You are Kusajishi Riku, Captain of the Seireitei Court Guard's Ninth Division, and you have just succeeded in defeating three arrancar who serve Aizen. Self-described Privaron, or “former” Espada, these three stood little chance. Not only were none of them strong enough individually to match your dual-released state, but their teamwork was extraordinarily poor: particularly Cirucci whose own attack felled one of her alleged comrades.
Gantenbainne lays on his back unmoving, staring at the sky in disbelief after his utter defeat. Dordoni tries and fails to rise to his feet, seeming to find that his legs refuse to obey his will: and it's no surprise. With one of Cirucci's lethal steel blades lodged firmly in one of his lumbar vertebrae it's pretty hard to imagine that he'll ever walk again without extensive medical intervention. The owner of said blade is in no better shape herself, having taken direct strikes to her Hakusui and Saketsu. Her reiatsu has completely vanished now, and despite the minimal blood loss she should be suffering she has made no attempt to move.
In all likelihood she can feel what's happened to her, and her response has been to simply give up.
Their minder, an Espada by the name of Neliel tu Odelschwank, stares at you in shock... though that has slowly begun to wear off. Instead you think her eyes have begun to betray something akin to outrage at your treatment of the Privaron Espada. Her hand finds the hilt of her sword as she asks you what drove you to such brutality.
"Aizen is a threat to everything I cherish," your voice echoes in response. "If you fight for him you are my bitter enemy, and a threat to the life and world I love. That's all."
"Now then Neliel tu Odelschwank: will you fight, or withdraw?"
“I cannot withdraw,” she replies, her face suddenly growing much more stoic as she resolves to draw her sword.
>1/4
>>47610461
“Not surprised to hear that,” you admit, your calm voice echoing in a slight dissonance with Rosa's. “In fact I'd almost have been disappointed if that was all it took to run you off.”
Neliel frowns at you. “Is your thirst for blood really that powerful?”
“No, but a weak resolve disappoints me that much.”
The first sweep of Neliel's blade is much quicker than that of any of the Privaron Espada, enough to force you to parry with your own kodachi. With an acrobatic maneuver the arrancar manages to follow up her strike with a wide spinning kick aimed at your forehead that you block with your elbow to her ankle: the powerful exchange of blows displaces the air around the point where your limbs meet and unleash a powerful shockwave. Neliel pushes hard off of you with her other foot, finally revealing the attack she's been covering for.
“Cero Sincretico!” her fraccion shout in unison, unleashing the powerful cero they've been charging. The spinning purple and gold blast tears towards you, but you feel no need to even move. Apacci's going to handle this for you, and you have to admit you want to see what she has in mind.
She steps in front of you with a sonido and holds her hand out, body silhouetted against the blinding light. After a moment the light begins to fade as the cero wavers and shrinks, condensing into a smaller sphere of raging crimson before Apacci blasts it back at Neliel with an even greater force. However to both of your surprise the redirected cero stops again in front of the Espada, quickly disappearing into her mouth. You instinctively relocate before she releases it with a deep shout, drawing her fire away from your companions and more importantly the distant Karakura town.
>2/4
>>47610507
Your blade bites deep into the fast-moving mass of spiritual energy, which has changed from its previous shade to a brilliant pink, and tears into it with an almost alarming gusto. A series of almost imperceptibly fast explosions emanating from the edge rips the cero apart and blasts the remnants wide apart, allowing them to explode far behind you. You suppose you should thank Neliel for hitting you with a faster, more confined blast rather than one which would have exploded around you even after having been split: that could have hurt.
“You... swallowed it,” Apacci observes, clearly still stunned. “I... can't really figure how you did that.”
“Couldn't swallow my fist,” you mutter, cracking the knuckles in your left hand menacingly. “Guess cero's just off the table for now.”
“I'm gonna bow out then, Lady Riku,” Apacci nods. “Cero's kinda my shtick, so it sucks to fight an opponent who can slurp 'em down like oysters.”
“How about you take those two?” you suggest, jerking your thumb at the two fraccion whose attempt at a surprise attack she just fended off. The two seem to shrink away, as if hoping that they've already been forgotten. “They've already jumped into the thick of it.”
“Of course!” the insectile arrancar insists with an empty bravado. “If it's for Lady Neliel, of course we'll fight her! Right, Dondachakka?”
“... Dondachakka?”
The larger arrancar stares at Apacci apprehensively. “It's not a question of fighting, dontcha know?”
Neliel eyes her fraccion nervously: she's concerned for their safety, on top of the fact that the Privaron's conditions haven't been improving and will only be getting worse the longer the fight rages on. She knows that much.
“I can fight...” Ichigo insists loudly, only to have Rukia put her fist in his mouth. “The hell was that for!?”
“Impossible!” she insists, just as loudly. “You're not going to showboat like this when there's no need.”
>3/4
>>47610533
“You're concerned for your subordinates... no, for your friends,” you nod towards Neliel. “I can respect that. But this fight...”
A familiar sound heralds the unexpected arrival of another powerful spiritual being as the universe is torn open, and an intimately familiar reiatsu washes over you.
“Yoruichi,” you greet your partner as she joins you at your side, eyes never for an instant straying from your opponent. “What brings you out here?”
“Message from England,” she replies calmly, glancing around to survey the situation. “Urgent diplomatic request, the Head Captain wants you, me, and Shunsui to go.”
She gestures at Neliel. “Friends of yours?”
