[AN: Sorry about the late update lads, I rewrote this chapter several times never being satisfied with it. I'm still not 100% satisfied with it but this is the version that I liked best, it's not perfect but it's how I wanted it to turn out for the most part.]
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You'd think that after existing for a few thousand years that the Soul Society would learn efficiency, or at least humility but you'd be wrong. They're still arguing about bureaucracy and 'honour'.
At least the duels the day before had been fun. Getting to cut loose was one of my favourite pastimes. Unohana clearly had fun, I doubted that she got many chances to actually use her sword as a sword. Zaraki hadn't woken up yet after I 'unlocked' his full potential.
Afterwards though… things had been too quiet.
So Mitsuri and I did what any sensible married couple would do when surrounded by people who fancied themselves as 'gods'. We went on a date.
Ignoring the blatant corruption, the Seireitei was a beautiful place in its own way. But it was like someone painted over centuries worth of bloodstains, you could really feel it in certain places.
"Darling, look! That stall is selling taiyaki but they're shaped like cute little foxes!" Mitsuri's eyes sparkled as she tugged in my sleeve.
Her enthusiasm was contagious, I smiled, following her to the stand, letting her pick out three whole bags worth while I pretended not to notice the vendor trembling.
It didn't help that rumours apparently spread like wildfire here. Stories about my duel with Unohana and Zaraki had already hit most of the Seireitei by the time Mitsuri and I had woken up the day after.
I paid for the sweets, ignoring Mitsuri pout, I had a feeling that she wanted to pay herself… because of course she did. Then she took one of the fox shaped treats and offered me one.
"They're really soft, try one."
I bit in. Sweet red bean, fluffy texture. "Hm not bad," I said, though she probably knew I liked it more than I let on. Mitsuri beamed like she just won an award.
The day passed easily. We wandered through training fields and cherry gardens. We talked about everything and nothing. She stopped to admire flowers, laughing even as a patrol bowed a little too fast. She even somehow got Unohana's shy lieutenant, Isane to smile.
Fifteen years married and I still found myself watching her as if it was the first time.
[Scene Break]
Somewhere between the seventh sweet vendor and giving an impromptu footwork lesson to a few 11th Division recruits, I got a strange tug in my chest.
The kids.
I sighed, opening a portal with a wave of a hand. Mitsuri peeked through curiously. The scene that greeted us looked like something out of a divine comedy.
Ai was standing on a cabin roof, waving a wooden spoon like it was a royal scepter. Below her was half a dozen campers running for their lives while Akira, who was holding what looked like Clarisse's electric spear, chased them. The twins sat nearby in what looked like a betting station.
Chiron galloped into frame, looking about five seconds away from handing in his resignation letter. "Please! No weapons outside of the training yard!" He bellowed.
Ai just grinned down at him, "It's not a weapon Chi-tan! It's just a stick we found."
Mitsuri giggled beside me, her hands held to her mouth. "Ara… they're so energetic."
I slowly turned my head to her, "What did you just say?"
She smiled innocently. "Ara ara, Darling."
She enunciated every syllable of 'darling'. I felt something stirring within me. I scooped her up into a bridal carry and teleported us back to our room.
"Chiron can handle it. Probably" I muttered before slamming the door shut behind us.
[Scene Break]
By the time we finished trying out every position we could think of the sun was well past its apex in the sky. The air had grown tense again. Word had spread that Rukia's trial was about to begin and every captain was expected to attend.
I invited myself of course. Mitsuri had passed out with a satisfied look on her face so I left her in the room while I started heading out. I doubted Mitsuri would have wanted to go anyways, she didn't need to see me potentially going full murder hobo on some nobles.
The trial looked like something out of a bad legal drama, long benches, glaring nobles, Central 46 sanctimoniously sitting high above everyone else. Rukia stood in the center of the chamber. Small and silent, her white prisoner garb glowing faintly under the lanterns.
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, already regretting showing up. Yamamoto spotted me and bowed his head in apology. Clearly Central 46 didn't listen to him.
I had listened as one of the elders went on and on about 'betrayal of divine law' and 'endangering the balance'.
They concluded with: "Kuchiki Rukia, shall be executed by Shoyoku in seven days time."
They then proceeded to practically give each other pats on the back for a 'job well done'.
I snorted, loudly. All eyes turned to glare at me.
"You do realise… that she was doing her job right? So essentially the message you're sending is she's wrong for doing her job and that she should have let humans die."
The elders lips curled into a sneer, "You have no right to speak here outsider, someone of your standing doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as our nobles."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed, "Satoru-dono is the son of—
The elder waved him off, "Bah! He's the son of a whore and his blood holds no power here."
The room went still, Yamamoto sighed and sat back down. I uncrossed my arms and grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say something stupid… It's been a while since I've let the Old King come out to play."
