[BitPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World II

[Dorizzit]

[Hueco Mundo]
That "Night"

Jehoel remains dispassionate at Kiba's announcing of his name and intention to continue his attack.

"Oh, I'm sure you aren't."

Jehoel continues to watch without moving as Kiba moves in for another attack, and for a moment it seems as if he intends to continue taking Kiba's strikes like an abnormally hard punching bag. Then, when Kiba's leg is only inches from Jehoel's face, his arm is there, blocking the strike before it can connect. The movement is almost instantaneous, but also casual, as if swatting away a fly. There is no push-back from Jehoel yet; the move was purely defensive. As before, the only harm inflicted would be by Kiba himself from attacking too aggressively.

"And you're a man of rank, as well, unless I miss my guess. I remember you from the Scarlet Garden. Still, I do have to wonder. How did a caitiff such as yourself become a high ranking officer?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Hueco Mundo]
Later that night

Well, you're up faster than you should be.

Randii is leaning against Tinja's doorway, watching the Espada work at her desk. Her stance seems as relaxed as usual.

Course, that isn't too surprising. You're kinda eager about getting this army set up, ain't ya?

[Draken]

Hueco Mundo
Blighted Baths

A few minutes after Kyoki arrives, Clovis gets up and conjures a towel for himself.

"Well ladies, the soak was great but I have duties to attend to! And don't worry about lord Azmus, just wait for him to wake up. I put some underwear on him so he should be fine no matter how long he stays down there."

With that, Clovis strolls off humming a song.

[dancrilis]

[Soul Society]
(The Phoenix Temple)

Sabitsura Sho

This gravity affect was bothersome - as with all abilities of reiatsu (which was more or less all abilities) it could be countered with reiatsu but it took time to adapt, and the greater the strain the change the longer the adaption.

She didn't fight against the affect this time allowing it to drag her into a crouch, but she held her arms and hands before her defensively. If she could divert the hammer from hitting her - even to an extent - he would be wide open, and this time she was confident of how to continue this.

But it would depend on how he completed the move.

[Kuroimaken]

Soul Society - Duel of EPIC FATE

Which suited Kamen Rider just fine.

This wasn't a guy who was fighting to kill. But he had enough information on his opponent to know she wouldn't give up easily. He had already weakened her midsection.

Had he aimed at her head, the strike would have likely been fatal. Between the acceleration, the hammer's weight, and his own added in, the strike may have been enough to one-shot a Gillian.

But what Sho didn't know was that this strike was a variation of the Blind Guardian form's Rider Railgun. Usually, the hammer was used by its lonesome - it allowed Kamen Rider Rei to focus his energy into accelerating the weapon with the electromagnetic field, and it reduced air friction, thus resulting in a more potent strike.

By diving WITH the hammer, he was able to hold back some of the strike's impact and keep it from killing his opponent.

As Sho put her arms up, the hammer struck squarely against her forearms. There was more than enough strength behind it to shatter bone and swell muscle; some of the carryover may well smash into her chest.

As if adding insult to injury, carrying on the momentum of the strike itself, Kamen Rider spun on his foot and shot a kick towards Sho's midsection to get her away from him if it connected.

"Sabitsura Sho. Count up your crimes - you'll be making up for them soon, one Hollow at a time."

[Frozen_Feet]

[Soul Society]
Headquarters - Commander-General's office, end of the Captains' meeting

"You are free to think whatever you will", Li states dryly as Kiba storms out of the meeting, not really expecting for the hot-heated Vice-Captain to hear it.

After Tsukino Hikaru, Hishikawa Setsurou, Hatiba Azwadu and Wa-Den Eri with his Captain have departed, Li walks to the Commander's desk and opens the topmost drawer, pulling out a Divine Messenger Machine, more commonly referred to as a "Reiphone". Li tunes it to a special radio frequency - the one Jigokucho, the Hell Butterflies, use for communicating with each other. Said frequency also serves as the Seireitei emergency channel, overriding all other radio signals for Reiphones. The reason is simple: that way, a single phone can blare an announcement through all phones and butterflies in the city.

And so, Zheng Li Lin's words echo throughout the Court of Pure Souls, reaching most, if not all, of Gotei forces.

"This is former Captain of Medicine and Logistics, Zheng Li Lin speaking. This day, I have been appointed as the Commander-General of Gotei. I will begin in my new duties immediately."