“No, we just met.”
>Can I deal with this first? I wanna beat this Espada before dealing with that boring diplomatic crap.
>We'll share this one. Take her down that much quicker.
>We should call someone in to take over for us. Tia could probably handle this situation herself.
>Neliel, if we drag this out your friends may die. If we take them prisoner they'll be well-treated.
>Other?
>>47610573
>>Neliel, if we drag this out your friends may die. If we take them prisoner they'll be well-treated.
>>47610573
>>Neliel, if we drag this out your friends may die. If we take them prisoner they'll be well-treated.
>We'll share this one. Take her down that much quicker.
>>47610573
>Neliel, if we drag this out your friends may die. If we take them prisoner they'll be well-treated.
>>47610573
>We should call someone in to take over for us. Tia could probably handle this situation herself.
Figured Nel might soften up better with another arrancar seeing eye to eye with her.
>>47610573
>Can I deal with this first? I wanna beat this Espada before dealing with that boring diplomatic crap.
>>47610573
>Neliel, if we drag this out your friends may die. If we take them prisoner they'll be well-treated.
>This offer also extends to you and your fraccion's well being, I hope you understand.
>Even if you were able to rescue them and bring them back to Aizen, what would become of their fate?
Along with the diplomatic crap of inter-afterlife affairs, we also have to iron out some homeland bureaucracy with the C-46 in regards to POWs and Non-combatants.
Also, have a Riku'sfacewheneverythinggoesjustright picture I drew over the week.
>>47610573
>We should call someone in to take over for us. Tia could probably handle this situation herself.
>>47610573
>>We'll share this one. Take her down that much quicker.
>>47610676
That's a perfect Bleach comedy moment face.
>>47610676
Noice.
>>47610676
Fucking nice chibs.
>>47610676
That fucking grin, It fits her so well.
>>47610573
>>We'll share this one. Take her down that much quicker.
So many prisoners, I can't wait to get the Stockholm Syndrome going!
>>47610776
>pic related
>writing
>be back in a bit
>>47610776
I can already see Menoly try to be BFFs with Cirucci and forming a ditzy girl/bitchy girl duo routine.
>>47610838
Well the bitchy is missing from Menoly's life, so... yeah. I can see that happening.
Also had some brief internet-related issues, but we should still be good. I'll get back on the writing.
>>47610976
“Well, Neliel,” you continue sternly, “I was about to point out what you should already realize: the longer we drag this out the less chance your friends here have of surviving. If we were to take them prisoner they'd be well-treated... better than the fate in store for them if they return in such disgraceful shape. Or am I wrong?”
The arrancar glances down at the fallen Privaron Espada, then back at you. The recognition of defeat is clear in her eyes, even if she doesn't want to admit that the subordinates in her charge have come to such an end. Worse, it may have become clear to her that the decision is no longer between shameful survival and an honorable death: falling prey to the knives of Aizen's more scientifically-minded minions would have no more honor in it than capture.
“Pesche, Dondachakka,” she orders quietly, but with a firmness that belies her confidence that this is the only decision her conscience will allow her to make. “We're retreating. Open the Garganta.”
A visibly stunned Pesche opens his mouth, as if to protest, but thinks better of it. “Yes, ma'am” are the simple words that leave his mouth instead as he makes ready to leave.
Neliel sheaths her zanpakuto and backs away from you cautiously, as if waiting for a back-stab that you have no intentions of delivering. “I apologize, Dordoni... Cirucci... Gantenbainne. I apologize that I cannot carry out your wishes. I hope that one day you will understand.”
“I doubt this is the last time we will see each other, Neliel tu Odelschwank,” you observe calmly before sealing your own swords and returning them to their sheathes. “I hope that when that day comes you will have held no grudge towards me or my companions.”
“That depends on whether you make good on your own words,” she counters, stepping back into the Garganta. “If those three live... we'll see.”
>1/2
>>47611171
The Garganta seals slowly, allowing the Espada one last look at her fallen comrades before closing her off from them for good.
"I have called Captain Unohana," Rukia informs you as you return to speak with your little group. "She will be here in a few minutes."
"With Retsu here there's no need to worry," Yoruichi observes. "This situation's under control. I think the Head Captain will want to brief us quickly... it's not often we get a message from the Valhallans, let alone an emergency request. Something must've happened."
>I still have some business to conclude here before leaving (what?)
>You're right. Rukia and Apacci can handle this for five minutes, and there'll be time to interrogate later.
>>47611231
>You're right. Rukia and Apacci can handle this for five minutes, and there'll be time to interrogate later.
>>47611231
>>You're right. Rukia and Apacci can handle this for five minutes, and there'll be time to interrogate later.
>>47611231
>I still have some business to conclude here before leaving: We still need to bring our nephew to our parents and have that sort of talk along with offering him the option of what part of his powers he would like to develop.
>>47611231
>You're right. Rukia and Apacci can handle this for five minutes, and there'll be time to interrogate later.
>>47611251
>>47611231
>our
I meant Ichigo's parents whoops.
>>47611231
>You're right. Rukia and Apacci can handle this for five minutes, and there'll be time to interrogate later.
I wonder if it's ok for Berry boy to tag along and get that proper hollow training started. I'd understand if the moment is inappropriate here though.
>>47611231
>You're right. Rukia and Apacci can handle this for five minutes, and there'll be time to interrogate later.
>>47611231
>>I still have some business to conclude here before leaving (what?)
