Seireitei Communication | Issue #1
Written by Aiko Fujimoto (PhrostElk)
SEIREITEI IN RUINS: ESPADA INVASION LEAVES CAPTAINS FALLEN, NOBLE ESTATES SMOLDERING
By Seireitei News Staff
SEIREITEI — Tensions were high across the Soul Society. It started by an Arrancar giving a warning to members of 10th Division. This Arrancar's concerns were unknown, yet it was time to train several members of 10th on how to deal with powerful threats. Since then the Shinigami had been preparing themselves, some with active training, each day being harder than the last, others planning on how to deal with the Arrancars by preparing for the worst. This uncertainty ended when Arrancars arrived to display their power within the world of the living.
THE FALL OF NARUKI AND KARAKURA
A spike in Hollow activity had hit Naruki City and Karakura Town. Hollows were reported to be coming in droves, killing and consuming Shinigami and humans alike. Several seated members of both the 10th and 13th Divisions were already on site, dealing with the invasion. Though reports stated that it was already too late.
RETURN AND RECOVERY
Another surprise soon followed: the return of Captain Shinka. She had been missing since the rebellion had begun. As to where she disappeared, it was deemed classified by Central Forty-Six. Upon her return to the Seireitei, she gathered all those under her command and brought the 13th Division down to quell the invading Hollows.
Another development occurred within the Seireitei. Captain Kurayami had made a recovery from 4th Division’s hospital bed, and her immediate destination upon awakening, 10th Division. With her return, Lieutenant Oyuki and 3rd Seat Iwamura arrived at 10th division to see their captain. News spread quickly that an attack had landed within Naruki City. Both members of 10th and 5th Divisions coordinated to launch a counter attack. The cause of the invasion of both Naruki and Karakura remains unknown. Yet just as quickly as they came, they would retreat via Negación, leaving both cities in ruins.
TOTAL WAR: THE INVASION OF THE SEIREITEI
For ten days, the Seireitei lay quiet, yet tensions were higher than ever as people prepared and watched the gates. Early reports and eyewitness accounts stated that the 10th Division was the first to be hit. This marked the full invasion, a surprise attack that cost the Seireitei dearly in both manpower and symbolism. The first major casualty of the invasion was the Shiba Manor, which fell to a Gran Rey Cero, killing the last remaining free members of the Shiba.
2nd, 9th, and 13th Divisions were hit shortly after, along with the Shinō Academy, the Kidō Corps, and sections of the northwest. The 1st Division was struck by the Espada leader, who formed a cocoon upon the barracks. Information was passed down by Captain Date stating that the Arrancar’s powers had been boosted by fragments of the Soul King, explaining why they were so bold in invading the Seireitei.
FALL OF A CAPTAIN
As fast as Captain Shinka returned, the Espada that attacked 13th Division ensured that her life was taken away, Reports and eyewitness accounts showed that she had fallen to the threat’s Gran Rey Cero before being consumed by the beast herself. With Captain Shinka gone, Captain Date made his way to the 13th Division to engage the enemy. However, there was growing concern, as Captain Date’s reputation by this point was just as dangerous as the Espada’s destruction. This left Lieutenant Gyoja Kuchiki and the remaining members of the 13th concerned that they themselves might become victims of the Captain’s ruthless brutality. Yet still, they fought fiercely to push back the Espada and force her to retreat.
"Having survived is something I can't say I'm proud of. My Captain was killed along with another young member of our squad. We fought, but were still powerless; too weak to cut down the enemy in the name of duty or revenge. Yes, our mere survival is an unworthy victory. We were defeated, outmatched plain and simple." — Gyoja
REPORTS FROM THE FRONTLINES
The Northwest Front Within the northwest, another battle occurred against an Arrancar. Instead of an ocean pouring in, an ice field awaited this Espada, created by Lieutenant Oyuki and his persistent Bankai. Lieutenant Yume of the 13th Division and 3rd Seat Hideo Shihōin arrived, and the trio engaged the Espada, killing it and removing a threat from the board.
The Kidō Corps & An Unlikely Ally Tragedy befell the Kidō Corps and brought about an unexpected ally, as a Garganta opened over the ruins and a lone Arrancar came forth, opposing the Espada. This was the Arrancar who had warned of the invasion, Estarossa. The two had engaged long enough for former 3rd Seat Yūichirō Shihōin (now Captain Commander) and Captain Kurayami to arrive as reinforcements. The combined efforts of the trio resulted in the Espada’s death.
2nd Division Strategic Defense Reports from 2nd Division stated that the Espada amongst them identified himself as Cazador Aburrimiento, one of the few to openly give his names. The engagement was prolonged and tactical on all sides. As with other divisions, 2nd division received reinforcements by Captain Izanagi and unseated Kuwashii Hakunetsu, who fought Cazador until he was forced to retreat.
