"I understand."
"All repair costs for the 4th Division will be covered by the 11th Division."
Kyoya nodded.
Since Zaraki was now a member of the 11th Division, it was only natural that the damages he caused to the 4th Division should be shouldered by them.
As for how the 11th Division would subsequently discipline Zaraki, that would be an internal matter for them.
"However, Captain Unohana, I'd like to ask you to treat Zaraki's injuries."
"After all, the condition I set for inviting him to join the 11th Division was agreeing to his challenge."
"I imagine, given Zaraki's personality, he wouldn't want to wait too long."
"Oh? Zaraki is challenging Captain Kyoya?"
Unohana's expression shifted slightly.
As the first-generation Kenpachi of the 11th Division, Unohana was well aware of what the Captain's challenge in the 11th Division truly entailed.
It was a life-and-death battle where both sides gave their all, fighting solely for the title of [The Strongest].
Kyoya's strength went without saying.
In just a single year, he had gone from a complete novice to becoming the Captain of the 11th Division, achieving what most Shinigami couldn't accomplish in a hundred years.
Now, it had been eighteen years since Kyoya became the Captain of the 11th Division.
For ordinary Shinigami, eighteen years might be enough for them to advance from a regular Shinigami to an elite, or from an elite to a seated officer capable of achieving the initial release of their Zanpakuto.
The more talented might even rise directly from Lieutenant-level to Captain-level.
But for a 'monster' like Kyoya, he couldn't be measured by the standards of ordinary or even extraordinary geniuses.
Even Unohana couldn't accurately gauge Kyoya's current strength.
Based solely on Reiatsu, Kyoya's Reiatsu, as perceived by Unohana, was only at the 2nd-class Reiryoku… about the same as Zaraki's at the moment. If that were all, Kyoya wouldn't be much of a threat in Unohana's eyes.
Yet, Kyoya gave Unohana a far more dangerous impression than other Captains with 2nd-class Reiryoku.
Though Zaraki had also recovered to second-class Reiryoku by now, Unohana didn't hold much hope for him in a fight against Kyoya.
After all, Zaraki's greatest strengths were his innate Reiatsu, which had already reached the limits of a Shinigami, and his combat prowess that exceeded his Reiatsu-level.
But compared to Kyoya's mastery of Zanjutsu, Zaraki's fighting ability still seemed a notch inferior.
Sighing quietly to herself, Unohana smiled faintly, "A battle between two Captain-level Shinigami is a rare sight even in Seireitei, let alone a battle for the title of Kenpachi."
"I wonder if I might have the honor of spectating?"
The Kenpachi battle was a tradition established by Unohana.
Unohana had no intention of abolishing this rule.
If anything, even now, Unohana wouldn't have the authority to abolish it.
After all, this thousand-year-old tradition had become a shared belief among the Shinigami of the 11th Division… and even the entire Gotei 13.
Since she couldn't stop it, Unohana could only settle for the next best thing: observing Kyoya and Zaraki's battle up close.
This way, she might be able to treat their injuries immediately after the fight.
Of course, Unohana's confidence that neither Kyoya nor Zaraki would die in this battle stemmed from her understanding of Kyoya.
With Unohana's abilities, she had naturally sensed that the Ryoka who had broken into Seireitei the previous night was Zaraki.
It went without saying that Zaraki's joining the 11th Division was Kyoya's doing.
Since Kyoya had invited Zaraki to join the 11th Division, he wouldn't kill Zaraki when the latter challenged him. Unohana's presence as a spectator was merely a precaution.
"I have no objections."
Kyoya chuckled and said, "After all, Kenpachi challenge must be witnessed by at least two hundred division's members to commence."
"However, since Zaraki is one of the combatants in this battle, whether Captain Unohana can spectate depends on whether he agrees."
Hearing this, Unohana turned her gaze toward Zaraki.
"Tch."
Zaraki tilted his head and clicked his tongue, but he didn't refuse.
"As long as it doesn't interfere with my fight, I don't care."
Unohana's expression remained unchanged as she raised her right hand toward Zaraki.
Humm-
Six green light barriers materialized around Zaraki, forming a transparent enclosure that enveloped him. A green glow emanated from within the barriers, seeping into Zaraki's body.
A few seconds later, Unohana lowered her hand, and the barriers around Zaraki dissipated.
"Wow…"
"As expected of Captain Unohana!"
"She healed such severe injuries in just an instant…"
Seeing this, the surrounding 4th Division members gasped in amazement, awestruck by their Captain's abilities.
After all, Zaraki hadn't bothered to clean himself up before arriving.
Therefore, the wounds and burns from his battle with Aikawa the previous night still remained on his body. For an ordinary Shinigami, injuries like Zaraki's would have been fatal long ago.
Only someone with Zaraki's monstrous Reiatsu could ignore such wounds and still fight at full strength.
Yet, in Unohana's hands, even such grievous injuries were completely healed in mere seconds.
No one could see the internal condition, but judging by appearances alone, Zaraki's wounds had indeed been fully treated.
Still, everyone had absolute faith in Unohana.
Since she had personally intervened, then this Shinigami named 'Zaraki' must have been completely healed.
"Heh."
Zaraki flexed his limbs, confirming that his body had returned to peak condition, then turned his gaze toward Kyoya.
"Alright, I know you're impatient."
Seeing this, Kyoya naturally understood what Zaraki was thinking.
"Let's go."
"We're heading back to the 11th Division… the Kenpachi Challenge begins immediately!"
The news that a newly recruited member of the 11th Division was challenging Kyoya for the title of Kenpachi spread rapidly from the 4th Division to the other squads of the Gotei 13.
Instantly, Shinigami from various divisions grew intrigued.
The last person who had joined a division and immediately challenged its Captain was none other than Kyoya himself!
Moreover, it was said that Kyoya had climbed the ranks step by step… from an ordinary Shinigami to an elite, then to a seated officer, Lieutenant, and finally Captain.
Now, history seemed to be repeating itself, with a new recruit challenging Kyoya. How could this not pique everyone's curiosity?
Additionally, since Seireitei had strict regulations prohibiting captains from releasing their Zanpakuto under normal circumstances, full-scale battles between Captains were a rare sight.