Get ichigo home before we go play diplomancy
>>47611251
Second
>>47611231
>I still have some business to conclude here before leaving: We still need to bring our nephew to his parents and have that sort of talk along with offering him the option of what part of his powers he would like to develop.
>>47611231
>I still have some business to conclude here: getting our nephew to his parents and talking about options for his growth development.
>writing
>>47611231
“We should take Ichigo back home,” you tell Yoruichi. “It's the reason I'm here in the first place, and I want to see it through.”
She gives you a curt nod. “I'll keep an eye on things here, you take the kid home. We'll talk later.”
“I can't believe I'm being escorted home by my aunt,” Ichigo sighs as you lead him back towards the Kurosaki clinic. “This is so lame.”
“Well you shouldn't have run off,” you scold him. “When you start acting like an adult instead of just talking like one people will start treating you like an adult.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he replies, maintaining an air of punkish nonchalance. “Spare me the lectures, I'm gonna get one from mom and dad anyway.”
When Isshin greets you at the door, you're surprised to find that he's wearing his old shihakusho: the difference is that instead of wearing his haori normally it's thrown over one shoulder, secured by a length of purple cord. Its edges are tattered... you wonder if it's from a lack of use or whether his spiritual powers are still in the process of returning, but either way he seems “rusty” for lack of a better word. As if his entire presence lacks its customary focus.
“Ichigo!” he shouts, kicking his son squarely in the jaw and sending him reeling. “You've been very naughty! It's up to your father to finally tame your unruly...”
>1/2
>>47611696
Ichigo bounces back to his feet and slugs Isshin in the beard. “Enough with the theatrics already!”
“That... was a good punch,” your adoptive brother observes, his voice muffled by Ichigo's fist. “Guess that secret training of yours had some effect after all.”
“How'd you...”
“Please,” Isshin interrupts his son's confusion. “I didn't used to be a Captain because I was an idiot, you know.”
“It was in spite of it,” you quip with a smug grin.
Isshin's cool facade is broken by an agitated twitch. “Of all the...”
“So, Ichigo,” you continue over Isshin's frustrated protests. “About your training...”
>Take some time off. Reconnect with people here. Be a teenager. Make mistakes.
>I can arrange for a few training sessions with some... “contacts”, let's call them.
>Your parents have a lot to teach you. You'd benefit from their experience massively.
>Other?
>>47611707
>>Your parents have a lot to teach you. You'd benefit from their experience massively.
>Make sure to take some time off. Reconnect with people here. Be a teenager. Make mistakes.
>>47611707
>>Take some time off. Reconnect with people here. Be a teenager. Make mistakes.
>Your parents have a lot to teach you. You'd benefit from their experience massively.
>>47611707
>>Take some time off. Reconnect with people here. Be a teenager. Make mistakes.
give the kid a break
>>47611707
>Your parents have a lot to teach you. You'd benefit from their experience massively.
>>47611707
>Take some time off. Reconnect with people here. Be a teenager. Make mistakes.
Then,
>Your parents have a lot to teach you. You'd benefit from their experience massively.
>>47611707
>Take some time off. Reconnect with people here. Be a teenager. Make mistakes.
As tempted as it is to call in Bambi and Apacci, I don't think Ichigo's parents would react well to them if they find out. Training can come later. And Ichigo himself has gone through the powerlevel grind non-stop.
>>47611707
>writing
>>47612004
“... knock it off for now.”
He stares at you in disbelief. “What?”
“I said knock it off for now,” you repeat. “You've managed more in less than a year than most shinigami do in a hundred. Bankai training alone can take a decade or more, and rushing to grow stronger doesn't typically help it mature faster once you HAVE got one.”
“So take some time to be a teenager... and if you absolutely can't do that your parents can teach you a thing or two.”
“You really think I can just relax now that I know what I can do?” Ichigo protests. “You really think I can relax when I've seen what really goes on around here?”
“You can and you will,” you insist. “You're probably going to end up being recognized as an official Substitute by the Central 46... which is a heavy burden to bear. So I'm telling you to enjoy the time you have while it's purely yours to enjoy, and make the decision about what you're going to become in due time.”
“Isshin,” you nod to your brother, turning to leave. “I'll leave the rest to you. I've got business on the other side of the planet.”
“London's calling?” he jokes, rubbing the back of his neck. “Wonder what the hell they want.”
“That's what I hope to find out,” you admit, a note of worry creeping into your voice. “It could be a lot of things, few of them good.”
“I'll send someone by on a regular basis to check in,” you tell them. “So until the next crisis, then.”
“Yeah,” Isshin nods, grinning. “Or you could make it sooner.”
It only takes you a few moments to return to Yoruichi, where you find Retsu and her Lieutenant hard at work securing the fallen Privaron Espada to be moved. One of them, Gantenbainne, catches your eye as you pass and waves for you to speak to him.
“I trust you'll behave while I'm gone?” you ask sternly.
>1/2
>>47612162
He sighs. “After suffering defeat at your hands, it would be shameful to resort to an attack on your allies or subordinates... and I am the only one in a position to do so. You have nothing to worry about, Miss Captain.”
"Good," you nod once. "Glad we got that straightened out."
"You ready to get going?" Yoruichi asks, joining you once more.
>Let's go see what the Head Captain has to say.
>If you don't know anything I doubt the Head Captain has anything to add. We'll go straight there to save time.
>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>Other?
