Chapter 256
"Because of that condemned prisoner?"
Zaraki asked in surprise.
The only one currently imprisoned in the Senzaikyu was Rukia. Knowing where Ichigo and the others were heading made their objective obvious.
"I told him about Captain's appearance and warned him to be careful. If he remembers me, then no matter where you meet, it should be a great fight."
"His strength is impressive, but his strongest aspect is his rate of improvement. By the time Captain encounters him, he might have become even stronger than before."
Ikkaku said with a serious expression.
"Really?"
Hearing Ikkaku's words, Zaraki couldn't help but show a very interested expression.
"What's his name?"
Zaraki asked with a ferocious grin.
"His name is Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Toshiro suddenly interjected.
"Oh? You know him too, Toshiro?"
Zaraki was surprised.
"Well, I definitely know more than you do."
Toshiro replied.
"Tch, whatever. Anyway, he's my prey. Don't you dare try to take him this time!"
Zaraki said adamantly.
"Hmph, I am a kind-hearted Shinigami. My greatest wish is world peace. I'm not like you, wanting to charge into battle every time you see someone strong."
Toshiro said disdainfully.
"Kind-hearted? World peace? Tch! Such boring things."
Zaraki said dismissively.
"Boring or not, there's one thing I must remind you. It's fine if you want to fight Kurosaki Ichigo, but you better be careful. Don't end up killing anyone."
Toshiro advised.
"What? What nonsense are you spouting? When fighting, of course, you go all out. Who has time to worry about life and death? Besides, death is just a price to pay for enjoying a fight to the fullest. What's there to fear?"
Zaraki looked at Toshiro as if he understood nothing.
"Stop spouting your twisted logic. In short, that Kurosaki Ichigo is connected to me. I don't want to see him die by your hand."
Toshiro frowned.
Toshiro's worry wasn't unfounded. Although in the original work, under the influence of protagonist plot armor, Ichigo, after a power-up, defeated Zaraki… or more accurately, it was a draw, that was only the result in the original work. Now, even if Ichigo powered up, he might not necessarily defeat Zaraki.
Because the current Zaraki was stronger than the Zaraki from the original work.
Many knew that Zaraki's strength at his peak was formidable, not necessarily comparable to Yamamoto and Toshiro, but at least stronger than Unohana, the first Kenpachi.
The current Zaraki, though strong, was far from his peak strength.
The reason was simply that Zaraki's immense power was unconsciously sealed by himself. It only gradually unlocked when he faced life-threatening crises.
Ever since Zaraki was defeated by Toshiro years ago, Zaraki often came to fight Toshiro. The former's life-risking fighting style repeatedly put him in dire situations, even nearly costing him his life.
But precisely because of this, Zaraki's sealed power gradually unlocked. Compared to his late Captain-level strength during his first fight with Toshiro, Zaraki had now reached the peak, just a step away from entering the Advanced Captain-level.
So for the current Ichigo, who hadn't yet learned Bankai, even with protagonist plot armor and a power-up, defeating Zaraki would be very difficult.
To prevent Ichigo from being killed by Zaraki during their fight, Toshiro had to talk to Zaraki beforehand.
"Hey, Zaraki. Did you hear what I said?"
Toshiro reminded again.
"Tch!"
Zaraki clicked his tongue, didn't answer Toshiro, and directly turned and left the treatment room.
Seeing Zaraki leave, Rangiku looked worriedly at Toshiro, hesitating to speak. "Captain, Captain Zaraki, he..."
If she didn't know Ichigo's identity, Rangiku wouldn't care whether Zaraki killed him. But now, knowing Ichigo was Isshin's son, she didn't want Kenpachi to kill Ichigo during their fight.
"Although I don't know your relationship with that Ryoka, you don't need to worry, Lieutenant Matsumoto."
Ikkaku, still lying there, suddenly spoke.
"Captain didn't refuse just now, which means he's already agreed to Captain Hitsugaya's request."
Ikkaku explained.
"Is that so?"
Rangiku was surprised.
Zaraki had just left looking very displeased. It was hard to tell he had agreed.
"I've known Captain for many years. I understand his personality too well. As long as he doesn't explicitly refuse, it means he's agreed."
Ikkaku said with certainty.
"Yare yare, such an unstraightforward personality, that Zaraki."
Toshiro chuckled with amusement.
"Well then, Ikkaku, continue resting here. We'll take our leave now."
Toshiro bid farewell to Ikkaku.
"Rangiku, let's go."
Then, Toshiro led the way out, followed by Rangiku.
…
1st Division, Second Waiting Room.
Most Lieutenants were gathered here.
Earlier, after Captains and Lieutenants returned to their divisions, they led teams to search for the Ryoka for a while. Then they were required to report to the 1st Division and were now stationed there on standby.
Lieutenants were ordered to wait in the Second Waiting Room, while Captains waited in the First Waiting Room.
"3rd Seat Madarame Ikkaku of the 11th Division and 5th Seat Ayasegawa Yumichika of the same division… both Seat Officers have withdrawn from combat due to severe injuries..."
"Detailed damage reports for each division are still under further investigation. However, reports received from the 11th Division are almost entirely of total losses!"
A messenger Shinigami reported to the Lieutenants gathered and on standby in the Second Waiting Room.
"No way..."
"The 11th Division is a combat division..."
"Such heavy casualties after just a few hours of invasion?"
Hearing the damage report, the Lieutenants couldn't help but discuss in shock.
"Currently, three Ryoka have been confirmed..."
"Based on obtained intelligence, two of them have taken a member of our 4th Division hostage and are moving towards the center..."
Hearing this, Renji's heart tightened.
'The center of the Seireitei? That's where the Senzaikyu is!'
'That guy... Could he really have come to the Soul Society to rescue Rukia?'
Renji thought to himself.
"And the other one was defeated by Captain Hitsugaya and is currently receiving treatment at our 4th Division."
The messenger Shinigami reported all currently known intelligence to everyone.