Northwest Seireitei
- Thread starter admins
- Start date
Listen While You Read
The Third Division, once a beacon of light for both the Seireitei and the Soul Society, had been dimmed by the presence of its late Captain. For three hundred years did Ken Kure oversee the Shin’o Academy, and being from the Rukongai himself, did he spend much of his time patrolling the Wandering City. Unfortunately, a once noble Soul fell victim to the corruption brought forth by the Rise of the Royals, convinced through power and wealth to become a royalist, and to forsake the very people he swore an oath to serve.
Fate had a certain irony with regard to fortune, for the outlook of the sudden demise of the Third’s Captain would swing in either direction depending on one’s existence. For the Seireitei’s top brass, an unfortunate tragedy. For the Rukongai, a blessing that would be recognized soon enough.
Since Captain Kure’s death, the Division’s welfare had fallen onto the shoulders of one of the Seireitei’s most respected Shinigami. Vice-Captain Otokogi Aijō, an old and experienced Soul, took the reins of the Third, inheriting the authority as acting Captain. Since his interim promotion, an immediate shift in the spirit of the Third took hold, glimpses of the long-lost brightness emerging.
Unfortunately, concerning reports have reached the Vice-Captain’s ears.
Within the West Rukongai, in the 48th District of Semariyami, there is word of strange hollow-like activity; the signatures are not full-on Hollows, and some have reported the spiritual energy to be of mixed Hollow and Shinigami. Additionally, the Vice-Captain of the Fourth, Hachikō Goseikanjo, has been spotted; it is said she has massacred an entire village. Her motives are yet unknown. Shin’eki Uemura, Fourth Seat of the Fifth, has also been reportedly seen alongside the Vice-Captain.
The second report details the murder of Shirai Hikaru, the Ninth’s Western Gate Guardian. She was slain yesterday, and both Hollow and Shinigami spiritual power signatures have been assessed at the murder scene. Coincidentally, crowds of Rukongai citizens have been reported rioting at all four of the Great Gates. The 9th is currently investigating the matter.
Both of these incidents, in whole or part, fall under the jurisdiction of the Third. It is up to the Vice-Captain Aijō to decide where his time and efforts are best spent, whether that be these two matters, or another altogether.
The Third Division, once a beacon of light for both the Seireitei and the Soul Society, had been dimmed by the presence of its late Captain. For three hundred years did Ken Kure oversee the Shin’o Academy, and being from the Rukongai himself, did he spend much of his time patrolling the Wandering City. Unfortunately, a once noble Soul fell victim to the corruption brought forth by the Rise of the Royals, convinced through power and wealth to become a royalist, and to forsake the very people he swore an oath to serve.
Fate had a certain irony with regard to fortune, for the outlook of the sudden demise of the Third’s Captain would swing in either direction depending on one’s existence. For the Seireitei’s top brass, an unfortunate tragedy. For the Rukongai, a blessing that would be recognized soon enough.
Since Captain Kure’s death, the Division’s welfare had fallen onto the shoulders of one of the Seireitei’s most respected Shinigami. Vice-Captain Otokogi Aijō, an old and experienced Soul, took the reins of the Third, inheriting the authority as acting Captain. Since his interim promotion, an immediate shift in the spirit of the Third took hold, glimpses of the long-lost brightness emerging.
Unfortunately, concerning reports have reached the Vice-Captain’s ears.
Within the West Rukongai, in the 48th District of Semariyami, there is word of strange hollow-like activity; the signatures are not full-on Hollows, and some have reported the spiritual energy to be of mixed Hollow and Shinigami. Additionally, the Vice-Captain of the Fourth, Hachikō Goseikanjo, has been spotted; it is said she has massacred an entire village. Her motives are yet unknown. Shin’eki Uemura, Fourth Seat of the Fifth, has also been reportedly seen alongside the Vice-Captain.
The second report details the murder of Shirai Hikaru, the Ninth’s Western Gate Guardian. She was slain yesterday, and both Hollow and Shinigami spiritual power signatures have been assessed at the murder scene. Coincidentally, crowds of Rukongai citizens have been reported rioting at all four of the Great Gates. The 9th is currently investigating the matter.
