Find the New Captains
With the war with Aizen now over the Soul Society was now at peace. Each captain and lieutenant each carried some visible reminder of the war they'd managed to win by the skin of their teeth. But all the same they'd won and the Soul Society was safe once again, leaving its leaders to focus on other matters.
None stressed over these matters more than the Head-Captain himself. The organization he'd managed to build from the ground up, one of the strongest militaries ever assembled was brought to their knees by three traitors, and during their time of rebuilding their weakness were exploited and they were attacked. It was a weakness Yamamoto could not tolerate any longer, and he was sure he had a remedy for it. The thought that occupied his mind most as of late was the rebuilding of his officer's seats.
The rebuilding had been going fine so far, recently they'd been able to fill the Lieutenants position in Squad 13 with Rukia Kuchiki's promotion thus taking some pressure off Ukitake, but finding Captain's was another matter.
While the three traitors had to be dealt with, Mayuri Kurotshuchi's sudden departure was totally unexpected. While the Captains seemed happy to be rid of him, Toshiro felt the other way. The Head-Captain felt similar given his current plight, smart men like Mayrui were hard to find.
But who could fill the vacant positions? The Vizords, they had all been Soul Reaper officers once. No, the Head-Captain could not ask them they held a grudge against him and Yamamoto could feel deep in his heart that the Vizords would come and try an enact his revenge against him. They could try at least.
While the old man's mind was investigating any option. He needed new officers, but he could not be hasty; he'd have to investigate deep into the squads to find the right candidates. He could not afford other traitors to walk in and take advantage of his organization.
The Head- Captain was broken from his thoughts as his Lieutenant Sasakibe Chojiro pushed open the doors of his office and walked in. In his arms he carried in his hands a tray and on it an empty cup and a steaming kettle with it.
Yamamoto turned his eyes over to his lieutenant as he walked closer and closer to him, until he stood before him. Sasakibe seemed to not have noticed and proceeded to put the tray down on the old man's desk.
Yamamoto continued to watch his lieutenant as he emptied the hot kettle and filled the empty cup. The other sound was of the water splashing into the cup. Once it was full Sasakibe put the kettle down and gripped the cup, extending it towards the founder of the Gotei 13.
"Your tea, sir." Was all he said, he had not been aware his Captain had been studying him and turning a thought in his mind.
"Thank you." Was Yamamoto's reply as he extended his hand and took the cup bringing it to his lips. Sasakibe gripped the tray with the kettle on it and turned to leave. Yamamoto stopped sipping as his lieutenant turned." Lieutenant Chojiro." Said the old man's voice stopping him." Have you ever given thought of being a captain?" The lieutenant jolted slightly at the words and then slowly turned around and faced the Head-Captain.
"Your offer is gracious." He replied calmly." But I've said before, I will serve no one other than you, Head-Captain Yamamoto." Yamamoto knew that answer would come before he even asked the question, but he nodded when the reply was given.
"You're a good man Sasakibe." He said as he did so." But you've just made my job harder."
"Sir?" Yamamoto stood up and moved over to the balcony, looking out over all the Soul Society.
"Lieutenant." Said Yamamoto his voice changed now to a commanding tone as he was ready to give out an order." Send a note to all the Captains." Sasakibe stood and listened to every word." Tell them to look into their divisions and look for those they deem worthy of wearing the Captain's uniform."
"It will be done, sir." Said Sasakibe. Then he turned and left, exiting the Head-Captain's office and going about his task.
Yamamoto kept his eyes on the Soul Society out before him. There would be trying times ahead of them, and he thought of the past.
Sasakibe had made quick work of printing out the document the Head-Captain had requested. Then he went about his task and delivered the document to every division. Once it was handed to them the Captains began reading it over.
Byakuya read the letter as Renji stood nearby, having just handed it to him.
Kenpachi sat on the edge of his bed, Soifion leaning up and reading it over his shoulder.
Unohanna, Shunsui and Ukitake were reading over the letter as they sat in the fourth division. They had originally been going over Ukitake's illness but now had been preoccupied by the matter at hand.
Toshiro read over it while trying to keep Rangiku from seeing it, but being taller than him it was a losing battle.
Sajin held the paper in his hands and read it over. Once he had finished his arm fell down to his side. Then he brought his other hand up and ran it across his chin, as if he was in deep thought.
Later that day the Captains had gathered in the Squad One barracks to discuss the issue at hand. They each lined up single file on both sides of the room, and then the Head Captain walked in with his Lieutenant following behind. Then as he sat back into his seat and banged his cane against the floor, the meeting was begun.
