Pre-Note
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. This is for creative purposes. I do own this plot.
Note: To avoid confusion, Mizuri Jūshirmai's name is pronounced as Juh-Sheer-May not Ju-Sheer-Ma. The pronunciation and spelling of the name do not match, I just liked the way the spelling looked.
Note: The cheesiness in the first few chapters is not it. Chapter 14 and onwards explains it hence why these first few chapters are said from my outside (narrator) point of view. It's just speaking to appearance.
Reminder: Mature-rating. Mystery-themed. Light sexual content. Crucial to remain attentive to detail. This is for Rukia and her relationships.
Element-Based Zanpakutō
"Captain!" Isane exclaimed in fear.
Her face peered at the back of her Captain with distress. "We've just received word from the 12th Division regarding the casualties. Over two hundred soul reapers were wiped out in less than a minute from the ryoka's reiatsu."
Her eyes looked troubled with anguish, the grey in her eyes seemed to be vanishing into nothing but a dim stone as her eyes bore into the back of her Captain.
"Is that all?" Captain Unohana Retsu asked as she stared through the window—gazing at the frozen Seireitei.
Billions of designed snowflakes emitted from the twilight and Scandinavian blue sky, layering the Seireitei with white crystals and a floor of ice.
The view would've been breath-taking to anyone if it wasn't the impending deaths that awaited anyone who stepped outside. Captain Unohana dreaded the fact—it was something so beautiful yet so tarnished with ethereal darkness.
In a strange way, it reminded her of her former self—the person she chose to eclipse and bury into the depths of her heart, the person who was still clinging onto her.
"I'm afraid not, Captain Zaraki's division was found lying dead near their barracks a short while ago. 3rd Seat, Madarame Ikkaku and 5th Seat, Ayasegawa Yumichika were reported to be numb and require immediate surgery. As for the rest of the 11th Division, majority were reported to be dead, only a minority have a chance of surviving if we perform their surgeries right now. What are we going to do, Captain?!"
Fear washed all over Isane's face, the amount of casualties made her dread the ryoka even more than before. Wiping out an entire division—the most strongest direct combat division along with 200 soul reapers was said to be almost impossible until now.
According to sources, the ryoka didn't even use his sword to wipe out the soul reapers. The mere presence of his reiatsu was enough to send them all down.
Captain Unohana turned around to face her frightened Lieutenant, unsure of how to approach the situation—especially since Captain Zaraki's division was taken down. However, she knew deep within her heart that they could resist death, fight it with all the pride they had as an honorable member of the 11th Division.
"Isane, we cannot risk our troops for the purpose of healing right now. Head Captain Yamamoto made an order, we must not go outside."
"But Captain—"
"Isane, there isn't much we can do right now. The ryoka must be tracked down before we can leave our barracks. As for the 11th Division, they are the strongest direct combat division in the Gotei 13. I'm positive they can hold on to their life a bit longer."
Her order was coherent enough for Isane to understand. She was too loyal and honest to deceive her Captain's orders nor to ever defy her in any way. It was her sense of obedience that stopped her from protesting or even deliberating the fact. She wasn't a bold and determined person like Lieutenant Kuchiki or a buoyant and spirited person like Lieutenant Matsumoto, she was different. But strangely, she wouldn't have it any other way.
Isane nodded her head as her body slightly shivered—feeling completely helpless.
"Why is it so cold in here?" Asked the flushed Captain of the 8th Division as he sat up.
A yawn escaped his lips as his sugegasa straw hat emitted a shadow on his face.
The 8th Division had set up a celebration in honor of their Captain—leading to irrational jokes, coloured cheeks, and the aura of sake breathing out of each soul reaper's mouth. The Captain known as Kyōraku Shunsui was completely drunk. One drink lead to another, leading the Captain to fall victim to his usual pleasure.
His Lieutenant known as Ise Nanao stared at her Captain in enmity. The moonlight reflected the oval shape of her glasses as she used her index finger to push her glasses up her nose.
