Taking a boat to Yorknew City wasn't the fastest way to get there, so along the way one stop was necessary to restoke the ship with supplies and pick up some other passengers. Killua and Gon were staying in one of the rooms of the ship, where there were two bunks. Having just woken up they were startled when they heard a muffled argument from the outside, the sound started getting closer and closer till it finally stopped at their door.
The door opened revealing two people behind it both wearing suits, one was a short kid with turquoise eyes and short, spiked, white hair carrying a bag in his left hand. The other was a woman with long, wavy blond hair and blue eyes, but her most obvious characteristic was her large breasts and revealing cleavage, she was also carrying a large bag.
"Come on, Captain! I already said I was sorry, I forgot to buy tickets for the trip, it was an honest mistake." the woman whined, the boy simply sighed
"A mistake that's forcing us to make this trip by boat and accompanied by civilians, Matsumoto." his eyes briefly going to the two boys
"It will be fun. You spend so much time working you never get to enjoy the good things in life." his Matsumoto argued back
"It's so hot in here." he said, sitting on the bottom bunk, and loosening his tie
"Right, you don't like hot weather. Maybe outside it will be more comfortable, Captain." Rangiku chuckled, placing her heavy bag on the top bunk
"Guess I'll have to change into something more fitting, there's no reason to dirty the uniform if I we still have a long way to go before we arrive at our destination." the boy said, then looking up at the woman giving her the indication he needed privacy
"I get it, Captain. I'll be waiting outside, if you need assistance just let me know." Rangiku said, with a small laugh at the end before leaving and closing the door behind her
Opening his bag, he carefully removed the upper part of his clothing and folded it so it fit perfectly into the bag and would be in good condition once he had to take it out again. From the case, he took a black short-sleeved shirt which he placed on, he than change his pants and shoes for some grey ones and sneakers. While this was going on Killua and Gon remained in the room, Killua was completely horrified by the awkwardness of the situation, Gon seemed just to be waiting for him to finish so he could go and greet him.
"Hi, I'm Gon. And he is Killua." the enthusiast boy informed, approaching the Captain
"Tōshirō Hitsugaya." was the reply he received in addiction to a polite nod
"Nice to meet you, Tōshirō." Gon innocently replied
"Please address me as Hitsugaya, it is only proper. After all we just meet." the Shinigami said, his tone didn't sound offended but stern
"Captain, are you ready? I also need to change." Rangiku said, her head peering into the room
"We'll leave the room and give you some privacy then." Hitsugaya said, walking up to the door and signaling the two other boys to follow him
As soon as he stepped outside the Captain received a call on his phone, excusing himself he walked further down the hall to take it. The situation had greatly interested Kilua, as he didn't understand why Matsumoto would call a kid, that looked about their age, Captain and what he was Captain of. When he saw Hitsugaya disappear around a corner, Killua couldn't help but carefully got after him, he ran as quiet as he could towards the corner always keeping close to the wall. He caught small pieces of the conversation, but he would need to get closer to actually hear something of worth.
"…day delay, tell the Captain-Commander we are very sorry for the delay."
Killua stopped near the corner, he looked slightly around it where he saw the Captain leaning against a wall, the young assassin went back against the wall before Hitsugaya could see him.
"Killua…" Gon called out having gone after him, just for his friend to place his hand over his mouth
"Be quiet. Or else he will hear us." Killua whispered, looking around the corner again
His eyes met with the Captain, the Zoldyck jumped back being surprised by his "target's" sudden appearance, his reaction also causing Gon to jump back. Killua was stunned more than anything else, he was talking with Gon but he wasn't that distracted that he wouldn't be able to hear the boy approach them. Tōshirō placed the phone back in his pocket, he retained his calm expression, his eyes focused on the Zoldyck as he spoke.
"Anything I can help you with?" his words sending chills down Killua's spine, something he did not understand why
"Captain, I've changed." Rangiku announced killing the tension in the air, she was now wearing a pink blouse, blue jeans with matching shoes
"Actually…" Killua mumbled, regaining the Captain's attention
"Why does she call you Captain? Aren't you just a kid?"