The temperature immediately dropped as tattoos crawled onto my skin. Sukuna's… no, MY aura burst from my body like a tidal wave of blood and hatred. My vision shifted as all four eyes opened.
"Wh-" the elders looked at me in horror.
I just stepped forward, the transformation completing. I took off my shades while my extra arms stretched. My oppressive aura weighing down everyone's breathing in the room.
One of the guards collapsed, bleeding from his eyes and nose. I hadn't even started yet.
"Let me clarify something," my voice rumbled through the chambers, "you can say what you want about me… but when you utter such foul words about my divine mother, then you can only blame yourself for what happens next."
I grinned sharply, the elder screamed for the guards to attack me. Yamamoto slammed his staff onto the ground.
"Stand down! They brought this on themselves. You step in and your lives will be forfeit as well."
The guards hesitated, glancing at the elders, then to me. They took their hands off their weapons and retreated to the back of the room.
I didn't even have to move fast, I flicked a finger and the elder who Insulted Izanami was cut in half. Another elder was cut from head to groin before he could even scream. A savage grin lit up my face, part of me missed the fear, the terror in the eyes of those looking down at me.
Another elder tried to run, I was behind him with a hand on his shoulder before he was even five feet from where he originally stood. The elder burst into a shower of minced meat. Blood splattering the remaining elders.
My arms were a blur, handing out 'Dismantles' like candy. By the time I slowed down to appreciate my work, half the elders were gone. The survivors huddled together, too scared to even do much as breathe.
I exhaled slowly, cracking my neck as I raised my hands and prepared to unleash my domain on the last of the Central 46.
Then the air split apart, five figures appeared in flashes of golden light. The royal guard, Zero Division, had arrived.
Ichibe Hyosube led them forward, he quietly bowed to me before speaking.
"You really don't do subtle do you…" he sighed.
I smiled, visibly unnerving him with my fanged grin. "Never saw the point."
He glanced at the mangled bodies, blood pooling beneath us. "I'd ask that you stay your hand, wiping them all out now would unbalance the Seireitei. Their existence is—
"Was a mistake," I cut in. "But fine, I'm bored. Killing defenseless little shits isn't as fun as I thought it would be."
Ichibe sighed again, "Well ensure that nothing like this happens again."
That's when the temperature shifted again, and this time it was not from me.
"My son…"
Everyone's head dropped, even Ichibe dropped to a knee. The air itself bent under the weight of her voice. Izanami's presence filled the chamber with the cold promise of death.
Her voice was gentle… when directed at me at least.
"You've done well Satoru. They have forgotten their purpose. Let them remember why only TRUE gods walk above death."
Then her tone turned cold, "And you… pitiful remnants of my design. You forget that all souls belong to me. You serve at MY mercy. Not your laws, not your council, and not your false king."
The entire chamber trembled, several more guards fainted outright.
She turned her attention back to me, "Do not hesitate next time my son… remind those below you of their place… and give my grandchildren my greetings."
I chuckled, her presence faded away as she returned back to her domain. Ichibe looked up slowly, his dark skin a few shades lighter as he paled. Yamamoto bowed his head in solemn respect.
I rolled my shoulders, letting my form return to normal.
"Well, that was dramatic." I muttered.
[Scene Break]
I stepped over the cracked floor stained with blood, heading towards the exit. I looked over my shoulder to Ichibe.
"Clean this shit up… don't make me come back here. You won't like how permanent it'll be when I do your jobs for you."
Ichibe nodded, bowing lower than he did earlier "Understood."
The hall was silent as I left. Outside, the sky above the Seireitei was unnaturally calm. It was as if the world held its breath.
I teleported to where I felt Mitsuri. She was sitting by a koi pond feeding the fish with Isane. Her face lit up when she saw me.
"How did it go?" She asked.
I kissed her forehead, "About as you'd expect."
She sighed, "At least you didn't get blood on your clothes this time."
"I held back." I said, grinning.
"What about Unohana-taicho?" Isane asked.
"Your captain is fine… I might even go as far as to say that she enjoyed my little performance."
Isane nodded, "Then I shall take my leave. Unohana-taicho will probably need my help."
Isane excused herself and vanished in a blur of movement.
For a while I sat next to Mitsuri, listening to her hum as we watched the fish swimming around in the pond. I heard shinigami whispering around the barracks. The rumour mill was already spinning away.
For a moment it was peaceful again.
Then I felt it, a Captain class reiatsu suddenly vanishing.
'Aizen…' I sighed, brushing dust off my clothes as I stood up. "Let's go see what he's scheming now."
Mitsuri looked up, "Do you want me to come?"
"Nah," I said smiling, "I'll be quick. Save me some dango."
She nodded, trusting as always. "Don't overdo it."
"When do I eve—
She just stared. I chuckled and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You know me so well… fine, I won't drop a Hollow Purple on his forehead."