"Nanao-chan? What's wrong with you?"
Nanao couldn't help but scoff at her Captain's negligence as he stared at her blankly.
Looking out the window, he met an unexpected image of the Seireitei. Ice was mantled on every wall as the wind whistled loudly – breathing heavily on the glass window. The moonlight mirrored the sparkling ice, depicting the Seireitei as an arctic scenery of ice.
"How long have I been asleep?" The Captain asked as he stared back at his shivering Lieutenant.
It hadn't taken him long to notice that her azure-purple eyes were starting to lose it's colour. It was almost as if they were painted with the darkest of grey and jaded as they bore into his.
He also noticed how her customary features had changed, her hair that was pinned up was barely able to hold in it's position. Strands of her black hair seemed to be falling out, scattered but appealing at the same time. Her right bangs remained tucked behind her right ear though her skin looked pasty and frail.
"Nanao-chan, are you alright over there?"
The Captain stared at the Lieutenant he knew for so long, he had never seen her once in such a state. She looked cold and vulnerable as a blanket wrapped her body over her kimono as she trembled.
The Lieutenant didn't know what was worse; her Captain or the cold. She growled under her breath as she pushed her body closer together to suppress the wind. As a familiar pink kimono capped her body, she stared at her Captain with a faint blush appearing on her face.
The jigokuchō that had managed to deliver the orders to each and every barrack had suddenly flown in once again. As the butterfly delivered the message to Captain Kyōraku, Nanao stared curiously as she tried to maintain warmth in the process.
"Yama-jii has called an Emergency Captain Meeting. All Captains are reported to meet in the Captain Assembly Hall to discuss what we should do about this weather." He announced as he retrieved a blanket for himself.
"Nanao-chan, meet with the 8th Division and try to stay warm, alright?" He ordered as he looked at his trembling Lieutenant.
"Sure." Nanao said as she nodded her head. The Captain disappeared, leaving Nanao to tremble as the pressure of the air increased.
Captain Kyōraku escaped his barracks to feel a cold surge of wind and stomp onto cracked ice. His body shortly began feeling numb after a few seconds in the wind. The Captain wisely flash stepped his way to the 1st Division barracks as the emergency meeting was about to commence.
Lined up in two rows, all the Captains of the Gotei 13 stood straight as they waited for the meeting to initiate. Captain Suì-Fēng, Kuchiki Byakuya, Zaraki Kenpachi, Muguruma Kensei and Hitsugaya Tōshirō wore their usual attire in respect to their position and honor. While Captain Ukitake Jūshirō, Unohana Retsu, Hirako Shinji, Komamura Sajin, Kyōraku Shunsui, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri wore a thick blanket in addition to their attire.
"I now call this Captain meeting to order. Captain Kurotsuchi, disclose your findings." Head Captain Yamamoto ordered as the Captain of the 12th Division stepped out of the line.
"I've analyzed a sample of the ice that has been mantling the walls. It seems to have a protective barrier of cold air that prevents it from liquefying in warm temperatures. Apparently, the ice used to surface the Seireitei is unable to modify into a liquid even without the atmosphere of humid temperature. The cold barrier instantly freezes any object that comes in contact with the bound and is only summoned when force or heat is sensed." Captain Kurotsuchi explained.
"What are you saying? Do you mean that we can't destroy the ice?" Captain Hitsugaya asked as he stared at the Captain of the Research and Development Institute.
"It appears so, however that is not the only thing I've discovered." Captain Kurotsuchi said before he began to speak again. "The ryoka appears to be a soul that wields an ice and snow zanpakutō."
Captain Hitsugaya was quick to react at Captain Kurotsuchi's words. The man who was usually painted with makeup stared at the Captain, as his golden-coloured eyes met an ocean of turquoise.
"Another ice and snow zanpakutō? That's impossible, there is only two zanpakutōs that currently wield the power of ice and snow in the Soul Society. How could there be another one that we are unaware of?" Captain Hitsugaya asked.
