>>3755789
“We’ll need your help,” you admit, “if we’re going to put this threat to an end for good.”

Ichibē calmly sips at his tea. “And how do you propose we do that, precisely?”

It’s not lost on anyone in the room that this is a reversal of the way things were before, when you were meeting with several of the Shintō kami whose ranks you may be tentatively counted among. This time it is the members of the Royal Special Task Force who sit in the ‘position of honor’ and you who stands a literal step below them.

Far from being petty this is most likely a deliberate decision made by Ichibē and Kirinji to reiterate that their position within the hierarchy of the Soul Society is a step above that of a Captain, in spite of what the divine hierarchy suggests. And as you are here as a Captain you have no room to object.

That Ichibē is subtly but still quite clearly enjoying the reversal is merely an additional benefit to his mind.

“My proposal is that three of us, myself, Captain Shihōin, and Tia Halibel, should meet Aizen head-on,” you explain your thoughts. “Once we can create a distinct enough opening Ōetsu can use Sayafushi and Ichibē can use Ichimonji to cripple Aizen for long enough that Captains Urahara and Shiba along with Tsukabishi Tessai and Hikifune will seal Aizen permanently before he can recover.”

“There is also a fairly extensive list of personnel who would be well-suited to providing cover and support to those players I’ve already mentioned.”

“Whaddya thinkin, Shutara?” Ōetsu asks, already anticipating her reply.

“I believe we should support the Gotei 13,” Shutara answers calmly.

“Of course you do,” Kirinji grumbles. “That’s why Ōetsu asked you in the first place.”

“An in my place you’dve asked the Boss,” Ōetsu shrugs. “It’s not like it’s some kinda bigass secret.”

>Now is the time to put aside our differences, if we’re ever going to do that.
>Ichibē, if you don’t believe in this effort then you don’t have to participate.
>Then what do you propose we do? Because doing nothing isn’t an option.
>Other?

>>3755793
>I'll leave the voting period at 20-30 minutes to start with. We'll see if participation will allow a faster pace from there.
>I intend to run at least 5 hours, assuming eyestrain/headache don't demand a stop

>>3755793
>Now is the time to put aside our differences, if we’re ever going to do that.
giving him the 'what should we do' is the same as giving him the reins.
it doesn't matter if he believes in the effort, just that he does what we want him to do.

>>3755793

>Now is the time to put aside our differences, if we’re ever going to do that.

>>3755793
>Now is the time to put aside our differences, if we’re ever going to do that.
just deal with it, one way or another.

>>3755793
>Now is the time to put aside our differences, if we’re ever going to do that.

>>3755793
>>Now is the time to put aside our differences, if we’re ever going to do that.

>3d10, best of three
>DC 19, critical 23

Rolled 3, 2, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>3755886

Rolled 6, 8, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>3755886

Rolled 6, 1, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>3755886

>>3755886
“If we were ever going to just set aside all our disagreements and work together?” you sigh, frustrated that even after all this time you still have to argue your case like this. “Now would be the time for it. Because this is too big of a deal to give it anything less than the best coordinated effort we can manage. Otherwise, can we really say that we’re taking our duties seriously?”

“I’d argue not.”

“It’s not much different than what you’ve said before, ya know?” Ōetsu scratches his head idly. “Boss, you sure you can’t try an’ see things our way for once?”

Shutara is the next to speak her mind, and her words somehow manage to be simple and cryptic all at once. “I’ll tell her.”

Ichibē’s fuzzy brows furrow as he appraises his comrade, before setting aside his tea. “I believe you would, wouldn’t you?”

He takes a moment to collect himself. “We, as well as the representatives of the Noble Houses, have come to believe that the situation of the Soul King is not going to remain stable long-term. The various irregularities noted by Captain Urahara have been confirmed through Shutara and Hikifune’s own efforts.”

“Meaning...” you prompt him to continue with a more straightforward explanation rather than continuing to hint at you.

“Meaning that local spacetime is reacting to a gradual change in the Soul King’s status,” Ichibē explains.

Kirio immediately seizes the opportunity to jump in. “Just think of the Soul King as being like a battery sitting in the middle of a huge complex of interlinked machines. When that battery’s power starts to run low, some of the more finicky machines are going to start failing.”

“Thank you,” you not to Kirio. “So you’re telling me that it turns out the battery needs to be replaced every few thousand years?”

“Potentially,” Ichibē nods. “The other possibility is that the Soul King is beginning to reassert its own will, weakening the fabricated metaphysical ties which connect it to… well, to the machines Kirio was talking about.”

“I take it you had your own thoughts about how to solve that problem?” you prompt him.

Ōetsu seems a bit uncomfortable at the question. “Well, thing is...”

>… you were gonna do that to ME, weren’t you?
>Don't say anything further. If you say it I may not be able to work with you after all.
>Can’t you just use something else? Literally ANYTHING else?
>Other?

>>3755950
>Don't say anything further. If you say it I may not be able to work with you after all.
>Can’t you just use something else? Literally ANYTHING else?
>Other?
>Like Aizen

>>3755950
>Don't say anything further. If you say it I may not be able to work with you after all.
>Can’t you just use something else? Literally ANYTHING else?

>>3755950
>Can’t you just use something else? Literally ANYTHING else?
>Like Aizen
>Or implement a new system entirely. That doesn't require a battery change.

>>3755954
>>3755950
this basically

>>3755954
this

>3d10, best of three

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

>>3756024

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

>>3756024

Rolled 9, 4, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>3756024

>>3756024
“If you say any more I’m not sure we’ll be able to work together,” you interrupt Ōetsu with your blunt assessment. It takes you a few moments before you can continue. “There has to be a better option anyway.”

“In our assessment no,” Ichibē insists.

“What about Mimihagi?” you press. “Did you even consider that?”

“It would not last long enough,” Ichibē counters.

“And so sacrificing me would be better?” you snap angrily. “How the hell does that even make sense?”

“It only makes sense in a world where you’re viewed as a bigger long-term threat than Aizen,” Shutara clarifies. “Which is the world that some of us live in.”

“Aizen Sōsuke is alone,” Ichibē defends himself. “She has support and allies. Damn near half the Gotei 13 is on her proverbial side despite the fact that she’s committed very nearly the same list of offenses that Aizen has.”

“Overlooking transgressions just cause they come wrapped in good intentions is as bad as anything else,” Kirinji finally shares his own thoughts. “Maybe even worse cause of the gymnastics you go through to justify it to yourselves.”

>I’m going to trust you two to behave yourselves, at least until Aizen has been dealt with. Any other problems can be sorted out later.
>I won’t act first, but if you try to stab me in the back I won’t hold back. I’ll put our disagreements to an end, permanently.
>We might as well have it out right now, if it’s going to come to blows anyway. Better that than watching our backs while trying to fight Aizen.
>Other?

>>3756110
>I won’t act first, but if you try to stab me in the back I won’t hold back. I’ll put our disagreements to an end, permanently.
TEAR IT OUT BY THE ROOTS

>>3756110
>I won’t act first, but if you try to stab me in the back I won’t hold back. I’ll put our disagreements to an end, permanently.

>>3756110
>>I won’t act first, but if you try to stab me in the back I won’t hold back. I’ll put our disagreements to an end, permanently.

>>3756110
And several of those "offences" were forced on me. The biggest difference between Aizen and I is the comparison of us at our most basic states. I am happy, content with all I have and do not wish to risk it all to gain more. I was more than happy with what I had prior to Aizen's plot as well. Aizen is NEVER happy, never fulfilled, he's become an all consuming black hole that will keep trying to go for more to the ruination of everyone and everything. I will trust you to see that and understand what that means, but if you cannot and stab me in the back? I'll treat you just like I treated him.

>>3756110
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 6, 10, 3 = 19 (3d10)

>>3756177

Rolled 9, 1, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>3756177

Rolled 7, 8, 9 = 24 (3d10)

>>3756177

Rolled 6, 7, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>3756177

>>3756177
“And most of those were forced upon me,” you point out. “Aside from that, there’s one very important fact that you seem to still not understand.”

“And what would that be?”

You stare hard at Ichibē, holding eye contact the whole time you speak. “I would have been completely happy being Yoruichi’s Lieutenant for the last hundred years, if none of this had ever happened. Where Aizen is never satisfied, I cherished what I already had.”

“And it’s because I cherish what I have that two things are true. The first of these is that I will not act first in a way that threatens what I cherish, and I can be trusted to hold to my word in any dealings with you.”