Both of these incidents, in whole or part, fall under the jurisdiction of the Third. It is up to the Vice-Captain Aijō to decide where his time and efforts are best spent, whether that be these two matters, or another altogether.
Rememberence
The more things change, the more they stay the same it seems. An ever constant stream of bad news, like dark clouds blotting out the rays of sunlight. The days of the Eternal Summer feel like a dream when brought up in memory, such a bright, wonderful and fleeting time it was. Enough to let those forget the dark days of the war that happened before it, perhaps forgetting the war was a mistake. The countless lives that were needlessly lost in a war that could have been avoided… Maybe not, but these are just the thoughts of an old man who has seen more than enough bloodshed over his time being in the Soul Society. After the war he transferred to Ninth Division to protect the Northern Gate, he considered it a vacation to have such a task after the long tireless fights he endured. From that station he enjoyed the peace that fell over Soul Society and from that station he watched the instability continue to grow within it, like a sickness festering from within.
He had to stand idly by while the acting Captain Commander was executed, wrongfully. Not all situations could be solved with his blade and this injustice needed to be corrected and so he transferred to Eighth Division in hopes that pursuing journalism could bring to light the truth of the Commanders wrongful execution. This was a pointless effort as any lead he began to follow was quickly snuffed out, it wasn’t until later in his life that he realized it must have been the nobles doing this to keep things quiet and hidden. Unable to make any real change happen with journalism he sought to aid the growing tensions between the Seireitei and Rukongai which lead him to finally joining Third Division where he has been ever since. Nothing but bad news has come his way, enough to where it outweighs the good.
Dreaery Reading
Two reports sit on the elders desk while he sits in a chair pinching the bridge of his nose after having read the details of each of them. He has to make a decision on which one to personally address and which one could be left to members of his Division. He relaxes himself, his fingers trailing across one of the reports and stopping at the name Hachikō Goseikanjo. He remains motionless for a moment before tapping the paper a few times and nodding to himself, he remembers her and it confuses him as to why she would do such a thing, especially being part of Fourth Division. He connects some dots then his finger trails on across the paper until reaching a second name, Shin’eki Uemura. Again he sits motionless then nods upon remembering who this young man is, he was moved to Fifth Division. His brow furrows as he thinks of the tasks given to those in Fifth and how it can coincide with the details of the report.
He moves the report away and brings the second to the center of his desk, re-reading it as well. One thing connects both of these reports and that is the mixing of Shinigami and Hollow Spiritual Energies at both locations. He brings his hand up from the paper to stroke his beard while going into deep thought about what is going on outside the walls of the Seireitei and how Third has not picked up on any of it. He lets out a sigh and collects both reports, keeping them together as he puts them away in his desk drawer.
”Alright then.”
The Vice-Captain Gives His Orders!
He says, placing both hands on the desk and rising up to his feet followed by three Shinigami appearing and kneeling in the office. He looks at them and smiles.
”Come on now, up, up, on your feet. I may be old but I’m not old fashioned, no need for all the bowing.”
The Shinigami look to one another and rise to their feet, looking towards Vice-Captain Aijō who has his hands behind his back, giving them a smile and a firm nod.
”Good! Now, I would like you gentlemen to gather our reserve Rukongai patrols and disperse them to the three gates currently facing riots. Let the men know I’ll make it up to them for having them work on their off time. Also deploy a small team to the Western Gate, take some burden off of Ninth so they can conduct their investigation in relative peace. I’ll be heading to West Rukongai, the 48th District of Semariyami to be specific. It seems these tragedies are linked to the West and I may find some answers out there.”
”Yes sir! Will you need anyone to accompany you?”
”Oh no, me and Jūryokuhanten will be more than enough. You three are dismissed.”
The three Shinigami bow and vanish using Shunpo, meanwhile Otokogi walks over to a display rack that holds his Zanpakuto. He picks it up and smiles at it before holstering it on his left side.
