I've got chapters 1-5 of this uploaded onto AO3 already. I'll try to upload 1 chapter to here each day until I'm at the same point on each site. Any feedback/criticism would be appreciated!
Deep in the forests of Rukongai's 80th district in the east, vines fell from a stone. A stone that had been undisturbed for hundreds of years. Small cracks had formed in the stone over time, and now a light shone through them. The stone cracked to reveal a statue of a person, a soul reaper. They had a captain's haori on, one with the insignia of squad 10. The statue looked as if it were in motion as if a moving person had suddenly been frozen.
"I'm telling you, Lei, this is a bad idea, we shouldn't be this far out in the forest," the voice of a child rang out through the forest.
"Stop being such a wimp Mata, you're scared of everything," another voice sounded out, this one belonging to a young girl.
"Yeah Mata, it's fun out here," this voice sounded to a young boy.
The voices continued to bicker as they got closer to the statue. One of the kids caught sight of the statue from the corner of their eye and urged the others to go look at it with them, which they reluctantly agreed to. The kids scampered towards the statue and looked at it, talking about how funny it seemed. Mata stumbled and bumped into the statue. A glow emitted from the statue and a similar glow emitted from Mata who yelped in terror. The statue cracked and a reiatsu seeped into the air around the kids that was so dense it almost made them forget how to breathe. Miles away someone else had their attention grabbed by this reiatsu.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō was located in the furthest district of East Rukongai. As he had been born and raised in a poor district in Rukongai he was often called to attend matters there. He didn't mind that to be honest, he wanted to make sure kids in Rukongai didn't grow up as he had. Hitsugaya was currently helping out with a problem of hollows that had been leaking into the outer districts, there had been sightings of an adjuchas in the area, and as such a captain had been sent.
When Hitsugaya felt the enormous release of reiatsu his heart almost stopped. That was no simple adjuchas, that amount of spiritual pressure was enough to crush an adjuchas like an ant. Hitsugaya immediately began flash stepping towards the reiatsu, but the sight he saw when he arrived shocked him. Hitsugaya saw a sight that shocked him. He saw the adjuchas in combat with a soul reaper. A soul reaper wearing a captain's haori, a squad 10 captain's haori. One who had messy white hair that fell over his face. One who looked exactly like a face Tōshirō had seen time and time again in the halls of squad 10. The first captain of squad 10, Akio Takanashi.
Hitsugaya could not rationalize what he had seen. Akio Takanashi, who should've been over 1000 years old, looked exactly the same as he had in the paintings when he was only a few hundred years old. Akio Takanashi who should've been dead after he went missing during a battle, who hadn't been seen in 700 years, was in the flesh right before him. He was battling an adjuchas without his zanpakuto, which was in its sheath on his back. Rather he was fighting it with his bare hands. He was not fighting with brute force, no he was fighting with incredible finesse. Hitsugaya saw three children cowered behind a tree and flash stepped over to them, creating a kido barrier around them. Akio noticed that and grinned before stomping into the ground and disappearing. A moment later the adjuchas were gone and all that remained was a splotch of blood where it had been. Akio turned to Hitsugaya.
"Where is the old man, I need to report my failure," Akio said, Hitsugaya's jaw nearly dropped. He had so many questions he couldn't even start to number them.
"Head captain Yamamoto is deceased, he has been for 10 years… and you've been declared deceased for 700 years," Hitsugaya declared.
"700 years… wait did you say the old man is dead!?" Akio looked genuinely shocked at this, "Yamamoto is dead and there's still a soul society?"
"When he died in the war others stepped up to become the pillars that the Gotei 13 would stand upon," Hitsugaya said, "I- I have more questions than I can begin to ask. First, we need to get these kids back."
"Take them to the academy, two of them have at least potential to be lieutenants and one of them a captain," Akio looked at the kids as he spoke, "I'll need you to gather all the captains for me, I'll explain what happened to me then. And you can explain to me what happened in my absence."
"I- you- yes sir," Hitsugaya was confused. He was speaking to the first captain of squad 10, but now he was captain. He wasn't sure if he should be taking orders but he was baffled. This all felt like a dream, a very strange dream.
"Now now kid, you're a captain, you don't have to listen to me, but it would be wise to do so," Akio laughed and began walking back to the Seireitei and Hitsugaya looked at the kids and decided he would get them back to their homes first, and then leave a note to the recruiting unit to check on them.
