BSD
Administrator
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In the seconds that pass while he awaits Himari’s answer, the Captain has visited several places within his mind. He returns to his days in youth, a mere child raised alongside other children. He sees himself as he was, watching his transformation as the boy grows into a man, becoming colder, sharper, and more distant. He watches as a younger Kyomu stands before a smaller and younger Yasu, the girl rugged, dirty. At first glance she was but a dirty piece of coal laying discarded on the ground, next to others who hailed from more dignified backgrounds, or were more nurtured in terms of training, practice. Their confidence and goals set out, they were like slightly polished jewels...incomparable to the young Rukongai peasant child.
What others perceived as coal, Kyomu saw otherwise. He could perceive that it was not coal, but carbon that lay before him. While to the layman it appeared dirty, plain and inconsequential, time and pressure...that’s all that was needed to transform that carbon into a piece of diamond. And so the young Captain took the girl under his tutelage, where she would have time to grow under the constant pressure that was him. Young Yasu’s form soon becomes overlapped with her current adult self, as Kyomu stares at her haori covered back, the mark of Ninth Division emblazoned upon it. It had been a long and arduous road, one that was not always easy, nor were they always happy but...he wasn’t wrong in his assessment. He had no regrets, she had proven her worth and by succeeding in becoming a Captain, proven that both his methods and his assessment were correct and effective.
Time...and pressure.
”I want to be someone to be feared. I’m sick of being the one in fear, it’s time for that to change. I always want to be someone who helps. But my fear has done nothing but get in the way. I want to be someone a captain wouldn’t ever hesitate to call on. Someone you won’t regret allowing to join your squad.”
The Captain turns, pulled from his thoughts by Himari’s voice. His expression remains as it had been, no evidence of his mind drifting into remembrance, or what he was thinking at all displayed upon his face. He listens to the woman, and while she is not being dishonest, he perceives that there is still more. Fear, hesitation, doubt — all these fetters still cling to the woman, weighing her down. He ponders on if what he is looking at is a piece of coal cast off by the wayside, or..if like before she is a slab of carbon requiring his patience, demanding both time and pressure as Yasu did before.
”I do not want you to become strong.”
Startling words, especially coming from a Captain, and the infamous killer to boot. What Superior wouldn’t want a strong subordinate? More importantly, Himari had come to him for the sole purpose of seeking strength, becoming stronger...if he didn’t want that for her, what reason was she there? Had all she suffered and endured up until this point been for nothing?
”Do not focus on becoming stronger, or strength. What I want you to focus on..is efficiency.”
The Captain turns to fully face his blue haired subordinate, eyes looking through the girl. While the Captain’s face bears no expression, exhibits no hint of emotion, the air around him lacks the sharp coldness that often befalls those weaker than him when in his presence. His words are calm, and surprisingly he does not berate or insult the woman in any way.
”In the Mukuro clan whenever someone is dispatched out on a mission, the criteria on who to send isn’t who is the strongest, but rather who is more effective. Any item around or on you can be wielded and used as a weapon, but what item, what tool, what weapon would be the most efficient? How should you approach the mission, the opponent? What strike or Kido would be the most effective against them in this moment? When is the best time to advance, when should you retreat. If taking a blow is unavoidable how can you move and where can you position their strike that would cause the least amount of impairment on your ability?”
As he speaks and begins asking questions it is, or rather should be apparent that the questions are rhetorical in nature. She isn’t in an instance of combat, there is no enemy she is facing right now, rather the Captain poses things that she should think about, shifting her perspective on what it means to actually be strong. While the Captain is perceived to be strong, he himself has never pursued strength. As an assassin he focuses on the most optimal means of completing the task at hand, be it in killing or any of his other duties. Unlike many of his peers, the Captain is not used to fighting, and so whenever he was called upon to proctor those Captain hopefuls, he became faced with a new challenge learning that he was forbidden from killing them. Killing the enemy or opponent is all he had ever known, if he couldn’t even do that..then how could he complete the mission? He needed to then adjust his perspective, where could he strike or cut them that would deal the most damage without actually taking their life? How shallow did the wounds need to be, how much slower did he need to move, and how much strength did he need to hold back in his swings?
