Chapter 36: Ran'Tao 1/2

AN: Hey everyone, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed!

As always, thanks for your continued support!

Vocabulary Terms:

*Baka (Bakamono) = Fool/Idiot

*Onii-sama = Big Brother

*Obasan = Aunt

*Chappy = Most popular soul candy with a cutesy personality and depicted as a bunny.

*Ryoka = Traveling Evil(s)/ outsiders not associated with the Seireitei

*Senzaikyu = Palace of Penitence/Repentance Palace

*Sekkiseki = Spirit reducing stone, a special mineral with properties that allows it to repel all reiryoku.

*Shakonmaku = Soul-Warding Membrane. A large spherical barrier surrounding the Seireitei that vaporizes any reishi that tries to pass through the barrier.

*Sokyoku = Twinned Punishment. A giant halberd currently sealed on the Sokyoku Hill and used to execute nefarious criminals of the Soul Society.

*Seijotokyorin = Tranquil Forest of Residential Towers. The living quarters of the Central 46 members that is completely forbidden to all except the members of the Central 46.

*Daireishokairo = Great Spirit Book Gallery. A repository of all the knowledge and history of the Soul Society with restricted access to very few. Even many Captains are unaware of its inner workings.

*Negacion (Negation): A pillar of yellow light that Menos use to envelope their comrades to save them. Within the light is a completely isolated space that cannot be interacted with from the outside.

*Auswahlen (Holy Selection): Forcibly steals the power of a Quincy and returns it to the Quincy King.

*Oken (Royal Key): The method in which one can open the path to the Royal Palace where the Soul King resides. The conditions needed to create one is an enriched spiritual zone of at least half a spirit-mile in radius (1 spirit-mile across) and the sacrifice of 100,000 souls.

*Wild Lands: Unexplored and undeveloped lands beyond the perimeter of the 80th districts of Rukongai.

*Tekai Kecchu (World Shifting Binding Posts): A variation of the Senkaimon on a much larger scale where four giant pillars are erected at four different corners replacing the space inside with the space of a different area.

*Garganta (Throat/Black Cavity): Void between worlds that is mainly used by Hollows to travel between the World of the Living, Hueco Mundo, and Soul Society.

Reading the story:

-Scene change: "888"

-Rated M Scene: "XXX"

-Hello, how are you? (Someone in their own thoughts)

-Hello how are you? (Zanpakuto Spirit speaking in a Shinigami's mind)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 36

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of Kishin's footsteps echoed loudly in the familiar giant cave that led down into the Nest of Maggots. The dimly lit lamps on the side of the walls. The earthy smell of a carved out cave. The quiet stillness that permeated the air. The memories of the time when he was the overseer of this place came flooding back to him. Nothing seemed to have changed since then.

"I wonder how everyone is doing?" He said to himself as he finally stood before the familiar giant wooden doors that led inside where the inmates were kept prisoner. Without hesitation he opened the door as a flood of light entered his eyes and walked inside. Once more the sight of a large cavern ceiling, some balconies hoisted on the sides of the walls, stairs that led down to the deepest part of the Nest, and an open area where the prisoners could roam about came into view.

"Heh. I see everything is still the same. Seems the assassins didn't make it this far in. That's good news."

He was interrupted from his own thoughts by the sound of someone's voice to his right. "Oi! Who're you? Have you come to let us out?"

Soon after the first inmate made a comment many others followed suit.

"Hahaha, seems like we're getting a lot of faces today. It was a woman this morning and now another greenhorn!"

"So, you a new prisoner? What are you in for?"

A woman inmate seemingly in her mid twenties licked her lips as she stared with desirous eyes at Kishin. "Mmmm, he's eye candy. Anyone who touches him dies. He's mine."

Another woman seemingly in her late teens shook her head and retorted, "Speak for yourself. It's first come first serve you old hag."

"Huh?! What did you call me?!"

"Hmpf! You heard me! It's been a long time since we got to see any handsome faces around here. He's mine!"

