Northeast Seireitei

[Inkmasterru]

---

A moment of awkward silence loomed in the air between the captain and her subordinate. Her chest still probably heaving from her scolding the shinigami before her. Maybe even a few strands of hair out of place. Then out of no-where the ground will begin to tremble and shake. They will look in one direction of the main street and see nothing. Then they would look in the other and still see nothing... at first. Yet then a spec, rapidly growing and moving towards them, kicking up massive clouds of dust behind it. Closer and closer it got, before they could identify it as 5 shinigami rushing towards them. On their shoulders a limp body, one arm flailing about and the other nowhere to be seen.

Closer and closer they got and now the immense panic and fear on their faces could be seen.

"MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!! We got a injured shinigami in need of the medic corps!"

Then they would see the captain haori and skid to a stop. Their heels digging in the ground, even a few of them almost falling onto their backs. The poor shinigami tensing every muscle to not drop the person they were carrying. Before making a deep bow towards Captain Harai. Allowing both Shibuya and Michiya to have a clearer view of the man on their shoulders. Tattoos on neck and chest, white hair and a light tanned skin. A one sleeved Shihakushō, a vice captain badge of the 10th division on the left arm and ... a whole entire right arm missing from the mid bicep down. Looking a bit more, they will see a female shinigami clutching it to her chest.

"C..captain Harai, our apologies. Please excuse us, we need to get vice captain Sazanami to the medic corp. GET YOURS ASSES MOVING, GO GO GO!"

Instantly they got out of their bows and ramped up speed almost similar to something you will see out of a looney toon episode. Rushing away in great speeds as they left the two 12th division shinigami in the dust cloud that was created. Leaving them to attempt to process what the hell just happened.

---

Family reunion

Kazuki will begin to stir in the soft fabrics of medical bed. The pain was gone and all was left was a unbelievable soreness and fatigue. He couldn't feel his right arm and remembered that was torn off by Date. Using his only availble arm, he made a tiny little wiggle to sit up against the metal bed frame. Then pulled back the bed covers to discover that it was reattached, but unresponsive. A medic noticed that he awoke and rushed to get a seated officer, while kazuki leaned back with a massive grin on his face. Before out of all the people the medic could of got, they got... his sister, Akemi.

"So... what did my stupid older brother do this time? Still wearing that dumb ass grin on your face. Haven't seen you this injuried since a century ago, when you tried to stand up to the seated officers of the 11th. Sure you beat them with your sword, but then they jumped you the next night after they recovered."

She grabbed a chair and sat down as she pulled up to his side.

"Come on spill, I want to hear what happened from your mouth."

"Where is Kyoki Chizuki, sis?"

"Holding her hostage, not that she minds. Now talk, otherwise your stay at the 4th is going to be a while longer than you would like."

Kazuki chuckled as his sister once again cornered him. He was clever and the more adapt fighter, but she was always smarter than him. A kido master, good enough to join the kido corps, but instead taken by the 4th for her healing capabilities. Sighing he looks around, before telling what happened. Not the full story, somewhat of a summary of what occured.

"Got into sort of a altercation with Captain Date. He was out bullying the 13th division and I arrived to announce that the division was to be under our command until further notice... in his presence."

"You didn't..."

"That wasn't the part that got him angry, he was still in a good mood even with me asking if he needed any assistance. I then offered some friendly advice and he didn't take it well."

"Brother... why..."

"So he attempted to crush me with his reiatsu to 'put me in my place'. It wasn't as bad as I expected, by his words he was expecting for me to be on my knees, groveling. He was about to leave, when I... drew Kyoki Chizuki and challenged him to a duel."

"That is the most stupid thing you have done yet, brother."

"He didn't draw his and offered his hand for a 'handshake.' I sheaved Kyoki Chizuki and took his hand and the rest is history."

A long minute of pure silence stayed between the siblings as Akemi pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I stand corrected, that is the most stupid thing you have done. Yet I know that you aren't that much of a idiot, so why did you do it?"

Kazuki tisked and slowly waved his finger in front of her face. Not to mock her, it's just he literally couldn't move his finger any faster.

"Now hold on sis, I can't tell you everything in my head and thoughts."

Akemi chuckled, before grabbing Kazuki finger and slightly twisting it. Making him seize up and wince in great pain.

"Watch it brother, you may be vice captain, but I am still your sister. I know every joint and it's weakness, don't test me."

Before letting go of his finger and sighing deeply. Before standing up and walking away before coming back with Kyoki Chizuki in her arms. Placing it in his lap as she sat back down.

"Be more careful, you are very lucky that you are alive. We had a few sent here by Captain Date that were... less fortunate. Kyoki can't do anything if not in her shikai, so don't always think you can bounce back."

"Your my little sister and I know what I'm doing. Besides I think he was starting to like me, I got promoted from cog to a gear, can you imagine that?"

Sitting up a little more, he winced as he grabbed his side.

"Let's just say... I won."

"You... won? You must have been more injuried than I thought. Do you have a fever or something?"

She would place the back of her hand against his forehead. Even pull him in to place her lips against it, but felt nothing. Kazuki will pull away and chuckle till it hurt.

"There is no fever. I was never meant to win in martial prowess, not yet. So I had to win in other matters and win I did. Now if you don't mind, can you flip over my right arm?"

Sighing Akemi took his arm and carefully flipped it so the palm was to face upwards towards the ceiling. With his left hand, Kazuki fluidly drew Kyoki Chizuki from the saya. He wasn't a natural left handed fighter as he was right handed. Yet he did train to be able to fight with his off hand. In cases like this, if he ever lost the ability to use his dominant arm. Yet he was not full on ambidextrous, he needed to train more. Anyway, he laid the blade into his palm and pulled to slash it open.

"Lament thy night, mourn thy soul, Kyoki Chizuki."

The zanpakuto transformed and before he could say anything, his sister slashed her palm upon the jagged blade of the zanpakuto. The weapon greedily drinking in the reiatsu and blood from her as she instantly used Kaido to seal the wound up. Barely struggling to overwhelm the passive ability of the shikai. Not instantly, but rapidly his body begun to heal. Stitches vanished, wounds closed, cracks in bones mended and the nerves in his right arm reattached. He felt it once more as he slowly wiggled his fingers. A few minutes and his body was fully restored to it's full potential. Yet... a massive scar remained where Date tore his arm off and he was going to wear it like a badge of honor. Kinda of saying, 'I fought Date and lived', hell he still had the scar when that boar gutted him in his left side of his torso.

To his sister, he may seem as crazy and stupid, but he firmly believed that he won. He learned so much about Date in that one exchange. Not everything no, but enough about his strength, his beliefs, motivations, skills and the best part was: That even if he was beaten to a inch of his life, Date went down to his level. After all why would a 'god' even bat a eye on someone beneath them. Meaning what was already obvious, he was human and his attention can be grabbed. Now having him actually to head your words was a different story. If he didn't have his head so far up his ass with his greatness, he will able to see that other people had good ideas as well. And if he wasn't such an asshole and tyrant, people will actually willingly listen and follow his orders. Loyalty was far more effective than fear, sure it took longer and wasn't as easy in the short term, but would last longer than fear ever could.

