Off
Something seemed a little…off with the Yamamoto. His normal, quiet, peaceful nature morphed into one of bipolar tendencies. Switching from his enjoyment of viewing the younger squads spar, to raging when they stepped off too slowly or failed to block a hit from the opponents' sword.
Just yesterday the elder captain ordered Kira, Renji, Hisagi and Matsumoto on a bogus scouting mission on assumption that a large, powerful group of hollows were materializing on the edges of Soul Society. They, of course, accepted their mission and came back with numerous gashes and bloody swords from their run in with high level hollows. Byakuya fumed silently as he saw Hisagi race his half dead, red headed friend into Unohana's care with a gaping hole in his side. Why had Captain Yamamoto issued such an order?
Yes, something was indeed off and the remaining captains knew it.
Ever since Captain Yamamoto, Shunsui and Ukitake came back from their mission- to slay an enormous hollow that was devouring the souls of thousands of residents within the far regions of Soul Society- the elder captain had developed these mood swings. He tried to keep these emotions under control but failed miserably, lashing out at captains and subordinates as he pleased. How could one such as he give into his emotions so easily?
Not only were the captains and vice captains realizing this, but their subordinates noticed as well, thus spreading the rumor that their elite Captain Yamamoto was finally loosing his mind. Questions and comments raced through the Gotei 13 squads like wildfire:
"I wonder what's up with Captain Yamamoto…"
"He was overseeing our training and then began yelling at Captain Kuchki! No one has ever yelled at Captain Kuchki! His face was made paler than usual under Captain Yamamoto's critiques…"
"How old is Captain Yamamoto anyways?"
"The many years of long battles are finally getting to him eh?"
"Hey I heard that he was bitten by a hollow and that it had some poison and it's affecting him!"
"I overheard some of the fourth division members talking about how Captain Yamamoto is sick with a new virus that the hollow had in its blood."
"All those scars on his body… I heard that he got even more since that fight with the hollow and that its claws penetrated him and cut his organs!"
"I hear that he's gonna die soon. What are we going to do? Who's going to take his position?"
"Wasn't he supposed to live forever? I mean, he's Captain Yamamoto! He like never gets hurt."
"Why did he go on that mission? Doesn't he normally send others? I think that he's finally loosing it you guys. To think that, of all people here in Soul Society, he's the one who is actually loosing his mind. And here I thought he was the greatest thing."
"Do you think he will be reincarnated as a regular human or something?"
"It's so weird that only Captain Yamamoto is the one suffering…"
"How come Captain Ukitake and Captain Shunsui didn't do anything to prevent this? Do you think that they're plotting against us like Ichimaru and Aizen?!"
"What's going to happen to Soul Society?"
Yes, many questions to be asked; but are any answered truthfully according to facts, or are they merely fabricated conclusions made from over active minds of the young subordinates within the Gotei 13 squads? One thing that all knew was that their glorious Captain Yamamoto was failing in his duties as the head Captain of the 13 guard squads. How is he to lead the other captains efficiently and effectively with his mental condition?
The day came when the captains, minus the three in Hueco Mundo and Captain Yamamoto, assembled to discuss their current situation with their beloved leader.
"This issue has gone on long enough, we need to find a remedy for his illness before we make and drastic changes to the order here in Soul Society's Gotei 13." The sickly captain of squad 13 stated as he took his seat in their meeting room.
"I do not think there is anything to be thought about. It is obvious that the man has finally lost it. His emotions are unstable and the rumors that our subordinates have conjured up are atrocious." Soi Fon said as she slammed her fist onto the wooden table in rage.
"Calm down. Guys he's been here for over two thousand years, seen many events unfold and dealt with millions upon millions of hollows. It is a wonder that he is just now showing signs of breaking." Ukitake defended his mentor's honor as he let out a loud cough.
"Yes, I have to agree with Captain Ukitake. It is a miracle that we have had Captain Yamamoto leading us for this long." Byakuya Kuchki's voice sounded strong throughout the concealed room.
"Hn. But you weren't there when he blew up at my squad and almost killed Ikkaku for joking around with him! If I weren't there to stop Yamamoto, Ikkaku would be ashes right now Kuchki. I know he got mad at you too so don't go sayin' that he's all that great. I know you're still mad about the mission he sent Renji on with the others. You saw how bloody they all came back. Renji was half dead!" Captain Zaraki's roar sent quivering waves of doubt of their leader's decisions throughout their bodies.
"Captain Zaraki watch your mouth whilst speaking about Captain Yamamoto! Hold your tongue if you wish to speak ill of him you-" Soi Fon was cut off due to Shunsui's interruption.
"Stop bickering. It's not helping at all. We came here to discuss what to do, not yell at one another. Captain Yamamoto…I…believe it's in our best interests to…" The laid back captain looked around the room, capturing the gazes of his fellow captains.
"What? What's in our best interests?" Captain Hitsugaya urged his comrade.
"We need to replace him. He is becoming unstable. During our fight with the hollow, Ukitake and I could have easily destroyed it but Yamamoto took control. He told us to stay back while he took care of the 'ferocious beast'. We did as ordered…but… the way he killed it was in humane… he took his time in butchering the hollow, yelling out raged filled curses. The scary part was that he looked like he was enjoying it."
The remaining captains, save for Ukitake, started in shock at this revelation that presented itself before them. They all absorbed it like sponges, taking in the facts and running it through their intellectual minds, trying to come up with solutions to this problem and finding that their best choice is what Shunsui stated moments ago: they needed to replace their head captain for the best of Soul Society.
"I do believe that you are right, Shunsui." Captain Unohana said quietly. The healer felt remorse and guilt weld up in her chest as she said these words, feeling that she's betraying Captain Yamamoto somehow.
"I second that." Komomura nodded his head in approval.
The other members nodded their heads as well, agreeing with Shunsui's proposal.
Shunsui took a steadying breath before concluding their meeting. "We have all known Captain Yamamoto for many years. We have gladly accepted his orders and carried them out fully. We need to act as one and have him relinquish his position as first division leader and head captain. Ponder on this tonight, we will resume tomorrow and discuss this matter further. We will not act hastily; he might recover from whatever spell he is in now. Watch for him and halt any rumors that are being spread."
That being said, the captains dismissed and headed to their rooms.
TBC
Thanks for reading.
Review?
~ChaosGarden