"This does not mean our former Commander has abandoned us. As you have witnessed today, Lady Death is still alive and well. She has taken to personally protecting the safety of Rukongai, and also ensuring all willing recruits make it inside our walls free of Hollow interference."

"Undoubtedly, many of you are wondering about the Hollow messengers that stopped by our walls today. You are anxious to hear our answer. Exactly because of that, I want you to remember one thing: as far as our actions go, this offer changes nothing. A course of action was decided earlier today, and it will not change because of Hollow rhetoric. As such, we will ignore this offer, untill our brave Reconnassaince officers can substantiate these Hollows' claim of civilization."

"Before then, this is what is going to happen: we will regroup all our forces here, in Seireitei. We will bolster our defenses and rebuild Gotei to full 13 Divisions. This very day, two Divisions have already been founded, one consisting of volunteers from the Noble Houses as well as our most talented Academy recruits, and another from Bakudo specialist returning from the living world. Another Division, that of engineers and craftsmen, is on the works."

"No matter what happens during the next week, this is not the end. Together, we will prevail even in the darkest times. In unity, we have strenght the Hollows can only dream of. They caught us unprepared once; that will not repeat itself. When they next attack, we will be ready - and we will strike them down even more thoroughly than 50 years ago."

"End of transmission."

[DiscipleofBob]

[Soul Society]
(Leaving the Captain's Meeting)

Kiba hardly storms out of the meeting. He doesn't even bother with Shunpo until he's certain no one else wants or needs to speak with him. He doubted it.

While Kiba was far from agreeing with Captain Li on Li's current position towards the negotiations, some respect for Li was redeemed with the announcement. It was noncommittal, but it at least provided the appearance of strength and unity. Whether it would accomplish that or not may very well depend on the answers of the other Captains.

==========

[Hueco Mundo]
(Outside Las Noches)

Caitiff? Was that some hollow jargon? It was a new, foreign word to Kiba, but from the context he could guess what it meant.

Mid-fight banter had always been distasteful to Kiba. It was completely superfluous. The most you could do was distract your opponent or trick them into revealing something vital in a best-case scenario.

This seemed like it was an attempt to insult Kiba, either merely for Jehoel's amusement or to goad Kiba into attacking even more recklessly. With a different opponent, Kiba would have ignored the words completely and continued. But with Jehoel, it was part of the challenge. These hollows wanted to pretend that they were peaceful and civilized, so they talked instead of fighting, but Kiba knew it was just another mask.

As for Jehoel's question, the obvious answer would be 'because I was the best fighter.' But that of course would lead into an insult on Kiba's Division. Really any response he gave would, but instead replied, "Because I survive." Not survived. The word choice was deliberate. In the past, Kiba took everything that was dished out and kept on going, and not just at the Scarlet Garden, and he would continue to do so, even against a seemingly impossible opponent like Jehoel.

Despite the thought process, Kiba's attacks don't slow down. In fact, they seem to gradually get a little stronger and faster with each strike. Although Jehoel blocked them effortlessly, he may notice that each block requires a tiny bit more force than before. Now that Jehoel is actually blocking Kiba goes for several points. Jehoel's head. Chest. Shoulders. Arms. Back. If all Jehoel did was block (which Kiba assumed would end sooner or later), Kiba would continue the assault even while talking if that's what Jehoel wanted to do. Although his body was still hurt from his previous attacks, he was adapting. His attacks were not any weaker, but now that he knew what he was punching/kicking, Kiba could attack without damaging his limbs further (even if he wasn't damaging Jehoel either).

[Tebryn]

[Soul Society]
Headquarters - Commander-General's office

Shigure steps quietly through the hallways, balancing a tray of tea in one hand as he glanced about the hustle and bustle. He'd missed it the day he was gone but orders were orders, he was to talk to Captain Li...Commander Captain Li if the rumors were correct. He knocked gently on the door of the Commander Captain's office before letting himself in, setting the tray down before taking a seat.

[Kuroimaken]

Soul Society - After the Captain's Meeting

Shortly after Li's announcement, he would get a Jigokuchou from Setsurou.

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For Li's eyes only

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"Sir, while we're at it, I have this absolutely DASHING idea for a Strategic Division that I think you're going to love. We'll hardly need to rearrange troops, even. Here's my Reiphone number.

Cordially, Hishikawa Setsurou <3"

[Demidos]

[Hueco Mundo]
Later that night

Well, you're up faster than you should be.