A large burly man pointed at Kishin and snickered, "Look at this! The overseer must be losing his mind because he let this guy inside carrying a Zanpakuto. It seems they aren't following the rules anymore."

Someone else then commented, "If that's the case then I guess we don't need to either right? Maybe it's our chance to get out!"

As it soon became noisy in the room with chattering all around someone finally called out in realization, "Wait? Isn't that...a Captain's Haori?"

"HUH?!" Everyone became silent and took another good look at Kishin. The familiar symbolic white Haori couldn't be mistaken. Everyone furrowed their brow wondering what was going on.

Kishin had already done a quick sweep of the place but he couldn't be sure which one of the inmates was supposed to be the person he was looking for. Noting everyone's silent mumbling he smirked and questioned, "Which one of you is named Ran'Tao?"

…

Complete silence.

No one answered his question as they carefully considered him for a moment. Finally an inmate walked up to him. They were tall. Taller than even Kishin as they stood at a height of 210cm. Their frame was muscular, almost too muscular as his body seemed to disproportionately bulge out in odd places. They had short black hair and a seemingly heavy presence. As they stood in front of Kishin casting their shadow over him they spoke with a deep and menacing tone of voice.

"So what? Who cares if he's a Captain. Just because he has a title doesn't mean shit. How about I take his weapon and his Haori and I become the Captain? Hahaha! Yeah! That sounds nice-UH?!" Before he could continue on his little rant he fell down on his hands and knees. His body shook everywhere as his heart raced and palpated in fear.

The reiatsu and aura emanating from Kishin's body had all of a sudden grew heavy and cold. His power was greater than the might of all of the inmates combined and his thirst to draw blood seemed thicker than even the most heinous of criminals. As he watched the inmate that brazenly walked up to him grovel on the ground in front of him he said with a complacent tone of voice, "I know I don't look the same as I did back then, but don't tell me that you all have forgotten me already?"

Everyone in the room gulped in nervousness as they clearly felt how strong Kishin was. It was then one of the inmates who was in a corner reading a book widened their eyes in realization. A memory resurfaced in their head as they recalled the familiarity of such a deadly reiatsu presence. With a hesitant and nervous voice they ventured to guess, "O-Overseer Chigetsu?"

Kishin whipped his head around and took in the sight of the person who called his name. It was a man of average height with mid-length brown hair. Kishin smirked as he recalled playing chess with this man a few times before during his appointment as overseer. "Your name is Nishima correct?"

Nishima widened his eyes in shock at the fact that Kishin remembered him. "Uh, I, uh y-yes. Yes I am. But are you truly overseer Chigetsu? You're…"

"All grown up?" Kishin amusedly interjected.

Everyone in the room immediately felt fear in their hearts as they now realized that Kishin was their previous overseer. The one before Yushiro. They recalled the days back from that time and remembered how tyrannically peaceful things were then. Well, aside from the occasional times when an inmate would lose their patience and attack Kishin, things were relatively nice. Kishin would sometimes bring them candy and share games and whatnot with them. That however, didn't mean they forgot what happened when he was annoyed or ticked off. He once beat an inmate so terribly that they were on the verge of death because they tried to escape. Kishin made an example out of him for the others to warn them not to try and do the same thing. They then watched as Kishin took his time healing that inmate before torturously beating them up again. He repeated the process several times before he let that inmate go. Ever since then no one ever tried to escape again under his watch hence the way they described those times as tyrannically peaceful. It was a mystery to them how they were the ones imprisoned while someone as violent and powerful as Kishin wasn't.

Once more Kishin asked, "Which one of you is named Ran'Tao. The faster we get this over with the better."

Everyone gulped down in nervousness and as if robotically programmed, they all pointed down the stairs that led to the deepest part of the Nest of Maggots. Kishin raised his eyebrow in curiosity and stared at the dark hallway that led to the isolated chambers in the Nest.

She's in there? That place is only meant to house the most troublesome and more powerful inmates. I thought Yushiro said that he gave her appropriate accommodations? Well, whatever. If she's there then she's there.

