The slums of Rukongai weren't kind to anyone, least of all the boy with the flaming red hair. Valyx Felsong had always been a standout in the crowd—a beacon in a sea of forgotten souls. But standing out wasn't a good thing here. It made you a target. A bullseye. And Valyx had learned to survive by relying on sharp eyes and even sharper wits.
The streets smelled of sweat and desperation, but Valyx walked them like he owned the place. His feet padded silently across the dusty alleys, his sharp amber eyes cutting through the shadows. He had what the kids in the slums whispered about—a freakish ability to see things clearer than anyone else. To them, it was almost supernatural. To Valyx, it was just… life. The Transparent World, he called it. It let him see through lies, through motions, and even through people. And today, it would save his life.
An alleyway. An innocent, safe alleyway.
"You've got pretty hair," a girl's voice called from the shadows, sweet but laced with something cold. Deadly.
Blood lust.
"It's gonna be redder when I'm done with you."
His gaze darted toward the source of the voice. A girl, barely his age—ten, maybe eleven—stepped into the moonlight. She was small, slight, and deceptively innocent-looking. Her black hair fell to her shoulders, framing a face that wore a smile far too wide for comfort. But it wasn't her smile that caught his attention. It was the sword she carried, dripping with blood.
"I don't remember signing up to die today," Valyx said coolly, even as his pulse quickened. His eyes darted to her blade, the jagged edge glinting in the light. "You always go around cutting people, or am I special?"
The girl tilted her head, her grin widening. "Special," she said. "You smell like fun."
Valyx's fingers twitched, itching for a weapon he didn't have. All he had was his Transparent World and a burning desire not to die. He took a cautious step back, his mind racing as he analyzed her stance, her grip, her breathing. She was a predator, through and through. A natural-born killer. And the way she looked at him, with that mix of curiosity and bloodlust, made it clear: she wouldn't stop until one of them was dead.
The girl darted forward without warning, her blade slicing through the air. Valyx barely dodged, the edge grazing his cheek. He felt the sting of the cut, warm blood trickling down his face, but he didn't flinch. His eyes locked onto hers, reading her every move. She moved fast—faster than anyone he'd ever seen—but the Transparent World slowed her down just enough for him to keep up.
"You're not bad," she said, giggling as she slashed at him again. Her blade came within inches of his throat, but he twisted away at the last second, the motion seamless. "But you're not good enough."
"...you talk too much," Valyx shot back. He ducked under another swing, his focus razor-sharp. Her strikes were wild but calculated, each one designed to back him into a corner. He needed to turn the tide, fast.
Valyx feigned a stumble, letting her think she had the upper hand. As she lunged, he sidestepped and delivered a sharp elbow to her ribs. She grunted, staggering back, but her grin only grew wider.
"Oh, you are fun," she said, her voice dripping with glee. She wiped a trickle of blood from her lip with the back of her hand. "What's your name, red boy?"
"Valyx," he said, breathing sharply and with control. "Yours?"
"Yachiru," she said, her tone almost playful. But her eyes gleamed with murderous intent. "Try not to die too quick, Valyx. I'm enjoying this."
She came at him again, faster this time. Her blade sang as it cut through the air, each strike more precise than the last. Valyx's Transparent World worked overtime, analyzing her movements, predicting her angles. He dodged and weaved, the gap between them closing with every step. She was relentless, her strikes leaving shallow cuts across his arms and torso. But he refused to go down. Not yet.
"You're holding back," Valyx said, his voice calm despite the blood staining his clothes. "Why?"
Yachiru's grin faltered for a split second, then returned. "Maybe I don't want to break my new toy just yet."
He smirked. "Bad move."
With a sudden burst of speed, Valyx ducked under her next swing and closed the distance between them. He grabbed her wrist, twisting it just enough to loosen her grip on the blade. She laughed—a high, wild sound—as he knocked the sword from her hand and shoved her back.
But Yachiru wasn't done. She tackled him to the ground with surprising strength, pinning him beneath her. Her hands closed around his throat, squeezing just enough to make him squirm.
"You're fun," she said again, her voice a whisper now. "But you're still not good enough."
Valyx met her gaze. "Am I?"
Three fingers were held together and pointed at her kidney. The flesh was most soft there. Most easily pierceable.
Yachiru studied him for a moment, her grip loosening slightly. Then she laughed—a genuine, joyful laugh that echoed through the empty streets.
"I like you, Valyx," she said, sitting back on her heels. "You're different. Strong. Maybe even strong enough to survive me."
He sat up and stared. "..."
"Hehehe, you sure are quiet." She stood, picking up her sword and resting it on her shoulder. "See you around, red boy. Try not to die before we meet again."
And just like that, she was gone, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as she had appeared. Valyx sat there for a moment, catching his breath and processing what had just happened.
He had faced death tonight, stared it in the eye, and lived to tell the tale. But more than that, he had met someone who saw the world the way he did—someone who thrived in the chaos. And for the first time in his life, Valyx Felsong felt something other than fear or anger.
He felt exhilarated.
The desolate plains stretched endlessly under a blood-red sky. Jagged rocks jutted out of the cracked earth like broken bones. This was No Man's Land, far beyond the reaches of Soul Society, where laws held no sway. Villages were sprinkled throughout, independent and wholly distinct from everything pertaining to Soul Society. Valyx visited and stayed at some of these villages. Allegedly, beyond the plains of No Man's Land was the West Branch of the world called Reverse London. Valyx hoped to venture there. The novelty of Soul Society, of this war between Hollows and Soul Reapers and Quincies, he wanted no part of it anymore.