Randii is leaning against Tinja's doorway, watching the Espada work at her desk. Her stance seems as relaxed as usual.

Course, that isn't too surprising. You're kinda eager about getting this army set up, ain't ya?

Tinja pushes off the ground and pulls up her legs, lettting her chair spin to face her erstwhile Fraccion. "Randii! I never did get to see the end of that battle -- from the facts that both of us are here and that I can sense most of the other Espada wandering the city, I presume we fared pretty well. Except Azmus? Daiki? No, definitely Azmus -- I always have trouble differentiating their spiritual pressures."

Tinja rolls her eyes.

"And who is this new fellow Jehoel found to fight? Its rather unfair, don't you think? No, we can't fight, but he gets all the fun. As to the army, say Seireitei were to call Jehoel at his game. It would be a what, half a dozen, maybe a dozen Arrancar against all of the Gotei 6? Sure, theyre incompetent, but thats at least 100 to 1, probably more. All those little guys would be a distraction from the main battle. And what if Seireitei were to accept Jehoel's offer? I'd be stuck on Hollow retrieval duty. Jeesh that would be depressing. So instead, we'll have other Hollows do it! Take a look."

Tinja tosses the parchment that she's been working on to Randii for inspection, then yawns and rubs her eyes. Although she can't deny the usefulness of the army, its a pain to plan. Still, if it gets her out of grunt work....

"Any comments?" she yawns.

The parchment Randii recieves is entitled "La Armada" in tight flowing script, and folds out for several pages. Giant slashes cross out entire portions of the text, while other parts are circled or underlined. While the writing looks confused, almost like a stream of consciousness, its obvious that there is solid, concrete ideas just under the surface.



The design for La Armada, aka the Hollow army.

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Regular Forces

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First off: Recruitment
-Voluntary. Not big on drafts. It'll be pretty hard to sway me on this. If they don't want to be here, they'll just get in the way. Why, you ask, would they want to fight and risk death? The lure of power, of course. Along with the ever present chance that war will break out and they will get to eat some Shinigami. That never gets old.

Secondly: Training
-Find your own motivation. At the moment, going to plan to group Hollows that join in groups of five and send them out into Hueco Mundo to fight other hollows and become stronger. After they have been out for at least a month, and defeated a set number of unaligned Hollows, they are allowed to return. Lying is possible, of course, but not encouraged -- its not a good idea to join a Hollow army if you are much weaker than the others.
-Power checks will be carried out by trained and tested Adjuchas/Fracciones to determine suitability.

Thirdly: Divisions within the army.
-Presumably we will want some form of chain of command. There are six divisions (called Flotas), each corresponding to an Espada. Within that, each Flota would further be divided into five units, numbered one through five (Escuadras). Within an Escuadra, Hollows would be divided into groups of ten (Naves), denoted by a second number. This makes remembering groups easily. Add the number for the Escuadra and the Nave to that of the Flota, respectively, and that is the unit's number. An individual squad's (Nave's) number can thus be denoted as, for example, 653 (The third Nave of the Sixth Espada's fifth Escuadra.)

At least a Vasto-Lorde or an Arrancar must lead each Flota.
At least an Adjuchas must lead each Escuadra.

That should cover 30 Escuadras, each with ten Naves, for a total of 3000 Hollows. That should be enough for the moment. Expansion can be dealt with by adding a second digit to the Nave number.

Summary:

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Up to 10 Hollows in a Nave
Ten Naves in a Escuadra
Five Escuadras in a Flota
Six Flotas in the Armada.
10*10*5*6=3,000 Hollows

Fourth off: Uniforms. Being regular hollows/adjuchas rather than Arrancar, usual uniforms would be difficult. As such, colored armbands exist for each different Flota, each with Nave and Escuadra numbers included.

Those in training groups have special white armbands with a 0 written on them in black.

Fifth and last: Lodgings and Training facilities
Supplied to each Flota by their respective Espada.

Special Forces

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All of the above still applies, but for Adjuchas, Vasto Lordes, and Arrancar.
Under direct purview of the designated military leader on the council of Espadas (that is to say, whoever wants to put in the most work on training these guys).

Usually led by powerful Fraccion or Espada.

As both non-expendable and trainable troops, receive sparring training from high level Fracciones and against each other. Those approaching Resurrection can receive special training on request (I can help. Sometimes. Not gonna spend all night on it).

