Northwest Seireitei

[Jushiro Izanagi]

"I am sure, as a Captain, you are aware that the Central 46 are”

“Pricks”​

The silver haired fox simply stated without interrupting what Michiya had to say. The Captain agreed that they would need permission. However, Izanagi wasn’t in the mood to parley with the politicians of Central 46. Asking their permission to carry out such a task was merely a courtesy.

“If you’re intending on improving my mask any further, please make it so I can never be so easily starved of oxygen again. I trust you can handle such a basic addition to its many functions”. Izanagi stated, a smile now on his face as he sat there watching Michiya enjoy his tea. Meanwhile thinking how much of a selfish son of a bitch he is.

“Can you believe this shit?” ​

The whole time Izanagi was sitting there, he paid attention to every little detail concerning Michiya. The warm smile suddenly became twisted. Perhaps the man was thinking about the many possibilities that were now before them? The masked one saw himself in Michiya and though they’re different, they were also similar in other ways. With that said, it would appear that Michiya was once again being a good host. A member of the twelfth division was called forth to handle the business of a refill. Finally! Izanagi would have something to sip on. The man had a gleeful grin which was presented using his mask. Then came that bittersweet moment as the unseated squad member presented themselves. With his eyes fixated on Michiya, Josho and now the unseated squad member. Izanagi wasn’t the least surprised to see this person get treated as mere fodder. The Kido weapon being pulled and fired at the unsuspecting division member. Paralysis took over which in itself was an impressive display. The follow up was truly interesting to behold. The flew on its own at its target before detonating and encasing the poor Shinigami in a crystal tomb. The fox grin soon returned to the mask. The Captain was impressed so far and was already thinking of ways to use the grenade.

“I should probably pull a prank on Kazuki san and Kuwashii too. Ah shit, I should definitely use these on Jinno and Omoni. I wonder what the dynamic duo are up to?”.

Jushiro thought as he giggled to himself as Michiya’s words filled his ears. In addition to that, the explanation given to Izanagi by Michiya was much appreciated. He was definitely taking those goodies with him once he concluded his business with Michiya. Izanagi soon sensed a shift within Michiya causing him to perk up a little bit more. And there it was, Izanagi was given a warning and that is how he perceived Michiya’s words. The notion of consent without giving it explicitly.

Jushiro remained silent as Michiya unsheathed his Zanpakuto. Trusting Michiya to do something untoward, Jushiro mirrored Michiya’s action and he too unsheathed his Zanpakuto in that moment. Watching the Lieutenant stab Josho who so willingly welcomed it. Izanagi was now even more curious about what was to come next.

“Oh? You learned Bankai using this method you say? Fascinating”.

The masked man said in reply to Michiya’s statement. It was impossible not to want to learn even more at this moment in time. Despite all of this, the man remained at the ready while pondering just what level of madness Michiya would delve into. And there it was. Jushiro rose to his feet in the moment that Josho morphed into something completely different. The silver haired fox maintained a calm disposition while sizing up this new arrival. The branches receding and forming into feet seemed to have completed the metamorphosis. Thinking back on Michiya’s previous statement, Jushiro deduced that the humanoid figure before him must be Michiya’s Zanpakuto spirit. A truly interesting scenario but before any questions could be asked, the Zanpakuto spirit sprung into action.

A few things crossed Jushiro’s mind as the Zanpakuto spirit aimed to close the gap between the two of them. For one, he couldn’t afford to completely wreck the Shibuya Taicho’s office. That would be impolite, but most of all it would come at a monetary cost. Michiya has already tried billing already and he was keen to avoid a repeat. However, at the rate at which Jushiro’s opponent was moving, it was almost unavoidable. Clawed hands extended forth towards Jushiro without a second thought. Jushiro made the decision to take things outside. As Hakuoki closed the gap between them, the man performed a well-timed Shunpo to side step his opponent and take himself out of arms way. At that moment, Michiya will notice that a few goodies were missing. And if he were truly paying attention, he would take note of just how nimble Jushiro can be despite his frame. The sounds of walls breaking while leaving behind gaping holes could be heard. Dust and debris rising in the aftermath of Jushiro damaging two walls on his way to the courtyard. He was now in an open space with plenty of room to move. Facing the obvious direction from which Michiya and Hakuoki would approach. Jushiro tucked away a few of the creepy faced grenades used against the unseated member from earlier.

