I'm in Bleach, starting with Unlimited Blade Works.

Over the past few decades, Byakuya has at most risen to the level of a vice-captain.

To become a true captain-level powerhouse, it will take at least fifty to one hundred years.

During this period, how could the Kuchiki family continue to serve as a "model" for the Seireitei nobility without a pillar?

I'm afraid that when that time comes, the other major noble families will pounce on them and devour the Kuchiki family to the last drop!

Therefore, Kuchiki Ginryu wanted to find a new pillar for the Kuchiki family while she was still alive.

Fortunately, my daughter has come of age, so I can consider finding a husband for her.

Hoshino Hibiki was the person carefully selected by Kuchiki Ginrin.

Hoshino Kyouga was naturally aware of all this.

Of course, Hoshino Kyouka herself also had this intention.

In the first team, Hoshino Kyouka was already at his peak.

The position of First Division Captain is one that even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto retires, it will never be his turn.

Hoshino Kyouka is well aware of this.

And the position of vice-captain of the First Division...

People in other squads might not know, but as someone in the same squad, Hoshino Hibiki knew all too well how powerful that man was.

The owner of the strongest lightning-type Zanpakuto, Yanlingmaru, possesses a spiritual pressure that surpasses that of most captains.

More importantly, Hoshino Kyouga knew all too well how much Captain-Commander Yamamoto trusted Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro.

Even if he eventually defeats Vice-Captain Chojiro of the Sasaki Division through a challenge, he will not become the vice-captain of the First Division.

The three seats of the First Division represent the limit for all Shinigami in the First Division.

However, things are different in a different environment.

In the Sixth Division, Kuchiki Ginrei is old and frail, while Kuchiki Sojun is a complete waste.

If he successfully marries into the Kuchiki family, then after Kuchiki Ginryu dies, neither the captain of the Sixth Division nor the position of head of the Kuchiki family will be in Hoshino Hibiki's hands.

Haruko Kuchiki, even though Hoshino Kyouga hasn't actually met her yet, she is still his future wife. How can he let someone as filthy as Erin covet her?

Therefore, Hoshino Hibiki prefers to take action against Erin rather than Kuchiki Ginrin.

Hoshino Hibiki's words made Kuchiki Ginrin stop what she was doing.

"Alright, then it's up to you, Xianghe!"

"Yes, Xianghe will not disappoint Lady Yinling."

Hoshino Hibiki bowed respectfully to Kuchiki Ginryu.

Furthermore, they also claim to be from "Xianghe".

Because once he successfully marries into the Kuchiki family, he will have to abandon his own surname and change it to "Kuchiki".

At that time, he will no longer be Hoshino Hibiki, but—Kuchiki Hibiki!

After taking a few steps to stand in front of Kuchiki Ginryu, Hoshino Hibiki looked at Erin with murderous intent in his eyes.

"call out!"

Hoshino Hibiki's figure moved like lightning, instantly appearing in front of Erin, his Zanpakuto slashing down at Erin.

"Qiang!"

Erin instantly drew his sword, blocking Hoshino Hibiki's attack.

Chapter 21 Whisper, Muramasa

"Shhhhh..."

"Dang Dang Dang..."

Two figures flashed at the entrance of the Kuchiki family's residence, and the clash of Zanpakuto rang out continuously.

Hoshino Hibiki didn't hold back when he made his move.

He intended to kill Erin right here.

Faced with Hoshino Hibiki's attack, Erin also tensed up and did her best to deal with it.

The commotion of the fight between the two in front of the Kuchiki family's house quickly attracted the attention of many people.

The members of the Sixth, Seventh, and Tenth Divisions, in particular, rushed over here at top speed.

The head of the Kuchiki family is the captain of the Sixth Division. Since the Sixth Division's base is not far from the Kuchiki family, the Shinigami of the Sixth Division quickly gathered here after sensing the spiritual pressure of the battle.

The Seventh Division is the inner court guard, primarily responsible for maintaining order in the residential areas of nobles.

A battle has broken out at the Kuchiki family's base, and this is a problem they must address.

The 10th Division is a patrol and security unit. It is responsible for arresting anyone who violates laws or regulations in the entire Seireitei.

The battle between Erin and Hoshino Hibiki can be considered the strongest conflict below the captain level.

This is the worst incident to have occurred in Seireitei since Captain-Commander Yamamoto was attacked five years ago!

"Captain Kuchiki!"

"Captain Kuchiki!"

The fastest to arrive were the members of the Sixth Division, which was closest to the Kuchiki family.

They quickly gathered around Kuchiki Ginryu, drew their Zanpakuto, and protected her in the center.

