Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Bleach and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Day in Takame
Ramza faced four men who he felt were harassing the two well-dressed man and the tall bald muscular man looked at Ramza and raised an eyebrow.
"I never seen you here before," The bald man said.
"I'm Ramza Beoulve," Ramza responded, "I just arrived here."
"So you are new," The bald man said, "figured as much. Since that's the case, I'm going to inform you what's going on. We're fighting in a conflict and that conflict was started by the nobles of the Seireitei."
"The Seireitei," Ramza said, "I was told that it's the capital of the Soul Society and the people living here are nobles and members of the Soul Society's military branches who are known as the Shinigami who are part of the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukido, and the Kido Corps."
"That's right," The bald man said, "we're basically at war with them."
"War?" Ramza asked.
"That's right, war," The bald man said, "Against the nobles of the Seireitei."
"There is no war," One of the well-dressed man said.
The comment surprised the five men and the four of those men were annoyed.
"That's right, nothing is really happening," The second well-dressed man said.
"What was that?" The third man responded.
The two well-dressed men looked at Ramza with hopefulness.
"No one from the Seireitei is even looking at the people here in Takame," The first well-dressed man said, "except maybe the Shinigami overseeing the district."
"Not only that, we have been accused of being nefarious," The second well-dressed man said, "but that is not the case."
"Don't lie!" The bald man reacted, "You took materials that you plan to take back to your master to help other noble to move against us."
"That is not it at all," The first well-dressed man said, "what we have won't even be used for battle or any conflict."
"What do you have?" Ramza asked, "If you don't mind me asking."
"Sure," The first well-dressed responded and he and the other well-dressed man opened the bag and showed Ramza and the four other men, "Take a look."
In the bags were blue flowers which surprised the four men.
"Flowers?" Ramza asked.
"They're blue spider lilies," The bald man said.
"Blue spider lilies?" One of the men said, "What the heck are you gathering them for?"
"Our master is an expert in medicine," The second well-dressed man said, "we volunteered to gather the blue spider lilies which are known to grow here in Takame. We're not gathering things to fight against the people of this district."
"No one is looking to even fight against the citizens here or any of the districts," The first well-dressed man said, "in fact these flowers couldn't even be used as some sort of weapon. These will actually help people cure them of diseases."
"But how can this be?" The bald man said, "You…"
The bald man stopped himself and thought of some things.
"Well it looks like it was nothing after all," Ramza said and then looked at the bald man, "right?"
The bald man looked at Ramza and the two well-dressed man and sighed.
"Fine," The bald man said and he turned to the three other men, "You three, head back to the base."
"Yes sir," The three men said.
The men left and the two well-dressed men sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness we avoided conflict," The first well-dressed man said.
"Indeed and surely Lord Isshin will be pleased with the amount we brought back," The second well-dressed man said.
"Lord Isshin?" Ramza asked.
"Oh yes," The second man said, "Lord Isshin Shiba, he is the one who we serve."
"The Shiba Clan is one of the Great Noble Houses of the Soul Society," The first man said.
"Isshin," The bald man said in his head, "that guy…"
"Well I'm glad things were solved," Ramza said.
"Yes and we believed you helped solve that," The first well-dressed man said.
"I agree," The second well-dressed man said, "thank you so much."
"You don't need to thank me," Ramza replied shaking, "I really didn't do anything."
"I disagree," The first well-dressed man said.
"So do I," The second well-dressed man said, "we believed that you really help smooth things over."
The two well-dressed men left and the bald man frowned and folded his arms still holding his sheathed sword.
"I just don't get it," The bald man said.
"What?" Ramza asked looking at the tall bald man.
"I was told that materials were being taken to help the nobles move in against us," The bald man said, "How could this have happen? Did he give the wrong information?"
"Who are you referring to?" Ramza asked.
"Huh, what a minute," The bald man said and then he got upset, "this isn't right! Even it was nothing to use against us, we still shouldn't have let them go!"
"D-Do you seriously believe that?" Ramza replied shocked.
"Yes I do," The bald man said and he turned to Ramza, "We should have stop them anyway and let them suffer whatever diseases that may come to them."
"Don't you think that you're being a bit petty?" Ramza asked.
"If you were around when an incident happened here in this district, you would have felt the same way," The bald man said and then he sighed, "Well it's too late to do anything about it now."
"What is this incident that you're talking about?" Ramza asked, "I heard it before when I arrived here."
"Hmm you want to know," The bald man said, "In that case, I would like to invite you to our base."
"Your base?" Ramza asked.
