>>1789527
“Anymore it feels like we only fight each other because that's just what we do,” you sigh. “That's just not a good enough reason for me. So yes, I specifically want to forge a lasting partnership between everyone who's had enough of it all.”

“And you want us to fight with you?” Meninas asks for clarification. “Against our own kind?”

“Yes,” you affirm. “If you feel like you can. But what I won't do is press you into service.”

There are a few moments of contemplative silence.

“Don't misunderstand,” Liltotto tells you, “this isn't about loyalty to the Sternritter, or to Aizen. This is about the survival of our race.”

“If we side with you, and your side loses, we die and the more insane Sternritter are the only ones left,” Meninas explains, clearly showing that at least these two women have discussed the matter. “If we side with Aizen, we lose even if we win.”

“But if we stay locked up and out of it, it gives us the best chances in the long run,” Liltotto concludes. “You may see it as cowardly, and under other circumstances I'd agree. But the survival of the quincy as a whole is our only goal. And committing to fight for one side when neither is clearly ahead... I'd have to be some kind of retard.”

>What happened to your 'quincy pride'? Is cowardice something to be proud of now?
>Sounds to me like you have nothing to lose by fighting alongside Bambietta.
>And how would you feel about the situation if we offered you a brain-healing serum first?
>Other?

>>1789551
>>What happened to your 'quincy pride'? Is cowardice something to be proud of now?

>>1789551
>>And how would you feel about the situation if we offered you a brain-healing serum first?
No strings attached, let's not be jerks about this.

>>1789551
>What happened to your 'quincy pride'? Is cowardice something to be proud of now?
>And how would you feel about the situation if we offered you a brain-healing serum first?

Under normal circumstances I feel appealing to their Quincy Pride is not the way to go.

On the other hand, Rosette made a dying last stand in the name of her unit, and Riku has still maintained her honor and dignity in this life. Even when she losing or getting the shit kicked out of her, she never gives up.

Her pride worked on Bambietta too so that's a plus.

So...if that's the way it's being treated, okay, she can sell that line. She can sell the idea that life without that pride is not a life worth living.

>>1789551
>>What happened to your 'quincy pride'? Is cowardice something to be proud of now?

>>1789551
>>Sounds to me like you have nothing to lose by fighting alongside Bambietta.
>>Other?
How well does Liltotto know Aizen? Does she think he would care who sits behind which prison bar once the battle starts? At best, he'll think of it as nothing but inconsequential collateral damage. At worst, useless pawns that have spent their usefulness.

They'd have better odds on putting their trust behind Bambietta with that line of thought, if it's regarding who they know better. Hence the need to ensure she'd still be there at the end of it. It's up to them to take action to try and guarantee that.

Okay, seems like we're driving the pride angle, probably by contrasting them with Bambi's now-normal brain function.
>dice+3d10, DC 18, Critical 22

Rolled 6, 2, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>1789599

Rolled 8, 1, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>1789599

Rolled 9, 5, 2 = 16 (3d10)

>>1789599

>>1789602
By the skin of our teeth. Good job anon

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>>1789602

Juuuuuust made it.

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>>1789599
“Well then,” you sigh, “I guess I should apologize.”

“For what?” Meninas asks warily.

“I thought it was your minds that were starting to go,” you explain, correcting yourself. “I had no idea what you'd lost was your pride.”

“Excuse you?” Liltotto exhales, a dangerous tone to her words suggesting that you've touched a raw nerve.

“Your pride,” you reply. “If you've still got any left I see no evidence of it.”

“Awful big words coming from some bitchass Captain,” Candice speaks up, finally having been pushed far enough by your insults to engage with you in spite of herself. “Where do you get off lecturing us about pride?”

“Just listen to yourselves,” you shoot back angrily. “Just keeping your damn heads down until it blows over? Refusing to take sides, to stand up for anything?”

“Survival isn't enough,” you insist. “Bambietta knows that much, and even if you refuse to admit it I think you three realize that too.”

“Like I said,” Liltotto repeats, “this isn't about whether we live or die...”

“And if you sacrifice what matters to survive?” you interrupt. “If you sacrifice what you've always claimed is important to your people? If you abandon your values in the face of a tough decision you don't have values, you have hobbies.”

“Bambietta betrayed us!” Candice shouts from her own cell.

“No, you've all betrayed yourselves!” you roar back, your voice echoing throughout the building. “But if this is what you want, to live to see tomorrow even if you rot from within, be my guest. I'll respect your choices even if you lose any other respect I might've had for you.”
>1/2

>>1789653
>“Well then,” you sigh, “I guess I should apologize.”
>“For what?” Meninas asks warily.
>“I thought it was your minds that were starting to go,” you explain, correcting yourself. “I had no idea what you'd lost was your pride.”

Okay, wow. That is one of the sickest burns I've seen dropped in a while.

>If you abandon your values in the face of a tough decision you don't have values, you have hobbies.

And then this came along. Goddamn Riku.

>>1789653
An odd silence takes hold, while you hope your accusations are setting in. If there's anything left of the three quincy you've had locked up in here all this time, this will be where you find that out.

Eventually, Liltotto sighs. “This... regenerative serum thing. Is it ready?”

“Captain Urahara has been working on it,” you explain, “so yeah, it's probably as ready as it'll ever be. But I don't expect he'd be keen to use it on someone just yet... even if he's been testing it on cloned grafts from BG9, that's very different from full-scale use.”

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” the blonde girl admits. “And since someone always has to go first, might as well be me who ventures.”

“Lil...” Meninas mutters, not really trying to talk her friend out of it so much as she's trying to wrap her head around it. Or at least, that's the way it sounds to you. Who knows what these three are really thinking.

“Yeah,” Liltotto nods, as if confirming it with herself. “Even if it doesn't work, I can think of worse ways to go.”

“Hook me up, and we'll see how I feel once I'm... less like this.”

>I can arrange that immediately.
>I can arrange that for later in the day.
>Other?

>>1789667
>>I can arrange that immediately.
tear that band aid

>>1789667
>>I can arrange that immediately.

If it's as ready as it'll ever be, let's get this show on the road.

>>1789667
>I can arrange that immediately.

>>1789667
>>I can arrange that immediately.
Riku gives zero fucks about proper scientific procedure.

>>1789667
>>I can arrange that immediately.

>>1789667
“I could arrange for it to be done immediately,” you offer, “if that's what you decide you want.”

“It is,” Liltotto confirms. “Do it before my mind changes.”

Before it changes, not before she changes it... she's talking like she's not the one that's in control anymore, as if her mind was more like a cat's tail than the seat of her consciousness. As if she were just along for the ride.

You have to wonder if it's a lucid moment or merely a desperate one.

“Then I'll call in Kisuke,” you nod, producing your denreishinki and tapping a few keys.

It doesn't take long at all for him to put in an appearance, with Lieutenant Kurotsuchi in tow with a large metallic case.

“I came as quickly as I could,” he tells you.

“Hey now,” Candice quips from her own cell, any anger from earlier having apparently been forgotten. Another thing you 'have to wonder', did that woman's crazy come before or after becoming a Sternritter?

A question for later, perhaps.

“So, which of the three was willing to give it a try?” your fellow Captain asks, ignoring Candice for now.

“Liltotto,” you explain, unlocking the cell door and allowing him and Nemu to begin setting up.

“Please lie down, make yourself comfortable,” Kisuke suggests, pointing Liltotto in the direction of her little bed.

“Will it help?” she asks.

Kisuke shakes his head. “Oh god no, not at all. But I fail to see how it'd make anything worse.”

“Fair enough,” Liltotto shrugs, lying down on top of the mattress and holding one arm out. “It goes into a vein in the arm?”

“That would probably be best.”
>1/2

>>1789702
Kisuke actually has the needle out and the injection site prepared when Bambietta forces her way in through the front entry and marches down the aisle.

“What's going on here?” she demands loudly. “What are you doing to Lil?”

“You were almost late,” you call out from the cell, waving Bambietta in. “Liltotto made her decision, we were just about to perform the procedure.”

“Just like this?” Bambietta asks, looking over the admittedly scant amount of monitoring equipment Nemu has set up.

“Affirmative,” the Lieutenant nods with her typical blank stare. “This is all the equipment required.”

“I worked in a healthy dose of antibodies I cultured from Captain Kusajishi's blood samples,” Kisuke explains, “which should prove sufficient. But even if it doesn't we have the source right here too... if this was ever going to approach 'safe' these would be the conditions that'd make it so.”

“Bambi,” Liltotto adds, “this is what has to happen. We both know it.”