Captain Hitsugaya's turquoise eyes remained wide as he tried to comprehend the situation.
Zanpakutōs based on earth elements were the most complex zanpakutōs to achieve and control. Elements such as wind, fire, and ice required extreme concentration and an immense amount of skill to be able to control it's power. A soul reaper who wielded an element-based zanpakutō was most likely to take decades to achieve it's shikai and it's bankai because of how indomitably it was connected to earth's sources. Element-based zanpakutōs are so uncommon for soul reapers that there are only six people in the Gotei 13 that are able to wield element-based zanpakutōs.
Head Captain Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryūsai and Lieutenant Hinamori Momo both possessed a fire-based zanpakutō. Captain Muguruma Kensei possessed a wind-based zanpakutō. Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku possessed a sand-based zanpakutō and Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Lieutenant Kuchiki Rukia both possessed an ice and snow zanpakutō.
"I was able to do some research regarding element-based zanpakutō. Unfortunately the only users listed in our database were Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Kuchiki. They are the only wielders of ice and snow zanpakutō and have been the only wielders of an ice and snow zanpakutō for over 50 years. The only other person listed as a wielder of an ice and snow zanpakutō is Sōjirō Kusaka, the soul reaper that wielded Hyōrinmaru." Captain Kurotsuchi explained.
"If there is no source of any other user, is it possible that the ryoka has another source of power?" Captain Hitsugaya asked.
"I'm not too sure, Nemu has conducted a study to compile all the facilities of the ryoka. But I'm afraid the information will not be dispatched so quickly. Most of our monitors are completely frozen and are unable to be used." Captain Kurotsuchi said as he recalled his own struggle. "However, there is one piece of information I can certainly guarantee: the ryoka is a soul reaper and wields an ice and snow zanpakutō."
The Captain Assembly Hall remained silent as the Captains tried to comprehend the situation. The Head Captain kept his eyes closed as he, himself tried to come to a conclusion. Captain Unohana opened her eyes and stepped out of the line to report the awaiting death of the 11th Division.
"I know we have a lot of questions regarding Captain Kurotsuchi's research however, I must tell you that the 11th Division has encountered the ryoka and must be treated immediately if they want to live." Captain Unohana spoke up as her soothing voice became laced with plague. The report made by Lieutenant Kotetsu had easily slipped into Captain Unohana's mind as the discussion regarding the ryoka was slowly coming to a conclusion.
"Captain Zaraki! I sent an order for every division to remain in their barracks. Was that order not clear enough for you?" The Head Captain's bitter and hoarse voice spoke in the Captain Assembly Hall. The old man's face looked wrinkled in enmity as he waited for the Captain to reply with an answer.
"What's the point of hiding in our barracks like cowards? I say we fight and destroy the enemy before he can mount any attacks on anybody else! Hiding like cowards only makes us look weak and afraid." Captain Zaraki replied using his barbaric intentions to conceive a reply.
Captain Unohana sighed at their situation. The 11th Division couldn't be saved if they were unable to leave their barracks and expose themselves to the perilous climate. By now, she suspected that their body was at it's primary limit and would shut down in no less than ten minutes if they weren't treated.
Saving the 11th Division could result in their own casualty and could convey in the end of the Soul Society.
"Captain Kurotsuchi..." Captain Unohana said as her gaze landed on the psychopathic scientist.
Her voice was laced with displeasure, but remained as tranquil as a bundle of doves. The relationship between Captain Unohana and Kurotsuchi was brimming with tension, neither one liked each other's presence or cared for each other's existence. Regardless, the two Captains were still forced to cloak their discomfort as their eyes gazed at each other.
"I was wondering if you were capable of constructing a barrier, similar to the ryoka that could produce fire to keep all the Divisions warm. If we could design a barrier that is adequate, all Divisions could proceed the war time procedure immediately and help the 11th Division." The Captain of the 4th Division said.