"Now." He began." I am sure you are all aware of why you've been summoned here today. With four Captains positions vacant we need to fill them as soon as possible should an emergency rise. But we can't falter in our decision, those chosen must be worthy of the rank. So have any of you got an idea?"
The answer was not one the Head-Captain liked, complete silence.
Rumors in the Soul Society spread like wild fire and everyone wanted to know all the dirty details on this 'New Captains' business. Some rumors spoke of new Captains coming from the Zero Divisions, others spoke of promotions to the Zero Division, and a low majority talk about the Head-Captain giving everybody a monthly leave full paid vacation.
The Lieutenants now gathered in the Eighth division to discuss what they'd heard. The room they were in was crowd with so many bodies and individual conversations, everyone was yelling to try and make sure what they said was heard.
"Order!" called Nanao as she banged her hand against the table." Order!" With the second bang the commotion died down and the lieutenants all turned to her." Now why don't we discuss these actions in an orderly matter? We won't know anything until Lieutenant Sasakibe shows up to deliver the facts so there's no point getting bent up about it." A small murmur broke out amongst the group." Lieutenant Abari has the floor." Then Nanao moved out of the way as Renji stepped up.
"I handed my Captain the letter today." He told." And before I handed it to him, I was able to make some of it out." The Lieutenants from their respective divisions all leaned in to hear what he would say better." All I could make out was that the Head-Captain is looking for new Captains." A loud murmur broke out amongst the group.
"New Captains." Said Momo. "That would make sense."
"I heard something different." Spoke up Hisagi. Everyone quickly turned over and looked at him. "I hear they were firing all of us." His words earning a gasp from the whole room.
"They can't do that!" exclaimed Rukia." I've only just been promoted to this rank!"
"This is Bullshit!" screamed Iba." I didn't do anything wrong!" The Lieutenants then all began yelling amongst themselves while Nanao tried to regain control by shouting 'Order, Order'.
Rangiku stood away from the crowd by the window. Looking out it she could see the mighty Squad One barracks, where she knew her Captain was discussing the future of the Soul Society with his peers.
But the Captains meeting was going the exact opposite as the Lieutenants. It had been quiet for some time before someone spoke up.
"The Substitute Soul Reaper." Spoke up Byakuya.
"Ichigo?" asked Kenpachi turning to him.
"What about him?" asked Shunsui.
"He's certainly skilled enough." Said Byakuya." At a Captain level already, perhaps we should enlist him to be a full time Soul Reaper."
"We can't just give these positions out." Spoke up Soifon." Just because he has the qualifications doesn't means he's suited for the job."
"I have to agree with Captain Soifon on this." Spoke Ukitake." It takes a lot to do the jobs we do."
"But Ichigo Kurosaki has proven to be useful in past conflicts." Added Unohana. Yamamoto's eyes darted from Captain to Captain, they all appeared divided on the subject of Ichigo as a Captain. He watched as they argued amongst themselves but he noticed Captain Hitsugaya remained quiet the whole time.
"Enough." Spoke up Yamamoto, his voice raining over all others." It is true we cannot give these positions away. But then again Ichigo Kurosaki is a different case and has helped us in the past." He looked around at the Captains." Therefore we shall put it to a vote. All those in favor of conducting a test of the Substitute Soul Reaper's skill raised your right hand."
Ukitake, Shunsui, Unohanna, and Byakuya raised their right hands for Yes. In reverse Soifon, Kenpachi, Sajin raised their hands for No.
Yamamoto looked around the room, noticing who voted 'Yes' and who voted 'No'. But when he counted he noticed that the votes were uneven, someone had not voted. And it was not hard for him to figure out.
"Captain Hitsuagya." He said and the little Captain poked his head out from the shadow of Sajin's hulking frame.
"Me, sir." He asked.
"What do you vote?" asked Yamamoto. Toshiro cocked his head to the ground then turned it back up looking at his fellow Captains.
"I would normally not vote this way." He said." But we do need these positions filled and a test seemed adequate. I vote yes." The Captains were a mix of emotions, most of them happy.
"It's decided." Said Yamamoto."Captain Kuchiki will head to the world of the living to conduct these test on Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya nodded. Toshiro turned to head back to his place."Captain Hitsugaya, wait." Said Yamamoto." I have a special task for you."
