Re-Chapter 1: 5th Seated Officer of Squad 3 - Jonouchi

The room was dark, the curtains to his sleeping quarters closed tight to drown out the morning light that attempted to flood through. Blonde, messy hair was visible just barely outside of the covers. The blankets rustled as their owner stirred, an arm reaching out with a stretch and pushing the sheets aside with a great yawn. A young boy sat up in bed, eyes closed and smiling as he listened to the birds sing outside of his home. He opened his eyes slowly, olive green iris' peering through the darkness with a certain heaviness to them. He hadn't stayed up late. He knew he had something that he was supposed to do today. Something important. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but he remembered being responsible and going to bed so that he wouldn't sleep in today.

He heard a pair of his comrades as they walked by his house, talking to one another. "Did you hear that Jonouchi was actually accepted to meet with the Captain's today?"

"I did!" Another voice laughed. "Unbelievable, right? I hope the poor kid knows what he's in for! Captain Ichimaru is gonna drive him straight into the ground if he isn't careful!"

The blonde's eyes widened in horror. "Oh no... Oh no no no..." Throwing the curtains aside, he looked out of his window and nearly screamed in agony. "I was supposed to meet with the Captains today! Shit!" He tripped as he ran past his bed, tumbling and slamming hard into the desk across from him.

"Shit shit shit shit shit!" He repeated over and over as he gathered a fresh uniform and bolted out of the door as quickly as he could. With a Flash Step, he was off.

"You're late." The woman that stood before him was visibly irritated by having been made to wait. Her hair was short and dark, tied back into two long braids.

"My apologies, Captain Sui Feng." Jonouchi bowed his head, ready to accept his punishment. The Captain of Squad 2 was infamous for her attitude.

"Please, give the kid a break!" The Captain of Squad 3, Jonouchi's Captain stepped forward and greeted him with a smile. "He made it, did he not?" Ichimaru Gin's silvery hair shimmered in the morning sun as he walked over and stood next to his subordinate.

"You don't have to worry about a thing, kid!" The man that spoke wore a pink kimono decorated with a floral pattern, a straw hat sitting upon his long brown hair. "Old man Yama isn't here yet either! Just take a deep breath and relax. No need to feel guilty." Jonouchi smiled at the reassurance from Captain Kyoraku.

"The old man's the one who scheduled the damned thing." Zaraki Kenpachi spoke, towering over Jonouchi as he cleaned out his ear canal with his pinky finger. "The least he could do is show up but instead he keeps us waiting even after the kid arrives."

"I am not deaf, Zaraki." The collective Captain's and Jonouchi looked to the side entrance, Zaraki looking somewhat annoyed at the wisecrack from the old man. "I may be old, but my hearing is just fine." There was the rustle of papers as Yamamoto Genryuusai reached under his Captain's haori and retrieved several pages. "Jonouchi Uchiki... 5th Seat of Squad 3... Do you have any objections as to how Ichimaru Gin is running the squad? Do you feel he is not doing his job?"

"Of course not!" Jonouchi exclaimed, worried that he had offended his Captain. "The way Captain Ichimaru has run things is phenomenal! The entire squad couldn't be happier!"

"Then why do you wish to claim his title as Captain of Squad 3?" Yamamoto asked, eyeing the young boy. "If he is not failing his squad then what reason do you have?"

Jonouchi looked to his Captain who grinned. "Go on, Jou. You and I have talked about this before, so don't be shy about it!"

Taking a deep breath, he spoke. "I've only been a part of the 13 Court Guard Squads for about seven years now. I spent my five years in the academy learning what I could. I wasn't the best student, but I tried my damnedest. Some subjects were more than a little sloppy, but I got through it! All because Captain Ichimaru had my back! He came to visit the academy one day with Captain Aizen for a battle simulation. He's always been my inspiration ever since!"

"And so you want to take his position as Captain?" Zaraki grinned, showing sharp fangs. "Admirable, squirt! You're my kinda kid!"

"It is odd reasoning..." Kyoraku chuckled.

"If I may interject..." Gin waved hesitantly with a small smile. "I may have planted the small bug in the poor kids ear myself..." All attention was on the 3rd Squad Captain now. "I simply made a wager with the boy. I told him if he went through your trial and successfully passed, I would battle with him. If he managed to hold his own against me or strike me down, I would hand the position over to the boy. He has a lot of potential locked inside of him, and I would hate to see it go to waste doing brainless work."

"You have put yourself in quite a mess..." Yamamoto's voice was quite low, almost a growl.

"I am giving you the chance to do things a more civil way!" Gin put his hands up in defense. "Instead of the barbaric slaughter that was the old way, why not save lives if we can?"

"I like the old way better!" Zaraki laughed, eyeing both the boy and his Captain.

"Understandable, seeing as it is how you acquired your position..." Gin accused, but Zaraki just grinned.

"Damn straight I did. How it should be! Listen, Jou! You need to get out on that battlefield and do things the old fashioned way! The only way to prove you're Captain material is to best your Captain and take his rank on your own!"

"Now see, that is what I am trying to avoid! Why put the boy through such trauma?" Gin sighed, but was cut off by the Commander.

"Zaraki is correct." Jonouchi's eyes widened with surprise. "We are not going to change tradition! If the boy does in fact one day become a Captain, he will be required to face such traumas! Some far worse than others! Ichimaru Gin, you must stop babying your squad! Being in the position you are has a price and there are sacrifices that have to be made! Do you understand, boy? Being a Captain is not all glamour and fun! It is more than being a role model for the rest of the squad! You may one day have to lead your fellow Soul Reapers into battle! Many of those who serve under you may die, and many more will lose lives if you do not have a solid resolve and are not prepared for such situations!"

"I understand..." Jonouchi nodded, but his head hung low.

"However... I will allow you to take the position of Captain of Squad 3 so long as it is done traditionally! You must fell Gin Ichimaru on the battlefield!"

Jonouchi looked to his Captain, who gave him a look of support. "Chin up, now! You've made it this far!" He laughed nervously. Though I am not particularly fond of the thought of dying on the battlefield, the Captain Commander is right. It is time I stop babying you! I accept your challenge, Jonouchi!"

"But I didn't challenge you!" Jonouchi defended. "I don't want to fight you!"

"Then I challenge you! This will be a good lesson for you! You will learn the hardships of dying on the battlefield, or of watching one of your subordinates die by your own hand. It's a cruel reality but one every Captain will eventually face!"

"Hold on a second!" Zaraki stepped up, grinning ear to ear. "Why don't ya let me take a whack at this pipsqueak first? Rough him up a bit and show him what he's getting himself into!" There was a look of murder in the Captain's eyes, and it was unsettling.

"Commander?" Gin turned to Yamamoto who had paused in thought.

"Very well... Jonouchi Uchiki, as your first test you will fight Zaraki Kenpachi. All Captains meet at the Colosseum in one hour." The old man turned to face the blonde boy who was stricken with fear. "You have one hour to prepare yourself or chicken out. Understand if you do not show, you will not be given another opportunity." Jonouchi, fighting back tears from fear, nodded.