Her idea was something that would never cross Captain Kurotsuchi's mind. It was too simplistic and an insult to his ingenuity. Regardless, that seemed to be the only plan the Gotei 13 could devise at a time like this. Leaving Captain Unohana's idea their only option and a smart option as well.
The Head Captain remained silent as he came to a conclusion to their current situation. Captain Unohana, Hitsugaya, and Kurotsuchi remained outside of their lines as they waited for the Head Captain to announce his orders. "All Captains remove your haori and present it to Captain Kurotsuchi immediately."
The old man's eyes slightly opened as he paused before delivering his final orders.
Each Captain stared at the Head Captain, waiting for further orders and an explanation.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, you will initiate the barrier of fire immediately while all Captains report to the Research and Development Institute. All Lieutenants and 3rd Seats should lead their Division and initiate the lock down procedure. I am requesting Lieutenant Abarai from the 6th Division and Lieutenant Kuchiki from the 13th to investigate the ryoka's connection to the Soul Society. In their absence, the 10th Division's Lieutenant Matsumoto will lead her division along with the 13th and Lieutenant Kira will lead his along with the 6th. You are dismissed."
Using shunpo, the Captains of the Gotei 13 vanished from the Captain's Assembly Hall, as the jigokuchō escaped to inform the shinigami.
A stack of thick books constructed a building beside Lieutenant Kuchiki's side as the faint fire was slowly being smothered by the cold. The cyclone of air managed to slip between the creases of the thick books, freezing the pale hands of Kuchiki Rukia.
"Found anything yet?" Said the crimson-haired Lieutenant as he threw another book into a scattered pile.
"Not a thing. According to these books, there's never been a soul reaper that wielded such a powerful ice and snow zanpakutō. If he really was a soul reaper, wouldn't his powers be more widely acknowledged?" Rukia said as she skimmed through the pages and pages of the element-based zanpakutō history.
Renji sighed as a yawn escaped his lips. "I don't know, but he sure wields a powerful zanpakutō. I've never seen a zanpakutō that was capable of inflicting so much damage."
"Apparently, he defeated the 11th Division with his reiatsu alone. Imagine all the destruction he could cause for the Seireitei." Rukia said as she closed another thick book and reached out to grab another one titled Element-based Zanpakutō, A History of Destruction.
"Ikkaku and Yumichika need our help right now and we can't even step outside without freezing!"
The building of books shook from the force of the shaking desk, as Renji stood up and pushed his chair back. "I understand that you're worried, but we can't do anything reckless until Captain Kurotsuchi creates a barrier around every Captain's haori. Until then we're rendered useless."
He sat back down and retrieved another book.
"The best thing we can do right now is follow the Head Captain's orders. Once we get enough information to report, we can investigate the matter as Lieutenant Matsumoto and Kira handle our divisions."
Her voice sounded promising as she opened the book of element-based zanpakutōs and read the passage out loud.
"Element-based zanpakutōs are dynamic zanpakutōs that are based on primary elements that are a part of the earth. Element-based zanpakutō are designed and born according to their wielder's mental and physical stamina and personal capabilities. Elements such as fire, ice, wind, sand, and water are common element-based zanpakutōs that are wielded by a soul reaper that shares a connection with the earth's natural environment. The first element-based zanpakutō was wielded by Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryūsai, a fire-based zanpakutō named Ryūjin Jakka. Element-based zanpakutōs are extremely powerful, and can embody more than one capability in their shikai and bankai. The amount of capabilities can increase, depending on the wielder's stamina and reiatsu. The amount of element-based zanpakutō are limited in the Gotei 13 and have been ever since the creation of the Soul Society. The abilities of element-based zanpakutō are theorized as the reason of destruction in the Soul Society. Which is why element-based zanpakutō wielders are restricted from a of their reiatsu in battle, to avoid any annihilation of the Soul Society."
