Ikkaku Madarame vs. Hōzukimaru

Prelude
As Ikkaku walks into the clearing, he is instantly attacked by Hōzukimaru. As they clash blades, the stranger tells him that he’s been waiting for him. Ikkaku wonders what he means, and notices the stranger’s weapon just as Hōzukimaru spins his spear in the air, sending it hurtling down near his feet. Ikkaku dodges, and asks him if he truly is Hōzukimaru, telling him that they’ll try “that”.



They then engage in the Lucky Dance, to which Ichigo wonders what they are doing. Ikkaku berates him, telling him that he showed him it during their fight, to which he states that he cannot remember. Ikkaku ignores him, telling Hōzukimaru that they were in sync, and that he truly is his Zanpakutō. Ikkaku then asks him whether his Zanpakutō’s powers will return once he defeats him, to which Hozukimaru asks him if he thinks he has what it takes.

Battle
Ikkaku unsheathes his sword, as they proceed to fight. While they fight, Ikkaku attacks Hōzukimaru endlessly, giving him no time to strike back, as he wonders out loud whether his Zanpakutō was truly this weak. Hōzukimaru tells him he is just getting started, as he segments his Zanpakutō, with it coiling around Ikkaku’s head. He dodges this, and proceeds to attack again. Ikkaku dodges another thrust from the spear, commenting upon Hozukimaru’s fighting ability.

However, Ikkaku tells him to start taking things seriously, to which Hōzukimaru agrees, releasing Bankai. Ikkaku smiles at this, to which he is thrown through the wall after Ichigo’s fight with Gegetsuburi. Ikkaku crashes into the stairwell, as Ichigo comes over to assist him. Hōzukimaru then enters the fray, wondering whether Ikkaku has any more fighting strength. Ichigo prepares to fight Hōzukimaru, but Ikkaku stops him, telling him that this is his fight.

Ikkaku pants heavily, as they prepare to fight again. However, as they charge at each other, Sui-Feng and the Onmitsukido appear, telling the Zanpakutō to stay where they are. Kyōraku and Ukitake appear moments later, telling Ichigo and Ikkaku that their work is done, as the area is secured. Ikkaku tells Ukitake to wait, as his fight hasn’t finished yet, as Hōzukimaru tells him they’ll finish their fight another day. .

Ikkaku tries to prevent Hōzukimaru from leaving, but the Zanpakutō spirit twirls his Bankai in the air, disappearing in an explosion of red energy, sending the Onmitsukidō members flying backwards. Sui-Feng tells the Onmitsukido to pursue Hōzukimaru, but Ukitake tells her that his reiatsu has completely vanished. Sui-Feng is approached by two members of the Onmitsukido, who ask her what to do with Gegetsuburi. They indicate that Omaeda is out cold, to which Ukitake suggests that they bring him to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.

Aftermath
Sui-Feng then leaves the area, as Ukitake wonders where Ichigo disappeared to. Ichigo runs after Hōzukimaru, telling him that he won’t let him escape. As Hōzukimaru flees from Ichigo, pink petals immerse the Zanpakutō spirit, cutting Ichigo in the process, as he cuts away the attack with his Bankai. He notices a figure standing above him on a tower, and is shocked to see it is Byakuya Kuchiki. .