[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Awkward Heals]

The Games had started in a flash, not a completely unexpected turn with the candidates in each match. Eyes flitting to the screen that displayed the man who appeared to be near stumbling drunk as he prepared to fight against her previous Captain and that of Fifth. Squinting as she focused on the man, Kazumi wondered if the newcomer was at all familiar. As she wracked her brain the sound of footsteps could be heard, placing themselves apart from the sounds of the thousands of others as this pair were making a direct approach to her, regardless of what obscured their path. The fast pace of the person closing in on her would be concerning if they had at all attempted to hide their movement. Even still, her eyes would move from the screen without turning her head, looking for the one who sought her out.

The familiar face eventually revealed itself through the crowd, moving ever closer until the man stopped before her and relayed a message from their Captain. Protest began to bubble up and were shut down as a mic was placed in her hand and the messenger had begun pulling on her firmly.

Words dying in her throat, Kazumi could do little more than stare at the device now in her hand. Knowing how they operated in the place she was more comfortable in-behind the screen-, it seemed obvious that everything would begin to move the instant she flipped the small "on-off" switch on its bottom. They would be ready and waiting for her to take over announcing for one of the fights. Currently, her assignment as given was the least stressful of the three, leaving her grateful. As if mesmerized by the object she possessed she could only stare as she was led to another area near-by. Multiple tents faced their backs to the area, so despite the large screens displaying the fights, few people moved about in the area. The man wordlessly left her side, leaving her equally speechless.

Panic began to swell inside her. She knew little of these people and less about commentating on a fight. The grin on her Captain's face as she held her own microphone, pointing through the cameras to the screaming viewers. Was Kazumi capable of that?

Focusing on the screen of the three she was meant to observe, a sad look coming briefly to her face as she looked at the woman Honoka. It hadn't been very long ago she had stood stupidly and unable to move as the Oki were wiped out. The blood stained walls of the compound and the grief apparent in the old woman's face were clear visions in her mind's eye. Gritting her teeth she looked to the others. She knew little of the man who now held the seat beneath Captain in Eleventh, while fortunately the Captain of Fourth was one that was hard to not know. They exchanged words, the Oki woman taunting the others with the difference in rank. The two men seemed not at all bothered by it but perhaps annoyed. The familiar sight of the Oki woman's powers came into sight.

For a moment, Kazumi nearly allowed herself to forget her mission and simply stare in awe at the battle that was about to unfold. Regaining her train of thought, however, she pulled the microphone closer to her face, taking a deep breath and releasing before powering it on.

"It appears as though...Honoka has begun to make the first move..... You can see as her uh...as she moves her hands, the vines and plant-life respond. Not attacking yet, I think we can see she is...uh...she must be readying her first large scale attack,"

Kazumi could practically hear the groans of those who heard her which echoed the internalized noise she made. Why was this so difficult? She began to wonder what the punishment would be for passing the assignment on to another. Thoughts of whether she would be simply demoted or kicked from Ninth altogether began to swirl her thoughts. All she wished for were the quiet times she played the role of ghost writer essentially and hid in a quiet place. As she fondly remembered the days passed in silence, it became clear on the screen that Ueki had somehow produced his weapon. Kazumi's speeds could not match those of the three before her, yet she was clearly not alone in her surprise. Excitement rose up as she watched the man begin to run, weaving his way through the quickly growing flora Honoka was conjuring.

"And Ueki has called his Zanpakuto! Perhaps preparing for his next attack but the new Oki forest seems to be causing some trouble. Could he perhaps find a way to use this to his advantage? But,"

Before she could complete the thought, the Captain of Fourth descended downward. The loud crash filled her ears, the ringing stopping nearly the same time as the dust settled.

"but Nakamoto has demolished the playing field and crushed the ground! Ueki is falling right inside! It seems like he's found his feet and seems to have found a path right out where Nakamoto isn't looking! Meanwhile Oki is still building up her spell, I wonder what she could be cooking up!"

Without truly realizing it, Kazumi had become so absorbed in the fight that she simply allowed the words to flow as she thought of them. Her thoughts mixed in with repeats of particularly intense attacks.

"Ueki is showing all of us that despite not being as well versed in Kido as his opponents, he isn't helpless! But...oh! It looks as though Oki was not quite yet prepared and was taken completely unaware!"

Kazumi surprised herself with her callous reaction to the possible death of Honoka. There was no part of her that did not feel badly for the woman and all that she'd had to endure leading up to this day, and yet she had found herself so caught up in the role she was so sure she'd be unable to manage that all she could find herself doing was continuing on with the show.

