A new awakening was on the precipice of the Gotei Thirteen. The test of the time that the shinigami had been faced with for hundreds and thousands of years, proved to easily circumvented once again by the promising warriors that blessed the Seireitei. In the past 9 months the Soul Society was welcomed with a new champion, formerly known as Omoni Hageshi. Now stepping into the fold as
Kenpachi Hageshi, a monster of a woman, bested the strongest Shinigami in a tournament based setting. Proving that she had power to claim the title of “The Strongest”. While this was a monumental achievement as a whole, and served it’s purpose of reassurance wholeheartedly. In truth……
it was all nothing but a facade.
The Truth
While the Soul Society was celebrating their highly anticipated event. The World of the Living they had sought to protect, was set into utter turmoil. With the Soul Societies’s mightiest fighters, set out in battle. The lower half, the inferior side, of the combatants, were tasked to protect the cities with limited choices in backup. Unable to call upon the aid of a Captain’s strength. Of this inferior side, Shizuka Hyouzoku, Lieutenant of Tenth Division, was one of the forces naturally tasked to protect Naruki City. As was the normal task of Tenth Division. Though, the tasks they had faced that day…. was far from normal.
9 Months Ago in Naruki City
-A visual pans to two beings standing high into the sky. The storming weather, painting an image of desolation and more despair to come-
It seems the durability needs some tweaking. Ah… Amigo, you were never supposed to see me like this, never supposed to feel this level of power. I will not commend you for anything because this is but a happy accident.”
Even with his mind accelerated from his Bankai, all the Lieutenant could recall at the time was that horrifying feeling he felt. The weight of this Arrancar’s reiatsu draping down on him, even while he was near the peak of his own power. He had no choice but to concede in this moment, this monster was stronger than Higen himself.
”I am Maximiliano Zacarías and I…. Am God!”
GASP
Shizuka rises up from his bed, cold beads of sweat dripping down from his face as he continued gasping for air. His heart racing rapidly, he clenched the covers, searching for any semblance of reality. Trying to assure his mind and body that he was safe where he was. The few seconds he took to stare at the comfortable surroundings of a First Division quarters, quickly reassured to him that no harm could be done to him. The rapid paces of breathing slowed down, and the adrenaline coursing through his veins settled. All he was experiencing, was just simply a nightmare.
As the man began to calm down, he started his normal routine. Which consisted of an unhealthiest way to start his day. He reached over to the desk next to him to retrieve his Denreishinki, picking it up ferociously as he was eager to see what messages he had received today. Even though he was only looking for one. As Shizuka scrolls through his daily feed, he can’t help but scroll through all the meaningless messages that he left unread.
**swipes**
Unread
Shoumetsu Takahiro (
Today) :
“Masahiko has been improving cons…”
SWIPE
Nao Murakami (
Today) :
“Captain Hyouzoku!!! Congratulations on your promotion! I know…”
SWIPE
Higen Kagayaki (
Today):
“You know where to find me, come-“
SWIPE
All of these messages held little importance to him at the moment, as he kept scrolling and scrolling back relentlessly. Hoping he had missed something, but alas, as he stared at the thread he was wishing for. It still remained the same..
10th Division’s Advisor (
5 months ago):
Me:
“Sorry I was so late to tell you buuuut i’ve finally got my own white coat! I know it’s been some time but hit me back when you can!”
(
6 Months Ago)
Me:
uhhhh, today wasn’t great today. I think it’s time I confess about something that’s been bothering me. Hit me up when you can…
(
7 Months Ago)
Me:
Yo?? Are you okay! I know you didn’t forget me that quickly! Return the calls!
(
9 Months Ago)
Me:
Call me immediately, I heard about what happened in Karakura Town. I need to see you right now, but please…. Dont freak out.