"Bad move." Rangiku chuckled
"I'm not a kid!" Hitsugaya growled back, losing his calm look for the first time
"Calm down, Captain. I'm sure he didn't mean to offend. After all you aren't that old." his Lieutenant reassured
"We should have thought of something for you to calm me while we were here." he pointed out, walking pass the two boys
"Where are, you going Captain?" she asked
"Going to look around the ship. You may do as you please."
The rest of the trip was relatively calm, they would exchange greetings and small talk with the two new comers but nothing else so eventful happened again, even if Killua did do his best to find something out.
Arriving at Yorknew City, Gon and Killua were among the first to disembark with Tōshirō and Rangiku just a few feet in front of them. Shortly after they parted ways, Gon and Killua went in front deeper into the city, while the other duo went for a black car surrounded by black men in suits who greeted them with a bow.
The Hotel Hollow, in any other time of the year it is like any other hotel in Yorknew City, when the time comes for the Underground Auction the building in emptied of its residents only keeping the workers. During the time of the Auction it's function is to house and serve as command center for the Gotei 13, the floors are divided among the Squads with the Captain-Commander taking the last floor all for himself.
Tōshirō and Rangiku's car stopped in front of the building, they walked out and immediately went in, while the Hotel staff took their bags in. Arriving at the lobby Tōshirō went to the front desk to confirm their arrival, while Rangiku simply looked around hoping to bump into someone else.
"Tōshirō." a female voice cried out behind the young Captain, turning around it was revealed to be Momo Hinamori
"Hinamori. When did you arrive?" he asked, in a friendlier manner
"A few days ago, I was surprised when I heard you were going to be late." she replied, with a concerned look
"Matsumoto didn't buy any tickets for the trip, so we had to come by boat. Then we had to share the room with two kids…what a bother…" the Captain sighed, causing his friend to chuckle politely
"You're sounding like an old man." Tōshirō rolled his eyes at her and grunted
"As everyone else arrived?" he asked, changing the subject
"Afraid so. You were the last one's here."
"Then I will go up to my room, get myself ready in case the Captain-Commander calls for me."
Most Captains and Lieutenants remained inside the building just in case they would receive any orders or were called upon by the Captain-Commander. Those who decided to go out, had to use an earpiece so they would be updated in case of any significant changes. One of those changes was the news that Owl of the Shadow Beasts, had been instructed to move the merchandise of the auction given the possibility of someone attacking the auction.
Yamamoto and Ukitake sat around a Gungi board, the younger Shinigami wore the usual Captain suit with the white kanji for 13 on his back, while the Captain-Commander wore a black kimono with a white haori on his back with a black kanji for 1 on his back. Both men carefully looked down at board, Ukitake let out a low cough as he waited for his superior to make his move, the elder carefully made his move and obtained the victory with it.
"Masterfully done as always, Sensei."
"You failed to take advantage 2 moves back. Victory could have been yours." was all the elder said
"Stern as ever, right Yama-ji." Shunsui said announcing his entrance into the Captain-Commander's suite, he wore the usual suit with a pink flowered woman's kimono
"Sounds like the Mafia is taking some precautions against some unknown threat." he continued, stopping to Ukitake's left and looking down at the board
"People normally overact to the unknown." his friend wisely retorted
"Still, for them to change the merchandise's location, they must have some proof that an attack is possible." Shunsui argued back
"Our sources don't indicate any suspicious movement in the area. But that doesn't rule out the possibility some group could have sneaked into the city without us knowing about it." the white-haired Shinigami said, Yamamoto got up from his seat and went to get a view of the city, Shunsui took this opportunity to sit across from Ukitake
"We have our men at the Auction and working with the Mafia, so if something happens we will know about it. However, they are nowhere near Captain level, so if the threat is substantial they won't be able to deal with it. Maybe we should prepare something in case of an attack, Yama-ji." Shunsui looked at the elder, that was now by the large window with his cane at hand
"We have no obligation to mobilize without need, or request. Let the Mafia go about their business, if the situation calls for it we will act." the Captain-Commander said, in a stern and definitive manner
It turned out there was a reason to have taken such measures, the news that the guests and merchandise for the Auction swept over Yorknew City like a tidal wave so not even the Gotei 13 was unaffected by it. Yamamoto was now alone in his room still standing by the window, when Chōjirō Sasakibe entered the room with his phone at hand.