"In a bid for both of his opponents, Nakamoto has missed Ueki but completely removed Honoka Oki, nothing from her flora left but ash. She's not looking too good herself, hopefully she can survive until the other two have finished! Do they wait or will medics pick her up..."

The mumbling of her question made her redden slightly, realizing she had gone off track of the fight. Not allowing this to stop her, however, along with the excellent timing of the two remaining contestants, she was able to continue on.

"Nakamoto appears ready to deal his final blow to Ueki with Rikujōkōrō but....Ueki has found a way around it and lashed out at the Captain!"

Though still bound, he had managed to unleash his own attack before his opponent could deal a final blow to his captured self.

"In a surprising turn Ueki not only evaded the attack but has cut the Captain into literal pieces! Can the Captain of Fourth show us how strong his medical Kido is or will he succumb alongside Oki?!"

Practically shoving her face into the screen Kazumi watched, eyes darting about as she watched each motion made by the pair. It was silent for a moment, a collective drawn breath held by her and those who were watching the same fight. The offal that spattered to the ground with grotesque squelches made the corner of her mouth twitch uncomfortably, unsure of what to say at such a sight. As she attempted to find the right words there was movement once more, though only slight. A singled word uttered and...

"Another huge upset as Nakamoto has entered Bankai and seems completely unharmed! And... Ueki has as well!"

She watched in awe with the other spectators as the large tree took shape, bursting forth from the ground. The two now faced each other in their respective new forms, their reaitsu so powerful one could imagine feeling its effects through the screens. They spoke back and forth for the first time. At least, Ueki responded for the first time. Though the power swirling around him gave all signs of its power, the man appeared to be calm and more focused now, while Nakamoto who had before shown such traits now simmered with rage that boiled over the surface and showed on his usually relaxed visage.

All who were watching, Kazumi included, could only lean in closely as they waited in anticipation for who would strike next.

​

 

[Awkward Heals]

Little time was given to Junko and Mizu before the woman was rushing from one side of the tent to the other, various tasks laid out before her in preparation. Cursing herself for not having considered using such valuable information. Members of Fourth were now bringing in three small screens, placing them on a desk in a rounded formation where they would all easily face the chair placed before it. On the surface were notebooks and the patient files of each contestant. Junko was on high alert, no time for her to aid Mizu along with tasks or to even begin to explain exactly what she was doing. Had he listened close enough, it would be apparent, though it depended on where his attention had been placed.

Practically slamming herself down into her new chair she faced the screens, flipping open the multiple charts. For quite a time she remained hovered over her work, eyes flitting from screen to screen. The only sound made from her the furious scribbling of notes. Each injury detailed in the appropriate file, possible treatment options to the side of them.

An extreme focus had been reached, each injury worthy of note. The actual people she was observing, however, were obscured faces to her as she powered through with the goal of knowing exactly what all injuries each fighter had as well as the mechanism of the injury. Not until the moment an enraged Omoni had thrown the Second division member into her subordinate, leading to a nearly instant death did Junko truly see what was happening once again. The rage and power that was Omoni. The side of her she had never truly experienced. It was a powerful reminder of why she was such an idol in Junko's eyes but also why so many viewed the woman as monstrous.


Such an idea was clear to her now, though it changed nothing of how she viewed the woman. Her teeth clenched as she observed her facing a fellow Captain who was a force on her own but with the added advantage of their terrain. The location was perfect for Ninth Division's Captain and her Zanpakuto, though it seemed to bother Omoni little and excite her all the more.


With a sigh she summoned forth more members, commanding them to prepare units at the entrance of each fighting arena. They were to be prepared with the information Junko had already collected and would be kept informed of the injuries to expect from each competitor. They were informed of the woman from Third, Honoka Oki, and her defeat as well as how such an event had occurred. At the current moment, the woman was at the top of the list for receiving medical attention. They were informed to disregard the man from Second, already deceased, though his body was to be removed. If there was anything left of it.


Pinching the bridge of her nose, the seldom seen side of Junko began to emerge. Annoyance was growing more and more with each passing moment. Clear headed enough to see what the Games could do for ordinary citizens as well as how much money was being made all around was an obvious good. Yet the method and the carnage did not seem to her to make such an event worth it. For a brief blip in the chaotic scene, there was silence within the tent once more. Everyone in position and ready for their next move when called upon, Junko lost in thought. The volume of the small TVs barely audible.


