>>5252007
>Have an ambition, and so you want to fly under the radar for now

>>5252007
>Have an ambition, and so you want to fly under the radar for now

>>5252007
>No reason. You just think that people’s reactions to your real power after hiding it will be funny, and fun is all that motivates you
Fun things are fun.

>Have an ambition, and so you want to fly under the radar for now

Ambition wins, writing.

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>>5252007
You had a… goal n mind. Something you wanted to accomplish, and not necessarily something that others would agree with, so you kept your strength hidden, so that attention would only fall on you when it was too late for you to be stopped.

Seinaru never seemed to figure it out, and after twenty-odd years of trying, he seemed you a failure. He didn’t seem deterred, however. After all, if there was one skill that the two of you were equals in, it was your charisma and social skills, and so it wasn’t long before he had two more sons to try to do… whatever it was he was trying to do. Crucially though, there was one thing that separated you from the two of them, and indeed the two boys from each other - none of you shared a mother.

Ichimi, the slightly older one’s mother was another shinigami like your father, while Konban’s had been some random girl from the Rukongai, presumably from one of the higher districts to aid with the secrecy of it all, as Seinaru, accidentally or not, had made it clear that no one knew that your half-brothers were not your mother’s children aside from you, their own mothers, and your mother herself.

This gave you an opportunity, you realised. After all… what would the Seireitei, and more importantly, the Central 46 and the nobles who make it up, think about an honoured shinigami having not one, but two children out of wedlock? And when the man’s wife was a noble herself? Oh, whatever could go wrong there? Selling out his secrets would certainly, at the very least, get you from out under his thumb, free to do what you wish, or at least moreso than now. Not to mention also giving you access to his assets. But the man himself could also be useful to you in the future… Though you somewhat doubted that.

You…
PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO
>Sold Seinaru out
>Let your father keep his secrets

IF YOU PICKED THE FIRST OPTION
You did this out of…
>Hate
>Ambition
>Convenience

IF YOU PICKED THE SECOND OPTION
You did this out of…
>Acceptance
>Fear
>Convenience

>>5252038
Fun things are fun indeed. I would like to clarify - just because you might not pick an option now doesn’t necessarily mean that the others won’t be a part of your character now or in the future - it’s just what your priorities are right now.

>>5252052
>Sold Seinaru out
>Ambition
Ambition brooks no obstacles. Neither does impetuous youth.

>>5252052
>Let your father keep his secrets
>>Convenience

>>5252052
>Let your father keep his secrets
>Acceptance

>>5252052
>Sold Seinaru out
>Hate

>>5252052
>Let your father keep his secrets
>Convenience

>>5252059
>>5252093
>>5252116
>>5252118
>>5252128
Letting Seinaru keep his secrets out of convenience wins, beginning writing now.

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>>5252052
The idea was tempting… very tempting. You could do a lot by disgracing your father’s name like that, not the least of which being completely free to act in any way you wish and gaining control of his assets, but… There was a decent chance that things could backfire on you, in a way you didn’t expect. After all, you didn’t know the nobles or the Central 46 personally, only through reputation, and so it was impossible for you to truly gauge and predict their reactions like you would want to do before making such a big play.

And besides… it was just a lot of effort, really - and for not too much gain. You’d be considered an adult once you graduated from the academy and became a shinigami anyway - and nothing was stopping you from revealing the truth later if you needed your father’s money, or simply killing him for it. You couldn’t really be bothered to do it, not now. It made more sense to not go for it, even if it meant you would remain under Seinaru’s thumb for at least a little longer. Your chance to remove his influence would come.

And so you found yourself finally at the gates of the Shin'ō academy, waiting to be enrolled. When asked your name, you smiled, closing your eyes to avoid whoever was looking seeing the emotion behind them as you answered. “Hokkyokusei Danketsu. Pleasure to meet you.”

BLEACH QUEST: Shinigami Schemer #1

You are Hokkyokusei Danketsu, a boy who is just beginning to become a young man by the standards of the Soul Society, yet in raw numbers of years you had been alive, you were older than many humans of your time could ever hope to be. The year is 1865, and you have just enrolled into the Shin'ō Academy, the place where you will be taught the basics of becoming a shinigami, much like your father and many others have been before you. Due to your father’s experience, your noble heritage, and the measured amount of ability you yourself have shown, you have been placed into the Academy’s top class, surrounded by noble children, ‘half’-nobles in positions similar to yourself, and even one or two from the Rukongai, who managed to earn the right into the class on aptitude alone. As you settle down into your seat before your first lecture, you find yourself…
>Nervous
>Excited
>Bored
>Write-in?

Welcome to Shinigami Schemer!
>What is this?
This is a quest set in the world of Bleach, currently 136 years before the first chapter takes place. Whether that canon story takes place as it did originally, goes drastically differently, or doesn’t occur at all is entirely up to you and your actions.
>Who are we?
You are Hokkyokusei Danketsu, a new student at the Shin'ō Academy, where you will learn how to become a shinigami over the next few years.
>Voting?
Depends on you. If it’s busy and votes are coming in quickly, I’ll generally give 15-20 minutes for voting, aiming for hourly updates. If it’s slow, I’ll let votes run for a few hours, perhaps overnight, and update whenever a majority is reached. If players have a preference for either option over the other, I’ll see what I can do to ensure the threads are always fast paced or always slower and take place over a long period.
>Dice?
We’ll be running off a 3d10 system, best of the first three linked posts to my posts calling for rolls. Don’t worry about rolling a critfail - I’ll always take the best of the first three linked. If people want me to take them, I’ll consider it, but I think opening up that system will cause more harm than good
>Questions?
Feel free to ask and I’ll answer best I can.

>>5252195
>Excited

We've got all this potential and skill we've been hiding, right? What better time than now to start honing that skill. No need to show off, just succeed and keep succeeding better than everyone else.

>>5252195
>Excited
It's time.

>>5252195
>Excited
I'm feeling very vague similarities to Power in the Shadows, except far more focused and less comedic. This is a good thing. Hiding your true power level for a jaw-dropping reveal is every chuuni's wet dream

>>5252199
>>5252205
>>5252213
Excited wins, writing.

>>5252195
You feel good. Excited, even, looking forward to playing around here before you’re necessarily bound by the ideals of ‘duty’ and ‘honour’. Your easy, friendly, fake smile is plastered all over your face as you glance to your right, observing some of the others in the class. Your gaze falls upon one in particular - Nohara Tsukuya.

She is a noble, but unlike many of the nobles in the room, she seems to have gotten here on talent rather than her name - you can tell by the feel of her spiritual energy compared to most others in the room, even as formally untrained you are in that skill. Her eyes flick over in your direction as she seems to feel herself being watched, catching sight of you and the almost sleazy smirk you have on your face.

She pauses for a moment, something you only catch because you were looking right at her, before she scoffs, grimacing, before turning her attention back to the instructor. You raise an eyebrow, your smirk only growing wider at that response.
You…
>Decide to pester the ice queen. It’d be fun to break down her walls, and maybe you can get something out of making her like you.
>Keep her in mind, but decide to leave her alone for the moment.
>Ignore her, and keep looking around the class.
>Ignore her, and decide to focus on the lesson.
>Write-in?

>>5252225
>Decide to pester the ice queen. It’d be fun to break down her walls, and maybe you can get something out of making her like you.

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>>5252225
Forgot to post the image. The pains of phoneposting!

>>5252225
>Keep her in mind, but decide to leave her alone for the moment.

>>5252225
>Ignore her, and decide to focus on the lesson.

>>5252226
>>5252230
>>5252232
Gonna need a tiebreaker here.

>>5252239
You can switch me to Ignore if you need to break it

>>5252195
>Joyous

>>5252260
Alright, then ignore her and focus on the lesson wins.
>Writing

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>>5252225
Her reaction was a bit odd, but… Not something worth acting on, not on the first day at least. You’ll get to the bottom of it in time. Instead, you turn your attention to the instructor, who is still going over the basic rules and duties of being a shinigami and their lives, plus the introduction to the Zankensoki, something that you’ve had drilled into you repeatedly by your father previously. You then begin to think about how best to approach this lesson, and indeed your life at the Academy and as a shinigami.

You…
>Do as little as you possibly can publicly, keeping everything you can hidden for your ambition
>Put in just enough effort to be considered average, but completely unexceptional in anyway
>Decide that now you should begin to show off, aiming for the top of the class
>Write-in?

While you also…
>Keep quiet, not drawing attention to yourself socially and keeping interaction with others to a minimum
>Turn your charisma up as much as you can, to make as many potential allies and pawns as you can now for the future
>Resolve to observe, keeping actual bonds with others to a minimum while still being keenly aware of all those of interest around you
>Write-in?

>>5252298
>No need to show off, but we are naturally going to be aim for the top of the class.

