"Welcome back, Minato.."
Those words were followed by an eerie silence. Yoruichi was calm, meeting Minato's stare without fear. Soi Fon and Rangiku on the other hand were filled with apprehension, to the point where Soi Fon's hand unconsciously reached for her sword.
"Why am I out, Captain Yoruichi?" The silence was broken by a ragged voice. Minato's eyes softened and he took in another breath. The Omnitsukido operatives holding onto the Reiatsu chains that bound him released sighs in their heart. Soi Fon slowly wiped a bead of sweat running down her cheek while Rangiku heaved a sigh.
"Heh. You can still talk. Thought you'd gone dumb or something.." Fearless was an understatement to Yoruichi's guts. Or maybe it wasn't fearlessness. It could be the fact that she just didn't think someone like Minato who was willing to die for his student would try anything untoward in a fit of rage after being released. It just didn't seem likely..
"Sigh. I need water.." Yoruichi's laughter was contagious. Minato's lips slowly cracked into a smile before he let out a sigh.
"Release him.." Yoruichi commanded the two Omnitsukido operatives beside her. "But Captain. He's.."
"Do I have to repeat myself?!" The operatives tried to argue, but a simple murderous glare from her and Soi Fon's hand on her blade caused their hearts to shudder instantly. They released their hold on the Reiatsu binding chains and Minato was free.
"Leave.. and bring us some water.." She ordered. They nodded and disappeared from sight..
Minato rubbed his wrists in pain and took a seat on a small rock. It was good to be free. It was even a miracle that he had yet to lose his mind from the solitude.
"How's he?" His gaze finally turned to Rangiku. The two locked eyes for a moment. "He's fine, I adopted him." She moved closer and sat beside him. "Adopted eh? Tsk. It's better for him that way.." Minato chuckled, scratching his head.
"Does he still remember?" He asked, staring into the distance. "He does. I told him everything. Couldn't bring myself to lie to the boy.. He talks about you everyday, quotes you and all like you're some God to him. Pretty annoying is what it is.." Rangiku rolled her eyes and crossed her feet.
"Heh.." Minato finally relented and laughed. " Now that you're back.. " Rangiku's smile slowly faded and then she turned to him. " No, no, I don't even know what's going to happen to me.." Minato knew what she was going to say. He turned to her and shook his head. " He's better off with you than he ever was with me.. " He smiled.
" Water's here.. " Yoruichi cleared her throat and threw him a water flask. Minato caught it with a hand, opened it and drank, before letting some splatter on his face with a refreshing sigh.
"Thank you, Captain Yoruichi.. Now if you could tell me what exactly you need me for.." He emptied the flask quickly and placed it beside him, before turning to Yoruichi.
"You've been without your Zanpankutou for more than three years. Can you still fight?" Yoruichi threw a question which made Minato raise a brow.
" I'm guessing it's a rather important mission. And since I'm needed on it, you must've run out of options..." He stated.
" Heh. The others are waiting, come on.." Yoruichi smirked and then disappeared in a flash. Soi Fon followed, then Rangiku, and then he did as well.
First Division Barracks....
The personal training ground of the Captain Commander was spacious to say the least. Having belonged to the old man for close to 500 years, the entire grounds we're filled with scorch like marks and deep grooves that had torn rifts into the realm itself.
Nearly all the Captains were present at the moment, standing around in a circle while they discussed the turn of events.
"I still can't believe what the hell goes the mind of Yoruichi and that jerk Kisuke.. To even suggest something like this.." Rose ran a hand through his air in exasperation.
"The decision has already been made, Rose, so unless you have a batter idea, I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself, like I'm doing.." Love Aikawa chipped in scratching his messy stubble. The Captain Commander has already agreed to Yoruichi's plan. There was no turning back now. They could only hope things would go as expected.
"Oi, old man. Let me have a go at this bastard alright. I want to see what he's made of.." Kenpachi Zaraki's hand tightened on his blade as a crazed smile hang on his lips. His battle lust filled eyes turned towards the Captain Commander who was calmly seated with a glass tea cup in hand.
Beside him, Jushiro, Shunsui and Unohana rolled their eyes. Kenpachi just couldn't read the room at times. This was not the time for his antics.
It didn't take long. Yoruichi burred into motion and backflipped into a landing with a smile. "Whew! What an audience. This would be fun.." She scoffed lightly and walked towards the Captain Commander.