Anyway, he needs to return to the 13th barracks. Finish the paperwork for the patrols and lead a training session as he promised. Then he needed to train more. He realized that in the one-sided beat down, that his Hakuda was lacking. No it would not be as brutish and merciless as Date's was, but... Date used Ryōdan. Suddenly Kazuki had a idea, he wasn't a master of Hakuda and never be as good as some masters out there, not to mention that it was never his prefered method of combat. Yet he was a master of Zanjutsu and what if... he was to turn his hands into blades? His elbows into piercing or stabbing attacks, a normal foot kick into a deadly sweeping cut? A whole new style of Hakuda based off Zanjutsu techniques, he had to pursue this concept more. Now... what else? 10th division was at it's most optimal level, 13th was soon to be the same... what about the other squads? Date was in some ways right, Kazuki never denied that, only disapproving at his methods. Can the 3rd be also under the command of the 10th? Or was that too much of a reach for someone of his station and his division?

Lets see: There are 13 divisions. Central 46 is currently placed as acting captain-commander, but honestly they are figureheads will little power. Seven Divisions were missing captains and nine were missing vice captains. Every divisions were keeping to themselves and only the 10th or rather Kazuki was reaching out to aid other divisions. Not to mention that all captainless divisions were falling behind in effectiveness without proper leadership. Not attempting to mend relations even in these dire situations. Not really helping was the fact that Date was walking around each division like he owned the place, completely at the mercy of his power and rank. Two of the noble clans basically gone and the other two... corrupt and greedy. And the Date... if they were anything like the captain, there were few to challenge them, if any at all.

Groaning in frustration , he stood up from the medical bed and walked over to kiss his sister on her forehead.

"Thanks for the help, sis. Stay safe, at least the fourth has a capable captain or any captain at least. By the way, how long was I out?"

"That's what I should be saying to you. You're more reckless than I, but I trust you know what you're doing. Even when... choosing to get beaten to death. Anyway, you only been out for 1 or 2 hours. You always did recover quickly, all the others thought you'll be out for at least a day or two. Don't do anymore stupid things, can't afford to waste my time patching you up. Now go do whatever vice captains do, you're taking up the medical bed that can be used for other patients."

"Yea yea, love you too."

Stepping outside, he will put his fingers to his lip and whistle, yet no sound came out. It was only a sound that one creature will hear, no one or nothing else. Soon a wolf appeared panting next to Kazuki. Kazuki Concentrated his reiatsu as he touched the creatures forehead. Whispering the words to the creature.

"This message is for captain Izanagi only. The tenth is at it's most optimal, I lead a joint training sesson with the third and the thirteeth is now under our command until further notice. Also..."

Kazuki paused as he processed how to word what he was to say next.

"Also Captain Date was there as well. Yet he took much longer than expected to get there. I followed him to the 3rd division, arriving to see the aftermath. Where he desecrated the captain's memorial and stormed the captain's office, taking some paperwork mentioning a district in the rukongai. I didn't pursue further, only leaving to train myself. When I arrived at the barracks afterwards, I challenged his authority and then challenged him to a duel. Don't worry, I am fully recovered besides a permanent scar, will go into greater detail later."

He removed the hand from the forehead and then knelt down to touch his forehead against the wolf.

"Be safe and keep this out of anyone's hand besides the captain. Then like always erase it, if someone tries to steal it... you know what to do."

Growling the wolf gently pulled away and then ran off as it vanished. Sighing Kazuki did the same as he headed towards 13th barracks once more. Than where next... he will decide from there once work is done.​

---

NORTHEAST SEIREITEI
TO
NORTHWEST SEIREITEI (13TH BARRACKS)​

 

[dem0nzlust]

Michiya continued his path to approach the two captains in question he felt adamant about how things would play out and thought he had his social anxiety in check. However, the moment he opened his mouth that all went out the window just speaking what was on his mind without care not to be rude but just blurting things out from sheer nervousness of talking with so many people watching him. The spotlight is something he tried to avoid because he felt uncomfortable being the center of attention especially, in such a public environment and his father trained him in the art of being a shadow hidden from the light. After he finished telling them about the statistics of mating he had managed to gather his composure, but for whatever reason the talk seemed to do the exact opposite for Captain Harai's composure.

There was a brief pause before Michiya started talking about what brought him here originally in the first place wondering what got her so worked up since they were already on the date. His mind wondered if maybe this was some secret romantic outing hidden in plain sight, or maybe not their first date and he interrupted a possible proposal. The more he thought about it one of them ordered a fancy drink for the occasion so maybe this was about them sharing living quarters but there were missing details which he inquired about another time. Continuing with his talk about why his department should get a raise in funds to further his research. When she placed her hand up to pause him he thought this was because there was some issue with his data, but that couldn't be the case though since he was very thorough when it came to his passions. In the process of trying to figure out why she stopped him suddenly, the Captain rushed upon him and began to ragdoll him out of the building in a bit of shock and confusion wondering what this was all about. All the holographic displays that spammed them disappeared not wanting to leave his information exposed since he was being forced else where by the Captain.

"Oi oi Captain you overpaid!" He called out to her getting dragged away stating the exact amount before they exited the building to a less open area.

The two of them came to an abrupt stop with him taking in where they were located now feeling a bit relieved they didn't stop to talk in the main part of the street. Hearing her quite riled up even resorting to calling him a brat, he thought there had to be some mistake made in his research but this response didn't warrant it so what else could be the reason? When the reason for what all this was for got mentioned he gave her a curious stare muttering to himself out loud while she was in the process of calling him a brat for the second time.

"Oh, we're back on this now I see..."

He let her continue to screech and rant about this topic but once she finished he had one simple question that would probably cut into her deep like a knife. Around this time he picked up on the feint spiritual presence of the one he spied on back before he got taken away from the 10th division. Not sure what happened after his absence, but couldn't help but wonder if after his departure they broke out into a fight he missed. From what he sensed Lt. Kazuki was safe in the hands of the 4th division, and not long after they came across the medic squadrant with someone thrown over their shoulders unconscious. He wondered heavily about the chances they let him administer some drugs to him under the guise of it helping but with the Captain here he fought against his better judgement. Reaching into his haori he pulled out one of his special demon fruits tossing it to one of the medic shinigami to catch not carrying a body or body part.

"Mush that up or process it, it has years' worth of nutrients in it that will assist in the healing once he eats it...I guess this is what happens if you deny the 11th division Captain touching Zanpakuto gingerly together..." Just as quickly as they arrived the medics went stampeding off wondering if that just happened or not shaking his head in disbelief. With one situation gone, it still left the whole ordeal with his Captain underway hoping this was a big enough distraction to calm her down.

