"You've lost Ikkaku."
Tokikaze brought his two fingers together, pointing at the shining forehead of Ikkaku Madarame. His fingertips were enveloped by Reiatsu, exuding a faint sense of oppressive force.
"Gulp!"
The stinging pain from his forehead made Ikkaku Madarame subconsciously swallow a mouthful of saliva.
Although he held on a bit longer than the last time, the sense of defeat was even worse.
Even with thorough preparation, he still ended up with a disastrous defeat, becoming a stepping stone for his opponent's Hakuda training.
Tokikaze put his finger away. "Compared to last time, you have improved a lot."
"At the very least, you're not imitating Kenpachi Zaraki's fighting style anymore."
Ikkaku Madarame was a smart man, at least in terms of combat. After Tokikaze's reminder, he quickly noticed his shortcomings and made some change to his fighting style.
It was not much, but he was at least stronger than before.
"It's all thanks to you, Captain Tokikaze."
Ikkaku Madarame reverted Hozukimaru to his sealed state and picked up the whip at the edge of the training ground.
"I will do my best."
"Hey, what are you useless bunch waiting for?!"
With a loud crack, the whip lashed out, creating cracks in the ground.
Ikkaku Madarame looked ferociously at the onlookers. "Does anyone want a beating?"
The fierce momentum reverberated in the training ground, making everyone shiver instinctively. They carried the weight on their backs and ran towards the distant mountain road once again.
Their staggering footsteps and disheveled appearance made it seem like they weren't Soul Reapers.
Observing this, Tokikaze shook his head.
Considering the current situation, his men still had a long way to go if they wanted to stand on their own.
As he was about to return to the office, Reiatsu covered the Ninth Division barracks, enveloping the surrounding area in a net-like pattern.
Bakudo #77, Tenteikura.
"Captain Tokikaze, I've received a secret order from Central 46 Chambers."
The aged voice of Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto sounded in Tokikaze's ear. "Unless there's an emergency, please come to the First Division barracks promptly."
Tokikaze stopped, slightly displeased. "What are those old men up to this time?"
"I'm not sure."
Yamamoto's voice paused for a moment, seemingly pondering over Tokikaze's phrasing. "It may be related to what happen recently."
"I understand."
Tokikaze waved his hand, severing the connection to Tenteikura.
A summon from Central 46 Chamber was within expectations. After all, it had only been a couple of months since he became a Captain, and multiple Noble Clans had suffered under his command, which should be quite insulting to them.
In such a situation, Central 46 Chamber would undoubtedly demand a response.
After all, they represented the interests of the entire nobility.
...
Seireitei Inner Court.
As the most crucial area in the Seireitei, the protection of this place was generally entrusted to the Seventh Division.
Guard posts were set up every three steps, and sentries every five steps.
On the walls of the corridor, numerous potent Kido spells were inscribed. At the end, there was a defensive barrier similar to a Shakonmaku.
Deeper inside was the Underground Assembly Hall.
This was the workplace of the Central 46. Usually, only the Captain could come here, and only if they were summoned.
However, in Tokikaze's memory, he had been to this place more than once with his Clan members.
The atmosphere here was cold and gloomy, far from being pleasant.
As the barrier opened, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto stepped into it, and Tokikaze leisurely followed behind, showing no signs of tension.
"Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto!"
A dignified voice echoed in the spacious assembly hall, creating a resonating echo between everyone's eardrums.
"Lower down your voice, would you?" Tokikaze responded displeasedly. "Captain-Commander isn't deaf yet."
"Tsunayashiro Akutagawa," Tokikaze said sternly, "you don't need to pretend you don't recognize me just because there's a barrier blocking your eyes."
"Also, I am not a criminal."
Tokikaze expressionlessly picked his ear, flicking away imaginary earwax. "If there's no chair, I'm not inclined to listen to your nonsense."
Tokikaze was even more relaxed when facing the members of the Central 46 Chambers than when dealing with other Captains. He didn't show them the slightest respect.
"Ahem, ahem!"
A severe cough came from behind the third panel, seemingly provoked by Tokikaze's behavior.
However, they had no way to deal with it.
"We won't stoop to your level."
Behind the third panel, Tsunayashiro Akutagawa, after a few deep breaths, suppressed his anger and turned the spearhead towards Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, due to the recent actions of a certain individual causing unrest in the Soul Society, several nobles have united to report this matter and strongly emphasize the graveness of this..."
Before he could finish his words, a voice interrupted him.
"Could you please specify these nobles?"
Tokikaze leaned back on the chair that had just arrived, glancing upwards. "Once we return, I'll have Nanao-chan investigate whether they have violated any Soul Society regulations."
"Enough!"
A voice of rebuke came from the left side of the assembly hall. "This is the Central Underground Assembly Hall, the highest judicial institution in the Soul Society, not a place for you..."
Buzz—
Suddenly, a terrifying Reiatsu erupted, sweeping through the entire Underground Assembly Hall. The pressure made all Central 46 Chamber's members had a hard time breathing.
Tokikaze's gaze instantly turned icy, staring at the location where the voice had come from.
"Before you speak, be sure to learn your position."
"Your authority is merely bestowed upon you by the nobles."
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat in his chair with hands resting on his cane. His eyes were slightly closed as if he hadn't sensed the Reiatsu, showing no reaction at all.
In the face of this nobility dispute, he chose to watch the show.
The person who spoke earlier was at the mercy of Tokikaze's immense Reiatsu.
At this moment, his complexion changed drastically, his limbs turning cold, and even breathing became extremely difficult. Each heartbeat seemed to bring death closer.
He couldn't imagine that Tokikaze dared to confront a member of the Central 46 Chamber openly in front of everyone.
Didn't he fear repercussions of such a rebellious act?
The suffocating feeling completely overwhelmed him, as if death could descend at any moment.
"Captain Tokikaze, please show mercy."
Tsunayashiro Akutagawa's voice sounded again. "He's just momentarily unstable. He got a little riled up."
At the words, Tokikaze put away his Reiatsu.
Although he disapproved of the actions of the Central 46, if a member of Central 46 Chambers died in front of everyone could complicate things.
In this case, it would be too troublesome.