As Unohana Retsu's sword was about to strike Gosuke Shigure—
A flash of blue lightning burst forth.
The Hadō she had cast beside him shattered in an instant, collapsing under the surge of energy. Simultaneously, Gosuke Shigure's sword moved with such speed it appeared almost absolute, matching the velocity of light.
In that instant, he deflected Unohana Retsu's attack.
Then lightning sparked again.
A sudden sense of danger surged through Unohana Retsu's entire body—an instinct honed through centuries of killing.
She responded reflexively with a counter-slash.
But her blade met only air.
Though she'd struck what appeared to be Gosuke's figure, it dissipated into streaking arcs of lightning.
An afterimage!
The thought flickered through Unohana's mind. Without hesitation, she activated Shunpo, hoping to gain distance.
But Gosuke Shigure was faster.
His sword swept forward.
From the spectator's perspective, it looked as though Unohana had evaded using Shunpo at the last second.
But then—
The sword in Gosuke's hand extended unnaturally, closing the gap mid-swing.
It landed.
Unohana was struck.
Scarlet blood spattered the ground, vivid against the grey stone.
From the sidelines, Hikifune Kiryu's eyes widened with shock.
Captain Unohana... injured?
Unbelievable. Unprecedented. And yet—
The wound on her torso was very real.
"It's enough," Yamamoto Genryūsai said calmly, his voice carrying authority that brooked no resistance.
Although Gosuke Shigure had injured Unohana only after releasing his Shikai, the result still carried tremendous weight.
After all, whether her Zanpakutō was released or not, Unohana Retsu's skills with Hakuda, Kidō, Shunpo, and Zanjutsu placed her above most captains.
The fact that Gosuke could hold his own against her—even before activating Shikai—already demonstrated a level of strength sufficient to be considered for captaincy.
And now, with his Shikai released, his Reiatsu surged clearly into the captain-class range.
Captain Yamamoto's verdict was sealed.
Gosuke Shigure had the combat ability necessary to bear the rank and title of a Gotei 13 captain—and more specifically, the name Kenpachi.
As for why Gosuke hadn't shown Bankai—
That wasn't an issue in Yamamoto's judgment.
The rule requiring Bankai mastery for captain promotion was originally created to ensure a baseline of combat capability.
But if someone could display captain-level power without using Bankai, that only made them more qualified.
For such a candidate, Bankai merely became a symbol of even greater potential.
A super-captain.
And so, as Gosuke Shigure's sword found flesh and the battle neared its climax—
Captain Yamamoto unsheathed Ryūjin Jakka.
No Shikai.
No flames.
Just pure sword pressure.
A single arc of his blade carved through the space between Unohana and Gosuke, a blinding strike that separated the two with unarguable finality.
"You need not continue!"
Yamamoto's voice crashed through the battlefield, weighty and absolute.
Gosuke Shigure immediately released his Shikai, resealing his Zanpakutō in one seamless motion. He took a respectful step back, returning the blade to its sheath in fluid discipline.
He had clearly won the exchange—
Yet he withdrew without arrogance or pride.
He acted not like a warrior eager to boast, but like a soldier answering duty.
Unohana Retsu stood opposite him, gripping her bloodied Zanpakutō.
But her gaze burned with wild anticipation.
She had not had a real fight in centuries. Not one that stirred her blood like this.
That slash from Gosuke Shigure—
It had barely touched her. Yet it had sliced through flesh.
And that had only been Shikai.
Behind Shikai lies Bankai.
And Unohana could feel it—had Gosuke released his Bankai, the fight would have reached a new realm.
A part of her wanted to see it. Needed to see it.
Long ago, before she took the name "Retsu" and became the healer of the Gotei, she would have ignored Yamamoto's command and fought until either she or her opponent fell.
Because she was born for battle.
To fight was to live.
But that was then.
Now, she was bound by purpose. By restraint.
So Unohana Retsu did what the old her never would have.
She stepped back.
She sheathed her blade.
And forced down the insatiable hunger within her.
"Captain Unohana, are you alright?"
Gosuke's question came with polite concern.
It was an almost absurd gesture—he had just wounded her, after all.
Hikifune Kiryu, observing quietly, couldn't help the amused smile that tugged at her lips.
He's interesting, this one.
But Unohana didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she looked down.
The gash across her abdomen had shredded both her white haori and the black Shihakushō beneath. Blood soaked both layers, dripping steadily to the ground.
And yet—
She showed no pain.
Only calculation.
A moment later, the Zanpakutō in her hand shimmered and transformed—
From a blade into a massive, manta-ray-shaped creature, pale and one-eyed, floating in midair.
Minazuki.
Her Shikai.
Known to most as a healing-type Zanpakutō.
But only few knew—Minazuki's reputation as a medical marvel was just a mask.
Underneath it lurked a weapon of unparalleled lethality.
A sword that had slain as many as it had saved.
Unohana stepped onto the creature, and Minazuki swallowed her whole.
Moments later, it released her again.
Her body dripped water.
Her clothes remained torn.
But the wound had vanished.
Minazuki's medical abilities, at least in its Shikai form, were as miraculous as legend said.
"I'm fine," Unohana said at last.
Her tone returned to that soft, almost maternal gentleness.
Only those who knew her past understood the contradiction.
Once she spoke, Yamamoto stepped forward.
His voice rang with official weight.
"Gosuke Shigure, vice-captain of the Eleventh Division, has been recommended by Captain Kyoraku Shunsui of the Eighth Division to undergo the captain's examination. Today's examination was witnessed by myself, Unohana Retsu of the Fourth Division, and Kiryu Hikifune of the Twelfth Division. Based on this combat evaluation…"
He paused briefly.
"…I conclude that Gosuke Shigure possesses captain-level strength and is fully qualified to assume the position of captain."
The decision was final.
Though Yamamoto's words were long-winded as always, the meaning was simple—
Gosuke Shigure had passed.
He was ready to lead.
And the title of Kenpachi would pass to him.