Ugh, two days late! Sorry!
First off, I apologize for mispelling Sokyoku. I was convinced that it was spelled Sogyoku, but I was wrong. Secondly, the plot has thickened! Finally, I hope you enjoy this latest chapter of Put to the Test! Review and tell me if you did or not!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Sui Feng sighs before casting a kido at the substitute that she could easily sense from a spirit mile away. Even with the blindfold on, she points directly at Ichigo before uttering the words, "Bakudo number one: Sai."
Ichigo falls to the ground for the 87th time that day, his arms bound behind his back. He swiftly breaks out of it, however, and is standing back up in no time. He had quickly learned that Sui Feng wouldn't let him out of the binding spells and that he'd have to do so himself.
"You're trying to hard," the captain says without taking the blindfold off. "The more you try, the denser your spiritual pressure gets."
"I don't know how to control it if I don't try, dammit!" Ichigo says, frustrated. If anything, he's gotten progressively worse as the training has gone on. It's now late in the first day of his training, which had started immediately after he had grasped his own spirit ribbon.
"It's not about control, right now you're trying to learn how to restrict your spiritual pressure. Trying to jump right into controlling it before knowing how to simply suppress it is like sprinting before learning how to crawl," Sui Feng states. "Right now, just try to hide it, to make it non-existent."
"Agh, this still doesn't make any sense!" Ichigo exclaims, gripping his hair angrily.
"Try this," Sui Feng says, disappointed that she has to revert to basic training techniques. "Visualize a stream of running water. That stream is your spiritual pressure, and right now, it's completely unrestricted."
Ichigo nods with his eyes closed, vizualizing the image in his mind. He reaches out to touch the water and finds that it feels just like his ribbon as it flows between his fingers.
"Now imagine a giant rock made of seki seki stone. You know that it repels spirit energy and spiritual pressure. Drop the rock in the middle of the stream," Sui Feng instructs.
In his mind, Ichigo can see the stone. He picks it up somehow, despite it being extremely large and making his spirit energy unusable. He drops it into the stream of spiritual pressure, blocking it off completely. The stream rises behind the stone, pushing against it and being denied passage. It pools and starts to overflow a little, but remains stable over all.
Back in the real world, Sui Feng is surprised to see how much the small technique has improved Ichigo's ability to hide his spiritual pressure. She actually has to search for it now, which is saying something. 'He's actually a really fast learner, you just have to give him a technique that he can use.'
However, she can still sense him, and so he's still failing. That means more kido.
...
"What? Why did nobody inform me that the Soul Society's been invaded? And six captain's have been defeated?" Though Sui Feng's voice seems only minimally upset, one can tell that the anger is implied by her cold glare that makes even Toshiro Hitsugaya shiver under her gaze.
"It was a direct order from the Head Captain. I voted to tell you, as a matter of fact," Toshiro says. "Now, he wants you and Ichigo Kurosaki to come in. He also asked me to find out if you've completed your assignment."
Sui Feng, even though she, Ichigo and Toshiro are in a room with Urahara, Tessai and Yoruichi, seems not at all nervous to be asked if she had been successfully spying on the latter two. "Though I was supposed to be here longer, I'm confident that I've completed my mission," she affirms.
"Very well. What is your report?"
At this, Ichigo starts to get a bit antsy but doesn't say anything. He's confident that Sui Feng will find a way to convey her assessment of Kisuke,Yoruichi and Tessai's suitability to return to the Soul Society without tipping them off.
"Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin and Tessai Tsukabishi pose no active threat to the Soul Soceity or the Spirit King," Sui Feng says in a matter-of-fact tone. Ichigo's eyes widen at her and he turns to see the Urahara Shop residents' faces, expecting shock and possibly anger, but is surprised to find that this is not the case. Kisuke and Tessai's expressions haven't changed from listening intently, and Yoruichi is almost smiling at Ichigo's surprise.
"Wait, you guys knew!?" Ichigo asks incredulously.
"Of course we knew you were spying on us," Yoruichi says. "After all, I was the Commander of teh Stealth Force."
"Then why didn't you say so?" the substitute asks.
