Taigen Sugiyama is on his day off. He invites a friend over to have some bonding time together. This man is from Squad 7 and he seems really stressed. "I don't know why Captain Komamura is leaving the training to Ethan. It seems more like he is just pushing the responsibility to him. He's the captain he should be training us."
"Maybe Ethan forced Komamura to make him in charge of the squad. I never really liked the guy; he's always about compassion and honor. Who does he think he is; talking about someone else's suffering as if he knows what they're going through?"
"True. Don't know what's so special about him. He always talks about preserving one's honor and dignity but he never actually tried to get to know us personally."
"Those kinds of people think themselves as higher than those in lower positions; best to ignore him."
"True.
"I don't know why Ethan is so obsessed with having us all good in everything. I get it there are many dangerous hollows but that's what we're trained to do from the academy. We don't need any more of the harsh training."
"How harsh was he?"
"He's really strict. If there's a single mistake he'd point it out, if we're slacking off even just a bit then he'd reprimand us. Even the cafeteria food is supervised by him. He's way out of line. What the hell is the captains thinking making him do all his work?"
"That's irresponsible and lazy."
Meanwhile, at the same time in the captain's office, "Thank you once again Ethan. You don't have to go so far for us."
"It's nothing captain. If we don't improve our troops, there may come a time when we're overwhelmed due to the lack of training."
"But to have them be good at everything? Many have been complaining about it and I share their concerns as well. Wouldn't it be fine to just have selected people specialize in those areas? "
"Yes and no sir. I have already selected several people to be in our medical unit, and the kido unit. I know we have Squad 4 but they can't be there all the time. What if our men are in a situation where healers and kido specialist can't be there? At least our average troops are good with the basics and can hold on until the team gets there or at least escape with minimal casualties. The special units I mentioned are more advanced in their training."
"Is it also necessary to be so strict with their diet?"
"Well yes sir, in the world of the living there have been many studies about it and it improves one's mental health and physical health. Since the robots I ordered from squad 12 were programmed to cook for the entire squad with such accuracy, meals are also personalized to give the utmost health benefits," partly true, he reprogrammed the machines into his own thing. The orders of squad 12 were nothing more than to not have any suspicions of his other activities
"I see. Thank you so much for taking care of the squad by this much when you didn't have too. Though sometimes I think you're working too hard. Is everything alright?" said Komamura with great concern. He's one of the very few people who put so much effort to make things better for everyone. To lose him from overwork would be an immense loss for the Soul Society.
"It's fine. I get plenty of rest and time"
"Tell me how do you do it?"
"Well, that's a secret but you're better off not following my work ethics. It's hard to achieve a balance of it."
Back at the restaurant Taigen wanted to know more about Ethan. "What does Ethan do? I may have seen him work a few times but you've seen him more times than I do."
"The guy is a workaholic. He pretends to care but hardly ever associates with us. He's a hypocrite. He went with Chiyo Watanabe for dinner at a restaurant. He acts all so dignified but he went out with a slut like her. He's a sucker for women. I heard from other Soul Reapers that they had a good time at the restaurant; flirting. He's seen reading a book, training, gardening, or doing weird shit whenever he has free time. He probably secretly reads porn and find ways to torture us."
"What kind of weird shit?"
"He's seen experimenting in his room from time-to-time with some devices he got from Wing Bind, and other weird crap he got from the world of the living."
"What about training? Does he at least train as hard as he puts you to?"
"Nah, he hardly trains. When we do see him train he doesn't seem like he puts any effort, in fact I hardly sense any spirit energy from him."
"Sounds like that guy is as pig-headed as the other captains. I have an idea, why don't we give him a piece of our mind?"
"Oh, how do we do that?"
"I'll go to Ethan and show him how wrong he is and you have to gather all your buddies; I'll get mine. I'll prepare a seal to make him weaker and we can all take him down. We'll do this in the Zaraki district three days from now."
"Sounds like a plan."
