[Soul Society Arc] Part 92: The Cat, The Dragon and The Hornet
Yato and Unohana locked eyes, the intensity of their gaze revealing unspoken tension. The young man's probing question had managed to stir something beneath the calm exterior of the captain, prompting a thoughtful pause.
Unohana: "Your concerns seem to extend beyond Rukia's well-being..." - Her words were measured, and a subtle furrow appeared on her brow.
Yato: "Now that I've secured Rukia's safety, I've found myself with a bit of spare time to delve into the peculiarities I've observed..." - He responded, his voice steady, but a discernible curiosity glinting in his eyes.
Unohana: "I would like to stay and delve into these suspicions further, but, as you can see, I need to attend to the wounded." - She closed her eyes serenely, her expression betraying a hint of concern for those under her care.
Yato: "No worries, go ahead and do your thing." - He nodded casually, his gaze briefly shifting to the injured individuals scattered around. - "I was thinking of helping out anyway, in case no one else was up for it." - He offered a half-smile, a blend of sincerity and nonchalance.
Unohana: "Oh my, quite generous of you to tend to those you've taken down yourself." - She responded with a soft chuckle.
Captain Unohana unleashed her zanpakutō, Minazuki, morphing it into a colossal, green, one-eyed creature resembling a manta ray. Minazuki ingested all the wounded shinigami, utilizing its unique ability to transform stomach acids into a potent healing elixir for those within its belly. Afterward, the captain seized Lieutenant Isane and leaped onto the creature, which gracefully took flight.
Yato, ever vigilant, redirected his focus to his comrades. He noted Ichigo locked in combat with Byakuya, while Tatsuki and Soi Fon were notably absent from the scene.
Quietly, Yato pressed the device nestled in his ear.
Yato: "Nemu, are you listening?"
Nemu: [Yes, Yasakani-sama. What do you need?]
Yato: "Can you tell me where the Central 46 is?"
**
In the dense forest surrounding the Sōkyoku Hill, the air was filled with the rhythmic echoes of swift blows and the swaying of leaves disrupted by rapid movements.
As a single leaf descended, it witnessed the convergence of two powerful kicks. Tatsuki and Soi Fon, both displaying exceptional agility, created a dynamic clash that split the leaf in two. The forest's tranquility was shattered by the intensity of their exchange.
After the collision, the combatants gracefully distanced themselves, effortlessly finding balance on the tree branches. Tatsuki's expression exuded determination, her eyes focused on Soi Fon, who mirrored the intensity in her gaze.
In the heat of battle, Tatsuki realized that continuing the fierce exchange with Captain Soi Fon on the elevated ground of Sōkyoku Hill could disrupt Ichigo's confrontation with Byakuya. With a quick decision, the determined teenager strategically led the captain away and soon both of them leaped from Sōkyoku Hill, exchanging blows mid-air. The rhythmic clash of their attacks echoed through the air as they descended.
Soi Fon: "I still don't know what you hope to achieve by luring me here." - Her voice carried a serious undertone as she regarded Tatsuki. - "Your friend will meet his end at the hands of Captain Kuchiki, and as for you... you'll face your demise by my hand. Your proximity to your friend won't alter that fate, human."
Tatsuki brushed off the captain's words, smoothly shedding the cloak she wore. As she stretched, an air of confidence surrounded her.
Soi Fon: "I noticed you're using the Tentōken with the Shihōin's crest. How low the Tenshi Heisōban has fallen to assist mere Ryoka."
Tatsuki: "Talking about this cloak? Well, my friends and I got these from our sensei to fly to that scaffold..." - She nonchalantly commented, her movements deliberate and focused.
Soi Fon: "Hmph, that only proves your sensei led you straight to your own funeral." - She spoke with disdain, disliking how the Ryoka seemed so nonchalant before her. - "Now, allow me to show you how futile your efforts were in trying to save the prisoner."
The captain unsheathed her zanpakutō and thrust it into the tree branche she was standing. The surrounding forest came alive with the presence of Onmitsu Kidō members, stealthily emerging from the shadows, their movements silent yet imposing. Soi Fon's expression remained stern as she observed Tatsuki.
Soi Fon: "This is the difference between you and me." - She gave a confident smile. - "I'm Soi Fon, the captain of the 2nd Division and commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidō, the Stealth Force. When the leader of the Onmitsukidō draws her zanpakutō, the execution begins."
