Kenpachi Zaraki had always wanted to defeat Masatsuki Aozaki and had challenged him multiple times.
The key issue was that, as a Lieutenant, Gin Ichimaru and Tōshirō Hitsugaya were constantly swamped with work.
This was the information Makoto Kibune had gathered, and from it, he drew a conclusion—
Kenpachi Zaraki had no real authority.
He had been sidelined.
There was no way he and Masatsuki Aozaki could be on good terms.
"Lieutenant Zaraki, you seem a little bored."
"Normally, when Captain Aozaki isn’t around, the squad’s affairs are left to the Lieutenants, aren’t they?"
"I just came from the office. Lieutenant Ichimaru and Lieutenant Hitsugaya were inside, looking incredibly busy."
Makoto Kibune deliberately steered the conversation toward Masatsuki Aozaki and the other Lieutenants.
He studied Kenpachi Zaraki with a subtle smile.
This was his first target.
A Shinigami who had the privilege of learning under Yamamoto himself.
Not a direct master-disciple relationship, but still—
If Yamamoto valued him enough to personally train him, he was no ordinary Shinigami.
If they could turn him, he’d be an invaluable asset.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Kenpachi tilted his head, visibly annoyed.
Where did this weakling come from? Some kind of comedian?
Jumping in out of nowhere, spewing a bunch of pointless nonsense.
What a pain in the ass.
If it weren’t for Masatsuki Aozaki’s orders not to kill comrades indiscriminately, he would’ve cut this guy down for interrupting his training.
"Don’t you think Captain Aozaki is being a bit biased?"
Makoto Kibune’s lips curled slightly, his face nearly concealed in the shadows.
"Lieutenant Hitsugaya is still just a kid, yet he was made a Lieutenant and entrusted with squad management."
"Doesn’t that seem a little odd to you?"
"If I remember correctly, Lieutenant Ichimaru and Lieutenant Hitsugaya have always had a good relationship with Captain Aozaki, haven’t they?"
"Maybe that’s exactly why things have ended up this way."
By the time he finished, Kibune’s tone had become heavier, as though he were offering sincere advice.
In truth, this was his usual tactic—sowing doubt, manipulating thoughts, making people act on their own accord...
And now, Kenpachi Zaraki, a Shinigami personally recognized by the Captain-Commander, would soon be dancing to his tune.
"A good relationship?"
Kenpachi’s gaze shifted toward him, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
The moment their eyes met, a flash of excitement flickered in Makoto Kibune’s own.
Finally, he had Kenpachi’s attention.
"Lieutenant Zaraki, have you really never questioned your current situation? How did it end up ?"
Makoto Kibune’s voice grew serious, his gaze deep and probing.
His words weren’t just a suggestion—they were a challenge.
"When Captain Aozaki isn’t here, Lieutenant Ichimaru and Lieutenant Hitsugaya run the squad."
"You’re a Lieutenant too, yet it’s as if the squad has nothing to do with you. You only get called in when there’s a mission."
"And every mission is dangerously high-stakes. Nearly every time, you’re sent to fight a powerful opponent.
Doesn’t that seem strange to you?"
"Have you never wondered why?"
"What’s there to wonder about?"
Kenpachi looked genuinely puzzled, as if the question itself was ridiculous.
Not worrying about anything, just fighting and getting stronger—wasn’t that a good thing?
Hearing Kenpachi Zaraki’s words, Makoto Kibune was momentarily stunned, unable to process what he had just heard.
He’s the Lieutenant, yet he has no real authority!
To someone as ambitious and power-hungry as Makoto Kibune, this was incomprehensible.
"Is there something wrong with that?"
Kenpachi Zaraki glanced at him, confused.
Kibune was at a loss for words.
He stared at the man before him in disbelief.
Does he really have no desire for power?
It was one thing for the lower-ranked squad members, but Kenpachi Zaraki was a Lieutenant.
And yet, he held no authority whatsoever.
He wasn’t angry? Didn’t he think it was unfair?
Makoto Kibune felt as if his entire worldview had been shattered.
He couldn’t help but raise his voice,
"Don’t you see? This is proof that Masatsuki Aozaki doesn’t trust you!"
"He’s treating you like you don’t even matter!"
"If you’d just listen to me—"
Before he could finish, a searing pain exploded in his shoulder.
Blood sprayed into the air.
He dropped to one knee with a sickening crunch—his shoulder blade had snapped.
The agony twisted his face into a grimace.
But that wasn’t the worst of it.
A bone-chilling pressure surged through him, seeping into his very core.
The overwhelming bloodlust made his breath hitch—
As if he had been cast into an abyss with no escape.
Kenpachi Zaraki intended to kill him.
"Blah, blah, blah... what the hell are you even talking about?"
Kenpachi stood above him, expressionless, staring down like a predator sizing up its prey.
"You’ve been running your mouth this whole time, and I haven’t understood a damn thing you’ve said."
"So all this nonsense was just to get me to listen to you? Then why not challenge me properly?"
"If that’s what you want, then just try and cut me down."
Who the hell just swings their sword without a word?!
And against a fellow squad member, no less!
This is completely absurd!
Makoto Kibune’s mind shattered.
He had wanted to sow discord between Kenpachi Zaraki and Masatsuki Aozaki.
But from the very beginning—
He had made a fatal mistake.
Kenpachi didn’t resent Masatsuki Aozaki.
In fact, the real problem was that someone like Kenpachi should never be given power in the first place.
"My boss told me not to attack my own squadmates."
For a brief moment, hope flickered in Makoto Kibune’s eyes.
Kenpachi raised his sword once more, this time aiming directly at Kibune’s chest.
"But you were the one who challenged me first. So I can cut you down now, right?"
A sharp, whistling sound tore through the air.
The jagged edge of the blade carved a cold, merciless arc.
The glint of steel sent a chill down the spine.
A bloodcurdling scream shattered the silence.
Makoto Kibune was sent flying like a broken kite.
A deep, grotesque gash split open his chest, blood gushing uncontrollably.
His eyes widened with despair and regret.
"I shouldn’t have come here. I really shouldn’t have come..."
"Where the hell is Amagai?! Hurry up and save me..."
He was a complete lunatic.
Blood poured from his wound, his body going numb.
The pain, the blood loss—his consciousness faded rapidly.
Within seconds, he blacked out.
"Tsk, that idiot actually had the guts to challenge Kenpachi."
Not far away, Ikkaku Madarame stood with his arms crossed, an amused smirk on his face.
Nearby, Yachiru Kusajishi raised her hands excitedly, cheering.
"You probably shouldn’t encourage him," Yumichika Ayasegawa sighed.
"If this keeps up, that guy’s gonna get himself killed."
In a blur, Shūsuke Amagai appeared at the training grounds.
His gaze landed on Makoto Kibune, and for a moment, his facial muscles twitched.
Shock and anger flickered in his eyes.
But it lasted only an instant.
He quickly regained his composure, his face clouding with concern.
Amagai crouched down, swiftly propping Kibune up against the wall to slow the bleeding.
A moment later, he tore a strip of cloth from his sleeve and wrapped it tightly around the wound.
Once he finished, he let out a quiet sigh, rising to his feet.
His brows furrowed as he surveyed the scene before him.