Unfortunately, his crimes had caught up to him and the Soul Reapers chased him. Truly, it was unfortunate.
All they managed to do was delay his travels by a few days.
Sitting atop a fresh corpse among an array of corpses was Valyx Felsong.
His crimson hair fell around his face in wild strands, and his sharp features were half-hidden beneath a black blindfold that wrapped tightly around his eyes. Despite the blindfold, there was no mistaking the aura of menace he radiated. He sat casually, leaning forward with an elbow on his knee, his free hand gripping a blood-stained Zanpakuto. The blade, stolen from the Shinigami who now lay lifeless beneath him, reflected the faint light of the setting sun.
He could hear a spirit whispering. "Shut up, already." He swung the blade the moment the spirit manifested. It did not die.
"Unworthy…unworthy…"
God, this was annoying. He heard that the Soul Society was doing something with swords but this? What the hell was this?
"Unfit…you…unift…"
The sword seemed to tremble. Ah, not trembling, it was fighting back. Valyx tightened his grip and ceased any resistance.
He hadn't planned to linger here. The battle had been brief, the Shinigami barely worth his time. But the blade had caught his interest—it was heavy in his hand, well-worn and familiar, though it didn't belong to him. Not yet, anyway.
The crunch of footsteps snapped him out of his thoughts. They were deliberate, unhurried, and accompanied by a spiritual pressure so thick it felt like the air had turned to sludge. Valyx didn't need to lift his head to know who it was. Her presence was unmistakable, a storm wrapped in a serene calm.
"You've grown into quite the killer, haven't you, Valyx?" a voice called out, smooth and melodic yet laced with danger. "I almost didn't recognize you. But that hair of yours… it's still as bright as I remember."
Valyx tilted his head. "You are…?"
No answer.
A black captain's haori billowing slightly in the wind. Yachiru Unohana, the first Kenpachi and now captain of the newly-formed 11th Division, stood before him. Her hair was longer now, tied into a loose braid that rested over her shoulder, and her once childish features had sharpened into a mask of serene cruelty. Her smile was gone.
"You do not recognize me?"
She seemed sad—almost. If she could express sadness, it was done with an expression that resembled any other.
"I heard rumors about a red-haired monster carving his way through the wilderness. Imagine my delight when I realized it was you."
"You…"
That sword in her hands…
Ten years ago…
"You. The demonic girl."
At last, she smiled. A strained expression that she had not worn in a long, long time.
"I am the Kenpachi."
Kenpachi? That caught his attention. He knew that name—it belonged to the most dangerous criminal of their era. A god that slayed hundreds of thousands, hollow or shinigami. Some even say she ventured into the human world to sate her bloodthirst.
He smiled. Now this sounded like a worthy opponent…!
"Hm…" She did not yet strike or attack. A bit strange. From the stories he heard, she never held back and she most certainly did not wait. "A blindfold?" she questioned.
"I wear it to get some fun out of a fight, woman. Makes things… interesting."
"I see. Then allow me to speak while you can: I am here on business. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto has formed a force to maintain order in Soul Society. The Gotei 13. And I've come to recruit you."
The Sun God of Soul Society? Another mythical figure. He was said to be one that could tame demons. How much that was true was up to debate. Valyx was born, raised, and trained in a part of Soul Society where there was no education and only violence. The people were quite stupid until it came to battle. They proclaimed many things. They screamed to the heavens that they were gods.
Valyx fought and slaughtered every single one of them who claimed as such. He wanted to test this world and himself. So far, the results were…disappointing.
He stood, his tall frame towering over the corpse at his feet. The stolen Zanpakuto hung loosely in his grip, but his presence was anything but casual. "Not interested," he said flatly. "Gotei 13, Hollows, Quincies, gods…it's all the same. They all die."
Unohana did not immediately speak. She drew in a breath, her smile widening, and brought her sword to her lips. "Oh, I was hoping you'd say that." She licked the tiny droplet of blood on the tip.
She must have killed someone on the way here.
The only people in this corner of the world were in a small mountain village he had stayed in.
Clang!
"Crazy bitch."
She had disappeared from view. The sound of metal echoed after the actual contact.
Valyx had raised the Zanpakuto in his hand to block the strike. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the ground and the force of it pushed him back several feet. But still, her demonically insane face was close to him, blocked by silver.
"You never could take a hint," he said. One hand on the grip of the sword, the other went and flicked two fingers. A surge of spiritual pressure twisted and condensed into an invisible slash.
"Cleave."
The attack ripped into Unohana's stomach. Her eyes widened more than they already were and she skidded back. Cleave, cleave, cleave. She couldn't see it and she couldn't react. She didn't understand. Suddenly, several thin cuts lined her body.
Except…
"Ah, so you've learned a few tricks. How delightful."
The cuts were like paper cuts. Nothing special. Nothing decisive. Her Reiatsu…how absurd.
He followed up with another strike, his spiritual pressure shaping into a sharp, horizontal arc that tore through the ground as it raced toward her.
"Dismantle."
Unohana understood what this was. This wasn't a Shikai or anything, this was Valyx manipulating his spiritual pressure in a specific way. A Hado.
Fascinating…!
The Kenpachi could not dodge the attack and paid for it. Cleave, whatever it was, it adjusted to her Reiatsu. It created a large cut across her and—
Dismantle.
A second came. Suddenly, a large gushing X-mark was on her. The Kenpachi took two steps back, raised her head, and only smiled.
She closed the distance between them in an instant, her blade a blur as it slashed toward his neck. Valyx ducked, spinning on his heel to deliver a sweeping kick aimed at her midsection. She caught his leg with her free hand, twisting it just enough to snap his tendon, and hurled him.
