Baddest of the Bad
There was a strong smell of blood in the air. The signs of the struggle were all around him. Traces of the loser's footsteps all the way until where he was cut down by the victor. Toshiro took one giant step forward, stepping over the dead man completely. He'd been cut clean into two pieces, from his forehead to right between his legs.
Around him were the men of the Eleventh division, and right before him were their most prominent members. Fifth Seat yumichika ayasegawa next to Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame, Lieutenant Yachiru kusajishi sitting on the steps. And standing before them all with a bloody sword over the dead man was Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of Squad Eleven.
"Captain Zaraki. "Toshiro began with a greeting.
"Head Captain." He responded with a nod." Afraid you just missed it." He brought his sword up and rested it on his shoulder." I took him down in one strike."
"Oh I caught a glimpse of it." The young Commander responded. He turned around to look at the entrance to Squad Eleven. The ground had a long, wide slash running form where the dead man stood out into the street and even into Squad 12 next door." Very, very interesting." He said turning back to the Kepachi.
"Ha that's nothing. You should see when I'm actually trying. This guy" He pointed his sword at the dead man." Had no chance." Toshiro now turned his attention to the dead man but couldn't say he knew who he was.
He was obviously a nobody, some young unseated officer who thought he had it in him to be great. People had come far and wide to see the famous Kenpachi Zaraki, more importantly see him fight. Undoubtedly this man was just like all the others, only he got more than he bargained for.
"Walk with me Captain Zaraki." Toshiro said with a wave of his hand. Kenpachi nodded and walked towards the Young Head-Captain.
"Get this outta here." He commanded as the two walked out the front gate. It wasn't until after they'd left and were side by side in the street that the two began talking." So what do you want? Come to try yourself against me? It's been a while since I've had a good fight, and even longer since we've fought." Kenpachi said as he began punching Toshiro in his shoulder the way an older brother might.
Toshiro allowed him his moment before answering.
"I'm afraid not." He answered." But you and I do have an important matter to discuss."
"You don't say?" He responded sarcastically. Toshiro opened his mouth to continue but was cut off once again." If it's about the billing, don't bother." He waved his hand." We'll pay for the damages to the road and whatever. I'll even contribute to that crappy calendar Squad Nine wants to put together."
"How very generous of you." Toshiro said." But still that is not why I've sought you out today." They were well into the Soul Society now. They'd passed Squad's 9 and 8 and were currently making their way passed the Seventh Division. Inside his courtyard Captain Kommamura could be seen walking his dog. He gave a happy wave as the two walked by.
"Then what is it?" Kenpachi asked with a grumble in his voice. He was starting to get annoyed, he didn't like having his time wasted. But there was still a length to go before they reached their destination.
"You are the Eleventh Generation Kenpachi, did you know that?"
"I'm the Eleventh Kenpachi and Captain of Squad Eleven, how catchy." Kenpachi chuckled. Toshiro gave a slight smirk on his agreement.
"And I'm sure you're aware of the prestige that comes with that title?" They had passed Squad Six and five were making their way past four. They were almost there.
"Ha, yea. It means I'm baddest of the bad, toughest of the tough. It means no matter how hard anybody tries they can't knocked me down! Heh, well maybe except you. HaHa" He gave another strong playful push at Toshiro, almost managing to take him off his feet.
"Yes, yes." He said dusting himself off." That is one way of putting. But there is more to it than that." Kenpachi's face turned from happy to annoyed again.
"Huh? What are you saying?" They had finally reached their destination, Squad Two." What are we doing here?" He said.
"Follow me." Toshiro said. Confused Kenpachi walked after Toshiro as the Head-Captain made his way through the barracks. The Division Two members looked on in awe as two of the strongest and well-known Captains walked through their barracks.
But Toshiro led Kenpachi to a place away from all of them. The Last one they came upon was Lieutenant Omeada.
"H-Head Captain Hitsuguya, sir." He addressed him jumping to attention." Good, Good Afternoon, sir. C-C-Captain Zaraki good morning to you, sir. I heard you had a challenger this morning. You won no doubt, I knew it. I was telling everyone you'd win. 'Noone can beat Captain Zaraki I said, well um I mean except you Head-Captain. You, sir are-"
"Lieutenant." Toshiro said with sternness in his voice." The door if you please."
"Y-Yes, Yes, sir. The door, the door of course." He fumbled with the keys in his hands, turning his back on the two so he could open it. When he turned back to face them he opened the door with him." Open, sir. As you requested, sir!"
"Thank you." Toshiro said. He led the way through the door and Kenpachi followed him.
"Have a good day-" Omeada began but suddenly the door closed and hit him in the face.
Toshiro led the way down the long, dark steps. All the while Kenpachi stayed right behind him not saying a word.
It had been a long time since Toshiro had last been here. It was the last place where he was Captain Toshiro Hitsuguya of Squad Ten. The Dark memories came back to him of his final battle with Yamamoto, when the title of Head-Captain had become had been the only place where the two powerful spiritual pressures of Toshiro and Yamamoto could fight without fear of destroying the entire Soul Society. This placed had served it's purpose before and would do so once again.
"Do you know where we are?" Toshiro asked as he took his first few steps into the empty room.
"The Munken." Kenpachi answered.
"That's right." Toshiro answered as he turned and faced Kenpachi." It is here where you will conduct your training."
"Training?" Toshiro nodded." HaHa! I knew it. So I do get to fight you again."
"It won't be me your fighting." Toshiro quickly concluded for him." I believe you two know each other." Confused Kenpachi turned his head around to come face to face with an old enemy. Retsu Unohanna Captain of Squad Four or rather Yachiru Unohanna First Generation Kenpachi. Her hair was out of it's usual braid and flowing long past her shoulders, revealing a scar on her chest.
"That's right, we've meet." Kenpachi said. He drew his sword.
"Captain Unohanna here has agreed to instruct you in the ways of fighting." Toshiro said drawing Kenpachi's attention." I know you underwent some training with my predecessor and he was able to teach you something. But this time you will learn even more."
"What are you saying?" Kenpachi asked.
"Your strong Kenpachi Zaraki, no one can doubt that. But you've severely limited your fighting style."
"What?"
"You don't know kido. You don't know shunpo. You can hardly sense spiritual pressure." Toshiro counted on his fingers." You say you want to fight me? One hundred years ago you might have had a chance but not anymore." Kenpachi's face tightened and he prepared to speak but this time Toshiro cut him off." I was taught my three Kenpachi's, yourself and Captain Unohanna included. And I slew the Eight Generation Kenpachi Soya Azashiro in single combat when I was still a boy. I have grown since our last fight Kenpachi Zaraki, you have not." Kenpachi was the maddest he'd been in a long time. He did not like being talked down to." I have a new vision of the Gotei 13, Captain Zaraki. One more powerful than any other in history. I have already taught Rangiku Bankai and am teaching Rukia Kuchiki the same. And you will learn from Captain Unohanna. And then someday when you are ready, you and I will cross blades again." He took a step closer to Kenpachi." When you acquire the abilities fitting of your rank only then will you and I fight again." He walked past Kenpachi and towards the door." Captain Unohanna." He said tipping an imaginary hat at her." Do your work."
He walked back up the steps along this time. And fading behind him was the clashing of swords.