”Alright old friend, let's see if we can find and stop the source of all this before more good people die.”
He exits his office and begins making his way outside where he immediately can see members of his division scrambling to get their teams and any necessary equipment together to follow out the orders he passed down. It’s a sight he has seen countless times and so he pays no mind to it and continues his stroll. As he walks he begins putting information together in his mind, the details of each report may make these two events seem unrelated but that is false. The first detail is the presence of Shinigami and Hollow Spiritual Energy being mixed together at not just one but both locations. The fact that these signatures were not identified as Arranncar means that someone is out there trying to create a Shinigami/Hollow hybrid, a Vizard. Furthermore either they are operating in the Western section of the Soul Society or the West is just their testing ground or it could be a mix of both. Whatever they are concocting must be close to completion as they are willing to strike out at a gate guard to test the limit of either their own power or the power of their creations.
All of this was put together by a man who saw something similar when the Hollow’s first began turning into Arrancar. The first batch to strike at the World of the Living were the imperfect Arrancar, naturally they pressed him and the other defenders of Karakura, if only he knew they were the ill omen of much worse threats to come. This here is much the same and by using wisdom and experience he is able to decipher the signs of it all and this time he has the power to do something about it. He lets out a sigh but chuckles as he remembers a saying older than even himself.
”The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
And with that he vanishes making his way to Western Rukongai.
Traveling to the 48th District of Semariyami, Rukongai
With Hollow activity at a record low, so too has the Thirteenth’s workload declined; to some this has been a blessing, and to others, an inescapable curse of boredom. Less and less has Karakura Town required Shinigami presence, the majority of the seated officers and their superiors spending their time within the Seireitei, pushing paperwork, running errands for their superiors, or some other mundane tasks.
One such officer, Takao Takumi, arrived at the Thirteenth Headquarters expecting to spend his day at his desk, going through a mountain of paperwork. But alas, fate has a different path for him, for news of the Western Guardian’s death has reached the Thirteenth. Although an incident outside of the Thirteenth’s purview, it is one that has piqued both interest and concern from its Captain.
Takao Takumi, you have been ordered to investigate this incident at the Western Gate. You have been granted the authority to complete your mission by any means necessary.
(The Gates can be accessed through the Seireitei General Thread)
The Thirteenth Division has been where Takao Takumi has worked for years. The job used to be more intense to him when the hollow presence was more active. Seeing and exploring the living world on missions never got old. In honesty, it was something that he started to miss when working in the office. However, there was mixed feeling in his heart. While on the one hand, paperwork and running errands weren't the most exciting tasks. The thought that Karakura Town was safer than before outweighed his boredom. So he bit his tongue and did what he did best. Work hard and be prepared for a moment's notice. After all, it wasn't good to get rusty in his abilities.
Ready for another day sitting at a desk, Takao had barely arrived to look at his daily workload and how to tackle it. A routine that he got used to. Though, it was clear that this day wasn't routine. The news of the Western Guardian's death had reached the division. Takao found himself stopping in his tracks to process the report. Who would want them dead? Many questions about the nature of the event lingered for a bit inside his head. Something that the seventh seat had to snap himself out of. After all, there was a division that would investigate it. He had to believe in them and hope that everything would resolve soon.
That mindset changed when he heard his orders. He felt his ears perk up while listening. With a bow to his captain, he took a deep breath and nodded. To show that he understands his assignment.
"I'll see what I can find. I'll report through the denreishinki when I find out anything substantial."
After his words, he made his way out of the headquarters. A hand resting on his zanpakuto, hoping it wouldn't be necessary for this mission. He placed his denreishinki inside his uniform where it would be safe. The first stop should be the Western Gate. To get an idea of the crime scene, maybe some clues would still be there. With a mental image of the layout, he would use his shunpo to get around quicker. Letting the questions that plagued his brain bounce around.
Takao has started to travel to Seireitei General.