Without sparing another glance at the inmates in the room he walked off and waved his hand in the air. "It was good to see you all again."

Everyone felt a bead of nervous sweat and had the same exact thought.

Scary bastard…

As Kishin walked down the long dark hallway at the back of the Nest of Maggots he noted that the temperature was much cooler back here. There were caged prison cells lining the walls of the elongated room with a dim blue light spaced every several meters apart.

There weren't any prisoners back here back when I was the overseer.

Soon after he came upon the view of a woman seated inside one of the prison cells on a bed. She wore the all white garments that signified her being a prisoner of the Nest. She had a slender youthful appearance of average height with long brown hair tied up with a hairpin. She also had brown eyes and wore yellow colored glasses. She was currently sitting on her bed with a blanket wrapped around her reading a book.

From what Kishin could tell she seemed comfortable enough.

Maybe she asked Yushiro to be put in here? It's possible that she didn't want to mingle or be bothered with the other inmates.

The moment he stopped just outside her cell she turned up from her book and glanced at him. The expression in her eyes showed her startlement as she took note that he was a Captain of the Gotei 13. Kishin took a moment to gather his thoughts before asking, "You're Ran'Tao?"

Ran'Tao was a bit hesitant to answer at first, however she finally replied, "Yes. I am Ran'Tao. And you are a Captain of the Gotei 13?"

Kishin smirked. "That's right."

Ran'Tao fixed the glasses on her face and took a moment to take in Kishin's appearance before nodding her head. "I see. I'm aware of who the Captains of the Gotei 13 are but you I don't recognize. You must have been newly appointed. Given the fact with what happened recently it makes sense as well. Might I ask why a Captain of the Gotei 13 has come to see me?"

Kishin didn't directly answer as he replied with his own question. "Did you know that there were assassins outside sent to kill you?"

Ran'Tao's eyes wavered in shock before she showed a look of understanding.

Kishin tilted his head in curiosity. "It seems you didn't know that assassins were sent to kill you, but it also seems that you aren't surprised by this fact. I take it that you know the reason why they're after your life? Perhaps you even know who hired them to kill you?"

Ran'Tao sighed and shook her head. "I'm afraid I must disappoint you. I don't know who hired them. I find it strange that a Captain of the Gotei 13 would be interested in my matters anyways. Why are you truly here? And what should I address you by?"

Kishin nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "My name is Chigetsu Kishin."

"Oh? I see. Then it is Captain Chigetsu. And your reason for paying me a visit?"

Without beating around the bush anymore he answered straightforwardly, "The Bounts."

Ran'Tao's heart skipped a beat, but she had somewhat expected that to be the answer as well. "I see. The Bounts. What has become of them?"

Kishin shook his head unsure himself. "I hear that they've invaded Soul Society. Apparently they're hiding somewhere in Rukongai. The Gotei 13 has been mobilized to search for them and to kill them on sight. I was hoping you can give me some insight into the matter. And of course, my curiosity was piqued. Someone hired assassins skilled enough to infiltrate the Onmitsukido grounds just to kill you. Well, I only speculated that they were sent to kill you, but judging from your earlier reaction it seems my guess was correct. I figured there seemed to be more to the Bounts than meets the eye. I was wondering if you could shed some light on this for me."

Ran'Tao slightly furrowed her brow. "Since the Gotei 13 are currently hunting the Bounts then shouldn't you also be out there searching instead of spending time speaking to me?"

Kishin waved his hand dismissing her comment. "If the Gotei 13 couldn't handle something like this without me, a newly appointed Captain, then there really isn't any hope for the Soul Society in defeating Aizen. Something tells me that the knowledge you possess on this matter is valuable. Someone wanted to silence you the moment your whereabouts turned up. In fact, you were exiled. How did you return to the Soul Society?"

Ran'Tao sighed and closed the book in her hands. "I'm currently a prisoner. As you said, someone wants me dead. What would I gain from telling you what I know."

"Oh? Then you want to make a deal?"