>>Resolve to observe, keeping actual bonds with others to a minimum while still being keenly aware of all those of interest around you

>>5252298
>Put in some effort, enough to be placed in the upper levels of the class if not the top
>Resolve to observe, keeping actual bonds with others to a minimum while still being keenly aware of all those of interest around you

>>5252298
>Put in just enough effort to be considered average, but completely unexceptional in anyway
>Turn your charisma up as much as you can, to make as many potential allies and pawns as you can now for the future

>>5252298
>Decide that now you should begin to show off, aiming for the top of the class
>Turn your charisma up as much as you can, to make as many potential allies and pawns as you can now for the future

>>5252303
>>5252322
>>5252326
>>5252330
Putting in the effort to be high up in the class without completely showing off wins, need a tiebreaker for observing or turning up the charisma.

Link to this post with new votes, voting 1 to observe or 2 for charisma. First to three wins.

>>5252335
>2

>>5252335
>2

>>5252335
>2

>>5252337
>>5252351
>>5252357
>Charisma wins, writing

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>>5252298
You decide that it might be time to show a little effort, and so you make the decision to not purposefully bomb assessments to keep your score low, instead just resolving to work without particularly showing off or trying that hard. You’ll see how far that takes you in the class. Your real focus isn’t in that aspect anyway - you honestly reckon you could probably qualify as a shinigami now if you wanted, though even you recognise that that line of thought is rather naive.

No, instead you’ll put your effort into your social life. After all, having people around who are willing to do things for you is a power in and of itself - and one that no amount of training can replicate. The best kind of win is one that never puts you in danger, after all.

Considering that, you sit through the lecture, only really paying attention to the fact that you all will be granted your asauchi, the weapon that once imprinted on will become your zanpakuto, in the next few days. Instead, you look around the class room again, looking for people you could potentially slowly turn into your personal pawns. Three people stood out to you, one of them being a large, scarred boy that everyone seemed to give a wide berth. You had heard he was from the Rukongai, and from a high district at that, and the facial scar made the nobles shun him even further. He would likely be easy to make yours with a little bit of kindness, fake or genuine.

There was also the ice queen from before, Tsukuya. Some of the noble boys had tried to approach her, and she’d shut them all down with a single word. Perhaps you had the key to opening her up? And there was also that other girl, who’d been sitting quietly in the back. You’d noticed her because she’d been the only one other than you who had actually been keeping an eye on everyone else here. You wonder if her silence was from meekness, or something else.

You go to speak to…
>The large boy from the Rukongai
>The quiet girl in the back
>Nohara Tsukuya, the noble from earlier

Feel free to write in suggestions for what to say or conversation topics.

>>5252387
>Nohara Tsukuya, the noble from earlier

>>5252388
>The large boy from the Rukongai
I have a good feeling about him. Maybe because he's huge.

>>5252388
>The quiet girl in the back

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>5252389
>>5252395
>>5252413
Alright, seeing as we’re completely tied, I’ll have to break things.
>1 for the boy
>2 for quiet girl
>3 for Tsukuya

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>>5252388
You got up from your seat, smirk on your face as always, sauntering over to the back of the room as your eyes locked onto the girl in the back who hadn’t made a sound since she entered the room, others around you noticing and whispering as they did.

Amusingly, you spotted Tsukuya glance at you as you began move out of the corner of your eye, before she rolled her eyes and went back to her business, while the boy from the Rukongai strode out of the room, seemingly eager to escape for the short break between classes. You’d have to speak to him later, it seemed.

“Hey.” You muttered, raising a hand in a lazy wave as you reached the girl, smoothly sitting down beside her and resting your chin on your fist, elbow firmly planted on the desk beside you.

“Hello.” She replied back, her voice quiet but strong. She turned to look at you, tilting her head in curiosity, her expression never changing. Her gaze seemed to almost bore through you with its intensity, yet it didn’t even seem like the girl realised how intimidating her stare was.

“Hokkyokusei Danketsu. It’s a pleasure. What’s your name?” You asked, leaning in ever so slightly, undeterred by her look.

“Harumichi. Kazeko.” She responded simply again, her eyes never breaking contact with your own.

>Ask her how she found the first lecture
>Ask why she’s been observing everyone in the class like you
>Play up your noble heritage
>Write-in?

>>5252458
>Ask why she’s been observing everyone in the class like you

>Ask why she’s been observing everyone in the class like you

>>5252458
>Ask why she’s been observing everyone in the class like you

>>5252458
>>Ask why she’s been observing everyone in the class like you

>>5252464
>>5252466
>>5252488
>>5252494
Asking about observing people clearly wins.
>Writing

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>>5252458
“Well, Harumichi-san, I’ve got a question for ya. Why is it that you weren’t payin’ attention to the lecture and instead were looking around and seeing what everyone else was doing?” You ask, getting straight to the point.

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise at the question, the first emotion you’ve seen from her so far. For a second, you think that it’s because she had thought that no one had noticed her observing in the back, but that thought was quickly put to bed. “What do you mean?” She asked quietly.

“Exactly what I said. Did you think I didn’t notice you checkin’ in on everyone from up here?”

She shook her head, slightly confused. “You misunderstood. It’s not that I didn’t know you noticed, I’m just… confused. Wasn’t everyone doing that?”

You paused, before starting to laugh. “If you really think everyone in this class has that kind of foresight, you’re one optimistic girl.” You said as you continued to laugh, Kazeko looking at you oddly as you did.

>Tell her most of the people in this class got here on nepotism, and wouldn’t even know the first place to look in observing people
>Lie and tell her that everyone was observing, she was just the only one obvious about it
>Ask why she thought everyone would be observing each other at all
>Write-in?

>>5252510
>Tell her most of the people in this class got here on nepotism, and wouldn’t even know the first place to look in observing people
>Ask why she thought everyone would be observing each other at all
This girl seems smart. I like her.

>>5252510
>Lie and tell her that everyone was observing, she was just the only one obvious about it
>Ask why she thought everyone would be observing each other at all

>>5252510
>Tell her most of the people in this class got here on nepotism, and wouldn’t even know the first place to look in observing people
>Ask why she thought everyone would be observing each other at all

>>5252516
>>5252518
>>5252521
Telling her about nepotism and asking further wins, writing

What's our hidden ambition?

>>5252536
That’s up to you. I’ve got multiple options that it could be already of course, but it’s down to player decision to decide on one, or even make one up yourselves.

>>5252510
I like her already

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>>5252510
“Look around us, Harumichi-san.” You say, gesturing outwardly to the class around you. “What do you see?”

She blinks at you once, before doing as you asked, looking at the others. Some were at the desks, writing notes. Others were making jokes and laughing with people, and some of the nobles were even already beginning to form cliques. There were even one or two sleeping away. She turned back to you, tilting her head again. “…Prospective shinigami?”

You shake your head, smiling. This girl’s way too innocent. You barely restrain your smile from turning twisted as you continue to think to yourself. Makes her an easy mark. “In a sense, you’re right. But that’s not what I meant. When I look at that lot? All I see is a bunch of kids who only got here because their families wanted them here. That’s all. They wouldn’t know the first thing about observin’ people, even if they knew to try.”

Her gaze remained on you intently, just like it always seemed to. If you made her one of yours, you’d need to train her out of doing that. Or at least get her to only do it when she was actually trying to unnerve people. “But you’re different, Hokkyokusei-san?” She asked quietly.

“Indeed I am, my little butterfly. And so are you. We’re different from the rest of them. Just you wait and see.” You said, before turning back to the front of the class, leaning back, kicking your feet up onto the desk and waiting. Beside you, Kazeko continued looking at you, before shrugging and turning back to the front as well.

“Why’d you think people would be lookin’ at everyone else here anyway?”

“Isn’t it natural to want to scope out the competition?”

You raised an eyebrow at that, eye flicking over to Kazeko, who was staring straight ahead. “Competition, huh? Aren’t we all meant to be allies in our shinigami duty, and all that?” You asked with a smirk.

“Are we?” She asked, still not looking at you.

Her answer only made your smirk grow wider. You opened your mouth to continue the conversation, but then the instructor walked back in, so you stood to go back to your original seat. “Are we indeed? Wonder what the answer to that is.” You looked back at her, smirking, to find her already staring at you. “You’re interesting, Harumichi. Let’s continue this later.” You took a step down the stairs, before pausing once more. “Oh, and just call me Danketsu, alright?”

She stared at you for a few seconds, before nodding, giving you the slightest, smallest smile you’ve ever seen - but it was still a smile nonetheless. “Okay, Danketsu-san.”

You nodded back, smiling too, before going back to your seat. I knew that would be easy.

You zone out through the next few lectures, the end of the day quickly approaching. You…
>Take the chance to talk to the Rukongai boy before he runs off again
>Finally decided to chat to Tsukuya
>Simply gather your things and leave

>>5252563
>Take the chance to talk to the Rukongai boy before he runs off again

>>5252563
>Take the chance to talk to the Rukongai boy before he runs off again

>>5252563
>>Take the chance to talk to the Rukongai boy before he runs off again

>>5252579
>>5252583
>>5252584
Talking to the Rukongai boy wins, writing.

