"Huh?"
Kukaku widened her eyes, staring at Kyoya in disbelief.
Asauchi were the precursors to the Zanpakuto wielded by Shinigami.
Except for individuals like Toshiro and Rukia, who were chosen by the Strongest-series Zanpakuto, all other Shinigami needed Asauchi to nurture their Zanpakuto.
And Asauchi were forged by the Zero Division's God of Sword, Nimaiya Oetsu.
Even within Seireitei, the number of Asauchi wasn't large.
Students at Shin'o Academy could only 'borrow' Asauchi for Zanzen practice until their fifth year.
If they failed the academy's assessments and didn't become Gotei 13 Shinigami, students' 'Asauchi' would be reclaimed.
Similarly, if Gotei 13's Shinigami fell in battle or retired, their Zanpakuto would also be recovered.
Seireitei's control over Zanpakuto was extremely strict.
That Kyoya's subordinates could leave Seireitei with their Zanpakuto after his departure without being pursued, in Kukaku's view, necessarily meant Kyoya possessed something that made the Gotei 13 wary.
Now, Kyoya wanted to bring Asauchi out of Seireitei again… undoubtedly, this shook the orthodox status of Shinigami.
Even if Yamamoto was the Gotei 13's Captain-Commander, he couldn't allow more Asauchi to flow outside Seireitei.
If anyone else said this, Kukaku wouldn't believe it at all.
But when Kyoya said it, even though her reason knew the possibility was small, her intuition felt Kyoya could bring out some Asauchi from the Gotei 13.
Although Kukaku's strength didn't need Zanpakuto for enhancement, what Shinigami didn't dream of calling their Zanpakuto's name?
Strength didn't matter… it was mainly about being cool!
Moreover, Zanpakuto's amplification of Shinigami's Reiatsu was substantial.
Shikai could increase a Shinigami's Reiatsu three to five times, while Bankai could boost it five to ten times.
Of course, regardless of ability, Reiatsu Amplification had limits.
As Shinigami's Reiatsu improved, the multiplier from Zanpakuto release would gradually decrease.
When Shinigami reached 1st-Class Reiryoku, their Reiatsu limit upon release was their personal limit.
Ordinary Zanpakuto release couldn't break through this.
Currently, in all Seireitei, only Yamamoto's Bankai could break through the Shinigami limit, entering higher dimensions.
Even Kyoya's Zanpakuto couldn't break through the Shinigami limit upon Bankai.
If Kyoya only had Zanpakuto's power, he'd probably end up like current Aizen, ceiling stuck at the Shinigami's limit.
But fortunately, besides Shinigami's Reiatsu, Kyoya possessed the Haki from the One Piece World!
Two completely different world powers, using 'light' as the convergence point, allowed Kyoya's Haki and Reiatsu to fuse using 'light' as catalyst, enabling him to break through the Shinigami's limit and ascend to higher dimensions.
Moreover, Kyoya's physical strength far surpassed anyone in the Bleach World.
Whether the so-called [Strongest Hierro] of 5th Espada, Nnoitra, Zaraki's [Strongest Reiatsu], [The Iron] of Cang Du from Wandenreich's Sternritter, or the Zero Division's members' [Oken]… none compared to Kyoya's slightest.
Not Kyoya boasting… with his current defense supplemented by Armament Haki, other attacks than [Sayafushi] or [X-Axis] would have to step aside.
After parting with Kukaku, Kyoya didn't immediately go to Seireitei to discuss Asauchi with Yamamoto.
After all, the Gotei 13's 10th Division's Captain, Shiba Isshin had just disappeared. If Kyoya tried to dig up the Gotei 13's roots now, how could Yamamoto agree?
Over the years, if not for the Zanpakuto advantage Seireitei's Shinigami had, how could so many choose Shin'o Academy?
Once Baltigo Academy also provided graduates with Zanpakuto, students wanting to join Shin'o Academy would decrease by at least half.
Correspondingly, Baltigo Academy's students would likely multiply several times.
When the Bleach's plot curtain opened twenty years later, the Revolutionary Army's lower and middle ranks probably wouldn't fall short of the Gotei 13's.
…
Kyoya's wait lasted a year.
In the 10th Division, with Rangiku in charge, losing Isshin didn't cause much disturbance.
After all, the 10th Division was just the 'patrol guard'. So in Seireitei, the enemies they encountered weren't strong.
Moreover, now that Rangiku completed her Zanpakuto's Bankai Training, her strength greatly increased. Enemies the division's members found troublesome barely resisted under Rangiku's sword.
Currently, Rangiku's Reiatsu hadn't broken through to 3rd-Class Reiryoku, so she remained the 10th Division's Acting Captain.
This day, under Rangiku's lead, Kyoya first visited the 1st Division as Revolutionary Army's Supreme Commander to meet Yamamoto.
"Kyoya-sama, the Captain-Commander requests your entry."
At the 1st Division's entrance, Sasakibe respectfully invited Kyoya.
Although Sasakibe's strength ranked high among the Gotei 13's Captains-
His respect for Yamamoto made him restrain himself anytime, anywhere to maintain Yamamoto's dignity, willingly becoming Yamamoto's 'shadow.'
In fact, within the entire Gotei 13, Sasakibe was among the few Yamamoto truly trusted.
