It'd take a few months, but now the first ever Seireitei's Division Tournament had arrived. The event had been received with more enthusiasm than initially expected. So much so that for all 13 Divisions, a condition had been placed for participants.
Only twenty individuals from each Division were allowed. None could be third-seat, Lieutenant, or Captain. Each Division followed the Eleventh Division's new recruit regimen to determine how to get those twenty individuals.
As for the Eleventh Division, they'd all hands down, say, Kagome's first spot, giving her a guaranteed spot out of 26 people. When other Divisions found out, no complaints were made, further bolstering how much people wanted to either fight with her or see her potential.
The tournament structure involved elimination rounds via the 13 arenas. Each contender had a number randomly drawn in the order of the Arena. This ensured a good mix among all Divisions so that each Arena would have at least one person from each Division.
Then, the finalist would draw a random Division third seat. Then, the winners from those matches would randomly draw a Division Lieutenant, and finally, the sole winner would get to choose which Division Caption to battle.
Each fight was structured as a free-for-all match in which participants in each area could use Kido, hand-to-hand, or their Zapkau-to's first release state or second. This condition occurred when it became apparent that more than a few Division Squad members had two first stages but never reported it.
This fact helped with the agenda of recording stuff on Shinigami in the official records.
Kagome stood in the second Arena with her randomly chosen 'partner' from squad two. She smiled and wiggled her fingers in a coy manner. The man flushed and became visually angry.
Like their Division Captain, Soi Fon, all the members of the Second Division didn't like her much. However, it was for a different reason. Due to her acute ability to sense Second Division members, they couldn't hide from her. A few had tried to ambush her only to receive her unique take on Kido.
Thus, she damaged the Second Division's pride, honor, and reputation(supposedly). Tilting her head, Kagome decided to torment this man, the fifth seat, by only using her hands and hitting immobilizing pressure points.
When the signal was given for all combatants to start, Kagome laughed and rushed in haphazardly. The look of arrogance and smug delight gave her the open she wanted.
Fourth Division Captain Shinji Hirako shook his head and groaned. They were now seven rounds into the tournament. The first round had given some surprising results. Especially Arena Two until Kagome and the fifth seat of the Second Division.
Quick. Brutal. Efficient. Humiliating were all excellent words to describe that match and had made Soi-Fon dumbstruck and pissed. The match itself lasted seventeen minutes. However, he was sure Kagome purposely dragged it out as she slowly used pressure points to numb and lead the man.
At first, he thought she was reckless like the Eleventh Division usually was. But after a few minutes, Second Division's fifth seat jumped back, his left arm visibly shaking. It became apparent that the match would be interesting, like a game of cat and mouse, until his body was almost completely paralyzed. He had forgotten that while Kagome was temperamental, she was brilliant and had become more ruthless and strategic.
Shaking his head, Shinji watched as Kagome drew her Zanpaku-to for the first time since the tournament started.
The soft smile on her face sent chills down his spine, and his body seemed to turn liquid. He glanced at Kagome's opponent's Captain, only to feel surprised.
Byakuya could feel the gazes of the other Captains and Lieutenants sitting in the observation box. Yet his full attention was on the correct and final match of Arena 2.
Division six's thirteenth seat, a young man had talent and earned his right to be one of his division's representatives. He proved his worth by making Kagome pull her Zanpaku-to for the first time. However, as he watched an odd niggling feeling that he was forgetting something.
"Heehee," Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division. "Kagome is playing with him; it seems she still holds a grudge."
At the young Captain's words, Byakuya immediately recalled being summoned to the Fourth Division to sign for this person. He had provoked Kagome by insulting Eleventh Division, body-slammed him into the ground, and was bound (disturbingly) by a few different restraints with Kido. All of the Divisions had talked about it for a month.
As his eyes narrowed, Byakuya saw Kagome smile before speaking. Like all others in attendance, he was familiar with the phrase, 'Whisper, white fang.' A brilliant silver-white glow encompassed the blade as it changed to its first release. However, Byakuya just watched silently while others started making commentary.
He, too, was curious how she'd use a blade that heals her opponent. So he didn't see any reason to heal his thirteenth seat and didn't give her any benefit in the match. Still, it was easy to see the smug smile on her face as she blocked and parried.
Zanpaku-to slid through his thirteenth seat in the next second, making him glow. That made Byakuya sit straighter and lean forward. Kagome's blade returned to normal as she turned it, and the edge sliced back at the spot it exited the body. When it connected, Byakuya watched as his Division member hit his knees, gasping in pain and holding his rib cage.
Byakuya swallowed at the sight of Kagome smiling and glared coldly down at his Division member.
"Yup, grudge," Hitsugaya muttered.
The 13 winners stayed in their respective arenas, while each pulled a number for a Division Third Seat. These matches would be the final ones for the day, giving those who won a chance to rest.
Then, there were those few who would randomly draw a Lieutenant. The pressure was growing thicker as the winners started the drawing.
Once each person had drawn the Emcee from Fifth Division, Arena announced who got who.
"Arena One's winner was a member of Thirteenth Division, and they drew Fifth Division third seat!"
A roar came from the two Divisions as the two people entered Arena One.
"Next, for Arena Two, the winner was Kagome from the Eleventh Division, and she drew the Twelfth Division's Third Seat! This match should be interesting."
Loud cheers from both the Divisions and a few others reverberated in the air.
"Let's keep going! The winner from Arena three was from the First Division, and they drew the Tenth Division's third seat!"
A brief silence fell before loud cries filled the air as the two Shinigami entered Arena Three.
"Yes, next up is Arena Four's winner is from the Tenth Division, and they drew the Eleventh Division third seat."