"Tch." He recovered gracefully, his ankle burning. With his blindfold, he was struggling to match her overwhelming speed. She was like an assassin, her footsteps disguised well. She wasn't doing it intentionally, she was simply acting as she always did. This was a natural evolution of the street rat he encountered when he was young. She went from thieving and assassinations to being martially inclined and brimming with Reiatsu.
She raised her blade, her Reiatsu surging to an almost suffocating level. The air grew heavy, and the ground beneath them cracked and splintered under the weight of her power.
"Bankai—Minazuki!"
Her hand grabbed her blade and ran alongside it. She was…cutting herself? Blood fell in thick heaps. Blood transformed into a dark, viscous liquid that dripped and merged with the world. Everything seemed to warp and twist, and her Reiatsu took on a sinister, almost otherworldly quality.
This was No Man's Land. These were brown-black boring plains.
"What the hell is this?"
Why did he only smell blood? Why did he only see blood? Was this an illusion?
No, he had trained his senses to their utmost limits. Nothing could fool them. His ears, his sense of smell and taste…
The world he was in was truly made of blood.
Unohana didn't answer. She laughed. She laughed and she moved—her speed greater than he could fathom—and Valyx barely had time to raise his blade before she was upon him. Her strikes came faster than he could track, each one heavier than the last. He summoned as much as Reiatsu as he could. Everything he had, everything he could have. Holding back meant instant death.
Her smile widened. To have lived for more than ten seconds in her Bankai…!
Valyx Felsong was the first to do it. The first to push her to use all her abilities.
The blood from underneath grabbed his arms and yanked the blade down.
Cleave!
He just barely managed to deflect her sword. Unohana's smile widened. He was doing exceptionally well. Except, well, he couldn't hurt her. That Cleave of his did nothing to her. Blood sprang from the red lake underneath and filled the wound the moment it landed.
"...!"
His foot. Suddenly, it was pierced. First his tendon, now this…!
"Pay attention, will you?"
Clang!
CLANG!
More strikes. More desperate blocks. He could barely keep track her with his feet so damaged and everything so slippery and wet. But he focused. He did keep track of her. He raised this Zanpakuto and fueled with ludicrous amounts of his Spiritual Energy.
Clang!
CLANG!
Was it him? Was it her?
His stolen Zanpakuto cracked under the relentless assault, and with a final, devastating downstrike—
CLANG!
It shattered completely.
Valyx stumbled back, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Unohana didn't give him the chance. She darted forward, her blade reformed into its original state, and drove it through his chest, pinning him to the ground.
"Ngh…!"
She missed his heart and internal organs. Not because she could see them but because of experience. She knew where everything was simply due to the sheer number of times she had cut open a corpse.
he impact knocked the blindfold from his face, and for the first time in years, his eyes were fully visible. They burned like molten gold, fractured and crystalline, with a black star-shaped pupil at the center. They were eyes that saw everything—every movement, every flaw, every crack in the world around him. But now, they stared up at the Kenpachi, the strongest Soul Reaper.
Unohana knelt over him, her blade still lodged in his chest, and leaned in close. Her face was calm, her smile soft and serene, but her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
"You're strong, Valyx," she said, her voice a whisper. "But you can get so much stronger. Would you like to?"
Her face was so close now that he could feel her breath against his skin. For a moment, it almost looked like she was about to kiss him.
He had lost. He could only nod.
Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō—the Six Prison Rods of Light. Thin, wide beams of light that penetrated the flesh and froze the organs. An individual ensnared was unable to move any part of their body, including the parts which were not struck by the beam.
"A Kido…?" The word 'Kido' meant Demon Arts and was divided into two categories: Hadō for direct attacks, and Bakudō for battle support.
"So you managed to create your own Hado with natural instinct, hm?" Unohana seemed amused. The joy looked foreign like she did not often experience it.
Valyx grunted and walked. He had no choice but to walk after his defeat. The world swayed around him as he was dragged unceremoniously by Unohana. She walked and he followed. Blood still seeped from the wound in his chest, though she had taken the time to wrap it with a piece of torn cloth, ensuring he wouldn't bleed out—yet. She purposely did not heal him with her Bankai, although she herself claimed she did not have the skill to do so. Her Bankai only applied to herself.
Maybe she was lying, maybe not. Regardless, Valyx was gradually bleeding out. A slow, torturous process that she knew he would resist to the bitter end.
The broken remnants of his stolen Zanpakutō hung limply from his belt.
"Damn woman," he muttered under his breath, glaring up at her from the corner of his eye. "I should've taken my blindfold off during the fight. My Transparent World would've made a difference."
Unohana glanced over her shoulder. She was too steps ahead. "Would it have?" she asked. "I look forward to finding out next time~"
The journey to Seireitei was a blur of pain and simmering resentment for Valyx. Going from No Man's Land to Sereitei took weeks. Literal weeks. Only once did she stop at a nearby village for him to get patched up.
Afterward, she slaughtered the healer, her husband, and two of the children. She left only one little girl.
Soul's Society's most heinous criminal. To call her anything less would be a travesty.
There were no gates or walls. They had not been established yet. The Soul Society and this Seireitei were in their infancy.
Gates were unnecessary, however. Who would dare to attack the famed warriors inside? Even Valyx did not dare to. There was a reason he travelled to the far end of this world. He had to get away. Otherwise, he would either get sucked by these people or die from their overwhelming numbers.
