HomeTo be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
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To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Zenji Hatayama Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:13 pm
It had been a rather busy day for the Lord of Clan Hatayama. Yesterday he had announced his decision to make a challenge for a Seated Position within the Gotei 6. With his latest stunt in the Challenge Hall, while acting as the second of Nao, there were many mutterings about which position he was going for. His friendship with the new Third Seat was public enough that the position of Chief Administrator was clearly never going to be his target. Zenji had heard that the Fourth Seat had announced a short leave of absence upon hearing the news.
However no application was ever submitted to the First Division rather it had gone straight to the Third. Zenji had submitted his request for a formal challenge against the Third Seat of the Third, the man who held the title of Chief Archivist, Souji Hayashi. The elderly Shinigami was an experienced and powerful practitioner of the Demon Arts however Zenji wasn’t too concerned. He’d heard good things about the man in the past but in recent decades he’d grown lazy and complacent. A common theme with the commanding officers of the Gotei 6.
Really he would have gotten all of this already only ever the beating he’d taken at the hands of the Quincy and the subsequent retrieval by Nao his friend had insisted that he take a few days to recover. Really it wasn’t a bad idea per say just frustrating. Things were moving so fast and Zenji was feeling like it was a struggle to keep up. Still he would need his strength to handle Hayashi. Although the Chief Archivist had slid into incompetence along with his Lieutenant and Captain he was still a force to be reckoned with. Rumours said that he had, in his youth, be a fairly talented member of Covert Ops.
Zenji had sent a message to Nao’s office asking for the woman to meet him at the designated spot for the challenge which had been decided once his request had been processed. Of course she would be acting as his Second for the upcoming challenge for very obvious reasons. First of all there was no other active member of the Gotei he trusted to stand in such a role as much as his newest friend. Secondly, he hoped, the act of the Third’s newest Officer having been backed by a high ranking First Division member would help with improving relations between the two branches of the Gotei.
The challenger decided to take the long way to the arena. He walked through the gardens of the Third Division and took a left through the public block of their Kido Specialists branch. This was where Zenji had worked in a lowly supporting role for the Kido Corps. The memories made him smile, the work had been unprestigious and boring but he got to work in the Demon Arts which was far more interesting than reading reports and fixing a trillion paperwork mistakes a week.
It would be good to do a job he could be proud of. It’d also be just about a first.
Eventually, after dilly dallying around, he finally made his way to the outdoors arena. Luckily it was a sunny morning so no fighting in the rain, which was a nice bonus. He was glad they’d chosen the outdoor arena. The indoor one, whilst a pleasant place for some practice, was too susceptible to fire and breakage during a real fight. The Hatayama Clan could only bear paying for so many of Zenji’s collateral damage.
Walking towards the arena he saw that the place was already crowded, as low standing as Zenji was, apparently the whole Black Coffin incident has spread tales of his Hado process across the various Divisions and that had led to many believing this fight would be one worth seeing. When they saw him he could hear the whispering, amusing he heard a few asking why Zenji didn’t have his Zanpakuto on him.
Cross the threshold he saw the old man standing at the far end talking to a small group and decided to approach. The elderly man turned, frowning, as he saw the challenger approach. He looked angry and annoyed but he bowed politely. “Lord Hatayama.”
Zenji returned the bow. “Chief Archivist Hayashi. I thank you for accepting the challenge. I am deeply honoured to be permitted this match.”
The old man’s expression softened slightly at the other man’s tone and he nodded slightly. “Of course. I have heard tales of your expertise in Kido. Once I have won this contest I would be privileged for you to join us in the Third. I believe we made a mistake transferring you to the First, a waste of your talent.”
The man’s annoyance had faded into self-confidence vering on the arrogant but Zenji had to admit it suited him. The Chief Archivist was the supreme authority on Kido in the Gotei 6, Captains and Lieutenants notwithstanding, and he had good reason to be so sure of himself against a noble who’d never managed to obtain a seated position.
Zenji gave a shorter, but still respectful bow, “Likewise I hope you will continue to serve if I should prove the victor. Good luck Sir.”
Hayashi nodded and turned back to his colleagues while the younger Shinigami turned and strode towards the opposite side of the field.
Now all he had to do was wait for his friend to arrive.
However no application was ever submitted to the First Division rather it had gone straight to the Third. Zenji had submitted his request for a formal challenge against the Third Seat of the Third, the man who held the title of Chief Archivist, Souji Hayashi. The elderly Shinigami was an experienced and powerful practitioner of the Demon Arts however Zenji wasn’t too concerned. He’d heard good things about the man in the past but in recent decades he’d grown lazy and complacent. A common theme with the commanding officers of the Gotei 6.
Really he would have gotten all of this already only ever the beating he’d taken at the hands of the Quincy and the subsequent retrieval by Nao his friend had insisted that he take a few days to recover. Really it wasn’t a bad idea per say just frustrating. Things were moving so fast and Zenji was feeling like it was a struggle to keep up. Still he would need his strength to handle Hayashi. Although the Chief Archivist had slid into incompetence along with his Lieutenant and Captain he was still a force to be reckoned with. Rumours said that he had, in his youth, be a fairly talented member of Covert Ops.
Zenji had sent a message to Nao’s office asking for the woman to meet him at the designated spot for the challenge which had been decided once his request had been processed. Of course she would be acting as his Second for the upcoming challenge for very obvious reasons. First of all there was no other active member of the Gotei he trusted to stand in such a role as much as his newest friend. Secondly, he hoped, the act of the Third’s newest Officer having been backed by a high ranking First Division member would help with improving relations between the two branches of the Gotei.
The challenger decided to take the long way to the arena. He walked through the gardens of the Third Division and took a left through the public block of their Kido Specialists branch. This was where Zenji had worked in a lowly supporting role for the Kido Corps. The memories made him smile, the work had been unprestigious and boring but he got to work in the Demon Arts which was far more interesting than reading reports and fixing a trillion paperwork mistakes a week.
It would be good to do a job he could be proud of. It’d also be just about a first.
Eventually, after dilly dallying around, he finally made his way to the outdoors arena. Luckily it was a sunny morning so no fighting in the rain, which was a nice bonus. He was glad they’d chosen the outdoor arena. The indoor one, whilst a pleasant place for some practice, was too susceptible to fire and breakage during a real fight. The Hatayama Clan could only bear paying for so many of Zenji’s collateral damage.
Walking towards the arena he saw that the place was already crowded, as low standing as Zenji was, apparently the whole Black Coffin incident has spread tales of his Hado process across the various Divisions and that had led to many believing this fight would be one worth seeing. When they saw him he could hear the whispering, amusing he heard a few asking why Zenji didn’t have his Zanpakuto on him.
Cross the threshold he saw the old man standing at the far end talking to a small group and decided to approach. The elderly man turned, frowning, as he saw the challenger approach. He looked angry and annoyed but he bowed politely. “Lord Hatayama.”
Zenji returned the bow. “Chief Archivist Hayashi. I thank you for accepting the challenge. I am deeply honoured to be permitted this match.”