Kirinji speaks from the side, though your eyes never break contact with Ichibē’s. “And the second point is… I’m assuming a threat?”

You nod your head slowly, still maintaining eye contact. “If you stab me in the back, I’ll pull your very presence in this world out by its roots and erase your foolishness in one go. That’s no idle threat… it’s part of what Inari Riku is as a divine presence.”

“You really believe you can do that?” Ichibē asks you, and now all eyes are on him as well.

“If you want to find out,” you reply sternly, “then you know what you must do. But don’t say I never warned you. I’ve given you every chance to avoid that end. Really, if you think about it I’ve shown the patience of a Bodhisattva.”

“A Bodhisattva, is that right?” the Monk scoffs derisively. “And who are you to make such proclamations?”

“Well, are you so persistently distrustful of me out of malice?” you press. “Or are you simply concerned with the state of the world?”

“Do you even need to ask?” Kirinji interjects angrily.

“Then we disagree, but that doesn’t make us enemies,” you suggest. “I believe you’re mistaken about a few things, sure, but that just means I have to prove my point to you. I just have to show you who and what I am.”

“But if you refuse to see that, and try to kill me, then I’ll have run out of options,” you finally shrug. “I don’t want that to happen, but if that’s the only way I can solve the problem then I’ll take that route and commit to it with everything I have.”
>1/2

>>3756275
“You’ve thought about this a lot, haven’t you?” Ōetsu asks carefully.

You nod curtly. “Yes. That’s what I meant by patience, self-restraint in the face of baseless fear and suspicion.”

“You think we’re afraid of you?” Kirinji demands.

“I think you’re afraid of what I might some day decide to do,” you shrug in response. “Problem is I haven’t done it yet.”

“And by acting on our concerns,” Ichibē muses, “we’ve put you into a position where you’ve been contemplating the very sort of extreme response we were concerned with in the first place.”

“For some time, yes,” you nod.

“That’s what we’ve been trying to keep in check!” Shutara insists, resting her forehead against her fingertips in frustration. “Are you just now seeing that? In being too over-eager to exercise your authority, you’re acting like a hammer in search of nails. It’s been getting worse over the years.”

After a deep breath, Ichibē nods to himself. “Then it is settled. We will use Mimihagi to replace the Soul King as soon as Aizen is out of the picture. While I am not entirely convinced that someone with your sort of capabilities can truly be satisfied in the way you claim you are, I am willing to give you until such time as Mimihagi needs replacement to prove it.”

“And how long is that?” you frown.

Ichibē begins counting on his fingers, before turning to Kirio. “What would you say, about five hundred?”

Kirio nods in agreement. “Yes, probably about that long.”

“Let’s say five hundred years,” Ichibē declares. “I will speak to the Central 46 and confirm my decision. You may wish to do the same with the Captains’ Council.”

Ah. That.

>Do we… HAVE to assemble everyone again? Can’t we just… NOT do that?
>I’ll speak with the Head Captain as soon as he is available. He does after all have his own responsibilities.
>I’ll drop in through his ceiling like a freak. It should be good for a laugh.
>Other?

>>3756299
>>Do we… HAVE to assemble everyone again? Can’t we just… NOT do that?

>>3756299
>Do we… HAVE to assemble everyone again? Can’t we just… NOT do that?

>>3756299
>>I’ll speak with the Head Captain as soon as he is available. He does after all have his own responsibilities.

>>3756299
>I’ll speak with the Head Captain as soon as he is available. He does after all have his own responsibilities.

>>3756299
“Do we really have to?” you grumble.

Ichibē nods. “If you truly are dedicated to doing this properly then yes, we really have to.”

“Then I’ll inform Shunsui. He’ll decide on a time, and we’ll all get together to argue about it for an hour or two before deciding that there was really no alternative to argue for in the first place.”

“Sounds about right,” Ōetsu agrees.

>Frame your message to Shunsui as though there is room for debate.
>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.
>Inform Shunsui that the Royal Guard has basically made up their minds.
>Other?

>>3756392
>>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.

>>3756392
>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.

>>3756392
>>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.

>>3756392
>>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.

>>3756392
>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.

>>3756392
>Frame your message to Shunsui as though there is room for debate.
>Suggest that you’ll be taking suggestions for further refinement of the plan.
Maybe someone can offer some new ideas, I guess, even if it's unlikely.

>>3756463
well, we can count out kenny for sure

>>3756392
“So here’s the thing,” you eventually find yourself telling Shunsui over the Denreishinki. “While everything has pretty much been decided on, it’d still be good to consider alternative ideas for how to pull this off.”

“Alright, so let me get this straight,” he replies. “So first off, you’re sure you’re fine working with the Royal Guard?”

“As fine as I’ll ever be,” you reply calmly. “They know where we stand.”

“And so we’re going to need two Captains and an arrancar to fight Aizen head on.”

“Right.”

“With three Captain-class fighters just waiting to seal him.”

“Also right.”

“And the Royal Guard to help that happen.”

“Yup.”

“While all of the other Captains support those key personnel.”

“I’ve heard the plan before,” you sigh. “You don’t need to tell me.”

“Has it occurred to you that using Mimihagi to replace the Soul King means sentencing Captain Ukitake to death?”

You were really not looking forward to answering this question, but it was completely expected. Still, despite expecting it the answer isn’t easy.

>If his life helps save the world then I think he’d be satisfied with that trade. Don’t you agree?
>I don’t like it either, but we can’t let our personal feelings keep us from doing the right thing.
>The alternative is to use myself. Would you prefer that, Shunsui?
>Other?

>>3756500
>>The alternative is to use myself. Would you prefer that, Shunsui?

>>3756500
>I don’t like it either, but we can’t let our personal feelings keep us from doing the right thing.

>>3756500
>>If his life helps save the world then I think he’d be satisfied with that trade. Don’t you agree?
>>I don’t like it either, but we can’t let our personal feelings keep us from doing the right thing.
i don't want to guilt trip him over this, he was his best friend and i don't want him to have to choose this

>>3756500
>I don’t like it either, but we can’t let our personal feelings keep us from doing the right thing.
>The alternative is to use myself. Would you prefer that, Shunsui?

>>3756500
>Barring a convenient development, there's not much alternative.

Maybe Aizen will get the Yhwach post-Bleach treatment and get crippled beyond recognition to become a new Soul King.

>>3756500
>even if we place mimihagi back inside of him, his health won't improve. It'll only sustain him in that condition. And as much as i hate to say it, bringing ukitake back won't save us from this crisis. We'll have to find another way. I'm not giving up on him, but mimihagi was never the answer.

>>3756500
>>3756556
Changing my vote to support this.

>>3756500
“I don’t feel good about this either,” you admit quietly, “but we have a job to do. And even if we were to somehow convince Mimihagi to return to Captain Ukitake as a host it wouldn’t solve the problem… Mimihagi is a god of stagnation. Nothing about the situation would improve.”

There’s a moment of silence. “I see your point. Consider the conversation closed… I’ll send out word.”
>1/2

>>3756631
It’s well into the evening when the Captains finally begin to assemble on the grounds of the First Division, and when the first of your peers arrives you’ve already been waiting patiently for an hour or so.

“Sui Fēng,” you greet your former fellow student in the Onmitsukidō as she stalks her way through one of the gardens near the audience hall.

“Captain Kusajishi,” she returns your greeting curtly. “You aren’t inside?”

“We’re early,” you shrug. “Have a seat.”

It seems like for once she doesn’t give you any backsass, and instead does as you suggest. “I suppose I have nothing better to do.”

A few moments pass in silence before she speaks again. “I take it this will be some grand strategic conference?”

You shake your head. “More like the Royal Special Task Force and I finally had a breakthrough.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, we settled on a strategy that doesn’t involve a knife in my back.”

“Well,” Sui Fēng muses. “That would qualify as a breakthrough.”

After a few more moments of quiet you begin to chuckle, and she soon joins you. Just like that, the ice is broken.

“Do you ever miss the old days?” she wonders aloud.

“What brings this on?” you ask.

“Having been sufficiently… humbled...” Sui Fēng quickly clarifies, “it made me think about when things used to seem simpler.”

>Things were always complicated. We were the ones who were ‘simple’, if you think about it.
>Not really, because what’s really changed about us since then?
>It may be overly-sentimental, but yeah. Just a little bit.
>Other?

>This will be it for the evening, I'll be running Claymore tomorrow night and I'll update both through the week

>>3756704
>>Not really, because what’s really changed about us since then?

>>3756704
>>Things were always complicated. We were the ones who were ‘simple’, if you think about it.
>Bet yes sometimes I miss it, but never for long.

