Northwest Seireitei

[Frea]

​

it's been nearly a year had passed and Nanami was mainly silent after the confrontation with the 5th seat about the Shiba instance. Her views remained those who helped or rather the own shinigami should've been trailed about killing their kind. But rather though Nanami had tried to perfect her own Bankai within the last few months, with trial and many errors to this day. Well...Errors were due to the incompetence of her lower peers who kept interrupting her. Though she was also still monitoring the bizarre activity in the world of the living, though occasionally she did have to get up and get some rest. Her looks weren't as appealing as they usually were her hair was a mess and as well with no make-up, her eyes had dark bags underneath them and her office, well that somehow was still miraculously clean despite the fact she had lack of sleep for the past 10 months.

Stretching her legs, she decided to take a trip around the division, she noticed someone from their division catching the attention of their current 5th seat, and Nanami decided to hide around the corner listening in to their conversation. The purple-haired woman dragged her denshi out of her pocket and started to make notes of their conversation little by little, even though she wasn't supposed to she was eavesdropping and it wasn't her usual thing to do after all, she couldn't care less about many people, however, this particular conversation had piqued her interest, enough that she was taking notes of it.


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

Oh, how she disliked how Harai spoke to people with quite a bitey tone, it wasn't particularly nice, but then again- Nanami couldn't fault how much of her blunt temper had its perks particularly when in situations they required, after hearing the alert Nanami herself, the much taller and higher-seated woman had appeared out of the corner she was eavesdropping in and in a tired toneage that she tried cover-up.

"No need Harai, I've heard the conversation."

She looked over at the red-headed woman with a blunt expression and tone in her voice.

"Good eye, Though must admit those Arrancars, are quite...Amusing."

She seemed to have quirked up a bit before she noticed that Harai was already off, seemingly it could've been a message on her denshi that might've required the attention. Of course, this could be urgent so Nanami followed the redhead only to see a familiar male she had seen before. Kinko Kuchiki, the male that came to see her about something around a year ago, maybe months ago? She saw how Harai was trying to be civil with the male, by off it she seemed familiar with the kid. Coming up behind the small lady and speaking a question.

"So, you two related or something? perhaps...he's your son?"

She tried to make a light-hearted joke to try and ease the attention in the atmosphere, though potentially her words could've made Harai more tense.​

 

[StephDLegend]

Kinko waited for Shibuya, seeing that she didn't reply to his text that meant that she was either on her way to him or too busy to have checked it. Either way, he wasn't in much of a rush anyway. He hadn't been able to see her for a while, partly due to being busy as the 3rd seat of his squad as well as training his new bankai. He still couldn't believe that he had a bankai. Even so, he was still pretty limited in his use of the power.

Not long after, he heard her greeting. He looked down to see his cousin and he nodded to her. She was being formal with him which was fine. He was formal with almost everyone else but when it came to her, he dropped most formalities unless it was during a certain time and/or place. She apologized for assuming that he was there for something other than their familial bond. "No need to apologize for thinking such however you'd be wrong this time. I hope it isn't a bad time."

He noticed the third seat of the division walking up to Shibuya. He simply assumed she was going to give the short woman a message but instead she asked a question about their connection. Really, her son? They didn't have that much of a resemblance, did they? "Quite an intriguing observation. But yes, we are indeed related." He smiled. Now the other question, he thought it would be interesting to observe how Shibuya would respond.​

 

[Kuu]

---

"No need to apologize for thinking such however you'd be wrong this time. I hope it isn't a bad time."

"No? Consider me surprised, then," bitter frustration sunk into her words, venom biting just behind her teeth as she huffed out a terse laugh, "I had anticipated some political strife to add to the docket,"
What was another problem for her plate, after all? She's a genius, someone who can only gain from solving the world's problems by herself, aspirations higher than the common fodder of those above and below her.

"When, on what is a seemingly constant burgeoning war, is there truly such a thing as a 'Good Time'?" she laments.

That being said, the headache caused by losing Four evidently affected her more than she thought it did as she finally notices Nanami, the other woman's words drawing her attention.

"So, you two related or something? perhaps...he's your son?"

Her head turns slowly, an exasperated, yet blank, expression sliding onto her face.

