Bleach: Starting with Marrying Retsu Unohana

"Vice-Captain Saito is a strongman who has served as captain of the Gotei 13 since its inception! He should be able to hold out for at least ten rounds! Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing..."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

In an instant, the atmosphere among the members of the 11th Division gradually became cheerful, and their words were filled with disapproval of Saito's immortality.

"You bastards! I heard everything, you'll be sorry!"

Saito kept in mind all those who spoke ill of her, waiting to see if she would retaliate later.

"Then let's not waste any more words..."

"Please welcome Captain Zaraki and Vice-Captain Saito!"

Just as Saito was gritting his teeth and looking at the group of soldiers behind him, Araki's voice rang in everyone's ears again.

"..."

Saito gave the group of soldiers a deep look before walking with Zaraki to either side of the 'sword dojo'.

"Game start!"

Seeing that Saito and Zaraki were both ready, Araki immediately announced the start of the match.

"Swastika..."

Without saying a word, Saito immediately drew his Zanpakuto from his waist and performed Bankai.

"Devour it, Yeshai!"

As for Zaraki, who stood opposite Saito, he directly unleashed his Zanpakuto, focusing on going all out.

Saito and Zaraki didn't seem to be there for a friendly sparring match; it was more like they were there for a life-or-death duel...

"Tsk, what a grudge they have!"

This caused all the members of the 11th Division around to close their eyes.

The battle between Saito and Zaraki ended quickly, in the blink of an eye, the outcome was decided...

"Wow ah ah..."

Before long, the cries of Saito, who was immortal, and Zaraki sheathing his sword echoed in the sword dojo.

"It's boring..."

"This is so boring!"

"I thought Captain Saito could at least hold his own against Zaraki for a few rounds, but this is it?!"

After the immortal Saito and Zaraki were decided, the members of the 11th Division immediately uttered disdainful sounds. This match was incredibly boring; what they wanted to see was a river of blood! Even if it wasn't a river of blood, it should at least be a closely fought battle! How could the outcome be decided so quickly?

"Am I really that strong?!"

On the other side, Zaraki stared blankly at the sword in his hand, lost in thought. Knowing Saito's immortal spiritual pressure, even if he were to ultimately win, the outcome shouldn't be decided so quickly...

"Araki, I can't get up, you have to carry me~"

Just as Zaraki was bewildered by his own strength, and the members of the 11th Division were getting bored with the battle, Ms. Saito, who was slumped on the ground, bared her fangs at Araki.

"Huh? Zaraki's sword didn't even touch you, did it? Besides, your Bankai shouldn't be so easily cut off, right?"

Araki raised an eyebrow as he looked at Saito, who was slumped on the ground.

"Shut up! I don't care! I'm just not feeling well today. If you don't pick me up from the floor, I'm never getting up!"

Saito watched as Araki began to 'talk nonsense'.

"Tsk~"

Araki felt a headache coming on.

"They're gone! They're gone..."

As for the members of the 11th Division, they all turned their heads away upon seeing this. What happened next was not something that ordinary members like them could get involved in.

"what?!"

For a moment, only Gengmu remained standing there dumbfounded.

"Let's go! Vice Captain Zaraki..."

"You fought brilliantly today, you'd better treat us to a good drink!"

The Eleventh Division members, who had just left the sword dojo, saw that the silly boy, Zaraki, was still inside. They had no choice but to go back into the dojo and drag him out.

"So, I am indeed the vice-captain, right?!"

After leaving the dojo, Zaraki looked at the group of soldiers around him and asked them a question.

"Of course, of course~"

Upon hearing this, the team members all nodded in agreement.

"That's OK!"

Seeing this, Zaraki nodded in satisfaction.

And so... the next day!

The Eleventh Division's swordsmanship dojo also serves as its daily meeting room...

"Given Saito's immortality and his over one hundred years of dedicated service as the vice-captain of my 11th Division, I have decided to retain his position. Of course, if he successfully defeats Saito's immortality, Zaraki will naturally be promoted to vice-captain of my 11th Division! From now on, he will share the vice-captainship with Saito..."

Araki stood in front of the group of soldiers and announced wearily.

"Everyone applaud!"

As Araki finished speaking, a 'radiant' Saito was the first to clap her soft little hands, echoing Araki's words.