It appeared that Izanagi will have not one but two opponents to contend with. This encounter may yet prove to be a pain in the ass. Appearing on opposite sides of the man, Hakuoki to his right and Michiya to his left. The fox remained vigilant as they went on the attack. Showing off his impressive reaction speed and battle instincts, he defended himself as his Zanpakuto intercepted Hakuoki’s strike aimed at his head. The sweeping slash from Hakuoki was repelled in such a way that the Zanpakuto spirit would be pushed back and away from Izanagi. Meanwhile, dealing with Michiya’s attack to his midsection. Izanagi’s left hand opened up as a large blue disc formed just in time to block and repel Michiya’s strike. His masterful use of his Reiryoku made it mere child’s play to invoke Bakudo 8; Seki. Not only did he use it against Michiya but also Hakuoki by channelling it through his Zanpakuto. In the moment that he was defending himself, he took note of the differences in Michiya’s and Hakuoki’s attacks. This was something for him to pay attention to as things develop.

Speaking of which, the sudden manifestation of blades rising from the ground and covering portions of the area was another issue. In that moment the man began to chant a few words almost inaudibly, perhaps too low for Michiya and his companion to pick up on. This whole time he remained vigilant, closing the gap between himself and Hakuoki, the Captain performed a diagonal slash, cutting from the right hip upwards across the chest area. He had to be careful as he weaved his way through the blades. Fully expecting Michiya to intervene while Jushiro attacked his companion. The silver fox was ready to intercept and alter his attack accordingly.

 

[Elk]

“I forgot to tell you. While I was in Karakura, I ran into a young girl that looked identical to Risa. Do with that information what you will.”

“I’ll see you later for dinner. My captain is calling a meeting. Can’t wait to be fired!”

His eyes dilated before they narrowed, his fingers tapping ever so lightly against the glass top within his pocket. Then an exhale, as his eyes closed, before his lips began to curl—followed up by a small laugh. Something far too genuine to fake.

“…I doubt you’ll get fired! You said it yourself—those Arrancar came in with a mission! Chin up, Tomi. You got this!”

Both his hands clapped together, and as his upper half moved forward, his laughter poured out—louder. A pair of Shinigami passing by gave a pause, one tilting their head; the other’s brow twitched as they leaned into one another, whispering before hastily moving forward.

His body rose up, shoulders lifting and lowering as his breathing began to slow. All the while, a tear rolled down his cheek. He shook his head several times before disappearing.

As he reappeared on top of the walls of 12th Division, he saw it—Captain Izanagi breaking out through the walls and into the courtyard, and Michiya’s attack coming in.

Wait no, two?

“No… It can’t be… the signature. It matches with Michiya’s. Is that his Zanpakutō spirit brought to life?”

His Zanpakutō pulsed as his eyes shifted down to it, his fingers wrapping around the tsuka, his knuckles whitening a bit. A wave of goosebumps crawled across his body. Then a hand pressed against his cheek, and his head turned.

There she stood—arm extended down, with a crooked smile—before his gaze turned back toward Michiya and the Captain.

“You’ll be the end of us all if that was you.”

The hand faded from sight, yet those goosebumps traveled across his body once more.

Another pulse was released, and Elk exhaled, eyes closing as he lowered himself down on the roof—one knee rising, as his arm moved to rest upon it, fingers dangling, while the other hand moved to the back of his neck, where he began to whisper to himself.

“I guess my questions can wait a bit. Not every day you see a captain in action.”

A small grin appeared as he remained hidden, out of sight thanks to the reiatsu-concealing cloak masking them from their Reikaku sensing.
​

 

[dem0nzlust]

A small chuckle had escaped him hearing the Captain call the Central 46 pricks. The meeting between the two of them continued to be beneficial in both a business and intellectual manner, as they both seemed to share an interest in examining each other's mannerisms. Michiya savoring every last drop of his tea saw the small micro exchanges of body language that pointed to signs something was making Jushiro at unease. It wasn't until the victim brought the tea in did he managed to pick up on how his body language showed signs of ease thinking to himself that the rumors about Captain Izanagi being a big tea connoisseur were true, and even some speculations could be possible addiction. The demonstration of what the items offered up did and how they performed wrapped up to a close Jushiro looked quite fascinated by what he witnessed. However, before things managed to wrap up successfully Michiya's darker nature happened to get the better of him wanting to see what a Captain was truly capable of.

