Central Seireitei

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She watches the footage with the others and all she could think about is how volatile this man could potentially be. If he is the sore loser, will he use Bankai to decimate all of Karakura Town with this infection? Can the three of them alone contain it without causing more damage? She takes some solace in the fact that she didn’t have her friend go and investigate him since that would put her well within range of his potential Bankai usage. While these thoughts were running rampant in the back of her mind she was thinking of her own survival at the front, if she were exposed to these spores how could she survive? As she rubs her chin the scientist in the room speaks up about his own thoughts on the Bankai.
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She examines the video, noting the fact that it was done in an enclosed location, no airflow meaning no air to carry any of it anywhere.
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A good idea comes to her mind but an equally good counter reaches her mind shortly after, making her go quiet for a moment as she continues thinking about how to disrupt any potential air flow. She had already thought about using her Shikai to surround the release in a cage of fire that would burn away all the spores or vapor but there is an issue in that as well. During her time in Tenth, when she needed to use her Zanpakuto, she had to lead Hollows to construction sites or abandoned outskirts in order to use her abilities freely without collateral damage. Being in the middle of Karakura town also negates her usage of her Shikai in that manner. She bites her thumb, upset that everything she is thinking of has a counter or a downside to it.
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A window of opportunity, what can be done during that window, what can she contribute to this that won’t be detrimental. An idea comes to mind but it is all determined on the positioning of Elk at the time of this window being created which she cannot rely on, hell even her own Bankai is out of the question for any of this due to the ambient heat it puts out so she cannot make a counter play with it. She so badly wishes this was something taking place in the Seireitei so she could go all out with her flames, but it seems like he is one move away from checkmate on them and the frustrating thing about it is that's probably by design. She then thinks about what Kisho would do in this situation. The mental image of Karakura town being flooded with lava crosses her mind and she shakes her head to dispel the thought instantly. Finally she thinks about her approach, Kisho’s fanatical way of doing things had crept into her psyche and only made her think of violence against Elk. Not all who go AWOL are necessarily evil or bad people.
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She knows what she is suggesting sounds blasphemous but if C46 is involved in hesitating to apprehend Elk then it may be for good reason. They may know about his Bankai as well, a multilayered reason for not wanting to agitate him. If that's the case then they must go in with intentions to not agitate him at all. Before she could voice this her senses spiked, her hand instinctively going for her Zanpakuto, only to realize she had left it on the dining table upstairs. Luckily what was going on above was not close enough to them to be concerned with immediate danger. She grits her teeth, feeling embarrassed about making such a rookie mistake of leaving her Zanpakuto behind like that. She was so caught up in the flow of catching a traitor she didn’t even think about it until this exact moment where she felt the need to defend herself.
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Kuwashii silently beat herself up about forgetting her Zanpakuto, she let her excitement get to her too much. If Kisho were here he’d kill her for this mistake, luckily he isn’t here and he will never know about this happening because she will take this little mishap with her to the grave. Aside from reprimanding herself she is ready to take action with the group.

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Woosh Thwip Woosh Thwip Woosh Thwip Woosh

Captain Senkō continued dashing and weaving through his leafy smokescreen, studying the corrupted Captain, thin wisps of orange and red flickering and dancing about the area. Yet no matter what Captain Senkō did or how the storm of leaves moved, still the hollow remained planted. Was he mocking him? Was it arrogance, perhaps lost to hollow instinct and drunk on power? Just what was it that kept him there? What was he thinking, what was he up to? Kagi had many questions yet no answers, at least not yet. With such a dangerous enemy he also didn't have the time or luxury of drawing things out any longer than necessary, he couldn't risk the hollow escaping into the Seireitie. Who knew what destruction would result of such an outcome.

Woosh Thwip Woosh Thwip Woosh Thwip Woosh

Though mocked the Captain kept his cool, it would take more than the insults of a mere hollow to shake him. But, something wasn't right. Kagi understood his zanpakutō Chiba better than anyone. He had mastered and refined his control over her shikai and so, knew that by now the Hollowfied Itaku should have been overtaken by many of her thousand leaves by now yet, somehow the space around the man remained free of any of the orange foliage. Not only that, while the dome was closing in, it was as if it hadn't made any actual advance, but he knew that couldn't be the case, he was directing the leaves after all. He had been drawing them in closer to further enclose the opponent so...why then did it feel as if he'd made no headway or advance at all?