"So you're telling me, that this ryoka has more abilities because he wields an element-based zanpakutō?" Renji asked as he tried to confirm with Rukia though, it was just a front—he knew this prior and she did too.
"It appears so, and it seems like he's using his full strength. Lieutenant Matsumoto, Hinamori, and I were restricted from using our full reiatsu during battle, and were told that if we were to deceive orders we would be convicted and executed. Even without a bankai we were restricted, which proves that the Soul Society is quite worried about element-based zanpakutōs." Rukia said as she shared her knowledge.
"I don't blame them after hearing this. The problem is that we have no information on a soul reaper that wields another ice and snow zanpakutō. Has there ever been anyone executed for releasing their full reiatsu?" Renji asked as he stared into the violet eyes of his childhood friend.
"I'm not exactly sure, I checked some reports regarding executions in a 50-100 year period. None of the executions were based on any soul reaper violating the element-based zanpakutō law. The only thing I could find regarding a zanpakutō was an execution that was suppose to be enforced but was cancelled because of the soul reaper's disappearance." Rukia said as she closed another book.
"Disappearance?" Renji asked with his voice laced with concern.
"I'm afraid so, apparently this soul reaper was convicted for the theft of a Captain's zanpakutō. The report doesn't classify the type of zanpakutō, however it does mention the name of the soul reaper that committed the crime." Rukia said as she looked through another book.
"That's it!" Renji said as he stood up with an encouraging face. His eyes glimmered with accomplishment as he lightly grabbed Rukia's arm as he urged her to follow him.
"Renji..." She said curiously as he lead her outside.
"Renji." She repeated again as they continued to walk.
"Renji! Can you at least tell me what you're thinking?" Rukia asked as the colour of her cheeks began to hue with red from the cold.
Renji didn't reply, knowing that Rukia would eventually figure out what he was planning to do.
Suddenly, she felt Renji's arm shiver as the cold exhaled on his skin, creating goosebumps to rise and settle into his skin. While Rukia settled with the blanket Byakuya had given her in the Kuchiki Manor, Renji was coated with three layers of blankets, that were clearly not providing him the warmth he needed. Rukia had sufficed with the blanket and her reiatsu quite fine, and she knew it was the presence of her reiatsu that was making his body colder.
In a swift action to provide warmth for her friend, the blanket Byakuya had given her was removed and placed on the body of her crimson-haired friend.
"Rukia! Put this on before you freeze to death!" Renji said as he attempted to remove the blanket she had placed on his body.
"Renji, it's alright. My reiatsu is enough to keep me warm." Rukia said as she moved the blanket further up his body.
"Rukia, I'm fine—really." Renji continued to debate as he stared into the plum eyes of the Lieutenant.
"Fool!" Rukia said before slapping him on his face. "I told you I was fine! My reiatsu is the one causing all this cold air to make you feel cold."
Renji stared at her, he wasn't going to let her waste her reiatsu to keep herself warm. He wasn't the type of person to think of himself before he thought of others, especially when it came to Rukia. Renji removed the blanket and attempted to place it back on Rukia before his hand was slapped away.
"Renji! I told you I was fine! If you don't wear that you could get hypothermia." Rukia argued as she pushed his hands away. She crossed her arms as she looked up to meet the eyes of Renji.
"Rukia I'm fine!" Renji argued.
"No, you're not!" Rukia replied back.
"Yes, I am!"
"Renji, you're freezing!"
"I told you I was fine!"
"You're lying!"
"Am not!"
"Rukia!"
"Renji!"
"Take your goddamn blanket!"
"I don't want it!"
"Idiot!"
"Imbecile!"
Rukia's angered eyes slowly faded away as she grabbed the blanket out of Renji's hand and neatly folded it before relocating it into the space between her chest and her arms. Renji looked at her in confusion as she started to walk without him. He quickly followed as silence engulfed them.