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>>5252563
You stand up from your seat, moving over to where the huge guy from the Rukongai is getting his things together quickly to leave. He finally notices you once you’re practically stood over him and his desk. He almost growls at you, rolling his eyes as he turns to glare at you. “Whaddaya starin’ at, huh!? Someone else coming to laugh at me, just cos I ain’t rich or a noble like you!?”

You raise your hands in defence, shooting him a disarming smile as you do. “Whoa there big guy, easy. I just wanted ta introduce myself, that’s all. I wouldn’t dream of looking down on ya just because you’re from the Rukongai. I’m not like the rest of the people here.”

That response seemed to calm him down a tad, the boy no longer visibly angry at just your presence. “Yeah? Well, what d’ya want with me then?”

Good question. You…
>Ask him how he got into this class, despite the disadvantage of coming from the Rukongai
>Ask how he got his scar
>Ask how he’s found the first day at the Academy
>Write-in?

>>5252602
>Ask how he got his scar

>>5252602
>Ask him how he got into this class, despite the disadvantage of coming from the Rukongai
Eh...asking about the scar outright might be seen as insulting.

>>5252602
>Ask him how he got into this class, despite the disadvantage of coming from the Rukongai

>>5252602
>>Ask him how he got into this class, despite the disadvantage of coming from the Rukongai

>>5252610
>>5252616
>>5252620
Asking how he got into the class wins. This’ll probably be the last update of the night, since it’s getting pretty late.

>>5252602
Rough and tumble sort. I dunno, asking about the scar might actually throw him off/be a point of pride for him.

>>5252638
You chuckle at his question, running a hand through your hair as you smirk. “You’re heading to the dorms now, right?” After a moment, the other boy nodded, inciting another small chuckle from you before you turned away, towards the classroom’s exit. “Come on then, walk with me. We can talk on the way.”

He nodded again uneasily, still clearly unsure if this was a trick or not. It seemed that he was aware to at least some degree that you had noble heritage, even if you weren’t a noble by name, and you treating him like an equal in this way had caught him completely off-guard.

Of course, he wasn’t your equal, but that had nothing to do with you being a Yen and him being from the Rukongai. But that hardly mattered right now.

The two of you walk down the halls of the Academy, you looking carefree while the much taller boy glances at you every now and then with trepidation. The other nobles and students around you whisper and gossip as you walk together, but whatever asinine rumours they were coming up with were far beneath your notice right now.

“I was wondering, ya know. And don’t take this the wrong way - this ain’t an insult, but… You must know that most people in that class got there ‘cause their parents called in favours, or they got trained before, or any number of other advantages. How the hell’d you manage to get in? Oh, and I’m Danketsu, by the way. Before I forget.”

Despite your rather direct and perhaps vulgar language, the boy seems to take it in stride, in fact seeming to appreciate it rather than you using flowery language and beating around the bush. “I’m… Shin. Sabitsura Shin, like-“

“Like the 64th District, in the east?” You respond quickly.

“Ye… Yeah. Exactly. How did you…” He begins to ask, bewildered, you only responding with a cheeky smile. He shakes his head, regaining his composure a little, before he continues. “W-Well, I’ve had reiryoku for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been able to manipulate it for a long time too. A shinigami in a white coat saw me doing it once. She said that I had great aptitude for ‘Kido’, I think she called it. She gave me food, and told me to come to the Academy in the future. So… Here I am.”

“I see. The instructors must’ve seen your kido talent too… or maybe that shinigami told them to put you in the top class. You said she had a white coat, right? Remember what she looked like, at all?” You ask, fishing for more info.

“She had purple hair, I remember that much. It was a long time ago.”

(1/2)

>>5252693
Ah. Purple hair, white coat? Then obviously a Captain, from what you know of your father’s teachings. Two of the current standing Captains had purple hair, those being Shihōin Yoruichi and Hikifune Kirio. Of those two, it was probably Hikifune-taicho he meant - Shihoin-taicho was known for speed, not kido.

You clapped a hand on his shoulder, causing him to look down at you. You ignored the fact that you’d had to strain and extend to your full height to do so, and continued. “Well, clearly she was right, whoever she was. Good luck, man. Hopefully you can meet her again once you do her proud and graduate.”

You let go of Shin, having realised the two of you were in different dorms, and so your paths diverged here. You began to walk off to your own dorm to catch some well deserved rest, before you heard Shin shout behind you. “Uh… Hey! For one o’ those noble types, you ain’t so bad, Danketsu!”

You raised your hand in a wave as you walked, not turning back. “See you around, Shin.”

—— SHINIGAMI SCHEMER PAUSED ——

Alright everyone, so what do you think? This is my first quest, so I hope I’ve been doing well. The response has been great, I think! I’ll be around for a while for questions, and I’ll have another update out in the morning once I’m up for us to continue through the day. See you then!

>>5252696
Thanks for running QM. Hope this quest continues.

>>5252696
Really enjoying this quest so far. Thanks for running Wormmy.

>>5252711
>>5252719
Thank you guys for playing, this couldn’t be done without you!

>>5252696
>Hopefully you can meet her again once you do her proud and graduate
TL: "I wish you luck on your journey to fuck the older woman that believed in you."
Nice quest, I know basically nothing about Bleach other than what can be gleaned from the occasional wiki-walk, so I've no clue if you're reusing any character or if the current cast is all-new, but it's a solid read so far. I'm wondering if any of the art assets are original.

>>5252696
Loving the quest so far. Since it's your first time, here is some advice from a long time player:

>Keep things challenging and don't make concessions regarding rolls or votes. If we roll bad or make regrettable decisions, that's our problem, not yours.

>Since you are obviously going for a mix between Bleach and Death Note, make sure our opponents are on par or even surpass us when it comes to intelligence and strategy.

>Preferably, wait for at least five people to vote before posting an update.(Take this one with a grain of salt since I'm not familiar with your personalschedule)

>>5252696
It's all good.

Honestly though, i just hope you maintain an more or less consistent posting rate. I hate it when a quest starts out with 10 posts a day then jumps to 2 and then dies because the author burned out

>>5252696
This was pretty good. Thanks for running.

>>5252696
I’m up and about again, so we’ll resume soon. I’ll have an update up in the next three to four hours.
>>5252756
Two canon characters (the two Captains) have been mentioned, but every other character so far has been original. The art assets aren’t really original in the sense that I drew them myself or anything, but they are from a character creator and I designed them all myself.
>>5252777
Thanks for the advice, I’ll keep it in mind! I’ve been playing/lurking other quests for a while so I generally know what to go, but if I make a mistake, just bear with me and let me know. I’ll get better in time!
>>5252790
Well at the moment I’m nothing but excited to get started again, so hopefully we won’t have any problems in that regard.

Also, a question for people - for the future, would you prefer having a discord to let you know when I’m running, a Twitter, or both?

>>5253152
If all you want is to tell people when you're running, twitter should be fine.

>>5253138
Definitely Twitter. Be careful with Discord, it tends to attract trolls and other unsavory types.

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>>5252696
You wake up in your shared dorm room early, before first light even. The two obnoxious noble boys you’re sharing with are still soundly snoring away, surely not planning on waking any time soon. You nod to yourself, smiling, before heading out of the room silently, keeping your reiatsu and reiryoku suppressed even more than normal. You don’t want anyone catching on to the fact that you’re using this time to train.

You stride into the classroom, looking none the worse for wear for your couple of hours of training. You’d missed breakfast for it, but you could just chalk that up to not being used to the timetable yet if anyone asked. You’d just need to ensure that didn’t happen in the future. You look up, brightly brandishing a smile that didn’t reach your eyes, looking around the room. Kazeko was in the seat she had been in the day before, staring straight at you like always. To the side, Tsukuya was trying and failing to look like she hadn’t noticed you enter. You still didn’t know exactly what her deal was. And on the other side, nearer the front, Shin looked like he was barely restraining himself from calling out to you.

You…
>Sit with Kazeko
>Sit with Shin
>Sit with Tsukuya
>Sit elsewhere

I’ll let this vote run for a while just so people can trickle back in.

>>5253171
>>5253243
Ok, Twitter it is. I thought a discord might be nice for discussion while I’m not running, but it makes sense to not open up the floodgates like that.

>>5253274
>Sit with Tsukuya
Might as well meet the last person of note.

>>5253274
>Sit with Shin
>Ask how he got his scar
>Invite him to a friendly duel (Get a sense of his power level)
>AskKazeko to be the judge (Measure her analytical skills)

>>5253300
You’ll need to sit or otherwise talk with Shin to ask about the scar, but you can challenge him and ask Kazeko to adjudicate regardless of who you sit with now, if majority wants to go that route.