Surprisingly, the Seireitei was developing fast. The slums of the Rukongai he had called home for so long was…cut off. Smaller in area. Some of it had merged with the Seireitei. And yet, he felt no awe, no sense of belonging—only a deep, simmering disdain.
"More soldiers for your old man's army," he muttered upon seeing what appeared to be a school in construction.
Unohana ignored him. The school was of no importance. She was going elsewhere. She was going to the First Division barracks.
The doors were sealed tightly and heavily guarded. The Soul Reapers watched him. The Soul Reapers saw the Kenpachi. The doors opened and they allowed the prisoner inside without question.
Inside were the Captains of the newly-formed Gotei 13.
Unohana dragged him by the scruff of his shoulder and threw him to his knees. He was forced to bow. Forced him to lower himself.
To whom?
He already knew—the Sun God. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the founder and leader of the Gotei 13. His presence was overwhelming, like standing before a raging inferno barely contained within human form. His sharp eyes bore into Valyx.
Valyx glared up at him and saw him for the first time.
He was young. Younger than Valyx believed he would be. Sun God? As if. He could finally say with absolute certainty that these people were just a bunch of self-serving criminals.
"So," Yamamoto said, "this is the one you spoke of, Kenpachi."
Suddenly, he went from his knees to his two feet—and not of his own accord. Valyx Felsong was not just immobilised but forcibly pinned upright by the luminous beams of Unohana's Kido. The paralysis was suffocating and controlling and it did little to dim the inferno of defiance blazing behind his molten gold eyes.
He couldn't move, couldn't speak, not unless she decreed it. His crimson hair fell in wild strands over his face. The blindfold, the one he'd worn with such nonchalance, now hung around his neck.
The Kenpachi herself stood beside him. Her smile was gone. It was quite strange to see it flick on and off. Not that it mattered to him. He couldn't decide if she was here to vouch for him—or revel in his humiliation.
"Indeed. I resorted to using my Bankai to safely capture him."
Rumblings from the other captains. The Kenpachi was the strongest. For the strongest to resort to her strongest ability was…
"Valyx Felsong," Yamamoto boomed, "you have been brought here under the advice of the Kenpachi. Do you know why?"
Valyx gritted his teeth, his voice stuck in his throat. Unohana chuckled softly, a sound that made his skin crawl. She stepped forward, her haori trailing gracefully behind her, and addressed the assembly.
"He is a stubborn one," she said, her tone light and almost affectionate. "But I assure you, his talents are… exceptional. He simply requires proper motivation."
She didn't want him speaking because she knew he would fuck it all up. The captains were to their left and right. All watching. All observing. With his five senses, he counted and analyzed every last one of them.
To the right stood Chika Shihōin, the regal captain of Squad Two. With deep brown skin and golden eyes, he chuckled and smirked. He cared little for this. This, for him, was an amusement.
Next was Kinroku Izuhara, captain of Squad Three. Tall and lean, he stood eerily upright as though he were a fox poised to strike. His spiky hair gave him a rakish air and his narrow eyes gleamed with a cunning intelligence that put Valyx on edge. He could almost hear the gears turning in the man's mind, calculating, plotting.
'I know him. He's one of the Kido people Yachiru mentioned.'
Batsu'unsai Katori, the captain of Squad Eight was…
Big boobs. Big boobs and glasses. That was the best and most efficient way to describe her. Nex.t
Next stood Furuoki Ōtogawa, captain of Squad Ten, whose tall and slender frame was as graceful as it was intimidating. His long black hair flowed freely, giving him an almost ethereal presence.
The hulking figure of Uhin Zenjōji, captain of Squad Twelve, loomed and boggled his senses the most. Muscles rippled beneath his robes, his hair was circular and had two long thin braids. He looked at Valyx as though he were a beast studying prey, grinning, and the intensity of his gaze made Valyx's jaw tighten.
Saizō Sakahone, the oldest among them, was skeletal in appearance, his hunched frame and sunken eyes giving him an almost ghostly air. A gaunt figure whom Valyx could not figure out even with his Transparent World. He was the Captain of Squad Thirteen.
To the left stood Chigiri Shijima, captain of Squad Four, with grey hair in a ponytail, a hand on his shoulder, and…a mouth that was yawning. He was bored. Disinterested. Valyx's rage flared up again.
Finally, there was Entetsu Kumoi, the captain of Squad Six, whose unsettling grin gleamed with golden teeth. The golden scar over his left eye, half-hidden by thick glasses, made him look like something out of a nightmare.
All eyes were on Valyx, yet it was Unohana's gaze that burned the hottest. Her serene smile always wavered when she looked at him.
"How does it feel, Valyx?" she asked softly, her tone almost teasing. "You are being invited."
He would have snarled a retort if his body had allowed it. Instead, he glared, his molten gold eyes blazing with fury. He didn't need to speak for his message to be clear: He would not bow.
Furōfushi Saitō cackled. A woman of moderate height and immense intensity, her laughter echoed. Her left was covered by a black eyepatch fixed to her head with two straps encircling it in an X-formation. With long, dark pink hair tied up in two hip-length pigtails and a smirking expression, Valyx decided…
She was hot and dangerous. There was something with that eyepatch of hers. He could not exactly understand it but his Transparent World felt something. Like a parasite or a bug…
"If nothing else," she said lightly, "he's entertaining. I like him already."
Yamamoto raised a hand, silencing the murmurs that had begun to ripple through the room. His gaze bore into Valyx, unyielding as steel.
"You will join us," Yamamoto said, his tone absolute. "Your power is wasted in the wilderness. Here, you will fight for order. For balance."