In Squad 5 Chiyo is almost finished with work and is not in a good mood. She hasn't received the lunch she was promised that was until Ethan came with a box. "Good morning Chiyo, came here as promised. Here's your warm lunch."
"Thanks but why didn't you just bring it to me earlier? I was thinking you broke your promise."
"Sorry, got caught up with a few things. Anyway, it's Oyakodon; at least it's a warm meal. I can pick up the lunch box later."
"Thank you."
Back at the office, after lunch; Ethan was suddenly greeted by Taigen Sugiyama with a sudden burst, "Please come at an appointed time or at least knock the door."
"I heard you've given my friend a hard time. Why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. You keep giving everyone in the squad harsh training. No one likes it."
"I simply did it to improve the squad's performance, we are a military."
"But for some reason it's alright to bully my friend just for training?!"
"I hardly know what you're talking about. State your business or leave."
"3 days from now meet me at Zaraki, 2:00 P.M. let's have a duel!"
"Very well, then." As Taigen left the office thinking that was too easy; Ethan knows it's a trap but just goes in there anyway to see what's going on.
"He's much more gullible than I thought, this'll be too easy. He'll realize his arrogance." Taigen thought.
It was the 3rd day and Komamura noticed there's fewer people in the barracks. There's still the majority but there's not as many people as it should be. Ethan came to him telling him about the challenge. "What! That's absurd! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? We could have Kaname help you stop this."
"If there is some secret dealings that's happening with the other squads this is the time to uncover it. I have asked Captain Soi Fon to provide back up with her being in charge due to the nature of this case."
"Squad 2 has nothing to do with this! If we can't discipline our own men we-!"
"I understand your concerns but this involves other squads as well, this needs to be investigated to see what is going on. With all due respect Captain Komamura, I have heard many who gossips badly about you. And if my suspicions are right, Taigen is sowing seeds of rebellion to other Squads and needs to be stopped and the only ones who can effectively minimize the casualties are the Stealth Force." And Ethan made the right call about this. By the time he noticed that there were less people in the barracks he immediately rushed to Squad 2 reporting it. Soi Fon decided it would be a special case and has noticed the same thing happening in her squad. The reason why Ethan didn't report to his captain first was because he knew that Komamura would want to deal with this isolated case and that he isn't the most suited for the job. He may be a captain but he does not specialize in stealth.
"Fine but I'm coming with you."
"No that would be a bad idea, I don't know what kind of trap Taigen would have. Worst case scenario you could be heavily injured or Taigen would call off the duel and just attack us with his people."
Komamura gave up, Ethan is right that the case is sensitive and should be treated with great care, "Very well, I'm counting on you; bring them back alive."
"Yes sir."
In those three days, Taigen had his friends gather people who did not believe in the system in a secret meeting. While all of them are from different Squads, even from Squad 1 surprisingly but not too surprising that they're the leasts in the group and the majority are from Squad 12. The biggest surprise to everyone was that there are some from Squad 13. Somewhere in the forest in a cave Taigen explains his plan to everyone. "For years we have been under the oppression of the nobles for too long. Why has the soul king allowed this? I will tell you; because he is dead!" You can hear the gasped from everyone and whispers too. "The real truth is that the Soul Society has been found by butchers and thieves! They mutilated the soul king and made him the linchpin of this world! They need to pay for their crimes! They continuously backstab anyone who might be a threat no matter what they do for them! The nobles knew about it and it was kept a secret from us! We have the right to know! Yamamoto has committed genocide numerous times and Unohana was known to be the worst criminal in the history of soul society. Everyone's familiar with Kurotsuchi's experiments, are you?! What about Zaraki?! Why is that psychopathic murderer allowed to be a Soul Reaper, let alone a captain?! Let me demonstrate a technique we can use to defeat them!"
"I shall show you that the captains are vulnerable! They can be beaten! I have asked favors form high and low to bring a test subject, one of a captain's strength."
"What the hell Nino!" replied Dordonii. Ever since Aizen had made use the Hogyoku in Hueco Mundo, powerful Arrancars were popping everywhere, making most of the early generation Espadas disposable. "You really think you can kill me?! I have you know I used to be an Espada, and the third Espada."
