Shinigami going about their daily duties briefly stop and look to the sky as a passing object briefly shades them from the sun. Upon looking up they notice a black inky mass passing overhead in the shape of a large goldfish. They look to one another, unsure of how to act considering they had never seen this object in the Seireitei before, the only thing giving them pause is the Reiatsu it is giving off is Zanpakuto related and its leisurely travel speed. Atop this large goldfish rests Taro Date, Captain of the Eleventh Division. He is currently on his way to Central Forty Six to report the completion of his “Shiba Suppression”. Given the pace of the fish he is in no real hurry, it gives him enough time to nap and recount a very fond memory of his past. This memory causes the corner of his lips to curl up, a genuine smile etching itself onto his face.
Fond Memories
Many, many years ago, when Taro was still young and in the Academy he was a part of an expedition to the Human world, Karakura specifically. Chaperoned by the Guardian of Karakura Town at the time, things were supposed to be routine, a simple observation of how actual combat against a Hollow is supposed to work. The guardian tells the group of students to hang back and watch him work and they do just that, however, what the guardian wasn’t expecting was a surprise attack against him by the Hollow. He is attacked and he puts up a brief fight, however, he was ultimately killed. Chaos then breaks out as the Hollow sets its sights on the students who were too flustered and scared to take a correct course of action. While not terribly distraught Taro was definitely thrown into confusion, wondering why his classmates are scattering like roaches into the sky
Suddenly Taro feels a presence as if something was standing next to him, he looks to his left and then right but sees nothing and no one there. Moments later an explosion rips through the sky and a young Taro senses the death of multiple classmates, others being seriously wounded. For the first and last time in his life his foot slides backward in fear but as he does this it feels as if water is rising around him, yet he is standing on a rooftop without an ounce of water in sight. This confuses him and the building he stands on explodes, hit by a Cero. This Hollow is trying to work fast now that it knows it has the upperhand and that backup will be arriving soon to aid these students. Taro lies in the rubble of the destroyed building, concussed, injured internally and bleeding from his head. Something compels him to stand to his feet, his hand gripping the handle of his Zanpakuto. Then he hears it, a voice shouting in his head…
Back in the present Taro is briefly woken by the fish he rides upon, it speaks in an echoing female voice, alerting him to the fact that they will be arriving at Central Forty Six in less than an hour. He nods his head and drifts back to sleep. His Zanpakuto, Kurogane
((黒金;Black Gold), is a dotting sort of spirit. It cares for and worries deeply about Taro to the point of stress if things ever get bad or dire for him. Seeing her and Taro interact can make others question if they have a romantic relationship with one another, then in the next moment they seem to have nothing of the sort between each other. It is confusing to everyone but them as they know where they stand with each other without ever directly saying it out loud. Being so close to Taro it is not far-fetched for her to know his thoughts, more specifically his dreams. That particular dream is a special one for her as well, the day she finally was able to reach him.
Unity
Kurogane’s perspective of that fateful day was one of content at first, nothing seemed amiss or out of the ordinary. She has tried calling out to Taro multiple times only for him to not hear her or be puzzled by what he is sensing. As the events of that fateful night played out she began to distress, panic even as she felt Taro would die before ever meeting her. So she did everything she could, increasing her presence which is why Taro felt as if someone was standing beside him. She persisted as her presence doubled and it was as if the black ocean of ink was rising around him. The building explodes, her stress is mounting like never before feeling like she was surrounded by a storm as she compels him to stand and fight, knowing his dark tortured history, knowing that he is strong she couldn’t bear to see him die to something like this. When he finally grabbed his Zanpakuto she was able to shout to him. He heard her voice, he finally took notice of her and all this time it felt like she was wrapped in the arms of the sea, unable to rise above it, always drowned out. As he drew his Zanpakuto it was as if he wrapped his hands around her and finally pulled her out of that tumultuous ocean.
After all this time of her calling to him he finally, at last, calls out to her. Drawing the blade and shouting her release phrase at the top of his lungs.
”Drown the world in truth! Kurogane!”
