8 Months Ago
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“Now this…… is much better. It seems like in the month that you’ve been in here, we’ve made more progress together than we’ve had in years.”
Jūryoku
The Zanpakuto Spirit of Izanagi Kiyoshi. A being who asks for so little. Yet, his demands had remained unheard of, and unspoken of for centuries. Now that the 3rd Seat had remained broken, completely and utterly destroyed by the devastating power of the God-King himself. The Zanpakuto Spirit seeing nothing but opportunity, seized the moment. To finally lock-in, and sit the lazy shinigami down. Force him to commune, force him to realize his true potential, so that he may be prepared to fight another day.
On top of the mental and physical trauma 4th Division had to struggle to cure over time, it didn’t help that the 3rd Seat was forcibly locked within his own inner world. Only to be released, when the 3rd Seat himself stumbles upon a stunning revelation….
“While your understanding of my power is getting better, this as a whole isn’t going to help you succeed.”
-Visual now pans to Izanagi, sweating profusely inside of his inner world. Seemingly speechless, as he gasps constantly. His hands, adorned with gloves that are emitting a constant surge of purple reiatsu-
“Everything about you, is unrefined. When I stare into the depths of your soul, all I see is someone pretending to be something they are not. Someone in a perpetual loop of trying to find out who they are. When the answer has been in front of you the entire time. This demon, that’s been inside of you…. Is all but a portion of your true power. A force emitted in your soul, designed to protect you regardless of your progression as a spiritual being. While powerful indeed…… as you see, the entity pales in comparison to the enemies you’ll be facing. This is why you need to-“
Suddenly the voice fades out, Izanagi feels the confines of his inner world sinking beneath him. The outsides crumbling and caving on top of him. As the manifestation of his Zanpakuto, slowly devolved into a smoky image. One thing circled through Izanagi’s mind, as the rest of his consciousness was pulling himself together.
Become stronger
Coming off of the devastating events of the World of the Living, the Seireitei as a whole struggled to mitigate the effects of this travesty as a whole. Shizuka’s stabilizing and recovery effort was all in all extremely short. 12th Division already having experience with the current Vizards. Albeit the power was a completely different source from the entity that infected Captain Yugure and the others. At the end of the day it was forcing Hollowfication upon the soul. With these setbacks out of the way he would soon try to return as soon as he could to continue the sole mission of Tenth Division. With several occurrences of his Hollow re-emerging, and the overlying question of his all but useless Bankai now. Shizuka was shut down completely and relieved of his duties as Lieutenant, after one month. Spending the rest of his days in 1st Division, training with the Captain-Commander to completely retain control of his inner hollow.
However, before his departure, the former Lieutenant of the 10th Division still made sure to re-establish the division in order to circumvent the loss of himself.
His first course of action, was briefing the now revived Izanagi. Who had just come off of being put into a coma for a month. Shizuka thought of the young Kiyoshi, as a brother. Seeing and feeling his comrade be completely dispatched in the battlefield, put a feeling of dismay in Shizuka’s heart. In his feelings, he wanted his brother to be out there protecting the city. He wanted to fight side-by-side, the same way he rarely got to fight with his own former superior. Sadly, it was…. Impossible. Izanagi was too inexperienced, too green, influent in the art of being a Shinigami, and to top it all off, he didn’t even know Bankai. All of these things were present within Shizuka, even when he was a 3rd Seat himself. When Higen, Fuyuko, and Shizuka were controlling the reigns of 10th Division. All of them were profound in the arts of a Shinigami, all of them obtaining their second releases. Their operation was flawless, it was truly a steady era for the Gotei 13 when during this time period. Now handed off to Shizuka, it had seemed as if the Division was moving towards a downhill spiral. With the blatant arrival of the Arrancar, establishing their forces. Things needed to change, and quickly.