Bringing matters to the current event brought about by both Michiya and his Zanpakuto spirit with Jushiro interaction getting taken to the courtyard. On his way out of the Captain's quarters, he indeed did take note of the missing items only making the joint attack on Jushiro more promising wondering when he put use to the items taken. With the clash of both blades onto the bakudo repeling them both away Michiya slid across the ground easily regaining his sense of balance, and now that Jushiro opened the floodgates for the use of Kido the real fun was just about to start. Hakuoki also getting pushed back coming to a sliding halt but instead of trying to maintain a grip on the repeled blade, he let it get knocked away as he took grip of two new blades from the ground. Seeing Jushiro make the wise calculated choice to try to contest his zanpakuto spirit showed his understanding of the difference between the two but that is something exactly Michiya anticipated. At that time he happened to notice the presence of another onlooker but that had to wait for after his research wrapped up.

"Hado #57 Daichi Ten'yo."

In a fluid hand gesture, a series of blades lifted out of the ground immediately surrounding the two of them from every angle, and performed a second-hand gesture right after. Just as the blades trapped them in a cage with nowhere to run Hakuoki intercepted Jushiro's attack toward its chest and forced the two of them into a deadlock with their blades. Michiya acted with impeccable timing although he lacked the speed, his execution of technique highly made up for it. In that small second the sounds of their blades clashed the uplifted blades closed in on the two of them as Michiya seemed to sacrifice Hakuoki in the attack to land a decisive trap on the Captain. However, that would be the case if this was a fight between three shinigami which ended up being in the duo's favor Jushiro didn't know what he got himself into. A sadistic grin appeared on Hakuoki's face as he took advantage of his plant physiology burrowing into the ground leaving Jushiro to face the onslaught of blades alone, and that is where Michiya's real trap enacted. The moment all the blades flew at Jushiro from every angle with precision be sure not to strike any vital organs all the blades seemed to vanish in mid-air as they were in the process of enclosing in. Having performed a double incantation hidden within the hado was the kido Kyokko to cause all the blades sent forth to be rendered invisible increasing the difficulty of his trap on the Captain getting out unscathed. Hakuoki rose from the ground five feet to Jushiro's left with its arms splitting apart to grant a set of four arms each wielding a different blade drawn from the ground as they watched eagerly and prepared for the results.​

 

[Kami Shia]

Upon his arrival to the thirteenth division, he could immediately sense a familiar spiritual presence he had recently encountered along with a few others who have been well acquainted with for the first time in a couple of days a smirk brushed across the young Senko's lips. Excited from the thought of reuniting with a new friend so soon excited him, despite barely knowing the individual he still considered them to be a good friend. However, that smile was short lasted as he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder which quickly reminded of his weakness in his current condition; not only that he also noticed there was this a new odd and unfamiliar spirit within the vicinity who had yet to be acquainted with. Something about them was different from the others and was similar to his older brothers in terms of aura alone. Immediately he reached for his wounded shoulder and leaned against the wall just outside of the thirteenths division barracks.

"Hmph... should've killed me asshole."

Grinning and swearing at his brother, chuckling as he harbored no ill will towards him as he was grateful for him opening his eyes.

Letting out a deep breath as he contemplated entering the barracks or heading back the fourth division, he started to regret the decision of leaving early without speaking to anyone. He rubbed his shoulders as the pain wore off his fist clenched around his Gamu Tenno's scabbard as he wanted a reason to take out his frustrations for feeling so pathetic and weak. The weight of his own problems always caused a rift between him and his potential, mentally he was unsure if he ever really wanted to be a shinigami until now. After his first real fight he finally knew what it felt like to be on the brink of death and survive. A smirk on his face as he remembered how the fear, he felt began to excite him and he fought for tooth and nail for his survival. It was as his mother always told him when his father would look down at him, "Sharing blood doesn't necessarily make you family; family is what you create". His smirk suddenly changed to a smile as his thoughts reverted to a once happy place. His aura flourished around his body like a jolting burst of energy and suddenly dispersing without any destructive force.

The young Senko stood up straight and once again proceeded to head towards the thirteenth division but walking slowly like a hermit in a turtle shell and using his zanpakuto as his wooden cane. A bit dramatic but at least he was going to make back to the barracks on his own two feet at least he hoped to...

