Help! I am bound to Aizen!-Chapter 227

Chapter 227

“Hōyo-ghen!!”

Kaelith fired off a punch with casual ease, his speed and Reiatsu vastly outstripping Zaraki’s. Despite Zaraki’s extraordinary toughness, a direct blow to the brain stem left him with no choice but to pass out.

Watching Zaraki sprawled on the ground, Kaelith lifted his fist like a gunslinger, blowing an imaginary wisp of smoke off his knuckles. In truth, he’d been curious about seeing Zaraki go fully berserk—but mindful of the man’s physical state, Kaelith chose to end the fight. For a brief instant, Zaraki had tapped into frightening potential.

As a “semi-protagonist,” Zaraki Kenpachi had more than enough potential to explode with power multiple times in life. But doing that too often at once could be crippling—like a man with the stamina for seven rounds in one night, who’s forced to go all-out in a single burst. Even if he doesn’t die, he’d be wiped out.

For several seconds, the Eleventh Division members gaped in stunned silence. Then they erupted in cheers:

“Big Bro won!!”

“Not a doubt—that’s our Aniki!”

“Aniki, we adore you!!”

As the cheering continued, Ikkaku and Yumichika rushed over to Zaraki, confirming he was alive. They exhaled in relief—then stared at Kaelith as though he were a monster.

All their years following Zaraki, whether solo or double-teaming, had never yielded anything but painful losses. Yet Kaelith beat him without even breaking a sweat. From that final punch, they realized Yachiru had been right: Kaelith’s strength far surpassed their “big boss,” and all that fencing a moment ago was merely play.

“Ugh…”

While Ikkaku wrestled with the idea of challenging Kaelith himself, Zaraki slowly opened his eyes.

He hadn’t been unconscious for long, even though his face had been pummeled. Sitting up, he rubbed his cheek.

“Woohoo, Lil’ Ken!”

Yachiru chirped joyfully, jumping to perch on his shoulders, tugging at his hair.

Zaraki ignored the girl clinging to his neck. Instead, he tilted his head at Kaelith and gave a feral grin.

“You’re really strong, huh…”

“Let’s fight again!”

He reached for his sword, but before he could grasp it, Kaelith strolled over and planted a foot on the blade.

“Mm?”

Zaraki furrowed his brow in displeasure.

In a lazy tone, Kaelith reminded him,

“We still have some unfinished business. You agreed—if I won, you’d come with me.

Or are you planning to renege?”

At that final question, Kaelith’s lips curved into a dark smile.

Zaraki locked eyes with him for a moment, clearly thinking something over. Then:

“If someday I beat you, does that mean I get to order you around?”

Kaelith paused, then nodded.

“That’s how it works in the Eleventh.

…As long as you didn’t kill me in the process, and I haven’t quit the Division, yeah.”

At those words, Zaraki’s grin turned wild, full of animal glee.

“Fine. I’ll come with you.

I’ll beat you eventually—and make you fight me forever!”

“Uh… forever might be a bit much.”

Kaelith briefly pictured that scenario, shuddering at the absurdity.

Zaraki stood up.

“My name is Zaraki Kenpachi—Zaraki from the Zaraki District, and ‘Kenpachi’ ‘cause I’ll be the strongest swordsman! Hmm… guess I’ll call you Big Bro Kaelith, like these guys do.”

Before Kaelith could respond, the nearby Eleventh Division Shinigami exploded in outrage.

“Kenpachi?! You think you can just take that name?”

“Big Bro Kaelith is the real Kenpachi!”

“He may not have beaten the previous Kenpachi officially, but we all recognize him!”

…In fact, I did beat the last Kenpachi.

Kaelith remained poker-faced.

Zaraki just bared his teeth. “Eventually it’s gonna be mine!”

While Eleventh soldiers continued their grumbling, Zaraki turned to Ikkaku and Yumichika:

“I’m off to become a Shinigami with this guy—what about you two?”

They exchanged glances, resolve hardening on their faces.

Ikkaku looked Zaraki in the eye.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

“In that case, we’re joining the Gotei 13 too!”

“Huh, go for it.”

Zaraki nodded, not pressing further.

Kaelith waved a hand.

“Becoming a Shinigami isn’t as easy as just walking in the door. Zaraki, at his level, can skip ahead, but you two will need to enroll in the Shinigami Academy for a few years.”

Ikkaku frowned, about to protest, but Kaelith beat him to it:

“When I graduated that school, I could’ve stomped ten of you the way you are now. And I’m hardly the only one at that standard.”

Ikkaku’s eyes widened.

He could tell Kaelith wasn’t bragging; it was pure fact.

It was mind-boggling—and for a moment, he questioned his entire outlook on life.

After several seconds of silence, he gritted his teeth and nodded.

“…Got it. I’ll do it—go to the Academy.”

…

That same evening, Kaelith sent a report to the First Division:

\- The former lieutenant was being demoted to Third Seat.

\- A wandering swordsman from Rukongai named Zaraki Kenpachi was being promoted to lieutenant.

Reading this bizarre proposal, Yamamoto initially fumed.

His foolish disciple was causing a stir again?

But after personally inspecting the Eleventh and confirming the new “Kenpachi’s” strength, Yamamoto looked upon Kaelith with unexpected satisfaction.

Perhaps his bratty disciple really was taking this Captain gig seriously.

All that order, discipline, and the newfound “genius swordsman” from Rukongai—Yamamoto was pleased.

Before leaving, he patted Kaelith’s shoulder.

“You’ve done well, kid.

In a few days, it’ll be your official Captain Induction Ceremony—make sure you clean up and look the part.”

And with that, Yamamoto vanished in a Shunpo.

Staring at the place he’d disappeared, Kaelith planted a hand on his hip.

Huh, guess I’m not doing so bad at this, if I actually try…

…Wait.

Something wasn’t right.

He froze in realization.

No, no, no…

I was supposed to shove the Captain role onto Zaraki and slip out myself!

Why did I end up installing him as lieutenant instead?

If this kept up, Kaelith’s “Acting Captain” title might become permanent!

Alarmed, he sprinted off in the direction of Zaraki’s newly assigned quarters…