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Shiba Isshin uttered these words with a solemn expression.
This doesn't mean that Andy's Shikai caused side effects to the damage from the blade. In fact, the damage to the mind and body from such an attack is extremely high. It's just that Kenpachi Zaraki, as the opponent, was acting very abnormally.
The other captains remained silent, offering no comment.
This is a monster! Honestly, if it were them, even if they hadn't completely lost their fighting ability, they would probably have been painfully and significantly weakened by now.
Tear! Another slash.
But this time, Kenpachi Zaraki grabbed the burning Shiranui with his other hand, letting the blood splatter from his palm and evaporate.
"We've got you this time."
With blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, Zaraki laughed maniacally and swung his blade down.
*Pfft*
Blood gushed from Andy's arm.
"Well"
Andy, with the perseverance he had gained from his ninja training, raised his hand to block and, covered in sweat, pulled out the Shiranui. His drooping left arm was almost severed.
This scene once again left people speechless with awe.
"Is he crazy?"
It's unclear who brought this up, but it's a question many people have.
Is it really necessary to go to such lengths, risking injury and even damaging one's hand, just to seize an opportunity to inflict serious damage on the opponent? It's just a friendly sparring match, is it really necessary to go to such lengths?
Even if he had won, he would never have had another chance to challenge Joe Higashi and become the captain.
This strangely familiar scene caused Aizen to pause slightly in surprise.
Years later, his right-hand man, Tosen Kaname, was apparently defeated by Kenpachi's same move.
"Andy!"
Higashijo's habitual smile had vanished, and his voice carried a rare hint of anger.
"They didn't lose their ability to fight immediately, so they seem quite resilient."
Kenpachi Zaraki completely ignored his original objective and looked at Andy with a delighted expression.
Andy, clutching his left arm and stepping back a short distance, had pale lips.
He was careless! He thought that by understanding his opponent's fighting style and knowing his opponent's bottom line, he would be able to win easily. However, he never expected that this madman in front of him was not only not afraid of getting hurt, but also deliberately injured himself just to cut him down.
If he had been even slightly more careful, he wouldn't have given that opportunity.
"Don't worry, I haven't lost yet."
A cold glint flashed in Andy's eyes. It seemed that the ease with which he had dominated weaklings and slaughtered weaklings over the past five years had caused his combat awareness to atrophy without him realizing it.
At this moment, the ravenous wolf named Andy Bogard has officially returned! His blade is sheathed.
Regardless of how much he improves his swordsmanship, his true fighting method remains himself.
It will never be his real weapon.
He leaped high into the air, and crimson flames enveloped him, transforming him into a fiery drill that hurtled towards Kenpachi Zaraki.
"Super Special Move: Super Rift Bullet!"
"Good thing, this makes it even more interesting!"
Kenpachi Zaraki's fighting spirit reached its peak as he could clearly see Andy's seriousness. His already strong spiritual pressure seemed to rise even higher, and the spiritual pressure that had been sealed by his subconscious seemed to begin to loosen.
The blade finally collided with the spinning legs.
With a crackling sound, the overflowing and unrestrained spiritual pressure shattered the ground, causing the world to lose its color.
Bang! Bang! A few seconds later, two figures were sent flying backward in succession.
The two individuals who also collapsed several buildings were simultaneously buried under the rubble.
"Isn't this a bit too much, old man Shan?"
Kyoraku Shunsui had long since abandoned his nonchalant attitude, and glanced at the captain with a serious expression.
"It doesn't matter."
Yamamoto remained calm.
Boom! Golden spiritual pressure burst forth from the fifth level, and Zaraki's spiritual pressure actually increased slightly again.
"Hahaha, this is a worthy opponent."
Scalded all over his body, Zaraki walked out step by step.
Following closely behind was Andy, who had pushed aside the broken stones and wooden planks. His blond hair was disheveled, and his chest and chin were covered in blood. He looked extremely disheveled, no less so than Geng Mu.
"It seems you were right. Without using the d-solution, we really might not be able to defeat you now."
Pulling it out again… Andy Shiranui staggered, but his aura began to solidify, clearly about to break his initial "agreement."
Seeing this, Kenpachi Zaraki showed no fear or surprise; instead, he laughed even more heartily.
How long has it been since we've had such a satisfying fight? "Enough!"
A slightly cold voice broke the heavy atmosphere and interrupted Andy's preparation to solve the problem.
Everyone looked over and saw that Joe Higashi's smile had completely vanished.
The two combatants also looked over in confusion. Andy, who knew Joe Higashi very well, opened his mouth to speak, but Joe Higashi repeated expressionlessly, "I've said enough."
"Wow, looks like someone's been provoked."
Gin Ichimaru, snapping out of his reverie, spoke in a rather irritating tone.
"Troublesome, why did you have to involve me in this?"
Shiba Isshin was starting to regret accepting the summons.
"It's alright. If Captain Shiba gets injured or disabled, you can come to me."
Unohana's gentle voice immediately followed.
This sent a shiver down the spine of the unreliable Zhibo.
Ignoring the attitudes of these people and Andy, Joe looked directly at Captain-Commander Yamamoto and spoke coldly.
"The competition is over."
There's no need for the captain's assessment later. The joint recommendation from the six captains is unnecessary. The position of captain of the 11th Division will be given to... Kenpachi."
"Ghost City, embrace 1."
I apologize.
"The establishment of the 14th Division has been approved, so I will be the captain of the 14th Division."
"However, I will not relinquish the title of combat squad."
"Kenpachi Zaraki, Andy was careless today. Once you've recovered from your injuries, I'll personally challenge you to a match. Only the winner will receive the title of Battle Division."
