The thunderous clash between the asauchi and spear echoed heavily throughout the kendō dojo.
As Ikkaku retreated, spiderweb-like cracks spread beneath his feet across the wooden floorboards. Nobu caught sight of this and couldn't help but twitch in alarm.
I'm going to have to pay for that!
In the next moment, a visible spiritual barrier expanded outward from Nobu's body, quickly enveloping the entire room.
Ikkaku instantly became alert, sensing danger. Yet the barrier merely passed harmlessly over him without causing any adverse effects.
"What did you just do?" he demanded.
"Nothing special, just a barrier to prevent us from being interrupted. This is a school, after all; too much commotion would draw unwanted attention," Nobu replied easily. "You can freely release your reiatsu now."
Hearing this, Ikkaku laughed wildly, and an oppressive wave of spiritual pressure exploded outward from his body.
With his Zanpakutō released, Ikkaku's attacks grew increasingly wild and savage. Even though neither had sustained any injury, Nobu could faintly sense a feral bloodlust, carried toward him by Ikkaku's reiatsu.
Ikkaku leaped high, fiercely thrusting his spear downward at Nobu from midair.
Nobu casually sidestepped, easily avoiding the attack.
The tip of Hōzukimaru smashed into the floor this time without causing damage. Ikkaku, however, paid no attention to the floor. He quickly regained his footing and thrust his spear forward again.
Using the advantage of his longer reach, Ikkaku's fierce attacks forced Nobu to remain about two meters away.
Seeing this, Ikkaku sneered mockingly, "What's wrong, brat? Where's all that bravado from earlier?"
Nobu appeared to be kept at bay, yet he effortlessly evaded each thrust with calm precision.
Ikkaku shouldn't have Bankai yet—and even if he does, he certainly wouldn't reveal it here.
Initially, Nobu thought Ikkaku might make a suitable opponent, but this style of combat didn't satisfy him. While wild and unrefined fighting methods could dominate inexperienced swordsmen, facing someone with exceptional skill felt like watching a monkey swinging a sword—it lacked refinement.
Another of Hōzukimaru's thrusts missed. Ikkaku felt rising frustration. Though his long weapon appeared to give him the upper hand, Nobu's easy evasions made him feel like he was being toyed with.
Why isn't this guy counterattacking?
Ikkaku's mind raced. Was Nobu waiting for a perfect opening, or was he just playing around? Unable to land a decisive blow, Ikkaku hesitated over whether to change tactics.
Yet changing his approach recklessly could expose himself again. He still dreaded close combat; Nobu's previous precise strike had deeply unsettled him.
But continuing like this wasn't helping either.
Screw it!
Fierce determination filled Ikkaku's eyes as he shifted abruptly from thrusting to slashing downward.
At that very instant, Nobu swiftly met the attack head-on. Then, with incredible speed, he slid his blade smoothly along the spear's shaft toward Ikkaku.
Damn it!
Shock flashed through Ikkaku's mind. Nobu had once again perfectly seized the opening!
In spear form, Hōzukimaru lacked a guard—there was nothing to prevent Nobu's blade from slicing straight into his hand or wrist.
It was too late to regret now. With the blade sliding along the shaft toward him, Ikkaku faced a desperate choice: abandon his weapon or lose his hand.
Grinding his teeth, Ikkaku roared out defiantly:
"[Split, Hōzukimaru]!"
Instantly, his Zanpakutō transformed from spear to three-sectioned staff. In the brief moment Nobu's balance faltered due to the sudden change, Ikkaku aimed to entangle his asauchi completely.
But his optimism was short-lived. Nobu's sword suddenly lifted into midair. With ghost-like agility, Nobu twisted his body and plucked his blade precisely through the narrow gap between the sections.
A chilling gleam flashed toward Ikkaku's throat.
Swish!
A bone-chilling cold grazed his neck. Ikkaku froze in place, holding two sections of Hōzukimaru tightly, rooted mid-retreat.
Nobu held the blade at his throat, smiling faintly. "Hesitation leads to defeat, Madarame-san."
Ikkaku swallowed hard. Nobu had spotted his weakness the first time easily enough; but this second time was worse—not only had he exposed another flaw, he'd executed an unimaginably graceful maneuver. Releasing his sword, pivoting, retrieving it midair…
Is this really the kendō taught at Shin'ō Academy? Why have I never seen it before?
Nobu slowly withdrew the blade from Ikkaku's neck, smiling amiably. "Seems I made a miscalculation. Lieutenant Shiba chose the wrong sparring partner for me."
A vein bulged visibly on Ikkaku's gleaming head, but he had no retort.
Twice he'd been utterly outmaneuvered. Even if this was merely a spar, it wasn't easy to swallow. Still, he wasn't a sore loser, so he just snorted softly.
Nobu spoke the truth. Through this fight, he clearly realized the opponents he truly needed were Shinigami skilled at fluidly blending Kidō and Shunpo into their swordsmanship, not someone like Ikkaku.
With a casual flourish, Nobu gracefully sheathed his sword.
The spiritual barrier enveloping the dojo rapidly returned to his body.
"Thanks for the match."
"..."
Ikkaku stood straight, his expression complicated, as his three-sectioned staff reverted to its sealed form.
After a thoughtful pause, he asked, "Tachikawa Nobu, you're graduating soon, right?"
"Next year," Nobu replied. This term was nearly over, and the following year would mark his last at the academy.
Ikkaku didn't question why someone with such exceptional skills hadn't graduated earlier. Instead, he said straightforwardly, "Join our Eleventh Division. With swordsmanship like yours… we're a combat-specialized squad. You'd fit perfectly."
All past captains of the Eleventh Division bore the title "Kenpachi," signifying unmatched mastery of swordsmanship. So, it wasn't unreasonable for Ikkaku to claim his squad was the most suitable choice for Nobu.
However, Nobu responded with a polite apology. "Sorry, but due to certain circumstances, the squad I'm joining after graduation has already been decided."
Ikkaku paused, briefly surprised, but quickly understood. Someone of Nobu's caliber would naturally attract interest early on. His own captain and lieutenant never bothered with recruitment matters, and as a mere Third Seat, neither did he. Those who joined the Eleventh Division did so by their own choice.
Despite this, due to their reputation as Soul Society's strongest combat division, the Eleventh Squad received numerous volunteers annually, even sending excess recruits to other squads.
Feeling it a pity, Ikkaku casually asked, "Which division?"
"The Fourth Division."
Ikkaku thought he misheard. "What did you just say? Which division?"
"The Fourth Division," Nobu repeated clearly.
"..."
Yumichika, who'd remained silent from beginning to end, now stared blankly.
The Eleventh Division prized martial prowess above all. Members wielded Zanpakutō focused purely on direct attacks, disdained Kidō, and openly mocked those who fought using Kidō-based Zanpakutō.
This was precisely why Yumichika kept the true, Kidō-based nature of his own Zanpakutō hidden.
Yet even more contemptible to the Eleventh Division than those who relied on Kidō were—
—the healers and logistics specialists of the Fourth Division!