Author's Note:
Hey all! Here's the new update. Thankfully, it took a much shorter time compared to the last one. Please continue to keep pressuring me to update, I think it's quite effective! Also, thank you all so much for all the reviews, favourites and alerts, they make me a happy writer.
Just to clear up a few things since I've gotten a few questions on this, yes, Hidan did give up his immortality in the first chapter. However, when he reached Soul Society, he continued his Jashin rituals, so it only makes sense that he gets it back. Besides, immortality is such a big part of Hidan's character. It wouldn't feel right if I took it away from him completely.
Enjoy(:
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryƫsai lifted his hands to rub his temples while he tried to straighten out his thoughts. Even a wise man like him had his limits. Sure, given his age, he'd seen his fair share of odd occurrences and freak shows, but nothing quite like the pair that currently stood before him. They were nowhere near creepy, but definitely perplexing to a certain degree.
The current last-minute Captains' and Vice-Captains' Meeting had been started by the man - who later introduced himself as Hidan - who barged into his office, demanding to become a shinigami, with all of the other captains trailing behind him with sheepish expressions. He had also left a rather unsightly pool of blood in the office from the gaping hole in the centre of his chest, and didn't seem sorry about it at all.
Regaining his composure, Yamamoto let his gaze sweep across the room, taking in all the captains and their respective lieutenants in their orderly rows. Finally, his eyes fell on Hidan and Sasori who were in the middle of the room.
"So... Let me get this straight," Yamamoto began. "Hidan, you were the one behind all the mass murders, yet you want to become a shinigami. You also already have had a zanpakuto since you were in the real world for as long as you could remember. You also are immortal and have immense spiritual power because of your involvement in the Jashin religion. Sasori, you want to become a shinigami too. You have committed no crimes, but you were Hidan's comrade when you both were still alive."
"Yeah," Hidan said impatiently while Sasori gave a curt nod.
"I see," Yamamoto continued. "For Sasori, your case is simple. I will allow you to go to the Shinigami Academy. You should be able to graduate quickly and join the ranks of the Gotei-Thirteen since you are already proficient in combat and have valuable experience in battle."
"Thank you," Sasori said.
Yamamoto rounded on Hidan. "As for you, I'm afraid it's more complicated. You have been killing the people we are meant to protect, yet you want to be a shinigami. Do you see the irony in that?
"I don't give a damn about what you think," Hidan retorted. "I don't want to disobey Jashin-sama, he's more important than you are, old man."
"Yes," Yamamoto resumed the rubbing of his temples. "That's another problem; your religion and its twisted practices. I simply cannot allow you to become a shinigami no matter what. You are a danger to all of us here in Soul Society. You will only bring chaos and disaster."
"What the heck?!" Hidan shouted. He was getting pissed at the man who resembled a wrinkly prune. Chaos and disaster, according to Hidan, or at least Jashin, were good things. The old man didn't understand anything. However, he decided to pose a valid argument instead.
"But I have a zanpakuto already," He said simply. "And since I've had it for as long as I can remember, doesn't it mean that I'm meant to become a shinigami?"
"And then again," Yamamoto countered, "Why exactly do you want to become a shinigami?"
There was a pause. "... Because I'm bored of Rukongai and the wimps that live there. There's nothing better to do."
"Precisely," Yamamoto said. "Your intentions are not good. In what way would that benefit the whole of Soul Society?"
Before Hidan could reply and show Yamamoto just exactly how colourful his vocabulary was, someone else spoke up on his behalf.
"Captain Commander," it was Aizen Souske. He took a step forward. "If I may voice my opinion, I would think that it would be better if Hidan-san becomes a shinigami. By taking him in now, we could ensure that his loyalties lie with us. There is also no doubt that his reiatsu levels and immortality would be an invaluable asset to us. Like Hidan-san also already mentioned, he has a zanpakuto, so we should at least ensure that it is put to good use, instead of letting him run free and cause more destruction."
Yamamoto considered the fifth division captain's words. It made sense, but there were still loopholes in the plan. "How would we ensure that the man is indeed loyal to us and doesn't cause anymore trouble?"
"I believe that placing him under the command of a capable captain shall solve the problem, sir."
Yamamoto could understand this. Having the right captain leading Hidan would, in due time, be able to gain Hidan's loyalty. And since all the captains' loyalty lay with him and the good of Soul Society, Hidan's loyalties would have to lie there, too.
