"Too much, that's really just too much, tsk tsk."
"To think the Ninth Generation Kenpachi is like this. It really doesn't match the aura of Squad 11 at all."
Omaeda muttered his opinions to himself while stuffing a fried rice cracker into his mouth. The crunching sound was exceptionally irritating, at least when one was trying to think.
"Shut up!" Suì-Fēng scolded in displeasure. Hearing a Squad 2 lieutenant talk about the 'aura of Squad 11' was utterly ridiculous. Did he think they were playing mahjong, taking turns playing tiles?!
"Yes, Captain!"
Fortunately, Omaeda was very obedient. This could be considered his only trait that fit the aura of Squad 2. Otherwise, Suì-Fēng would have likely sent him to Squad 11 for some thorough discipline a long time ago.
Although the battle between Kōe and Zaraki was still ongoing, Suì-Fēng's primary focus was no longer on the fight itself. The victor was bound to be Shihouin Kōe; that had been decided from the very first draw-and-slash. Similarly, that initial slash was what Suì-Fēng had been pondering all along.
The two men below appeared to have their Reiatsu restricted, placing them on equal footing, but only Suì-Fēng knew the truth was quite different. In reality, the restrictions placed on Zaraki were much more severe than those on Kōe.
In other words, Kōe's Reiatsu was actually slightly stronger than Zaraki's. This was a petty trick by Central 46, designed to trip up Zaraki Kenpachi and prevent him from growing too quickly. They had many such methods.
For example, when Zaraki first arrived in the Seireitei and defeated Kiganjō Kenpachi, Yamamoto had taken the initiative to teach him Kendō, and a rather advanced form at that.
Having never systematically studied Kendō, how could Zaraki endure such a teaching method? He quickly lost interest in it. Coupled with the direct use of spiritual tools to restrict his Reiatsu, these methods made Zaraki seem no different from an ordinary captain, but in truth, he had never been systematically taught. This resulted in Zaraki making almost no progress during his years in the Seireitei.
This differential treatment was the same. The goal was to allow Kōe to defeat Zaraki as easily as possible, and it would be even better if it could dampen Zaraki's spirit.
The problem was that while his Reiatsu was stronger, it was only by a limited margin. An ordinary Shinigami wouldn't even notice the difference, nor could they use this slight advantage in Reiatsu to accomplish much—like sending Zaraki Kenpachi flying with a single sword strike.
Was it physical strength? According to Central 46's intelligence, Zaraki Kenpachi's physique was stronger than Shihouin Kōe's.
Even if the intelligence was wrong, one had to realize that Zaraki Kenpachi's physical constitution was already astonishing. To completely crush him, describing Shihouin Kōe as a humanoid Vasto Lorde wouldn't be an exaggeration. Was this a level a Shinigami could even reach?
The crux of the issue still lay in that extra Reiatsu. Suì-Fēng had a strange feeling that Kōe had split his Reiatsu into two parts, utilizing it in two stages.
The first part, the first stage, completely neutralized Zaraki Kenpachi's Reiatsu, likely using a technique similar to Hanki in Kidō.
Immediately following that, the second part—the surplus Reiatsu—was unleashed, striking an almost defenseless Zaraki Kenpachi. Was that what caused such an astonishing effect? Relying solely on that insignificant amount of Reiatsu?
Suì-Fēng thought about it. There had to be some technique involved that she hadn't figured out yet, or perhaps her entire deduction was wrong. Central 46 had also provided her with intelligence stating that Kōe excelled at Reiatsu control.
She just hadn't expected him to be *this* good at it. Suì-Fēng couldn't help but smile bitterly. Even as the Captain of Squad 2, she could only rely on guesswork. Truthfully, that in itself was quite absurd.
"Captain, Captain!"
"What is it?!" Being interrupted while mocking herself gave Suì-Fēng an uncomfortable feeling of being seen through. She turned to Omaeda, full of anger. If he didn't have a reasonable explanation, she was definitely going to skin this fat man alive!
