Flashback: Like Father, Like Son (Kuroi vs Shade)

[Zou ۞]

Participants: Kuroi Naito, Shade Kawada
World: Human World
Thread Setting: Non Death Enabled
Rating: R
Location:

This location takes place on a spiritual landmass; It is an island of sufficient size, roughly the size of Madagascar. The location on which they are doing battle is a deserted clearing in the middle of a large forest. It is a gigantic circle plains area surrounded by trees, but perfectly shaped. Essentially, with the enormous trees surrounding the large clear area, it looks as if it is a natural Colosseum MADE for battle.

Special Conditions:

This thread is a FLASHBACK thread. Therefore, it is designed to have taken place in the past. For the convenience of the thread, both participants have less power at this time than they do now.

Shade Kawada has third seat level stats (which will be listed in his post), while Kuroi Naito's stats are reduced. (Will also be listed in his post.)

Shade Kawada has no Kido techniques, only sword techniques, and lacks Bankai. He is presently a third seat when this fight begins. He is missing his custom weapons, and is also missing a couple of sword techniques which he will list in his post.

Kuroi Naito is missing several of his current techniques. Those which he is missing are Kakucho Cero, Kakucho Cero (Partial), Kakucho Deka, Muerte Reloj Cero, Muerte Rey Cero, Deka, and Shoji Cero. He is also missing the majority of his sword styles, as well as his custom swords.

For the purposes of this thread, given that it is purely cinematic, there are no custom items allowed, and reiatsu count will not be kept track of.

Circumstances:

Kuroi Naito is the Segunda Espada. Shade Kawada is Squad 11 Third Seat.

It is known in Kawada History that at a certain time several decades ago, the Segunda Espada breached the Seireitei. During that time, he killed Squad 13 Captain Kochikochi Kawada, the Head of the Kawada Household. This resulted in a massive weakening of the Kawada household, and thus a fall from their status of nobility. This lasted for several decades. Since then, the Kawadas have had a vendetta against the Segunda Espada.

Shade was on a mission on this island. His mission was simple. Defeat the large Hollow that was terrorizing the island's spirits. This, he accomplished effortlessly, wasting neither stamina nor reiatsu. However, alternatively, Kuroi was on a mission to assassinate someone who had fled Las Noches and escaped to the island. This, he also accomplished easily. Kuroi and his Fraccion members made it to the clearing, only to meet with Shade Kawada simultaneously. The two stand on opposite ends of the clearing. Kuroi was going to let Shade go, but Shade, recognizing several Arrancar, decided he would try to take them in.

[Zou ۞]

SPOILER: Click to show

The Segunda Espada's mission, given to him by Sonken Kouhai, had been a simple one. Eliminate the garbage. A certain traitor to Las Noches, Guren Karakai, a former Espada, had fled with the intent of selling secrets to the enemy for money to disappear. Since this could not possibly be allowed, the one who would get the job done the quickest had been sent. It was a low level mission for so high placed of an Espada, yet it was done within an hour of Kuroi's arrival on the island. Guren had escaped not two hours before he had been killed by Kuroi. It had not been a contest. A few measly sword exchanges resulted in Guren's blade being shattered, his limbs severed, and his head torn off. His body had been left in a ditch afterward. Kuroi had just finished leaving his enemy's corpse in the ditch when he met up with his Fraccion at the clearing, their designated meeting place.

At the time, Kuroi had only just recruited them. They were new to him. Unruly. He hadn't even begun wearing what would later become a trademark outfit to him. At that time, on that day, he wore black pants, black boots, and a tight black tank top. Over the tank top, Kuroi wore an unbuttoned, white leather coat with pointed tails and a popped and pointed collar. This coat was a trademark outfit to the Espada. It had become trademark under the original lord of the Espada, Azeru Cho, and was still in fashion (though not nearly as much) under Sonken Kouhai. Kuroi's sword was also sheathed at his side at the time. His hair was short, and jet black. His eyes were also jet black, with such a stare as to be able to pierce into all souls. He had both hands in his pockets when he arrived.

