Chapter 59: Muken

Hah! This is a rather grandiose stage, eh? I'm surprised they authorized the use of this place.

It was the head captain's orders.

Muken, as its name suggests, is completely closed off, and almost infinitely large.

Thus, they decided there was no other place where you would be able to swing your sword however you wanted to.

Otherwise, they never would have allowed us non-criminals to enter this space.

Non-criminals? Did I hear you right? Both you and I, if we didn't have power, we'd be just another criminal!

That's right. You do not have any power at the moment. That is why this place is appropriate. It was my suggestion.

Yeah, that's what I figured. It's not bad.

I win and I'm a captain. Lose and I'm a criminal. Whether I live or die in a fight against you, this place is still an infinite hell.

You're awfully talkative today. I like you when you're quiet. Every time I hear your voice...

...the single scar on me begins to ache.

Shut up. Don't think you're the only one who's got an aching scar!

I commend you for removing your eye-patch from the start.

However, once your eye-patch is removed, your capacity is apparent.

Weak.

For somebody who swings his sword with one arm, to not use his other arm for anything, it's hard to believe you are actually enjoying the fight.

What about you? Resorting to using a cheap trick like this to wound me.

You've changed...

Changed from the person I admired!

How dare you admire the enemy in the midst of a battle!

I haven't changed at all.

I simply did not have the leeway to use such cheap tricks when I last fought you.

Are you trying to say I've gotten weaker?

............

I admired you.

Trees, bugs, people. Cutting them was all the same to me. It meant nothing. It was no different than swinging my sword in darkness.

But when I fought you, I felt fear for the first time. For the first time, a battle felt fun. I thought if I could fight like you...

But now...

Am I going to die here without ever beating you?!

Damn it.

What's the matter? Was your mind elsewhere for a moment?

Whatever!

(What was that? It definitely seemed like...)

(Damn it. Don't waste my time thinking. Not now. Just focus on this battle.)

(Kenpachi Zaraki, you will not die. You grow stronger with every battle you survive.)

(That is the flaw you put upon yourself. And also...)