Chapter 255
"Yo, Captain Kurotsuchi. You came too?"
Toshiro greeted.
"What? It's you, Captain Hitsugaya. Why are you here? Don't tell me you were also defeated by a Ryoka."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi said dismissively.
Mayuri showed no respect towards Toshiro.
Although Toshiro was the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and, in principle, held a higher position than a Captain like Mayuri, Mayuri wasn't particularly respectful even towards Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
For Mayuri, aside from his own research and experiments, nothing else mattered much to him.
"Hey, Madarame Ikkaku. Quickly tell me about the Ryoka."
After speaking one sentence to Toshiro, Mayuri turned his unfriendly gaze back to Ikkaku.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Mayuri's arrogant demeanor, Ikkaku snorted coldly, turned over on the bed, showing Mayuri his back, completely ignoring him.
"Heh, so you don't plan to talk, huh?"
Mayuri sneered.
With that, Mayuri intended to use force to make Ikkaku submit.
"S-Stop! Please... please don't do that, Captain Kurotsuchi!"
Seeing Mayuri looking ready to attack, the 4th Division's member treating Ikkaku, dressed in a nurse's uniform, said fearfully.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, please stop. Fighting is prohibited inside the treatment room—"
"Shut up!"
Before the 4th Division's member could finish, Mayuri interrupted directly. Then, Mayuri waved his hand, and a Reiatsu Projectile shot towards the 4th Division's member!
"Ahhh!!"
Seeing the Reiatsu Projectile coming at her, the 4th Division's member screamed in terror.
Bang!
The treatment room wall was blasted open with a sizable hole. However, the 4th Division's member was unharmed because Mayuri's attack had only passed by her shoulder, not actually hitting her.
Seeing this, even Nemu beside Mayuri couldn't help but advise, "Mayuri-sama..."
"You shut up too, Nemu! Do you want to be dismembered by me again?"
Mayuri scolded.
"I-I'm very sorry, Mayuri-sama."
Nemu said somewhat fearfully.
"Hey, Captain Kurotsuchi. Don't go too far."
Toshiro frowned.
"Hmph!"
Mayuri snorted coldly but ultimately didn't seem inclined to attack further.
"Madarame Ikkaku, you'd better confess honestly about the Ryoka. Otherwise, withholding information will also get you punished."
Mayuri threatened.
Hearing this, Ikkaku frowned, then spoke up, "It's not that I won't say... I really don't know anything. The Ryoka's goals, whereabouts... I don't know any of it."
"I see? You gained zero information, yet dared to return after being defeated?"
Mayuri said with a hostile tone.
"Yeah, I didn't see the opponent's appearance, didn't hear their voice. So I have no information at all."
Ikkaku spouted lies even he wouldn't believe to brush off Mayuri.
"You... very good!"
Seeing Ikkaku clearly trying to fool him, Mayuri trembled with anger.
"Since you know no information, then pay the price for your incompetence!"
Mayuri suddenly reached out to grab Ikkaku.
Toshiro frowned, about to intervene and stop Mayuri.
However, at that moment, Toshiro suddenly sensed something and stopped his hand.
Slap!
A figure suddenly appeared, grabbing Mayuri's hand as it reached for Ikkaku.
"Truly surprising. Since when have you gained the authority to punish members of other divisions, Kurotsuchi?!"
Mayuri turned to see the newcomer was Zaraki, Captain of the 11th Division.
"Kenpachi!"
Mayuri looked at Zaraki warily.
Mayuri usually disregarded everything, showing little respect even for Toshiro and Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander. But he was somewhat wary of Zaraki alone.
Although Toshiro and Yamamoto were stronger than other Captains, as long as Mayuri did his job properly, they wouldn't cause him trouble.
But Zaraki was different. He was like a fearless madman. If you provoked him, he'd definitely latch onto you for a fight to the death.
"Tch! Since the Captain's here now, forget it. I'll head back."
Mayuri brushed off Kenpachi's hand and said irritably.
"Nemu, let's go!"
With that, Mayuri turned and walked out.
"Stop dawdling, hurry up!"
"Yes, Mayuri-sama!"
"Captain..."
Ikkaku looked at Zaraki, feeling ashamed and unsure what to say.
"Yah-ho!"
A small head suddenly popped out from behind Zaraki's shoulder.
"Ah! Lieutenant came too?"
Ikkaku exclaimed in surprise.
Needless to say, the only one who could perch on Zaraki's shoulder was Yachiru.
"Are you okay? I was really worried about you, baldy!"
Yachiru said sweetly.
"I told you not to call me that nickname anymore, pipsqueak!"
Ikkaku had a dark line on his forehead.
Yachiru giggled, showing no intention of changing.
"Yo! Shiro-chan! Long time no see!"
Yachiru also greeted Toshiro.
"Please call me Captain Hitsugaya, pipsqueak!"
Toshiro said with an aloof demeanor.
While Toshiro and Yachiru bickered, Zaraki suddenly spoke, "I heard, Ikkaku. You were defeated."
"My deepest apologies. Although I know being defeated is shameful, I still returned."
Ikkaku said somewhat guiltily.
"Was he strong?"
Zaraki asked with a serious expression.
"Very strong!"
Ikkaku said equally solemnly.
Then, Ikkaku glanced around. The treatment room now contained only Toshiro, Rangiku, Yachiru, Zaraki, and Ikkaku himself.
As for the 4th Division's member treating Ikkaku earlier, she had been scared off by Mayuri.
As for Toshiro, his relationship with Zaraki was actually quite good.
As the saying goes, 'no discord, no concord'. After Zaraki lost to Toshiro back then, he often sought Toshiro out for battles under the pretext of avenging his defeat. So, over time, Toshiro and Kenpachi's relationship inexplicably grew closer.
Therefore, in Ikkaku's view, Toshiro was also trustworthy. As for Rangiku, with Toshiro present, she wouldn't say much.
So, Ikkaku solemnly explained to Zaraki, "He has orange hair, wields a katana as tall as he is, and is heading to the Senzaikyu."