'Even though I've already released my Shikai, he still has no intention of drawing his weapon...?'
The tip of Hozukimaru pointed at Yoh Asakura. Seeing the boy standing there completely full of openings once again, Ikkaku Madarame no longer felt any inclination to underestimate him.
This man was strong!
"Just fighting is a bit dull, isn't it? How about a bet?"
Yoh proposed.
"A bet? What do you want to bet on?"
Ikkaku replied, his eyes never straying from Yoh for even a second.
"If I lose, I'm at your disposal. Kill me or capture me, do as you wish. But if you lose without me having to use a weapon, then you must become my Guardian Spirit."
"Guardian Spirit? What the hell is that?"
Hearing this novel term again, Ikkaku didn't ignore it like before; information about an enemy was always welcome.
"Well, it's a bit complicated to explain. Simply put, it means becoming my companion."
"I see. However, I can't agree to that bet. After all, I've already sworn my life's loyalty to someone else."
"I figured it wouldn't be that easy... but the more you're like this, the more I want you."
Ikkaku's intense fighting spirit and loyalty reminded Yoh of his original Guardian Spirit from the Shaman King world—Amidamaru.
Furthermore, as a spiritual body, while Amidamaru had gradually attained a spirit-like state over six hundred years, his strength certainly couldn't compare to a Soul Reaper like Ikkaku Madarame.
"I don't accept courtships from men! Win first!!"
While dodging the rain-like flurry of thrusts from Hozukimaru, Yoh considered whether he should take control of the man by force.
Though it seemed feasible given the precedent with Renji Abarai, without a true unity of mind and spirit, it would be impossible to fully unleash the Guardian Spirit's total power.
"Can't we negotiate further? Whatever the Seireitei pays you, I'll triple it!"
Yoh grabbed the end of the spear lunging toward him, still trying to coax his opponent.
"Talk is useless! Split! Hozukimaru!"
At Ikkaku's command, the spear shaft split into three equal sections.
"Hozukimaru isn't a spear! It's a three-section staff!"
Ikkaku laughed as he swung the section tipped with a blade toward Yoh's neck. Many troublesome enemies had fallen to this trick before.
"I already knew that."
Yoh's hand gripped the spear's end with sudden force, directly hurling both the man and his weapon away. The power was so great that they smashed right through a solid wall.
"Ikkaku!"
Yumichika Ayasegawa, who had been watching tensely, could no longer sit still. He rushed to the pile of rubble, looking worriedly at the prone Ikkaku Madarame.
He had remained a bystander because he knew Ikkaku had told him not to interfere. He understood his friend's temper; if he stepped in or attempted a sneak attack, Ikkaku would definitely be furious.
Moreover, he had no confidence that he could take down the opponent himself.
'Would I have a chance if I used my true Shikai...'
It was hard to say, as Yumichika couldn't feel any sign of Reiatsu being used by the boy. In that case, he wasn't sure if his ability to drain spiritual power would even work.
"I'm fine... I'm not going to lose like this..."
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Ikkaku used Hozukimaru to push himself back up.
"Again!"
Yumichika pursed his lips, wanting to talk him out of it, but eventually gave up and retreated to the side. Of course, he only did so because he sensed no killing intent from Yoh; otherwise, he would never have stood by, even at the risk of being hated.
"Sigh, you should understand that you can't possibly beat me with just a Shikai."
"We won't know that until I try."
Seeing that Ikkaku still didn't get the point, Yoh let out a long sigh. He was losing interest in the fight; a battle of this level wouldn't be of any help to his own strength.
"Do I need to be clearer? To fight me, you at least need to release your Bankai."
Yoh's words caused both Ikkaku and Yumichika to freeze simultaneously, staring at him with looks of utter disbelief.
'How... How does he know?'
Only two people knew that Ikkaku had mastered Bankai: Yumichika, who was watching nearby, and Renji Abarai, who had once been his subordinate and sought his guidance.
"Heh! You think Bankai is common as dirt? As if any Soul Reaper can do it! That's a power only those at the Captain level can master!"
Despite feeling guilty, Ikkaku maintained his stubborn front. Perhaps this Ryoka was just talking nonsense.
"Stop pretending. There are no outsiders here."
Yoh gave him a knowing look.
'You're the outsider here...!'
Ikkaku and Yumichika both retorted in their heads.
'Wait! This Reiatsu—!'
Ikkaku suddenly looked behind Yoh, while Yumichika felt a wave of relief.
BOOM!
With a massive explosion, rubble flew everywhere as another wall of the Seireitei was destroyed. As the dust settled, a tall, ferocious figure wearing an eyepatch appeared.
If Ichigo Kurosaki's hair was like a hedgehog's, then this man's hairstyle was more like a porcupine's, with a tiny bell tied to the end of every 'spine.' It was a remarkably avant-garde look.
"Yo! Looks like you guys are having fun. Ikkaku, let me have a turn."
"Captain!? Aren't you supposed to be at the meeting!?"
Needless to say, this was the Captain of Squad 11, the battle-maniac Kenpachi Zaraki.
"With something this interesting happening here, how could I be in the mood for some damn meeting? It's all just mindless chatter anyway. At most, the old man will give me a scolding later."
Kenpachi cracked his stiff neck, a fanatical grin spreading across his face as he looked at Yoh, who had already reached for the weapon on his back.
'He didn't even use a weapon to fight Ikkaku? It seems this guy will let me enjoy the thrill of battle!'
"Baldy! Hahaha! You look so pathetic!"
A small pink head suddenly popped up from Kenpachi's shoulder. She looked five or six at most, with chubby cheeks and pink patches of blush. She was quite cute.
But as soon as she spoke, the blood already flowing from Ikkaku's head spurted out even more violently.
[ Author's Note : If you're loving the story, a power_stone, review or comment means the world!
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