Bambietta falls silent, failing to even come up with words she feels can express her concern and resignation. Instead, she simply nods silently.

>3d10, DC 18, Crit 22

Rolled 9, 2, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>1789709

Rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8 (3d10)

>>1789709

Rolled 6, 5, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>1789709

>>1789715
Fukken clutch.

>>1789715
Thank god.

>>1789715
Damn, we're barely scraping by today with these rolls.

These rolls that literally decide the fate of a character are terrifying.

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>>1789715
The needle goes in smoothly, its contents slowly filtering into Liltotto's bloodstream. The girl hardly seems to react, merely closing her eyes and sighing almost contentedly. Seconds pass into minutes.

Then her eyes fly open and she's on her feet, knocking Kisuke flat on his ass in surprise. He's not hurt of course, just startled, which is more than you can say for Bambietta. The blow catches her in the chin, sending her turning in midair like a one-armed ragdoll before she crashes to the floor shoulder-first.

It takes her a moment to begin lifting herself back up off the smooth, cold stone. She doesn't look back up, seemingly stuck between wanting to get up and wanting to stay down.

“That was for what you did to me,” Liltotto declares, an uncharacteristically hard tone in her voice and a sharpness to her glare. Bambietta's head hangs, and she says nothing to defend herself.

But that sharpness quickly fades, and the blonde Sternritter releases what must have been a lot of tension with a sigh. Her boots tap lightly against the floor with each step as she charts a course around her downed comrade, and finally she takes a knee.

She offers her hand, which Bambietta stares at in obvious disbelief for a few moments before taking it. Liltotto hauls the woman up by her good arm, until she has her legs back under her, and steps in closer for an embrace.

“And that's for looking out for us every day since then,” Liltotto amends herself. “I'm mad, but I'm not mad enough to hold a grudge, Bambi. We'll be good once I get some rest.”

“I... was worried,” Bambietta admits quietly, returning half the embrace, head still hanging a little. “But I look forward to getting to know you again.”

“Same,” the shorter girl replies.

Kisuke gives you a nod, and motions for Nemu to start packing her kit away.

>So... what now, you two?
>I'll give you two some time to talk.
>Any other takers while we're here?
>Other?

>>1789746
>>So... what now, you two?
>>Any other takers while we're here?

>>1789746
>>Any other takers while we're here?
>So... what now, you two?

>>1789746

That was so close, but this is also so sweet.

This is a day of feels.


>I'll give you two some time to talk.
>Any other takers while we're here?
>Unless Kisuke thinks he can improve the odds of success now that he had another test subject

Seems reasonable. Let them work stuff out before we ask for Lilotto's support and loyalty, let her get adjusted to sanity.

In the meantime if they want to join, now's the time.

>>1789746
>>Any other takers while we're here?
>inb4 all the Femritters "volunteer" Candice just because

>>1789746
>>1789766
>>I'll give you two some time to talk.
>>Any other takers while we're here?
>>Unless Kisuke thinks he can improve the odds of success now that he had another test subject
I'll second what you suggested

>>1789746
>I'll give you two some time to talk.
>Ask kisuke if there's anything we can do to immediately improve the odds

>had to go out and do a thing
>counting and thinking

>>1789746
>I'll give you two some time to talk.
>Any other takers while we're here?
>Unless Kisuke thinks he can improve the odds of success now that he had another test subject
Sounds good.

>okay, Meninas needs a roll
>3d10, DC 19, crit 22

Rolled 7, 4, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>1789946

Rolled 10, 1, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>1789946

Rolled 1, 7, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>1789946

Rolled 9, 1, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>1789946

>>1789948
>>1789953
>>1789957
She's dead jim.

RIP Stronk-ritter

Well lets hope that we can scramble a saving roll.

>>1789946
>Meninas politely declines until she's certain what the fuck just happened to her friend
Now I need a roll for Candice.
>3d10, DC 20, Crit 23

Rolled 10, 4, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>1789971

Rolled 6, 5, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>1789971
Kek guide us

Rolled 8, 3, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>1789971

>>1789974
Well then

>>1789974
>>1789975
Kek has guided and provided.

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>>1789974
... unexpected.

>>1789988
Rip king's notes and plans

>>1789988
Kisuke made the serum's effectiveness proportional to the amount of crazy?

>>1789988
“Any other takers while we're here and ready to go?” you ask, perhaps not as nonchalantly as you normally might have.

“What just happened?” Meninas asks, unable to see from her adjacent cell.

“There was a sudden flood of memories as Liltotto's mind reorganized itself,” Kisuke replies, handing the empty syringe off to his Lieutenant. “Or at least that's what it seems to me. The anger over what must've happened since you were all... 'recruited' must have boiled over before she was finished orienting herself again.”

“All told I think it's rather impressive that she reigned herself in so swiftly.”

“So is there any adjustment you still need to do?” you ask him.

Kisuke shakes his head. “No, the technical aspects of it worked flawlessly. How well each individual takes it of course is an individual matter.”

“That being said, I... have to decline, for now,” Meninas replies. “I don't hate Bambi, and if Lil was any indication there's a chance that might change. I'm not ready to take that risk.”

“I am,” a surprising voice insists one door further down. “Let's be real here, I already hate you all. So even if whatever happens to my brain makes me hate you all more then it's no big loss.”

“That's... a surprisingly reasonable answer coming from you,” Liltotto frowns, biting her bottom lip in concern. “You okay over there?”

“You didn't call me turboslut this time,” Candice muses. “So... hey, I guess it must've worked.”

“I didn't,” Liltotto realizes. “Huh. And I don't miss it.”

>dice+3d10, higher is better

Rolled 2, 9, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>1790022

Rolled 9, 7, 9 = 25 (3d10)

>>1790022

Rolled 9, 2, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>1790022

>>1790030
So! Apparently the dice were saving up for Candice's rolls.

This is fine.

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>>1790030
>turns out Candi is going to be okay

>>1790049
>Candi goes anti slut

>>1790075
Dear God
What have we done?

>>1790049
>candice becomes pure and innocent
>immediately becomes insanely embarrassed about her behavior

>>1790083
>Immediately asks for proper shirt
>Won't leave her cell till she gets it.

>>1790088
this has to happen
Oh god, what was i thinking putting this on?! I really was crazy! [BLUSHING INTENSIFIES]

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>>1790022
The process repeats itself without much commotion.

Kisuke draws a second load of the regenerative serum from what basically looks like a sterilized mason jar and quickly dabs an alcohol swab against Candice's arm as she lies on her bed.

“Be gentle,” she smirks. “It's my first time with a shinigami.”

“Very funny,” Kisuke grumbles.

Candice fakes a lewd moan as the tip of the needle penetrates her skin, even going so far as to roll her eyes as Kisuke presses the plunger. “Oh yeah, give it to me...”

Then she seems to freeze up.

She glances nervously at your fellow Captain, and then at you. Kisuke removes the now-empty needle, and Candice quickly sits up straight on the edge of her bed. She glances down at herself, and shivers a little.

“Captain,” she asks in a low voice. “I... um... I understand that we've gotten off on the wrong foot. But would you mind... doing me a bit of a favor?”

“No butt stuff,” you shake your head. “I'm a married woman.”

“I know, I know,” she assures you quietly, showing no trace of indignation. “But there is something I'd like to ask you to let me do.”

“I'm listening.”

“I... really feel like I need a cold shower,” she admits, lowering her voice even further. “I mean, I really need a shower.”

“You haven't showered recently?” you ask in confusion. Usually those sorts of liberties are allowed the prisoners on a regular basis, albeit with a heavy but not unreasonable guard drawn solely from the same sex for privacy reasons.

“No, I have,” Candice admits, “but... you know. Memories... of stuff. The kinda stuff that makes you feel like you need a long shower, except I've put it off for hundreds of years.”

>I've got nothing against that.
>I needed to head over to Neliel's barracks anyway. The three of you can... well, spend some time there.
>Are you... you know. Going to be okay with this? I've never seen you so shaken.
>Other.

>will have to take a break for dinner fairly soon, maybe one more update before then
>if not then you know what I'll be doing

>>1790104
>>Are you... you know. Going to be okay with this? I've never seen you so shaken.
>I've got nothing against that.

>>1790104
>>I've got nothing against that.
>>Are you... you know. Going to be okay with this? I've never seen you so shaken.

>>1790104
>I've got nothing against that
>Are you... you know. Going to be okay with this? I've never seen you so shaken.

>>1790104
>>I've got nothing against that.

>>1790104
>I've got nothing against that.
>Are you... you know. Going to be okay with this? I've never seen you so shaken.