These are questions that became second nature for him to subconsciously consider, it's what he wished to instill in anyone under his supervision.
”Being feared may feel good, but it's a momentary high. A meaningless pursuit.”
He begins approaching her, stopping at her side. He rests a hand on her left shoulder, his eyes ever ahead of him.
”I’d cut the throat of a brave man who didn’t fear me, just as I’d cut the throat of a coward whimpering at my shadow. Their perception of you isn’t what’s important..all that matters is what you yourself can accomplish. Let’s go.”
He heads back to the others who were waiting for his return with Himari meant to be following closely behind him. He pauses to glance towards the young Oda. Ochitsuki had made a request of him regarding a potential threat, and at first it seemed Kyomu had dismissed or ignored what he said entirely given he hadn’t given the man a response.
”Wait. We will assess the situation properly after everything is settled. And..if in the end it's determined that there is no merit in letting them live. Then, you can kill it.”
It. That was how he referred to the prisoner. Not a person, but rather a thing. With that the matter was done. His eyes then shift over to the young Hitsugaya, stepping up to the boy, towering over him. There is an intensity in the Captain’s gaze that seems to bore through the smaller male.
”Did you think I wouldn’t say anything? That you were somehow exempt from the rules?”
He questions the boy, a question that seems to come out of the blue. What had Shinotori done to upset the Captain so? What rule was he talking about that had seemingly been broken?
”Inside the Nest of Maggots no weapons are allowed..including Zanpakuto regardless of their form. Your zanpakuto may be stuck in its released state, and may not take the form of a conventional weapon...but none of that matters. Should you, wielding a zanpakuto become compromised in the Nest then you become that much more of a liability. If you’re entering the Nest, seal it. If you claim your zanpakuto can not be sealed, remove them. If you wish to claim that you cannot even accomplish that measly task, dive into the deepest parts of your soul and demand the knowledge on how to remove those gauntlets or remain outside the Nest..”
Every word spoken came out like finely sharpened blades, coated and laced with venom. The Captain’s displeasure was blatant, palpable. He locks eyes on the boy, if Kyomu as the Captain followed the rules and tenets down to the letter, then who was he to do otherwise? The Phantom’s eyes narrow further, as he recalls Ochitsuki and Yugen’s respective reports about the happenings in the division while he was away. He recalls that Shinotori had entered the nest, the area where Himari was undergoing her training, and then ventured to another area alongside Ochitsuki. This meant that even then, Shinotori had been walking around inside the Nest wielding his Zanpakuto.
”This will be the last time you enter the Nest without being able to remove your gauntlets...your, zanpakuto. If you can’t remove it yourself I’ll simply cut off your arms so you can leave them behind. Maybe in your time without them you might uncover some little trick to free yourself from your shikai.”
He shoots his eyes towards Ochitsuki and Oyama, making sure both of them as the highest seated members understood this, especially Ochitsuki. They were NOT to allow Shinotori into the Nest while in possession of his Shikai which, if they were not aware, would now come to know that it was the gauntlets the white haired boy wore.
”We’re leaving.”
He proceeds onward, passing back through the horde of zombie-like prisoners who naturally lumbered out of their path. Like before, it is a journey of silence that quickly comes to an end when he reaches the top of the steps. Those guarding that side of the door knock twice, signaling their comrades standing just outside. The door is opened, and Kyomu leads the group in exiting. He is immediately presented with his tools and Genzoken, the Captain taking his time to secure his array of blades and items in their respective hiding places before reclaiming his zanpakuto.
”I’m heading out now, remember your orders. Himari...don’t forget my words. Shinotori...hurry up if you’re coming.”
He kicks off into a shunpo, his form wisping away as he leaves those choosing to remain behind to fulfill their roles. While this time he did not move at a pace where Shinotori could follow him, being able to perceive the Captain was meaningless. Thanks to the announcements of the Ninth Division’s very own Captain, and the various advertisements presented by her division the Hitsugaya was well aware of the meeting place for the participants of the games. Things were getting closer and closer to kicking off.
While traveling he couldn’t help but hope for a swift conclusion to this event.