Rukia lead him out of the Soul Reaper Library District as a powerful wind attempted to blow her petite body away. She remained vaillant as the dusky clouds above her began to coil as if a tornado was forming in the sky. Shades of gray accumulated as they swirled like a whirlpool, emitting flakes of snow to dwindle upon the Seireitei.
Renji looked up as he tried to withstand the wind that was forming in the sky. Snowflakes dashed around the Seireitei, using the wind as it's guide. The strands of hair that covered Rukia's face blew with the wind, her eyes seemed more than surprise as she stopped to stare at the whirlpool.
"Rukia." Renji spoke up as a lump of fear reared in his stomach. He stared at the petite Lieutenant as he waited for her to mount a reply.
"We shouldn't be out here, Renji. We should report back to the Research and Development Institute immediately and inform the Captains." Rukia said as she detected a powerful reiatsu that strangely made her shiver in unconditional fear.
With that said, they used flash-step to reappear in a different location as the storm above them began.
The swimming motion of the sky made Rukia's stomach churn. Streaks of aegean and ocean blue began to whirl clockwise as the wind merged with the flakes of the snow and blew. Each snowflake that gently laid on her silky skin felt like a fine and cold knife slicing through her throat.
The feeling was ineffable, it couldn't be defined nor understood by simple logic. Something about it made her feel as if she couldn't breath, almost as if she was being suffocated by two hands that were strangling her throat.
The pit of her stomach felt empty, almost as if her internal organs had disappeared and she was nothing but an empty shell. The reiatsu surrounding her was more than strong, it was immortal, unknown. It was something she never felt before, something more bloodcurdling than just a mere Captain's reiatsu.
Entering the gates of the Department of Research and Development, Rukia and Renji headed inside to be greeted with the 12th Division's 3rd seat and vice-president of the Research and Development Institute, Akon.
His usual calm exterior seemed to be replaced with panic and annoyance as his eyes stared at the monitor. Fingers typed hastily on keyboards as the members of the 12th Division tried to regain connection of all areas in the Seireitei.
Rukia and Renji stared at the members as they all seemed unaffected by the cold and more affected by the computers shutting down. Rukia suddenly remembered that Captain Kurotsuchi was in charge of creating a barrier for each Captain's haori and he most likely would've done the same to his division to keep them operating.
The members seemed too distracted to notice Rukia and Renji's presence as they quickly worked to get the monitors running. They noticed a light emitting beneath the door of a separate room. Suspecting it was Captain Kurotsuchi, Rukia and Renji slipped past the hysterical group of soul reapers and entered Captain Kurotsuchi's laboratory to see all the Captains wearing their new haori.
"Captain!" Renji's voice yelled as he caught the attention of Captain Kuchiki who remained as emotionless as always.
His slivered eyes seemed apathetic at the sight of his Lieutenant and was quick to hide as Byakuya closed his eyes.
"Captain Ukitake." Rukia greeted.
"Oh, Kuchiki, seems you fare much better in this weather." Captain Ukitake commented at her unaffected stance.
"Captain, we discovered a few things that could have to do with the ryoka," grabbing the attention of all Captains as they surrounded her and Lieutenant Abarai.
"According to our research, there was a soul reaper who was once convicted of theft of a Captain's zanpakutō and was originally suppose to be exiled for his crime. However, after his punishment was placed by Central 46, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace and was never found. His status remained unknown for decades and his existence was eventually erased from the Soul Society's database of soul reaper. The zanpakutō that he attempted to steal was not classified nor was the Captain's name, I suspect an inexperienced soul reaper was the one to conceive this report due to it's lack of information. But it could also be the doing of the ryoka. It's an unusual case that was left unsolved and eventually was stacked in the trivial files." Rukia explained to the group of gathered Captains.
"If this ryoka wields a zanpakutō that was unrecorded in our database, I'm assuming that this unsolved case of a soul reaper disappearance is linked with this ryoka. The name of the Captain and their zanpakutō was left unclassified, it's possible that the unnamed zanpakutō could be the very one we're witnessing now but with a different wielder." Renji continued.