>>1790104
>I needed to head over to Neliel's barracks anyway. The three of you can... well, spend some time there.
>Are you... you know. Going to be okay with this? I've never seen you so shaken.

Poor girl, i wanted funny and cute, but this just makes me feel bad for her.

>>1790104
>I've got nothing against that
>Should I arrange for a new wardrobe?

From the way she staring at herself I think she needs it.

So are we bringing in orihime to heal dordoni and the others or what?
She also could potentially bring back genryuusai, perhaps with the help of some unmodified serum from kisuke.

We have some loose ends to tie up here.

What do you guys think the old man's chances of revival would be if kisuke shot him full of regenerative serum, orihime and unohana simultaneously healed the worst of his wounds and we personally pumped as much reiatsu into him as possible all at the same time?

>>1790281
What are the odds that Kisuke already healed him and is keeping it a surprise?

>>1790281
Serious levels of asspull you're talking about here.

>>1790104
“Are you going to be okay?” you ask quietly as Candice rises to her feet.

“Please,” she replies, trying to muster some confidence. “I was a prostitute before Bambi recruited me, sex literally doesn't bother me in the abstract. Hell, I'd probably go a round or two with either of you if you asked... but that would be my choice. The way I'd started acting...”

“Sex is perfectly fine, a totally natural thing... but not like that.”

“Stop,” you shake your head. “You don't need to say anything else if you don't want to... and I'm not sure I want to hear it. But if you do need someone to talk to, you have good friends.”

“If they'll have me,” Candice chuckles grimly.

“They will,” you reassure her firmly, apparently catching her off guard. “Remember, both of them have been right where you're at... I mean, not literally... you know what, just don't worry about it.”

For what you think is the first time since you've seen her... Candice offers you a genuine smile. “Right. Well... I still need that shower.”

You lead the Sternritter to a stall, which takes the place of the last cell on the right side. Its floor slopes away to a corner where there's a drain set into the slab, and the bars are replaced by a curtain. This space had to be retrofitted of course, these cells were meant to hold temporary prisoners rather than long-term ones.

Stepping back you give Candice the bare minimum of privacy all while keeping an eye on her feet and ankles under the curtain. The water runs, and continues to run for several minutes as she clearly stands still and lets the water wash over her. You're beginning to wonder if she really is okay when the water abruptly stops, and she speaks up.

“I've never properly thanked you, have I? Or even improperly for that matter...”

“You don't,” you begin, only to be interrupted.

“I do,” she insists. “You've been... unreasonably generous towards us all, even when I was being a bitch to you.”

“So, thank you. Thanks for giving us all a second chance.”
>1/2

>>1790297
A concerted effort between three of the greatest shinigami in history and one reality breaker to potentially revive a captain as strong as we are, i think it's worth a try.

We don't lose anything if we fail, really.

>>1790300
“Could I... trouble you with one more request?”

“So long as it's reasonable, of course,” you agree calmly.

“Would it be possible to get some honest to god pants? These shorts are a little... much."

After a few moments of silence you both break out into chuckling. “Sure, I think I can do that for you.”

“Appreciate it.”

>Stick around with the quincy, listen to where their heads are at.
>Give them some privacy, head out to check in on Neliel and Menoly.
>Take the three 'recovered' Sternritter to speak with Nel and Menoly.
>Other?

>>1790336
>>Take the three 'recovered' Sternritter to speak with Nel and Menoly.

>>1790336
>>Give them some privacy, head out to check in on Neliel and Menoly.
They've got a lot of shit to sort through and talk about, no need to have an outsider stick around.

>>1790336
>Stick around with the quincy, listen to where their heads are at.


>all this mental recovery
>it's a good feel

>>1790336
>Give them some privacy, head out to check in on Neliel and Menoly.

>>1790336
>>Give them some privacy, head out to check in on Neliel and Menoly.
They need the rest.

>>1790336
>>Give them some privacy, head out to check in on Neliel and Menoly.

>finally done with dinner
>back to writing

>>1790523
Once Candice is dressed again, or rather what has usually passed for 'dressed' for her, you lead her back to where her compatriots are stood, speaking quietly among themselves.

“Welcome back,” Liltotto greets you.

Bambietta reflexively raises her arm and shuts her eyes, only for Candice to slap her lightly on the butt.

“Give me some credit,” she mutters. “So, what are we talking about, Bambi?”

“What to do,” Bambietta admits cautiously, lowering her arm slowly.

“I'll give you some time and space,” you nod with a smile. “Let you all get reacquainted.”

“Thanks for that,” Bambietta nods. “I'll... lock up when I'm done.”

>I think that would be best.
>No need, I'll arrange something for them.
>They'll bunk with you and Ishida.
>Other?

>>1790575
>>They'll bunk with you and Ishida.
This could only end well. More women willing to beat the shit out of Ishida in the name of teaching.

>>1790575
>>They'll bunk with you and Ishida.
>Try not to bully the poor boy too much, Bambi is hard enough on him as is.

>>1790591
supporting

>>1790575
>No need, I'll arrange something for them.

>>1790575
>>They'll bunk with you and Ishida.

>>1790575
>No need, I'll arrange something for them.

>>1790651
>>1790591
>>1790590
Jesus, what did Uryuu ever do to you guys?

>writing

>>1790681
He needs to git gud. Chad may be a lost cause, but Tatsuki is improving as well.

>>1790710
“They can bunk with you and Ishida if you'd like,” you decide. “Just try not to overdo it, okay?”

“Ishida?” Candice muses playfully. “You mean that cute one? I think I can live with that.”

“Candi...” Bambietta warns her friend in a dangerous tone.

“Kidding!” she raises her hands defensively. “Besides, I'm not in the mood... and I probably won't be for a while.”

Bambietta looks apologetic. “Sorry.”

“You know... it's okay.”

You excuse yourself before you overhear anything more. They're going to be okay, it might just take some time.
>1/2

>>1790770
>“You know... it's okay.”

We helped them. We're still helping them.

And now Ishida is surrounded by even more absurdly old and dangerous Quincy women. Who might honestly look at him as the future of their race.

Ichigo doesn't count; his species is Ichigo, or maybe Kurosaki.

>>1790790
Ha!
He shall breed for the good of ichigokind!

>>1790790
Absurdly Old, dangerous and attractive*

>>1790790
I'm sure Ishida will thank us while dodging lethal attacks from Quincies with centuries of experience.

>>1790770
Realizing that there's not much else you can accomplish here, you decide to let them talk in private. As you pass you notice that the Privaron Espada have obviously been listening in on what's taken place, though it seems that for the most part they've taken some pains to disguise the fact.

So you head out towards the small, almost bunker-like building where Neliel and Menoly have been living these days. Despite having 'come over' to your side well before the quincy, with the notable exception of Bambietta, you still don't know precisely where either arrancar stands.

“Welcome, Captain,” Nel bows subtly when she answers the door. “What brings you here?”

“We need to talk,” you insist firmly. “May I?”

Neliel waves you into her home, where you find Menoly in the process of treating her zanpakuto with clove oil. She stands as she sees you, but you wave for her to stop.

“Don't bother, finish what you're doing.”

“Thank you,” she nods before returning to her work.

>Will you take orders from me?
>So when Aizen makes his move what do you intend to do?
>So what do you two want? I mean REALLY want?
>Other?

>>1790973
>>So when Aizen makes his move what do you intend to do?
No pussyfooting around, this is serious business.

>>1790973
>>So when Aizen makes his move what do you intend to do?
>So what do you two want? I mean REALLY want?

>>1790973
>>So when Aizen makes his move what do you intend to do?

>>1790973
>>So when Aizen makes his move what do you intend to do?

On the grounds that if we figure out what they want, we can better frame our argument, or remind them why they want to fight with us.

On the other hand, I think we've debated this with them for a while, so let's just get to the punchline.

>>1790973
>So when Aizen makes his move what do you intend to do?
>So what do you two want? I mean REALLY want?

>I'll get to writing in a few minutes

>>1791062
You sit down across from Menoly, who smiles and nods as she continues working while Neliel brings you a cup of tea.

“So I need to know,” you tell them between sips of the still-steaming amber beverage. “When Aizen makes his move, what do the two of you plan to do?”

To your surprise it's Menoly who offers you the quickest response. “I intend to find Loly and knock some sense into her. Anyone who gets in my way, I guess I'll have to fight them too. Be as much of an irritant as I can and maybe it'll actually amount to something.”

>Do you believe that will help? Can you get through to her?
>Your ability may not be powerful enough for that... but I'll let you try.
>You may stand a better chance if you're playing support for my Commandos.
>Other?

