Northwest Seireitei

[Frea]

Nanami stared at the red-haired girl who is well known to be very much of a hothead. Nanami wasn't paying attention due to the fact she was forcing and experimenting on herself to achieve bankai but alas that got interrupted by her underling. She caught on to what had happened and she could no longer sense a presence that was in the air moments ago. Otokogi Aijo, Kenpachi Aijo rather his reiatsu is no longer to be felt presuming he had been defeated or worse case faced death.

"Ah, Captain Aijo died didn't he?"

What a shame, a guy who ascended and beat the 11th division captain and became captain all suddenly died at the hands of what she could presume was the Shiba male.

"The 2nd division and 5th division Captain should've done more and as well the Shiba if he was the one that killed his kind."

Nanami's facial expression went from neutral smiling to a doomed-looking face as well her voice changed to a much darker and sadistic tone.

"They all need to be jailed or executed for the death. There is no place for those kinds of captains in the seireitei if they wished to let their member of seireitei die at the hands of a disgusting Shiba."

Even though Nanami may not have known what started it and who or what had happened at the end, one thing she knew was involved due that she witnessed herself. Immediately when she saw the other captains not doing anything to help the captain who was being targeted by the Shiba these captains made Nanami question if they were even right for the position of a captain. being a captain wasn't just about strength and power but also at times intellect and leadership as well.

The topic was deterred by Harai who wanted to know where the unknown 10th division member was so Nanami stepped to the side due to Harai's barging in as if this was her office, this annoyed Nanami due to she considered it rude, knew what Nanami had going on in her office. For all Harai could know Nanami could've done something morbid in the office, but luckily the 3rd seat was not like that at all. She pointed directly at the girl who was unconscious as well her body had no odd contraptions or no experiments on her. Nanami wasn't all too particularly fond of doing experiments on others, at least not to her kind of people. That was in the past, but now it is all about developing new technology for the future to come. Of course, Nanami can't deny that Harai is brilliant at that type of stuff, dare to say she is better at Nanami at times.

Nanami's eyes fixated on the moving bug that crawled out of Shibuya's leg and saw the odd creature skittering off somewhere. She stared at Harai with yet again one of her cold stares and made quite a strong-toned question.

"So, Any new information?"​

 

[Kuu]

---

​

"The 2nd division and 5th division Captain should've done more and as well the Shiba if he was the one that killed his kind."​

"They all need to be jailed or executed for the death. There is no place for those kinds of captains in the seireitei if they wished to let their member of seireitei die at the hands of a disgusting Shiba."​

Shibuya pauses in her stride toward the girl Nanami had pointed out, head turning to look over her shoulder with a smug smirk pasted in place. A rare expression that smoothed whatever fine lines exist on her face, painting the picture of a young noble girl getting the last laugh, rather than that of an unaging monster.

"Quite opinionated, aren't we?" she all but laughs. To think the younger woman had so many thoughts about what was worthy of reprimand.

To the contrary, Shibuya held no such arguments. The woman exacted her judgement with precision if she so believed any, at all, had done enough wrong to warrant death. She would get her own hands dirty rather than say someone else should carry out said judgements. Though the fact of the matter remained that killing was the resort of a stupid, confused, animal lashing out once it is cornered, and certainly Nanami was a stupid animal in her eyes. A creature that hurt for fun because it was too half-witted to use its brain and come to any conclusion other than to harm.

Shibuya was no saint, though the difference between their varieties of horrid is like light and day. Her earlier actions could be regarded as 'heroic' in a sense, but helping in a time of need wasn't for the good of the people, it was for her own benefit. Trust and goodwill go a long way in the world of politics, perhaps enough to garner an endorsement or two for her soon-to-be claim on the captaincy of 12th.

"What would be the use in punishing them?" her smirk dips to a neutral frown, "Need I remind you the Gotei is severely under-manned, and losing two additional Captain-level Shinigami for something as trite as 'not doing enough' would leave yet more weaknesses where the other squads cannot afford them,"

"If we are judging them based on deaths caused by this Shiba, then should you not be punished as well?"

