SOUL SOCIETY
Indra looked at the four-person squad that assembled before him in quick order.
"There has been a hollow incursion in East Rukongai. More specifically it is the district number 76 named Sabitsura were you four will be going. This is a joint mission with squad 11." As he said that there were few groans from his colleagues
"I know they are a rowdy bunch but we have to follow orders. Your primary mission is to locate the hollows and track their movements. All you have to do is to point out the hollows to the squad 11 members. Purifying the hollows is secondary to your group. Am I clear?" Indra asked
"Yes sir" they replied in sync
"Good. Misaki will lead the group. Keep your senses open and don't respond to any provocations from the squad 11 members. Do your job and return back safely. You may go now. Squad 11 will wait by the east gate." Indra dismissed them. He watched as Misaki lead the others out of the room. He felt their spiritual energy move far away rapidly as he was concentrating on tracking Misaki.
"You can leave her alone now." Kagetsu said as he appeared by his side
"Kagetsu. Why are you here?" Indra asked in surprise
"Nowadays you are very much in a state of constant flux. Sometimes you are pinning after Misaki and sometimes your ambition overtakes her presence. You must find a balance soon enough." Kagetsu replied as he carefully sat on the table.
"You like her. In some ways you are seeing a reflection of yourself in her from your childhood. That makes it easy for you to relate to her in a very intimate way than anyone else. I don't condemn such a relationship but I am merely reminding you to never take your eye off the goal." Kagetsu said
"I haven't taken my eye off the goal Kagetsu." Indra heatedly replied
"Really. Then why have you stopped in mastering your bankai. I have not seen you in your inner world to practice your bankai." Kagetsu pointed out
"Well, I was training Misaki at that time." Indra reminded Kagetsu
"Exactly. You have sacrificed your time to make sure she is becoming powerful enough for the coming conflicts. You are prioritising her protection instead of your growth." Kagetsu argued
"What do you want me to do? Stop training her? Is that it?" Indra asked
"No. I don't care whether you train her or not. I want you to focus more on your powers. You should know what we are up against. The enemies you are about to face are too dangerous and more experienced. Your only advantage is your power. Don't throw it all away for a girl. It won't matter whether you love each other. If you don't have the power to protect her then what good are you." Kagetsu said and abruptly disappeared back into the inner world
Indra sighed in frustration. He knew what Kagetsu said was right. But he could not help himself to not love Misaki. As Kagetsu said he sometimes saw a reflection of himself in her. In his first life, he was like her as he was born in a village and lived on the streets. The difference was he, later on, used his gifts to kill people while she is using her position and power to help people without expecting anything back. The fact that she does not make her activities public or does not make others rope into helping the poor especially attracted him. She does these things by herself and at the same time never bothers about what others think about her activities. It took a certain strength to do things she does. Misaki may lack spiritual power but her convictions are very strong. It was this character that attracted him and pushed him to make sure she was powerful enough in terms of spiritual pressure as well.
But Kagetsu was also right. Indra knew he was about to engage in battle with very powerful beings like Yhwach in the future. To survive and even win against such adversaries he needed power. His Bankai was strong but the problem was it was very dangerous to use for a long period of time and it required extreme precision in the use of spirit energy. Considering all these factors the need for daily training was essential to master his Bankai. He decided he will be speaking with Misaki once she returned from the mission. She is a big girl and in fact, he was sure she would agree with him in this matter. With that thought, he went back to the work he was doing and that was checking the supply stocks of the division.
XXXXXX
Misaki found herself cursing her captain for taking up this joint mission with squad 11. They were a rowdy bunch and it was difficult to track the hollows with constant snide comments from these fools. At least in that regard, she could share all the insults with the other three members of her squad.
"Nagai San, a group of hollows have managed to pin down some of the squad 11 men." One of her colleagues reported
"Where?" she asked
"A little further north from here. Some of them were bleeding quite heavily." Another team member said
"Both of you stay with that group and provide assistance. We will handle things here." Misaki ordered and they both ran towards north direction
"Nagai San, we have company." The one nearby pointed out
Misaki saw a group of hollows approaching them fast and she raised her palm facing the hollows.
"Hadou 31: Shakkaho"
A red ball of energy gathered on her open palm and with a thought, she released it and the ball struck a hollow's face which shattered its mask. Three other hollows tried to flank them but some of the squad 11 members fell upon these three and began to battle them.
"Go help the others. I got this." Misaki shouted and she felt her fellow squad member depart
Misaki saw a hollow managed to push down a shinigami and was about to bite off his head. She pointed her finger at the hollow.