"If you were not on a date then why are you so worked up? Logically speaking if that was not the case we wouldn't still be on the topic of your love affairs Captain Harai."

He nervously rubbed the back of his head hoping she did not wish to ask him for advice on this but if need be try to tell her what she needed so they could move on. Although, it was her next question once everything settled that defeated him with her hearing nothing he said to her slumped over. He quickly shook it off straightening his posture before giving a more serious expression toward her cutting straight to the point and moving to a more secluded area.

"What do you know about the 0 division? More importantly, the creator of the Zanpakuto..." He paused for a second then erected a barrier around them that nullified any sounds from leaving outside of it. "I am on the verge of unraveling that secret, the creation of Asauchi though I need the proper workspace and hopefully your support Captain Harai." Michiya's eyes held what some would believe is a dangerous gleam of someone with an unwavering resolve in pursuit of knowledge but was willing to do what was needed to accomplish their goals.

"War is upon us and it's up to us to bring about a new era, don't you agree Captain Harai?" He allowed some time for the Captain to say anything not meant for prying ears before lowering the barrier.​

 

[Ywi]

---

Shibuya sighed, opening her mouth to speak when her centipedes alerted her to a commotion.

She rubbed at the bridge of nose as the group bowed to her, her free hand waving them off, her attention not lingering on them for more than the barest of minimums.

Though, she did perk up the smallest bit while her subordinate spoke to the group. Eleventh Division…

As quickly as they came, they were gone. Alongside the substance Michiya had given them.

Never a dull, peaceful moment in Seireitei, it seemed.

And that notion made her all the more frustrated, her calm demeanour shifting to her more common one of disdain and passive venom. Michiya helped none, either, the brat. Continuing to talk about the perceived date as though she weren't on the edge of bursting a blood vessel.

Choosing the easier path of simply ignoring his blathering about her misconstrued business meeting is all she really can do.

As they make their way to a more secluded area, Shibuya scrunches her nose, centipedes muttering about Shinigami whispering, watching, eyes and ears and mouths open. Too much attention cast their way. Too many aware that they've moved. Watching. Listening. Talking. Curious.
​

"What do you know about the 0 division? More importantly, the creator of the Zanpakuto..."​

When he actually bothers to get back on topic, she again perks up, steely gaze meeting him while she let him speak.

That said, once the barrier goes up her eyes widen slightly, alarms raising her hackles in an instant. She isn't frightened by Michiya, nor his line of questioning, no. What has her suddenly on alert is how utterly suspicious the action is– To believe he'd be stupid enough to blatantly erect a barrier around them where any can, and will, see, questioning its purpose. Questioning them.

Sure, there is no one directly able to see them, but that changes nothing.

Everywhere outside of the few places she has complete control over are safe for talk of their work, in any capacity.

Twelfth has a poor reputation. It always has. The freaks and weirdos of Soul Society gather there, the safe haven for the morally bankrupt and genius. No squad is exactly squeaky clean, but none are deemed as suspicious, untrustworthy, as Twelfth is. And Shibuya knows this, which is why she quickly shifts gears.
​

"I am on the verge of unraveling that secret, the creation of Asauchi though I need the proper workspace and hopefully your support Captain Harai."

"War is upon us and it's up to us to bring about a new era, don't you agree Captain Harai?"​

Once he's spoken his peace, Shibuya's hand flies to his collar again, yanking him down the small distance between them, her face twisted in unbridled rage before he can dispel the barrier around them. Yet, the words that follow are anything but.

"Listen to me, and listen to me well. You are going to follow my lead and act as though I am scolding you," calm, level, "You are going to act the role of a kicked puppy, and I am going to pretend to screech and scream at you again,"

She shoves him away none-too-gently, following through on her statement as she takes a step away from him, turning on her heel, back toward him. Her hand comes to her face, palm hiding her mouth as it moves.

"I know very little of Division Zero, so needless to say I know next to nothing about the originator of Zanpakuto. Details about them are obscured, hard to find, by design. If you're truly close to this breakthrough, I'll allow you additional space. I have blueprints in my office of the currently unused labs you may temporarily commandeer… If anyone asks, simply say you took them over because no one else was using them anyways and it was not officially permitted, understood?"

Turning back toward Michiya, her scowl is deeper, she points at him, lips widening in what looks like it will be a yell. But still her voice doesn't match her overly-dramatic– normal and known by now- gestures. The Captain of Twelfth is an egoist, the type to glare and scold and yell. Her doing so now within the confines of the barrier after having already shown to be peeved and upset with the man before her will ease others' eyes from them, back to their own lives, and away from her squads business. Their senses ignoring them, their actions.

"I'm not so charitable to do this out of the goodness of my heart, though. You will keep one of my centipedes on you at all times so I can monitor you and your progress,"

Said centipede, Nine, slithers around the circumference of the barrier, waiting.

Her head flicks to the side, third sigh of this interaction escaping her, outweighing the prior two in the heavy tension it carries. Subtly, her hand trembles when she waves it toward Michiya dismissively.

"... A new era can only come should we survive what I feel in inevitable," compared to her prior confidence in reply, this one is unsteady, as though she's struggling to get the words out as her pitch dips, "We'll speak of this further in my office,"

Once the barrier is dispelled, Shibuya begins her and Michiya's trot back to Twelfth, and Nine crawls up said mans body, perching itself on the side of his neck, appearing more like a tattoo than a living creature.
​

---

Northeast --> S.R.D.I, Twelfth Division
​

---

 

[dem0nzlust]

The chaos of the 4th Division rushing the Lt to the barracks for immediate care quickly passed, bringing back immediate attention to them and making him very uncomfortable. As things fully settled, he breathed a sigh of relief, remembering why he preferred the solitude of his labs and finding serenity in that. He could tell from the Captain's behaviorism that she no longer wished to speak about the dating experience, which was fine with him. Michiya being a direct individual who didn't like beating around the bush went straight into what he wanted with no sense of warning and cut the social interactions as short as possible. Although, where they differed in views towards their division he never really cared what people thought about how others looked at them unlike Captain Harai, but that mainly was because he avoided interacting with other people altogether and their opinions did not do anything to hinder nor improve his work so remained irrelevant to him.
​

"Listen to me, and listen to me well. You are going to follow my lead and act as though I am scolding you," calm, level, "You are going to act the role of a kicked puppy, and I am going to pretend to screech and scream at you again,"​

He took in what she said but also gave a curious expression thinking about why would he need to act as if she was scolding him when that already happened. After getting shoved away things took a more interesting turn garnering his full absolute attention on every word she said next.
​

"I know very little of Division Zero, so needless to say I know next to nothing about the originator of Zanpakuto. Details about them are obscured, and hard to find, by design. If you're truly close to this breakthrough, I'll allow you additional space. I have blueprints in my office of the currently unused labs you may temporarily commandeer… If anyone asks, simply say you took them over because no one else was using them anyways and it was not officially permitted, understood?"​

Before Michiya started talking he had a slight sly smile on his face following suit concealing his mouth with simple gestures in response to the Captain's actions, "That is fully understood Captain so I guess it works perfectly to tell you I have already been doing just that but now I can completely renovate the space 'without your permission'." He listened to the rest of what she had to say quite openly but just simply acknowledged her words with a nod followed by the dismissal of the barrier.