For any shinigami, every moment has the potential to dramatically change everything. For Junko, this feeling was all the stronger when it concerned medicine. Being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best and trying your hardest to achieve the outcome you wish for. Junko was not dim enough to believe there was no chance no harm would come to those she cared about that were currently fighting. All the same the woman had buried such thoughts in the back of her mind. Personal concerns weighed too heavy a burden on top of all else that was expected of her. Losing herself to fear and panic the entirety of the match would help no one.


All the same, the silence was broken by the loud pounding slam of the chair Junko had just occupied moments ago. Now on the floor with its back broken, the ground about her feet was littered with splintered wood. Eyes focused on one screen, she dropped her hands down on the table harshly as her face nearly pressed against one particular screen. Watching in horror, her back became rigid as the fear she had suppressed reared its ugly head.


"Captain...?"

Everything around her had frozen. All that existed in that moment for Junko was the blood that flowed from her Captain's body. The cuts at first did not seem quite so severe, yet it was obvious to her eyes that it would be mere moments before each slash completely cleaved through the flesh. Her Captain's arms began to simply slide from his body, dropping unceremoniously to the ground below him. Though hidden well, Junko could see the agony he was in. Her entire body was rigid, fear pulsing through her. Surely...certainly this would not spell the end for such a man. Although Omoni was the idol Junko looked to in terms of raw power and strength, her respect for her Captain towered above all others.


Junko had forgotten to take a breath. The thought had not even crossed her mind, frozen in time as she was. The realization came only when the sound of her sudden exhale was loud enough to be heard by those stationed outside of the tent. Nearly collapsing back into her chair, Junko looked to the screen showing her Captain rise. Bankai released, visibly angry. But whole and safe. The fear that crippled her subsided. Pressing her fists against her eyes she composed herself once more, steadying her nerves and breathing with focused intent. Dropping her arms down she now sat slumped at the desk, eyes barely seeing as relief washed over her.

​

 

[Vesper]

The Yoake no Hanmā was the ultimate ability within Hiroka's arsenal, an absolute end to those caught within its fury. He had developed it over his growth with Ikarihime though he had never been able to execute it to this extent given it's indiscriminate destructive nature. Unlike his traditional attacks, where he could attempt to contain or narrow the path of his explosion's entire course, Yoake no Hanmā was able to have its form manipulated initially, but the aftermath was uncontrollable. It's not quite the power you want to just carelessly throw about in the World of the Living or the Seireitei. In any case, the inability to typically utilize it to this extent meant that no one knew about its existence up until now. He'd have avoided its usage even in this fight if not for the two Bankai having been on the table.

Hiroka was not completely confident in the dispatching of Omoni despite the lethality of his abilities. He had no clue what exactly her secondary release did. It was likely that such a retaliation on his part would come with a consequence for her, but did it truly smite this woman before she got a chance to truly use the coveted power of Bankai? The Burst Prince made sure that enough heat still clung to his form to counter what may come from either combatant, but he was weary of taking on the star's fallout at the risk of crippling himself.
​

"You alright, 'Roka?"​

The voice of his spirit weapon rung out within his mind. Her voice was rough, yet still carrying with it a genuine point of concern. He had a history of pushing himself too far, and this was not a time for carelessness.

"I'm fine."

He may be at this moment, but is that going to last?
​

"Ha, Ha ha."​

The demon had not been slain. For real, what the hell even was this woman? She lived. Embraced by a mass of force and flame that would eradicate someone in an instant, but yet she lived.
​

"HA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YES! YES! YEEEEES!"​

Not only was she still alive, but void of any damage. Her weapon even stood untouched within her grasp, as if it had not just been the focal point of that attack. Was she invincible in this state? Or was there more to it? There was no power without a flaw, yet if she could just shake off attacks like that, he'd find himself in the tightest of situations. Hiroka gritted his teeth against each other, not only frustrated by her pristine state but by the excitement that came from her and the comments that followed.
​

"HELL YEA! GREAT JOB!"​

Praise? Right now?
​

"That was CRAZY Ikari! Didn’t even know ya’ could do that!"​

Of course she didn't. No one did. She was really that confident and overtaken by the thrill of this deathmatch to the capacity of complementing her opposition. Traditionally, praise would rally a recipient of such words, but it instead dug a knife into the man's gut. How dare she be jovial at such a time?! He was trying to end her story as a captain before it even really began. This was not a game, despite the tournament's namesake. One person has already died as a result of such a display of ignorance about what these fights mean. Though this wasn't ignorance, she was just absolutely insane. What a perfect figurehead for the division known as savages.

