Angels All Around [NDE, PG-13]

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Thread Title: Angels All Around [NDE, PG-13]
Participants: Himitsu Kasmu'Oji and Kimiko Shihoin
World: Soul Society
Death Setting: Non Death Enabled
Rating: PG-13
Location: There is an open arena of concrete set up in Seireitei. It is the size of a football field and has a reiatsu barrier surrounding it. The barrier sets a ceiling above the arena at 300 feet high. Spectators from all divisions of the Gotei 13 have come to watch the affair.
Special Conditions: This is a challenge for the captaincy of Squad 7. The winner of this PvP will head the squad.

To keep this thread moving, we're going to implement Kento's system to make sure the thread keeps moving. Essentially, each participant has 7 days to post when it is their turn, and if they fail to do so, the other can post freely as though the events in their last post occurred as planned.
Circumstances: After a month of absence, Himitsu Misute, the Vice Captain of Squad 6, as returned with old memories and new powers. Now going as Himitsu Kasumi'Oji, he has sent his letter of resignation into his captain Sozen Kuchiki and challenged Captain Kimiko Shihoin for leadership of Squad 7.

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Aren’t you tired at all, Himitsu?

The Soul Reaper lay with his back to the hard concrete. He had been lying there for over ten hours, unmoving. At first, he had tried to get some sleep, but he was too restless. The platform he lay down in was so large and the night was so dark. Despite being a large man, Himitsu felt very small. It was easy for him to feel like how he did before. Himitsu Misute was small and alone. Even the powerful Mamuro Kasumi’Oji was small and alone. But he wasn’t either of those men anymore.

He wasn’t alone. Even though they were silent, he had companions. His zanpakuto spirit, Flex, was forever in his heart. And the little ladybug hiding in his jacket was forever in his soul. Even in silence, the three to comfort in their mental and emotional connection. Their presence vanquished Himitsu’s fears. I’m not alone. The thought brought a faint smile to his face, a smile that didn’t waver throughout the night. It remained as Himitsu’s eyes watched the stars above, waiting.

But the night was over. The sun had come up a little while ago, and a few unseated soul reapers had begun to take their place around the arena, getting the best seats before the rest of the audience rushed over. It was then that the ladybug asked Himitsu if he were tired. No, Volucris. I’m excited. Himitsu snapped up to a sitting position, his legs crossed and his sword laid out in front of him. It must have been a strange sight, the head of the Kasumi’Oji family lying down and sitting on the floor, simply waiting. The floor didn’t seem to be a fitting place for the leader of a noble family. The thought made Himitsu chuckle to himself. Such a notion was far from the truth. After all, when July coaxed him into playing a small game of Go Fish or Monopoly, they rarely played at a desk. The sat cross-legged on the floor. It didn’t matter what the incoming crowd of Shinigami might think, as long as it felt right.

She’s almost here. Volucris, with its sharp senses, could detect Kimiko Shihoin long before she was in sight. It heard whispers amongst other Shinigami, spelling out her name. The ladybug gave Himitsu enough warning to rise to his feet and formally meet the woman. She was his superior in rank for the time being, she was the heir to the Shihoin, a fellow noble family, but most importantly, she was a person. Himitsu planned on showing her the respect she deserved, whether or not he wanted to take her position as Captain of Squad 7.

When the Shihoin arrived, Himitsu would share a warm, genuine smile with her. “Hello Kimiko. I’m sorry that we had to meet this way. My name is Himitsu Kasumi’Oji, although I guess you already knew that, haha…” The ex-Lieutenant couldn’t help but awkwardly laugh. The situation felt too tense already. He had to make his good intentions clear to Kimiko, for she certainly considered him to be an enemy.

“I want to be honest with you. Kimiko, this might be the first time that we meet face to face, but I have known your father since he was a child. I knew Hiroshi Shihoin as well, and I despised him then just as you do now. But the truth is that I am not your enemy. Hiroshi isn’t the enemy. All of the evil and corruption in the world comes from intangible sources, and I have committed to fighting a war against that darkness. Please, let me lead Squad 7. Transfer to Squad 11. They need a Captain as skilled in physical combat as you are. We are allies, Kimiko, but it is necessary for me to lead the 7th Division. Please make the right decision. If you don’t, I will have no choice but to take the seat.”

Himitsu learned from his mistake against July. Even if the rules say so, fighting is not the only option. He had to reach out to the good within Kimiko and hope that she would extend her trust. However, Himitsu did learn a lot about the Shihoin heir in his time in Squad 6. Sozen had profiles on the major faces in Soul Society, and Kimiko’s personality profile labeled her as arrogant and proud, two traits that might hinder the warm relationship Himitsu had hoped to establish with her. If she chose to fight him for her captaincy, then so be it. Himitsu held his zanpakuto in his right hand, and he would draw it if necessary.

Life Force Remaining: 5600/6000 (-300 for Genesis Art: Volucris)

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [100] Points (50)

Speed - [250] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [300] Points (600)

Reiatsu Strength - [400] Points (800)

Light Aura - [100] Points

Dark Aura - [0] Points

Instinct - [300] Points (150)

Senses - [200] Points (100)

Energy sensory - [100] Points (33)

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1600] Points

Abilities

• Mental Incantation Level 3

• Leadership/Charisma Level 1

• Weapon: Staff Level 3

• Battle Analysis Level 3

• Battle Skill: Kido Level 3

• Strength of Will Level 3

[/spoiler

SPOILER: Click to show

{Genesis Art: Volucris}
Technique Name: [Genesis Art: Volucris]

Class: [3]

Technique Type: [Life Force]

Usable By (Technique is available to which races?): [Kasumi’Oji Shinigami]

Technique Element: [Life Force]

Technique Description and Effects (Explain appearance, powers, and effect): [Insert Below]

Volucris is interesting because, unlike most of its cousin techniques, it lacks combat purpose. This technique was invented for the purpose of support to allies. It spawns a lady big which, depending on the desire of the user, can be anywhere between the normal tiny size of a lady bug to the size of a full-grown golden retriever. It’s the opposite of intimidating. In fact, this ladybug has a personality. It is one of the most intelligent creatures the Genesis Arts are capable of creating, for it has a mind modeled after that of the shinigami it is created from. In that sense, it has a personality parallel and compatible with that of the user that created it. Although it can still die, that personality and individuality lives forever through the user. The first Volucris that the user summons is the same Volucris that they will continue to summon in the future unless a large personality change occurs.