He only had two Fraccion at the time, because he was in the process of recruiting. One of them, Chisoku Re-Za, was the fastest living Arrancar. Kuroi had recently recruited this one, who wore a white jumpsuit and some goggles. He had black curly hair, and a lazy, relaxed look to his face. The other one, Nijuu Tentei, was a very tanned man with spiky black hair and scars on his face. He was wearing a white biker jacket and black jeans. Having recruited those two, Kuroi had plans to recruit two more. This was a secondary reason he had agreed to take the mission on this island. He felt he might be able to find another Arrancar somewhere on this island. Recruiting the strong was not an easy task, since the strong were difficult to locate.

It was then however that a Shinigami, arguably of very low rank, found them. Kuroi ignored the Shinigami at first, and proceeded to open a Garganta. However, before Kuroi could step into it, the Shinigami's voice reached his ears, issuing challenge. Prideful, Kuroi could not refuse, especially when he heard the surname of the Shinigami. Kawada. He knew the name. He had ruined their household by destroying many of its members and resources, as well as killing its head. He had effectively cut the strength of the Gotei Thirteen by a quarter at least, if not more, in doing so. The Garganta closed, and Kuroi turned to face the Shinigami. Nijuu and Chisoku seemed as if they too wished to fight.

"Hey, scum..." Nijuu said, "You're not deserving of our boss's regards. I could kill you easily right here, right now..." He drew his Zanpakuto, as did Chisoku, who hissed menacingly. However, Kuroi's voice interrupted them. "No." Kuroi commanded. His voice held that single syllable in the air as the most controlling and deadly of commands. He withdrew his left hand from his pocket, and stepped forward. "He's mine." Kuroi said. He took a step forwards, his eyes locking with those of the shorter man, in other words the Shinigami. Pitch black eyes, emotionless, powerful, would greet the Shinigami in question. Kuroi's two Fraccion members sheathed their blades and backed down, retreating to the sidelines.

Kuroi kept his eyes locked on his enemy's. A cool wind moved through the area. Kuroi, of course, did not draw his sword. Someone of this low level of power was deserving of neither sword nor even both arms. Kuroi planned to end things in the most brutal, abrupt manner possible. This one thought he was on par with an Espada? He was wrong. Kuroi did not reveal his rank or his name, despite his connection to the surname of the Shinigami. No, rather, he would simply crush the Shinigami then and there and just leave him in the dust, wondering who had destroyed him. "Attack, then," Kuroi commanded of the Shinigami, "So that I may have the pleasure of destroying you and showing you how weak you truly are..."

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [200{1/2}(100)] Points

Speed - [400] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [300] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [300{x2.5}(750)] Points

Light Aura - [0] Points

Dark Aura - [100] Points

Instinct - [100] Points

Senses [100] Points

Energy sensory - [50] Points

Healing Expertise - [400] Points

SPOILER: Click to show

[Weapons: Sword] {3}

[Battle Analysis] {3}

[Analyzing] {2}

[Pain Tolerance] {3}

[Battle Abilities Other: Mixed Martial Arts (Kung Fu/BJJ/Muay Thai)] {3}

[Calm Mind] {2}

[Shade Kawada]

SPOILER: Click to show

What had been a routine mission to an island was about to turn ill for the san-seki. It had only been a few years since Shade had graduated at the top of his class from the academy. In only a few years, Shade had acquired the position of third seat in the 11th division, which was currently run by Saix Shinra, a legend among shinigami. The division’s vice-captain at the time was a pathetic excuse named Zieg Revolver, a soul reaper that Shade would surpass in power given enough time. However, at this point in time, Shade was weaker than his lieutenant. But what brought the soul reaper to this island were reports of a large hollow that was terrorizing the island’s populace.

It was an easy mission by Shade’s standards. He didn’t even require the aid of the three other soul reapers as he slew the beast with his zanpakutou. “Delicious...” came the inevitable voice in the san-seki’s head, “This blood tastes fucking delicious!!!” Buraindo Kira, Shade’s zanpakutou spirit, demanded blood sacrifices from Shade almost daily. The san-seki tried to ignore his sword’s demands, but his pursuit of power made such an action difficult. “Now, I want you to take me by the hilt, AND FUCKING GUT THOSE THREE FUCKS STANDING BEHIND YOU!” screeched Buraindo Kira as he ordered Shade to kill the other shinigami.

