Previously I made a bit of a mistake. I checked a canon timeline and discovered that Gin graduates academy at the same time Kisuke becomes a captain. So it's 10 years before the Visored incident instead of twenty like I previously thought. It throws a small wrench in my plans, but I'll manage.Sorry for my mistake.
Anyway. Here you go and enjoy
A graduation ceremony was a bit underwhelming. Kamui, while he didn't expect any grand celebration like some of the institutions tended to make in his past life, he also didn't expect something so lowkey.
The only somewhat exciting thing would be the final graduation exam. Exams that neither Gin or Kamui attended.
It wasn't some kind of privilege granted to them. In normal cases those exams were a chance for students to showcase their talents in front of officers from Gotei 13, and if their performance was impressive enough, then they would be scouted to join the respective division. Of course there's also a chance that it wouldn't catch anyone's attention and be denied a chance to join any division. If so, then they would have to wait for another examination, or try to join through personal connections. Though the second option is usually reserved for those who are desperate enough, since it's unlikely that they would have easy time then.
However Gin and Kamui voluntarily declined participation. With the fact that they completed the academy's curriculum in one year and multiple recommendation letters they were holding, they skipped the formal process and already successfully applied to their respective divisions.
Thus they boredly sat through the entire thing waiting for it to be over. Although Gin tried to make it more enjoyable by throwing snide comments about everyone who failed and had their dreams crushed.
He was surprisingly funny. Probably much less than he thought himself, but still.
After the whole thing finally ended, each graduate was individually called to his teachers office for a short talk.
"Ah, Kamui-kun. You were both the easiest and the most troublesome of my students."
"I'm not sure if you're meant to compliment me or not Gengoro-sensei."
"Funnily enough, I'm not sure myself. It's certainly gratifying seeing you grow up, after all you were one of the most talented students I've ever had the pleasure of supervising. However, as a teacher it's very distressing not knowing how to most properly guide your students. Although I'd rather not compare myself to Tsukabishi-dono and Yamamoto-dono, who taught you much more than myself, I still feel a little inadequate."
"You're being too hard on yourself sensei. I'm deeply grateful for all you have done for me." It was true. Not only Gengoro-sensei was a person to introduce him into the world, Kamui was also pretty sure that it was him who proposed Tessai to take him as his mentor. "But if you don't mind me asking, sensei. You mentioned that I'm one of the most talented people you ever taught. Who were the others?"
"While I would really enjoy reminiscing a little bit, I'm afraid that we don't have a lot of time on our hands. I will however tell you a single story. About my most talented student." He glanced at the clock, gathering his thoughts in the meantime. "Kabara Eiko. Although you probably never heard of him. Unlike you he was pretty average when it came to Kido art. But when he grabbed a sword he was absolutely peerless. Really. You would not believe how natural he was...Yet he was really inflexible. In that you actually have a lot in common." Kamui ignored the jab at his person. He however had a faint feeling where this story was going. After all, such a prodigy should be famous. There are not many possible reasons why he's not. "It was during the Quincy war about a century ago. Just at the beginning of a conflict, when Eiko-kun was fresh out of the academy he was tasked with leading a scouting party, for enemy positions. No one expected any trouble there. Yet it turned out to be an ambush. Eiko-kun and his team were outnumbered four to one. They still had the time to retreat. Yet Eiko-kun refused to. I don't know why. Whether it was inexperience, arrogance, or something else. He and his team stayed. And fought. And of course, they died."
Gengoro-sensei started staring into space seeing something only he could see. Kamui decided not to interrupt him. He could understand how hard it was for him. He worked previously as a volunteer teacher for children. And although he had daily migraines for almost a year thanks to that, he really attached himself to kids. So he had an inkling how losing a prized student in such a way would be devastating.
"*sigh* He was an absolute genius. Yet he ended as a little more than a statistic. A small annotation in a final casualty report. The truth is, I have had a lot of students who could claim to be a genius. Yet a terrifying majority of them ended up the same. As a statistic in some reports that no one ever bothers to read."
Kamui chuckled mirthlessly.
"You're really a great teacher, sensei. To sneak in a lesson in even such a situation. But while I appreciate it; that particular lesson was not necessary. I don't plan to end up as a statistic."
I will experience everything this world has to offer.
I will go through life without a shred of regret.
I refuse to be mediocre.
"Plans are fine. But you'll see that any plan can only cover so much."
They continued with a small talk for a short while before finally Kamui stood up, said goodbye and left.
Since Kamui had the rest of the day free, before he had to report to his new division he decided to walk around and say his goodbyes.
It didn't take long to say goodbye to Rangiku. She was already bummed about Gin leaving, so Kamui just threw a few jokes and left.
