Just from hearing that booming voice outside—and the name it mentioned—Yecheng already knew trouble had come knocking.
Striding into the Fourth Division's recruitment area was a towering man with a savage appearance. A scar ran across his left cheek, and his right eye was covered by an eyepatch. His wild, black hair stood up like a spiky hedgehog, each strand tipped with a tiny bell that jingled with every step.
Perched casually on his shoulder was a tiny pink-haired girl, wearing a miniature version of a Shinigami uniform. She didn't look a day over ten.
Following closely behind him were two more recognizable faces—Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, both newly inducted members of the Eleventh Division.
"I remember Yecheng saying he really wanted to join Squad 4. So if he's anywhere, it's gotta be here," Ikkaku blurted out without a second thought.
Betraying your buddy without hesitation—classic Ikkaku behavior.
He and Yumichika had actually known Zaraki Kenpachi since their time in Rukongai, having been thoroughly beaten down by him back then.
As for why Kenpachi had suddenly shown up in person for this year's recruitment drive… who knew?But the moment Ikkaku saw him, he got way too excited—and challenged him on the spot.
A fresh graduate, still technically a rookie, challenging the man known across Soul Society as "Kenpachi"?For most people, that would be pure suicide.But not Ikkaku.
In his mind, he'd spent years at the Shin'ō Academy polishing his skills—not so much in Kidō, but in everything else: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpō. He believed he'd grown strong. Strong enough to face his idol again and see how far he'd come.
Problem was… Kenpachi Zaraki wasn't your average squad captain.
Any other captain might've brushed off the challenge, dismissing it as a joke.But Kenpachi? He lived for this stuff.
He didn't join the Gotei 13 because he wanted to protect Soul Society or follow orders.No, the real reason he came to the Seireitei was because it was full of people worth cutting down.
Kenpachi didn't even remember Ikkaku's name—because unless someone could make his blood boil, they weren't worth remembering.
Still, seeing that wild glint in Ikkaku's eyes, he had no reason to refuse.
And so, the one-sided battle began.
Despite all his training, Ikkaku was still no match. Sure, his reiatsu had grown, and his swordsmanship and flash step were cleaner now—but against Kenpachi's overwhelming power? He was crushed, again.
That said, this time… Ikkaku did manage to spark a flicker of interest in Kenpachi.He'd improved enough for Kenpachi to actually remember his name.
But then, as he lay defeated, still stubbornly clinging to pride, Ikkaku muttered something he hadn't meant to say out loud:
"If it were Yecheng… he might last longer against you. Maybe… even land a hit."
He spoke without thinking, but Kenpachi definitely heard him.And when he did, his lips curled into a sharp grin.
Looking at Ikkaku, he asked, eyes gleaming with excitement:
"This Yecheng guy you're talking about… where is he now?"
There were many strong people in the Seireitei worth cutting down.But the Gotei 13 had rules—captains aren't allowed to duel each other without cause, since their spiritual pressure could devastate the entire Soul Society if things got serious.
But if this Yecheng wasn't a captain, just a fresh graduate?Then no problem at all.
And that… was why members of the Eleventh Division were now barging into Squad 4's recruitment area.
Kenpachi strolled in like he owned the place—Zanpakutō slung across his shoulder, tiny pink lieutenant riding shotgun, and two enforcers flanking him on both sides. He didn't even wait to assess the situation before roaring:
"Who here's named Yecheng? Come out and fight me!"
Yecheng's nearby companion, the newbie healer Yamada Hanatarō—wait no, this time it was Kotarō Yachiru, was already trembling in fear.
Sure, she'd heard rumors about squads fighting over recruits…But she never imagined Squad 11 would send their captain to do the poaching himself!
Typical Eleventh Division—no subtlety, no restraint, just pure chaotic energy.
"Captain Zaraki, this is the Fourth Division's recruitment area," said a calm, soft voice. "Might I ask what business you have here?"
If it had just been Kotarō alone holding the fort, she probably would've fainted under Kenpachi's menacing aura.
But fortunately, she wasn't alone today.
Because sitting calmly nearby… was Unohana Retsu—the woman once known as the most dangerous criminal in Soul Society's history.
Kenpachi and his crew may have looked intimidating, but Unohana kept her signature gentle smile, eyes half-closed, perfectly composed as she addressed them.
"Lil' Kenny's looking for someone named Lil' Ye-Ye!" chirped the pink-haired girl on Kenpachi's shoulder—Yachiru Kusajishi, his lieutenant.
Before Kenpachi could speak, Yachiru raised her hand and cheerfully answered in his place.
"…Lieutenant, I believe his name is Yecheng, not Lil' Ye-Ye," Ikkaku added awkwardly, trying to correct her.
Unfortunately, the pink-haired menace was not in the mood to be corrected.
"Shut up, you cue ball meathead! Don't interrupt me. Ptui!"
Ikkaku was stunned. Not only had his attempt to help gone unappreciated—he'd just earned a new nickname: "Cue Ball Meathead".To make it worse, Yachiru spit on his freshly waxed, perfectly shined dome.
That was unforgivable.
"Yumichika! Don't stop me! I'm gonna beat up this bratty gremlin!"
To bald guys like Ikkaku, their shine is their pride. And now? His pride had just been disrespected in the worst way.
"Calm down, Ikkaku," Yumichika said quietly. "She didn't mean it… and besides, we probably can't beat her."
And he was right.
Yachiru might look like a little girl, but she was a real lieutenant—with terrifying speed and strength.
Yumichika had once tried to test her skills out of curiosity… but before he could even draw his blade, she was already behind him, grinning like a ghost.