Still heading to Thirteenth Division... Not quite there yet...​

 

[Kasu Shinka]

“ Welcome.”

Her voice echoes through the entirety of the hall. Her projected greeting spoke in a manner that would grasp their attention immediately as the three entered. Neither of them knew what to expect, what would be the conclusion of this sudden call. Each of them face uncertainty. However, the atmosphere was poised with no immediate reason to be concerned or nervous, even Captain Shinka’s visage remained calm and collected, perhaps the things she wish to say would not be as bad as either one of them may have envisioned.

“ Thank you for your prompt arrival,” she started

Her arms unclasped themselves from their position, hands removed from the sleeves of her Haori.

“ As you all probably may have come to realize, Keniro Senko is no longer a part of this Squad due to his insubordination and abandonment of post. Such actions is a detriment and utter disrespect to both this Squad and those we wish to protect. With that being said, we will move on accordingly.”

The unfortunate news of one of their own may shift the emotions of the three, if they held a connection to the young Senko. Regardless, his consequences are to one's own choices. Rules that needed to be enforced, and Captain Shinka held no sympathy for those that would tarnish both Squad 13 or the Gotei 13 at that.

“ In addition to this information, I wish to formally welcome you Ren, I hope that you prosper well under Squad 13s care. I must ask,” a pause occurs, a chance for Ren to collect herself and focus on her words.

“ Gyoja may have dragged you into this position, volunteered himself to bring you under his own direct tutelage. This endeavor has to be of your own choice, something I had not yet asked you. Is this truly a place you wish to be, is this your calling?”

Her response would determine her decision to resend her transfer or to allow her to stay. Captain Shinka had no patience for those who are not committed, who could not perform their duties to any and all capacity, this is evident in her gaze that is currently trained on Ren. A fierce expression that demanded her own truth. It is impossible to lie or convince her of any other reason that did not resonate with who Ren is. Kasu sought after her true nature, her vision… Her, purpose.

What did Gyoja truly see in such a woman?​

 

[GhoulBunny]

Ren stood awkwardly straight, her posture overly rigid as she struggled to look professional under Captain Kasu’s intense scrutiny. Her golden eye flickered anxiously, darting briefly to Gyōja as if silently pleading for backup. But there was no lifeline there, not this time. This was all on her.
​

“Welcome. Thank you for your prompt arrival.”​

Ren fidgeted slightly, tugging at her uniform in a poor attempt to smooth the wrinkles she’d undoubtedly earned during her sparring session. Why was looking presentable always so much harder than fighting?
​

“As you all probably may have come to realize, Keniro Senko is no longer a part of this Squad due to his insubordination and abandonment of post. Such actions are a detriment and utter disrespect to both this Squad and those we wish to protect. With that being said, we will move on accordingly.”​

Ren’s expression twisted slightly at the mention of Keniro’s name. The memory of that day back in Second Division when she’d screamed herself hoarse at the poor kid surged vividly into her mind. Sure, he’d been a headache and a half—annoying as hell, actually—but being booted out entirely? That was rough. Even she felt a bit bad. Just a bit.
​

“In addition to this information, I wish to formally welcome you, Ren. I hope that you prosper well under Squad 13’s care. I must ask—“Gyōja may have dragged you into this position, volunteered himself to bring you under his own direct tutelage. This endeavor has to be of your own choice, something I had not yet asked you. Is this truly a place you wish to be, is this your calling?”​

Ren blinked, momentarily thrown by the sudden directness of the question. She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again, trying desperately to arrange her thoughts into something coherent. Unfortunately, the words tumbled out in their usual chaotic fashion.

“Well—uh—yeah! I mean, Gyōja dragged me here, sure, but I’ve chosen to stay. Cap’in, it wasn’t like I was doin’ much back in Second other than watchin’ Cap’in Kagi murder folks and screamin’ at Keniro—which was kinda justified, let’s be honest—but still!”

She quickly cleared her throat, noting Captain Kasu’s expression and realized she was spiraling.

“What I’m sayin’ is,” Ren continued, forcing herself to slow down, her voice becoming more genuine, more serious, “I did more with Squad Thirteen in those ten days than I ever did in Second. Went to the World of the Living, fought Hollows, learned Konsō, got trained by Gyōja briefly—and it felt…right. It felt like I wasn’t just playin’ pretend anymore. It felt like I could actually do somethin’. Somethin’ that matters.”

