[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Central Seireitei

[BSD]

The Central Forty Six are transparent, their intention laid clear by their eagerness to begin the trial. They do not allow Shobatsu to settle, as their own nerves refuse to do so. Instead, their appointed delegate cries out upon being exposed to the very presence of Captain Commander
“SHOBATSU MURASAKI”

“Shobatsu Murasaki...current Commander of the Gotei 13—you..are blind. I speak not of the state of your natural eyes of course- Next to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, you reign and are praised as the Gotei 13’s greatest Captain Commander—but before us now, I can see only the Central 46’s greatest mistake…OUR greatest mistake.”
The prosecutor continues on, reiterating what is already known to those present within the hexagonal courtroom. These opening tactics are subtle, imperceptible to most souls who would find themselves before the Central Forty Six. The comparison to Commander Yamamoto on the surface seems to be an acknowledgment of Shobatsu’s strength. However, the prosecutor is wise to recall that Genryūsai was Shobatsu’s greatest foe. Having united thirteen powerful warriors, Genryūsai was able to defeat Shobatsu, and build this very Soul Society to seal him away. The prosecutor's comment is then meant to serve two functions. The first, and most foolish, being to elicit an emotional response from the Titan. The second, being to remind the Central Forty Six that Shobatsu was defeated once before, by someone they perceive to be on their own side of history. This of course helps to reassure them, to encourage their confidence before reminding them that it was their own mistake which undid Genryūsai’s actions and released Shobatsu for them to reconcile. Did they believe that, united, they were as powerful as the original Captain Commander?
“In your tenure as Commander, the Seireitei has been dealt with travesty after travesty. You sit in your hall, inactive as destruction repeatedly bashes at our gates! For all that you perceive, you remain ignorant...blind to your failures and shortcomings, blind to your mistakes and the gravity of your errors...blind to justice, TRUE justice. But we, of the Central 46 do not share in your ailment. We are NOT blind to your failures, nor are we blind to your mishaps. We are not blind to your schemes...and we are not blind to you, Shobatsu Murasaki.
You have come to be judged for your sins and crimes against the Soul Society. In these proceedings, all your secrets, your lies and schemes will be exposed...laid bare for all within this hall. Perhaps, only after being exposed, you will come to know and understand that we are not so easily fooled.””
Again, these words are not for Shobatsu’s sake. While on the surface they seek to paint Shobatsu with guilt, their true purpose is to once again reaffirm the members of the Central Forty Six who remain drowned in insecurity and fear. The speaker addresses his judges, and not the Judicator, hoping to assure that they remain confident, that this time their plan will work. Every soul that finds itself in the presence of the Commander, cannot help but feel that instinctual sense of dread, that primal feeling that they are prey, helpless to the mercy of the beast before them. This speech serves ignorance as medicine, ensuring that they suppress this feeling of dread. They live in a delusion where they see the truth clearer than the one who embodies it. They are but children screaming in a tantrum that they are grown.
“Is the defendant ready?”
As still as the massive stone pillars that support this hall, Shobatsu does not move. Eyes opened, he emits no spiritual pressure, his gaze looks only ahead. Normally, the Commander’s eyes look towards the future, however, it is clear that they now remain rooted in the present. The weakest of sensors and frailest of elders are still able to feel that every single soul within this room has the undivided attention of Shobatsu Murasaki. Even without reiatsu, there is almost a palpable weight within the air, such was the presence of the Commander. This tension only grows when the persecutor’s question is presented. Until now, the man had given a speech with no room for interjection, serving its multiple purposes of belittling the defendant while boasting the judiciary. The Central Forty Six were well aware that opening up any opportunity for the Commander to respond risked his response being their swift execution. However, with their own lives at stake, they are willing to gamble that Shobatsu’s sense of duty is greater than his sense of violence.
The thinking of the Central Forty Six, and their silent noble benefactor, is correct in only one way. They are indeed subject to the whims of the Captain Commander, and are permitted this audience only because of his infallible sense of justice. Experienced with thousands of years of judiciary politics, the Central Forty Six aim to cease advantage of this, by entrapping the Commander within his own code of ethics. Any other foe of such power would have wiped the Central Forty Six from existence before ever subjecting themselves to such ridicule. However, Shobatsu is not one to act unjust, and his persecutors know this. What they do not know, or rather, choose not to acknowledge, is that it is not Shobatsu Murasaki that is on trial before the Central Forty Six. It is the Central Forty Six that is on trial before Shobatsu Murasaki.
“Proceed.”

