End of Round One
The wind that had transported them into the Muken appears again to move them out of it and back to the Rukongai. Tenzen scans the area and makes an attempt to walk forward but realizes the ground is rapidly rising up towards him, before he hits the ground he is caught by two members of the Kido Corps while also being approached by the Kido Priestess. He is pulled over to a boulder and is sat down on it while members of the Kido Corps begin tending to their Chief. A circle was formed around him as if to block the onlookers or rather lip readers as the Priestess was about to give Tenzen a report. Before the report started she had some scolding to do.
”How many times have we had this talk, Chief Oda?”
”I know, I know, however when a fight starts removing the Haori is the last thing I have on my mind. Besides, it is a useful tool for dodging attacks.”
Everyone could see the Priestess raise her hand up into the air and bring it down to chop Captain Oda on the head. Stuned gasps wash over the crowd, they wonder how the Captain would retaliate but all he does is rub his head.
”We both know you hold a lot of respect for the Haori, so please remember to treat it with that respect, constantly having to repair or make new ones is a hassle that is better avoided.”
”Understood, understood…”
”You say you understand but I doubt that you do.”
Tenzen lets out a light chuckle and is struck in the head again as a result. He has gained a bad reputation within the Kido Corps for damaging or outright destroying his Haori and always needing a new one made. The Head Priestess refuses to make extras as doing such a thing will dampen the prestige of the garb if multiple copies of it exist, to which Tenzen agrees and yet he still manages to destroy them.
”That aside, feel free to begin your report now.”
”Yes Sir.”
The Priestess begins to go into detail regarding the situation at Fifth Division, from Eizokue venturing into the Dangai alone once again, despite Tenzen making it clear to not have him go alone. Then the brief spat between the Third Seat and Lieutenant as well. It all sounded childish to him but he listened to it all while keeping his eyes on Suiyo. The pettiness happening in his division paled in comparison to what was on his mind.
”That is my report on the Fifth Division Barrack’s situation, as for Kiku he-”
”Hold on, move out of the way.”
The Kido Corps members that surround them part to create a clear opening and line of sight towards Suiyo. There is still much to weigh and consider about this man. His aloof and idiotic behaviour can be a front, however he demonstraighted his skills while keeping up this “front”. He even threw the Oki under the bus for their attempt to hire him to kill Kyomu. No assassin in the Rukongai would ever throw a noble under the bus like that and not fear the consequences unless they are utterly confident in their skills or an idiot. At the same time, however, this is the White Death someone his grandfather fought against, a man who can- Something else makes a twinge of sense in his mind as he raises his hand to deactivate the spells binding the white haired man.
”Do not heal his hands, yet, if he needs a drink get him a straw or something. Close formation. Now, please, continue your report.”
The group close up their formation as Tenzen moves his eyes and attention to the Priestess entirely. She makes a report on Kiku’s last contact with them and goes into detail about the situation in Karakura. Tenzen narrows his eyes as Kiku was out there to aid Thirteenth in case they got sloppy, however, as the report went on things sounded more dire and serious than he had assumed.
”That is all we have to report for now. Elk is currently attending the games with his wife, would you like us to recall him back to the barracks?”
”No, leave him be. However, meet me back at the Barracks, I have words for my Division.”
He stands up, his stamina and Spiritual Power fully restored, and still holding onto Suiyo’s blade. He places a barrier around said blade and approaches the Sword Saint.
A Face To Face
”You fought my grandfather before, he is the reason why I know who you are. My investigation shouldn’t take long after having a bit more time to think, I believe it is unlikely for you to have been the one to kill the former Seventh Division Captain simply because he was not diced to pieces. Though you could have held back in order to not get caught.”
He frowns a bit after his last sentence, realizing he has to retract it.
”No, even if you held back he would have lost a limb or two regardless. Enjoy the festival, I’m sure someone from Fourth Division can accompany you and help you with the eating and drinking situation. When I return you can have your blade and hands back, also, consider becoming a Shinigami, there are many things in the Seireitei that cannot be seen or experienced anywhere else in the Soul Society.”
He walks away from the man and back to his Kido soldiers and as he is about to ask for a new Shihakusho top and Haori the Priestess swiftly cuts him off.
”No, you will not be granted either until you return from battle. I do not wish to see another Haori destroyed. Is that understood Captain Oda?”
”I… I suppose so.”