>>3756704
>It may be overly-sentimental, but yeah. Just a little bit.

>>3756725
>>3756704
this, riku has been through a lot, but she has also gained a lot

>>3756704
>Things were always complicated. We were the ones who were ‘simple’, if you think about it.

>>3756704
>It may be overly-sentimental, but yeah. Just a little bit.

>>3756704
>>Things were always complicated. We were the ones who were ‘simple’, if you think about it.

>>3756704
>Things were always complicated. We were the ones who were ‘simple’, if you think about it.

>>3756704
>It may be overly-sentimental, but yeah. Just a little bit.

>>3756704
>It may be overly-sentimental, but yeah. Just a little bit.

>>3756704
>Things were always complicated. We were the ones who were ‘simple’, if you think about it.
>It may be overly-sentimental, but yeah. Just a little bit.

>>3756704
“Really, it’s more like we were what was simple,” you sigh, remembering a time when things seemed less chaotic and uncertain. It was back when not every decision you made could mean the end of the world. “But to answer your question I do get nostalgic sometimes… but never for very long.”

“I see,” Sui Fēng muses quietly. “Yes, perhaps that is a good way to look at it. Thank you for your candor.”

“Of course. Does it bother you that you didn’t fare any better the last time?”

She nods curtly. “It does. Quite a bit.”

You take a few moments to consider your reply. The main concern here is that there’s a chance of coming across as unsympathetic, which you absolutely aren’t. In fact, there are plenty of times you’ve felt like the situation has gotten entirely away from you, where you lacked the power to shape the course of your own life and experience. It’s easy to sympathise with what she must feel, that she’s come so far and yet did not fare as well in battle as she expected herself to.

In the very moment you feel ready to reply, to explain to her that what she’s feeling is natural and will only serve to push her to even greater achievement in the future, you’re interrupted.

“Ah, I see I’m a bit early!” Urahara muses playfully. “No surprise that the two of you would be here already.”

“Gods damn you Kisuke!” you snap angrily.

Sui Fēng sighs with a wry smile tugging at her cheeks. “Well, the moment’s gone. Another time, perhaps.”

“Did I interrupt something?”

You shake your head in disbelief. “It’s not a big deal. Just somewhat personal.”

“You should know better than to interrupt a conversation between two ladies,” Captain Unohana gently scolds Kisuke, who rubs the back of his neck nervously.

“Yeah, sorry!” he quickly apologizes. “I just… thought I should try being a bit friendlier than usual, that’s all! I didn’t mean to interrupt!”

“It is not a look that suits you,” Byakuya counters as he glides past towards the meeting hall, in a highbrow drive-by put-down.
>1/2

>>3763270
You follow the other Captains inside, and very soon all of your peers are present. The only absences are Komamura, who is currently represented by Tetsuzaemon, and Ukitake.

“Now that we’re all present, we can begin,” Shunsui announces, setting aside his trademark goofy hat in an attempt to show that he’s taking this seriously. Nanao takes it off him, then takes a step back. “I want to tell you all what has evidently been decided by the Royal Special Task Force with regards to Aizen Sōsuke.”

After explaining the plan as it stands now, Shunsui gives it some time to consider what’s been said. It’s Yoruichi who speaks next.

“All in favor?” she asks, raising her hand.

Your hand goes up, as does hers. Urahara, Sui Fēng, and Hitsugaya join you for a total of five.

“All opposed?” she asks next.

Unohana, Kenpachi, and Byakuya raise their hands. After a moment, Tetsuzaemon reluctantly joins them as well.

Yoruichi sighs, resting her hands on her hips. “I know my math can’t be that bad… three of you haven’t voted. Am I to take that as uncertainty, or lack of an opinion?”

“I’m abstaining,” Shunsui shrugs. “Seems the right thing to do in my position. Makes it an odd number too, so a tie is impossible.”

>That leaves Kaoru and Gin… if they had doubts they could swing the vote against. Why didn’t they?
>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.
>That is five Captains to four in favor. Proceed with the discussion considering that a vote in favor.
>Other?

>>3763299
>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.

>>3763299
>>That leaves Kaoru and Gin… if they had doubts they could swing the vote against. Why didn’t they?

>>3763299
>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.

They should voice their concerns. It's fair that they present their views on the matter.

>>3763299
>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.

>>3763299
>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.

>>3763299
>>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.

´>>3763299
>>3763343 <- is right, this is not an issue we should brute force, even if the other captains might agree with us
its an important thing to decide and we need everyone on board with this, or at least try

>>3763299
>>Discuss the reasons why four Captains, one of which by proxy, have disagreed with this plan.

>>3763299
“If I could ask a question,” you begin in a calm, controlled tone, “why is it that those of you who’re against this plan have taken that position?”

“For what reason are you asking?” Captain Unohana presses, not rudely of course but insistently.

“Because a majority of Captains and the whole Royal Special Task Force have voiced support,” you explain, “and so it seems likely to become the default position. But the plans can only improve through addressing your concerns.”

“I just don’t like the idea of sitting on my fuckin’ hands,” Kenpachi grumbles.

“You would be supporting your allies,” Sui Fēng counters with a sharp glare. “There’s no dishonor in that role.”

“I think he means he’d get bored,” Yoruichi suggests.

“Yes,” Kenpachi immediately agrees.

“Which is not our concern,” Yoruichi sighs. “Next.”

“I am concerned with the notion of replacing the Soul King,” Byakuya explains his own reasoning. “If the Royal Special Task Force could allay my concerns that the Soul King could end up loosed upon the world, after the efforts of our ancestors to seal him away, then my thinking would change.”

“That’s perfectly reasonable,” you nod. “I had my own doubts. If I can convince someone out of that group to speak with you personally, perhaps Ōetsu or Shutara, would you be amenable?”

Byakuya nods. “I would.”

“All seals break, or can be broken,” Unohana puts words to her concerns.

“True,” Yoruichi allows.

“There are already too many things that have been sealed away as it is,” Unohana continues. “I’m certain that you of all people, Captain Shihōin, can understand my hesitation to leave such a matter to future generations.”

“I was told not to support anything that the Head Captain will not support,” Tetsuzaemon admits.

>Unohana… we have no alternative to sealing him. He’s basically immortal.
>I agree with you Unohana, but we need time to figure out how to handle him permanently. This gives us that time.
>The alternative would be to use Aizen as the replacement Soul King, and nobody seems keen to do that.
>Other?

>>3766197
>>The alternative would be to use Aizen as the replacement Soul King, and nobody seems keen to do that.

>>3766197
>The alternative would be to use Aizen as the replacement Soul King, and nobody seems keen to do that.

>>3766197
>>The alternative would be to use Aizen as the replacement Soul King, and nobody seems keen to do that.
or to be quite frank, to use me as the replacement, which, obviously i am not happy about, plus the other concerns

>>3766197
>>The alternative would be to use Aizen as the replacement Soul King, and nobody seems keen to do that.

>>3766197
>I agree with you Unohana, but we need time to figure out how to handle him permanently. This gives us that time.

>>3766197
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 6, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>3767846

Rolled 4, 9, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>3767846
here is the worst of it

Rolled 3, 5, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>3767846

>>3766197
“There aren’t any good alternatives,” you point out in response to Unohana’s concerns. “No one seems keen to have Aizen sealed as the new Soul King, and I never assumed sending him to Hell would be permanent either. And he can’t be killed conventionally either… we would need a technique that rewrote reality to truly end the threat...”

“We have one of those,” Yoruichi reminds you.

“And none of us can access it,” you remind her in turn. “Kyōka Suigetsu’s Bankai may be the key to ending this once and for all, but it’s not a practical strategy if it’s literally impossible.”

“So you see,” Yoruichi turns to Unohana, “there are options, but sitting around waiting for something better to become possible isn’t one of them.”

After considering what she’s heard, Unohana gives a small nod of consent. “Very well, if you can swear to deal with Aizen once another option becomes possible, then I will withdraw my objection.”

“I don’t intend to leave it to someone else,” you assure her. “I just need more time than I have to deal with him permanently, that’s all.”

“Then we have an agreement.”

Now, Byakuya… he also has a fair point. Dealing with the Soul King is an important duty of his family, and of Yoruichi’s as well. So naturally they would both be concerned. There’s also the rather surprising fact that Gin and Kaoru have both refused to take a side.