Ready for another day sitting at a desk, Takao had barely arrived to look at his daily workload and how to tackle it. A routine that he got used to. Though, it was clear that this day wasn't routine. The news of the Western Guardian's death had reached the division. Takao found himself stopping in his tracks to process the report. Who would want them dead? Many questions about the nature of the event lingered for a bit inside his head. Something that the seventh seat had to snap himself out of. After all, there was a division that would investigate it. He had to believe in them and hope that everything would resolve soon.
That mindset changed when he heard his orders. He felt his ears perk up while listening. With a bow to his captain, he took a deep breath and nodded. To show that he understands his assignment.
"I'll see what I can find. I'll report through the denreishinki when I find out anything substantial."
After his words, he made his way out of the headquarters. A hand resting on his zanpakuto, hoping it wouldn't be necessary for this mission. He placed his denreishinki inside his uniform where it would be safe. The first stop should be the Western Gate. To get an idea of the crime scene, maybe some clues would still be there. With a mental image of the layout, he would use his shunpo to get around quicker. Letting the questions that plagued his brain bounce around.
Takao has started to travel to Seireitei General.
Amaya Munetoshi
New member
Today was a horrible day in Fuyuko's book. Everything started out as it always has, meditate, go on her morning stroll to see each and every gate guardian have her morning tea and chat with the captain then the usual training and patrols, reading reports and ensuring all went well like a well oiled machine.
However today someone rusted one of its mightiest gears. She wasn't happy, nor did she like coming to the twelfth for any assistance. She was never one for their research and soul king knows who dealt with whatever they research here and one can only hope they had the answered the pink haired Lieutenant seek.
She maintained her speed, ensuring the third seat could keep up with ease as her body told her she needed to move faster. Seems some old monsters tend to come to the surface from time to time. She chuckled lightly at the memories flowing through her brain always finding her free within her speed, the sudden movements within the wind currents. the seamless flow of movements and unlimited possibility of opportunity.
Gently she touched down at the entrance of the twelfth squad barracks. She paid no mind moving in. the sooner this is done the sooner she can find the answers she seek, the sooner she can hopefully fully put Shirai to rest.
She hated who quiet the 12th squad barrack tend to be on the outside as she moved deeper towards one of its main buildings looking for the captain. This was sensitive information and there was not many she could possibly trust with this task or the information that phone held.
However today someone rusted one of its mightiest gears. She wasn't happy, nor did she like coming to the twelfth for any assistance. She was never one for their research and soul king knows who dealt with whatever they research here and one can only hope they had the answered the pink haired Lieutenant seek.
She maintained her speed, ensuring the third seat could keep up with ease as her body told her she needed to move faster. Seems some old monsters tend to come to the surface from time to time. She chuckled lightly at the memories flowing through her brain always finding her free within her speed, the sudden movements within the wind currents. the seamless flow of movements and unlimited possibility of opportunity.
Gently she touched down at the entrance of the twelfth squad barracks. She paid no mind moving in. the sooner this is done the sooner she can find the answers she seek, the sooner she can hopefully fully put Shirai to rest.
She hated who quiet the 12th squad barrack tend to be on the outside as she moved deeper towards one of its main buildings looking for the captain. This was sensitive information and there was not many she could possibly trust with this task or the information that phone held.
StephDLegend
New member
Due to the importance of keeping people in the loop of the investigation, Kinkō pulled out his denrenshinki while also flash stepping towards the 12th division. He sent a message to inform his captain of the information that he had so far. Captain, from what the autopsy team gathered, the Gate Guardian was murdered by a lance. We should ask those who were targeted among the C46 if they can identify any weapons that were used in their murder attempt. It could bring light to similarities. Also, moving to 12th division with Vice Captain Munetoshi to have more evidence discovered. Will report any other findings.
After reporting, Kinkō put the device away and focused on getting to the 12th division. When he arrived, he walked behind Fuyuko. The investigation was now starting and he wondered what mysteries they would be able to unveil from the denrenshinki of Gate Guardian Hikaru. Time would tell and it may be something that also answered the murders of the captains too. If it also ended up being linked to the murder attempts on Central 46 members as well, then they would have tons of information to work with.