These troops receive the denomination of 7 when referring to their Flota. Their Armbands are black.

[Frozen_Feet]

Soul Society - After the Captain's Meeting

Shortly after Li's announcement, he would get a Jigokuchou from Setsurou.

Spoiler

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For Li's eyes only

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"Sir, while we're at it, I have this absolutely DASHING idea for a Strategic Division that I think you're going to love. We'll hardly need to rearrange troops, even. Here's my Reiphone number.

Cordially, Hishikawa Setsurou <3"

Li is wryly amused by Setsurou's message. The elder quickly sends a reply:

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"There already is such Division. It is called 'Headquartes'. The one lead by Commander-General. Who happens to be me."

"Get your brain up to date and write a report of those Arrancars. I want that report by tomorrow evening, latest."

---

[Soul Society]
Headquarters - Commander-General's Zheng Li Lin's office

Shigure steps quietly through the hallways, balancing a tray of tea in one hand as he glanced about the hustle and bustle. He'd missed it the day he was gone but orders were orders, he was to talk to Captain Li...Commander Captain Li if the rumors were correct. He knocked gently on the door of the Commander Captain's office before letting himself in, setting the tray down before taking a seat.

Shigure misses Hideki's departure by just a couple of minutes. (They probably walked past each other in the stairs or somethin.) When he knocks, Li is busy sending a message to Med&Log Lieutenant Lucita, telling her to commend Yoshiro for Li, and apologizing for the elder's absence as Li's new duties are taking all of the elder's time. For now, Med&Log is in her hands.

"Come in", the elder words while eyeing a report on the new Defense Division. The Commander is mildly suprised to see Shigure step in. "Oh. Hello, Nanoha-san. I wasn't expecting you to stop by. I was waiting for Hei Chen, but I've been unable to contact him for the whole day. Thank you for the tea. Do take a seat if you wish."

[Tebryn]

[Soul Society]
Headquarters - Commander-General's Zheng Li Lin's office

Shigure nods a little, taking a seat. "I was told to come and see you when I'd rested Honored Grandmother." he shrugs a little with a faint smile, not looking all that rested though it's understandable considering just how exhausted he was/is. He pulls out a cigarette from his sleeve, lighting it before leaning in to pour the Commander Captain a cup of tea as she likes it.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Hueco Mundo
Later That Night

Randii chuckles a little. Yeah, I think that big boom attack took the Shinigami out. Kind of a kamikaze thing. Which doesn't make any sense to me, but, whatever.

As for Azmus, I think he's still alive. Pretty sure he is. Just out cold.

At the mention of a new fight, Randii takes a moment to use her own Pesquisa. Huh. He is fighting somebody. She shrugs. Whatever. Ain't his fault if stupid Shinigami keep showing up.

Randii takes the parchment and reads through it, her bright blue eyes darting back and forth. When she finishes, she hands it back with a nod. Looking good so far. Don't think this'll give us an army for that week deadline, though.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Soul Society]
Headquarters - Commander-General's Zheng Li Lin's office

Shigure nods a little, taking a seat. "I was told to come and see you when I'd rested Honored Grandmother." he shrugs a little with a faint smile, not looking all that rested though it's understandable considering just how exhausted he was/is. He pulls out a cigarette from his sleeve, lighting it before leaning in to pour the Commander Captain a cup of tea as she likes it.

Li shakes head at the cigarette. "You still smoke those things? Nanoha-san, I keep telling you, mortals manage to get lung cancer from those within one lifetime. At this rate, you're going to end up spending rest of the century wheezing like a boiling tea pan."

"I wanted to see you, because I thought I'd give you a special assignment. I was going to ask you to personally baby-sit Sabitsura Sho and teach her certain basics of life. But this whole... debacle made me lose track on what's going on with her. Last I checked, she had eloped again and Lucita-fukutaichou called the Security to catch her." Li sighs.

"I suppose the job is still yours, if you want it. I understand if you don't. After her brain surgery, she's been more volatile than during her whole year in the Academy. It's possible her attempts at self-medication after the operation messed her head. It'd be best to lock her up and put her on tranquilizers for the time being."

"So I'm not going to pretend it'd be easy. When I got the idea, I thought she would not be this problematic. A small little breather project. I was wrong. But it'd be your sole task for the time being. So, how about it?"

