This chapter is slightly longer. I imagine when we actually do start getting into the fights the chapters will be a decent length. Hopefully you all don't mind.
Ride The Lightning
Yujiro rolls his shoulders as he stands above the streets of Karakura Town. He smiles as he gazes down at the city below.
The young Shinigami was on patrol. Shunsui had sent Yuji by himself because the young man had requested to go solo.
Kyoraku agreed to it. Trusting the less experienced Shinigami. Also knowing that Yujiro was more than enough for a simple patrol.
It felt like coming back home.
All the years he spent here, a good portion of it was training for when he would return to the Seireitei. He had learned his Bankai here five years ago.
Back then whenever he wasn't training, Yoruichi and him explored as much as they could. Getting more accustomed to living here.
He descended down. Deciding to pay Kisuke and Yoruichi a visit.
The younger Yamamoto flew across the sky. Making his way towards the shop.
Yujiro flash stepped once he was near the place. Coming to a halt, he landed on his feet. Right in front of the door to Kisuke's shop. The blue haired man knocked on the door.
A few seconds later the door opened up, revealing Kisuke. "Yujiro? Wow back already huh? You and old man Yama have a difference of opinions again?"
"Surprisingly no. Nothing like that. Just stopping by to say hello. Uncle Shunsui had me on patrol." Yujiro shook his head negative.
"Oh. Well you can come in if you want. I'm sure you have a few minutes to spare even while on patrol." Offered the shop keeper.
"You have coffee ready? I think I've become addicted to that stuff since staying here."
"Yep. Come in and have a drink."
Yujiro nodded and walked inside.
"Yoruichi's here?"
"Nope. She went shopping. I don't know when she'll be back."
Yujiro snorted. "Well she's no Lieutenant Matsumoto so she'll be back quickly."
Urahara allowed himself to chuckle at that. "You've been shopping with her?" Asks Kisuke as they continued walking.
Yujiro confirms with a nod. "Me, Renji and Hitsugaya somehow got dragged into the thing. I've heard stories of how bad it can be. At first I thought everyone was just being babies about it. Renji tried warning me but I didn't listen. To make matters worse, she can be very convincing when she wants to..." Yujiro trailed off as he recalled the memory. His cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.
"Oh? What'd she do?" Questions Urahara already having an idea.
"Let's just say there's a reason why Matsumoto has guys be pack mules..." The elemental Shinigami facepalms. "Next time, I'll take Renji's advice and run."
"So, you enjoy being back in the there?" Kisuke questions his former student.
"I won't deny it. I did miss being there. The newer Shinigami are nice to. I still have a sour taste in my mouth after what happened. Don't really know if I want to stay. I'm currently thinking things over." Yujiro offers a truthful reply.
"At the very least you're thinking things through. Hopefully whatever you decide ends up working well for you." Says Kisuke with a smile.
"I have a question." Yujiro tells Urahara after a brief second of thinking. He stops walking. Causing Kisuke to pause and look at him.
"Well, ask it."
"Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, if I do stay there, what do I do if I end up doing something that the geezer or Central 46 don't agree with?"
"...That's a tough question. Any particular reason why you're asking?"
Yujiro's eyes look to the side as he responds to the question. "Because I'm bound to bump heads with the fossil and Central 46. If I do...I don't know if I can just sit back and grit my teeth this time." Yujiro replies seriously.
Urahara scratches his chin before replying. "I'll be honest with you Yuji. I don't have the answer. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
Yujiro nods and they resume their trek. Yuji sits down at the table while Kisuke got the coffee ready. The Shinigami noticed a magazine laying down on the table in front of him.
Reaching out, he grabs it and brought it closer for inspection. Bringing a familiar sight he'd begun to miss during his time away from the world of the living.
Weekly Shonen Jump the front cover read. All sorts of characters decorated the cover.
"That issue is actually pretty good. Has a new series called Snipe. It's by the same author that wrote Zombie Powder. It's pretty interesting. You can take it with you while you're on patrol." Urahara offered as he set the coffee down by his former student's right hand.
Yujiro nodded. "Thanks. I'll be sure to give it back before I head back to the Seireitei."
Yujiro reached out for his coffee and then a hollow's cry could be heard. "Damn it."
"Duty calls." Smiled the shop keeper.
Yujiro ignored the comment as he hastily made his way outside. Flash stepping towards the source of the cry.
Once he made it outside, Yujiro gripped one of the two tachi's that rested on his back. He spotted the hollow. Flying in the air. It's wings flapping as it looked for a soul to devour. Yujiro smirked as he flash stepped towards it. The Hollow paused as it sensed Yujiro. The Shinigami appearing behind it, slowly sheathing his zanpakuto.
SHINK!
