"Okay, that's everything for the handover items from the night shift. Is there anything else anyone needs to say? Are there any planned paid leave applications? If so, please tell me early. I have to adjust the duty roster."
Today is a normal work day.
It was just the time for the shift change between the night shift and the early shift.
So, the two groups were having a brief meeting to share precautions and messages.
It's the so-called handover at the change of shift.
"Okay, since there seems to be nothing else. The handover is finished. Everyone on the night shift, thank you for your hard work. Everyone on the early shift—"
Just as I said that, the door to the room was slid open with violent force, and a single man barged in without permission.
"—Another day... What? Who?"
I inadvertently raise a suspicious voice.
The young squad members were also rolling their eyes in surprise at the sudden intruder.
"Squad 11, 5th Seat. Ikkaku Madarame!"
"S-Squad 11!!"
"W-What business do you have!?"
"Don't tell me, he came targeting the Vice Captain...!!"
Oh my, my subordinates are getting restless.
Well, it's no wonder.
It hasn't even been three days since the raid incident was made into material for the Seireitei Communication.
It's no wonder they shrink back when someone comes like this at such a time.
Ikkaku Madarame.
Appearance-wise, he's a man who feels like a skinhead delinquent.
Thanks to his sanpaku eyes, he has a nasty look and a bad attitude.
As a bonus, being affiliated with Squad 11, he is skilled.
...He should be skilled, but...
I wonder why? When I see this man, only the word "Jobber" comes to mind.
And one more thing, the phrase "Zanpakuto Gacha Failure" also came to mind... why was this again?? I can't remember the reason...
If I recall, his Zanpakuto is...
...............
Well, whatever.
'(It is a bit pitiable... even though Madarame-dono is something like a victim of retconned settings... Ah! Speaking of Madarame-dono, I recall a certain other gentleman!! It makes me want to research visual culture!!)'
"What business does this 5th Seat Madarame have exactly?"
I step forward as if to protect my frightened subordinates and respond with a resolute attitude.
"Oh, you're the Vice Captain named Yukawa, right? Between that matter at Squad 11 the other day and the Seireitei Communication, looks like you've been running pretty wild, haven't you?"
"...And what of it?"
His way of picking a fight is exactly like a thug...
"What of it, you say!? Squad 11 has a reputation to keep too!! I can't stand other squads thinking we're weak or doubting Captain Zaraki's strength!!"
"So, that means you came out here personally?"
"That's right."
...Ah, I see. I remembered.
When I went to raid them before, this man wasn't there!
That's why he came.
If the lot that already got beaten up came for revenge right now, it would just be adding shame to their shame. Their ability wouldn't match up.
"You mean you want to fight me to force a correction of that article in the Seireitei Communication or wipe away the bad rumors?"
"Yeah."
I see, I see.
It means he couldn't stand the current situation, so he sent himself as an assassin.
Hmm...
So he went out of his way to come here right before the start of work for that...
"I understand. In that case, shall we do it right now—"
"Ooh, you're quick to understand!"
"—Like hell we will!!!"
"Guoooooooh!!"
Just as I showed a gesture of going outside to induce carelessness, I immediately grabbed Ikkaku's face.
The so-called Iron Claw.
I applied force with enough momentum to crush his facial bones with just my grip strength.
"Normal duties are starting right now!! Unlike Squad 11, we can't just play around!! We have to look after hospitalized patients!! There's no way I have time to deal with you!!!"
"L-Let go!! Y-You!! You said to come at you anytime, didn't you!! Ouch-ouch-ouch-ouch!!!"
Actually, I am about one sun (3 cm) taller than Ikkaku.
So, I'm doing the Iron Claw from slightly above.
Ikkaku is in a lightly suspended state, standing on tiptoes and managing to keep his balance.
The opponent is quite something too; even while in an unstable state, he grabs my arm and tries to pry it off, but with that way of applying force, you won't be able to remove it even in ten years, you know?
