Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Bleach and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Lessons and Training
Within the Akechi Manor, Tamayo was being informed by one of her servants and she was surprised.
"The Shin'o Academy?" Tamayo asked.
"Yes Lady Tamayo," The servant said, "It seems that Lady Satsuki has enrolled in the Shin'o Academy. She just went through the orientation this morning."
"Unbelievable," Tamayo replied annoyed, "So she finally comes back in the Seireitei after twenty years and she doesn't come home? Not even contact me and let me know?"
"It would seem so," The servant said.
"Well if she thinks she can avoid me then she got another thing coming," Tamayo said and then she smiled, "I might as well pay her a visit and embarrass her a bit."
Tamayo chuckled while the servant just sighed sadly as the servant thought about Satsuki.
Human World
In a city, there was someone standing on a pole and it was Kosei as he was looking around.
"Hmm, I don't see any of them in this area," Kosei said, "They've done well in hiding themselves, that's for sure. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we spot at least one of them," Kosei suddenly felt a presence and sported a smirk, "I knew that you would show up. It's quite bold of you to appear before me... Gustav Margriff."
Kosei turned his head and sure enough, Gustav was the one that appeared.
"You're Kosei Kotobuki," Gustav said, "the man who betrayed and killed Reddo Toga."
"You're off on that," Kosei said as he faced Gustav.
"How am I off?" Gustav asked.
"I didn't betray Toga," Kosei responded.
"What the hell are you saying?" Gustav asked, "Clearly you did when you killed him. You were part of his gang and you killed him, your leader."
"That only applies that I was actually loyal to that fool," Kosei said, "But let me tell you a little secret," Kosei looked at Gustav with a glare, "I was never loyal to him. He was just a means to an end. Him and his gang of misfits were a means to prove myself to someone I actually follow."
"Oh, is that so?" Gustav said.
"Yes it's that so," Kosei said, "anyway, what do you want? You must have some reason to appear before me knowing that the Soul Society is on the lookout for you. With that, are you sure you should be talking to me? I could report you to the Soul Society right now."
"It does not matter," Gustav said, "even if you are reporting me right now through a discreet means, I will be able to make my escape and vanish without a trace. Anyway, the reason I came out to see you is that I have questions for you."
"What kind of questions?" Kosei asked.
"Particularly, I have questions about Ramza Beoulve," Gustav said, "I know you know who that is."
"Oh, interesting," Kosei said with amused expression, "and what do you want with Beoulve? Do you actually know him? Why do you want to know about him? And why ask me for the information?"
The Next Day, Seireitei, Soul Society
Within the Shin'o Academy, students were walking through the halls and heading to their classes. The students had been getting their lessons when they had started with the history of the Gotei 13 which was founded by Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto who was currently serving as the Captain of the First Division and therefore acting as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. They were also being taught of the Law, Judiciary, and Government of the Seireitei and the Soul Society itself. The teachers continued with the lectures and students spoke if they knew the answers to the questions that the teachers asked. Later on, there was a break before their next classes and Ramza entered the library and was looking into some books. He picked them up and opened one of the books looking at the characters.
"It's amazing that I can actually read these characters," Ramza said in his head, "Is this the effect being in the Soul Society?"
Ramza went to a table and started to read one of the books that he had on the table. Another student came by and saw Ramza reading one of the books.
"Oh Ramza," A female voice said.
Ramza turned and saw Tietra.
"Oh Tietra," Ramza said.
"You're looking over some books," Tietra said, "is it for the lesson for your class?"
"No, actually it's for me," Ramza said, "I'm looking over things that I want to learn. Some of the things that we won't be even going over until next years."
"But you're looking into them now," Tietra said.
"I'm just getting ahead," Ramza said.
"I see," Tietra said.
"What about you?" Ramza asked.
"Oh just a little studying myself," Tietra said with a smile.
"I see," Ramza said with a smile.
Tietra sat down and read a book she had and she glanced at Ramza who was studying. Tietra looked at Ramza and smiled. Ramza noticed and was confused.
"Is something wrong Tietra?" Ramza asked.
"No, nothing," Tietra said, "I'm just glad that you haven't changed."
"Huh?" Ramza said.
"You're still the same person that you have always been," Tietra said, "I'm sure Alma is happy as well."
"Oh uh, thanks," Ramza said.