Ren paused again, awkwardly scratching the back of her neck, before quickly attempting to straighten her stance once more, failing miserably. Her uniform was even more disheveled than before, but she powered through, her chaotic honesty winning out.
​

“So, uh, yeah. This is my callin’ or whatever. I wanna be here. Definitely. One-hundred-percent. And if Gyōja sees somethin’ worth trainin’ in me, well—” Ren shrugged dramatically, finally managing a genuine, if slightly embarrassed, grin, “—who am I to question that kind of judgment?”

Her chaotic honesty hung in the air, genuine and unfiltered, perfectly Ren. For better or worse, she’d laid her cards on the table. Now all she could do was hope Captain Kasu wouldn’t immediately kick her out for being a walking disaster of sincerity.​

 

[Frea]

Silence filled the room as the purple-haired woman was reading a letter that was tattered and worn down from over the years, but also had specks of old blood upon the corner, stains from tears were also visible but the writing was never smudged. The letter looked at least over 100 years old this was the very last letter her father had sent her before his death. Nanami's brown eyes scanned each and every word that was written down, though every time she had read the letter, it brought her great curiosity about who this boy was, she knew it was her nephew and she only met him briefly when he was just a baby. Of course, she hoped the boy survived the massacre that happened to her family, and deep down she felt tremendous guilt for not being there to protect them all.

She closed her eyes as she remembered the brief colour of the younger's hair. White. Pure white. That was the only distinctive feature she could remember at the moment. She sighed heavily in great remorse and she rose from her seat and went up to open her office door. There she locked her office behind her as she took a stroll down the corridors of the twelfth division barracks, she looked up at Captain Harai's door where there was a do not disturb sign up which of course notably Nanami never dared to step foot into that office if there was a Do not sign was up. She knew all too well if she dared to disturb Shibuya, there would be consequences to that action and it wouldn't be very light punishment either especially with Harai's temperment.

She took a stroll outside, eventually hearing quite a commotion within their walls. There she took a look at what was in front of her. A captain and by looks of it Michiya. She sighed as they were having a battle by the looks of things. They would just watch in the distance, gazing further upon the Masked captain. She recognised him as the famous tenth-division captain. Jushiro Izanagi. Her arms would cross as she watched Michiya's movements as well as the captains. She had decided to await the results of their conflict. If she could and would disrupt their little fight, Nanami disliked interrupting battles that did not concern her.

"Sai"

Nanami breathed out as she cast a hado spell upon a reckless on-looker who was about to interrupt the two men. The lower seat had fallen to the ground with their hands behind their back, they stared at Nanami and Nanami looked down in displacement not saying a word to them. If it was one thing she had learnt was not to interrupt another person's battle unless necessary. This was also the chance for her to see how Michiya Senko, the man she barely got to know and his combat abilities. From what she just witnessing she was impressed and she began to clap in amusement.

"Well well... What excellent entertainment no?"

She didn't mean for her appraisement to be loud where the two men could hear her, she meant to whisper but failed. She shrugged at her mistake and continued to observe them.​

 

[Nobody]

"Ah, and to you as well Tomi."

Gyōja returned the greeting to her. While he wanted to talk to her more, especially about what they had both witnessed and endured in Karakura Town, it seemed that topic of conversation would have to be shelved until later. As the Captain began the meeting, he remained quiet, only glancing towards Tomi when Keniro's absence was mentioned. He wasn't certain if Tomi had heard or realized this, but he certainly did not. Not unexpected, given the boy was constantly off somewhere doing who knows what.

The boy's antics were questionable, and certainly a nuisance but truth be told, Gyōja felt he wasn't solely to blame for his negligence. With their squad lacking a Vice-Captain, and their Captain having been gone for so long, adding to his and Tomi's regular patrols in the World of the Living that kept them away from the barracks at times, the boy was a drifting ship without a sail. In such an environment, he was practically set up for failure. The weight of this felt heavy on the Kuchiki's shoulders.

'We failed him. Perhaps-'

The Captain's words cut through his thoughts like a finely honed blade. "Wait, Captain this-" He bit his words back, as he clenched his fists. Just what was this? Why even allow her to come and join them only to question her admission now? He had thought the weight of his recommendation and more importantly, the weight and measure of his promise to look after and train her meant something when he learned she was now a part of their squad. It seemed he was mistaken.

