Chapter 44: The Shinigami Killer
Past, Japan
As far back as I remember…
…I could see ghosts…
…well, later I found out they were called Hollows, Wholes, and Shinigami, but…
…that never much mattered to me.
Until, of course, my family was attacked by a Hollow…
A teenage boy with long, black hair sits in the rubble of a building, as a massive, masked creature looms over him. To its left and right are the corpses of two adults, a man and a woman, lying strewn in a puddle of their blood. He holds the cross-shaped pendant around his neck firmly, prompting it to start glowing a green color.
The boy recalls the words of his father and mother before they died, 'A Hollow?! Not again!'
The creature's eyes widen briefly as it is struck down the middle of the back by a black figure, drawing blood. The beast shrieks as it staggers somewhat. The boy widens his eyes and, taking in the sight of his dead parents, charges at the Hollow in an enraged state, slamming himself against its leg in fury. The Hollow peers at the boy before moving one of its harms to grab him.
The black figure calls out something as it comes between the Hollow and the boy. The cross-shaped pendant around his neck continues to glow green as he stares in shock at the scene, his vision growing fuzzy.
All I remember after that is more blood and green flashes of light…
…that is, until the aftermath…
The boy sits in the rubble, blood smearing his face and now black Gi. He rests his hands on the hilt of a bloodied katana, which is stabbed into the ground. His eyes are bloodshot and puffy, his tears having run dry. Interestingly, there is no sign of the warrior in black from earlier. The boy cocks his head to the left as he regards a pair of incoming footsteps.
Walking onto the scene is a man with long, white hair, wearing a white Haori and a stern expression, "So, I see that he passed on his powers to you… have you any family left?"
The boy averts his gaze from the man.
The man looks to the ground, dejectedly, "I see…"
The man walks past the young boy, clasping his hands together and closing his eyes as if to pray, "May your souls find rest in the Soul Society…"
Suddenly, the teen speaks up, "I have an uncle… in Tokyo…"
The man smiles slightly, nodding, "I see… well, in that case, you'd better re-enter your body."
The boy frowns, raising a brow, "Huh…? You mean this isn't…"
His eyes widen as he sees his human body laying in the rubble behind him, prompting his eyes to pop comically out of his head as he screams, "HOLY CRAP!"
This prompts the man to chuckle jovially before assisting the boy.
That was the night I lost my parents…
…and gained new powers…
…but also…
…when I met him.
Roughly 2 Months Later, Tokyo
That uncle I mentioned from Tokyo…
…he was quite distant and, more often than not, was away on business…
…he didn't even bother to attend my parent's funeral either…
…although, he did pay for it in full…
…in any case, as far as I was concerned, I was still alone.
The boy fiddles with a toaster at in the middle of the floor of a lavish-looking apartment, taking a screwdriver to it as he sticks his tongue out, "C'mon… almost there."
A voice suddenly calls out to the boy from behind, "What a curious device you have there! What do you call it?"
The boy widens his eyes, screaming as he throws the screwdriver and drops the toaster on the ground.
The white-haired man behind him rubs the bump on his head, forming due to the screwdriver hitting it, "Ow…"
The boy calms down slightly before looking up at the man behind him in confusion, "Mr. Ukitake… what are you doing here? I thought you said you were busy this time of year…?"
The man looks to the side, jovially, "I'm always busy…"
Noticing the boy continue to stare, the captain clears his throat and explains, "I'm here on official business today, Kugo. To give you a gift."
The boy's eyes widen, seemingly lighting up, "Oh? Is it a state-of-the-art Do-Dad or What-Cha-Ma-Call-It from Research and Development?"
Ukitake gives the boy a knowing smile as he ruffles through the left breast pocket of his Gi, "I suppose you could say that."
He hands the teen a hand-sized wooden pentagon with an 'X' shape behind a small skull in the middle.
The boy raises a brow as he inspects it, prompting the captain to explain, "That is called the Combat Pass. When raised and pushed at the middle of your chest, it will remove your soul from your body, allowing you to freely enter your Shinigami form as necessary. It signifies that you are the Substitute Shinigami and that we entrust the protection of Tokyo's people from Hollows to you when we are not here."
The teen widens his eyes, "A-are you sure?"
Ukitake's eyes narrow, a somewhat uncomfortable look in his eye that the teen misses, as he smiles, "Yes. I know we can trust you with this…"
Ginjo smiles back at the captain before bowing before him on his hands and knees, "Thank you! I won't disappoint you, sir!"
The man nods, eyeing the toaster on the ground behind the boy curiously, "Very good… now if you could tell me what that device is…"
Ginjo gets up and regards it before giving the man a look, "Oh, this? It's just a toaster."
Ukitake stares in apparent awe, "'Just a toaster'? …how odd…"
The boy continues to explain the various devices around the apartment to the man, who cannot hide his fascination.
That marked the beginning of my exploits as the Substitute Shinigami…
…I would go on to help the people of the Tokyo region for the next few years…
…I purified more than my fair share of Hollow…
…and…
Some Time Later, Park, Tokyo
A young boy with long black hair wearing shorts and a white shirt sits quietly against the side of a tree during the day, holding a book tightly in his hands as an older, teenage boy in a black Gi approaches.