Hitsugaya caught up with Akio just outside of the east gate, where he was being denied entrance. Akio was looking impatient and when Hitsugaya showed up he sighed in relief.
"Uh, Captain Hitsugaya I think we have a case of identity theft here," Kaiwan, the east gate guard, stated.
"He's the real deal, don't ask me how but just trust me. Let us in," Hitsugaya ordered, and Kaiwan stepped aside to let them in as the gates opened. Akio's presence was attracting attention, even with his zanpakuto in its sealed form he had immense spiritual pressure, and as such Hitsugaya was not at all surprised when he saw Kenpachi block their path.
"Hey shrimp, who's this? He seems strong," Kenpachi grinned, even 10 years of peace hadn't dulled his love for battle. Hitsugaya was about to make a retort to Kenpachi's comment about his height when Akio spoke up.
"You are addressing the captain of squad 10 and you will show appropriate amounts of respect, I do not care if you are a captain as well," Akio stated, "From your brutish attitude I would assume you're the captain of squad 11, does that make you the current Kenpachi?"
"Yeah that's me, and who do you think you're bossing around?" Kenpachi stated.
"The title is a joke since Unohana gave it up, at this point, it means mostly just the most bloodthirsty captain rather than anything else, and I see in my 700-year absence things have stayed the same," Akio's reiatsu began to leak a bit more strongly than it did subconsciously, Kenpachi just seemed to be excited more than anything to Hitsugaya stepped between them.
"Stop it, Kenpachi, this is Akio Takanashi, the first captain of squad 10. Accompany us to Captain commander Kyoraku, we need to call a captain's meeting," Hitsugaya stated coldly. Akio's eyes widened.
"Wait, Kyo's become the captain commander!?" Akio sounded shocked and possibly even a bit proud, Hitsugaya's jaw dropped at that comment.
"K-Kyo…?" Hitsugaya stated, even Kenpachi seemed surprised.
"Yeah, little Kyoraku, wow I never would've guessed that he'd become captain-commander… though I also never guessed that Yamamoto would ever die," Akio's reiatsu calmed down as the tension between him and Kenpachi lessened. "I bet Ukitake must be delighted at his friend's promotion right?"
"Ukitake died in the war as well," Hitsugaya murmured, his tone being sad. Akio's eyes widened at this and he immediately lost any hint of joy he had.
"Oh… I see. Tell me, are any of the original captains still alive?" Akio looked between Hitsugaya and Kenpachi who both shook their head, "So even Unohana has… I see."
Hitsugaya pitied the man, he began to speak before Akio cut him off.
"Let's go find Kyo then, we need him to call all the captains together," Akio said. Hitsugaya nodded and began walking towards the first division barracks. Kenpachi followed them, surprisingly quiet.
Hitsugaya watched as Kyoraku dropped the bottle of sake he was drinking upon seeing Akio. That was something Hitsugaya had never seen before, Kyoraku adored his alcohol.
"A-Akio?" Kyoraku asked, and he looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Hello Kyo, you've grown quite a bit from the young boy I used to know, and I'm sure you have questions. I've got questions as well and so I would like to ask that all the captains be gathered so I may speak to them all," Akio bowed his head to Kyoraku.
"I will have them called for immediately. And… it is good to see you alive, we all thought you had died when you went on that mission and never came back, and especially so once we killed him and you never came back. I guess we were wrong about the effects of his zanpakuto stopping upon his death," Kyoraku stated. Hitsugaya wondered who the person they were referring to was, a zanpakuto ability that allowed one to trap their enemy in time sounded incredibly terrifying, but in all his history lessons Hitsugaya had never learned about any of that.
Hitsugaya was shocked at how quickly all the captains arrived, but he supposed that the complacency that the Gotei 13 had fallen into before the Winter War and the Thousand Year Blood War was no longer an issue. Kyoraku stood and everyone's attention was turned to him.
"Thank you for all coming so quickly. I am sure that you have felt a new and powerful reiatsu enter our walls. This is Akio Takanashi, the first captain of squad 10. He was presumed dead after he went missing on a mission 700 years ago, battling against an enemy who was able to lock their opponents in time," Kyoraku said.
