Continuing westward meant entering District 79—a place even more chaotic than District 78.
Although the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo are largely separate realms, rare instances occur when the two briefly overlap. During those moments, residents of Soul Society may encounter some "local specialties" of Hueco Mundo—namely, Hollows.
These zones are also known to harbor rogue Shinigami—some were once private soldiers of noble families who fled after committing crimes, while others broke the rules of the Gotei 13 and escaped here to avoid punishment.
Because these districts are so far from Seireitei, and capturing fugitives requires significant manpower and resources, only those who committed grave offenses or crossed powerful figures are pursued. The rest are usually left alone, which, over time, has allowed these areas to devolve into lawless gray zones.
As the number of fugitives grew, they eventually formed various factions, like warlords in China's Warlord Era—tyrannizing the locals and making survival even harder in an already resource-starved, disaster-prone land.
The Captain-Commander was clearly aware of this. Before Asano Kiyoshi left, he handed him something resembling a wristwatch. It was developed by the 12th Division using modern-world technology and contained information on all fugitives—names, appearances, abilities...
The Captain-Commander's reasons for entrusting Kiyoshi with the device were simple. At the time, he had said:
"Do your best to eliminate as many on this list as possible and record their eliminations using this device. I've already taught you how to use it. There are two reasons I'm giving you this mission:
First, we need to stabilize the law and order of the outer districts, even if just a little. I know the effect will be minimal, but anything that helps—even the smallest act—is your responsibility. You must cultivate this mindset.
Second, every fugitive you kill comes with a bounty and merit points. That can help support your household, but more importantly, the merits will be recorded and applied once you graduate and join the 13th Division. They'll help secure your rank. Remember, you're destined for a high position. You'll need more than strength—you'll need merit enough to silence any who might challenge your place. With those two things, your seat will be secure."
Thinking back to that moment, Kiyoshi couldn't help but smile despite the seriousness of the conversation. After all, could anyone imagine an old man like the Captain-Commander trying to teach a young man how to use a digital device?
Especially when he struggled so much with it himself that he nearly stormed the 12th Division with Ryūjin Jakka blazing in frustration...
Shaking off the memory, Kiyoshi refocused. The "watch" on his wrist began to beep.
The moment it beeped, it meant a fugitive had entered a 500-meter radius around him.
A moment later, a photo appeared on the device's screen.
It showed a man in his forties with dull yellow hair and a scar running from his eye to his neck. His triangular eyes made him easily recognizable.
Kiyoshi glanced at the name: "Yamano Yajirō." Then he shut the device and closed his eyes. In his mind, a crimson spiritual thread lit up, marking his target's exact location.
Approximately 280 meters southwest…
As a leaf drifted down from a nearby tree, Kiyoshi vanished.
Yamano Yajirō was in a good mood today. Ever since becoming a fugitive for murdering a fellow squad member, he had taken refuge in this godforsaken place. It lacked everything—comfort, luxury, even food—but it had one thing he loved: power.
Here, he was king. He could do whatever he wanted.
Today's good mood had a simple cause—he'd spotted a beautiful woman. When he went to "invite" her, the wench had dared to run. Even worse, her father had the gall to attack him with a knife!
Though unscathed, the humiliation burned. A mutt like that pointing a blade at him?
In rage, he pinned the old man down and gutted him. Disappointed, he noted the man's heart was the same size as anyone else's. He had hoped that someone bold enough to challenge him would at least be physically different. How dull.
But then, just as he was finishing up, the woman came running back.
Ha! What a stupid woman.
The old man's eyes had gone wide upon seeing his daughter return. Touched? Out of kindness, Yajirō had gouged out those eyes—spared the old man from watching her suffer. He was such a generous man, after all.
He'd had the woman brought back to his camp. Even he had standards; some things should not be done in public, after all.
Now he stood in the wilderness, relieving himself, eager to return and "discipline" the defiant woman.
His body trembled with anticipation.
Then—a cold voice whispered in his ear:
"Excuse me, scum. Are you Yamano Yajirō?"
Instantly alert, Yajirō grabbed his Zanpakutō and scanned the area—but saw no one. Without hesitation, he released his sword.
"Lick—Centipede Maru!"
His blade flared with a sickly yellow reiatsu, growing massively in size as sharp barbs sprouted from it—like a monstrous centipede ready to attack.
Yajirō growled:
"Whoever you are, if you've come to kill me, you'll find it's no easy task!"
But the moment he spoke, a sharp pain exploded in both ankles. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.
Before he could rise, he felt cold steel against his throat—and found himself staring into a pair of impossibly calm, piercing eyes.
Kiyoshi's voice was chilling:
"I am Asano Kiyoshi. I have no grand reason… other than this—Yamano Yajirō, I invite you to die."
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle
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