HALCYON DAYS
Volume Three: Champagne Coliseum
Chapter Six
It was morning in Soul Society.
20 yards from the Red Hollow Gate was a small entrance that lead directly into the Bushishinzui Budōkan.
Higonyūdō, the southern gatekeeper, brought his massive hands underneath the unfathomably heavy stone and hoisted it up with considerable strain. The entrance groaned when wind seeped into the chasm for the first time in 76 years.
Thousands of Rukon villagers milled into the blackness, where they were met by a heavy formation of Shinigami checking for tickets. Once cleared, each villager pressed on into the dark catacombs that lead up into the stadium stands.
The Tenth Jūsankentaikai had begun. 24 years ahead of schedule.
Sunrise drew its dazzling curtain across the Seireitei and brought a sparkle to the stadium. The Twelfth Division had done its job well and scrubbed every surface until every surface gleamed. The amphitheater shimmered like a cauldron of crisp champagne.
Nanao stood shrouded in shadow within one of the hallways pocketed in the Bushishinzui Budōkan's ground level. Shunsui was beside her; it was customary for captains to escort their division's champion to the ring during the inaugural match.
He listened to the growing rumble of footsteps surging above.
Here they come. It won't be long now.
He looked to Nanao: she was quaking like a hummingbird.
"Nervous, Nanao-chan?"
"No, Captain," she replied. "I'm excited."
Shunsui smiled. He had always known Nanao nursed ambitions for combat. He felt lousy fo helping her family stifle her aspiration. While the other officers assumed the Eight Division lieutenant was a wilting flower, she was anything but.
"This is your chance to show everyone what you can do," he said. "I know you'll do yourself proud."
"What about you, Captain?" she countered. "Will I make you proud?"
"You already do every day, just by being who you are."
"Oh, cut it out," she frowned.
Byakuya, Hitsugya, Kenpachi, Komamura, Ukitake and Unohana stood waiting in the vestibule that was tucked into the northwest security zone of the stadium.
"Where's Captain Kurotsuchi?" Komamura growled.
"He's off dealing with a critical task," Ukitake replied.
Kenpachi was eyeing Hitsugaya up and down, making the diminutive captain wish he were anywhere else.
"You've gotten stronger, haven't you?" the brute grinned. "That Reikinbaku-ito stuff didn't do squat for me, but you've made a lot of improvement in just a few days. Haven't you, pipsqueak? Yeah, I can tell. Maybe you and me can spar a little when this is over?"
"I'll pass, thanks," Hitsugaya sighed, averting Kenpachi's gaze.
"It isn't proper," Komamura continued, still hung up on Mayuri's absence. "What could Kurotsuchi possibly be doing that would excuse his absence?"
"Genryūsai has deemed his mission important enough to exempt him from participating the tournament," Ukitake explained with a smile. "That's all I can divulge."
"You're telling me I could have just made up some 'important business' to get out of babysitting duty?" Kenpachi grunted.
"Please don't speak like this when the Tenrai-chōs are present," Unohana rejoined him sweetly. "They don't understand your etiquette the way we do, Zaraki. Better yet, perhaps you should practice the art of silence for today."
Kenpachi harrumphed but declined to argue.
Right on cue, the two bejeweled doors creaked open. All of the captains fell silent when the Shisonka strolled into the vestibule, flanked by their guards.
First came Kōbucha Ise, prim and prettily wizened. She was frocked in several layers of resplendent robes dyed burnt gold and crimson, her dark hair kept in a boxy Kepatsu style with a gray stripe running along the left wing. Her eyes were gray as ash and face adorned with several geometrically pleasing wisdom creases. Towering beside her was Nisaki Rurisa, her Shikōtai bodyguard.
Next was Yūshirō Sakimune Shihōin, the distractingly young Tenrai-chō whose reign began before he had even lost his first baby tooth. Dark-skinned like all Shihōin, he was a strikingly handsome boy whose features were so elfin that he could be mistaken for a girl.
His Shihakushō was distinguished by white shoulder pads and pink fingerless gloves fitted over his arms, with a matching sash around his waist. Overlaying the ensemble was a decadent purple robe, the garment conspicuously too big for his tiny frame. His big golden eyes beamed like lanterns, buoyed by his bright and unyielding grin.