>>1791156
>>Your ability may not be powerful enough for that... but I'll let you try.
>>Other?
Let her train with your Commandos. Everyone has to be in top shape.

>>1791156
>>Do you believe that will help? Can you get through to her?

>>1791156
>>Do you believe that will help? Can you get through to her?
That's gonna take some rather convenient conditions to set up and isolate Loly in the first place.

>>1791156
>>Do you believe that will help? Can you get through to her?
>>You may stand a better chance if you're playing support for my Commandos.

On the other hand, maybe being seens working with shinigami would be a detriment to her arguments. So if she doesn't want support despite it helping her get in front of Loly, that's fine, but it's a worthwhile offer.

Just don't undo the boosting to her self-esteem we gave her. Lack of confidence is as dangerous as arrogance.

>>1791156
>>Do you believe that will help? Can you get through to her?

>>1791156
>Other: If you need help, you can always count on my commandos.

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>>1791156
“Do you really think you can get through to her?” you ask carefully. “And have you given any thought to what you'll do if you fail?”

Menoly's initial confidence falters somewhat, but much to her credit she considers her answer carefully before giving it. “If anyone can walk her down it's me. And if she won't listen I'll just have to make her listen.”

“And how do you intend to do that?”

“You captured me,” she replies. “I'll do the same for Loly. If you lose to Aizen then we both die anyway, but if we all survive... I'll have all the time in the world to win her over. And I won't stop trying until I do.”

After taking a moment to digest her reasoning, you nod slightly. “I'd suggest sticking close to our side... at least at first. Your skills may actually be well-suited to what you want to do, but you and I both know that it won't be enough to stand against the Espada. Not in a fair fight.”

“You're right, of course,” Menoly sighs. “But I still have to try.”

“And you may,” you reassure her. “And if you're as honest with her as you were with me just now, you may just succeed if you're given the time.”

“And how about you, Neliel?” you shift towards the ram-horned arrancar.

“I'm taking my fraccion back,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “And that means finding Nnoitra and beating him senseless.”

“Him and his subordinates?” you ask. “Picking one target out in battle and focusing on them alone...”

>It's foolish to try and wade into battle like that. You'll be killed for sure.
>You may not like the idea of fighting like an assassin... but those are the means which suit your ends.
>If you see an opportunity take it, but trying to force it only makes things harder for the rest of us.
>Other?

>>1791265
>>You may not like the idea of fighting like an assassin... but those are the means which suit your ends.
I want to see a Nel that fights like not an honorable idiot. Too bad she'll probably say no.
>jesus that pic
I don't know if my heart can take it

>>1791265
>>You may not like the idea of fighting like an assassin... but those are the means which suit your ends.
>Otherwise you will run into other who will stop and/or jeopardize the fight, which would end in yours and your subordinate's deaths anyways.

>>1791265
>other: with your speed and how you fight, I recon you first rescue your subordinates first. You're essentially living cavalry. Get the upperhand by approaching from his flank. snatch your subordinates with your speed while he's blindsided.

>>1791265
>if you value your subordinates that much and they value you the same by sacrificing themselves to keep you safe, then rescuing them first would be your first priority. When they're in safe hands, then you can worry about beating Nnoitra senseless.
>It's foolish to try and wade into battle like that. You'll be killed for sure.

>>1791265
>>It's foolish to try and wade into battle like that. You'll be killed for sure.

At least not without a plan and a way to psych Nnoitra into a single engagement, if she wants it that badly.

Maybe most of Aizen's arrancar would have the mentality of "strength in oneself above all else" to make it easier to do so without anyone else getting in the way. Then again, maybe not. It's hard to bank on the battle turning your way from just that.

In which case, she'll need to decide the match early on with something devastating. Or attempt to lay a trap on him.

>>You may not like the idea of fighting like an assassin... but those are the means which suit your ends.

>>1791265
“You may not like the idea of fighting underhanded, but that's just another aspect of warfare,” you explain, your voice harsher with Neliel then you were with Menoly. “And make no mistake, this isn't a duel: this will be a war. There'll be all sorts of deceptions, misdirections, and traps in play.”

When Neliel rankles at the notion, you press harder. “You can turn up your nose if you like, but what's your goal here? Why are you going to be fighting?”

“For my subordinates,” she replies coolly. “That's never changed.”

“Then save your friends,” you reply. “Make sure they're safe before anything else: feint, set an ambush, lie if you have to. When you have to win for someone else's sake, don't put yourself above stabbing your enemy in the back.”

Neliel glances away from you, weighing your words. “It runs counter to everything I believe a warrior should strive for. You're asking me to fight the way a common hollow might, with no sense of honor.”

“I'm redefining honor for you,” you counter. “You have a duty to your subordinates the same as I have to mine, and there's nothing more dishonorable than failing in your duties because you were too goddamn stubborn for your own good.”

“So fight like you want to win, not like you're trying to prove something.”
>dice+3d10, DC 17, crit 22

Rolled 10, 9, 3 = 22 (3d10)

>>1791487

Rolled 1, 5, 2 = 8 (3d10)

>>1791487

>>1791494
Well that takes care of that.

Rolled 1, 5, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>1791494
anon with the save

Rolled 3, 7, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>1791487

>>1791494
WELP.

Rolled 10, 7, 3 = 20 (3d10)

>>1791487

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>>1791494
>>1791501
>>1791502
>>1791503
Nel is ready to wreck everyone's shit, whatever it takes

>>1791494

Isn't the crit clutch supposed to come last?

Well. I won't complain too hard ove a lack of dramatic tension in the rolls. It's a nice change of pace.

>>1791487
“I don't know how,” Neliel admits without hesitation, although she's still looking the other way. “I've never tried to 'fight dirty', I've never bothered to learn how to sneak, I never even bothered to learn how to suppress my reiatsu beyond the basic level of control I was 'born' with.”

“If this is one aspect of war, it's one I've rejected before today. I don't even know where to start.”

“It's a way of thinking,” you explain to her, “at least as much as a set of skills.”

“One alien to me,” Neliel reiterates.

>Train with me and Yoruichi. I need the refresher anyways.
>I can set you up with someone who knows the ins and outs of stealth warfare.
>I'll teach you myself. Either you learn or you break.
>Other?

>>1791547
>>Train with me and Yoruichi. I need the refresher anyways.
Time to learn from the masters

>>1791547
>Train with me and Yoruichi. I need the refresher anyways.
>If you want to learn practical applicability on fighting dirty on a small harmless scale (aka pranks), go see my son Gin. He is an expert at such things.

>>1791550
Don't we still have a to-do list as long as our warm?

If we have nothing else, okay, but I think we at least have the other Lieutenants.

Mind, Nel is Captain class and getting one of those good on dirty fighting is a pretty decent investment.

>>1791561

Ooh....you know, while Gin is an ass, he may also be exactly what Nel needs.

>>1791547
>well first we'll need to get you acclimated to fighting dirty in a small way. Go see my son Gin. Pranks is like stealth warfare on a small harmless scale. It'll serve as good practice before you move up and use REAL LETHAL STEALTH WARFARE.

>>1791561
>>1791566
>>1791573
Gin is actually just who I had in mind for that option.

>>1791580
Now I really want to see an omake of Gin teaching Neliel the way of the prank.

>>1791547
>>I can set you up with someone who knows the ins and outs of stealth warfare.

>>1791580

Sold, I'd love to see an Interlude of those interactions, much more than Riku and Yoruichi teaching Nel.

>>1791547
>>I can set you up with someone who knows the ins and outs of stealth warfare.

>>1791580
going to confirm that my final vote is in for sending Neliel to Gin.

>>1791550
I want to change my vote
>>1791580
Gin is clearly the way to go

>>1791547
"Well," you muse as an idea begins to firm up in your mind, "at the risk of making a huge mistake... I'm going to hand you off to my son: Ichimaru Gin. Captain of Third Division."

"Will he be a good teacher?" Nel asks curiously. "You must have some faith in him."

"He's an asshole," you reply bluntly, causing Menoly to spit out a mouthful of tea in surprise. "In fact I'd say he's spent the last hundred years running a social experiment to find out how much of an asshole you can be and still be a fundamentally good person in spite of it. He cares about the people he surrounds himself with and he's fiercely loyal to them, but his methods and attitude are firmly those of a complete scoundrel."

"And I think you can learn a lot from him."

"Gee, sounds fun," she sighs. "Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely," you snap, "and I'll have none of the sass. Observe Gin in his natural element, learn his ways, learn to apply what you see to the problem at hand."

"I'm sure you can do that."

With some further consideration, Neliel nods in agreement. "Okay. I just hope this works out as well as you think it will."