The teen looks down at the boy, who seemingly tenses up, before softly asking, "You can see me… which means you can see those masks creatures and the ghosts, right?"
The young boy widens his eyes before looking up at his older counterpart, "Y-you believe they exist?"
The older boy chuckles, wearing a friendly expression, "Believe? Kid, I've seen them! And don't worry about those masked creatures—it's my responsibility to deal with them!"
The boy furrows his brows, frowning, "R-really? You don't look that strong…"
It's as if an invisible punch strikes the teen in the side, his body tensing, "Oof… you don't have to put it like that…"
The duo stare at each other for another moment before the teen kneels down, now eye level with the younger, much smaller boy, "Are you alone? Do you have any family?"
The boy looks away sadly, "No… I'm an orphan… I've always been one…"
The other boy's eyes soften briefly before he places his right hand on the youngster's head, causing him to look at the Shinigami with wide eyes.
Ginjo wears a friendly smile, "Well what do you know? I'm alone, too! Tell ya what: you can come with me from now on. I'll let you crash at my place and even teach you how to protect yourself from those masked creatures!"
The smaller boy looks in awe at the Shinigami, who rises to his feet and starts walking away, calling back, "You comin', or what?"
The young boy nods, with a smile on his face, before getting to his feet and catching up. The two continue to converse as they walk away together.
…I found a family.
I found Shukuro about a month after Ukitake gave me the badge…
…after that, the 'family', only continued to grow with other outcasts…
…Fullbringers…
…the human world rejected us because we claimed ghosts exist…
…they saw us as a cult, which I thought was a load of bullshit…
…so, one day, years later, when we had over fifty Fullbringers…
…we made it official…
…'Xcution', was what we called ourselves.
We didn't have an official hideout at the time, but we would often gather in public meeting places…
…such as parks…
…indeed, only Shukuro lived with me. By that point, my uncle had also passed away due to a foreign illness, leaving his will to me.
As mentioned, I did train Shukuro. I taught him how to fight with a sword, which he was surprisingly adept with…
…us and the others would protect Tokyo when the Shinigami weren't there, minimizing the impact of Hollow attacks…
…yet, we sought no recognition with the normal people…
…they wouldn't have believed us, anyhow.
One day, I suddenly started hearing muffled noises from the Combat Pass…
…I was foolish, in that I wasn't bothered by it…
…I had thought it was only natural that Ukitake would have given me some kind of monitoring device, after all, entrusting the protection of an entire city to an outsider seemed unbelievable at the outset…
…so, as Shukuro and I went to meet with the others that day…
…I didn't expect that we'd find their bloodied corpses strewn across the ground, finding the sight of retreating Shinigami.
Shukuro was more scarred than I was from the sight. A kid his age finding the only family he's ever known suddenly violently murdered…
…he became soul-less…
…but I suppose, in my wrath, I was partially to blame for that.
I put together that the Combat Pass was used as a way to weed out my friends and put them to death…
…from one of the Shinigami I encountered later…
…I was told that Ukitake took full responsibility…
…I felt angry… betrayed…
…and I wanted blood.
And so, I took it…
…I killed any and all Shinigami who dared show their faces in the Tokyo region…
… they began to call me, 'The Shinigami Killer'.
Eventually, they started sending Vice-Captains…
…at that point, Shukuro, older and wiser than the child I found in front of that tree…
…he convinced me that we needed to go into hiding…
…to rebuild our forces…
…and so, we disappeared.
But I vowed on that day that I would one day confront Ukitake…
…I would get answers from him…
…and if I didn't like what I heard…
…then I'd kill him, too.
Present, 5 Days before Execution, Seireitei
Ginjo and Ukitake stare each other down, the Fullbringer snickering as his pendant quickly turns into his Cross of Scaffold, held firmly in his right hand, "Look, I'm not claiming I'm a good person, but you sure have some nerve talking about justice when you plan on putting a child to death!"
The captain frowns, his brows furrowing, "You and her are two very different subjects. I cannot allow a killer like you to roam free in the Seireitei."
The Fullbringer scoffs, "Please… spare me your platitudes and excuses. Just admit that the Soul Society is just as corrupt and fucked as everything else!"
Ukitake is quiet for a moment, his eyes shifting back and forth briefly before narrowing, "You know I can't do that..."
Ginjo grits his teeth before swinging his sword, sending a violent green beam of energy at the other man, "DON'T GIVE ME THAT BULLSHIT!"
The captain raises his Zanpakuto before bringing it down on the beam, slicing it in half, and sending the remains crashing into the stairs behind him.
Hanataro sweats nervously, "They… they know each other?"
Ganju, meanwhile, narrows his eyes at the duo before him.
Without another word, Ginjo launches himself at the captain, raising his large sword, coated in green energy, above his head, before bringing it crashing down.
The captain widens his eyes, barely managing a sidestep, "He's faster than he should be…!"
Ginjo quickly pivots the sword in his arm, swinging at the captain and sending a green beam crashing into his Zanpakuto. The captain is sent flying back a distance before exerting more force into his blade, cutting the blast in half as well and regaining his bearings.