With a slew of messages in between, Shizuka went through every single one. The further he scrolled back, the stronger wave of depression hit. Not even acknowledging that at some point he was just talking to himself, using her thread as a journal at some point. He could only think about how his love with Blume, was finally hitting it’s peak. After years of being a figurative tightrope in regards to their forbidden relationship. They had finally both crossed the line, together, in harmony. The revelation that Shizuka was going to be a father, all those months ago. Truly erased any doubts that the young Shinigami had about the Quincy Empress. Even as he stood up against the God-King of Hueco Mundo himself, what drove him to fight back against all of these odds. Was the future he potentially had in store. Now…. All of it seems like a pipe-dream. A manifestation of joy conjured up by his foolish hopefulness. All Shizuka could do was accept the harsh reality, and find his own way to cope against this loss. Which explains the reasons why he had been starting his days like this for months now.
Remembering the Captain Commander’s personal message that he scrolled by, Shizuka began to bust out into a stretch. Still stuck to the confines of his bed, he took his time remove himself. Realizing now that his time and stay in 1st Division is coming to a close. Training relentlessly for the last 8 months, Shizuka has been fighting uphill battles against his Former Captain and current Commander of the Gotei Thirteen, Higen Kagayaki. All in an attempt to control and subdue the inner hollow that took ahold him. The Commander, being graciously experienced in this task, having trained the previous standing Vizards before him for 100 years. Was more than equipped to teach the nuances of the Hollow powers, Shizuka was struggling to subdue and control. Building up his skill ridiculously just within months. Using this opportunity or growth to force the Raiken to go in for Captaincy. Pitting him against another formidable opponent who also aided in training of one of the Vizards during their inception, Yū Nakamoto. With the amount of work he put in to better himself for the sake of the Gotei, Shizuka eventually ascended to Captaincy. Even after his promotion, he fought for days and nights upon end. Only getting stronger, able to completely subdue his inner hollow, while sub sequentially accessing it’s power on command.
It was no easy feat, and while he felt more in control than ever before. There was still levels to this. For Shizuka was completely aware of what transpired in the Kenpachi Games after watching replays. The sheer fact that the Oda’s dominant control, allowed him to access his Hollow’s full power while maintaining his consciousness perplexed the Raiken. While the process wasn’t meant to be envied. For those afflicted like Captain of 5th himself, it would be hard not to be some form of envious.
YAWWWWWN
Finally standing up completely, Shizuka put on the rest of his garments. His standard shihakusho, fitted outside of navy blue compression shirt, with the geta sandals to match. With his normal attire fitted perfectly, he stared the white haori hanging up on the door. Proud of his own achievement, while still bearing a form of excitement to reunite with his division. He grabbed the haiori and swung it on seamlessly. Fitted to his body perfectly with prestigious care. With everything all good, he was ready to set off.
Walking down the corridors of First Division, Shizuka’s mind drifted apart elsewhere. Pulling up his Denreishinki out of his pocket once again, he scrolled through his own messages once more. With the habitual members he saw around First pleasantly greeting him, he ignored them unusually as he dug through his device. He scrolled vigorously, looking to see what could he have been forgetting that struck his mind slightly. As the frustration on his face quickly builds up, it is similarly quelled when he finds the exact message that struck his mind.
Nao Murakami (
Today):
“Captain Hyouzoku!!! Congratulations on your promotion! I know it’s been a while, I’d love to see you again. Hope all is well. ”
“Nao Murakami….? The new Captain of 7th Division? I’ve never seen her in my life what is she talking about again for?”
Shizuka had heard the rumblings of the other new Captains to grace the same floor as him within this period. Honoka Oki, the disgraced royal, brought back into the fold after a troublesome turn of events. Suiyo Kusotare, the Rukongai Reaper, who showed an unnatural amount of skill with his Zanjutsu techniques within the Kenpachi Games. Along with eventually Nao Murakami, who rose to Captaincy to take the reigns of 7th Division. While Shizuka wasn’t familiar with the previous Captain Itsuki Asakura, he didn’t pay attention to any form of stand-ins for the man, for he felt his return to the Gotei was inevitable. Although this had been proven to not be the case as he was found slain eventually, still Shizuka rarely thought of the replacement that was talked about heavily amongst the Soul Society. The name
Murakami struck Shizuka though, why did it roll off the tongue so smoothly.