After reporting, Kinkō put the device away and focused on getting to the 12th division. When he arrived, he walked behind Fuyuko. The investigation was now starting and he wondered what mysteries they would be able to unveil from the denrenshinki of Gate Guardian Hikaru. Time would tell and it may be something that also answered the murders of the captains too. If it also ended up being linked to the murder attempts on Central 46 members as well, then they would have tons of information to work with.
There existed a tenacious few among the Shinigami whose Souls would never submit to the oppression wrought by the strength and influence of the royals, and the degradation brought on by their short-sightedness. Even under the direct command of one of the royal’s staunchest sympathizers, several of the high-ranking members of the Third Division were such specimens, Souls whose defiant natures did not falter in the face of such overwhelming opposition, and in irony, instead worked to fuel the flames of their rage and disdain for the ruling class.
Although their sentiments aligned, the manner in which the Vice-Captain of the Third Division, the Gentle Breeze of Tamaya, and his direct subordinate, the Hero of Kusajishi, manifested their disapproval was night and day. Where the Old Man approached the matter with wisdom and patience, the Wind-Walker would rather rip the hearts from the chest of those responsible for the Great Degradation. A peculiar relationship on its own, though doubly so due to the nature of their circumstance, that having been under the rule of a Soul of an absolute opposite prerogative. Such was the Soul Society of late, it seemed, an amalgamation of contradictory components.
A question few would care to pose, yet would find the answer to on a fateful day like today, was: how would Hachi Ikimaku, Third Seat of Third Division, react to the avalanche of troubling news that seemed to have no end. With his superior’s mobilization of the Third Division’s units to the Four Great Gates in response to the riots of Rukongai citizens, and his direct involvement in the troubling reports of the massacre of an entire village within the Forty-Eighth Western District at the hands of the Fourth Division’s Vice-Captain, Hachiko Goseikanjo. And the mysterious murder of the Ninth’s Western Gate Guardian as well?
And worst of all, new reports of several villages massacred within the Seventy-Ninth District of the Rukongai, Kusajishi have come in fresh during Vice-Captain Aijo’s absence. The report, direct from the Onmitsukido, detailed a similar presence of hybrid Shinigami-Hollow spiritual energy. The report stated a Stealth Operative had gone MIA during their scouting of this matter, but his body had yet to be found.
Indeed, the question had been posed: what would Third Seat Ikimaku do, with his direct report out and about in the vast Wandering City, and the circumstances escalating with every breath?
Although their sentiments aligned, the manner in which the Vice-Captain of the Third Division, the Gentle Breeze of Tamaya, and his direct subordinate, the Hero of Kusajishi, manifested their disapproval was night and day. Where the Old Man approached the matter with wisdom and patience, the Wind-Walker would rather rip the hearts from the chest of those responsible for the Great Degradation. A peculiar relationship on its own, though doubly so due to the nature of their circumstance, that having been under the rule of a Soul of an absolute opposite prerogative. Such was the Soul Society of late, it seemed, an amalgamation of contradictory components.
A question few would care to pose, yet would find the answer to on a fateful day like today, was: how would Hachi Ikimaku, Third Seat of Third Division, react to the avalanche of troubling news that seemed to have no end. With his superior’s mobilization of the Third Division’s units to the Four Great Gates in response to the riots of Rukongai citizens, and his direct involvement in the troubling reports of the massacre of an entire village within the Forty-Eighth Western District at the hands of the Fourth Division’s Vice-Captain, Hachiko Goseikanjo. And the mysterious murder of the Ninth’s Western Gate Guardian as well?
And worst of all, new reports of several villages massacred within the Seventy-Ninth District of the Rukongai, Kusajishi have come in fresh during Vice-Captain Aijo’s absence. The report, direct from the Onmitsukido, detailed a similar presence of hybrid Shinigami-Hollow spiritual energy. The report stated a Stealth Operative had gone MIA during their scouting of this matter, but his body had yet to be found.
Indeed, the question had been posed: what would Third Seat Ikimaku do, with his direct report out and about in the vast Wandering City, and the circumstances escalating with every breath?
