Meetings. Endless, soul sucking, infinitely BORING meetings.
You'd think that after living two lives, rasing for chaotic children, and fighting a demon king, that I'd learn to enjoy sitting still. Nope, not a chance…
I was surrounded by the undisputed strongest beings in the Soul Society, captains of the Gotei 13, and their commander Yamamoto. And somehow, despite all that power, I couldn't help but to think about how dull it was.
They went on and on about the most inane things. Then they got to the topic of Rukia's trial. I sat up in mid air, I had been practically laying down lazily while my Infinity held me aloft.
Rukia was standing at the center of the room, after being brought in by a few guards. Her hands were folded, her eyes low. She looked calm, but the tension was there. Her very existence was under trial for something as idiotic as literally doing her job as a shinigami.
I whipped out another bag full of sweets. I took a few skewers of dango before handing the rest of the bag to Mitsuri. She smiled thankfully and started quietly eating. I could tell she was getting antsy herself. She was looking around the room, quietly observing everyone.
Soi Fon saw me munching away on a dango skewer and glared. Her eyebrow twitching in irritation at my actions.
'Poor girl… I haven't even said anything yet.'
"Kuchiki Rukia, will be brought formally before the council to stand trial for the unauthorised transfer of her powers to a mortal."
And there it was, all the stupidity in the room condensed into one sentence.
I raised a hand, "Hai hai… question." I said lazily, gaining everyone's attention. "She transferred her powers due to an injury and had no other choice right?"
Yamamoto silently sighed, "That is indeed the case Satoru-dono…"
"Then I don't see why this farce of a trial is even happening… she did her job. Isn't that what all of your jobs are? To protect the living world and humanity from Hollows, or… did you guys change it?"
Whispers spread through the room.
"Satoru-dono…" Yamamoto rumbled, "perhaps you are unfamiliar with the laws that govern the Soul Society, it is not a very well kno—
"Laws?" I cut him off, earning a few glares from the other captains, "you mean the kind that punishes those who protect human life? Sounds like nonsense to me. You old guys sure love to hide behind your rules. Yet it feels like no one has actually taken a look at these laws in centuries."
Murmurs turned into protest, I could see why the original Satoru Gojo really hated the Elders. Hell, I hated politicians in my past life for this exact reason. A bunch of decrepit old men making laws in matters they don't understand fully.
I leaned back, crossing my arms and smiling. "You want to execute a girl who was doing her job. Makes sense… no wonder Hollows multiply like rabbits fucking. You can't do your jobs without getting punished for it. I wonder how many former shinigami have been executed or exiled because they did their jobs… must be a lot."
That earned me an audible gasp from most of the people gathered in the peanut gallery. Mitsuri's eyes were wide, she was munching on dango like it was popcorn.
Then my gaze flickered towards Aizen. That last bit of my statement had been subtly directed at him. His 'experiments' are the reasons why nearly half the Gotei 13's leadership had been replaced.
His accomplices' Tosen and Gin wore matching looks of impassiveness. I could see the gears turning in their heads though. I wouldn't expose them yet, I wanted to savour the moment when I crushed all their plans.
Gin was offering fake wisdom about balance and structure. Tosen was mumbling something about justice.
"Y'know…" I finally spoke up again, "it's funny how the word justice sounds like bullshit when the wrong person says it."
Tosen froze mid sentence. Gin's smile faltered, and Aizens eyebrow twitched ever so slightly, his eyes sharpening.
"Watch yourself!" Soi Fon snapped from her spot.
"Hmm? You say something pig tails?" I yawned and turned to her, seeing that she wasn't taking the bait I turned back to Yamamoto. "Let me make one thing clear, I hate bullies… if I get the hint that Rukia is to be put to death, I will kill every single one of your elders, no exceptions."
Finally Yamamoto bowed his head slightly, "You speak boldly Satoru-dono."
"Coreection," I hummed, "I will execute everyone who so much as even thinks about voting in favour of executing an innocent girl because she did her fucking job. Fix it, or I fix all of you."
Yamamoto opened his eyes slightly, I could tell he was mildly amused by my declaration. He nodded once, "I will speak with Central 46 personally."
The tension snapped like glass. Rukia's eyes darted towards me. Gratitude hidden under stoic calm that her adoptive clan no doubt instilled in her. I winked. She looked away quickly, cheeks faintly pink.