"I suspect that the zanpakutō that was stolen from the Captain was never returned and eventually lead him to be discharged from his position as Captain. The soul reaper who mysteriously disappeared, might have possibly trained with that zanpakutō until it learned it's name. Regardless of the fact that the zanpakutō did not belong to him. The fact that the Captain's name wasn't written down is quite suspicious and makes me wonder if he truly was a Captain. However, despite that fact I believe the zanpakutō he wielded was classified as the strongest ice and snow zanpakutō before Captain Hitsugaya's." Rukia said.
"The strongest ice and snow zanpakutō before me?" Captain Hitsugaya asked in confusion.
"Yes, we believe that the unnamed zanpakutō might have been the zanpakutō that was classified as the strongest of that element. I wasn't too sure until I read through the history of element zanpakutōs. Each element has a zanpakutō that is stronger than the others classified in that group. When I was reading through, I learned that when the Soul Society was created, element zanpakutōs were one of the first zanpakutōs to be wielded by Captains. They were extremely powerful and could increase based on the wielder's stamina and reiatsu. Which is why the element zanpakutō law was created to avoid an element-based zanpakutō wielder attaining the capability to destruct the Soul Society. Learning this, I realized that there must've been a soul reaper that wielded the most strongest ice and snow zanpakutō before Captain Hitsugaya, strangely I found no one."
"That's when I began to suspect that the unnamed Captain may have been the wielder of a powerful ice and snow zanpakutō. The Soul Society needs element-based zanpakutōs to function, element-based zanpakutōs are natural sources that contribute to the operations of the Soul Society. In every generation, there is at least one soul reaper in the Gotei 13 that wields an element-based zanpakutō. In the generation when this soul reaper was convicted, the Gotei 13 had at least one wielder of every element-based zanpakutō except one, the element of ice and snow. This Captain is the only Captain that is listed without their name and zanpakutō. That's why we believe that this soul reaper was after this power and stole this Captain's zanpakutō." Rukia finished as the Captains stared.
"Do you know the name of this soul reaper?" Captain Hitsugaya asked the two Lieutenants as he stepped forward. The two Lieutenants nodded their heads before Renji spoke on behalf of them.
"The name of the soul reaper was Shiegeari Jushirmai." Renji said.
The Captains remained quiet as they tried to recall someone of that name. Rukia turned to Captain Ukitake and Kyōraku as she waited for a reply.
"Shiegeari Jushirmai?" Captain Kyōraku said as he tried to remember a man of that name.
"Do you remember anybody like that, Jūshirō?" Captain Kyōraku asked.
Everything the Lieutenants had said were true, there was indeed a soul reaper who was suppose to be exiled before a mysterious disappearance. However, Captain Kyōraku nor Captain Ukitake could remember the face of Shiegeari Jushirmai.
"No, not a thing. There was a soul reaper that stole a Captain's zanpakutō however, I don't seem to remember his face." Captain Ukitake said.
"Strange, huh? It's almost as if he used kikanshinki to replace everyone's memories of his face." Renji said.
"No, I don't think that would be the case. If he used kikanshinki wouldn't he have permanently replaced his existence in the Soul Society? It seems to me that Captain Kyōraku and Ukitake do remember him but not his face. Destroying a few records of his existence isn't going to permanently erase it." Rukia said.
"My, my how interesting! An unnamed Captain and a mysterious disappearance of a soul reaper! I must admit, you two conducted a fair amount of research." Captain Kurotsuchi said to the two Lieutenants, they bowed their heads in respect before getting interrupted by Captain Hitsugaya.
"Lieutenant Kuchiki, by any chance was there a description of this man in the report?" Captain Hitsugaya asked his fellow ice and snow zanpakutō wielder.