Tatsuki: "It doesn't quite live up to the 'Stealth' part when you make such a grand announcement... but anyway, Soi Fon." - Tatsuki's expression turned serious, and she met Soi Fon's gaze with a fierce determination. - "Just because you've called fifty-three failures doesn't mean it'll make much of a difference. Believe me, I've taken down triple the number of shinigamis since I entered here." - She spoke while snapping her fingers, a confident smirk playing on her lips. - "You must be wondering how I know the exact count of shinigamis here, right?"
Soi Fon, maintaining a stern expression, arched an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued by the teenager's ability to discern the exact number of Onmitsukidō members present, even those concealed from sight. Before Tatsuki could elaborate, a high-speed blur zipped past them, effortlessly incapacitating all the Onmitsukidō members within seconds. Soi Fon stood there, visibly perplexed, while Tatsuki sighed with a hint of annoyance.
After incapacitating all the Onmitsukidō members, the figure landed on a tree branch above Tatsuki and Soi Fon, revealing herself to be Yoruichi Shihōin. Yoruichi stood with arms crossed, exuding confidence and wearing a smirk that hinted at a playful demeanor.
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes upon seeing Yoruichi, a mix of irritation and acknowledgment in her expression.
Soi Fon: "I was wondering when you'd show up, Yoruichi Shihōin. So, you're the one who aided the Ryoka..." - She smirked. - "If the Shihōin find out, you'd be banished from the four great noble clans. The Shiba family has fallen as well. It's never pleasant to see great families fall."
Yoruichi: "You're talkative today, Soi Fon." - She smirked. - "Excited to see your mentor after all those years? Or is this just pent-up resentment?" Yoruichi's tone carried a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Soi Fon stared at Yoruichi, preparing for a potential confrontation between them. However, the voice of Tatsuki caught the attention of both.
Tatsuki: "Oh, come on, Sensei... I was about to wipe the floor with these guys." - She rolled her eyes and sighed, an air of playful defiance surrounding her. - "What's the point of training so hard if I can't show the results? At least let me fight her." - Tatsuki pointed assertively at Soi Fon, challenging the stern captain.
Soi Fon's gaze intensified as she processed Tatsuki's request, a mixture of surprise and irritation evident in her eyes. Yoruichi, still perched on the tree branch, observed the unfolding dynamics with a knowing smirk.
Soi Fon: "Do you realize who you're asking to fight, human?" - She spoke with a tone that carried a hint of warning.
Tatsuki: "If I'm gonna improve, I need to face tough opponents, right?" - Tatsuki's determination flashed in her eyes. - "I've been training hard, and I want to see how far I've come. Sensei, you get it, don't you?"
Yoruichi: "She's got a point, Soi Fon. Sometimes you have to let your students spread their wings." - Yoruichi chuckled, clearly enjoying the tension she caused.
Soi Fon's inner turmoil surfaced visibly, the weight of Yoruichi's words evident in the pronounced rise and fall of her breath. The subtle grind of her teeth betrayed the growing resentment within.
Soi Fon: 'Damn you, Yoruichi Shihōin... do you think I'm not worth the effort?' - Frustration dripped from her thoughts, and a swift, decisive motion tore the sleeves of her kimono. - 'So much trust in this new apprentice...' - The intensity in her eyes grew as she revealed the uniform of the commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidō, which has no sleeves and doesn't cover the back and long black arm bands after stripping off her captain's haori.
Tatsuki assumed a combat stance, grounding herself with a solid foundation. Her feet were spread shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and shoulders relaxed. She positioned her fists at waist level, exuding a confident intensity in her gaze as she locked eyes with Captain Soi Fon.
Soi Fon responded with a more refined stance, subtly adjusting her foot placement while keeping her arms relaxed. There was a hint of anticipation in her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the impending clash.
Soi Fon: "Watch closely, Yoruichi Shihōin. I'm going to kill this human... and you're next." - A cold determination echoed in her words.
The atmosphere grew tense as the two combatants faced off, their body language reflecting the underlying animosity between them.
In the blink of an eye, Soi Fon materialized in front of Tatsuki, a gust of wind accompanying her rapid movement. The intensity of her kick was palpable, met by Tatsuki's forearm in a clash that resonated through the air. Swiftly, Tatsuki retaliated, her punch aimed at the captain's midsection, but Soi Fon's defensive block was swift and resolute. The exchange of blows between the two unfolded with a breathtaking speed, their arms blurring as they engaged in a mesmerizing dance of offense and defense.
As the two momentarily separated, Soi Fon's eyes narrowed with a mix of anger and frustration. Her fists clenched, revealing the internal struggle she felt.