"Me?" asked Toshiro somewhat confused as he turned back, a Captain had already been picked to see out these trails two was not necessary something else was in the old man's mind. Yamamoto rose from his chair and began walking down the isles of Captains until he stood before the little Captain.
"You." Told the Head-Captain as he pointed his finger at Toshiro." Will accompany Captain Kuchiki to the world of the Living. While he is dealing with Ichigo Kurosaki's trails you will go to Mayrui Kurotsuchi."
"Why?" asked Toshiro even more confused." What's he got to do with any of this?"
"Is it not obvious." Replied Yamamoto." See if he is interested in having his old job back."
"Head-Captain." Said Shunsui stepping up." I do not think Mayrui will accept such an offer. Besides he was always a strange fellow, I don't want him back here." He added with a slight shutter of discomfort. The other Captains murmured their agreement.
"It is true." Said Yamamoto looking at the other Captains." Mayuri never fit in with the rest of you. We are all very different, from different walks of life. And while the rest of us could come together untied Mayuri was always in the background. But a man as smart as him doesn't come along every day, and the department of research is a very important one." Now he turned back to Toshiro." That is why you must go." He said to him." Tell him to return, that he has family here waiting for him." If not 'family' in terms of how the Captains felt about each other in actuality because he did leave his daughter behind." Can you do that, my boy?" asked Yamamoto as he put his hand down on Toshiro's shoulder.
"I'll do what I can." Replied Toshiro with a slight nod.
"Excellent."
With the meeting over Byakuya and Toshiro made their way to the gates of the Soul Society where the portal would open that would take them to the world of the living.
"So I shall go to Ichigo's." said Byakuya." And you too Mayuri's."
"That's the idea." Said Toshiro. The portal opened and the two walked towards it. Then in no time at all the two were in the sky's above karakura town.
"Here we are." Said Byakuya.
"I just hope this all turns out to be worth it." Said Toshiro.
"Right." Agreed Byakuya." Now there's no time to lose." Toshiro then nodded and headed off in his own direction." Good Luck."
Ichigo had woken up that morning as if it was any morning. He slammed hand down on his alarm silencing it and then proceeded to slowly get up and prepare for school. He wondered from his bed to the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He put his hand on the knob and opened the door, he would be shocked with what he saw next.
Standing there before him was Byakuya Kuchiki Captain of Gotei 13 Squad 6.
"BWAH!" Ichigo exclaimed as he jumped back, hitting his head against the door. Byakuya stood there unmoved." Byakuya?" Ichigo said confused as he rubbed the back of his head with one hand and used the other to keep himself covered with the towel." What are you doing here?"
"I've been sent here on a mission." Told Byakuya, seemingly calm despite how offset Ichigo seemed." The Head-Captain wants to know those who qualify for Captain's positions, your name came up and now I'm here to evaluate you."
"Evaluate?" asked Ichigo as he still fumbled with the towel to cover himself." Evaluate how?"
"Quite simple really." Was the reply." I will be follow you around today and will see how you react in your everyday life. From there I will see if you are qualified or not." Ichigo stood back and tried to see in Byakuya's expression if this was all some kind of sick joke, but he had the feeling this was real.
"I don't really like that idea." Said Ichigo." I have no interest of becoming a Captain."
"You work for us." Told Byakuya as he pointed." Substitute or not, when the Head-Captain gives an order you follow."
"Well I refuse this examination." Said Ichigo." I've got school to go to and-"
"Exactly school." Said Byakuya." That'll be the best place to access you. Now get showered and dressed." He added pointing to the shower. Ichigo grumbled a response all Byakuya could hear was 'Bullshit' as Ichigo headed into the shower. After Ichigo left the Captain pulled out a small notebook and began writing down a strike list for Ichigo.
'Has a problem with authority' he wrote down.
"Are you still out there?" called Ichigo from the shower having not turned it on yet.
"Yes."
"Well can you leave, I need my privacy." Byakuya said nothing but continued to write in his notebook.
Meanwhile Toshiro had made his way over to Mayuri and Kiganjo's home. HE walked up to the big door, standing before it taking deep breaths as he tried to think of the best way to go in a situation like this. Mayuri did not like to be messed with, he would surely like a straight-up confrontation.
Toshiro took another deep breath and slowly raised his hand towards the door, preparing to knock. But then before he could the door opened up and there stood Kiganjo, his massive belly shooting out of the doorway. Had he have knocked on the door he would now have been knocking on his belly.
The bigger man leaned down and saw him standing there.