For years upon end, most occasions the Commander never had to step foot into Naruki City. He relied on Shizuka with all of the faith and hope he had, knowing his 3rd Seat was extremely reliable and capable in completing his task. Could Shizuka feel the same? Could the Raiken truly entrust the city to Izanagi? The inner doubt combined with the emergence of his overbearing Hollow’s personality said no. While Shizuka’s heart and soul easily said yes. One of the strongest forms of conflict he had to ever face in his stint as a Shinigami, but Raiken knew what he had to do.
Pans to the Central Courtyard in 10th Division. There Shizuka stands with Izanagi admist of crowd of hundreds of members, all exuberant for Izanagi’s return from a coma.
Shizuka stares at Izanagi, his face carrying a worlds worth of sorrow in it. Embarrassed for himself, for the words he was about to utter. While it would be much easier to make it a secret, hide it amongst the seated members in 10th. They didn’t operate like this at all. Everything was transparent, everyone was family, if Shizuka couldn’t make a tough decisions even against his own family, he would never be able to lead. This would only be the first step.
“Everyone can I have your attention!”
Shizuka spoke loud enough, to even quiet down the rumblings from hundreds of his men.
“As you all know, I am one of the happiest members of Tenth Division right now. Glad to see my brother, brought back to us after fighting valiantly in the World of the Living! But…… with that being said, even with Izanagi’s return. It’s apparent that we as a Division, need to become stronger-“
Signs of confusion struck throughout the crowd, as the murmurs began to escalate again. Just where was their leader going with this speech?
“The level we are at now, isn’t enough. While we did survive, it is almost guaranteed that we won’t survive now in our current states again. So with that in mind, me and Izanagi are both being relieved of our seats, effect immediately.”
“WHAT!!???”
“He’s joking right??”
“This is too harsh, why are they doing this!”
“This is our fault. We’re too weak.”
Shortly after this revelation. Shizuka takes a trio of Shinigami away from the commotion.
Panning to the seemingly unused Captain’s Quarter’s of Tenth Division
With the help of Higen Kagayaki, who also despite his current role, still bleeds the division in his veins. Allowed Shizuka, to restructure and add new key players to help with stabilize the foundation of his former division. Shoumetsu Takahiro from 11th Division, another key survivor from the battle of against the God-King. Was appointed as the standing Lieutenant of 10th Division. His mettle and acumen as 3rd Seat previously in 11th, along with a personal recommendation from Shizuka helped aid his promotion. Another recommendation from Shizuka himself was the addition of Shusuke Kiyoshi. A powerful shinigami, formerly the Vice-Captain of 9th Division. One who has access to the rare second release himself, willing to drop himself down to 5th Seat. All to help his cousin who was in dire need. These changes also served to spark and expedite a special transfer of a distinguished breed. Tsunayashiro and Kuchiki drilled into his veins, Masahiko Kuchiki was immediately placed into 10th Division amidst the conflict. Avoiding the touching an unseated position and immediately be signed to 7th Seat.
Shizuka knew his division would be in safe hands with these wealthy additions to the cause. Though there was still one more thing that needed to be checked off before he left. In the Captain’s room, Shizuka led Izanagi, Shoumetsu, and Shusuke down into a secret opening behind the desk of the former Captain’s. They trailed down a a near endless flight of steps, the 3 soldiers confused upon their whereabouts until they saw….
A crystalline cavern, an energy radiating from the entire room unlike one they have never felt before. To those newly attending it would feel like a holy sanctum, a place they should never defile for they are blessed to even be in the presence of such a thing. To Shizuka, it only brought about grueling memories.
When completely touching down, Shizuka would look back at his fellow Shinigami. The seriousness in his demeanor, striking all of them simultaneously.
“Now before I leave, I needed to show you 3 specifically this room. This is where I want you all to train until I come back. Teach Izanagi on how to manifest his Zanpakuto Spirit in here, so he can begin the next step of his evolution.”
It was only a matter of time before Izanagi would be welcomed into this sanctuary. Now it was up to himself on what he would do for the next 8 months. Grinding away his life in these chambers hidden from the public eye. If the former 3rd Seat wanted to regain his position back. He would only be able to do it, upon acquiring the heavily sought out power.