He stares back at the Fullbringer with widened eyes, prompting Ginjo to smirk, "What's with that surprised look? You really think I didn't steal those guys' powers before killing them, do you?"
Ukitake narrows his eyes as the man continues smirking, leveling his blade at the white-haired captain, "Right now, I've got powers from at least 100 Shinigami backing me up. And that's not even mentioning what's left of that power I used to hospitalize that four-eyed captain! Is he still kickin'?"
The white-haired captain widens his eyes, "Y-you did that to Captain Aizen…? He told us it was Kisuke Urahara and his allies!"
Ginjo is silent for a moment before letting out, "Ha…!"
The man then can't help himself as he begins to laugh madly, holding his left hand against his forehead, "You mean to tell me that there are traitors even among the Shinigami?! That's rich!"
Ukitake's mouth is agape as the Fullbringer's laughing settles, "Kisuke Urarahara and his allies may have helped, but the one who dealt the decisive blow was me! And I'll tell you what; I hadn't even ever heard the name Kisuke Urahara until after I attacked four-eyes!"
Ginjo closes his eyes sighing before opening them, glaring at the captain seriously, "I've answered your question truthfully… now you answer mine. Why were my friends killed on that day, Ukitake?"
Ganju and Hanataro each raise a brow, their eyes widening, simultaneously wondering, "What's he talking about…?"
The captain's frown deepens as he looks to the ground, closing his eyes for a moment. He lets out a long exhale before opening his eyes and staring at the Fullbringer with a serious expression.
The man replies simply, "I will tell you all that I know if you can defeat me in a duel. But if you lose, I am locking you up for the murder of countless Shinigami. You will most certainly be executed shortly after. Those are the terms of this duel."
Ginjo narrows his own eyes, his expression stern, "I accept those terms."
As soon as the Fullbringer finishes his statement, Ganju scowls, "Damnit… I was hoping to get involved, but now that it's a duel… it wouldn't be right, especially when it involves the man you respected most… brother…"
The Shiba man continues to observe the battle before him as Ukitake now holds his blade in his right hand, bending over slightly, his left hand hovering over his other hand and a steeled gaze locked on his opponent, "All Waves, Rise now and Become my Shield, Lightning, Strike now and Become my Blade; Sogyo No Kotowari!"
Soon after, Ukitake holds the two swords of his Shikai before him, leveled at the Fullbringer, who continues to stare back with a serious look on his face. Ginjo's body is coated in green energy as he holds his blade behind him briefly before swinging it furiously at the captain, sending an intense amount of green, beam energy at him. Ukitake doesn't flinch as he keeps holding the blades in front of him, which seemingly sends the blast directly back. Ginjo widens his eyes as the green wave of energy lands causing an explosion.
After a moment, the Fullbringer jumps into the air, smoke trailing from his now jacket-less torso, wearing a torn white sleeveless tank top. He looks at the ground where Ukitake was previously, widening his eyes to find nothing there. Instinctually, the Fullbringer swings his blade defensively in front of his back, blocking the captain's two, incoming strikes. The captain, now having a better look at the other man's arms, widens his eyes slightly at the sight of the silver, star bracelet on his right wrist.
Before he can comment about it, however, Ginjo exerts more energy into his blade, swinging it with a roar, forcing the captain to back off and retreat a distance. The Fullbringer quickly closes the distance with Bringer's Light, slamming his massive blade down at the captain, who catches it between his two swords.
Ukitake frowns, commenting, "There's no way that you defeated a captain with these levels of attacks… and that bracelet, what—"
The man growls angrily, his body coated in a burning green energy as he pushes the captain back, "YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK ABOUT THAT!"
Ukitake widens his eyes, using Flash Step to retreat from the other man's attack range, his breathing ever so slightly labored, "That emblem… it belongs to the Quincies… could Vice-Captain Abarai's report have been right? Was Captain Aizen lying…?"
The captain eyes the Fullbringer, who breathes heavy, angry breathes, cautiously as his eyes narrow, "And why was he so hostile when I brought that bracelet up? He didn't even act like that when we were talking about his friends from the past… what's going on…?"
Ukitake's expression turns serious as he swears that he sees the bracelet glow a slight, crimson red color, "Either way… it's coming off."
Ginjo's body glows a mixture of red and green as he quickly vanishes, appearing behind the captain, and sending his blade at his back.
Ukitake parries the blow with his left sword, his eyes widening, "He's faster than before! And that… that wasn't a Fullbring technique! That was Hirenkyaku!"
The captain grits his teeth, his expression darkening before he disappears with a flash. Ginjo flinches, looking around but not seeing the captain anywhere. Suddenly, his brow twitches as he hears the captain's voice from the sky above.
Ukitake invokes a chant, "Bakudo Number 62: Hyapporankan!"
Just then, the captain directs a long, blue rod of Reishi at the Fullbringer with his sword, sending it flying at him. Following shortly behind are one hundred identical rods, which all rain down on the other man. Ginjo sends a wave of green beam energy from his sword at the incoming rods, destroying a majority of them, however, some still get through, puncturing him through his left leg, right shoulder and hand, and the left half of his stomach, sending him crashing to the ground and restricting his movement, particularly that of the sword in his right hand.