[From Southeast Sereitei to Rukongai]
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In the seconds that pass while he awaits Himari’s answer, the Captain has visited several places within his mind. He returns to his days in youth, a mere child raised alongside other children. He sees himself as he was, watching his transformation as the boy grows into a man, becoming colder, sharper, and more distant. He watches as a younger Kyomu stands before a smaller and younger Yasu, the girl rugged, dirty. At first glance she was but a dirty piece of coal laying discarded on the ground, next to others who hailed from more dignified backgrounds, or were more nurtured in terms of training, practice. Their confidence and goals set out, they were like slightly polished jewels...incomparable to the young Rukongai peasant child.
What others perceived as coal, Kyomu saw otherwise. He could perceive that it was not coal, but carbon that lay before him. While to the layman it appeared dirty, plain and inconsequential, time and pressure...that’s all that was needed to transform that carbon into a piece of diamond. And so the young Captain took the girl under his tutelage, where she would have time to grow under the constant pressure that was him. Young Yasu’s form soon becomes overlapped with her current adult self, as Kyomu stares at her haori covered back, the mark of Ninth Division emblazoned upon it. It had been a long and arduous road, one that was not always easy, nor were they always happy but...he wasn’t wrong in his assessment. He had no regrets, she had proven her worth and by succeeding in becoming a Captain, proven that both his methods and his assessment were correct and effective.
Time...and pressure.
”I want to be someone to be feared. I’m sick of being the one in fear, it’s time for that to change. I always want to be someone who helps. But my fear has done nothing but get in the way. I want to be someone a captain wouldn’t ever hesitate to call on. Someone you won’t regret allowing to join your squad.”
The Captain turns, pulled from his thoughts by Himari’s voice. His expression remains as it had been, no evidence of his mind drifting into remembrance, or what he was thinking at all displayed upon his face. He listens to the woman, and while she is not being dishonest, he perceives that there is still more. Fear, hesitation, doubt — all these fetters still cling to the woman, weighing her down. He ponders on if what he is looking at is a piece of coal cast off by the wayside, or..if like before she is a slab of carbon requiring his patience, demanding both time and pressure as Yasu did before.
”I do not want you to become strong.”
Startling words, especially coming from a Captain, and the infamous killer to boot. What Superior wouldn’t want a strong subordinate? More importantly, Himari had come to him for the sole purpose of seeking strength, becoming stronger...if he didn’t want that for her, what reason was she there? Had all she suffered and endured up until this point been for nothing?
”Do not focus on becoming stronger, or strength. What I want you to focus on..is efficiency.”
The Captain turns to fully face his blue haired subordinate, eyes looking through the girl. While the Captain’s face bears no expression, exhibits no hint of emotion, the air around him lacks the sharp coldness that often befalls those weaker than him when in his presence. His words are calm, and surprisingly he does not berate or insult the woman in any way.
”In the Mukuro clan whenever someone is dispatched out on a mission, the criteria on who to send isn’t who is the strongest, but rather who is more effective. Any item around or on you can be wielded and used as a weapon, but what item, what tool, what weapon would be the most efficient? How should you approach the mission, the opponent? What strike or Kido would be the most effective against them in this moment? When is the best time to advance, when should you retreat. If taking a blow is unavoidable how can you move and where can you position their strike that would cause the least amount of impairment on your ability?”
As he speaks and begins asking questions it is, or rather should be apparent that the questions are rhetorical in nature. She isn’t in an instance of combat, there is no enemy she is facing right now, rather the Captain poses things that she should think about, shifting her perspective on what it means to actually be strong. While the Captain is perceived to be strong, he himself has never pursued strength. As an assassin he focuses on the most optimal means of completing the task at hand, be it in killing or any of his other duties. Unlike many of his peers, the Captain is not used to fighting, and so whenever he was called upon to proctor those Captain hopefuls, he became faced with a new challenge learning that he was forbidden from killing them. Killing the enemy or opponent is all he had ever known, if he couldn’t even do that..then how could he complete the mission? He needed to then adjust his perspective, where could he strike or cut them that would deal the most damage without actually taking their life? How shallow did the wounds need to be, how much slower did he need to move, and how much strength did he need to hold back in his swings?
