[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Northwest Seireitei

[Shinigami]

A century has come and gone. Time enough for someone to waste it or make significant growth in both their virtues and vices. In the case of the Burst Prince… not a moment was wasted. The only respite has been the rest that was needed before periods of activity. Even in times of mild objectives enlisted of the Eleventh, Hiroka would find a way to make it more difficult for himself. A simple aid for the removal of invading hollows, but with an arm tied behind his back. Delivering something to another squad, but with weights strapped to his legs. There was no task that would come without a method of training. Honing muscles, reactions, and endurance at any opportunity. In some cases, the shinigami hungry for the title of Kenpachi would even resort to deliberately being subject to attacks just to better withstand them in real engagements.
Many of the decades came with the bonding with his zanpakuto, Ikarihime. Experiencing each other's presence through meditation and the usage of Shikai. Tempering his form to the explosive abilities of his weapon and the heat that bled from those ignitions. The heat was capable of reducing the average hollow to ash in a matter of seconds. Over the years his skin furthering in resistance to the flames and concussive force. Hiroka had even managed to find a way to release pent-up heat from both himself and his zanpakuto simply by dragging the heat away with a precise release of his Reiatsu. A tool that would come in handy in prolonged battles where he’d be exposed to the lingering heat of the battle.

This specific training also came with the evolution of his repertoire of tactics that could be used with his destructive powers. Applications that had taken root but now had fully blossomed. Instruments of his resolve conflict by erasing enemies from the battlefield with the heat that can reduce even metal to a liquid in a blink of an eye.
The most difficult hill that had to be overcome was his naivety with combatants that used Kidō. Taking that weakness into account he pressed his fellow division mate Shoumetsu to grow his knowledge and counters to spellcraft. Powering through Bakudo binds, pressuring barriers, and blowing away or matching offensive spells. Introducing these tactics in spars with his peers and testing their limits became something that Hiroka reveled in, though he made sure to keep a few tricks up his sleeves. One never knows when you’ll have to go up against your own. It can be stressful to think too far into something of that matter but given the history of betrayal over the millennia in the Seireitei, it’s never bad to keep a few extra cards tucked away.

Outside of training, the Burst Prince took to improving upon his supportive equipment. The Tendoriru o Tanoshimu, bindings originally of special heat-resistant thread, had been remade using steel-fiber wire which is more durable and thermostable than the former iteration. Eventually came the development of highly condensed metal marbles that weighed several times their size. These were constructed of a material that can retain a massive amount of heat without falling victim to melting. Utilizing both tools can elevate all the combative aspects of Hiroka’s skill set. Imagination being the limiter and the limit breaker.
Time had moved in a blink for the half-blinded shinigami, seemingly like a training montage with jump cuts scattered about. Retaining the muscle memory of every blade crash but the lines between each day blurring. The days continue to be a lot of the same, nothing truly remarkable standing out. Even the remark made by the Eleventh’s Lieutenant, Jinnosuke, seemed very characteristic. Hiroka had primed a response but decided to keep quiet as Shoumetsu was the primary target.
A snap from the haze comes in a simple proposal from their superior and close friend.
"I am thinking of taking some sweets to that little brat Yasu if you want to tag along. It’s a new recipe I tried using some of the humans' strange ingredients, truffle muffin with a ketchup surprise filling. She eats practically everything so be curious if this new recipe is a big hit.”
It had been some time since a solid interaction with their academy classmate, Yasu. Especially since her promotion to that of Captain of the Ninth. As that thought slipped into his mind, he realized he never really congratulated her on the position, his attention had been too focused on the personal growth of himself and his peers. His brow rose to the specific recipe the other male had constructed. Hiroka, having a rather surprising skill for cooking, had come across many seemingly untraditionally complementary ingredients in dishes, but… this seemed wrong by so many means. Though if anyone was going to be able to tolerate such experimentation, it would be Yasu.
”I would not be against visiting her. Though I do not know if those sweets are--- Nevermind. I bet she will enjoy them. That woman could swallow viper venom and think it a pleasant drink with a tingly accompanying feeling. Her stomach has no limits to what it can handle. I can take on a Menos with a blindfold on but taking in a foul smell from something that was intended to be consumed… strikes fear into my gut.”