Ever since the training exercise, he met Nashida Miyuki a few times, so he decided to speak with her too. It ended with Kamui allowing her to pet his head, although she was a bit disappointed that she couldn't do that when his hair was still long. Still she very vocally expressed her envy at the smoothness of his hair.
Later Kamui spoke with few of his instructors, but that was mostly perfunctory. He even bumped into Aizen. Of course nothing came out of it, besides an invitation for Kamui to come sometime and play chess with him. After quick mental 'fuck it', he agreed, although didn't specify the time.
And finally Kamui ended on one of the remote training field, sealed zanpakuto in hand, facing off against Ichimaru Gin.
Kamui wasn't all that motivated to fight. He had today a bit of a lazy streak, and didn't particularly feel like exerting himself. Surprisingly however it was Gin himself who wanted to spar. Pure Zanjutsu battle, without use of spiritual arts, or sword release.
Kamui honestly wanted to refuse, but Gin's request was so rare that he accepted out of reflex.
"Are we really doing it?"
"This unwillingness to fight is so unlike you Kamui-kun. If I didn't know any better I'd think that it's someone else wearing a creepy stone cold mask, with your visage."
At this Kamui's eye twitched with annoyance.
"You're as eloquent as ever Gin-chan. Fine. If that is your wish, then let's do it. I'll finally kick your ass, fair and square."
Gin's everpresent grin widened a bit, after which he pulled a coin out of his pocket; twirled it for a bit between his fingers; and then threw it into the air, a polished coin reflecting the light of the sun.
Kamui's eyes caught it all. Every individual spin of the coin; every irregularity on the ground; casual yet perfectly guarded stance of his opponent. And the strange tension that wasn't leaving Gin throughout the day.
Kamui took his own stance, calmly closing his eyes, trying to get into the proper mindset.
Three.
Two.
One.
The moment a coin hit the ground, Kamui kicked the ground, rushing forward, sword in front of his body.
He briefly locked sight with Gin, after which blade met blade. Once. And Kamui retreated.
He stood there staring at Gin puzzled. Even if they hadn't fought for a few months, he was still familiar with his fighting style. Gin was a personification of Shinikami combat. He was cunning, fast, flexible, avoiding frontal clashes. Even more, considering that his short tanto is unsuited for such forceful fighting. He never fought strength with strength.
Yet that's exactly what he did right now. No fancy technique, no cunning plan extending six steps in front of his opponent. Just pure swing, challenging Kamui's physical strength. It was a contest that was impossible for him to win considering Kamui's special physique, yet he did it anyway.
Kamui sighed.
"How troublesome."
After which he once again rushed toward Gin, this time with Gin meeting him halfway.
Their clash was fast. Brutal. It quickly devolved into a brawl with punches and kicks joining the fray.
They separated. Kamui was a little ruffled, but otherwise unharmed. He stared with a complicated gaze at his blade. Few drops of blood slowly dripped from it.
He raised his head and looked directly at Gin. Or rather at the side of his neck, where a very shallow wound was visible. If that was a real fight he would be dead.
Kamui sighed, suddenly feeling extremely tired.
"If you need someone to talk to, you know you can come to me."
Gin didn't respond. He was uncommonly silent, absentmindedly tracing his wound with his fingers.
Kamui waited a bit, until he realized he would not get any answer. He tried to understand Gin but while he could do that on a rational, logical level it was impossible for Kamui to understand him on an emotional level. Since tomorrow Gin will become a subordinate of the man he hates the most, in a faint hope that he'll find a chance to kill him. Determined to do whatever it takes, even sacrifice himself and the world in the process.
Kamui shook his head, not capable of finding any words to reach Gin.
"You know where to find me."
After that Kamui turned around and left, leaving Gin alone with his thoughts.
He glanced once again at his friend's blood leaving his zanpakuto. Even though it was his first spar won against Gin, he couldn't feel more bitter about it.
Next day, Second division headquarters, main hall.
Kamui sat in seiza for about half an hour already. He was summoned here, since unlike most other recruits he will be directly given a seated officer position, thus his treatment is different.
Yet here he was sitting alone in a big hall, waiting for his new captain to receive him.
The most infuriating fact however is that she was fucking having tea in an adjoing room. And judging by the fact how Yoruichi was periodically waving with a smile towards Kamui, she realized that with his 'byakugan' he knew about it.
It caused Kamui to rethink his decision about joining the stealth force.
His reasoning behind joining it is the relative independence its members possess compared to the rest of Gotei 13.
Originally stealth force was a separate entity from Gotei 13, but it was recently fused with second division by Yoruichi. Despite that, central 46 has less control over it than normally.
Due to the nature of tasks that second division and stealth force receive they're under much less scrutiny than the rest of military; compared to the others they spend much more time in the world of living, and since their senkaimon is not monitored by central 46, they're pretty much free to go there on their own discretion.