"Yeah, I want you to meet our leader and then you can hear what happened here," The bald man said, "You'll understand why we view the people in the Seireitei as enemies and why we're standing against them."
Ramza thought about it and nodded.
"Very well," Ramza said, "I'll check it out."
"Great," The bald man said, "oh yeah, I haven't told you my name. It's Yashiro. Yashiro Matsuzaki."
"Matsuzaki?" Ramza replied, "I beg your pardon, but would you happened to be related to Yuji Matsuzaki?"
Yashiro frowned and sighed, "Yeah, he's my older brother."
"You don't seem pleased," Ramza commented.
"Because I'm not," Yashiro said, "Yuji is a coward who refuses to help us," Yashiro clicked his tongue, "it irritating that I have an older brother who's a coward and my younger brother who's a traitor."
"Wait, younger brother?" Ramza asked.
"Ah, I've said too much," Yashiro said, "come see us at our base. It is south from here. It's a huge building, you can't miss it."
"Very well," Ramza said, "I'll be there."
"I'm sure you'll be willing to join us when you hear from our leader and know why we stand against the Seireitei."
Yashiro turned around and left. Ramza stood and thought about what had just occurred.
"It seems that a lot is going on here," Ramza said, "hmm, it reminds me of the conflict we had with the Corpse Brigade. If the people in the Seireitei are like what Yuji told me which reminds me of the Order of the Northern Sky led by my brothers, then this group that Yashiro was talking about do not stand a chance… unless they have some way to actually fight them on equal ground," Ramza shook his head, "I don't like their chances if that is not the case."
Royal City of Lesalia, Ivalice
In the grand church of the capital, there was a royal funeral for Ovelia and many people came mourned the loss of Ivalice's Queen. Delita was in the front and had his head down in sadness.
"Blessing of the Great Father descends and guides your body's return to the earth," The priest said, "May the grace of St. Ajora lead Her Majesty the Queen's soul to the eternal shores of Paradise. There she shall find peace. Faram."
"Faram," The mourners said.
The priest and the mourners gave their prayers to the Queen. The official statement was that Ovelia was killed by a bandit. It was stated that Delita was able to kill the bandit but was not able to save his wife. It was a lie that put out that Delita had built much to his shame and misery.
District 40 of West Rukongai, Takame, Soul Society
Ramza walked and arrived at the outskirts of the district. Ramza stopped and saw the huge building.
"This must be the place," Ramza said, "it looks like a castle although it looks rundown."
Ramza walked and approached the rundown castle. As Ramza approached the castle, he saw three young looking men who looked to be guarding the entrance. The three young guards looked and saw Ramza.
"Hey, who are you?" One of the guards asked.
"This is the base belonging to the Toga Clan," Another guard said.
"The Toga Clan?" Ramza asked, "So that's the name of the group."
"That's right so who the hell are you?" The third guard asked.
"I was invited here by Yashiro Matsuzaki," Ramza said.
"Yashiro?" The first guard asked.
"Oh so you're him," The third guard said, "Ramza Beoulve. Yeah, we were told to expect you."
"Yashiro told us to let you through," The second guard said.
The three men opened the gate and someone was walking through and it was Yashiro.
"You're here," Yashiro said.
"Yes I came just like you requested," Ramza said.
"Great then let's go," Yashiro said, "Our leader is waiting to meet with you."
"Very well," Ramza said with a nod.
Ramza went in the base and went in with Yashiro. As they were in the grounds within the base, Ramza looked around and saw people who he assumed were members of the Toga Clan. The members looked at Ramza and most gave suspicious looks. They went up inside and went up the stairs and got to the upper floor. There was a door and Yashiro opened the door. There in the room, there were two people who were waiting. One of them was a lean man with brown spiky hair and wore glasses and had a dark gray sleeveless robe and he was holding a sheathed sword. The other was an average looking man with black short untidy hair and he wore a dark orange sleeveless robe and he had his own sword that was as tall as he was and he carried it on his back.
"Well now, so you're here," The average looking man said, "so this is the guy."
"Yes leader, this is him," Yashiro said.
Yashiro went and stood next to the man who Yashiro called leader.
Ramza looked around and gave his attention to the three men who stood before him.
"Ramza Beoulve, I presume," The average looking man said.
"Yes," Ramza said with a nod.
"Nice to meet you," The leader said with a grin, "we are the Toga Clan, the clan that is opposing against the nobles and their soldiers in the Seireitei. I am Reddo Toga and I am the leader of the Toga Clan. I would not mind if you became a member of the Toga Clan. Every person is welcome to join us and help fight against the Seireitei. Believe me, it would be worth your while and you can be part of delivering justice against the oppressive system of the Seireitei."