Omaeda, his face pale, didn't answer. He didn't even notice Suì-Fēng's displeasure, merely pointing a trembling index finger forward.
Suì-Fēng looked in the direction Omaeda was pointing. Kōe, bare-chested, was looking at her with a smile. It startled her so much that she jumped back, her eyes darting away as she stammered, "W-What are you doing here? P-Put your clothes on!"
"The duel is already over, and besides..." Kōe said, lifting the garment in his hand slightly as he continued to smile. "Aren't I supposed to return this uniform to you?"
On the surface, the clothing in Kōe's hand was just a standard Shihakushō, but if one looked closely, they could see countless black threads writhing around the edge of the collar. It was a living garment.
It was a new spiritual tool specifically developed by the Department of Research and Development to restrict Kōe and Zaraki's Reiatsu. Judging by the results, it did indeed restrict their Reiatsu, but its true purpose was to collect the Reiatsu of both men.
Somewhat similar to Zaraki's eyepatch, the countless fine threads beneath the clothing would pierce into the pores of the target's upper body, endlessly absorbing and storing their Reiatsu. Ultimately, Suì-Fēng would retrieve them and hand them over to the Department of Research and Development for partial research.
Frowning slightly, Suì-Fēng took the uniform from Kōe's hand. She thoroughly despised this thing. It wasn't because she was a woman and found something resembling caterpillars disgusting, but simply because it came from the Department of Research and Development.
The department founded by *that man* was unlikable from top to bottom. Just like its master, it only knew exploitation and betrayal!
"Where is the other one?" Suì-Fēng asked coldly. Before Kōe could answer, Omaeda leaned in and whispered in Suì-Fēng's ear, "Captain Zaraki has already fainted in the simulation grounds, Captain!"
"Then why aren't you hurrying to get it? And then taking Captain Zaraki to Squad 4?!" Suì-Fēng scolded in dissatisfaction, directly punching Omaeda down into the arena. The gloom in her heart was instantly swept away; she felt truly refreshed!
The completely leveled grounds below then caught her eye. Had the urban simulation ground turned into a plains simulation ground? What a pity, Squad 2 already had one of those. How redundant!
"You are responsible for restoring this place to its original state by tomorrow, Omaeda!"
"Huh?!" Omaeda stared dumbfounded at Suì-Fēng above him. The so-called 'you are responsible' meant paying out of his own pocket to restore the area. But was she serious?!
"What do you mean, 'huh'?!" Suì-Fēng shot back angrily, simultaneously tossing the uniform in her hand down to him. She had no desire to visit the Department of Research and Development. "Also, take both of these uniforms to the Department of Research and Development. Get moving immediately!"
The last shred of hope in his heart ruthlessly shattered, Omaeda put on a miserable face and silently accepted the reality that he was going to bleed money. But why?!
The ones who destroyed this place were Zaraki Kenpachi and Shihouin Kōe. Why was he, Omaeda, the one being punished in the end?!
Omaeda glared viciously at Zaraki Kenpachi, who was unconscious on the ground. He had to make the culprit pay the price they deserved! But even unconscious, the man looked absolutely terrifying...
*'You want money? Sure, beat me and I'll give it to you. I'll even give you my life, hehehe.'*
Imagining what Zaraki might say in his mind, Omaeda couldn't help but shudder. He hadn't reached the point of valuing money over his own life just yet.
*That's fine, there's still the other one!*
He turned his head to look at Kōe, only to find the other man looking right back at him, smiling and waving...
*Ask a man who knocked out Zaraki Kenpachi for money? What the hell am I thinking!* Omaeda patted the back of his head with a happy expression and bowed in return to Kōe, but his heart was bleeding.
*'So fleecing the rich really doesn't distinguish between friend and foe. I'm going to have to tighten my belt this month, boohoo.'*