 

[Shinigami]

Once Hiroka was ready to go Shoumetsu packaged the pastries in hand then headed out of the 11th division barracks with Captain Yasu in mind. The first natural place to check was the location of her division barracks and took off to the building rooftops dashing from one to the other. He looked down at the shinigami who walked below him searching for the shortest one of them all and probably stuffing her face with something, but one of the other reasons he was curious to see her after these 100 years was to see how much she had truly grown. Traveling through the Seireitei seeing some of the shinigami passing by it became obvious that many of its occupants were no longer the same they were before which made a growing eagerness to experience these growths first hand. He glanced around the area with a small moment of silence that elapsed him recalling all that he achieved so far up to this point, but yet it felt like he still had a lot more to go. There was one thing for sure that never changed and that was his dreams to one day let Enshojo walk around outside the confines of his zanpakuto and be free. This was the sole reason he spent his time over the 100 years to get his hands on any information zanpakuto related and past records of unique incidents pertaining to the available.
” We can’t let Yasu get stronger than us. Correction, I refuse to let people continue to leave me behind creating a huge power gap. The day I am finally able to knock Jinnosuke on his ass, I will start my conquest to take on all those who are stronger than me until no one is left or I draw my final breath.
He shot a smug grin at Hiroka with a bit of energy in his step now declaring his vow and fortunately, the universe offered the perfect opportunity for this, the Kenpachi Games upcoming very soon. The title was just nothing more than a title to him, but the only thing he cared about it all was the chance to get to grow stronger by facing so many other opponents. The truth of the matter was only by challenging those who are stronger or equal to you lead to true growth, and the more he thought about this the eagerness swelled up inside causing his bloodlust to start leaking out. Eventually, the sound of the pastry box being crushed snapped him out of his mindset then let out a small chuckle with the sights of the 9th division in the distance soon being spotted.
~Traveling from 11th division → 9th Division~

 

[Shinigami]

Hiroka had left his squadmate’s side just for a few moments, finding a way to his personal corners and being sure to water the plants that hung from the windowsill. His gaze looked at the peaceful lifeforms in a state of contemplation. Keeping up with his personal garden was one hobby that managed to center the scarred male. The task being one that was a remembrance of the past but also something of deep personal symbolism. These florae strive in life with the simple duality of the sun’s warmth and the quenching of their thirst. Hiroka, a being of two separate drives, two major portions to his persona, driven to improve his life by the strengths of the twin resolves. It is what made him thrive, ache, and also mourn the failures of his existence. The past could not be changed but the mistakes could be learned from and used to become an unstoppable force that would not allow what has been done to be repeated. He took in a breath, basking in the heat that seeped in through the portal to the outside. Savoring the sweet scents that took to the air from his colorful friends. A moment the fire was satiated, a moment where nothing else mattered.
That freeze in time could only last for but a moment before he had to return to his reality and rendezvous with his peer. A look of peace metamorphosed into his near-constant stern expression that held neutrality, one that expressed the suppression of the devil inside. Something he does for both himself and the memory of the soul that kept his own in check. The tanned male lowered his water vessel to the ground beneath the plants, pivoting on his heel to face his door. Steps drawing him closer to it as he blindly extended out his left arm towards a single hanging strand of his signature bindings. A small amount of spiritual energy bled from the limb, resulting in the wrapping to coil along the appendage, finding home from hand to shoulder.
Onward his walk resumed to the courtyard where the Third-Seat laid in wait. He approached resting the inside of his arm against the hilt of his zanpakuto, nodding in silence to signal his readiness. Not needing to draw the first word for the other did so.
"We can’t let Yasu get stronger than us. Correction, I refuse to let people continue to leave me behind creating a huge power gap. The day I am finally able to knock Jinnosuke on his ass, I will start my conquest to take on all those who are stronger than me until no one is left or I draw my final breath.”
The concept of growth and power-seeking wasn’t uncommon among a member of the Eleventh, but it meant something else for these two. Something he had known from all their time spent together, but hearing it still managed to draw forth certain emotions. It was as if every new time was the first. This time in particular was one of the few times, if not the only one, that that sentiment specifically targeted their mutual friend. Her rise to Captaincy did push her onto another level beyond them. Even if it was possible either of them could stand as equals in power to her, she managed to achieve what they had failed in. The pair reached too high to the stars in past endeavors and ended up falling from the sky. In Hiroka’s case, it was his own hand at gaining the coveted title he sought, a material proof to the hollow chamber of his being. Another specter of the past that was the most recent stab in his core, one that occurred all but a few decades ago. He gritted his teeth in the already constant awareness that Shoumetsu brought forth. He took a few steps beyond the other, making no effort to turn for a moment, stopping still. His head turned to gesture his attention to the magnetic shinigami, a gesture for it happened to be on the side which the eye held no power to see.
”I can agree with that sentiment. I've allowed myself to be rather nearsighted and it has left me with plenty of setbacks. I'm going to crush every obstacle that gets in my way… I expect the same for you.”
Hiroka’s optics returned in the direction they had to go, breaking up the previous words that resonated outward from his maw. A silence that lasted all but two seconds, but felt as moments for the Burst Prince.
” I will also crush that blonde wizard if given the opportunity. It will be rather cathartic to have a little payback. I’ll admit I was filled with gluttony, that is of my own. But nonetheless, I crave that to be the only returning ripple of time since then.”
His words could melt the very grounds of the Eleventh. The audible sound of his grip tightening within his bindings could be faintly heard. The second verse he uttered was meant to be heard by his ally, but it was something he more so announced for his own outward acknowledgment. The intent was now in the aether, cementing the force that was going to be unleashed upon foe and milestone alike. Hiroka allowed for whatever banter came between the duo of static and flame, trailing along towards their destination, the barracks of the Ninth.

