Hōzukimaru's appearance was that of a strong man with long hair, a thick beard, darker skin, red eyeshadow at the corners of his eyes, and a thick black marking across his chest.
His image gave off a powerful and imposing feeling, while also carrying a trace of mystery and eeriness.
This appearance matched his identity as Ikkaku Madarame's Zanpakutō, displaying his mighty strength and unique personality.
The power of a Zanpakutō was fundamentally constructed from the shape of its owner's soul.
This meant that a Zanpakutō was not merely a weapon, but an extension and manifestation of its master's soul.
For Ikkaku Madarame, his inner nature was warlike, and he was passionate about battle. That love for combat had become part of his soul.
Therefore, his Zanpakutō, Hōzukimaru, also possessed strong aggression and a desire to fight.
However, gaining Hōzukimaru's recognition and learning Bankai was no easy task.
As a powerful Zanpakutō, Hōzukimaru had its own will and demands.
It would not easily hand over its true power to anyone. Instead, Ikkaku had to prove his ability through continuous effort and challenges.
For Ikkaku Madarame to gain Hōzukimaru's recognition and learn Bankai, it was destined to be a difficult process.
He no longer knew how many times he had fought Hōzukimaru, yet even now, he still had not obtained his approval.
On this day, inside Ikkaku Madarame's inner world—
Ikkaku Madarame swung his Zanpakutō and launched a fierce attack against Hōzukimaru.
Every clash brought about a shocking impact, stirring even the air around them.
Facing Ikkaku's attack, Hōzukimaru neither dodged nor retreated. Instead, he counterattacked with tremendous force.
Holding a spear in his hands, he continuously attacked Ikkaku Madarame.
The battle between the two sides grew increasingly intense, neither willing to yield.
Ikkaku Madarame gritted his teeth and used all his strength, trying to break through Hōzukimaru's spear defense.
However, Hōzukimaru remained as steady as a mountain. His strength seemed unfathomable.
During the fierce exchange, Ikkaku Madarame gradually came to understand some truths about his own power.
He began adjusting his tactics and drawing out his hidden potential.
As the battle continued, Ikkaku Madarame finally found an opening.
He seized a momentary flaw in Hōzukimaru's movements and launched a decisive strike.
Ikkaku Madarame's slash knocked the spear out of Hōzukimaru's hands, producing a crisp sound.
Hōzukimaru took several steps back, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Ikkaku Madarame panted heavily and looked at the Zanpakutō trembling faintly in his hand.
A sense of accomplishment surged within him.
"I did it… I finally beat you once…" Ikkaku said in a low voice.
At that moment, Hōzukimaru's voice rang out.
"Not bad. Your strength is worthy of my recognition. But this is only the beginning. Come. Defeat me again. Only then will you be qualified to master Bankai."
Ikkaku Madarame laughed loudly and nodded.
As long as he had won once, there would be a second time and a third time.
And at that moment, he had already taken the crucial first step.
Spring passed into autumn. By the second year, Ikkaku Madarame and Hōzukimaru's win rate had already reached an even split.
After another fierce battle, Ikkaku Madarame lay exhausted on the ground, looking up at the sky.
"Still not enough…"
He murmured to himself.
Although his win rate against Hōzukimaru had nearly reached parity, he knew there was still a long road ahead before he could truly master Bankai.
He got up and tightened his grip on his Zanpakutō. His gaze was firm as he stepped forward.
Day after day, the brutal battles continued.
...
Time flew by, and the third year had already arrived.
This time, would he be able to defeat Hōzukimaru and obtain the power he had long dreamed of?
After the battle that day, Ikkaku Madarame had won more often than he lost against Hōzukimaru.
His win rate had reached around seven to three.
Inside his inner world, the battle between the two was exceptionally fierce. Both sides brought out everything they had.
Every slash from Ikkaku Madarame carried the momentum of someone staking everything on victory, while Hōzukimaru's defense became increasingly strained.
At the crucial moment, Ikkaku Madarame seized the opportunity and swung his blade with all his strength.
That strike was as swift as lightning, directly breaking through Hōzukimaru's defense.