The old man’s expression softened slightly at the other man’s tone and he nodded slightly. “Of course. I have heard tales of your expertise in Kido. Once I have won this contest I would be privileged for you to join us in the Third. I believe we made a mistake transferring you to the First, a waste of your talent.”
The man’s annoyance had faded into self-confidence vering on the arrogant but Zenji had to admit it suited him. The Chief Archivist was the supreme authority on Kido in the Gotei 6, Captains and Lieutenants notwithstanding, and he had good reason to be so sure of himself against a noble who’d never managed to obtain a seated position.
Zenji gave a shorter, but still respectful bow, “Likewise I hope you will continue to serve if I should prove the victor. Good luck Sir.”
Hayashi nodded and turned back to his colleagues while the younger Shinigami turned and strode towards the opposite side of the field.
Now all he had to do was wait for his friend to arrive.
Zenji Hatayama- Posts : 278
Join date : 2020-06-14
Nao Aoki likes this post
Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Nao Aoki Sun Jun 28, 2020 1:25 am
It had taken her one disapproving glance from the Lieutenant to get Nao to organize her office. She’d even used Murat to get it done quickly. It was one thing to have a place for everything when your supervisor was an egotistical douchebag, but it was a whole other mess to do so when that supervisor was the one person separating you from taking orders directly from the Captain Commander. She never even considered if the Lieutenant was arrogant or demanding. He simply was the Lieutenant. Some day, maybe, she would follow through on their secret clandestine plans and challenge for his seat, but that day was in the far off distance as far as Nao was concerned.
In the mean time, she would learn from him, learn her Division, and support the Gotei to the best of her ability. One of those tasks, one she had been looking forward to with a bittersweet interest, had finally made its way to her pristine and ordered desk. Zenji was finally doing it, he was requesting her assistance in his challenge for the Third Seat of Third Division. Wasting no time, she changed into the combat-appropriate robes he’d bought for her to celebrate her new position and made sure her most assertive black bar barrettes were firmly affixed to her hair.
It had been a few days since she’d last been over to Third Division, but she’d gotten quite good at the walk ever since she rose to her new position, thanks largely to mandatory trips to the infirmary to examine the healing on her injury. She had finally gotten the bandages removed a short time ago, and their work was truly wonderful. The arm had finally gotten back to full functionality and bore no signs of the battle.
She was not so lucky with the fingers on her left hand. Working the Kido through them so soon after they had been severed had hampered the healing process, from what she understood. Conflicting spiritual forces, cauterization of the wound, call it what you would, the rings surrounding where they had reattached her digits to their stumps were going to be a part of the rest of Nao’s life.
She liked them, in a way. They were a daily reminder of what she had to be willing to sacrifice. Every time Murat pestered her to abuse her office and skip out on work, she needed only look down to remember what she’d been willing to give up in her fit of anger to make sure that First Division had competent, active leadership.
It was time another Division got that level of dedication.
Nao made her way into the outdoor challenge arena, waving her fully healed hand at Zenji with a smile as she spotted him by the Challenger’s side. She had a brief friendly stop to discuss logistics with the other Third Seat’s second before sharing a similarly friendly, though brief, respectful exchange with the current Third Seat to wish him good health.
Finally, her administrative duties taken care of, she made it to Zenji and gave him the respectful bow that was expected from a superior officer. It had taken some work for her to get to this point, but she could finally restrain herself from falling all over trying to value his noble family over her seat. With copies of the paperwork for this duel, as well as a few other documents she had taken to carrying around as an emergency source of text stuffed into the pockets of her robes, she sized him up. ”You look well Zenji. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you before the challenge?” she asked, knowing full and well what her answers would have been if he had asked her the same questions before hers.
These were totally different circumstances, though, and she was immensely glad for that.
In the mean time, she would learn from him, learn her Division, and support the Gotei to the best of her ability. One of those tasks, one she had been looking forward to with a bittersweet interest, had finally made its way to her pristine and ordered desk. Zenji was finally doing it, he was requesting her assistance in his challenge for the Third Seat of Third Division. Wasting no time, she changed into the combat-appropriate robes he’d bought for her to celebrate her new position and made sure her most assertive black bar barrettes were firmly affixed to her hair.
It had been a few days since she’d last been over to Third Division, but she’d gotten quite good at the walk ever since she rose to her new position, thanks largely to mandatory trips to the infirmary to examine the healing on her injury. She had finally gotten the bandages removed a short time ago, and their work was truly wonderful. The arm had finally gotten back to full functionality and bore no signs of the battle.
She was not so lucky with the fingers on her left hand. Working the Kido through them so soon after they had been severed had hampered the healing process, from what she understood. Conflicting spiritual forces, cauterization of the wound, call it what you would, the rings surrounding where they had reattached her digits to their stumps were going to be a part of the rest of Nao’s life.
She liked them, in a way. They were a daily reminder of what she had to be willing to sacrifice. Every time Murat pestered her to abuse her office and skip out on work, she needed only look down to remember what she’d been willing to give up in her fit of anger to make sure that First Division had competent, active leadership.
It was time another Division got that level of dedication.
Nao made her way into the outdoor challenge arena, waving her fully healed hand at Zenji with a smile as she spotted him by the Challenger’s side. She had a brief friendly stop to discuss logistics with the other Third Seat’s second before sharing a similarly friendly, though brief, respectful exchange with the current Third Seat to wish him good health.
Finally, her administrative duties taken care of, she made it to Zenji and gave him the respectful bow that was expected from a superior officer. It had taken some work for her to get to this point, but she could finally restrain herself from falling all over trying to value his noble family over her seat. With copies of the paperwork for this duel, as well as a few other documents she had taken to carrying around as an emergency source of text stuffed into the pockets of her robes, she sized him up. ”You look well Zenji. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you before the challenge?” she asked, knowing full and well what her answers would have been if he had asked her the same questions before hers.
These were totally different circumstances, though, and she was immensely glad for that.
Nao Aoki- Posts : 136
Join date : 2020-05-27
Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Zenji Hatayama Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:23 am
Zenji bowed politely to Nao, not as her subordinate, but as her equal for today she served as his Second and not as the Seated Officer of the Third. It was also, admittedly, a little bit of a boast to those watching. Why bow to the woman who’s rank we would be equaling within the hour?
When she asked him a question he flashed her a confident smile and, in a quiet shaking voice completely at odds with his appearance he said “I don’t suppose you could remove one of his arms with your Shikai.” he muttered, before glancing over his shoulder and then shaking his head. He knew he was strong enough for this; he just hated these public displays. He’d never even gone to watch any challenges after his initial few decades with the Gotei. “No it’ll be fine I’m sure.” he added in a tone that wasn’t so sure.
Before he could say anything else the adjudicator of the Challenge, a lower Seated officer of the Third, stepped forward and raised his hand. “Five minutes.” he called.
Zenji let out a stressed sigh and nodded to himself. “Well… this is really happening then.”
Up until this moment he’d been confident and unconcerned. His grasp of the Demon Arts had reached new heights, his Spiritual Strength was greater than ever before and he'd finally achieved the first release of his Zanpakuto. He’d battled Hollow, trained Shinigami and fought with Quincy. He was ready for this... right?
