!"

Still lost in self-doubt, Chojiro snapped to attention at Yamamoto’s summons.

"You’ll serve as acting lieutenant of the Fourth Division for now—assist Unohana for the time being."

"Eh—eh—eh—eh—eh—eh—eh?"