Ikkaku Madarame vs. Hōzukimaru: Final Fight

Ikkaku Madarame vs. Hōzukimaru is a fight taking place in the Zanpakutō Rebellion. It details the rematch between the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division and his Zanpakutō.

Prologue
As Suì-Fēng proceeds to surround the Zanpakutō with her Onmitsukidō, Hōzukimaru remarks that, since there are so many of them, that they should fight one-on-one. Ikkaku states that they can do that, but Suì-Fēng reprimands them, stating that their sole focus right now is to stop them from escaping. The Zanpakutō proceed to move out, as Ikkaku charges at Hōzukimaru.

Battle
As they both grin wildly, Hōzukimaru is ecstatic that they can continue their previous fight uninterrupted, as they clash together. They then use Shunpo to move away from the 6th Division barracks, appearing in a garden far off from the original site. As they fight, the two are evenly matched, being able to inflict significant damage upon each other. Hōzukimaru finally gets some headway; punching Ikkaku into a nearby pond, only to have him emerge moments later, successfully activating his Shikai.

He remarks that Ikkaku can use his powers again, as he pushes Hōzukimaru away. As the fight progresses, Ikkaku is able to make Hōzukimaru draw blood, which causes Ikkaku to boast that he was stronger in his previous fight, to which he states that he is only getting started. Ikkaku tells him that he will force him to go serious, if that is what it takes, as he forces his Zanpakutō spirit on the defensive, eventually forcing him back into a nearby building, crashing into it.

A smile crosses Ikkaku's face, as he wonders whether Hōzukimaru is finished yet, to which he releases Bankai, hurling Ikkaku onto the ground with brute strength. Hōzukimaru berates his former master, telling him not to get too over-confident. Ikkaku realizes that he is finally serious, to which he gets up again, finally in the mood to fight him. Hōzukimaru leaps into the air, thrusting his blade into the ground, as Ikkaku barely dodges, being unable to block his attacks in succession.

He causes a column of smoke to rise into the air, which he uses as a cover, hurling his blade at Ikkaku, pushing him back into the pond. As he disappears under the water, Hōzukimaru wonders whether he is finished yet; as a drenched Ikkaku climbs onto a nearby rock, telling him that there is no way he could be defeated by such an attack. Hōzukimaru tells him to end his taunts, stating that he can talk big after he defeats him. This drives Ikkaku over the edge, as he charges at him, getting knocked onto the ground effortlessly.

As Hōzukimaru walks over to him, Ikkaku points out that he was able to cut a fragment from his Bankai. Hōzukimaru wonders when he was able to do that, as Ikkaku stands up to face him again, stating that his pride is what motivates him. His Zanpakutō spirit then tells him to hit him with all he has got, as they both charge at each other. Hōzukimaru splits Ikkaku's Shikai, but Ikkaku counters, hitting him in the jaw with his tassel, as they fight on par with each other.

Ikkaku repeatedly drives his Shikai's blade into Hōzukimaru's blade, eventually cracking it into a multitude of fragments, much to his inherent surprise. He pants heavily, commenting upon Hōzukimaru's excellent fighting ability, as he says the same back to him. Suddenly, Hōzukimaru's dragon crest illuminates, displaying a crimson-red glow, commenting that he will be able to fight at full strength. At this development, Ikkaku places the tassel section of his Shikai down, stating that he will not go behind that line.

Hōzukimaru then twirls the mid-section of his Bankai, causing crimson reiatsu to envelop his body. Ikkaku momentarily releases reiatsu of a similar color, as they charge at each other, nearly pushing him over the line marked by his tassel. However, Ikkaku's strength surges, as he divulges to Hōzukimaru that he is the 3rd Seat of Zaraki's squad, the resultant reiatsu engulfing them both, triggering a tremendous explosion, which causes clouds of dust to encompass the area.

Aftermath
As the dust clouds disperse, the two are facing opposite each other in a large crater created by the explosion. Hōzukimaru comments that he enjoyed their battle, as his Bankai shatters into pieces. He then collapses to the ground, as the victorious Ikkaku stands over him. However, Ikkaku succumbs to his injuries also, collapsing opposite Hōzukimaru.