Clapping his hands together Zenji slowly pulled them apart, an orange box of Spiritual Energy forming as he did so. Around him talking quietened as people watched the challenger perform some sort of spell. Really it was a rather complex one, although relatively straight forward, and as the orange box’s initial glow dimmed it became obvious that Zenji’s Zanpakuto lay within. He’d recently uncovered a spell using Bakudo to place the weapon in a sort of artificial pocket dimension which made carrying the large staff around much, much easier. Once the box had fully formed it blinked out of existence and Zenji snatched the weapon from the air.
He’d barely noticed people paying him attention as he’d wordlessly performed the arcane act.
Glancing at Nao he smiled, this time unable to hide the nervousness from his expression. “Any advice?”
When she asked him a question he flashed her a confident smile and, in a quiet shaking voice completely at odds with his appearance he said “I don’t suppose you could remove one of his arms with your Shikai.” he muttered, before glancing over his shoulder and then shaking his head. He knew he was strong enough for this; he just hated these public displays. He’d never even gone to watch any challenges after his initial few decades with the Gotei. “No it’ll be fine I’m sure.” he added in a tone that wasn’t so sure.
Before he could say anything else the adjudicator of the Challenge, a lower Seated officer of the Third, stepped forward and raised his hand. “Five minutes.” he called.
Zenji let out a stressed sigh and nodded to himself. “Well… this is really happening then.”
Up until this moment he’d been confident and unconcerned. His grasp of the Demon Arts had reached new heights, his Spiritual Strength was greater than ever before and he'd finally achieved the first release of his Zanpakuto. He’d battled Hollow, trained Shinigami and fought with Quincy. He was ready for this... right?
Clapping his hands together Zenji slowly pulled them apart, an orange box of Spiritual Energy forming as he did so. Around him talking quietened as people watched the challenger perform some sort of spell. Really it was a rather complex one, although relatively straight forward, and as the orange box’s initial glow dimmed it became obvious that Zenji’s Zanpakuto lay within. He’d recently uncovered a spell using Bakudo to place the weapon in a sort of artificial pocket dimension which made carrying the large staff around much, much easier. Once the box had fully formed it blinked out of existence and Zenji snatched the weapon from the air.
He’d barely noticed people paying him attention as he’d wordlessly performed the arcane act.
Glancing at Nao he smiled, this time unable to hide the nervousness from his expression. “Any advice?”
Last edited by Zenji Hatayama on Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
Zenji Hatayama- Posts : 278
Join date : 2020-06-14
Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Nao Aoki Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:58 am
Nao gave Zenji a double take at his suggestion of severing the arm of the current Third Seat, but quickly realized that he was joking. At least she assumed it was a joke. Perhaps the two of them had spent too much time around Watari, seeing as her mind had begun to jump to just which of the documents she had tucked away under her robes would be best suited for such a task, eventually deciding that the card stock letterhead would have been ideal. She’d figured out that all of the papers her disposal cut about the same, but the treatment on the card stock helped it stay more resilient to staining. Other items just wouldn’t have the same theatrical flair. A Third Seat deserved something formal, after all.
She gave him room to draw forth his staff, having moved in slightly to give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The spellcraft, as usual, was exquisite, and Nao couldn’t help but smile at the crowd’s reaction to how casually he performed this impressive task. He was already winning over their hearts and minds and, by all appearances; he didn’t even realize he was doing it.
She was really going to miss having someone of his caliber in First Division. It was tempting to throw in the proverbial towel on his behalf, but that would have flown straight in the face of what they had agreed to. Her kind wish to keep someone she could trust by her side might also have been overlooked, and she had no interest in seeing which between the two of them would come out on the other side.
”You’re in the best possible location if either of you gets injured, so don’t hold back. He knows just as much and will be acting the same,” she recommended after a moment’s pause, ”Oh, and try to show the man respect afterward. Even if you prove to be his superior on the challenge field, you’re going to need the support of his staff to get up and running after this all.”
She’d reaped the reward from the last suggestion herself. Deciding to be generous in allowing Mimasaka all the time he needed to recover from his injuries rather than forcing him back once he had medical clearance had swung things around for her the second he got word out to his friends. Temporary slowdowns in processing from a few problem areas had mysteriously evaporated after a late night social call from the boisterous former Third Seat.
”How is your hand? I wouldn’t want you losing because of what happened to you, and we still have time to arrange a postponement,” she asked despite knowing he wasn’t going to back down now that he’d gotten to this point. If it had been from the weapon of a Shinigami or the bite of a Hollow, she was certain in her healing abilities, but it was her first time repairing damage done by a Quincy’s weapon and the nature of the wound was so fundamentally different that the one thing Nao had found it easiest to maintain confidence in over the last 8 decades was still slightly shaken.
She gave him room to draw forth his staff, having moved in slightly to give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The spellcraft, as usual, was exquisite, and Nao couldn’t help but smile at the crowd’s reaction to how casually he performed this impressive task. He was already winning over their hearts and minds and, by all appearances; he didn’t even realize he was doing it.
She was really going to miss having someone of his caliber in First Division. It was tempting to throw in the proverbial towel on his behalf, but that would have flown straight in the face of what they had agreed to. Her kind wish to keep someone she could trust by her side might also have been overlooked, and she had no interest in seeing which between the two of them would come out on the other side.
”You’re in the best possible location if either of you gets injured, so don’t hold back. He knows just as much and will be acting the same,” she recommended after a moment’s pause, ”Oh, and try to show the man respect afterward. Even if you prove to be his superior on the challenge field, you’re going to need the support of his staff to get up and running after this all.”
She’d reaped the reward from the last suggestion herself. Deciding to be generous in allowing Mimasaka all the time he needed to recover from his injuries rather than forcing him back once he had medical clearance had swung things around for her the second he got word out to his friends. Temporary slowdowns in processing from a few problem areas had mysteriously evaporated after a late night social call from the boisterous former Third Seat.
”How is your hand? I wouldn’t want you losing because of what happened to you, and we still have time to arrange a postponement,” she asked despite knowing he wasn’t going to back down now that he’d gotten to this point. If it had been from the weapon of a Shinigami or the bite of a Hollow, she was certain in her healing abilities, but it was her first time repairing damage done by a Quincy’s weapon and the nature of the wound was so fundamentally different that the one thing Nao had found it easiest to maintain confidence in over the last 8 decades was still slightly shaken.
Nao Aoki- Posts : 136
Join date : 2020-05-27
Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Zenji Hatayama Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:35 pm
“I suppose that’s a… comfort?” he replied with a glance towards the Kaido squad although no doubt half the onlookers were experts at the healing arts. This was the third after all. All in all it was a little bit like having a fight in the garden of a hospital. So at least if the Third Seat put a hole in his chest he’d have someone close by to help with the healing. Part of his mind distantly wondered if that was why he’d been so desperate to get Nao as his second? His recent injury in the Realm of the Living might have instilled a bit more fear of getting injured than he’d thought.