"Oh it's you Halfling." He said with in seemingly pleased manner." Come in." Then he turned form the doorway and walked inside, Toshiro following in toe.
Meanwhile Byakuya followed Ichigo to school. And as always when the Soul Reapers visited he was undercover as a regular student, but none of the Soul Reapers knew how to be covert in these situations.
"Ichigo." Said the teacher getting his attention as he walked into the room." Who's your friend?"
"He's the new student." Lied Ichigo." I was showing him to class."
"Welcome." She said holding a hand out to Byakuya, however the Captain starred at her hand uninterested.
"He doesn't." told Ichigo. The teacher brought back her hand confused and Ichigo and Byakuya headed to their seats with Byakuya behind Ichigo.
Within a few minutes the teacher had started the lesson, and it took longer for Ichigo to fall asleep at his desk. Byakuya right behind him shook his head and pulled out his little notebook to write another strike down.
"If he can't stay awake for this." He said in his quiet voice." How can he stay awake at Captain's meetings. Even Kyoraku has the decency to stay awake."
Meanwhile Kiganjo led Toshiro into the Kitchen were Mayuri was sitting at the table, a clipboard in his left hand and a pencil in the other. Mayuri scribbled something down on it but his eyes rolled over and saw the two enter.
"The Hobbit is here." Said Kiganjo pointing to Toshiro who followed behind him. Mayuri made eye contact with Toshiro as he walked into the room and froze.
"How ya doin?" asked Mayuri as he broke eye-contact and turned his eyes back to his clipboard.
"Good afternoon." Said Toshiro forcing a wide fake-smile. Mayuri however did not see it and scribbled something down. Kiganjo dug into his pockets and pulled out his pipe now looking for his tobacco and matches." How are you doing?"
"Can't complain." Replied Mayuri in an uninterested manner as he looked at his paper. Toshiro gulped as he looked around the room, and realized this was going to be harder than he thought. Kiganjo had found his matches and tobacco and was now lit his pipe. Then he began to blow smoke rings around the room.
"So what have you guys been up to?" asked Toshiro. Mayuri stopped his writing and set his clipboard down on his lap, then turned his head to face Toshiro again.
"Why are you here?" he asked without changing his tone.
"W-What are you talking about?" asked Toshiro." I can't come by to see my friends." Mayuri and Kiganjo turned their heads and made eye contact sharing similar looks of 'Bullshit'. Then they turned back and faced Toshiro." Okay I'll be straight up." Said Toshiro after suffering from the two staring at him for far too long." The Head-Captain has sent me here, with the offer of giving you your job back." Mayuri straightened himself out and turned his body to face Toshiro completely, but he looked uninterested, Toshiro would have to think of something quick." He says he can offer you the unity and family feeling of the Soul Society." What happened next scarred him.
Mayuri let out a long smile, from ear to ear showing off all his yellow teeth. A small dark chuckled escaping from his throat. Toshiro stepped back and looked to Kiganjo who passively watched on the whole time puffing on his pipe. Then Mayuri brought up his clipboard and began writing once again chuckling the whole time. Toshiro leaned in to try and get a look but could not see, Kiganjo did the same and was able to see.
Then Mayuri picked up his head and faced Toshiro. Then he ripped the paper off the clipboard and handed it to Toshiro." You go back to the Head-Captain." He said still grinning hard." And you give him this." Toshiro reached out his hand and read the paper over and it wasn't long before his eyes opened wide from shock and his jaw nearly hit the floor. He turned from the obscene message and back to its writer who nodded to him.
"I-I." he stuttered." I can't give this to him. He'll-"
"You give it to him." Said Mayuri pointing to him." Give it to him, and tell him I wrote it." Toshiro's hands shivered as he folded the note and put it in his coats.
"And tell him I send my regards." Added Kiganjo.
"Good day gentlemen." He said still shaking and in a weak voice. Then he turned and left.
"Come back anytime." Called Kiganjo as he left." We have tea at four, just walk right in." Then Toshiro exited their home as Mayuri went back to his work and Kiganjo puffed his pipe.
Meanwhile Ichigo and Byakuya were walking back to Ichigo's home after school, Byakuya looking over his little notebook.
"So how does it look for me?" asked Ichigo.
"On the fence." Replied Byakuya in his normal tone." You have two strikes, but if you cannot fool around the rest of the day you should be fine." Ichigo turned away from him. The two walked on in silence for some time before a third party showed up. In his pocket Ichigo's phone began to ring.