[Traveling from the Eleventh → To the Ninth]

 

[Shinigami]

[From 4th to 13th]

There was one more stop Katsuo wanted to make, he'd promised he'd pay a visit if he was free from killing Hollows, and right now he was. For the first time in a long time. He also kept a constant vigil for Uncle Yurui, who he calls Yuri on occasion, because he fights Katsuo before he can get his full name out.
Once arriving at Division 13 Barracks he adjusted the clothes division four had given him when looking in his mirror in his room. He looked behind him to see some of his musical items, and… his headphones. It had been a long time since he'd seen all of it. He looked at his old Dishenriki X, and picked it up along with the charger. He had the newest model Soul phone now. He wanted to take his old headphones as well. His new headphones were a different color, a Sky Blue, and much better sound. Once he picked these items up he was ready to go.
He hopped out of his office and looked around the Barracks' quiet halls. Since the Togabito, and Arrancar events… Many of Division 13's members either transferred to Different divisions or died in combat. Katsuo was the only member of high rank left.
He turned his head towards Oyama's old room… and remembered the conversation as if it was yesterday. He could feel her guilt, and only hoped in some way she learned to cope with it; like he learned to cope thinking it was a bad idea to send her out there, in the midst of the Arrancar attack.
“Lieutenant Oda… ”
He sighed, her voice shaken, he felt as though something was coming that would set them both on different paths for a long time.
“I’m sorry to tell you but I am transferring myself out of 13th and to 2nd division… There is nothing you can do or say that can either change my mind or stop this transfer… All I see is my shame as a third seat here… I’ve gotten countless members killed due to my recklessness and the pressure is far to much for me to handle here… ”
He nodded. That day in the office would be the last he'd see her for a long time. That day he got out of the office chair and went to give the young Shinigami her first, only, and last hug from him.
"The life of a Shinigami is a hard burden to bear my young friend; death surrounds us on a daily basis; try hard not to blame yourself for the deaths of your comrades, Oya… instead try to get stronger so you can prevent your own and others from dying."
He had to hug her for at least a moment, she was crying. Goodbyes are always the hardest thing, especially when you care about someone or something… he'd pat her shoulders after the hug and smile at her.
"Something for you and Furia to remember, is if you work together, there's nothing the both of you can't do. I've kept my promise to not get her sealed… now it's up to the two of you to find an ultimatum, and get strong. I hope i'm alive to see how much you both shine. I'm so excited to see where you'll go. Promise to visit when you're not busy. There is always a spot in 13th if you ever do want to come back. Just like Arashi-san."
Katsuo's office was adorned with the image they took of the three of them together when Arashi transferred still.
That was one hundred years ago… and he could hardly believe it. Oyama loved the 13th division, and he could tell it was hard for her to leave. Still, he hoped only the best for her, however sad it was to see her go.
He sighed and turned from her old room to walk back out of the Division 13 barracks and head down to road to the western gate of the Rukongai. He wondered how the gate guard was doing today. Hopefully they would let him out. He had someone he had to meet.