The instant his zanpakuto was fully sheathed, the creature was split in half. Black blood raining down as the body dissolved into spirit particles.
"At least make my remaining time as a Shinigami entertaining on future patrols please." Yuji commented as he set the sheathed blade back onto it's regular spot.
The sun was setting. The sky was a beautiful shade of orange. Yujiro leaned against the wall outside of Kisuke's shop. Reading the magazine while smoking a cigar.
"Kisuke was right. This series is pretty interesting." Commented the Shinigami as he turned the page. Puffing out smoke as his eyes scanned the page.
"I don't mean to interrupt your reading but shouldn't you be patrolling the streets right now?" Rakurai chimed in. Not approving of Yujiro's actions at the moment.
"Relax. I have like ten minutes before my patrol ends. I'm also using my senses to scan the area. There's nothing happening right now."
"Personally, I'd like to see if we have enough time to train after we're done here. With the war approaching, you can never be too careful."
That caused Yujiro to look up. Considering it. "Can't train while on duty. But we can train when we get back. Before we train I'ma get something to eat though. Starting to feel hungry. Whaddya think?"
"I like the sound of that." Rakurai agreed to it.
"It's a deal then." Yuji smiled as he looked up at the sky.
For the next ten minutes, Yujiro continued his patrol. A patrol which was uneventful aside from that one Hollow he'd purified earlier.
The swordsman returned to the Soul Society. Checking in with his captain briefly before heading to the mess hall for something to eat. He sat down at a empty table, his tray of food in front of him. The fish tasted alright. Yujiro had forgotten that the food served for the Shinigami was decent at best. Nothing too special. But it got the job done.
Silently he'd wished that he was a better cook. If he was, then he would never eat from here again. Although he couldn't complain too much. Much to his surprise, the rice was pretty good. After finishing his food he drank the water he had gotten for himself after receiving his food. Gulping down the water, he set the cup down. Wiping his lips.
"You ready for a little training?" Questioned the Shinigami. Calling out to his spirit.
"Definitely. If we have time tomorrow you should use it to further hone your skills with our Bankai. If possible we can use this entire week to train. Let's just hope Aizen doesn't launch a surprise attack."
Yujiro simply nodded in agreement. The blue haired Shinigami stood up from his seat and began his trek to find a nice spot to train. He remembered the old training chamber underneath Sokyoku Hill. Back when he was a part of division twelve, Kisuke had taken Yujiro there to hone his skills with a sword.
Yujiro flash stepped towards the area. Once he made it inside, he spotted Renji.
"Aye Red!" Yujiro called out to the Lieutenant.
"Yujiro? What're you doing here?" Asks the tatted redhead.
"I was hoping to get some training in today. Would you mind if I joined?"
"Not at all. I needed someone to train with." Smirked Abarai. "You up for a little sparring?"
Yujiro gave a cocky grin as he responded. "Just make sure Zabimaru doesn't break for the hundredth time." His grin widening upon seeing Renji's reaction.
A vein throbbed in Renji's forehead. "Why you..."
Both reapers unsheathed their blades.
"So do we keep our zanpakuto sealed or no?" Questions Yujiro as he flipped his dual tachi's backwards.
"Wouldn't be an interesting training session if we kept them sealed now would it?" The Lieutenant retorts. "As long as we don't go overboard, we'll be fine."
"Alright. Just don't get upset with me if you lose." Yujiro grins takes the gourd of sake off his shoulder and sets it down.
Both Soul Reapers stared each other down. Waiting for someone to make the first move.
Yujiro dashes forward. His speed momentarily surprising the redhead. Renji raised Zabimaru to block a horizontal swipe from his left. Yujiro had a small smirk on his face. The blue haired Shinigami pushed Renji back. Yujiro pulled his other arm back and went in for another horizontal swing. Renji ducked under and jumped back. Digging his heels into the ground, slowing down his slide.
"Roar, Zabimaru!" He called his Zanpakuto's name. Unleashing his Shikai.
Yujiro's smile widened. Renji swung his zanpakuto. The blade extending. Yujiro whipped his head to the side, successfully evading the strike and flew forward. Renji tried retracting Zabimaru but was too late. Yujiro's foot slammed into Renji's chest. Knocking the Lieutenant away. Renji's back hitting one of the rocks in the training area. He looked to see Yujiro jump up getting a heavy attack ready.
"Ride the lightning, Rakurai!" Yujiro commanded his zanpakuto. A flash of blue lightning covered the twin blades. When it disappeared it revealed his zanpakuto's Shikai state.
The two long swords had grown into a pair of Odachi. The blades had become serrated. Blue markings, which were glowing, decorated the sides of the blades.
