บท 54: Divergent Thinking

Ninth Division barracks.

Island prison.

Tokikaze strolled down the corridor with Nanao Ise following closely behind with books in her arms, occasionally opening the books to record data.

"There are a total of 15 nobles who participated in the ritual."

Tokikaze stopped at the end of the dim corridor, his gaze falling on the prison ahead, and Nanao Ise's voice reached his ears.

She pushed up her glasses on her prominent nose and calmly reported, "They didn't mention anything about the details of the ritual, and they showed no sign of cooperating."

"They used their status as a noble to do whatever they please in the prison."

After smoothly returning to Seireitei, Nanao Ise, in her capacity as the Third Seat of the Ninth Division, sent all these criminals to the prison.

As for Jushiro Ukitake, he was rushed to the Coordinated Relief Station by Kotetsu Kiyone and Sentaro Kotsubaki.

While Tokikaze and Unohana Retsu were sparring, he had already received treatments.

"Huh?!"

Tokikaze was surprised, "They still have the audacity to claim themselves nobles after slaughtering members of the Ryodoji Clan and doing such serious atrocities in Rukongai Street?"

"Central 46 Chambers room has not issued the verdict yet..." Nanao Ise sighed.

Although Ise Clan was a noble, she did not know much about her own background.

This also led to her difficulty in dealing with nobles.

The rules were already engraved in her soul.

"By the time those old fogeys give their verdict, I would've already died."

Tokikaze was dissatisfied, "Open the Torture Room and torture them! The souls of the Ryodoji Clan members are now wailing!"

Following Tokikaze's instructions, several Division members transferred the remaining fourteen sinners to the punishment room.

Looking at the terrifying torture tools, everyone swallowed their saliva, and in extreme fear, their pupils continuously dilated.

"Lord Tokikaze, I will tell you everything..."

"The ritual was orchestrated by that fool Ukitake Jusanro!"

"You traitor!"

Among the fourteen people, some were cowardly, while others were loyal to Ukitake Jusanro.

However, those who wanted to angrily curse did not have the chance, as the Division members bound them and sealed their mouths with Bakudo.

"Alright, I'll hear you out." Tokikaze said indifferently, "Although your punishment cannot be reduced, at least you can suffer less."

He had no mercy for these people.

"So, here's how it goes..."

The Ukitake Clan member shivered and hurriedly spill out everything they knew.

After dealing with them, Tokikaze turned to Kuragawa Clan.

Seeing the figure suddenly appearing outside the prison, the members of the Kuragawa Clan trembled.

Most of them had already witnessed Tokikaze's brutality, and some had even experienced it personally.

As a result, during the time they were imprisoned, they didn't dare to be as bold as the Ukitake Clan. They didn't even complaint being crammed in one prison cell.

"Central Underground Prison, Level 3 Hell, ten years of imprisonment." Tokikaze pondered for a moment and immediately issued the punishment he saw fit.

Central 46 Chambers was too inefficient. He had no intention of waiting any longer.

The Central Underground Prison was located behind the First Division barracks and was usually supervised by the Third Seat Genshiro Okikiba.

Tokikaze could just issue a secret order and hand it over to him.

As for whether he would report to Yamamoto Genryusai, that had nothing to do with Tokikaze.

According to the personality of the Captain-Commander, these sinners certainly would not be released easily.

Most likely, he would execute according to the content of the secret order.

[Disciplinary daily tasks completed.]

[Hakuda proficiency improved, currently at Level 9.]

A large amount of knowledge about Hakuda entered Tokikaze's mind.

Much like Zanjutsu, Hakuda had various styles techniques, albeit not as profound as Zanjutsu.

After all, the primary combat style of the Second Division was Hakuda.

Hakuda emphasizes utilizing every part of the body; fists, elbows, knees, and even the head can become deadly weapons.

In battle, the frequency of using Hakuda was not lower than the other three combat skills.

For some Soul Reaper with unique Zanpakuto, Hakuda had become their main combat style.

Such as Yoruichi Shihoin, Sui-Feng, and Muguruma Kensei...

"It seems..."

Tokikaze's slightly closed eyes opened, a sharp light flashing, "I can give it a try."

The new knowledge reminded him of an advanced combat technique unique to the Captain of the Second Division.

The fusion combat technique of Hakuda and Kido, Shunko.

With the knowledge he now possessed, creating and mastering this technique should not be too difficult.

At this time, even Yoruichi Shihoin might not have created this technique.

"But, before that."

Tokikaze's gaze gradually became sharper, "I should practice Hakuda like I practice Zanjutsu to fully comprehend the techniques..."

Ninth Division barracks.

Training Ground No. 3.

"Faster, faster, you bunch of useless trash!"

A demonic roar echoed in the training ground, and a bright bald head shone brightly under the sun, reflecting light.

"Your Captain has asked me to teach you losers, so no slacking off!"

On the simulated mountain road, a group of Soul Reapers carried weights as they leapt around like a frog with tears in their eyes,.

Ikkaku Madarame followed closely behind them. Anytime someone's movement slowed down, he would whip them.

Facing this hellish special training that resembled torture, the Ninth Division members found it unbearable. After a day of training, they often had no strength left to even speak or eat.

Watching the scene on the mountain road, Tokikaze shook his head.

Ikkaku Madarame's special training had been added to the schedule recently, but the progress of the squad members was barely noticeable.

Practicing Hakuda with them would be too cruel.

However, that shiny bald head was somewhat tempting.

After contemplating for a moment, Tokikaze got an idea.

While Ikkaku Madarame continued to glare at the training crowd, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

"Third Seat Ikkaku."

Tokikaze grinned, sending chills down one's spine.

"As a token of appreciation for your effort for the Ninth Division members, I have a gift for you."

...

At the same time, in the Underground Assembly Hall.

The tense atmosphere was apparent in the dim room. Six judges sat in the inner circle before a double-ring conference table, surrounded by forty diverse postured wise men.

"No need for another word."

The old, hoarse voice echoed on the conference table, and cold eyes swept across everyone.

"We need to discuss and decide on an appropriate course of action regarding the recent actions of Captain Tsunayashiro Tokikaze of the Ninth Division..."