 

[BSD]

His mention of the Captain Commander inspires the Kido Corps members to fulfill Yū’s wishes, their frantic response causing him to take a deep sigh of relief. Expecting his path to Naruki City to remain unhindered, an unfamiliar presence suddenly manifests behind him with a cold hand resting on his shoulder.
“4th seat of Squad 11, Shoumetsu Takahiro, reporting in place of my crippled Lieutenant and acting Captain Jinnosuke Ueku. I hope you weren't planning to have all the fun down there without us, sir,”
… an unfamiliar voice calls out. The young Captain glances over his shoulder, taking a peek at the Eleventh Division Shinigami.
"Of course not...”
… the Captain responds sarcastically, with a slight grimace. While he told Jinnosuke to not get involved, the lieutenant must have thought it best to send someone else in his stead. Despite technically being Yū’s escort, he had hoped the young Shinigami would be skilled enough to keep up with him. While Shoumetsu has traveled here alone, the expression on his face reads that he’s expecting something… or someone else still to come. He turns back to face Yū, addressing him once more.
"All due respect if the one who can heal our lieutenant is in Karakura Town fighting, then why are we heading to Naruki City?"
"Lieutenant Hageshi is more than capable of taking care of herself and returning back here. Once we’re finished with whatever business we have in Naruki City, we’ll head there to clean up if they aren’t done by then,”
… Yū informs bluntly, now turning back to face the freshly opened Senkaimon before the duo.
“The Senkaimon is opened and ready for your departure, Captain Nakamoto and Fourth Seat, Shoumetsu Takahiro. Return safely,”
… one of the Shingami announces, allowing the two direct passage into the World of the Living. He quickly approaches the Senkaimon, the light nearly enveloping him completely as Shoumetsu unexpectedly offers a plan of attack– proactive thinking for someone in his division.
"I am sure you don't need me telling you this but I think it would be best for us to go in hidden. At the current moment, we have no intelligence on what we are facing, and the element of surprise is in our favor. We shouldn't show our hand until it's needed. Thankfully for you, my fighting style excels at defense and as long I am breathing will not stop shielding you."

Relief shrouds him warmly, an emotion he hadn’t felt in some time, especially with how tumultuous his day had been.
"Hmph… I see you’re not like those other meatheads in your division. I like you already,”
… Yū replies, turning back for a short moment to face Shoumetsu with a modest smile.
‘Jinnosuke finally did something right if he sent this guy... ‘ he reflects to himself, before his frame is swaddled by the Senkaimon’s radiance.
Central Seireitei → Naruki City

 

[BSD]