"Yes, but the details were quite basic and unclear. The report stated he had black hair, indigo, electric blue, or green eyes, pale skin, and a tattoo with an unknown location. I don't believe any soul reaper could write a description as plain as that, it might have been switched with this report so we wouldn't have a intricate report of the ryoka." Lieutenant Kuchiki said before closing the folder that had the report crumbled in it, she tried to ignore the strange feeling that was accumulating in her chest as she recited everything.
"Who cares? Now that we know what he looks like, we can get a move on!" Captain Zaraki said as he prepared to leave Captain Kurotsuchi's laboratory.
"You go ahead without us and rescue your division. Captain Unohana must already be there and in need of your help." Captain Hitsugaya suggested before Captain Zaraki disappeared.
"Whatever." Captain Zaraki scoffed before leaving the laboratory.
The remaining Captains continued to ponder over the name Shiegeari Jushirmai, baffled and curious about this newly named soul reaper.
Byakuya finally opened his eyes, meeting Rukia's.
"Rukia." He called quietly.
"In the year when I found you and adopted you into the Kuchiki Clan, there was a man by that name that was enrolled in the academy. It was due to him that I had found your location." Byakuya said causing a small gasp to escape Rukia's lips.
It was strange that a person she hadn't known of had helped Byakuya to find her.
"There was a boy in the woods who appeared to be talking to himself and a zanpakutō. Based on his appearance, I could tell he was a student from the academy. He mentioned your name, Rukia."
"My...name?" Rukia asked quietly.
"I conducted a search for your name in the academy's database and I found it." Byakuya said.
"So, he was a student from the academy..." Captain Ukitake said.
Rukia stared at Byakuya as she tried to remember someone by that name in one of her classes. Strangely, she remembered no one by that name, she didn't even remember talking to someone by that name.
"Rukia...?" Renji asked.
"I don't even think there was a Shiegeari Jushirmai in any of my classes. I don't remember even talking to him in the first place." Rukia said as she reminisced the days of her as a student in the Shin'ō Academy.
Though...even though she didn't remember a student by that name, her life prior to that well...she did.
"Do you think you could give us more info of what he looks like Captain Kuchiki?" Captain Kyōraku asked as his wavy side bang blocked his right eye.
"The description read from the report is all I can say as well." He replied.
"Byakuya, is there any distinct features of this man you can remember? His hairstyle? Face? Colour of his eyes? The description written in the report is too basic for us to confirm that he is indeed that person. And if it is, we can confirm with the 11th Division that Shiegeari Jushirmai is the ryoka." Rukia said with a soft tone.
Images of the man known as Shiegeari Jushirmai flashed in his mind. The description written wasn't too far off from his face. As he said before, he distinctly remember that man's face yet he unwillingly did not want to expose any new information.
He had long black hair. It was left down with several dark strands covering his face, similar to Byakuya's own features when his hair was left down.
His eyes were the rich colour of indigo, that could flicker and mold into an electrifying blue, which always made Byakuya question how easily they could change into a different colour.
He had pale skin, skin that was white as snow. Scarless but tainted with an interesting tattoo chiseled on his right wrist.
Byakuya remembered him. He remembered everything discretely. Even the red string he kept tied around his right wrist, above his peculiar shaped tattoo.
But for some reason he wouldn't admit it, he wouldn't say anything else but that. It was strange but unknown to Byakuya himself.
"No, that is all." Byakuya said before closing his eyes. Rukia sighed in disappointment as her eyes traveled back to the encircled Captains.
"Well, if this man is the ryoka, we gotta release the Divisions from the lock down procedure immediately and announce a wartime order." Captain Hirako Shinji said as his blonde bob-cut hair swayed in the wind.
"Yes, I agree. Captain Kurotsuchi was able to create blankets with the same protective barrier as our haori. Distribute it to all Lieutenants immediately and report back to your Divisions and prepare for battle, immediately."
And with that, the two Lieutenants disappeared with a box of blankets in their hands as the Captains of the Gotei 13 prepared for battle.
End-Note
Avoid the cheesiness. Chapter 14 and onwards explains further.
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