The Volucris is not at all designed for combat. It is meant to be a search and rescue tool. It has 300 strength, 100 speed, 300 instinct, 400 senses, and 400 instinct. It holds no spiritual capability. However, what makes it special is its ability to communicate telepathically to those it touches. Not only can it transmit its thoughts to a person that it makes physical contact with, but it can also act as a medium of telepathic communication between the user and someone else that it is in contact with. No matter where it is, it always holds a telepathic link to its user. This communication occurs at the normal speed of dialogue. Only words or pictures can be communicated, not emotions or memories.

How to use technique (How is it activated?): [Insert Below]

Channel reiatsu to summon the Volucris anywhere within 10 feet.

Technique Drawbacks (Limitations, repercussions for use, etc) (Insert Below)

The volucris costs 400 life force to summon. Furthermore, it is very vulnerable and cannot defend itself in combat. Therefore, if one attempts to use it in a fight, it becomes a liability that they must defend. It is also difficult to use for sensory assistance because, while it can communicate telepathically, the speed that it does so is too slow to be useful in fast-paced fights.

Made By: Mamoru Kasumi’Oji

Reserved? (Yes/No) (Can others use your technique, or just your character?): [Yes, only for members of the Kasumi’Oji family]

[Kimiko Shihoin]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Music}

Moving throughout the tangled branches of the jungle Kimiko continued to evade jumping from branch to branch while sliding along others and than dropping lower or jumping higher in order to throw off the projectiles being sent after her. While Kimiko continued to evade doing her best to put distance between her and the pursuers that were not letting up in their task to bring her down. Kimiko's small body dropped from a branch down roughly fifteen feet onto another branch that just as she shifted her weight and executed a cartwheel to the left the section she had been on was incinerated by a fireball about the size of a grizzly bear.

The heat from the fire was almost on par with that of Kaen's flames yet Kimiko having experienced both of them knew that her Vice Captain still had the stronger flames in terms of heat. It didn't matter though for the fire wasn't the only thing that she had to watch out for and keep an eye on nor was it the only thing that was keeping her on the move. The other side of that coin came while Kimiko was in mid cartwheel. Her body upside down with the branch to the right of her completely gone suddenly there was a bolt of lightning coming right for her and it didn't seem that Kimiko was going to manage getting away this time.

However, that is when Kimiko extended her right hand downwards touching the surface of the tree branch only to in that instant suddenly vanish without a trace after executing shunpo. Only a moment would pass when suddenly two individuals would land on the tree branch that Kimiko had just been on only a moment ago. Both of them looked to be a copy of the other with the only major difference between them being the color of their clothing with one wearing a red scarf and the other a yellow snow cap with minor face paint as well.

The new rising stars of the Shihoin Family that were rumored to be reaching graduation from the academy in as short as nine months. Two twin siblings of the Shihoin family one boy and one girl both younger than Kimiko yet showing as much if not more potential than even she had a few years ago. The both of them had dark blue eyes and blonde hair with same builds that made telling them apart even more difficult. Only nine months ago had they come to Kimiko begging her to teach them as the future leader of the Shihoin Family and their own hero.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Twins Appearance}

Asahi the boy was more confident of himself and in a short time had shown himself to be a jack of all trades managing to pick up most things easily. Mirai the sister was much more level headed and while she also managed to pick up on most things quickly she had a natural aptitude for the spiritual aspects of being a Shinigami. Kimiko had become their teacher after seeing so much of herself inside of them both. Through the teachings of the academy and Kimiko herself the both of them were already at a level that most unseated officers in non-combat divisions weren't. Both of them already had bonded with their zanpakuto achieving the level of Shikai which was being used now against Kimiko in training.

The both of them couldn't seem to escape the fact that they were twins as even their separate Shikai took on the identical forms of Glock 22 pistols. Asahi thus far could shoot flames from his zanpakuto either as condenses orbs or in a stream of constant flame. By comparison Mirai had managed to not only accomplish the same thing yet in the form of lightning, but somehow she could shoot any kido she could normally cast from her zanpakuto as well. While separate they were inexperienced and naïve together they were a dangerous combination for most adversaries to face off against even now and one day they would become a legendary pair of Shinigami.

Kimiko couldn't help, but smile at how much better they had become in the short amount of time that she had been in charge of their training as she looked down at them from a branch above. Each of them were scanning the area around them looking in all directions while sniffing the air and listening to everything in the vicinity trying to find her. While she was having a enjoyable morning dawn was almost upon them and Kimiko knew the training had reached its limit on available time. She'd move from her position and appear behind the both of them. Neither of them could track her movements at her maximum speed yet it didn't matter. They could see that she had managed to get between them. In a real situation they both knew they'd be dead now.

"You guys have gotten much better just keep practicing and pretty soon you'll be rivaling Kisala and me." Kimiko smiled to each of them with joy coursing throughout her soul. The twins couldn't help, but smile back towards Kimiko for her kind words even though Asahi was never truly happy after having to admit defeat. "Lady Kimiko you are to kind you and your sister are the princesses of our family. Asahi and myself won't ever be able to compare to either of you." Mirai bowed her head in respect towards Kimiko as she always did while Asahi turned his arms crossed over his chest already trying to formulate a new strategy to take down Kimiko during the next training session.