A look of exhaustion can be seen in Michiya's expression although in his case and the benefit of selling their charade this was not faked. An introvert like Michiya already felt like his social battery was nearly depleted but despite the uncomfortable talks these interactions both merited a great reward for them. Lightly rubbing the back of his head to help sell things further and out of his fun he added in one last comment for the spectators who may continue to watch their interactions. "I am sorry for giving statistics about mating rituals in public areas Captain..." he said with a heavy sigh but a mischievous smile hidden within it. Seeing they were headed back to their respective division he glanced at the centipede given to him and inquired more information about this thing and its functions from Captain Harai on their way back to the 12th division.

---

Northeast --> 12th Division Barracks.​

---

 

[Lovely Lady]

---

“Phew..”

The sound of a broom scraping against cold tile floors was all that could be heard that crisp morning. That, and the ceaseless tone of the monitors indicating that all was well with the patient they were strapped up to. These wires had been all that were keeping Captain Kurayami alive after she had mysteriously fallen ill and later into a coma and had then been fashioned a personal medical chamber within the fifth division where she would be tended to around the clock. The space was off limits to all unauthorized personnel and this was enforced not only by her fellow division members but also by her faithful yet rowdy pair of Mod Souls Fabio and Romeo, both of which were well versed in the ways of keeping the rabble at bay when it came to Shizukana. The only people they would let remotely close to her were the aids, nurses and doctors alongside those tasked with keeping her quarters clean.

“You about done over there?!”

Romeo leapt up from the side of the Captain’s pillow as he had grown tired of listening to the brushing sounds as well as the presence of the maid.

“Ah!..Oh- y-yes!...Sorry, I’m going as fast as I can..”

“Well go faster!”

“Yes sir— aAh!!!!”

Instead of heeding the words of the bouncing Modular Soul, the maid shouted and dropped the broom which loudly clattered onto the floor and shattered the metered silence all at once. To everyone's shock, the once bed-ridden woman was now sitting up and rubbing her tired rose eyes. Still suspended in their state of surprise, they did little more than back away from her as she gazed around the room and immediately began to remove the wires protruding from her body. Finally, the stuffy duo jolted back to life and into action, Fabio rushing to try to stop Shizukana from doing anything more rash than she already had and the other to kick the flabbergasted kid into gear.

“What’re you waitin’ for?! Go alert the others that she's awake!”

“O-Oh Yes. Yes! Hey!!”

Unable to process the miracle, they dashed out from her room and down the hall to alarm the nearby nurses of Captain Kurayami’s awakening. A ruckus of their reactions could be heard after that. They rushed in at once attempting to place the Captain back in her bed but they arrived to find her applying her own Kaido to herself, her hand pressed upon her bosom and aglow with it’s familiar mint hue.

"Now there was no need to be rude to that young man. I should think you’ll write an apology.--Oh. Come now, there’s no need for all of this fuss. I’ve been in a coma but you’ve all done your jobs so well that my Reiryoku stores were maintained and are sufficient enough to permit me to do the rest.”

"Please, Captain we’re elated you’re awake but its far too early to be up and on your feet! We have tests to run–”

"Ah, ah ah. I’ll hear nothing of it! You have far more patients in need of your attention and exceptional skill than I. Honestly, I’m feeling better already…What’s this?”

Intrigued by the sight of a pile of gifts ranging from the extravagant to the mundane, Shizukana made her way to over and began to sift through them with mild interest. Romeo looked a little nervous as she did so because she began to discover that most of if not all of the chocolate in variety were missing. She shot a knowing glance his way and he could not meet it, this earned no ire but an amused grin on her pink lips instead.

“U-um..I mean you weren’t gonna eat em’ and they were gettin old!”

The nurses all exchanged looks before sighing, Captains could always be rather stubborn in the hospital especially when they awoke from comas which was actually a pretty common occurrence. Though, this one was a respected medical professional like the rest of them and by all accounts it did look like she had herself and the situation under control. The head nurse approached Shizukana as she flipped through a pile of letters,not before blowing the dust off of their sealed envelopes.

“Well, if you’re sure you’re feeling better…we only ask that you return to the fourth division by the end of the day so that we can do some tests and ensure your safety Captain. We recommend you take it easy until then because you’re not at all back to full health.”

"Certainly. I shall be there, you’ve my word. Thank you all for your help, I can’t tell you how grateful I am. You are all just little miracle workers.”

The crowd seemed pleased with the Captain’s genuine praises and hurried off to leave her to her business of returning to the land of the living. So to speak. She continued to look through the letters, tossing those covered in hearts and clearly from her multitude of suitors absentmindedly to the ground but she did stop at one. It was an official seal from the tenth division but not only that, from the Captain. Quickly, she tore it open and began to read it’s contents.

During the time that she had been involved in the late civil war and then regrettably into a coma she had been aware there had been an entirely different Captain than the one requesting to see her. It made her wonder…just how different was the Seireitei now that she was awake? Determined to find out, Shizukana dropped her hospital gown to the floor which caused both of the mod souls to cover their virgin eyes and she swiftly redressed herself into her traditional attire complete with her fine white Haori.

"Ironed and Pressed? Oh, Fabio you shouldn’t have.-- Ooh! You did my hair!”

"Haha, can’t let you go off looking like some mad woman now can I?”

"Hm hm!~ I should think not! Now…it seems I have somewhere to be and someone to see. You two behave yourself, romeo - no more chocolates you silly rabbit. If you’ll both excuse me I’ll be meeting with the tenth division Captain for some tea.”

The rabbit gave a pout but nodded and hopped off to start to clean up the mess Shizukana had made ciphering through her mound of presents. Fabio waved her off as he knew nothing he could say or do would stop the vibrant woman from rushing off to whatever it was she had to do. Now that she was awake there was much to be done and no one else that could do it but her…Oh!! Just as he had realized something of great importance, she was already gone.

"Crud that letter's like two years old…Hey you!”

"Me?!”

The maid from before had entered again, likely to change the Captain’s bedding but was stopped once more by one of the Captain’s fluffy friends. He pointed with his hoof to the nearby desk and continued on to give orders to the shaken reaper.

"Go in there and get Captain Kurayami’s Denreishiki and tell Lieutenant Gekka what’s happened n’ to head over to the tenth as soon as he can!”

"Right! Uh, lets see…”

Scrambling about in an attempt to find the device, they succeeded and flipped it open. The screen was in good condition with the default background, surprisingly boring for such an exuberant person. They shook the thought away and started to flip through her contacts however the number didn’t seem to be there. This was likely because the Captain had yet to meet the Lieutenant that had replaced the former and had been heading the fifth division in Captain Kurayami’s absence. It didn’t matter though because they knew how to get ahold of him another way.