>>47612219
>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>>47612219
>Let's go see what the Head Captain has to say.
>>47612219
>>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>>47612219
>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>>47612219
>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>>47612219
>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
Maybe Shunsui already got the gist of it from the old man.
>>47612219
>>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>>47612219
>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
>>47612219
>>>Let's go see what the Head Captain has to say.
>>47612219
>>We can meet up with Shunsui and go as one delegation, but we should do so promptly.
Shunsuis probably at the head captains anyway so...
>>Let's go see what the Head Captain has to say.
>>47612219
“If the Head Captain knew anything more he'd have told you,” you observe, and Yoruichi makes no argument. Seems she herself is a little surprised at the lack of specificity so far with your orders. “And if it's an emergency we should move quickly.”
“We're one Captain short,” your wife reminds you. “We should grab Shunsui and go as soon as the Senkaimon is ready.”
You nod in agreement, and leave the living world behind through a hole in the universe of your own creation. Arriving in the Seireitei, you find Shunsui nearly buried behind paperwork as his bespectacled Lieutenant piles on more to the stack.
“You just need to sign where I've indicated, Captain,” Nanao explains patiently. “Come on, you're almost done.”
“I feel like that's just a lie to make me feel better,” Shunsui's voice complains from behind the stacks. “I'm flattered, you really do care!”
“You're flattering yourself,” she sighs, adjusting her glasses. “You're like a child, without any positive reinforcement we'll be at this all day.”
“Now that's just unfair.”
“Wanna go see what the Valhallans need from us?” Yoruichi asks cheerfully. “Or if you're too busy we can have a long chat with Yamamoto while you finish up here...”
Shunsui is already on his feet, pulling that ridiculous pink thing on over his haori, but Nanao is having none of it. She yanks the garment off him and folds it carefully over one arm.
“This is a diplomatic mission,” she reminds her Captain. “You're going to be seen by people.”
“But I like that haori,” he protests, “and isn't it better if they see me as I'm really like?”
It takes Nanao a moment to formulate a response. “That was a joke, Captain?”
“We'll meet you at the Senkaimon,” you sigh, turning to leave. “Please hurry up, Shunsui? We'd wanted to at least go as a single delegation.”
“I'll be with you in a moment,” he replies.
>1/2
>>47612587
As you leave you hear two new voices throwing their weight into the argument: a glance over your shoulder reveals two women in matching outfits, one older with her hair decorated with a skull motif, the other younger and shorter with her face hidden behind a cowl of sorts. Those are his zanpakuto, you recognize.... so they're still able to manifest like this?
Interesting.
After telling Rangiku what you'll be up to and leaving the office keys with her, you rejoin Shunsui and Yoruichi at the Senkaimon in time to overhear the end of what sounds like a serious conversation between the two of them.
“So you don't actually speak English?” Yoruichi presses.
Shunsui shrugs. “Not well, at least. I figure I'm here to keep an eye on you two.”
“We're the only Captains who are fluent in English,” Yoruichi explains, “which is why we were chosen. The Central 46 insisted on sending a third Captain as an observer.”
“Foolish,” you sigh. “But in truth we have no idea what we're wanted for, so it may turn out to be worth something despite the foolish reasons behind it.”
>dice+1d100, taking the second roll only
Rolled 42 (1d100)
>>47612662
Rolled 72 (1d100)
>>47612662
Rolled 15 (1d100)
>>47612662
>>47612675
decent.
>>47612662
is this for a random table event?
>>47612675
Alright!
>>47612689
Si.
>writing
Also, give me a 1d2. Taking the second again, because this entire quest is brought to you by the number 2.
Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>47612744
Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>47612744
Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>47612744
>>47612744
>>47612767
indeed it has
>>47612770
>>47612767
My god this takes me back to the start of SSQ with all those 2s on the dice.
Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>47612744
>>47612762
>>47612767
>>47612770
>>47612792
Riku wants dat pussy baaaaaad!
Rolled 183, 151 = 334 (2d222)
>>47612675
>72
>>47612762
>>47612767
>>47612770
>>47612792
> 2
The Dice Gods have spoken! Our sacred number is decided!
>>47612830
You obviously do not remember the start of this quest.
>>47612744
When you step through the Senkaimon, it becomes apparent almost immediately that something has gone wrong on the Valhallan's turf. You emerge in what appears to be a village, typically French in its appearance, but with notable evidence of a battle having been fought here recently. Much of the stucco has been damaged, there are bullet holes and broken windows all along the street, and the whole place seems deserted.
The atmosphere is almost a little eerie, seeing a place that should be full of people in a state like this.
“That's not good,” Yoruichi growls quietly. “I can feel there are people holed up inside some of these houses.”
Sure enough it's not long before what look to be Valhallan soldiers come out into the street, fully armed and a bit grimy, to have a look at you. Their armament seems locked in around the norm for the Second World War, including their uniforms and weapons.
One of them, with a white bar marked on his helmet, steps forward.
“You lot aren't from 'round here,” he observes in perfect English, albeit with a dreadful accent. “Who're you?”
“Captain Kusajishi, Captain Shihōin, and Captain Kyōraku,” you inform him, mindful to keep your hand off your sword. “Here at the request of your superiors, from the Seireitei.”
“Ah, yer the specialists,” he nods thoughtfully. “You lot made good time, we were 'ardly expectin' ye.”
“Yeah, well,” you shrug non-committally, “we got the impression it was urgent. Guess we were right.”
