2-2 Extremely Personal Reasons

This is a waste of time. I don't care about some fight between Soul Reapers. Why should we help you out?

I agree. I don't think we need to go out of our way to ask others for help either.

If I can just consider everyone in front of me my enemy, that'd make my life a whole lot easier.

You're the bastard who killed Nnoitora, right?

Arrancars can't even look at me without saying that name. So what? Are you stronger than Nnoitora or something?

Don't compare me to a dead guy.

What's the difference?

All right, that's enough.

I will explain the situation in the Soul Society to you now.

Think of it as an apology from us Soul Reapers causing trouble for everyone.

An apology, you say?

We may be in a ceasefire, but joining with Arrancars, Quincies, and wanted Fullbringers who have killed Soul Reapers in order to rebel against the Four Great Noble Clans is quite the scandal.

This could very well get me sacked.

You already have a tight grip on the weakness of the Head Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

From now on, when there are disputes with the Soul Society, you can play this current give-and-take as your hand.

What guarantee do we have that we won't be silenced once this is all over?

Even if I declare that I won't do that,

there's no way to prove that I'm telling the truth.

In any case, I'll make sure to tell the captains to stay out of your way, including Captain Kurotsuchi.

Aren't you getting ahead of yourself? Do you really think the Head Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads has the jurisdiction to dictate the details of the Department of Research & Development's work?

Rather, I'm surprised you'd think I don't. Well, I'm begging you, Captain Kurotsuchi. I'll do my best to accommodate you in the future.

I don't trust you. Why should I stay quiet about any of this in the first place?

If I was no longer Head Captain, then Captain Kuchiki would probably be my replacement.

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

When it comes to criticism of your personal research, I'm much more preferable, aren't I?

You're a cunning man indeed.

Why are you going this far, Soul Reaper?

For the future of this world and the Soul Society. But that's not the only reason.

A man I will never see eye-to-eye with is attempting to do something that I can't stomach the thought of.

Is it that unnatural for me to want to interfere, even if it means striking him from behind?

Head Captain!

Consider what you just heard the words of the individual, Shunsui Kyoraku, not the words of the Head Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

Heh, that's easy to understand. I can get behind that.

Don't let any Soul Reapers get in the way when Ichigo and I fight to the death. I could take care of them all myself, but I don't want to waste the time and energy.

I don't think that's a promise I even need to make.

I'm sure Ichigo is looking forward to fighting you one-on-one as well. We won't get in your way.

Could you swear those words to Stark?

Huh?

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

Only amateurs would give up a victory for the sake of a code of honor.

As a captain, I can't afford such luxury.

(Good grief. She even noticed our battle during that melee. As to be expected from the current ruler of Hueco Mundo.)

Yes, I promise.

Although it'll be a different story if we end up at war with you again.

There is rarely a clear cut determination of a good side and a bad side in these battles. It's hard to pinpoint who caused what exactly. Once war breaks out...

...both sides become evil.

The battle that Ichigo will face is likely something other than war.