The elder takes a moment of pause, and it is enough for her to feel a minute vibration from within her obi, buzzing four times to signal it's been ignored for some time, prompting her to fish out her denreishinki.​

" Lady-Harai!~ Sorry i made a mess! <3 ur prob already on this but pretty please take care of the pplz! i think densagi will stop stomping around soon. i hope he does! close to everyone's got away i gotta check out some other stuff, but can you do something?? I felt hollow ickies around the rukongai and it might be nothin but can u check? A sign, anything? Winging it! lol its crazy out here! ttyl! <3 <3 <3 "​

"If anyone deserves to be hung out to dry, it is the woman shirking her duties and allowing many able-bodied soldiers to die when she could have stepped up and done something in lieu of those she so seems to want drawn and quartered," Shibuya unhurriedly types out a response to Shizukana as she speaks.
​

'i have indeed handled the people.
my condolences for the loss of captain aijo.'​

Four scrolls its view of the screen back in the S.W.M.D toward Rukongai, scouring across the quadrants searching for even trace amounts of hollow energy.
​

'pertaining to the hollow: it seems as though there is something toward the south.
i will see what i can arrange to check the situation.
i would also like to talk to you in person when you have the time.
to have a.
girltalk.
as it were.​

"But instead of performing her base duties as acting leader of Twelfth Division, she is hunkered down in her office doing nothing," she looks up from her messenger, clapping it shut in her palm.
​

"So, Any new information?"​

Turning on her heel back toward Kuwashii, her expression darkens the tiniest bit, "You seem to misunderstand something about me, Teashi," a last step and she's finally in front of the girl, "I do not divulge information to those who disappoint me,"

She doesn't expect Nanami to sit and take her cruelty, but she feels no fear with her back turned to the other woman. It isn't trust in the sadistic wretch, rather trust in the eyes slithering across her body, acting as extensions of her own, watching and waiting.

With her little tirade over, Shibuya lightly slaps her palm against Kuwashii's cheek a few times, "Wakey-wakey, girl, lest you wish to be my next specimen,"

Whether the threat is a joke or not hangs dead in the air.
​

---

​

 

[Nobody]

In all the confusion, the chaos, the mayhem Kokuren was for the first time in a long time, visibly shaken. The alarms blaring, the people rushing about frantically, she could feel her heart racing, her pulse rising, her breathing growing labored.

"Gah!-"

She raised a hand to her head, flinching as it began to throb painfully so. It was as if her mind was warring with itself, struggling to bring something to the surface where there was nothing. With time both hands were now clutching the side of her head as she clenched her teeth. As her mind felt it was splitting itself in two, a ray of light shown through, anchoring her.

"BOSS!"

Yes, her Captain who had helped her, believed in her, gave her courage, strength and support. With everything happening surely he would need her by his side She stood firm, taking several breaths before taking several steps, intent on returning to his side before stopping. She considered the situation, reassessed it and what she should do. 'Chances are people are getting hurt somewhere...everywhere. If that incident is to serve as a reminder, then many will come here. I should help lighten his load, if even a little'

And so she resolved herself, continuing on but this time her intent was to remain at Twelfth, helping them out as best she could.​

---

Having left the warehouse on her own, ignorant of the aid sent to her to keep her safe she had spent some time running through the Institute, stopping those she passed who were rushing to perform their own duties, sometimes roughly doing so. She pried whatever info she could from them and continued on repeating this before she moved on to hunting down Shibuya.

"LADY HARAIIIIII!!!! WHERE ARE YOU CUTEY?!"

She began calling out loudly, going as far as to ask where she was last seen. If she was going to help the Captain, then she needed to find that adorable grimacing woman.

 

[Kuu]

---

Out of the darkened corners and cracks of 12th crawled the Azamushi Shibuya had released, its movements spotted by the target it was meant to spy on and thus changed its intended pathing as the remaining bugs slithering across her body repeated 'eyes' in not only her head, but the head of Five as well.

Five didn't know what it was supposed to do, wandering over surfaces in search of something, anything to occupy it now that its purpose was taken from it.

What it came across was Kokuren harassing some poor, poor squad members. Five wasn't awake yet to know why 'again?' bitterly floated into its consciousness, but it wouldn't question the feeling.