"Sir, the guests have gone missing from the Auction." he informed, remaining strangely quiet
"Details."
"There aren't many. But the Mafia states that the room was clean, no bodies, blood, weapons of any kind, not even chairs were left behind." Yamamoto was silent for a moment
"It could have been someone with a similar ability to Owl's. They used it to take everything in one simple move. How is the Mafia reacting?" the elder asked, keeping his calm demeanor
"For the moment, they are disorganized trying to find the culprits. But I think that once they figure out what they can do they will send out the Shadow Beasts." Chōjirō replied
"Then call the 10 Dons and tell them not to send them out and instead keep them near their location for safety reasons. Tell them that the Gotei 13 will deal with the thieves."
"I will contact them immediately." his Lieutenant said with a bow
"Also, instruct Captain Suì-Fēng to track down the culprits independently from the Mafia. Once she has a location, send it back to us, then we will send out both Captain Zaraki and Captain Ichimaru to help deal with the situation."
It didn't take long for the Mafia or Suì-Fēng to spot the hot air balloon slowly hovering away from the Auction site and in the direction of the Gordeau Desert. It annoyed the Captain too see the several Mafia cars that rushed after the thieves, how could someone so foolish as to chase after those who had made an entire room of people disappear. The balloon crashed in an area surrounded by hills, one might consider that they were surrounded and with no way to go, however the Shinigami thought otherwise.
Picking up her phone she contacted the Gotei 13 and sent a message with her current location and number of thieves. Even knowing that the number of targets was 7 the reply was the same it was only going to be her, Kenpachi and Gin, which should be more than enough depending on the situation. Suì-Fēng moved on to one of the higher hills that gave her a perfect view of the Mafia and her targets.
When the two other Captains arrived, the Mafia men were just about all wiped out by only one of the thieves, a big and savage man that almost made her think of Kenpachi when he went wild. The eyepatch using Captain walked up to the edge of the hill and looked down at the carnage, a large grin crept over his face as he saw the behemoth cutting through the thugs.
"I'm going down there." he announced
"Captain Zaraki…" Suì-Fēng was ready to argue, but Gin interrupted
"Now, now Captain Suì-Fēng there is no need to be so uptight. If they have yet to run away after the big guy dealt with the thugs, they must be waiting for something, I think we should deliver." Gin remarked, with a small smirk
"Whatever." Kenpachi growled jumping down the hill
"Don't ruin the suit! It comes out of your paycheck!" Gin cried out, in a mocking tone
Kenpachi crashed into the ground, causing a crater upon impact and sending a large pillar of dust upwards as a result, he slowly emerged from within the cloud not even bothering to clean the dust.
"Hey, don't interfere. I still haven't gotten to enjoy myself." the large man said, to the others up on the hill
The Captain gave a small smirk at this, his right hand going to the hilt of his sword slowly unsheathing it as he got closer to his new prey.
"Are you one of the Shadow Beasts?"
"No."
"Do you know where the merchandise is?"
"Not really." Kenpachi growled back, using his free hand to scratch the back of his head
"Then who are you?"
"Captain of the Squad 11, Kenpachi Zaraki."
"Uvogin." his target replied
"A Captain of the Gotei 13." Feitan remarked
"Are you worried?" Nobunaga chuckled
"It was not what he expected." he remarked, not really showing signs of worry
"Let Uvo handle it." Shalnark said, waving off any possible worries
"A Captain of the Gotei 13!" Squala gasped
"We heard they would be in the City for the Auction. But we had yet to confirm this information." Dalzollene remarked, borrowing Kurapika's binoculars
"The certainly is Kenpachi Zaraki…" he said, as he used the binoculars
"If the stories are true, this isn't going to be pretty." Dalzollene continued, handing the device back to Kurapika