"My son?" she asks, plainly, her eyes flicking to Kinko, then back to Nanami, "You're joking." it's a statement, as plain as the prior rhetorical question. Related they may be, Shibuya hardly looks the part of a main-line Kuchiki, having branched off long before either of her companions were born, or died, and Kinko shares little in-common with the Harai– Not that Nanami would know the latter. Nonetheless, she's become accustomed to feeble, awkward attempts at humour coming from the rest of 12th Division, so at the very least her statement was just that- a statement of the obvious.

"Hardly." her head rolls back into place, one of her hands coming free of the clasp behind her back, wrist flicking a vague gesture as she continues, "Were he my spawn he would be far, far away from the halfwits of Seireitei," a joke, matching Nanami's own in executed dryness.

"Kuchiki-kun is a cousin, on my mothers side," her gesture shifts, smoothly transitioning to the direction of the boy in question, "Who has so kindly come to aleve me of my duties for the time being," it's almost snarky, the way she implies the weight of her work will fall to the 3rd seat once she goes on break– Though she's well aware it won't, but she's a petty woman that craves a 'win' no matter how made-up it may be.

Said work she takes to assume Nanami is at least aware of, whether because she heard Shibuya say it herself, or because that grunt spoke to her.

"I do hope alerting Central to our little… 'Issue' isn't too much of a problem while I'm away, Miss Teashi,"​

---

 

[StephDLegend]

There was plenty of work or other business like matters that could talked about. After all, the times they were in were serious. That said, some of that precious time should be allocated to other things to form balance. Too much time spent on work would be a problem and though the last 2 years were some of the worse recent years for the shinigami, they were still living beings.

He smirked when he detected the bitterness in Shibuya's voice. There was a level of amusement to it. She wasn't the emotional type so her reactions were always fun to see for the young Kuchiki. "Well, if it's political strife, I could add it to the list of fun." He was joking, of course, though there were important political decisions that needed to be considered, seeing that she was still technically a Kuchiki.

While he did expect it to be a good enough time, seeing she personally was speaking to him, he wondered if it was good for her. Her point was true... in such times of constant threat of war, there never was the good time. "Glad to know you're not too busy."

After speaking to the third seat, he stood amuse at Shibuya's answer about their familial connection. Surely, they didn't look that much alike but to a persistent observer, there might be a bit of resemblance. Not enough to make it obvious that they were family. Though, even so, the hilarious part was when he was assumed to be her son. Gosh, Heikō would have caused havoc if she was ever assumed as Shibuya's daughter... heck, she'd run with the joke before the short stack could shut the conversation down. It was probably a good thing Kinkō wasn't his sister.

Speaking of offspring, he wondered if Shibuya would have ever thought of being a mother. She'd be strict for sure but would a child bring more emotions out of her? After all, when it came to family, nothing else was as important... at least, that's what he thought of her.

He let her speak to the third seat, explaining their connection while waiting. Once Harai was done with the third seat, Kinkō smirked. "Let's see if you can still keep up..."

Turning on his heels, the third seat walked out the entrance of the facility and leapt into the air. "Come on, let's go!" He flash stepped rapidly, leaving the 12th division facility behind.​

 

[admins]

---

1 Year and Six Months Later

---

 

[Kuu]

Captain Harai Shibuya.

Oh, how it suits her. Fits her ambition, her pedigree, her very being.

It's another trophy, one with responsibilities, but a display piece nonetheless. Something to bolster her nonexistent resume, filled by achievement after achievement, showing how truly accomplished and amazing she is. So far above the rest.

Well, it would be better if said title had more groundwork done prior to her inheritance of it. War and continuous strife make not for comfortability, nor for worthwhile scientific advancements.

Needless to say the last few years, give or take two hundred odd, left many of the facilities within Twelfth Division less than well-manned, often abandoned all together simply due to the sheer lack of manpower available to allocate to them. The lack thereof remains, but Shibuya is nothing if not resourceful if it means adding yet more accolades to her ever-growing ego-fueled portfolio.

One of said facilities is the recently revitalized Zanpakuto Development Facility, a series of labs forgotten years prior once dedicated to the tampering of Zanpakuto, their spirits, and abilities. Its abandoned nature could bring questions of why, the thought process of being able to alter one's Zanpakuto seeming invaluable to the bare eye– The fact of the matter is, however, that in the grand scheme of utility it falls laughably short of serving any purpose beyond the here-and-now. The Z.D.F. stands as a near useless priority when up against the still functioning labs; S.W.M.D., C.R.S., and R.S.A.R.F. And to some lesser extent, the Warehouse Sector.