9th Division: The Miracle Threat 9th Division had no lieutenants or captains to assist with this battle, only seated officers Kisho Date and Yūgure Shihōin. Reports indicated that this was by far one of the most dangerous Espada, due to his possession of the Soul King’s heart. Eyewitness accounts stated that it was able to bring itself back from death, and it was speculated that it was capable of producing miracles. Later in the battle, both Takamura Raizen of the 11th Division and Lieutenant of the 12th Division Michiya reinforced 9th Division, fighting until the Espada was also forced to retreat.
1st Division: The Sōkyoku Released Finally we reach first division, a battle that had brought 3rd,4th, 5th, 8th and 13th division members together. Leading the charge against the God queen herself was our very own Dean. As he rallied all he could to the fight within central, many of the members were unfamiliar with how each one operated. Towards the end, the Dean managed to rally together the Shinigami gathered to push one final attack, while releasing the Sōkyoku. Why it was there, no one could really tell, or rather want to tell. Why the remaining members of the kidō corps were there remains a mystery to this day.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: YŪICHIRŌ SHIHŌIN
Aiko Fujimoto talks to the Dean and Captain Commander on the future of the Soul Society.
Aiko Fujimoto: Hello Dean! Do you have time for an interview? We would like to get this in for our paper!
Yūichirō Shihōin: Hello, and I think I have some time to spare.
Aiko Fujimoto: Perfect, perfect! Most of the seireitei should know who you are, so there wouldn't really be a need for an introduction for you, but still! You are Yūichirō Shihōin, The Dean to the Academy, and a member of the nobility. It's rare we get interviews with any major noble clan members. Now let's get down to brass tax at the start of the invasion of the Seireitei, were you within the academy as it was being destroyed? Did you avenge the academy by killing the Espada that brought its destruction?
Yūichirō Shihōin: I didn’t know my reputation preceded me in that manner...I’d hope that more nobles take the opportunity to offer their insight in the future. In regards to your question...I was actually in the middle of grading some papers in a building some ways off from the academy grounds. The instructors have their own quarters and such you see. I never like to make light of war. Been a part of far too many conflicts than I'd like to admit in my years. I managed to claim a life, yes. It was most certainly to avenge the young lives lost and the potential soldiers that could have come up to replace those that had fallen....the death count was almost incalculable. Both physical and figurative.
Aiko Fujimoto: It was a tragedy... We're glad that you were able to help kill a monster that had wrought destruction upon the Academy. Do you plan on helping rebuild it? Also with the Seireitei in its current state, will you help rebuild it? If so, will there be any changes? I assume as a teacher you have some plans hidden away?
Yūichirō Shihōin: Thanks isn't needed in my line of work. Every shinigami that graduates should understand what the job is requiring of someone, and the fact of the matter is: if you aren't willing to die, you should not be a Shinigami. I have been tasked with the rebuilding of the academy campus and I'm seeing to its restoration personally. I've even gone ahead and begun drafting the blueprints for the grounds in its entirety. The goal is to have the new facilities uphold the honor of the old, while taking the time to improve upon what needed fixing. I've even lent my own personal salary to the project to maximize on the future educational improvements I plan on making to the curriculum. I won't bore you with the exact details, but I will say this—the next generation of shinigami will be much more prepared than any generation that has come before it. I promise you that.
Aiko Fujimoto: While we are on the subject of destruction, what is your opinion on the destruction of the Shiba Manor? How do you feel about that? both as a noble and as a shinigami?
Yūichirō Shihōin: [He visibly shifts in his seat. Not out of unease, but in preparation to answer a rather loaded question.] Its both a terrible tragedy and I think an unfortunate inevitability. Given the history of the clan, and the events in history surrounding them....I think its best that we move on from such a turbulent era. I hope that answers your question.
Aiko Fujimoto: It does, but this next one might make you... a bit uneasy to answer? With three notable members of the Shihōin clan fighting to save the Seireitei, do you think this is the start to the path of redemption for you and your clan?
Yūichirō Shihōin: I think it was an important display of loyalty and strength for our clan as a whole. However, at the end of the day, we are soldiers. Our personal interests cannot interfere with the outcome of the mission. It matters not about how we are perceived, but the actions that we take to set an example for not just our military, but all souls alike.
Aiko Fujimoto: Lastly, what are your aspirations?
Yūichirō Shihōin: To see the Gotei Thirteen thrive through the chaotic turmoil. For us to learn from our mistakes and avoid becoming avengers. What i aspire, is to be apart of a Gotei of preventers. Protectors. Gaurdians. Not a group of brigands, power mongrels or criminals. Ultimately—i aspire to be apart of great change in the Soul Society, and to create something that lasts the test of time.