Kimiko would place a hand on each of them one on Asahi's shoulder and the other on Mirai's head gently. "You are both still learning in time I have no doubt that you will reach the level that I have obtained and even one day surpass my current limitations. Don't sell yourself short Mirai you and Ashai are shining diamonds of our family both in power and in spirit." Kimiko smiled warmly and then turned in the direction that Seireitei was towards from the Shihoin jungle. "I have an appointment. If you two can keep up you may accompany me." Kimiko would speak and then suddenly jump from her position through the jungle taking off towards the challenger arena.


Kimiko would appear outside of the arena area out by the entrance where many Shinigami were gathering. Immediately the Shinigami that were around her suddenly stopped and starred than began to whisper to one another about how she was the Captain of the Seventh Division and the one being challenged by another noble for her position. Kimiko hadn't thought when she took the vacant position that her old mentor Enma had left open that she would have to deal with all of the constant criticism. Her Vice Captain didn't really view her as worthy of the title nor did many of the other Captains take her seriously due to her age and inexperience compared to all of them. However, despite all of that Kimiko didn't seem to be angered by it at all as she looked around for a moment. As she looked around the other Shinigami looked too wondering if she was looking at them or what was going on when suddenly Ashai and Mirai appeared in front of Kimiko panting while covered in sweat. Kimiko smiled at the both of them and turned towards the entrance as she began to walk. "Come on then you can sit and rest inside don't give up at the finish line."

Kimiko entered into the arena area seeing the stands filled with Shinigami that were awaiting the battle to decide whether or not Kimiko was going to remain the Captain of the Seventh Division or be replaced by the challenger. As she got close to the arena she pointed over towards one of the first rows that was nearly full. It was obvious that she was telling Ashai and Mirai to sit there and rest while the battle was underway. Both of them tried so hard to keep up with Kimiko that they were exhausted and their legs sore from executing Shunpo far more than usually necessary. Kimiko stepped into the arena now looking it over and seeing the ceiling which gave her a strong distasteful feel about this arena.

The challenger was already inside the arena and appeared to be ready to challenge Kimiko for her position. He smiled towards her and began to speak of how he wished that the two of them didn't need to meet in this way and yet Kimiko didn't react in her normal manner of moderate acceptance or even giving someone the benefit of the doubt. The man in front of her was Himitsu Kasumi'Oji someone that would have to prove himself different from the rest of his family before Kimiko showed him any kindness.

Kimiko waited until Himitsu was finished with his loud winded speech about how he didn't feel that they needed to fight for the position and that she should just transfer to the Eleventh division and allow him to take over her own position. Kimiko starred coldly at the man who was much larger in stature than herself. "The darkness in existence needs to be eradicated Himitsu. Prove to me that you're not just like Taiho, wrapped up and consumed in that darkness like most of your family. From where I'm standing I can't in good concious believe in someone who is not only a Kasumi'Oji, but has severed under Sozen Kuchiki for as long as you have to truly uphold the law of Soul Society and look out for the saftey of all souls. Perhaps if you prove me wrong I'll allow you to take the position."

Kimiko meant what she said every word of it and held back her impulse to scream or mock Himitsu for believing that simply taking her position would be easy. She had to set a good example not only for Ashai and Mirai, but for all of the Shihoin and Division Seven. Himitsu was holding his zanpakuto now with it drawn from the sheath ready for the combat between the both of them to begin. Kimiko had left the Haoki of the Seventh Division on the back of her chair in the officer awaiting whoever returned to claim it. The massive nodachi having more length than Kimiko herself was held in Kimiko's left hand horizontally as Kimiko watched the kido barrier close completely locking the both of them inside and she began to inhale filling her lungs with oxygen while keeping her senses sharp and eyes on Himitsu awaiting the first attack of his challenge.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats & Skills}
Strength: 400 (1000)
Speed: 400 (700)
Spiritual Pressure: 400 (200)
Reiatsu Strength: 100 (50)
Instincts: 300
Senses: 150
Energy Sensory: 50
Healing Expertise: 0
Light Aura: 60
Dark Aura: 40

•[Martial Art: Hakudo] (3)
•[Martial Art: Pressure Points] (2)
•[Strength of Will] (2)
•[Battle Analysis] (2)
•[Acrobatics] (3)
•[Stealth] (2)
•[Hoho] (3)

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Kimiko…

Himitsu’s face sunk with each word his comrade spoke. “Prove to me that you're not just like Taiho, wrapped up and consumed in that darkness like most of your family. From where I'm standing I can't in good conscious believe in someone who is not only a Kasumi'Oji, but has severed under Sozen Kuchiki for as long as you have to truly uphold the law of Soul Society and look out for the safety of all souls.” Kimiko would see the sobering effect she had on Himitsu, but there was something else behind the sadness in his eyes: a steel resolve.

Play This

“Kimiko...”

Very slowly, the Lieutenant began to flex his reiatsu. He did so gradually, as not to frighten Kimiko with a sudden spike in his energy. He wasn’t trying to intimidate her. He wasn’t trying to scare her off. He wanted to let her in. Her energy sensory would have no trouble detecting the spark in Himitsu’s reiatsu, but there was unusual about Himitsu’s energy. It was inconsistent with the sorrow in the Lieutenant’s heart or the devotion in his gaze. Kimiko might be faced with the body of an ordinary soul reaper, but his reiatsu was so much more.

It was angelic. Few in the crowd might have witnessed it in the past: July Kasumi’Oji, Kyomei Kuchiki, Senshi Kasumi’Oji. But to the others, even those with the purest hearts, Himitsu’s reiatsu was incorruptible. That was his response to Kimiko’s accusations. The crowd would not understand Sozen’s role in any unethical activities, but the Kasumi’Oji reputation certainly did make for a logical challenge to Himitsu’s qualifications for leading the 7th Division. Whispers spread through the onlookers in agreement, and Himitsu’s reiatsu silenced their murmurs and doubts.