At her comment about his hand Zenji smiled and wiggled the fingers of his right hand. “Good as new.” he claimed but the man did grimace slightly and the fingers didn’t move as smoothly as they once did. It got better with every day and Zenji was doing a form of physical therapy to help hasten the rehabilitation.
Sighing, he glanced towards Hayashi. “Good enough for what is to come anyway… we have no other choice.” Zenji added grimly with a dark expression. He couldn’t fail here, the plan couldn’t falter upon the first steps. He had to claim power within the Gotei alongside his allies. They needed to treat the dull blade the Divisions had become, bring it back to a razor’s edge so that the weapon would be honed enough to cut down the demonic threat to creation known as the Quincy.
“I have to be.” he muttered to himself.
Blinking, he forced a smile on his lips again and nodded to Nao. “You’re right of course. The old man, apathetic as he has become, he’s a skilled and knowledgeable man. He will be a great asset to the Gotei once more after I’ve taken over.” he told her with a show of confidence and flashing a more easier going smile.
“Challengers. Take your places.”
Zenji breathed out heavily. It was time to start. Glancing at Nao he chuckled nervously. “Wish me luck.”
Taking his position Zenji frowned as he saw that the Third Seat still didn’t have any Zanpakuto in his hand. Where the hell was it? He’d tried to gather information on it but no one seemed to have any intel to share. The adjudicator called for the battle to start and the two men moved.
“Hadō #54! Haien!” The old man was quicker than Zenji had anticipated and got his spell off first. The oblong blast of purple destructive energy cut across the air towards Zenji.
Raising his staff out in front of him Zenji frowned “Bakudō #39, Enkōsen!” summoning a spinning yellow disk before him. The fire spell struck it, shattering the spell, but the blast was stopped. Zenji grinned, he’d used the medium level defensive spell on purpose against the higher rated destructive attack. This was proof that Zenji was at least as skilled as his opponent.
Holding out his staff Zenji smiled. “Jubaku, Binbōgami.” The staff began to glow as the wood broke apart revealing the blade within. Soon he was holding a dagger in his hand.
The old man was moving already however. A glowing red fireball was flying towards Zenji already and Zenji cut his blade through the air. “Hadō #78. Zangerin!” The intense blast of energy cut through the air and smashed straight through the oncoming Shakkahō. The old man yelled out a spell of his own summoning a barrier to defend against the attack however it was destroyed by the high level Hado and Hayashi was forced to dodge the attack.
And he did.
Quickly.
Very quickly.
‘Oh oh.’
“Yaku!” The blade began to hiss as black fog spread out across the arena. Zenji was guessing he’d need the Shikai’s effects before long because the old man had moved faster than Zenji had been able to follow really.
Well this was going to be interesting.
At her comment about his hand Zenji smiled and wiggled the fingers of his right hand. “Good as new.” he claimed but the man did grimace slightly and the fingers didn’t move as smoothly as they once did. It got better with every day and Zenji was doing a form of physical therapy to help hasten the rehabilitation.
Sighing, he glanced towards Hayashi. “Good enough for what is to come anyway… we have no other choice.” Zenji added grimly with a dark expression. He couldn’t fail here, the plan couldn’t falter upon the first steps. He had to claim power within the Gotei alongside his allies. They needed to treat the dull blade the Divisions had become, bring it back to a razor’s edge so that the weapon would be honed enough to cut down the demonic threat to creation known as the Quincy.
“I have to be.” he muttered to himself.
Blinking, he forced a smile on his lips again and nodded to Nao. “You’re right of course. The old man, apathetic as he has become, he’s a skilled and knowledgeable man. He will be a great asset to the Gotei once more after I’ve taken over.” he told her with a show of confidence and flashing a more easier going smile.
“Challengers. Take your places.”
Zenji breathed out heavily. It was time to start. Glancing at Nao he chuckled nervously. “Wish me luck.”
Taking his position Zenji frowned as he saw that the Third Seat still didn’t have any Zanpakuto in his hand. Where the hell was it? He’d tried to gather information on it but no one seemed to have any intel to share. The adjudicator called for the battle to start and the two men moved.
“Hadō #54! Haien!” The old man was quicker than Zenji had anticipated and got his spell off first. The oblong blast of purple destructive energy cut across the air towards Zenji.
Raising his staff out in front of him Zenji frowned “Bakudō #39, Enkōsen!” summoning a spinning yellow disk before him. The fire spell struck it, shattering the spell, but the blast was stopped. Zenji grinned, he’d used the medium level defensive spell on purpose against the higher rated destructive attack. This was proof that Zenji was at least as skilled as his opponent.
Holding out his staff Zenji smiled. “Jubaku, Binbōgami.” The staff began to glow as the wood broke apart revealing the blade within. Soon he was holding a dagger in his hand.
The old man was moving already however. A glowing red fireball was flying towards Zenji already and Zenji cut his blade through the air. “Hadō #78. Zangerin!” The intense blast of energy cut through the air and smashed straight through the oncoming Shakkahō. The old man yelled out a spell of his own summoning a barrier to defend against the attack however it was destroyed by the high level Hado and Hayashi was forced to dodge the attack.
And he did.
Quickly.
Very quickly.
‘Oh oh.’
“Yaku!” The blade began to hiss as black fog spread out across the arena. Zenji was guessing he’d need the Shikai’s effects before long because the old man had moved faster than Zenji had been able to follow really.
Well this was going to be interesting.
Zenji Hatayama- Posts : 278
Join date : 2020-06-14
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Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Nao Aoki Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:21 pm
Nao smiled at his fingers as he held them up. She could tell that there was still a little weakness, but that much was always to be expected with a Kaido of that potency. You couldn’t go too far or you’d end up hurting far more than you would healing, so she’d opted for a low and slow approach after the initial damage had been addressed. It didn’t matter for Zenji, anyway. The odds that either Zanpakuto in this fight would be drawing blood were so small that Murat had been urging her to try to set up a side racket for betting.
Still, it would be best if the fight was kept fair, and that meant a fully functioning set of fingers. Taking his hand between hers, she brought forth a slightly glowing green light as she moved her digits down his, bolstering the site where the Quincy had made her cut. She opened her eyes and, catching the gaze of a pair of gossiping members of Third in attendance, felt her face flush slightly in embarrassment.
Smiling back to Zenji after the adjudicator announced the duel was about to start, Nao give his hand a quick pat with hers. ”Good luck, Zenji,” she told him as he started to pull away. She settled back behind the Challenger’s box, watching as the Chief Archivist made his approach as well. ” Since you’re still technically in my Division, you can consider this as me officially ordering you to win!” she called out to the man she was there to protect and support.
”How are you going to punish him if he loses? A spanking?”
Nao smacked the hilt of her tanto for that remark, keeping her hand on it just in case she needed to ready some kind of defense for herself, the spectators, or either of the combatants in case someone in the stands got the idea they wanted to interfere.