[Tebryn]

"Maybe it's just a long term plan on getting sick leave in my twilight years, Honored Grandmother." Shigure offers with a faint smile, pushing the tea forward. "You've picked a rather cruel mission for me once again. I suppose I can't turn it down and you asking me is a courtesy? But where are my manners. Congratulations on your promotion, Commander Captain." He leans back into his seat with a heavy sigh, exhaling a puff of smoke to the side so as not to breath it right at the elder Captain. "If she's committed to leaving our ranks then there's not much I can do about her. My skills are decidedly outside of combat. She's butcher me in a minute." he laughs softly, shaking his head. "If not in battle with the Arrancar...then by Shinigami hands I suppose."

[Kuroimaken]

Soul Society

A second reply arrives shortly.

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"You misunderstand me, sir. It wouldn't be elegant to call it the 'Tactical Division' or even the 'Guerrilla Division'.

In fact, it won't even be called the Strategy Division on its face.

Attached to my report, which will arrive within approximately forty-five seconds, is a proposed design for this division."

The timeliness of the message is very, very spooky.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Soul Society, evening after the meeting]

Li is not amused by this second reply. But at least it appears the report will be delivered in a timely manner. Li glances at the office door, pretty much expecting for Setsurou to already be sneaking there.

---

[Soul Society, day after the meeting]

Zheng Li Lin smiles. "You can just say no, Nanoha-san." Li takes the offered tea and leans back, taking a well-deserved break from the mountain of paperwork that needs to be processed. "Let's forget about Sabitsura. There's a lot of things on my chest, and you're as good listener as any." The elder takes a sip - despite Li's lips still being scarred, the heat of the drink doesn't seem to be a bother.

"Yasunobu Sawada is gone. He left to chase the Arrancars, and I doubt he will come back. I have a really bad feeling he was playing a game of his own behind my back, and we're all going to pay a price if his gambit fails. And even more distressingly, Kiba-san seems to be off too. I don't know if he's refusing my calls out of sheer stubbornness, but I have a gut feeling he is going to something horribly stupid. He seems all too eager to make his words about a civil war a self-fulfilling prophecy through his own actions."

The Commander-General sighs, and lowers the teacup, the elder's hand trembling slightly. "At this rate, we're going to lose this war before it has properly begun. What have I done wrong, Shigure? I did not teach them to be this short-sighted, this stubborn, this... discordant. Why does it seem like all I did in the Academy was for naught? Have I really failed this badly as a teacher?"

[Tebryn]

Shigure frowns and pulls out another cigarette, he was pretty certain he was going to need it. "What can you do Honored Grandmother. You inherited a war we didn't see coming. Maybe that was our fault, growing soft. Maybe we should have expanded into the White Sands. There's enough maybes to fill an ocean and have more waiting." he sighs, shrugging gently. "For every two of your men who seek death...you have a Division who will await your word. There will always be those on the fringe who think they know what's best. It weakens us to lose the strength of Captain Level Shinigami but it only makes us stronger to weed out those who refuse to stand together in times of stress."

He pulls a cup towards himself, gazing into it for a minute. "I'm not one to really pass judgement on them. Kiba has always been a wild card, swaggering about as if he and his Division were the only ones to do the work. Ignoring the rest of Soul Society around him. He's young...he'll learn or he'll die. We can only be here when he returns wounded or...find someone else to lead The Pack should he die. This Sho...attacked you without hesitation with the clear intention of killing you. If I may say so Honored Grandmother...you were foolish to accept in such times. She's less a wild card and more a force of destruction, it would have been my advisement that if she only wanted to kill and die then we should have sent her to the White Sands and give her what she wants. For the younger Yasunobu...the S.S.I have always held to strange customs and designs. Who is to say the moment he was placed within their ranks the senior Yasunobu did not start his own training more in line with their thinking? Twisted and broken down and rebuilt to align with their sentiment. As much a monster as Sho...perhaps worse.