With the meeting adjourned, the captains all stepped out and returned to their duties. All except two. Unohana and Zaraki. I cancelled my levitation and landed softly on the wooden floor.
Mitsuri trotted up to me, a stick of dango still in her hands. She had a look of exasperation and curiosity on her face. "Darling, did you really need to say all of that?"
"Of course," I replied, "if I didn't, they would have sentenced her on the spot to 'save time'. Besides… I was getting bored." I grinned after sneaking a bite out of her dango.
That earned me a sigh and a giggle from my lovely wife. Before we could leave, Unohana stepped in front of me. Her hands folded in front of her, her gentle smile deceptively peaceful.
"You caused quite a stir, Satoru-sama. I believe the other captains will be speaking of this moment for some time."
"I like to make an impression." I chuckled.
"That I can see," she nodded, then her smile sharpened into a predatory grin. "About that spar… would you still be interested?"
"Sure, why the hell not. I'm a little stiff from sitting still for so long, might as well get my daily exercise."
"Very well." Unohana said.
"Where will we be holding this… duel?" I asked.
Zaraki chose that moment to speak up, "The 11th Division training grounds are always open, I've been itching for a fight too so I can go after."
I sighed, "Sure… summon the other captains too while you're at it. I'm sure some of them want to 'teach' me a lesson too."
[Scene Break]
If there was ever a place built for violence, it was the 11th Division's training grounds. Broken weapons, fired splatters of blood, and small craters littered the ground.
"Let's get this fight started!" Zaraki Kenpachi declared.
I pointed to Unohana with my thumb. "She called dibs."
Unohana smiled faintly, "I only wish to test his skill Captain Zaraki, you will have your turn afterwards."
Zaraki let out a booming laugh, "Fine by me, gives me time to see how he moves."
Mitsuri was perched on a nearby boulder with Yachiru sitting next to her. The two pink haired girls were munching on a shared box of sakuramochi.
"Do your best Darling!" Mitsuri called out.
"Always do." I said, Amaterasu materialising in my hand as I took her out of my storage space. I glanced at Unohana who still hadn't drawn her zanpakuto.
"Ready when you are." She spoke softly.
I tucked Amaterasu into my belt, and stood casually by as I waited for Unohana to make the first move. She flickered, leaving behind an after image as she smoothly drew her sword and flash stepped towards me in the span of a second.
Our blades met.
The first clash was so fast that I doubted anyone would have normally seen it. Sparks bloomed midair, followed by the thunderclap of her spiritual energy colliding with my Limitless. I ducked under her counter, twisted, and deflected her follow up swing.
Her swordsmanship was exquisite, every attack was refined, every parry was precise. She fought like you'd expect someone who has killed thousands would. Every movement perfected to a frightening degree.
"Beautiful… a style meant solely for inflicting the most damage."
"Flattery will not save you Satoru-sama." Unohana replied.
Then for the first time, she struck with the intent to kill. Her blade whistled through the air. I parried, pivoted, then swept forward with a burst of speed that cracked the ground beneath me.
The 'First Kenpachi' matched me blow for blow. Her calm composure never breaks in our dance of death. In the corner of my vision I saw Zaraki grinning, his chipped zanpakuto drawn and ready to jump in at a moments notice the second one of us fell.
Mitsuri gasped, I heard her say. "He's fighting seriously…"
And she was right, I may not have been using all of my powers but there wasn't a need. This was a sword fight, I wasn't going to cheapen my victory by using my Innate Techniques.
Unohana's blade slipped through my defense and would have grazed my cheek had my Limitless barrier not been active.
"There it is." I smirked.
Unohana had opened her eyes, the bloodthirsty glint in her gaze locking on to me.
My energy flared, bright yet oppressive. The training grounds seemed to warp under its sheer weight. Amaterasu flicked with heat as my strikes sped up.
I pushed Unohana away with a diagonal slash and sheathed my sword before dropping low into an Iaido stance.
'Gonna be borrowing your move Zenitsu… I'll buy you some mochi when I see you again.'
I inhaled deeply, my grip tightening on my blade. I dropped even lower before exhaling quickly.
"Thunderclap and flash, eight fold."