"Ramza?" Tietra spoke.
"Yes?" Ramza replied.
"I'm glad to see you again," Tietra said, "despite the circumstances, I am glad to see you again."
"Thank you Tietra," Ramza replied and then had a sad expression, "and I am sorry."
"Ramza, we talked about this before," Tietra said, "you're not to blame for what happened to me. So please stop blaming yourself. I am begging you."
"…I'm sor—" Ramza responded.
"Ramza," Tietra interjected strongly.
"Ah, sor… I mean, you're right," Ramza said, "thank you Tietra."
Tietra smiled, "You're welcome."
Ramza looked at the table and smiled. Ramza looked and saw Alma who was pleased in what she saw and met up with them. Meanwhile at the exterior area of the academy, Ovelia and Agrias were sitting together by the trunk of the tree.
"I see," Ovelia said, "so there's no word about Count Orlandeau."
"No, we don't know if he's even here in the Soul Society," Agrias said, "maybe he was the lucky one and he survived that battle."
"Maybe," Ovelia said.
First Division of the North Rukongai
A large man with piercings on his face looked annoyed and it was the Captain of the 11th Division who was known as Kenpachi Kiganjo. The reason he was annoyed was because he was facing a tall and muscular man with long black hair wearing a robe pointing his sword at Kiganjo with a smile. He had a small child on his shoulder and it was a girl with short pink hair wearing a kimono and she was in glee.
"Huh, who the hell are you supposed to be?" Kiganjo asked.
"Kenpachi Zaraki," The tall and muscular said with a grin.
"Kiganjo got irritated at the man who called himself Kenpachi.
Hueco Mundo
There was a large pile of dead Hollows Ultima was standing looking at the pile in her Seraph form.
"Creatures that are mindless that come to attack," Ultima said, "oh well…"
Ultima had her arms out and a glyph formed beneath the pile of dead Hollows.
Next Day, Seireitei, Soul Society
The students of the Advance Class were getting ready because it was time for them to practice Kido. Later on the students of the Advance Class were all outside sitting on the platform and around the platform were many practice dummies and the Kido instructor arrived and he had long black slick hair and his name was Satoshi Rindo.
"Now, I trust all of you looked over all the types of Kido spells of Bakudo and Hado in the materials you were giving two days ago," Rindo said.
The students all gave answers with nods that they all indeed studied the materials that contained a long list of Kido spells that were of both the Hado and Bakudo categories.
Rindo nodded, "Good, is there anyone here who would like to stand up here and perform a Kido?"
Most students were surprised and they all looked at each other and most were not confident in performing Kido. Suddenly three students raised their hands and it was Ramza, Meliadoul, and Satsuki and the rest of the students were looking at them with intrigue. Rapha, Marach, Agrias, and Isilud smiled and they also decided that they would go as well as they also raised their hands.
Rindo saw them and nodded, "All right, we have seven volunteers," Rindo looked to see who should he choose first and then he pointed at Meliadoul, "Let's start with you, Tengille, step forward please."
"Yes sir," Meliadoul said with a nod and stepped up and faced the one of the dummies.
"Tengille, Hado or Bakudo?" Rindo asked.
"Hado, Instructor," Meliadoul replied.
"Very well, you may begin," Rindo said.
"Yes," Meliadoul then held out her right hand and placed her left hand on her right wrist, "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado#31: Shakkaho!"
Meliadoul generated a high temperature flame-like orb of crimson red energy and shot it at dummy causing it to be destroyed.
The others students clapped and were very impressed and Rindo was impressed what he saw.
"Very good," Rindo said, "an excellent use of Shakkaho and you had good control. Well done Tengille."
Meliadoul nodded and bowed to the instructor.
"Thank you sir," Meliadoul said.
Meliadoul went and sat down next to her brother.
"Nice," Isilud said with a smile.
"Hmm thanks," Meliadoul replied with a nod.
"All right," Rindo said and pointed at Ramza, "Beoulve, you had your hand up as well, step forward."
"Sir," Ramza responded with a nod as he stepped up to face one of the dummies.
"All right Beoulve, Hado or Bakudo?" Rindo asked.
"I'll be going with Hado as well," Ramza replied.
"Very well," Rindo said with a nod, "you may begin."