>>5253274
>Sit with Shin

>>5253300
+1

>>5253332
>>5253365
>>5253300
>>5253296
Talking with Shin about the scar and asking for a duel wins. I’m just getting lunch, so I’ll have an update in 30-45 minutes.

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>>5253274
You wave at Kazeko, while winking at Tsukuya as you walk past, the latter girl rolling her eyes and turning away. You hear whispers from some of the groups if nobles in the class as you comfortably sit next to Shin, notably being the only person to do so so far. “Mornin’, Shin! How’d ya find the dorms?”

Despite his obvious want for you - or rather, anyone that wasn’t going to mock him simply down to who he was - to sit next to him, Shin seemed taken aback that you actually had, like it had seemed too good to be true to him. After a moment, he smiled, the first time you’d seen him do so. “Yeah, well…” He started, scratching the back of his head. “It’s a bit different from back home, yanno…”

You gave him a seemingly genuine smile, rather than a smirk or a grin like you normally would. Sabitsura Shin was a seemingly straightforward, simple guy, so acting similarly would probably be the most effective in getting into his good books. “Same here. It’s prob’ly a bit different for everyone.”

“I guess… Maybe we all ain’t so different after all.”

“That’s what I’m sayin’, man.” The two of you fell into a pleasant silence for a while, leaning back into your chairs, before you turned to look up at him again. “Oh, yeah. If ya don’t mind me askin’… where’d ya get that cool scar?”

He blinked in surprise, before reaching up and rubbing said scar over the bridge of his nose, seeming ashamed. “What, this? Naw, this ain’t cool. It’s from back when… when I hadta steal food ta live. Got caught by some guys, had to fight my way out. Ended up with no food and this scar.”

“Ah, right. Sorry for bringing that up.” If he ended up with no food, then he lost the fight? You wouldn’t have expected that, not with how big he is, but… Well, you don’t judge a book by its cover for a reason. “Did ya fight a lot back in the Rukongai?”

He shifted slightly, seemingly a bit uncomfortable. “Only when I had to. But people… they always tried startin’ shit with me, just cause I’m meant to be ‘big and tough’, or some bullshit like that.”

“You think I’m one of those people?”

“No way! I mean, uh, naw, you’re alright. You ain’t like them. You actually… you’re actually talkin’ to me before ya assume anything, so…” He mumbled, beginning to flounder, before he was cut off by you laughing.

“You’re a good guy, Shin. Don’t let anyone else tell ya different, alright?” He blinked again, before nodding and smiling. He looked like he was going to say something else, but you quickly cut him off. “Listen, you wanna spar or something after class? I’ve had a little training from my dad, I could probably show you a thing or two.”

“Uh… yeah, why not?”

>(1/2)

>>5253399
“Cool.” You smirked, before turning around and leaping onto your desk, and shouting to the back of the class. “Oi, Kazeko! Meet me and Shin after class!” The rest of the class looked at you bewildered, Shin and Tsukuya included, while Kazeko simply tilted her head, her neutral expression as always still on her face.

“Okay, Danketsu-san.” She answered simply, before breaking eye-contact, allowing you to sit back down.

“What was-“ Shin began to say, but you waved him off.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Look, the instructor’s coming.” Sure enough, as you said it, your class’s teacher arrived, causing everyone to go silent for the moment.

———

Once class was over, you found yourself on one of the Academy’s many training grounds, with both Shin and Kazeko staring at you, Shin seeming unsure while Kazeko was simply curious.

“Okay!” You grinned, clapping your hands together. “Shin, why don’t we start with…”
>Zanjutsu. Not your strongest suit currently, but it was a shinigami fundamental even more than the other three aspects of the Zankensoki.
>Kido. You’d had kido theory drilled into you by your father, and you knew early kido well enough that you’d probably be able to teach Shin if he was as good at it if he said.
>Hoho. It’s what you were best at, and you could probably run rings around him. It’d be good practice.
>Hakuda. Definitely the one you were worst at, but your skills would still probably be better than whatever brawling Shin had done.
>Some combination of the arts.

>>5253400
>Zanjutsu
I considered going for Hakuda because Shin might be buttered up if he managed to win the first spar, but on second thought I don't think he needs additional buttering.

>>5253400
>Zanjutsu. Not your strongest suit currently, but it was a shinigami fundamental even more than the other three aspects of the Zankensoki.

>>5253400
>Zanjutsu. Not your strongest suit currently, but it was a shinigami fundamental even more than the other three aspects of the Zankensoki.

>>5253400
>Kido. You’d had kido theory drilled into you by your father, and you knew early kido well enough that you’d probably be able to teach Shin if he was as good at it if he said.
Shin said they got in because they were good at Kido right? Seems like a good starting point

>>5253400
>Zanjutsu. Not your strongest suit currently, but it was a shinigami fundamental even more than the other three aspects of the Zankensoki.

>>5253438
Well, he did say start with. I'm assuming we'll do the others too?

>>5253448
>>5253438
>>5253431
>>5253426
>>5253417
Zanjutsu wins, writing.
You picked the most interesting option.

>>5253477
>swording was somehow the interesting option this time
This ought to be good.

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>>5253400
“Zanjutsu, I think. It’s fundamental to be a shinigami and all, y’know?” You murmur, smiling. “Here.” You chuck Shin a shinai you’d picked up on your way out, Kazeko silently watching, as you wield a nomen yourself, knowing kendo isn’t your style. As you both begin to settle into stances, some of the other students milling about begin to stop what they’re doing and watch, curious as to why the two of you are beginning to watch.

You hold the training sword lightly and loosely in your right hand near the tsuba, running your left hand through your hair. “Alright then, let’s-“

“You’re holding it wrong.”

You and Shin stop in your tracks, both of you turning to look at Kazeko. “Huh?” Shin asks, confused.

The girl just shakes her head, seeming almost disappointed. “You’re holding them wrong, both of you. Shin-san, right? You’re far too stiff. You’re holding your shinai too tight, and your legs and knees are locked instead of fluid. You’re trying to copy the kendo you’ve seen shinigami use from afar, right?” After a few seconds of Shin not answering, seemingly embarrassed, she continues. “Bend your legs more, and have a looser grip. It’ll help your mobility and your ability to defend and counter properly, without losing power.“

She then turns to you, with that signature stare. “As for you, Danketsu-san, you’re too loose. It’s like whoever taught you how to wield a sword did it as an afterthought, because it is an afterthought for them. You need some rigidity, otherwise anyone with even a little power will break through your defence as if it wasn’t there in the first place.”

>(1/2)

>>5253524
She stops for a moment, looking at your grip for a moment, before continuing again. “Your grip’s also very high on your tsuka. You might be short, but… it’s as if the broken isn’t big enough for you. I’d say you’d be more suited to a different weapon, but… I’ve never heard of a shinigami using anything other than a zanpakuto.”

You readily took in her advice, the girl clearly knowing what she was talking about. After all, zanjutsu was an afterthought in Seinaru’s eyes, but it’s not like she would have or could have known that. You smirked at her, moving your hand down the hilt and gripping it a bit tighter. “Who’re you callin’ short, huh? I’m taller than you are.”

“Just because I’m short doesn’t mean you aren’t as well.”

You nodded, conceding the point. “Touché.” You turned your attention back to Shin, the other boy seemingly having corrected his stance in accordance with what Kazeko had said.

“Alright, now that we’ve both been schooled…”
>Rush in, emphasising your speed. Even without Hoho, you’re fast, and you should be able to overwhelm him.
>Take an evasive approach. Kendo and seemingly Shin himself are more suited to singular power strikes, which should be easy for you to dodge and counter.
>Stand firm, focusing entirely on your technical skill with a blade. While it wasn’t great, it should still be far better than Shin’s.

In addition:
>Taunt him during the fight
>Keep your mouth shut

>>5253527
>Take an evasive approach. Kendo and seemingly Shin himself are more suited to singular power strikes, which should be easy for you to dodge and counter.
>Keep your mouth shut

>>5253527
>Take an evasive approach. Kendo and seemingly Shin himself are more suited to singular power strikes, which should be easy for you to dodge and counter.
>Taunt him during the fight
Also, Kazeko best girl.

>>5253527
>Take an evasive approach. Kendo and seemingly Shin himself are more suited to singular power strikes, which should be easy for you to dodge and counter.
>Keep your mouth shut

>>5253527
>Take an evasive approach. Kendo and seemingly Shin himself are more suited to singular power strikes, which should be easy for you to dodge and counter.
>>Keep your mouth shut

Wouldn't taunting him help with the evasive approach though?

>>5253556
It might, but I don't necessarily want us to have a reputation for shit talking people in a fight. I'd rather focus on that matter at hand and not get distracted.