The air shattered, lighting burst around me as I attacked eight times in the span of a millisecond. Unohana blocked the first three but couldn't keep up. Her blood splattered the ground as I sheathed Amaterasu slowly while breathing in deeply.
'Man… Zenitsu really is a genius, if only he wasn't so cowardly.'
I turned around, ready to heal Unohana. Only to find her smiling softly at me, already healed. "You held back until the end."
"You did too." I replied.
"Indeed," she sheathed her sword and inclined her head, "you truly are a dangerous man Satoru-sama. Your blade bites as hard as your wo—
"Get out of the way! It's my turn!" Zaraki shouted as he stomped forward with a grin on his face.
Unohana just sighed and stepped aside. "Don't kill him."
"I'll try." I smiled.
She glanced at me one more time, then took a spot next to Yachiru and Mitsuri. Mitsuri offered her a pink mochi. The former Kenpachi smiled and gratefully accepted.
Zaraki didn't wait for introductions. His blade was already cutting through the air towards my neck. I don't make a move to block, or even draw Amaterasu.
His heavily damaged blade struck my Limitless barrier with a bang. He grinned and struck again, only to be stopped once more. I stood in one spot, watching him try different attacks. The ground beneath me shattering under the weight of each of his strikes.
"Interesting ability…" I heard Unohana mutter.
"Darling is super strong!" Mitsuri said.
"Beat him up Kenny!" Yachiru cheered.
Kenpachi Zaraki laughed, a genuine laugh as he struck with unrestrained fury.
"You're strong!" He shouted, "stop holding back pretty boy!"
"Sure… better not regret it eyepatch." I smiled.
I vanished, moving for the first time since he attacked. I reappeared behind him, sword a blur of crimson steel as I slashed into his open back. His blood burst from the wound but he didn't go down.
He turned to face me, his wild grin spreading even further. I casually deflected and redirected each of his blows.
"You're stepping too far into each of your swings. It leaves your side open. Keep it tight… like this."
I demonstrated by cutting him across the stomach with a flick of my blade. He roared and slashed at me repeatedly.
"You tend to telegraph your overhead strikes too, keep moving if you're going to do that, otherwise you're an open target."
I kept giving him advice even as I stabbed him several times in the leg. He still refused to fall.
"Stop talking and fight me!" He shouted.
"Fine," I raised my blade, "since you asked so nicely."
Burn and Illuminate… AMATERASU.
The moisture in the air dried instantly, the temperature around the training ground began to climb until I restrained the heat coming from my blade. The thing that made my shikai and Yamamoto's Bankai was that I had full control over the heat of my blade.
I decided how far the heat would extend and what it affected unlike Zanka no Tachi's indiscriminate area of effect.
Zaraki's eyes widened as I vanished and reappeared in front of him before he could even blink. Amaterasu was already stabbed deep into his chest. I heard Mitsuri and Yachiru gasp in shock.
The captain of the 11th division looked at the blade protruding from his chest in shock.
"What…"
"Hmm, you won't die. Don't worry, I'm going to do you a favour here."
"Ken-chan!" Yachiru shouted as she ran towards us.
Mitsuri and Unohana held her back. I yanked the blade free from Zaraki's chest. His wound already healing as I pushed a little RCT into his bleeding chest.
"When you wake up, talk with Yachiru. I'm sure you two will have a lot to discuss."
He slowly tipped backwards and crashed into the ground with a loud thump. I sheathed my blade and waved at the trio of women looking at me.
"Pretty boy…" Zaraki growled lowly, making me turn back to him. "Next time… I won't lose."
I just smirked at him, "Nah, I'd still win."
He chuckled before finally passing out. Unohana arrived to check on him and glanced at me when she noticed his wound was healed.
"Seems like the Seireitei has truly forgotten what true strength is, Satoru-sama."
Mitsuri laughed as she grabbed onto my arm. "That was so cool Darling!"
I chuckled and lightly pecked her forehead, "Of course it was."
"You!" I looked down at the tiny lieutenant of the 11th Division. Yachiru had her arms crossed while she pouted at me. "You stabbed Kenny you meanie!"
"He asked for it." I shrugged.
"Truly fascinating. Your abilities are very interesting." Unihana remarked as she examined the healed wound on Zaraki's chest.
"Interesting is one way to put it," I smiled at the medic, "personally… I'd say that they're really fun."