Closing his eyes, Shade sheathed the zanpakutou and turned away from the dead hollow. “Mission complete, let’s return to Soul Society...” said the soul reaper calmly as he began making preparations to open the Senkaimon. It was at this moment that he felt it. An unbelievable reiatsu signature washed over him, and he could tell instantly what it was. “Arrancar...” he said calmly to himself as he stopped preparing to leave. Arrancar were something that had to be eliminated in order to achieve the perfect world, that Shade dreamed of. So it was no surprise when Shade delayed his return to Soul Society to seek out the source of the reiatsu he sensed.

Shade, along with the three other soul reapers, arrived on the edge of a clearing to see three arrancar about to depart through a garganta. “HahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” laughed Buraindo Kira, excited that Shade was not done fighting yet, “YOU’RE GOING TO BUTCHER THEM, RIGHT?!?!” “By the end of the day, you will have your fill of these arrancar’s blood, that much, I promise...” replied the soul reaper to his gluttonous zanpakutou. The three shinigami with Shade looked hesitant, unsure of the situation they’d gotten themselves in, however there was no fear in Shade’s eyes.

Shade stood on the edge of the clearing with his arms crossed and his face empty of all emotion. “Running away?” muttered Shade in a quiet, callous tone, barely loud enough for Kuroi to hear. Finally it seemed like the troupe of arrancar took notice of Shade and the three shinigami. “Hey, scum...” piped up one of the fraccion, “You’re not deserving of our boss’s regards. I could kill you easily right here, right now...” The fraccion’s response fell on unfazed ears as Shade continued speaking, “Kill me? I’d like to see you try... Burn my name into your very souls, foolish half-breed. I am Shade Kawada, third seat of Squad 11, and the future head of the Kawada family. It is I who will serve as the harbinger of your destruction.”

“No,” came a word from Kuroi’s mouth, keeping Nijuu from talking any more, “He’s mine.” The soul reaper heard Kuroi, presumably the leader of this group, claim him. Shade did not concern himself with the espada’s words. Weak? How could he be weak? He was the youngest seated officer in Seireitei and had risen through the ranks quicker than anyone ever had, a feat no one would even come close to until his brother, Kenryoku, almost replicated Shade’s accomplishment. Shade unsheathed his bleeding zanpakutou and held it in front of him. “Etch the appearance of this weapon into your memory, arrancar, for it is the weapon that is destined to end your unlife,” bragged the san-seki as he left his associates behind him and walked forwards in Kuroi’s direction.

Suddenly, Shade was gone in a shunpo, reappearing behind the espada with his blade raised high into the air. “Die...” muttered Shade as he made sure the bright sun glinted off his blade, nearly blinding Kuroi in the process of delivering his attack. Kuroi would see Shade bring down his zanpakutou vertically at his shoulder in a swift motion. Little did Shade know, but there was really no reason for Kuroi to avoid Shade’s sword strikes. Even with the enhanced cutting power that Shade acquired from Nagareboshi, Kuroi’s hierro could not be cut. Was Shade about to have a very rude awakening?

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [100 (+50%)] = 150 Points

Speed - [250] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [100] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [250] Points

Light Aura - [0] Points

Dark Aura - [100] Points

Instinct - [100] Points

Senses [75] Points

Energy sensory - [25 (x2)] = 50 Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [900] Points

SPOILER: Click to show

• [Memory] {3}
  
  
• [Learning] {3}
  
  
• [Imitation] {3}
  
  
• [Lack of Fear] {3}
  
  
• [Weapons: Sword] {3}

SPOILER: Click to show

• Getsuei
  
• Taiyou
  
• Kyohaku
  
• Wakusei
  
• Nagereboshi

[Zou ۞]

SPOILER: Click to show

He hardly moved at all. His speed was of enough of a superior margin that Kuroi was able to move on time to block Shade's strike near effortlessly. A slight glance in Shade's direction allowed Kuroi to visualize his coming enemy, and predict where his sword strike would fall. It was for this reason that even without turning his head, he would be able to guard against Shade. Kuroi did not need to guard against Shade really at all, but it was an instinctive mannerism. Additionally, Kuroi did not much wish to see his clothing damaged by Shade's attack. While his skin would be fine, his clothing could still be shredded and torn by the likes of Shade's meager sword. This was why Kuroi would defend against the third seat of Squad 11.

