I have tried any number of experiments with this series, and the most recent arc is no exception. I've been trying to figure out for a while now, how I might be able to close this one out. The short answer is, I haven't. This chapter isn't the conclusion. However, it's heading in that direction. After this arc is concluded, I'll be going back to my old method of writing self-contained oneshot chapters.
I apologize for the delay in getting this out. It took me a long time to figure out how to write this one. I've been doing a lot of work, trying to keep up with my writing lately.
Thanks to everyone reading this for your patience and support. It means the world to me. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Have fun.
9th Division Court – Civilian Update Report #1
Kurosaki Ichigo, Captain
Oyaji,
They tell me this is all a part of my job, and that every officer in the Gotei 13 sends regular updates to any known family members, but I have this feeling my third-seat's just a soft touch. She's insisting I write this, and she's watching over my shoulder right now.
Being a captain pretty much feels the same as going to school; there's a crap-ton of paperwork nobody reads, a bunch of protocols nobody pays attention to, and phys ed's been replaced by drills. But it looks like they're getting a handle on this disease that's going around. New guy, took over the 3rd Division, name's Kudo. Way he explained it to me, his zanpakutou works like an amplifier. I guess this…virus thing, there're millions of 'em in each patient. They feed on reiatsu. So what Kudo thinks he could do is transfer so much reiatsu so quickly into them that the infected reiatsu would end up with no choice but to burn itself out. Like a bone marrow transplant, I guess. He's been working with the 12th, and he figures that he should be able to kill off enough of the infected reiatsu that they could recover the rest of the way on their own.
I guess they've already tried this, and it has some effect, but nowhere near enough to work as a cure. Kudo hasn't tried it on anyone by himself 'cuz he figures it'd kill him. This is where I come in. Guess I'm like a battery. He's heard about me, and I guess he figures I'm the next best bet after Zaraki, who'd have been his first choice. 'Course, Zaraki was the first to come down with this thing.
He's setting things up now.
I'll write again when something new happens.
9th Division Court – Civilian Update Report #2
Kurosaki Ichigo, Captain
Oyaji,
We did a preliminary test today, to see if Kudo could use me. He…well, for lack of a less disgusting way to put it, he sucked the reiatsu out of me, amplified it, and tried to use it on a dummy. The dummy exploded.
So I guess it works? I dunno. Seems risky to me, but then, we've really got no other choice, do we? People have already died because of this disease. So Kudo says we're gonna do a few more tests so that he can get it right, then go straight onto a live patient. There's not much time left to screw around.
I don't figure I have to say this, but tell the girls I'm doing alright. The work's not that hard right now, really. A lot of a captain's job is keeping the peace 'til they're called to battle. We're like attack dogs. People complain about the paperwork, but that's 'cuz they don't prioritize. That or my officers are taking it easy on me, since I'm new. Not sure. I guess we'll see. The old man wants me to stay onboard after things are over with, on a part-time basis.
Not sure what I think about that. I guess there're worse jobs I could be taking. It's not so bad here, really. And having the official backing of the Gotei 13 would definitely be…helpful. Next time I end up fighting for my damn life, at least I wouldn't have to worry about them treating me like a criminal.
Again.
9th Division Court – Civilian Update Report #3
Kurosaki Ichigo, Captain
We did some preliminary tests on Kenpachi today. It's working. They had to take off his eyepatch a long time ago; I guess that's what gave Kudo the idea in the beginning. When he first started getting sick, it actually helped him. Or, at least, when they finally took it off since it was so dangerous, he got worse pretty much instantly. But now, using my reiatsu and Kudo's power, it looks like he's getting better.
He's conscious, at least. He can breathe on his own, and later on in the day, he was actually able to talk. When he heard from Unohana-san that Kudo and me were the ones who were helping him, he got this disgusted look on his face and said he'd rather die. But she said anger was a good sign; it meant he was stronger. We're going to keep going throughout the next few days and see how things go. We don't have much time, but we can't just overload them or they'll end up getting worse. Like that dummy.