All a lab truly needs to function is a few no-life losers– Otaku for their area of specialty, if you will-, and at the very least it will become functional again. Not to what it may or may not have been prior to the ever rocky roads present, but baby-steps and all that.

For these smaller, less well-working labs, there exist no titles nor leaders. Alas, this method of running her squad piles more and more paperwork onto her by the day, but it's a sacrifice she is willing to make if only to use her new position to begin mending bridges where they needed to be. At the very least a majority, aside from the Z.D.F, focus on far simpler things. Toys, Clothing, Sweets, Medicine, and the Manufacturing thereof– Small scale it is currently.

With new technology and ideas comes more products stocking shelves, and with more products comes brand competition, leading yet further down to cheaper, more accessible product varieties for those less fortunate.

It sounds so altruistic coming from a woman like Shibuya, to want for the betterment of the weak and poor, for their lives to improve just that little bit with easier access to medicines and luxuries once only accessible by Shinigami and the upper echelon of Seireitei. Her motivations are far from good, however. With cheaper products, and many more of them at that, she can force goodwill into existence from the Rukongai, potential to stabilize the most unruly and least accounted for population within Soul Society.

An added point to her plans is to force other manufacturers not affiliated with Squad 12 to lower their prices through continual pressure and corner cutting in certain places, then to dissolve any branding 12th currently has, and instead bringing the Harai's established 「 Kotei no Hitsugi 」 name recognition in to cater to the wealthy once the economy has evened out enough to allow the sort of wealth she'd like to target.

Garnering appreciation from Rukongai citizens, and cannibalizing the rich. In her thought process it's all win-win, as long as she can keep the gears moving where she needs them to.

Which brings Shibuya to her current pursuit, one of many undefined steps to her ever changing plans: Seeking out Ōhei Itaku.

Clicking into place, the elevator door slides aside for her to step off, surface light leaking in from newly installed windows in S.R.D.I's reception area. It's quaint, how much friendlier a building could appear when it isn't plagued by the dim buzzing of lightbulbs and the unwashed stink of 12th Division hermits.

She ignores her subordinates' greetings as she makes her way outside, stopping only once she's exited the walls surrounding her division's territory.

Each of her remaining Azamushi show themselves from under her shihakusho, crawling along her neck and face, chittering to themselves, amongst themselves. From the seven that had remained after the Shiba Densagi incident, only three remain now; One, Six, and Nine. The others lost and killed in a variety of ways, Eights death notably being the only accidental amongst them.

Call it paranoia, but she can't shake the thought of needing them– Or that she will be needing them. A habit she's picked up since she joined the Gotei 13, for what could be considered obvious reasons. Every moderately 'good' occurrence in her life since then has been followed by… problems.

That being said, rather than sending them off to distant locations, she opts to keep them close, covering her blindspots.

She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, headache blooming as her bugs' sight begins to filter into her head. Sacrifices, she reminds herself, for peace of mind and stability.

With that, she continues on her trek toward Fourth Division, pace leisurely, slow. For reasons.

Reasons of dreading whatever will come with willingly speaking to Itaku of her own volition. While it may still be for the same reasons as their prior engagements, she truly, completely, and utterly hates the thought of wanting to speak to him.
​

---

Northwest → Northeast
​

---

​

 

[Estarossa]

From Southwest Seireitei: 10th Division

---

Taro arrives at Third Division most unceremoniously, hopping off the inky fish and returning it to his Zanpakuto. The Shinigami there attempted to greet the man and ask what he was there for but their words went unnoticed like a passing breeze as he made his way to the building where Former and deceased Captain Aijō took up residence. It had become a place of memorial, flowers and incense burned outside of it paying tribute, honor, and respect to a man who was a soldier, teacher, mentor and friend to many. The items of affection are trampled upon by Taro who pays them no mind as he opens the door to the room, everything within it has remained untouched, same as the day Otokogi left it. The Shinigami begin yelling at Taro, some even drawing their blades ready to attack the Captain for his disrespectful intrusion. With but a quick flash of his Reiatsu the Shinigami are subdued, feeling not only his killing intent but forced to hallucinate a giant specter with a scythe slung around their necks. Wanting to escape a potential death sentence they scattered, leaving Taro to rummage around on his own. He poured over various documents and scrolls, looking for anything pertaining to the Rukongai, a specific district to be exact. He knew the Old Cog was hiding something, he was too chummy and friendly with the Rukongai to not know any of their secrets. While the old man may have not written down any of his secrets Taro, and by extension the Date, would be able to piece them together by finding gaps in his paperwork and records.