Thankfully, she didn’t need to act, at least not yet. Zenji’s barrier hadn’t stopped all of the heat from making it to her, but it had been able to absorb the destructive impact. She was surprised to see him open with his Shikai, quite pleased that she was going to get to see it in action herself and even moreso when his massive staff turned into a dagger that might have actually been smaller than her blade.
Slightly disappointed there wasn’t a quip from her spirit about size not mattering, she instead watched in an impressed silence as Zenji launched his own attack to counter a blast from his opponent. She hadn’t properly gotten to marvel at his offensive Kido before, but there really was a beautiful elegance accompanying the power hidden behind his strikes.
Her gaze followed the surprisingly nimble older man as he darted around Zenji’s attack, only drawing her eyes back to her friend as he spoke to his Zanpakuto and dissolved it into a hazy mist that quickly spewed out.
”Murat, Inin-jō!” she shouted, drawing the blade as it transformed into a pen. In a quick flurry, she penned the words ‘fan fence’, causing the collected sheets stuffed into her robes to billow out around the arena. Forms, documents, and a few small poetry books spread out, tore into individual pages, and formed a barrier of paper fans wafting back and forth to keep the mist from leaving the battleground. She had no idea what that fog was going to do, but she wasn’t about to let him attack his soon-to-be subordinates on accident!
Still, it would be best if the fight was kept fair, and that meant a fully functioning set of fingers. Taking his hand between hers, she brought forth a slightly glowing green light as she moved her digits down his, bolstering the site where the Quincy had made her cut. She opened her eyes and, catching the gaze of a pair of gossiping members of Third in attendance, felt her face flush slightly in embarrassment.
Smiling back to Zenji after the adjudicator announced the duel was about to start, Nao give his hand a quick pat with hers. ”Good luck, Zenji,” she told him as he started to pull away. She settled back behind the Challenger’s box, watching as the Chief Archivist made his approach as well. ” Since you’re still technically in my Division, you can consider this as me officially ordering you to win!” she called out to the man she was there to protect and support.
”How are you going to punish him if he loses? A spanking?”
Nao smacked the hilt of her tanto for that remark, keeping her hand on it just in case she needed to ready some kind of defense for herself, the spectators, or either of the combatants in case someone in the stands got the idea they wanted to interfere.
Thankfully, she didn’t need to act, at least not yet. Zenji’s barrier hadn’t stopped all of the heat from making it to her, but it had been able to absorb the destructive impact. She was surprised to see him open with his Shikai, quite pleased that she was going to get to see it in action herself and even moreso when his massive staff turned into a dagger that might have actually been smaller than her blade.
Slightly disappointed there wasn’t a quip from her spirit about size not mattering, she instead watched in an impressed silence as Zenji launched his own attack to counter a blast from his opponent. She hadn’t properly gotten to marvel at his offensive Kido before, but there really was a beautiful elegance accompanying the power hidden behind his strikes.
Her gaze followed the surprisingly nimble older man as he darted around Zenji’s attack, only drawing her eyes back to her friend as he spoke to his Zanpakuto and dissolved it into a hazy mist that quickly spewed out.
”Murat, Inin-jō!” she shouted, drawing the blade as it transformed into a pen. In a quick flurry, she penned the words ‘fan fence’, causing the collected sheets stuffed into her robes to billow out around the arena. Forms, documents, and a few small poetry books spread out, tore into individual pages, and formed a barrier of paper fans wafting back and forth to keep the mist from leaving the battleground. She had no idea what that fog was going to do, but she wasn’t about to let him attack his soon-to-be subordinates on accident!
Nao Aoki- Posts : 136
Join date : 2020-05-27
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Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Zenji Hatayama Tue Jun 30, 2020 4:05 pm
Lightning met lightning as both Soul Reapers, the elder and the younger, threw Sōren Sōkatsui at one another. The clap of thunder and the resulting shockwave shattered the center of the arena and blasted outwards throwing debris and dust into the air causing Zenji to swipe at the air absently conjuring up a wind of Spiritual Energy to blow it aside.
Zenji was losing patience with this trading of spells, on any other day it would be fun but this was a serious challenge and he didn’t have the time.
"Carriage of thunder, bridge of a spinning wheel. "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!" he chanted powerfully, as he did so Hayashi clearly understanding what was happening released a quick blast of lightning in his direction, dropping the incantation to swiftly out pace his competitor.
Zenji, energy forming in both hands paused and frowned. “Bakudō #81. Dankū.” The vacuum shield exploded into existence and the powerful blast of yellow lightning-like spiritual energy crashed into it harmlessly.
In the hands of the Lord of the Hatayama the earlier gathering of energy was still present. Third Seat Hayashi’s mouth dropped open as he realised that Zenji had cast a high level defensive spell without dropping the earlier spell.
“With light, divide this into six! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens.”
Hayashi’s hands came up as he attempted another spell but this time Zenji proved the swifter. “Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō!” he called pointing his index finger at the other Soul Reaper. At the command of the Lord of the Hatayama six beams of light slammed into the Third Seat, pinning him, as he was mid-incantation. Struggling his Spiritual Pressure exploded outwards as he flexed his strength but to no avail.
Zenji might have taken it easy in the past after such a spell but he had learnt that many beings were more powerful than him and hesitation was the death of success. He finished the second half of the twined spellwork he had begun. “Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui!” he yelled pushing out both hands which were alight with Spiritual Power. A concentrated beam of blue energy ripped across the field and slammed straight into the old man eliciting a scream of pain as the other side of the arena exploded into a cloud of dust.
Letting out a sigh the Hatayama Nobleman considered sealing his Shikai, this battle was more or less done, it was impossible to imagine the old man surviving a direct hit from the advanced variant of Sōkatsui.
So, when the old man flickered into existence a few feet away from Zenji with an overwhelmingly fast flash step, Zenji could only stare in shock. More so the old man’s body was covered in crackling lightning-like energy.
Shunko?
“That explains the lack of weapons.” noted Binbōgami calmly even as the old man’s power wreathed fist flew towards his opponent.
“Bakudō #39. Enkōsen!”
The fist struck the shield, it held for a moment, then shattered and collided with Zenji’s chest throwing him through the air to slam into the ground several feet away. Coughing he felt something wet and hot on his lip as he did so. Great. Luckily he hadn’t lost hold of the hilt of his weapon.
‘This is bad…’
Zenji was losing patience with this trading of spells, on any other day it would be fun but this was a serious challenge and he didn’t have the time.
"Carriage of thunder, bridge of a spinning wheel. "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!" he chanted powerfully, as he did so Hayashi clearly understanding what was happening released a quick blast of lightning in his direction, dropping the incantation to swiftly out pace his competitor.
Zenji, energy forming in both hands paused and frowned. “Bakudō #81. Dankū.” The vacuum shield exploded into existence and the powerful blast of yellow lightning-like spiritual energy crashed into it harmlessly.
In the hands of the Lord of the Hatayama the earlier gathering of energy was still present. Third Seat Hayashi’s mouth dropped open as he realised that Zenji had cast a high level defensive spell without dropping the earlier spell.
“With light, divide this into six! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens.”