The loud cries that filled the Arena once more reverberated as the two entered the fourth Arena.
"Haha, yes, yes, let's continue!" The Emcee chuckled merrily. "The Arena Fives winner was from the Second Division, and their opponent was from the First Division."
A quiet fell as many looked at the Captain Commander, who was pouting as his Lieutenant kept him from putting his sake jug to his lips. When he smiled and waved, the members of the First Division took a few seconds but eventually cheered, though the two combatives were already in the Arena.
"Now we are on Arena Six. The winner was from the Sixth Division, and they drew the Seventh Division third seat."
As the two entered their Arena, a few boisterous laughs were mixed in with the happy cheers from the spectators.
"Ah, ah, Arena seven winner is from Fifth Division, and they pulled Thirteenth Division third seat."
At this point, a few cries came from the crowd for the Emcee to hurry up and announce the rest of the pairings. The rush of adrenaline from the prior matches was still thrumming in everyone's veins. They wanted to get the next set of matches going since those where the fourth seat and below or unseated(cough Kagome cough) faced off against the third seats.
"Oh, you all are no fun," The Emcee groused into their microphone. "Fine, so be it. Arena eight is the Twelfth Division against the Second Division."
The two hurriedly entered the Arena and bowed to each other.
"Next is Arena Nine. We have Eight Division and Fourth Division."
Again, the two rushed to their Arena as cheers sprang up here and there.
"Arena ten is the Third Division against... Third Division. Don't ask. It was all lottery-based!"
The two members of the Third Division were already waiting in the Arena.
"Next is Arena eleven. The match is Fourth Division against Eight Division."
A few catcalls were made as the two jumped into the Arena amid the cheers. The third seat of Eight Division had a small fan club.
"The Twelfth Arena's match is the Ninth Division against the Sixth Division. I looked forward to this!"
The Emcee's snide comment also made those cheers, laughing. But the two who entered the Arena looked coldly at each other.
"Finally, Arena thirteen. This match is obviously the Seventh Division against the Ninth Division."
Each match had its strengths and weaknesses. It was a mashup that had those watching going wide-eyed. Each Division had one winner, but the mix of where the third seats were was truly interesting.
A sharp whistle set the matches in motion, and results were seen within minutes. The Third seats from Arenas five, ten, twelve, and thirteen took down their opponents. All that was left was nine matches to finish.
The sight was worth it as hand-to-hand, Kido, and Zanpaku-to were all used in various degrees and in conjunction. The level of skill, talent, and ability being displayed filled the data sheets connected to each Arena that Division Twelve created especially for the tournament.
Soon, ten minutes elapsed, and the Third Seat in Arena One was won by the first Division member from Division Six. While glances were subtly given, the Captain of the Sixth Division showed nothing on his black face.
Soon, time began to stretch as the other matches continued. At the twenty-minute mark, Arena's four and nine matches concluded with the Division members having ten and eight wins. However, they looked haggard and had to be helped from their respective arenas.
It was already impressive that the matches had lasted this long. The skill, talent, and, yes, stamina being shown were not worthy.
After two more matches finished, the match between the Third seat in Arena Twelve and the member from Division Twelve in Arena Eight ended abruptly at the exact moment, as the opponents were slammed into their respective arena floors within seconds of each other. Arena Seven's match ended with the third seat winning by knockout.
Loud murmurs were heard as all eyes focused on the last two matches in Arena Three and Two. Division One's fourth seat and Division Eleven's unseated Kagome. All four fighters looked exhausted as the designated Emcee, Nano, announced that forty-five minutes had now elapsed. All were clear, ready to call quits as blows were continuously exchanged.
Then it happened in Arena three. Division One's Four released their Zanpaku-to Zanpaku form, blowing the third seat out of the Arena with a strong gust of red wind. The loud clamor from those watching, while Division Twelve peoTwelve'smed to go into overdrive overdrive they were seeing spoke volumes,mes.
A lilting laugh brought everything to a halt as Division Twelve's third seat sent Kagome flying back. The fact that Kagome was laughing happily had quite a few feet of a chill crawling down several backs. Many others looked at Division Eleven's Captain, Lieutenant, and third seat, as well as a few squad members' very pale faces. It was almost as if they were seeing a visible ominous premonition.
As gazes turned back to Arena Two, a loud, pained scream echoed in the air. Division twelve's third seat was bent back in an almost unnatural pose with a binding Kido.
"Yeah, no."
Two words rang out as everyone watched as a stone-faced Kagome sauntered and kicked up into the air with a cry of pain before the Roundhouse kicked them out of the Arena in that direction. There was no way to mistake the message she seemed to be giving. She despised Division Twelve.
Smiling widely, he stood up and jumped the wall. He, Kenpachi Zaraki, was damn pleased with his Division's overall performance. However, seeing Kagome's unique use of binding Kido on someone else was satisfying and more disturbing than when she used it on those in the Eleventh Division.
His steps brought him to the edge of the arena, where Kagome was now in disarray and smiling like a contented cat.
"You did good today, midget."
A soft hum was all he got before reaching out to grab his now unconscious Division member when he knew he had been pushing herself. She could have (should have) used the Kido for the creep from Twelfth Division at the start. But he also knew her pride demanded that she do things to make her stance known. So he couldn't be too angry with her about her current state.
"Captain, is she okay?"
Glancing at Ikkaku, Zaraki grunted and continued to walk out of the arena, his goal, the barracks of the Eleventh Division. They didn't need to be there for the announcement of winners who'd be fighting the Lieutenants tomorrow.
However, he wondered if Kagome would be nice and play dirty by releasing her Zanpaku-tos third form. If she did, seeing everyone's reactions would be great fun.
TBC!