"Clap clap clap..."

As Saito's applause rang out, the other members of the 11th Division immediately joined in with their own applause...

At this moment, all the members of the 11th Division were afraid that if they were too slow in clapping, they would anger Saito, and as a result, Saito would leave them behind to "guard the house" when they went on missions in the future.

Yes, Saito has a resounding nickname in the 11th Division: the "Home Guardian" Captain!

Whenever Araki goes on a mission, he leaves Saito behind to watch over the house. As the vice-captain of the 11th Division, Saito's only authority is that she can freely choose from the members of the 11th Division to guard the house with her while Araki is on a mission.

For members of other divisions, "defending their home" is practically synonymous with happiness, but for the warlike members of the 11th Division, those two words are nothing short of a "nightmare."

"Congratulations, Vice Captain Zaraki!"

"congratulations!"

"congratulations……"

Amidst thunderous applause, the members of the Eleventh Division, their faces beaming with smiles, repeatedly congratulated Zaraki. For a moment, the atmosphere within the Eleventh Division was incredibly jubilant…

"..."

In this joyous occasion, only Zaraki fell into deep thought.

Zaraki turned around and frowned as he looked at Saito, who, despite being defeated by him, was still ranked as vice-captain.

Suddenly, Zaraki remembered something Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni had told him: "Zaraki, you must remember this, the 'Seireitei' is not about fighting and killing, it's about human relationships and social interactions!"

"I think I'm starting to understand..."

After watching Saito ponder for a while, Zaraki nodded slightly, and at that moment he had an epiphany.

The ceremony for Zaraki's appointment as vice-captain lasted about an hour. After everyone had enjoyed themselves, Araki called Zaraki out of the 'sword dojo'.

"Captain Araki, you were looking for me?!"

Zaraki looked at Araki, who was standing in the Eleventh Division's garden with his back to him, seemingly gazing at the blooming peach trees and looking quite pleased with himself, and asked him a question.

"Oh! Zaraki, you're here~"

Upon hearing this, Araki turned around and smiled slightly at the belated Zaraki.

"Is there something you need from me?!"

Zaraki continued to ask Araki.

"Zaraki, what are you afraid of?"

Upon hearing this, Araki did not answer Zaraki's question, but instead asked Zaraki a question.

"What am I afraid of?"

Upon hearing this, Zaraki frowned deeply. Since birth, he had never encountered anything that truly frightened him. Therefore, Zaraki was utterly perplexed by Araki's words and unsure how to respond…

"Logically speaking, with your spiritual pressure, Zaraki, you should have been able to control Bankai by now! But why are you still unable to achieve Bankai?!"

Araki looked at the boy, Zaraki, and asked softly.

"I……"

Upon hearing this, Zaraki's pupils dilated sharply. He seemed to want to say something, but he didn't know how to answer Araki.

Are you afraid that after you achieve Bankai and gain even greater power, no one will be your match, and you will no longer be able to enjoy the thrill of battle?

Before Zaraki could speak, Araki's voice continued to ring in Zaraki's ears.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Zaraki fell silent. Just as Araki had said, after Zaraki had completely mastered his Shikai with the help of Yamamoto Genryusai and his strength had become stronger and stronger, he became somewhat afraid. He was afraid that if he continued to grow stronger like this, no one would be able to fight him anymore. What Zaraki had never hoped for was to become more powerful, but rather to be able to enjoy the thrill of battle with more people.

"Don't be shameless..."

"You don't actually think that as long as you successfully learn the Bankai of your Zanpakuto, you can surpass me, do you?!"

Araki raised an eyebrow after hearing Zaraki's words. It seems that Zaraki has gotten a bit cocky lately!

"I……"

After hearing Araki's words, Zaraki subconsciously scratched the back of his head with his right hand, clearly having been right.

To be honest, Zaraki currently enjoys the feeling of challenging Araki but just can't beat him. If he were to accidentally defeat Araki one day, he might really become lost...

"Let's go, kid!"

Araki glanced at Zaraki, who was looking down, and raised an eyebrow. This expression really didn't suit Zaraki.

With that thought in mind, Araki grabbed Zaraki by the collar and walked towards the outside of the 11th Division's barracks.

"Where are you going?!"