Kuroi's arm rose up. He brought up his left arm to block Shade's blade without even turning to face the third seat. There were slight sparks of friction as the blade met Kuroi's steel skin, and had no effect at all. Regardless of the impact, there was no damage. Not even a scratch was present on Kuroi. Indeed, Shade's technique doubled his cutting power. If 100, 200. If 250, 500. And yet, despite that, it came nowhere near the monstrous power of Kuroi's Hierro, which guarded completely against even this attack. And when this happened, Kuroi spoke. "Is this a joke?" Kuroi asked. "The future Kawada Head is this weak?" He forced his arm up, which would force Shade to back away instantly.

Kuroi did not mention his own identity just yet, but he was aware that Shade would know it. And Kuroi was disappointed by Shade's power as well. Kuroi remembered the name Kawada. He had fought and killed its head years ago. Compared to Kuroi, that head's power had not been much, but regardless the man had been a worthy adversary. Shade was nothing compared to the man that Kuroi had killed. He was so much weaker as to be a laughing stock. Kuroi felt nearly insulted by his enemy's sheer weakness. Etch that weapon's image into my mind...? Ridiculous... Kuroi was annoyed. The fact that an insect like Shade Kawada had dared to think he could actually kill Kuroi was ludicrous. Shade could not even kill either of Kuroi's Fraccion.

Kuroi, still barely even glancing at Shade, aimed his palm at the Shinigami. A red glow lit up in Kuroi's left hand, and exploded outward in an enormous blast of red reiatsu toward Shade. It was enough to encompass much of his body, and if it hit him it would surely reduce his body to ash. It was fast, and it was large. It was a powerful attack without a doubt. Yet, Shade would be wrong if he assumed that it was a Cero. It was not in fact a Cero. "That wasn't my Cero." Kuroi informed Shade. "It was Bala." He was informing Shade of this fact to illustrate the sheer difference in power between the two men. Kuroi's Bala had enough power to wipe out Shade, who really had no real techniques for guarding against it. All he could do was try to dodge. However, with his limited speed, it would prove difficult. This meant that in dodging it, he would only barely make it, and this would make him feel pressure.

One unfortunate truth. If that Bala missed Shade, it was going to kill his three Shinigami allies.

[Shade Kawada]

Shade successfully moved behind the espada, and with impeccable aim, brought his sword down at Kuroi. The soul reaper’s cold gaze fell on the arrancar as his sword travelled closer and closer. “Is he even going to try and dodge?” thought Shade as he watched Kuroi merely standing there, “Is this all that arrancar are capable of?” Admittedly this was Shade’s first fight with an arrancar. The shinigami was only three months out of the academy and already a third seat. There was no question that he was skilled. However, his experience in actually fighting arrancar was limited to what he’d read in reports and heard secondhand. The soul reaper had falsely assumed that arrancar weren’t much stronger than their hollow counterparts, and was therefore in for a rude awakening. Without a word, Kuroi raised his arm, halting Shade’s blow completely as if it was nothing. “Is this a joke?” muttered Kuroi, “The future Kawada Head is this weak?”

Shade’s eyes widened with surprise. This was certainly not going as planned. That blow should have been enough to kill him! Similar blows had put down the strongest hollows in a single stroke. Why was this one still standing? “Ludicrous...” uttered Shade regaining composure. His glare still retained a defiant, cold gaze that maintained its superiority, “Hollow can not possibly touch the strength of the shinigami.” As Shade spoke those words, he watched Kuroi aim his palm up at the soul reaper, quickly glowing before releasing an enormous blast of red in his direction. Fortunately, Shade’s three shinigami allies had been behind him BEFORE Shade decided to flash step behind Kuroi, meaning the direction that the espada was aiming his bala was not the direction of Shade’s comrades, meaning that Shade was free to dodge without worrying about hurting the other shinigami.

Shade was instantly forced to make a decision. He could stay and die, or he could use a shunpo to avoid taking such a brutal hit. Naturally Shade used a flash step to disappear, narrowly avoiding the crippling blast. “That wasn’t my Cero,” said the espada after Shade reappeared a few dozen yards away from Kuroi, “It was Bala.” The soul reaper clenched his teeth, knowing full well that Kuroi was telling the truth. This enemy was only toying with him. Why was there such a gap in power? This was not how things were supposed to be. Shade tightened the grip on his sword and rushed the espada, swinging his sword so that the flat of the blade would collide with the espada’s shoulder. Had Shade completely given up on cutting the arrancar’s flash, or was he going for something else? Only time would tell. Meanwhile, the three shinigami that had been with Shade stood around being useless as the san-seki had expected them to do.