"Oppressive system…" Ramza said.
"That's right," Reddo said, "you've already met Yashiro here."
Yashiro nodded and smiled.
"Join us Ramza," Yashiro said, "I can tell, I can tell that you have quite a fighting spirit in you. I bet you can handle yourself in battle. We can provide what you need to help us put an end to the vile nobles."
"I am Kosei Kotobuki," The glasses wearing man said, "I personally am not sure about you. You don't seem much but whatever. Even if you're useless in a fight, I'm sure we can find some use for you… that is if you intend to actually join us."
"He's useful," Yashiro insisted.
"How can you be so sure?" Kosei asked, "Didn't you also say that he just intervene against those two men?"
"Well yeah I sense something in him," Yashiro said, "I can sense his spirit energy."
"Wait, you sense that too?" Ramza asked surprised.
"Huh, yeah," Yashiro replied looking at Ramza.
"I see," Ramza said, "there was someone who sort of said the same thing to me."
"Oh, who was that?" Reddo asked.
"It was a woman," Ramza said.
"What woman?" Kosei asked.
"Well it was woman who had two people with her," Ramza said.
"Wait, did this woman have long black hair and golden eyes and wore a kimono that was white and pink?" Reddo asked.
"Um yes, that's her," Ramza said.
The three men groaned in annoyance.
"That damn noble woman," Yashiro said.
"Who?" Ramza asked.
"The woman you met is likely Tamayo Akechi," Kosei said.
"Is that who it is?" Ramza asked.
"Yeah, she's one of those damn vile nobles," Yashiro said.
"Ramza, you would be wise to not be associate with her or any noble," Reddo said, "especially since she conspired with another noble to cause problems here."
"What happened?" Ramza asked.
"Right, I promised that you would know," Yashiro said.
"Right so here's the thing," Reddo said, "It was ten years ago. A servant pretended to be a new person and came here. We all welcomed the person and we all saw him as someone who was one of us. However, it was all an act and the pretender attacked people here. Many people died including the village elder. The pretender was using Kido and cutting people down with their sword."
Ramza was shocked at what he was hearing.
"I don't understand, why would they do that?" Ramza asked, "What was the point?"
"It was for an experiment," Reddo said bitterly.
"Experiment?" Ramza asked, "What kind of experiment does it involve attacking innocent people?"
"It was something to gain some sort of power," Reddo said, "what power it was we don't know but all we know that their stunt caused the lives of many people, friends, family, etc. What's worse is that we tried to go to the Seireitei and let the authorities there know but they turned us away. In fact, one of the people there said that it was made clear that no one involved in the heinous act would be punished for it."
"That's awful," Ramza said.
"It was made clear that the nobles do what they want and don't answer for the crimes they commit or maybe it does not matter to them what happens to people like us in Rukongai and our lives means nothing to them," Reddo said with bitterness, "and we're aware that they will continue to torment and attack us and everyone here unless we stop them. If we don't, more people will become victims."
"I see now," Ramza said, "Yes, that is something that should not happen."
"Ramza, with all that you just heard, will you join us?" Reddo asked, "Please help us."
Ramza looked at the three men and made his decision as it reminded him what had happened throughout his time alive in Ivalice.
"Okay, I'll join you," Ramza said.
The three men were ecstatic in the answer Ramza said.
"Thank you Ramza," Reddo said, "let us work together to take on the nobles and make them answer for what they've done."
Later on, after meeting with the three men, Ramza left the room and went on his way out of the base of the Toga Clan. As Ramza left, he couldn't stop thinking what he was told. He was reminded of what had happened back in Ivalice. He remembered when he was fighting against the Corpse Brigade. He remembered when he was taking on Millueda and when he heard Argath refer to her and the other Corpse Brigade member being less than human. He thought it was just Argath with his bias but then with the incident at Fort Ziekden when Tietra, Delita's sister was a victim of the convenience of his brothers and the Order of the Northern Sky.
"If I help stop what happened before," Ramza said, "I can stop this. But it seems that things are the same when it comes to nobles and I myself was once a noble," Ramza thought about his status and how it was meant nothing to him anymore, "I guess I know what I'm going to do now."
Later on, Ramza was walking outside and taking a stroll in the district. As he continued, he noticed someone who was looking out and taking in the view from a hill. The person who was looking out from the hill was a male Shinigami that was dark skinned with dark brown hair and had pupil-less eyes and also wore clear goggles.
