The Heir Apparent
Chapter -144: Two Heavens as One
Franz Bismark stood on the battlefield in the mortal world, watching as his men moved among the wounded Shinigami and shot them dead. The attack had been a crushing victory for them, but even so they'd lost many Quincy. Hardly surprising when their opponents had been such high level Shinigami.
Tipped off by his informer, Franz and his new crew of Quincy; reinforced by the local garrison; had ambushed the captain and lieutenant of the Onmitsukido as well as a large contingent of their soldiers. Not a single Shinigami had escaped alive, already the spiritual bodies were decomposing in their disturbingly swift way.
The commander of the local garrison, and Indian man by the name of Ajmer Khaan, walked up to him. 'A great victory, lord,' he said.
'Yes,' Franz agreed.
'We'll kill all their captains until they have none left!' the dark man laughed.
He was still riding the high from their victory. He was a fool. Hadn't he seen? When the captain had released his Bankai their casualties had been massive. In all they'd lost nearly a third of their force in the short engagement, and despite the victory the blow to the Quincy's moral had been huge. None of them would be prepared to assault a captain again, they had all seen far too many comrades die far too quickly, and the way they had been killed would scar them all forever.
Worse still, Franz knew that this hadn't even been a particularly powerful captain. He had been nothing compared with one who had single-handedly destroyed their high council plus their many guards. And Franz wasn't stupid, he knew that after such a defeat the reprisals would be massive. There would be nowhere in the world they could hide.
Nowhere in this world at least.
He excused himself from Khaan, and went to find Marx. Already he had come to consider the former traitor as his right hand man, he was both intelligent and strong, though not on Franz's level. Shockingly, the Ishida boy Takumo was, despite his age. It had been he who had turned the battle by killing the captain, like Franz he now carried the liberated zanpakutou as a trophy. When he reached maturity he would likely be the most powerful Quincy ever.
Marx was gathering ownerless zanpakutou when Franz found him, he had already claimed the lieutenant's blade for himself. Franz doubted they would be of any use, but it didn't hurt to experiment. At the very least they would be proof of this victory.
'Do you have it?' he said.
Marx nodded and indicated to a net by his feet. There were at least fifty black butterflies inside. Hell butterflies. 'They will allow us to pass through the severed world.'
'But how will we open the Senkaimon gate to get there?' said Takumo, who came to join them. He had a deep cut running diagonally from the middle of his nose to the base of his right cheek. It which would likely scar him for life, a fact which Franz was secretly pleased about. It would give a memorable quality to Takumo's desperately unremarkable face.
'My captain's blade,' said Franz, 'It's started to resonate with me. I can't do much with it, but it doesn't take much to open a gate.
'But only spirits can enter that plane. What are we going to do, commit ritual suicide?'
Marx laughed aloud at that. 'Tempting, but no,' he said, 'Back at the manor the high council were storing a large amount of spiritual converters, so that they could send diplomats to Soul Society if necessary. We'll use those.'
'Then we have everything in place,' said Franz, 'Prepare our people to move out. By tonight I want every Quincy in the area to be in Soul Society.'
x
In Soul Society, Shunsui's body shook as his zanpakutou exacted its toll on him. He'd fought Daiken to the ninth level, the farthest anyone had ever forced him to go. That meant that the toll was nearly three quarters of his remaining spiritual energy, a massive rent in his power.
It was a good thing the fight was now over.
Daiken's body lay a bit beyond him, five stab wounds in it pierced through to the other side. And one through the top of his head to his groin. He'd tried to say something before he'd died, but not even Shunsui could hold back his zanpakutou from finishing off the loser. Not that he'd cared to hear what he had to say anyway.
'You did it, you really did it,' said Retsu, awe in her voice, 'You defeated Daiken!'
'I never doubted you for a second,' said Jushiro weakly from the ground.
Shunsui smiled sadly, 'Liar,' he said.
It was done, the man who had ruined his life was dead. But his evil remained. They were still at war with the Quincy, his wife was still gone. Nothing he did could ever bring her back, he'd have to wait for her to come to Soul Society on her own. Izumi had been right, it probably was better for him to pass on and find her again in the next life, with none of his current baggage. Now that it was over he felt so empty, oblivion seemed preferable.
But looking at Retsu and Jushiro, he knew that he couldn't be that selfish. Not yet. First he had to set right all of Daiken's wrongs.