Tatsuki: "Looks like we're even in this round, Senpai." - Her smirk conveyed both confidence and a hint of playfulness as she locked eyes with her formidable opponent. Tatsuki's eyes had transformed into a mesmerizing golden pattern, a visual testament to the heightened intensity of the confrontation. A small trickle of blood ran down her nose.
Soi Fon casually wiped her thumb across her lips, a subtle yet purposeful gesture to dismiss the small trail of blood resulting from her intense exchange with the teenager. The frustration lingered in her eyes, masked only momentarily by a facade of composed demeanor.
Soi Fon: 'I'm faster than this girl... I'm sure of it.' - Frustration echoed in her thoughts. 'How is she keeping up with me?' - Soi Fon shot a sidelong glance at Yoruichi, who seemed genuinely impressed by Tatsuki, further fueling Soi Fon's irritation.
This time, Tatsuki took the initiative, launching a downward kick aiming for the captain's head. Soi Fon, agitated, managed to block the blow at the last moment.
Tatsuki: "It's me you're fighting, Senpai!" - Her shout echoed through the confrontation.
Soi Fon: "Insolent human... Do you really think you're stronger than me?" - She practically growled as she gripped her zanpakutō with her free hand.
In a blur of movement, Soi Fon swiftly maneuvered behind Tatsuki, gripping the girl's shoulder with her left hand. The captain, with a confident smirk, pointed her zanpakutō menacingly at the young woman's throat.
Soi Fon: "Sting all Enemies to Death…Suzumebachi." - She uttered the command phrase with a chilling whisper, the words lingering in the air. As Soi Fon's zanpakutō underwent a transformation, a white glow enveloped the blade, causing it to shrink in size. The glow subsided, revealing Suzumebachi's new manifestation – a sleek black and gold gauntlet, connected by a delicate chain to a stinger-like blade on Soi Fon's middle finger.
Tatsuki's eyes widened briefly, taken aback by the captain's unexpected speed in maneuvering behind her.
Tatsuki: 'I was sure I predicted her moves... and yet, I couldn't react.' - A solitary bead of sweat traced down the girl's forehead.
The tomboy swiftly vanished, leaving a vivid green glow on the soles of her feet as she utilized her high-speed movement ability. Despite her speed, Soi Fon effortlessly caught up, employing her Shunpō with calculated precision.
Soi Fon: "You're not getting away!" - She smirked, a dangerous glint in her eyes, as she lunged at Tatsuki with her Suzumebachi. The stinger-like blade struck the girl's face with pinpoint accuracy.
As the dust settled from their exchange, Tatsuki reappeared, now standing a short distance away. The captain observed with satisfaction as a butterfly-shaped mark materialized on Tatsuki's face.
Soi Fon, after witnessing Tatsuki's abilities, watched with a mix of curiosity and disdain as the teenager sat cross-legged, methodically removing her wrist and leg warmers. Underneath, Tatsuki revealed her wrists and legs wrapped in gray bandages, which she began to unwind.
Soi Fon: "Is this the extent of your new protegé's capabilities, Yoruichi Shihōin?" - She spoke with a hint of arrogance, her eyes narrowing as she directed her words toward Yoruichi, who maintained a composed posture with crossed arms. - "Did you genuinely believe she could stand a chance against me? You must have grown soft if you think I'm the same as before... While you were playing with these humans, I was perfecting my skills."
As Soi Fon spoke, Tatsuki's expression grew increasingly angered. She finally removed all the bandages from her arms and legs, then calmly put her wrist and leg warmers back in place.
Tatsuki: "This is starting to annoy me..." - She muttered, tossing the bandages that had been wrapped around her wrists and legs aside. However, instead of landing softly, the bandages hit the ground with a resounding thud, capturing the attention of the captain.
Soi Fon: "But... what was that...?" - Suddenly, she remembered what those bandages truly were. A flicker of surprise and realization crossed her face. - 'Ginjōtan?! Was she fighting with that weight all along?'
Soi Fon's confidence wavered for a moment as she realized the immense physical strength Tatsuki possessed. The atmosphere between the two fighters intensified as they prepared for the next round of their confrontation.
Tatsuki materialized in front of the captain at such a swift pace that Soi Fon couldn't react in time to evade a punch to her stomach. Soi Fon gasped from the impact as Tatsuki pulled back her fist, locking eyes with the captain.
Tatsuki: "How about facing me for real now instead of craving attention?!"
Soi Fon: "How dare you..." - She gritted her teeth.
The atmosphere thickened as the two combatants quickly resumed their combat stances, circling each other, their every move calculated and precise as Yoruichi observed them with a conflicted expression.