Ran'Tao took a moment to study Kishin's expression trying to glean what kind of person he was, however the more she stared at him the more hesitant she was in speaking.

Kishin took note and leaned against the side of the prison bars. "No need to be so cautious. I assure you that your thinking is correct. I'm very dangerous and if I wanted to I could just torture you until I get the information I want, but seeing as I'm not annoyed by you then go ahead and state what you want."

Ran'Tao was internally stunned at Kishin's straightforwardness and admittance of his violent tactic, but at the same time his honesty in that regard made her feel a bit more at ease. She now had a sort of understanding as to what kind of character Kishin was. He was essentially someone that she decided best not to be on the bad side of.

"Ahem." She cleared her throat before saying, "Then...I would like to be released from the Nest of Maggots. That is my condition for telling you what I know."

Kishin raised his eyebrow at her. "You want to be released? Even knowing that someone wants you dead?"

Ran'Tao bit her lip. "Y-Yes...I must stop the Bounts. No. I must stop Jin Kariya."

"Oh? So you are aware of who the leader of the Bounts is. Care to share more?"

"If I do then will you release me?"

"Sure. I could. But you'll only be captured again. Is that what you want?"

Ran'Tao inwardly flinched at the realization that the condition she put forth was half-hearted and flawed. What she didn't understand was why Kishin even told her that since she felt that he was more cunning than that. He could have simply agreed and have her tell him everything before releasing her and having her recaptured by Yushiro, the Commander of the Punishment Force. Kishin took note of her confusion and reached into his Haori's chest pocket pulling out a reigar and lighting it a smoke.

"Tell me what you know about the Bounts and why someone wants you dead. Afterwards I'll make you a deal myself. Depending on how valuable I find your information will decide on what kind of offer I give you. How does that sound?"

"How can I trust your word that you won't just leave me in here afterwards?"

Kishin shrugged. "You don't. But I could have just agreed to your first terms and have you tell me what I want to know before having you recaptured."

Ran'Tao sighed in defeat. "I see. Were you trying to gain my trust with that by telling me the flaw in my condition?"

Kishin shook his head. "You're thinking too much into it. If you won't tell me then I really will just leave you here to rot. What other option do you have? Even if you don't tell me, the result will be that I leave and kill the Bount insurgents and that'll be the end of that matter."

Ran'Tao struggled internally thinking of what to do. In the end she leaned back against the wall of her prison cell and closed her eyes, sighing in defeat. "Very well. It appears you win. I'll tell you what I know and trust that you'll offer me a deal based on the value of information I hold."

Kishin grinned in triumph and took another whiff of his reigar before nodding in appreciation. "Great. So then, tell me about the Bounts and what your connection is with this attempted assassination."

"Haaah...very well. The Bounts...well. To know about the Bounts I suppose I should first tell you how this situation came about. This is a story that goes a long way back."

"Oh? How long?"

"Heh. Centuries. Tell me Captain Chigetsu, what do you know about the establishment of the Gotei 13 approximately 1000 years ago?"

Kishin furrowed his brow slightly intrigued. "I'll admit, even as a new Captain of the Gotei 13 I don't know much of the history of that time."

Ran'Tao nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, no matter. Then allow me to help broaden your horizons. When the Gotei 13 was first established 1000 years ago there had yet to be a proper system in which how divisions work and what each division's role was. In fact not even Rukongai was fully established at that time. The Seireitei had only recently been finished being built and only districts 1-40 of the four Rukon sectors had been created. Unlike today in which there are 80 total districts in the four cardinal provinces."

Kishin lit another reigar as the one he had been smoking dissipated into reishi particles. "Alright. You've painted a bleak image of what Soul Society looked like in my mind. Is this relevant?"

Ran'Tao huffed and shook her head. "Don't be so impatient. How can a story be interesting without the added details?" She noted the indifferent look in Kishin's eyes and sighed in defeat. "Haaah...alright never mind. Where was I?"

"The Gotei 13 being established 1000 years ago."