Higashi Joe's self-absorbed remarks immediately aroused some dissatisfaction in Yamamoto, who was already frowning.
Before the absurdity was even out of his mouth, Joe casually threw off the captain's haori he was wearing and, completely ignoring Andy, helped him walk towards the entrance of the training ground, which infuriated Yamamoto.
Suddenly, Dong Zhang stopped at the door and tilted his head.
"By the way, besides Andy, who else wants to join me in creating a new squad? Come on over!"
Chapter 396 The Captain-Commander's Attitude 1/3
"Nonsense!"
Suppressed anger finally surfaced on the captain's face after another of Joe's willful remarks.
The other team leaders each had their own complex expressions; they hadn't expected things to escalate to this point, and for a moment, they didn't know what to say.
Just as Joe Higashi saw through Yamamoto's intentions, as time went by, these people roughly understood the Captain-Commander's purpose.
The captain's challenge only requires completion in the presence of more than two hundred Shinigami; the attendance of other captains is completely unnecessary. Gathering six captains to watch is clearly another condition for the captain's assessment, requiring their joint recommendation! It's the one where six captains recommend it, and three captains agree...
They believed that Joe's anger was not entirely due to Andy's injury. Soi Fon, who was familiar with Andy from fighting side by side, knew very well that Andy had indeed been careless, and that Kenpachi Zaraki had not used any underhanded means to achieve this.
Besides, both of them were injured, so even if they failed, they could only blame their own lack of strength, which was not a reason for Joe to lose his temper.
However, the Fifteenth Division Commander's purpose was already very clear: he wanted to hand over the position of the Eleventh Division to this battle maniac, Kenpachi Zaraki.
However, it is obvious that Kenpachi Zaraki is no match for Joe Higashi no matter what, and even Andy, who was more seriously injured earlier, could reverse the disadvantage if he used his D-release.
There must be a reason why they're pushing this project forward when the captain's challenge is utterly impossible.
It's very winding and complex inside.
Perhaps it was an attempt to give Kenpachi Zaraki a warning, or perhaps it was to help Kenpachi Zaraki build his reputation and prestige. In any case, it was definitely Joe Higashi who was taken advantage of without prior notice.
The most obvious change was in the way the 11th Division's Shinigami looked at Kenpachi Zaraki after the battle.
"He actually managed to do that."
"This man doesn't seem so bad after all."
"So brutal, but so exhilarating!"
"Even though I feel it's not the right thing to say, isn't that how a man should be?"
Surprise, admiration, shock, and some people were even moved and worshipped by it.
The fierceness, wildness, and fearlessness perfectly suited the tastes of these battle maniacs, and their initial prejudices had gradually changed after this battle.
Shiba frowned subconsciously, thinking that this approach was not good.
He wasn't particularly close to either Joe or Andy, but his behavior was certainly displeasing; after all, every captain has a bit of arrogance.
He inexplicably became a litmus test for others' success, and even his own family business had to be taken over by someone else without any hidden dangers. He probably wouldn't be able to tolerate it either.
"Damn it, what's the point of having a person like that?"
"They lack even basic respect; allowing someone like that to lead the Eleventh Division will inevitably drag it into the abyss."
Just then, a rather discordant and resentful voice suddenly rang out.
The surrounding Shinigami looked over and saw that it was Ichinose Masaki, who had a hateful expression on his face and was a die-hard fan of Oni-Ichijo Kenpachi.
He was once resentful because Joe Higashi had defeated Onitori to become the captain, but later Joe Higashi showed mercy and pleaded for him, which gradually changed his mind. Eventually, Onitoshi also became convinced of Joe Higashi's sincerity and completely submitted to him.
As one of the few intelligent and outstanding Shinigami in the Eleventh Division, he naturally understood the Captain-Commander's intentions, which only fueled his hatred for Kenpachi Zaraki.
Regardless, Joe Higashi seized Oni-Iwata Castle's position through genuine skill, unlike Kenpachi Zaraki who relied on a powerful backer.
The one who took the captain's position is a thief who stole the fruits of the labor of two generations of captains! "Well, even if I'm no longer the captain, not just anyone can climb over my head."
When he reached Zaraki's side, he paused briefly, and Oni Yancheng once again revealed that arrogant and contemptuous look: "I admit you are strong, and I may not be your match, but you are not qualified to become my captain."
"Take the name of Kenpachi if you want. I've already decided to follow the captain, so I'm no longer qualified to inherit the name. But if you dare to tarnish the name of Kenpachi, one day I will personally take your head off."
"Really? I really hope you're a bit more presentable."
Zaraki, who was still enjoying the fight, also showed a provocative expression.
"Masaki, let's go too. The title of the Battle Squad will still belong to us."
"Yes!"
Two figures, one fat and one thin, ignored the captain's ugly expression and followed Higashi and Joe's figures away.
The others, who were initially intimidated by the position of Captain-Commander, gradually began to waver after seeing an example. After all, even though many people changed their views on Zaraki, most people still had a higher level of favorability towards Joe Higashi.
"Having experienced three captains already, I, an ordinary Shinigami, don't want to experience another one."
"Can"
"But what? Although I'm not as extreme as Masaki, I've received a lot of kindness from Captain Higashi Joe over the years. I can't be ungrateful."
While one Grim Reaper hesitated, a young Grim Reaper gritted his teeth and spoke resolutely.
And so, another group of new people were infected, and Death himself was also infected.
"I joined the Eleventh Division because of Captain Joe Higashi. Why should I stay if the captain wants to leave?"
"Let's go, let's go. The captain's side is short-handed right now. Maybe I can get a seat officer position while there are fewer people."
"That's right. The new squad definitely needs a lot of manpower. If we go now, the captain might remember our favor and we'll be given an important position."
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