>>5253552
>>5253550
>>5253543
>>5253530
The evasive option while keeping your mouth shut wins. Roll me 3d10, best of 3. DC 15, crit 21

>>5253527
>Take an evasive approach. Kendo and seemingly Shin himself are more suited to singular power strikes, which should be easy for you to dodge and counter.
>Taunt him during the fight

>>5253558
Honestly, mc reminds me of Gin a lot, personality wise. Or am I remembering wrong?

Rolled 10, 8, 6 = 24 (3d10)

>>5253560

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

>>5253560

Rolled 5, 8, 2 = 15 (3d10)

>>5253560
Let's go.

>>5253567
goddamn

>>5253564
a little bit! but not necessarily the same. By the fact that we considered bumping off our father from a young age, we're a little more... calculating than Gin necessarily is. We'd be more Aizen or Uryu in my view.

>>5253567
>>5253568
>>5253569
Well then.
>Writing
>>5253564
He should. There’s a very fundamental difference between Danketsu and Gin’s characters though, which should be obvious between how Danketsu’s handling the Academy and how Gin did in canon.

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>>5253527
“Come at me, Shin. Show me what you can do.” You say, holding your bokken out in front of you.

“Alright… Here I come!” Shin shouts, charging forward. He’s a little faster than you might’ve thought, but still nothing special. He hefts his blade above his head and swings down with a lot of power, but he only hits air, you having dodged to the side at the last moment. You could’ve avoided the attack earlier, but… It would probably be best to let Shin have a little hope of winning.

Shin swings at you with both hands repeatedly, as you dance backwards gracefully on your tiptoes, purposefully only barely avoiding the strikes hitting you. You have to bite your tongue to avoid insulting and taunting the other boy, already feeling your ego get ahead of yourself. It’d make him angry and sloppy, but it was probably best not to alienate him in that way so early, especially considering that the fact that he couldn’t hit you was frustrating him enough already.

As you dodged out of the way and ducked i
under swings, you idly wondered when to end the farce and actually attack. You eyed the crowd around you that had formed, many of which had begun to cheer for Shin. It seemed like you’d successfully managed to make it look like you were on the ropes, despite the truth being anything but. Kazeko’s eyes remained on you the entire time, however.

And suddenly, the chance arrives. Shin swings even wider than usual, frustration getting to him, leaving an opening even a child could see. Quick as a flash, you thrust with your bokken, hitting him clean in the face and causing his head to snap back, before you swipe at his extended leg, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

You raise your bokken up, resting it on your shoulder as you look at the boy on the ground, smirking at him. “Looks like round 1’s mine.”

Angry, Shin pops right back up, hands tightly gripping his shinai. To the side, you can see Kazeko shake her head. “Let’s go again!”

You…
>Take the same approach
>Fight more aggressively
>Fight using more kenjutsu technique
>Decide to switch to a different shinigami art (which?)

>>5253600
>Fight using more kenjutsu technique

>>5253600
>Fight using more kenjutsu technique

>>5253600
>Fight using more kenjutsu technique

>>5253600
>Fight using more kenjutsu technique

>>5253600
>Fight using more kenjutsu technique

>>5253607
>>5253608
>>5253609
>>5253611
>>5253613
Kenjutsu wins! Roll me another 3d10, DC 14 crit 21. DC’s been lowered massively because Shin’s angry, and he’s not yet strong enough for that to mean that he fights better.

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

>>5253616

Rolled 4, 8, 6 = 18 (3d10)

>>5253616

Rolled 6, 9, 8 = 23 (3d10)

>>5253616

>>5253620
Danketsu’s really good at showing off while not looking like he’s showing off, it seems. Good.
>Writing

>>5253623
mission accomplished, it seems

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>>5253600
Shin charges you without warning, but you’re more than ready for him. Taking Kazeko’s words into consideration, you tighten your grip on the bokken just a bit more. The arc of Shin’s attack is surprisingly obvious to you, and you honestly don’t know whether that’s because of your difference in skill or your difference in speed.

Whichever the case it is, you raise your sword to defend against the overhead swing, in such a way and angle that while it may look like you’re just desperately trying to block, Shin’s blow should slide right off of it, leaving him open.

Sure enough, his shinai slips right off your bokken, Shin looking shocked at how ineffectual his attack was. He quickly tries to raise his arms to defend himself, but you put a stop to that, whacking his hands with enough force he almost drops the shinai.

You take a quick step back, allowing him to recover, and as he does, with anger in his eyes, you step in. As he begins to swing downwards, you’re already inside of his range, causing him to miss completely, while you hit him with a swing that would have bifurcated him from hip to shoulder were you using real swords.

He stumbles backwards, reeling from the hit, but still trying to attack. “Tch.” You exhale, stepping in and stopping his swing before it even really began by pressing his sword into the floor with your own, before using your free hand to hit him in the chest with a hakuda blow, putting him down for good.

Beside you, Kazeko claps, while murmurs ripple through the crowd at your seemingly unexpected win. Shin gulps for air on the ground, already drenched in sweat from that short bout, while you don’t even feel the slightest bit tired, though you play it up for the spectators.

You…
>Help Shin up in a moment of camaraderie
>Tell him and those gathered that that was only basic zanjutsu
>Pretend that you have no idea how you won that fight

>>5253641
>Help Shin up in a moment of camaraderie

curry favour with the [i]hoi polloi[/i]

>>5253643
huh, i thought you could italicize things like that

>>5253641
>Help Shin up in a moment of camaraderie
>>5253644
Only the OP can use those tags.

>>5253641
>Help Shin up in a moment of camaraderie

>>5253641
>Help Shin up in a moment of camaraderie

>>5253641
>>Help Shin up in a moment of camaraderie

>>5253643
>>5253645
>>5253649
>>5253653
>>5253654
Helping him up wins, writing.

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>>5253641
You stick a hand out to Shin on the ground, who looks at it confusedly for a few seconds. Then he looks up, and sees your grinning face, before he grins himself, grabbing your hand and pulling himself up. “Damn man, you’re good. Really good. Not gonna lie, I kinda assumed I’d run right over you, cos, well.. no offence, but you kinda look like a bitch-“ He jumped suddenly, seemingly remembering that Kazeko was right there, and not realising the girl probably didn’t give a single shit what he said. “I-I mean, like a wimp! Heh, you sure proved me wrong.”

Your smile turned into a teasing smirk, as you gestured to Kazeko. “Well, keep that as a lesson to you - shinigami and people training to be shinigami know how to fight, whether they’re a guy or… how’d ya put it? Oh, yeah. Or if they’re a bitch.”

Flushing red, he turned to the girl, embarrassed. “H-Hey, I didn’t mean it like that! Don’t listen to him, he’s-“

“It’s fine, Shin-san. Danketsu-san was just joking.” Kazeko said, that small smile on her face again.

“Oh, yeah. Right.” Shin mumbled back nervously, scratching the back of his head as he laughed at himself. You grinned at the sight. Things were progressing very well. Now you just needed to-

You were suddenly pulled backwards, a group of noble boys in your class having grabbed you in celebration. “Nice one, Hokkyokusei! You put down that Rukongai trash just like he deserves!”

“Yeah! You gonna make him your slave now, huh?”

“He doesn’t even deserve to be his slave! Even Nohara-chan knows who Hokkyokusei is, he’s far above Sabitsura!”

“Your real slave’s the pink girl, right? Good taste, even if Nohara-sama’s prettier.” One of them even whispered in your ear.

You can see Shin’s face contorting into a mask of rage, no doubt thinking that everything between the two of you had been a lie, while Kazeko simply stared at you.

You..
>Go along with their chatter for now
>Feign indignation about how they’re talking about your “friends”
>Try to take the middle ground and ease relations between the groups.
>Write-in? (I’m curious to see how you’d deal with this situation without following the prompts)

>>5253698
Forcibly remove the hands grasping you. Tell them the ones who care about status are the real trash. Warn them to never lay their hands on you again with a brief foreboding glare, and then break the tension and change the subject.

>>5253698
>Try to take the middle ground and ease relations between the groups.
I would like to wriggle out of there and clear things up with Shin later, but I don't think that will work.

>>5253698
"Now now, this was just a simple spar between students, nothing more. If we are to succeed as Shinigami, we all need to grow strong. Good sparring partners are rare."
Friendly on the surface, but gives everyone a little bit to chew on.
We imply that Shin is nothing but practise for the nobles, and that nobody but Shin is worth a damn to practise with for Shin. Probably won't catch it, but I am pretty sure we can smooth things over with him later. Actions speak louder then words after all, no? Who cares what anyone says.

>>5253698
>Challenge your classmates to a friendly spar. (Don't hold back)
>“Gentleman, there is no need for such harsh words. After all, those who live by the sword die by the sword, and in death they are made equal”.

>>5253720
I like this idea too. Spar with the others, and crush them. Show them that Shin is more skilled then they are, indirectly.

>>5253719
+1

>>5253713
>>5253718
>>5253719
>>5253720
>>5253721
>>5253727
Alright, so consensus is to try and smooth things over in general seeming friendly but also crush them in a spar? I can work with that.