Taro finds a document pertaining to the Seventy-Ninth District of the Southern Rukongai known as Tenki (天気, heaven). That place has been a wasteland for centuries but it wasn’t always that way, it was once home to a district of reasonable size, while being on the outskirts of “civilization” it had its fair share of ruffians but nothing anyone wouldn’t expect. But what is shocking is how, over the decades, it started to mysteriously die off. Bit by bit it seemed like the people there were vanishing, but the scales of balance never tipped so far as Shinigami were concerned people were just leaving the district for another. Eventually the place became nothing more than abandoned ruins before turning into a wasteland. No reports of a mass conflict came out or were noticed, it just seemed like everyone simply left this district for some reason. The Date are shadows, always watching, always learning, so it is no surprise they too had eyes on the mysterious circumstances pertaining to this district. And it was only just recently there was movement reported from that place, an individual seen leaving the Seventy-Ninth Southern District. Who he is is still unknown, but the Date have their eyes fixed on him. The document Taro found details that there is nothing amiss in this mysterious district, that it is still simply abandoned, and there are no further notes.

Taro knows what to search for now, and every document he finds regarding Tenki is the same, the wording may be different each time but it keeps repeating that there is nothing of note there, no activity, no reason to worry about it. Taro drops the last report on the floor and exits the room, leaving it a complete mess without care or respect for the former owner. Using his Shunpo he moves across the barracks to the Captain’s office, a small shrine was made outside of it and was luckily out of Taro’s path of travel. He enters the office and begins going through the official documents of the Third Division. He ignores anything pertaining to the Academy which it oversees and strictly focuses on the Rukongai patrols. He ignores anything written by Otokogi and instead looks at reports made by Shinigami of the Third Division who patrolled Tenki or near it. The reports are odd, Shinigami talking about the feeling of being watched, getting lost and suddenly exiting Tenki completely. Superstition is not something that is strong in the realm of Spirits for them everything has a logical explanation. The buzzing of another Jigoku Kuishinbō arrives, landing on Taro’s shoulder, delivering another message.

Anger

A vein bulges on his head as he kicks the Captain’s desk so hard he sends it through the sliding doors, through the railing and into a small courtyard. Paper scatters about, some fluttering down to the courtyard as a surge of violent Reiatsu wafts over this section of the Division.

”They took the old fool at his word and ignored any and all reasons to investigate. We have filthy rats living right under our noses. Let the rest of the Inner Hand know that the Third Finger shall be taking care of this, personally. Deploy Vassals to the Seventy-Ninth Southern District, Tenki, And make preparations to use Date Bakudo #15. Tengoku no mōsō.” (天国の妄想; Heavenly Delusion)

Date Bakudo #15. Tengoku no mōsō, is a Date clan Kido Spell that creates a barrier, of various sizes, that obscures what is happening inside of the Barrier. This means sight, smell, sound, and Reiatsu cannot be felt from outside of the barrier. This was the same barrier put around the Shiba manor when Taro and the Date Vassals massacred the remaining Shiba clan members. If he is relaying orders to his Vassals to use that spell again it only means he plans on enacting another mass purge. He draws his blade and summons Kurogane, this time without speaking the release phrase. He hops upon the Ink Fish and it speeds off south bound, to the Seventy-Ninth District of the Rukongai, ironically named Tenki.

---

To Southern Rukongai Seventy-Ninth District: Tenki​

 

[Itami]

The air shifted as Yurei's form took form from a blurred scribble to a solid mass. His stance in the air was above the Third Division, forming as Captain Date was moving around the compound. Yurei had no reason to follow or pry into the Captain's research, he only had to make sure he was safe doing so, not that he needed it. This was Yurei's role—his place as a vassal for Captain Date. Not just Taro, the entire Date clan was the Noble family that Yurei's family had served for an unknown, unimportant amount of time. The birth name of Yurei was an insignificant one, the family had never borne a shinigami worthy of the academy or had any notable leaders among them, Often they were gardeners or women of the house. Yurei had once thrown away his normal life as a shinigami when he decided the seireitei was stagnant and weak.

He took his name and found his purpose. It didn't matter who he could have been or used to be, all that mattered now was that the one known as Yurei, saw Taro Date's goals met.