"This place, the people here, all trying to find their own justice," The dark-skinned Shinigami said and he turned to Ramza, "Hello there."
"Hello," Ramza replied.
"Hmm, this is a first," The Shinigami said.
"Hmm?" Ramza replied.
"You just greeted me without a hint of hostility," The Shinigami said, "usually there would be hostility for being the mere fact that I'm a Shinigami charged in keeping the peace of the Seireitei and the Soul Society as a whole… not that I don't understand and have sympathize why that is the case in this district."
"Oh um…" Ramza spoke.
"I should go," The dark skinned Shinigami said and then turned to Ramza, "take care of yourself."
"Um, thank you," Ramza replied, "You too."
The Shinigami nodded and left on his way. Ramza looked on as the Shinigami left.
"So another Shinigami," Ramza said.
Flashback
Ramza was surrounded by everything that was just white and he faced the Shinigami after the battle with Ultima.
"Who are you?" Ramza asked.
"Me?" The person replied, "I'm here to take you to where you need to go."
"What are you talking?" Ramza replied back, "And you didn't answer my question, who are you?"
"All you need to know that I'm a Shinigami," The person said.
"A Shinigami?" Ramza asked.
"Yes, a death god to put it," The Shinigami said.
"A death god," Ramza said.
"Yes a reaper and I'm here to send you to the place called the Soul Society," The Shinigami said.
"What do you mean?" Ramza asked surprised, "I don't understand."
"The fact is that you're dead," The Shinigami said.
"…I see," Ramza said, "Well I figured that was the case with the explosion that had occurred."
"Yes and I'm here to take you to the afterlife," The Shinigami said, "The place called the Soul Society. So with that in mind…"
The Shinigami drew his sword and Ramza was shocked and steeped back a bit.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Ramza asked.
"Don't worry, it's not what you think," The Shinigami said as he pointed at the pommel of his hilt, "I'm just going to perform a Konso on you and you'll be sent to the Soul Society."
"But wait, can you least tell me about the people that I was with?" Ramza asked.
"Question time is over," The Shinigami said, "I must fulfill my duty."
Flashback End
"They all reside in the Seireitei," Ramza said, "I wonder if that Shinigami that brought me here is there as well. Well I should just head back home."
Meanwhile there was an area that was a graveyard and someone was there paying respects. It was a Shinigami and the Shinigami was a man with a long black hair that was tied to a ponytail. The Shinigami had a sad expression. Ramza was coming by and he stopped and saw the Shinigami.
"Another one," Ramza said in his head.
Ramza looked at the Shinigami who was having a sad expression.
"I'll be back again," The ponytailed Shinigami said.
Ramza suddenly noticed someone was sneaking up and it was Yashiro and he slowly and quietly unsheathed his sword. Yashiro clenched his teeth in anger.
"You traitor!" Yashiro yelled.
Yashiro alerted the Shinigami who quickly saw Yashiro charging toward him with his sword. The Shinigami used Shunpo to dodge the sword swing and reappeared on the other side. Yashiro quickly turned to Shinigami.
"Yashiro, let's not do this," The Shinigami pleaded, "not here."
"You have some nerve to come here Yosuke," Yashiro said, "you're a disgrace Little Brother and I have no sympathy for you. Prepare yourself!"
"Please stop," The Shinigami named Yosuke pleaded, "I don't want to fight you Brother."
"Don't be a coward," Yashiro responded.
Yashiro charged and swung his sword at Yosuke and Yosuke easily dodge the sword swings. Yashiro was getting frustrated and thrusted his sword at his younger brother but Yosuke countered when he quickly disarmed Yashiro of his sword and he tripped his older brother which made him fall with his sword fell on the ground and Yosuke quickly drew his sword and swung it and stopped it just close to Yashiro's neck. Yashiro was shocked and couldn't believe that his younger brother was faster than him.
"It's over," Yosuke declared, "Don't waste your life Yashiro."
Yashiro clenched his teeth again and glared at Yosuke.
"Just kill me," Yashiro said, "I rather die than received any mercy from you traitor."
"You stupid big brother," Yosuke replied up as he pulled his sword away from Yashiro's neck, "I'm not going kill you. Not now, not ever."
Yosuke sheathed his sword. Yashiro got up and glared at Yosuke again.
"It makes me sick that you willfully became a Shinigami of the Gotei 13," Yashiro said, "the same group involved in the tragedy those damn nobles caused here."
"That is why I became a Shinigami," Yosuke said, "if the system is broken than it should be fixed from within so that something like this never happens again and as I kept saying, the noble who caused the tragedy are not well liked by the other nobles and even in the military branches."