With their abilities, they could only vaguely catch glimpses of Erin and Hoshino Hibiki.

If they were to face these two, they would likely be killed in an instant.

Even so, they did not back down, or rather, they put their captain at the forefront.

"Alright, all of you stand behind me. This kind of battle is not something you can interfere with."

Fortunately, Kuchiki Ginryu wasn't a malicious captain. Even knowing that these team members were useless, she still used them to wear down the enemy's strength.

While the Shinigami of the Sixth Division stood behind Kuchiki Ginrin, the members of the Seventh and Tenth Divisions arrived.

"Captain Kuchiki, may I ask who these two are?"

The captain of the 7th Division was a middle-aged man with yellowish-brown starfish-like hair, and he looked rather serious.

Aikawa Rabu!

Upon arriving at the Kuchiki residence, Aikawa Rabu first inquired about the current situation from Kuchiki Ginryu.

"The two fighting now are Hoshino Hibiki, the third seat of the first division, and Erin, the vice-captain of the second division."

Kuchiki Ginryu nodded to Aikawa Raibu and explained what she had seen to him.

"Today I invited Hoshino Kyouga to my Kuchiki family as a guest, and coincidentally I encountered this second division vice-captain following my daughter, so Hoshino the third seat took action to capture her for me."

After listening, Aikawa Rao stroked his beard.

"I see. Then it seems we just need to wait for the battle to end."

Generally speaking, there is a significant gap between the third seat and the vice-captain.

After all, the vice-captain can be considered the second-in-command of a squad, the strongest person besides the captain.

However, if these three seats come from the First Division, then their value is much higher than that of the other divisions.

Among the Gotei 13, only the captains are qualified to wear the white captain's haori; the other Shinigami can only wear the black shihaka.

However, in the First Division, Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro is the only one wearing a white shihaka outfit modified from the Captain's Haori.

Although Chojiro Sasaki is very low-key, his strength surpasses that of most of the captains.

The three seats of the First Division are basically on the same level as the vice-captains of the other divisions.

However, what Aikawa Raibu didn't notice was that Kuchiki Ginrin clearly fell silent after he finished speaking.

With their strength, they could easily see the battle between Erin and Hoshino Hibiki.

Judging from the current situation, Hoshino Hibiki and Erin are evenly matched.

No, it should be said that as the battle continued, Hoshino Hibiki was instead suppressed by Erin!

Because the battle took place in front of the Kuchiki family's house, neither Erin nor Hoshino Hibiki used Kido, but instead engaged in a duel of slashing techniques and Shunpo.

In terms of spiritual pressure alone, Hoshino Hibiki is above Erin.

However, in the battles between Shinigami, before the difference in spiritual pressure reached a qualitative change, the Shinigami's Shunshun Hakuki greatly amplified the Shinigami's strength.

Compared to the average person, Hoshino Hibiki's slashing technique and Shunpo (instant step) are quite good.

However, Erin possesses the experience of four captain-level powerhouses: Kisaragi Taiu, Shihouin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, and Soi Fon two hundred years later.

Kisaragi Taiu's swordsmanship, Shihouin Yoruichi's Shunpo, Urahara Kisuke's Kido, and Soi Fon's Hakuda two hundred years later...

If it weren't for Hoshino Hibiki's stronger spiritual pressure and greater overall amplification of himself, he would have been defeated by Erin long ago.

Aikawa Raibu believed that Erin, who had gained the upper hand, was the third seat of the First Division, which is why he said that all they needed to do was wait for the battle to end.

But Kuchiki Ginrin knew that the one at a disadvantage was actually the third seat of the First Division.

However, he couldn't say much at this moment.

If he denies it, it means he thinks Hoshino Hibiki is inferior to Erin, which will make Hoshino Hibiki think.

At this moment, Kuchiki Ginryu's evaluation of Hoshino Hibiki had unknowingly dropped considerably.

Indeed, in terms of Zanpakuto abilities alone, Hoshino Hibiki is arguably the "strongest".

He is definitely the "nemesis" of most Grim Reapers.

However, the power of a Shinigami is not limited to the abilities of their Zanpakuto.

Hoshino Hibiki clearly relies too much on the power of his Zanpakuto and neglects other aspects of training.

If the opponent is a Shinigami (death god), Hoshino Hibiki will have a great advantage.

But outside of Soul Society, the Shinigami's enemies include the Hollows in Hueco Mundo and the remnants of the Quincy from the Empire of Light a thousand years ago.

Against powerful Hollows and Quincy, Hoshino Kyoga's Zanpakuto abilities are of little use.