"It’s not here! Hold on, I’m going to have him notified though.”

Hurrying off to do so, the maid shut the door behind them and as luck would have it ran into a passing fifth division member that’d come by on account of the nurses rushing out of the building. The message was transferred swiftly and the division member reached out to their acting Captain, Lieutenant Gekka as well as the rest of the fifth division.


URGENT MESSAGE

It’s come to our attention that Captain Kurayami has awakened from her coma and is in good health! So well that she’s reported to be on the move to the tenth division for tea. All standard personnel are asked to remain where they are and wait for further instruction.

Alternatively, the presence of Lieutenant Gekka is requested by the Captain.


With that, the maid went on to do their job and Shizukana flashed away toward the tenth division.

---

>>>>>TRAVELING FROM THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT TO THE SOUTHWEST DISTRICT>>>>>

​

---

---

 

[LucianRedgrave]

1 Year ago…​

The rhythmic sound of battle was what danced in the dry desert air that was Hueco Mundo. The slick sounds of blade on blade and the inevitable essence of winterl that followed was a sight to behold. While his captain slept he slaughtered, while traitors scattered like roaches they were slaughtered like sheep. If not by his hand than by those that ran the food chain of such a forlorn hellscape. An unquestioning sense of loyalty was what drove the very figure in question to go on such a rampage. The ice that ran through his very veins was the thing that made him such an efficient executioner. If the war couldn’t bring him to his knees, what hope did the traitors of his division possibly have of escaping his chilling grapes. The wind howled and desert sand battered his form but what remained in his wake was nothing less than perfection, undeniable, unrelenting, most importantly the figure in question wanted to ensure whatever slate was left for those of the fifth division was wiped clean. One might come across the glorious tropaeum left behind by the figure in question and wonder what happened here as the figure in question was ready to make his return to the very place he left behind to ensure retribution.

The staccato sound of footsteps and blades stretched far beyond what one could comprehend. The sounds of battle danced across the sands filling its vast emptiness with a symphony of the encroaching storm that was battle. The air was cold as if touched by winter and yet the battle in question was taking place in the middle of Hueco Mundo, a landscape never touched by winter let alone any other season for that matter. Every clash of blades sounded as if one was chiseling ice into a pristine statue carved of marble. Every strike lingering on the desert air, hauntingly distant yet unnerving present. This symphony was a ghostly hymn of destruction only accompanied by the muffled grunts of the individuals that found themselves turned deserters and more over traitors. Oyuki was hunting them down like dogs and even those he didn’t get his hands on were slaughtered by the true inhabitants of the desert turned hunting ground. The desolate expanse beneath his feet was nothing more than the perfect canvas for the massacre that was about to occur. The sands shifted with each battering step of the shinigami that stood before him. Oyuki’s zanpakuto yearned for their execution just the same as its master. Its form clawing from its icy prison with an otherworldly grace as he pulled it from the depths of its sheath.

The tension on the air was palpable as Oyuki’s blade graced the air around them with its presence. It was as if everything had come to a standstill. The sand beneath their feet, the air itself and even the very blood that ran through their veins seemed to run cold. A bead of sweat formed on the forehead of the first individual to lock eyes with Oyuki; his demeanor haunting by comparison to the trio that surrounded him standing in a triangle formation. The first to lock eyes was just as eager to let venom spew from his tongue, sure that he could take on the man that stood juxtapositioned between his cohorts. “I remember you. They left you in charge when our captain fell into her coma” The tallest of the trio spat with baited breath hoping his words would strike a nerve only to reveal just how truly cold it had become in the scorching desert. His form hulking by comparison to Oyuki’s own as his eyes were still locked on his prey, or so he thought. The grip the figure in question had on his zanpakuto almost filled Oyuki with a sense of regret as he knew all too well those that stood before him were nothing more than sheep to the slaughter. Hyorin Gekka’s icy form glistened faintly in the desert heat. The look in Oyuki’s eye gave a sense of remorse for what was about to transpire. He raised Hyorin Gekka with a sense of elegance unmatched by many. The same figure that spoke his name was the same who called out to him once more, “It’s a shame you came here to die instead of playing soldier like they intended.

The three of them wasted no time. The tallest of the bunch chomping at the bit with his blade hoping to strike Oyuki down in a single blow. His movements were heavy and clumsy, overstepping his bounds. The sands beneath his feet became just as slippery as the very ice Hyorin Gekka commanded for this hulking form of a man; it was as if his body had lost all sense of balance once Oyuki responded in kind. Oyuki’s motions like that of a cornered viper striking out with deadly precision as the hulking man’s blade came forth. Oyuki’s grasp on this reality was all to clear as the rest of the trio attempted to blindly strike him down. Their burly compatriots form was in the air at this point as his face was filled with panic. His panicked breath filled the icy air with fog as it all seemed to come to a stand still. The other two attempting to show their hand could find that even their movements had come to a devastating crawl. One could be found with their hands formed to fire off Shakkahō . They had successfully done so but at the cost of watching it come to a bleeding crawl before Oyuki’s presence. Its radiating crimson glow like a small sun amidst the frosted desert sand. It’s form screaming for sweet release and the ice of its caster growing wide as they realised the fate that befell them all. The picture was being painted rather clearly for each of them.

The last of them hoped to fair better than the first striking out with their own zanpakuto’s shikai. A simple weapon, a whip-like form snaking through the air partially uncoiled in the air like the tendrils of the very hollows they were meant to patrol as shinigami. The temperature of the air around them dropped even further as Oyuki’s ghostly form moved through the frozen sands. Each of them watched in horror as things became clear. They weren’t merely fighting the lieutenant they were sworn to obey just the same as their captain but they were fighting a monster. A dormant beast from the very depths of 5th division’s own echelon of strength. He was second only to that of his captain in his own eyes a ghastly reminder that she chose peace, while Oyuki was the blade she used for war. Their means of attack and even their bodies frozen in place as his image became nothing more than a blur, his use of shunpo surgical and precise but more over the bite of his blade was like a scalpel to flesh on the verge of an incision. What the three of them hadn’t realized was the very moment Oyuki drew his blade was the same moment their fate had been sealed. Their panicked gazes left to be nothing more than that, a last view before death. Their venomous words frozen on the air just the same as their very beings. It was clear even as Oyuki delivered the final blow in one fell swoop that they had been frozen solid brought to a standstill by the might of Oyuki’s bankai, just a taste of his strength.