"And yet the powers at be do nothing to go against them and even cover for them," Yashiro pointed out, "that's all we need to know and see that if they don't anything against them, that they stand with them and condone their heinous actions."
"Yashiro," Yosuke said sadly.
"They will pay for this," Yashiro said, "they will answer for what they've done and I won't show mercy to you."
"Do you really think you can take on the Seireitei?" Yosuke asked, "Hell I was able to beat you and there are people who are way stronger, way powerful than I am. You don't stand a chance."
"We're not stupid," Yashiro said, "We're fully aware. But the thing is, we have someone who knows and has information on everyone in the Seireitei and we have our card to play. When we make our move, we will beat you damn Shinigami and the make the nobles suffer and pay for the tragedy that fell on us. There will be no escape and you will do well to remember that."
Yashiro stood up and went to pick up and sheathed his sword. Afterwards, he left and Yosuke just stood and had a sad expression again.
"How long do you plan to stand there?" Yosuke asked.
Yosuke turned and saw Ramza who was surprised that Yosuke noticed him.
"Oh um…" Ramza spoke not knowing what to say.
"I never seen you before," Yosuke said, "Are you new?"
"Yes I'm Ramza Beoulve," Ramza said.
"I see," Yosuke said.
"You're the younger brother that Yashiro mentioned," Ramza said.
"So you know my brother," Yosuke said.
"I just met him today," Ramza said.
"I see," Yosuke said, "well I'll just introduce myself. I'm Yosuke Matsuzaki, a Shinigami of the Gotei 13."
"Nice to meet you," Ramza said.
Yosuke was surprised at what Ramza just said.
"Nice to meet me?" Yosuke responded, "That's a first for me."
"Um sorry?" Ramza replied confused.
"No, don't be," Yosuke said shaking his head, "I was just surprised."
"If you don't mind, I have some questions about what happened here before and the nobles that caused it," Ramza said.
"…Okay," Yosuke said with a nod.
Meanwhile Yuji was standing in front of his house and he was confronted by three well-dressed men.
"You're being so stubborn about this," One of the well-dressed men said, "It is not something to be encouraged."
"If you're that worried, we can help you," The second well-dressed man said, "Lady Tamayo Akechi actually wants to help you out."
"I'll say it as many times as I need to," Yuji said, "I have no interest. You go and tell your master that I do want nor care for her offer. I'm fine with where I am now. I don't need anything else."
"Why are so against getting help from Lady Tamayo who actually wants to help you?" The second well-dressed man asked.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" Yuji asked upset, "After what she did? What she was involved in ten years ago?"
"As she had said, she was forced to participate," The third well-dressed man said, "She couldn't refuse."
"Even if that's true, that is no excuse," Yuji pointed out, "people died as a result of what they did and I refuse to be associated with her and the other noble she seems to bowing to."
"Matsuzaki," The first well-dressed man spoke upset.
"You might as well head back to the Seireitei and give her my answer," Yuji said.
The three men frowned and shook their heads.
"You're going to regrets this Matsuzaki," The first well-dressed man said.
"Oh, is that a threat?" Yuji responded folding his arms.
"It's just something that will happen," The first well-dressed man said, "You and everyone in this district are completely ignorant of what is going on and then there those fools in the Toga Clan here, led by the only remaining member of the Toga family that lost their noble status years ago."
"Just leave already," Yuji said, "I'm not interested in hearing you three ramble."
The second well-dressed man huffed in annoyance.
"Fine, your loss," The second well-dressed man said.
"Let's go," The third well-dressed man said.
The three men started to leave and as they were leaving, someone came by and it was Ramza who was surprised to see three men. The men looked at Ramza and were annoyed that some blonde resident of the district was staring at them.
"What the hell are you looking at?" The first well-dressed man said bitterly.
"Oh my apologies," Ramza said, "I didn't mean to stare."
"Come on, let's go," The third well-dressed man suggested.
The three well-dressed men went on their way and left. Afterwards, Ramza met up with Yuji.
"Hi Ramza," Yuji greeted.
"HI Yuji," Ramza greeted, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Yuji assured, "don't worry about it."
"Um okay, if you're sure about it," Ramza said.
"Anyway Ramza, what brings you here?" Yuji asked, "Did you just come to visit? Or did have some questions or some advice you want?"
"Well, all the above," Ramza said.
Yuji smiled, "Come in. Let's talk. I'm sure you have somethings you want to know."
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Ramza participates in the meeting and activity of the Toga Clan.