Hiroka had joined up with the Eleventh with the intent of using them as the chariot that guided him to more power. To satisfy his desire for growth, he threw himself into the midst of ravenous wolves.He did not necessarily agree with the same unruly behavior that often came with the escalation of otherwise manageable situations, but he did take opportunities to push himself if they arose. The chink in his typically withdrawn persona was that once his anger was invoked, the shackles came off. His temper knew no bounds, and that trait was what made him appear as the average meat-headed brute. In a battle, he took that rage, that malice, that defiance to opposing power, and channeled it into his weapon. And with that, he would harness the very core of Ikarihime's power to its fullest extent, breaking his limits with the very emotion that is often seen as unsavory.

The fact of the matter was, he came into this fight with red already in his eyes. A determination that he corrupted into strife. This was exacerbated by his quick incapacitation of the Second Division member. Not to mention the release of two Bankai, a power he had yet to achieve, and the gall of this armor-clad demon's casual remarks... Hiroka was certainly at a breaking point.
​

"Lil’ slow, but ya’ packed a heavy punch!"​

Her words dug the knife deeper. The Fourth Seat's hand twitched as he drew his power towards the fingers of his left hand and aimed to plunge them right through the woman's eyes should she manage to complete her intended grasp of his throat. Even if that resulted in his own defeat, he'd make sure that he brought her ass down with him. But just as they were about to meet...

"Cero."

A lapse in the attention of the pair from the Eleventh bought the Ninth's Captain time to prepare a proper attack against them. It was the perfect time to do so, especially being the only one who had sustained any real injury. His eyes flicked towards the origin of the bloodcurdling wails and the amber beam that came with them. There was absolutely no time to think over the options to counter such a potent force. He had no awareness that his long time friend was a Visored. Why would he have needed to? Yet he couldn't dwell on such a matter. There would be time for questions to be answered. For now, he had to be the one to make an answer, one for his own survival.

Hiroka inhaled deeply, drawing in the thermal remnants of his spent solar detonation into himself and Ikarihime. He brought a hand to be aligned with Yasu's Cero, gathering the heat before him and igniting the very space before him. With every instance of these ignitions, the next grew stronger than the last, battling back the brunt of the beam. The sustained usage of the energy from Yoake no Hanmā would likely come with a consequence on its own, along with the ever present fallout of the Cero that was not being mitigated. Though that damage would not come. Hiroka could feel the rising temperature of his own power and that of the Visored below, but nothing had changed with his state. Why? He was certain these factors, in tandem, held the potential to remove any edge he had in this conflict. Even the damage that could be done by his friend's scream fell short, not to say it would have had much effect given Ikari's familiarity with factors that would typically cause hearing damage, if not loss. After all, he was a walking manifestation of explosive power. He ate concussive force, unbearable flames, and crippling sounds from his own abilities consistently. However, this should not have gone without consequences.
​

"If ya’ don’t wanna die. Ya’ better do somethin’ ‘bout that crap above us!"​

A voice broke through the chaos, his Captain's once more. Of course, it was her. Just as she had mitigated the damage done to her by his trump card, she had done it again, but not only for herself. Why extend such a curtesy to him? Could she not see one of her own division struck by such an attack? Was her former praise out of pity, and that warranted her intervening? Whatever the case, it didn't calm him down in the slightest. It was not to say he wasn't appreciative of her extending her influence to him, but it may or may not have backfired against her to ensure a decision. But she knew that. She had to.

The words she chose were in reference to his Tsuki no Kyū being flung at them by the combatant below. They still carried with them the thermal presence he had bestowed upon them prior to this. All he had to do was acknowledge their path, and it was enough to send them off course from where they had been aimed. The heat that embraced them blew them off course in a set of controlled detonations, scattering them away from the Eleventh duo. One of which did, however, graze against Captain Hageshi's arm upon its evasive maneuver, but likely did not more than a minor scratch. Hiroka guided the spheres far away from them, not caring in the slightest where they ended up. In any case, they were not of much use to him at this present time, and he did not dare to try and touch them, in case of any further tampering from Yasu. He wasted no time after the counter of his own weapons being launched at him to gain distance from both combatants. Favoring a higher elevation and even a vertical shift. He did not know whether Omoni's charity would come to an end with that save or if another Cero would come in the shadow of the first. There was absolutely no reason to trust his Captain beyond this moment, and his academy peer favored hiding in the muck below rather than a direct approach.

