Chapter 43: Squad 11

"Howl, Zabimaru."

Renji Abarai held his sword in his right hand, and his left hand brushed over the blade. In the next moment, his Zanpakutō changed its shape, transforming into a double-edged Snake Tail sword.

It resembled a cleaver, with six serrations extending from the top, totaling seven segments in all.

Upon release, Renji Abarai wielded the longsword and slashed towards Yamahiko.

Yamahiko lightly dodged, landing behind him.

However, as soon as his feet touched the ground, the sword in Renji Abarai's hand suddenly extended. The blade flew out, connected by steel wires, and slashed towards Yamahiko.

Yamahiko swayed his body, avoiding this attack. But Zabimaru, once again, coiled around him. Three blade sections connected by steel wires encircled Yamahiko, closing in on him from all sides.

As the blades were about to touch Yamahiko's skin, his form disappeared, and he leaped into the air.

Suspended in mid-air, Zabimaru spiraled upwards once more, attempting to strangle Yamahiko.

However, Yamahiko lightly stepped on one of the blades, causing his body to vanish with a swish, reappearing in front of Renji Abarai. His Zanpakutō was held horizontally at Renji Abarai's throat.

"I lost," Renji Abarai said in defeat, lowering the sword in his hand. Zabimaru returned to its katana form.

Yamahiko smiled and said, "Not at all bad. You've mastered Shikai in just two years since joining the squad."

Renji Abarai smiled wryly and replied, "Even with Shikai, I can't compare to you. I can't even touch the hem of your clothes."

Yamahiko shook his head and said, "Your Zabimaru is powerful, but it has a drawback. It can only strike from a distance three times and must be retracted. So, I took the opportunity to attack you, gaining the upper hand."

Renji Abarai looked surprised and asked, "How did you figure it out? I only used it once."

Yamahiko couldn't reveal that he had seen Renji Abarai's Shikai's description in Manga. Instead, he said, "Because during the opening for the third strike, you didn't encircle me. I guessed you couldn't perform a fourth attack."

Renji Abarai nodded and said, "I see."

"Alright, now it's my turn."

A figure approached from not far away, standing in front of Yamahiko, and said with a smile, "Yamahiko, it's been a while since we had a fight."

The newcomer was none other than Ikkaku Madarame, the third seat of Squad 11. Currently, Yamahiko was also in Squad 11 barrack, and it had been two years since Renji Abarai was transferred directly to Squad 11, altering his destiny.

He was now a rising star in Squad 11, attracting significant attention. Even Captain Kenpachi Zaraki held high expectations for him, and he trained with Renji Abarai day in and day out, rapidly improving his strength.

At this point, Yamahiko was twenty years old, having been a member of the Onmitsukidō for six years. Renji Abarai and the others had already graduated for two years.

However, Yamahiko still hadn't mastered Shikai, and he couldn't figure out why his Zanpakutō had yet to acknowledge him.

Yamahiko was deeply troubled by this but could only incrementally enhance his strength. His Shunpo, Hakuda swordsmanship, and Kidō were all extremely proficient.

As for Shunkō, Suì-Fēng had already completed the explosive release of her Reiryoku and the coordination with her body. However, the process of integrating it with her hand-to-hand combat to create a unique fighting style required further exploration. But it was estimated to be achievable within the next year or two.

Nevertheless, Yamahiko had mastered some Shunkō techniques, such as concentrating it on his legs for increased speed or on his arms for enhanced strength.

Of course, he considered these techniques secret and was reluctant to use them casually.

Ikkaku Madarame stood before Yamahiko, sheathing his sword. He shouted in a low voice, "Grow, Hōzukimaru."

His Zanpakutō transformed into a longspear. Then Ikkaku Madarame continued, "Split Apart, Hōzukimaru."

As he uttered these words, the longspear split into three sections, forming a tri-sectional staff, with one of the segments featuring both a wooden staff and a blade.

Ikkaku Madarame gripped the first section tightly in his left hand and the section with the blade in his right hand. He advanced with a wide stance, his gaze locked onto Yamahiko.

Upon seeing this scene, Yamahiko drew his Zanpakutō. He tapped his foot on the ground, disappearing from view. When he reappeared, he was right in front of Ikkaku Madarame.

"So fast," Ikkaku Madarame remarked.

With a quick motion, he raised the first section of the tri-sectional staff in his left hand to block Yamahiko's strike. A muffled sound echoed as Yamahiko's Zanpakutō clashed against the weapon.