Lightning wrapped around both blades. Yujiro swung both arms down. Sending two arcs of lightning streaking towards Renji. Renji rolled to the side, the lightning struck the rocks behind the redhead. The force from the explosion sent Renji flying away. Renji gritted his teeth. Rolling across the floor.
"I would expect no less from his grandson..." Renji smiled as he stood back up.
Yujiro landed on the floor. Facing Renji. The redhead thrusted Zabimaru forward. Yujiro dodged by twisting his body to the side and drew his right arm back. Tossing his serrated sword like a javelin. Lightning buzzing around the blade. Renji turned his body to the side. Barely dodging the weapon. Earning a small cut on his cheek. The sword embedded itself in a boulder. Yujiro flash stepped behind Renji, landing on the sword he thrown a few seconds ago. His left arm cocked back for a wide swing.
"Tengoku no Shogeki!" Yujiro swung his blade. Unleashing a wide arc of lightning at Renji.
Yujiro's technique was too fast for Renji to dodge. The redhead was electrocuted. Renji staggered back. Electricity still buzzing around him. Panting heavily. "Damn..."
"I hope you're not done yet." Yujiro offered a friendly smile.
"Heh." Laughed Renji. "I'm just warming up."
"Good."
"Bankai!"
Yujiro smirked eagerly as Renji unleashed his Bankai.
"Hihiō Zabimaru." Renji stood as the giant snake like form of his zanpakuto coiled around him protectively.
Yujiro chuckled. "It would be pretty disrespectful if I continued using Shikai while you're Bankai is active huh?"
Abarai smirked. "Do it." The redhead welcomed the challenge.
Yujiro nodded hopping down from the blade he was still standing on. Pulling the blade out he commanded his zanpakuto. "Bankai!"
A flash of bright blue lightning flew upwards. When the lightning disappeared, it showed Yujiro with his hair spiked up. Lightning coated his legs. Starting from his feet all the way up to his knees. His blades we're gone. Even the sheaths on his back had disappeared.
"Raijin O Odoru."
"Dancing Lightning God huh? Pretty pretentious name." Renji taunted. Readying himself for what was to come.
"I think you'll agree that the name is well earned." Yujiro responded with confidence.
Yujiro vanished in a flash of lightning. Renji narrowed his eyes. Hearing buzzing to his right, he turned his head only to see nothing. He heard buzzing yet again. This time behind him. Whirling around he once again saw no trace of the Head Captain's rebellious grandson. A sudden force hit Abarai square in the face. Making him skid back a few feet. He shook his head and opened his eyes to see Yujiro launch an uppercut. Yuji's fist collided with Renji's chin. His head whipping back. Giving the redhead no time to react, Yujiro unleashed a flurry of punches. Hitting Renji in the face, forehead, chest, stomach, and right pectoral. Ending his assault with a roundhouse to the Lieutenant's rib. The kick slammed into Renji, electrocuting him and sending him tumbling away.
Yujiro lowered his leg, his foot touching the ground. He exhaled as he kept his eyes on his opponent.
Renji shakily stood up. Blood dripping down his lips. Renji swung forward. Sending Zabimaru towards Yujiro. The mouth of the giant serpent opened. Yujiro responded by flipping himself over, then flash stepped towards Renji. Both of his feet hitting Renji right in the chest. Electrocuting him.
"You're Bankai is way too slow to hit me." Said Yujiro as the redhead flew back. "With my speed you're wide open for an attack."
"Speed is your thing after all." Renji chuckled as he stood back up. Dusting himself off. "Got any advice?"
Yujiro nodded. "Try and find your Bankai's weaknesses and improve those aspects. Also try and think of ways of protecting yourself from opponents like me who can easily bypass your Hihiō Zabimaru. When I first got my Bankai, I couldn't run with it for that long. Maintaining that speed tired me out in the beginning. Now, I only start to feel tired after an hour or two. Hell, I'm even a little faster now than what I was back then."
"Really? Huh. Are you faster than Yoruichi?" Renji inquires. Curious about the subject.
"Pfft! 'Fraid not. In a game of tag, I can actually tag her now. I guess that's an improvement." Yujiro almost rolled his eyes. Recalling the memories. "I'm fast enough to make her take me seriously. But once she really tries, she beats me every time." Yujiro let out a sigh. Feeling ashamed.
Renji gave a hum and nodded his head. "Well I think that's enough for now." Zabimaru returned to it's sealed state. Sheathing his sword.
"Right." Rakurai returned to it's sealed state as well.
"You want a sip?" Yujiro offered as he picked up his gourd.
Renji stared in thought. Considering the offer. "I'd like to but unfortunately I have a patrol tomorrow. Real early to. I can't afford to get drunk now." Abarai declined the offer.
"I imagine Captain Kuchiki doesn't tolerate that sorta thing." Yuji gave a light chuckle. The two of them began to make their way out the chamber.