Ukitake reappears on the ground near the Fullbringer, who flails under the bindings, struggling to break free. The Shinigami approaches, readying his twin swords, but falters, widening his eyes at the sight of the Reishi from the binding spell starting to break down, being absorbed into what appears to be the remnants of a crimson red Reishi wing, which suddenly starts growing in brightness the more Reishi is consumed. The captain also notices the bracelet lighting up a similar color, which makes him scowl before immediately sending his blade at it, making to cut it off Ginjo's hand. However, just as this happens, Ginjo generates a ball of distorted-looking, crimson Reishi in his left hand before throwing it at the captain's midsection. Simultaneously, Ukitake cuts through the bracelet, lightly cutting into Ginjo's wrist as well, and the red Reishi makes contact with the captain's chest before promptly causing an explosion, sending him flying backwards. Ginjo, however, is also partially caught up in the explosion, scorching the front of his chest and face somewhat. Ukitake lands on the ground a distance away, leaving both combatants lying on their backs.
Ginjo grunts, the red energy leaving him, as he manages to sit upright. Ukitake, similarly, regains his bearings. Both men rise to their feet, each battered, although still having more than enough energy to continue fighting.
The Fullbringer looks behind him, regarding the bracelet briefly with narrowed eyes, before fixing his gaze on Ukitake, "That's odd… now that the bracelet is off… I don't feel quite so inclined to kill him… as if I needed convincing, though. Still… it was like some of those thoughts of hatred weren't my own… Was that your doing, Bambi?"
Ukitake's breaths are far more labored now, having been struck near his lungs, "Shall we finish this… Ginjo…?"
The Fullbringer frowns, merely leveling his blade at the man in response. The captain bends down somewhat, holding his blades offensively, his veins bulging somewhat as he steadies his breathing, bringing it completely under control. Ginjo instinctively widens his eyes before launching a green beam attack at the man.
Evidently, the captain didn't even bother using his Shikai's ability on it, as he simply cuts it in half as he leaps at insane speed at the Fullbringer, their blades now clashing. Ukitake brutally assaults Ginjo with a barrage of strikes from his blades, appearing more like a flashing dance as the captain masterfully lands each strike. Ginjo is forced to walk backward, beginning to lose his footing as the captain's attacks are too quick and powerful for him to handle. This reaches its natural conclusion as the captain then sends both of his blades in an upward, "X" motion, knocking against Ginjo's sword with such might that they send it flying out of his grasp. The Fullbringer widens his eyes in slow motion as the captain expertly pivots his hold on his blades before striking the man across his chest, sending him crashing against the wall. Ginjo's Cross of Scaffold lands just then, its blade planting itself into the ground.
Ukitake walks past the Fullbringer's weapon, leveling his blade against Ginjo's neck, "You lo—"
The man's eyes bulge, causing the Fullbringer to raise a brow before the captain violently coughs up blood, "No! Not now!"
After a moment, Ginjo smirks, rising to his feet as Ukitake stumbles, struggling to maintain his bearings as he continues to cough violently, "You once told me about how that illness of yours was the price you paid for a certain deal… that it was something you just had to live with… in other words, you knew this was a possibility when you walked onto this battlefield…"
Ukitake glares back at the Fullbringer, who has walked past him and retrieved his blade from the ground, now leveling it at the helpless captain's neck, "Therefore, you shouldn't use it as an excuse. You lose, Ukitake."
The captain grits his teeth, attempting to raise his swords to bat the cross-shaped one away, but it is for naught, as the next bout of coughs is even more violent, causing him to lose hold of his Shikai entirely and sending him falling on his knees.
Ginjo cocks his head to the side, now wearing a false, friendly smile, "Well? Do you admit your defeat? Or am I going to have to just kill you and be on my merry way?"
The white-haired man coughs blood on his hand before his eyes narrow, "You are the victor. It would be disgraceful for me to state otherwise, as you are right… I did know this was a possibility…"
As soon as the man yields victory to the Fullbringer, large arms of sand sprout from the wall behind him, clutching tightly around the captain and pulling him back against the wall, restricting his entire body except his head.
Ginjo widens his eyes and looks back at an approaching Ganju behind him, "You didn't have to get involved. I had him cornered."
The Shiba glares at the other man, scowling deeply as he shifts his gaze to the captain, "Yes, I did. It took all the restraint I could muster not to interfere with your duel. Out of respect for my brother."
Ukitake looks away, a shameful look in his eyes, "So, you've come to avenge Kaien…"
Ganju snorts, now wearing an insulted expression, "Are you stupid? I forgave you for that as soon as Sis told me the truth. Not to mention that neither of us would have met Karin without you or Rukia. No, what I can't forgive is the way you betrayed my uncle's trust by dropping both him and my little cousin at the feet of those scumbag aristocrats!"
The captain scowls deeply, the shame now even more evident.
The Fullbringer frowns at the other man, "Enough. I have business I need to settle with him. After that, I'll let you do what you want with his remains…"
Ganju's face pales slightly at this as Ginjo narrows his eyes at the captain, "It's time to talk."
Ukitake sighs before staring at his opponent, "I will start by telling you something you already know—I was the one who gave you the Combat Pass. I knew it had a device inside of it for monitoring your movements—something that you became both aware of and able to bypass, it seems. Therefore, I had no choice but to take responsibility for you and your actions."