It's a shame they didn't call for me sooner. Kudo says the only reason we actually stand a chance in holy hell is 'cuz of me. I don't know how true that is, but I'll tell you this: this spirit-chemotherapy crap is fucking exhausting. It's ridiculous how much reiatsu we're gonna need to pull this off. I guess that's why they need me. It's not 'cuz I've got so much power, like Zaraki; it's the stamina. Or, that's what they're telling me, anyway.
I really don't know. But like I was saying, people have died. Soi Fong's second died a little bit ago because they couldn't do anything for him. Maybe if I'd gotten here a bit earlier, we could've done something. I thought he was a bit of an idiot, but this place is full of idiots. They let me in, after all.
Idiot or not, he didn't deserve to die like this.
9th Division Court – Civilian Update Report #4
Kurosaki Ichigo, Captain
Toushirou collapsed on the way out to training this morning. Pretty much everybody's been waiting for it to happen; all the captains are at risk. They got him into the infirmary pretty much instantly; they've gotten good at it, sad as that is.
I figured Rangiku-san would want us to try healing Toushirou right away. She's gotten real close to him, you know, and they've both had their fair share of visits to our place. I was all for it, and Kudo didn't much care who was on the table; he's excited that it works on anyone. Said it might be better to go with Toushirou, actually, since he was still pretty healthy. But she said no. She said we'd damn well better stick to helping Kenpachi. Said the only reason he wasn't dead yet was 'cuz he's too stupid to die. Can't argue with that. She also said that more delays might well override whatever progress we've been making. And we are. Kenpachi was actually able to stand up today. He fell back down as soon as he was on his feet, but I guess he's been bedridden for a long time now, so that's a hell of an improvement anyway.
Rangiku-san's been looking after Toushirou in the infirmary. They put their third-seat in charge of the division. Not sure what to make of that, but hey. Not my division, not my call. They probably know what they're doing. Would've thought he'd be better off if a nurse from the 4th took over, but she won't have it. Ikkaku's vice-captain Momo's been helping her. That's the only person she'll even let in the room.
I'm kind of surprised they're as calm as they are. I'd've thought they'd be a lot more…you know, emotional, since it's Toushirou. But this is a military, after all. They've been here a hell of a lot longer than I have. If Rukia's taught me anything, it's that there's no place for chauvinism in Soul Society.
9th Division Court – Civilian Update Report #5
Kurosaki Ichigo, Captain
Kenpachi challenged me to duel.
Spine out of alignment.
Can't hold a pen straight.
Hands won't stop shaking.
Ready to write this using teeth.
Brain not working.
Too tired to think.
Cure working.
Thank God.
9th Division Court – Civilian Update Report #6
Hisagi Shuuhei, Vice-Captain
Kurosaki-dono,
Kurosaki-taichou is resting. I write this in his stead.
The 9th Division has flourished under your son's leadership. Everyone is thoroughly pleased to have had a hero leading them in my absence. A few officers seemed disappointed when it was announced that I was well enough to return to my position. I had thought that Kurosaki-taichou was simply a strong sword-arm, but it turns out that he's quite a studious bookkeeper as well. I haven't seen this office so neat and orderly since your son's predecessor was using it.
I don't think anyone is as surprised as I am that things worked out so well. Thanks to Kurosaki-taichou working so closely with Kudo-taichou, the sickness is alleviating. We lost remarkably few to its effects, although everyone is going to have a hellish time getting caught up.
Yet again, your son has saved our necks. Without his help, Kudo-taichou wouldn't have been able to save more than a handful of us. It may be a bit late to be saying this, but he's exceeded every expectation we've ever had for him. We are all in his, and your, debt. If ever you need the assistance of the Gotei 13, you have but to ask.
Though Kurosaki-taichou hasn't yet taken up all the duties due his position, he has proven himself to be a thoroughly impressive candidate. He doesn't seem particularly interested in attending our academy to fill in the gaps, though. He will be returning home to the living world as soon as he recovers from the exertion, and as far as official records are concerned, his time as a captain is over. Perhaps you could convince him to return to us? My division would be ecstatic to welcome him officially.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could contact me directly with any update or decision.
Thank you again.
We owe our lives to the Kurosaki family.