Hayashi’s hands came up as he attempted another spell but this time Zenji proved the swifter. “Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō!” he called pointing his index finger at the other Soul Reaper. At the command of the Lord of the Hatayama six beams of light slammed into the Third Seat, pinning him, as he was mid-incantation. Struggling his Spiritual Pressure exploded outwards as he flexed his strength but to no avail.
Zenji might have taken it easy in the past after such a spell but he had learnt that many beings were more powerful than him and hesitation was the death of success. He finished the second half of the twined spellwork he had begun. “Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui!” he yelled pushing out both hands which were alight with Spiritual Power. A concentrated beam of blue energy ripped across the field and slammed straight into the old man eliciting a scream of pain as the other side of the arena exploded into a cloud of dust.
Letting out a sigh the Hatayama Nobleman considered sealing his Shikai, this battle was more or less done, it was impossible to imagine the old man surviving a direct hit from the advanced variant of Sōkatsui.
So, when the old man flickered into existence a few feet away from Zenji with an overwhelmingly fast flash step, Zenji could only stare in shock. More so the old man’s body was covered in crackling lightning-like energy.
Shunko?
“That explains the lack of weapons.” noted Binbōgami calmly even as the old man’s power wreathed fist flew towards his opponent.
“Bakudō #39. Enkōsen!”
The fist struck the shield, it held for a moment, then shattered and collided with Zenji’s chest throwing him through the air to slam into the ground several feet away. Coughing he felt something wet and hot on his lip as he did so. Great. Luckily he hadn’t lost hold of the hilt of his weapon.
‘This is bad…’
Zenji Hatayama- Posts : 278
Join date : 2020-06-14
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Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Zenji Hatayama Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:59 am
Zenji barely rolled out of the way as the Third Seat’s foot smashed down where his head had just been, the Shunkō wreathed limb shattered the stone beneath his heel. Zenji stumbled back and threw out his hands. “Bakudō #4 Hainawa!” he yelled, throwing a sizzling energy rope at his opponent. The binding swiftly wrapped itself around the limbs and body of Hayashi immobilising him.
Realising the threat was worse than he had imagined Zenji knew there was no point not utilising every advantage. “Nomihosu!” he snapped. There was no visible change although Zenji himself felt the flicker of his Zanpakuto as it obeyed his command to begin drinking the Reiryoku of anybody it touched. Every little helped. As soon as the words left his lips the Third Seat merely flexed his crackling spiritual aura and the Shunkō exploded outwards and the binding began to crack and break immediately.
“"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!” Zenji shouted, skipping backwards with short flash steps as he intertwined the two incantations.
Hayashi shattered the two and with a blindingly fast Shunpo he cut across the distance between himself and Zenji.
He was only feet away when Zenji threw his hands out. “Hadō #31. Shakkahō!” he cried as the ball of red fiery energy shot forth from his left hand. “Hadō #33. Sōkatsui!” His other hand came up and a blast wave of pure blue energy shot forth in the wake of the first spell. The Third Seat slid to a stop and threw up his arms in an attempt to block the offensive Demon Arts and a moment later the arena shook as the spells smashed into the Shunkō utilizing old man. The resultant explosion caught Zenji as well and he was sent hurtling back, his robes smoking, as he vanished under the black mist.
Clambering to his feet the Hatayama Clan Soul Reaper was breathing heavily, burn marks covering his face and arms, as he frowned looking for his opponent. A few seconds later Hayashi pushed himself to his feet emerging from the black mist. His Flash War Cry aura had vanished, perhaps he was too tired or hurt to maintain it, but it seemed to have at least saved him from the twin spells.
Snarling the old man drew a tanto from within his robes revealing his Zanpakuto at last. “Hamon Kami-no-Kaze” he snarled as the blade transformed, much like Zenji’s, and vanished leaving only a hilt behind except spiritual power swirled in its place as if a blade of wind had been formed.
Hatayashi took a stumbling step forward, grimaced as if in pain and then charged the younger man.
With a muttered curse Zenji knew he had to end it before the other Shinigami got into melee range. "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudō #9. Geki!” he yelled.
The Chief Archivist, slowed by his injuries, was stopped as an aura of red energy engulfed him. Growling the other man gritted his teeth as he tried to fight it and Zenji knew he only had seconds to finish what he had started.
Taking a deep breath he began another incantation, the words coming swift and sure. Raising his hand in the air, finger pointed upwards he began “Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny! Grow numb and flicker!” The words were shouted with a tinge of panic as Hayashi’s Shunko aura momentarily returned to banish the binding.
Zenji ran backwards in an attempt to put distance between himself and the other man but, even injured as Hayashi was, he was still quicker. “Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud!” An aura of black and purple spiritual energy had surrounded Zenji and the power of the coming spell was hammering down around them. It was as if a hungry and menacing presence was raining down on the entire arena.
The other man was within striking distance as he raised his blade.
“Unite! Repulse!”
The walls began to build around Hayashi, beginning to imprison him, the beginning of his end. But it had come too late. The blade began to descend through a gap in the wall aimed for Zenji’s shoulder. Then, at last, Binbōgami made her move. The black fog seemed to thicken around Hayashi and he suddenly slipped, his blade going wide and missing his enemy as he fell face down.
Zenji paused for a moment in shock, having believed he was done for, then skipping a few steps back he continued. “Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness!"
Hayashi practically leapt to his feet as the nearly complete box of death was almost finished encasing him.
“Had- Zenji cut off with a wet gurgle as the blade of wind shot out of the forming black coffin to pierce the Hatayama Lord’s chest.
Zenji’s eyes flared open as he the coffin started to collapse, showing Hayashi grinning from within as his last desperate thrust had struck true. “Sorry boy but it appears you won’t be able to serve me after all.” he breathed as he twisted the wind blade preparing to withdraw it.
The crowd began to murmur, clearly feeling the matter was finished. Perhaps everyone believed that. Everyone except Zenji. Everyone was relying on him. The Quincy threat needed him to help prepare and lead the eventual counter against the abominations. He couldn’t fail here.
‘Besides I’ve gotten rather used to taking a beating.’
Zenji’s hand grabbed Hayashi’s wrist, pinning the blade in his chest, causing the old man to at first frown and then his eyes began to widen as he sensed his opponents building Spiritual Pressure. Struggling he tried to get his weapon free but there was no escape now.
The collapsing box began to reform almost instantly, encasing Hayashi, and Zenji smiled grimly. “Hadō #90... Kuro...hitsugi he hissed as blood ran down the side of his mouth. Spear-like protrusions shot out the side and within the box, at this close range, Zenji could hear the former Third Seat screaming.
Zenji stumbled back, the man’s sword still in his chest while his now detached arm hung from the handle. It seemed the completion of the Black Coffin had severed the limb. The blade of wind turned back into an ordinary tanto as the shikai failed, sadly still embedded in Zenji’s chest.
Feeling his legs about to collapse within him he quickly let Binbōgami return to her sealed form. Mist swelled around him, reforming the short blade of his Zanpakuto, before the weapon started to glow and return to it’s staff form. Zenji drove the staff into the ground to lean on it.