[Zou ۞]

SPOILER: Click to show

"Hollow...?" Kuroi repeated, raising his left hand up. He watched Shade's movements, though only barely glancing at him, and recognized before him the motions for a broader strike, but of the same nature as a slash. It would not do any more damage than it had before, but Kuroi felt it would be appropriate to show the Shinigami how truly worthless he was. As a result, his hand went up to catch the Shinigami's wrist, gripping it tightly. There was a difference in physical strength which Kuroi immediately noticed, and so if Shade pressed he might gain advantage. However, for one single moment, Kuroi was in control, and gripping the Shinigami's rest. While he was in control, he lashed out using his vastly superior speed, releasing Shade's wrist, moving to the side of him, and attacking.

Kuroi's left hand jetted out at great speed, moving into a backhand across Shade's face. Dodging would be unlikely, given present speed, and moreso by Shade's style, which like Kuroi's was prideful, and might desire blocking. Kuroi also felt Shade might mistake things if Kuroi caught the attack and then retaliated in that way. Potentially, Shade might assume this was a weakness to Kuroi's Hierro, which it was not. Regardless, Kuroi's attack, difficult to dodge, would also be painful to block. If Shade blocked with his body, assuming that he was able to block, he would find that it felt as if he had blocked a hit from the flat of a sword. It was like iron hitting against him. If he blocked with his sword, sparks would fly, and he would see his sword crack from the difference in reiatsu strength.

"Don't make me laugh," Kuroi continued. "I am an Arrancar. Hollow? Arrancar are no longer merely Hollows. We have evolved and become more powerful than a Shinigami could ever be. Shinigami cannot possibly touch the strength of the Arrancar." In the event that his backhand had hit Shade's face, Shade's nose would be broken, blood would spray out, and Shade would be swept to the side by the feeling of iron hitting his face. If not, that was irrelevant. Kuroi had made his point no matter the outcome of the backhand. With his right hand still in his pocket, Kuroi was fighting the sword wielding Shinigami and toying with him tremendously. It was laughable, Kuroi decided, that such a low level believed himself on par with the Arrancar.

Kuroi decided that at that moment, it was not even worth revealing his name, despite it being a name that Shade would surely know. Kuroi knew that once he revealed his identity, it would be known. However, doing so would go against his pride. So weak an enemy did not even deserve to know who Kuroi was. The Espada, having initiated a backhand, decided to do more than that. Still near Shade, Kuroi aimed his left at the Shinigami once again. There was another flash of red light. It was another Bala, preparing to erupt out. This time it was closer, and the Shinigami would feel pressured to evade it more quickly than he'd had to before. It would swallow him up and turn him to ash if it hit however, so he would have plenty of motivation.

After the Bala fired, Kuroi spoke. "Chisoku." In an instant, his Fraccion member disappeared in a blur. The three Shinigami would find themselves all of a sudden with throats slit and blood spraying out everywhere. Chisoku had disappeared and moved so quickly that Shade's worthless, unseated allies would not have even the most remote of time to guard against his sword slash tearing out their throats. Unseated, they lacked the pressure ot give cutback, and the speed to do anything about so fast a mover as Chisoku. Shade himself, their superior, lacked the speed to save them, not to mention he was engaged in battle with Kuroi, and could not disengage for fear of being struck while he tried to save them.

Therefore, he and they would be helpless as those three non-seats were brought to their deaths. In the event that Shade was near them as they were killed, their blood would just so happen to spray all over his body and his face, and he would be given the full horror of watching his allies murdered by a powerful adversary. Kuroi spoke once again following this. "Run away," he told the Shinigami. "Run away and never return. You must realize it by now. You are weaker than me. You are not even powerful enough to fight either of my subordinates, let alone me. This is the only chance I will give you to escape and spare yourself your dignity. Run away, or I will destroy you. I will show you how truly inferior you really are."

