Chapter 211.2 - Descenso al Infierno 2 [Stroke of Sanity \SIDE-B]
Machiko UBUGINU has served under the TSUNAYASHIRO family for centuries. Originally, she had been enrolled by her family into the Spiritual Arts Academy as a young child due her high aptitude in the spiritual arts. She was told that 'in order to serve Soul Society well, she must work toward a higher calling'. She didn't quite understand it herself at the time, but even back then she was simply glad to have a purpose in her young life. She felt useful and needed. She felt important.
Over the next six years of the academy's curriculum, she excelled. In all areas, not just in zanjutsu, hakuda, hohô, and kidô, but even in the history and politics of Soul Society that the Central 46 and the 13 Court Guard Squads prided themselves on. After passing her academy graduation exam, she was excited to undergo the process of being assigned to a squad. Of which she had set her sights set on the 1st squad and serving under the direct oversight of Commander Genryûrasai Shigekuni YAMAMOTO. It appeared as though everything had lined up for her in her short life, and life's purpose would finally be fulfilled.
But the day had come, and she found she had not been assigned to any squad at all. All her fellow cadets had graduated and moved on. And yet…she alone was sent on her way to meet with the stewards of the TSUNAYASHIRO great noble family. Here she was told that she wasn't working all these years to serve in the 13 Court Guard Squads at all. No, she was being groomed to be sent to the depths of Hell. Yes, to serve a 1st Court Guard Squad as she hoped…but of the Court Guard Squads of Hell. A realm that has served as a prison for sinners deemed too vile to be granted access to Soul Society. This is the purpose that she was training for after all. A life spent in service, not to protect the history and ideals of Soul Society. But to overseeing the worst of all life that humanity could muster for a million years.
September 7th 2001. 1st Level of Hell.
Vice-Captain UBUGINU stood firm with her zanpakutô drawn, ready to act at her Captain's command. Before her were five arrancar intruders. Hollows who had assumed the powers of soul reapers with the use of some forbidden spiritual-techniques bestowed up on them by a criminal. A defector of Soul Society and the 13 Court Guard Squads. A traitor who offended everything she had hoped to devote her life to.
"Snip! 「Tijereta」!"
"Awaken! 「Volcánica」!"
"Impale! 「Del Toro」!"
"Burrow! 「Gusano」!"
"Bludgeon! 「Simio」!"
BOOM!
Even UBUGINU was forced to take a step back. The spiritual-pressure released by the five arrancars surprised even her. They were easily more powerful than she expected.
To think that the 13 Court Guard Squads managed to take down five of these monsters at once. Truly, they must be as formidable as I believed they were. Impressive. And yet…
Through the debris encircling the area, due to the immense collective spiritual-pressure of the aranncars, she could spot her Captain. She had a sly smirk on plastered on her face, but she didn't appear to be physically fazed by the spiritual-pressure at all.
"Captain-"
Captain TSUNYASHIRO looked up at the site. Five monstrous being stood before her. More hollow than soul reaper now that their true power had been released.
"My, my! What a display!"
UBUGINU strained her voice to shout once more, while defending her eyes with her forearm.
"Captain!"
Without even looking across in UBIUGINU's direction, TSUNAYASHIRO just raised her right hand as if to shoo or quite UBUGINU. Signalling that there was nothing to fear, and more importantly, not to interrupt.
"Just begin the call!"
Very well.
UBUGINU took a breath and begun the incantation while inscribing the necessary markings.
"Black and white net. Twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowns and belts. Footprints, distant thunder, sharp peak, engulfing land, hidden in the night, sea of clouds, blue line. Form a circle and fly through the heavens…"
Both hands shot forward as the casting had been initiated.
"Bakudô #77! 「Tenteikûra」!"
Across the five levels of Hell, of all 20 of the prison officers stationed within each the 5 Courts of Hell, totally 100 soul reapers in all, only the Captains and their Lieutenants had been connected to the telepathic calling.
UBUGINU had been tasked with contacting the other Captains in the event that any further arrancars intruders were to arrive at the 1st Level of Hell. The plan was for the Captain to quickly dispatch them, before UBUGINU would make preparations to have them sealed in their formerly decommissioned prison camps that were currently being prepared for re-opening. Once this was carried out, preparations would be made for an immediate emergency reconvening of all Captains of the Court Guard Squads of Hell.
All the while, Captain TSUNAYASHIRO was still engaged with the five arrancar intruders who were none the wiser that their arrival was anticipated. Each of the five had taken aim as they each charged a 「Cero」 in an attempt to end the battle quickly.
"Ah yes! First resurrección, and now the signature technique of a menos grande…"
BOOM!
"CERO!"
The arrancars called out as their discharged, highly concentrated, explosions of spiritual-energy were directed at the Captain.
"CAPTAI-"
UNUGINU faltered for a second, fearing the worst…until she sensed her Captains spiritual-pressure above of her and the arrancars heads. She was already upon them before they had time to react. In that brief moment, TSUNAYASHIRO locked eyes with UBUGINU for the first time since the battle began.