"Send him in Captain Yoruichi.." The old man stated and gently dropped the tea cup in hand onto the glass tray on his table.
"Yes Captain Commander.." Yoruichi nodded gently and then turned around to call out. "Soi Fon.." The Omnitsukido's 1st Seat Soi Foin shunpoed beside Yoruichi bringing with her two other individuals.
"Heh, Yoruichi's little lass has gotten even stronger.." Shunsui commented on the side. Meanwhile, all the nearby Captains had their gazes fixed on the figure silently standing behind Soi Fon and Rangiku.
"Namikaze Minato.." The Captain Commander's voice, though ragged commanded an authority that the heavens could not shake. The air grew tense, as Minato walked forward, standing face to face with the Captains of the Gotei 13.
Nearly all of them. Minato took a deep breath. His eyes scanned each and everyone present and he noted a few of the Captains whose Reiatsu made his skin scrawl and shudder.
The first was none other than the Captain Commander himself, emanating authority like a God. Minato didn't even want to try to fathom the depths of the old man's power. The gap wasn't something Sorasen's magnificent abilities could even breach. His aura alone reminded him of the stories they used to tell back then about the God of their world. The Sage of Six Paths himself.
The second was the black haired seemingly amicably calm female Captain staring at him with interest. Captain Unohana if he remembered correctly. With just a glance, he saw it. An inkling of her true self within her eyes. Hidden underneath that smile and all that friendliness was something so dark, it made his palms sweat.
The third and fourth were the two Captains standing shoulder to shoulder. One silver haired with a gentle smile and the other tipsy, wearing a straw hat. They looked the least threatening amongst all the other Captains yet Minato could tell a stark difference, a gap between them and the rest of the Captains excluding the Captain Commander and Capdian Unohana, just from reading the specks of Reiatsu they emanated.
It was like comparing generations apart. Those two stood out, like the Hashirama and Tobirama Senju of the Gotei 13. The Gods of Shinobi..
The last was a tall, ragged brute with an eye patch hefting his blade on his shoulder with a crazed smile. Minato furrowed his brows. The man's Reiatsu was so monstrous, it felt like staring into a black hole. His feral nature reminded him of the one they called the Monster of the Hidden Mist, Kisame Hoshigaki.
Minato sighed. The gap between these extraordinary individuals and himself wasn't even close. Sorasen was right. It really was wishful thinking to assume he could go against them with his current prowess.
"Step forward, Minato.." The old man's voice resounded once more. Minato took in a deep breath and his eyes sharpened. He took a step forward and faced off against the Captains.
"You are to be dispatched on a mission to Hueco Mundo. Captains Yoruichi and Urahara would fill you in on the details." The Head Captain briefed. Minato nodded. " I understand.."
" Before you go, you're allowed to visit Shino Academy under strict supervision, to see your boy. Make adequate preparations before you leave.." The old man finished off.
Minato nodded and turned around, about to leave when someone broke into a cold chuckle. " Captain Yoruichi would rather send you on a mission than us. Perhaps because you defeated a few weaklings, she thinks you're better than us.." Love Aikawa. He scratched his stubble turning towards Minato with laugh.
Meanwhile, Kensei and Isshin whom Minato had defeated before grit their teeths in annoyance. Minato defeating them was like a thorn constantly stinging into their side. .
"Is there anything you'd like to add, Captain Aikawa?" The Head Captain turned to him.
"Nothing much, Head Captain. I understand that he defeated Captain Shiba and Muguruma fair and square. If you don't mind, I'd like to test him, to prove to myself and the other Captains who haven't seen him in action, that he really is as good as Yoruichi and the others claim.
A light spar with your permission.."
He framed it well, to the point where, even the Captain Commander had to think through.
" Oh boy.." Shunsui tilted his hat, while Jushiro shook his head.
" Back off Aikawa! He's mine!" Kenpachi Zaraki stepped in with a roaring laugh as the grip on his blade tightened.
" Gotta agree with him. Let's see if you're as good as the other claim.." Shinji shrugged and then turned to Minato sizing him up with a soft chuckle.
"Fine.. You may proceed. But you stop before it gets dangerous.. Do I make myself clear.." The Head Captain had to relent. In as much as even he wanted everything to be over with as quickly as possible, what the Captains were suggesting were right. A part of him, deep down, doubted the testimony of the two Captains owing to never seeing him in action..
A/N: Still having issues with my phone. Sorry for the late update guys. Enjoy. I'll add an extra chapter today, don't worry.