‘Please be over...’ he thought to himself, he couldn’t even summon the strength to loosen his grip on the now severed wrist which was clinging to the knife still driven in Zenji’s chest.
The dark energy of the high level Hadō exploded outwards sending Zenji stumbling backwards from the shockwave but, somehow, he remained standing. On the ground, face in the broken stone, lay Hayashi unmoving. Bleeding from a thousand cuts, his stump of an arm ending at the elbow streaming blood and parts of his torso deformed by the crushing gravitational force of Kurohitsugi. In fact Zenji wasn’t even sure if the man was alive and, at this moment in time, he didn’t care either.
He just felt relief flood through him as he saw the unmoving form of his rival.
The adjudicator shouted something but Zenji couldn’t hear, someone was turning down the lights and everything was getting dark. He slid down his Zanpakuto, falling to his knees, as he fought for consciousness.
A number of Shinigami entered the field. Healers yelled to one another but all Zenji could think of was that he’d succeeded.
He was Zenji Hatayama, Chief Archivist and Third Seat of the Third Division.
Someone began laughing, it was a quiet and pained sound. It didn’t register to the man that it was himself.
Realising the threat was worse than he had imagined Zenji knew there was no point not utilising every advantage. “Nomihosu!” he snapped. There was no visible change although Zenji himself felt the flicker of his Zanpakuto as it obeyed his command to begin drinking the Reiryoku of anybody it touched. Every little helped. As soon as the words left his lips the Third Seat merely flexed his crackling spiritual aura and the Shunkō exploded outwards and the binding began to crack and break immediately.
“"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!” Zenji shouted, skipping backwards with short flash steps as he intertwined the two incantations.
Hayashi shattered the two and with a blindingly fast Shunpo he cut across the distance between himself and Zenji.
He was only feet away when Zenji threw his hands out. “Hadō #31. Shakkahō!” he cried as the ball of red fiery energy shot forth from his left hand. “Hadō #33. Sōkatsui!” His other hand came up and a blast wave of pure blue energy shot forth in the wake of the first spell. The Third Seat slid to a stop and threw up his arms in an attempt to block the offensive Demon Arts and a moment later the arena shook as the spells smashed into the Shunkō utilizing old man. The resultant explosion caught Zenji as well and he was sent hurtling back, his robes smoking, as he vanished under the black mist.
Clambering to his feet the Hatayama Clan Soul Reaper was breathing heavily, burn marks covering his face and arms, as he frowned looking for his opponent. A few seconds later Hayashi pushed himself to his feet emerging from the black mist. His Flash War Cry aura had vanished, perhaps he was too tired or hurt to maintain it, but it seemed to have at least saved him from the twin spells.
Snarling the old man drew a tanto from within his robes revealing his Zanpakuto at last. “Hamon Kami-no-Kaze” he snarled as the blade transformed, much like Zenji’s, and vanished leaving only a hilt behind except spiritual power swirled in its place as if a blade of wind had been formed.
Hatayashi took a stumbling step forward, grimaced as if in pain and then charged the younger man.
With a muttered curse Zenji knew he had to end it before the other Shinigami got into melee range. "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudō #9. Geki!” he yelled.
The Chief Archivist, slowed by his injuries, was stopped as an aura of red energy engulfed him. Growling the other man gritted his teeth as he tried to fight it and Zenji knew he only had seconds to finish what he had started.
Taking a deep breath he began another incantation, the words coming swift and sure. Raising his hand in the air, finger pointed upwards he began “Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny! Grow numb and flicker!” The words were shouted with a tinge of panic as Hayashi’s Shunko aura momentarily returned to banish the binding.
Zenji ran backwards in an attempt to put distance between himself and the other man but, even injured as Hayashi was, he was still quicker. “Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud!” An aura of black and purple spiritual energy had surrounded Zenji and the power of the coming spell was hammering down around them. It was as if a hungry and menacing presence was raining down on the entire arena.
The other man was within striking distance as he raised his blade.
“Unite! Repulse!”
The walls began to build around Hayashi, beginning to imprison him, the beginning of his end. But it had come too late. The blade began to descend through a gap in the wall aimed for Zenji’s shoulder. Then, at last, Binbōgami made her move. The black fog seemed to thicken around Hayashi and he suddenly slipped, his blade going wide and missing his enemy as he fell face down.
Zenji paused for a moment in shock, having believed he was done for, then skipping a few steps back he continued. “Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness!"
Hayashi practically leapt to his feet as the nearly complete box of death was almost finished encasing him.
“Had- Zenji cut off with a wet gurgle as the blade of wind shot out of the forming black coffin to pierce the Hatayama Lord’s chest.
Zenji’s eyes flared open as he the coffin started to collapse, showing Hayashi grinning from within as his last desperate thrust had struck true. “Sorry boy but it appears you won’t be able to serve me after all.” he breathed as he twisted the wind blade preparing to withdraw it.
The crowd began to murmur, clearly feeling the matter was finished. Perhaps everyone believed that. Everyone except Zenji. Everyone was relying on him. The Quincy threat needed him to help prepare and lead the eventual counter against the abominations. He couldn’t fail here.
‘Besides I’ve gotten rather used to taking a beating.’
Zenji’s hand grabbed Hayashi’s wrist, pinning the blade in his chest, causing the old man to at first frown and then his eyes began to widen as he sensed his opponents building Spiritual Pressure. Struggling he tried to get his weapon free but there was no escape now.
The collapsing box began to reform almost instantly, encasing Hayashi, and Zenji smiled grimly. “Hadō #90... Kuro...hitsugi he hissed as blood ran down the side of his mouth. Spear-like protrusions shot out the side and within the box, at this close range, Zenji could hear the former Third Seat screaming.
Zenji stumbled back, the man’s sword still in his chest while his now detached arm hung from the handle. It seemed the completion of the Black Coffin had severed the limb. The blade of wind turned back into an ordinary tanto as the shikai failed, sadly still embedded in Zenji’s chest.
Feeling his legs about to collapse within him he quickly let Binbōgami return to her sealed form. Mist swelled around him, reforming the short blade of his Zanpakuto, before the weapon started to glow and return to it’s staff form. Zenji drove the staff into the ground to lean on it.
‘Please be over...’ he thought to himself, he couldn’t even summon the strength to loosen his grip on the now severed wrist which was clinging to the knife still driven in Zenji’s chest.
The dark energy of the high level Hadō exploded outwards sending Zenji stumbling backwards from the shockwave but, somehow, he remained standing. On the ground, face in the broken stone, lay Hayashi unmoving. Bleeding from a thousand cuts, his stump of an arm ending at the elbow streaming blood and parts of his torso deformed by the crushing gravitational force of Kurohitsugi. In fact Zenji wasn’t even sure if the man was alive and, at this moment in time, he didn’t care either.
He just felt relief flood through him as he saw the unmoving form of his rival.
The adjudicator shouted something but Zenji couldn’t hear, someone was turning down the lights and everything was getting dark. He slid down his Zanpakuto, falling to his knees, as he fought for consciousness.