>>5253713
Since this isn’t gaining traction, and it’s the first time it’s come up, I would like to say in regards to this that while Danketsu doesn’t have a noble clan name, he is still the son of a noble and is therefore in the line of succession, something you might want to use in the future. Be careful of anti-noble statements like this or similar, especially in public - they may come back to bite you later.

>>5253729
Actually, roll me 3d10, linking to this post. DC 18, crit 24, since the nobles actually have some training.

Rolled 10, 9, 8 = 27 (3d10)

>>5253743

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

>>5253743
“some training” won't save them.

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

>>5253743
ere

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

>>5253743

>>5253745
Damn. You succeeded so hard you accidentally killed them

>>5253745
>>5253746
>>5253747

holy shit. almost three crits in a row

>>5253745
>>5253746
>>5253747
Danketsu is on a roll today.

>>5253745
>>5253746
>>5253747
This is a clear message from the dice gods. That our Bankai should be dice themed.

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>>5253698
“Now now boys, calm down. We’re all friends here, right?” You ask while chuckling, slowly and gently pulling the nobles’ hands off of you. You move away from the group, standing in the middle between them and your two prospective tools.

You shrug with a grin on your face, shutting your eyes and laying your palms out face up as you continue. “It was just a spar between classmates, nothin’ more. If we’re gonna succeed as shinigami, we all need to grow strong, right? Good sparring partners are rare, y’know. There ain’t any need for harsh words like that. After all…”

You turned to face the nobles, pointing your bokken at the one who had whispered in your ear, making your voice sound slightly colder. “Those who live by the sword die by it, and in that regard, everyone is equal. No?” You ask, the silent challenge obvious. The boy you’re pointing at seems nervous for a moment, before anger overtakes him, stepping forward. You nod, before turning to Shin, who still seems angry. “Toss him your shinai.” You state simply, looking at the boy.

You stare at each other for a few moments, before Shin relents, throwing the training sword to the other boy. You nod at him, before turning to the other boy, cracking your neck. “Well, let’s begin.”

>(1/2)

Just caught up. Nice to see a fresh bleach quest. Good luck QM, will follow with great interest!

>>5253768
It wasn’t even a contest.

The noble boy you didn’t even know the name of had a bit more patience than Shin… but only a bit. He charged you after waiting for barely five seconds, but by the time he had reached your position to swing, you were already gone, having use your rudimentary shunpo to move around and behind him.

“Hado #1: Sho!” You cried out as you pointed at him, and a wave of force impacted the noble in the small of his back as you did, the force great and unexpected enough to make the boy lose grip of his weapon and fall to the ground, the shinai flying away in the air.

The noble got up angrily, beginning to yell. “You-“

“Bakudo #1: Sai!” You called out next, the noble’s arms being locked behind his back and his legs freezing as he began to fall again, forwards this time, but you didn’t let him. You surged forward with a shunpo, much faster than your first, and nailed him in the face with a hakuda-enhanced kick that easily and cleanly broke his nose as it knocked him flat on his ass, as you pointed your bokken at him.

“You see? He lost, you lost. Equals, right?”

The noble glares at you hatefully as he clutches at his nose, before he ran off with his group, the crowd that had only grown larger murmuring even more. You sigh, before you…
>Talk to Shin and Kazeko
>Address the crowd
>Leave
>Write-in?

>>5253771
>Talk to Shin and Kazeko

>>5253771
>Talk to Shin and Kazeko

>>5253771
>Talk to Shin and Kazeko

>>5253771
>>Talk to Shin and Kazeko

>>5253771
>Address the crowd
>“Care to join us, Tsukuya?”

>>5253774
>>5253776
>>5253779
>>5253782
>>5253787
Talking to your ‘friends’ wins. I can also write in addressing Tsukuya specifically if there’s interest?

>>5253795
no interest from me

>>5253795
Please do, something tells me she is watching the fight.

>>5253795
I'll leave it up to you QM.

>>5253795
>Tsukuya. I'm honored one as esteemed as yourself would watch our duel with such interest.

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>>5253771
You approach Kazeko and Shin, resting the bokken on your shoulder. Shin looks shocked, while Kazeko’s only curious, and he begins to talk as you get close. “Why didn’t you-“

“Because we agreed that we were fighting using zanjutsu. I didn’t say anything of the sort to that guy.” You sigh, before continuing. It’d take some good acting to make this next part seem genuine. “And even if we hadn’t, I still wouldn’t have done that to you.” You say, looking him in the eyes and trying to sound sincere. “I wouldn’t embarrass you like that, or try to, because you’re my,” If he falls for this, then I’m pretty much set. “friend.” You continued, as if the thought had never crossed your mind.

Shin’s eyes widened slightly at that, before looking away, embarrassed. “Damn, whatchu talkin’ about, man? Come on, cut that sappy shit out.” You smiled at him, inwardly grinning, even as you glanced over to Kazeko.

“That applies to you too, Harumichi-san. If you want it to, at least.”

“I know.” She replied quietly, smiling at you too. “Thank you, Danketsu.”

“Oi.” A frosty voice cut through everything, ruining the nice moment you had so perfectly crafted. You turned to look to see who it was that had interrupted you, to find none other than Nohara Tsukuya.

Perfect, you thought to yourself.

“They haven’t taught us kido, shunpo, or hakuda in class yet, but you just used all three.” She stated simply, her eyes like ice. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

>I learnt from my father
>Just picked it up watching other people
>I dunno what you’re talking about
>Write-in?

>>5253828
>Tsukuya. I'm honored one as esteemed as yourself would watch our duel with such interest.

>>5253828
>I learnt from my father
That's the standard, yeah? It won't raise any eyebrows.

>>5253828
>I learnt from my father

>>5253828
>>I learnt from my father
Nothing false here. Or suspicious. No sir.

>>5253828
>I learnt from my father

>>5253828
>Tsukuya. I'm honored one as esteemed as yourself would watch our duel with such interest.
>I dunno what you’re talking about

>>5253830
>>5253835
>>5253841
>>5253842
>>5253845
>>5253851
I learnt from my father with a little dose of ass-kissing wins, writing

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>>5253828
“Nohara-sama, I’m honoured that one as esteemed-“

“Cut the crap.” She stated, glaring at you. “I get enough ass-kissing as it is from the other idiots, and I’m not stupid. I know you don’t mean it. If you did, you would’ve done it yesterday as soon as you saw me. Answer the fucking question.”

You raise your hands up in defence, smirking. “Alright, alright, Tsukuya-chan, you win-“

“Don’t call me that.”

“Whatever you say, Tsukuya-chan. Anyway, to answer your question, my old man taught me. He’s a shinigami, so it only makes sense to give me a few pointers before he ships me off here, right?” She looks at you, eyes narrowed. It’s easy to tell that she’s frustrated, but the exact reason why escapes you for now. She’s harder to read than the rest.

“That’s all? Then why haven’t you shown all this off earlier?”

“Because…”
>Dad said not to
>I can’t do much more than what I just showed off
>I don’t want to (you can make up a reason if you’d like)
>Write-in?

>>5253862
>"Why would I have? I didn't learn all that to show off."
A kernel of truth, innit?
We can follow it up with
>I can’t do much more than what I just showed off
if she doesn't buy it.

>>5253862
>I don’t want to
Why?
Find out next time, on Shinigami Schemer Quest!
>only CLOSE friends get to know

>>5253862
I was hoping to avoid the sort of treatment you're giving me right now, Tsukuya-chan.

>>5253862
>Why would I?

>>5253879
I like this too, actually.
Remove the:
>I can’t do much more than what I just showed off
from my vote and replace it with that. instead.

>>5253862
>I don’t want to
>only CLOSE friends get to know
>“I was hoping to avoid the sort of treatment you're giving me right now, Tsukuya-chan.”
Solid combination.

>>5253879
This is very unconvincing and suspicious, why would you vote to say this?

Gonna need you guys to reach some sort of consensus soon. Right now it seems to be leaning towards the “I don’t want to” option, is that right?

>>5253892
That a feature, not a bug.
She IS being very rude, being a little coy in response is called for.
Besides, we are implying that if she wants to know, she will have to be our friend. Its an indirect request to be friends.

>>5253892
Because the mc likes annoying and getting a rise out of her?

>>5253895
What I see is:
>3 - I don't want to
>2 - Why would I?
>2 - hoping to avoid
So yeah, pretty much.

>>5253862
"Why would I have? I didn't learn all this to show off."

>>5253895
Alright, going to proceed with writing this in five minutes. If anyone wants something different, link to this post and I’ll try and and incorporate, but I’ll be based on this framework.

>>5253896
>>5253899
Our entire approach is to avoid being suspicious as a scheming shinigami. This write in does the opposite.

>>5253904
"Why would I have? I'm not so great to show off what I know."