'Grrrrrrrrr'

A deep, guttural, monstrous growl resonated not only within his ears, but within his very soul. He glanced around and noticed that no one seemed to be reacting to anything strange. Of course not. try as he might, he knew just exactly where this growl had come from. 'Quit. It.' He spoke to himself and yet...not to himself all the same, fingers clenching tighter into the fists they had formed.

'GRRRAAaaarr!'

As if to retaliate against the command, another louder, fiercer growl turned into a roar came out, shaking his very soul at its core. Knuckles popped as his tightly clutched fist clenched even tighter still, sweat forming on the back of his neck, his pulse rising. In his eyes, fog began to rise, something he was certain was still perceptible only to him given anyone's lack of response to it.
​

"And if Gyōja sees somethin’ worth trainin’ in me, well who am I to question that kind of judgment?”​

As Ren smoke, the fog began to recede, and the beast's growl died out. He unclenched his fingers, taking a slow deep breath.

"Captain-" He stepped forward, measuring his words before they were ever spoken. "Ren can do this, that much I can attest to. And as you've heard, more importantly she wants to do this." He pauses, staring at his hand, marks left behind from when he had been clutching tightly.

"Also, regarding Keniro. I-I do not believe the blame lies solely in him. He is a Shinigami too, but a young one. With your absence, and no Lieutenant, the blame falls on us who remained to have made a greater, stronger effort in guiding him. To teaching him the weight of our responsibility." He glances towards his sheathed blade.

"For his actions, I also bear responsibility." As a Kuchiki his pride and honor would not allow him to remain silent regarding Keniro's matter knowing that those who have power, and those born in the Kuchiki clan bear the responsibility to help guide those around them.

 

[TherosAestas]

Once everyone was in the room, Tomi let the door gently fall closed. The absence of Keniro was glaring even before Kasu began to speak. Tomi fell into line on the other side of Ren, standing at attention, her left wrist clasped in her right hand behind her back. Her eyes shifted ever so slightly to where the young Senko would have been standing. She hadn’t heard yet that the captain was removing him from the division as she’d been rather occupied with Elk’s machinations.

Perhaps she should have kept a tighter leash on him. Clearly her faith in 3rd division to properly train and prepare the academy students was misplaced. No. It was a series of failures. While she believed he shouldn’t have been allowed to graduate if he was just going to shirk his duties to fight his brother-someone who should be well aware of how important one’s duty is. However the academy wasn’t just to blame. She’d been the only seated member of 13th division while Kasu was missing in action. She should bear the weight, but as she mulled this over, her eyes fell upon Gyōja. She was certain he too felt that he should bear the weight of this.

You think you can save him from the fate of being stripped of his zanpakuto and thrown in prison. You know that’s what happens to those who abandon their post and responsibilities.

Tsukuyomi wasn’t wrong. He never was when it came to interpreting Tomi’s thoughts and feelings. She did in fact know that it was very likely that the young Senko would be arrested. She also knew there was a chance he could be heading here, completely unaware of what has transpired regarding him. Tomi drew in a slow breath, her attention still trained on the conversations going on around them as she scanned the area for his reiatsu. Her fingers tightened around her wrist as she found him, he was moving slowly but he was certainly heading toward them.

If Gyōja and I weren’t told until now, that probably means that Keniro doesn’t even know that he’s been removed from the division.

Tomi’s attention snapped to Gyōja as he spoke of Keniro. They had certainly neglected to guide him, but to Tomi, their responsibilities came first. She’d seen what those in the Seireitei did to those they deemed a threat or unnecessary. If she wanted to do anything about that, she had to fly under the radar and raise no suspicions in everything she did. For Tomi that meant dedicating herself to her duties wholly. Yet as Gyōja proclaimed responsibility for Keniro’s shortcomings, she released her grip on her wrist.

”He is young, yes, but old enough to know the weight of responsibility. I am confident the academy still strives to instill a sense of responsibility in all of its graduates. I’d been informed that the alert about the arrancar in Karakura was brought to his attention. Whether he heeded that information or not is his own doing.” She wasn’t challenging Gyōja’s deep seated need to take responsibility for this, but merely looking at it logically. Keniro was indeed young and with youth comes naivete and hubris, but he’d gone through the same training everyone in this room had in the academy and his age doesn't negate the consequences of his own actions.