"Oh right. Perhaps you already know this but the Captain Commander is still the very first Captain Commander of 1000 years ago. No one has yet to replace him at its head ever since the founding of its members. And other than Captain Unohana, the rest of the Captains of the Gotei 13 are members that had succeeded the previous generation members."

Kishin furrowed his brow deep in thought at Ran'Tao's words. "So you're saying that Captain Unohana was a founding member of the Gotei 13? I figured she was wise and experienced, but to think she's been the head of the 4th division for such a long time."

Ran'Tao raised her eyebrow questioningly at Kishin. "Do you not know, Captain Chigetsu?"

"Hm? Know what?"

Ran'Tao took a moment to study his expression before a look of realization flashed in her eyes. "I see. It seems you truly didn't know. Well, I suppose that isn't too unexpected. With the passage of time not many know the details anymore."

"Care to share exactly what it is that I seem to be unaware of?"

"Haaah. Very well. You falsely assume that Captain Unohana was the very first Captain of the 4th division. That is wrong."

"Eh? Wrong you say? How so?"

"It's wrong because the very first Captain of the 4th division was Nakayama Hama."

Kishin was about to take another whiff of his reigar but stopped midway after hearing that Unohana wasn't the first Captain of the 4th division. A look of confusion flashed in his eyes causing Ran'Tao to smirk and shake her head. "I see that you are confused, Captain Chigetsu."

"Your words seem contradictory doesn't it? You stated that Captain Unohana was a founding member, yet you say that she wasn't the first Captain of the 4th division? Unless...you are suggesting that she was once the Captain of another division?"

Ran'Tao smiled and nodded. "You understand quickly, Captain Chigetsu. Correct. Captain Unohana was not the first Captain of the 4th division. That title belongs to Captain Nakayama. As for Captain Unohana, she was known as the very first ever Kenpachi."

A wave of shock flooded Kishin's body as he slightly furrowed his brow deep in thought. Ran'Tao noted the look of confusion in his eyes and once more knew what he was thinking. "I see that you are confused once more."

Kishin gave her a questioning look as he commented, "If what you say is true and Captain Unohana held the title as the very first ever Kenpachi then how is it that she is alive? To have that title taken from her would mean that she was defeated in combat, and as a member of the 11th division that would mean her death would it not?"

Ran'Tao nodded in agreement. "That is indeed how the 11th division works. In fact it was Captain Unohana herself who had established that rule in the first place. To be honest I am not sure what happened for her to relinquish her title as the 11th division Captain and the name Kenpachi. What I do know is what I just told you and that she was not the first 4th division Captain. She was most likely instead the 2nd. I can't be sure as I had been exiled before then."

Kishin took a moment to let the information sink in. "Alright. Continue. You brought this up for a reason correct?"

"Yes. I did. I brought it up not to talk about Captain Unohana, but rather to talk about Captain Nakayama. The truth is I served under her division during her later years as Captain. Now we got off topic by discussing Captain Unohana so let me pull back the reins a bit. After the establishment of the Gotei 13 approximately 1000 years ago about 230 years later there was a Great War that occurred."

"A Great War? Of what kind?"

Ran'Tao fixed her glasses and said, "The Great Hollow War."

"The Great Hollow War? And what kind of war was it?"

"A devastating one. When the Gotei 13 was first established 1000 years ago they had fought a fearsome foe. That foe was apparently the leader of the Quincys."

Kishin's ears perked up after hearing that as he recalled his discussion with Kukaku about Auswahlen and of Masaki's death.

"What do you know about the leader of the Quincys?" He ventured to ask, however Ran'Tao just shook her head. "I am not privy to that knowledge. I only know that an event in which the founding members of the Gotei 13 fought against the Quincys in a war had happened. I also know that Captain Nakayama, the very first 4th division Captain, had survived that war. The Gotei 13 was left in a mess after that. Then 230 years later, The Great Hollow War happened. A mass invasion by the command of several Vasto Lordes over an army of Menos fought a grueling and bloody war against the Shinigami. And at their head stood the Great Hollow Lord."