The edge of his Zanpakuto is covered in ink and this is all he can marvel at as the Hollow is barreling towards him now. Frozen in place for a moment, he is unable to respond, but it is okay because now Kurogane can act, she can help protect him and aid him in combat. A large goldfish made of ink collides into the side of the Hollow, biting into it. This snaps Taro out of his petrified state as he leaps into the sky and in a simultaneous act he decapitates the Hollow while Kurogane bites its torso in half. Still heavily injured Taro falls back towards the ground limply only to be caught on the back of the inky goldfish. This was the first meeting between Taro and Kurogane. Despite his wicked ways he has never treated Kurogane wrongly, always with mutual respect, and as an equal. Though Taro has often wondered if Kurogane’s ability to manifest fish made of ink is from her desire to truly fight alongside him. Regardless of its origin he happily welcomes it.
Finally, in the present day, they arrive at the doors of Central Forty Six. He hops off the fish, petting it a few times before drawing his Zanpakuto so it can return to it. He enters the Central Forty Six chambers and after walking for a brief time he stands at the center of the room, surrounded by the judges.
”We take it that the Shiba situation has been resolved?”
Darkest Possibilities
”Indeed, I wiped out the entire clan, save for Choko. She now bears the dishonorable title of The Last Shiba. The bloodline will die with her as I forbade her from having children, if she attempts to do so in secret her life and her spawn’s will be forfeit.”
There is deliberation amongst the judges, they wanted to send a stern warning but nothing to this level or magnitude. Central Forty Six is the acting Captain Commander and it was under their discretion to promote this man to Captain, not only that but old files suggested that the Date are to be trusted to enact political justice and balance. Once their deliberation is concluded the speaker looks to Taro.
”Such a thing was not within our scope of possibilities. We assumed you would perhaps… Rough them up a bit.”
”Ah, and rattle a hornets nest? Then we would have had a Shiba War on our hands. No, we will not allow any more wars to take place against our own. We Date have lived in the shadow’s, watching the Soul Society starve and eat itself from within. You think by your hand of promoting me that you stirred the Date awake, but that is not the case. We’ve been awake and whether you like it or not we are going to arrive and staunch the bleeding, our way.”
”I… See… Then, as regretful as this may sound as I can barely bring myself to say it, the Shiba situation has been fully dealt with. Save for one loose end. As acting Captain Commander, we bestow you with the title of Kenpachi-”
”I reject that.”
”What?”
”The old cog was the Kenpachi, correct? And he died in a one on one battle against the Shiba ape, correct? Then by all rites the Shiba ape in Muken is our current Kenpachi.”
Taro stands idle with his ever present smirk and closed eyes, not even bothering to look at any of the judges but instead looking straight ahead.
”That is true, but we need an active Kenpachi in our ranks, we-”
”YOU will NOT disrespect Shinigami traditions.”
”And what will you do if we need to release Densagi and he learns of what you did!?”
”A situation already considered and accounted for long before you gave the ‘order’ to deal with the Shiba. If he is released from Muken he will serve his purpose and then die, simple as that. Treacherous dogs who act on impulse are to be put down for the greater good of the Soul Society. Now onto another topic before I become truly irritable.”
The forty six judges all felt on edge, like they were walking in a field of landmines. Some fumble with paper in front of them as they didn’t know what else to do with themselves and others twiddle their thumbs.
”Okay, well… I believe that is all, you are dismissed.”
Firm Reminders
”Very well. Ah, and one other thing. Do not let the title of Captain Commander go to your heads. You hold that rank in name only, any action I take will be the best one needed and NOT on your orders.”
One judge becomes infuriated and shouts at Taro.
”That is insubordination! We can have you punished!”
”Oh? By who? You? You can barely keep yourself from pissing on your own seat, let alone having the ability to punish anyone.”
He turns and begins walking out of the building but not before giving them one last thing to mull over.
”You all lack power.”
And with those words he exits the Central Forty Six building. Once outside he takes a deep breath of the fresh air and begins taking a leisurely stroll back to the Eleventh Division Barracks.