“I can feel the good in you, Kimiko.” Himitsu lacked the energy sensory to glimpse into Kimiko’s soul, but he had an instinct that allowed him to discern the nature of those he interacted with. Kimiko was good, but Himitsu had a vague sense of the balance within her soul. The light was still challenged by some darkness. Kimiko was good, but she faced the same struggles that Himitsu deal with in the past. She was not unlike Himitsu Misute, or even Mamuro Kasumi’Oji, two previous lives with conflicted hearts.

“We are on the same team, Kimiko. Your concerns are valid. I know what my family does. I know what Sozen has done. I appreciate both my family and my former Captain for all they have done for me, but I recognize the flaws that haunt both. I want to make changes, Kimiko. I want justice. So please, don’t look at me and see the corrupt illegal Kasumi’Oji dealings or the questionable acts of Sozen.

“I want to win your trust, Kimiko. I don’t want this fight, and I feel that neither do you. So evaluate me based on who I am. I was brought to my knees by Kuroi Nato. I was beaten down by Douma, the mercenary. I met my match against Guujin Karai and Saeki Kuchiki. Each time, I’ve questioned myself just as you questioned me here, but I’m still standing.

“That’s something we have in common, Kimiko. I’ve heard about your battle against the new Segunda, Ryunosuke. I know of your effort against the corruption in your own family with Hiroshi. We’re both fighters, Kimiko. We don’t give up. We see the odds stacked against and run into the fight anyway because turning back isn’t an option.”

Even though Kimiko held her blade before in a battle-ready position, Himitsu had yet to draw any weapon. He didn’t even raise his hands defensively. He wasn’t giving up. “Please, Kimiko. Trust me. Trust that I’m not going to back down. Trust that I can do this, because I trust that you’ll be fighting right beside me. We don’t need to spill any blood today.”

He wasn’t giving up on Kimiko.

[Kimiko Shihoin]

Her lungs filled already with oxygen from the battle ground Kimiko exhaled quietly making sure not to let on to what was actually going on already in this battle between two Shinigami as Himitsu seemed to look saddened by her response. However, his sorrow wasn't his only answer as he made his reiatsu signature apparent to everyone in the vicinity trying to make it seem as if her ill trust of him wasn't needed or could be swept aside easily by the sensation of his reiatsu. Kimiko however continued to stand in the same place she had been for the last few moments with no visual difference to how she looked before he even started to reveal his reiatsu.

While some of the Shinigami that were watching felt his reiatsu and believed him that based on what they were feeling there was no way that he could be corrupt Kimiko felt differently. "While it may be true that both of us serve Soul Society me and you are much different than you may realize Himitsu. You believe because you don't feel the same way as the rest of your family that it shouldn't define you? If you wish to be the symbol of Law and Justice in Soul Society than the first thing you should have done is turn the Kasumi'Oji family into something that all Shinigami can look to as a sign of pride, hope and loyalty. Instead even now as you are here trying to talk your way into a position that is needed more so right now than it has been in recent years you ignore your family."

"As the Head of the Kasumi'Oji you haven't started to fix the corruption of your family or the way that everyone here knows about them. You should as their leader want nothing more than to make everything for them better to stand up for them and make sure that in the end they're better off because of you than without you. How can I have hope in someone that thinks only of themselves first and not of the people that look up to them and depend on their actions to survive and life a happy life. Simply because you have tasted defeat does not make you the same as me nor anyone else. That pure reiatsu that you possess means nothing more than you believe what you see as good and justice to be absolute. You can't be reasoned with easily nor can you understand how others who have darkness within them feel which is something that someone who upholds justice should always keep in mind."

"I'll make this very simple Himitsu I can't trust you to uphold what is truly best for Soul Society because you have shown me no evidence that you hold what is best for even your family let alone all of Soul Society. You act as if the enemy is obvious and will always be a monster. This job isn't war it's not Division Eleven the people we deal with are not the true enemy nor are they individuals that should be treated as nothing more than statistics which I'm sorry is all I feel from you. You claim that you won't back down from your job well what will happen when someone has to make a difficult decision and it ends up badly? Will you sentence them to death for trying their best or will you understand the situation and realize they deserve no such treatment? I'll tell you what though prove to me that you aren't in this for yourself or anyone else, but for ALL OF SOUL SOCIETY!" Kimiko screamed and as she did everyone began to cheer knowing that Kimiko the Captain truly held their best interests above all else.

Kimiko was finished speaking hoping that Himitsu was going to at least back up his challenge for her position instead of wasting her time attempting to talk her out of the position. She had used all of the air inside of her lungs and now began to inhale once again taking in more and more oxygen leaving less and less inside of the kido barrier. Kimiko knew how Himitsu fought like every other Shinigami with spiritual prowess focusing on kido above all else. He was no different than Taiho had been and she was going to prove to him just like she would have proved to her that she wasn't to be underestimated simply because she didn't fling spells. She was someone with true strength and it was time to see if Himitsu had enough spell work to back up his challenge or if he'd return to lick Sozen's shoes again.

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Himitsu felt a small ache pulling down on his heart. It hurt him to hear Kimiko’s response. It hurt to see how one-sided her perspective was. She accused Himitsu for not tackling the corruption in his own family, but he had only just returned to Soul Society and taken on the responsibilities of the Kasumi’Oji head. He and July had already put plans in motion to abandon the family’s illegal activity while maintaining its financial stability. But Kimiko’s view was narrow, and she only saw what she desired.