The release of the Cero came with a shift in the cards. An attack meant to catch both of them, had left them unscathed entirely, and bestowed the ogre of a woman with further ammunition. Hiroka looked over the fragmenting armor of his superior officer, a true visual indication of what it had endured in such a short period of time. Even if Yūgure and Ikari had pushed Hageshi's Bankai to the point of near destruction, it was beyond impressive that it sustained all that had come so far. A near perfect defense that'd soon become an even more fearsome offense.
​

"SUUUUUUUU! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANKS! THIS WAS THE BEST!!!! HOPE YA' DON'T DIE!!!!!!"​

Captain Hageshi spared no time in punishing Yasu's attempt on them both with a monstrous force of her own. She had taken what had been dealt to her, as well as her own power and coupled it into an all-out mass of spiritual energy. Hiroka made sure to gain further distance as her power expanded, prioritizing evasion rather than making a move against either opponent. The shifting of targets has been rampant in this fight from the start. There was never a point where the attention fell on someone for more than a moment before shifting to the other. Even not long ago, both Captains had made their move against Hiroka and now the Eleventh's leader was redirecting the focus onto the woman of equal rank. Her inconsistent and erratic behavior was more concerning to Hiroka than any of the moves made against him.

The Burst Prince watched as Omoni retaliated against the Ninth's head officer. The orb swiftly engulfed the battleground with no sign of yielding. At this point, the marsh itself was the true victim, regardless of who walked out of this battle. Its influence spanned further than the impact of the power itself, trailing along with it the familiar torridity of his own power, reinforced and scattered about. Even as the progenitor of such a substance, he was thankful that he had not been at ground zero of these waves.

The exhaustion of such a prominent power left Omoni without the protection she formerly wore. It shattered into pieces, abandoning her body with that brutish gambit. Had her outburst acquired either the defeat or surrender of Yasu? Or was this just an opportunity for forces to act against her with herself now exposed once more?
​

"Way’ I see it, it’s two against one til it ain’t."​

The Oni spoke forth her intent, accompanied by a glance in Hiroka's direction. A look that he responded with one that still held animosity towards his opponents. Though at this moment, the scale shifted more towards his own superior, who gave fuel to his rage continuously without even trying.

Regardless of what route he chose in dealing with Captain Hageshi, this was a prime opportunity to add an extra nail in Yasu's coffin. In the instance that she countered once more from somewhere within her obsidian lake, he wanted to rob her of such a luxury. Although her efforts have been just as fierce as the airborne pair, the fact that she chose to slink around in her Bankai and make moves during their split focus irked him. It was likely that both of the Eleventh members could overpower her in an exchange of strength and potentially even durability, but to hide like a coward? He expected more of a direct display of her prowess than what he was witnessing. She housed the strength of a Captain and even that of hollowfication, and yet she was the one to be isolated from the direct exchange? He would strip her of any comfort she may have had in her inky home.

The battle-scarred man brought in his deepest breath, holding it for but a moment. He crossed his palms over one another before dragging them outward from where they were, extending his arms to the sides as if he had just tried to pry the very air apart. He drew in the remaining heat that lingered from his attacks, as well as the defense he had just made against Yasu's Cero. His lungs emptied in accompaniment to this action, sparking to life his influence over the battlefield. Anywhere that his power laid, was forever in his control. No matter what form it takes. No matter its volume. Hiroka was the god of his own power, and that law was absolute. The taking on and building of his previously thrown out assault was not something he desired but he had to take advantage of this opportunity.

"I really appreciate the assist, Captain Hageshi!"

His voice came booming outward into the air just as the ground below became overtaken by a rising light that even managed to pierce its way through the Ninth Captain's swamp. It began to eat through it just as quickly as the space could be filled again by the substance. The torridity that formerly filled the skies from Hiroka's secret technique had been enhanced further by another instance of Shinratsuihō, allowing him to repurpose his previous attack. In this form it was an ability that was a secondary application of his solar tempered blast. Rather than calling forth the explosive nature of a cosmic eruption, he instead tethered the unearthly heat to a target, in this case it was the very ground the azure sphere had just scorched as well. He dubbed this variation as Yoake no Hanmā: Kiseichū, a name befitting its nature, a parasite. The very earth was being infiltrated by one of the fiercest examples of thermal force. It buckled without no end, melting away as the very rocks and minerals that made it up liquified. The fumes and feedback from such an event vent upward through Yasu's bog and into the space above it, even reaching up to those in the sky.