"Light release."
One of the rods of light dissipated. Valyx managed a chuckle, low and rasping. "Fight for you, you mean."
Unohana looked over her shoulder, smiling wider. She walked over and crouched, her hand brushing lightly against his shoulder. She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear.
"You don't have a choice, Valyx," Yachiru whispered, her voice a deadly caress. "We will make it worth your while."
Her proximity was intoxicating, her beauty almost otherworldly. For a moment, despite himself, Valyx found his mind clouded. She was too close, too hot, and too deadly.
But the fire in his eyes never dimmed.
"I'll join," he muttered darkly, "when hell freezes over."
Unohana's serene smile widened. "Then I'll just have to make hell a little colder."
The cold stone walls of the prison pressed in around Valyx like a tomb. The air was damp, carrying the faint metallic tang of blood and sweat. He sat in the middle of the cell, blindfolded and chained, his wrists bound above his head and his ankles fastened to the floor. His posture was slumped, exhaustion weighing down his broad shoulders, but even in his restrained state, his spirit burned fiercely.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, sharp and deliberate. Valyx straightened instinctively, his heightened senses sharpening. The guards always moved with haste, fearful of spending too much time in proximity to him. But this… this was different. These steps carried no trace of fear. They were slow, measured, almost melodic.
The heavy iron door creaked open, and the faint scent of flowers wafted in. Valyx immediately knew who it was.
"Leave us," came a soft yet commanding voice
There was a shuffling of feet as the guards departed, the door slamming shut behind them. Silence returned, save for the faint rustle of fabric as Yachiru Unohana stepped closer. Valyx tilted his head slightly, listening.
"You certainly know how to make an impression, Valyx," she said, her voice carrying that serene amusement that grated at his pride.
"What can I say?" Valyx drawled. "I'm unforgettable."
"Mhm." Though not always for the reasons you might think."
There was a flicker of energy, and Valyx felt a sudden warmth around his wrists and ankles as the chains snapped open. His arms fell heavily to his sides, and he rolled his shoulders, wincing at the ache. The blindfold came next, dissolving into threads of light as Unohana used a simple Kido spell to remove it.
The sudden brightness stung his eyes, and he blinked rapidly, adjusting to the dim light of the cell. When his vision cleared, he found Unohana standing before him, her long ebony hair cascading over her shoulders like a river of ink. Her serene smile was in place, but her eyes glinted with something far more dangerous.
"You've caused quite the stir," she said, crouching slightly so they were at eye level. "The captains are divided on whether to kill you or recruit you. Lucky for you, I'm persuasive."
"Persuasive," Valyx repeated, his lips curling into a smirk. "Is that what you call kidnapping and chaining someone up like a rabid beast?"
"Oh, Valyx. You've seen nothing of what I'm capable of."
He snorted, leaning back against the cold wall. "I'm flattered, really. But if you're here to lecture me, you're wasting your time."
"Lecture?" Unohana echoed. "No, I'm here to make things simple." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Join the Gotei 13, or I'll slice off your tiny pecker right here and now."
Valyx barked out a laugh. "Tiny? You'll have to do better than that, Yachiru."
Unohana's serene expression didn't waver. "Oh, Valyx," she said, almost pityingly. "I saw you naked during the healing process. Let's just say… I wasn't impressed."
His laugh died in his throat, and he shot her a glare. "I was on the brink of death," he growled. "That doesn't count."
"No excuses," Unohana replied smoothly, her smile never faltering.
She stood up. So did he.
Before he could retort, her hand shot out, grabbing him firmly by the balls. Valyx's breath hitched, but he refused to flinch, his molten gold eyes locking onto hers.
"Powerful men," she murmured, her voice a silken whisper, "know when to seek even more power. It's that simple, Valyx. And right now, you're standing at the crossroads. You can join us, hone your strength, and become something greater… or you can die here, chained and forgotten."
Her grip tightened slightly, just enough to make her point without causing pain. Valyx's lips twitched into a slow, dangerous grin. "You talk a lot for someone who's got her hands full."
Unohana's smile widened, and for a brief moment, a shadow of her true self flickered across her face. The bloodthirsty Kenpachi, hidden beneath the mask of serenity, peeked through. "Oh, Valyx," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "You're bold, I'll give you that."
With a deliberate slowness, she released him, her hand brushing against his thigh as she pulled away. Valyx's grin didn't falter, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—respect, perhaps, or something more dangerous.
"Everybody here fears you."
"Do you?"
"I hate you."
Unohana raised an eyebrow, her smile softening into something almost… indulgent. "Good," she said simply.
The tension in the room shifted as Valyx suddenly leaned forward, his face inches from hers. His hand moved quickly, catching her off guard as it came to rest on her hip, sliding lower to grab a handful of her ass.
Unohana's eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, her serene mask cracked. A flicker of genuine surprise crossed her face, followed by something else. Her lips parted, her breath hitching just enough for Valyx to notice.
"You."
Then became demonic. He dared…! He dared…!
"You can't kill me—otherwise, you would have wasted everyone's time." Smirking, he released her and backed away. "Ah, and you know what? Yes. I accept. I will join the Gotei 13. Unless…you want to kill me for such transgressions?"
Yachiru Unohana was the greatest criminal in Soul Society's history. For a man to grab her ass and outsmart this way…
She laughed.
She laughed until she keeled over, smiling and wiping the tears from her eyes, and then closed the distance from him. His balls and crotch were seized for the second time. She hummed. She felt him up. "Mm…maybe you weren't lying after all."
From there…
The night passed under a watchful, hungry moon.
