[Soul Society Arc] Part 78: Revelation of Resolve

Tatsuki and Chad found themselves in a seemingly abandoned storage area within Seireitei, which they had stumbled upon during their journey. The place, despite being cluttered with stacks of crates, offered a surprising amount of room to move around. The two teenagers settled down, each finding a sturdy crate to sit on, creating a distance between them.

Tatsuki: "It looks like the number of shinigami on our tail is thinning out..."

Chad: "I think it might have something to do with the combat division members we took down..."

Tatsuki: "By sensing their reiatsu, I can tell the others are all doing okay too." - She shared her thoughts with a cheerful smile. - "Ichigo must have had quite the skirmish earlier, but he's managing."

Chad: "You can sense their reiatsu from this distance...?" - He inquired, genuinely curious about her ability.

Tatsuki: "Well..." - She began thoughtfully. - "I've always been pretty good at picking up on Orihime's and Ichigo's reiatsu. If I concentrate a little more, I can sense the others' too... although Yato's might be a bit elusive." - she commented with a raised eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her own capabilities.

Chad: "Hm...?"

Tatsuki noticed her friend's inquisitive look, prompting her to continue her explanation.

Tatsuki: "Ever since I gained these powers, I've always had a bit of difficulty sensing Yato's reiatsu." - She thoughtfully scratched her cheek. - "I'm not entirely sure if he's intentionally hiding it or if it's a unique facet of his powers, but either way, tracking him down would require me to block out all other sensory distractions and focus solely on him."

Tatsuki: "So, Sado, what are your thoughts on all of this?"

Chad: "Hm?"

Tatsuki: "You know, gaining powers, dealing with the supernatural, saving spirits... it's not a bit strange to you?" - She pondered while gazing up at the ceiling.

Chad: "Well... it's definitely unusual, but... Ichigo's probably had to confront this sort of stuff before... all by himself. So, if I can assist him in any way, I don't mind..." - His response held a deep sincerity, and his expression revealed unwavering dedication.

Tatsuki: "I get it..." - She spoke thoughtfully, her brows slightly furrowed in contemplation.

Chad: "I imagine you're doing the same thing for Inoue..." - He offered his perspective with a nod.

Tatsuki: "Heh... It's true that I came here to protect Orihime and try to prevent Ichigo from doing something foolish, but it's not just that..." - She hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting as she delved into her thoughts. - "Do you remember... what Urahara told us when he rescued us from the Hollows...?"

Chad chose to remain silent, his dark eyes attentively fixed on Tatsuki, giving her the space to share her thoughts.

Tatsuki: "He said that you and Orihime awakened your powers because of Ichigo... but in my case, the biggest influence was Yato." - Her voice carried a strange calmness, a departure from her typically fiery personality. She continued, her eyes revealing a mix of vulnerability and determination. - "Every day... I couldn't help but think that maybe, if I hadn't met him, I would be the only one left behind..." - She clenched her fists, her expression reflecting her internal struggle. - "Little by little, Ichigo and Orihime would grow stronger... dealing with more of these problems while I'd be on the sidelines... powerless to do anything..." - There was a vulnerability in her confession, a profound sense of longing and a desire to stand on equal footing with her friends.

Chad maintained his contemplative gaze on the ceiling, silently absorbing Tatsuki's words. Her voice held a hint of vulnerability as she expressed her feelings.

Tatsuki: "I don't know Yato well... he rarely talks about himself... I don't know if what he did to me was intentional or not, but that doesn't matter to me." - Her tone was resolute, and she looked directly at Chad, her eyes reflecting the complexity of her emotions. - "I'm grateful to him..."

Tatsuki's sincerity was evident in her words and the earnest expression on her face as she conveyed the depth of her gratitude.

Suddenly the tomboy looked over at Chad with an animated expression, apparently wanting to change the subject.

Tatsuki: "Sado, I noticed how you fight, and I realized that... you don't use any specific combat style, do you?" - She asked curiously.

Chad nodded in agreement and Tatsuki seemed intrigued and leaned forward.

Tatsuki: "So, it's all about brute force, huh?"

Chad: "Hm...Something like that... I believe in keeping it simple. If I can protect my friends with my strength, that's all I need."

Tatsuki observed Chad's straightforward fighting style and decided to bring up a suggestion, concerned about the diversity of challenges they might face.

Tatsuki: "Have you ever thought about learning a different fighting style?" - she suggested.

Chad: "Why's that?" - Chad looked at her, intrigued by her idea.

Tatsuki: "Think about it, Sado. We're dealing with spiritual beings with various abilities and skills. Some opponents might be too fast or too agile for raw power to work effectively. By diversifying your techniques, you'll be better prepared to face different kinds of threats. It's about adapting to the situation and being versatile in combat. Plus, learning different styles can enhance your overall strength."

Chad considered her words, understanding the logic behind her suggestion. He nodded thoughtfully, appreciating her insight.

They both continued their conversation, sharing thoughts and taking a moment to rest in the midst of their challenging journey through the Seireitei. Tatsuki's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke, and Chad listened intently, his smile conveying a deep understanding and camaraderie between them.

# Next Day - August 5th #

Yato Yasakani had made an attempt to sense the reiatsu of the Shinigami from the 12th Division the day before, but he wisely decided not to pursue them further. He recalled that Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi was lurking somewhere close to his division members, and the thought of having to confront a captain without a good reason gave him pause.

The young man retreated to the underground, seeking rest and respite. He understood the importance of being prepared for the challenges that could lie ahead, and so he took the opportunity to recuperate and recharge his energies for whatever awaited him on the following day.

He continued to move stealthily through Seireitei, every sense on high alert as he sought to detect any approaching reiatsu.

Yato: 'As I recall from the original storyline... after Renji's defeat, Aizen's ploys will come into play, forging his death... then Yamamoto's declaration of war against... six teenagers.' - He couldn't help but smirk at the audacity of it, almost letting out a chuckle. - 'And not forgetting that by now, Hanataro should have healed Ichigo, and they're likely on the verge of crossing paths with Zaraki... Things are about to get really interesting.'

The young man let out a sigh, his mind revisiting the altered course of events.

Yato: 'In the original story, Chad had a run-in with Shunsui... and it didn't end well. But now, I've changed their path, and Tatsuki is with him. Hopefully, they won't run into anyone too problematic—"

His thoughts came to a sudden halt as he detected a powerful reiatsu approaching. The reiatsu was deliberately made apparent, and Yato realized someone was intentionally letting themselves be known.

Without wasting a moment, Yato drew his zanpakutō and advanced cautiously toward the source of the reiatsu. He was aware that if someone was intentionally making their reiatsu known, it meant they had likely detected him.

As Yato continued walking, he couldn't help but notice the captain's haori worn by the approaching person. He let out a muttered complaint, realizing that he had stumbled upon a captain. His grip on his zanpakutō tightened as he prepared for what lay ahead.

Yato swiftly identified the captain by his distinctive appearance. Captain Kaname Tōsen, with his dark skin and intricate dark purple braids, stood before him. He sported an orange scarf neatly tied around his neck, white boots instead of the standard sandals, and black fingerless gloves. A set of clear goggles adorned his blind eyes, completing his unique look. Tōsen was the captain of the 9th Division in the Gotei 13, but Yato was well aware that he would later become a traitor of the Soul Society.

As Yato closed the distance between them, he saw Tōsen reach for the hilt of his zanpakutō with his right hand, clearly preparing for any potential confrontation.

Tōsen: "I apologize, Ryoka. These senseless conflicts need to stop." - Tōsen uttered with a grave and sincere tone, addressing the intruder with a hint of sadness in his expression.