”I understand you feel responsible, Gyōja. I also feel the weight of this failure.” Tomi met the Kuchiki’s gaze. She was being sincere. She indeed felt this failure deeply within her soul, like a fresh scar compounded upon the scars of past failures. She’d neither bent nor broken to those of the past, and she wouldn’t be broken by this one either. ”Perhaps if the captain would be gracious enough to allow me to personally detain him, we could all have a conversation about this and better understand his reasons for abandoning his post.”

“I’m not saying he should be forgiven, every action has consequences, whether good or bad, but a conversation should at least be had before he is whisked away to the nest of maggots and stripped of his zanpakuto.”

Tomi hoped Kasu would see reason. They couldn’t afford to put blame on those who were committed to their duties. Not with an invasion on the horizons. The whole Seireitei knew it was coming. They needed to prepare and if bringing Keniro in herself would put this matter to rest so they could better equip themselves for what was to come then so be it.

​

 

[Kasu Shinka]

The young woman spoke to such a young and chaotic man, but it was raw, and to Kasu she could see as well as feel the sincerity in her voice. To Kasu, it wouldn’t take mere words, her own actions needed to match the words she spoke. Perhaps she will be a great asset or a greater liability… Captain Shinka had faith and it showed in the gaze that rested upon Ren, knowing that her potential could be great if she utilized it properly.

Kasu knew that the mention of Keniro would likely stir some emotion, some feeling of responsibility. If that truth had to be brought forth, Kasu knew she had a part to be blamed for. She also knew that throwing blame let alone sharing it proved nothing. It wouldn’t rectify anything. Keniro is his own man, who made his own choices. Gyoja was right to feel the way he does, and even Tomi.

Gyoja stepped forward, Kasu’s gaze now poised upon him. She couldn’t help but notice the subtle signs of turmoil that existed mentally. While his clenched fist could be a direct response to Keniro’s situation, it did not match his words. She could only deduce that he was battling something else mentally, or someone else. Could it be his Zanpakuto spirit? Kasu’s expression didn’t break, carrying Gyoja’s words on her ears. She understood his point of view and why he felt the way he did in regards to Keniro, but Tomi would chime in soon after…

Her words and views aligned with Kasu, as she brought on a point that would support Kasu’s decision. Keniro made a choice that required consequences. For too long he had been allowed to run-a-muck. No supervision, no guidance, no motivation to be given. Like a child without its parent, Keniro seems to resemble such. However, even Tomi felt as Gyoja did in some way and truly, Kasu did too…

Her demeanor and stoic position said otherwise. She was a Captain, and Squad 13 as a whole is her responsibility and having been gone for so long, she needed to weed out any loose-cannons so that she could reform the Squad back to its full strength. She acknowledged Tomi’s words as well as her request to go pursue Keniro herself and capture him. Unbeknownst to her, the task had already been passed on to Squad Two, however she may have time to get to him…

“ You are both right. We can take blame into each of our hands. I have been gone for far too long and that has weakened us greatly. In order to do that, hard choices need to be made. Keniro is his own man, who has made his own choices.

While the both of you, Gyoja and Tomi, were out handling your duties, where was Keniro? We may have failed the him, but that does not excuse his ability to move and think on his own. He is not so incompetent that he managed to graduate, and join the ranks so that he couldn’t discern duty from personal adventures.

I will not treat him like a kid. It is time that he learns that his choices and actions can lead to his own destruction if he does not correct himself. However, you all may seek him out and converse with him to gain clarity, before he is taken away to answer his charges.

Speaking of further strengthening us, this is long overdue.”

Her eyes moved on to Tomi.

“ Tomi Yume, I grant you the title of Lieutenant of Squad 13.”

Then on to Gyoja.

“ Gyoja Kuchiki, I grant you the title of Lieutenant of Squad 13.”

Lastly on to Ren.

“ For now Ren I will place you in as our current fourth seat. During your tenure we will see if you are able to rise above your current level and achieve a greater understanding of both yourself, and your Zanpakuto. We will bring strength out of you.

As for now you all are dismissed, I need to submit your titles and prepare our training area so that we may all grow stronger together. In the meantime, tend to your business and duties. Keep your soul pagers close at all times

Thank you.”
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