"Rise to attack! Rise to defend! 「Gozu」! 「Mezu」!"
There was a flash, and a burst of spiritual-pressure greater than anything UBUGINU had sensed in the centuries since her tenure in Hell had begun. She couldn't maintain her stance, or the bakudô, at this distance. She had to retreat. But the message had been sent. And Captain TSUNAYASHIRO'S display of force would be sensed across even the Lowest Level of Hell, as signalling beacon that the Hell was under siege.
Perhaps…the power of a Captain, and the power to protect Soul Society can be found even here after all. Perhaps even here, I can still be of use.
September 7th 2001. 5th Level of Hell.
A Captains meeting was being held within the barracks of the 5th Court of Hell. In attendance was Captain of the 1st Court Guard Squad of Hell – the 'Hell of Eternal Solitary Confinement', Sachiko TSUNYASHIRO - 'The Warden of Hell', accompanied by her lieutenant, Vice-Captain Machiko UBUGINU.
"My, my, it has been some time since we've all had together here like this isn't it?"
Also in attendance was Captain of the 2nd Court Guard Squad of Hell – the 'Hell of the Eternal Labour Camps', Iemasa SHIHÔIN - "The Taskmaster of Hell", accompanied by his lieutenant, Vice-Captain Xûn FÊNG.
"Lady Sachiko! We could feel the tremors of your fine work even below! Phew! It almost stopped the sinners in their tracks! I cannot wait to get in on the action myself!"
Captain SHIHÔIN is a middle-aged, tall, dark skinned, muscular, man with a large handlebar moustache, and a long ponytail. He wears the traditional soul reaper uniform, but with a sleeveless shirt, and an inverted, sleeveless black Captain's robe, with a white symbol denoting that he belonged to the 2nd squad. He wore long white tipless gloves which extended past his elbows. He stood wide with his hands on both sides of his waist.
His Vice-Captain is a younger man, with short dark hair, and fair skin, dressed in a traditional soul reaper's uniform with vice-Captain's bade on his left arm. His shirt is also sleeveless.
Also in attendance was Captain of the 3rd Court Guard Squad of Hell – the 'Hell of the Special Prison Service Education School', Hiroko KUCHIKI - 'The Matron of Hell', accompanied by her lieutenant, Vice-Captain Nagako ÔMAEDA.
"Hmmph. In all my years of service…to be summoned so haphazardly...It's unsightly. Hmmph. Let's hope this can be resolved quickly and quietly."
Captain KUHCIKI is a middle-aged, tall, fair skinned, over-weight woman, with her hair neatly tied up in an ornate bun. She wore the traditional soul reaper uniform, but with a larger and wider sash around her waist, beneath her inverted, black Captain's robe, with a white symbol denoting that he belonged to the 3rd squad. She stood regally, with both hands hidden within the sleeves of her robe.
Her Vice-Captain is a middle-aged, shorter, fuller-figured woman dressed in a traditional soul reaper's uniform with Vice-Captain's bade on her left arm. Her hair is similarly neatly tied up in an ornate bun.
Also in attendance was Captain of the 4th Court Guard Squad of Hell – the 'Hell of the Eternal Monastery', Yoshinobu SHIBA - 'The Supreme Bishop of Hell', accompanied by his lieutenant, Vice-Captain Mutsuhito ISE.
"..."
Captain SHIBA is a middle-aged, tall and spindly man who wore a long, basket-style, monks' helmet, which obscured his entire head. He also wears the traditional soul reaper uniform, with an inverted black Captain's robe, with a white symbol denoting that he belonged to the 4th squad. He stood with both arms folded at his chest, with both hands hidden within the sleeves of his robe.
His Vice-Captain is a middle-aged, bald, fair skinned man dressed in a traditional soul reaper's uniform with vice-Captain's bade on his left arm.
And finally, chairing the meeting was Captain of the 5th Court Guard Squad of Hell – the 'Final Judicial Court', and Commander of the 5 Court Guard Squads of Hell, 'The Chief Justice of Hell' and 'Lord Executioner', accompanied by his lieutenant, Vice-Captain Sadako KYÔRAKU.
"Hmmm...Silence now. Let the meeting of Captains of the 5 Court Guard Squads of Hell commence!"
The Commander sat on an ornate throne in the centre of the back of the room, address a pair of captains on either side of himself. He wore a traditional Japanese-style ornate war-mask, helmet, armoured gloves, and breastplate over the tradition soul reapers uniform, with an inverted black Captains robe. While he was an elderly man, it was difficult to discern any particular physical features due to his extensive uniform. But from the sounds of his voice, his age and experience was clear. He sat with both arms outstretched as he rested both hands on the butt on his Japanese-style great-sword, standing up in front of him.
His Vice-Captain is a tall, middle-aged woman, with long hair and, fair skin, dressed in a traditional soul reaper's uniform with vice-Captain's bade on her left arm.