>Ask Gin what’s on his mind at the moment.
>Suggest calling an end to the meeting, then arrange for someone to assure Byakuya as soon as is possible.
>Speak with Kaoru. You’ll need her on board if you stand a chance of sealing Aizen according to plan.
>Other?

>>3768091
>>Speak with Kaoru. You’ll need her on board if you stand a chance of sealing Aizen according to plan.

>>3768091
>>Ask Gin what’s on his mind at the moment.
it might smooth over kaoru, otherwise, its not a good thing to ignore the gin

>>3768091
>Ask Gin what’s on his mind at the moment.

>>3768091
>Ask Gin what’s on his mind at the moment.

Does Tetsuzaemon mean the current Captain Commander (Shunsui) or the previous one?

>>3768091
>Ask Gin what’s on his mind at the moment.
>Speak with Kaoru. You’ll need her on board if you stand a chance of sealing Aizen according to plan.
Family first.

Also, this is going a bit off-topic but it's like there's much discussion anymore in the quest. Thanks to King I'm in a bit of a nostalgia trip over this shit, and apparently my group too. Which RPG system would you guys use to play a Bleach campaign? I'm looking at Fate Accelerated for now.

>>3768091
>>Ask Gin what’s on his mind at the moment.

>>3768751
Whatever you end up choosing it's going to take quite a bit of adaptation, either by expanding a character's list of available abilities or by reducing them. An example of the former is any d20 system that comes to mind where gish builds are made more complicated by the fact that the designers REALLY don't want you to be good at both melee and magic at the same time unless you're a Druid. An example of the latter would be Exalted, which swings a little too far towards the other end of the spectrum: a shinigami has a fairly limited number of 'spells' that they cast against their stamina, and their big flashy sword techniques come off a very short list of interrelated abilities.

To be honest, the closest I feel like I've come to making a system that'd work well for stuff like Bleach would be combining the third-party Spheres of Power system for Pathfinder with any of the 'gish in a can' classes. At very least it increases your feat progression from 10 feats over 20 levels to 5 feats and 10 'talents', many of which count as feats and which open up more dynamic attack options in combat. By using a 6/9 or 4/9 spell progression class you also preserve a small list of spells per day, or some equivalent casting ability. But to represent zanpakuto even that would take either some fluffing or a few in-house rules.

>>3768751
>>3769736
Well there is a d20 classless Bleach pdf on the net. There are also some systems aiming at recreating shounen anime, from Shonen Final Burst to OVA and BESM. Maybe try some of those?

>>3769736
>there is a d20 classless Bleach pdf
I'm not shocked, but I also wouldn't know where to point someone nor have I had any experience with it. Based on my general recollections about the Naruto d20 I'd also be kind of hesitant.

>>3769768
In case you or anybody else would want to know where to point someone: http://bleachd20.proboards.com/

>>3769736
>>3769756
See, I first thought about FAE precisely because it's a light narrative system - trying to put numbers to the more bullshit zanpakutou looks like a pointless effort. Even a bunch of specific anime systems can't really handle them, and those I know that can replicate the effects of any crazy bankai are way too crunchy for my taste.

Still, I'll take another look at Shonen and OVA. I'm not too fond of d20 Bleach, though.

>>3768091
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 5, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3770316

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

>>3770316

Rolled 1, 7, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>3770316

Rolled 10, 8, 10 = 28 (3d10)

>>3770316

>>3770378
True hero

>>3770316
“I can sort of guess what your disagreement with this plan is, Kaoru,” you continue, leaning on what you know about your adoptive sister. “Mostly your support depends on which method is used to seal Aizen, am I correct?”

Kaoru nods thoughtfully. “That’s right. And the fact is we won’t really know which technique will be correct until we know more about Aizen’s condition and abilities at the moment we’re called upon to seal him.”

“So while I believe the plan is viable, I would caution that proper allowances need to be made to observe Aizen first and coordinate between the sealing personnel.”

“That sort of discussion needs to occur before we face Aizen, with contingencies and the ideal means of communication decided in advance,” you decide. “Head Captain, with your approval?”

Shunsui speaks directly to Kaoru. “See to it, Captain Shiba.”

“As for you, Captain Ichimaru,” you continue. “Your hesitation is something of a mystery.”

“Feel like sharing?”

After a moment, Gin evidently decides to speak his mind openly. “I have some concerns about how drastically Aizen may have changed since the last time we saw him… unfortunately we can’t do anything about that question, can we?”

>That’s not strictly speaking true.
>In that case, we should also come up with an offensive battle plan.
>Captain Urahara, what are your thoughts?
>Other?

>>3770456
>Captain Urahara, what are your thoughts?

>>3770456
>>That’s not strictly speaking true.

>>3770456
>>Captain Urahara, what are your thoughts?

>>3770456
>>Captain Urahara, what are your thoughts?

>>3770456
“Captain Urahara?” you press. “What do you think about all this?”

Urahara, who’s so far been fairly quiet all things considered, eventually shares his thoughts. “Captains Shihōin and Kusajishi have laid out all the alternatives I could identify. The plan that they and the Royal Special Task Force seem to have settled on will deal with our short-term issues and give us the time we need to come up with a way to deal with the long-term ones, so it has my support.”

“Then it sounds as though we have an agreement,” Shunsui declares calmly. “I’ll adjourn this meeting for now, and leave you each to make your preparations as you see fit.”

“Captain Urahara, we’re trusting your Division to send out notice as soon as you’ve detected Aizen’s return. I’ll leave the details for you to manage.”

“Understood.”

And now, it comes time to make your own personal preparations. You can’t be sure how long it will be before Aizen’s return, so it’s important to get your priorities straight.

>Assist in the preparation of Mimihagi.
>Train in formations with Yoruichi and Halibel.
>Oversee the evacuations and other preparations within the Seireitei.
>Other?

>>3771792
>Train in formations with Yoruichi and Halibel.

>>3771792
>>Train in formations with Yoruichi and Halibel.

>>3771792
>Gonna give it a few more minutes

>>3771792
>Train in formations with Yoruichi and Halibel.

>>3771792
>>Assist in the preparation of Mimihagi.

>>3771792
You decide that the obvious choice right now would be to practice cooperative fighting with the two other powerhouses that will be facing Aizen at your side upon his return: Yoruichi and Tia. The former of course you’ve trained with before, and extensively at that. In fact out of all the people you could name off the top of your head she’s the one you think has the best feel for how to cooperate together with you in a fight. But to your knowledge she and Tia have never trained extensively, and even you haven’t done as much training with her as you probably could have.

In order for all three of you to get through this alive and reasonably unharmed, you’ll all need to be working together at peak effectiveness.

That’s why you leave the First Division with Yoruichi, and call Tia to the Second Division’s forested training grounds.

“I take it there is some semblance of a plan in place?” Tia asks with her typical calm, collected tone.

“And it’s kind of a wild one,” Yoruichi admits, clearly still a little surprised that so many of the Captains of the Gotei 13, typically known for their squabbling, are set to cooperate so closely to pursue a single goal.

“What, working together?” Tia asks.

Yoruichi nods. “Well, yeah. You do know where we are, right?”

“The three of us are going to be fighting Aizen up close and personal,” you continue, starting to lay out your thinking for the two of them. “And I realized that Halibel is something of a ‘third wheel’ tactically speaking. So I’d like to spend most of the time up until Aizen’s arrival working on our coordination as a team of three.”

“I assume you had some thoughts of how to go about doing that?” Yoruichi muses.

>One on one sparring, to get to know one another’s capabilities and limitations.
>Two on one sparring, in a rotation, to improve our coordination with each other.
>Flanking movements and combination attacks, to maximize our striking power.
>Other?

>>3771934
>Flanking movements and combination attacks, to maximize our striking power.

>>3771934
>>One on one sparring, to get to know one another’s capabilities and limitations.

>>3771934
>>Two on one sparring, in a rotation, to improve our coordination with each other.

>>3771934
>>Two on one sparring, in a rotation, to improve our coordination with each other.

>>3771934
>will start working on the update soon

>>3771934
“We should spar two against one,” you suggest, “and take it in a rotation.”

“That way we all get a chance to work with each other,” Halibel nods. “Good thinking.”

“And the odd one out gets a workout,” Yoruichi adds. “I like that. I like that a lot.”

“Then it’s settled,” you nod.

“Both of you, come at me when you’re ready.”

You take a few hopping paces back to gain some space, until you can see both your wife and your old friend without turning your head at all. Then, on what would have been your last hop, Yoruichi rushes you just as your toe leaves the ground.

Halibel watches carefully at your wife’s well-timed maneuver.