"We didn't want it to effect how you interpreted our behavior," Tessai says.
"And teasing you guys was so much fun," Yoruichi chimes in.
"Wait, so all those times you were going on about what you two did the night before... You were just... toying with us!?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Though they weren't exactly lies," Kisuke says. Causing Ichigo to cringe.
"And what about you? Did you know that they knew?" Ichigo asks Sui Feng, who hasn't expressed any emotion at all.
"No," she admits, "But I'm not surprised."
Toshiro coughs politely to get the group's attention. "If you're done," he says with a bit of an attitude, "there's rather pressing business, what with the impending doom of the Seireitei. Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin, Tessai Tsukabishi," he says formally, "you are now exempt from all charges of treason formerly held against you. You will be permitted to enter the Soul Society and the Seireitei once more, and if you so desire, you may apply for captaincy."
"Hmm... I don't know. What do you think, Yoruichi? Want to abandon our little candy shop here?" Kisuke asks his childhood friend in mock indecision.
"Well, there have certainly been a lot of fun memories here," she says, "but I think it's about time to return home. What about you, Tessai?"
"While I will stay if Mr. Urahara wishes to, I do think it would be pleasant to become the Kido Commander once more," the large man says.
"Alrighty then, it's settled!" Kisuke says with enthusiasm that masks sheer happiness. "Go tell Jinta and Ururu to pack up their stuff, I'll get to work establishing a direct link to the Department of Research and Development so that I can send over all the data I've collected. Tell Mayuri to clean the place up, would you?" he asks Toshiro.
"Actually, we haven't been able to locate Kurotsuchi yet. He's currently in his invulnerable liquid state, so you'll be able to step in as temporary captian until he returns for you to challenge him directly," Hitsugaya says. "And besides, there isn't time to transfer your data right now. The Head Captain is requesting all of you to assist in dealing with the intruders."
"Well, I guess we have no choice now," Yoruichi says. "What's the plan?"
"You'll be breifed in the Seireitei," Toshiro replies.
...
"Majo, are you sure you're ok to go?" Hatsuyo asks in a concerned voice.
"I don't need my little brother worrying about me," Majo replies casually, though she does seem a little drained.
Hatsuyo sighs. "Alright. I trust you not to be stupid like me. You never did bite off more than you could chew."
"That's right, and I try to teach by example, but somebody's too dense to pick up on it!" Majo says.
"What can I say? You and Kansoku were always too cautious, I have to balance it out with wreckless abandon," Hatsuyo replies.
Majo just lets out a little amused breath and shakes her head slightly, a smile creeping onto her face. "Whatever, let's get this over with," she says, opening the portal to the Soul Society.
Instead of answering, Hatsuyo just jumps in, followed closely by Majo who closes the gateway after them.
The two land on the other side in the Squad 10 barracks. Captain Hitsugaya is waiting for them and draws his zanpakuto when he sees them. "Just as I thought. My squad is the most isolated as the other captains around me have been defeated, so you came here," Toshiro says.
"You're a smart kid, huh?" Hatsuyo says tauntingly.
"I'll have you know that I am the Captain of Squad 10, Toshiro Hitsuygaya," Toshiro says, trying to keep his voice even but severe.
"Wait... Toshiro... white hair..." Majo says absently, as if making a connection.
Toshiro knows the connection she's making, and he curses her female mind. "Don't say it!" he yells.
"Shiro!" Majo says, as if coming up witht he most creatice nick name ever. "I'm gonna call you Shiro!"
Hatsuyo chuckles. "Well, how's that, Shiro? Looks like Majo here's taken a liking to you. I'll be sure not to hurt you too much, in that case."
Toshiro's had enough. "Rain over the frosted heavens, Hyorinmaru!" he yells, commanding the ice and water dragon to attack.
Hatsuyo's eyes widen slightly in recognition and surprise. He qiuckly dodges the attack, knowing it's effects. "Hyorinmaru, huh? It's been a while since I've seen the sword, and it's being used by a kid, no less," he says with mild interest. "I guess you must be pretty powerful after all, huh? Well, let's just see how developed your bankai is!"