“No foolin',” the Lieutenant replies. “Been goin' sideways fer days now, but the Colonel can tell you all 'bout that. No sense keepin' him waitin.”
“Oi!” he shouts into the building. “Davies, get the jeep ready. Take our guests to HQ.”
>What the hell happened here?
>I think we'd get there faster on foot. Just point us in the right direction.
>Wait quietly, do things their way.
>Other?
>>47612975
>What the hell happened here?
>Who's your guide?
>Pick him up and flash step to the HQ.
>>47612975
>>What the hell happened here?
>>47612975
>>Wait quietly, do things their way.
>>47612975
>What the hell happened here?
>>47612975
>>What the hell happened here?
>>47612975
>What the hell happened here?
>Is it world war 3 already?
>>47612975
>>47612997
Support!
>>47612975
>What the hell happened here?
>Who's your guide?
>Pick him up and flash step to the HQ
How come the valhallans dont know about flash step?
>>47613105
they're scrublords who need to git gud.
>>47613105
They lost all their super strong people to yhwach during the first war and never really recovered.
>>47613130
No bully.
>>47613105
They put all their points into GUN and thus fail against people who specced into SWORD.
>writing
>>47613105
adding on to >>47613149, since then they just rely on mo' guns and dakka and zero reiatsu.
Ours is the whole Nippon 200 year training from hell whose afterlife remains relatively untouched because Isolation policies and OMG killed Yhwach.
>>47613156
suck my dick, anon.
>>47613166
Shit man, wouldn't constant conflict promote stronger but fewer instead of more and dakka dakka?
>>47613220
When the training time for the stronger and fewer is in decades? No.
>>47613220
There's a saying that I can't remember precisely which goes like: "10,000 hours of training can wasted within 10 seconds stepping onto the warfront"
It's related to the world wars and trench warfare.
>>47613250
>>47613266
True enough, sorry anons for being such a silly bugger, being a bit sleep deprived doesn't promote logical thinking.
Happy to see the euroboos though.
“You do realize we could probably get there in like two seconds, right?” you grin. “No point for a jeep.”
“I... guess?” the Lieutenant frowns, turning back to shout into the building. “Private!? Forget the jeep!”
“What even happened here?” you continue, glancing around at the battle damage along the street. “Looks like a war rolled through.”
“Almost,” the Lieutenant informs you, adjusting his rifle over his shoulder. “The Colonel can tell you the whole story... you three all speak English?”
“Two of us,” Yoruichi replies calmly. “So I take it we're here to help with whatever happened here?”
“That's the idea,” he replies, as the private finally arrives from inside.
You nod to Shunsui. “Pick this guy up,” you tell him in Japanese. “We're gonna get a move on.”
Your fellow Captain does as you request, and you follow the private's instructions until you find the headquarters where Shunsui sets him down.
“That was... insane,” the private slurs, taking a seat. “I think I have to lie down.”
The three of you walk into a building that seems to be the hub of activity around here, looking for the ranking officer...
>dice+3d10, best of three
Rolled 9, 1, 1 = 11 (3d10)
>>47613356
Rolled 5, 10, 10 = 25 (3d10)
>>47613356
Rolled 3, 1, 4 = 8 (3d10)
>>47613356
>>47613364
Witnessed!!!
>>47613364
Good job anon.
>the Valhallans continue to suck in 1v1
>>47613454
why did they have to choose melee/kido as their dump stat?
When one of the nearby officers draws his handgun, you casually bat it out of his and. He looks down at it stunned by the speed of your movement, while one of his companions draws a knife. It's out of his hands just as quickly.
“Surely you didn't call us here for this?” you frown, “but if you did I can do this all day.”
“What is she doing here!?” the first officer demands, balling his fists in anger. Looking around you can tell that many of the others in this building are similarly agitated.
Yoruichi exchanges a glance with you. “Um... should I not be?”
“Not at all!” the officer shouts. “How dare you come back after what you did?”
Another confused glance, this time with Shunsui as well. He shrugs, clearly not following the conversation either.
“I didn't do anything?” Yoruichi offers rather lamely. “I'm not even sure what you're talking about, I haven't ever been here.”
“Bullshit,” the officer contends. “We have it on tape.”
The officer leads the three of you into an office, fitted out inside a dining room. At the far end of the table sits what appears to be a Colonel, an older officer with a mustache. He looks up from his paperwork at Yoruichi and stares, then opens a manila folder in front of him. From inside it he produces a series of photographs and slides them across the table.
“That's bizarre,” she says aloud, seeing that every photo appears to be of her.
“This friend of yours killed nearly a thousand of out soldiers in one night last week,” the Colonel explains sternly. “On top of this little rebellion we've been dealing with, a Captain from the Seireitei wiping out so many of our soldiers...”
Yoruichi stares at the photographs, gears clearly turning behind her amber eyes.
>I think you'd better start from the beginning.
>There's no way she did anything like that. She was in the Seireitei.
>Yoruichi? What're you thinking here?
>I think there's an explanation for this.
>Other?
Maybe the european afterlife got its years of peace when the guns began to trump armor and really got going, then Ywach happened and look at them now.
>>47613629
>I think there's an explanation for this.
>Goddammit Arturo. He's on the rampage.
>>47613629
>>I think there's an explanation for this.
"An extremely powerful shapeshifting hollow by the name of Arturio Plado. Or Aizen, A powerful illusionist gone rogue."