These are questions that became second nature for him to subconsciously consider, it's what he wished to instill in anyone under his supervision.
”Being feared may feel good, but it's a momentary high. A meaningless pursuit.”
He begins approaching her, stopping at her side. He rests a hand on her left shoulder, his eyes ever ahead of him.
”I’d cut the throat of a brave man who didn’t fear me, just as I’d cut the throat of a coward whimpering at my shadow. Their perception of you isn’t what’s important..all that matters is what you yourself can accomplish. Let’s go.”
He heads back to the others who were waiting for his return with Himari meant to be following closely behind him. He pauses to glance towards the young Oda. Ochitsuki had made a request of him regarding a potential threat, and at first it seemed Kyomu had dismissed or ignored what he said entirely given he hadn’t given the man a response.
”Wait. We will assess the situation properly after everything is settled. And..if in the end it's determined that there is no merit in letting them live. Then, you can kill it.”
It. That was how he referred to the prisoner. Not a person, but rather a thing. With that the matter was done. His eyes then shift over to the young Hitsugaya, stepping up to the boy, towering over him. There is an intensity in the Captain’s gaze that seems to bore through the smaller male.
”Did you think I wouldn’t say anything? That you were somehow exempt from the rules?”
He questions the boy, a question that seems to come out of the blue. What had Shinotori done to upset the Captain so? What rule was he talking about that had seemingly been broken?
”Inside the Nest of Maggots no weapons are allowed..including Zanpakuto regardless of their form. Your zanpakuto may be stuck in its released state, and may not take the form of a conventional weapon...but none of that matters. Should you, wielding a zanpakuto become compromised in the Nest then you become that much more of a liability. If you’re entering the Nest, seal it. If you claim your zanpakuto can not be sealed, remove them. If you wish to claim that you cannot even accomplish that measly task, dive into the deepest parts of your soul and demand the knowledge on how to remove those gauntlets or remain outside the Nest..”
Every word spoken came out like finely sharpened blades, coated and laced with venom. The Captain’s displeasure was blatant, palpable. He locks eyes on the boy, if Kyomu as the Captain followed the rules and tenets down to the letter, then who was he to do otherwise? The Phantom’s eyes narrow further, as he recalls Ochitsuki and Yugen’s respective reports about the happenings in the division while he was away. He recalls that Shinotori had entered the nest, the area where Himari was undergoing her training, and then ventured to another area alongside Ochitsuki. This meant that even then, Shinotori had been walking around inside the Nest wielding his Zanpakuto.
”This will be the last time you enter the Nest without being able to remove your gauntlets...your, zanpakuto. If you can’t remove it yourself I’ll simply cut off your arms so you can leave them behind. Maybe in your time without them you might uncover some little trick to free yourself from your shikai.”
He shoots his eyes towards Ochitsuki and Oyama, making sure both of them as the highest seated members understood this, especially Ochitsuki. They were NOT to allow Shinotori into the Nest while in possession of his Shikai which, if they were not aware, would now come to know that it was the gauntlets the white haired boy wore.
”We’re leaving.”
He proceeds onward, passing back through the horde of zombie-like prisoners who naturally lumbered out of their path. Like before, it is a journey of silence that quickly comes to an end when he reaches the top of the steps. Those guarding that side of the door knock twice, signaling their comrades standing just outside. The door is opened, and Kyomu leads the group in exiting. He is immediately presented with his tools and Genzoken, the Captain taking his time to secure his array of blades and items in their respective hiding places before reclaiming his zanpakuto.
”I’m heading out now, remember your orders. Himari...don’t forget my words. Shinotori...hurry up if you’re coming.”
He kicks off into a shunpo, his form wisping away as he leaves those choosing to remain behind to fulfill their roles. While this time he did not move at a pace where Shinotori could follow him, being able to perceive the Captain was meaningless. Thanks to the announcements of the Ninth Division’s very own Captain, and the various advertisements presented by her division the Hitsugaya was well aware of the meeting place for the participants of the games. Things were getting closer and closer to kicking off.
While traveling he couldn’t help but hope for a swift conclusion to this event.
[From Southeast Sereitei to Rukongai]