In his prison, Valyx sat with his hands flat on his knees.
His gaze was fixed on the neatly folded captain's haori lying on the bench before him. His lips curled into a faint sneer. The pristine white fabric was an insult, a symbol of a conformity he despised. It didn't represent him—not yet, not like this.
With a sigh of irritation, he picked it up, the fabric slipping easily through his calloused fingers. It was too clean, too perfect for someone like him. He wasn't a man of polished ceremony. He was jagged edges, raw power, and chaos barely contained within a human shape.
"Let's fix this," he muttered.
He raised his hand, crimson energy flickering around his fingertips. The air around him grew heavier as he activated his ability: Dismantle. Threads of reishi unraveled from the haori, peeling apart its pristine structure with surgical precision. The clean edges shredded into jagged, battle-worn frays. The right sleeve dissolved entirely, leaving only a rugged stump. The left sleeve, however, he let remain intact—a nod to function over form. As he worked, his reiatsu surged, shaping the haori into a vision of chaos tempered by control. It was no longer a symbol of tradition; now, it was a reflection of him.
Beneath it, his black kosode hung open slightly at the neckline, revealing the scarred lines of his chest—a body forged in conflict. He secured the loose white obi around his waist and inspected his reflection in a shard of shattered glass. His lips twisted into a wry grin.
"Better."
But it still wasn't enough. He needed more—something to set himself apart. Something that screamed who he was.
Concentrating, he focused his Reiatsu into his right shoulder. Crimson energy coiled and condensed, forming a solid mass. The energy hissed and sparked, shaping itself into a bold, angular shoulder guard. Its surface gleamed like freshly spilled blood, covered in intricate patterns etched by sheer will. Dents and scratches marked the edges, as if it had seen centuries of battle. When the energy finally settled, Valyx rolled his shoulder, testing the weight. It felt like a part of him—a perfect blend of utility and menace.
Satisfied, he turned toward the door. Outside, Yachiru waited for him.
"You look good." The black-haired demon looked him up and down, smiling. "You looked better last night~"
He snorted. "Being ragged and bloody is better than being clean?"
"It's an opinion many do not share."
"I prefer clean, whole kills. It makes the rush stronger."
Yachiru enjoyed the response. She enjoyed it a lot.
His transformation had not gone unnoticed; the jagged haori, the crimson shoulder guard, the sheer aura of untamed power radiating off him—it all commanded attention. He ignored the stares, his golden eyes locked on one figure standing at the center of it all: Yamamoto Genryūsai, the head of the Gotei 13.
"You look..." Yamamoto began, his stern expression betraying the faintest hint of amusement, "...ready."
Valyx smirked, adjusting the collar of his haori. "It's more my style now. The original didn't suit me."
Yamamoto chuckled, a rare sound. "I see that. But style alone won't win battles."
Valyx shrugged. "Style's a good start."
His gaze shifted to the figure responsible for all this—Yachiru Unohana, her serene smile as unnerving as ever even amongst the many dangerous captains here. He hadn't forgotten their encounter in the cell. If anything, her presence only fueled his resolve.
"Before we move forward," Valyx said, "I have a question."
Yamamoto nodded. "Speak."
"Yachiru's sword," Valyx said, gesturing toward Unohana. "Her Bankai—what is it?"
The question hung in the air like a storm cloud. Yachiru's smile widened ever so slightly, and for a moment, the air around her seemed to darken. Before Yamamoto could respond, another voice cut in.
"You already have a Zanpakuto," said Saito, cackling. "Can't unlock Bankai, hot stuff?"
Valyx's smirk returned, but this time, it carried a dangerous edge. "The sword I have isn't mine. It's stolen. And all it's given me is a nagging spirit whining about how I killed its previous wielder and how unfit I am to use it."
Saito laughed. "Hahaha! Seriously!? This is hilarious! Which squad? Which idiot let one of their officers die!?"
"Like I remember." Valyx crossed his arms. "I'm a captain. I demand something of my own."
Yamamoto exchanged a glance with his fellow captains. Most of them did not give a fuck. Safety? Danger? Caution? That did not fully exist in the early stages of Soul Society. "There is only one place you can go then. Captain Kenpachi, Captain Furofushi, guide him to the Great Blacksmith."
An obedient nod from Yachiru. "As you wish."
"Haha, sure, why not?" Captain Saito Furofushi grinned and walked right up to Valyx. She smirked. "You're one tall fucker. I think we'll get along just fine!"
An awesome forge of white—that was the temple where Oetsu Nimaiya lived. Past the guards and upon entry, the walls were lined with racks of blank Asauchi, each one waiting patiently for a wielder to give it purpose. Valyx could feel it.
The hammering. The echoes. The cries. The desperation. Everything.
He wasn't even inside yet.
But between him and the legendary smith stood five women—The Sword Five—and they were anything but ordinary.
Tokie Tonokawa, a serene beauty, stood with a gentle smile that seemed to mock his approach. Beside her, the vibrant and confident Hasuka Hashihara leaned against the temple gate, her golden locks catching the light as she grinned like she already knew something he didn't. Mera Hiuchigashima, fiery-haired and louder than life, cracked her knuckles like she was preparing for a fight. Nonomi Nomino, with her curly pink hair and innocent, doe-eyed expression, seemed to be more curious about Valyx than anything else. And then there was Tsumiko Tsuchimiya, her face hidden behind bandages, exuding an intimidating aura of quiet menace.
"Alright, sweetheart," Mera said, stepping forward and planting herself squarely in Valyx's path, arms crossed. Her smirk was razor-sharp. "If you want to see Nimaiya-sama, you gotta get past us first."
