12 Chapter 12: Clearing the Smoke (Edited)

(Earlier with the Others)

"How did he already get this strong?" Shinji says with shock.

"He's probably been hiding it for a while now. It's not often you see a child with their Shikai within six months of entering the academy." Urahara says from behind.

"Oh? So those three blades are part of his Shikai? I thought he was carrying them to look cool." Shunsui says looking on with a small smile.

Ukitake shakes his head at his friend. "He's already at the captain level after six years in the academy… Do you know if he's achieved bankai yet?" He asks Suzunami.

Suzunami turns to Matsuri who is watching the fight with her full attention. "If he has, he hasn't shown it to me." Shaking his head turning back to the fight.

"He'd be fit for a lieutenant position after a few more years of experience. Captain if he achieves his bankai during that time frame." The older captain, Ginrei Kuchiki adds. He looks over to Ukitake. "Ukitake you've been looking for a lieutenant, haven't you?"

Ukitake returning a nod. "I have, but I have my eyes on another right now. I know he'll be able to handle the duties. As for Takashi… This is only his second patrol in the 5th division, right? His first he had to deal with hollows and the second a Rukon district native with a reiatsu pool far surpassing a captain…" He shakes his head.

"He seems to attract trouble to himself, doesn't he?" Unohana says with a small laugh. "His opponent has swordsmanship that likely surpasses the former Kenpachi." She continues.

"Kudo is fast enough to react to all of the attacks as well. His swordsmanship equal to his opponent's." Yoruichi adds.

"What a talented child. He would do well in the sixth." Genrei says straight-faced.

"He would be an excellent addition to the second." Yoruichi says to add to the flame.

"I could hand off all the fighting to him and all the paperwork to Lisa… It's a shame he's not a pretty woman." Shunsui mumbles to himself.

"Hm? Everyone get out the way! These idiots are trying to destroy the district!" Shunsui reacts loudly. As the reiatsu of the two start to grow far beyond the reach of those present.

--

(Minutes later)

The two figures standing in the clearing bleeding from their wounds. The taller one slumping over and falling from the exchange.

"Looks like your kid won, Seigen." Shunsui says dusting off his clothes.

"Wait a second… Who is that?" Shinji says from the back looking towards the new figure on the field. A blond-haired woman wearing a laurel crown. Western armor covering her as she approaches the blond Shinigami.

Takashi doesn't seem to react negatively to her presence. "So, it's someone the kid knows?" Shunsui looking over the two of them. The girl pulls his arm into a hug as dark purple reiatsu covers him. Healing all of his wounds on his body.

"Oh my…" Unohana says from the back. "She seems to be my equal or superior in healing."

Takashi points to the ragged beat up man asking the girl a question, before she shakes her head and disappears. Not before a faint purple light shows on the blue sheathed nodachi.

"Wait was that…?" The captains shocked at the revelation. "He has enough reiatsu to manifest his Zanpakuto already?" Urahara whispers to himself.

"Seigen have you taught him about bankai yet?" Ginrei says looking over to Seigen.

"I haven't gone in-depth with him. I believe the only knowledge he has of it is from the academy. He probably doesn't even know what he just did." Seigen sighs.

"Looks like we'll have another captain candidate soon." Ukitake says with a small smile.

--

"Hahhhhh…" I let out a sigh looking at Zaraki falling. Catching him I put him on his back and inspect his wounds. 'Can't let the 11th division captain die early. I'll be stressed if I had to deal all the fights he had to. I'll be damned before I have to do any extra work.'

Looking over him I turn to my left with shock as I see Athena standing there. She walks up beside me and looks down at Zaraki.

"You really did a number on this guy, huh?" She says before waving her hand at me. A sudden burst of energy enters me as all the wounds on my body heal in an instant. "Thank you." Giving her a smile. "Do you mind helping him out as well?"

"I'm not touching him. He's dirty." She says grabbing my arm in a hug. "You can do it as well." She whispers before disappearing. Nodding at her words I turn to Zaraki and put a hand on his forehead. "Well let's give this a try."

My hand starts to glow a dark purple as Zaraki's body begins to fully heal from the wounds I caused. 'He better be good at distracting those bastards in the future for me.'

Letting a sigh after healing him I turn towards the captains.

They start to approach me as another figure rushes and tackles me into a hug. "Takashi are you okay!?" Matsuri says from my chest.

Ruffling her hair, I give her a reassuring smile. "It's not that easy to get rid of me. He didn't want to kill me anyway or else this fight wouldn't have ended this early."

The six captain's approach me as I stand at the ready for the questions.

Captain Suzunami being the first to speak. "Takashi what were you two fighting over?" His eyebrow raised and carrying a tense face.

"It was a friendly sparring match." I say with a small smile.

I hear a small giggle from one of them.

"Refrain from accepting random challenges again." Suzunami says with a sigh as he reaches his hand up to fix his hair. "Since you're all right I'll head back first. Continue your patrol." Suzunami says with a sigh. Yoruichi looks at me with a faint glint as she looks at me with a smile. "I wonder how fast you are…" She whispers and follows after Suzunami. As do the rest of the captains.

--

(With the Captains)

"Seigen it looks like you've got a good successor lined up." Ginrei says with amusement in his eyes. "He isn't rash like some of the youngsters…"

"Whether leaving that man alive was a good idea will be seen at a later date." He continues.

--

(11th Squad Station)

The man watching the entertainment from his squad station holds a small smile on his face. "He'll be interesting…" Moving a loose strand from his forehead he gets up. Walking towards the door he begins his plan.

--

(??? POV)

'Hmm… Seems the fight is over. Both are still alive…' The shadowy figure thinks to himself. 'I need to start including them soon…'

--

We finished the patrol and returned to the station.

"Takashi why is your zanpakuto always in its unsealed form?" Kaien asks with interest.

"I don't have enough control to seal it back up right now." I say with a slight smile.

'I'm not going to tell you that Athena's going to start ignoring me if I seal her up again.'

"Hm…" He says taking my word for it.

"Matsuri have you unlocked your shikai?" He turns to her.

She turns a bit dejected at that and looks down as we walk. "No, not yet."

"Don't worry Matsuri. You'll get it soon. I just need to find Urahara." I say with a smile ruffling her hair. "We just need to go through some more training."

She nods her head and continues.

--

(An Hour Later)

"Ugh. My head." Zaraki says getting up from his prone position. His first instinct grabbing his weapon and his second checking himself for injuries. "Hm?" Looking down he sees most of the wounds from the previous fight gone, except for a long gash across his abdomen. "Hehehehehe… He was a Shinigami, right? So was that old lady… I wonder if there are other interesting people there…" Zaraki stands up and looks towards Seireitei. His steps heading in the direction of the walled city.

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