Only a small amount of time passed since Shoumetsu rushed arrival to the 5th division barracks, and it seemed he managed to show up at the right moment. Seconds later, the 5th division members kido corps finally took action to open up the massive gates in front of them with two black butterflies fluttering around them. Little before he knew it the time for their departure had crept upon them with the bright light emitted from the gates welcoming them to the battlefield on the other side. Before addressing Captain Yu, Shoumetsu made one more final glance into the horizon to check for any signs of his late comrade. This time around when Shoumetsu replied to him, he continued to stare off in the horizon.
"You hold a great amount of trust in her capabilities so I will do the same. Shinjitsu Kyo is on the same mission too among other talented individuals."
His eyes turned their focus back to what was in front of him. The thought clear in his head like a repeated mantra that failure was not an option, and that meant he would do whatever it took to keep Captain Yu alive at all cost. If Shoumetsu did manage to defeat an togabito and come back alive, this meant all his effort to get stronger was paying off, and Jinnosuke soon learns to respect him as a rival.
"Getting the chance to fight two togabito in one day now that will be thrilling."
With the sound of the situation in the World of the Living, he knew they couldn't wait up any longer. Going in a man short would normally cause some to worthy, especially with the threat perils that awaited the two, but many could see Shoumetsu was far from normal. In his mind, this only added up to two things at the moment: the more fun for the two of them, and if this counted as handicap all it did was make things even entertaining. Hearing the remark about 'not all of the 11th division are meatheads' made a small smile come on his face, then gave a playful remark back.
"Brute force can only get you so far, although I guess it is good to see not all of the 4th division are janitors."
It was nice to see that the Captain managed to relax some, but he couldn't help wondering for how long this demeanor will last. Watching Captain Yu take the lead entering into the Senkaimon his small quickly shifted into a widened sadistic one full of anticipation. Immediately following behind his footsteps, he followed pursuit keeping a loose grip on his zanpakuto with it held off to the ride side of his hip.
Central Seireitei → Naruki City

 

[BSD]

BOOOOOM!!!
The Might of the Buddha’s spell meets the might of The Shining Knight’s fist. The collision of these two forces causes the spell to detonate. The entirety of the hall shakes and shudders violently, testing the strength and fortitude of its construction, felt even by those stationed just beyond its massive doors, those same doors that imprisoned the three Captains inside this cage of carnage. Those outside, unable to peer within could only hope to imagine just what could be going on inside to cause such a frightening force. Even then, their imaginations would perhaps still come up short in painting a picture of the terrifying clash of powers taking place inside the meeting hall.
For a third time today, flames once more spread within the hall, swift, blinding and smoldering the flames race seeking to cover the entirety of the hall. Three different forms of fire sparked within this very hall three different times, once more turning the massive space into an oven.
Despite the ferocity of the fire’s glow, still it finds itself lacking more and more, being swallowed by the strange fog like mist. Its roars growing ever fainter. The ghostly atmosphere appears...undisturbed, untouched. The fog does not churn or recede, it's as if the flames themselves weren’t present at all. Senren covers Higen in a fine coat, thwarting the kido born flames — Tenzen their conjurer, battles back the fires best he can using his reiatsu. There remains no sign of Kyomu-
VRRIPPP
Cloth and flesh sundered; Higen, the mountain bleeds. There is a moment of disbelief, or maybe uncertainty as the elder reaches back, feeling the incision that now adorns his back. He feels the blood as it flows. His fingers come around, rubbing together, smearing the warm liquid..the source of his very life.
The Phantom’s blade — peerless in the swiftness of its execution, in the sharpness of its edge...and utterly unstoppable. Tenzen fails to stop it's swing, to defend against it deadly cut..or, rather there was nothing he could do to stop it. The blade, starting from the left side of his waist passes through his shihakusho, his haori up to his shoulder.In a single effortless motion the Captain is cleaved...or so it would seem.
There was no cry of pain, no spilling of blood, in fact there was no sound or motion at all. Tenzen’s form remained perfectly intact before the image began dispersing into countless glowing particles.The zanpakuto fixed in the hand falls once that very same hand is no more, its blade embedding itself into the ground.
“Gaahmmm!”
The Shining Titan grunts and roars in pain. How many times has his prized Senren failed him? How many times has there been one able to breach the armor of the Knight, actually harming the man inside? These incidents were incredibly few in number. As Higen turns to face his assailant, he finds the space behind him...empty, void of anything other than that same haunting fog, denying the prying eyes of anyone other than the Phantom himself.
Conversely, the image of the false Tenzen’s assailant is also oddly absent. With the image of both victim and attacker now gone, the hall dominated by Kyomu's bankai grows eerily silent. A silence that is short lived.
" 'In order to match your enemy's dominance on the battlefield, you must emulate them.' I believe a human said that centuries ago. Wise words from a race of conquerors."
Tenzen speaks out, believing himself spared from the range of Kyomu’s Bankai, able to only perceive a field of grey and white. When he speaks, his voice comes out both louder and clearer. It is the only sound present within the corrupted grounds of the Phantom.
"No tricks this time! Come cut me Kyomu so that my flesh may remember your venomous bite! There are still the orders from the Commander we must carry out so... Try not to cut too deep?"
The Buddha speaks again, relinquishing himself to Kyomu’s blade.
“Gah… You got me good.. Kyomu-san. – You heard the man. Stri-”
Before the elder can finish encouraging Kyomu to forego Tenzen’s words, urging him to strike and cut deep — the Oda finds himself accosted simultaneously from his 3, 6 and 9 O’ Clock. Three blades moved and struck as one, the first aimed at his waist, the second his left shoulder, and the third his left thigh. Their appearance came without sound, without warning...as if instantaneously birthed from the nothingness of space.
No matter how genuine Tenzen’s words may have been, Kyomu would never trust them, no..he couldn’t trust them. The Oda was a sly one, as careful and methodical as him. If Captain Mukuro forsake his cover, exposed himself for something as trivial as trust...only to be caught in the machinations of another’s trap..it was a shame he’d never live down. Perhaps more importantly than even that, was that he was an assassin. Those in his line of work thrived in the shadows, in the underbelly of society. His kind did not have the luxury of blindly trusting others, nor were they creatures that one should ever readily trust.
'That technique he used...how curious. It's design differs from the likes of both the speed clone and Utsusemi techniques...'
Kyomu didn’t need to hear Higen’s words, his encouragement was useless. Kyomu was a killer, he had no intention of letting Tenzen off lightly—he was after all, a professional. Still immersed in shadow and fog, in mystery and subterfuge the Phantom would not make himself known. He would refuse to dismiss this phantasmal world until he had confirmed that the Vizard’s blood had been drawn by his blade. The pleasantries and talks of unity and camaraderie from the aged Titan would have to wait. Until Kyomu had been satisfied, the nature and genuity of his fellow Captains words would fall only on deaf ears.