What was it that he'd said about the Shihoins? His eyes widened as he remembered. Yoruichi and Eiroshi were in terrible danger, there was no time to lose. 'Retsu, Jushiro, do either of you have a hell butterfly?' he said. He'd need it to traverse the severed world.
Jushiro shook his head no, Retsu felt at her robes then pulled out a fluted container with the fluttering insect. 'I don't know why I brought this,' she said.
'I'm glad you did,' he said. 'I'm going to the mortal world to help Eiro-kun. Retsu, I want you to save Yori-chan, and don't kill Chizu-chan if you can help it. Can you do that?'
She nodded, then glanced at Jushiro, 'What about-'
'Jushiro, I'm sorry, but we'll have to leave you here for a bit. Hang tight, we'll come back for you.'
The white haired man nodded. His face was painfully pale. 'Do what you have to do,' he whispered.
Then a new spiritual pressure entered the air, making the sky quake. It felt violent, smoky and absurdly powerful. They all recognised it, but never before had felt in such an overpowering state. 'It's the Captain-commander,' Retsu whispered, putting words to what they all knew, and feared.
The raw tint in his pressure was unmistakable, it was feeling of one in a murderous rage. Shunsui blinked, and Yamamoto stood before them.
x
They were finished. Yoruichi was backed up against a wall; cut, singed and bleeding. Kisuke was further away, completely trapped in a binding spell of chains. He'd proven surprisingly strong, perhaps the level of a ninth seat Shinigami; which was incredible considering his circumstances. But not nearly enough.
'You fought well,' Shiraken Chizu said as she raised her blade.
'Spare him,' said Yoruichi, indicating desperately to Kisuke, 'He has nothing to do with this.'
The other woman shrugged, 'Very well, I … what!' she suddenly froze, 'No, Daiken, no; no. This can't be. This can't be happening!'
Yoruichi had no idea what was happening, but her enemy had just presented a very large opening. Using the last of her strength and speed she dived forward, ramming her zanpakutou in Chizu's throat and up into her brain. She didn't even attempt to evade, and stiffened as she was stabbed. Then she fell like a plank to the cobbled floor, the blade sliding easily out of her.
'That was anticlimactic,' said Kisuku, 'What do you think happened?'
Yoruichi thought about it. 'Her husband must have been defeated, she would have felt it. We won!' she could hardly believe it. She could return to Seireitei, she was safe, her father was safe.
'Ah, a little help here?'
She moved to help break him out. There was no way he'd be going back to his old life, not with talent like his. He was going to become a Shinigami, whether he liked it or not. She would personally oversee his growth.
In the distance smoke was rising into the sky.
x
'So, it wasn't enough that I had to lose my son. You had to take my protégé away from me too,' said Yamamoto, barely contained fury making his voice shake.
It had been common knowledge that Daiken was to succeed Yamamoto, who intended to retire into the Royal Guard. Shunsui shuddered at the thought of what Gotei thirteen would become with a man like him in charge. Now, at least, that would never happen. But for Yamamoto, who'd recently lost his only son, probably to the Quincys; this double blow must be more than he could handle. He was looking for a scapegoat for his anger, and Shunsui was convenient.
'Old man-' he began.
'Silence,' the captain-commander barked, 'I helped train you three to become stronger than any captain, and this is how you repay my kindness?'
He was referring to him, Daiken and Jushiro. Yamamoto had shown them all how, by pushing themselves on all aspects of their training, they could become truly powerful. At the time he'd treated them all equally, not knowing who would be his successor. Later he'd publicly chosen Daiken.
'You were condemned to death,' he continued, 'And so you shall die here, by my hand. Words of a dead man have no meaning.'
Shunsui blinked. 'What about Jushiro, and Retsu?'
'She will be taken for questioning, so we know what actually happened here. Former captain Ukitake Jushiro will share your fate.'
He sighed. Death would be easy for him to embrace, if the lives of so many people didn't hang on his at this moment. Fighting with Yamamoto would probably remove any chance he had of helping the Shihoins, but there was still Jushiro. He couldn't abandon him now. 'Can I have a moment to discuss these terms with my fellows,' he said.
'There's nothing to discuss,' snapped Yamamoto, but Shunsui was already walking.
The others looked at him expectantly as he came. 'Don't worry, I'm going to fight,' Shunsui assured them quietly. They both looked relieved. Did they really think he'd just lay down and die?
'Are you going to use your Bankai again?' said Retsu.
'I can't,' he admitted, 'The last use took too much out of me. I have less than a quarter of my full power left.'