Whether or not the pink-haired menace's muck could hold up to such a threat, this was not a force of nature that had any chance of stopping so long as Hiroka allowed it to linger. The all consuming mass that his friend had found solace within had now become the very thing that would boil the flesh from her bones. Her own ability could easily become her resting place if action was not taken. Ikari did not want to further release careless explosions upon an unseen threat and so planned to draw out the woman with the threat of complete and utter incineration.

​

"Wow 'Roka. I never thought I'd see you this way..."​

The male turned his gaze back towards his Captain, his eyes devoid of any light. He made not acknowledgement to Ikarihime's words and let her continue.
​

"You'd eat the very sun above if it meant winning this battle. Let's make them truly fear our namesake."​

He still gave no response to the spirit of his weapon, but instead he projected just one phrase for his superior.

"Your kindness does not purchase mercy from me."

Hiroka was not known for yielding to anyone who stood in his way. Faces and names meant nothing to him when they had become the objects of his wrath. His words came with the sudden expansion of another star-like detonation forming from Omoni's arm and quickly growing to consume the entirety of that side of her body. It melted through skin, muscle, and bone as if they were nothing. Without her Bankai to grant her nigh immortality, she would have to take the brunt of this head on. And just as the mass had consumed half her being, its brilliant illumination reached way beyond its form. The flickering of the explosion's light reached well beyond the bounds of the arena. Its intensity overpowers that of the natural-born sun in the sky above.

A temporary alliance may have been in the cards under normal circumstances, but he could not risk the reactivation of Captain Hageshi's Bankai. Whether it was possible was way beyond his knowledge. But the matter was, what if? If they had paired up to take out Yasu then he had to deal with that. There was even less of a guarantee of his success in that instance. At this point, he'd rather risk the Captain below having weaseled her way out of death and going toe to toe with her. Rather than a woman who can just say "No" to damage done to her.

If either managed to survive what had been dealt to them, he'd be surprised for certain. And if the tides turned against him for these decisions, he'd find some form of twisted comfort in knowing that he did not yield and pushed beyond any limitations he thought he had. He was not one to give up easily in the slightest. But he made sure he did not repeat the same mistakes he had made in his last bout with one who wore a haori.

​

 

[ShusukeKiyoshi]

Somthing Shusuke had learned in his One Hundred Years under the command of his exuberantly young Captain, was that the consumption of food apparently was an addiction with the more time spent around her. The Lieutenant while not boasting as large an appetite as his superior, nor does he share her rather simple creed; Food Over Everything (F.O.E.), but he would be remiss to say that it was a bad rule to live by as he and his taste buds were enlightened by all of the restaurants and small food boutiques he would be forced to frequent when collecting her weekly rations that could easily be mistaken as the food supply for the entire Ninth Division, but in all actuality was for his gluttonous bubblegum headed Captain. Pleased to find that the same shops had set up some kiosks to sell and share their wares, Shusuke would find himself sampling each vendor's signature dish as the rapport he had built between the Division and the business allowed him such privilege. They happily gave the second-in-command well prepared treats and urged him to let Captain Yūgure know that they await her next meal order. Something told Shusuke that it would be in fairly soon...assuming she lives through the games.

Her entrance into the games came as a small surprise, she gave no indication that she would be joining the games herself nor did she display any interest in actually attaining the Kenpachi title. She was much too immature for something so serious, or at least that was Shusuke’s estimation of the young figurehead. A highly capable officer and leader, Yasu had many talents as both a fighter and Chief Editor, however, she lacked that thirst for blood that a Kenpachi was known for. Regardless, he hoped she would keep her health and would come up successful in her battles.

As he walked the grounds searching for more free food, he tuned into any and every screen available to his immediate vision so as to keep up with the ongoings of the event. The Commander seemed to have made an appearance after all the participants had finally lined up and revealed themselves. Kyomu Mukuro, Tenzen Oda, Yū Nakamoto, Omoni Hageshī, Yasu Yūgure, Nibui Ueki, Shinotori Hitsugaya, Honoka Oki, Hiroka Ikari and Suiyo Kusotare. All of these Shinigami stepped up to the plate to place their claim to the Kenpachi name and in the process, could have potentially either shortened their own Lifespan greatly, or should the fates decide, end it altogether. A steep price to pay for lifelong glory, and to be declared the Strongest under the Soul Society Sun.