The Fullbringer's eyes narrow, frowning angrily, "You're leaving something out—the device was used so that you all knew where to jump my friends! You killed all of them!"
The captain's eyes soften, the look in them one of regret and sadness, which causes Ginjo to flinch slightly, caught off guard, "I did not think that it was going to be used for that purpose. Had I known, I would never have given it to you, to begin with… is what I would like to say, but the higher-ups were adamant that you were monitored in some form."
Ginjo's expression turns to one of frustration and hurt, "You could've at least ordered those men not to butcher my friends!"
The white-haired man closes his eyes, "The Shinigami who killed your friends were not members of Squad 13… I don't know for certain if they were even in the Gotei 13 at all. I… I suspect those in positions of power higher than my own had their eyes set on you and your friends since the beginning, preparing for their scandal…"
The Fullbringer's sword falls to his side, no longer pointed at the captain, "What…? You mean they're Nobles…?"
Ganju wears a deep scowl, thinking briefly about what Kukaku told him about Yuzu's situation, "Don't tell me… that was the doing of Tsunayashiro Clan, as well…"
Ukitake widens his eyes, staring urgently at the younger man, "BOTH OF YOU, DO NOT GO AFTER THEM! If you do, you won't be able to save her! At best, the execution will occur immediately and at worst, Sir Genryusai will be ordered directly to immediately burn both you, your Ryoka allies, AND the girl to NOTHING! Do you hear me?! NOTHING!"
The Fullbringer grits his teeth, "Don't act like you care…"
Ukitake coughs out more blood before managing to speak, his expression strained, "If you want your revenge, wait until after you've rescued the girl… I… I cannot help you unless the Soul Society is convinced of her innocence! Please, turn around and hide… hide until the day of the execution and go to that hill above us! We… can save her together!"
Ginjo and Ganju widen their eyes, the latter questioning, "You… you're going to…?"
Ukitake grits his teeth, "For far too long have I allowed my duty to cloud my judgment. The evils… the atrocities that I've allowed to happen without punishment under my watch are unforgivable. Your friends, that woman, the Shibas… when will it end?"
The duo continue to watch the captain's passionate monologue between haggard breaths, "It is clearer to me now than ever before that our government is corrupt… it only works to benefit the few… I won't stand for it any longer… but the timing is not yet right…"
Hanataro joins the others, as the captain regards the trio, telling them about a tale from a bygone era, "When the Noble Clans were founded, and the Soul Society as we know it came to be, the founders of the Five Great Noble Clans made a vow that they would never openly seek to destroy another clan, unless the sentiment was unanimous among the remaining four. Even if the Shibas are no longer considered Nobility, the God who witnessed that vow remembers…"
Ukitake has a knowing look as he looks to where his right arm is hiding beneath the sand, "…and I can tell you, that God… is NOT happy. The Tsunyashiros may hide it well, but I can see them for what they are. Rukia told me that they decided to put a member of the Shiba Clan to death without the consent of Byakuya Kuchiki… and the fact that the Shiba Clan member is a child, only makes things worse. I won't allow them to get what they want, no matter what I must do…"
The trio exchange somewhat confused looks, not fully sure about what the man is talking about.
The captain closes his eyes, stating in finality, "I'm sure my words are empty, but I apologize for what happened to your friends, Ginjo. There are no excuses for what happened that day, but that is all I have given you…"
While Ginjo frowns and looks away, Ukitake shifts his gaze onto Ganju, "Ganju… in the left breast pocket of my coat, you will find Yuzu Kurosaki's most prized possession. I am entrusting it to you and Ginjo. Bring it to her…"
The Shiba nods before a metallic cross emerges from the sand just beneath the captain's neck, leaving the man to grab it, regarding Yuzu's Quincy Cross.
The Fullbringer widens his eyes, "T-this is…!"
The captain smiles slightly, "I'm afraid… my hands will be too full during the execution to give it to her myself…"
Ginjo nods, his face now serious, "To be honest, I thought about killing you before we went on our merry way. I'm not one to put faith in the words of Shinigami, especially considering what that's led to for me in the past. But the fact that you're giving this to us…"
The man looks away, "You're not lying are you…? Even about that weird God stuff or the part about not killing my friends?"
Ukitake remains silent, resting his eyes.
Ginjo rubs the back of his head a bit awkwardly, a tear falling from his eye, "Gimme a break… you're telling me I've been killing a bunch of guys who had nothing to do with my friend's deaths and you still want to help me? You're too much, old man…"
Ukitake's eyes open slightly, "We must all atone for our sins one day, Kugo, but it is not time for either of us just yet. There are things that must happen that only you and I can do. Your role in all of this is not yet over, nor is mine. For people like us, all we can do is continue bearing the weight of our mistakes until we have fulfilled our role."
The veteran captain closes his eyes once more, "Now go… before Captain Unohana arrives. Turn back and go through the direction you came. If you don't, I'm afraid she may feel inclined to fight you… despite being at the head of the relief squad, she is not a captain to be trifled with. Currently, in terms of Zanjutsu, only the Head Captain and the Captains of Squads 5 and 8 even remotely approach her…"
Ganju and Ginjo widen their eyes in disbelief, the former stuttering, "Y-you mean, w-with a blade, s-she's e-e-even-n stronger t-than you at your b-b-b-best?!"