Valyx raised an eyebrow, his golden eyes flicking between the five women. "Fine. What's the test?"
Nonomi clapped her hands together, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Oh, oh, can we make him do something fun? Like... I dunno, a dance? Ooooh, or maybe he can juggle something embarrassing!"
Hasuka burst out laughing, her green eyes gleaming with mischief. "Nah, let's make him strip down and do something wild. This guy looks way too serious. Bet he's got a stick up his—"
"Enough," Tsumiko cut in, her voice low and icy. She tilted her head toward Valyx, her bandaged face unreadable. "If he can't handle a little humiliation, he has no business wielding a Zanpakuto. Let's see how far he's willing to go."
Valyx's jaw tightened. "Humiliation?" he repeated, his voice laced with irritation. "I'm here to forge a blade, not to—"
"Oh, relax, tough guy," Mera interrupted, flicking a hand dismissively. "This is part of the process. You don't just walk into the temple of the Soul King's best without proving you've got the guts. Now, drop your pants and—"
"Excuse me?" Valyx's composure cracked as he glared at her.
"Oh, we're dead serious," Hasuka chimed in, her grin widening. "Unless you've got something to hide."
Cue a small penis sign from all five women. Valyx was about to bust a vein.
Saito cackled like a villain and walked forward as if joining them. "Well, well, well," she purred, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "This is turning out to be very interesting. Go ahead, Valyx. I'll personally make sure no one forgets this moment."
Valyx shot her a withering look. "You're not helping."
"Oh, but I am," Saito said, stepping closer to him, her predatory grin making him tense. "And for the record, I don't mind if you need a hand. Or two."
Yachiru's serene expression betrayed nothing. Not even amusement. "It would be wise to cooperate, Valyx. The sooner you pass their test, the sooner we can move forward."
Valyx pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "Fine," he muttered, unbuckling his belt. "Let's get this over with."
Let's just say he got through without any complaints.
Through the temple he went. Valyx's eyes flickered to the fifty-foot tall shelves containing faux swords. His fingers twitching, wanting to reach out and take them.
He waited. He had to, after all.
He walked and walked and walked until suddenly…
He was in another world. The sea was around him as was an open blue sky. The pathway was that of a rocky brown cliff. It…it didn't make sense. How could this be in a temple?
"What the fuck?"
"Heh, surprised? It's a special Kido barrier made with the help of Squad Zero," the purple-haired woman explained. "Something about controlling the Reimyaku."
"The what?"
"The Ley Lines." Another laugh from Saito. "Man, this is cute, you know! I like being smart for once!"
Squad Zero? Ley Lines? There was so much he didn't know.
At the very end, he met the man who he needed most right now. He was alone and with his arms and legs crossed. He was staring out at the sea.
"You must be the creator of the Zanpakuto."
"Yo!" Oetsu Nimaiya looked over his shoulder, grinning. He bounced to his feet and pulled his shades down to look at him. Valyx did the same. A dark complexion with thick, black hair shaven and dyed green on the sides. His uniform was customized too.
Oetsu Nimaiya—the Transparent World told him he was a free spirit like no other. Accepting of all in his world and rejecting all outside it.
"So, you're the hotshot who thinks he can just waltz in here and forge a Zanpakuto, huh? You look like you've got some baggage." He gestured loosely at Valyx with a smirk. "But hey, I like problems. They make things interesting."
Valyx wasn't in the mood for banter. His expression stayed flat. "I didn't come here to play games. I need a blade. A real one."
Nimaiya's grin widened as he cocked his head. "Oh, I love the confidence, man. But here's the thing—this ain't about what you want. It's about what your soul can make. You think you're ready to put it all out there?"
Valyx's lips curled into a faint sneer. "I didn't come this far to fail."
"Good answer." Nimaiya snapped his fingers, and an Asauchi zoomed from the barrier point that transported them here. It zoomed over to Nimaiya and then hovered over to Valyx. Its blank, featureless form felt inert, like holding the husk of something long dead. "That's your canvas. Now take it to the flames. Show us what's inside you."
"That's it?"
"You stole someone else's Zanpakuto and that Zanpakuto is still clinging to you. You need a clean sweep, you get what I mean? A total restart. Otherwise…" The creator finger-pointed at him. "You'll NEVER be able to unlock the truth in your soul."
"Hrn."
A forge lay at the center of this cliff. The flames had been active since he got here.
The world seemed to hold its breath as Valyx approached the heart of the forge. The flames blazed hotter than anything he had felt before, their heat lapping at his skin like the bite of a thousand tiny knives. The Asauchi in his hands pulsed faintly, as if sensing the energy around it.
"Go on, then," Nimaiya urged. "If you've got the guts, put it all in."
Valyx didn't hesitate. He plunged the blade into the inferno. His hands followed, the fire surging up to engulf his arms. The searing pain was immediate, but he gritted his teeth and refused to flinch. This wasn't just fire—it was the essence of creation, flames that tore into his very soul to uncover what lay hidden within.
The world around him blurred, fading into a hazy void of heat and pressure. The roar of the forge grew distant, replaced by a low, insistent whisper. A voice, feminine and commanding, snaked its way through his mind.
"Devour them," she hissed. The woman carried a hunger that echoed deep within him. "Devour them, Woebringer. Devour them, Valyx Felsong!"
The name struck like a lightning bolt, resonating through every corner of his being. Valyx's lips parted, and before he could even think, the words tore out of him with raw, primal force.
"Devour them, Woebringer!"