"That's enough playing for now."

THWIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!!

A shockwave blew back the drifting leaves thin and long grid like openings appearing in the autumn colored storm, a storm Kagi himself inhabited having used it as cover for his movements. At the same time Kagi is perhaps now able to see something he had not expected and could not have predicted. It is the sight of his leaves, by the hundreds of dozens unraveling, as if woven together by thread that was now being pulled to unmake them. The sight created these thin wisp like threads that floated in the air before fading. It is perhaps now that he realizes, if he had noticed at all. Those orange wisps were the leaves that were being directed towards the hollow, unraveling before ever reaching the man, this is also perhaps why it seemed that no matter how much he closed the dome in, it didn't seem to ever actually advance further.

The spinning blade finally comes to a halt, yet the hollow does not hold the sword by its grip. No, rather the blade seems to dangle there, only now giving the Captain time to see exactly how it had been spinning in the first place. A thin crimson thread that seemed attached to the pummel or end of the sword's grip, currently being held in the hollows hand, allowing Genriron to dangle and sway like a pendulum.

"So weakling, how was my performance? Did'ya enjoy my little show?"

While some truths have now been revealed, nothing has been explained. The hollow certainly didn't seem the type to spoon feed the Captain any details on what was actually taking place, how or why. However, in his condescending words Kagi at least now knows why the Hollow had not moved from the spot he was standing on. It was to mock him, to show off...it was all a game to the hollow. One had to wonder, was the hollow still playing around, or would he now become serious. And, if this was him merely playing...

How much horrifying would it be should he stop playing around?

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[From Southwest Seireitei]

Perhaps someone from the Second Division would have been the first to spot one, maybe it was one of the Shinigami following orders and vacating the area but a strange and unnerving thing had arrived. Twisting and turning through the air as if swimming, a fish made of ink lingers on the perimeter established by Captain Senko and it is not the only one. Another shows up, on the opposite side of the perimeter, flowing aimlessly, its mouth opening and closing as the ambient Reiatsu released by the two combatants radiates in the air. First two then four then six with the final two of the fish arriving, one of which dropping Sameko off at a place she deemed most advantageous to herself. The last fish carried Taro Date who stood with his arms crossed, merely watching the fight and not interjecting in any manner. Kagi thought himself a savior, via the message he sent, so Taro was curious to let this play out and see how Kagi would fare against this abomination.

Taro had arrived to witness the most recent clash, watching as Kagi made his move towards what seemed to be a rather idle Itaku. On top of which there seemed to be a rather abundant amount of leaves from Kagi’s Zanpakuto but none were reaching the Vizard scum. Not restricted by the heat of the moment, Taro is able to observe things that neither Kagi nor Itaku would notice from one another, the advantage of being a spectator. Similar to how someone can call out what sort of punch or kick an MMA professional should have thrown in a key moment while watching them, Taro can sense and see things with such clarity as well. Kagi is focused on more than just simply reading and watching moves, his own survival is at stake as well on top of any sort of mental gymnastics he is doing trying to find an opening to attack Itaku. It is a multitude of variables that are at play in the heat of a fight that a mere spectator will never understand. But Taro is no mere spectator.
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THWIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!!

A shockwave erupts shortly after Taro is finished speaking, though he arrived late he was able to piece together that Itaku was using his Zanpakuto threads to keep the leaves at bay, creating his own safe zone against it. Taro was high enough in the air to not be touched or even grazed by the air released from the shockwave. The leaves unravel and Taro rubs his chin, trying to think of a plan of attack for himself against Itaku. The two had met very briefly during a Captain’s Proficiency test, the test was called off early due to an emergency but in that brief encounter Taro was only able to glean just a little bit of information about Itaku, he enjoyed hiding and surprise attacks, an opportunistic man at best, a snake at worst. But right now it is not Itaku fighting, it is his Inner Hollow. Perhaps there is some parallel in how the two fight, a sort of inverse in their method of attack. An upfront sneakiness that hides his hand right in your face before truly revealing it.