"Just because I said that, I wonder if there's an idiot who actually comes!? At least you should have sent a notice beforehand asking 'I will visit on this day, would it be convenient?' shouldn't you!! Is there no such thing as common sense in your head!? Shall I crack that head open and make the empty contents a little better!? Don't worry, I'll erase the scars completely!!!!"
"G-Guoooooooh!!!"
"A-Amazing..."
"Vice Captain... I will follow you for life!!"
Only Ikkaku's screams and the subordinates' eyes filled with respect were there.
...What is this?
-----
"Now then... everyone. Sorry for leaving you alone."
"No, um, is that person okay?"
"5th Seat Madarame? Isn't he fine? Let's leave the mannerless person alone and start today's duties."
"Who's mannerless, goraaaa!!"
Ah, he revived.
I thought he'd be licking the floor for about half a day since I sank him completely with the Iron Claw.
"Coming suddenly without even a single prior contact is sufficiently mannerless, isn't it?"
"Tch! Then, when is good?"
"Let's see..."
Since he asked for a schedule while being incredibly grumpy, I check my schedule.
"...About next month?"
"Like I can wait that long!! You, are you screwing with me!!"
"I'm not screwing with you!! I have plans too!!"
Like massage, chiropractic, massage!!
Or training with Soifon and being healed! This one seems to be ending soon though!
My training with Captain Unohana is still continuing too!! That person has become even scarier since she fought Kenpachi Zaraki the other day!! Ikkaku, are you saying you'll take my place in training with the Captain!?
...Hm? Take my place?? Ah, this might be an option.
"I changed my mind..."
"Hah?"
"Eh, um... Vice Captain Yukawa?"
"Go outside. We have a training ground at Squad 4, so I'll keep you company for just a little bit there."
At my words suddenly changing attitude, everyone including Ikkaku showed suspicious expressions.
"...What are you plotting?"
"Nothing in particular. More importantly, are you coming? Or not? If you miss now, next is one month later, you know?"
"Damn! I got it!! I just have to go, right, just go!!"
"That's how it is, so everyone start work ahead of me. I'll return immediately."
Telling everyone else that, I went outside.
"Saying you'll return immediately, you're underestimating me."
As soon as we arrived at the training ground, Ikkaku said such a thing.
Oh no, you were bothered by it... since it's a fact, worrying is useless though...
"More importantly, here, this is a wooden sword."
"I don't need it!!"
Ikkaku swatted away the wooden sword I went to the trouble of offering.
"Sorry, but I don't feel like I've fought with such a toy. I'll let you fight with this."
Next, he drew the Zanpakuto he wore at his waist.
But, a toy, huh.
Your squad members, including Iba-san, were beaten up with that toy though...
"Oh my, you prefer that? If it's that, I can't really hold back though..."
"Hold back? Don't look down on me, koraa!!"
Even though I haven't drawn yet, he already attacked.
Well, I didn't intend to draw yet anyway.
Ikkaku's fighting style is a bit unique, isn't it.
Holding the Zanpakuto in one hand and the scabbard in the other, it's a kind of dual-wielding style.
Is he handling attacks with the sword and defense with the scabbard?
But since he hits with the scabbard sometimes too, in a good sense it's phantasmagoric, in a bad sense it's a sloppy fighting style.
"Hm hm."
"Dammit! Scuttling around...!!"
I observe while dodging the barrage.
Certainly, he is quite strong.
But with this, it doesn't look like he can be Kenpachi's opponent yet.
I continued to dodge attacks and stick to observing after that, but... I guess this is enough assessment.
"Okay, up to here."
"Guah!!"
I draw my Zanpakuto and hit him several times with the back of the blade.
To the opponent's eyes, it probably looked like he was cut multiple times in an instant.
"Your aptitude is good, but first go train your basics. Like that, you won't reach me, and at this rate, you'll be abandoned by Captain Zaraki too, you know?"
