Dead silent, the Onmitsukido agent was completely unresponsive. Limbs hung limply to the side as Nibui held the agent by the collar of their attire. It was a shame, Nibui wanted some answers, although he doubted he would get much out of the man. In his haste to find something of an answer, something to clear up the confusion, he had admired the vines that sprouted but never put two and two together. Placing the Second Division lackey back into the ‘pod’, it was almost as if he was tucking a child into bed before covering the opening he had cut open, with the missing piece. As he did so, his mind began to drift to the vines, it didn’t take long at all, he knew exactly the source of these vines. Someone who he had entrusted with a task of great importance, on multiple occasions. To tend to the life of his plants, he had done so a countless amount of times in the past and would undoubtedly continue to do so into the future. Honoka Oki, how many years had it been since she had been a member of the Eleventh alongside Nibui? He couldn’t quite recall, but since then she had grown and reached for greater heights, becoming the Head Lieutenant, it was an achievement none could look down on.
Once again, his thoughts became derailed, following a tangent of reminiscing. Collecting his focus once more, he would return to his initial task. Ensuring the threat, or at least potential threat was no more. At the moment he was stood at the main gate of the barracks and all seemed as calm as they could be, considering the now motionless souls within the vines. He had hoped not to delay this examination any further than he already had and with that, he was gone without a trace. From the main gate, he would trace the outer walls of the barracks, inspecting each and every entrance as well as vicinity around the barracks themselves. The scene was the same at every passage to and from the barracks, organic prisons of a rather brutal nature, feeding off the poor saps stuck within. As far as Nibui was concerned, everything was up to the standard. If he was to be proven wrong, he would need to atone for his mistake. At the end of the survey of the area, Nibui had found his way back to the main entrance of the division where he would return his admiring gaze back to the vines that had abducted the agents of shadows. Just as he wished, he hadn’t taken too long, but a few minutes, five at a maximum.
As he, internally, praised the condition these vines were in, his ears seemed to almost perk up, taking notice to what had happened following the screams of the Onmitsukido, everything within the division’s barracks seemed to return to their usual, the clattering sound of wood against wood, the bokken used for training. Battle cries, ones mostly unnecessary but the shinigami of this division were unnaturally enthusiastic about Zanjutsu. Nibui was no different. He continued to listen to this anthem of theirs and a thought struck him not but a minute later. Was he wasting too much time? Not just in his duties as the Lieutenant and Substitute Captain of his division, but in developing his skills too. It had been a century now since his attempt at taking Captaincy for his division and he had been decimated. Had it not been for his already self-depreciative nature, he would have definitely transitioned to a point where he lacked any sort of confidence. Much like he did this very day. Another tangent of thought as he stood there.
Did his subordinates even like him? He doubted it, after all he had been trying to change the division to improve it’s reputation. Although, perhaps he was going about it the wrong way? Again he would doubt his choices and himself. These strings personal abuse would continue on for a good while, all until the brash appearance of Jinnosuke. His focus snapping back to the matter at hand.
" Aye, Vice i'm here to make sure you aren't dead.”
Vice? It was true Nibui was not a confident person by any regard but there was still some respect that was demanded by his position. The mannerisms of the taller Shinigami had irked him, although he would not let it affect anything, only letting a soft sigh escape his lips at that moment. Not only that but his comment, surely he didn’t think of Nibui as someone who would keel over so quickly? Despite his outlook on what had transpired, he could not stay stuck on it for too long, there were bigger cogs in motion, pieces being moved into play, this is where his attention was required.
" Found you, Nibui. Any chance you know what's going on? I was with Captain Kojima and Captain Kagayaki, were checking the Divisions and then meeting back around Central After we check on everyone. You all okay here?"
Ah.. Again, it reared its ugly head, that lack of respect, perhaps it was just the man’s nature, he wouldn’t hold it against Jinnosuke but he couldn’t help but feel as though he had just been punched, twice, mentally. At the very least, alongside that which upset him, Jinnosuke had come with a good intention, commendable. As for the answers to his questions, there was little to think about and Nibui’s response would be a rather simple one.
”I know where these vines come from, but I don’t know why exactly there were Onmitsukido agents surrounding the barracks. From what you’ve told me I can only assume they’ve done the same to the other divisions. I’ll make my way to the First Division’s barracks. We’ll get some answers there.”
As he finished speaking, even he, who himself possessed an absurd amount of Reiryoku and at that had an extremely limited sensory for these sort of things, he would come under some shock at the source which he felt very briefly. Someone beyond him and anyone else. His entire body pivoted to face the direction of the First Division’s Barracks. The sudden flare of Reiatsu, it was monumental, it demanded respect, regardless of who you were. Now facing the direction of this dominating presence, he would finally take note of the barrier that had been erected, his focus previously had been elsewhere but now his eyes were opened to the extent of the Second Division’s advances. The fractures and fissures that formed along the barrier, they were indeed impressive, only making more of a statement for the man who had caused them. They, would not need help but Nibui was far too curious to simply continue on without a reason for such an insurrection.
Whilst he was facing away from Jinnosuke, Nibui would speak once more, simply to reaffirm what he intended to do.
”I’m heading to Central Seireitei to get the answers I need, you’re free to either stay here or follow. They don’t need our help, the First Division is more than capable of handling themselves in any circumstance. And I’ll take you up on that offer for the strawberry.”
Once again rotating around to face Jinnosuke, he reached out, his index finger and thumb clasping softly at one of the strawberries before making his way to the First Division Barracks. He was in no hurry but he seemed almost excited for some reason and as such, he would take off with haste. Taking to the roof tops with a single bound, he would move not in strides but forward leaps. Each time a foot met the shingles of either a roof or one of the many walls of the Seireitei, he was gone again. While he was small, there was an impressive force behind each launch, propelling the Lieutenant toward his destination with a considerable speed and efficiency.
Northwest Seireitei → Central Seireitei