Hōzukimaru took several steps back before finally kneeling on one knee.
He raised his head, and a faint smile of satisfaction appeared on his face.
"Congratulations, Ikkaku Madarame. You have finally done it."
Ikkaku Madarame panted, excitement flashing in his eyes. He walked up to Hōzukimaru and extended his right hand.
Hōzukimaru took his hand and slowly stood up.
"Now, you are qualified to master Bankai," Hōzukimaru said.
Ikkaku Madarame took a deep breath, feeling the power surging within his body.
He knew that this was the result of many years of effort.
"Now, let me tell you the name of my Bankai. Listen carefully. It's Ryūmon Hōzukimaru!"
As his consciousness returned, Ikkaku Madarame opened his eyes and felt the Reiatsu surging through his body.
He raised Hōzukimaru high and called out the name of his Bankai.
"Bankai! Ryūmon Hōzukimaru!"
The shape of his Zanpakutō transformed into a massive axe-like blade carried on his back, with a dragon-shaped crest pattern on the huge axe.
On both sides of the great axe were two enormous blades connected by thick iron chains.
Renji Abarai and Yumichika Ayasegawa, who were closest to Ikkaku Madarame, quickly sensed the change in his Reiatsu.
They rushed toward Ikkaku Madarame's location as fast as they could.
When they arrived and saw Ikkaku Madarame carrying a giant axe, Renji Abarai immediately realized that this was most likely Ikkaku Madarame's Bankai state.
"So this is Third Seat Madarame's Bankai?"
Renji looked at the giant axe from a distance, and a wave of amazement rose in his heart.
He knew that Bankai meant a massive increase in strength, but at that moment, he did not sense the kind of overwhelming Reiatsu fluctuation he had expected.
"Damn it. Madarame actually reached this stage before me."
Yumichika Ayasegawa curled his lip, his tone carrying a trace of jealousy.
However, most of what he felt was still congratulations for his friend learning Bankai.
After the two arrived beside Ikkaku Madarame, Renji Abarai could not wait to ask,
"Madarame-senpai, is this your Bankai? I heard that after Bankai, a Zanpakutō's combat ability should increase by five to ten times compared to Shikai. But why does it feel like your Reiatsu hasn't increased that much?"
This question troubled Renji Abarai.
He wanted to know the reason.
After all, Bankai was the realm every Shinigami dreamed of reaching, yet Ikkaku Madarame did not seem to be displaying the expected explosion of Reiatsu.
"You mean that? My Ryūmon Hōzukimaru is a slow-starting Bankai. See the dragon crest on the axe in the center?"
Renji looked at the huge axe and nodded.
"Senpai... there really is a dragon-shaped pattern on the axe."
Ikkaku explained to Renji, "For Ryūmon Hōzukimaru to unleash its maximum power, I need to either cut my enemy or be cut myself to wake it up. Then the dragon crest on the axe will gradually turn red, and my Reiatsu will rise along with it. Only when the whole thing turns red can it display its strongest power."
After hearing this, Renji Abarai and Yumichika Ayasegawa suddenly understood.
So that was how it worked.
Ikkaku's Bankai actually had such a unique trait.
"What a unique Bankai," Renji said with emotion.
"Heh, how about it, kid? Interested in trying it out?"
Ikkaku laughed and swung the giant axe, pretending as if he were about to chop at Renji.
"No, no, thank you for the offer, Senior."
Renji quickly waved his hands.
He had no desire to become a test subject.
"Haha, I'm just joking. But if you really run into a strong enemy, don't back down, Renji."
Ikkaku put away his smile and spoke seriously.
"Yes, Senpai!"
Renji straightened his body, determination flashing in his eyes.
After the three of them talked for a while, Renji Abarai suggested reporting the news that Ikkaku had learned Bankai to Captain Zaraki.
Unexpectedly, Ikkaku decisively rejected Renji's idea.
"Renji, Yumichika, I hope the two of you can keep the fact that I learned Bankai a secret. I only want to use it as my trump card. I'm counting on you."
The two of them did not know why Ikkaku did not want others to know that he had mastered Bankai, but they still agreed to keep the secret for him.