Finally, I say that to tickle his pride and turn my back.
If I say this, Ikkaku will probably get a little stronger out of rebelliousness.
If he gets stronger that way, Kenpachi Zaraki should become interested in him as an opponent.
If Kenpachi's eyes turn to Ikkaku, I won't have to fight.
What a wonderful plan!
'In technical terms, he is what you call a Tribute fodder or Material!!'
If the text is long, I don't feel like reading it...
Effect descriptions should be up to three lines! All cards with longer text than that should be banned for life.
'Basically, you are just aiming for Illustration Advantage anyway!!'
"Wait... Why are you deciding it's over on your own, goraaa!!!"
"...!!"
Oh, I'm surprised.
I intended to deal enough damage to knock him out, but he stood up.
"And a mineuchi (striking with the back of the blade) at that... Don't screw with me!! Extend! Hozukimaru!!"
"Shikai..."
The Zanpakuto Ikkaku held became one with the scabbard and turned into a single spear.
Come to think of it, it had that ability.
"If you go that far, it won't end as a joke anymore, you know?"
"I'm not doing this for play!!"
Saying that, he attacked with the spear in hand but...
"Haa!!"
"Guaaaaaah!!"
It was settled with a single stroke.
Even with Shikai, my base ability is just too high.
'It is what they call an instant fall in two panels.'
But well, maybe I can praise just his spirit for making me turn my blade.
"Ga... ku... shit...!!"
Since I cut him, naturally he is bleeding.
His consciousness should be hazy from pain and shock, yet the guts to still curse are something else.
"Yes, yes, please come again after you become a little stronger."
Toward Ikkaku who was losing consciousness, I chanted Kaido.
-----
"Ahahahaha!! Iiiidiot iiiidiot!!"
"Pu, kukuku... I, Ikkaku...!! That is... kuku..."
"Kuh... I think I shouldn't laugh, but this is..."
Later, Squad 11 was wrapped in laughter.
"Dammit!! Laugh if you want!!"
The cause is Ikkaku Madarame.
After all, just when they thought he went out full of confidence, he came back after losing in one blow.
On top of that, he was cut with a real sword, had the wound perfectly healed, and was sent back.
It's not just a matter of adding shame to shame.
As punishment for repeated blunders.
The current Ikkaku is wearing a headband with "Loser" written on his forehead, hanging a plate saying "I lost grandly" from his neck, and to top it off, Yachiru's graffiti is written all over his face.
Thanks to his bald head, the canvas is wide, and since it is graffiti-ed so densely that unpainted parts are rare, it was no wonder he became a laughingstock.
"Shit!! I will absolutely never forget this humiliation!!"
While being wrapped in ridicule, Ikkaku renews his determination to become much, much stronger than now.
As an aside, from this day on, the figure of Ikkaku regularly going out to Squad 4 and being beaten back by Airi came to be witnessed.
Unexpectedly, he goes on to become stronger just as she planned, but that is another story.
"You guys understood with this too, right. Airi is not half-bad. I won't say don't lay a hand on her, but if you do, go with appropriate resolve."
And Kenpachi Zaraki tells his subordinates so.
In fact, Ikkaku, who charged into Airi's place alone, became greedier for strength.
Then it's no wonder to think there might be guys among the subordinates who could obtain the same result if they challenged her to a fight.
An increase in strong opponents is most welcome. Partners to enjoy fighting with increase.
"I want her even more now. If she's there, no matter how near-death the wound is, she can heal it immediately... Doesn't that mean I can enjoy fighting forever!! Can't I poach her somehow..."
If Airi is there, playmates will increase more. He can enjoy it longer.
Dreaming of a prospect full of good things, he grins with a vicious smile.
"...!? !?"
At the same time, Airi, who was working at Squad 4, seemingly felt a chill down her spine like never before, but the truth is unknown.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]