>>5253911
If she wants to know, then be his friend. I thought I wrote it in a way to show that he was obviously teasing.

>>5253862
“Because I don’t want to, duh!” You exclaimed loudly, looking at her as if she were stupid. Tsukuya took a step back, shocked at that kind of response while you continued. “Why else wouldn’t I? It’s not like I’ve had any reason to show off, either, so what would be the point?”

“I… don’t understand. You chose to not be known as being strong because… you didn’t want to be? Why?” Tsukuya asked, still with a shocked expression on her face.

“Because I don’t want to. That’s all. Only my friends get to know what I can really do, understand? So if you wanna know that bad…” You paused for a second, raising an eyebrow at her with a smirk on your face. She quickly caught your implication, scoffing and crossing her arms, feeling back in her comfort zone as her expression returned to her cold one from earlier.

“You and I, friends? Not in a thousand years.”

“Stranger things have happened, Tsukuya-chan. Besides, for us? A thousand years’ll go by before you know it.”

“Hmph! I thought I told you to not call me that.” She harrumphed, turning away, before glancing back at you from the corner of her eye. “I need a training partner for hakuda. I would prefer it be better company, but… so far, you seem the only one who actually knows how to use it, so I’ll have to make do.” She managed to make that glance into an imperious glare, an impressive feat considering you couldn’t even see most of her expression. “You will comply, yes?”

You…
>Accept
>Reject
>Write-in?

>>5253933
>Accept
Extreme tsundere complex, eh? By the gods, mc is going to milk that for all it's worth. Wonder if he can get the others to join in too.

>>5253933
>Accept

>>5253933
>Accept
>...but only if she will admit to owing us a favor

>Accept
Because it is fun

>>5253933
>>Accept

>>5253933
>Accept

>>5253940
Interesting…
>>5253934
>>5253935
>>5253942
>>5253949
Accept wins, writing.

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>>5253933
“Well, oh esteemed Nohara-sama-“ You began, winking at her as she turned fully to glare at you again. “-what can I possibly say except for yes? I’ll help ya out, Tsukuya-chan. But just remember - I only help my friends out for free. You owe me one. Well, unless you want to be-“

“Fine, I owe you a favour. Meet me at this time tomorrow.” Her part in the conversation done, Tsukuya turned, stalking away quickly. You lazily grinned at her retreating back, before falling backwards to stare up at the sky, shocking Shin and catching Kazeko’s attention, who had been staring at Tsukuya the entire time.

“You alright, man?” Shin asked you.

“Yeah. I’m good.” You responded simply, honest for once. Against all odds, things seemed to be going well. Everything was beginning to fall into place.

You would accomplish your goal. And the pieces you were already acquiring would push you towards it.

BLEACH QUEST: SHINIGAMI SCHEMER #1 END

And that’s a wrap! Archive is up already at https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5252007/, and I’ll be around to answer questions for a good few hours. Twitter is up at @QMKWormmy, where I’ll update you on when I’ll next run, and I’ll have a character sheet and social links complete for next thread. It’s been a blast running, and the response has been amazing - hopefully this lasts for a good long while!

>>5253966
Thank you for running! This is pretty fantastic so far.

>>5253966
Thanks for running. How long have you been thinking of running a quest, or was it spontaneous?

>>5253966
Also, don't make a new thread, keep posting in this one till you're around page 10. This ain't tg, threads last for over a month

>>5253979
I’ve been thinking of it for a while, way back when I read my first quest which happened to be HQR by Azure. Hopefully this doesn’t… turn out like that one. As for this quest specifically, Danketsu as a character has been bouncing around my head for the better part of a year, and I thought Bleach would be an interesting setting to put him in, and so here we are after some prep time.

>>5253980
>This ain't /tg/
Once upon a time, we were.

>>5253980
Well actually, this brings me to a question - would people prefer it if I scheduled out specific times that I’d run and churn out updates, or do you like the current system of just getting an update out in the morning and just taking it as we go through the day? I’m fine with either option, honestly.

>>5254002
Current is better, in my opinion.

>>5254002
I think you should set an schedule - that is to say, post at an consistent rate instead of having a big number of updates and then having none for a big amount of time.

>>5254002
I love the current system, but If you are overwhelmed, make a schedule. And keep in mind what >>5253980 posted. This is one of, if not the slowest board on 4chan. In my opinion, you shouldn't make new treads until at least a thousand replies, maybe more.

>>5253966
thanks so much for running! this was rlly fun

>>5254042
>>5253980
Ok, gotcha. In that case, is there any way to change archive descriptions to reflect that, or would I have to re-archive things once the thread’s about to die?

>>5254079
I'm not that knowledgeable on the technical side of archiving, but someone on /qtg/ is sure to give you an answer.

just stumbled across this quest, good shit. a little annoyed that I was to late to vote.

>>5254079
I'm 90% certain suptg auto-updates archived threads till they fall off the board.

>>5254079
>>5254568Is right, it does auto update. Don't worry aboutdescriptions they are just for show.

Character sheet and social links here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6tdU1qD2gDT7ycfFL6Tx5uBckLIYpSjSTmQaLBBCw0/edit

I won’t be able to run today, as I’m busy for most of it, but I should be able to kick things off again tomorrow, and then on Sunday as well. See you then!

>>5253966
BLEACH QUEST: SHINIGAMI SCHEMER #2

It had been a few days since you had entered the Shin'ō Academy. Things had progressed slowly after the relatively hectic first couple of days, that partially being down to the fact that you didn’t see a need to rock the boat or push as things were. You had gained Shin’s trust, and presumably Kazeko’s as well, and you were training with Tsukuya, meaning it was only a matter of time before you had her wrapped around your finger too.

Not to mention, that little stunt with the nobles and the conversation with Tsukuya afterwards had boosted your standing in the public eye - people thought of you as someone who would stand up for others if you felt like they needed it, and even if they didn’t, the very fact that Nohara-sama saw fit to talk to you meant you must be someone to keep in mind. Everything was in a good position to move forward.

Today, however, was special. After all, it had the potential of making or breaking you as a shinigami - it was vital to your future career and life.

Today, you would be given your asauchi.

“…Your zanpakuto is a part of you, and you should treat it as such…” you heard the instructor drone on in the back of your head, even as you leant forward on your desk, feigning sleep. Beside you, Shin fidgeted, clearly bored, while Kazeko watched with rapt attention on your other side, the three of you sitting near the centre of the hall like where you had sat on the first day.

Three rows down from you, Tsukuya almost jumped as she tried to ignore the little balls of paper you were flicking at the back of her head, her reaction and the intense, hateful glare that you could feel on the back of your head from Tsunayashiro, the boy whose nose you had broken, causing you to smirk.

You…
>Nudge Shin, and try and get him in on annoying Tsukuya
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto
>Whisper something to Tsukuya (write-in?)
>Do something to piss Tsunayashiro off even more (write-in?)
>Sleep until you get your asauchi

Hello everyone, and welcome back! I’ll have this vote run overnight, and update in the morning so we can have a full day of running like on Monday and Tuesday. Hope you’re as excited to get back to things as I am!

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto
Being annoying has it's time, but as someone with a DREAM, we must acquire knowledge that's important

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

>>5255335
>>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

>>5255335
>Ask Kazeko what she knows about zanpakuto

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>>5255335
You lazily flick your eyes to the side, eying up Kazeko, the girl’s stare towards the instructor unbroken. “Oi, Kazeko,” You whisper, crossing your arms in front of your face as you continue to ‘sleep’. “You’re into this sort of stuff?”

“Yes.” She replied instantly, her quiet voice meaning she didn’t even have to whisper to not be heard by anyone else over the instructor. “I’ve handled weapons for as long as I can remember, so…”

“Right.” You mutter, turning your gaze back to the instructor: “So I’m guessin’ you know a lot about zanpakuto and shit, then?”

At that, she shook her head almost imperceptibly. “No. They’re the weapons of justice with which shinigami cast judgement on hollows and strike them down for their crimes, and they’re also the perfect implement for an honourable duel, as what better to defend your honour than a weapon that is part of yourself?”

A light filled her eyes as she said that, even as she kept staring straight ahead. You took a note of that. “I see…”

Shin bumped you then, gesturing over to the front of the class. “Hey man, wake up. It’s sword time!”

You made a show of leaning up straight and stretching out, even throwing a yawn in there. “Alright, alright, I’m up. How’s this shit even work, then?”

The instructor shot you an annoyed glare. “A pleasure for you to join us, Hokkyokusei, and a good question besides. Why don’t you come down here first, and you can see how this shit works yourself, hmm?”

A patter of laughter ran through the class, mostly from Tsunayashiro and his cronies, plus people who didn’t know any better. You shrugged, getting up and lazily wandering down the steps as if you didn’t realise how crucial this truly was to your career.

The instructor waited for you to come, before taking one of the asauchi and holding it out to you, hilt first. “Claim it.” He stated simply but firmly, and the class went silent, all watching you in anticipation.