Their faces were masks of frozen horror. Facing a man who was stronger than him anyways with so little left, he didn't stand a chance, and they knew it. 'We're dead,' said Jushiro thickly.
'Not quite, but we have only one shot at this,' he said, and explained to them what he needed.
'Well?' said Yamamoto as he strolled back.
'I regret to inform you that your terms are unacceptable,' said Shunsui with mock formality.
'Draw your sword, boy,' said the old man, 'It's time to teach you a lesson.'
Shunsui's zanpakutou had returned to its sealed state in the aftermath of his Bankai, he'd sheathed the naked blades in his kimono's sash. He drew them now, glancing back at Retsu and Jushiro and giving a slight nod.
'Katen Kyokotsu,' he said, releasing his blades instantly, and sent all of his spiritual power crushing down on the captain-commander. Retsu immediately joined him, her full power about as much as he could release in his weakened state.
Yamamoto buckled for a moment, then stood firm, his power pushing through the restraint. 'Incinerate all creation, Ryujin Jakka,' he intoned, the air around him igniting. His power grew even greater.
Then suddenly another force was helping Shunsui and Retsu. They looked at Jushiro, horrified. His face was contorted with pain and grim determination, blood streamed out of every orifice, yet he continued to push; summoning more power than either of the other two. Seeing his plight, Shunsui and Retsu made one last extra push, and for a second their combined power completely suppressed the captain-commander.
'Kenoni,' he cried, and his zanpakutou reverted back to its sealed state.
The flames died, and Yamamoto's eyes widened. 'What did you do?' he said.
Shunsui let out a relieved breath, they'd been able to do it, if only just. Glancing back, he grimaced, Jushiro was unconscious and lying in a pool of his own blood. The power he'd expended had aggravated his condition terribly, yet without it they'd never have succeeded. Retsu was trying to help him again, but without access to her abilities there was little she could do.
He turned back to Yamamoto, and said, 'I activated my Kenoni game. It's simple, whoever is the best swordsman wins. All of our Shikai, Bankai and Kido abilities; as well as the ability to crush the opponent with Reitsu; have been sealed for the duration of the battle.' He thumbed his chin thoughtfully. 'Honestly I don't like using this game, cos once it's activated I can never change to another one.'
'Good move,' said the older man grudgingly, 'but you're a fool if you think you can beat me with sword skills. I've been teaching kids like you how to fight for a thousand years, do you really think you can match me?'
'Let's just try. For fun.'
Meanwhile Retsu had hoisted Jushiro over her shoulders and made off with him. Good, it was better if he was out of immediate danger. That way he couldn't be threatened during the fight. Though if Shunsui lost, the captain-commander could catch up to him in seconds. He would have hoped that Retsu's abilities would return to her if she got out of the radius of his spiritual pressure, but Kenoni didn't work like that. Once it locked your powers they were gone until the game was over.
Yamamoto shuffled his feet into position, then ran forward, his blade at his hip. Shunsui waited for him.
x
Shiba Kukaku groaned in her sleep, the bandages on her shoulder red at points where blood had seeped through. A medic, checking on her, noted no change in her chart; and set it back on the bottom of her bed before moving to the next patient.
Next to her bed was a chair, a chair where her captain had sat less than an hour before. On it a stack of papers slowly materialised into view, the Kido spell keeping them invisible fading with the caster dead. Atop the papers was a handwritten message. It read:
If you are reading this, I am no longer in this world. Strange though this may sound, I am content for this to be. Since I have lost, it does me no good to hide my actions. I reveal them so a man I once considered my brother might live, and be free.
I am solely responsible for the Quincy crisis. In the notes below I have detailed my plot, how I manipulated various high-ranking members of Gotei thirteen and even members of the Quincy order. I do not repent of my actions, for they were necessary to ensure the survival of the flow of Souls. Gotei thirteen would never have acted decisively until it was too late.
Shunsui, if you ever read this, I am sorry about Shiori and what I forced you into doing. Although it was necessary for my plans, it was a terrible act, even for me. I confess that I was never able to fully regret organising her death. I hope that it was you who killed me.
S.D.
Kukaku rolled in her sleep to face the chair. Unfortunately this meant that she was lying on her severed shoulder. Her eyes snapped open, brimming with pain.
x
Their blades clashed, and again. Yamamoto tried to twist his out of his hand. Shunsui followed the movement, then stabbed as they disengaged. So did Yamamoto, but his blade was stopped by Shunsui's wakizashi. They pulled away, blood running down Yamamoto's side.