"These past 700 years felt like a single blink to me, my body has not aged a day and neither has my mind. As such I am still the same person who I was when I was captain of squad 10, though I do not intend to ask for my position back, I simply wish to be allowed back into squad 10," Akio looked at each of the captains before walking over to Hitsugaya and kneeling on one knee before him, bowing his head.
"The choice here is your's Hitsugaya," Kyoraku began, "But you have to make it here, I know that you may be reluctant to allow someone stronger than you into your squad and if you choose to deny him entry I will accept that decision."
"I hereby accept Akio Takanashi into Squad 10," Hitsugaya stated. He needed no time for consideration. He knew that generally, captains did not have subordinates who were stronger than them, that was a recipe for internal conflict, but Hitsugaya felt no risk in accepting Akio into the squad.
"Very well, I will have word sent to everyone as soon as possible, you are all dismissed, Hitsugaya I leave it to you to explain what has happened to your subordinate," Kyoraku waved his hands as the captains began to leave. He left to begin spreading the news of the return of one of the original 13 captains. Akio stood up, looking down at Hitsugaya.
"I suppose you'll want to tell the squad about the development?" Akio asked, following Hitsugaya as he began leaving the room.
"Yes, follow me," Hitsugaya flash stepped towards the squad 10 barracks, Akio keeping up. They arrived quickly, Akio entering the barracks behind Hitsugaya. Rangiku was there to greet them, looking curiously at Akio.
"Umm… captain is this who I think it is?" Rangiku asked, looking shocked.
"Yes it is, gather the whole division, I have a statement to make," Hitsugaya replied, heading towards the courtyard where gatherings were usually held. Akio followed, though the complex had been renovated it was still home to him.
After a short waiting period, the entirety of squad 10 that could be called at once was called, Hitsugaya standing in front of them all. Akio was to his side, with Rangiku at his other side.
"You will all be receiving this news from the captain-commander shortly, but I wanted to address it with you all first. The formerly MIA first captain of our squad recently was found to be alive, and I want to inform you all of his status within our squad. He will be joining our squad and will be given a seat based on his reiatsu level, though he has informed me that he does not intend to ask for the captain position. Please remember that he is from 700 years ago and will not understand references to recent events unless explained to him, now return to your duties!" Hitsugaya gave the speech well. He was an experienced leader and Akio was impressed. Hitsugaya beckoned him to follow him and so Akio did.
Hitsugaya led Akio to his office, Rangiku following.
"Before I have you release your Bankai I will ask you to sit and listen as I explain the developments in soul society recently," Hitsugaya began before telling him the story of Ichigo Kurosaki and how he changed soul society. Akio listened and did not speak until Hitsugaya was through talking, which Hitsugaya was pleased about. Rangiku had a habit of interrupting him, as did many throughout soul society, something to do with how he was younger than almost all of them. But Akio listened with the respect one should give their officer.
"So you're saying that this guy was a hollow, a Quincy, a fullbringer, and a soul reaper at the same time? And he was from the Shiba clan? And he killed Yhwach?" Akio asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice, "And after all that he wasn't made a captain?"
"He did not want a position as captain, and no doubt the noble families would have disagreed with him being made a captain due to his origin as a human," Hitsugaya stated.
"To hell with the noble families, they talk the big talk but piss themselves whenever a big threat comes along, just because they can produce captains often doesn't mean they need to have power," Akio yawned, "And Aizen should've been executed, if he can regenerate then they should've simply had Yamamoto eradicate his entire being."
Hitsugaya was surprised at Akio's statements. He had to admit that he agreed about Aizen being executed. He hated Aizen more than anyone else and there was not a day that went by where he did not wish he could've killed him.
"It does sadden me to hear that all of my comrades are dead though, even if we didn't all get along there was no one I could trust more in battle than the other captains. Though most of them were dead by the time I was sealed, the original captains I mean. We were the strongest but our bloodlust was second to none, in the end, our lust for battle was our undoing more often than not," Akio drawled on. Hitsugaya realized then that Rangiku had been uncharacteristically quiet and wondered why, before she spoke up suddenly.
"Uhm… captain. If you want I can uh- start moving my belongings out of this office since I'm sure Takanashi eclipses my strength and would be a far better choice of lieutenant."
Hitsugaya's eyes widened a bit. So that was what had her so quiet, he shook his head, "I have no intention of replacing you. That being said, Takanashi, please follow me to the training grounds where I may assess your power."