You…
>Take hold of it with trepidation
>Excitedly grab it
>Coolly claim it with complete calm and confidence
>Refuse (why?)

>>5255913
>Coolly claim it with complete calm and confidence

>>5255913
>Excitedly grab it
As much as i like the cover of being "cool", let's not turn danketsu into "le cool and calm donut steel"

>>5255913
>Refuse (why?)
>“Where is the other one.”
>Dual wielding time!

>>5255913
>Coolly claim it with complete calm and confidence

>>5255913
>Coolly claim it with complete calm and confidence

>>5255917
>>5255922
>>5255923
>>5255925
>>5255930
Confidence wins, writing.

>>5255923
This is also not how zanpakuto work. You’d only be given a second asauchi if you were like Kyoraku in that for whatever reason you had gained a second zanpakuto spirit and were incapable of imprinting on a single asauchi.

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>>5255913
You step up, calmly and firmly grasping the blade’s hilt. The instructor let go in the same instant, allowing you to fully hold and look at your new zanpakuto. It didn’t feel quite right in your hand, the katana seeming short to you as you thought about what Kazeko had said prior to your fight with Shin. You reasoned that that feeling would fade in time, once you got more used to things, and you looked to the instructor, an eyebrow raised.

“That all? That’s it? I was kinda expectin’… I dunno, fireworks or somethin’. I haven’t missed somethin’, have I?” You asked, genuinely a little surprised that nothing more had happened, that you hadn’t felt something fundamentally within you change as soon as you made contact with the sword.

Your instructor shook his head, handing you a sheath. “No, that’s all. Congratulations.” You shrugged, tying the saya to your waist and sheathing your new weapon in it, before wandering back to your seat, as the instructor called the next member of your class down.

Once everyone had been given their asauchi, the instructor continued, saying “Just because you’ve been given a zanpakuto, don’t think you’re anywhere close to being a full-fledged shinigami yet. Your goal now is to imprint your spirit into that asauchi, to turn it from a blank canvas to something that is inexorably yours. You can do this through simply working with your zanpakuto, or through jinzen, sword meditation.”

You nodded at your seat, remembering jinzen as being something your father had talked about as being vitally important.

“It takes most shinigami many years to properly imprint on their zanpakuto, and many years after that to learn its name. Do not feel ashamed if it takes you longer than your peers, or if you never do it at all - many currently serving shinigami have never managed it either.” He paused for a second, looking at all of you, before sighing. “You’re dismissed for the day. I recommend getting to grips with your new weapons, as we’ll begin zanjutsu classes from tomorrow.” With that, the old instructor walked out of the room, and the class exploded into chatter.

“Hey, Danketsu! Let’s spar again now that we’ve got our real weapons!” Shin exclaimed, while Kazeko stood and began to walk away, presumably to the training ground. Tsunayashiro also began walking in that direction, while Tsukuya remained in place, eyes closed.

You…
>Take Shin’s offer
>Follow Kazeko and Tsunayashiro
>Bother Tsukuya
>Decide to leave by yourself and get to grips with your new sword solo
>Decide to leave by yourself and attempt Jinzen

>>5255951
>Follow Kazeko and Tsunayashiro
I have a bad feeling...or nor. might be interest to just watch though

>>5255951
>Decide to leave by yourself and attempt Jinzen
Maybe the old man was right.

>>5255951
>Decide to leave by yourself and attempt Jinzen
gotta make it feel right

>>5255951
>Follow Kazeko and Tsunayashiro

>>5255951
>Decide to leave by yourself and attempt Jinzen
A boy should learn how to handle his sword in private.

>>5255955
>>5255957
>>5255959
>>5255961
>>5255963
Looks like it’s jinzen time.

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>>5255951
“Sorry Shin, but not this time.” You sigh as you stand up, making it seem like you’re actually disappointed. Shin looks at you confused as you continue. “I’m gonna go do that jinzen thing the old man mentioned. I dunno, somethin’ about it seems important.”

You walk out to the steps down to the door, before turning back to him, smirking. “If you wanna fight, go follow Kazeko. I’m sure she’ll wanna spar you - she was goin’ ta the trainin’ ground, after all.” The larger boy nodded at that, standing up himself.

“Yeah, you’re right. Well, if you can do that jinzen whatever, let me know about it, yeah?” He said, before running off after Kazeko and Tsunayashiro. You watched him go. You’d been certain that Tsunayashiro had followed after Kazeko to try and humiliate her like you’d done him, or worse. You were pretty sure she could handle him herself, but… No need to take chances when I haven’t even used her yet.

You step out to an empty training ground, sitting down seiza-style and laying your new zanpakuto across your legs as you did. You recalled what your father had said about jinzen - how it was vital to contacting your zanpakuto to eventually gain your shikai, but how the meditation was different for everyone. His experience couldn’t help you.

“Well, here goes nothin’…” You sigh…

>Roll me 3d10 for jinzen, DC hidden.

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

>>5255976
Is it just me or has Danketsu's speech gotten rougher over the last 2-3 updates?

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

>>5255976
Let's see

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

>>5255976
Awaken, my Master!

>>5255988
20, huh? Okay, writing.
>>5255982
Interesting observation. Who knows whether you’re just overthinking things?

>>5255982
Nah it's been the same the whole time

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>>5255976
You screw your eyes shut for what seems like hours. You slow your breathing, pay less attention to your surroundings, focus only on your mind and your sword… And almost feel like giving up. Nothing’s happening. Until… it clicks.

You open your eyes again, and you’re no longer in the training ground. You’re in… a room? You can’t see much of anything around you other than what you’re sitting on… some kind of animal skin? All of the rest of the room fades out into static more than an arm’s length away from you. Despite that though… you can hear a fire crackling not far away from you, despite not being able to see it.

Could it be that the room exists, but you just can’t see it? Why is that?

You hear a creak, though it sounds… off. Distorted. And then footsteps, those too sounding wrong. A shadowy hand, enshrouded in fog reaches out to you, accompanied by words that you can’t make out or understand.

You don’t trust this.

You don’t trust anything, especially not this, whatever it is. But then you remember the confidence you took your zanpakuto with, and you remember that whatever this is, it’s a part of you. And so you reach out to it, some of the fog flying away to reveal human fingers, reaching out to you. The two of you are about to touch, when…

You awaken.

With a start, you realise it’s pitch black. You had thought you had only been out here for a few minutes, but it looked like it had been hours. You began to get up to head back into the dorm, when you looked down.

Your zanpakuto had shifted, morphed. It was longer now, not quite a nodachi but still bigger than any normal katana. The tsuba had changed too, going from the standard rectangular guard to a more angular one, that reminded you a bit of… a lightning bolt. And the wrappings on the hilt had changed colour into a deep, dark blue, the ends of which fluttered loosely from the end of the hilt.

You checked your waist, realising your sheath had changed size to match, and as you stood, your sword fit in your hand perfectly, like it was the weapon you were meant to wield. You sheathed your blade, smiling, as you headed back to the dorm, finally realising what you had done.

“Late again, Hokkyokusei. You realise that- Well, I never…” Your instructor paused as you walked into class the next morning, purposefully late as you had been getting into the habit of doing. “In all my years, I have never seen a student imprint on their asauchi in a single day.”

“It’s only natural.” You smirked. “It’s a part of me, right?” You felt… something… from your sword as you said that, the feeling making you grin even wider.

“Excuse me for a moment.” The instructor said, leaving the room, as you walked to your seat, everyone in the class having eyes on you.

You…
>Ignore the stares to go to ‘sleep’
>Ask Kazeko and Shin what they did yesterday
>Speak to the class as a whole (write-in?)
>Other? (write-in)

>>5256009
>Ask Kazeko and Shin what they did yesterday

Ask Kazeko and Shin what they did yesterday

>>5256009
>Ask Kazeko and Shin what they did yesterday

>>5256009
>Ask Kazeko and Shin what they did yesterday

>>5256014
>>5256015
>>5256018
>>5256022
Talking to the two wins.

Seems like we're not doing a great job of not standing out so far

A bit of feedback Wormmy: I recommend deciding on a tense (past or present) and stick with it. A common problem with new quests/writers is using them both, usually accidentally, as you're doing it now

>>5255951
>You step up, calmly and firmly grasping the blade’s hilt
>You reasoned that that feeling would fade in time, once you got more used to things, and you looked to the instructor, an eyebrow raised.

>>5255976
>“Sorry Shin, but not this time.” You sigh as you stand up
>let me know about it, yeah?” He said, before running off

>>5256009
>You screw your eyes shut for what seems like hours. You slow your breathing
>“Excuse me for a moment.” The instructor said, leaving the room, as you walked to your seat

Present tense seems to be common in quests while past tense common with books. But mixing them kind of makes things feel a bit off. I made this same mistake in the beginning too, don't worry

Otherwise you're doing good chief!