Accompanying him was his Shikōtai guard, Hinashi Yokio, a translucently pallid Shinigami whose samurai armor concealed a rail-thin body. He was bound in a set of black cuirass and gauntlets that gave off an amethyst shimmer, with a lilac sash slung around his waist.
Yokio's face was hidden behind a mask cursed with completely benign features, giving off an eerie vacancy. His Kabuto helm was topped by two horns shaped like a beetle's antennae, his Zanpakutō's handle a soft periwinkle and hilt a sharp oval.
Next was Ginrei Kuchiki and his nephew Kōga, both of them striding forth with a shared ease.
Finally, there came Tokinada Tsunayashiro, a slender man distinguished by his clover hair. Fringes of sea-foam green flecked along the roots, much of it concentrated into a taut braid entrenched amongst an otherwise unkempt mane.
Tokinada was feyly handsome, standing at 5'7" and lithe in build, with green eyes that slanted into a cat's glare. He wore a white hoari over his Shihakushō, and over that a cream-colored robe with tanned leather around the shoulders.
He was flanked by two of his three Shikōtai guards. The Tsunayashiro Tenrai-chō infamously commanded more security than the rest of the Shisonka.
To his right was Baiyori Magōnyo, a strapping Shinigami armored in a canary yellow cuirass which, coupled with the black Shihakusho beneath, made him resemble a Yellowjacket. The smoky mask adorning his face was contorted into an expression of weeping despair, his helmet crested by a spike that curved up like a rhinoceros horn.
To the left was Sobura Kisāda, a Shinigami of slim build wearing an emerald cuirass and gauntlets, along with a pair of deep navy spaulders and matching greaves. His mask was twisted into a fanged grin and his helmet's crest disturbingly rached out in the shape of two cherubic arms, as if a toddler were sprouting from his skull.
Hitsugaya reflexively put his guard up, sensing the immense spiritual pressure emanating from the five guards.
All of them have extremely impressive Reiatsu, he observed. If all six of us fought them here and now, the battle would be distressingly even.
The captains bowed their heads in acknowledgment of the royals, but Komamura went so far as to fall onto his knees.
"My lords," the wolf said reverently. "We are honored to escort you –"
"Where's your helmet gone, Sajin?" Kōbucha asked, her face scrunching up with disgust. "How dare you show your face like that. Hideous. Offensive."
Hitsugaya's eyes widened, stunned by the insult. He looked down at Komamura, who was chastened like a child reprimanded by teacher.
"Yes, this is indeed an unpleasant surprise," Tokinada joined in with a contemptuous smirk. "If you weren't going to wear your bucket, you should have warned us to bring our own so that we may have a place to vomit our disgust."
How dare you! Hitsugaya bristled.
Unohana stepped forth and placed a supportive hand on Komamura's shoulder. She gave the gathered Shisonka a faint smile.
"Captain Komamura's helmet was destroyed during the Ryoka Infiltration, and has chosen not to conceal his face any longer," she explained with serene poise. "The Gotei 13 supports his decision. We humbly ask that you tolerate this indulgence, my lords."
Tokinada's sneer grew ever wider while Ginrei looked genuinely chastened. Kōbucha harrumphed and whipped her uchiwa wide, fanning herself in consternation.
"Fine, but I refuse to let that beast escort me."
"You needn't worry, Kōbucha," Tokinada chuckled. "Sajin can join my party. We have such a rich history together, after all."
Komamura finally dared raise his head, only to be confronted by a curious Yūshirō kneeling down and staring him eye-to-eye.
"I don't know what the big deal is," the boy wondered. "I think you look really cool!"
Komamura, taken aback, stifled a show of emotion and bowed his head once more.
"Thank you, Tenrai-chō Shihōin."
"Well then, shall we proceed?" Tokinada said, growing bored. "We don't want to keep our audience waiting. Kōbucha has quite the surprise in store."
Hitsugaya gave Komamura one last sympathetic look before following Yūshirō and his entourage. Kenpachi joined them in their march down the hallway.
"That's why nobody should bother kissing a nobleman's ass," Kenpachi whispered, gesturing back at Komamura.
"Please stop talking to me," Hitsugaya begged.
Unohana let her hand linger on Komamura's shoulder before breaking off to join Ukitake in ushering Kōbucha to her seat. Byakuya wordlessly went off with his grandfather and cousin, leaving Komamura alone with Tokinada and his guards.