'First blood to me,' said Shunsui.
'It's only last blood that counts,' Yamamoto growled.
Something was wrong, his cut was far shallower than it should have been. Then Shunsui remembered, the power gap. He might be on the same level as the old man, but Yamamoto was still stronger. Plus he was coming in at full power, while Shunsui was badly drained. Kenoni nullified many power and ability advantages, on both sides, but not that of resilient skin.
They moved at the same time, their speed perfectly matched. Their swords danced through the air. Shunsui closed the distance, to where their katana were too long to strike cleanly, and opened three long gashes in short order with his wakizashi. He was driven away by Yamamoto's attempted punch, he knew from experience that it was a bad idea to get hit by one of those.
After five minutes of similar combat they had reached another lull, both searching for an opening while circling. Shunsui was just short of being winded, his lacking of energy was beginning to tell. Yamamoto lowered his sword slightly, a time-honoured suggestion that they stop for a breather and/or a talk. Shunsui accepted gratefully, lowing his own weapons in response.
'You fight well, for an old man,' he said lightly.
Yamamoto grunted, 'I taught you youngsters to use one sword, and both hands on it, for maximum power. Just like you betrayed Gotei thirteen, you have also betrayed my teachings.'
Shunsui inclined his head. There was no point in arguing that he was no traitor, the captain-commander would never listen. He was right about the swords though. 'Well, with my release, I had little choice but to learn a new style. One handed sword techniques don't entirely work for two, they get in the way of each other. And since no one in Soul Society teaches those styles, I had to find myself a teacher elsewhere.
'It was just before Mikio-sensei's death that I finally found what I was looking for. In the mortal world there was a genius of a swordsman who fought and trained with two swords. Naturally I took a few years of leave and went to him for instruction. He taught me his style, Niten Ichi.'
'Two heavens as one,' Yamamoto translated.
Shunsui nodded. 'But that was just my foundation, I've been training ever since on improving the art. Your teaching is correct, sensei, two hands on a sword will make the strike faster and more powerful. But Musashi-sensei's teachings are also true, two hands on a blade restrict its movement. By training to use a sword just as powerfully with one hand, then training to use two simultaneously, one can achieve mastery of a form unlike any other.'
It was, for Yamamoto was the only one sporting cuts, though none of them were deep enough to slow him down.
Just then Unohana Retsu reappeared. She reported breathlessly, 'I took captain Ukitake-'
'Former captain,' Yamamoto said.
'-to the small hospital in the nearby district. I still can't seem to use my abilities.'
Shunsui looked at her, 'You won't, not until this game's over.'
'I guessed as much.'
'Why did you come back?' he said, suddenly feeling very tired.
She blinked, 'I'm your ally now, aren't I? I can't abandon you in such a mismatched fight,' she said, and moved to stand beside him, drawing her blade.
'I appreciate that, but you should go,' he said. Even with Kenoni active she was still out of their league.
'I've changed my mind,' said Yamamoto, 'You'll share their fate.' And with that he charged again, this time at Retsu.
Shunsui stepped in the way of his attack, using both blades to deflect the furious swipes. His katana opened a cut on the old man's bald head, then he scored a deeper slash on his side. Neither wounds made Yamamoto even flinch, he kept up his form solidly even when it was pierced. Meanwhile Retsu had sneaked around behind him, and when she was certain that he was sufficiently distracted, she stabbed him in the kidneys.
Her blade didn't penetrate the skin.
'Youuuu,' Yamamoto grated at her, while Shunsui's long blade opened more cuts on him, 'You're out of your depth, child. Ikkotsu,' he cried, swinging a massive backhand.
He hit her on the side of the head, and send her flying and bouncing like a rag doll. She came to rest forty meters away. 'Retsu!' Shunsui cried, breaking off his attack and flash-stepping to her side.
She was twisted at odd angle, blood running down her crown. Shunsui took her by the shoulders and set her in a lying-down position. She was unconscious. 'You shouldn't have come, but thank you,' he said, brushing her hair out of her face. Then he flash-stepped back to Yamamoto.
'That should have taken off her head,' he growled.
Shunsui had seen the attack performed before, and knew it to be true. 'It draws a lot of power from your Kido, and with that sealed it was only your physical strength that hit her.'
He could feel anger building up within his heart, nothing like the fierce inferno he'd been battling while fighting Daiken, but anger nonetheless. Yamamoto wasn't the only one who'd lost someone, taking out his pain on weaker captains was nothing short of bullying.