>Block Yoruichi’s attack and kick off her towards Halibel.
>Sidestep Yoruichi as best you can, put her between you and Halibel.
>Counterattack, keep in close range with Yoruichi to limit Halibel’s options.
>Other?

>>3773972
>>Block Yoruichi’s attack and kick off her towards Halibel.

>>3773972
>>Block Yoruichi’s attack and kick off her towards Halibel.

>>3773972
>Block Yoruichi’s attack and kick off her towards Halibel.

>>3773972
>>Counterattack, keep in close range with Yoruichi to limit Halibel’s options.

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 9, 4, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>3774052

Rolled 6, 2, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>3774052

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

>>3774052

>>3774052
As things stand, you’ve almost certainly bitten off more than you can chew by taking on Yoruichi and Halibel at the same time. Yoruichi throws her punch, which you catch round her arm and use to support your weight as you throw your body into the air so that you can plant a foot on her left shoulder. But by the time you’re ready to leap towards Halibel the arrancar has already closed the distance herself, and is more than prepared to intercept your fist.

Yoruichi’s heel arcs swiftly, her sweeping kick passing just inches above your head thanks to your quick defensive drop. But you’re also forced to do a low pirouette as a near-perfectly timed low kick from Halibel follows immediately after despite Yoruichi’s kick very nearly hitting the arrancar in the face.

They’re working surprisingly well together… Yoruichi conserves her momentum and chases you down only to stop short, giving Halibel an opening to turn your flank and force you to close the distance with Yoruichi. It’s all you can do to keep yourself from being floored, forget about a counterattack.

>Continue to exchange blows with Yoruichi and Halibel, work your way up into higher released forms.
>Switch with Halibel.
>Switch with Yoruichi.
>Other?

>>3774105
>>Continue to exchange blows with Yoruichi and Halibel, work your way up into higher released forms.

>>3774105
>>Continue to exchange blows with Yoruichi and Halibel, work your way up into higher released forms.

>>3774105
>>Continue to exchange blows with Yoruichi and Halibel, work your way up into higher released forms.

>>3774105
>>Continue to exchange blows with Yoruichi and Halibel, work your way up into higher released forms.

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 10, 6, 1 = 17 (3d10)

>>3774216

Rolled 1, 9, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>3774216

Rolled 8, 8, 8 = 24 (3d10)

>>3774216

>>3774216
For the rest of the day, you gradually increase the stakes by releasing more and more of your power. And you’re grateful that you did, because by the time you’ve released both Tenkotsuki’s Bankai and your own shunkō holes have begun to appear in Yoruichi and Tia’s previously-perfect coordination.

From what you can gather Yoruichi can’t quite get a good estimate for Tia’s speed over short distances when she’s released, and swings back and forth between over and under-estimating her partner’s movements. On Tia’s end, she always seems to be a little hesitant to make any movement that would require evasion on Yoruichi’s part. That makes it hard for her to seize opportunities when Yoruichi creates them, allowing you to continually slip away and counter with full force for lack of a partner to consider.

Yoruichi is obviously trying to adjust the whole time without stating her intentions to do so, and Tia is gradually becoming a little more assertive as she gets a better feel for Yoruichi’s situational awareness.

“Your teamwork is improving,” you eventually compliment them.

>Take the rest of the day off, start back up fresh with different teams.
>Drop back to your ‘base states’ and join with Yoruichi.
>Drop back to your ‘base states’ and join with Tia.
>Other?

>>3774393
>Drop back to your ‘base states’ and join with Tia.

>>3774393
>>Drop back to your ‘base states’ and join with Tia.
we already know how to coordinate with yoruichi, lets help tia with her teamwork and then push her to her limits with yoruichi as a team

>>3774393
>>Drop back to your ‘base states’ and join with Tia.

>>3774393
>>Drop back to your ‘base states’ and join with Tia.

>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 5, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3774584

Rolled 9, 1, 2 = 12 (3d10)

>>3774584

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

>>3774584

Rolled 2, 9, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>3774584

>>3774584
>will update in a few minutes

>>3774584
You decide to start over from your respective ‘base states’, and after some coordination with Yoruichi and Tia you begin a new round of practice.

This time, you and Tia work together to pressure Yoruichi in close combat. The trick here is to really work hard at covering for one another when you try to change the spacing for a specific strategy. But at first, Yoruichi seems to be able to keep up the pace nicely.

Gradually you begin shifting your strategy from overwhelming close combat to mixing in medium and short range attacks. The trickiest thing with Tia is that she’s a little less hesitant with you, so you do end up having to evade. The other problem is that Yoruichi is incredibly good at weaving in and around the tree trunks of this forest, which forces you and Tia to coordinate your own hirenkyaku and sonido respectively.

By the time it grows too dark to continue, you’ve gotten to have a good feel for how Tia moves in combat and how you can match her movements for the greatest effect.

“How long?” Tia asks you as you return to the Second Division’s headquarters. You’ll be turning in here for the night, before continuing tomorrow morning. Really, it’s just a place to sleep.

You shake your head. “Probably a matter of days.”

“I see.”

>Get some food, wash up, and rest for a while. We’ll be at it all day tomorrow too.
>We can talk strategy for a little while before sleeping.
>I’ll manifest Kyōka Suigetsu. We may end up needing her ability.
>Other?

>>3774722
>>Get some food, wash up, and rest for a while. We’ll be at it all day tomorrow too.
>I’ll manifest Kyōka Suigetsu. We may end up needing her ability.

>>3774722
>>We can talk strategy for a little while before sleeping.

>>3774722
>>I’ll manifest Kyōka Suigetsu. We may end up needing her ability.

>I’ll manifest Kyōka Suigetsu. We may end up needing her ability.
If it's one thing riku's good at after all these centuries, it's endless training. Sleep is for the weak.

>>3774722
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 3, 1, 8 = 12 (3d10)

>>3776390

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

>>3776390

Rolled 9, 9, 8 = 26 (3d10)

>>3776390

>>3776390
You decide that your time would be well-spent in coordinating with the second pillar of your impending stand against Aizen.

With some focus and effort, you manifest the spirit of Kyōka Suigetsu… or rather, you entreat her to manifest herself using your reiatsu as a fuel of sorts. You’re far from the point that you could manifest her yourself, especially since she’s not even your own zanpakuto, but having gotten to that point with two different zanpakuto of your own you’ve been making better progress with it in even this short time than you have any right to.

“You called?”

Aizen Sōsuke’s zanpakuto spirit manifests itself, seating herself formally in seiza across the tatami from you. This used to be your room, a long time ago… it seems now Yoruichi uses it as a reception room, possibly to eat as well in cases where she’s not eating either with you or her own Division. Actually, does she ever eat together with her seated officers?

Questions for another time.

“I need to talk to you about Aizen,” you summarize, the point almost painfully obvious at this point. “Specifically, how your abilities can be best used to swing the course of events in our favor.”

“An interesting dilemma,” Kyōka Suigetsu nods, feigning thoughtfulness. At least you get the impression it’s feigned: either you’re underestimating her ability for sincerity, or you’re starting to get a better feel for her tendency to communicate her true thoughts through tone and posture rather than stating things outright.

“If you use me too liberally my abilities become more a hindrance, since you will need to coordinate three fighters’ actions with the illusions I create. That increases the chances of Aizen noticing that something he experienced did not quite align with what his senses told him happened.”

“That’s a concern, yes,” you agree.

“But hesitate too much to use my abilities and you will not be able to truly capitalize on them. Which renders cooperating with me somewhat less useful than you would like given the trouble you would be going through to do so.”

“Talk about stating the obvious,” you grumble.

“So you have given it some thought?” Kyōka Suigetsu muses playfully. “I was hoping that my initial impression of you was not flawed.”

>I think we should plan a small number of contingencies for situations that are likely to arise.
>You should use your abilities sparingly, perhaps focusing on supporting one of the three of us.
>If it’s the optimal moment, we may only need to rely on your powers one single time.
>Other?

>>3776505
>You should use your abilities sparingly, perhaps focusing on supporting one of the three of us.

>>3776505
>>If it’s the optimal moment, we may only need to rely on your powers one single time.

>>3776505
>>You should use your abilities sparingly, perhaps focusing on supporting one of the three of us.

>>3776505
>>You should use your abilities sparingly, perhaps focusing on supporting one of the three of us.

>>3776505
>I think we should plan a small number of contingencies for situations that are likely to arise.

>>3776505
“You should focus on one of us,” you suggest, “and use your abilities as sparingly as possible. That way most of us would not need to coordinate around your illusions, and your interference would be least likely to be discovered.”