"Well then, Aizen-taicho, would you be the one taking responsibility for him?"
Aizen replied smoothly without hesitation. "No, captain commander, I believe that Zaraki-taicho would be a most suitable captain for Hidan-san. Based on what I have seen of this man so far, he would do the best in the eleventh division under such a captain."
"Me?" Zaraki Kenpachi was now listening intently. Sure, he had already considered Hidan and thought about him. He was a tough and worthy opponent, all right. He had actually made him forget totally about challenging Ichigo to another fight. Plus, he could go all-out in a battle against him; he was immortal anyway.
"But," Yamamoto argued, "He doesn't know any kido at all. Not even the basics."
Zaraki's eyes shone brighter. "That," he said, "Makes him an even more suitable choice for my division."
"Hey," Hidan interjected. "Don't I get a say in any of this shit?"
"No" was the immediate response from Yamamoto, Zaraki and Aizen.
"Well, I sure don't mind taking this guy in," Zaraki continued said as Hidan proceeded to sulk. "He interests me."
Yachiru, who had remained quite silent since the start of the meeting, jumped onto Zaraki's shoulder. "Yay! Ken-chan will be happy if Hi-Hi joins us!"
Hidan only managed a flabbergasted look. "'Hi-Hi'? Is that supposed to be me? What the - "
"So what is your decision, captain commander?" Aizen cut in.
Yamamoto wasn't totally convinced yet. "I want to get the opinions of the other captains first." He nodded to the others who hadn't spoken up yet.
Kyoraku Shunsui stepped forward. "Yama-jii, I think we should give Hidan-chan a chance," he said. "I don't think he is an entirely bad person."
If Kyoraku hadn't stood up for him, Hidan would have probably tried to throttle the man. Now he was 'Hidan-chan' too? Too much. Too damn much.
"But then again," Yamamoto said, "You often tend to see the best in people, Kyoraku-taicho."
"Captain commander," it was Kurotsuchi Mayuri this time. "I, too, believe that Hidan-san should be given a chance."
In truth, Kurotsuchi only thought that Hidan, given his unique skills and circumstances, would make a good experiment, and the only way to get his hands on him would be if he was close by. In order to be close by, he needed to be a shinigami, not to mention the twelfth and eleventh division buildings were quite near to each other.
"I think that the man in question should be placed under Zaraki-taicho," Hitsugaya Toshirou said. "Not because he is worthy of being a shinigami, but because the consequences of someone like him unsupervised and bitter towards us would be far more troublesome."
Several of the other captains and lieutenants nodded in agreement.
"Considering that Hidan-san cannot be put to death, even if it was by the Sokyoku, allowing him to become a shinigami would the the wisest choice," Kuchiki Byakuya added. "There is really nothing much we can do about him to ensure Soul Society's safety except for this."
Soi Fon glowered at Hidan. For some reason she couldn't put her finger on, she didn't really like the man. However, despite her dislike for him, she had to admit that Byakuya was right. "I agree," she said.
Yamamoto nodded. He had heard enough. His captains had put up a reasonable argument, and he had to agree that they were right. He held up his hands to indicate that he had made his decision, and the room was immediately silent.
"Your points are all valid. I am convinced. Hidan, from today onwards you will be placed in the eleventh division under Zaraki-taicho. Zaraki-taicho, I expect that you will take full responsibility for him. You are to instruct him carefully and teach him the way the Gotei-Thirteen functions, as well as any other basic techniques that he may require to know. I also want weekly reports on his progress from you."
"Hell yeah!" Hidan pumped his fist into the air as a triumphant gesture. "You hear that, Sasori? I'm gonna be a shinigami, and I don't need to go through the dumb academy either!" In response, Sasori scoffed and turned away from him in envy.
"Yay!" Yachiru cheered as she saw a grin stretched onto Zaraki's face. "This is going to be fun!"
Yamamoto gave a final nod. "Meeting dismissed."
Yay! Sorry that it was a rather short chapter this time round, but it's cos I only wanted to write the captains' meeting scene for this one. From the next chapter on, the fun really starts!
Also, if you guys would like to see anything in particular for this story, don't hesitate to voice it out. For things like if you want to see more Naruto characters, or any idea that you think would be cool, for example. Also, Sasori won't really be a major character in the story, unless I happen to come up with a situation where he is of huge importance.
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review, I love getting all your feedback.