[Shade Kawada]

Shade powered through Kuroi’s wrist catch as he pressed his attack. Moving to the side was pointless as the shinigami’s slash continued in the original direction it had started. It was at the same point that Kuroi’s backhand collided that the flat of Shade’s sword hit the espada’s side in a nearly simultaneous exchange of blows. Shade’s head recoiled from the hit, however his superior strength allowed him to withstand the arrancar’s attack. Kuroi on the other hand would find that as soon as the initial force of getting hit by Shade’s sword subsided, a secondary blast of wind of the same strength would hit him, causing him to stumble to the side. This was the Kawada sword technique known as “Taiyou.” It was delivered as a slash, except with the flat portion of the blade aiming to hit its target. Doing this in a certain way would allow the user to collect a torrent of wind and send it blasting at their opponent as a secondary blunt attack after the initial strike was finished.

While Taiyou was not a deadly sword technique in the slightest, it did indeed open up opportunities for Shade to follow up with more lethal methods. With a broken nose and blood gushing down his face, the soul reaper lunged straight forwards at the staggered espada, aiming this time for his eyes. Despite Shade’s predicament, his gaze appeared robotic and devoid of any emotion as if he didn’t care what happened to him. The shinigami was merely a hollow killing tool that would only cease functioning when it was broken. Before Shade realized it though, Kuroi’s hand was aimed at him and a bala had been formed in the espada’s palm. There was no time to dodge this one, so instead of using another shunpo, the shinigami changed the course of his blade at the last second. A downward slash would cleave through the bala at the last second as it was released, causing the entire thing to detonate only inches out of Kuroi’s hand.

After the explosion subsided, Shade stood with his clothes charred, breathing hard as smoke emanated from his form. His sword still intact from the blast due to a combination of Nagereboshi and Kyohaku, two sword techniques which respectively made his zanpakutou more durable and allowed his sword to slice non-solids, such as bala, in two. While the result could have been worse, Shade was clearly being physically and mentally taxed by this fight. “Chisoku,” said the arrancar as Shade stood, still recovering from the blow he’d just been dealt. In an instant the shinigami thought he saw one of the espada’s fraccion flicker, however he didn’t seem to have moved from the position behind Kuroi. What was his game? In an instant Shade noticed it. Chisoku’s sword had been drawn. When had that happened and why was it now covered in blood?

Looking over at the three shinigami he’d brought with them, he’d see them all standing absolutely still. the next moment, fountains of blood burst forth from each of their necks and they fell to the ground. “Such speed...” thought Shade looking at Chisoku, “From this one’s subordinate?” The hopelessness of his situation was starting to hit Shade. “Run away,” said Kuroi in a voice that conveyed despair, “Run away and never return. You must realize it by now. You are weaker than me. You are not even powerful enough to fight either of my subordinates, let alone me. This is the only chance I will give you to escape and spare yourself your dignity. Run away, or I will destroy you. I will show you how truly inferior you really are.” Shade readied his blade with both hands, pointing it in front of him in a recognizable kendo stance. “If victory is not an option, my responsibility is to die here while hindering you to my full ability. Death... does not scare me, hollow...” uttered Shade while looking blankly into Kuroi’s eyes, “...and neither do you!” In that instant, the shinigami lunged at the espada with his blade pointed directly at Kuroi’s torso in a textbook stab that would normally skewer any other opponent, however the best it could do to Kuroi was simply tear through his clothing while scraping along his thick hierro.

[Zou ۞]

SPOILER: Click to show

The previous attacks had ruffled Kuroi's clothing, enough so that the stab, which Kuroi simply stood there and accepted, would catch on his clothing. Kuroi had decided after Shade's last line that it was necessary for the Shinigami to realize the difference in their power. Kuroi had such a massive advantage in power that there was simply no way for Shade to overcome it, let alone even so much as damage him. The result of course was that Kuroi knew he could take Shade's attack and get away completely unscathed. His Hierro was that thick. Shade's blade, from previous encounters with Kuroi's body, was also heavily cracked in multiple places. At that moment, two things happened as Shade lunged forwards. First, his weapon tore open Kuroi's shirt. Second, his blade, weakened already, shattered completely against Kuroi's steel skin.