Arrogant. Rash. Reckless. Emotional. Hostile. All words that appropriately described Kimiko’s outburst. It was full of assumptions without any regard as to whether her accusations were true or not. She pointed aggressive fingers at Himitsu, labeling him as selfish, short-sighted, and dishonest. She rejected nearly everything Himitsu communicated to her just moments ago, leaving his message behind without even glancing back. There was little good in her words, and it saddened Himitsu to hear a Captain speak in such a way.

“I’m sorry, Kimiko.” The lieutenant apology had nothing to do with Kimiko’s nature. No, he was sorry that he failed to get through to her. Had he been more convincing, perhaps things could go differently. But Kimiko is not an easy person to convince. She called upon Himitsu to prove to her that he was committed to justice for ‘all of Soul Society,’ but he could not prove anything to Kimiko. She already decided what she believed. Himitsu’s actions meant nothing when she already saw Himitsu as a corrupt, power-hungry Kasumi’Oji snake gunning for her position.

However, the woman was right about one thing. “Me and you are much different than you may realize Himitsu.” Yes, they were different. Himitsu matured, but Kimiko still saw only what she wanted to see. She was a good person, but Himitsu saw her as the child she is. Unfortunately, they would not be able to reach an agreement. But he honored July in his diplomatic effort. Himitsu’s now co-head told Himitsu in the middle of their heated battle that, if Himitsu had just asked, July would have given him the reigns of the Kasumi’Oji. July reminded him to have faith in people, and that was an important lesson. However, Himitsu also had to understand when he needed to fight for his own way. This was that kind of situation.

“But I want you to remind you of one last thing,” the lieutenant told her. But as he did, he was preparing a mental incantation in his mind. ‘Barrier of dust, shield of north, protector of Men! Arise from ashes and reveal our weakness. Dissolve into air and hide our sins! On altars of greed we call you. In graves of virtue we worship you. Bind, scatter, reduce to ash! Cripple, crush, dissolve!’ Himitsu was able to prepare the entire incantation in just a second, not an overly-long pause. His reiatsu didn’t fluctuate with the silent incantation either. No, it was just a step he was taking pre-maturely. Kimiko was doing the same thing with her obviously heavy breathing, and two could play at that game.

“We’re on the same team. Regardless of what happens in this battle, call upon me as an ally when you need one. I hope to do the same.”

And then it began.

A pulse of reiatsu rushed from Himitsu in all directions. Kimiko would be able to detect and even recognize it instantly. Spiritual Pulse was a simple technique that any race could utilize for sensory purposes. It moved toward Kimiko at a speed of 600, and unless she had a reiatsu-based barrier to block it, the technique would pass through her. But as it did, Kimiko’d be struck by another technique. From a point on Spiritual Pulse millimeters in front of Kimiko’s torso, a tiny red beam of light would emerge and connect with Kimiko’s body before she would even have time to look down and see it.

Bakudo #9: Geki was a fairly low-class kido, but it was effective in paralyzing those it struck. Thanks to Himitsu’s unique ability, he could cast spells from any source of his reiatsu. This technique let him cast the bakudo at point-blank range. And, best of all, everything the spiritual pulse made contact with was infected with Himitsu’s pure reiatsu. The energy would spread passively throughout the entire border of the arena. In this one move, he had accomplished quite a bit to set up the fight. Himitsu could not be certain that his technique would hit, but if it did, Kimiko would find herself struck with 12 pillars of light from two uses of Bakudo #61: Rikujokoro, immobilizing her.

But just bakudo would not be enough to end the fight. If Kimiko were trapped, a wave of water emerged from the rods of lightning, engulfing the trapped captain. They would drown her until she passed out. He would do his best to avoid harming the Shihoin, but if she escalated the battle, he might not have any choice.

Reiatsu Remaining: /6000 (-50 for spiritual pulse, -25 for Geki, -150 for Lineage of Reiatsu)

If Himitsu’s spells hit, I’ll add the following reiatsu costs next post: (-600 for Rikujokoro x2, -100 for Hado #40 Gouzen Demizu, -150 for Lineage of Reiatsu)

[Kimiko Shihoin]

It seemed that Himitsu was just going to continue speaking as if he was an angel of Soul Society out to do nothing, but good despite the fact that his family had caused more problems for the spiritual world than perhaps any other family in history and he didn't seem to be changing it at all. Even after that though it seemed that Himitsu was simply looking down on Kimiko apologizing for whatever reason that she in all honesty didn't care about. Kimiko could feel the tension that had built up between them now as Himitsu spoke once again claiming that he wished to remind her of something.

At that moment though Kimiko although her energy sensory wasn't anywhere near hyper developed nor earn the level of some of the other Captains she could sense the spike in Himitsu's reiatsu which meant one simple thing; he was channeling it for a technique. It seemed that Himitsu wanted to remind Kimiko that they were both on the side of Soul Society and that regardless of how this battle between them ended he wished for her to think of him as an ally to call upon if she should ever need him and that he planned to do the same. Kimiko was slightly annoyed by how Himitsu was speaking to her due to the passive aggressive type of manner that she felt was seeped into his words.

Kimiko's own reiatsu was spiked at the moment though as Himitsu spoke just as the nails on her body lengthened while becoming far more dense and sharpened upon the end. Not only were her nails becoming much larger and transforming into deadly weapons, but her teeth behind her lips also grew larger while all of them became sharp fangs. It only took an instant for the change to occur and just like that it seemed that all of the talking was over and the battle for the position of Captain had truly begun. Himitsu's reiatsu spiked even further and as it did a pulse of reiatsu seemed to rush out from Himitsu's body spreading throughout the area as a whole at a rapid speed.