“Murakami, Nao….. Murakami, Nao….. Mura-“
Like a figurative and literal lightbulb, an old, but perfectly clear image came into the mind of the Raiken. A voluptuous, red headed woman with a scar coming down her left eye.
“Ohhhhh, that Nao is a Captain… hmmmm.
THAT NAO!!!? IS A CAPTAIN!!!!??”
Shizuka’s face immediately lit up red, as he remembered the lowly 7th Seat from back in the day. The beginnings of his time as a 3rd Seat under Higen’s reign, obviously slowly leaving him. Still, the image of the well endowed red-headed woman stuck out like a sore thumb. The endless conversations they had, the synergy that culminated between them, one that resonated even with their own Zanpakuto. He felt embarrassed that he forgot such an entity in the first place. Her ascension to Captaincy, made it all the more intriguing. How much has she grown since those days? How formidable has she become? Did the
rack get even larger?
All reasonable questions within Shizuka’s mind, for a quick second forgetting his passive depression for his “situation”. He immediately opened the message, to respond to Nao.
Me:
“I’m sorry, I’m telling you so late myself…but Congratulations on Captaincy yourself! Definitely didn’t forget about you…. . I’d love to see you as well. I’ll let you know when I’m free”
Immediately as he pressed send, he pocketed his device, flustered from his own message back. It truly had been centuries since he had last spoke to the woman, so much had happened in between then. Would the connection be the same? A question Shizuka knew wouldn’t be answered unless he found out for himself. Though it would be an understatement to say he was nervous to do so.
Continuing his stroll, he finally made his way into an open courtyard. Located some distance away from the main First Division barracks, but still within it’s reach. Slowly making his way down a stone flight of stairs. Shizuka eventually found himself with a garden of virtue. Ponds flowing with pristine and clear water out of the four corners of the massive venue. Plants and grass ever so luscious, and flowing with vitality across it’s entirety. The workmanship of this garden, bled the former Head Lieutenant’s influence. Coming off of the steps, a stone trail clearly led to the center of all of this. A massive stage in the form of a circle, decorated with the same stone-like sedimentary aspect. Refined and forged together to create a perfectly leveled platform, ideal for any type of training or bout. As Shizuka walked on the trail, he could vividly see a massive figure standing on this platform. Almost impossible to not standout, with amount of space this figure took from the area, visually and spiritually. After all, it was none other than-
Higen Kagayaki,
Captain-Commander of the Gotei Thirteen.
Intimidating as a figure this man would be to any living soul. To Shizuka specifically, the man, struck no fear in his heart. He didn’t impose his will on him in the slightest. The only thing Shizuka ever felt when in the presence of such a shining entity, was just simply a overwhelming form of respect. This feeling alone, set the precedent for nearly every interaction between the two. Which all in all culminated a bond that transcends one of a Captain and a subordinate.
“Taichou..”
Shizuka, now within the circular field standing just two meters away from the Commander. Addressed the man as if the two were still the same as they were for hundreds of years in Tenth Division. Shizuka still being a 3rd Seat while Higen being the Captain. Somehow even with his own newfound Captain status, adorning the same colors Higen once wore inside his haori. He still could never register it, when around Higen. It was a mental block he couldn’t and perhaps never will surpass.
“What’s the plan for the today?”
As his eyes subtly darted around, he didn’t physically see his Zanpakuto in sight. Whether it was hidden or in another room, would not even cross the mind of the Tenth Captain. This led him to assume the final day would come to the two combatting strictly using Hakuda while Shizuka hollowfied. Something they did all too often within these 9 months. His Zanpakuto being pulled from his possession multiple times to not allow his
full transformation to get ahold of it. Which would make the subjugation process unnecessarily harder. Regardless, Shizuka would wait for a response from the Commander. Truly intrigued for what was supposed to be his last day with First Division.