This time, he'd fight dirty.
They clashed, their swords seeking each others flesh. But again it was only Shunsui's that found purchase. The top half of Yamamoto's shihakushou was now in bloody ribbons. Then he attempted a highly dangerous manoeuvre, limboing under the older man's blade while slashing his tendon with his wakizashi. Yamamoto adjusted his strike in mid-flight, and very nearly won. A minute hair on the tip of Shunsui's nose was cut clean in two.
Then he was up, and the old man was battling to keep his feet. 'Damn you, boy,' he said, using his sword as a crutch.
Although he wasn't outwardly showing it, Shunsui was in more trouble than his opponent. He'd expended a lot of his energy even before he'd used his Bankai, and now he was desperately short on it. He had to finish this quickly before he collapsed. He attacked, hard and fast, his blades dancing a hypnotic pattern. This time Yamamoto's movements were sealed, and Shunsui shredded him. Bits of blood, skin and flesh flew into the air in his wake, yet with the exception of the one strike on the heel his blades had still not done serious damage.
Ten minutes later he pulled back, gasping for breath. He had nothing left, absolutely nothing. Yamamoto was still standing. Covered in his own blood, head to toe, but still standing. In desperation Shunsui had tried to stab his eyes and throat, but the older man had always defended those vitals, often with his forearms. Now it was over, he barely had the strength to raise his swords. He didn't mind dying, but now Retsu and Jushiro would die as well. And Eiroshi and Yoruichi, if they hadn't already. Hot tears ran down his eyes as he fell to his knees. It was over, truly over. He had failed them. Yamamoto hobbled towards him, his blade diagonal to the ground.
Then he felt two new powerful spiritual forces, as well as a smaller one, appear. Yamamoto did too, and stopped in his tracks. Seconds later two captains flash-stepped between them, flanked by a lieutenant. Shunsui knew them well. The Sixth Division captain, Kuchiki Ryoma, looked cool and composed as anybody of the noble family, flanked by his younger brother and lieutenant Ginrei. The other was the new captain of the Twelth Division, Hikifune Kirio, who had only been raised four years previously. They stood between Yamamoto and Shunsui.
'What is the meaning of this?' said the captain-commander.
'Sir, new evidence has come to light regarding the massacre of the Quincys,' said Kuchiki. 'Chamber 46 has ordered that all those involved to be brought for questioning immediately.'
'There's also mention of what happened to your son,' Hikifune added.
Yamamoto looked a him for a long moment, then finally gave a curt nod. Shunsui felt like he could faint with relief.
The next few minutes passed in a blur, lieutenant Ginrei went to fetch Jushiro after getting directions from him. He saw captain Kuchiki pick up Retsu gently and flash-step away with her in his arms. Trust him to not be seen with someone who was in the captain-commanders bad graces, as no doubt Shunsui would be from today. Meanwhile Yamamoto himself had disappeared.
Then Hikifune was at his side. 'Let them go, Shunsui, it's ok, it's all over now,' she said softly, soothingly.
It was only then that he realised that he was still gripping onto his blood drenched swords. He dropped them, wiped his sticky hands on the grass, then he remembered, 'The Shihoin's, Eiroshi and Yoruichi, I have to-'
'Yoruichi is safe, we have her back at the barracks. She's picked up a most unusual companion,' said Hikufune, her mouth twitching into a smile, it faded as she continued. 'Eiroshi, well, I'm afraid nobody can do anything for him anymore.'
Shunsui bowed his head and wept. It was over, he'd lost his wife and a dear friend. A great hole had been ripped in the centre of his life. Could he carry on?
Only time would tell.
x
Franz allowed his gaze to flow over the plains and forests of Soul Society. It was similar, yet different to home. He glanced back at the gate, where Quincy were still streaming through. In the end less than a hundred had come, they'd have to find more recruits for their cause.
But there were here, the place where they would least be expected. And as soon as they were strong enough, they would crush the Shinigami, once and for all. They would have their revenge.
x
Shiraken Sousuke stood outside his home, his teeth gritted and a crumpled sheet of paper in his hand. Daiken, his foster father, was dead. So was his foster mother, but that didn't mean anything to him. She hadn't been indispensable for his growth. He was shocked, more for the loss of his patronage than any love for them, and would be stumped for what to do if not for the letter.
Daiken had been a meticulous planner, and had left written instructions for him for every possible outcome. Including his death. He had willed all of his assets to Sousuke, including the house and more than enough money to keep him in luxury for the rest of his afterlife.