However, Kimiko had faced off against Shinigami that clung to the spiritual arts in the past. She never held any sort of interest in the art of kido nor any of the other special abilities that some Shinigami were able to create instead developing her natural strength. She had fought against them so often due to the over use in her opinion of kido that she had learned how to fight against them. This time it would come down to her own experience against Himitsu's ability to employ and cast kido. Himitsu might have been able to sense a spike in Kimiko's reiatsu as she began her technique, but there was one difference. Kimiko knew Himitsu was a kido practitioner and favored it above all else.

She was prepared to continue sensing his reiatsu spiking and know that throughout this battle he was going to cast kido. By the same merit Himitsu more than likely had done his research and learned that Kimiko was one of the foremost developed Hakuda and Hoho practitioners in all of Soul Society. That though gave her an advantage right now. No one knew of her technique Aspects of the Predator for it had only been developed in the last six months and only ever used against Beasts in the wilds of Soul Society. This would be the first time anyone would see it and no one would know why Kimiko's reiatsu had spiked yet she hadn't disappeared. The only thing that would be anticipatable would be for her to vanish executing shunpo meaning Himitsu was in the dark.

The pulse of reiatsu was moving at a speed of 600 and had started roughly a second ago yet already covered the immediate area around Himitsu. This wasn't going to play out how Himitsu believed he wasn't going to dominate this battle and have it easily. There was no law in place in this battle keeping Kimiko from slaughtering Himitsu and eliminating the Head of the Kasumi'Oji family. Anyone watching into Mirai and Asahi would witness as Kimiko's left hand moved upwards in the same manner as an uppercut yet with her fingers outwards. In that next instant five tall like crescent shockwaves were sent flying through the air at a speed of 1000 from Kimiko right towards Himitsu.

The shockwaves were much different from the typical that a Shinigami or anyone with developed strength could cause, these were thin, sharp and much faster than the norm and would inflict far more damage to anything they touch. Kimiko had been careful in the execution of causing the shockwaves so that now as they moved towards Himitsu the ground of the arena wouldn't be damaged thus not revealing the exact location. Each shockwave was roughly two and a half feet in length while being positioned so that they would cut Himitsu from the base of his solar plexus up to slightly above his head. The space between each of them was only about three inches meaning that unless Himitsu began to move almost right away his body was going to be cut somewhere on his upper body.

As the crescent shockwaves rushed towards Himitsu though they would make contact with the reiatsu pulse that Himitsu was sending out and even though normally the pulse would be unaffected by physical methods Kimiko's overwhelming strength would cause the reiatsu to be cut apart like paper as the shockwaves continued towards Himitsu. The former Vice Captain of the Sixth Division wouldn't have an easy time seeing the shockwaves not only due to his own eagerness to employ his kido the moment the pulse reached Kimiko, but also because Kimiko wasn't simply standing in the same spot anymore. After raising her left hand and sending out the crescent shockwaves suddenly her massive nodachi held in her right hand shattered into a thousand shards of black glass only to reform into one of the black and grey furred wolves known as Haunzu at her side.

In the next instant Kimiko made two separate actions simultaneously moving her left hand from the far left over to the far right causing a much longer series of crescent shockwaves this time that were sent flying towards Himitsu in a horizontal manner as opposed to the vertical manner of the first series. This second use of the crescent shockwaves though was different as the first set were only the size of a few feet while these were much longer seeming to grow as they moved due to how Kimiko had moved her arm until they would reach several meters in length upon reaching Himitsu shortly after the first set.

While at the same time her right hand was brought downwards sending out five of the crescent shockwaves down upon Haunzu slicing apart his body into six different pieces while keeping his head completely unharmed. Bending downwards in the last moment or so before the pulse would reach the area around Kimiko she prepared herself. The pulse due to it being cut apart wouldn't be able to actually move through or over Kimiko for that section was no longer there it would though surround her giving her only a few extra inches of area off her body that weren't effected. That didn't matter though as Kimiko bent downwards flexing her muscles and grabbing ahold of Haunzu's head by his fur. In the next instant Kimiko jumped off the ground causing a massive crater and small gust of air that would push away the other sections of Haunzu's cut apart body.

As the first set of shockwaves would reach Himitsu the female Shihoin was moving upwards to the top of the barrier moving through the pulse giving Himitsu a chance to cast a kido if he could accurately hit Kimiko not to mention risk getting cut apart. It would only take a moment though for Kimiko to reach the three hundred foot height limit of the barrier. Once she reached the top of the barrier her left hand was held above her hand her claws actually digging into and through the barrier allowing Kimiko to hold herself up above the ground hanging from the barrier as she threw Haunzu as his entire body finished regenerating. Haunzu was thrown so that he would arrive near Himitsu's current location only a moment after the second set of the crescent shockwaves.

Whatever Himitsu planned on doing he would have to react first in some way or else this battle was already finished. Kimiko had released her Shikai and was not wasting any time in this battle against nobility. She would not only watch carefully, but keep her ability to sense reiatsu locked on Himitsu enabling her to tell when and if he was going to cast a kido. All the while unknown to Himitsu and most of the Shinigami watching Kimiko had more than one vantage point within the barrier and within the next few moments Himitsu was going to be facing more than just Kimiko and a single wolf.

Shikai: 1/10

Aspects of the Predator: 1/10

Remaining Reiatsu: 1550/2000
Shikai: {-150}
Aspects of the Predator: {-300}

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Himitsu could feel Kimiko’s reiatsu rise. She was either channeling a technique to use later or activating some sort of enhancement technique. Considering her fighting style, the latter was more probably. After all, she was very direct and physical. Her spiritual abilities most likely revolved around amplifying her own fitness and physical capabilities. But Himitsu would stay vigilant, ready to react to even the most subtle threatening actions.

Kimiko reacted to Himitsu’s pulse of reiatsu before it got even close to reaching her. Her arms moved too fast for the Lieutenant to make out, but he understood her actions. She was sending shockwaves toward him, that much was clear. Normally, shockwaves couldn’t penetrate spiritual pulse, but these seemed to be augmented and tore gaping holes through the sensory technique. They cut off Himitsu’s planned course of action while simultaneously forcing him on the defensive. It was an intelligent move.