Ukitake is silent, which is as good as any sign of confirmation in the eyes of the Ryoka.
A moment passes before Hanataro's face pales in dread and realization as he grabs the two men by their arms and starts hurriedly dragging them away towards the passageway, "We need to get out of here, NOW!"
On the way to the passageway, Ginjo retrieves his bracelet from the ground.
Shortly after the trio leaves, a large, bipedal creature reminiscent of a manta ray touches down before shrinking into the sheath of the woman riding it—Retsu Unohana.
The woman approaches the downed captain, asking openly, "You let them get away, didn't you, Captain Ukitake?"
The man opens his eyes, averting them from her disapproving gaze, "Not exactly…"
Unohana frowns, "I already know you told Captain Kyoraku to not assist you. Considering you two always fight together, whenever possible, he should've been here. This can only mean you engaged the Ryoka alone, knowing that your defeat was a possibility. The Captain Ukitake I know would've acted in collaboration with Captain Kyoraku to make the chance for defeat non-existent. Unless, of course, he wanted defeat to be a possibility."
Ukitake smiles guiltily, "You know me well, Madam Unohana."
The woman huffs, her expression now one of genuine concern, "Foolish boy… they could've killed you. Did you consider that, too?"
The white-haired man looks away, sweating slightly, "I… I may have…"
Unohana narrows her eyes at him, now frowning as a dark aura covers her features, "I can't even count how many times I've had to tell you this, I shouldn't have to repeat it, yet here I am. Next time you decide to take on an enemy by yourself, don't. Do I make myself clear, young man?"
Ukitake gulps, responding, "Y-yes, ma'am…"
The female captain discards her dark aura, now wearing a kind smile, "Very good! Now, I shall begin your treatment…"
Squad 1 Barracks
Garbed in regal-looking tan robes, a man with messy, dark green hair with a braid moving along the right side, bursts forth into the office of the Head Captain, calling, "Sir Genryusai, it's been too long!"
The elder captain, standing on the deck next to his office which oversees the Seireitei, grips his cane tightly as he shifts his head back to glare at the man, "Tokinada Tsunayashiro… why have you come here while we are under invasion? I do not have time to deal with your childish whims!"
The man, Tokinada, smirks a vicious, fanged smirk, "Childish? Why, Head Captain, you wound me. You could've at least called me depraved! I know you want to…"
Yamamoto narrows his eyes, giving the man a low growl, "I told you; I do not have time to deal with your games! Now state your business or I'll have you restrained and brought before your uncle to deal with!"
Tokinada stops smiling, his expression now becoming neutral, perhaps slightly bored, "About him… I'm sure you've gotten his complaints already about not being able to put down the Ryoka immediately."
The elder captain averts his gaze slightly, his grip on his cane becoming more intense as the Tsunayashiro continues, tauntingly, "Two captains… wow. To think that humans were capable of defeating some of our finest warriors! Well, my uncle and the rest of the family see it a bit differently…"
The man walks forward a bit, now standing adjacent to the Head Captain, a vicious, toothy smirk on his face, which looms over the legend, "They think it's pathetic. The Shinigami of old, who easily and brutally decimated armies of foes each at the same level as these Ryoka is nothing but a distant memory now. And that Hollow—it dispatched not one, but two captains by itself! And they weren't just any old captains, no… one was the Head of the Proud Kuchiki Clan, and the other was the self-proclaimed strongest Shinigami—Kenpachi. Heh, well, I doubt that name is ever going to strike fear in the hearts of Hollows agai—"
The Noble shuts his mouth as Yamamoto flares his Reiatsu briefly, in rage, "Is there a reason you choose to dangle our failures in front of my face?"
Tokinada, despite the situation, still wears his signature crooked smirk, "I was just making sure you are taking this seriously, is all. It would be a shame if my uncle felt inclined to order you to simply kill the girl now before she's been given her full week to 'repent'…"
Yamamoto slowly turns a death glare towards the Noble.
The Tsunayashiro maintains his smirk as he turns around and starts walking out of the room, "I'll take my leave then, Head Captain. I pray you take my words to heart."
The living legend turns away, continuing to look over the Seireitei, now with a scowl on his face.
The Noble walks down the hall a distance from the office before catching something in the corner of his eye, "Oh my, would you look at this! You've grown so much since I've seen you last… Isshin Shiba."
Isshin, sitting in his cell in Reishi cuffs, scowls at the man, "Tsunayashiro…!"
Tokinada waves his hands defensively, taking note of how the guard tenses when he hears Isshin's words, "Oh, you've got the wrong idea about me, Shiba! I am now only a Tsunayashiro by name. You see, the Clan disowned me, so you don't need to bring up that pathetic, age-old grudge between our clans around me! Because, quite frankly, I don't care."
Isshin raises a brow, unconvinced, which makes the man sigh, "How about this—what if I were to release Yuzu Kurosaki from her cell right now?"