The beast stops spinning the blade revealing to Kagi what had already been noticed by Taro upon his arrival. Due to his Reiatsu being enhanced by his Hollowfication Taro is unsure if Itaku is currently using Bankai right now or not. Given the simplicity of how his Zanpakuto looks currently it must just be the Shikai which means there is room for more trouble to bloom.
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A taunt to Captain Senko, this abomination is playing around and having fun right now. What Taro needs from Kagi is to press the beast more, get him to fight seriously, and reveal more of his hand. At present Taro is treating Kagi like a scout, letting him collect information for his own use, information that would aid in killing Itaku. A buzz is felt in his Shihakusho, he reaches into it and pulls out his Denreishinki to listen to the message being sent out by Fuu of all people.
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He puts his Denreishinki away and casts his eyes back to the fight below, at least someone else is making moves about this abhorrent situation. Of all days and times for this to happen it has to be the one day the Date decided to make a move with their plans. This will be another political nightmare that will need to be addressed, safety and concerns about Vizard kind walking amongst them and why such a thing needs to be more than regulated at this point but punishable by death. It is not safe to let their kind exist this right here is proof of it, he was able to get this close to Central 46 before anyone took notice or action of his strange behavior. The time to build a case on that will come later, right now Taro must continue to watch and gather information on this enemy before making his own move. For now he will watch and learn.

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Fuyuko Munetoshi

Fuyuko had spent some time with mamae. Not out of need but more of keeping occupied with her own thoughts allowing her mind to wonder. Her body moved without much of a sound as she weaved through the moving bodies of the first division's members. Her body moved on its own as she nodded or waved, continueing her mindless walk soon ending up at the very door that once held her office.

She remained out of it as she blinked a few times before shaking her head. She was no longer a lieutenant or even the head lieutenant. it was a position given to her by loyalty in a civil war she didn't earn the spot from. She reached forwards before her mind once again seemed to get pulled away by something as her fingertips rested centimeters from the surface of the wood.

She shake her head as she used her free hand to touch her head, knowing exactly what was happening. Her sword was calling. it was trying to get her attention elsewhere. Fuyuko turned from the door as she continued moving towards the courtyard of the 1st squad barracks sitting the cat down by the pond. "This is a great spot to sunbath and enjoy a showing of fish." She advised to the cat as she stood up turning back towards her room.

She didn't need to watch the cat the entire time. it was a means of keeping her occupied till the captain was free from the family drama he was dealing with. she was grateful she didn't have such issues within the Shinigami to deal with. outside though was a whole different story she hasn't touched in who knows how long.

Fuyuko slid the room door shut behind her as she got comfortable in the middle of the floor. She removed the blade from its sheath, resting the black cover on the floor infront of her as on her crossed knees was her blade. "Alright Shibori...Lets talk..."she whispered closing her eyes focusing her mind and body presence to the blade as a strong ripple of paper flew past her senses as when she opened her eyes she was meet with a black void.

She was within the world her spirit resided. Slowly she stood up from where she appeared " Shibori..."She called out "you called?" she called to the void looking around as a sigh could be heard from behind her as the zanpackuto spirit stood it's back against her own "I didn't call for you." It replied as Fuyuko turned to find nothing behind her only to turn again to see the spirit infront of her as the male figure stood infront of her.

"We need to talk." She spoke
"Now you wanna talk...you finally listening to yourself or are you listening to the voices of the past?" asked Shibori watching her closely for a response.

"To myself....That is the only path that is left for us." She spoke moving forwards as Shibori shake its heard turning his back towards her "There are many paths to go. One path you want is nihilation" He spoke as from seemingly in the void below several paper thin pillars of reels shot up forming a circle around Fuyuko, From within the reels were various instances of memories, in particular instances of death, those of the gate guardian when she was lieutenant of the ninth, to those within the civil war from the sight on the hill seeing her captain take down the captain commander and another Shinigami to the death of her own captain within the white blizzard were a few within the reels.

Fuyuko closed her eyes remaining still not moving.

"look at them Fuyuko." Spoke Shibori.
"I seen them more times then I can count." She replied
"That is a lie. Each one, you never turned away. Never did your eyes close, capturing each and every single particle of existence of those memories. Why turn away now. To not look. is that of a coward." Spoke the Spirit.

"It is out of respect..."She replied " Lies...You show disrespect to them. To all the lives that could have been saved. All that laid down their lives before you could even bother to think of moving even a bit. " He spoke watching her open her eyes " You say you want to move forward, down the only path for us. The only path we are going is the void. Your stagnation is cracking us." He spoke.

"My Stagnation." She breathed as the pillars of film burned themselves before replaced with others. these of her own past, her own up bringing.