「 Miss is loud! Miss is disturbing! 」 it squawks, attempting to hit the same volume as Kokuren as it pops off the flat plane of the wall to veer closer to her, 「 What is it that Miss needs the Master for! Please say it quietly! My ears hurt! 」

---

 

[Estarossa]

---

10 months later

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​

 

[Kuu]

---

Her first ten months within the Gotei were rather dull– a period to grow more accustomed than anything, spent unravelling the hidden nooks and crannies within 12th, handling logistics and budgetary issues, assisting in production chains where she had to, and the temporary healing duties she was handed- and the last ten have been building upon the first, wrought with a constant influx of considerations and what-if scenarios to ensure her foundations would be strong enough to hold the weight she was keen to take on.

The Shiba Incident, while abrupt in conclusion, shook her enough to force her hand. Shibuya had hoped she would not have to rush herself too much in the initial stages of her power grab, to be able to merrily skip her way to the top at her own pace, but with two souls equal to her own being eliminated(death, arrest), as well as the Captain Commander's untimely murder, the imminent danger and continuous unrest, her options became null.

For a few months she seemed to do nothing but her normal duties, shuffling through paperwork, scribbling numbers and long-winded letters, only occasionally taking seconds to tear open a small notepad and write there as well. Normality, though, has never existed beyond a veil, obscuring quiet preparations.

One such preparation had skittered off her body perhaps a month ago, travelling the distance between the Seireitei and Kurahashi (黒い橋, Black Bridge). The hollow signature(s) their sensors had picked up weren't much, not worth sending an actual Shinigami to inspect; doubly so with the considerations given to how hostile Rukongai citizens are toward them. So much busywork tempted her to leave it, allow the thing to continue doing as it pleased– Though with it still being a pest, she decided to finally do something about it.

The case grew curious when Four had arrived, no signs of a hollow attack as it roved the land, watching for anything even vaguely strange or wrong.

It took weeks to find an oddity, every instance of hollow energy dissipating as quickly as it appeared, leaving Four to continue moving, always sticking close to every surface it crawled over, its presence nothing more than that of a normal, average Centipede.

What it found, eventually, was certainly interesting.

While Four searched, Shibuya shifted her focus forward, toward her own ambitions.

In a deep, dark lab, locked behind a door with a rather impressive pre-requisite reiryoku threshold and known to, what she assumed to be, none living but herself, laid a particular room. This room, while remaining a mystery to onlookers, ate up much of Shibuya's time and energy. Those curious enough, or who happened to stumble upon the woman exiting it were met by dead, tired, weak glares, her usually pristine posture curled, knees wobbly, exhaustion radiating from her every pore. Disheveled in ways she only allowed herself to be when she was panicking and couldn't care less. Any questions sent her way were brushed off, ignored, fatigue laden as she struggled to stay on her feet.

Each day that passed seemed to make her worse for wear, only a single Centipede unaccounted for to prevent what was likely a severely mentally taxing situation none would ever be privy to, so long as Shibuya had her way. Secrets are best kept close to oneself, a lesson she hadn't had to learn, rather inherited from a selfish madman. That is, until a day came about where she hadn't made her way down to that room, beggaring yet more questions from the members of 12th paying her mind. Her airy reply was simple, "I've no current need of it,".

What the statement means remains to be seen, though her confidence in herself has tripled, asserting herself more and more visibly, eventually announcing her intent to become Captain of 12th Division. The first time she had spoken aloud a goal of hers– most still remaining buried far from gawking eyes and ears.

Months ago, during the Shiba Incident, saw Shibuya sending messages to Kurayami Shizukana in reply, offering her condolences and time to themselves for a 'girltalk', which has yet to come to fruition. A continuous string of excuses made by Shibuya despite the two-person gathering being her idea in the first place, willingness to pause for even a second in her struggle within That Room nonexistent until she had accomplished the first step in her plans. Initially, the first step was completely different, to schmooze and engage in the ever-joyous game of politics– Which is to say, Shizukana had been her priority before restructuring. The more she mulled over the events that had transpired around her, the more she had to alter her to-do list.

Well, there is no better time than the present, she supposes.

Shibuya pulls her denreishinki from her obi, flipping it open to tap out a string of texts directed the younger woman's way.

'captain kurayami.
do forgive the suddenness of these messages.
i have come upon some down time.
would you care for lunch?'

