In the blink of an eye, nine months had passed, and Kurotsuki Renya had been temporarily borrowing a Zanpakutō for eleven months. He infused his soul into it every day, yet he still had not been acknowledged by his true Zanpakutō spirit.
Renya was not in a hurry. He knew his Zanpakutō would not be weak, so he focused on improving himself step by step.
Because Renya's current spiritual pressure was only at the fifth-class level, he was temporarily unable to study advanced Kidō or master high-level Hadō such as Hadō #63: Raikōhō (Thunder Roar Cannon) and Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō (Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon). These two techniques were critical breakthroughs for research into lightning-attribute Shunkō. But limited by Renya's rank, he could not learn them yet, and so his progress in Shunkō research had gradually reached a bottleneck.
At this stage, Renya's main goal was to increase his spiritual pressure to the sixth-class level, which would allow him to advance in other areas as well. Though he still had some distance to go, his Shunpo, swordsmanship, and Hakuda had improved rapidly.
Sui-Feng's strict training had accelerated his growth tremendously.
At this time, Renya walked slowly into the Eleventh Division barracks. As soon as he stepped inside, voices rang out in unison:
"Greetings, Kurotsuki Renya!"
Several members of the Eleventh Division stood on both sides, saluting him.
This respect was not because of Renya's temporary position, nor because of his connection with Yachiru Kusajishi, but because of his challenges within the Eleventh Division.
When he had first arrived, no one had taken him seriously, dismissing him as just a child. Then he challenged an ordinary seated officer, who mocked him, only for Renya to easily claim victory. Afterward, he fought higher-seated members, gradually working his way up until he could defeat even those ranked five seats above him.
Eventually, he sought to challenge Ikkaku Madarame, the division's 3rd Seat, though Ikkaku initially dismissed him. Renya continued pressing the challenge, but despite his progress, he had yet to defeat Ikkaku, not even forcing him to release his Shikai. This left Renya frustrated but determined.
Today, he had returned to challenge him once more.
"Renya, you're finally here. You've avoided me for a month—I thought you'd lost your nerve."
Ikkaku stopped mid-swing during his training, resting his Zanpakutō on his shoulder as he looked at the boy.
Renya smiled faintly. "Senior Ikkaku, I hope you can still say that after our bout."
"Hah, confident brat." Ikkaku stepped onto the division's training ring, eyes full of fighting spirit.
Renya followed, replying calmly, "I've trained this past month for one reason—to defeat you."
"Then show me."
Ikkaku drew his Zanpakutō, the glint in his eyes sharp as ever.
Nearby, Yumichika Ayasegawa warned the crowd, "Everyone, move back. Don't get caught in their fight."
The surrounding Eleventh Division members quickly backed away, giving the two combatants the entire room.
"Come on!" Ikkaku said, lowering into a ready stance.
Renya's tone was respectful but firm. "Ikkaku, be prepared."
The instant his words fell, Renya vanished with Shunpo, reappearing behind Ikkaku with his blade thrust forward.
"Tch."
Ikkaku pivoted sharply, Renya's sword grazing past his side. With a swift counter, Ikkaku's blade slashed horizontally toward Renya's neck.
Fast reflexes.
Though Renya's Shunpo was faster, Ikkaku's battle-honed reaction time allowed him to adapt and retaliate immediately.
Just before Ikkaku's blade could strike, Renya disappeared again, reappearing at his flank with another thrust aimed at Ikkaku's armpit.
Renya's fighting style relied heavily on precise thrusts rather than sweeping slashes. His smaller frame and mastery of Shunpo favored this style, and in terms of raw kendo skill, he knew Ikkaku held the advantage.
Seeing the strike, Ikkaku angled his blade upward to deflect it. Renya's stab forced him to lift his arm awkwardly, exposing his midsection.
Renya seized the opening. Curling the fingers of his free hand, he thrust his palm forward.
"Sōkotsu!"
His Hakuda strike landed with force—yet Ikkaku had already braced himself. His fist intercepted the blow, nullifying it.
Meanwhile, his lifted blade came crashing down toward Renya's shoulder. Renya rolled left and forward, evading the strike, then swept his Zanpakutō at Ikkaku's calf as he rose.
Ikkaku leapt back, but while airborne, Renya flicked three hidden blades from his left hand—one aimed at the head, one at the chest, and one at the abdomen.
These weapons were of Renya's own design: short military-style knives, two-inch handles with three-inch blades, serrated edges, and blood grooves. Though souls in Soul Society were made of spirit particles, they still bled. Even members of Squad Zero were not immune to blood loss.
Renya had crafted these weapons for lethality.
"You sneaky brat."
Ikkaku twisted midair, cleaving the first two knives, then slid sideways upon landing to dodge the third.
Yet before he could fully regain his footing, Renya appeared in front of him again, Zanpakutō thrusting straight for his chest.
"Tch!"
Ikkaku slashed diagonally, deflecting the blade—but in that instant, Renya's left hand revealed a short dagger, stabbing toward Ikkaku's chest.
"Damn!"
Ikkaku shoved forward, forcing Renya back with his main blade. Still, the dagger grazed his chest, leaving a shallow cut.
Renya stepped back, smiling. "Senior Ikkaku, let's begin properly."
Renya's style blended stealth and misdirection—methods inspired by the Onmitsukidō, and even combat approaches he had observed from Unohana Retsu and Zaraki Kenpachi. Recently, he had focused on integrating hidden weapons into close combat alongside his Zanpakutō.
Ikkaku narrowed his eyes. He knew Renya was no longer an opponent he could underestimate. "Fine then… I'll take you seriously."
He inhaled deeply, then spoke the release command:
"Roar, Hōzukimaru!"
In an instant, his blade elongated, transforming into a spear with a crescent blade at the tip. This was Ikkaku's Shikai.
He twirled it skillfully, spinning it around his arm before setting into a battle stance. His left leg slid forward, knees bent, the spear tip lowered to the ground. With his free hand, he beckoned Renya.
"Come at me, kid. Let's see if you're worth all this trouble."