Shade's blade shattering would cause his momentum to push forwards, since it had been a daring lunge, and cause him to overextend. That, combined with an inferior speed, left him no time to guard against the attack that came following. It was not a strong one however, so much as an attack meant to knock him away. Kuroi's left hand simply shot out, backhanding Shade across the face with enough force to break his nose, and knocking him away from the Espada. Most importantly however, perhaps Shade would be unable to recover himself from surprise even if he had been able to move on time to stop from being backhanded. Kuroi's shirt, which had been torn open, revealed his muscular torso, in the peak of shape, and something else as well.

On Kuroi's chest, there was a tattoo. Directly over where his heart should be was his Hollow Hole, and surrounding it, two black stars, each on corners, shaped so as to form a triangle around his Hollow Hole. However, the third point, at the very top, which completed the triangle, was not another black star. It was his number, confirming all suspicions and annihilating all doubts that Kuroi was indeed an Espada. As they were fighting, clouds had begun to gather in the sky, obscuring the light, and making it difficult to see. However, as the number came into view from the shirt falling away, it became clear what it was. Thunder rolled in the background, and then roared as lightning flashed in the sky, illuminating Shade and Kuroi. It also illuminated his number.

In bold, a number on Kuroi's chest, the number "2." He was Segunda. Segunda Espada. The second strongest by rank. He stood there, allowing Shade to take him in, and to size him up. The realization must be painfully clear by that point. Kuroi, right hand in pocket, left hand dangling, said nothing at all, and only watched for Shade's reaction. Kuroi, the Segunda. How hopeless the situation must seem, and how moot the entirety of the fight. Not only was Shade fighting someone several leagues above him, but that person was more or less the strongest in that league. The difference in their powers was so wide, the gap so great, that even if Kuroi were to close his eyes and tie both arms behind his back, the fight would have the same exact result.

[Shade Kawada]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shade lunged forwards. His face bloodied and bruised, but his eyes set intently on his target. If Shade could stab him while using his family’s sword technique, “Nagereboshi” then maybe he could cut the arrancar. Shade channeled his own soul into his zanpakutou as the blade reached Kuroi’s chest. Shade focused heavily on the tip of his blade as it connected with Kuroi, however instead of entering into the man’s flesh, it slid to the side, tearing the arrancar’s suit as it did. The power behind Shade’s strike, had to go somewhere, and since it could not be focused on pushing the blade through Kuroi’s body, unreleased strain was put in the middle of the shinigami’s already-weakened zanpakutou. This caused Shade’s sword to simultaneously shatter as it tore a gaping hole in Kuroi’s clothing.

The shinigami’s eyes widened at this development an instant before he was hit backwards by the arrancar’s backhand. Taking a few steps back, blood streamed down the soul reaper’s face as he faced the troupe of arrancar. This was no longer a situation where victory was even possible. No amount of luck or good fortune could save Shade now. He’d just lost his only real offense, not that it did him any good anyway. The soul reaper wiped some blood off of his face with his left hand as he raised the broken blade between him and Kuroi. His breathing was heavy and it was clear that Shade wasn’t able to keep things up much longer. It was at that moment that the entire area lit up and revealed to Shade something that would completely change how the shinigami viewed Kuroi.

The espada’s #2 tattoo was visible to the shinigami now as the thunder rolled in. “The... The Segunda...” said Shade in between breaths. The third-seat was not a fool. Espada were captain-level opponents, and he was but a third seat. However, there was something about the 2nd espada that drew Shade into a defensive stance despite his sword being broken. Kuroi had not only killed his father, but had thrown the Kawada family from its position as one of the four great noble families to a lesser one which had severely hindered the Kawada family’s strength for over 50 years. Kuroi wouldn’t know it, but Shade actually possessed a scar on his head underneath his hair from when Kuroi’s sword carved into his mother’s torso when she was still pregnant with him. It was this wound that had caused Shade to live a life in gray, figuratively speaking. There were no emotions. No attachments to anyone. Shade simply existed without the anchor of feelings because of Kuroi.

Finally these two with such unknown history between them met. “You... are Kuroi Naito...” said Shade finally. His eyes glaring up at the espada as a raindrop hit his face. Another flash of lightning illuminated the area, making the red blood on Shade’s pale face contrast even more in the light. Shade’s breathing began to subside as he rested. Presumably Kuroi didn’t care if Shade rested up before attacking again. The espada had no reason to not be confident in his ability to counter anything Shade tried. “Are you going to kill me... like you killed my father?” said the shinigami with disdain reflected in his cloudy eyes. Shade wiped the blood running out of his nose over his mouth again as the rain picked up, covering the dead shinigami and everyone else who was present in its cold, wet showers.