As Vice-Captains came, Fuyuko Munetoshi was an honorable and well-meaning Shinigami. She took her duty seriously, and held a love for her own Division, and its duty, far beyond the norm. This was why when she passed the line into the Twelfth’s grounds, and made her uninvited way deep into the barracks, not many could fault her. She was a Soul on a mission, and nothing would get in her way.
The Twelfth being an obscure beast lead and inhabited by the strangest Souls within the Soul Society, it came as no surprise that the Division’s overall layout, especially its building designs, were worlds apart from the rest. The Vice-Captain of the Ninth and her cohort walked and walked within the barracks, nary a sound save for their hollowed and echoing footsteps, as she made her way deeper and deeper into the beast’s stomach. Eventually, the two invested Shinigami came across an enormous counter that stretched from one side of the building to the other, both of which were obscured from vision, shrouded in darkness, for they surely spanned an unnatural and impossible distance relative to the visible parameters of its construction.
All they heard were digital alarms, noises, and the sound of typing from behind the counter.
A glimpse over the desk would find a small, seemingly famished female with enormous glasses and droopy eyelids; she looked like she hadn’t slept in years. “State your business,” was all the Twelfth Shinigami commanded with a heavy tone, her eyes locked onto the dozens of digital and flashing screens in front of her; she gave the visitors no glance, no acknowledgement, no care.
Then, the young Kuchiki received a text from his Captain: “I want answers, by any means necessary. Do not fail me.”
The Twelfth being an obscure beast lead and inhabited by the strangest Souls within the Soul Society, it came as no surprise that the Division’s overall layout, especially its building designs, were worlds apart from the rest. The Vice-Captain of the Ninth and her cohort walked and walked within the barracks, nary a sound save for their hollowed and echoing footsteps, as she made her way deeper and deeper into the beast’s stomach. Eventually, the two invested Shinigami came across an enormous counter that stretched from one side of the building to the other, both of which were obscured from vision, shrouded in darkness, for they surely spanned an unnatural and impossible distance relative to the visible parameters of its construction.
All they heard were digital alarms, noises, and the sound of typing from behind the counter.
A glimpse over the desk would find a small, seemingly famished female with enormous glasses and droopy eyelids; she looked like she hadn’t slept in years. “State your business,” was all the Twelfth Shinigami commanded with a heavy tone, her eyes locked onto the dozens of digital and flashing screens in front of her; she gave the visitors no glance, no acknowledgement, no care.
Then, the young Kuchiki received a text from his Captain: “I want answers, by any means necessary. Do not fail me.”
The wheel of time refused to forego its axis, spinning at the expense of those who harbored a deep disdain for change. Change of which—as of recently—has not been for the better, or at least for some. The rather flagrant idealist that Hachi had become, seemed to relish in the recent change of scenery that came from the abrupt death of one Kure-Taichou. The former Third Division Captain, a stain on the Gotei 13’s memory, had become an insufferable sack of greed and personal vindication. He felt himself above issues that plagued the Rukongai and its inhabitants; a place in which he originated. His treachery knew no bounds, easily swayed by the glimmer of Kan and the secretive currencies exchanged within the elite social circles. One would question, why serve under a Captain of which he had such strong negative feelings?—It was simple really. What better way to remedy the problem than to be closer to it? Piece by piece, root by root, Hachi was branding what it really meant to be a Shinigami into the souls of his peers and subordinates. Some would say that even before the Captain’s demise, more of the Third Division seemed to be in line with Hachi and The Old Man as opposed to the sympathizer. With that in mind, Hachi has never once been quiet about his feelings and saw the direct results of his opposition when he was one of the first initial suspects regarding the Captain’s murder. The notion was flattering, although immediately dismissed when it was discovered that the young seated officer hadn’t even yet obtained Bankai. He was ruled out due to a projected inability to complete the task, but was that entirely true? Still, even if he wished he had been—he wasn’t involved at all. And after the mess of the investigation had come to a halt or at the very least slowed down, things seemed to be headed in the right direction when Otokogi-Sensei became the interim Captain in Kure-Taichou’s stead, until the layers of the conspirator's plans that were possibly responsible for the Captain’s death began to peel away—several “coincidences” happening in such proximity of each other.