Both Isshin and the guard flinch, the former furrowing his brows seriously, "There's no way you'd do that…"
Tokinada wears a serious expression, "Oh? And why wouldn't I? I have a little niece right around your daughter's age giving it her hardest to become a Shinigami officer in the Gotei 13 right now. It's quite adorable, so you can understand why I empathize with your plight as a father."
Isshin's eyes soften, recalling that a Tsunayashiro joined the Academy at the same time as Karin, "…you'd really…? But how?"
The man smiles confidently, "I may no longer be a noble, but I have connections. Deep connections—and means. If I wanted something done, I could still make it happen. So, what do you say, Isshin Shiba? Would you like your daughter back?"
The guard starts sweating as he looks at the former nobleman, "Wh-what should I do…? I know he said he isn't a Tsunayashiro anymore, but I could still be thrown in a cell for the rest of my life if I so much as touch him!"
Isshin, meanwhile, stares seriously back at the noble, a slight glimmer of hope in his eyes as the thought of being able to hold Yuzu in his arms once more dominates any other thoughts he may have, "Y-yes! Of course, I'd want that! Any sane father would!"
Tokinada nods, walking up close to the bars between him and Isshin, bending over a bit so their faces are at eye level, "Very well… but I do think I'll take a slight detour to Squad 12 before bringing her to you. We have to make sure she has a healthy body, after all."
As a crooked smile forms on the man's face, Isshin's eyes widen in rage before he rushes to the bars, practically slamming his face against them, "YOUR BASTARD! I SHOULD'VE KNOWN YOU WERE TOYING WITH ME!"
The Noble laughs hysterically, "You only have yourself to blame for believing me!"
He levels his gaze with the captain, his gaze becoming bored after letting out a sigh, "As much as I would love to see the expression of despair on your face upon bringing you her remains after Squad 12 is done with her, I'm afraid Captain Kurotsuchi was mortally wounded by a Quincy last night…"
Isshin widens his eyes, "A… Quincy…? Here?"
Tokinada nods, "My sources tell me his name was Ishida. Uryu Ishida."
The captain tenses at this, his face relaying dread, muttering to himself, "Foolish boy… you'll get yourself killed, too…"
The Tsunayashiro narrows his eyes, smirking, "So, he does know him, after all… interesting."
Tokinada then spins on his heel, walking away, "That was an entertaining chat, Isshin Shiba. I do hope we can speak again, sometime. You know, after your daughter has died."
The Shiba grits his teeth as his eyes narrow, still muttering to himself, "Well at least… at least now I know you kids have got a fighting chance…"
Outside Squad 1 Barracks
As soon as Tokinada steps outside of the Squad 1 Barracks, a group of twenty or so Ninja-like figures appear out of seemingly nowhere, surrounding him.
The man's crooked smirk turns into a frown, "Assassins? And not only that but based on your gear and Reiatsu, each of you is easily at least on the level of a Vice-Captain. I see. The Elite Scorpions favored by the Hayashi clan… Most impressive. Even a captain of Kenpachi Zaraki's caliber would struggle to take you all on at once… But really…"
Tokinada's expression turns dark, "Do they really think a mere twenty will kill me? Fools."
One of the assassins furrows his brows angrily before leaping at the Noble, "Do not mock us!"
As the man is within arm's reach of Tokinada, his body is suddenly violently torn to pieces by a seemingly invisible force, leaving a pile of blood and guts, which used to be his body, to fall to the ground. The sight causes the remaining assassins to back up slightly before all seemingly deciding to throw Kunai and other projectiles at him. However, each and every one of them seemingly disintegrate into the air as they close in, even further unnerving the assassins.
Tokinada sighs, "You can go ahead and kill them. I'm not in the mood for playing with such dull creatures."
After the man says this, each and every one of the assassins simultaneously meet an identical fate as black, rune-like characters briefly float through the air.
Tokinada continues walking forward, through the path of gore, laughing to himself, "To think that Kugo Ginjo himself is here! Oh, how I look forward to toying with him… but, perhaps that can wait until another time… after all, there's still something bugging me…"
The Tsunayashiro's eyes light up with excitement, "Where did you run off to, Sosuke Aizen? Or rather… what are you going to bring back? I can't wait to find out!"
Several Hours Later, Squad 8 Barracks
The sun begins to set on the Seireitei once more as Kyoraku lies carelessly in the middle of his office, his straw hat covering his eyes.
Suddenly, Nanao walks into the room, wearing a concerned expression, "Captain. There still has been no sight of the Ryoka anywhere in the Seireitei. However, there's something more troubling than that, which I must report."
The captain lazily raises his hand in the air, "Then, go on. I'd like to return to my nap."
The woman gets right to the point, "Our men have started turning on us… and I don't just mean Squad 8, but Shinigami from all squads. They reportedly all say the same thing, too; 'I must fight for the sake of my best friend, Shu'… at least, that's what the reports say."
Kyoraku yawns before sitting up and rubbing his eyes, "Shu? Who's Shu? Is that the name of one of the Ryoka?"
Nanao looks down, somewhat disappointed in herself, "I apologize, sir, but we were unable to confirm who Shu is… nor the identities of all of the Ryoka. We only know the names of the ones who fought Captains Kurotsuchi and Komamura, as well as Kugo Ginjo, of course."