"Yes," Ramza said as he raised his right hand and had his palm out, "Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle!" Ramza generated and built up energy of a massive concentration of energy that appears as a high level lightning, "Hado#63: Raikoho!"
Ramza released the high level lightning and it destroyed the dummy that he was targeting.
"Wow," One of the students said.
"That's amazing," Another student said.
Rindo nodded as he was impressed, "Nicely done Beoulve, very impressive indeed."
"Thank you Instructor," Ramza said with a nod and then he went back.
When Ramza sat down, he was praised by some of the students and Satsuki came up and placed her hands on Ramza's shoulders as she grinned happily. Agrias and Rapha looked on and they raised eyebrows at the way Satsuki was acted with Ramza. They chalked it up as someone being impressed of their friend but they also had suspicion that it was more than that for Satsuki. Meliadoul looked away and felt a bit irritated although she did not know why and it reminded her of how Satsuki acted when they first met.
"This has been very impressive so far," Rindo said, "I'm seeing much promise so far, so let's see if our third volunteer can perform as well," Rindo looked at and pointed at Satsuki, "Akechi, step forward."
"Oh yes," Satsuki said as she got up and faced one of the dummies.
"Akechi, Hado or Bakudo?" Rindo asked.
"Hado, sir," Satsuki answered.
"All right, let's see what you can do," Rindo said.
Meliadoul moved closer to Ramza.
"Ramza, as I recall, you mentioned that Satsuki actually hails from the noble Akechi family," Meliadoul said, "and they are known to be extremely proficient when it comes to Kido."
"That's right," Ramza said, "in fact, her use of Kido really helped me when we faced trouble ten years ago."
"Yes I remember when you told me," Meliadoul said, "the Archaeodaemons…"
Satsuki looked at the dummy in the middle and then she looked at two other on each side of the middle one and then he took a deep breath.
"Okay, here we go," Satsuki said with a serious expression looking at the three dummies and raised her right hand in front of her chest, "Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny!"
Rindo was shocked at what was happening and had his thoughts, "Wait a minute, that incantation… Level 90 Kido!"
"Hey, isn't that…?" A female student said surprised.
"No way, is she actually…" A male student said surprised.
"Hold on a moment," Marach said as he as well as Rapha, Isilud, and Agrias looked surprised, "Doesn't it sound to be the incantation of a Level 90 Kido?"
"Yes," Agrias answered, "pretty sure that it is."
"So she's doing that," Meliadoul said.
"It would seem so," Ramza said.
"They're not surprised?" Agrias, Isilud, Marach, and Rapha asked in their heads.
Satsuki continued with the incantation as a black spiritual coffin was forming around the three dummies with a purplish black energy forming causing a powerful torrent of gravity taking the form of a box of black energy, covered in several spear-like protrusions.
"Grow numb and flicker!" Satsuki continued, "Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud! Unite! Repulse! Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness! Hado#90: Kurohitsugi!"
The spears on the box pierced the box, lacerating and destroying the three dummies that were inside and the black box disintegrated. The students there were shocked and impressed with what happened and some were talking about Leonora of how she pulled it off.
Rindo was surprised as well, "That was surprising," Rindo looked at Satsuki," Akechi."
"Yes?" Satsuki replied looking at the instructor.
"That was very impressive," Rindo said, "I'm amazed that you were able to have such control with such a high level Kido."
"Hmm, I don't know," Satsuki said.
"Hmm, something wrong Akechi?" Rindo asked.
"Well I don't think it was enough," Satsuki said, "I'm sure you noticed that it was not in full power even with the incantation."
"Yes I did, but the fact that you were able to perform it and kept control of it is impressive itself," Rindo said, "this is the first time in all my years that I witness a freshman casting a Level 90 Kido and there was no problem. Akechi, you did a good job indeed."
The students clapped their hands and Satsuki smiled and went back to her spot where she was being praised for his performance.
"All right, let us continue on," Rindo said as he was decided who would be next to step up.
Satsuki sat down, Ramza smiled and nodded at her and Satsuki smiled back feeling happy.
After some time, the Kido Class was over and next was the Zanjutsu Class and in the Zanjutsu Hall, the students sat in the training hall with bokkens in their hands and the Zanjutsu instructor known as Nobuyasu Honda and he was a middle aged looking man who had gray hair stood in front of the class.