The letter also warned that the Shiraken name would become a terrible one to keep. Sousuke didn't mind changing it, it meant nothing to him anyway. If things had been different he would have held onto it, gaining a nobles advantages through it. Now that door was closed. But what to call himself? The district that he'd lived before, the southern 53rd, was known by the residents as the Aizen district. He'd always liked the name, short and strong. From now on, he would be Aizen Sousuke.
He'd read through the rest of his foster father's notes. Daiken had mentioned on a number of occasions the power limit, and how close he'd been to reaching it. Yet it hadn't been enough, he'd still lost. Sousuke resolved that he would find a way to eclipse the limit, to surpass what even the strongest shinigami battled to achieve. No one would ever beat him.
Daiken had attempted to stand at the top of heaven, but he had failed. Sousuke would not.
Thus the pendulum swings back to the present, to where the actions of the past still toll loudly.
x
A/N: Kenoni, Kyoraku's most dangerous Shikai game (for himself as well as his enemy) means Sword Demon. It's effect is somewhat different to Kyoraku's other games, which affect anyone in his spiritual pressure range, which he can obviously control. Kenoni on the other hand requires the complete suppression of an opponent/s to be released, making it difficult to use on stronger enemies, for whom it would be the most useful. Then it makes it impossible for them and Shunsui, as well as any allies who may have helped suppress, to use their Kido or any of their zanpakutou abilities; as well as spiritually suppress. It returns the zanpakutou to their unreleased state, and locks them there. They can then only fight with sword or fist and foot, hence Sword Demon. Naturally since Kyoraku's abilities are also sealed he cannot change games even if things aren't going well for him.
Niten Ichi was Musashi Miyamoto's name for his style of sword that is now called Niten Ichi-Ryu. If you don't know who Musashi Miyamoto is, look it up on wikipedia, please.
Ikkotsu is one of the punching techniques Yamamoto uses on Wonderweiss. I figured it must be like Shunko, and rely heavily on Kido. That's the only way to explain its power, raw strength just doesn't cut it.
The three that appear in the end. Kuchiki Ryoma is just another captain from the noble family. His brother, Ginrei, will later take over the captaincy for the manga's turn back arc. Hikifune is the captain mentioned that was promoted to the Royal Guard.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the second turn back arc, I really enjoyed concocting and writing it. Maybe I'll send to Tite with instructions to start drawing (lol). We're back to real time from next chapter onwards. I feel I need to explain the inspiration for it came from some of my observations in the manga. There are twelve. This chapter in particular is rife with inspiration from the "Welcome to Purgatory" chapter and parts of the ones linked to it.
Warning, unless you're a bleach manga fanatic who wants to know how this all ties in, don't read this next bit. If you are a normal, sane human being you will be bored. You have been warned!
1. Hitsugaya's previous life -The first and most obvious link I took from the manga, and the reason why I chose to have a previous life Hitsugaya as the main villain, was Kyoraku's comment when fighting Stark that Hitsugaya might be more powerful than him given a hundred years. The way he says it implies that he thinks it would take longer. I take it to mean he knows how powerful Hitsugaya could become, having experienced it firsthand.
2. Kyoraku, Ukitake, Yamamoto and Unohana having roles in the Quincy crisis - This is obvious, and if Tite ever expands on what happens to the Quincy it will be canon. Provided of course that he doesn't go and contradict himself again, which he does disturbingly often. Anyways, why I say it's obvious is that the Quincy extermination happened 200 years before the main storyline, according to Urahara. And in the turn back arc, 100 years before the main arc, Kyoraku states that only himself, Ukitake, Yamamoto and Unohana were part of the old guard of captains 100 years before. 100 + 100 = ?
3. Unohana being a previous member of the 11th division - I'm grasping at straws a bit here. Unohana strikes fear into people with her sweet smile, and we're never given an explanation why. The eleventh division members are particularly frightened of her, which while it may be funny doesn't make much sense. Also according to the Bleach manuals she's supposed be a swords expert, though she shuns every single opportunity to fight. This also leads me to believe that she is pacifist, in the strongest sense of the word. It's not much, I know, but there's very little indication to her character and past; strange if you consider that she's one of the oldest captains. This was my explanation for it all.