"Yeah, but you're still pretty weak. You got shit on by a weakened Soul Reaper. Though I have to admit you're a bit stronger than I thought, barely a captain level."
"I don't know what you're talking about and I think it's time for you to die! Whirl Giralda!" Dordonii releases his Resurrecion. Everyone is at awe; it was like a bankai. They see Taigen is not phased by this; he is smiling.
"Aren't you a bit too cocky for someone at your level. Let me show why you should not underestimate me!" he sends his winds against Taigen but it barely harmed him. Taigen may be 3rd seat but he's close to lieutenant level. This made him look god-like in front of his allies. Dordonii is confused.
"You mean you haven't noticed it yet? The entire cave is under a kido I invented to make you as weak as a 5th seat." This bring awe to everyone but this made Dordonii furious.
"You would rely on such tricks?! You're a coward! You won't have the honor to die as a warrior! If you won't face me as a man then perish!" He charges his cero only to be met with a full-powered gut punch and on the ground with barely any of his resurrecion on him. He looks up to Taigen and asked him with fury, "Why would you resort to such cowardly tricks? If you wish to be strong then train yourself to become stronger."
"It's a fight to the death and all cards are on the table. Pride gets in the way and gets us killed. I will use any method to win a fight. The only reason why you lost is because of your arrogance" That was the last thing Dordonii heard before being decapitated. Everyone cheered as they welcome their new leader.
"The next person I will use on this is Ethan Maxwell! The man has been a traitor to us by being the captain's lap dog! When he looses, we can make demands for our rights to be heard!"
Somewhere in the cave, Aizen is heavily amused by this development. As good as that technique was, it would take too much time to prepare. "This ought to be interesting."
Back to the present, Ethan is rushing to Zaraki district to meet up at the appointed time of their duel. He sees a group of Soul Reapers and among them is Taigen. "Took you long enough bastard! I thought you wouldn't show up!"
"Let's just get this over with, you're wasting my time."
"Then why'd you agreed?"
"Because you wouldn't shut up."
"Looking down on me with your arrogance is the last thing you'll do." Ethan already notices the ground has been placed with kido that weakens the target's power, similar to a seal for the Gentei Rein, which limits a Soul Reapers power when they're in the living world. This one is much stronger; surprised but not impressed. He is now at the level of a 5th seat.
"You've given me quite the handicap Taigen." Ethan said with an annoyed voice.
"That's right keep talking; I'll show you how complacent you've become."
The barrier has been erected and the two duke it off. Their zanpaktous clash and Ethan is actually a bit overwhelmed. It was only his skill with the sword that allowed him to keep up. But even with this, he has a very bored expression.
"Is this it Taigen?"
The crowd started yelling at him disgusted on how he's not taking the fight seriously. "Shut up!"
"How'd you like the taste of your own medicine?!"
"Shows you how weak you are! Taigen is the best!"
"He worked hard with his skill!" more slanders just keep coming and Ethan just sighs. He decides to end this.
Ethan made some distance and asked Taigen something, "How familiar are you with shunko? And don't play dumb I know we're from the same place. I can tell your spirit energy is more similar to mine than everyone else's"
"If you know then why are you so loyal to those jerks? They kill people and killing is wrong"
"Just answer the question," annoyed at his immaturity.
"Fine! It's nothing more than kido and hakuda fused together. What about it?"
"Oh it's more than just that. I'll show you. I'll give you 5 seconds to make a barrier for yourself so you'll live with minimal injures." Ethan spirit energy starts to disappear and the crowd begins to cheer louder, thinking that he's weakened. Taigen is laughing. He thinks he can be beat by lowering spiritual pressure? Taigen thinks that he's too much of a dumbass.