The Commander subtly turned his head to Vice-Captain KYÔRAKU who was positioned to his side and gave her the briefest of nods. At his behest she stepped forward and appeared to take over the meeting.
"Thank you, Commander."
The Vice-Captain stands before the Commander with her head held high, and hands behind her back.
"On August 6th 2001, Captains Sôsuke AIZEN, Gin ICHIMARU, and Kaname TÔSEN perpetrated a series of egregious crimes against Soul Society, resulting in their escape and unauthorised defection from the 13 Court Guard Squads. They had murdered the members of Central 46, having fabricated their orders for some time beforehand, stolen classified information from the Great Spirit Library, and orchestrated an unlawful execution of a soul reaper."
There is a sense of unease among the captain and their lieutenants. TSUNYASHIRO notices UBUGINU's head turn away, as if to the news was especially difficult for her to hear.
"In the time since, it has also been discovered that the three traitors have long since conquered Hueco Mundo, and enlisted an army of arrancars under their control – an army of hollows who have been grated the powers of a soul reaper through forbidden spiritual-techniques. Of which, an artefact called the hôgyoku is believed to be their primary method for utilising said techniques."
Captain SHIBA's head appeared to almost perk up, but his expression couldn't be read through his headgear.
"The power of these arrancar, especially ones of the menos grande class, are deemed formidable and could potentially rival or exceed the combined might of the 13 Court Guard Squads. The average spiritual powers of AIZEN's primary forces are expected to exceed 6th class at least."
Vice-Captain FÊNG notices the fists of Captain SHIHÔIN begin to clench byhis sides, as a smirk begins to creep on to his face. FÊNG subtly attempts to nudge the Captain, to ensure he avoids displaying too much excitement.
"Soul Society is at war. Commander YAMAMOTO has assumed the duties of Central 46 in addition to his role as Commander of the 13 Court Guard Squads."
Once more there is a collective sense of surprise from the captains.
"While Seireitei is working tirelessly to fully assess the situation, as well as AIZEN's true motives, we have been informed to expect and influx of arrancar intruders to Hell during this period of war. It is believed, and now confirmed on our end, that these arrancars are able to maintain their hollow powers despite being slain by the zanpakutô of a soul reaper. "
Captain TSUNAYASHIRO nods in agreement. Suggesting that she possibly knows more than others in the room.
"We believe it is due to the fact that they do not register as purely hollow by the zanpakutô and are instead some sort of abomination that is partway between a plus, soul reaper, and hollow. As such, they are deemed a continued threat even after being slain 'up above'."
Captain SHIBA turns to his lieutenant, who nods in agreement. An unspoken language can be exchanged between then with mere looks and the briefest of groans.
"And now for the good news…At the moment, due to the combined efforts of our own Science Division, as well as Soul Society's Kidô Company and Technological Development Bureau working in tandem, a new method has been developed for dealing with the arrancar intruders upon their arrival."
Captain KUCHIKI appears to be especially surprised at the speed at which they worked under these conditions. She wouldn't have expected such efficiency under normal circumstances.
"A new bakudô, which is in effect a feat of reverse engineering of an ability unique to menos grande; the 「Negación」. Which, as you know, can entrap hollows and protect them from external influence. We call it「Onmyôdô Hanmaku Kekkai no Gogyôfû」. "
There is a collective sense of amusement from the captains and lieutenants.
"Yes, yes, I know… leave it to the Kidô Company to come up with overly long…"
The Commander appears to shift subtly in his seat.
"As I was saying…with this new bakudô, we can safely transport the arrancars into the newly recommissioned prison camps that we previously used for the souls of quincy's both 1,000 years ago, and 200 years ago."
The room goes silent.
"As they were used then, the arrancars will remain there until a date a set for the extermination and permanent removal from the cycle of reincarnation."
At the mention of quincy's there was an unmistakable shift in the Commander's spiritual-pressure, which was sensed by everyone present.
"As you can imagine, they have no use for a bakudô like this 'up above' as their prime directive is to kill all arrancars on-sight. But here, we do not have that luxury. As it was expected, and now confirmed, that the 「Reinanimation」ability granted to all inhabitants of Hell - sinners and soul reapers alike - by the Spiritual Pulse of Hell, also automatically revives arrancars from the dead when slain in Hell. So, time is of the essence. Once your arrancar opponent has been slain by your own hand, your lieutenant is expected to initiate the bakudô immediately, before the arrancar can be automatically revive."
The Commander appears to grip the hilt of his zanpakutô tightly. Vice-Captain KYÔRAKU used this as a signal to bring the meeting to a close.
"Now, your lieutenants will be given detailed reports on everything that has transpired thus far. Everything else you need to know is contained within these reports. So, we will not be taking questions at this time."
On the heels of her last word. the Commander grips his sword's hilt tightly with both hands, and slams the end of it on the ground with purpose.
"Captains. You have your orders. Now…move out! And prepare for war!"
To be continued…
Next, Nnoitora vs. SHIHÔIN! Aaroniero & Szayelaporro vs. KUCHIKI!