"Oh? This outcome is really... unexpected."
The voice belonged to a familiar presence—Kyoraku Shunsui, Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of Squad 1. He surveyed the scene before him, taking in the battered form of Mole City Kenpachi and the composed figure of Gosuke Shigure. The injuries Kenpachi had sustained were grave, and the spiritual pressure lingering in the air bore traces of intense combat.
Although he had been informed by Yamamoto's records that Mole City Kenpachi had been engaged in battle, the scale of spiritual fluctuation had led him to expect a clash between captain-class Shinigami. Still, to find that the opponent was Gosuke Shigure—the quiet, modest vice-captain who once drank sake with him—was nothing short of shocking.
Even more astounding was the fact that Gosuke had emerged victorious.
Mole City Kenpachi, though only recently appointed, bore the title of Kenpachi—a designation granted only to the mightiest warrior in the Gotei 13. The title did not merely signify strength, but dominance. Though it had exceptions and caveats, none who bore the name were weak.
The previous Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki, was famed for slaying Vasto Lordes in Hueco Mundo unassisted. For Mole City Kenpachi to have slain Kuruyashiki and claimed the title himself meant his strength was undeniable.
Now, that strength lay broken.
It was a testament to Gosuke Shigure's power—power none had anticipated. As Kenpachi lay bloodied on the ground, Gosuke stood firm, calm, almost mournful.
"Gosuke," Shunsui said, adjusting his straw hat as he approached, "what happened here?"
"Captain-Commander," Gosuke greeted politely. His eyes flicked briefly toward Kenpachi before returning to Shunsui. "We fought. That much is obvious. As for the reason..."
He hesitated. Rather than answer, he turned his gaze to Kenpachi, silently inviting him to speak.
Shunsui, ever perceptive, caught the exchange. He narrowed his eyes at the defeated Kenpachi, silently urging him to explain.
Kenpachi, for a moment, was still. Then a twisted smile curled his lips. Somehow, the brush with death had changed something.
"I want to see Central 46," he said suddenly.
Shunsui's brows lifted in surprise. Central 46 was the highest judicial body in the Soul Society, summoned only for crimes of the highest order or matters of national urgency.
But in that moment, pieces began to click into place for Shunsui—the rumors of disappearing souls in Rukongai, the odd movements of Kenpachi, the strange alignment of spiritual patterns...
"Very well," Shunsui said gravely. "You shall have your audience."
...
With Mole City Kenpachi grievously injured, Shunsui and Gosuke escorted him back to Seireitei. Their first stop was Squad 4's barracks, where Captain Unohana Retsu herself awaited them.
Unohana, serene and unreadable, set about tending to Kenpachi's wounds with Kaidō. Her expression remained unchanged, her hands steady, as if she were healing any ordinary soldier. Gosuke Shigure stood nearby, watching in silence, emotions flickering faintly across his face.
He couldn't help but reflect on the paradox of Unohana. To most of the Gotei 13, she was the very embodiment of kindness. But for those who knew better—for those old enough to remember or who had learned from whispered legend—Unohana Retsu had once been Yachiru Unohana, the First Kenpachi.
A demon in human skin.
"Captain Unohana, thank you for your help," Shunsui said respectfully once the procedure was done.
"It is my duty," Unohana replied, her tone tranquil. Then, her eyes shifted, ever so slightly, toward the battered Kenpachi. "But I must admit, I am curious. What enemy could wound Kenpachi so gravely? Has Hueco Mundo launched a new invasion?"
Shunsui hesitated, weighing what to say.
"I'm afraid I can't share that yet," he said at last.
Unohana didn't press further. She simply nodded. "Understood."
Gosuke Shigure, after ensuring that Kenpachi would survive, returned alone to Squad 11. Meanwhile, Shunsui personally escorted Kenpachi to Squad 1, where he held a private audience with the Captain-Commander. The meeting was brief, intense, and concluded with a solemn nod.
Then, under strict escort, Mole City Kenpachi was taken to the dark, secluded chambers of Central 46.
Within the underground courtroom, the atmosphere was oppressive. Forty sages and six judges sat above, veiled in darkness, unseen but ever watchful. The judged stood below, bathed in pale light, unable to hide.
Mole City Kenpachi entered with no signs of fear. He stood tall despite his wounds, his face half-shadowed, half-lit.
A voice rang out from above.
"Shuangye Mocheng. Why have you requested this hearing?"
Kenpachi smiled—a crooked, chilling grin that held defiance.
"Because," he said, voice echoing through the chamber, "I came from here."