"Today, we'll have sparring matches to see how skilled you are with swordsmanship," Honda said, "I'll set up the pairs."
Honda set up the pairs afterwards, he picked the first pair to start their sparring match and it was Ramza against Agrias and the two bowed to each other and they got into their stance with their bokkens in front of them.
"Begin," Honda instructed.
Ramza and Agrias sparred with each other in their sparring match. It was even for both of them and it reminded them of their fights back in Ivalice although it had been a long time since they sparred each other. The last time they sparred with each other was during the three months between Ovelia being taken Goltanna and when the War of the Lions really began. Agrias found herself not being to find any opening against Ramza. The only thing that Agrias was able to do was to dodge and block Ramza's aggressive attacks. Ramza went to Agrias's left side and attempted to strike but the former Lionsguard leader quickly blocked the attack and was able to push the former noble back a bit and she followed up by attempting to counter by striking her opponent by lunging to hit Ramza's chest with the tip of her bokken but Ramza was able to counter by lunging his bokken, striking Agrias and actually sent her flying a bit and making her fall on the floor.
"Match, Beoulve!" Honda declared.
Ramza sighed with relief but he looked at Agrias with worry and rushed to her.
"Agrias, are you okay?" Ramza asked, "Sorry if I was going too far."
"It's fine, don't worry Ramza," Agrias assured, "you didn't do anything wrong."
"Still my apologies," Ramza said.
"It's fine, really," Agrias said, "I'm just impressed. You truly are something Ramza."
"Agrias," Ramza said.
Honda cleared his throat, "If you're done, move along, I would like to continue on with other students."
Honda showed his expression that he was losing patience a bit and the two students went back sitting down on their spots and Honda continued by having the next pair come up to have their sparring matches. Marach went up next and faced his sparring partner and they sparred. Later on, after going through all the sparring matches and continuing with the lectures, Honda ended the Zanjutsu class and students were leaving the training hall. Sometime later, Ramza was resting outside and relaxing sitting next to the trunk of a tree enjoying the shade.
"Ramza," A male voice said.
Ramza glanced and saw Isilud.
"Oh Isilud," Ramza said.
"Seeing you there relaxing," Isilud said, "if you don't mind, will it be okay if I join you?"
"I don't, go ahead," Ramza said.
"Thank you," Isilud said.
Isilud sat next to Ramza and relaxed.
"This is relaxing," Isilud said.
"Indeed," Ramza said.
"I was very impressed in what you did," Isilud said, "with the Kido and with swordsmanship. Seeing that really drove it home for me that you're not to be underestimated."
"I don't know," Ramza said, "I don't feel that it was that impressive."
"You are too modest," Isilud said, "I know that you are skilled. There's no doubt, you're going to be a powerful Shinigami. I'm sure of it. It's not just me who is saying this. They also agree with me."
"They?" Ramza asked.
"Ramza," A female voice said.
Ramza looked and saw Marach, Rapha, Agrias, and Meliadoul who smiled and went to Ramza and Isilud.
"Hi everyone," Ramza said.
Meliadoul looked around and looked worried.
"Meliadoul, what is it?" Agrias asked.
"I thought Satsuki would be here before us," Meliadoul said.
"Satsuki?" Ramza asked.
"Oh Satsuki," Rapha said, "I actually saw her talking to someone."
"Hmm, someone?" Ramza asked.
"Yes, it was a woman with long black hair," Rapha said, "with the way she was dressed, she seems to be a noble."
"A noble woman with long black hair?" Ramza asked.
"Yes," Rapha said.
Ramza was surprised and he was worried and suddenly got up and ran which surprised the others.
"Ramza, what's wrong?" Rapha asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'll be back," Ramza said as he was still running, "I just want to check on something."
"Ramza?" Meliadoul asked.
"Where is he going?" Isilud asked as he stood up.
Meanwhile within the hall of the academy, Satsuki was very upset. She was upset because she was facing her sister Tamayo.
"I'm so happy to see you again my dear sister," Tamayo said.
"Tamayo, why are you here?" Satsuki asked.
"You come right back in the Seireitei after twenty years and it's just to enroll in this academy," Tamayo said, "you didn't bother to come see me, not just once. You wound me Sister."
Satsuki clenched her teeth in anger as she was amazed at the audacity that her sister would show up and just come see her.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Ramza stands for his friend and a visit for the academy.