---

​

 

[Kami Shia]

Keniro Senko
Finally… waking up from a fourteen hour power nap “I think I'm ready to go! Time to start training.” spoken aloud to himself leaping out of his sleep energized and ready to go. As he wiped the slob from his cheek the aggressive howl of a growling stomach roared even louder. …”perhaps getting something to eat sounds a lot better” thinking out loud once again, the discomfort was all over his face. Pulling out several hidden snacks stored in his shihakusho. Devouring every bite as if it were going to be his last, the young master’s appetite was far superior than anyone could imagine. Having little manners and extremely high confidence Keniro can come off as a bit obnoxious as he walks around with his head held high as if he was invincible. Wiping the crumbs off of his outfit he’d drag his fingers through his hair pushing it over to the side, his hair short and dark with shaved sides. Keniro’s Zanpakuto in its sealed state was still much larger than he himself, and so he would carry upon his shoulders whilst it being held in the clutches of his palms. The only thing flashy about the kid was his unique golden earrings that gleamed brightly as the sunlight reflected on them. As he gathered his bearings the young master prepared to set out for the day forgetting his shoes in the process however that didn’t seem to bother him a bit as he continued his day as he normally does by doing his usual daily routines.

As he walked around the thirteenth division the eyes of the other unranked shinigami watched him like a hawk as if they were remaining cautious of his unusual exploits. Everyone knew he was a sucker for practical jokes, his pranks often led to his victims being embarrassed and highly agitated. His revolting laughter only helped to further enrage those already furious. However today was different there was no prank or trick planned for the day and the young master continued to his destination without acknowledging a single glare. He embraced his role as the menace of the thirteenth division. Despite being one of the most disliked individuals in the division he was not without friends as some of his elders found some of antics quite entertaining.

Reach his point of intertest Keniro could be found in the training ground practicing his kido as worked on mastering the spell known as Hadō #31 Shakkahō, each shot fired struck the target with an explosive force strong enough too effect not only one but multiple training dummies and set the initial target ablaze. Impressed but not satisfied the young master continued to training relentlessly. His end goal was to master the spell in a short period of time so that he may use the spell to its full potential, in doing so he would reflect on the time he first learned to use the technique and how far he has come. Many of his classmates doubted him at one point given his physical appearance, belittling him with their eyes alone only to discover the prodigy of their generation to be the person they called a "tiny little pip squeak". The insult only motivated him to get stronger and that he did surpassing his classmates with ease and even achieving new levels of power far beyond what the could have ever anticipated. A smirk crossed the young masters lips as he was done pondering over the past as he always knew he would prove his doubters wrong and to do so so suddenly only helped to fuel ones ego. He'd continue training using the dummies as target practice meanwhile he could sense another individuals rapid approach to the thirteenth division for a brief moment as was able to detect the direction that they were coming from, had they any interest with him he would be more than willing to answer and questions or summons in the meantime he was dead set on training and honing his skill at least until he got hungry.
​

 

[GhoulBunny]

Sayuri wasted no time in fulfilling her duty and quickly flash-stepped towards the Thirteenth Division headquarters. Her medium-length, purple hair billowed behind her as she moved with unparalleled speed through the corridors of the Seireitei, her Shihakushō flapping in the wind. Sayuri was known for her exceptional speed and precision in combat, and she put all of her skills to use as she raced towards her destination.

Upon reaching the Thirteenth Division headquarters, Sayuri was greeted by the sight of a calm and orderly atmosphere. Despite the recent losses suffered by the Thirteenth Division, they remained composed and focused on their duties. Sayuri admired the resilience and dedication of her fellow Shinigami, knowing that they would stop at nothing to protect the Soul Society from any threat.

Keniro Senko, a squad member of the Thirteenth Division, was waiting for Sayuri in the courtyard, his expression serious and determined. Sayuri approached him and delivered the urgent message.

“Oi, Senko, I got a message for ya,” Sayuri’s voice could be heard as she came closer to the man. “A few months ago I came across an Arrancar...and it seems that hollow activity has increased a shit ton more than normal so...You should keep an eye out in case shit hits the fan."

With that, Sayuri coughed, looking away from Keniro. She really needed a drink. A strong one.

Trying to be civil was harder than Sayuri would like to admit.

“That’s all I had for ya, so I’m off. I’m sure the shits in my squad are already in Naruki and I hate missing out on stuff so...adios.”

