"That rules out everyone then.." Jushiro's brows furrowed. "Not everyone. There is someone with these particular skillset that even eclipses mine. Not only that, his speed and agility makes him harder to trace or capture. Most importantly, this person isn't related to the Gotei 13 of any sort and is easily expendable.."
Yoruichi laid out a profile. She forced to hide the smirk on her face when she watched the reactions of some of the Captains who knew exactly what she was talking about.
"Captain Yoruichi, I hope you're not thinking what I'm thinking.." Isshin blurted out in surprise. Not that Yoruichi was wrong or anything. In fact, if the person in mind was who she's also considering then he fit the profile perfectly. Only problem was, this person was a bit of a wildcard. And he didn't think most of the Captain's would even agree.
"Who do you have in mind, Captain Yoruichi?" The Captain Commander urged.
"Minato Namikaze.." Yoruichi didn't even hesitate. She just laid it out. Shinji gasped, while the others raised brows in discomfort at the mention of that name.
"I must have misheard. You want us to free a dangerous criminal. Are you out of your mind, Capdian Yoruichi?!" Ginrei Kuchiki's words were abrasive. Yoruichi turned to him boldly with furrowed brows.
"This mission is at the very least suicidal. Unless you want Byakuya on it, then I suggest your refrain from insulting me Captain Kuchiki and listen to what I have to say.." Yoruichi fired back. She couldn't care less how it made her look.
"But, what if he tries to escape? With his skillset if he tries to run, not many of us could hope to stop him." Rose spoke. He had to. Apart from himself, Ginrei and Kenpachi who didn't even care, everyone was too comfortable about the fact that they were letting out a known criminal.
"He won't. You're forgetting we didn't capture Minato. He surrendered himself to us. Thanks to the Captain Commander's generosity, we have a leash for him. His boy. He's still in our custody. With the boy in our custody, Minato would think twice before double crossing us.."
Yoruichi was ruthless. Even Kisuke had to send her a glare at a point. But he understood. She had to act this way to persuade the others. She couldn't show any weakness.
"Hmmmm. Do you really trust this man, Captain Yoruichi? Nothing can go wrong on this mission. Absolutely nothing." The old man's voice raised a bit. "I don't, Captain Commander. But like I said, this is a suicide mission. The probability of him making it out is slim to none." She stood her ground stubbornly.
"If that's the case, then you can go ahead. Should anything go wrong, you'll have to answer to me.. Bring in the prisoner. We'll assess his abilities ourselves.. This meeting is over. " The old man looked Yoruichi right in the eye and then banged his cane loudly before walking off.
"You really did it.." Kisuke clapped in joy like a child who had just seen a toy. "Hold your horses. You heard the Captain. Nothing better go wrong on this mission, otherwise I'll tear you apart myself.." She playfully punched his shoulder and then whispered cruelly into his ear, causing Kisuke to shudder.
"I really do hope you know what you're doing, Captain Yoruichi. If not the consequences could be lethal. I don't think the Soul Society is prepared for a war on the scale should something go wrong on your mission.." As Yoruichi and Kisuke walked out, they were halted in their tracks by Shunsui who raised the side of his hat and watched them with an eye.
"Ahem! What Captain Kyoraku means is, HE is not ready to participate in a war of this scale.." Before Yoruichi and Kisuke could retort, someone cleared his throat from behind with a chuckle.
"Total buzz kill Jushiro.." Shunsui rolled his eyes at the person who had just interrupted his beginning of his mysterious speech. None other than than the white haired Jushiro Ukitake.
Yoruichi and Kisuke smiled and then walked off. "I'm gonna begin working on the Garganta prototype. You should go see him.." Kisuke patted her shoulder and then walked off with a satisfied smile and a hum, while Yoruichi took in a deep breath, her fists clenching with resolve. It was time.
Maggot's Nest..
Underground, Omnitsukido Barracks..
The heavy stone doors groaned open, torchlight spilling into the abyss. Two figures in black-clad Onmitsukidō garb stepped inside, their soft sandals silent against the polished stone. The air was thick, damp, and humming with restrained menace.
As they descended deeper, the whispers began. Hollow laughter echoed from a cell, followed by the metallic clatter of fingernails scratching stone. Another prisoner pressed his face against the bars, eyes wild and bloodshot.
"Fresh meat?" he hissed.
Neither operative answered. Their movements were fluid, trained, never turning their heads too sharply, never meeting a prisoner's gaze.
They passed one after another: a silver-haired woman humming to herself as if nothing existed beyond her song; a hulking man with spiritual pressure so heavy it made the torches flicker; a blindfolded monk muttering curses that twisted the air around him.
Finally, they reached the deepest gate. Here, silence reigned. The oppressive stillness was worse than the madness above.
One of the operatives slid a sealed order from his sleeve and pressed it against the warded door. It flared briefly, then dissolved. The stone rumbled aside, revealing a single, solitary cell.
Inside sat the prisoner, back straight, legs folded, eyes gleaming in the shadows like a beast waiting to be unchained. The first ever criminal with a run on sight tag and code red in a thousand years.
"By order of the Central 46," one operative announced, his voice steady though his fingers tensed around the hilt of his blade, "you are to be released into our custody." His words caused no reaction to the prisoner who simply sat there calmly. The operative gestured to his colleague and both of them walked into the cell.
"Namikaze Minato. By order of Central 46, you're to be released into our custody.." The operative announced once more and then formed a hand seal, manifesting golden chains of Reiatsu along with his partner. The prisoner in question finally sat up, the lone streams of the sun rays peering into the cell finally bathing his visage.
A face that had not even aged a day. Dirty messy yellow hair, dull blue eyes and most importantly, a moustache and a goatee. The prisoner offered no resistance as he was chained by the operatives and sent out..
Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Maggots Nest, Yoruichi sat on a small rock, sipping wine in a small glass cup. By her side, Soi Fon stood dutifully, while Rangiku crossed her arms in anxiousness.
"Calm down Matsumoto. I can hear your heart beating all the way here. Jeez. It's not like he'll automatically become some evil warlord after spending time in isolation.." Yoruichi sneered, drawing Rangiku out of her reverie. When she saw that she had been caught she laughed in embarrassment while Soi Fon rolled her eyes.
"Isolation can turn even the most pure hearts evil, Captain Yoruichi. I'm just worried about Genma.. " Her eyes turned serious and then she spoke, turning towards Yoruichi.
"Or, you're just in love with him.." Yoruichi sent her a naughty smirk as she drank her wine. "What? No? How could you even suggest that?! I don't even-" Before she could finish ranting and give her one million reasons why she was not in love with the man, the doors to the entrance slided open and the two operatives walked out with a prisoner.
Yoruichi arose, Rangiku's heart nearly stopped and Soi Fon shook. The blood and dirt still couldn't take away his looks. Maybe adding the beard into the mix was overkill pairing with his already messy hair, but it was him. No mistake. His cold blue eyes watched the three ladies in front of him intently for a moment and then he took in a deep breath and let it out.
Yoruichi was the first to walk up to him. "You look good for someone who's just spent the last four years in isolation." She laughed. Soi Fon stood back with a troubled look, while Rangiku was simply lost for words. Minato silently nodded as his eyes rested on Yoruichi.
"Welcome back Minato.."
A/N: Sorry for the late update guys. Was having issues with my phone. Had to get it fixed.