"Either you'll learn, or he'll drive you nuts," you shrug. "Either way you won't have to worry about it any more."

>>1791634
And that's where I'm calling it for the evening! Thanks for turning out to play, and I'll probably be back some evening early this week to pick up here.

On a different note, if there's anything you folks would REALLY like to see before Winter comes and shit gets real, let me know about it and I'll either work it into the threads or write an omake to cover it. But we're getting right down to it, and I've got Aizen's initial move planned out.

Archive is up, and see you all later.

>>1791653
>On a different note, if there's anything you folks would REALLY like to see before Winter comes and shit gets real, let me know about it and I'll either work it into the threads or write an omake to cover it.
I'm interested in the discussion the Femritters had when Riku left.
And of course, Nel putting into practice what she's learned from Gin. Pranks preferred, but how she's worked dirty fighting into her combat style is also good.

>>1791653
This is it boys.
Showtime!

>>1791653
Things I want to touch upon before THE HAPPENING.

>Artemis and the Valhallan Council finally debate on the HAPPENINGS in Japan. Divine UN Summit is held on whether or not to give support.

>Neliel trying to learn Gin's Art of the Prank. Lots of pranks occur and Neliel somehow gets the hang of it by miraculously pulling a prank on Gin. After 2 days of frustration and getting sick of seeing Gin's smug mug and his kansai drawl.

>A final Captain's meeting is held. Everyone gives updates on their progress in training.

>So what of the 3 Espada? Cirruci is guaranteed to be a non-combatant due to her condition. Dordoni is also gonna be a non-combatant as a wheelchair bound hollow (although he could shoot some cero potshots if he could), and there's Gantenbienne that's just chilling.

>The Femritters meet the Ishida family. Uryu now has a LOT to live for.

>We finally hear from Mommy Inari about what the ruckus is going about in the Shinto pantheon.

>Big Brother Coyote sending Starrk a gift?
>Starrk and Mirai taking their relationship up a notch?

>Gin's reaction to hearing that Mom has sent him a new student to be taught in "The Art of the Prank"

>>1791653
The berrybowl's latest update.

>>1791653
BG9 and Gantenbienne's time outside prison.

>>1791653
Where's the actual pastebin update to both Riku's stats and Riku's social charts?

>>1791653
I really, really want to see the old man and ukitake dealt with, one way or the other.
I really want to see the hollows, dordoni especially, healed and ready for battle.
I really want to see the vizards finally welcomed back into soul society.

Anything more, i can take or leave.
Leaving them half-dead almost the entire quest like this has annoyed the shit out of me, so long as there's a chance there's never been any finality to it. I want to try.

>>1791942
>>1791634
supporting dealing with OMG and Ukitake

>>1791959
Thank you, anon.

>>1791942
>>1791723
Giving support.

>>1791942
>>1791959
couldn't we have inoue fix/heal OMG since she technically reverse time when she does heal some one

Damn, I'm sad that this ones getting to the last arc. There any other good bleach quests worth following out there?

>>1791988
In canon there were limits to that ability, she wasn't able to revive ichigo after ulquiorra blew a hole through his heart with a cero.

That's why earlier i suggested a concerted effort between us to attempt a revival.

>>1791824
I'll have to update that at some point.

>>1792047
please do so asap.

>>1791653
Also, didn't somebody want to ask us something but we ended up shutting them down because plot was afoot? Was it Ikkaku? We should get back to him.

>>1792606
Yeah, i remember that. Should get back to him.
I'd hate to end this quest feeling like there was just a bunch we never finished.

>>1793013
We'd better end up on the moon somehow then. I feel like it's a thing that has to occur no matter what.

>>1793179
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sEINMGorTE

>>1791653
Did Urahara ever analyze those contact lenses Mayuri left in a locker that had Riku’s name on it?

>>1793233
Ever considered a top 10 anime crossovers omake where riku accidentally pops out of her descorrer in say... the gundam universe? Maybe meets a certain few characters of interest?

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>new vanilla Halibel unit
>it's thoroughly mediocre
Well, time to save for Christmas I guess.

One more important detail...
We still need specialized anti-aizen combat training.

We need to push our senses beyond any reasonable limits so that we can feel aizen's reiatsu mid-combat, even if he's cloaked himself.
That's the only way we can avoid kyoka suigetsu's shikai.

Maybe learning apacci's unique reiatsu sensing trick for ourselves would help?
I'm sure she'd have fun training us, too.

>>1794385
You tagged the last two threads "Shinigami Savant Questi" btw
What's a questi?

>>1794997
linking your post to >>1791653

>>1795016
First I've noticed that, you'd have to ask my computer what the hell it was thinking.

>>1791653
one (or more) of the arrancar or prisoners has to deal with something completely new and terrifying

an ordinary, carefree day

>>1791995
There's a couple on anonkun/fiction.live, I think. One Quincy MC and one Hollow MC

>>1796683
Last Sternritter and One Eye on the Horizon respectively. There are a few others but they are either crack level or dead, or both.

>>1791653
What does Candice wear now after that long cold shower? a buttoned up shirt&vest combo and Bell-bottom pants? It still gives her the sexy look but makes her much more conservative.

>>1797153
About the same from the waist up, just with pants.

I'm thinking omakes this week rather than a continuation, I'd rather start clean on Saturday.

>>1796697
If memory serves Last Sternritter is where my personal policy of never discussing other QMs' work, positive or negative, dates to.

Omake(s?) this evening.

In case it wasn't clear, I've not been doing so hot since early this morning. I've started in on Gin teaching Neliel in the arts of subterfuge, and expect that to be done tomorrow.

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>>1800572
Ichimaru Gin has found himself in something of a bad mood.

Training has never been his favorite thing in the world, and after becoming a Captain that trait's only been magnified. That's because most of the people who are strong enough to actually give him an hour or so of entertainment are either just as busy as he is or just aren't any fun at all. And sparring with someone else just defeats the purpose: almost by definition a vastly inferior opponent isn't going to be a challenge, and that leaves all those devious plans and carefully-honed techniques looking a lot more like bullying.

And while a little bit of bullying can be amusing, there is such a thing as taking it too far. Ichimaru Gin is a man who prides himself on toeing that line every day of his life, and has developed a keen sense for when his brand of 'play' just isn't appropriate.

So of course, he's retreated to his shady garden to tend to his fruit trees instead. That's why when the runner finds him, the Captain's first response is to shush the intruder.

“Sir... I...” he begins, only to have Gin raise a single, long finger.

He's staring at a low tree, an old and somewhat scraggly pine, with a pair of clippers in his right hand. “Shhh... I'm thinkin' right now.”

The messenger stands aside for almost a full minute before he tries again. “Captain Ichimaru...”

“I've been workin' on this bonsai for fifty years,” Ichimaru interrupts, turning slowly to face the newcomer. A sidelong glare reveals the icy blue eyes that so few get to see and live to tell of it.

“You are ruining this for me.”

The man swallows, and shuts up until after several more tense minutes of contemplation the Captain clips the tiniest growth from the tree in front of him with a gentle snip of steel. He examines it from that angle, then steps to one side and cocks his head at it to view it from a different angle. Eventually he nods, seemingly satisfied by the almost imperceptible change.

“Now then,” he begins, causing the messenger to start in momentary alarm. “What were you gonna say?”

“Sir,” the messenger tries a third time, hesitating as if he expects Ichimaru to stop him a third time. “Captain Kusajishi ordered me to inform you that she's sending you a... 'project', I believe was her exact word for it.”

“Oh?” Gin muses, clearly interested now. “Well, you shoulda said so sooner.”

“I... yes sir,” the messenger grunts. “She wants you to train an arrancar how to... how did she say it... 'lie, cheat, and steal'?”
>1/?

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>>1801432
Later that afternoon, another visitor finds Gin in the exact same spot, still ogling the old tree in his garden. Unlike the messenger before, Neliel simply takes a seat on the edge of the patio, idly swinging her legs beneath her as she waits for Gin to respond to her presence.

“What do you think about this tree?” he suddenly asks, without bothering to turn his attention from it.

After appraising his work for a few moments, Neliel shrugs. “I think it looks good.”

“You don't know anythin' about bonsai,” Gin observes with a sly grin. “Cause if you did you'd know everythin' about this tree's been done exactly wrong. Each time I've pruned or shaped it over the last five decades I've intentionally done what nobody'd in their right mind would do.”

Neliel shakes her head and frowns. “So you caught me, I haven't had the same chances to attain the 'cultural refinement' you shinigami seem so proud of.”

“Why'd you lie?” Gin asks, his grin widening. “You did it twice, the explicit lie that my poor experiment here 'looks good', and the implicit lie that you know anythin' about what you're looking at in the first place.”