“I see your reasoning,” Kyōka Suigetsu agrees with a subtle nod of her head. “And what of you?”

“I say use it on Riku,” Yoruichi insists, seating herself next to you on your left side with two bowls of rice and some kind of lightly-sauteed meat and vegetable mix. “Halibel and I are having a hard enough time coordinating without running any risks of confusion.”

“I would tend to agree,” Halibel nods, seating herself between you and Kyōka Suigetsu on your right.

“Need I point out that between each of your respective two partners,” you sigh, “I have the best teamwork with both of you?”

“That’s what we were saying,” Yoruichi sighs. “I know you’re hungry and all...”

“So are we sure we want to risk that teamwork?” you ask. “By using those illusions on either of you, I can adjust and the other can work mostly with me in tandem. But by placing the illusions on me, if there is a need to adjust then two of you will have to be making adjustments.”

“It places the same potential burden on two parties where there should be high compatibility.”

Yoruichi nods thoughtfully. “By viewing our mutual tactical compatibility with Riku as the key aspect she becomes the ‘picot’ for both of us.”

“I see,” Halibel muses. “Shifting that pivot...”

>We’ll have Kyōka Suigetsu support Yoruichi. She and I have the best coordination already, so it can afford some slight complication.
>We’ll have Kyōka Suigetsu support Halibel. Since she’s the new one in this dynamic, we’ll take Kyōka Suigetsu into account while training together.
>You both have a fair point as well. We’ll have Kyōka Suigetsu support me, and I’ll do my best to coordinate with both of you.
>Other.

>>3776707
>>You both have a fair point as well. We’ll have Kyōka Suigetsu support me, and I’ll do my best to coordinate with both of you.

>>3776707
>You both have a fair point as well. We’ll have Kyōka Suigetsu support me, and I’ll do my best to coordinate with both of you.

>>3776707
>>You both have a fair point as well. We’ll have Kyōka Suigetsu support me, and I’ll do my best to coordinate with both of you.

>>3776707
“You both have a point as well,” you eventually admit. “When it comes right down to it, if I’m the ‘pivot’ in this trio then it should be on my shoulders to ensure that I can coordinate with both of you. Not the other way around.”

Yoruichi bites her lip, considering your point carefully. “I suppose that’s true.”

Halibel simply nods quietly.

“Then it’s decided,” you nod. “Yoruichi, Tia, please focus on your coordination with each other and simply be aware of me. I will work to ensure that I can coordinate well with the both of you from my end.”

“Understood,” Halibel agrees.

With a sigh, Yoruichi agrees as well. “I understand. If we all do our parts, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“Damn right we will,” you nod emphatically. “So tomorrow morning we’ll get back to it.”
>1/2

>>3776882
The next morning comes early, and the three of you relocate to the training area beneath the Sōkyoku hill.

“Alright, back to it,” Yoruichi yawns, rubbing the back of her neck and watching you through lidded eyes.

Halibel simply nods in silence.

>We’ll continue drilling basic cooperative movement, this time at full release states.
>We’ll work on combination attacks and timing, short of our full releases.
>Full bore, maximum power, no chill. We’ll get in over our heads and then adjust.
>Other?

>>3776897
>>We’ll continue drilling basic cooperative movement, this time at full release states.
make sure the surrounding area survives, unlike the last option ...

>>3776897
>>We’ll work on combination attacks and timing, short of our full releases.

>>3776897
>>Full bore, maximum power, no chill. We’ll get in over our heads and then adjust.

>>3776897
>Full bore, maximum power, no chill. We’ll get in over our heads and then adjust.
>Have Kyoka Suigetsu throw in some illusions while we're at it

Simple illusions are probably better. Use them like feints, spells and sword swings that don't really exist, and if they'd hit their target somehow, they miss.
Make it look like riku is dodging faster than she actually could, while the real riku doesn't have to move out of the way at all.
Enough that he has to pay attention to them, but nothing he has to actually deal with. Split his focus.

>>3776897
>Full bore, maximum power, no chill. We’ll get in over our heads and then adjust.

>>3776897
>3d10, best of three

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

>>3778557

Rolled 6, 4, 9 = 19 (3d10)

>>3778557

Rolled 4, 4, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>3778557

File: 1432986459764_Hogyoku.png (286 KB, 779x1101)

286 KB PNG

>>3778557
You decide that it makes no sense to hold back anything, and so you share your intentions to train at full power with Yoruichi and Halibel. The initial response is… understandably skeptical.

“Are you sure?” Halibel asks you carefully.

You reply with a nod. “If there’s anyplace that can take it, this is that place.”

“Riku has a fair point,” Yoruichi admits. “There are significant barriers in place down here that managed to contain the two of us when we first hollowfied a hundred years ago. I doubt even our combined ambient reiatsu will be enough to crack it… we’ll just have to be careful.”

“Since we all have possession of our senses,” you explain your own reasoning, “it shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Still… should we do this gradually?” Halibel asks, her dark brow furrowing slightly as she considers the potential risks.

“That’s reasonable,” Yoruichi agress. “I’ll go first.”

Bit by bit the three of you release your full power, the force of the reiatsu you’re releasing shaking the whole Sōkyoku hill. But since each stage is taken in turn, you manage to prevent anything too catastrophic from happening even if everyone outside can probably feel it. Yoruichi is the first to release Shōsōtō’s Bankai, her own Shunkō, and Raijūsenkō’s Resurreccion, and Halibel reaches her own full release not long after. You reach your Eight and a Half-Tailed state last, divine power coursing through your body.

Then, finally, Yoruichi manifests her own copy of the Hōgyoku. Her eyes are reduced to glowing amber orbs as the jewel appears on her forehead, and she lightly tosses her haori at a nearby rock.

“What next?”

>Warm up, just using empty-handed techniques.
>Play ‘tag’ to test one another’s speed.
>Use some low-numbered kidō to test one another.
>Other?

>>3778677
>>Play ‘tag’ to test one another’s speed.

>>3778677
>>Play ‘tag’ to test one another’s speed.

>>3778677
>>Play ‘tag’ to test one another’s speed.

>>3778677
>>Play ‘tag’ to test one another’s speed.

>>3778723
3d10, best of three

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

>>3780346

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

>>3780346

Rolled 6, 5, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>3780346

Rolled 9, 1, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>3780346

File: 74162631_p5.jpg (522 KB, 2737x2736)

522 KB JPG

>>3780346
“You are it.”

Your words come as something of a surprise when you tap Tia on the top of her head, before taking a quick step backwards to evade a riposte that never comes. The arrancar stares at you in confusion.

“I am ‘it’?” she repeats awkwardly.

Yoruichi doesn’t waste any time coming to your rescue. “It’s a game. Now you have to tap one of us with your hand, then whoever you tap needs to do the same. It’s called ‘tag’.”

Tia nods in understanding. “I see. Are there rules regarding who I am allowed to tag?”

You shake your head. “Normally, when there are more players, yes. But in this case you can ignore said rules.”

“Understood.”

In the blink of an eye Tia crosses the distance between you and reaches out with her hand, a gesture which you sway deftly to avoid, then throw yourself backwards to avoid the following low kick. So she picked up on the fact that you did not disallow striking and grappling… excellent. That should make this more fun.

You complete your movement by pushing off your palms and righting yourself, only to find that at the last moment Tia reverses course towards Yoruichi. Your wife is taken off guard by the movement and barely manages to evade.

“You’ll have to do better than that, miss Shark!” she smirks.

Tia doesn’t bat an eyelid at the jibe. “I am.”

In an instant the image of Tia starts to fade, and Yoruichi takes a slap to the back as the real Tia follows through… only to find nothing but a few strands of dark hair floating where she thought Yoruichi was standing.

Yoruichi is still smirking. “Are you, now?”
>1/2

>>3780438
it is really wholesome how these 3 incredebly dangerous and powerful women are now playing tag and seem to have fun with it
(also Tia is sounds a bit confrontational)

File: 7717d3b0d8b493c4f4ba6e938(...).jpg (162 KB, 1221x1200)

162 KB JPG

>>3780438
You think this game lasts about a full twenty-four hours, with the position of ‘it’ changing hands countless times. Through this repetition, as light-hearted as it is, you manage to get an extremely good feel for how quickly your companions can move when fully-released. It’s actually a surprisingly narrow margin between the three of you: Yoruichi’s shunpō are unrivaled for their speed, but your hirenkyaku are just a bit smoother and longer, and Tia’s sonido can be used more quickly back-to-back.