Everyone is silent; complete shock even for both the Stealth Force and Aizen as they never have seen this new form of hakuda and kido hybrid. The instant Taigen lunged at him is when he began to be dominated. A flurry of kicks and punches happening in an instant to an average viewer, but not to Soi Fon and Aizen; both are impressed at his control of his spirit energy and how he moved. It is so still and so fluid. He's like a rushing water just weighing on his opponent. Taigen can't keep up. He was just getting hit with explosions again and again.
This made Soi Fon jealous, "I can't believe that he was able to master it to such a level!" she thought to herself. No one in Soul Society is able to do this, not even Yoruichi. While Aizen was just estatic he got the information he needed. He already knew that Ethan had a plethora of tricks so it didn't even matter how many different techniques he is shown, but now he knows how skilled in kido Ethan is; he can now prepare plans against him.
After a few seconds of beating the punching bag, Taigen is down. He looks up to Ethan with great fury, "That's impossible a battle of spirit energy is only won with someone who has bigger spirit energy. This should've been easy for me to deal with. I'm many times stronger than you that you'll need a bankai to compete with me as long as the seal is still active."
"Don't you get it? I could've destroy your kido the entire time but I decided to see what's going on. I know how to use my power to beat much stronger opponents while you relied more on your brute force. I can still beat you even if you have Yamamoto's level of power like you're a complete joke. If you think just knowing how to raise and lower your spirit energy is all there is about kido then you've forgotten what you've been taught at the academy. Taigen, I know how to use my power far more effectively than you while you were too complacent and fooling around. You think just because you've got more that means that you can dominate anybody. It takes skill to use strength properly otherwise it's useless, just like you."
"DECIMATE! HAMETSU!" He called forth his shikai and lunged at Ethan. Ethan made the impossible happen; he broke the shikai. This completely shocks Taigen and is now trembling in fear.
"A zanpaktou that cancels any kind of energy construct. If I had blocked it, it would've cut my arm even at my strongest. I created a small and very powerful explosion a directed the blast to the zanpaktou. That's why it broke. I've been keeping track on every Soul Reaper with a shikai."
"Please spare me I beg you!"
As he is about to ask, Taigen is surrounded by his loyalist with their blades ready. As Soi Fon is about to take charge she suddenly hears a telepathic voice, "Hold it, they're being defensive. They're not going to attack yet. I know you're in charge of this operation but our mission is to minimize casualties. I promise Captain Komamura and if you start a massacre there'll be more people joining their cause. You'll compromise the mission."
"Fine but make it quick."
"I'm not going to hurt him. I just want to ask him a few questions."
"No you don't. We know the truth! The Soul King is dead and the nobles are keeping it a secret from us," said the loyalist.
"That's a conspiracy theory. And even if it were true what are you going to do? Fight? Don't throw your lives meaninglessly, if you want to fight for the innocent then stop being so ignorant and start learning how to fight for the innocent."
"That's naïve, they only believe in their nobility!"
"And a civil war won't do anyone well; once a civil war starts you lose. There are 2 options either lose your powers and stay in the rukongai or we can negotiate and see where we can come to an agreement. Besides, you'd be a bigger hypocrite than they are. Killing anyone that stands in your way or just because they don't agree with you in the name of justice; consequences be damned. Does that not sound familiar to you, like a noble?" That sudden realization hit them as if an immense spiritual pressure weighed on them, while some are furious to be compared to such corrupt people.
"You'd think were stupid enough to-" still being defiant with whatever pride they still have left; pride in their self-righteousness.
"I think you're stupid enough try something crazy. All you keep hearing are rumors but have you ever thought of why and how exactly it happened? Did you ever wonder how things really worked?"
"You think we do not see what they did?"
"I'm talking about Yamamoto, fool. I can convince him to ease your worries."
There were a few moments silence. As they are about to attack Ethan says, "I can try to convince him to approve of a Soul Reaper association based on your complaints, how about that?" A moments hesitant was all Ethan need as a confirmation. "Of course I would have to be leader as Taigen is far too ambitious and impulsive to actually do the job. And before you protest, just remember that you can keep a closer eye on me and other Soul Reapers this way. If you have any suspicion of me being a corrupt officer go ahead and try to kill me. Not like I can prevent you from attempting."