However, if Kimiko had expected those shockwaves to trouble her enemy too much, she’d be disappointed. Himitsu had been cunning enough to prepare against such offensive showmanship. Kimiko had much raw power, yes. However, the Shihoin’s shockwaves would fail to break through a golden defense Himitsu had set up. Normally, Bakudo #81: Danku took the form of a large wall. However, Himitsu enhanced the spell with one of his Kasumi’Oji family techniques, Genesis Art: Vitae. The shield was animated into a transparent, golden stingray large enough to cover a fifth of the arena like a blanket. The stingray positioned itself like a tent around Himitsu, hovering over him while its large body was bent downward to protect him from all sides. Because of the incantation, Himitsu’s defense was more than sufficient to halt the shockwaves.

As the stingray did all of Himitsu’s work for him, the Vice Captain kept his eyes trained on Kimiko. He felt her release her shikai, resulting in a wolf spawning beside her. After another blurred movement, the stringray would be tasked with defending Himitsu against another round of shockwaves while Himitsu noted the sautéed wolf pieces lying on the ground before him. Still, he wouldn’t have time to do much more than note the wolf parts. Kimiko was already on the move again, leaping to the top of the arena and using her hand to dig into the barrier and keep herself in the air.

That was her mistake. She might have planned to drop the final piece of the wolf beside Himitsu – although even if she succeeded in doing so, the wolf would only fall on top of the stringray. Nonetheless, her course of action stopped there. Kimiko moved through the Spiritual Pulse to reach the top of their battle arena. If she had moved within the range of the Spiritual Pulse, that could only mean that the Spiritual Pulse arrived at the ceiling of the reiatsu barrier before Kimiko did. Therefore, she didn’t plug sharp hand into the ordinary reiatsu barrier. Spiritual Pulse had infected that surface with Himitsu’s own reiatsu, courtesy of his passive ability The Light.

And unfortunately for Kimiko, she would have no way of dodging what came next. Bakudo #9: Geki would paralyze her body, preventing her from even flexing or releasing Haunzu’s head. But how did Bakudo #9 hit when no thin red beam of light had ever even formed? The beam was never in sight of anyone’s vision, especially not Kimiko’s. After all, the beam didn’t travel any visible distance. It simply traveled the mircoscopic distance from the reiatsu barrier to Kimiko’s finger, giving her no time to react. Even if she could anticipate it, it would take too much time to dislodge her hand from its grip on the roof of the barrier to avoid a less than point-blank hit from the spell.

But that wasn’t all. While Kimiko was stuck, temporarily incapable of any physical movement, she’d received a shocking surprise – pun intended. Although I’m getting ahead of myself. ‘Shocking surprise’ is a pun because Himitsu sent an incredible amount of electricity through her body, once again at point blank range. Using Lineage of Reiatsu once more to cast his spells from the reishi barrier infected with his reiatsu, Himitsu cast Hado #35: Raikou Kawa not once but twice.

Steam would rise from Kimiko’s electrocuted body. Once she recovered from the paralysis effects of both Geki and Raikou Kawa, she might even realize that her entire body felt uncomfortably numb. She lacked true control of her body. She would be significantly slower and weaker for a little while longer, putting her at a terrible disadvantage.

At the opening of their fight, if all went according to the plan, Kimiko would lose the majority of her physical prowess while Himitsu would be surrounded by a sturdy and mobile defense. Using those spells in quick succession had taxed his stamina and made his breathing noticeably heavier, but he was just getting started. Things already didn’t seem to be in Kimiko’s favor.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Kimiko.”

Reiatsu Remaining: 4675/6000 (-600 for Danku, -25 for Geki, -450 for Lineage of Reiatsu x3, -200 for Raikou Kawa x2)

Life Force Remaining: 5700/6000 (-300 for Vitae)

Reiatsu Strength of Danku after Incantation: 1120

[Kimiko Shihoin]

As Kimiko moved her hands through the air she was able to still make out the actions that Himitsu used in order to protect himself from her crescent shockwaves that had been sent both vertically and horizontally towards him. As she jumped from the surface of the arena floor she could see that suddenly all around Himitsu was a golden barrier of reiatsu that seemed to take on the form of a stingray. The kido barrier was massive in size taking up a large majority of the area within the barrier that made up the arena.

The barrier seemed to hold off the shockwaves enough that none of them managed to get through it and to Himitsu however Kimiko although she was high up in the air reaching the top of the arena she could hear the sound of the barrier cracking from the shockwaves. The strength of Himitsu's reiatsu was no joke yet it still wasn't enough to withstand Kimiko's mighty strength completely nor would it be enough to claim victory over her. While his defense was quick and gave him a well suited defense against what many would assume she would be capable of as a Hakuda practitioner there was one weakness that she doubted Himitsu realized. While the stingray was golden in color it was still partly transparent meaning that Kimiko could still see Himitsu and he could see her so long as his eyes could keep up.

While she was holding Haunzu in her left hand she knew that his body was regenerating at the typical rate that would be complete within the next few microseconds she could also feel a slight rise in Himitsu's reiatsu almost as if his pulse itself had just flickered out of synch. The blue eyes of the Shihoin princess thinned ever so slightly as she realized that somehow Himitsu was going to try and cast another kido. If she hadn't seen the spiritual pulse of reiatsu that Himitsu had sent out as his first move than Kimiko would have had to question how he planned to hit her with a kido while the distance between them at the moment was so great.