He casually pulled it out and opened it, his eyes bugged open an act noticed by Byakuya. But to look normal Ichigo put his phone to his eat.
"Hello." He said into it still trying to sound normal, but his voice cracked. Byakuya not totally interested in who he was talking to kept his eyes on Ichigo." Yes, hello." Ichigo continued with a fake smile. Now Ichigo thought his phone wasn't on speaker well he was wrong.
"Hey there Ichigo." Came Rukia's voice on the other end in a sultry manner. Byakuya looked surprised, or as surprised as someone like him could look." I can't wait to see you again Ichigo. After all the 'fun' we had last time I can't wait to see you again. You and your big-" But then Ichigo quickly closed his phone and looked to Byakuya with a nervous smile.
"Hehe wrong number." He said despite his name had been said twice in the conversation. But Byakuya just looked at him with his unforgiving eyes." I suppose that's a strike?" Byakuya said nothing but pulled out his sword. Ichigo quickly turned and ran from the mountains of flower pedals flying after him.
Later Toshiro met Byakuya at the exact spot they departed this morning. Toshiro walked back still shivering, and when he looked up and saw Byakuya he didn't seem any better off.
"I hope you had a more productive time than I did." Toshiro said to him as they approached each other.
"If only." Said Byakuya slightly annoyed.
"Then I take it Ichigo won't have your recommendation for the Captain's seat?"
"I curse that the thought came into my head. Now I only desire to get the hell out of here." Then with that a portal opened before them and the two headed back to the Soul Society, back home.
The two entered the Squad One barracks to find that the other Captains had all gathered there. The Captains watched the two as they walked in, observing and judging them with their eyes.
"Good to see you back so soon boys." The Head-Captain spoke up." I hope your venture was a success." Byakuya and Toshiro stopped in the center of the room and looked to each other. They said nothing but visual asked 'Do you want to go first?'
Then Byakuya stepped up and spoke." Apologizes Head-Captain." He said." But my mission to test Ichigo Kurosaki's ability's for Captain Qualifications did not go as I had hoped." The Head-Captain raised an eyebrow at him." It is my recommendation that he not be considered for Captain class." Then Byakuya stepped back down and next to Toshiro.
Yamamoto nodded his head. He understood but the option had been explored, he could not regret that. His mood was calm but Toshiro had the feeling he was going to get mad." Captain Hitsugaya?" he said addressing him." What of your venture?"
Toshiro looked to the ground and took a deep breath. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out a piece of paper. The Captains looked on in confused interest. Toshiro then walked across the room and stood before the Head-Captain.
Then Toshiro extended the paper to the old man who reached out and grabbed the paper. Toshiro stepped back forcing down a gulp as Yamamoto casually began reading the paper.
He couldn't have gotten past the first sentence before his eyes opened wide just as Toshiro's had. A large blood vessel grew in his forehead and his hands gripped the paper tighter as he continued to read it.
The Captains watched on, but none of them wanting to say anything or suffer the wrath that was to come.
When Yamamoto had appeared to be finished he crushed the paper between his hands, grunting as he did so.
"And um." Said Toshiro in a small voice but Yamamoto's head shot towards him anyway." K-Kiganjo sends his regards." Then Yamamoto's eyes burst open and flames shot all around him.
Needless to say that was the end of that meeting.
Later that night the Head-Captain returned to his quarters in a foul mood. It was easily noticed by the scowl on his face and his Lieutenant saw it.
"Sir is something bothering you?" he asked as the Head-Captain walked past him.
"I don't want to talk about it!" the old man bellowed. His voice loud as thunder. Then he walked into his room and sat at his desk. He had a lot of frustration built in him now, two ideas for Captains positions had been denied. Now he would have to think of something else, then he got an idea." Lieutenant Sasakibe!" he called." Come here!" Moments later his Lieutenant appeared before him." I have a special assignment." Said Yamamoto as he pointed to his lieutenant.
"Whatever you ask I will do."
"Go to the Soul Reaper Academy." Ordered Yamamoto." Find the best in their class and have them come here for the Captains examination." It wasn't a totally weird request, others had graduated from the academy and had become Captains or Lieutenants.
"But sir." Said Sasakibe." If I am not here, who will be here to protect you?"
"I am here." Said Yamamoto." That is the bet security there is." Sasakibe nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"I am entrusting you with this important mission." Said Yamamoto." Go and do not fail me." Then without another word Sasakibe left.