And with that, Sayuri quickly was gone, not even looking back. She was almost like a shadow as she jumped from roof to roof, heading towards the gates of the world of the living.

>>>>Heading to Naruki City<<<<​

 

[StephDLegend]

----------------------Coming from Central Seireitei: 2nd Division Barracks----------------------

Kinkō arrived at the barracks of the 12th division and entered slowly. He was half expecting to have to deal with the shinigami at the front desk and that she would turn him away. As he walked, he pulled out his Denreishinki and texted Shibuya.

'Oi, short stuff!
I am by your barracks.
Got some free time to say hi?'

With the text sent, he simply waited while observing the members of the 12th division.​

 

[Kuu]

---

The happenings in Rukongai hadn't caught her interest much, even as Four prattled on within her head about the strange boy it had caught wind of, how he felt nothing like anything it had felt before, inane thoughts of a dumb creature. Her attention was, however, caught as it repeated to her 'Where? Where? Where?', chanting the word over and over as it searched and scoured for all of a second before being eviscerated by something it couldn't follow. Centipede's, for as useful as they are, are bound by far more than Shibuya herself. They lack her prowess, her cunning, her utter and complete perfection and confidence in her sensing abilities, leaving them moreso as disposable informants. Four had only managed to see the moment the boy had vanished, but that in-and-of itself was enough to tell Shibuya all she needed to know about their little invader.

Sharp, carnivorous teeth grind together, scraping painfully across one another, frustration radiating off the woman, her pathway toward the surface clearing with every step, the various 12th members steering away from her– Fear, or, more likely, anticipation. Wary of what may have set the 5th seat off, and whether it would be smart to even risk pushing her over the cliff she seemed to be teetering on.

Well, all but one.

"Lady Harai," he begins, matching her pace as he appears from one of the many passageways within 12th, "It would seem a village in Kurahashi has been wiped out,"

Shibuya sighs, her already budding headache pulsating ever louder, blood rushing through her ears, helped none by her teeth grinding harder into one another, jaw clenched. "I gathered as much," the man's head tilts, questioning, but Shibuya offers no answers.

"Let me guess, one of those Arrancar did it?"

"Er, yes, ma'am. Judging by the spiritual signature it released," he blinks, a hitch to his steady pace, "How–"

"None of your business, boy," she snarls, "Alert the 3rd seat and prepare a report,"

With the flair of a pompous actor, she turns on her heel the moment she stops within a lift, hakama flowing along with the motion, "I will bring the issue up with a few contacts, so assure Central within the report that the situation is trivial at best for the moment, but that with this breaking of the treaty between those stupid animals and us they should consider more long-term defensive and offensive options, lest we be caught off-guard again. Understood?". He nods, rushing off back into twelfth to find Teashi Nanami.

With her headache only growing, she pushes a button within the elevator. It's one thing after another in this accursed place, she laments, bitter that she's being dealt another awful hand.

A beep from her obi draws her attention, pulling the device back out.
​

‘Omg i want to sooooo bad :c but i gotta go to this dumb meeting! If you have time later let’s do dinner?’​

'i see.
then we shall do dinner. yes.
message me when works best for you.
at your earliest convenience.'​

A quick tap sends the texts off just in time for another set to meet her.
​

'Oi, short stuff!
I am by your barracks.
Got some free time to say hi?'​

The lift clicks into place, allowing Shibuya to step off as her nose curls and brows crease at the message from her cousin.

A rude child he is, certainly. Were he not of her mothers clan her tolerance of his lack of manners toward her would be call for her mounting ire– Alas, she flips her device closed, pushing her way through to the 'waiting area' to meet her unexpected guest.

12th is a maze of doors, pathways, insurmountably complex in its layout, only traversed and known by those within the division themselves– A few of those dimly lit halls happen to lead to and from the barracks and the S.R.D.I, allowing the squad free access to and from both buildings without ever having to see natural sunlight. Granted she'd argue it'd be good for a few of those hermits to go outside and smell something other than the pungent stench of steel and sweat for once in their lives. When she makes Captain she'll have to consider mandatory outdoor excursions.

"Kuchiki-kun, a pleasure as always," her words, for all she tries to be cordial, come out tense, her jaw stiff, "Forgive me for assuming that it isn't familial longing that brings you here,"
​

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