These three are indicative of our peacetime sentiment. We have worked long to unify our Divisions after the Unification to the point where the Gotei Six was a misrepresentation of how things truly were. The S.S.I. The Pack. Our own Division. We all became separate organizations who only had to work with the others in the most trying of circumstances. When disaster struck...we were all to stubborn to place our newly created autonomy aside to work together and we are paying the price. The Hollows have the benefit that they can create an organization from the ground up. We could do the same. We could tear the Gotei down and rebuild it. We can place Captains in charge based on intelligence and the ability to lead over physical strength or their Zanpakuto. But this would certainly lead to civil war as well. The only thing I can think that will help this along is time. Time we don't have perhaps but...that's what it comes down to I think. I know asking now is silly but permission to speak freely? If you falter now Honored Grandmother, if you show signs that you doubt your own men we may as well just surrender now. We must use what made us strong and gave us the power to defeat the Hollows fifty years ago and beyond. Our love. Our dedication to one another. Our ability to forgive the wounds we've caused one another. Who better than the woman who molded the Medical Division into what it is today...than to build a foundation of harmony and to soothe these scars that run so deep? You were picked not because you were strong. You were picked because you're the only one who can bring us back on course. My blade has always been yours Captain. I await your Command."

[Frozen_Feet]

"... it doesn't matter what I think if I can't make them agree with me", Li mutters, leaning Li's forehead to Li's free hand. Then, the elder straightens. "Thank you, Shigure, for your kind words. It's nice to know you believe in me still. I'm really sorry for overworking you these past unfortunate weeks. From now on, you can pick those duties where you feel you'll best make a difference."

Li finishes the tea, puts aside the dishes and then stands up, reaching a hand towards the corner of the office. From the shadows, Hei Lin in its sheath rises to stand on its tip, then flies into the Commander's hand. "I think I'm going to find that Hei Chen now. I can't stress how glad I am for you to have come here."

"Oh, and if you see Lucita, tell her to prepare a new prosthetic for me. Made of wood. Thank you."

[Tebryn]

"Hit 'em on the wrists. I know that makes me listen." Shigure offers with a smile as he stands with a bow. "I'll make sure she gets the message. I'll sit on my butt for a few more days. I suspect I'll be needed to heal real soon. Good luck Commander Captain Li." He gives another bow before slipping out of the room after the Captain before disappearing out into Soul Society. He sends off a Hell Butterfly to Lucita commission the prosthetic.

[KnightDisciple]

[Soul Society - Duel of EPIC FATE]

Masaru smiles as Koutarou connects with his attack. He checked his watch; they were at almost exactly 4 minutes. This should be the finishing blow, but the strange young woman seemed unusually resilient, if her not-quite-healed marks from her surgery are any testament.

If nothing else, he didn't trust her for a second to keep her word about anything. He did trust Koutarou, though.

That's why his left hand just rested on his sword scabbard, instead of having pulled out the blades and released his Shikai already.

Even if this Sho pulled a "win" from nowhere, she wouldn't make it far enough, not in time.

Can't just run away from your own shadow, after all.

[Dorizzit]

[Hueco Mundo]
That "Night"

Jehoel rolls his eyes at Kiba's response, although he continues to block his attacks.

"Honestly. I try for a little banter, but you don't even know what caitiff means, do you? There you go, denying me one of my few pleasures. Still, your response was oddly appropriate, considering. A caitiff, after all, does survive."

Jehoel folds his arms in front of his chest, and begins to simply dodge Kiba's strikes, using a minimum of movement to just barely avoid them. At no point does he seem to exert any effort whatsoever; he shows no signs of tiring, and he is able to speak without impairment. If anything, he seems to be getting faster and stronger just as Kiba is.

"You know what you remind me of? A beast. I'm sure this isn't the first time the comparison has been made. Let me guess...a wolf. I would imagine that this is what you have been compared to in the past."

As Kiba's attacks speed up, Jehoel matches him, eventually starting to block attacks again, first using only one arm, then two. Occasionally, rather than blocking an attack he makes another of his minimalistic dodges, but this seems more out of a desire for variety than necessity.

"Anyone who thought that is wrong. You are a dog. More specifically, a whelp. A young pup who has no idea of how very, very small it is. You bark and yap and threaten me, a being well beyond you, because you cannot comprehend the gap that exists between you and I. You think yourself a mighty warrior, but your bite has no strength. You can't even use your Zanpakuto. Pathetic."

Jehoel catches one of Kiba's punches in a vice-like grip.

"Regardless, I tire of this."

Suddenly exerting bone crushing force on the caught hand, Jehoel lashes forward with an open-palmed strike designed to shatter Kiba's collar bone. disappearing in a blur of Sonído, Jehoel appears behind and to the side of Kiba, launching a pair lightning fast punches aimed at breaking his opponent's ribs. Then, he blurs upwards, appearing in the air above with his arms crossed in front of his chest, dripping water.

"Bala Agua."