"Hadou 4: Bayakuri (White/Pale Lightning)"
A bolt of white lightning from her fingertip struck the hollow right on its head. The bolt pierced through the hollow killing it instantly.
"Hey, you coward. Don't kill our prey with your magic tricks. Fight them as true warriors will you good for nothing spineless cowards." The Shinigami she saved shouted back
Misaki didn't mind the insult and concentrated on her mission. Her focus was lifted as she heard a huge crash further north. She decided to check what happened and disappeared in a flash step. When she arrived she saw a large number of hollows that had destroyed a modest wooden house and was feasting upon several fallen Shinigami. She saw the hollows look at her with a hungry look and one among them jumped at her.
She held her Zanpakuto in a reverse grip and activated her Shikai.
"Rejuvenate, Shizen no megami (Nature Goddess)"
Her Zanpakuto glowed a bright green and began to drip a green liquid into the ground. She raised her spiritual pressure and concentrated on the ground.
"Jukai Kotan (Deep Forest Emergence)"
Huge trees and thick roots began to grow around the hollows trapping them inside. The roots began to hold them down while sharp branches of the newly grown trees began to spear into the sides of hollows making them howl in pain.
Suddenly in a blink of her eye, the roots that were holding the hollows down were cut down. She looked to her side and her eyes widened as she saw Zaraki Kenpachi, the captain of squad 11. He was standing there with a maniacal look. A jolt of fear passed through her spine as she felt the killing intent radiating off him in waves.
Her attention shifted from the captain as she saw one of her teammates crawling out of the thick roots with heavy injuries. She flash stepped before him and blocked a hollow that we about to bite him with a shield that sprung upon her palm.
"Bakudou 39: Arc Shield (Enkosen)"
Unfortunately for Misaki, she had the worst timing as it was this exact moment Zaraki slashed his sword upon the hollows and released a fraction of his spirit energy. Misaki felt a portion of that attack clip on her shoulder. From her collarbone to her shoulder blade a huge cut opened up separating her bones and muscles with a thick gap. She screamed in pain as her back split open and blood spilt down from the wound. She felt as if her right hand was separated from her body and she lost consciousness and fell sideways into the ground. Her Zanpakuto slipped from her hand and reverted back to its base form.
Zaraki scratched his head at this turn of events and scoffed.
"This is why I don't like to fight among weaklings. They are so fragile Yachiru." He pointed at the downed girl and shrugged. The pink-haired girl on his head pouted at the downed form as if this was all Misaki's fault.
He looked at the rushing hollows with boredom and a single swing of his sword separated their bodies into several pieces.
Indra became alarmed when he felt the spiritual pressure of Misaki began to rapidly plummet at an alarming rate. He stood up from his office and immediately flash stepped away to East Rukongai.
XXXXX
Kenpachi Zaraki finished off the last hollow with a careless swing of his sword. The rest of his squad members arrived near him. One of the unharmed squad 10 members saw his downed members on the ground and immediately went near them. Just as he was about to check his two teammates Indra arrived by his side in a flash step startling the guy and immediately pressed his hand on Misaki's wound and a green glow enveloped his palm starting the healing kidou.
"What happened?" India asked
"I don't know Kurosaki San. She was like this when I arrived. We lost two of our men and Miroku San is also severely injured." The squad member pointed out
"This does not look like a hollow attack. This is caused by a sword." Indra said out loud and looked at the assembled squad 11 members one by one until his gaze fell on Kenpachi Zaraki and his glare intensified
"What are you looking at? The girl got in my way and this is what happens when weaklings get in a fight." Zaraki mocked
"You spilled her blood?" Indra asked as his eyes intensified
"I did. What are you going to...?" Zaraki couldn't finish the sentence as blood spilt from his body. Zaraki looked incredulously at his left shoulder as a deep gouge was cut into it oozing blood. His eyes found crystal blue ones that were starting at him directly at arms length without a shred of fear.
Zaraki swiped his blade aiming for the boy's neck but only found air while he felt a blade cut into his back from his shoulder to hip.
"Captain….?" One of his squad members murmured in fear
Zaraki was shaking and soon burst out into maniacal laughter and turned around to look at the person who managed to cut him.
"It has been years since I felt like this. This feeling of my blood flowing out into the world. Who are you boy?" Zaraki asked with a crazy smile
"There is no need for you to know my name. All you have to do is not to blink." Indra replied and vanished in a flash step and another cut appeared on Zaraki in his chest spilling blood
Zaraki laughed in joy and swung his blade and caught Indra's blade in a deadlock as they both tried to overpower each other. A sick yellow outline appeared around Zaraki as his spiritual pressure began to manifest around the area bringing most of the shinigami down to their knees. The effect was further amplified when a dark blue aura enveloped Indra as well as his own spiritual pressure began to clash with Zaraki. The ground they stood upon shattered under their power output. They disengaged from the deadlock and moved away from each other.