Oyuki stood amongst their corpses with that same look of remorse in his eyes. Their forms had been left as nothing more than headless statues. Their heads suspended on pikes of ice to put them on display and their frozen corpses left to rot away or be fed on by the very beast they were often sent to slaughter. Oyuki’s blade had just as swiftly gone back into its frozen form its blade sliding effortlessly back into its sheath. Oyuki’s journey within Hueco Mundo was just the beginning of what was likely to come upon his captain's return…

Present day…​

The flutter of a hell butterfly was the only thing that caught the attention of those within the fifth division barracks. It had been quite some time since Oyuki had gone into Hueco Mundo but moreover it had been some time since they had opened the depths of a senkaimon for Oyuki. While he could’ve simply let himself back in this was more a matter of formality. He wanted to see what had become of the division in his absence. While he was very much still their lieutenant he was sure there was news to be heard and news there was. The moment his foot crossed the threshold of the senkaimon he was met with the presence of several lower seated members. Their shoulders frosting over as they prostrated before him, their heads bowed and their physiques down on one knee to show respect. “Sir we have great news!” they said with a hint of excitement in their tone only to be met with the cold gaze of Oyuki himself. Their tone shuttered as they spoke, realizing how cold it had become in the few moments Oyuki had been standing before them. “Sir captain Kurayami has awoken and is on her way to the Tenth division your presence is requested as well!” Oyuki nodded his gaze stone cold as he would soon begin preparing to head to the Tenth division after ensuring things were truly back in order with the return of their Captain.​

LOCATION: 5TH DIVISION BARRACKS​

​

 

[Hyoroshi Iwamura]

"Lieutenant Gekka. Welcome back, sir."

One seated member, his voice unabated, had straightened from his military bow and was staring down at his superior. He was by far the most conspicuous of the group, standing quite literally head and shoulders above the next tallest man at the gate; unbothered by the steep drop in temperature, his bleach-white pelt insulating against the frost, Hyoroshi Iwamura greeted Oyuki with an earnest warmth to his small eyes. He had long acclimated to the Lieutenant's icy exterior, and at this moment, did not feel a necessity to entertain it out of a respect for the brevity of the current moment. Yet there was indubitably a pensive twinge on Iwamura's wolfish face, a twinge that was diluting the slight grin grazing his black lips. The Betrayal, as Iwamura liked to term it to himself, remained a conscious weight in his mind from his own campaign that had ended a couple months prior, at Oyuki's request.

In that moment, Iwamura was staring at the carnage as well as the Lieutenant; he shifted his attention to nothing in particular behind Oyuki for a single second.

"It's as they said, sir--Captain Kurayami's awake and active, currently at the Tenth Division's barracks. It's as if she was never asleep in the first place," Hyoroshi affirmed with an actively tensing look. He turned halfway around in preparation to depart.

"It's all finished over there now, I presume. With the traitors. How are you holding up?"​

 

[LucianRedgrave]

Oyuki’s gaze shifted from the two that greeted him upon his exit from the senkaimon and instead turned his attention towards Hyoroshi. He only reaffirmed what the lesser members spoke about causing his demeanor to shift slightly. His usually reflective nature was more apparent in the moment as opposed to be so subversive when it came to forward expression. Oyuki parted his lips to speak and even the ambient air around his words were chilled to the point of causing vapor to permeate from his mouth.

“Thanks, That’s better news than what I have to offer for her in exchange.” Oyuki’s gaze shifted between the three of them just the same before the Senkaimon closed shut with a subtle thud concealing the wasteland that was Hueco Mundo and the slaughter he’d left behind as a reminder to anyone in the division that treason wasn’t exactly an option within the division as long as he existed. He gestured for Hyoroshi to join him as he moved past the lot of them. Oyuki was on his way to the 10th division barracks as requested of him but moreover it was time he offered a more welcomed air of comradery amidst his division mates despite the fact he had just a single year ago left carnage in his wake. As he motioned for Hyoroshi to join him he’d accompany such a motion with his words to affirm the situation at hand.

”Hyoroshi, Join me while I see to the captain’s needs. I’m sure she won’t mind and more so you can meet some of the others.” Oyuki said, his expression still seemingly cold and lifeless but his words carried a sense of warmth about them. It was if he were showing two sides of the same coin, one that marked the inevitable chill of winter and the other that offered the warm of summer. Had Hyoroshi opted to follow him on his journey to the 10th division he would find Oyuki’s image gone in a blur with the expectation of Hyoroshi to follow suit with a similar pace if he wanted to show his worth to the lieutenant.

[Location: 5TH DIVISION -> TRAVELING TO 10TH DIVISION]
​

 

[Inkmasterru]

---

Only moments ago was a hole blown into Kazuki's torso. The pain cycling through his body as he barely maintained focus. Yet strangely enough it wasn't as painful as what Taro did to him. If anything Kisho was a lot kinder by cauterizing the wound. Preventing Kazuki's death by loss of blood, the arrogant bastard should have gone for the head. With him surviving, he will not fall for the same trick twice nor take him or any Date lightly ever again. What's more is that Kazuki has now seen his technique and now already begun to dissect it. His movement, stance, steps and posture. His timing and reiatsu, not a single detail was spared. Given enough time, Kazuki will be able to perfectly replicate the technique. It will be a mimicry as he held no dominion over lava or heat... but just as deadly, just as effective.

For now it was,

DATE 2 : SAZANAMI 0

He will repay them for the wonderful lessons they imparted on him, twicefold.

The throbbing of his wound eventually ceased with the aid of two subordinates as they rushed to the 4th barracks. Kazuki letting them do the majority of the leg work, his concentration shifted towards keeping conscious. This wasn't good... he let his guard down and now the tenth lost a valuble asset in the fight against the arrancars. Kyoki Chizuki can't heal this grand amount of damage in such a short amount of time. At last they arrived at the barracks and once more he was rushed into the infirmary as he laid upon the bed. Bandages, gauze, medicinal ointment and kaido was unleashed in torrent upon Kazuki. As the medics panicked about him, Kazuki was calm, sitting up straight despite their protests.

"WHAT DID MY IDIOT BROTHER DO THIS TIME!!!"

A voice filled with annoyance and wrath lashed out into the room. There was Akemi fuming as she held a clipboard in her arms. The metal crumping in her iron grip as cold sweat went down Kazuki's forehead.

"Ak-akemi I can expla...."

"IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A DAY AND YOU'RE BACK ALREADY???!!! AND.... URGGGGHHH WE JUST FIXED THAT ARM!!! FIRST YOU HAVE IT RIPPED OFF AND NOW YOU GET IT BLOWN OFF!!! WHO THE HELL DID YOU PISS OFF THIS TIME, YOU IDIOT!!!"

She will swing and the rib of the clipboard will slam hard into head. Silence as the audible crack will sound out in the infirmary. Then Kazuki's eyes rolled into the back of his head and a trickle of blood ran down his head. Body slumping forward, before he caught himself as his consiousness returned. Hands clasping in pain at the head as he hunched over.

"Lieutenant Sazanami! Miss, you can't do that to the lieutenant. He is critical condition and...."

Akemi glared in his way and he shut his mouth.

"Lieutenant my ass, he is my brother first. Besides something like that won't kill his stupid ass."