>>47613629
>>I think there's an explanation for this.
"An extremely powerful shapeshifting hollow by the name of Arturio Plado. Or Aizen, A powerful illusionist gone rogue."
>>47613629
>I think there's an explanation for this.
"An extremely powerful shapeshifting hollow by the name of Arturio Plado. Or Aizen, A powerful illusionist gone rogue."
>>47613629
>>I think there's an explanation for this.
"An extremely powerful shapeshifting hollow by the name of Arturio Plado. Or Aizen, A powerful illusionist gone rogue."
>>47613629
>I think there's an explanation for this.
Regardless of who did it, they're Riku's prey.
>>47613629
>>I think there's an explanation for this. "An extremely powerful shapeshifting hollow by the name of Arturio Plado. Or Aizen, A powerful illusionist gone rogue."
Having said that
>>I also think you'd better start from the beginning.
This is going to suck if Aizen or Arturio used this as a distraction to lure Riku out of SS.
Did Mirai ever get the upgraded Sanrei glove for dealing with the possibility of complications when using her Bankai that she mentioned back in thread 47.
>“It presents a risk of premature failure,” Mirai admits quietly. “The reiatsu output of Seisha Hicchū exceeds what Urahara Kisuke's invention was designed to regulate.”
>“Then we'll need to get you a replacement,” you reply. “Simple as that. So until then take it easy, okay?”
>>47613772
Yes.
>>47613629
>I think there's an explanation for this.
>Yoruichi? What're you thinking here?
“You reckon this is Arturo's doing?” you ask.
Yoruichi nods sternly. “That's the only thing I can think of. Don't recall Aizen doing photo-shoots.”
“Arturo?” the Colonel asks, raising one bushy eyebrow. “That's your explanation?”
“He's an ancient and powerful hollow we encountered some weeks ago,” you explain. “We kind of had a bit of a rebellion by one of our stronger Captains, and the sheer weight of our reiatsu when we fought released him by mistake.”
“Sounds like you lot have had a time of it too,” the officer mutters. “Almost relieving to hear your lot aren't so perfect after all.”
“He's capable of shapeshifting,” Yoruichi adds, “at least according to my Clan's old records.”
“How convenient,” the Colonel smirks, clearly not believing your narrative. “A hollow capable of transforming into an exact copy of your friend here and powerful enough to wipe out entire Companies of our men.”
“Fair point,” Yoruichi admits to your surprise. “What purpose would he have to come here?”
“Can you prove that you never came here?”
You frown angrily. “She was with me while I recovered from an injury.”
“Were you conscious the whole time?” the Colonel presses smugly. “And if you weren't, how can you be sure this alleged hollow didn't replace her?”
>I can tell these things. My senses are rather acute.
>Yoruichi, I'm sure you can prove you're you.
>This is stupid. What was this “rebellion” of yours, and how does it factor in?
>Other?
>>47613971
>I can tell these things. My senses are rather acute.
>"She's the head of our stealth forces. Do you really think you'd capture her on camera?"
>>47614014
Second.
>>47613971
>This is stupid. Because A) I can tell these things. My senses are rather acute. And B) Its more likely to be a setup related to this “rebellion” of yours, so how does that factor in?
>>47613971
>This is stupid. What was this “rebellion” of yours, and how does it factor in?
We can mount a better defense once we have all the info/
>>47614014
>>47613971
supporting this.
>>47613971
>I can tell these things. My senses are rather acute.
>Yoruichi, I'm sure you can prove you're you.
>>47613971
>>47614014
This
Also, how do we know YOU'RE not a shapeshifter?
>>47613971
>what equipment is this "alleged" Yoruichi wearing when you encountered her? Because if my hunch is right, Arturo's using an outdated disguise, not to mention the means he used to kill your men is completely different from the Yoruichi I know.
>Examine the photos for discrepancies.
>And what was this "rebellion" of yours? who "rebelled"?
>>47614137
This also.
>>47614137
>3d10, DC 6
Rolled 2, 8, 4 = 14 (3d10)
>>47614277
Rolled 10, 9, 1 = 20 (3d10)
>>47614277
Rolled 7, 6, 10 = 23 (3d10)
>>47614277
>>47614301
crit
Rolled 2, 7, 3 = 12 (3d10)
>>47614277
>>47614301
WITNESSED!
>>47614301
Good job anon
>>47614301
Good job anon.
>>47614301
see >>47610676 for reaction to dice.
>Working
>also getting near the point where I'll have to stop
You look Yoruichi straight in her eyes, extending your senses. Her presence is familiar, those of her swords are precisely right to be Shōsōtō and Raijūsenkō, and everything else about her is intimately familiar to you after so many years.
She cocks an eyebrow at you playfully. “You still have pretty eyes.”
“Yup, it's her,” you declare confidently. “Her spiritual presence is right, as are her mannerisms, sense of humor, personality... every single detail is there. Absolutely no way Arturo could have copied those.”
“And how exactly can you be so sure?” the Colonel presses as Yoruichi picks up one of the photographs for a closer inspection.
“Two centuries of familiarity and highly-attuned senses,” you explain carefully. “Not to mention the fact that if it really WAS Yoruichi you wouldn't have photos of her being here. Now then, you called us here to serve as experts I take it? Let us do that already, or let us go home. But quit wasting our time with petty accusations.”
