As for Ikkaku Madarame, he hadn’t thought anywhere near that deeply.
The reason he was so persistent about dragging Makoto Senju into Squad 11—aside from viewing Makoto as a cherished friend—was simply that he had grown accustomed to Makoto constantly pumping heals into him, allowing him to recklessly savor the thrill of battle.
After all, Makoto’s heals…
were ridiculously massive!
“Senju, don’t worry!
I’ll protect you to the end,” Ikkaku beat his chest and declared solemnly, his gleaming bald head practically emitting a halo.
“As long as I have a single breath left, I’ll stand in front of you.
If the enemy wants to lay a finger on you, they’ll have to step over my dead body!” Makoto Senju had no idea where Ikkaku got such arrogant courage.
Was it the endless torrent of healing he could pump out during combat?
Stepping over Ikkaku’s dead body…
To be honest, Makoto felt that wouldn’t be very difficult for an enemy at all.
Although Ikkaku possessed the chrome-domed look of a powerful warrior, his strength hadn’t grown to match it yet.
A seated officer!
By Makoto’s estimates, Ikkaku was currently top-tier among the graduates, but placed in a squad, he would barely manage the level of a seated officer.
That’s it?
What makes you think you deserve a personal pocket healer?
Makoto thought silently to himself, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he warned, “Ikkaku, don’t raise flags like that.
We’re friends, and I really don’t want to be attending your funeral…” He paused mid-sentence, realizing he had almost blurted out his inner thoughts.
“Ahem…” Shifting his tone, Makoto said earnestly, “Ikkaku, everyone has different pursuits.
I understand that what you desire is one exhilarating battle after another, and as your friend, I’ll always support you…” “However, what I desire isn’t combat.
It’s Kaido, the medical arts.
My dream is to save lost lives from pain and illness, and that is something I cannot achieve in Squad 11, a squad dedicated solely to battle.” “Do you…
understand?” At that moment, Makoto sounded like a doctor gently counseling a terminally ill patient, his tone soft and sincere.
Ikkaku blinked, nodded, and said, “That’s right, Senju!
I’m often lost because I can’t find good opponents, and I constantly end up covered in wounds and pain from fighting…
Heck, the whole Squad 11 probably gets bruised and battered every day, giving you plenty of pain to cure and dreams to fulfill…” Pausing, Ikkaku grabbed Makoto’s fingers and squeezed them tightly.
“Senju, your muscles clearly hold so much power, and sometimes I can feel that burning heart of yours craving battle!
You’re just missing a little opportunity to unlock your potential.
Come to Squad 11—it’ll definitely open the door to a whole new world for you, trust me!” Hearing this, Makoto’s expression stiffened.
Even though he had known Ikkaku for several years, Makoto—who occasionally considered himself a bit of an oddball—was stunned by Ikkaku’s twisted logic.
Is this…
a response a normal person could come up with?
Can you keep your hands to yourself?
What do you mean ‘opportunity to unlock my potential’?
And what ‘door to a new world’?!
Just as Makoto was about to give up on straightening out Ikkaku’s brain circuit and try to break free from this sandwich trap, a large shadow draped over them from behind.
The looming, muscular silhouette of Kenpachi Zaraki appeared directly behind Makoto.
Kenpachi looked down at the three men squeezed together like a sandwich, his eyes sweeping across their faces as if remembering something.
“Oh?
Are you guys Ikkaku Madarame?
Yumichika Ayasegawa?” Instantly, Ikkaku and Yumichika released Makoto.
Their bodies tensed up, and they bowed slightly toward Kenpachi, their faces full of excitement as they answered: “Boss Zaraki, we’ve come as promised!
Please allow us to follow you as your subordinates from now on!” Kenpachi crossed his arms, his expression indifferent.
“Suit yourselves.
But if you get in the way of me enjoying a fight, I’ll cut you down too.” Ikkaku and Yumichika were overjoyed, as if receiving a grand reward, and enthusiastically responded, “Yes, sir!” Meanwhile, Yachiru Kusajishi, who was perched on Kenpachi’s shoulder, blinked her eyes and raised her hand in a cheerful wave as if recognizing them.
“Ah, it’s you guys!
Baldy and Sissy…” In an instant, the smiles on Ikkaku’s and Yumichika’s faces froze.
A vein throbbed on Ikkaku’s forehead, though he didn’t dare blow his top, explaining weakly, “That wasn’t the nickname last time.” Yachiru poked her finger against her chin, looking confused as she muttered, “Hmm?
Wasn’t it Baldy?
Or was it Chrome-dome?” “…” Ikkaku was speechless.
Not wanting to break this harmonious atmosphere, Makoto intended to slip away silently while shrinking into the background.
However, Ikkaku grabbed Makoto’s arm again, immediately changing the subject to Kenpachi: “Boss Zaraki, this is a friend Yumichika and I met at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy, named Makoto Senju.
Could you please let him join Squad 11 too?” Makoto’s face froze completely.
??!!
Who in their right mind would want to join Squad 11, a division that’s ninety-nine percent muscleheads and weirdos?!
Besides, the combined brainpower of the entire Squad 11 probably wasn’t even a fraction of Sosuke Aizen’s, the master manipulator lurking behind the scenes in Soul Society.
What if joining made him lose his mind too?
Seeing Ikkaku’s solemn request, Kenpachi finally showed a hint of curiosity and began sizing up Makoto.
Black hair, black eyes, a slender build similar to the pretty boy Yumichika—he didn’t look at all like someone who enjoyed battle or slaughter.
As for his Reiatsu…
A trace of disappointment crossed Kenpachi’s eyes.
This level of Reiatsu wasn’t just weak compared to Ikkaku and Yumichika—it wasn’t even remarkable among the average graduates.
And battle between Soul Reapers was, in a sense, a battle of Reiatsu.
Feeble Reiatsu was simply not worth paying attention to.
However, giving Ikkaku face, Kenpachi still opened his mouth and asked, “Does this kid have any special combat talent?” Ikkaku slapped his shiny head and summarized vaguely, “Makoto doesn’t have much combat talent yet, but his Kaido and medical skills are great.
His Zanpakuto can heal injuries.” Hearing this, Kenpachi lost interest entirely.
The tense Makoto couldn’t help but give Ikkaku a silent thumbs-up in his mind.
As expected of you!
Ikkaku!
Seeing that Kenpachi had lost interest in Makoto, Yumichika—who had already unconsciously taken Squad 11’s perspective and deeply understood Makoto’s value—hastily added: “Boss Zaraki, Makoto’s Zanpakuto ability provides large-scale area healing, and it continuously heals during combat while also constantly supplying Reishi and spiritual energy to others!”