If Captain Date had known about this it was a secret to even Yurei, Captain Date had tolerated Yurei so far, and they don't exactly have heart-to-heart conversations. There was something Captain Date saw in Yurei and that very same thing looked back into Captain Date, and saw itself.

Yurei watched Taro Date from above, he searched a few rooms, and then without warning or sound, his Zanpakuto was released once more, the giant ink fish, Kurogane, Taking Captain Date into the skies where he rushed by Yurei who stood on platforms under his feet, closed his eyes nodded and was now using Shunpo in the same direction as Captain Date.

No words were often needed between the two, Yurei saw the exposed vein on Taro's forehead, Something very unfortunate was about to befall those who had summoned Captain Date's wrath. Yurei kept his hand on his Zanpakuto, ready to fell what may stand between Date and his new anger.

Location: Northwest Seireitei: Third Division → To Southern Rukongai Seventy-Ninth District: Tenki
Posting Order: Tarō Date → Yūrei Tsukikage →

​

 

[Inkmasterru]

---

With graceful speed, Kazuki apparates in the streets of the Northwest district. He was close to the thirteenth division as he was just about to enter their barracks. The shinigami smiling as they spotted a familiar face at their gates.

"Ah Lieutenant Kazuki, it's good to see you sir. What can we help you with, what has brought you to our barracks?"

Kazuki softly smiled back, about to answer, when... he felt it. Immense spiritual pressure emitting from what he believed to the barracks of the 3rd division. Even without his Reikaku he was able to easily tell who it was, the vile scent still stuck in his nostrils from their encounter in the 10th barracks, captain Date. Both the shinigami in front of him carried concerned expressions, hands on tsubas as they readied for a threat they didn't understand. While Kazuki closed his eyes, remaining calm as he focused on the reiatsu of the captain. Then after a while it started to fade away rapidly in a certain direction. Without another word to the guards, Kazuki vanished with his shunpo, leaving nothing but a ring of dust behind.

Soon arriving at the gate of the 3rd division busted open. Shinigami scattered about as they tried to restore a shrine and clean the mess. The barracks looking as if a storm has passed through, shinigami still trembling. They looked at Kazuki and scrambled away in fear, stopping as a few of them spotted the 10th division insignia. Yet he didn’t pay them any mind, observing and investigating the chaos before him. Stopping at the shrine to the 3rd captain, seeing it desecrated like this... it made Kazuki furious. He never met the captain personally, but he remembered when he visited to give a speech, when he was still in the academy. Even after he became a shinigami, he read reports and documentation of captain Otokogi's career and exploits. To Kazuki, he was just one example of a Great Shinigami, a Great captain. Fulfilling the role of a protector that Shinigami are meant to be, even when it came to difficult decisions. Yet he was now dead at the hands of a Shiba and his memorial, his memory tarnished.

Kazuki clenched his fist tightly as his nails dug in, blood starting to trickle from his palm. Slowly his reiatsu clawed out as it engulfed the barracks, making all feel it's weight. Yet they didn't feel fear, they felt rage bubbling from within. Growling wolves would manifest by their sides as their trembling ceased and they all gathered in the courtyard. Their eyes glued to the shinigami who was giving them this sense of courage, rage and unity. Gone was the sniveling division who lost their captain and in their place, a pack of wolves who wanted justice. Then his voice came out with a angry hiss as he spoke with purpose.

"This will not stand... this desecration, this disrespect for a fallen captain, a fallen mentor to all of us. Stop sniveling! Your captain is dead and now the 3rd division is in your hands, his legacy and how it is shaped is in your hands! Raise your heads, grit your teeth, for you are shinigami of the 3rd division! Protectors of the Rukongai, providers of peace, and mentors to current and future Shinigami. Many of you, including myself were brought forth under Captain Otokogi's administration. So do not tarnish his memory by cowering, but protect his memory and what means to be a true shinigami, even it means sacrificing your life. Otherwise others will walk over you as one did today and we protectors will fade away into nothing. For Squad 3rd, for the seireitei, for the rukongai and for Captain OTOKOGI!"

"FOR CAPTAIN OTOKOGI!!!"