"And this War. It took place in the Soul Society?"

"Correct. Though the war took place not in what you know of as Rukongai, but beyond that past the 80th district in the Wild Lands in a place now known as the Canyon of Rift and Sorrow. It is quite far from the Seireitei. Well, I've never been there myself so I wouldn't be able to tell you about it. These are all things I've heard about from my late Captain, Nakayama. Anyways, that war was quite a struggle for the Gotei 13 at the time. Many of its powerful original members had died during the war with the Quincys and therefore they struggled against the Hollow invasion. It was the 8th division Captain, Kasumioji Kanata, another founding member of the Gotei 13 who also survived the Quincy War that had come up with an idea to help strengthen the members of the Gotei 13 divisions. You see, distribution of Zanpakutos back then are not what they are today. Back then it was somewhat harder to obtain an Asauchi."

"What do you mean? To my knowledge the Shinigami Academy was established even before the Gotei 13 approximately 2100 years ago by the Captain Commander. Surely they handed out Asauchi's back then."

"Yes. That's true, however there was a limit to the number of Asauchi's presented to the Academy. There wasn't a set system in how Asauchi's were passed down to members of the Academy. Nowadays if you enter the Academy you would be presented with an Asauchi on the spot, however back then only when you graduated from the Academy and entered the Gotei 13 as a member of a division were you presented an Asauchi. This greatly limited the learning capabilities of the division members in the Gotei 13 as they weren't given time to learn how to commune with their Zanpakutos in the Academy before entering the military."

A look of understanding flashed in Kishin's eyes. "I see. So you're saying that they had to learn from scratch after entering a division on how to communicate with their Zanpakuto and imprinting their spirit into the Asauchi."

Ran'Tao nodded. "Correct. I believe the reason why this system was put in place was because there had yet to be the establishment of the Punishment Force. There was the concept of an Onmitsukido, but not the Punishment Force within that branch of power."

Again Kishin nodded his head in understanding. "So the reason for not giving out an Asauchi to Academy students was to prevent someone from obtaining the ability to awaken their own Zanpakuto and then going rogue using that power against the Gotei 13. Without a Punishment Force to apprehend these potentially dangerous individuals the Gotei 13 instead decided to limit the number of potential threats by only giving out an Asauchi after someone swore to defend and serve under its military."

"That's right. And as you know, once you enter the Gotei 13 as a member it's extremely difficult to leave it. There are a few rare exceptions, however normally one would never be able to voluntarily withdraw from the Gotei 13 without good reason or incentive."

Kishin waved his hand motioning for Ran'Tao to continue so she did. "Now the reason why I brought this up. As you know it takes people of rare talent to awaken their powers within a Zanpakuto and even greater talent taking even a longer time to truly master its power. During The Great Hollow War the Gotei 13 were lacking in sufficient members with talent and power. That is why Captain Kasumioji put forth his time and effort to create a weapon that would help aid and strengthen the members of the Gotei 13 to fight in The Great Hollow War."

Kishin nodded and commented, "And his partner was your late Captain, Nakayama Hama."

"That's right. He and Captain Nakayama worked together on the project. The end results however...did not produce the effect that they wanted. They couldn't prevent the side effect of the weapons they created from draining the life force of the user and therefore the project was shelved. In the end The Great Hollow War entered its final stages. Without the special weapons that Captain Kasumioji and Captain Nakayama had designed to help aid in the War, the results ended with many Shinigami losing their lives including Captain Kasumioji himself. Once the War ended Captain Nakayama was left in a less than ideal state. Her experimentation with Captain Kasumioji had caused her to lose much of her life force in their joint project. With Captain Kasumioji dead she was left alone to solve the problem of regaining her lost life force. Fast forward in time to 270 years after The Great Hollow War, or 600 years prior from present day, that was when I joined under Captain Nakayama and the 4th division."

Kishin cocked his head to the side and doubtfully commented, "Even with Captain Nakayama's life force drained she survived for another 270 years? She must have been quite powerful or her life force must not have been drained all that much."