Second division, since they're also tasked with monitoring the rest of the divisions, has a special position politically. They're not well liked but even then they have almost no conflicts with other divisions.
Not to mention, all the exclusive skills that they possess. Like stealth Hoho, special kido, custom made hakuda styles, and so on.
In short Kamui judged that he will enjoy his time here the most.
Of course to enjoy all those, he will have to gain sufficient merit and influence within the division. And survive being a subordinate to Shihoin Yoruichi. The second rapidly becoming the biggest concern.
Eventually, the hall was filled with people. Kamui counted twn people, although he recognized only three.
Omaeda Marenoshin, lieutenant of the second division. Stocky built, head full of curly brown hair, golden accessories scattered across the entire body. Kamui didn't remember him from the anime, when lieutenant was his son instead; but after a year already in soul society, he's more or less familiar with all the captains and lieutenants.
Second person is much more iconic for any Bleach enthusiast. Very petite build; soft, shoulder-length hair; grey eyes viewing Kamui with suspicion. This woman, or rather a girl, sitting far away from Kamui, at the seat closest to the door was of course Sui-Feng. Private guard of Yoruichi, and canonically a future captain of the second division. For some strange inexplicable reason, Kamui wanted to tease her.
And then of course was the captain herself. Shihoin Yoruichi. Slender, well endowed woman of average height. Dark skin, black hair, golden eyes looking at Kamui with a serious yet somehow teasing manner, causing him to have foreboding of a crisis. She looked relaxed, as if she's not in here as a captain, but just for fun. But judging by the fact that there were eight masked shinikami hidden under floor mats around her position; and the fact that her seating arrangement allows her to immediately move if needed, she was prepared for anything.
Kamui matched her gaze, showing only serene calm, and none of the irritation he previously felt. Judging by momentary narrowing of her eyes she took that as a challenge.
"Shirato Kamui, reporting for duty Shihoin-dono."
"Shirato-san. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. I hope you don't mind waiting here like that. I was preoccupied with my duties."
"Not at all, captain. I realize that with your position, you hardly have time to entertain lowly shinikami like me."
There was a bit of a stirring around Kamui, especially Sui-Feng glaring daggers at his back. Yoruichi once again narrowed her eyes a bit, but did not pursue. Instead she reached within her robes, not forgetting her chance to flaunt her curves a bit.
Kamui scoffed mentally at that.
If you want to defeat my poker face, you'll have to put much more effort.
Eventually she pulled a few letters and showed them to Kamui.
"I'm very pleased that such a talented person joined my division. Your recommendation letters can't stop praising you. Tsukabishi Tessai, and Yamamoto-dono in fact claim that your combat power is at a low captain level. It's very impressive for just a year of training."
There once again was a bit of commotion around Kamui. After all, captain class shinikami are extremely rare. Kamui himself was a bit puzzled. He didn't expect Yoruichi to suddenly praise him like that.
"Even Muguruma Kensei mentioned that your character and reasoning during the Yamida mine incident was exceptional. Sure I had to read between the lines, but that's still a great praise. And then we have a letter from Gengoro Onabara."
This gave Kamui a pause. During their conversation earlier Gengoro-sensei didn't mention anything about any letter.
On his eyes Yoruichi opened the letter and started reading it.
"Exceptional battle sense, yada yada yada; great strive in bettering oneself, yada yada yada… oh! Here it is. 'Student is simply atrocious at teamwork'. How interesting. Do you have anything to comment?"
Even if Kamui's poker face held on, he was raging inside.
What the fuck was that?! How was he supposed to showcase his teamwork, if every student at academy crumbles from his spiritual pressure when Kamui was serious. Not counting Gin of course, but he didn't count.
"Does it really say that?"
His ears caught a low grumble of 'how dare he question Yoruichi-sama' behind his back, but he chose to ignore it for the sake of looking at Yoruichi, who currently wore a very pleased expression.
"Not in those words exactly, but I chose to summarize it. So. Please explain to me why you - a person atrocious at teamwork chose to apply to division which focuses on teamwork more than anyone else."
For a second Kamui considered defending himself, but after a short thought he decided to concede that 'weak at teamwork' part. It was probably true. He always was a huge individualist, and he preferred to work alone than in a group. Not that he couldn't do so if he tried, but he was always more efficient when left to his own devices.
"I would like to hone my Hoho and Hakuda arts, and besides that I find myself uniquely suited for duties of second division thanks to my enhanced vision. As for the supposed problem of my teamwork…"
"Ah, right. The 'Byakugan'. Fascinating thing. Would you mind answering a few doubts I have?"
"By all means."
"In your file, it states that it grants you an x-ray vision. Correct?"
"Yes. That is correct."
"Then how do you like the view?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Me without my clothes, I mean? I assume that you are able to see through them."