Renji shook his head. Recalling his early days in his squad. "No he doesn't."
The redhead looks at the dual wielding Shinigami and waves him off. "I'll see ya tomorrow Yujiro."
Yujiro nods with a friendly smile before taking a sip. The two Shinigami exited the chamber and give each other a nod before going their separate ways.
Yujiro made it back to his room and plopped down on his bed. Probably the hardest part of being back in Soul Society after all these years was the severe lack of entertainment. There was no TV. Which meant no movies or shows to watch!
He also was beginning to miss the very questionable food served at fast food restaurants. The amazing ice cream, (even if at a certain restaurant, the ice cream machine was broken almost all the time for some dumb reason) all the delightful music genres and the video games! How could he stay here without the lovely video games?!
Another thing he had begun to miss was the look of the modern city. It was too beautiful and refreshing after being in Soul Society for so long. Despite that, Soul Society has a good amount of nostalgia.
The lightning user let out a long yawn as he stared up at the ceiling. A bored expression on his face.
At the very least he should've went and bought a couple manga volumes if he'd knew he'd be this bored after coming back.
"This sucks...I hate this feeling. This adjustment is going to take a while..." Yujiro sighed to himself as he stared at the ceiling. Bored out of his mind.
"A long while..." Rakurai added.
"Being a captain or lieutenant doesn't seem to be all that fun either. You've seen all that paperwork they get? Yikes!" Yujiro cringed as he imagining himself dealing with all of it.
"Could all that paperwork also be a part of why Captain Zaraki is as crazy as he is?" Wondered the spirit. Yujiro could hear Rakurai him in thought.
Yujiro gave a laugh. "Nah. I think that dude's always had his screws loose. The paperwork definitely ain't helping though."
"I'm surprised that he hasn't challenged you to a fight yet."
Yujiro paused at that, thinking for a brief moment."Me and him haven't had any real interaction yet." Yujiro realized. "He hasn't seen me fight. Although challenging a Kenpachi is definitely on my list of things to do. I can challenge him after the war though. Don't wanna be in the hospital recovering and suddenly Aizen attacks."
"Are you insane?"
"Awww c'mon! You don't think challenging a Kenpachi would be entertaining at least? I want to fight one. Just one. The title of Kenpachi is passed down through the generations. Those who inherit that name gotta be fighters you only get to see once in a generation." Yujiro imagined how strong all the previous Kenpachi's must be.
Rakurai sighed in response. Simply having no words for his master. The spirit seemingly gave up on arguing with Yujiro.
The grandson of Yamamoto looked up, a serious look in his eyes."I know this, before I decide if I want to stay here or not, I will fight a Kenpachi. I don't care if I win or lose." Yujiro scratched his chin. "Zaraki is the only one left right?"
"I believe there is one left in Muken."
"Ah yeah. That guy. What was his name again? Azasuya?"
"Azashiro." Rakurai corrected his master. "He slain the seventh Kenpachi before him, Kuruyashiki."
"Oh yeah." Yujiro recalls. "I remember that day. Everyone in the academy was talking about it. Didn't even have you by my side yet."
"You fumbled your way through the academy. Swordsmanship was the only thing you were marginally decent at." Rakurai mocked Yuji.
"And look at me now! I'd say with all that training I've done, I'm one of the best swordsman here!" Yuji gave a smug smirk.
"If we're talking just swordplay and no other abilities in play like Shikai or Bankai, then yes I'd agree with you."
"Aye! You're my zanpakuto spirit remember? Any insult aimed at me, is aimed at you to."
"I may be." Says the spirit. "And no that's not true. You're an idiot and I am not."
Yujiro closed his eyes and smirks. "That's why you balance everything out perfectly."
"That's why I constantly have headaches." Rakurai snorted in response.
"That's why tomorrow, you're going to be shattered into a million pieces." Yujiro threatened.
"You wouldn't..." Rakurai challenged.
"Try me." Yujiro's smirk grew more sinister.
There was a few seconds of silence. Causing Yujiro to smile at his victory. "Good night Rakurai. Talk to ya in the morning."
All that could be heard was Rakurai mumbling under his breath.
According to Google Translate, Tengoku no Shogeki translates to "Heaven's Shock." I'll provide the translations for Yujiro's other attacks as they're revealed!
Serious question, how do you guys feel about Yujiro improving his relationship with Yamamoto? I'm torn between doing it and not doing it because of what happens during the first Quincy invasion. I feel like If he and Yamamoto don't make amends, it makes Yama's death hit that much harder. That's just me though. I'm interested to see y'all opinions on that.
Also sorry to any Renji fans reading this LMAO! I just don't see Renji messing with Yujiro like that. Rest assured Yuji will meet his match soon. See ya next chapter!