She turned to two medics that were already tending to Kazuki.

"Focus the kaido at stabilizing his torso. Keep that severed arm iced and prepped for eventual reattachment. His zanpakuto has healing properies, yet in his current condition, it is unusable. Call me when he at least properly bring forth his shikai."

Then her attention and gaze once more targeted Kazuki.

"I don't even want to know what happened this time. You will sit, you will heal and will not leave this infirmary until I say so. And I swear to the soul king, if I find you here again because of some self-proclaimed noble cause, I will personally kill you myself."

With a huff she turned sharply on her heel and was handed another clipboard with the paperwork already moved to it. Stomping off as Kazuki slumped back into a pillow. His only remaning arm flipping through his Denreishinki. Over and over it read the same code word from different sources. Looking at the ones near him, he closed his phone and sighed.

"Thank you for escorting me to the infirmary, report to your respective squads at the seikaimon. I'm afraid that I am stuck here for a while. You are to carry on as planned and take command from Captain Izanagi and any other high ranking officer on the field. Go now, time is of the essence."

"SIR!"

With a bow, they both vanished with shunpo. Leaving Kazuki all alone with the medics. As most likely he was missing the action. He cursed himself for letting down his guard. Yet he did not regret his actions, and if given the chance he would do it all over again. Yet he has a lot of growing to do if he was to be taken as a threat by those like Kisho and Oyuki. Looking down on him as if he was a insignificant ant. He has been too lenient and naive towards others such as them. It was now clear, they only spoke one language and that was strength not words.

Giving a slight irratated tisk, he closed his eyes and opened the metaphorical cage in his mind. A exact twin of him walked out, but his eyes like a animal, devoit of humanity and filled with despair. A creature with mangy hair and torn uniform covered in blood and dirt.

"Finally you let me free, but what now? Am I supposed to play nice and help? After you shoved me down to the deepest part of your soul?"

"I had no choice, you were out of control."

"What I did was for our survival, I kept us alive! Admit it, you are ashamed of me. The moment we left the rukongai, the moment you became a shinigami, you decided that you no longer needed me! Well look who can crawling back! If I was in full control, that Date bastard will be choking on his own blood! We wouldn't be missing an arm, you have grown weak!"

"We are not murderers! Shinigami are more than that, I am supposed to be more than that! We were no longer a urchin in the rukongai fighting for survival. We were something more and you almost compromised it with your blood lust! It was too dangerous to let you roam free!"

"Oh how naive can we be! We are murderers! We kill to survive, we kill to save others or kill hollows, what is the difference?! No matter what noble notion we try to cover it with, it is still killing, it is still murder. A blade drawn is to kill not save, a weapon of death."

"Hollows don't count, we cleanse them, they go to the rukongai."

"Not always, some go back to hueco mundo. And for those that go to the rukongai, shinigami kill them as well. Your whole peasant seppuku is a foolish and ineffective endeavor. We aren't blind to how the others feel about the cullings. You are fighting against a tide and are drowning."

"This was a mistake... why would I think this would work?"

"Now hold on, hold on. Now that we aired out all of our dirty laundry, why did you let me out? Sate my curiosity a bit, why after all this time?"

Kazuki took a deep breath and reached a hand to the white wolf.

"I need your help. Yet I am not giving you full control of this body. For too long have we been at war within a being that we share. Yet blind to see that we need each other to survive, to become something more. One of us is not enough, we need to unite and set aside... no I need to accept that you are a part of me."

"Fine... I am a murderer and I am survivor. I am Shinigami and I am Rukongai scum. I am Sazanami Kazuki and you the white wolf of the Rukongai. No more cage... no more holding back."

The white wolf looked at the outreached hand in disgust, but then listened to the words. Before a snarl mixed with a sigh released from his lips.

"For once, boy scout, I agree with you. I like the idea of not holding back no more and the idea of no cage is tantalizing. Yet the survival of this being is all I exist for. Fine... I will make peace with you, but don't think I will forget the decades of pushing me away. You have a lot of work to do to make it up to me."

"Soooo... what now?"

"I... I don't know, from hence on, it is all new territory."​

 

[Nobody]

The Seireitei has been fraught with chaos as of late, with little signs of it dying out anytime soon. However, where chaos could perhaps reign anywhere else, in any other division, there was at least one place that needed to be one of order; That was the Fourth Division. With that being said, as busy as the place was it appeared anything but orderly. The bodies flooding back and forth, to and fro, the place truly did seem quite chaotic, such was the environment of any medical facility.

Yet, because of the responsibilities that lay on their shoulders, the lives dependent on them saving them to the best of their abilities, the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho was true to its namesake...Coordinated. It needed to be just that, for everyone's sake...​

---

"Lady Kokuren! Lady Kokuren!"

In a separate wing of the Coordinated Relief Station, Itaku's right hand, Kokuren was tending to other Shinigami, those who had been a little too zealous in their sparring, resulting in injuries to one another. Thankfully, it was hardly anything critical or life threatening. If nothing less, it would serve as decent experience for their interns, those on the cusp of graduating the Shin'ō Academy and showing both interest in the Fourth Division and a level of skill and competency in Kidō that was at least slightly above average.
"Huh? What is it? Why all the fuss?"

Kokuren paused her observation, turning towards the one causing the commotion. She wasn't alone, the interns and orderlies that were present also distracted from the task at hand to see just what was going on.

"Lieutenant Kazuki from Squad Ten is here again. A critical injury to his right ar-"

"Again?! I thought that girl, Akemi was it? Had handled it!"

As it stood, at the moment Kokuren was assuming his injury was a reoccurring one rather a new injury. She gritted her teeth grasping at her forehead.

"His sister, Nurse Akemi was the one who spear headed his treatment last time, and she has gone to him now too, but this is a new injury. It seems that...his arm and a portion of his torso was blown away."

Kokuren stared at the nurse giving the report, for a moment she wondered if she should perhaps go get the boss. While against it, knowing he definitely would not want to be bothered with something like this, the patient was a Vice-Captain after all. It wouldn't look good for him to be completely ignorant of the situation.

"Gather the reports, charts and any imagery done from the previous incident, along with what notes and reports we have with the current one and go hand it over to the Captain. I'll be heading to the patient myself. SCRUBS! Follow me!"

Calling for the interns and orderlies she begins her march towards the wing housing Lieutenant Kazuki. ​

---

"Just what did he do to get himself injured like this? A hollow?"

A distant muffled voice can faintly be heard, though perhaps even that is too much for Kazuki in his current state. Shortly after his escorts had been dismissed, with him drifting into a meditative state Kokuren and those in tow with her had finally arrived. Looking at his injuries as those who were present worked to stabilize him, she first assumed the damage done to have been done by a hollow or enemy.

"Hmm no, this isn't hollow reiatsu. Tch, just who did you piss off?"

A rhetorical question of course. She picked up the charts resting on his bed.