Next, Ikkaku Madarame's right hand, gripping the section with the blade, thrust it towards Yamahiko's face.

Yamahiko didn't evade. Instead, he pulled back his Zanpakutō and sliced horizontally.

Clang.

This was the sound of Yamahiko's blade meeting the blade on Ikkaku Madarame's staff, thwarting his thrust.

Ikkaku Madarame's left-hand staff struck out again, aiming at Yamahiko, but it was once again blocked by Yamahiko's Zanpakutō.

Ikkaku Madarame continued to attack with both staff and sword, but each of his strikes was deftly parried by Yamahiko's blade.

However, Yamahiko did not counterattack. He merely used his single sword to defend against Ikkaku Madarame's attacks, making them seem almost nonexistent.

Ikkaku Madarame tried changing his attack pattern, using the tri-sectional staff to encircle Yamahiko, but Yamahiko's responses were swift, effortlessly dodging the strikes.

After more than a hundred exchanges, neither had gained an advantage. Ikkaku Madarame took a step back and said, "Let's stop. I still can't defeat you."

Yamahiko smiled and replied, "But I also can't surpass Senior."

"Is that so?" Ikkaku Madarame sheathed his Zanpakutō, sighed, and continued, "Five and a half years ago, you challenged me with dual wielding and forced me to use my Shikai's first form, and you lost. Two years ago, you used dual wielding again, forcing me to reveal my tri-sectional staff form, and we fought to a draw. Now, you can hold your own against me with a single sword. If you were to use dual wielding, I wouldn't stand a chance."

Yamahiko's current strength was on par with Ikkaku Madarame, even without the use of Kidō and dual wielding. This was thanks to his weekly special training sessions with Captain Suì-Fēng. His Hakuda skills had grown increasingly powerful, and his mastery of the Onmitsukidō's Shunpo had become more refined. Among all the vice-captains, his speed in both movement and attack was unmatched.

Moreover, Ikkaku Madarame's Zanpakutō was primarily for direct attacks and lacked the versatility of those like Renji Abarai's Shikai. It couldn't enhance his strength or speed.

Against the Shikai of future opponents Yamahiko foresaw difficulties in countering their abilities.

Yamahiko said to Ikkaku Madarame, "But I still haven't mastered Shikai."

Ikkaku Madarame chuckled and replied, "Perhaps your Shikai is exceptionally powerful."

Yamahiko sighed, "I hope so."

In his heart, Yamahiko felt somewhat disheartened. He knew that with complete mastery of Shunkō, he could improve his abilities. However, he still longed to wield his Zanpakutō. Seven years had passed, and he hadn't achieved Shikai. This left him feeling deeply frustrated.

With the Reiryoku of a sixth class and the strength of a vice-captain, why couldn't he gain recognition?

Renji Abarai had mastered Shikai, and Izuru Kira had mastered Shikai. Why couldn't he do it?

Thinking of this, Yamahiko felt somewhat disheartened. He bowed respectfully to Ikkaku Madarame and said, "Senior, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back."

Ikkaku Madaramei walked over, put his arm around Yamahiko's shoulder, and said, "Don't go. Let's have a drink later. My treat."

Yamahiko waved his hand and replied, "Not today. I have some official matters to attend to."

"Alright."

Ikkaku Madarame nodded and smiled, "Then, until next time. I'll become even stronger."

"Okay."

Yamahiko looked forward to that. After bidding farewell, as he reached the door, a figure blocked his path.

"Little brat, have you surpassed Madarame?"

Kenpachi Zaraki looked down at Yamahiko, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Yamahiko modestly replied, "Captain, I can only barely keep up with Senior."

"No, you do indeed possess greater strength than him."

Zaraki's lips curled up as he said, "So today, I'll be your opponent."

Kenpachi Zaraki being his opponent? What was Captain Zaraki talking about? There was no way he could win against him, even if he used his incomplete Shunkō.

Yamahiko hurriedly said, "Captain, I can't possibly be your opponent. Please..."

Before Yamahiko could finish speaking, he was forced to stop. Fear filled his face.

In front of Yamahiko, Zaraki Kenpachi raised the sword in his hand high, a sinister grin on his face, and said, "You hypocritical little brat. Since you're not my opponent, then you can only meet your end here."

With Zaraki's words, the sword in his hand suddenly descended, aiming for Yamahiko's head.