“I think they've got something serious going on here,” Yoruichi tells you and Shunsui in Japanese. “The me in the photo is carrying two swords in a sheath on the small of her back, same as I do now. No way Arturo could know to copy that detail.”
“Unless he's been in the Seireitei recently enough,” you observe. “Either way it's got some nasty implications for us.”
“What're you three talking about now?” the Colonel demands.
>1/2
>>47614475
You shrug, and fabricate the best sort of lie: one that's actually a true statement. “Our colleague here's the only one in the room who doesn't really speak any English.”
“Well, then,” you continue. “Tell me about this rebellion of yours.”
“I can't believe the two events aren't connected somehow,” Yoruichi adds.
The Colonel clears his throat. “Some of our boys started training after the Great War to gain powers more like the shinigami who helped us through it. Really came into their own near the end of the Second World War, but after that they started getting it in their heads that they should lead. That they were a “superior breed”. So they've really been giving us hell.”
That's a lie. This man's clearly hiding something from you, but it's not clear yet precisely what.
>Stop lying and tell me what really happened or we're going home.
>How strong are we talking here? What made you call us?
>... go on. Particularly, I'd like to hear what you expect us to do.
>Other?
>>47614497
>Stop lying and tell me what really happened or we're going home.
>>47614497
>Stop lying and tell me what really happened or we're going home.
Because seriously, if you lost a thousand fighters to one guy you should be as open to help as you can.
>>47614497
>...You made Vizards didn't you? Please tell me you weren't stupid enough to try to copy their hollow powers.
>>47614497
>Stop lying and tell me what really happened or we're going home.
>>47614497
>English
>claiming to be master race
The irony is not lost on me.
>>47614497
>Stop lying and tell me what really happened or we're going home.
>>47614538
Adding this to my vote here>>47614506
>>47614497
>. “Some of our boys started training after the Great War to gain powers more like the shinigami who helped us through it. Really came into their own near the end of the Second World War, but after that they started getting it in their heads that they should lead. That they were a “superior breed”. So they've really been giving us hell.”
This is a lie. For one thing the people who really helped them through the second world war were the Vizards. Like >>47614538 said, they probably tried to create their own Vizards since they had no idea how to forge Zanpakto. That or someone's gave them the specs for Bakotto.
>>47614538
Seconding and deleting my old vote here>>47614518
>>47614497
>...You made Vizards didn't you?
>so you're asking US, the representatives of the Asian afterlife Seireitei to clean up a mess you've created because what you wanted supersoldiers just to gain equal footing in the spiritual arms race against Seireitei. What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you not satisfied with your guns? Are you not satisfied with your nuclear funeral pyres?
>>47614592
The "Great War" is the First.
>>47614497
>... go on. Particularly, I'd like to hear what you expect us to do.
>>47614497
>>Stop lying. You made Vizards didn't you.
>>47614497
>>Stop lying and tell me what really happened or we're going home.
>>47614662
Oh I know. I was implying their
>Really came into their own near the end of the Second World War,
Was at least partially a lie to cover up the Vizard involvement in their success.
>>47614650
To be fair, they did lack a method to deal with Menos class hollows, and Sternritter class Quincy.
>>>47614592
I took them coming into their own after the second world war meaning that they made vizards then.
>>47614697
are you talking about war-era quincy? or modern day quincy?
“Alright, so that's what you look like when you're bullshitting me,” you growl in frustration. “So do you want to try that again? If not we're going home.”
The Colonel looks you in the eyes, and almost immediately realizes he's been bested. “Fine, it was an experiment gone wrong. We saw how effective your Captains and other officers were and wanted to create something similar. So we might have had our top eggheads work on a solution.”
“And the soldiers who rebelled are that solution,” Yoruichi concludes. “So what are they, exactly?”
“They're basically artificial dolls,” the Colonel explains, “similar to what you people call a 'gikon'. We modified them to have greater spiritual strength and to obey orders unquestioningly.”
“Project Spearhead,” Yoruichi interrupts.
You turn to face her. “Excuse me?”
“Project Spearhead,” your wife repeats quietly. “A program canceled by the Central 46 due to ethical concerns. It sounds a lot like this project the Valhallans were working on, except our modified souls were intended to recycle the dead... thus, the ethical concerns.”
“So you're familiar with the concept,” the Colonel concludes. “Good, that makes it easy to explain. What we need help with is reigning in our own creations. Our forces lack the overwhelming, concentrated power of a shinigami Captain, which was precisely the problem these modified soldiers were intended to address.”
“They want us to clean up their mess,” you inform Shunsui in Japanese before switching back to English. “So you expect us to deal with these little indiscretions for you?”
“That's precisely right.”
>No deal. You sort out your own problems.
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
>We'll do it, but only to find out what Yoruichi's doppelganger really was.
>Other?
>>47614735
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
>>47614735
>>Fine, but you owe us big time.
I love that picture
>>47614735
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
>>47614735
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
>>47614735
wow are the Valhallans that fucking incompetent?! If you gotta make super soldiers make sure you have some sort of kill switch as well! Its basic evil 101!
>>47614735
>>47614788
Backing.
>>47614735
>>Fine, but you owe us big time.
get us some new gun tech for our squad
>>47614735
Someone needs to edit that so that it's Riku instead of Soi Fon.
>>47614735
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
>Your current debt is request for support through 2 world wars, a stand-in for diplomacy mission requesting for support from the American afterlife, and an unethical soul mod experiment designed to counter spiritual beings of captain class an higher gone wrong. You Valhallans have a VERY heavy bill to pay.