Snapping his arms out, Jehoel hurls a wide spread of water droplets at Kiba and the area all around him, each moving with the speed and power of a bullet.

[dancrilis]

[Soul Society]
(The Phoenix Temple)

Sabitsura Sho

His attack was solid and had her defense been as he envisioned she might have lost the arms, but the defense was in the fingers not the forearms.

Catching the hammer head with her finger tips, she moved to slow it rather then deflect it as she initially intended. The force was still powerful given there positions and a cloud of dust flashed up around them blocking out sight.

Her chest was hit once by the hammer and then by the foot, and the bruise would last, but she was standing even as her fingers bleed.

Anger flashed through her as he hands moved in a Hado pattern but she caught herself in time.

If she could not win within the rules, than allowing a host of other Zanpakuto's to be released might be troublesome ... she perhaps should have fought inside. Similarly she was tired now so even if she could win within the rules she she would only be brought down by others.

As the dust cleared her movements ended in her right fist to her left palm, and the barest hint of a nod from her head.

Crimes.

She remembered numerous woman with larval forms growing within them, she had kept expecting the larva to tear itself out when the host died, but it always died, even when she cut the female corpse open to make sure it was not simple hiding it's power. Karia enjoyed that experiment.

She remembered a man whipping an animal bloody and laughing until she took a knife too his throat and watched him die, the animal had found her food constantly - Karia hated it. It was her first rebellion against the knife to not kill it, but she could not keep it either - the reliance weakened her.

She remembered some teenagers when she was smaller than them throwing rocks at her even as there parents were running, the entire town burned.

Images flashed through her mind at speed as to what the man might consider a crime, was it the library?, that had seemed to annoy them a bit.

Then she finally understood, her crime was not being strong enough - and he was advocating a strength gaining exercise against his chosen enemies. And while she was now dubious about the idea of outer power over inner power she understood the concept intimately.

"I yield, and have counted my crime and understand your solution", in her eyes as the dust cleared he could see that she was looking at him more like a jackal might look at a lamb then before - he had proven himself worthy of consideration.

"I understand that the Medical Division wish me to rest, heal and report in as such I believe that may be a prudent course of action", tilting her head to see if he agreed.

[Soul Society]
(Monastery of the Ho-ou)

Lucita

She took the news of her further pseudo-promotion with not a word, because she could not quite grasp the message for a few seconds - from slacking off to running the division in less than a day.

Relaying the praise to Yoshiro via messenger, and constructing the specifications for the leg to the logistic head - 7th seat officer.
The specification without direct request for something special were to have have the leg as sturdy as possible but with compartments within for storage in case of emergency, to allow them to remain sealed it was reiatsu usage to open rather than to close - the captain commander might have more requirements but at short notice this was it.

That done she moved back to the combat division to hopefully speak with Vice-Captain Kiba, the situation was becoming more volatile and she needed to ensure that there divisions could work together well.

[strawberryman]

[Soul Society]
(Outside Phoenix Temple)

Chouko is mostly passive throughout the fight. When Sho announces her surrender, however, she shifts one of her crossed arms out and makes complex, fast-paced motions with her hands to Masaru.

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KnightDisciple Only:

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"She surrendered. Ain't what you bet on."

...It's likely she doesn't count on that flying, but hey, worth a try.

She also sends a text to update Hideki, but obviously doesn't tell him to stand down just yet.

[Kuroimaken]

Soul Society - Duel of EPIC FATE

"That is, for now, acceptable.

In order to prevent further shenanigans such as these, you will be restrained to your hospital bed until further notice, and a limiter placed on you.

I will personally be heading the committee responsible for your evaluation. You should expect, at the very least, a leash.

But I can assure you won't be put down like a rabid dog. That would be a waste, after all."

Still not resealing, he signaled to allow for other Shinigami to enter the ring in order to restrain Sho.

"I recommend layered Bakudou, and Sekkiseki cuffs if you have them. This is a dangerous individual you're dealing with."

Assuming Sho complied, he turned his back towards her and moved to the other officers that watched from the entrance.

"Masaru, come with me. I want to find out which of the books she was looking at."

[Draken]

Soul Society
Outside the Phoenix Temple
Well, strictly speaking, way, way far from it.

Hideki doesn't really need an update, he can see and hear pretty clearly through the security system.

He does open the videocall with Chouko again.

"Takenaka, tell Hiraku and Ishinomori that I can review the security footage for the library and check which books conspicuously vanish from their shelves while Sabitsura was inside, if they don't want to go about it the slow and pointless way."