"Hey, Yachiru. Who is this guy?" Zaraki asked his chibi lieutenant
"This is Indra kun. He is a seated officer in squad 10. He can play well with you Kenni." Yachiru clapped her hands in excitement as she was safely watching the battle from the top of one of the shinigami's head
"Indra huh. I will remember that name. Now let's have some fun." Zaraki screamed as he rushed at Indra with his spirit energy raising each step on the way.
Their blades clashed with a clang and their spirit energy clashed violently which tore up the ground. Kenpachi began to hack and slice at Indra, each attack becoming increasingly powerful. Indra was no slouch as he expertly defended each strike with extreme precision. Zaraki pushed with his blade and managed to push back Indra a small distance. Zaraki raised his sword and struck an overhead blow.
Indra disappeared in flash step and appeared right behind Zaraki. With a smooth motion, he delivered two large slashes at Zaraki's back. He once again disappeared in a flash step as Zaraki tried to take his head off with a quick slash.
"This is exciting. I didn't know someone like you was here in soul society all along. Now I can go all out." With that said, Zaraki pulled out the eye patch on his face and a huge storm of spirit energy enveloped the captain of squad 11.
East Rukongai shook by the full might of Zaraki's spirit energy. Not to be outdone Indra also unleashed his spirit energy and became bathed in a blue beam of power. With a war cry both of them clashed which blew away the meagre soft constructs around them and uprooted the trees.
XXXXXX
Captain Kyoraku was sitting peacefully in his with his long time friend Jushiro Ukitake who was the captain of squad 13.
"Come on Ukitake. Have another sake and your coughing will go away." Kyoraku lightly teased his friend by serving another cup.
The sake fell from his hand as they felt a tremendous spiritual pressure take hold of their positions.
"What is this spiritual pressure? The killing intent is enormous?" Ukitaje wondered out loud as he looked at Kyoraku
"I can identify Kenpachi but there is another one. Let's check-up." Kyouraku said as he lost his playful nature. Ukitake also stood up and together they disappeared in a flash step
XXXXX
Toshiro was a happy guy nowadays. With most of the division's paperwork being filed properly and in time, he had some free time which Toshiro used to sometimes train or spend time with Momo. Right now he was in an isolated area where his spiritual pressure would not become a bother for anybody else.
Suddenly his senses picked up a gigantic wave of spirit energy from East Rukongai. It didn't take him much time to realize who it belonged to. As soon as that information filtered into his brain he immediately started moving towards the source of energy.
XXXXX
Gin looked at the huge storm of energy brewing far in Rukongai with a wide smile. He turned to look at Captain Aizen and Captain Tosen.
"Captain Aizen, it seems our mutual friend is playing with our resident Kenpachi." Gin observed
"Let him play with the brute. He is playing his role smoothly." Tosen commented
"Indeed. He is taking the attention of other captains away establishing himself which is exactly what I told him to do. The plan is nearly complete as you very well know Gin."Aizen said as he subtly reminded them of the order that central 46 has issued regarding the capture of Rukia Kuchiki
"Seems like things are going according to your designs captain Aizen. So should we do away with the central 46 now?" Gin looked at Aizen
"What do you think Kaname?" Aizen looked at Tosen
"The time to deliver justice is here lord Aizen." Tosen commented
"In that case let's thank our friend Indra for this wonderful distraction and pay a visit and I believe the present central 46 session is going to be very bloody." Aizen smirked cruelly as he stood up followed by Gin and Tosen. They vanished in a flash step moving rapidly to their destination.
XXXXXX
Kyoraku and Ukitake met up with Toshiro half way through their journey.
"Captain Hitsugaya. Do you know who the other guy is?" Ukitake asked as they jointly vanished in a flash step
"He is Kurosaki Indra. He is from my division." Toshiro admitted
"What happened?" Kyoraku asked
"I know there was a joint mission with squad 11. Other than that I have no idea. We will soon find out, I hope." Toshiro replied and soon they arrived at the battlefield which was a total mess.
They arrived just in time to see Kenpachi strike Indra with full burnt of his spiritual energy which enveloped Indra in high explosion.