Ran'Tao glared at Kishin and angrily interjected, "Don't underestimate or mock Captain Nakayama. She survived both the Quincy War and The Great Hollow War! She was indeed extremely powerful! She was so powerful in fact that if she didn't have her life force drained from her experimentation with Captain Kasumioji in trying to create a new weapon, she would undoubtedly be alive to this very day just as the Captain Commander and Captain Unohana are."

Kishin put up his hand defensively and playfully remarked, "Alright alright, no need to get so defensive. So? Continue."

Ran'Tao sighed and reigned in her dissatisfaction before clearing her throat and picked up where she left off. "Ahem. Now back then there wasn't a concept of the Research and Development Department so the 4th division was doing its own thing performing research under Captain Nakayama. At this point and time she had become extremely old and weary. Anyone who saw her could tell that she didn't have much time left. She established a research group to help aid her in finding a way to regain her lost life force. I was part of that team." Ran'Tao's expression soon became saddened as she continued, "Unfortunately ten years after my joining under Captain Nakayama, she passed away. We were unable to help prolong her life nor were we able to help her regain her lost life force. This remains one of my greatest regrets in life. Even after she passed away I dedicated myself to continue on with the research wishing to honor this quest that my Captain had started."

Kishin closed his eyes piecing together what possibly happened afterwards and commented, "That was when you all stumbled upon the creation of the Bounts isn't it…"

Ran'Tao remained silent for a moment before nodding her head. "That's right. The position of the 4th division Captain remained vacant for quite a long time as there was no one suitable to take up the position or at least, whilst I was still a member of the 4th division there wasn't anyone newly appointed. Captain Unohana had still yet to relinquish her title as the first Kenpachi. That happened sometime after I left the division. Anyways, approximately 20 years after Captain Nakayama passed away we the research team established under her still couldn't find a way to retrieve one's loss of life force, however we did propose an idea that may allow one to achieve eternality. We created artificial souls by using our own souls as well as souls of other volunteer Shinigami to test our hypothesis and experiments."

Kishin narrowed his eyes and asked, "Were these artificial souls the Bounts?"

Ran'Tao smirked mockingly at herself and shook her head. "No...The creation of the Bounts was an accident. You see, during the experiment of creating these artificial souls something had gone very wrong in the process and a massive explosion occurred killing nearly everyone in the process. Only myself and a handful of others from the research team survived. As for the artificial souls that we created? They became fragmented and lost and ended up combining with Human souls in the World of the Living. That was how the Bounts came into being. They developed the ability to prolong and extend their own life force by consuming the life force of other living beings. A side effect and ability that came about from our research performed before the souls had fragmented."

Kishin frowned as he noticed the doubtful look in Ran'Tao's eyes when she told him about the explosion. "You seem to have misgivings about the accident that happened during your experimentation."

Ran'Tao clenched her hands into fists before nodding her head. "Everything was perfect. The conditions in which we were performing the experiments were right. There was no way that an explosion on the magnitude that it occurred happened accidentally."

"Oh? Then you are suggesting that someone wanted to stop you from continuing your research?"

"That's right."

Kishin narrowed his eyes and ventured to guess, "Then this has something to do with the assassination attempt on your life?"

Ran'Tao remained silent for a moment before nodding her head. "I was suspicious at first, but I confirmed my suspicion when I found out that the other members who had survived the explosion with me were all hunted down and killed not long after. I knew my life was in danger but I was powerless to do anything about it. I don't even know who is trying to take my life or for what reason. I do have a speculation on why my persecutor in the shadows wants me dead, but I can't confirm it."

Kishin was lost in thought for a good long minute before positing his own theory. "Let me guess...considering the fact that all your surviving fellow research members were hunted down and killed means that your persecutor wishes to kill you for your knowledge."

Ran'Tao simply nodded. "That is also my guess, Captain Chigetsu. You see...all of the information regarding the research on longevity and prolonging one's life force had been completely wiped clean and destroyed. Now I'm the only one left who has knowledge of what happened and of our project. Whoever is making an attempt on my life must have stolen the data and wants to silence me so that I won't cause any waves."