A thousand years ago, during the Quincy invasion, Sasakibe struck the crucial blow, creating Yamamoto's opportunity to kill Yhwach.
Yet this powerful Lieutenant was easily knocked out by Ichigo's punch during Rukia's rescue at Sokyoku Hill, exiting since then.
What joke?
A top Captain-level powerhouse knocked out by Ichigo without even using Bankai? What hellish joke?
Without Yamamoto's approval, would Sasakibe dare slack so much?
"Alright, Lieutenant Sasakibe."
After nodding to Sasakibe, Kyoya turned to Rangiku, who had a white sleeve band on her right shoulder: "Rangiku, you can return first."
"I'll discuss matters properly with the Captain-Commander."
"Ha..."
Rangiku yawned, waving casually at Kyoya: "Fine, I'm tired anyway."
"Really, had I known, I wouldn't have listened to Captain Shiba and brought him back directly."
"If I knew being Captain was this exhausting, I wouldn't have pitied him."
"Without division's duties, that guy must be having so much fun now..."
Hearing Rangiku's words, Sasakibe's expression didn't change.
Clearly, regarding Isshin's matter, either Sasakibe was informed, or Isshin's situation didn't concern him.
Or both?
"Enough, if others heard you, they'd probably want to blindfold and beat you severely."
"Gotei 13's Captain is many Shinigami's lifelong ultimate goal… don't complain while benefiting."
Kyoya felt somewhat apologetic about luring Hitsugaya away, increasing Rangiku's workload.
But simultaneously, Kyoya knew Hitsugaya staying with him was better than remaining in Seireitei.
At least under his guidance, Hitsugaya's training was comprehensive… Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, Kido, all personally taught by Kyoya.
Hitsugaya was the Revolutionary Army's new all-around powerhouse besides Kyoya, lacking only peak Reiatsu due to his youth.
As for Rangiku...
Well, she was just lazy, wanting to drink and enjoy, not incapable.
But if handling division's duties could make her quit drinking, Kyoya could honestly say it was for her good.
Watching Rangiku leave, Kyoya apologetically nodded to Sasakibe: "Sorry for the delay, Lieutenant Sasakibe."
"Not at all, the bond between Kyoya-sama and Lieutenant Matsumoto is enviable."
"Kyoya-sama, please."
After leading Kyoya to the 1st Division's Captain's office, Sasakibe didn't enter with him but stood guard outside.
Kyoya's meeting with Yamamoto necessarily involved matters affecting Soul Society's situation.
So he had to prevent interruptions.
...
"Kyoya, I didn't send anyone to capture you in Rukongai, yet you dare enter Seireitei openly?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll capture you directly?"
In the captain's office, Yamamoto emitted terrifying pressure, the surrounding air wrinkling under it.
Crack, crack-
The floor and desk faintly emitted mist, becoming dry, decaying.
As if instantly, most moisture had been evaporated by high heat.
They retained shape only because moisture wasn't completely evaporated, avoiding becoming ash.
"Captain-Commander, let's skip this!"
Hearing Yamamoto's questioning, Kyoya shook his head, seemingly unaffected by the pressure, walking directly toward Yamamoto.
Hum-
As Kyoya stepped, golden light spread rapidly from his feet.
Under this light's illumination, the space distorted by Yamamoto's Reiatsu began returning to normal.
Instantly, the Captain's office became half red, half gold.
At the red-gold intersection, space seemed to gain a black line, presenting tearing shape as golden and red Reiatsu collided.
"1st-Class Reiryoku?"
Yamamoto's gaze sharpened.
Although everyone, including Yamamoto, knew since Kyoya's graduation from Shin'o Academy and becoming 11th Division's Captain that his talent was Soul Society's strongest in millions of years…
This 'strongest' wasn't innate like Ichigo or Zaraki's, but 'training talent' from weak to supreme.
Yamamoto never doubted Kyoya could reach his level.
But no matter how highly he rated Kyoya's talent, he never imagined mere hundred years would bring Kyoya's Reiryoku nearly comparable to his.
"Let's be frank, Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"Whether you acknowledge it or not, you must admit even your full power can't handle me now."
"If we fought unrestrained, even destroying Soul Society, I'd survive fine."
"Of course, neither you nor I want to destroy Soul Society."
"The Revolutionary Army's establishment essentially aims to give Rukongai's residents better lives and more choices for their destinies."
"Moreover, I formed the Revolutionary Army not to overthrow the Gotei 13 and replace them."
"You know the Gotei 13 was never my goal."
Yamamoto snorted coldly.
"Kyoya, although Rukongai's living standards improved greatly under the Revolutionary Army,"
"You must admit this introduced many unstable factors."
"Regardless of Seireitei's nobles' flaws, Soul Society indeed maintained stability for millions of years under their rule."
"If Seireitei's rule continues, Rukongai will surely experience second, third, countless millions of years of stability."
"For me, you and your Revolutionary Army are unstable factors."
"Only Seireitei can maintain the three worlds' long-term peace and stability!"
"Ha, don't make me laugh, Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Kyoya gently waved his hand: "I'm not unaware of the world's truth."
"What Seireitei' nobles' ancestors did, I probably know better than you, Captain-Commander Yamamoto."