4. Unohana being weaker than Kyoraku and Ukitake, and a captain for less time - I'm probably going to be unpopular with Unohana fans for this, but I do have reason for this. When Yamamoto states that Kyoraku and Ukitake were the first to become captains out of those who graduated from the academy he founded. I don't think he meant that they were literally the first, since that would make them over a millennia old; which doesn't match how much younger they looked in the turn back arc, just that they were the first of any of the captains currently serving. There's been the argument that Unohana came to Gotei thirteen before the academy, which is a thousand years old. I find this a bit far fetched, honestly I can't even begin to believe that she's that old. With exception of those three and Yamamoto, every captain in Gotei thirteen most likely under 300 years old, judging by the turn back arc. She looks slightly older than the average.
As for her being weaker, Yamamoto mentions how he helped Ukitake and Kyoraku more powerful than anyone else. He also mentions how their fighting strength is greater than anyone else's, except obviously his own. There's no room for exceptions in such absolute statements. And Yamamoto is the most qualified to know. Of course, Ukitake's sickness holds him back, but Kyoraku has no such inhibition. He proves it by beating the first Espada on only his Shikai.
5. Yoruichi being Kyoraku's subordinate - When Kyoraku takes Ukitake and flees from Yamamoto, he senses that Yoruichi is waiting in the wings, something nobody else does; not even Yamamoto. Throughout the series we see how close friends sense each other's presence and injury. Interestingly, Kyoraku and Yoruichi have no interaction in the manga's turn back arc, meaning that if they were friends it was before then, and at that time they aren't. It couldn't have been after, since after that arc she flees to the material world. Again, this is my explanation for this.
6. Yoruichi and Urahara's past - In the Soul Society arc we learn that they trained together in the cave under Sogyoku hill, which Urahara made. This is later expanded upon in the turn back arc, when we find out not only that he'd been her 3rd seat previous to his captaincy promotion, he'd also lived on the Shihoin property. Since he was a common and she was a noble, and he would only have been picked up when his talents were noticed as an asset for the noble family, it means that they almost certainly didn't know each other through their childhood. Also, since her promotion was long before his, and it was certainly her who helped him get to captaincy level, she was probably older than him. That means that they wouldn't have met at the academy. If she was just a lot more powerful, and they'd started at the same time, she would have whizzed through far faster than him, and the effect would have been the same.
The point of this all is that by a process of elimination it's most likely that she met him while in Gotei thirteen. There seems to be no evidence to indicate whether it was before or after she became captain of the second division and fused it with the Onmitsukido.
7. Everything about Kukaku - It's fairly obvious that Kukaku was, at some point, a Shinigami. She has a zanpakutou, and uses Kido. She's also an old friend of Urahara's and Yoruichi's. This is all canon. After that we can make a few educated guesses. She must have left Gotei thirteen at some point, and the lacking of her right arm seems the most likely. It's uncertain when about she served as a Shinigami, but it seems most likely that it was between the manga's turn back arc and the main arc. This is she refers to Kaien as her 'big brother', and in the turn back arc he's on the verge of becoming Jushiro's lieutenant. I confess, this is the one time when I'm consciously contradicting the manga for the sake of my story. Since she's one of the captains with a large amount of focus on her, it's just that much more interesting if she's involved.
8. Suspicion towards Aizen - Also in the manga's turn back arc, Kyoraku shows suspicion towards Aizen when Shinji and the others that would later become the Vizords are out. He's the only one to do so, as shown when chamber 46 tells Urahara that he was seen by many officers of the fifth division, and one captain. Of course, with Aizen's illusionary abilities, this suspicion is used towards the fulfilment of his plans. In the Soul Society Arc, it's Unohana who shows suspicion towards Aizen. First with his "body", and later when all the captain's are fighting against each other and she goes to find the real Aizen. These two incidents were my motivation for them knowing the young Sousuke. I didn't show Kyoraku meeting him, but he surely would have known of his bitter enemy's foster child, even if he hadn't flaunted the fact.
9. Aizen's resolve to surpass the limit - He shows in the End of Hypnosis chapters that he is determined to surpass the Shinigami's power limit, and become a god. He must have had reason to believe that reaching the limit alone would not be enough.
10. Yamamoto's history with Kyoraku and Ukitake - Around the Soul Society arc it's a bit difficult to work out Kyoraku's motivation. With most of the other captains it's fairly obvious, even Ukitake, who becomes determined to save Rukia (the other exception is Kenpachi, which I dealt with in earlier chapters). It's possible that he was simply siding with his friend, but I don't buy that. I think he most likely knew that there was seriously wrong going on, bigger than just an immoral execution. Unlike the other captains; who were prepared to go along with the execution as long as it seemed legal, he was determined to get to the bottom of it. And I'm sure that Ukitake wouldn't have dared do anything without Kyoraku on his side, since he tends to lead the way between the two, though he conceals the fact well. But I digress. Just before then, when he's talking to Nanao about what he should do, he states that once again he'll be the only one getting scolded by Yamamoto. He must have known then that he'd probably end up having to fight him as a result of his actions. If by 'scolding' he's using a euphemism for fighting, then they'd definitely crossed blades before on a different issue. Obviously this is one of the main motivations for this chapter.
