Chapter 12: Ikkaku's Regret
"Seems like a Division that doesn't have a Captain isn't well-received."
Tokikaze gazed at the Reiatsu bridge beneath his feet with a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
The bridge, which should have been smooth, had various pits and bumps due to insufficient Reiatsu. Though it didn't affect walking much, it was rather unsightly.
It had only been three years since Muguruma Kensei's departure, and the barrier was already in this state of disrepair.
If the position of the 9th Division Captain was delayed for a few more years, even the basic privileges might be confiscated.
Tokikaze was always willing to speculate about the worst intentions of the Seireitei.
As a member of the nobility, he was well aware of the darkness within.
As he stepped onto the Reiatsu bridge, the barrier closed at a steady pace until it regained its original appearance.
Tokikaze officially entered the small island.
In sight, there was only a massive gate standing at the foot of the mountain.
On the gate, four white stripes intersected, forming a sealing Kido covering the entire mountain range.
The overall structure of the prison was not much different from the Second Division's Nest of Maggots; essentially, the latter imitated the former.
To some extent, those incarcerated in the Nest of Maggots were even more dangerous than the prisoners here.
"Captain Tokikaze!"
The Soul Reapers guarding the entrance saluted respectfully.
They were clad in defense spirit tools developed by the Research and Development Bureau, light gray in color, resembling armor with a faint Reiatsu flowing through.
"Good work out here. Open the sealed gate," Tokikaze smiled gently, as usual.
The guards didn't even inquire why as they took out the 9th Division's badge and infused it with Reiatsu.
"Swift southern wind, northern mist, thunderous west, scorching east."
In a slightly hoarse voice, the guard began chanting Kido incantations:
"Pour down and shatter the blockade..."
The badge emitted a strong white light, all of it streaming into the massive gate ahead.
In an instant.
The white stripes seemed to come alive, crazily twisting on themselves until they disappeared completely.
With the disappearance of the stripes, the sealed gate creaked and opened.
What came into view was an endless staircase leading downward, like an abyss.
The prison's design was much scarier than the Nest of Maggots.
After all, those imprisoned here were true violators of the Seireitei's rules.
Without hesitation, Tokikaze stepped onto the stairs, heading towards the depths below.
The depths of the prison.
A standard prison layout, a corridor that seemed to have no end leading deep into the darkness, with special material cages on both sides.
Among them were not only disheveled and miserable criminals but also members of the 11th Division who were incarcerated just recently, Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame.
He had already regained consciousness, sitting alone in the cell, right hand rubbing his chin while the left hand occasionally brushed over his bright bald head.
He had a look of questioning life.
Even after several days of contemplation, Ikkaku Madarame still couldn't understand how he had lost in that battle.
In terms of momentum, after countless victories, he could be considered an unparalleled war god.
In Reiatsu, he believed the difference between the two sides was negligible.
In Shunpo, both sides always maintained a synchronized posture.
Could it be in terms of combat skills?
Ikkaku Madarame frowned, shaking his head involuntarily, muttering to himself, "How is that possible? My combat skills were acknowledged by the Captain!"
"So, in what aspect are you inferior in the end?"
At that moment, a calm and gentle voice came from outside the cell:
"Mindset, skills, and..."
"Complete trust in Zaraki Kenpachi!"
Bang!
Ikkaku Madarame suddenly leaped and tightly gripped the prison bars. Veins bulged on the back of his hands, and his expression became even more ferocious.
"Don't you dare disrespect Captain!"
As someone defeated by Kenpachi Zaraki and choosing to follow him for life, Ikkaku Madarame held great respect for his Captain in his heart.
"He calls himself a beast, so don't act like this."
Tokikaze said indifferently, "Relying entirely on instinct, relying on one's unique style of combat, isn't that being a beast? How can we be a proper Soul Reaper without being a beast?"
"And..."
"Under Kenpachi Zaraki's leadership, although the 11th Division's fighting spirit has risen, and their achievements are outstanding."
"But as the Third Seat, have you ever counted the number of casualties in the 11th Division in recent years?"
Ikkaku Madarame was starting to sweat.
Like Tokikaze earlier, he rarely handled paperworks, usually dumping them to his close friend, Yumichika Ayasegawa.
"Compared to the previous Kenpachi, the casualty figures have more than tripled."
"If it weren't for the addition of those ruffians from the Rukongai, the 11th Division would have become the smallest Division in the Gotei 13."
"Of course, Kiganjo Kenpachi is undoubtedly a fool."
When it came to the history of the 11th Division, Tokikaze talked about it as if he were a member himself.
"Triple the casualties..."
Cold sweat dripped down Ikkaku Madarame's bald head, and he seemed a bit nervous.
He valued loyalty and cared equally for every Division members.
This number undoubtedly pierced his heart.
"But..." Ikkaku Madarame raised his head, unwillingly staring at Tokikaze, "since the 11th Division fights on the front lines, casualties are inevitable."
"Captain Kenpachi himself is always at the front every time he fights."
Hearing these words, Tokikaze nodded, saying seriously, "So, did you notice what I just said?"
"Kenpachi is a beast in his own right; don't treat him like a normal person."
"His way of fighting isn't suitable for anyone other than himself."
"You deliberately imitated Kenpachi Zaraki, and that is the main reason you lost the fight."
Cold sweat soaked Ikkaku Madarame's shihakusho. He widened his eyes, bloodshot veins filling them, as memories of battles from the past years flashed through his mind.
Just as Tokikaze said, since losing to Kenpachi Zaraki in the Rukongai, he had been deliberately trying to emulate his fighting style.
His already frenzied combat stance turned into madness, going all out to crush his enemies.
Every battle left him covered in wounds.
Seeing this, Tokikaze shook his head, and in his gaze towards Ikkaku Madarame, there was a touch of pity:
"If winning battles solely by instinct were possible..."
"Wouldn't countless schools in the Soul Society become a huge joke?"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
nyawdao3
nyawdao3 Please give this novel 5 stars review and power stone ;)
Read a few chapters ahead on readfanfic.com
Read up to chapter 39 on P atreon!
https://www.p atreon.com/konohaworld
Our community on discord: discord. gg /t66agbE
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone