Heavy winds howled. Lightning flashed. The earth quaked as the force of combat shattered the air. The Tiger in the Winds fought savagely against her enemies. They were all slaughtered. The Tiger roared in triumph as the joy of revenge blazed in her eyes…
These bloody memories swirled in Kazetora's head as she strove against her opponent in an absolute fight to the death. Twin tornados lashed against each other, the two Bankai seeming to be in such a fray as their masters. Kensei Muguruma was clad in a long purple bandolier that attached to both shoulders and he held two jagged combat knives. He punched toward Kazetora and a burst of wind met her swords, exploding outward. Suddenly, Simura Kiraiyane jumped overhead, swinging her sword towards Kensei, but she was blocked by Shuhei Hisagi.
I can't keep this up much longer or it will destroy me, thought Kazetora. This must be the end. The despair in her mind was going to drive her mad; she could feel it. This was how she had felt in the time of her rampage, and somehow it had not killed her. "I must learn to use this power for the preservation of others, not for their destruction. "
"I must become something real…" said Kiraiyane.
"It must be now…" said Kazetora.
".. and it is time…" continued Kiraiyane.
"…that we end this fight once and for all!" they said together. Kiraiyane charged at Shinji, and yelled, "Teiten Getsuga (Heavenly Moon Warrior Charge)!" Her energy blade struck rapidly and repeatedly, slashing Shinji's body badly.
Kazetora was enveloped in her tornado. "Azumakaze Zangeki: Raisosai (East Wind's Strike: Thunderstorm)!" The tornado became lightning, and a massive bolt smote Kensei on the chest.
The two captains fell with a momentous boom, and the battle was completed. There was a loud outburst of breath as the Shinigami around them released the tension. They had been holding their breath tensely.
Rose Otoribashi looked incredibly shaken as the torrent of sand converged on him. He seemed frozen in his shoes, but forced himself to move. "You may have achieved Bankai," he warned, "but you still have nothing! Kinshara Sokyoku Dai Juniban: Umiburetsuho (Golden Sal Tree Symphony the Twelfth: Sea Splitting Cry)!" A sound wave struck vertically down from the tip of the flower, rending Kujo's Bankai into two factions which split away, but immediately rejoined around him. Rose raised his hand to his face. The sandstorm exploded away to reveal Rose in a bird mask shaped like one worn by European doctors during the Black Death. "You are finished, Kujo Shihoin," said Rose in a strange, rippling voice.
"What is that thing?" Kujo asked curiously. "A Hollow's mask?"
"We among the captains who returned after the defeat of Sosuke Aizen are beings called Visoreds. We are a hybrid of Shinigami and Hollow with incredibly enhanced spiritual powers." With that, Rose resealed his Zanpakuto and crossed the blade and sheath. Kujo readied himself. Rose let go of the sword, and it floated in midair in front of him. He flung his arms wide and a shimmering gold wire wrapped around Kujo, who struggled and yelled in pain. "Arupejio (Arpeggio)" said Rose, whose mask dissipated. "You put up a good fight, so I will kill you in a more dignified fashion." He flash stepped in front of Kujo and raised his sword over his head, bringing it down.
Must get up, thought Kujo. Losing is not an option. I… I… I can't lose now, after all this work! I must… I have to- "Win?" sneered a voice in his head.
CLAMP! Kujo stopped the sword. Rose looked at Kujo, surprised. "You-"
"What is it?" asked a voice. And a burst of sand slashed Rose from shoulder to hip.
"Who are you?" choked Rose, watching Kujo stand up, breaking free of the wire. Wrapping around his arm and chest were dark gray bandages, which looked tattered and decrepit. Kujo looked up. His eyes were dark, vivid cobalt, with black sclera.
"Me? My name is…oh. You think I have one?" Rose gaped. "So, Kujo. You want to win? Well. I'll show you how to use Bankai." He raised his handsand the sandstorm rushed at Rose again, seething forth with sharp tendrils of dust. The dust spikes blazed through Rose, whose mask shattered as he tried to release it again. Sand slashed his body repeatedly. Rose fell to the ground almost unconscious with pain. He struggled to his feet and charged at the thing that used to be his enemy, who raised his hands and sand whirled up again.
"Stop…this!" gasped a new voice, seemingly from the monster's mouth. "I won't let you take my body!" The thing began tearing the bandages away from its body, while the sneering voice screamed in anger. Suddenly it rose up, standing tall and strong and a blast of blue reiatsu exploded out of it. Kujo stood there, panting, as a horrible screech petered out.
"You-, you just…" gasped Rose. "That was… So you have one too."
"Apparently." Kujo replied, relieved. "Let us finish this, Rose." And suddenly he glowed orange.
Flashing into existence around them were orange pikes, long and thin with three perpendicular prongs at the ends, forming a pyramid of spears in the sky. At the zenith of the pyramid was one sword, a single ghostly copy of Kujo's Zanpakuto. "Senkei (Slaughterscape): Sunaarashi Isoireppu." A single pike flashed down into his hand, flaring and becoming dark iron. Rose raised his sword, and the two charged once more against each other, the heavens and earth torn by the force of this final strike.
Kujo stood, his hand outstretched, a single sword held in his hand. Behind him, the form of Rose could be dimly seen. He suddenly plunged forward and fell, a rumble of force shaking the ground. Kujo looked up and saw many Shinigami surrounding him, and suddenly he saw eight captains standing all around.
One stood directly before him, her sword point at his throat. It was a woman in a sleeveless uniform wearing a haori with the kanji for two on the back with straight chin length black hair and stern gray eyes. "Kujo Shihoin," she said, "you are under arrest for treason against the Gotei 13 and for aiding and abetting a convicted criminal, Yoshima Okanade. You will be executed, as Central 46 has already decreed."
The other captains looked on, seemingly relieved that they had finally resolved the problem. Or had they? They all started as a harsh, sibilant voice spoke behind them.
"Is he really, though?" On the steps of Senzaikyu stood a tall, thin man with spiky red hair and a hole through his chest in a knee length white coat with red lining and a black sash, with long white pants and black boots. He wore white shoulder weights and a mask that covered his forehead and eyes, with six red keyhole-shaped markings in a line on the bottom edge. A three foot long white escrima stick hung at his side.
"An Arrancar!" exclaimed Toshiro Hitsugaya.
"Yes. I'm an Arrancar, and my name is Rojo."
"And just who are you?" asked Ukitake.
"I am the third of ten Arrancars who lead an army of Hollow soldiers. We call ourselves Los Generales (The Generals)."
"Why did you ask that?" said Kujo. "Am I really what?"
"It's ironic. My name means red. And that is the color my hands are stained. Stained with the blood of your late Captain Kyoraku!" He laughed maniacally.
"But, Okanade's reiatsu was found on his body!" said Mayuri Kurotsuchi. "How could it have been you?"
"I bet," said Rojo with a smirk, "that you feel his spirit pressure from two places right now."
"He's right." Kujo said wonderingly.
"Exactly. I have the power to imitate reiatsu that I interpret." Rojo said. "It is a most useful ability."
"So you killed him." Soifon said. "Okanade is innocent and Shihoin was right the entire time."
"You're very gullible, Shinigami," said Rojo, and he disappeared, rematerializing at the summit of Sokyoku Hill. "If you don't be careful, you just might get killed, given what's coming. I'll leave you with that." A rend opened in the sky next to him and he walked through and disappeared. It closed behind him with a rumble.
"What do you mean 'what's coming'? Get back here!" shouted Kujo, but it was no use.
"It would appear we have some apologies to make." Ukitake said quietly. "I now call a Captain's meeting." He started toward Senzaikyu. "Shihoin. You're invited."
Captain Ukitake sat down in the chair at the head of the meeting room. Standing at his right was Soifon, then Isane Kotetsu, a gray haired young woman in a long sleeved haori with the kanji for four on the back. Next to her was Byakuya Kuchiki, and then Sajin Komamura, a huge wolf-man whose coat said seven. Following him was Toshiro Hitsugaya, a boy with silver hair in a blue green scarf who was Squad 10 captain. Standing next to him was Kenpachi Zaraki, a hulking man with black hair spiked back over his shoulders, an eyepatch and a haori with an eleven on it. After him was Kurotsuchi, a man with a gold headdress and black and white face paint, the captain of Squad 12.
"As you can see, we are missing some spots." Ukitake told them. "Most will be filled. To start, we owe a huge apology to the one we falsely accused. You may enter, Yoshima Okanade." The doors creaked open and Okanade walked through it. It was no secret to the captains assembled that there was something different about him. He now wore the captain's haori with the number eight on it. "We are deeply sorry for ever suspecting you, and we now bring you into our ranks to fill the post that Kyoraku left to become captain commander. It is the greatest we could do."
"Apology accepted, Captain. Thank you." Okanade replied, inclining his head. He took his place between Komamura and Hitsugaya.
"Secondly," said Ukitake, "there are three who claimed Captain posts by defeating captains in battle, witnessed by other guardsmen."
The doors opened again, and two people walked in. Kazetora wore her shozoku and now long black tekkou that left her tattoo exposed. She wore a haori coat with the number nine on it. She walked over to stand next to Okanade. Kiraiyane followed her, wearing, strangely, a white shihakusho with a red undershirt, and the haori with the number five on it. She took her spot between Kotetsu and Kuchiki. And then the final candidate entered. Kazetora's eyes widened. Kujo now wore white boots with dark red flame-like patterns, white full arm gauntlets with red designs, and a gold chain which fastened a haori with red lining and the kanji for three on the back. The chain also was attached to the hexagon which was the symbol of his clan, and also two orange ribbons which fell over his shoulders.
Kujo's actually looking like a noble, thought Kazetora. Did he take a hit to the head during that fight?
Kujo looked at her as if hearing her very thoughts. "By the way, this getup is just so I look the part of a captain. So what if I included some Shihoin relics in it."
"Oh, I see." She replied, not entirely believing.
"We welcome our new captains. The meeting is now adjourned, and may I suggest you four go and acquaint yourselves with your divisions." Captain Ukitake said. He beckoned at Kujo as the other captains filed out, Kazetora glancing back for a moment and then following.
"What can I help you with, sir?" Kujo asked Ukitake.
"I wanted to give you some advice, because of you in particular. You are a special case because your division is not the one you used to be in. So be aware that it may take some time to assimilate yourself with Squad 3."
"That makes sense," replied Kujo. "Thank you, sir. I'm honored to join the ranks."
Kujo retrieved his Zanpakuto and walked the formidable distance to the Squad 3 barracks. As he passed the Squad 6 barracks, he was intercepted by Soifon. She seemed perturbed about something.
"Kujo, you are no doubt aware that the head of the Shihoin clan traditionally leads the Stealth Force. I want to ask you if you plan to take over the position."
Kujo pondered it. "I don't think it would be right of me to do that. You do the job very well. But I can't ignore the tradition. Perhaps we can lead it together."
Soifon looked surprised. "You really aren't going to become full leader?"
"I won't take the responsibility from you." He said solemnly. They parted with a smile, and Kujo returned to the task. He arrived at the gate of the barracks and entered calmly. I can't afford to appear weak in this situation, he told himself. He approached the end of the courtyard where a number of Shinigami stood in waiting. A man with light colored hair and black eyes stepped forward to meet him.
"We heard of the change in position. Welcome, Captain…"
"Shihoin. Kujo Shihoin. Nice to meet you all." Kujo said, smiling warmly. "And you are..?"
"Riku Togakushi, the squad Third Seat." The man said, inclining his head. "Likewise. I have been the second-in-command of this squad since Lieutenant Kira died in the Wandenreich invasion."