[strawberryman]

[Soul Society]
(Outside Phoenix Temple)

Chouko lets the nameless NPC binders dismantle the barrier after seeing to Sho's binding and neutralizing.

"Yo, my buddy Koutetsu can check out what's up on the playback machine, no need to waste an opportunity for a victory dance." Chouko gives a thumbs-up to Koutarou, as if suggesting this very thing. "You know you want to."

[Kuroimaken]

Soul Society - Aftermath of DUEL OF EPIC FATE

"Please tell him to let me know which books she handled. It's kinda in poor form to dance after a duel when your opponent has yielded, anyway." Kamen Rider noted as he proceeded to walk inside.

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If Masaru follows, he'll see Koutarou slump to one knee as he dismisses his Shikai once he's well inside the library hall. His breathing is somewhat labored and he sports a large bruise on his forehead.

"I think she may well have given me a bloody concussion.", he mumbles as the tension of the battle leaves his body. "Might've cracked my ribs, too. Damnable waste. If she weren't so self-centered, she could go further than this. I guess it's up to me to educate her from the ground up."

[Demidos]

Hueco Mundo
Later That Night

Randii chuckles a little. Yeah, I think that big boom attack took the Shinigami out. Kind of a kamikaze thing. Which doesn't make any sense to me, but, whatever.

As for Azmus, I think he's still alive. Pretty sure he is. Just out cold.

At the mention of a new fight, Randii takes a moment to use her own Pesquisa. Huh. He is fighting somebody. She shrugs. Whatever. Ain't his fault if stupid Shinigami keep showing up.

Randii takes the parchment and reads through it, her bright blue eyes darting back and forth. When she finishes, she hands it back with a nod. Looking good so far. Don't think this'll give us an army for that week deadline, though.

Tinja nods at the report on the Shinigami suicide and Azmus' condition. That sounded about right. When Randii mentions the deadline, however, she rolls her eyes, something she finds is becoming more and more common where Jehoel intrudes on her life. "A real army, in a week? A fully functioning, disciplined, reliable force which can be trusted to follow orders, in seven days? I'm good, but no one is THAT good. The only way I could even conceive of that is to send our force to an alternate world where time flows at a different rate.

Huh.

Well, that IS an idea, but the chances of a reasonably powerful foe once there seem slim. They'd have to fight each other, which, while great for building up their power, seems a bit of a waste of troops, if you ask me.

Jehoel can scare up enough Hollows to handle the first few weeks. Or we give the Shinigami a transition period. In either case, troops will not be ready for at least a month, and I think even that is rather pushing it."

[Spacewolf]

Soul Society - Duel of EPIC FATE

"That is, for now, acceptable.

In order to prevent further shenanigans such as these, you will be restrained to your hospital bed until further notice, and a limiter placed on you.

I will personally be heading the committee responsible for your evaluation. You should expect, at the very least, a leash.

But I can assure you won't be put down like a rabid dog. That would be a waste, after all."

Still not resealing, he signaled to allow for other Shinigami to enter the ring in order to restrain Sho.

"I recommend layered Bakudou, and Sekkiseki cuffs if you have them. This is a dangerous individual you're dealing with."

Assuming Sho complied, he turned his back towards her and moved to the other officers that watched from the entrance.

"Masaru, come with me. I want to find out which of the books she was looking at."

"I don't think we have any Sekkiseki cuffs sitting around the SSI unless someone has been running experiments on them. So I guess I'll make sure she gets to the Hospital securely, we wouldn't want all this effort to go to waste after all. Once we're there maybe med and log will have some cuffs their more troublesome patients and if they don't IS can always meet us at the hospital with a pair."

Releasing his Shikai, Castus recites the full incantation for Sajo Sabaku and once he's finished Sho finds her arms pinned against her sides by a strong set of chains. Once he's sure the Bakudo was properly settled Castus nods to the members of the SSI who had been holding the barrier up during the fight to signal for them to add extra layers on top of it.

Shortly afterwards Sho finds that each leg has been snared by two Horin ropes held with just enough slack to allow her to move and one more around her neck held from behind by Castus himself who had his sword at the ready if Sho tried anything.

The rest of the barrier squad formed up around the prisoner to ensure safe transport to the nearest hospital.

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Everybody happy with this? As always I've got no problem with editing if someone dislikes something about it.