"You stagnation to fit in a mold never meant....For you." He spoke " Still you out grown it in so many ways, but yet you stay. Why?" He asked

"It is the easiest existence. Best way to adapt with seeming predictability." She spoke
"Coward." Spoke the spirit " You just hate the fact that you no longer are needed to follow orders." He spoke
"That's not i-."She started as the pillars burned as the film seemingly used itself up as the spirit moved forward

"Shut it and listen for once to us." He spoke as flakes of the reel fluttered down around them as within the flakes the spirit took another shape. the form of herself. " We are not this. You know this." It spoke moving a finger to the cloth that covered the lower part of its face, tucking a finger within. Fuyuko watched as by almost instinct her own hand followed, mimicking the same movement.

"To not be this...then what are we?" she asked
"Well that is what you must find out." Shibori responded. " To move down any path, we must strip the old film from ourselves. Remove the first step together." Spoke Shibori not moving, it was waiting for her.

Fuyuko kept her green eyes on the image of herself infront of her, like a mirror. Could she do it? Make the first move all on her own? But she wasn't on her own. Shibori, the spirit that was her, that was her blade, that was the one who allowed her to wield them all these years, that recorded and protected her and the memories and knowledge. it was still here.

"We are.." Said Shibori

"Fuyuko Ayako Munetoshi.."She responded " Who are we not." Replied Shibori as Fuyuko stalled almost as in a full halt.

who was she not? Who was it she was trying to be? She felt like she should know this. Her mind was screaming it but she wasn't comprehending it. It was there within the depths of her mind that a child like laughter of two rang loud and clear through her head. "Fuyuto..."She breathed feeling a sudden rise within her, a sudden ember burst into a ravaging flame of life seemed to flow forth through her.

Almost immediately she pulled down the cloth mask allowing her face to lift up towards the void around her as she let out the loudest and most alive scream she could muster into the void of the world.

The spirit smirked keeping the same face as hers folding it's arms in a satisfied grin allowing her to let out the refreshing sound of life that sounded from her lungs. " You feel better?" it asked

Fuyuko quieted her scream taking in slow deep breaths as even she could tell the change within herself.


"Better." She replied resting her hand on her collar bone in relief. " Thankyou...Shibori."She spoke. " I didn't do anything but show you the fact your path is wrong." it replied turning its back towards her, "You still have a long way to go before I allow you to regain what you lost all those years ago." It spoke before raising one hand holding up a finger.

" If you ever think to allow another voice in that head of yours. Never will I answer your call again. Everyone only get one chance to be recorded and cherished. You just used yours." He replied as his form changed moving towards a film flying from the void below him as his form took that of a male version of fuyuko holding up the cloth mask behind it. "Ever allow this on to silence your own voice again. You are good as dead to us and not worthy of our power or the story left for you. Your ending will forever be a footnote as a failure." Spoke shibori stopping just short of the film turning back towards her. "Now get lost." He mentioned as an invisible force overtook her mind, tossing her out of its world without a single chance for her to say anything.​

Fuyuko Munetoshi​

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Fate works in mysterious ways, sometimes beneficial, other times detrimental. On this day, it seems fate is as fickle as can be. A dinner party with its own intentions brought something else to table, a detective with a case to solve, and a nosey police with a bad temper and a strong sense of justice. Toru was likely never the first option for either of these two servants of the law, but the strings of fate have been stitched in such a way that they were placed before him.

A joyous bit of entertainment and possibly a step towards freedom for Toru. It would have been wonderful if it was so cut and dry as to solve the case and reap the rewards, but of course, it could never be so simple. The same string that pulled them together is later sown into a recipe for disaster waiting to boil over. Potential efforts to bury the case from those far above the three of them. Their efforts could very well earn them the opposite of what Toru seeks.