“I...” Neliel begins, seemingly taken aback by the blunt accusation. “I just... didn't want to offend?”

“And that's what I take advantage of every time I get to show this to a guest,” Gin explains, finally turning his attention to his new pupil. “It's a reliable reaction in 'polite' society, an' every time it happens someone makes an ass of themselves over it.”

“You're just as predictable it seems.”

“So it seems,” Neliel agrees, “though I thought I was here to fix that problem? Or are you planning to teach me bonsai instead?”

“Not my fault you missed the point,” Gin sighs, tossing the clippers aside and reaching up to the rain gutter above Nel's head and pulling a long cord. What seems like a projector screen follows, and the Captain produces a clicker from his sleeve as his arrancar guest scrambles to get out of the way of the unexpected lecture prop.

“Where did that come from?” she demands.

“Requisitioned it,” Gin replies, deliberately avoiding an answer to the question Neliel was really asking. And of course by "requisitioned" he means he nicked it from Sixth Division's barracks while nobody was paying attention.
>2/3

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>>1801467
The slides are all illustrated with bunnies of course, courtesy of Kuchiki Rukia's 'artistic' talents. After the initial disorientation, Neliel listens carefully as Gin walks her through a very specific thought process.

“See, the thing about tricking people is that consistent success takes a lot of effort,” he explains. “You hafta know what people expect, what they think of you personally, how they think, how they process new information. There's a lotta intricate psychology involved.”

“Which means you've kinda got a natural advantage.”

“In what way, Ichimaru?” Neliel asks, tiring of Gin's playful attitude. “If you intend to explain something to me, then explain it.”

“Everyone knows you're so straight-laced that the mere thought of deception offends you,” Gin continues, the slide behind him changing to show a crowd of vaguely familiar arrancar redrawn as rabbits. “Always seemed to me you treat your 'honor' like it's the sole thing makin' you different from a regular hollow. Which means everyone in the Espada thinks they've got you all figured out.”

“Makes it real easy to pull a fast one on them.”

“You're suggesting they won't see an underhanded tactic coming from me?” Neliel repeats. “That I should play into that?”

“More than that!” Gin insists, switching to a slide that shows rabbit-Neliel beating a spoon-headed rabbit over the head with a frying pan. “If you think about it I'm sure you can figure out exactly what kinda underhanded nonsense would work best against the Espada. You know more about 'em even than I do.”

“Use that! Take relentless advantage of their character flaws, trick 'em, get 'em all angry and stupid.”

“Tell me how to do that,” Neliel pleads. Gin yanks down on the bottom of the screen and sends in rolling back up into the overhang with a clatter.

“That's precisely what miss Riku told me to do,” he grins. “When you can pull a prank on me and get away with it, I'll consider your trainin' complete.”

“Just a single prank?” Neliel asks in disbelief. “That's it?”

“Trust me,” Gin insists mischievously. “If you can manage that much, you'll be ready...”
>3/3

>>1801582
>>1801467
>>1801432
>“Tell me how to do that,” Neliel pleads. Gin yanks down on the bottom of the screen and sends in rolling back up into the overhang with a clatter.

>“That's precisely what miss Riku told me to do,” he grins. “When you can pull a prank on me and get away with it, I'll consider your trainin' complete.”

>“Just a single prank?” Neliel asks in disbelief. “That's it?”

>“Trust me,” Gin insists mischievously. “If you can manage that much, you'll be ready...”

Now I REALLY want to see an omake of Neliel's successful prank.

Gin: rate your satisfaction on mom finding you "the perfect a playmate/pupil" to wage a prank war upon as "legitimate training".

>>1801582
>>1801612
>Gin turns around
>The tree has been re-trimmed
>Gin realizes Riku and Yoruichi did it while he was lecturing Neliel
>He turns to ask if she saw them
>Pie in the face
Training Complete!

>>1801622
I don't think they have decades for this to happen.

>>1802353
What do you mean?

>>1802467
Bonsai takes a LOT of time to do right, and it'd take even longer to fix bonsai that's been done deliberately wrong for half a century.

I do have a plan though.

>>1802467
How long do you think it take a bonsai to grow? They can't just reclipp the same tree, because once it's been clipped a certain way there is no way to undo it, they'd have to replace his tree with one that has been properly trimmed from the beginning, and that would take years. Basically as a prank it just doesn't quite work.

Ninja'd by the QM.

>>1802655
>>1802660
>How long were you under the impression that the tree itself had been touched?

>>1802660
Riku could grow a bonsai just like it inside the valley of screams, which could then be trimmed properly and used to replace the real one.

>>1804418
The idea I went with was she used kido to change its appearance, but I could see her doing that too.
I actually do know a bit about bonsai, and they’re often grown in a small pot, which makes them very easy to pull a switch on.

>>1804736
Like I said, I've actually got some silly/humorous ideas for where to take that.

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>>1804834
Can’t beat the classics, I say.
>It was only an Utsusemi clone, and Gin is behind Nel.
>He prepares to tell her that he’s a master of surprise attacks and it won’t be that easy, when he notices something.
>His sandals are missing.

>thread will continue tomorrow
>will be a little slow because I'll be multi-tasking

>>1807029
You are Captain Kusajishi Riku, and things have gone surprisingly well with the lady Sternritters in Bambietta's cadre. Liltotto Lamperd, whose epithet is “the Glutton”, was the first to admit feeling as if she had nothing to lose in gambling with her health. Her recovery was swift, and her first act after that was to absolutely lay her old friend out with a solid hook to the chin for what you can only estimate was at least hundreds of years worth of baggage from their time as Sternritter. But just as quickly the pint-sized soldier put those grievances behind her, recognizing that in spite of it all the two still share a mutually solicitous bond.

Much to your surprise, Candice Catnipp (also known as “the Thunder”) came to a similar conclusion not long afterward. Her reasoning was that she already felt betrayed by her companions, so much so that even if her treatment was botched it hardly seemed possible to make matters worse. But Kisuke doesn't botch jobs... not often, at least... and the procedure went off smoothly for a second time without any real need for you to intervene. And it was afterwards that you saw a different side to the crude, apparently sex-crazed Sternritter. She too was a victim of the same process that affected the others: it's often said that the body and mind are inextricably linked, and you guess that what happened to Bambi, Lil, Candi and the rest exemplifies that. The human body wasn't meant to live as long as they have, and even if the outward changes are suspended the mind simply can't deal with the long-term effects.

Candi's libertine attitudes were magnified over the centuries into... well, whatever it was that counts as. Bambi's strict nature turned to cruelty. With Lil it's not as clear, but you get that there was always a certain strain of fatalism coloring her attitudes which only deepened as her mind failed under the weight of time.

You've also managed to fit Neliel tu Odelschwank and Menoly Mallia into the scheme of things. The former you convinced that resorting to more 'underhanded' means of securing her subordinates' safety was hardly dishonorable, but that allowing them to die rather than offending her own sensibilities would be deeply so. Menoly on the other hand is all too desperate to sort out her issues with her so-called 'friend' Loly. It was quite the job to convince her to stick with your own forces for safety without crushing her all-too-delicate self esteem, but somehow you managed.

Now you're left with a few ways to pass the time until your enemy makes his long awaited move.

>Madarame Ikkaku wanted something of you, didn't he? Might just be worth your time.
>You get the feeling that your sister Kaoru may have a few tricks up her voluminous sleeves.
>You have to wonder how Ichigo's been preparing for the coming battles.
>Other?

>>1809815
>>Madarame Ikkaku wanted something of you, didn't he? Might just be worth your time.

>>1809815
>Madarame Ikkaku wanted something of you, didn't he? Might just be worth your time.

>writing

>>1809924
You seem to recall that Third Seat Madarame over in Eleventh Division had wanted something from you, but with the way things have been going lately it should come as no surprised that whatever it was ended up at the bottom of your list of priorities. But in the interest of getting everyone expected to fight in the near future up to full combat readiness... maybe you should see what that was all about?

“I'm going over to the Eleventh Division,” you tell your daughter, grabbing a spare set of keys on your way out of the now-rebuilt house you share with her.

“What for?” she asks, obviously astonished. “You hate it there!”

“I know,” you admit casually, “but Madarame wanted to talk to me about something.”

“He did?” Rangiku asks, even more astonished than before. “He's terrified of you! Why would he want you to come and talk to him?”

“I dunno,” you shrug. “Could be important, or... you know. Maybe he just wants to make peace with himself before it all hits the fan.”

“Could be,” Rangiku nods. “Dinner at six today, it's paella. Try not to kill anyone.”