"And that is about to change, Togakushi." A voice said behind them. Kujo turned. Standing in the doorway of the courtyard was Rose Otoribashi, clad in many bandages. He was looking at Kujo with respect, or maybe pride.
"I woke up and they told me you had succeeded me as captain. I am impressed." Rose said.
"Well, rules are rules. What did you mean, 'that is about to change'?"
"A new lieutenant has been appointed. He didn't want the position originally, but he agreed eventually. We brought him in from the Human World. Come on in!"
A young man strolled in, looking a bit bored but solemn. He was tall, and he had spiky orange hair and friendly brown eyes. He was garbed in a billowing black shihakusho; a white cloth with equally spaced black streaks extended from under his sash. Over this was hung an x-shaped white metal plate which curved around his waist and over his shoulders, forming a ribbed shoulder guard on the left shoulder, over which protruded a long black metal sword hilt wrapped in white cloths. A second, shorter sword whose blade extended over the hilt to form its guard was sheathed in a waist scabbard.
"I'm apparently supposed to be an official Shinigami now." He said in a youthful voice. "I'm Ichigo Kurosaki, your new lieutenant."
Yoshima Okanade was walking away from the Squad 8 barracks, having met his lieutenant, Nanao Ise, who was now following him. He was headed to the Squad 2 detention center, where he knew he would find his old friend the Quincy, Hisori Zaruseki. He walked through the doors, and he immediately saw Captain Soifon standing there, seemingly interrogating his friend. As he approached, a memory drifted through his head…
He was walking down a street in Karakura Town, approaching a group of Hollows that were terrorizing some human souls. He jumped up, drawing his sword and releasing it. He swung the weapon and a hail of wind bursts erupted towards his enemies. Two of them burst into white dust, dissipating in the wind. Suddenly the third Hollow was behind him. It immediately blasted a Cero at him.
"You really want to try that?" Yoshima murmured at it. He raised his hand. "Hado no Sanjuichi: Shakkaho (Way of Destruction #31: Red Flame Cannon)!" The Cero collided with Shakkaho and they cancelled each other out, exploding into black smoke."Ha! Try that out for-" The Hollow's claws collided with Kamaitachi and Okanade was smashed into the ground. The Hollow appeared before him again. He's fast, thought Okanade. It roared and another Cero was suddenly blazing toward his face. And Yoshima always remembered that last part.
"Seele Schneider (Soul Cutter)!" yelled a female voice. Okanade watched in awe as the Cero flashed and disappeared into oblivion. Blinking his eyes at the sudden change in light, he saw the last of the white smoke as the Hollow dissolved. "You should watch yourself," said the girl in white standing over him, holding out a helpful hand.
"Th-That was amazing!" he said, taking the hand and getting to his feet. "Wait…aren't you a Quincy?" he asked. "That move, Seele Schneider, it's a Quincy technique."
"You are very perceptive, Shinigami," said the girl. "I'm Hisori, by the way."
"Yoshima." That was all he could say.
"Nice to meet you," she replied.
From that moment on, he had vowed to become stronger.
"I took your advice," said Okanade, ignoring Soifon's remonstration.
"So, you have become a captain. Congratulations!" said Hisori.
"Indeed. I got stronger, thanks to your encouragement. Soifon, if you would be so kind as to let her go." Okanade said.
"And why would I do that?" said Soifon indignantly.
Before he could answer, Okanade heard heavy footfalls outside.
"A large group of Vasto Lordes has been detected in the Human World!" said Kazetora breathlessly.
"You're going to need my help," said Hisori.
"I think not," snapped Soifon.
"Just do it!" shouted Okanade. " This could be something big!"
"You heard what that Rojo guy said," Kazetora added.
Soifon sighed. "All right. But you watch yourself, Quincy. I've got my eye on you. If you get on my bad side, there's a storm coming."
"I think there's already one out there," said Okanade.