As he continued to stuff his face as the contestants would be broken up into their bouts, his attention was focused solely on the screen closest to him, petrifying all attention to the things going on around him for but a small moment until his attention was whisked away by small winds unsettling his black and white garb. Without taking his gaze from the Tenteikūra immediately, he turned his body to face where his subordinates would eventually arrive, seconds before they even stopped the utilization of their shunpo. Appearing suddenly before their Lieutenant, they gave him a slight bow of respect in perfect unison. His mouth still of a combination of mochi, takoyaki skewers and boiled cauliflower it would've been hard to take him seriously but this was the Ninth Division. Finding a superior in the middle of a meal or snack was fairly regular so they paid it no mind. Shusuke had an unsurprised look on his stuffed face, he knew they were on their way to search for him and given by their clumsy use of their footwork it was certainly not difficult to see them coming from miles away.

"Lieutenant Kiyoshi, we were given orders by Captain Yūgure to inform you that you are to call the match between Kyomu Mukuro, Tenzen Oda and Suiyo Kusotare. She'd like for you to place yourself atop the Northern Gate and announce from there, a Tenteikūra is already being created specifically to capture your movements and we were also told to give you these." One said, as he held out a pair of black sunglasses, similar to that of the ones his Captain wore just prior to her own entrance into the games. He also was given a small microphone device to place in his clothing. With an eyebrow raised and his gaze returning to the two Unseated members before him, his immediate question would soon be answered, much to his dismay. "And no, she said it wasn't optional. Sorry LT." The other chimed in finally, only for Shusuke's face to be turned relatively sour at the confirmation of the news.

Much preferring to stuff his face full of sample food as he watched the battles wage on as the Games started, it would seem that the spotlight would find the Lieutenant once more as he would be tasked with being boisterous once again. Before he could even answer after gulping down the remains of his snacks, a body burst through the crowd of people, falling to the feet of the standing Shinigami. The sound of cooking ware rings through the bustling market and instantly a look of perplexion shoots towards the unidentified person, but his pink hairstyle was all too familiar, especially given the orders of Ninth Division as of late. The Kiyoshi Lord sighs terribly and pinches the arch of his nose, gesturing the two men lift Jiro to his feet and pat his uniform down to help him recollect his wits. Jiroshizo Raikyu. Undoubtedly the most unlucky soul in the entire Soul Society. Upon his return he was given strict probation by his new superior, one of his tasks being to help put together the festival and its activities. As far as Shusuke understands him, he figured he just got lost on his way taking care of a task.

"sighs...Jiro, what’re you doing?” he asked lazily, seeming to already know the answer. Unfortunately he’d have to tell him on the way to announce the games. Taking a step over and placing his hand on his shoulder, he’d only have some words of advice for him. "Just remember to breathe.”. Instantly both men vanished into thin air before the other Shinigami.

Suddenly, a gust of blackened gale winds are conjured on the main screen where Yasu once dwelled, forming in a swirling circle to shape and mold into the body of a man, not just a man, but a Lord. Seconds after every particle of black ash was recollected, Shusuke reappeared in his full extremities, his arms widened and smile blaring out for all to see while he occupied their screens momentarily. Jiro was safely tucked underneath Shusuke’s arm being carried, as the Lieutenant eased the young man down gently to recollect his bearings, the rapid trip might’ve been too much for him. He brought him to help allow a good view of the fights and action and to also stay out of trouble or harms way. While he never could achieve the same applause and fanfare as the popular Captain Yūgure, he still received some uproar and applause for his smokey entrance from an already ramped up crowd. Allowing them to get their excitement out of the way before he began his minor introduction before getting underway with his commentary. Having already placed the mic on, he was ready and looked presentable. Taking in the massive crowd of the inhabitants of the Rukongai, he was finally able to truly appreciate the true need for this event taking place and after a long time without some form of "light-hearted" entertainment. The Soul Society had truly come alive. After the crowd started to die down, Shusuke would then begin his small intro to the Game he would call.