 

[BSD]

Kiku wouldn't move, he was frozen in spot. Even as Nibui asked what was wrong, with visible concern. Kiku would stare past the gates and then mumble something mumbled under his mask. No doubt the other Shinigami would stop as Kiku hadn't even moved to scratch his nose. " You know, i forgot about the who privacy thing. " He would turn around and then sigh looking at Nibui. " Heh heh Sorry Nibui, i forgot about how serious this stuff is. Uh do you mind waiting around here with me until they get done up there? I don't wanna be rude and go on without you, so I'll wait here until they are done. That way no one gets their intestines melted."
Vissibly frustrated by the shaking of his hair on the back of his head. Kiku would wave the guard back and then just sit on the ground between the both of the Shinigami males. Each one looked as if they didn't wanna be here in one way or another. Releasing his stress with a deep sigh Kiku would reach into his long baggy sleeves. Shortly after some rattling and clinking together, Kiku pulled out a few items for tea. A cylinder with pre brewed tea, stepped for eighteen hours over spring blossoms and lavender. a kiss of honey and a single cube of sugar per cup per volume. This flask would then be poured over three porcelain cups. Each one black with a single stylized chip in it to represent a mouth piece for better drinking.
Kiku would cusp his hands over the flask and mutter some small incantations before his hands glow red hot. The metal container would instantly complete the transfer of heat and when Kiku pops the top steam would pour out with moisture forming around the lip and lid of the flask. "Any one want a cup of tea while we wait?" The liquid was giving off a calming and gentle smell of flowers and honey with a rich brewed tea fragrance lingering after the soft tones of flowers and thick tones of honey.
Honestly, why not take this moment to catch their breath. Kiku and Nibui had so far had an interesting lunch. They met and sprinted the roofs looking for something to do and then ended up right where Kiku started. Unlike those high spirited folk, Traveling from one division to the next was tiring for Kiku. Not physically, just emotionally. So in this moment, Kiku takes a steaming hot cup of tea, closes his eyes and worries and takes a sip. A deep sigh escaping his mouth as he gulps down the first drink.