What I Look Forward To...

As for Madarame Ikkaku, he had not thought that much into it at all. The reason he kept wanting to recruit Chiba Makoto into the Eleventh Division was not only because he regarded Makoto as a treasured friend, but also because he had grown accustomed to Makoto constantly "healing" him, allowing him to enjoy battle to his heart's content.

After all, Makoto's "healing"... was ridiculously abundant!

"Chiba, don't worry. I'll always protect you. As long as I still have a breath left in me, I'll stand in front of you. If any enemy wants to touch you, they'll have to step over my corpse first!"

Madarame Ikkaku thumped his chest and declared solemnly, his gleaming bald head seeming to radiate a halo.

Makoto simply had no idea what gave Ikkaku such arrogant courage. Was it the constant amount of "healing" Makoto could provide during battle?

What stepping over Madarame Ikkaku's corpse...

Honestly speaking, Makoto really did not think that would be particularly difficult.

After all, although Ikkaku had already acquired the bald-headed appearance of a true powerhouse, his actual strength was nowhere near a level that matched it.

A seated officer!

By Makoto's estimate, Ikkaku was currently among the top tier of graduates, but if placed in a division, he could only barely be considered at the level of a seated officer.

And with that?

What gave you the right to have a dedicated "healer"?

Makoto silently thought this, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he reminded him, "Ikkaku, don't raise a flag like that. We're friends. I've never thought of taking your seat..."

At that point, Makoto's voice paused as he realized he had nearly blurted out his inner thoughts by accident.

"Cough..."

Makoto changed his tone and said sincerely, "Ikkaku, everyone pursues different things. I understand that what you hope for is one enjoyable, satisfying battle after another. As your friend, I'll always support you..."

"However, what I seek is not battle, but Kaido—Medical Skills. My dream is to save one lost life after another from illness and pain, and that is something I cannot achieve in the combat-focused Eleventh Division."

"Do... you understand?"

At that moment, Makoto seemed like he was advising a terminally ill patient, his tone gentle and sincere.

Ikkaku blinked, then nodded and said, "That's right, Chiba. I often feel lost because I can't find an opponent, and battles often leave my whole body aching from injuries... Hmm, the entire Eleventh Division probably has plenty of injuries every day for you to treat. You could fulfill your dream..."

After a pause, Ikkaku gripped Makoto's hand and rubbed his five fingers hard as he said, "Chiba, there's clearly so much strength contained in your muscles, and sometimes I can sense that burning heart of yours that longs for battle. So you must just lack a tiny little opportunity to develop yourself. Come to the Eleventh Division. We'll definitely open the door to a whole new world for you. Trust me!"

Makoto's expression stiffened at those words.

Despite having known Madarame Ikkaku for several years, Makoto—who felt that he himself could be a little perverted at times—could not help feeling that Ikkaku's unique way of thinking was utterly perverse.

Was that... an answer a normal person could come up with?

Could his hand behave itself? What did he mean by lacking an opportunity for development? What was this door to a new world?

Just as Makoto was about to give up trying to correct Ikkaku's thought process and find a way to escape this pincer attack, a shadow fell over him from behind. Zaraki Kenpachi's broad, towering figure had appeared directly at Makoto's back.

Zaraki Kenpachi looked down from above at the three men pressed together like a sandwich. His gaze swept across their faces, and as though recalling something, he said, "Oh? You two are Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika?"

At once, Ikkaku and Yumichika hurriedly released Makoto, straightened their bodies, and bowed slightly toward Zaraki Kenpachi. Their faces were filled with excitement as they answered, "Boss Zaraki, we came as promised. From now on, please allow us to follow you as your subordinates."

Zaraki Kenpachi crossed his arms, his expression unchanged as he replied, "Do whatever you want. If you interfere with my enjoyment of battle, I'll cut down the two of you too."

Ikkaku and Yumichika were overjoyed, as though they had received some sort of reward, and answered excitedly, "Yes!"

Kusajishi Yachiru, who was perched on Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder, blinked as though she recognized them too, then cheerfully raised a hand in greeting.

"Hey, it's you two! Baldy and pretty boy..."

In an instant, Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika's smiles froze.

A vein bulged slightly on Ikkaku's forehead, but he did not dare act up as he explained, "Those weren't the nicknames from last time."

Yachiru poked her chin with a finger, seeming to fall into confusion as she muttered, "Hm? Wasn't it Baldy? Then was it Chrome Dome?"

"..." Madarame Ikkaku.

Just as Makoto, unwilling to ruin this harmonious atmosphere, prepared to quietly slip away by shrinking backward, Ikkaku grabbed Makoto's arm again and directly changed the subject as he said to Zaraki Kenpachi, "Boss Zaraki, this is a friend Yumichika and I met at Shin'ō Academy. His name is Chiba Makoto. Could you let him join the Eleventh Division?"

Makoto's expression completely froze.

??!!

Who would want to join a division where 99% of the members were gay men and muscleheads?!

Besides, the brains of everyone in the entire Eleventh Division combined probably did not amount to even a fraction of those belonging to Aizen Sōsuke, the hidden final boss lurking within Soul Society. What if Makoto joined them and got assimilated without even realizing it?

Seeing the solemn expression on Ikkaku's face, Zaraki Kenpachi finally showed a trace of curiosity and began examining Makoto.

A black-haired, black-eyed youth with a build similar to the pretty-boy Ayasegawa Yumichika—he did not look at all like someone who understood how to enjoy battle and slaughter. As for his spiritual pressure...

Disappointment could not help appearing in Zaraki Kenpachi's eyes.

With spiritual pressure of this level, let alone compared to Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, he was not outstanding even among the graduates.

Battles between Soul Reapers were, in a sense, almost battles of spiritual pressure. Weak spiritual pressure simply wasn't worth paying attention to.

Still, for Madarame Ikkaku's sake, Zaraki Kenpachi asked, "Does this guy have any special combat talents?"

Madarame Ikkaku patted his gleaming bald head and gave a somewhat vague summary. "Chiba doesn't have any combat talents for now, but his healing arts and medical skills are excellent. His Zanpakuto can heal injuries."

By this point, Zaraki Kenpachi had completely lost interest. The tense Chiba Makoto silently gave Madarame Ikkaku a thumbs-up.

As expected of you!

Ikkaku!

Seeing that Zaraki Kenpachi seemed to have lost interest in Chiba Makoto, Ayasegawa Yumichika—who had already unconsciously begun viewing things from the Eleventh Division's perspective and deeply understood Chiba Makoto's value—quickly added with precision.

"Boss Zaraki, Chiba's Zanpakuto has large-scale healing abilities. It can provide continuous healing during battle and can even keep supplying Reiryoku to others without end!"