"Come along now, dog," Tokinada commanded. "I actually rather like your new look. Perhaps we can fit you with a collar and leash as well?"
Komamura followed in their wake, refusing to acknowledge the insult. He eyed Kisada and Magōnyo warily.
"Pardon me, Tenrai-chō Tsunayashiro, but where is your primary guard?" he asked. "I expected him to be here."
"You would have liked that, wouldn't you?" Tokinada looked back at him with a devilish smile. "I decided to leave my pet back at the kennel. You three ought to be more than enough to keep me safe, I trust?"
Komamura nodded. "Of course, Your Highness."
Ōmaeda was practically bouncing up and down while listening to the thousands of voices clamoring outside.
"This is a great moment for us, Captain!" he giggled. "This is the day when Ōmaeda Marechiyo Yoshiayamenosuke Nikkōtarōemon takes his first big step towards becoming a captain of the Gotei 13!"
"Bottle that enthusiasm for the ring, you dolt," Suí-Fēng sighed, arms crossed and head hung in consternation. "You haven't won, yet."
"My victory's being delivered to me on a silk pillow," Ōmaeda cackled. "That Ise girl doesn't even have a Zanpakutō. She might as well be a ringer. I bet she's only allowed to participate because of her family name."
Suí-Fēng's temple veins bulged with implacable annoyance.
"Because of her name, huh? And what do you think got you anywhere, Ōmaeda Marechiyo Yoshiayamenosuke Nikkōtarōemon? Your physique?"
"Huh?" Ōmaeda mumbled, not catching her drift. "What d'you mean?"
Kūkaku squinted down at the microscopic arena situated a couple leagues below. She and Ganju were seated on the highest level of the stadium, crammed tightly between fellow Rukon.
"You're telling me the scalper gave you tickets for these seats, and you still actually promised I'd do him a favor?"
"How many more times do I need to apologize," Ganju pleaded.
Kūkaku fished out a compacted gizmo from her pocket and swung it open, the device lengthening out into a spyglass.
"It's fine," she sighed, peering through the telescope and getting an up-close view of the arena. "I came prepared."
The taiko drummers aligning the first row of the stadium began their furious rumble, heralding the tournament's beginning.
"That's our cue, Nanao-chan," Shunsui said.
They marched together out onto the sandy field. Nanao squinted when the harsh glare of sunlight and thousands of eyes bore down on her. From the opposing side of the oval-shaped expanse emerged Ōmaeda and Suí-Fēng. Lying between the opposing officers was the circular arena, 40 yards in radius and slightly elevated from the ground.
Encircling the field was a squadron from the Kidō Corps, each of them sitting in a meditative position.
"That's a lot of people," Nanao blushed.
"Indeed it is," Shunsui concurred. "You're going to amaze them all, Nanao-chan."
He gazed up at the screeching throng, spotted Genryūsai sitting in a box seat, and gave a cheeky wave. Yamamoto rolled his eyes in response.
Renji leaned forward from his seat in the second row of the stadium's southwest flank, where he and all the other contestants had VIP seating.
I wish Rukia was here to see all this.
"Look at Ōmaeda with that dumb grin on his face," Kira moaned. "He actually thinks he's gonna win?"
"He doesn't lack for overconfidence," Hisagi concurred.
"OH MY GOD, IT'S ŌMAEDA-SAMA!" a chorus of girls cried out from the row above them.
Kira and Hisagi looked back in shock at a gaggle of gorgeous Seireitei women, all of them waving around posters with doodles of Ōmaeda's face drawn on them.
"Ōmaeda-san!" a particularly busty and porcelain-faced member shouted from the group. "Please ask to me to be your wife!"
"As if!" an even bustier hottie shoved her aside. "Pick me, Ōmaeda-san, pick me!"
"What the fuck is going on?" Hisagi muttered.
"Didn't you two know?" Rangiku chuckled with a knowing look. Ōmaeda is the most sought-after bachelor in all of Soul Society. He comes from a noble family, he loves to spend money, and he's single."
"… I come from a noble family, too," Kira countered.
"Yes, but you're a moody boy and a notorious cheapskate!"
"Guys, it's starting!" Isane shushed everyone.
The entire amphitheater fell into quiet anticipation when Kōbucha rose from her throne, situated in the northern box seat. She gave a nod to Rurisa, who on cue activated a Tenteikūra so that the whole coliseum could hear the Tenrai-chō's words.