Even now, the Third Division was stretched ever-thin. The Vice Captain had relayed his orders just before deploying himself to the field in the normal fashion. The two of them were not shy about returning to the Rukongai by any means and did not hold the same fear or worry that plagued many others who may have been forced to patrol the Wandering City. While some may have felt vulnerable, they felt emboldened—holding a deeper understanding of the common folk and their grievances. It wasn’t The Old Man’s deployment that was troubling, but instead the reports that forced The Gentle Breeze to flow freely out of his office and into the field. These reports—left behind on a desk now find themselves victim to the prying eyes of the Wind-Walker. Scanning the parchment, the stoic male found his fingers digging into the base of his goatee to scratch, a deep and raspy voice spouting words through somewhat-pursed lips.
“Nah man.. Sumn’ ain’t right..”
The first report was odd enough. Spiritual energy of a dual type had been located in the middle reaches of the Rukongai. Furthermore, the murderous doctor had reportedly disposed of an entire village.
“Tch.”
Hachi knew one thing for sure. That bitch is crazy. The Vice-Captain’s reputation proceeded her. How ironic to be of noble stock, and to be so sadistic that even those same sadistic nobles are forced to exile you. If you are too strange for the strangest bunch in Soul Society, perhaps you must be kept a considerable distance away. Even still, Third Seated Officer Ikimaku was not worried about the Old Man Oto’ by any means; having been the nut-case’s teacher centuries prior after all. Even when exiled and stripped of her status, the woman still couldn’t pass up an opportunity to be a murderous psychopath, to imbalance the scale of souls probably for nothing more than her enjoyment. He didn’t need much information to have an excuse to judge, it was kind of in his nature. The second report was even more crippling, perhaps. Not that anything dear to him was lost or forgotten, but that the security of the Seireitei was soon to be compromised. This explains why there were Third Division units dispatched to quell the rioting at each of the gates, hopefully, to prevent another of the Gate Guardians from falling to who-knows-what.
The barracks had almost become a wasteland after the latest dispatches. The office corridor was airy and spacey; empty as its exterior lacks the muffled clamoring that usually adorns the naturally bustling division. At least that was all. The day was chaotic enough, the last thing it needed was any more-
SILENCE
To those with an untrained ear or nose, nothing would have changed. No shift in the atmosphere would present itself. Hachi was not untrained. Subtle tells, the disparity in the air before and after; the shift in the subtle breeze that crept below the sliding doors of the Vice-Captain’s office. He was aware—and like a hunch, he fed into it. His chin grazed over his left shoulder, looking behind himself to see a kneeling silhouette.
The voice Carried throughout the office somehow, but was hardly audible. Like a snake’s hiss, it stayed at an octave just barely perceptible.
“Report.”
About face now, Hachi looks down at the Omnitsukido individual kneeling before him and gently rests his wrist on the handle of his Zanpakuto. His Shikashuhou slightly unravels, revealing a chiseled chest with small scratches and indentations varying in location along the base of his abdomen and pectorals.
He didn’t say anything more. As the Omnitsukido are so aptly trained to do—he simply relayed his message and vanished back into the wind. What the stealth operative would discover is that outpacing him, headed towards the distant Seiretei gate was Hachi himself, creating the trails of wind that the Omnitsukido agent had followed out of the barracks, before he had even finished speaking. As the message reached its final points, Hachi had already been gone when Kusajishi was uttered. His frame remained, silent and unmoving for the stealth agent to view should he wish, but by that time, the gap between Hachi and the barracks would be considerable enough to take a normal Shinigami days to cross. Under no circumstances could he allow horror to befall his birthplace again, regardless of how much his instincts make him feel as if he is walking into a trap. He was the Hero of Kusajishi a lifetime ago, and it appeared he’d have to be that same hero once more.
Traveling From Northwest Seireitei -> Rukongai; Kusajishi