Their voices roared out as they shouted in unison. Their spirits rekindled as pure rage and determination burned at their souls. The visage of the reaper looming over the barracks was now being torn to shreds by a pack of wolves. A indirect challenge to captain Date if he ever comes back, not that he would care or notice. Besides Kazuki wasn't going against the seireitei, he was for it and for Date to go against him would only turn more and more divisions against him and he can't break or kill everyone even if he will damn well try. Staying for a while, he helped the 3rd division clean everything up, eventually ending up in the office of the former captain. Slowly he read over the sheets of paper scattered about and his eyes went through the same reports that Date did. Seventy-Ninth District of the Southern Rukongai, Tenki (天気, heaven)... he hasn't heard of it. What was Captain Date planning, and what was Captain Otokogi's secret, what was he hiding? Either way, his trail after Date will end here, even if he can accurately still smell the trail left by the captain. Talking to one of the shinigami, he within the next few hours schedule a division training meeting between the 3rd and 10th. Without a Captain or Lieutenant, they would most likely suffer more under the might of those similar to Captain Date. Until he come up with something better, this one of the ways he think up of helping them. Now as for that report... let's add decicration of memorial, unsanctioned entry of deceased captain's quarters, unsanctioned entry of deceased captain's office, unsanctioned search through documents and reports of another division without proper clearance, and destruction of property. With a tisk and a final look at the reinvigorated shinigami, he vanished to head back to the 10th division. Time to send that report and paperwork in and to plan. As despite the growing issue that was this captain Date, the Arrancars and the quiet of Hueco Mundo was of greater concern.

Back to Southwest Seireitei​

 

[Estarossa]

---

The sound of crackling fire echoes within the dome, the bemoaned sighs and whimpering of the dead, dying, and mourning. The sickly sound of blades piercing through flesh, muscle, bone, and organs. The splattering of blood along the walls and floors from blades being cleaned. The Southern Rukongai’s Seventy-Ninth District, Tenki, once thought to be nothing more than a barren wasteland has now become just that through the sheer might of the Date. Standing at the center of it all, basking in this destruction and woe, with his hands behind his back and a slain Shinigami at his feet is Taro Date himself. That ever present smirk on his face as he looks out are the devastation sown by his clan. Those given the chance to live, solely to preserve the balance of souls, curse his name. They hope karma will come full circle for him and his Clan, they hope the saying “you reap what you sow” comes to fruition. Sadly, there is no one and nothing who will reap the Reaper itself.

There are many who will hate Taro for what he has done, they will fail to see the bigger picture. In full view Tenki was a malignant growth festering in the Rukongai, it would have slowly consumed the neighboring districts which kept its secret safe. A hub of instability that would have erupted and caused another era of strife between the Seireitei and the Rukongai. A twisted perspective without a doubt but any outrage that may come to fruition will solely be aimed at the Date, not the Seireitei. The Shadow of Nobility, is all they are known as in the Rukongai. The cascade over anything they wish and make objects, people, gangs, and even entire districts vanish into the darkness. To turn a blade against them is to threaten the existence of yourself, your family, friends and anyone or thing connected to you. The Rukongai know this well and more than them, and so do the Great Clans. They know that the more their power dwindles, with the purging of both Kuchiki and Shiba houses, the more strength the Date acquire. Their shadow will lengthen and engulf those vacant slots and it won't stop until it has consumed them all.

”Make preparations to disable the barrier.”

The vassals nod and begin their work, starting by staunching any and all fires. They are not covert operatives who try to hide their tracks but rather they do not wish to cause a big fuss with a giant plume of smoke in the air rising up. The barrier is eye-catching enough, but is ominous enough to keep away those who may get too curious. Those who do get curious would have had to deal with Yūrei Tsukikage regardless. Other Vassals fanned out into the neighboring districts, dressed as fellow Rukongai citizens and silently eliminated anyone who had the slightest idea of Tenki’s true nature. Like shadows stretching out at dusk the districts around Tenki will be silenced. With fires put out and the ruins left to smolder Taro gives the signal to drop the barrier. It opens from the top and the tinted realm of Tenki is blessed by sunlight once again, it would be the only thing to thank the Soul King for on this day, for them. Once the barrier is down no one would be able to sense any sort of change in Reiatsu, aside from the Kido being used.

”I am on my way to the Thirteenth Division, Lieutenant. Follow at your own convenience.”

Taro summons Kurogane and hops on top of the large fish. It rises into the air and races off to the Seireitei. Now that Taro is to resume his duties as a member of the Gotei Thirteen he is back to a leisurely pace once more. He is quite upset about having to play clean up duty in the Rukongai but he is even more curious about what individual left Tenki. Whoever it is they will turn up soon enough and when they do he’ll be there to tie up that loose end.

---

To Northwest Seireitei: Thirteenth Division​