"I see. That makes sense. Eliminating any possible wildcards that could prove problematic down the line. Your enemy seems to be ruthless and quite cautious."

"That...would seem to be the case."

Kishin then gave her a questioning glance. "Then how did you end up here?"

Ran'Tao sighed and looked up at the dark metal roof of her prison cell. "It's a long story and I'm sure you prefer the shortened version."

Kishin nodded in appreciation. "If the details aren't important then the shorter the better."

"Heh. Are the details of my journey here that unappealing to you?"

Kishin simply shrugged his shoulders as he thought about how much time he already spent here and then of where Rukia might be.

I listened to her story long enough. It was indeed informative and interesting, but I miss senpai…

Ran'Tao raised her eyebrow questioningly at Kishin's silence, but she decided to simply get on with her tale. "Alright. The short version is that Bounts are Humans. Even if they were created by fragments of souls made from Shinigami by the explosion created from our experiment it remains a fact that their bodies are not created of pure reishi. They needed to convert their bodies into reishi before entering Soul Society. They were obviously successful since they arrived in Soul Society yesterday. I got word of this and attempted to meet with Jin Kariya, the leader. Forgive me for not revealing to you where I was hiding all this time. Anyways, instead of Kariya I found Kurosaki Ichigo, his Quincy friend Ishida Uryu, and a few others along with them. They informed me of how Kariya kidnapped Ichigo's sister named Karin forcing Uryu to bend to Kariya's will to use his Quincy powers to help the Bounts open a gate that would convert their bodies into Reishi so that they could enter the Soul Society. After meeting with them we split up to search for the Bounts. That's when I was discovered by the Onmitsukido and was arrested by Shihoin Yushiro and brought here."

Kishin rubbed the bottom of his chin deep in thought before asking, "And what exactly does Kariya plan to do now that he's made it into the Soul Society?"

Ran'Tao had a downcast look as she replied, "He's looking for something called the Jokaisho. Back when I was performing research we used a device by this name. It helps to greatly manipulate the generation of reishi to better stabilize our experiments. There were several of them planted around the Seireitei and each one contains massive amounts of energy within. After the accident that caused the explosion to occur in our lab, Central 46 had the Kido Corp seal them off. Kariya wants to obtain one and use its power to resonate with the others scattered throughout the Seireitei to destroy everyone in the Soul Society. It is his plan for revenge. You see, back when the Bounts were discovered by the Soul Society, Central 46 commanded to kill them off. Kariya is a survivor of that time and holds a deep seated grudge. And I was also sentenced to be exiled at that time."

Kishin nodded and simply turned around to leave. Ran'Tao widened her eyes at his actions and stood up herself clinging onto the bars of her prison cell. "Wait! Where are you going? Didn't you say that you would propose a deal based on the value of the information I gave you? Don't tell me you find what I told you worth that little?!"

Kishin paused in his step and waved his hand in the air. "Don't worry. I stand by my word. I'll make you a deal, but I'm going off to deal with the Bounts first. It'll be bad if Kariya actually manages to get his hands on this so-called Jokaisho. I'll return here after the matter is over with. Besides, the safest place for you right now is here. Don't forget that you still have a target painted on your back. With no one granting you shelter I reckon more assassins will be sent after your life."

Ran'Tao gritted her teeth as she mulled over what Kishin said. "There's no guarantee that I'll be safe here either. You said that the assassins were able to get past the Onmitsukido guards."

Kishin shrugged his shoulders and started walking off again. "I told Yushiro to fortify security around this place. And just for extra measure I'll have him personally watch over your well-being. How does that sound?"

Ran'Tao wanted to argue back, however she didn't have much reason to refuse either. "What about the Bounts? I can help."

Kishin lightly chuckled and shook his head. "I think I'll be fine. You've been helpful enough and interesting as well so you don't have to worry about me not returning. Until then. Ran'Tao." He said amusedly towards the end as he took his leave.