The latest kink in the tapestry of fate is what rages above the trio. A blanket of shadow being woven by the threads and threats of Captain Ohei, troublesome, but useful all the same for these three. The question remains though, what strands will cross and knot as the day continues?​

Toru had set his contingencies in case things turned out for the worst, but the matter of collateral mitigation is something that he has not prepared for yet. With the weight of the rogue's Bankai weighing upon the three, ideas are thrown out in hopes that their capabilities are suitable for the job.​

Toru listens to the pieced together plan, the unfortunate fate that Toru is not particularly adept at Kido is not the only fault, as Kuwashii herself mentioned. Regardless, the plan displays something rather unexpected of the hot-headed girl, a quick witted mind, well equipped to careful planning on the fly. From Toru's point of view, the girl will be more useful so long as she retains this more composed demeanour. ​

Neither the police, nor the biologist have been clued in at the moment, but the simply presence of a possibility is almost a comfort, even if it is temporary. With arms crossed and his head nodding aggressively, Toru shows his agreement with two things. First, the plan that he does not yet know, in this case, he trusts Rokka. The second is the window of opportunity that even a temporary solution can offer. Despite the approval of both his comrades, nothing seems to stick, beyond the theoretical phase anyway. Hopes and chances, that seems to be all the three of them having going for them in this upcoming encounter, still, that is better than nothing. Amidst the surprise of a rampaging Hollowfied Captain, it is a wonder that anything else could take Toru by surprise so soon, yet Kuwashii manages to do so.​

Her entire idea of talking to the criminal has Toru staring at her, once more seeming empty-headed. With one arm still crossed along his chest, the other reaches up and covers his mouth, doing his absolute best to hide quivering lips as he stifles a laugh. His reaction doesn't come from a place of malice, he simply finds it rather humorous. Finally he manages to brush aside that involuntary laughter as Rokka calls for their deployment.
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Just as he had done with their initial meetings, Toru sidles up next to the two other Shinigami, his arms attempting to wrap around the shoulders of the two as he begins to head towards the staircase that leads out of the underground lair.
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The ascent from below is not as relaxed as the descent was. The pressure of a possibly dwindling clearing has Toru picking up the pace, putting to use that unusually lanky frame of his. After having left the room and closing the door behind the group, Toru had taken to the stairs with an approximation of a run. Every stride has the tall man bounding over multiple steps. Eventually he reaches the hatch and with a shove, the lid flies open rather smoothly and Toru steps out into the kitchen. The residual heat of the kitchen hits Toru and he cannot help but reminisce in the memory of todays culinary adventure, beyond his study, this is where he feels most at home. The reminiscing soon becomes contorted and twisted, his own brain reminding him of the possibility of never returning to this beautiful place.

Toru Tsunayashiro, a man so comfortable being the way he is, for a brief moment begins to lament being the way he is. Within Twelfth, there are many different minds that can be considered geniuses, people who thrive in almost every field of science. What if he wasn't so ignorant by those facets of science? Could he have had a gadget that could isolate the threat? Perhaps some doohickie to prevent the release of a Bankai? Fortunately, it doesn't take him very long to reel himself back in. Toru is not a scientist for the sake of being called a genius, nor for the sake of others. He studies and researches out of desire to sate his own curiosity, it is fun to him. In the end, all he does is for his own entertainment, and that drive is what has brought him to the breakthroughs he has had.

Once he comes to, he finds himself stepping along the side of the hall, his eyes glancing over the dinner table and coming to rest upon the Zanpakutō that Kuwashii had left behind. Deft fingers slither around the scabbard of the blade, plucking the Zanpakutō from the table and turning to toss it back to it's owner. He very well could have let Kuwashii gather her belongings by herself, but he was curious to see her reaction, a return to his usual curiosities. He takes no time in returning to the path he was on, out of the building. Once the trio pass beyond the threshold of his compound building, he turns to address the servants at the front door.
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The two are more than well acquainted with the usual antics of the Tsunayashiro, a simple nod is all he gets in return. He leaves with a frantic wave and smile as he guides the other two towards the Tsyunayashiro's personal Senkaimon. Their destination isn't far, the trip to get down into his study was longer, but still it seems to drag on as his attention is stolen by the displays of power happening in rather close vicinity. It hadn't occurred to him until now that the possibility of his return being to a ruined home is very much a reality. Once more he can do nothing but hope and rely on chance.
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With their travel complete, they stand before a Senkaimon, much like the one used by the rest of the Soul Society, but it comes adorned with the colour of the Tsunayashiro and the at the top of the tiled 'roof' is the emblem of the Tsunayashiro family. Standing to either side of the entrance are two people, clad in an outfit very much resembling the Kido Corps attire, but they too are similarly adorned with the Tsunayashiro emblem.
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An appreciative nod is followed by the trio stepping forward into the bright white light of the open Senkaimon. ​

Toru, Rokka & Kuwashii → Karakura Town​