Overall, you are all close enough in broad terms of ‘speed’ to coordinate with each other well.

“That’s the good stuff!” you sigh, settling into one of the regenerative springs. “I keep forgetting how damn good these pools feel when they’re repairing your muscles.”

“My legs are killing me,” Yoruichi admits as she settles in as well. “I haven’t run back and forth like that for a good while.”

Halibel merely settles into the water almost up to her eyeballs, poking her head out more like a blonde crocodile than a shark.

>We’ll continue this until Aizen turns up.
>One more day. I want us to be fully rested when Aizen returns.
>We should talk strategy.
>Other?

>>3780448
>One more day. I want us to be fully rested when Aizen returns.
>We should talk strategy.
Halibel has reached maximum cuteness

>>3780452
>>3780448
supporting this

>>3780448
>>We should talk strategy.

>>3780448
>>3780452
Dis

>>3780448
>>3780452
Supporting, and yes, Halibel is a qt.

Though, speaking of qts, I desire more of best adopted daughteru Apacci.

>>3780448
>Are you enjoying the water, halibel?

>>3781445
>>3780448
i already voted, but why not throw this in

>>3780448
“Enjoying yourself, Halibel?” you smirk.

For just a few moments she resurfaces just enough so that her mouth is above water. “Very much.”

Then she settles back in, like a lurking predator.

“Great,” you nod, satisfied with the answer. “Then I’d like to suggest that we only spend one more day training together, and try to make the most of it.”

“Not sure when Aizen will be back?” Yoruichi asks curiously.

You nod. “Yeah. I want to leave ourselves at least a little room to rest up before he arrives.”

“You didn’t take this long to escape Hell when it was you,” Yoruichi observes skeptically. “Why do you reckon that is?”

“Hell was on my side that time,” you shrug. “It would probably make a pretty big difference.”

“Sure. That sounds right.”

“In the mean time.” you continue, “we should probably consider our strategic options.”

“Like tricks to use as combination attacks?” Yoruichi muses.

You nod. “That’s one part of it.”

“And our roles is the other half?” Halibel guesses.

“Exactly.”

“I would be best suited for close to medium range,” Halibel informs you carefully. “My strongest abilities are all ranged attacks.”

“I can fit nearly any role,” you offer truthfully. “Doesn’t make much difference to me.”

“You know me,” Yoruichi smirks gleefully. “I like to be able to sink my claws into my enemies.”

>Then we should try some formations using those general spacing preferences.
>Maybe we should focus on specific techniques that would combine well with each other.
>Basic details like advancing, withdrawing, support, and flanking should be enough.
>Other?

>>3782341
>>Then we should try some formations using those general spacing preferences.

>>3782341
>Maybe we should focus on specific techniques that would combine well with each other.

>>3782341
>>Then we should try some formations using those general spacing preferences.

>>3782341
>Then we should try some formations using those general spacing preferences.

>>3782341
You decide that the best plan for cooperation between the three of you is most likely to be settling on ranges and overall roles for each of you, then stick to those. Halibel is most at home fighting from some distance, using Tiburon’s water, steam, and ice attacks to their greatest effect while resorting to melee combat to counteract a charging attack and regain distance.

Yoruichi of course can attack from a distance, especially if her opponent tries to disengage, but her greatest strength comes when she’s fighting up close and personal. So that is her ideal role in a battle.

But that leaves you… part of the problem of having such an eclectic skillset is that there isn’t really one place where you obviously shine. That means you’re going to have to have a discussion.

Closing your eyes and taking a few cleansing, steam-filled breaths, you begin to meditate on precisely that question. What to do… what to do…

“It is a puzzlement, my dear Riku.”

Tenkotsuki greets you within the confines of your inner world, its familiar tranquility welcoming you.

“You’re all over the damn place,” Rosa grumbles mutinously.

“It’s really more a question of how I end up coordinating with my partners,” you decide, taking a seat next to your two zanpakuto. “One being a distance fighter, the other being melee.”

“Perhaps the ideal solution is to support rather than attack?” Tenkotsuki suggests. “Create opportunities rather than taking advantage of them?”

“Our greatest strength is our dynamism,” Rosa disagrees pointedly. “The ability to attack from any range at any time without pause. The most effective strategy would be relentless attack.”

>Tenkotsuki’s strategy is sound. Use our innate tactical flexibility to coordinate with our partners.
>Rosa has a point. Yoruichi is a natural flanking partner and Halibel can cover us, letting us do nothing but attack.
>Other?

>>3784146
>>Rosa has a point. Yoruichi is a natural flanking partner and Halibel can cover us, letting us do nothing but attack.
its what we have always done, fuck Aizen and the horse he rode in on!

>>3784146
>>Rosa has a point. Yoruichi is a natural flanking partner and Halibel can cover us, letting us do nothing but attack.

>>3784146
>>Rosa has a point. Yoruichi is a natural flanking partner and Halibel can cover us, letting us do nothing but attack.

>>3784146
>Rosa has a point. Yoruichi is a natural flanking partner and Halibel can cover us, letting us do nothing but attack.

>>3784146
>Tenkotsuki’s strategy is sound. Use our innate tactical flexibility to coordinate with our partners.

>>3784146
“You have a point, Tenkotsuki,” you admit with a nod. “However Rosa also has a point, and her plan actually meshes with yours rather nicely.”

“I’ll take to the attack, and trust my partners to seize any openings they spot. But I can’t dedicate too much time to worrying about how they plan to act, or to trying to lead them in the middle of the fight.”

“I do not disapprove,” Tenkotsuki sighs softly, before eventually chuckling. “Funny that you can phrase ‘all-out offensive’ as a well-calculated strategy now. You have truly grown up, Lady Riku.”

“I’m liking the sound of this!” Rosa grins, slamming fist into palm. “We’re gonna finish this bastard off once and for all!”

Outside, you settle into the hot water. “I’ll do what I do best and attack him relentlessly, from any angle and from any distance as I see fit. I’ll trust the two of you to do what you feel best in the moment as well: Yoruichi at melee distances, and Halibel from a standoff distance.”

“Beyond that I doubt any plan would last very long,” Yoruichi sighs. “I’m all for it. Halibel?”

“You have a point,” Halibel admits, briefly resurfacing once more. “Just be wary of the volume of my attacks.”

“That’s something we can learn to account for,” you nod in agreement. “Alright, that’s enough talk for now, don’t you think? For now let’s just relax a bit longer.”

“No complaints here.”

“If you insist.”
>To be continued tomorrow

>>3785348
And so, with the semblance of a plan held within your minds, you practice. The general framework is simple enough to stick to, so long as you actively keep your respective roles in mind, and so knocking off after just one more day doesn’t seem unreasonable to you. In fact, you have a little bit of time to take care of some other business.

You leave written instructions for order of succession in the event that things go sideways when Aizen arrives… Rangiku will be the first in charge of course, followed by Kai, then Mirai, then Rukia. Those are the four that have Bankai, in decreasing order of seniority then of experience. So that should come as no surprise. But after Rukia, in case there’s a real disaster, you’ve left your division to someone rather unorthodox.

“Hey, Apacci,” you greet the arrancar one afternoon, two days after you ended your organized practice. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Sure, yeah,” Apacci replies, only half paying attention as she plays some video game or other. “What’s up?”

“If things go too badly, and everyone else gets killed when Aizen returns,” you explain, “I’d like you to lead the Ninth Division.”

There’s a long pause, before Apacci rounds on you. “Wait, the fuck!?”

“Not as my first choice of course, that’s Rangiku,” you clarify, “and my top seated officers are also in the official line of succession. But if none of them survive, can I count on you?”

“Are you sure that’s okay?” she asks as her character dies on screen. She doesn’t even notice it.

“Do I look like someone who cares?” you shrug. “If it comes down to it the Seireitei won’t be in a position to protest.”

“Then… I guess I accept?” Apacci muses, still clearly not quite believing what just happened.

“Good,” you nod curtly. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

“Hey, you don’t think...” Apacci asks as you begin to leave.

“We’ll be fine,” you insist. “And even if I didn’t think that, I’d be telling you as much.”

“That’s… not as reassuring as you probably intended it to be.”
>1/2

>>3786991
Five days after that, you get the call from Urahara you’ve been waiting for.

“We’re getting strange signals, they seem consistent with the Okinawa incident...”

You’re out the door before Urahara finishes his sentence. You know that the ‘Okinawa incident’ refers to the opening of massive numbers of hell portals there in the waning days of the Second World War. That means that Aizen has finally found a way to escape from Hell.