The flames erupted in response, a maelstrom of crimson and black energy swirling around him. The heat intensified, searing his skin and soul alike, but he didn't pull back. He pressed deeper, pouring every ounce of himself into the process. Rage, pain, defiance, ambition—it all churned within him, feeding the fire.
When the light finally dimmed, Valyx stood there with the monstrous creation. Truly, it could only be monstrous for its edge was impossibly sharp and its surface rippled like black fire frozen in time. The hilt was an unholy sculpture, wrapped in coiling tendrils that seemed alive, pulsating faintly with a sinister crimson glow. At the pommel, a single, blood-red gem burned like a baleful eye, unblinking and reddening with every pulse of his Spirit Energy.
The spine of the blade was ridged with spiked, feather-like protrusions, jagged and cruel, giving the weapon the air of some demonic beast given steel form. Tiny veins of molten red streaked down its core, pulsing like the heartbeat of a dragon, as though the weapon itself was alive—hungry.
In the wielder's hands, the sword hissed softly.
The silence was shattered by Nimaiya's low whistle. "Well, damn." His grin had vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow. The moment his eyes deconstructed it, he recoiled, a flicker of unease crossing his face.
"A Shikai already…? And so twisted too…," Nimaiya murmured, his tone unusually serious. He eyed the blade as if it might strike him of its own accord. "That thing came out of your soul? Yo, what are you, man?"
Valyx's golden eyes glinted as he held the blade up, its edge catching the light of the forge. "What I am," he said, "is exactly what I need to be."
Behind him, Yachiru's gaze lingered on the weapon, her smile faint but telling. Saito…
Saito was grinning. Like a woman that had found her man. Like a woman that was catching a mate. She found someone truly worthy.
Nimaiya exhaled, forcing a grin back onto his face, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, you did it. Already pulled a Shikai, too. That's a hell of a leap, but hey, who am I to judge? You earned it, I guess." He gestured toward the blade. "But that thing... it ain't normal. You better figure out what you're really carrying there, or it'll eat you alive, yo."
Valyx didn't respond. He simply lowered the blade and turned to face Yachiru and Saito, his smirk returning. "Let's go."
He walked with his new partner, Woebringer. The girthy sword pulsed faintly in his hand, its hunger mirroring the ambition burning in his chest. Chaos, power, and the promise of destruction.
That was his ambition.
That was his new power.
The low murmur of voices filled the Squad One Barracks, every corner of the space buzzing with the energy of the assembled captains. Valyx stood near the center of the room, the newly-forged Shikai in his hands. It was an ominous weapon—thick, gnarled, and pulsating with a sinister demonic energy. Its aura was suffocating yet compelling, much like the man holding it.
Opposite him, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood at the head of the room, the weight of his presence alone countering the demon sword. Captains flanked him and they too withstood its immensity. Among them, Saito Furofushi crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on Valyx like a hawk eyeing its prey. Her lips curved into a subtle smirk.
The Head Captain's eyes dropped to the Shikai in Valyx's hands, and a rare grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "A fine blade," he said, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "It suits you."
"Hm. Thank you."
"You remind me of myself. You're powerful. You do what you want. You seize what you like. You kill as it is needed. However, you lack discipline."
His golden eyes burned.
"Tell me, Valyx Felsong. Do you consider yourself worthy?"
Valyx's jaw tightened. "I'm still breathing, aren't I?"
A ripple of amusement passed through some of the captains, and even Yamamoto's grin widened slightly. "Bold," the commander said, his voice carrying the faintest hint of approval. "Good. You'll need that boldness for what I have in mind for you."
"I'm a Captain that has to keep order. What else do I have to do?"
Yamamoto ignored his impudence. "You wield a powerful Shikai, one that has the potential to rival the most dangerous weapons in the Soul Society. But power alone is not enough. It must be tempered, honed, and directed. The same could be said for Soul Society itself. Soul Society is on the brink of transformation. The Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, the Onmitsukidō—they are all vital pillars of our world. But none of them can thrive without a foundation. That foundation is knowledge, discipline, and training."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Long ago, I established the Genji School to train the next generation of Shinigami. I dealt in teaching death. I dealt in martial arts and sword training. I wish for it to evolve past my own purpose and viewpoints. I wish to expand it further, into the Spiritual Arts Academy, an institution that will not only train Shinigami for the Gotei 13 but also prepare the finest minds for the Kidō Corps and the Onmitsukidō."
"And where do I come in?"
Yamamoto's gaze hardened, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I want you to teach there. For one year."
The room fell silent. Valyx blinked, caught off guard. "You... want me to be a teacher?"
"Yes," Yamamoto said firmly. "You will train the next generation. Find the strongest among them and cultivate their potential. Through teaching, you will refine your own skills, deepen your understanding of your Zanpakuto, and—most importantly—begin the long and arduous process of unlocking your Bankai."
Valyx's grip on his Shikai tightened. A teacher? Him?
Fuck, and he couldn't refuse either. The full wrath of the Gotei 13? Each fitted with Bankai? Each with unknown abilities and measures? He didn't even know what the fuck a Kido was until a week ago. It was impossible to kill everyone with his Shikai alone—and with a Shikai he didn't even understand.
"You're giving me no choice," Valyx said finally.
"Exactly," Yamamoto said. "Because this is not just about you. It is about the future of the Soul Society. You will teach, you will learn, and when the time comes, you will take the place of the Academy's Grandmaster as I once did—if you prove yourself worthy."
There was a long pause before Valyx nodded reluctantly. "Fine," he said. "I'll do it."
Yamamoto's grin widened, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Good. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish."