"Nurse Akemi advised she did not wish to hear the patient's reasoning as he was her brother before he was a patient. She instructed us to stabilize his torso, put his arm on ice and to keep healing until he can use shikai since his zanpakuto apparently has healing properties."

One of the medics present updated Kokuren on the happenings. She stared at them momentarily, her left eye twitching several times. An annoyed smirk played upon her lips.

"Ah! I didn't know Akemi ran this place. I see I'll have to go ask her to properly update me the next time I see her."

Her grip nearly snapping the charts in her grasp from her grip. She moved to stand over the Lieutenant, studying him for a few seconds, in silence. Those seconds turned into a full minute before she finally spoke again.

"You there, grab that Denreishinki in his hand and secure it in a bag for his property. He doesn't need it right now. You, grab the sheers and cut the remaining upper portion of his Shihakushō off. Be sure to take care with any articles that might have melted into his injury."

Showing exactly why Itaku relied on her, she begins instructing those around her one after the other. She has them remove the device that could very well become a distraction in the recovery process, while also having the upper body exposed so the injury could be properly viewed and treated. Those that had panicked when seeing so grievous of an injury were some of the newest members of the Fourth Division, yet to be properly vetted in the gruesomeness that came with their line of work.

"Administer anesthesia around the injury for now. You annnnd...you there, stand by on either side of his bed. Should he open his eyes while we're working or securing anything from his persons, I want you to immediately cast Tanma Otoshi and if necessary Inemuri as well to place him back under."

Clearly not done, she proceeds on, having them numb the area around his wound while also prepping them to place the Lieutenant back under using Kidō. However, the reason she emphasized the word anything was for what she was asking them to do next.

"Also...I want you to secure his Zanpakutō with the rest of his property in the other room."

These instructions caused the room to grow silent as they shot the head nurse looks of incredulity. According to the Lieutenant's sister, his Zanpakutō held restorative or healing properties. If that was true, why then would she have them to separate him from it? Though she wasn't studying their expressions, she was fully aware of the questions that would be at the forefront of their minds.

"Despite what the patient's SISTER has said, and as amazing as such an ability may be, his best bet at any type of true recovery will be through the use of Kaidō and medicine. Allowing him to become reliant on that aspect of his zanpakutō will not only stifle his growth, but ensure he maintains a reckless mentality...fully reliant and dependent on his zanpakutō's abilities. So, we will remove that crutch from him while he is being treated here."

They stared at one another, understanding her words. Just how reckless would they be if they felt their own zanpakutō could heal them up? What wouldn't they do? While still somewhat hesitant they moved to remove the Lieutenant's soul cutter, securing it with the other items removed off of his persons.

"Also, just what have you idiots been doing?! Remember, the first rule of Kaidō is to start with helping restore his reiatsu! While he may not seem to be depleted, an injury like this will naturally cause hemorrhaging of his reiatsu as well. We need to ensure no more reiatsu is lost! Next we will work on restoring what has been lost, so that we can properly allow his reiatsu to help facilitate the healing process!"

She forces their minds to snap out of the extent of what they are seeing and ground themselves back into the basics of how Kaidō works. Still, she knows that even with all those present and her own prowess in Kaidō, healing him would be no simple feat. His injury wasn't a simple arm being cut off, there was a good portion of flesh that was gone. There was the Hojiku-Zai she heard the Twelfth Division possessed, but that was something for scientists. They were professional medics. Some type of drug where they didn't know what comprised it was something no physician worth their salt would trust. Outside of that, the only other sure thing she could think of was that spell that the boss had created.

She shook her head. He had rarely ever used it, doing so only when fervently asked by someone above him or when offered something of value. She knew this Vice Captain held no relationship with the boss, and she doesn't recall the man's Captain being on any type of friendly terms with the boss either for him to do a favor. This whole thing was giving her a headache.

"I also want at least one of you to focus Kaidō onto his head. He seems to be one of the headstrong types to think nothing fazes him, so wont believe there to be any type of mental shock or damage from having sustained such an injury. But we do not take chances, so we will address it accordingly. I'll be overseeing his treatment and will be swapping in and out with you all as we go. If Akemi wants to know anything, tell her I will speak to her once we're done. By no means is she to be allowed near the patient. She is far too close to him, and her head doesn't seem to be on properly because of it."

With instructions given out, everyone begins moving into their proper places, as they got to work under the watchful eye and careful experienced hand of Kokuren.​

---

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Seated at his desk, eyes shut was the Captain of Fourth Division. The banging at his office door stirring the man from his nap, eyes opening and closing as if to blink the sleep away from them. He lets out a quiet yawn, stretching before he begins combing his fingers through his hair, adjusting it accordingly, placing any stray hairs into their proper place.

"Come innn!!!"

His voice was like joyous bells ringing out, beckoning the visitor to enter as he greeted them with a smile. It was the attendant that Kokuren had sent, bringing with them the material asked of them.

"Sorry to disturb you Captain. But, Lady Kokuren asked me to bring you these notes, charts, and readings. Lieutenant Kazuki of the Tenth Division has sustained yet another injury, this one far more grievous than the last. She believed you'd want to look over these."

Itaku motions for them to come closer with what they had, his smile never waning. He accepts the material, and begins to look it over.

"Work seems somewhat shoddy. Hmm, slight discrepancies in reiatsu here, hard to even tell they're dissimilar. A healing type zanpakutō I'm assuming, or at least one with some type of healing properties. Look here, man came in with an injured arm before, bones and the like mangled inside from what the report says. However when looking at the now severed arm, if you look carefully you'll note the Lieutenant's reiatsu, and the reiatsu of his accoster, clearly blatant from one another. Hooweverrrr, glancing a little closer you can make out there's also a different reiatsu in there. Closely resembles the Vice-Captain's, but subtly different. Tell-tale sign of his zanpakutō at work. I'm assuming residually lingering there from its previous patch job. Wouldn't see this with Kaidō."

Itaku after glancing briefly at the material shared his findings. Unaware of exactly who the Lieutenant was, what had happened to him in both altercations, or anything regarding the man's zanpakutō he could tell at least one basic ability of the blade from what he was observing. The Captain continues to look through, reading all that he could. He saw the name signed off on the discharge papers prior. An amused smile played on his lips.

"So, Kokuren has gone to take charge of the situation I take it?"

"Sir! That's correct Captain!"

"Very well, I can leave it to her for now. I'll probably venture that way in a few to see how she's doing. I might even stop by and see the Lieutenant's doting sister on the way there. Who knows!"

The messenger nods and bows before rushing out.

"This guy just may very well need a miracle, but miracles are hard to come by these days. While I am in short supply of them, who knows...perhaps a bidder might be able to squeeze it out of me."

As miraculous as Kazuki felt his shikai's abilities were, and try as both Akemi and Kokuren might to help him, at the end of the day, nothing could beat a good miraculous cure, and Itaku was the Miracle Man himself. Would he be such for the Vice Captain however, was the question.