Post by Celes Shindazu on Jun 9, 2023 22:12:26 GMT -5
The Tenth Division had truly felt a long-lasting sting from the latest invasion by Las Noches. While the threat had been routed, the Tenth Divisions' barracks lay in shambles. Had it not been for Kimiko's intervention, many of Celes' soldiers would've found themselves without a place to call home. With the dust settled, wounds licked and the dead laid to rest, the time had come to rebuild. Together with the Sixth Divisions' efforts, the construction of the new barracks was coming along nicely.
In a weird way, this had been the most amount of Officers that Celes had seen around here in a long while. Foundations were being laid and walls were slowly rebuilt. Numerous voices intermingled as they helped each other with lifting and transportation. Only one question remained. Where was their Captain at a time like this? Celes sat in the distance, atop the treeline that surrounded the large training grounds of the Tenth Divison. She was staring out into the horizon, at the expansive streets and corridors of the Seireitei.
So why was Celes so distant from her Division's operations at the moment? She was awaiting a very special guest. In her hand, written in fine ink, was a report sheet. This was rather standard procedure for when she was receiving more Officers fresh out of the Academy. Under the circumstances, Celes would not have bothered with a formal introduction as well as her typical introductory meeting with this newcomer. However, this case was entirely unique and demanded her full attention.
She still remembered it like it was yesterday. Celes had been officially summoned to the Shin'ōchikadaikangoku, or Central Great Underground Prison. She rarely, if ever, had a reason to visit, and as such the summons caught her by complete surprise. In fact, it had been signed by... the Central 46?! This meant it was fairly urgent and simply couldn't be ignored. After all, the C46 was the foremost governing body in Soul Society, superseding even the Head Captain himself. As she eventually entered the large holding facility, the Captain approached the front desk. Her haori made her instantly recognizable as a Captain, but Celes didn't care for standing on ceremony and was pretty quick to state her business, "Celes Shindazu. I'm here on official business."
The woman who manned the front desk nodded gently. "Of course, Captain Shindazu." Celes couldn't help, but still cringe ever so slightly. "You are expected on Level 1, Room 1679." The Captain simply nodded her head in response and headed deeper into the Prison. As she continued onward, she'd begin to see steel bars in the distance, separated from her current corridor by a thick piece of 1-way glass. Even from here, Celes could feel traces of their dark nature. Many of these men and women, once Shinigami, had been stripped of their rights and status after committing serious crimes. However, this was only Level 1. The others hosted criminals that committed unspeakable evils. The very thought was enough to make Celes shudder.
Soon, Celes found herself nearing her destination. "76... 77...", she counted softly. "Ah. 1679." As she slid open the door, rather unceremoniously, Celes found herself entering a smaller room. Stone walls, bright fluorescent lights, and a wide metal table told her that this room was built for purpose. On one side of the table, Celes could see two people sitting. A man and a woman, they wore shihakusho, but theirs were white. The shoulder of the kosode bore two black octagons. Celes, of course, recognized them immediately for who they were. They were part of Central 46's guard, chosen Shinigami called upon to defend Central 46 exclusively.
Both of them briefly smiled as the man perked up, "Captain Shindazu, thank you for coming. It's an h-" Celes raised her hand, cutting him off quickly, "Thank you, but no formalities are necessary. You may, however, do me a courtesy by explaining what I am here for." The past few weeks had bore nothing but tragedy for the Captain. The loss of Yunorashi... the deaths of those she called family... the destruction of her home. Simply put, Celes was not in the mood and wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. The man nodded and spoke briefly, "As you wish. Please. Sit."
Celes obliged and took her seat. As she did, the woman across from her pulled out a folder and slid it towards her. The Captain, naturally, simply raised an eyebrow. "What's this?", she inquired as she picked up the folder. "Put simply? The Central 46 have sent us as representatives to discuss integrating this new recruit into the Tenth Division. You'll find all relevant information and details included." Already, Celes was leery. Why was the intervention of the C46 necessary? Celes had freely elected to take recruits before without all this showmanship. For now, she simply opened up the folder and skimmed over it.
This man, Aoshi Kuzan a.k.a Prisoner #24735... Celes almost immediately set down the folder, but she composed herself. Instead, she kept reading. It was a typical report. Personality, Academy grades, biographical information... however, this also included an arrest report. Carefully reading through the charges, she clicked her tongue and proceeded to finally set the folder down. She let out a large sigh and looked up. "Yeah, no. I'm turning this down." Both of the Shinigami opposing Celes looked at each other and sighed. This time, the woman would speak up, "Captain Shindazu. The Central 46 has already assigned him to your Squad. This is about properly integrating him."
Celes' eyebrow furrowed and she rose to her feet, hands planted against the table. "Let me be clear. I don't care if this fucking order came from the Soul King himself.", her face flushed with a gently rising anger. "You're asking me to take on a man with seven charges of brutal murder. I have a Squad of battered people to look after. I'm not going to let anyone tell me who deserves to be in my Division. You can tell Central 46 that the answer is no.", there was clear conviction in her voice.
"I see. Well then, Captain Shindazu, the only alternative is execution." Celes narrowed her eyes for a moment. It wasn't a big secret that Celes was in opposition to executions. The amount people that Celes felt deserved death, even now, were few and far between. "Why not just keep him locked up?" "As you yourself said, he has seven charges of brutal murder. You and I both know that Soul Society law dictates, I'm sure." Celes simply bit her tongue. "Either he's under your supervision and responsibility... or his life is forfeit. It's your choice, Captain Shindazu." If looks could kill... this woman would've been eviscerated a dozen times over. Alas, Celes pondered on it for a minute. She rose to her feet and muttered under her breath, "Damn it..." She looked back at the two Shinigami and closed her eyes, "When would he start...?"
Looking out upon the horizon, Celes stopped reminiscing about her meeting at the Central Great Underground Prison. After all, today was the day that Aoshi would officially be brought to the Tenth. She had read over his report more and more the past few days to get a better idea of who she was dealing with. Ultimately, Celes knew one thing for sure. Each of the Officers who served under her had sworn themselves to protect every single life in Soul Society. Aoshi had committed the ultimate betrayal by committing murder. It would be difficult for him to integrate, but Celes had to try. After all, Aoshi was now under her care and she wasn't about to let one of her own burn to ash.