13th Division to Rukongai West Gate

 

[Shinigami]

After taking the Captaincy test, she’d had a white haori shoved into her hands and she had been told that she needed to head over to her new division pronto. At first, there had been a second or two of her being utterly confused. After all, all she had done was fight with the snake so why was---Oh. OH. Oohh.... Boy, was the kid gonna be upset.
How long had it been since she had been here? As her stern gaze surveyed the barracks belonging to the eleventh division, scores of memories and long since buried feelings started flooding back. The urgency to arrive in time so that she could save a one Jinnosuke Ueku from the predicament he had gotten himself into that had left him broken so that they could go on and help rescue humanity, The hope that was lost as she watched her former Captain disappear behind the gates of hell and the same hope she had then rebuilt and entrusted with Nibui Ueki.
He had been a friend to Hageshi during her service as the eleventh division’s Vice-Captain. Unlike most of the division’s rough and tough meat heads, Nibui lacked confidence in himself and that had been something that had drawn Omoni to him. Although, most of her time was dominated by the need for her to provide back up for missions in the land of the living, Hageshi always made time to spend with Ueki either by personally training him or teaching him in the recesses of her secret garden where she cultivated the cigars that she utilized many a time on the field of battle as well as in her rare recreational moments. Together, they put in loads of work to raise his strength so that he was able to attempt to fill the massive shoes left behind when she walked away.
Those same feet that had fit in those shoes had taken her back to where it all began.
“ I can’t believe it’s her.”
“ We’re fucked, she’s gonna rip us to shreds!”
“ Wait- Where’s Vice-Captain Ueku?!”
Earlier in the week, before she had taken her exam, the kid and she had began to reminisce how long ago it had been since she'd left the eleventh in order to work under him. Yu, completely used to divulging all manner of information to his Lieutenant managed to let it slip that contrary to public knowledge deep in the isolation of one of her most precious training spots Jinnosuke and Nibui's dual to decide who would take the title of Vice-Captain actually ended with Jinnosuke as the losing party. To her disdain, It appeared that her decision had been altered anyway when her former title was bestowed upon Ueku instead by a supposedly resigned Ueki. According to her standards this had been done in error due to the fact that during the fight the two of them had in order to determine who would retain power, Jinnosuke had lost and yet, nibui relinquished his control regardless.
It was no secret that there were a lot of intense feelings brewing between she and Ueku. So much so that his presence alone could cause the brutish woman to flip like a switch and destroy everything in sight. Having said that, her next course of action was not one fueled by malice or spite. Though the two had at one time shared blood, sweat and tears together she had no qualms making her first order known far and wide. Matter of factly rectifying what she perceived as a mistake to begin with.

“ Vice-Captain Jinnosuke Ueku’s demoted. To fifth seat.”
Days later, a chorus of gasps and whispers erupted amongst the crowd that had formed in the courtyard where Captain Omoni Hageshi had gathered the whole of the eleventh division. They were appalled that such a thing had been done unceremoniously and all but Ueku himself had been present but sure enough, a day later when she inquired about his whereabouts, a nervous member had a response.
“ Captain, he heard about your decision. He said he’d be closing himself off to train and not to bother him.”
This came as no surprise to Hageshi. Ueku had run off to hide away throwing a tantrum and it was possible that he would never return. Omoni didn’t care. She had a division to run and had no time for childish antics. As far as she was concerned this was not just some ill-fated command but a test in and of itself that would try him in ways unimaginable. Either he would overcome it or be shattered and prove that he was worth as much as that would be. It was out of her hands now and placed into his.
Alone, in her empty office. Omoni stood up from the desk then tossed her already tattered haori onto her back over her bandaged torso and left in search of the final piece to the unfinished puzzle that she had returned to.
“ WHERE’S UEKI?! ”
The shock of her shout jolted those in the vicinity to attention. Every action currently being taken stopped so that all could look upon her looming form. A voice rose up from them and singled out a single man.
“Uh...I was just at the spa in the fourth. Pretty sure I saw him chillin’ in there.”
Hageshi’s scowl remained as she turned on her heel and stormed off lifting a scarred hand into the air and bellowed out another order over her shoulder.
“We’re goin’ back. Take me there!"
Without hesitation, the young shinigami who answered her hurried to her side and would act as her guide to the division that she had previously been the acting Vice-Captain of. There were some uneasy glances shared by the eleventh division’s members but soon enough all of them returned to their training and tasks as their Captain stomped away.
Captain Hageshi was on the hunt for the one man who should've been there waiting for her and may the Soul King have mercy on him when she found him.

>>>>> Traveling from the Eleventh Division to the Fourth Division>>>>>