[Zou ۞]

SPOILER: Click to show

"I am Kuroi Naito..." Kuroi admitted to Shade. "And...I am the Segunda Espada." He stood there proudly, and he could have laughed out loud for all the mirth in his voice, yet he did not. He did not even smile. Though it was inherently in his nature not to, he had the urge to, but suppressed it and kept a straight face. The smile was a taunt, and it was one that Kuroi felt would be wasted here. Still, he had no problem allowing Shade to realize what he was up agianst. He knew that it was dawning on the Kawada Head that the battle was not only completely hopeless, and that Shade was completely outmatched, but also that Kuroi was the biggest reason for the ruin of the Kawada family, and yet there could be no vengeance exacted for it.

Kuroi was then asked a rather foolish question. Were it in his character, he would laugh maniacally at such a stupid, simple idea. It was as if this Shinigami knew nothing of him. In fact, he truly did know nothing of him. Kuroi could not help but release a very small, barely noticeable, very thin smirk on the corner of his lip. It was confident. It was one of mirth and of mocking. It was a sardonic, evil sneer. As if Kuroi would waste his time killing an insect. Kuroi did not just kill for the sake of killing, or because his enemy was a Shinigami. That was not Kuroi's objective. Kuroi was Despair. He killed because it was the desire of his enemies. Because he had broken them beyond repair, to the point where no more Despair could come from them.

"Your father was weak," Kuroi said. "However, compared to you, he was a great man. You are nothing. You are an inferior specimen whose powers, skill, prowess, and even leadership pale in comparison to your father's. I killed him because he was stronger than you. You? You are not even worth killing. That would be wasting my sword. It would sully it with your filthy blood. You will simply rot on the ground sniveling in a pool of your own blood and whimpering out of Despair." His last words of that long phrase hung with an absolute, echoing finality to them on the air. His eyes were cold, unforgiving, and absolutely merciless. Shade Kawada as a weakling and a fool, Kuroi reasoned. This fight would soon be over.

[Shade Kawada]

“I am Kuroi Naito...” came the arrancar’s reply, “And...I am the Segunda Espada.” The third seat clenched his fist around the hilt of his broken sword as he stared up at the other warrior. The difference in their power was obvious. Shade was not an idiot, he knew this fight was unwinnable now. Not even running away could save him from the power of the Segunda espada, so Shade dropped to his knees apathetically, staring blankly at the arrancar’s feet, putting himself entirely at the espada’s mercy. “Your father was weak,” said the arrancar, “However, compared to you, he was a great man. You are nothing. You are an inferior specimen whose powers, skill, prowess, and even leadership pale in comparison to your father's. I killed him because he was stronger than you. You? You are not even worth killing. That would be wasting my sword. It would sully it with your filthy blood. You will simply rot on the ground sniveling in a pool of your own blood and whimpering out of Despair.”

The espada’s words fell on uncaring ears. “Leave me alive...” uttered the shinigami looking up at Kuroi after his speech, “And I promise you that I will make you regret it.” Shade stared up at Kuroi with the same unfeeling eyes he’d maintained throughout their entire fight. If Kuroi wanted to kill him he would have done it, but it seemed that for whatever reason the espada deemed it unnecessary to finish the job. The shinigami had no way of knowing just how many times Kuroi had heard that same promise, however it was undoubtedly enough to make the espada unworried about such words.

Lightning struck again, illuminating both of the two. One on his knees in defeat, and the other standing uninjured in front of him. The fight was already over, the only type of engagement that the soul reaper could participate in now was a conflict of words and when Kuroi realized this he would likely lose interest in the defeated opponent. “I will live my life to see to your death... Segunda Espada, Kuroi Naito...” continued Shade, defiantly staring directly at his new white whale. “Not for my father, and not for my family... I fight for no one but myself...”

[Zou ۞]

+230 TP to my character, Kuroi Naito.

+210 TP to Shade.

There is no victory TP, as this thread was rigged and pre-planned in advance.