They discuss about it for a few moments and they came to an agreement, "We accept but only if Taigen is allowed to join us."
"Understandable."
A captain's meeting has been called to assess the situation, "Head captain there has been a conspiracy theory running around that the Soul King is dead and was used as a linchpin to anchor the worlds all this time. They say that the nobles knew and have been hiding it from the public. Most of those people I've talked to have either lost faith in the system or are those who are taking advantage of the chaos. And with Taigen developed a kido that can seal most of our powers to the point where we would be as weak as a 5th seat, it gave them confidence to start a rebellion. We have negotiated and they have asked that an association for to make up the injustices that has been done to those who have lost faith and that Taigen were to be a part of it. I plan for the organization to be purely for investigation rather than law enforcement. The only time we can partake law enforcement is when our group is partnered with the Stealth Force police unit."
"Why should we honor the agreement letting Taigen go unpunished? He has broken the law," Byakuya questioned.
"With all due respect Captain Kuchiki, If we don't; they won't agree to it. Taigen has gained their confidence very quickly and their willing to follow him to the end."
"Captain Tosen, did you notice anything strange about Taigen these past few days? How did you let this happen?" asked Toshiro
"He has not done anything that arouses suspicion. This was most likely done behind my back. While I have been training him personally, I did not expect his impatience and recklessness. We both have a similar sense of justice but in no way did I expect Taigen to go this far," defended Tosen.
"With all due respect captains, let's all give Captain Tosen some slack. He is blind and most forms of communications are non-verbal. He can hear but he won't be able to know the full story. Not that I'm saying you did anything wrong Captain Hitsugaya," Ethan defended.
"Well, that's true. It must be quiet difficult to lead a squad; not being able to see what's really going on," complimented Shunsui.
"Yes, we shouldn't blame Tosen for this. Let's give him break shall we?" Jushiro said
"If a captain can't stop his squad from inciting such extremes then all the more reason his ability to lead should be put into question," Mayuri called out while Ethan chuckled uncontrollably. "You think this is funny boy?!"
"Its downright hilarious since it's coming from you. By using your logic, you are also put into question. Don't you frequently experiment your subject in the most inhumane ways?"
"The nerve of a mere 3rd seat to-"
"Enough!" Yamamoto stopped the argument "We will hold up to the agreement. We can't destroy what little trust in our men have left. And Captain Kurotsuchi, due to this incident, your captaincy is up for review. Ethan Maxwell, you are given the freedom to choose your officers for this."
"May I suggest to have this separated from Squad 7? I don't think that it would work well if a squad and this association would be fused into one. There are many who wishes to express joining despite being from different squads."
"Very well, I shall allow it. Dismissed!"
With that the captain meeting came to a conclusion. "You did well Ethan. With you as the leader, I'm sure Soul Society will greatly improve."
"Thank you Captain Komamura! I won't disappoint you!" Ethan said happily.
AN: The shunko Ethan performed basically stores all the power of shunko in the body to the point it becomes undetectable since there's no energy coming out for anyone to detect. The energy builds up would normally tear the body to shreds so it's being circulated and only released whenever it's used defensively and offensively in an instant. Just like Vegeta vs Goku Black in the manga where he turns blue for attack and god to conserve energy, without the switching to transformations of course. Ethan cannot maintain this form for long. He can store the energy for 20 seconds max. In 10 seconds it becomes difficult for Ethan to control it and his body starts to shake uncontrollably and muscle spasm if the energy is not released. It starts to get very painful and the bones begins to crack like when Ichigo first used Tensa Zangetsu. In 20 seconds, if the energy is not released the part of the body that has been storing that energy would blow up due to the energy build up being too much for the body to hold back. If the energy is not circulating and it's just being stored it would only last 10 seconds but it won't be as effective. This form can last very long; so long as energy is being released. With proper use, this technique can also enhance one's senses to beat someone many times stronger than them.
Please check the new chapter 2.