Another is during the manga's turn back arc, when Kyoraku changes Yamamoto's plan to put his lieutenant, Lisa, in the rescue team. It's not that he's offers a change, he basically steamrolls over Yamamoto, who allows him with a meek "I don't mind". No-one, absolutely no-one else in Gotei thirteen could have done this and got away with it. Yamamoto is acting totally out of character. Even if he's a favourite student, this is the captains meetings where the captain commander has to show his firm hand. It's pretty obvious that there's some history that's gone on behind the scenes.
When Kyoraku and Ukitake are facing off against Yamamoto in the Soul Society arc, we see it mostly from Ukitake's perspective. He controls it, but he's afraid of facing the old man. He's also seen his Shikai before, his words seem to suggest that when he saw it before he was facing it in battle. While he's afraid, Kyoraku is calm and collected. He, at least, seems confident that they can win. His confidence is well founded, as I shall explain. I'd like you to think for a moment for how long they fight. They run off just as Byakuya and Ichigo begin their battle, they get to their destination quickly, have a short chat, and then begin. We don't see them again until Unohana's lieutenant Isane sends them all the message of Aizen's betrayal, and in that time nobody had been injured, though Kyoraku and Ukitake do look sweaty. Consider for a moment that in that time Ichigo had had his entire epic fight with Byakuya, including face three different forms of his Bankai. He wins, has a chat, reunites with his friends and gets healed by Orihime, then runs all the way down the friggin mountain's stairway, going at the pace of the slowest person. Just when they reach the bottom they get the message, THAT'S how long Kyoraku and Ukitake had been fighting Yamamoto, without any injury on either side. Yamamoto wanted to kill them, they didn't want to kill him. It should be obvious who held the upper hand. This is in firm contradiction of Nanao's thoughts after she is suppressed, which most people get caught up on.
It doesn't mean that Kyoraku is stronger than Yamamoto, but with Jushiro's sickness he must have had to do the lions share of the fighting, or the other man would have been coughing up blood. So he can't be much below the old man's level.
11. Yamamoto's scars - When Yamamoto drops the top half of his Shihakushou before he releases his zanpakutou, we see his scars. I think we're supposed to assume that hollows caused them. But honestly, what hollow could come close to touching him? Since Kyoraku beat Stark, a powerful Vasto Lorde turned Arrancar which would have made him even stronger, on Shikai; and Yamamoto is even more powerful; it stands to reason that no-one except another very powerful captain could have done that to him. Hence Kyoraku being the culprit.
12. Hikifune, the former twelth division captain, being a captain a hundred years before the turn back arc - The conversation of Jushiro's and Kyoraku's in the turn back arc seems to suggest this, although it isn't said outright. Whoever she was, Kyoraku knew her well even if Jushiro didn't.
The rest is my own creation, as the author. There's also a few points I intended to add, but for reasons of flow, length and unnecessary.
I had been planning to introduce some of the Vizords as seated officers during the time. Shinji could have possibly have been a lieutenant. However, on close examination, it seemed that the ones that should make an appearance were actually Lisa and Love. Lisa, because she becomes Kyoraku's lieutenant. And Love because his conversation with Kyoraku after his defeat of Stark suggest that he knows him well. Since I'd killed them both off early to reduce the massive Bleach cast to a manageable amount, it seemed pointless to include them, especially since they wouldn't be taking a main role.
Also I intended to show some of the souls that would later become the Espada. I reason that the type of soul that would become a dominant force in a Gillian and evolve further is the same type that under normal circumstances become a captain-class Shinigami. I didn't do this for two reasons. Firstly, because most of the Espada are dead, except for Nel and Grimmjow. So most of who I'd show would already be dead, thus it would not add anything. I had something special planned for Stark, but it was long and complicated even compared with the others. The second reason because it added necessary complication to an already complicated story. And at the end of the day what it added simply wasn't worth it.
If you have read through this explanation, the whole thing, you are a freak. Give yourself a well deserved pat on the back.