The captain narrows his eyes, "Well, I'd say we'd better find this Shu, then…"
The woman nods, turning and beginning to leave the room before looking back and flinching, "C-captain?! Why are you going back to sleep?!"
Kyoraku, once more lying on the ground, states casually, "If this Shu is making Shinigami switch sides, it's only a matter of time before they come after us, too. I say we shouldn't waste our energy trying to look for them and let them come to us."
Nanao nods, "I see… that's… actually not a bad plan, sir."
The captain flinches, "Aw, don't say it like that! You make it sound like most of my plans are bad."
The woman shouts back at the man, "Because they are!"
Nanao then coughs before adjusting her glasses, "In any case, I'll at least inform the men to set up a perimeter around the Barracks. As soon as this Shu closes in, we'll know."
As Nanao walks out of the office, Kyoraku can't help but think about his friend, "I sure hope this whole Ginjo thing hasn't set you back too far, Jushiro. At this point… it'll be close…"
Training Grounds, Silbern
Quilge stands in the middle of the Training Grounds, eyeing the efforts of the Soldats carefully as he walks behind a line of them with his hands held behind his back. The Soldats stand along the shooting range, each firing at targets in the distance.
The man's attention is grabbed as he eyes a certain fuming female Quincy with long, black hair stomp onto the Training Area. Flanking the woman is an androgynous-looking Quincy with blonde hair, the right side of their bangs being a purple color.
Quilge can hear to woman snap at the individual, "Shut it, Gabrielli! I'm not in the mood to deal with your questions!"
The Quincy, known as Stern Ritter Q: Berenice Gabrielli, protests, "But you're never in the mood for my questions, are you, my dear? All I want to know are the details of the little fight you had with the Grandmaster."
Bambietta hisses, "And I told you, I don't want to talk about it!"
As the two Stern Ritters continue their conversation, Quilge gives a look at the Soldats before snapping his finger and calling, "Alle Raus! That will be all for today."
The Soldats give the man a salute before gathering their gear and leaving the area.
After the Soldats leave, the two Stern Ritters approach their peer, Berenice the first to speak, "Herr Opie, you witnessed the fight between the Grandmaster and the young Frau Basterbine, were you not?"
The combat instructor adjusts his glasses, "I did… but I don't see why that's any of your business, Gabrielli."
Quilge levels a dark gaze on the other Sternritter, "I doubt the Grandmaster would appreciate your prying for information regarding his personal affairs."
The androgynous Stern Ritter widens their eyes before backing off, "I-I… I didn't know it was a personal matter! F-forgive me, Frau Basterbine! I won't speak of this again!"
As Berenice leaves, the woman lets out a sigh, "Thanks… I never thought I'd get rid of that guy…"
Quilge narrows his eyes, "It's true, though. That battle was quite personal for him, as much as he tries to hide it."
The woman scrunches her brows, "Really?"
The man nods, "You were one of the few who had an opportunity to train under him in the past, after all. Nowadays, finding a Stern Ritter who is comfortable and proficient in sword-based combat is sadly quite uncommon. In the glory days, most of us knew how to fight a Shinigami with swords of our own…"
Bambietta furrows her brows as she looks at the man who has a distant look in his eyes, reflecting on the past.
Quilge sighs before turning to the woman with a serious look in his eyes, "In any case, you came here to train with me, did you not?"
The younger Stern Ritter widens her eyes, "How did you…?"
The man scoffs, "Please. It's written all over your face. Regardless, I'm interested in training you further, which I never thought I would say. You see, I would never have been even remotely interested in training you before you left for the world of the living, but ever since you've gotten back, I've noticed the differences. You're no longer merely the rash, overly impulsive, stupid whore that you were before. You've matured quite nicely."
Bambietta blushes in embarrassment, her cheeks puffing out slightly, "Stupid?! Well, maybe I don't want to learn from you after that comment—wait, you think I've changed?"
Quilge sighs, "Of course. Even a braindead infant would notice… the contrast is uncanny. In any case, we are getting nowhere, so I'll get to the point; I think the most crucial areas of improvement in terms of fundamentals for you are defensive Blut, Sklaverei, and Ransotengai. Furthermore, the development of your swordsmanship will also be essential. It's a good thing you already have a fundamental understanding in all of these areas—it should only take a few days of subjecting you to hell to ensure they all improve significantly."
The woman pales, the top of her face turning a ghastly shade of blue, "B-but that's… basically… everything…"
Quilge adjusts his glasses, "Indeed. That's what the Grandmaster declared ought to be improved, thus I will not deny him. The real question is, do you have the resolve necessary to endure this training, Basterbine?"
Bambietta narrows her eyes, the sight of a smiling girl with dirty blonde hair coming to the forefront of her mind before she nods resolutely, "I am."
The combat instructor smirks, his excitement more than evident, "Very well. Then let's begin, shall we?"
Author's Note:
The story is now less than a third of the way through the arc. Ichigo is the focus of the next chapter.
As for Ginjo's backstory, I tried coming up with something that fits with the scraps we are given about him in canon and the light novels while making him also have a closer connection with Ukitake at the outset, thereby making their confrontation all the more emotional.
Let me know your thoughts about this chapter in the reviews if you want.