"Captain Zaraki, stop this at once. What are you doing? You have decimated a large area with your destructive antics." Ukitake
"Why are you even attacking a member of squad 10?" Kyoraku asked
"What the hell are you even doing here? I distinctly remember there was no suggestion of your involvement when I approved this mission." Toshiro growled
"It was boring to stay in the squad and look at all the fun here. The blue-eyed guy was hurt his little girlfriend was injured by me. Let's see whether he has the power to stand against me." Zaraki shouted as he raised his spiritual pressure again.
Toshiro was about to release his Zanpakuto but Kyoraku stopped him. He found Kyoraku looking intently at the dust cloud that surrounded where Indra was standing.
The dust cloud parted away by swing of Indra's sword. There were few scratches on his uniform but other than that there were no marks that he was under the onslaught of a powerful attack.
"Power to stand against you? No, I have the power to crush you." Indra replied hotly as he unleashed a large portion of his spirit energy. He raised his Zanpakuto and pointed at Zaraki.
"Transcend, Kagetsu(Bright moon)"
His Zanpakuto glowed brightly making everyone to shield their eyes. As the light died down they saw bright blue vein-like patterns spread across Indra's Zanpakuto glowing brightly.
"What is that light show? So your Zanpakuto's name is Kagetsu, huh." Zaraki asked in interest
"I would also like you to remember one more name..." Indra said as he disappeared in a flash step.
Zaraki raised his sword to block a swing from Indra who was suspended in mid-air who was exerting great pressure that made the ground crack under Zaraki's feet. Indra placed his left palm behind his Zanpakuto and smirked.
"Getsuga Tenshou"
A tremendous explosion consumed Zaraki. A spherical shaped blue energy consumed everything in the vicinity as it expanded and reduced everything around into fine dust. As the thunderous explosion died down everyone saw Zaraki on his knees barely holding himself up with the support of his blade. Indra appeared before him and kicked him away from the blade. Zaraki fell flat on his back exhausted and slowly lost his consciousness.
Indra walked closer to the downed captain and was about to stab Kagetsu through Zaraki's forehead but a voice stopped him.
"Stop what you are doing Kurosaki. If he has injured one of our own there are laws that will punish him. You do not have the authority to judge or punish him." Toshiro said firmly
Indra stopped himself and dismissed his Shikai.
"Take Misaki and others to squad 4. I will deal with this." Toshiro said
Indra nodded briefly and took Misaki in his arms and vanished in a flash step.
"Yama Jii is not going to be happy with everything that is going on." Kyoraku said
"What happened?" Toshiro asked
"Central 46 has ordered to hunt down Rukia Kuchiki and bring her to Soul Society immediately." Kyoraku said
"Has she been found?" Toshiro asked curiously
"Indeed. She is in Karakura Town and we suspect she has transferred her powers to a human boy." Ukitake said sadly
"What? Why did she do that?" Toshiro asked incredulously
"That's what I would also like to find out. Anyways first, let's deal with the problem at hand." Kyoraku said as he looked at the downed body of Zaraki Kenpachi and his equally dishevelled squad.
Still, something bugged Ukitake of the attack Indra used. He was sure he was somehow familiar with that but he couldn't quickly formulate any connections and in the heat of things that happened, he forgot about it entirely. They began to organise the other Shinigami to transport all injured out of Rukongai and it was then Toshiro found out two of his squad members we're dead and another was close to dying.
No more joint missions with squad 11, Toshiro decided.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
please don't consider this as a rant but I have to say this. If anyone don't like the way this story is going that's ok. I can understand each one of us has different tastes but don't take that as an excuse to take out your frustration on me. The recent negative reviews almost feel like physical blows rather than observations.
Why can't the SI fall in love? Is he forbidden from that? He cannot relate to the Kurosaki family because he is an adult in a small body when he was born. He is not going to be all mushy suddenly.
Misaki, on the other hand, is different. He can relate to her somewhat as he had similar childhood like hers. At first, he chose to be in a relationship with her so as to use that as a cover. But as he closely mingles with her he is being influenced by her character. It's natural.
If you guys were expecting a total dark villain then I am sorry. No can do. Total Villainism is boring and will mostly end in disaster.
Indra's ambition is to rule not to destroy like some are thinking. There is a great difference between the two. Like Aizen and Yhwach. Before Yhwach absorbed Soul King he was all like 'I am going to destroy the world and start from scratch.'
Aizen, on the other hand, was like'I am too powerful and I need a rival friend to balance me so that I can rule with stability as a rival will keep me in check' Along the way Aizen seems to lose that attitude and fell into the trap of absolute Power. That made him irrational. Until Aizen had his first transformation using the Hogyoku I can say he was the best. After that, the guy was a disaster.
So I am balancing Indra a little early and set his priorities straight.