Tenzen walked off after being talked down to by the Head Priestess, in front of everyone. It started with hushed chuckling, then giggles, until the crowd erupts with full on laughter. This man who became a monster, who is head of a feared Clan is being laughed at, openly. The blonde haired man doesn’t even pay it any mind, just as he tried to ease their nerves earlier in the day when he first arrived he lets them have this moment of enjoyment at his expense since it costs him nothing in the long run. But just as he thought things were going to be calm he is “attacked” by Captain Yugure. This is not an attack with blades or punches, but with words, he can only narrow and frown at her as she knows good and well how he is not the biggest fan of this sort of attention.
A Sudden Attack!!
“Congratulations on your advancement. Have you learned anything while fighting those that you’ve just faced?”
”I… Uhh… Hmm… Kyomu is everywhere and nowhere all at once. Then there is a chance I could pay more attention to my sword skills as well.”
The ominous statement about Kyomu is sure to send shivers down the spines of those listening, they may have to wonder and think twice about their actions because they never know if The Phantom is watching them. The statement about his swordsmanship was an odd one. A man with the destructive force of Kido shouldn’t have to worry about blades, but the people who think this are the same ones who will plateau and never grow beyond their current self, Tenzen does not fear admitting to his faults.
“The title of Kenpachi is truly a vicious one. If you were to win the Games, what kind of response do you imagine the viewers to have?”
”It’s what everyone would expect right? I am an Oda, we are a warrior clan, becoming Kenpachi is the expected result.”
Do you have any words towards your opponents for the final round?”
”Oh yeah, who is going to the next round?”
He looks away from the Ninth Division Captain towards a monitor to see that it is Yu Nakamoto and Omoni Hageshi.
”Ah, it's ironic that the one person who rivals me in terms of Kido is in the final round and Captain Hageshi… I suppose the Captain of Eleventh Division is an expected result at this stage as well. I’d like to tell them to bring their all, nothing less than their one hundred percent effort.”
The Interview is concluded, however, Tenzen realized he babled on more than he would have liked to, being around Yasu for one hundred years causes him to be chatty when interacting with her. Realizing this he returns to his silence to go stand before the Captain Commander for the next phase of these trivial games.
Rising Spirits
“Good Luck.”
Those are the only words spoken from the Commander before the three finalists are whisked away to Sokyoku Hill. Once there they are hit with silence, the sound of the crowds vanish instantly. This silence is nothing compared to that of the Muken, this one is more peaceful, enough to put a smile on Tenzen’s face even.
“Maybe I’m saying this to quell my own nerves, but… at the end of the day, this really is all just a game, isn’t it…”
His attention falls onto the Captain of the Fourth Division who breaks the silence between the three of them.
“Yet I feel for the first time...”
Eternal Resolve
He rapidly draws his blade pointing it directly ahead of him. A maddening grin returns to Tenzen’s face, Nakamoto’s spirit starts to boil his own warrior blood.
“... even against two of the Gotei 13's greatest strengths... where everyone else should be afraid…”
Such fire and ambition from him, much more since the last time he saw him in a combative situation where he was cut down by the Phantom without putting up so much as a defense. This change is good, someone who rivals him should have this sort of spirit!
“This is the best day a’ my life!”
The spirit of Captain Hageshi was alight with the flame of combat as well, but this is to be expected as the captain of a battle crazed division. She leads the Seireitei’s most hardened warriors, warriors who do not fear death and only live for the thrill of fighting!
Tenzen’s facial expression is warped by all this energy surrounding him, but it quickly returns to normal as he says with a smile...
An Unforeseen Outcome?
”I forfeit!”
Silence washes over the Rukongai and even the Oda Manor. Was their spirits so great that it forced him into submission!? No, nothing of the sort, he wants nothing more than to fight with them tooth and nail, however, there are other things he needs to do, more important than competing in these games.
”You two are great warriors and exceptional healers. To be honest for me to put either one of you down for the count I’d need my Bankai and I’m not going to use something like that on my allies. Captain Nakumoto, keep that confidence, should time permit it we can have a duel of Kido during less troubling times. Same for you Captain Hageshi, should you wish to cross blades with me feel free to find me at Fifth Division.”
He waves and turns his back to begin walking away from both of them, but stops for a moment.
”No offense to you Captain Hageshi, but I have my bet on Captain Nakamoto coming out of your fight as the victor. See ya.”
Why did Tenzen not say something sooner? He could have said this in the Rukongai. Simple, because he was placed on Sokyoku Hill he was, by proxy, placed close to his Barracks as a result. After speaking to the two finalists he vanishes with Shunpo towards his barracks where Fifth Division will have a lot to answer for.
To 5th Division Barrracks ---------->