>>47614835
Fucking second.
>>47614835
Technically it was only one world war. They contracted the Vizards as mercenaries for the second one.
>>47614735
>Fine, we'll capture them. and then we'll hear their side of the story
>>47614735
Deleting my old vote here>>47614788
and seconding this>>47614835
>>47614867
>>47614735
also supporting this.
>>47614735
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
>Your current debt is request for support through one world war, a stand-in for diplomacy mission requesting for support from the American afterlife, and an unethical soul mod experiment designed to counter spiritual beings of captain class an higher gone wrong. You Valhallans have a VERY heavy bill to pay.
>>47614735
...wait wait wait. You're doing the Regia uprising arc, aren't you? We're up against Kageroza Inaba
>>47614909
>Regia uprising arc
the what arc? Is this a filler arc?
gimme a tl;dr version of dat plot.
>>47614919
dopplegangers
>>47614735
>
>Fine, but you owe us big time.
And the way your probably going to pay us back is by upgrading my divisions armory.
>>47614909
Oh shit he is, That explains why Yoruichi is running around!
>writing
>>47614984
“Fine,” you sigh. “I'll have it added to the tab.”
“Tab?” the officer questions. You nod.
“The tab. Of what you owe us for saving your asses. We've kept an open tab for more than eighty years, and this is going on it.”
The Colonel begins to put away his paperwork. “Very well, we'll discuss terms after you've completed the mission. I'll have one of my subordinates brief you on their numbers and disposition.”
When the Colonel leaves, you have a moment to discuss amongst your fellow Captains. Yoruichi seems particularly determined to see this through.
“I don't like the idea that someone else is running around with my face,” she grumbles angrily. “And I bet you anything whatever's gone on with this program of theirs has something to do with my copy.”
“You figure there's something they're not telling us?” Shunsui muses. “That Colonel guy seemed to cave pretty hard when you confronted him.”
“Just because he told us everything he knows doesn't mean he told us everything,” Yoruichi points out.
You nod quietly. “Fair point. He's a combat officer, not a scientist. If we're going to make any progress here we've got questions that he can't answer.”
“Then we're in agreement,” Yoruichi concludes. “Hope this doesn't get any more complicated.”
>>47615128
And that's it for the evening! It's nearly 3am here, so I'm running out of juice. Next weekend we'll see what's been going on in Valhalla, including with this second Yoruichi.
Archive is up, thanks for playing! I'll stick around for maybe 15 minutes for questions. SoZ will probably happen tomorrow night, but if it doesn't it'll happen for sure next weekend. I don't know how much if any time I'll have to prepare tomorrow prior to my intended run time.
>>47615173
Thanks a lot King. Have a good one man.
>>47615173
Thanks for running, Social sheet update when?
>>47615193
When I have time and I'm not exhausted. May not be until Monday, things are a little silly around here right now.
>>47615193
throughout the week. Not immediately though, he's dead tired.
>>47615173
Thanks. It was, as always, enjoyable.
>>47615173
Thanks for running!
>>47615208
What did you think of the assumption that they had made Vizards?
>>47615208
thank you for running the thread, and you're welcome for the fanart.
>>47615173
thanks for running!
question: could SSQ Harribel take Baraggan?
>>47615225
Interesting, but a little off-base. None of the Valhallans' "ordinary" forces are strong enough to survive the transformation process, as was seen in canon by the fact that nobody above Lieutenant level survived exposure.
>>47615229
Ah, Pacha meme hands. Great movie, and a great meme. Always a pleasure to get fanart, particularly *amusing* fanart!
>>47615208
What do the Valhallans think of us keeping track of an 80 year tab? Are they dreading the day we come to receive the payment?
>>47615236
Many things are possible. It'd be difficult in any event because Halibel has no hard counter to Barrigan, but Barrigan would have a hard time getting his broken-ass ability to work against her.
>>47615173
How are the Privaron Espada taking to the medical treatment and idea that they're now POWs? Are they experiencing the terror of Yachiru Unohana's "scary" bedside manner?
>>47615289
Absolute dread.
>>47615352
Absolute dread.
Really, the only one taking it well is Gantenbainne. Cirucci still hasn't spoken, and Dordoni is angry that he'll never walk again. If he COULD the first thing he'd do is go over to Cirucci's room and strangle her.
>>47615370
Am I a horrible person if I find picturing a hollow in a wheelchair amusing?
>>47615370
Nel took the fact that she had to leave the care of the Privaron Espada in the hands of Riku's 9th hard didn't she? I know she's grateful for the fact that they're in hands better than the scientists of Aizen's Sternritter/Arrancar force, but still, she has to deal with the fallout of a mission failure when she goes back to Silbern for the debriefing.
>>47615420
Now he'll actually need a medical fraccion to actually attend to his paraplegic needs.
>>47615420
That's the only way he'll stop tripping over his own feet.
>>47615481
hearty keks to be had right there.
>>47615478
>>47615481
>>47615285
Although they aren't admitting it, it's pretty obvious the Valhallans are jealous that they don't have "supersoldiers" within their forces unlike Seireitei. They're still salty from Yhwach nomming/murdering theirs 1000 years ago.
Huh. Artificial dolls meant to imitate certain people's power, and a "doppleganger" running around killing people?
The colonel's in the know, though, and still reacted, so that might be out of the window.