Toshiro brings the dragon back at Hatsuyo, who flash steps behind the captain, thrusting his zanpakuto at the captain's back. Toshiro dodges easily and counters, bringing his bare blade to swing at the intruder. Hatsuyo dodges the attack and is put on the defensive, continuously moving to avoid being frozen solid. After dodging a thrust, he swings downwards at Hitsugaya who easily dodges with a flash step.
"I have to admit, you're good," Hatsuyo says as he continues his attacks. "I guess you're a bit of a child prodigy, huh?"
"You aren't bad yourself," Toshiro replies, blocking his opponent's strikes. He flash steps back and send the cresent blade flying at Hatsuyo who dodges it easily, careful not to touch the chain that he knows will cover anything that touches it in ice. Instead, he releases his zanpakuto silently and flash steps to Toshiro's side, the hook of Rakurai expanding to encompass the short captain. As he's about to pull back, however, Toshiro counters quickly, "Rikujokoro!"
Hatsuyo's midsection is pierced by 6 beams of light that completely paralyze him, allowing Hitsugaya to escape the attack and strike at his opponent. Hatsuyo breaks the kido and moves away quickly, but he can't escape the sword from landing a slight cut. Ice starts to encase Hatsuyo's midsection where the wound Toshiro gave him just barely nicks the surface, and the green eyed man starts pounding his chest with his off hand to break the ice.
This gives Toshiro another opening. "Sennen Hyoro!" he announces, causing multiple large pillars of ice to close in rapdily on Hatsuyo, attempting to crush him. However, Hatsuyo releases his bankai at teh last second, giving the speed and strength necessary to destroy one of the thick pillars and escape.
With his amplified abilities, he takes Toshiro by surprise, flash stepping over his head and bringing his giant sword down, burying it in Toshiro's shoulder and cutting his heart in half. He takes a few steps back, removing the sword and allowing blood to spurt from the wound, much to Majo's horror.
"Hatsuyo! Did you have to kill him!?" she yells out, mortified. He's the first one he'd given a killing blow to, and he's just a kid!
"Be quiet," Hatsuyo says shortly, waiting knowingly for the dying Toshiro to turn to ice and shatter. Normally, this display would have been enough of a distraction to allow Toshiro to trap his opponent effectively, but Hatsuyo knows better and easily dodges the wave of ice from Hitsugaya's Hyoryu Senbi.
However, what he does not expect is thin black blade flying at him from behind. He barely has enough time to counter the attack from his new opponent, a soul reaper with orange hair and a black coat over his shihakusho, which leaves him open for a quick "Hainawa" from Toshiro which wraps around his target's leg and slams him into the ground.
Ichigo, the new attacker, quickly flash steps to the point of impact and plunges Tensa Zangetsu into his opponent, how rolls out of the way at the last second and sends a kick at Ichigo. Even though the attack is blocked, it sends Ichigo flying from the force of it.
"A surpise attack? Not very noble of you. And who is this?" Hatsuyo asks, sizing Ichigo up.
"Damn, we missed our window," Toshiro says. The plan had been for the surprise attack from Ichigo to be enough to take down Hatsuyo, but even his speed in bankai wasn't enough to catch him off guard.
"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki," Ichigo says, answering Hatsuyo's question since there's no point in hiding it. "Substitute Soul Reaper."
"Substitute? What the hell does that mean?" Hatsuyo asks, confused.
"It means I'm a human with the powers of a Soul Reaper," Ichigo replies.
"A human!? With Soul Reaper powers!? Did someone give them to you?" Hatsuyo asks, incredulously surprised.
"No, they're my own, and you're about to find out how powerful they are!" Ichigo replies, seemingly teleporting instantly to Hatsuyo with an attack.
"Majo!" the large man calls out as he blocks Ichigo's attack. "Looks like you'll get to fight, after all! I'll take this one, he seems more powerful; you handle the kid!"
"Right," Majo replies. She flash steps to her opponent in mid air and address him politely. "I'm Majo Kumiawase, and I'll be your opponent. I'm not going to go easy on you just because you're young, so don't hold back; I'd rather not kill you."