"Sure thing, and don't worry I wouldn't have accepted the lieutenant seat anyways, I'm meant for battle, not paperwork. And please, call me Akio. Takanashi is a name I chose when I joined the Gotei 13 but it has no meaning to me, I was not born with it," Akio said, standing up from the chair he was sitting on. Hitsugaya nodded and led him to the training grounds, Rangiku following as well. The training room was cleared out as they entered. Akio walked to the center of the room, and for the first time all day since Hitsugaya had found him, he gripped his sword, unsheathing it. It was a katana with a golden guard and a gleaming white grip.
"This is Kagayaku Yari, my zanpakuto. I will now release my Shikai, please brace yourselves," Akio stated before he held his sword up in front of him, blade right in front of his face, "Illuminate the world, Kagayaku Yari!"
The sword glowed with a blinding light before transforming into a spear with a long swordlike blade. It was golden and ornate, and upon releasing it immense reiatsu seeped from Akio. Hitsugaya was breath taken, he had this much power in his Shikai alone? He had heard over and over that the original 13 captains were the strongest, but he thought that had to have changed by the end of the Thousand-Year Blood War.
"I possess a simple Shikai. I can summon and attack with light by using my zanpakuto. I will now proceed to unleash my Bankai, please protect yourselves," Akio began, stabbing his spear into the ground before Hitsugaya stopped him.
"No, there is no need. Your Bankai's power may cause harm to the weaker members of the squad, this is fine," Hitsugaya stated, looking at Rangiku who was tensed up as if she was expecting an attack. His Shikai was just that overwhelming, it was on the same level as Kenpachi's and the late Yamamoto's. "I am now curious about your Kido proficiency."
"Oh that's easy, I can use any kido or hado spell, and basic healing," Akio replied. Hitsugaya nodded.
"Ok, I think putting you in the third seat would be best," Hitsugaya decided.
"I disagree there captain, all the seated members of your squad have earned that spot, I would not want to come out of nowhere and take it and risk causing discord among the division, if you would permit I would like to stay unseated," Akio requested, Hitsugaya and Rangiku were a bit shocked at his wisdom. They had always heard that the first group of captains were mostly just bloodthirsty killers that were United under Yamamoto's strength, but Akio showed a wisdom that did not befit that description.
"I grant your request then, Rangiku can show you to your quarters, I have business to attend to," Hitsugaya ordered. Akio nodded and turned to Rangiku as Hitsugaya left.
Hitsugaya returned to his office and sat in his chair, sighing. He was confused, he had started the day like any other and ended it with the first captain of squad 10 now being his subordinate. He did not know what to do about this fact, he was not sure what developments this would have for him in the future. He sighed, he needed to take a breather and do what he usually did when he was utterly lost. Visit the human world, specifically visiting Karin Kurosaki. In the decade since the war against the Quincy he had often found himself going to her whenever he was troubled with something, she had a way of making things seem simple with words. Probably because of how blunt she was, so hopefully she could make this seem simple as well. Hitsugaya resolved to go see her tomorrow, it was well into the night at that point and he was tired.
Akio sat in his room, on his bed. Today was strange. More or less he had blinked and woken up 700 years in the future. He was prepared for that though, when he went out to battle him he was aware of the risks, as he had done battle with him in the past. He looked into the window and stared at his reflection, except it wasn't him. It was him, the man who had frozen him in time. He had long purple hair and dark green eyes, and a terrifying grin.
"There's a lot you didn't tell your captain Akio~", The voice spoke into Akio's mind and he shut his eyes, forcing it back into its corner. He entered his inner world and saw Kagayaku Yari already forming walls around the voice. Foreign energy attached to his soul that he hadn't been able to purge, one that was with him long before he was frozen in time. He turned to his zanpakuto, she was a beautiful and ethereal pale silver-haired woman in an elegant kimono, but she was also a terrifying figure at the same time, power oozing off of her in his inner world.
"Thank you for locking him away, hopefully, this will last a while," Akio said to his zanpakuto.
"I suppose this means that he isn't dead?" Kagayaku Yari asked, turning towards Akio.
"I suppose not, which begs the question, who did soul society kill? I never took him as the type to fake his death," Akio responded, thinking, "I'll have to investigate it." Akio's inner world faded as he returned to consciousness, deciding that he was tired and would like to sleep. He would begin investigating tomorrow.