All throughout the Eleventh division’s barracks, those who were not quite as absorbed in their usual routines, their eyes had come to find foreign figures. Clad in black, though completely different to that of the Shinigami, this was an attire designed with function over form, intended to mask one from sight. In most cases, it was likely to work, however there would always be someone who would take notice of their presence. Luckily for the members of the Onmitsukido, there would be no direct inconvenience provided by the Shinigami of the Eleventh. Despite the division’s reputation, there was some self-control, although, admittedly it was buried somewhere within their being, very rarely making itself known. Despite their lack of action, they were an eager bunch, those who managed to catch a glimpse of these prowling agents, their eyes following and tracking them as though they were preparing for something to kick off, perhaps even hoping.
As for the control that had been displayed, where had it come from? This was a product of the division’s temporary leader and Lieutenant, Nibui. A demand of his for the entire division, but why? During his temporary leadership over the Eleventh, he had decided that he would attempt to reforge the perspective that most had on the Eleventh, regardless of how true it was. Alongside this, he had hoped that this would not calm, but refine the thirst for battle that these Shinigami possessed, spars and training sessions would remain a daily activity of the division, a majority of their day being dedicated to that exactly.
What of this Lieutenant though? Where were they during this odd time? Still in their office, a single hand clasped tightly along the handle of his Zanpakuto, Jubokko, as the other hand remains attached to the sheath of the blade, holding onto it just as tight. Eyes closed, with his thoughts focused elsewhere. A flat landscape, bare of landmarks, bar one. Off-white sands remained still, untouched by even nature itself, as far as the eye could see. The skies a dull grey, a complete cloud cover, it was a rather dreary sight to behold not a ray of sunlight broke through. Such a lack of colour between the land and sky together, some would go insane given a short time. The lack of any sounds other than the footsteps of those who entered the domain, it was eerie. The temperature in this world was neither cold, nor hot, it a perfect balance, something that could not truly be felt. The only landmark, a tree. A tree reaching a meager three meters up, it’s trunk bent in a shape found mostly in the likes of Bonsai trees, similar to what Nibui had been taking care of previously. Continuing on the same route, the leaves resembled that of the smaller tree as well, a crimson colour with no hint of the green any other tree would harbour. This was Jubokko.
Stepping along this granulated surface, one couldn’t help but notice the brittle cracking and crunching with each step, nothing like snow or sand, rather, it was the sound of bone breaking. With a few steps between Nibui and Jubokko, the Shinigami’s eyes gazed upon the tree in its entirety for a few seconds before finally speaking. As with most times he speaks, his words come out with a soft tone, if not spoken a bit too quietly, seeming as though he had just woken up.
“I imagine that didn’t do much for your awful attitude?”
Devoid of a source, another voice, one that translated any emotion and desire, perfectly. Although, there were few emotions and desires within this being. Rage and bloodlust, those were the only things that seemed present. The disembodied voice, it was raspy, aggressive and each word, regardless of its intentions was loud and boisterous.
“I’ve told you a thousand times over, I don’t want plants. You REFUSE to give me what I want!”
It was true, Jubokko had made it clear, on countless occasions just what he wanted, blood. Sadly this was against Nibui’s own ideals, sad for Jubokko that was. Though, sadly for Nibui, he was required to do just that, spill blood. Regardless of what either wanted, both conditions would be met in some form, some time. Their meeting would prove to be a brief one, both the Shinigami and Zanpakuto spirit were firmly planted in their own desires and refused to budge. With a deep sigh and his eyes closing, Nibui would make his exit with the same parting words he undoubtedly had put to use many times with Jubokko.
“Ah.. That is a shame, I’ll keep trying to find something.”
And with that, he was gone, opening his eyes to the interior of his office once more. His eyes briefly glancing over the dying plant he had failed to nurture. Slinging his Zanpakuto back into it’s sash as it would be placed normally, upon his back, he would finally stand himself up. Momentarily stood on his chair he would hop off the chair, making his way toward the door of his office, out of his little sanctum and out toward the courtyard of the Eleventh’s barracks. The sound of clashing training implements filling his ears once more, accompanied by the shouts and battlecries of those taking part in such practice. It was a sound that most would find irritating, to hear it from day to night without break, Nibui felt at peace with it, it was something he had grown accustomed to with his own practice and even grown to enjoy. That peace, however, it was soon interrupted by screams of another kind.
Agony.
