The Proper Use of Ikkaku Madarame, Genryusai's Astonishment

Ikkaku Madarame's expression was somewhat awkward.

As for Su Feng, he could not exactly say that he disliked him. If anything, he even felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

He was a powerful man who had defeated him head-on and, to a certain extent, changed his way of thinking.

It was truly difficult for Ikkaku Madarame to develop any dislike toward him.

During the days he had spent in the Prison, he had even considered that if he had met Su Feng in Rukongai before Kenpachi Zaraki—

Perhaps he would already have become a member of the Ninth Division.

In a sense, the two had influenced Ikkaku Madarame's mindset to the same degree.

This resulted in—

When Su Feng stood before Ikkaku Madarame, his gaze becoming especially complicated.

Yet what Ikkaku Madarame had not expected was that the other man's second sentence would make his heart skip a beat, nearly shattering his composure.

"You've already initially mastered Bankai, haven't you?"

Su Feng wore a smile, as though he were merely mentioning something insignificant.

Bang!

Ikkaku Madarame jolted awake, his eyes widening round as he instinctively leaned forward. His shiny head slipped directly between two iron bars and was immediately wedged tight.

"Not even Mr. Tetsuzaemon or Yumichika know about this. How did you find out?"

This was a secret he had buried deep in his heart, and he had sworn never to reveal it lightly before others.

Yet before he had even had the chance to mention it to Tetsuzaemon Iba and Yumichika Ayasegawa, the man before him had exposed it outright.

It was no wonder his composure had broken.

"So you really have mastered Bankai."

Su Feng looked surprised. "You're actually quite talented in that regard."

Once those words were spoken, no matter how foolish Ikkaku Madarame might have been, he understood that Su Feng's earlier question had merely been a test.

When one's secret was suddenly voiced by another, even the best composure could not be maintained.

Not to mention that Ikkaku Madarame had already shown signs of losing his composure when facing Su Feng.

"Since you've mastered Bankai, that makes things easier."

Su Feng said in a tone that brooked no refusal, "Your punishment will be to serve as the Ninth Division's instructor and put the Shinigami Soldiers through extreme training."

"As long as they don't die, train them like you're trying to kill them."

Ikkaku Madarame froze at those words, having never expected things to take such a strange turn.

Teach the Ninth Division's soldiers?

Could that even count as a punishment handed down in judgment?

For a moment, he could not understand it.

"Since becoming Captain of the Ninth Division, I've handled two missions in total."

Su Feng explained, "The first was you, and the second was the matter involving the Lower Aristocrat Arisugawa Clan."

"Though they were only two simple missions, the Ninth Division's flaws were clearly exposed through them."

"Without the captain or Lieutenant stepping in, they can only handle the simplest of missions."

"The moment they encounter anyone with even a little strength, these soldiers become useless."

It had been obvious when they exchanged Shakkahō with Arisugawa Ryo and the others in Inutsuri District.

They had one Lieutenant, one Third Seat, and ten Shinigami Soldiers on their side, yet even with their Kido combined, they had failed to blast the enemy to pieces.

They had truly performed far too poorly.

Not only had the Ninth Division's soldiers failed to make any positive contribution, they had even seemed to be holding everyone back.

If they did not straighten things out now, then for every task, large or small, he would probably have to handle it personally in the future.

There was no doubt about it.

Ikkaku Madarame might not be considered a powerhouse, but he was absolutely a qualified teacher.

After all, he had taught Renji Abarai.

Certainly.

Renji Abarai himself was quite talented, but Ikkaku Madarame's abilities deserved even more recognition.

Put everything to good use.

With such a useful tool at hand, was Su Feng supposed to teach them himself instead?

He would rather use that time to drink with courtesans in the Red-light District.

Were Kikuhime Tayuu and the others not far more appealing than this bunch of burly men?

"This kind of request..."

Ikkaku Madarame bared his teeth, veins bulging across his forehead. "It takes up far too much time!"

"Pay attention to one thing."

The atmosphere in the Prison abruptly turned cold. The smile on Su Feng's face remained unchanged, but it sent chills down one's spine.

"I am not discussing this with you. I am handing down your punishment in my capacity as Captain of the Ninth Division."

Su Feng reached out and pressed a hand atop Ikkaku Madarame's bald head, lightly patting it. "You'd better know what's good for you. Otherwise, next time it won't be the Prison, but Mugen..."

Seeing the cold smile that made his heart go icy, Ikkaku Madarame forced an ingratiating grin onto his face.

"Ha, haha, leave it to me! I guarantee Captain Su Feng will be satisfied!"

Su Feng nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you. The special training begins tomorrow."

With that, he turned and prepared to leave.

"Cough, there's one more thing." Ikkaku Madarame's voice came from behind him. "Could I trouble Captain Su Feng one more time?"

"My, my head is stuck between the bars..."

Su Feng turned back and saw a round, bright-red bald head shining brilliantly between two iron bars.

Under the light, it was especially conspicuous.

First Division Barracks.

Before the empty eaves.

A figure sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, his grizzled beard hanging before him. With nothing shielding him, he allowed the scorching sunlight to fall upon his body.

"Today's sunlight is as pleasant as ever."

During his days off, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai most enjoyed indulging in a hearty sunbath at noon.

In his view, it was the most relaxing way to ease one's mind.

"My apologies for disturbing your leave, Lord Genryusai."

Okiya Genshirō appeared behind him on the wooden floor, kneeling with his head lowered in an exceptionally respectful manner.

The First Division's Third Seat possessed balanced strength and could be considered a well-rounded fighter. His execution ability was so formidable that he would have been more than qualified to serve as Lieutenant of another division.

It was precisely because of this execution ability that Yamamoto Genryusai trusted him deeply.

"There is new intelligence regarding Tsunayashiro Su Feng, Captain of the Ninth Division."

At those words, Yamamoto Genryusai rubbed his slightly aching temples, and a trace of helplessness actually surfaced on his aged face.

If he remembered correctly, Chōjirō seemed to have reported related intelligence not long ago, hadn't he?

For this brat to prompt consecutive reports from both a Lieutenant and a Third Seat, he truly did not let anyone rest easy!

Seeing that Yamamoto Genryusai did not respond, Okiya Genshirō continued in a low voice.

"Kaname Tosen, formerly the Fifth Seat of the Ninth Division, initiated a Captaincy Battle against Tsunayashiro Su Feng. He was beaten into a critically wounded state and sent to the General Relief Station."

"Yesterday, Tsunayashiro Su Feng led his Lieutenant, Third Seat, and several soldiers to smash down the Arisugawa Clan's main gate in the Noble District, taking away most of the Arisugawa Clan's members."

"Even Kawakawa Kuranosuke was among them..."

Before he could finish, Yamamoto Genryusai's half-closed eyes suddenly opened, and the helplessness on his face was replaced by astonishment.