Bankai.
Present Day
Over the course of those 8 months, that fateful day, started the complete restoration of the pride of the Tenth Division.
Tosu Shohei, 3rd Seat and Leader of the LTF, stepped into the limelight. Albeit reluctant to take credit for anything he does, he had become the motor for the LTF in lieu of a relieved Izanagi. Commanding the unit as a whole for their expeditions and endeavors. Coordinating successful missions throughout his short run in this role. Just as he had done several months ago in Naruki City, to save Shizuka. While lazing about, trying to escape his newfound duties once more. The hidden 3rd Seat, was intercepted by an important text message dropped in his Denreishinki.
Sango Tsutsui, the now 6th Seat, and Leader of the Naruki-City Expedition Unit. Has been working endlessly to fill in the shoes of those who they had lost. Becoming completely in-tune with the World of the Living, Sango has been investigating and keeping up with the sighting and appearance of multiple fullbringers. While still maintaining to be hidden completely from the eyes of Stephania.
Accompanied by another member of her unit, Hashidearu Kanojo, 4th Seat of Tenth. The two have been making ridiculous strides within the city, intertwining themselves amongst the humans. The two women, are currently in the middle of an outing within Naruki City. When they both receive a text simultaneously, from their Denreishinki.
Shusuke Kiyoshi, 5th Seat, and Leader of the Reconnaissance/Stealth Unit. Aside from using his all encompassing Zanpakuto abilities to scour the depths of Naruki entirely, Shusuke has been using these months to prepare his cousin Izanagi for the oncoming threat. Being a master of his own Zanpakuto, and astute as a Shinigami in all ways. He has been imparting key knowledge to the unseated Kiyoshi over the time being.
And Izanagi who is desperate to learn said knowledge, has been prying endlessly, while also forming a bond that the two have never truly had. Being estranged for so long, now they can come together to bolster Tenth Division, and simultaneously bolster the Kiyoshi in strength as a whole. While these two are unable to receive messages in their current location. Shusuke being as resourceful as he is, knew about the specific date in which today was. With his 2nd Division training, allowing him to always keep a ear out for such things.
Finally, locked into the lessons provided by 10th Division’s Zanjutsu Instructor, Masahiko Kuchiki continues to make strides in his growth amongst the division. With his ulterior motive in mind being the restoration of the Kuchiki as a whole and acceptance between the two families he has born into. The young royal, knows that the only way people will acknowledge him, is through the way of his sword. Spearheading him into learning and absorbing knowledge from reputable masters of the art.
To which there were very few master suchs as the one who standing before him. Leading these lessons amongst a good amount of Tenth Division soldiers. Shoumetsu Takahiro, former 3rd Seat of the bruiser division, Eleventh. Cultivated by the now reigning Kenpachi Hageshi, Shoumetsu had been pulling the strings for the division in place of Shizuka himself. Finding his own power inadequate against the God-King, along with the drive and determination of his long time friend Izanagi, Shoumetsu had to completely rid himself of his weaknesses. Further forging himself in the fire, re-learning the basic, and training his newly acquired power vigorously. The new Lieutenant of Tenth Division more than equipped to take on the reigns of leadership. Even taking a small mentorship role towards the young Kuchiki, to help further his abilities. During the middle of this class, Shoumetsu propped open his Denreishinki, and sent a personal message for strictly all seated members of Tenth besides the one who was currently training within his Dojo. It was short, and sweet, but it got the point across, everyone receiving the message would respond in a different way. Whether it be joy, surprise, or nervousness, it would all be valid. For the first time, in 8 months they would finally be seeing the new Captain of their Division. Hearing of his rise to the Captain’s Seat over the course of months was a cause for celebration. Actually seeing the man himself, after the worry he had caused them on that fateful day 9 months ago. Should reinvigorate the entire division, and start their new journey…
Of becoming the strongest division in the Gotei Thirteen