“Yes, mom,” you roll your eyes.
>dice+3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 4, 7 = 12 (3d10)

>>1809970
They see me Rollin

Rolled 7, 2, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>1809970

Rolled 10, 5, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>1809970
>inb4 nat 3

>back from entertaining, writing

>>1810093
It doesn't take you long at all to get all the way out to Eleventh Division, which marks a distinct step down in terms of general upkeep and comfort. In fact you're pretty sure Zaraki doesn't even know that's technically one of his responsibilities as a Captain, and instead it's their Fifth Seat who ensures that at least the minimum amount of maintenance work gets performed on a regular basis to keep the Division grounds from looking like the outer Rukongai slums its Captain shares a name with.

But at least it's easy enough to figure out where people are, since the bustle is always around the dojo.

Slipping inside through a high window near the ceiling, which has been thrown open to let in a breeze, you watch as Third Seat Madarame conducts what looks like a kendō class. Maybe two dozen burly men in heavy black armor with thick padded uniforms underneath whack away at each other with bamboo swords. Unlike in the mortal realm these guys are going at it like they're trying to kill each other, and the protective gear is designed to match.

“Alright, that's enough!” Madarame shouts for the men to stop. “That's it for the day, go hit the showers... damn, you ever need it.”

He's right of course, you can smell the sweat from up here.

“You wanted to speak with me?” you ask, sweeping down from the window behind Madarame with silent footsteps.

He jumps at the sound of your voice, spinning in place. “Don't... sneak up on me like that!”

You laugh, the man's obvious discomfort putting you in a playful mood like a cat who knows her mouse won't be getting away but who feels no need to finish things quickly. “I wasn't trying particularly hard, you know.”

“So did you just come out here to mock me?” he huffs. Touchy.

“No, I remembered you'd wanted to say something to me not long ago,” you remind him. “So, now I'm here.”

“Oh, that,” Madarame grumbles, even more uncomfortable if anything.

>”If you have something important, you should get it off your chest.”
>”So... are you going to insist on wasting my time?”
>”If you have nothing to say, then draw your sword. Amuse me.”
>Other?

>>1810167
>>”If you have something important, you should get it off your chest.”

>>1810167
>”If you have something important, you should get it off your chest.”
I'm guessing this is the "I'm gay for Yumichika" confession.

>>1810167
>”If you have nothing to say, then draw your sword. Amuse me.”

>>1810167
>>”If you have something important, you should get it off your chest.”
>>”If you have nothing to say, then draw your sword. Amuse me.”

Maybe not the smartest choice, but I feel like if his blood is pumping in a good fight, he'll be less inhibited and will reveal what wants to easier.

Unless this is about the bankai thing, can't remember if he revealed it.

>>1810167 #
>>”If you have something important, you should get it off your chest.”

>>1810231
>I'm guessing this is the "I'm gay for Yumichika" confession.

You know if we actually say that, his reaction is likely to be worth the trip no matter what.

>>1810167
“If it's important, put it out there,” you advise him. “Let's not mince words, you may not get another chance.”

Madarame takes a deep breath, watching and waiting for his subordinates to file out of the dojo and close the door behind them. Finally, he speaks up.

“I... need help training with my Bankai,” he admits in a low voice.

You stare at him, somewhat at a loss for words. “You what now?”

“I can't train it around here,” he insists, “not enough people are strong enough and I'm still keeping it a secret.”

“Why?” you ask him. “I can understand keeping the specifics a secret, but why hide the fact that you have it at all?”

“Because if Central 46 finds out about it they might transfer me out of the Division,” Madarame explains. “I can't let that happen.”

“Loyalty to Zaraki, is it?”

He nods resolutely. “Damn right. I've heard plenty of talk about Lieutenant Matsumoto, only reasons they haven't promoted her already come down to political bullshit.”

“But you still want to train it?”

He nods again. “It may come in handy.”

You sigh, pinching your nose and thinking the matter over. On the one hand having one more competent fighter with Bankai at his disposal will help... on the other hand, you'd be dedicating time to someone's training when you can't be absolutely sure he'll use that power when the time comes. In fact he's shown every indication of refusing to show his Bankai from the start, meaning there's a strong chance that he'll be killed while he's still messing around.

>You can work with him on his Bankai... but you have a few conditions he has to abide by.
>You can't afford to spend time on someone whose approach to battle makes him so unreliable.
>You can spare him some time, but your duties mean you'll be needed elsewhere more.
>Other?

>>1810355
>You can work with him on his Bankai... but you have a few conditions he has to abide by.

"If it's the difference between anyone on our side other than you living or dying in the battle against Aizen, you HAVE to actually use it. Promotions be damned."

>Other?
"I gotta be honest, I thought you were going to ask me for advice in regards to how to keep a gay relationship secret."

>>1810355
>>You can work with him on his Bankai... but you have a few conditions he has to abide by.

>>1810355
>You can work with him on his Bankai... but you have a few conditions he has to abide by.
>As in, you actually have to use it when you need it. None of that "true power" crap.

>>1810167
>”If you have something important, you should get it off your chest.”

Be a man, baldy. Feel your feelings.

>>1810381

Second this. Hell, offer to spend some political capital keeping him in Division 11.

We can swing it; there's no point in promoting someone who doesn't want to lead. They won't do their job worth shit.

So one of the few people with potential for a bankai doesn't want to be a paragon of Soul Society. That sucks, but isn't unprecedented. Saskibe is the same way.

>>1810355
>>You can work with him on his Bankai... but you have a few conditions he has to abide by.
Side note: but have the Vizard been pardoned yet? Because I thought we had finished that plotline, and if that's the case there's really more of a backlog of captains.

“Well, that sort of thing I can help with,” you nod.

“Wait... what did you think I was gonna ask about?” Madarame demands, brow suddenly furrowing in suspicion.

“Oh, I dunno,” you shrug. “Like, how to keep a same-sex romance secret or something.”

Madarame's eyes widen in surprise. “Wait, what!?”

“Not that there'd be anything wrong with that,” you assure him. “But the number of bad period romances I've had to shoot down for publishing... you'd be surprised how many women think you and your buddy Ayasegawa make a cute couple.”

The bald shinigami's mouth hangs slightly in deep shock as you shake your head. “To be honest... I don't really see it myself.”

“Okay, moving on.” Madarame insists. “Can you train me or not?”

“Yes,” you agree, “but you have to agree on my conditions.”

“Okay, let's hear them,” he nods.

“Mostly, don't waste my time,” you insist sternly. “If you get killed without using Bankai, or if you let someone else get killed, then not only have you failed in your duties as a shinigami you've dishonored yourself as a warrior, and you've wasted the time I'm getting ready to put into training you.”

“The time and effort of a shinigami Captain is valuable in and of itself,” you conclude. “Never forget that.”

“And if my Bankai becomes public knowledge?” he asks.

>I'll burn some political capital to keep you a Third Seat.
>You... aren't at that point yet. Trust me on this.
>You're full of yourself if you think you're Captain material.
>Other?

>>1810484
>>You... aren't at that point yet. Trust me on this.
>hell They promoted Toshiro too early, which is why he needed more training DESPERATELY. Same with Komamura and Zaraki. Just because you have a bankai doesn't mean you can properly fight at a captain's level.

>For example if both of fought without a release all out? it'd not be a fight.

>>1810484
>You... aren't at that point yet. Trust me on this.
>Can you even cast ANY kido? Or know how to manage a division? There's a lot more to being a captain than "I fight good."

>>1810484
>I'll burn some political capital to keep you a Third Seat.

>>1810484
>>I'll burn some political capital to keep you a Third Seat.
>But you're not at that point yet. It may not even come to that. There's more to being a Captain than a bankai, as you should well know.

>>1810484
>I'll burn some political capital to keep you a Third Seat.
>You're full of yourself if you think you're Captain material.

"There's more that goes into choosing a Captain than the presence of a Bankai, or comparable fighting ability. With the exception of the Kenpachi, they generally want you to have certain other traits and capabilities. Or at least be willing to learn them.
I'd even go so far as to say if Captaincy was a simple 'who has the best bankai' competition, at least 3 of those sitting would be out of a job. At least."

>>1810581
Soifon is actually another good example. Her bankai is used under such rare conditions that she might as well not have it most of the time, but she's definitely earned her rank.

>>1810484
>You... aren't at that point yet. Trust me on this.

You manage to suppress a snort of laughter. “What, you think having a Bankai means you could take one of the sitting Captains? Because you'd only be my fifth choice if there was an opening.”