Kamui's poker face was defeated. His eyebrow twitching in irritation. On the side one of the officers, palmed his forehead in exasperation, behind his back Sui-Feng looked like she was about to explode.
"If you have such… doubts… then I feel obliged to answer them. While it's indeed possible for me to look through one's clothes…" He ignored a killing intent coming from a petite girl in the back "It's harder than you may think. It's difficult to focus my vision to such a weak extent, since my eyes are too strong for that. It's like using a sword in place of a scalpel. Too much effort for such a small thing."
It was not complete bullshit. Just a bit of an exaggeration. While it's indeed harder to use Tenseigan to look through clothes than to use it in combat, it's not to such a big extent. So Kamui decided to bend the truth a little to preserve his reputation. Especially since he really never used his dojutsu for such a reason!
"Completely understandable." Yoruichi nodded wisely. "But coupled with your so-called extended vision, it wouldn't be so difficult for you to glance inside a bathhouse; let's say… eight hundred twenty seven meters southwest from your current position; at exactly nine-eleven evening; to see our adorable little bee Sui-Feng?"
Kamui honestly thought that he would be attacked at this moment. Yet surprisingly Sui-Feng was quiet at this moment, not showing any external reaction. If you discount massive blush on her face.
He started to feel a begrudging respect to his new captain. Killing two birds with one stone is really impressive.
But he had to go all out and save his face.
"Captain Shihoin! I would appreciate it if you would stop implying that I'd misuse my abilities like that. I have more pride than that." A lot more in fact.
He coughed feigning embarrassment.
"I'm sorry captain for my outburst. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask them."
"No need to apologize. No. I temporarily have no more questions. Now, let's get to business. Your placement within the division. Recently our third seat was promoted to the position of a captain of twelfth division. After a bit of reshuffling, we still have few vacant jobs. You will be nominated for the eight seat of second division. Are you following me thus far?"
Kamui nodded. He had no problem with this relatively low placing. It's true that strength wise, his placing is a bit inappropriate, after all even old man Yama admitted him to be a captain class. But in the second division, first to fifth seats have special fields of duties as squad commanders. Thus their seats are almost impossible for newcomers. Sixth and seventh seats should be reserved for senior members in charge of administrative matters. Thus it made sense for him to be the eighth seat, despite that after Urahara left, only Yoruichi in the whole division could be called stronger than him.
"Very well. Originally we planned to assign you to recon division, due to your Byagukan being suited for scouting purposes. However since it would be a waste of captain level strength, we ultimately settled for placing you in militia. With additional assignment to my personal guard. Since it would be the easiest way for you to gain experience at this high level of combat."
That was really a surprise. Kamui didn't expect Yoruichi to take him to her guard. While it probably made sense on some level, it still sounded weirdly whimsical. Kamui suspected there to be some ulterior motive behind that decision, but he couldn't figure it out. Was this out of consideration to Tessai, or something?
Oh, there it is again. Killing intent centered on his back.
Glare at your boss Sui-Feng! It was not my idea!
"I'm honored captain Shihoin."
"Great. We'll deal with formalities later. Now do you have any questions for me?"
"For now just one? Would you mind telling me the details of the investigation on the Yamida mine incident?"
"Hmmm, Omaeda."
An overweight lieutenant coughed out.
"An extensive investigation qualified the incident as a coincidence." This is the second time today Kamui's poker face crumbled. "We discovered that the mine itself contained an abandoned Quincy supply station. When students of the academy arrived, and deployed wide scale kido barriers over the terrain, their inexperience caused a spiritual turbulence over the area, leading to small earth tremors." While it's a stretch, it's probably possible. Kamui conceded silently. "Within the station, supplies were stored on wooden shelves, which due to aging were prone to collapsing. And indeed at the moment of tremors those shelves collapsed, causing big amounts of hollow bait stored on them to spill out of their containers and subsequently break. In normal cases they wouldn't break as the shock wasn't enough, but they were also weakened due to the passage of time, thus breaking more easily. After finding out all those details, our investigation qualified the incident as an unfortunate coincidence."
Hearing the entire explanation, Kamui was stunned. This 'coincidence' was too fucking coincidental! Previously he didn't care all that much, having his curiosity only slightly stirred by Yoruichi mention of it; but after hearing this explanation he was a bit pissed. Even if his reaction was a little irrational. He was pulled out of his musings by Yoruichi, whose tone suggested that she knew very well what Kamui was thinking.
"Are you happy now?"
"I'm very happy, captain. The Lieutenant's explanation was… very enlightening."
"That's great. I was sure you'd like it. Now if there's nothing else, your senpai Sui-Feng will be your guide. I'm sure you'll get along great."
Yes, I'm sure of that. Thought Kamui, while sensing that the girl in question was still glaring at him.
Somehow he suddenly felt very tired.
That's it. Kamui has joined the second division. Whether it's a good decision or not, we'll see
.