A number of Shinigami entered the field. Healers yelled to one another but all Zenji could think of was that he’d succeeded.
He was Zenji Hatayama, Chief Archivist and Third Seat of the Third Division.
Someone began laughing, it was a quiet and pained sound. It didn’t register to the man that it was himself.
Zenji Hatayama- Posts : 278
Join date : 2020-06-14
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Re: To be Third of the Third [Closed/Nao]
by Nao Aoki Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:47 pm
As the battle raged on, she stood as still as she could, not wanting to distract either of the competitors. Zenji needed this to be a clean win, and that meant keeping herself from interfering beyond protecting the competitors. She looked across the way to see Chief Archivist’s Second mirroring her efforts, erecting her own transparent protective barrier to protect the crowd behind Nao’s fans.
The two women exchanged a momentary locking of their eyes, Nao’s light smile soliciting a smirk in recognition from her counterpart before they both returned to focusing their will. It was so different from her challenge, and Nao was all the more impressed by Zenji for going blow for blow with his adversary.
Where hers had been quick, brutal, and painful, Zenji’s duel was art incarnate. The way these two men worked their Kido was a master class. Had the introduction of a surprise Shunko not been from the man she was hoping to see lose, she might have clapped in appreciation. As the shoe was on the other foot, she could only grit her teeth and pray for Zenji’s safety.
Her prayers were answered as the two traded shots back and forth, Zenji matching his foe at each step of the way and even gaining an upper hand on him. She, like many of the others around her, clearly thought the current Third Seat defeated when Zenji’s double attack landed, and she had even begun to take a step forward to be ready to congratulate him.
Her walk was interrupted, though, as she was soon audibly gasping in shock at seeing the man emerge from the blast zone, his blade drawn. She was momentarily elated when he slipped up and stalled on his charge, but that excitement evaporated once he got back to his feet and escaped the box enclosing in on him. ”No!” she shrieked as the wind sword sent a splattering of blood flying out of her friend’s back.
She was about to draw down her barrier, to run in and try to use her Kaido to help him, but he managed to, through sheer force of will, power on and finish the incantation and secure his win. It was fortunate that his Zanpakuto had a sealed form that made it easier to lean, as a normal blade might have failed him and resulted in a draw.
The instant the adjudicator announced Zenji’s win, she followed through on her initial steps, sprinting out to his side, scrawling the word ‘bandage’ in the air with her pen as she moved. Most of the pages slid away, forming stacks, but the remnants of her poetry books drew in with her, securing themselves around Zenji’s wound as she knelt down and picked up his face to look into his eyes.
He was fading, and fast. She could see Kaido specialists coming onto the battleground. The second of the now former Third Seat was similarly rushing in to provide aid, albeit without a magically reinforced bandage at her side. Nao thought to divert some of the paper over to help with his wounds, but she had to protect Zenji first and foremost.
”You did great, Zenji,” she reassured him, stroking his cheek as the paper set in place. The laughter that came moments later took her by surprise, and Nao hastily drew her hand back as she felt some blood splatter from the wound and land on her uniform. With an alarm she hadn’t felt in nearly a century, she worked her Kadio, pressing both palms against his chest and forcing as much of her own healing energy into him as possible, soon being joined by other members of Third.
”You, get his back,” she commanded to the rescuers as she continued to press her hands against the bandage and force her Kaido as deep as possible. She turned to the confused and white faced specialist she hadn’t spoken to and spat out another uncharacteristically severe order, ”Go take care of the former Third Seat. This is a through strike. You’re just going to get in the way here.”
She kept her back to the old man, not really caring if he lived or died now that she’d seen the true extent of Zenji’s injury. That he was still standing was amazing. That he was somehow laughing at it all? That was the stuff of legends. She tilted her head as the combined sedative effects from her and the healer helping him from behind finally made his head slump, coming to rest on her shoulder. He would be fine. They would be fine.
\\END
The two women exchanged a momentary locking of their eyes, Nao’s light smile soliciting a smirk in recognition from her counterpart before they both returned to focusing their will. It was so different from her challenge, and Nao was all the more impressed by Zenji for going blow for blow with his adversary.
Where hers had been quick, brutal, and painful, Zenji’s duel was art incarnate. The way these two men worked their Kido was a master class. Had the introduction of a surprise Shunko not been from the man she was hoping to see lose, she might have clapped in appreciation. As the shoe was on the other foot, she could only grit her teeth and pray for Zenji’s safety.
Her prayers were answered as the two traded shots back and forth, Zenji matching his foe at each step of the way and even gaining an upper hand on him. She, like many of the others around her, clearly thought the current Third Seat defeated when Zenji’s double attack landed, and she had even begun to take a step forward to be ready to congratulate him.
Her walk was interrupted, though, as she was soon audibly gasping in shock at seeing the man emerge from the blast zone, his blade drawn. She was momentarily elated when he slipped up and stalled on his charge, but that excitement evaporated once he got back to his feet and escaped the box enclosing in on him. ”No!” she shrieked as the wind sword sent a splattering of blood flying out of her friend’s back.
She was about to draw down her barrier, to run in and try to use her Kaido to help him, but he managed to, through sheer force of will, power on and finish the incantation and secure his win. It was fortunate that his Zanpakuto had a sealed form that made it easier to lean, as a normal blade might have failed him and resulted in a draw.
The instant the adjudicator announced Zenji’s win, she followed through on her initial steps, sprinting out to his side, scrawling the word ‘bandage’ in the air with her pen as she moved. Most of the pages slid away, forming stacks, but the remnants of her poetry books drew in with her, securing themselves around Zenji’s wound as she knelt down and picked up his face to look into his eyes.
He was fading, and fast. She could see Kaido specialists coming onto the battleground. The second of the now former Third Seat was similarly rushing in to provide aid, albeit without a magically reinforced bandage at her side. Nao thought to divert some of the paper over to help with his wounds, but she had to protect Zenji first and foremost.
”You did great, Zenji,” she reassured him, stroking his cheek as the paper set in place. The laughter that came moments later took her by surprise, and Nao hastily drew her hand back as she felt some blood splatter from the wound and land on her uniform. With an alarm she hadn’t felt in nearly a century, she worked her Kadio, pressing both palms against his chest and forcing as much of her own healing energy into him as possible, soon being joined by other members of Third.
”You, get his back,” she commanded to the rescuers as she continued to press her hands against the bandage and force her Kaido as deep as possible. She turned to the confused and white faced specialist she hadn’t spoken to and spat out another uncharacteristically severe order, ”Go take care of the former Third Seat. This is a through strike. You’re just going to get in the way here.”
She kept her back to the old man, not really caring if he lived or died now that she’d seen the true extent of Zenji’s injury. That he was still standing was amazing. That he was somehow laughing at it all? That was the stuff of legends. She tilted her head as the combined sedative effects from her and the healer helping him from behind finally made his head slump, coming to rest on her shoulder. He would be fine. They would be fine.
\\END
Nao Aoki- Posts : 136
Join date : 2020-05-27
Diarmaid O'Cahan likes this post
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