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District 40 – Outskirts
Night had fallen. The sky above the 40th District was a smear of ink, and the swampy forest on the outskirts lay under a thick shroud of mist. In the stagnant water of a small pond, ripples broke the still surface.
A lone figure emerged.
Minato rose quietly, scanning the shadows to his left, then right. No eyes watching, at least none he could sense. He vaulted onto the bank, droplets streaming from his frame, and reached for the bundle he had left hidden beneath the reeds.
His old jacket was beyond saving, torn and stained from battles past. He slipped instead into what remained of his gear, a sleeveless blue shirt, shinobi pants, and sandals worn from long travel. A small pack of ninja tools was strapped to his lower back, a coin pouch tied to his thigh. His blade rested beneath the pack, hidden yet close.
From the bundle, he pulled a long, hooded robe and draped it over himself before setting a freshly caught fish on a skewer over a small, controlled fire. The flames hissed as they licked at the moisture, casting restless shadows across his face.
He ate slowly, the taste of smoke and salt muted by the weight of his thoughts. Faces from his past flickered before his eyes, mingling with fresh memories of blood and steel.
Things aren't going to get better from here. The Gotei 13 would come. They had to. He had gravely injured a Captain, two Lieutenants, and killed two more. His role in the Hollow attack would not remain hidden for long. But that wasn't what worried him most.
Genma was with them. They could harm the boy. Use him as bait. Force Minato's hand. That thought burned hotter than the fire in front of him. He took a drink from a water jug, the cool liquid steadying him.
'Overthinking won't help your case against them, Minato. Strength is the only way…'
The voice of Sorasen whispered from deep within his inner world.
"I know," Minato murmured, his voice low, almost lost to the swamp's chorus. "But who wouldn't think about it? The Shinigami rule this world. If I'm right, Kensei was one of the weaker Captains. If the true monsters come, I won't be ready. I can run, but for how long?"
He wasn't afraid for himself.
He had never feared death, it was the one certainty a shinobi embraced. But now, with a purpose beyond himself, dying wasn't an option.
'My power doesn't end at running away,' Sorasen replied. 'You've barely touched the surface of what I can do. If you can truly master me, Minato, even the Shinigami would think twice before crossing you.'
Minato reached for the blade at his side and let it shift into its awakened form. In his hand rested the transformed kunai, his Shikai, the mirrored reflection of the Flying Thunder God from his past life.
In its basic state, Sorasen was a space-time Zanpakutō: she could pull him into the void and deliver him to any point he marked, by summoning himself to her location anywhere in the world, inscribe permanent seals on objects or people, by himself or through the blade, and instantly traverse space to reach them. At the core, that was the basis of Sorasen's power. Simple. Elegant. Deadly.
With his experience, those "simple" abilities became limitless.
'Tailor, made for me' he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He could do so much more with it..
"I know you're powerful, Sorasen. It's an honor to wield you."
'My name, Sorasen (Celestial Sage), was not chosen lightly, she said, her tone sharpening. It reflects the nature of my abilities.'
"So, at your peak, I'll be able to wield the full power of space and time?" he asked, genuine excitement cutting through his usual calm.
'Before you think about my peak, you'll have to deal with my counterpart.'
Minato stilled. "…There's two of you?"
'Yes. I'm not your only Zanpakutō spirit. The other is sealed away. I can feel him. His grief. You'll need to face him before my true power is yours.'
Realization slid into place like a blade finding its sheath. In his dreams and visions, there had always been another presence, towering, wild, and unyielding. The Kyuubi.
"I've seen Captains. Lieutenants. All with their Shikai. None of them have more than one spirit…"
'You're not like them' Sorasen said simply. 'Your power makes you an anomaly.'
He scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "Well, since you two are technically my Zanpakutō spirits… maybe put in a good word for me? I have a feeling he won't exactly be thrilled to see me. You know, I sealed him away and all."
'He's part of your soul now. Bound to you. Whether his anger is justified or not, he will answer when you call.'
Minato leaned back, staring into the flickering firelight. "Yeah, well… we go way back. And for the record, we don't exactly have the best history. So… I'll just wait for him to make the first move."
The fire popped, sending sparks into the humid night. Somewhere in the swamp, something moved in the water. Minato didn't look away from the flames.
---
The Gotei 13 was in a state of emergency.
Recent developments within the Soul Society had shaken its foundations, forcing the higher echelons to convene without delay.
Inside the grand First Division Assembly Hall, the air was heavy with tension and the faint scent of polished cedar. The room was vast yet solemn, its high, slanted ceiling held aloft by thick wooden beams blackened with age.
Sunlight filtered through tall paper-paneled windows, casting soft latticed patterns across the polished wooden floor.
The Seat of the Captain General was occupied, and every other Captains present stood lined up 6 on each side, each dressed in their white Captains Haori. All Lieutenants were supposed to be present, but most were out on a mission..
Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat calmly, hands resting on his walking stick. He was a towering figure even in stillness. His long white beard rested against his chest, his closed eyes betraying nothing, yet the sheer weight of his presence pressed on the room like a drawn blade. Behind him, Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe stood with impeccable posture, his silver hair and perfectly trimmed mustache as sharp as his uniform.
"Jeez...
I took me three days to get here from the South District. I wasn't even allowed to rest a bit.." One Captain, a long golden haired man with a small grin rubbed his nape and then sighed, rolling his eyes at the tense atmosphere within the hall. Shinji Hirako. The number five was written boldly behind on his Captain's Haori while another handsome bespectacled man stood calmly behind him, hands at his back, his lieutenant, Sosuke Aizen.
"Classless as always.." Wavy blonde hair that reached his waist, eyes half lidded, yet quietly alert. The number 3, written boldly at the back of his elegant haori. Rojuro, Rose, Otoribashi sent a quiet glare towards Shinji and then closed his eyes.
"Classless?! Hey, I'm the one who had to travel three days non stop to get here.." Shinji clapped back, sttretching his waist lazily.
"At least you're not the one who's handling the resources to the Rukongai. I could die of annoyance and boredom.." Isshin Shiba's shoulders swooped when he thought of his predicament.
But Rangiku who was stood solemnly behind him nearly slapped his head.
THWACK!
"I called all of you here for one purpose only. Those of you who had not been sent out have already heard..." With a tap of his cane, a subtle Reiatsu and the calm voice of the Head Captain silenced the room.
"Captain Kensei of the Ninth Division, lieutenants Soi Fon of the Omnitsukido and Mashiro Kuna also of the ninth were heavily injured, two others killed.."
The silence was palpable. Lieutenants go out on missions all the time, they get injured and healed. It wasn't out of the blue. But a Captain being injured? That was unusual.
"They were rushed to my ward three days ago. Kensei is still unconscious, but Mashiro and Soi Fon are awake and are slowly recovering.." Captain Retsu Unohana, whose serene smile has long since disappeared, her long, silky black hair and spirit belied an aura of unfathomable experience.
"What the hell happened to them?!" Was it a Hollow attack?!" Shinji raised his voice, frowning with concern mixed with uncertainty. "A Hollow? Please, a Hollow that strong couldn't have attacked them without catching anyone's attention.." Rose answered, his voice, a mix of disgust and annoyance.
"I've spoken to Soi Fon. I know what happened.." Purple haired, dark skinned, sleeveless shikahusho underneath her Haori. Yoruichi Shihoin clenched and released her fists, a seriousness written all over her face.
"Take it easy, Yoruichi..." Kisuke Urahara has to voice out. He has rarely seen Yoruichi harbouring such anger. "Don't you dare, Kisuke. That man, he nearly killed Soi Fon!.." She barked angrily, to which Kisuke had to sigh and withdraw.
"Your worry for you lieutenant is justified,.Yoruichi.." Captain Unohana chipped in with a reassuring smile. "Tsk. Thank God no one cares about that Kensei bastard, he was a weakling anyway!" One Captain, holding a chipped blade onto his shoulder grunted in annoyance. He wore an eye patch and on his head, his hair was arranged in long spikes, while a small pink haired girl sat on his shoulder. 11 was written on the back of his Haori.
"Captain Zaraki, a little sympathy for our injured colleague wouldn't hurt.." White haired, handsome. Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th Division had to chip in with a look towards the rough looking man for his unruly comments.
"Here we go.." A hat wearing pink robed Captain, sighed, lowering his hat, as if he had been forced to be here.
"Sympathy? He was attacked by a newly arrived Soul in the Rukongai. And what's even funny is he even had the nerve to use Bankai and still lost..
What a waste.." The unruly Captain clapped back, and the entire rooms went silent again. Those who were aware of the fact kept silent, while those who weren't were too shocked to speak.
"Captain Zaraki, your unruliness is as distasteful as always. Did it ever occured to you that this newly awakened soul might've used a trick that had caught Captain Kensei off guard?" Ginrei Kuchiki of the 6th turned his head towards Kenpachi Zaraki of the 11th.
"A trick? That makes it even worse. Did he also use that same trick on Soi Fon and Mashiro? Don't be stupid." Kenpachi laughed brazenly.
"You dare insult me?!"
"Mind your words Zaraki!"
Yoruichi was stung when Zaraki mentioned her lieutenant's names, while Ginrei's eyes flashed cold. "Tsk. What are you gonna do about it?!" Rather than cower in the face of two overwhelming Reiatsus Kenpachi drew his blade, a mad grin on his face.
"Enough!"
The Head Captain's stick slammed into the ground sending a wave of Reiatsu that silenced the hall once more.
A/N: Enjoy.