"I heard you guys needed a second announcer. Sorry I’m late, but I hope I'm a sufficient selection." Instantly the crowd went wild. Many were familiar with Shusuke and the Kiyoshi family after the past One Hundred Years as his Private Eye agency has gained a positive reputation within the Rukon and its mid to lower districts, helping the residents with various missing persons and thefts plaguing the Rukongai. With one case at a time, he actively helps those in need and sometimes offers Pro-bono work to those in need. With the calm of the crowd settling once more he would continue. "My name is Lieutenant Shusuke Kiyoshi and I will be your commentator for the bout between contestants; Captain Kyomu Mukuro, Captain Tenzen Oda and the Rukongai's very own, Suiyo Kusotare. Should you wish to switch your viewings between the three separate brackets, you may channel spiritual energy into the screen of your nearest Tenteikūra. Their battlefield, like the others, is…unique. Arguably the most unique among the battles to take place here in the games so far. The three combatants must battle inside—The Muken!" he allowed a pause in his words to ramp up the ominous excitement the crowd had already been possessed with. Surely few of them heard the rumors of the Muken, the greatest prison to house the most infernal criminals that the Soul Society has been able to capture but not kill. Even hearing a shower of a gasp cascading across a small quadrant of the crowd before him, hushing their tones with the ghostly mention of the place that still harbored...him. "With all that being said, I think it was the best venue for them to fight. The greatest living Kido Master in the Gotei Thirteen today, against the fastest single individual in all of the Soul Society….and a….hm, drunk. Wow that really killed the excitement in that sentence." Various fits of laughter erupted from areas of the crowd, bringing a small smile and chuckle to his own face as he carried on. At this time, all the battles were at their peak point, fallen individuals in a few of them but the tenacity in its fighters that still remained appeared to be an undying flame. "Nevertheless, these combatants will duel to advance to the next round of the games, who will come out on top? Who do you think will die? And most importantly, who do you think will cut through the competition and be named Kenpachi?" from the relaxing tone of his British cadence, his charisma shone through the crowd as they were ramped up and hollered louder with every question he posed to them, soon the build up had imploded into a sea of cheerful voices.

Three large screens sat in mid-air overhead of the miniature smaller ones that could be found in adjacent areas surrounding the games grounds. As pre-ordained, the viewers could change the screening to the fight they would prefer to see at that moment should they decide to but the three larger Tenteikūra's were for a complete view of all the bouts taking place at the same time. The screen slightly farther from where he stood atop at the gate, but still allowed him a uninhibited view of the action and also with slight repositioning he could view the other fights as well. Shusuke could see that the other matches were also well underway, as this one was rapid and wild, but also very technical and otherworldly given the combatants participating in it.

---

​

---

 

[Awkward Heals]

Little time was awarded Junko to relax before her phone began to ring. Eyes rolling to land on the phone she stared at it blankly for a moment. Those who remained behind to handle the hospital. After her roller coaster ride of emotions, she was not prepared to deal with a member who forgot how to do simple procedures. Often they would call only to rethink the matter and hang up before Junko even reached the phone. It didn't appear it would stop its infernal noise anytime soon, however. Answering the phone she readied for some silly question only to find herself needing to stop the nurse on the other end. The frantic babbling of the poor woman left Junko all the more confused. A soothing voice was the nurse's reply, calming her until she was able to speak clearly. Relayed was a message that shook her to her core.

"I'm Fifth Seat Asahi Kajiyashiki of the Third Division. There is a situation down at the Academy. A smoke-like substance has been released by two members of the Twelfth Division within one of our classrooms. It has promptly me to order a full quarantine of the building. I'd like to request immediate aid from the Fourth. I'm unaware of how many have been exposed to it in entirety. I can only confidently confirm the pair from the Twelfth, the students in the classroom, myself, and one other Third Officer, Zhou Feng. A student had made their way out to myself and Zhou to alert us of the situation and their whereabouts are unknown presently. I must focus on aiding in the lock down. Please pass along this request with urgency."

Standing, she turned to a man standing nearby. As she informed him of the situation she gestured to the table she had set up for her to catalog the contestant's injuries.

"You'll need to take over for me here. But first, you must relay this information to Sixth Division immediately,"

With a salute the man set to work on contacting Sixth while Junko moved to exit the tent. For the first time, she paused her movements, frozen in indecision. Mizu... would he be prepared for such an event? Would it be better to remain where he was? Frustration built as she struggled to decide. Breathing deeply, Junko exhaled slowly as she collected her thoughts. It was time to move.

"Mizu, I leave the Games to you. You're in command here until I or the Captain returns, A soft smile on her face, she offered the only comfort she could in the moment. "you can do this."

With that she departed the tent, rushing to make her way to the Academy. Speaking aloud her messages, multiple were sent to the appropriate members. Procedures were in place to address a variety of different large-scale scenarios. Any type of unknown biohazard was included. Nothing was needed from Junko within Fourth. Alternatively, the required members were preparing themselves and their supplies and Junko's to meet her on the scene. Calls finished, the phone was slipped back into Junko's pocket, her eyes focused ahead as she continued onward to the Academy.

>>>>>>>Travelling from Rukongai to Southeast>>>>>>>>

​