It’s surprising, because you’re actually interested to see how he managed it.

You swiftly track down the sensation, finding yourself only the second to arrive.

“Well, here we go,” Yoruichi sighs dramatically. “You two ready?”

Behind you, you hear Halibel… she must have left mere moments after you did.

“Of course.”

“Then let’s greet our nemesis properly,” you smirk, beginning to release your full might.

A few seconds after you, Yoruichi, and Tia have released, Aizen finally forces his way back through reality from Hell. And of course he’s changed again.

“I see,” you muse.

“Hey, that looks a lot like you did when you came back from hell,” Yoruichi observes.

Tia frowns. “So that means...”

“Hell powers,” you nod. “Yes, it would seem so.”

Aizen is now covered in bony plates, not like those of a hollow but yellowish like those of a fairly freshly-deceased human. A skull-like plate on the side of his arm, bony fingers, rib-like armor on his left side. It all looks frustratingly familiar.

>Greet him. Ask him if he really intends to continue with this insanity.
>He has Hell powers? You can’t allow him to keep those.
>This is the moment you have trained for, and Aizen has managed to come back stronger for you.
>Other?

>>3787007
>>Greet him. Ask him if he really intends to continue with this insanity.
>"Any insights in particular during your time out?"

>>3787007
>Greet him. Ask him if he really intends to continue with this insanity.
>Tired sigh: "Hell powers? Either you found yourself king of Hell and weren't satisfied, or you're just here to say hello."

>>3787007
>He has Hell powers? You can’t allow him to keep those.
>"Hell ain't happy that you somehow managed to browbeat them like that."

>>3787007
>He has Hell powers? You can’t allow him to keep those.
>This is the moment you have trained for, and Aizen has managed to come back stronger for you

>>3787007
>3d10, best of three

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

>>3787134

Rolled 4, 5, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>3787134
this is literally going to be another gauntlet of “Roll high or die”

>>3787134
Correction, this should be best of four.

Rolled 7, 6, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>3787134
Man, Aizen just doesn't know when to quit.

>still need one more roll

Rolled 4, 10, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>3787134
Rolling from a law library

>>3787222
OBJECTION!
>I'll see myself out
>writing

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>>3787134
Hell powers? He must be mocking you at this point, to use such a thing against you. But that being said, your first order of business should be finding a way to remove those powers from his repertoire.

“Did you learn anything while you were in time-out?” you taunt Aizen, drawing your kodachi from your hip.

“I learned that Hell isn’t just other people,” Aizen quips, raising his own empty blade. This time however it seems like his sword is on fire… it probably has something to do with his Hell powers. “Is that what you meant?”

“Your sword is on fire,” Yoruichi observes.

Aizen nods. “Quite astute. Yes, those would be the powers of Hell.”

After a pause to appraise him, Yoruichi shakes her head. “Riku wore it better.”

“Why am I surprised...” Aizen grumbles, even as you and Yoruichi descend upon him.

Two swift sweeps of his blade produce an intensely hot flame, distorting the air around it. You’re forced to take a step away to evade, while Yoruichi simply thrusts a mass of lightning-transformed reiatsu at it to counter it with a blinding flash. Out of that flash emerge a half-dozen flat daggers, which Aizen evades until you snatch three from the air and throw them at his back. He raises his sword to parry them behind his back, and sidesteps Yoruichi’s flying kick.

Another fire-based attack meets with Halibel’s water, a La Gota you believe, exploding into steam.

>Move in and pummel Aizen in the steam.
>Coordinate with Yoruichi to sweep through the steam with a wide-angle attack.
>Blast at Aizen from outside the steam.
>Other?

>>3787273
>>Blast at Aizen from outside the steam.

>>3787273
>>Blast at Aizen from outside the steam.

>>3787273
>>Blast at Aizen from outside the steam.
old man did it better

>>3787273
>>Blast at Aizen from outside the steam.

>>3787273
>>Blast at Aizen from outside the steam.

>>3787273
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 6, 9, 6 = 21 (3d10)

>>3789355

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

>>3789355

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

>>3789355

Rolled 5, 9, 8 = 22 (3d10)

>>3789355

>>3789355
You decide the best course of action is to hang back, attacking from a long range. Tia gathers a massive swirling body of water around her blade, and even Yoruichi seems to come to a similar conclusion as you and Tia do.

“Raikōhō!” Yoruichi shouts, adding a powerful column of electricity to Tia’s Cascada as both attacks hurtle towards where Aizen stands.

It’s obvious that he’s still standing there, because you’ve ensured it by spreading a number of violently purple kidō spears in a circular array around the cloud of steam. The incantation escapes your lips as a muddled series of unintelligible gibberish, before the last words ring out.

“Senjū Kōten Taihō!”

Ten spears of reiatsu converge on the cloud as Yoruichi and Tia’s combination attack falls from above. From the massive series of explosions Aizen emerges, his left arm already regenerating and the side of his face burned by steam… he must have taken the steam burns when the combination attack met the rapidly cooling steam cloud, and the electricity must have numbed his body enough that he couldn’t evade the spears.

His response is a wave of unstable reiatsu wreathed in flames, which meets with a swift Dankū… then a second and a third wall of Dankū erected in the time it took the first barrier to be overwhelmed. By the time it reaches the third Tia has helped to ease back its flames, and the reiatsu at its core dissipates against your defense.

“Hyōga Seiran!” Yoruichi shouts, encasing Aizen in a relatively thin coating of ice which she shatters with a series of rapid follow-up punches.

She’s forced to evade when Aizen sweeps his blade at her, using her lightning to disrupt the hellfire he releases at her.

>Try to use Kyōka Suigetsu’s illusions to gain an advantage.
>Go after Aizen’s Hell powers again, try to remove them.
>Continue beating him. All you need to do is wear him down.
>Other?

>>3789443
>>Go after Aizen’s Hell powers again, try to remove them.

>>3789443
>Go after Aizen’s Hell powers again, try to remove them.

>>3789443
Alright, it's been an hour so let's get this going.
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 3, 6 = 16 (3d10)

>>3789606
come to mama

Rolled 4, 3, 6 = 13 (3d10)

>>3789606

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

>>3789606

Rolled 7, 10, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>3789606

>>3789606
You close in on Aizen again, intent on either destroying the traces of Hell’s power or retrieving them for your own use. But despite Yoruichi’s help in keeping pressure on him, you just can’t quite get close enough to Aizen for long enough to test any of your ideas for how to do that.

He always ducks, or weaves, or parries just at the last second… with a frown, you realize that he might just understand what you’re trying to do.

“You okay?” Yoruichi asks you as you find yourself forced to wheel around and kick Aizen instead of following through on your original target. “Seem to be having some trouble.”

You try to take advantage of a moment after Yoruichi’s lightning-clad fists make contact again, and you’re met with failure yet again. “I am starting to feel frustrated.”

You take a step back to evade another blast of water, this time heavy and trailing chilly mist, as Yoruichi does the same. When your blades are parried, you sigh.

This isn’t working. Aizen has more power at his disposal than he did when last you saw him, and he was stupidly powerful then. Normally you wouldn’t be one to talk, but somehow Aizen’s portfolio of extreme speed, extreme strength and reiatsu, and literal immortality are even more ridiculous than you.

Maybe you need to meet this stupid power head-on rather than trying to whittle away at his new powers? Or maybe you need to rely on someone else to give you an opening.

>Make one last attempt to seize Aizen’s Hell powers, but this time using Kyōka Suigetsu to create an opening.
>Change tactics, beat Aizen down mercilessly with your full power.
>Try to use more bakudō as a force amplifier, maybe Kuyō Shibari.
>Other?

>>3789657
>Try to use more bakudō as a force amplifier, maybe Kuyō Shibari.

>>3789657
>>Try to use more bakudō as a force amplifier, maybe Kuyō Shibari.

>>3789657
>Make one last attempt to seize Aizen’s Hell powers, but this time using Kyōka Suigetsu to create an opening.

>>3789657
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 1, 9 = 17 (3d10)

>>3789749

Rolled 6, 9, 7 = 22 (3d10)

>>3789749

Rolled 1, 1, 9 = 11 (3d10)

>>3789749

>>3789749
Secondary decision:
>Sacrifice the better part of your left arm to blow Aizen up
>Take this opportunity to claim Aizen's Hell powers for yourself
>Call in the Royal Special Task force to begin the final sealing process
>Other?

>>3789768
>>Call in the Royal Special Task force to begin the final sealing process