As the unmistakable cries of agony filled the area, the Lieutenant, who was not but a few steps from his office, he had vanished at that very instance. He could be found in the center of the courtyard where his eyes and ears lead him to the source of these cries. The agents who had been skulking in the shadows, currently cocooned in thorny vines. Regardless of the agent’s abilities in comparison to Nibui, these tendrils were something impressive, to catch a number of assumedly highly trained members of the Onmitsukido, impressive indeed. The obvious victims of the vines, did not discard the idea that perhaps some of the members of his division had come under similar effects. This lead the young Lieutenant to make a sweep of the barracks, analyzing the situation to confirm that the only ones to come under such effects were those of the Onmitsukido. The inspection was a quick one, ending with a subtle sigh of relief.
Making his route toward the main entrance of the Eleventh division’s barracks, he seemed to begin to prepare himself. But why? That was to come shortly. As he reached the main gate, he would turn his back to the gate, facing in towards the barracks themselves. A deep and lengthy inhale. Following that, a deafening command that was uttered from the small-framed Lieutenant. This command was intended for every member of the Eleventh division, being audible all throughout their facilities as clear as day, and further beyond the boundaries of these barracks.
“LISTEN UP! THERE IS NOT BE A SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO CAUSE TROUBLE OUTSIDE OF THESE WALLS! ANY OF ONE OF YOU THAT DISREGARDS THIS WILL DEAL WITH ME PERSONALLY!”
It was uncharacteristic of Nibui to let loose such a thunderous voice but he had a goal and it was one he intended to complete. Initially it was one set for the temporary time in which he took charge of the division, that however had changed now, he had intended to complete this task, regardless of a captains presence or not. This was clear now.
Following this impressively out of character action of his, his back would be turned toward the rest of the barracks, pushing his way past the gates of the department and making his way towards the closest of the victims of these vines that had ensnared them. Despite his inability to care for his own plants, he could definitely tell that these vines were in some spectacular condition and seemed to be growing stronger over time, truly a sight to behold. As he gazed upon the vegetation, enamoured by its state, he finally came to, remembering that there was actually a person within. He himself, hated spilling blood but this was not his doing and as such he truly had no qualms with it, regardless, he wanted answers. Nibui’s left hand had found itself bound to the hilt of his Zanpakuto, drawing the sealed blade in its entirety. With but a single horizontal cut separated, one that seemed void of motion from Nibui, the base of the vine was now separated from the rest of its body, the cocoon itself falling to the floor. Although something was worrying about the vines themselves. They were remarkably durable, despite the presentation given by Nibui. A master in his craft, regardless of his cut being perfectly successful, he was capable of differentiating the details of the cut. This in particular had proven to be something that perhaps a majority of Shinigami would fail to bisect.
As the pod fell to the side, a few more slices here and there. These however would require a finesse and precision so as not to butcher the victim within the tomb of vines. Regardless of how delicate and accurate his cuts remained, the extraction of the body, whether alive or dead would be a gruesome one, considering the thorns that protruded from the vines. One, two, three and four. Four incisions that formed a rhombus human sized door that one could pry from its original place and that was exactly what Nibui would do. Without delay, after the dissection of the pod, Jubokko’s blade would have been slipped between the gap of the newly separated sections of the vines, only to push the diamond shaped slab of vines to the side to reveal the agent within. As his eyes finally lay their gaze upon the member within, not a second thought was needed. His free hand was plunged into the core of the pod to grasp at the uniform of the Onmitsukido. With an iron handed grasp on the collar of the uniform, he would forcefully pry the agent from their assumed early grave. That grasp would remain however, fingers remaining clamped down on the clothing, hoisting the body up into the air single handedly, his gaze lingering on the pod to keep an eye on anything that might have occurred within those short moments of its destruction.
Shortly after, his charcoal orbs finally returned to their original point of curiosity, the one they had pried from within the vines. There was not much Nibui expected to get from them but he had a question or two. Keeping the target held off the ground, it was a rather silly sight to behold. Such a small figure holding up another in such a manner. Regardless, the nature of this moment was one that was no joke. At the moment, Nibui wasn’t truly aware of whether or not his newly found interrogation target was alive or not, he was lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out why any of these events had taken place.
”Oi, you must be one of the Onmitsukido.. Explain to me what you were doing surrounding my division’s barracks. I would recommend you comply and answer if you’re not a fan of being used as a new training dummy, or perhaps a drying rack.”
Nibui was being as honest as he normally was, these threats were not empty one. It was clear that the presence of these shadows had unsettled him to some degree, leaving him with ideas that there were parties conspiring against the brutish division. Something he simply couldn't allow. The other worry of his was the vines that had effectively consumed the rest of these assassins, although at the moment they had proved rather useful.