Madarame seems taken aback by your admission, so you continue. “With no kidō skills to speak of, little interest in administrative duties, and no apparent desire to sharpen any of your skills other than swordplay... even if your name came up I'd have to take a hard pass.”

“You really think I'm that... deficient?” he asks.

“Well, yeah,” you nod. “Your Bankai might make you strong, but a Captain you're not. So you probably have nothing to worry about.”

“That's what I wanted to hear,” Madarame finally admits. “But you didn't have to be so blunt, Captain.”

“Sometimes the truth hurts,” you shrug. “So, do you agree?”

“To sum it all up, your only term is that I actually use my Bankai?” Madarame asks, trying to suss out any further demands on your part.

“Pretty much,” you confirm. “Just don't waste it.”

“Well, I guess I am the one asking for help and all,” Madarame mutters, “so sure. I'll agree to that.”

“My Division headquarters, nine sharp, tomorrow morning,” you order, knowing what sort of effort it will take on his part to keep to that schedule. “If you're late I move on to something else. Got it?”

“Yes, ma'am.”
>1/2

>>1810713
>Skip to tomorrow, continue focusing on Madarame's training.
>Check in on the Kurosaki brats, see how they've been progressing.
>See what your sister Kaoru Shiba has cooking.
>Other?

>>1810737
>See what your sister Kaoru Shiba has cooking.

On one hand I really want to see Madarame's training, after getting of the Riku School of Hard Knocks.

But....responsible. And I'm surprisingly not feeling too attached to the Kurosaki's this time around. So, Kaoru.

>>1810737
>Skip to tomorrow, continue focusing on Madarame's training.

>>1810737
>>See what your sister Kaoru Shiba has cooking.

>>1810737
>See what your sister Kaoru Shiba has cooking.

>>1810737
>>See what your sister Kaoru Shiba has cooking.

>>1810737
>See what your sister Kaoru Shiba has cooking.

So dinner is coming up fairly soon, and it's gonna be a production. I'll be back maybe around 6-6:30pm PST.

>>1810866
I was lied to, dinner is starting later than I was told. 7pm PST is more likely.

>>1811179
Okay, I've just now gotten free. So I'm writing.

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>>1811569
You realize that not only do you have quite a bit of free time this evening, you have something to do with it. It's been a while since you sat down with Shiba Kaoru, your adoptive sister from the clan to which you nominally belong, and talked to her about work. There have been plenty of family occasions, but almost as a matter of policy those have been what Kūkaku would call 'family time' which means 'no bullshit from work'. Despite not having had the chance to really discuss it you're positive that Kaoru's spent a disturbing amount of her time trying to make various schemes and surprises work.

It takes only a few minutes to reach the backside of the Sōkyoku hill, where the barracks of the Kidō Corps are tucked away. Most of the time nobody ever comes up here, since it's kind of out of the way despite being right at the geographical center of the Seireitei. What's more there's hardly any reason for most people to be out here at all, since for the most part the Kidō Corps' only interaction with other Divisions is tantamount to 'house calls'.

Your arrival scatters white-hooded kidō practitioners everywhere, since anyone showing up at the modest front gates is unusual and a Captain calling here is even more of an unusual event.

“Captain Kusajshi,” a man in what you'd consider a 'regular' shihakusho eventually greets you, having scrambled out of one of the offices deeper within the grounds to come out and meet you. “This is a surprise.”

“I came on a whim,” you admit. “I'm here to see my sister.”

“Of course!” the man replies nervously. “It's... the main office is back that way.”

“Thank you,” you nod politely even after pushing past him, since you already know where your sister is. You can feel her presence... you're not sure that most of the rank and file shinigami realize that yet even after you basically fought against Aizen blindfolded.

“It's been a while!” Kaoru greets you from behind a desk all but covered in old scrolls full of inked characters, each scroll showing the traits of a wildly different hand. “Please, sit! Don't mind the mess!”

There's a chair for guests in her office, but it's covered in heavy leather-bound tomes. “A little light reading?”

Kaoru chuckles as you set the books on the floor. “Please, I'm not that much of a nerd. This is all work.”

>So what are you working on, sis?
>We... need to plan for winter.
>We never talked about Tessai and Hachi.
>Other?

>>1811694
>>So what are you working on, sis?
>We never talked about Tessai and Hachi.

>>1811694
>So what are you working on, sis?
>We never talked about Tessai and Hachi.

>>1811694
>>So what are you working on, sis?
>>We never talked about Tessai and Hachi.

>>1811694
>>So what are you working on, sis?
>>We never talked about Tessai and Hachi.

Would it be appropriate to needle her about her love life a bit?

>>1811744
Well you're sisters, and you were friends before that, so... sure?

>>1811694
>We never talked about Tessai and Hachi.

>have been called on again to be hospitable
Sorry guys, but I'll be back when I can. Probably like another half hour.

>>1811902
“So,” you muse, “we... haven't really talked about it, have we? What happened to Tessai and Hachigen?”

“No,” she smiles sadly, “no we haven't. It does make sense now though, I understand why you treated the situation the way you did. Though I can't help but consider what I could have done had I known.”

“Probably not much,” you admit rather sheepishly. “I very nearly made things worse, Yoruichi had no idea what she was actually doing... even Kisuke and Tessai had to find a way to cheat just to stabilize the situation, and they're smarter than we are.”

“You don't have to be so blunt,” Kaoru pouts.

“You mean I don't have to drag you down to my level,” you correct.

“You're the one that figured out Hadō 99,” Kaoru observes pointedly. “I haven't even gotten around to doing that.”

“Only with a lot of outside help,” you immediately admit.

Kaoru sighs softly. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Come on, you're legitimately better at kidō than I am,” you insist. “Tenkotsuki helps me pull these things off a lot of the time, but your zanpakuto improves the things you can already do. You're the best damn practitioner in the Seireitei and you know it.”

“Thanks,” she nods quietly. “So I was thinking...”

“Dangerous habit,” you quip.

“I was thinking,” she continues stubbornly, “about ways to throw a wrench in Aizen's plans.”

“Trouble is we have no idea precisely what he's trying to do,” you remind her.

“Yeah, but we have a rough idea what Karakura town's good for,” she contends, “and we know he needs it for something. So why don't we just deny him use of it?”

>Okay, what are you thinking exactly?
>That's... kind of crazy, sis. Even for you.
>How do I help?
>Other?

>>1812044
>>Okay, what are you thinking exactly?
>>How do I help?
Had me at "throw a wrench" and "Aizen" in one sentence.

>>1812044
>Okay, what are you thinking exactly?
>How do I help?
>We're not going to remove it from time or something like that, right? I don't think I could get away with that.

>>1812044
>>Okay, what are you thinking exactly?

>>1812044
So I was thinking

What if we used Hado 99 in Kaoru's Bankai's kido 'roid zone

>>1812044
>>How do I help?
>Okay, what are you thinking exactly?

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>>1812144
>everyone gets loved forever

We should tell her the trick to #99, btw.

>>1812044
“Okay, I'm going to have to stop you right there,” you insist sternly. “While you definitely had me at screwing Aizen over, I have no idea what your exact plans are. There's too much that you could be thinking of doing.”

“You're right,” Kaoru smiles mischievously. “And a lot of those ideas are of... well, let's say 'dubious' legality.”

“You're planning spatial displacement,” you realize aloud.

She nods. “Precisely, dear sister. My initial idea had been to displace all of Karakura town and overlay it with a portion of the Soul Society, then make the portion of Soul Society which replaces it resemble the city. Remove the people and that's a lot of the use of Karakura as a 'raw ingredient' lost right there.”

“How?” you ask, a little baffled at the idea. “That's a huge area you're talking about, and a lot of people.”

“That's what I've been studying,” she tells you, pulling out a scroll from the bottom of the pile and spreading it across her desk. “I believe that one of my predecessors was working on a design that would stabilize and essentially repeat a spell over a large area.”

“Ask her how!” Tenkotsuki insists loudly in your mind, having seen more to the scroll before you than you have. “If it is meant to work the way I am understanding it, that plan just might work.”

“How does it work?” you ask, turning your head slightly. “It's designed to break down?”

“Yes,” Kaoru nods. “Essentially they're massive blocks of reishi which degrade from the inside, releasing reiatsu. That reiatsu will maintain a widespread spell that would otherwise fail from having been overextended.”

“That should work,” Tenkotsuki tells you.

“My sword thinks it should work,” you relay.

“Well, at least she's convinced,” Kaoru mutters.

>Have you presented this plan to the Central 46?
>Screw the Central 46, all we need is Shunsui to approve.
>... make your preparations, I'll get approval or else take the fall.
>Other?