"Welcome everyone, to the Tenth Jūsankentakai," Kōbucha began, her orotund voice transformed into an epic echo that reverberated across the stadium.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"That's enough now," Kōbucha harrumphed, prompting the thousands of attendees to immediately hush up. "The Shisonka, the Soul King's favorite children, want you to know that Our Maker is aware of this contest, and he has given it his blessing. In fact, he is watching us all now, in this very moment."
Everyone in the stadium reflexively bowed their heads in reverence.
Is the Soul King really looking down at us right now? Kiyone thought with wonderment, giving Isane's hand an excited squeeze. Yes, I'm sure of it. I can feel his gaze filling me with strength.
"We are honored to convene this grand tradition on the Soul King's behalf," Kōbucha continued. "May the Soul Society be cleansed by the following days of combat... and may the traitor Aizen Sōsuke and his band of miscreants be struck with paralyzing fear by the might of the Gotei 13's officers!"
The crowd erupted into cheers again, the chorus of voices erupting up from the coliseum like a volcanic boom.
Shunsui chuckled at the Ise Tenrai-chō's knack for propaganda. And there we have it.
"Before we begin with this grand entertainment, I come bearing a decree from the Central 46," Kōbucha added.
Yamamoto's bushy brow perked up, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. What are you playing at, Kōbucha?
Kōbucha produced a scroll and peeled off the wax seal. She unfurled the parchment, cleared her throat, and read it aloud.
"We, the wise men of Central 46, hereby issue this proclamation!" she began. "When the first Jūsankentaikai was fought, it was a competition designed to decide on a new captain to help complete the Gotei 13. To honor this original intent, we are reinstating this prize."
"What?" Yamamoto cursed under his breath.
No way! Hitsugaya blanched.
Ridiculous! Suí-Fēng scowled.
"By our authority, whoever prevails in this competition will be instated as a new captain of the Gotei 13," Kōbucha concluded.
With that, she rolled the up the parchment and pocketed it in her robe. She looked back at a stunned Unohana and Ukitake with a self-satisfied smirk.
"They can't do this!" Sasakibe hissed before turning to Yamamoto. "Can they, Captain-Commander?"
Yamamoto slunk back in his chair, his fists furiously wringing his staff.
Damn you, Kōbucha.
"Did she just say what I think she said?" Isane stammered. "One of us is gonna be a captain by the end of this?"
"That changes things," Tetsuzaemon sighed, taking off his sunglasses to rub his brow.
Renji was in complete shock, struggling to process the announcement. He looked out across the field at the Kuchiki box seat, wondering what Byakuya was thinking.
Ōmaeda, meanwhile, was cackling with joy.
"It's like I said, Captain!" he cried. "This tournament is my ticket to greatness!"
Suí-Fēng, red in the face, glared back at him venomously.
Nanao was staring at the ground, horrified by the depths of her aunt's underhandedness.
"This is why she wanted this tournament in the first place," she gasped, piecing it all together.
"Seems like it," Shunsui agreed. "Tenrai-chō Ise is obsessed with the status of her house, and the one jewel your family doesn't have in their crown is military distinction."
"She hand-picked the new members of Central 46," Nanao whispered, her dread mounting. "She secured an exemption for me to compete, and ensured that my first round was against a weakling like Ōmaeda."
"She's created the one single scenario where you can become a captain without having bonded with a Zanpakutō and acquired Bankai," Shunsui concurred. "It's also fair to assume her machinations won't just end here. She will use all of her power to clear a path to victory for you."
Nanao brought a hand to her chest, feeling her heart thump erratically. She felt sick.
"This is unfair to everyone else," she said. "It's a betrayal of the Captain-Commander's authority. What should I do, Captain?"
Shunsui gave her a warm, defeated smile.
"Whatever you want to do, Nanao-chan."
It was still early morning in the Material World, where Karakura residents were enjoying a lazy Sunday morning.
Ichigo turned over in his bed, gradually drifting awake. He dreamed of being back in Soul Society, sparring with Ikkaku and Renji. He was an officer in the Gotei 13, training to help thwart Aizen. Rukia was kicking his cot in the barracks, urging him to get up.
"Wake up, Ichigo."
The Strawberry's eyes flitted open.
"I said wake up, Ichigo!"
He bolted up, shocked by the familiar face smirking at him from the foot of his bed.
"RUKIA?"