She knew that there were plenty of binding kido that could be cast so long as he could see her that would appear around her without having to take time to actually reach her body, but even taking that into account Kimiko though that it would be best to never give this stubborn mold of clay a chance to actually get her. Kimiko's left hand would quickly release her grip on Haunzu's head only for her to suddenly press her body off of it and vanish in the process. Just as Himitsu was skilled enough in the art of kido that it only took him a moment to cast a single kido Kimiko was one of the foremost practitioners of Hoho meaning that while it was true her reiatsu spiked for a brief moment that was the only clue.

As for Haunzu well Kimiko didn't know what type of kido Himitsu was planning on casting against her or if he would be able to halt the casting now that she would vanish just as her claws were about to touch the surface of the arena barrier. If the red orb of light traveled as planned though it would strike Haunzu causing his body to be paralyzed like Himitsu had planned for Kimiko the only difference would be that Haunzu was entirely there anymore. Kimiko had placed just enough force on his head while executing Shunpo that his entire head had erupted which now began to rain downwards towards the stingray from above as small pieces of his brain and skull.

Meanwhile the four sections of the original Haunzu that had been manifested were no longer merely sections as they had all regenerated and become whole. Four of the black and grey wolves stood looking at Himitsu through the stingray for a brief moment until they paired off and four became two. Now there would be two wolves standing on four legs with two heads on a single body something that individuals throughout Soul Society would have only heard of unless they were apart of Division Seven. There were very few individuals in Soul Society that knew the abilities of Kimiko's zanpakuto two of the handful being other Captains that had fought against her in the past.

These two Haunzu were still in the area of the arena that Himitsu's spiritual pulse had been unable to affect due to it being torn apart by Kimiko's crescent shockwaves. The Haunzu that was further to the right made a quick decision to bite off it's own tongue or well the head that was on the left side did and then spit it out onto the floor of the arena. It was only a microsecond later that not only did his tongue completely regenerate inside of his mouth, but both of the duel headed Haunzu's charged separating from one another with one going to the left and the other to the right while both got ever closer to Himitsu at a rate of speed that he wouldn't actually be able to perceive beyond a blur of color as they moved at 813 in terms of speed.

Whether or not Himitsu had turned to look at them or not didn't matter as they had entered into his spiritual pulse meaning that for that brief moment his senses would have receives a notification similar to a blip on a radar indicating that something else had just entered into it. It was at that very moment that Kimiko would reappear only for an instant right above him on the back of the stingray her right leg pulled back with her knee at the level of her stomach only to then extend straight downwards with all of her might. If Himitsu saw this he more than likely believed that his kido barrier would be enough to protect him from Kimiko and this would give him another chance to cast a kido.

Either way he was wrong as the moment that Kimiko's right foot touched the surface of the stingrays back Haunzu entered into the spiritual pulse area clouding his though process for at least a millesecond which would be filled with the true problem that the former Vice Captain of Division Six would be facing now. While it was true that unless Kimiko chose to enhance her brute strength through one of her techniques she wouldn't be able to break through the stingray in a single strike that didn't mean she couldn't hit Himitsu. Kimiko's reiatsu signature would spike slightly more so than it had previously as she had executed Shunpo as she executed the Shihoin techniques known as Hyunnarda.

The force of Kimiko's kick wouldn't be inflicted upon the back of the stingray due to the usage of Hyunnarda instead the stingray barrier became a medium for her brute strength to travel through only to appear from the other side right above Himitsu in the form of a large shockwave that would travel downwards causing massive damage to his entire body. Even if Himitsu managed to somehow time himself correctly and evade the direct shockwave that came from the stingray it would still cause the arena floor around him to erupt sending rubble flying inside of his barrier at high velocities more than likely hitting him a few times while also causing a heavy dust cloud to form inside of the barrier

Kimiko thought the chances of Himitsu actually being able to evade her attack was next to impossible due to all of the factors that would be going through his head along with the fact that he had no actual knowledge nor reason to believe that he could be harmed inside of his own barrier. However, Kimiko didn't plan on giving Himitsu the chance to hit her which is why she would vanish from the stingray before the force of her kick had even been able to strike Himitsu as she executed Shunpo off of her left foot. Kimiko would reappear next to the newly forming Haunzu inside of the area that Himitsu's spiritual pulse had been unable to reach which was effectively a safe zone in the arena.

Unlike Hmitsu the Shihoin princess didn't have any reason to warn Himitsu nor speak during this exchange so she stood with her arms at her sides watching both with her own eyes and the eyes of everything else other than Himitsu inside of the barrier. While Kimiko watched and Himitsu would be dealing with whatever the outcome of her attack was both of the Haunzu duel heads would reach the stingray barrier after coming back together in order to charge forward and slam into the damaged section that had been able to withstand Kimiko's previous shockwaves. While separate the wolves would have only been able to deepen the cracks in the stingray yet together they would have enough force to smash their way through to the inside. Once inside the both of them would be able to track down Himitsu swiftly by scent and again at the speed of 813 they would each attack one from the far left and the other from the far right attempting to bite down on each of his limbs with their four large mouths and bring him to the floor of the arena.

Shikai: 2/10

Aspects of the Predator: 2/10

Remaining Reiatsu: 1200/2000
Shunpo: {-100}
Hyunnarda: {-250}

Haunzu Stats
Strength: 650 (2 Headed Wolves 813)
Speed: 650 (2 Headed Wolves 813)
Instincts: 250
Senses: 250

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

OOC Note: Kimiko’s got a 2 in BA, so she has intermediate battle analysis. Just wanted to point that out, since it does make anticipating moves a little difficult

The Shihoin was performing quite well. Himitsu was fairly confident that his binding techniques would hit, yet she proved cunning and resourceful enough to get herself out of what was about to be a very dangerous scenario. The lieutenant figured out how Kimiko escaped just from the rain of dog parts that descended on his stingray. At the expense of her wolf, Kimiko was able to use a step technique in mid-air to move to safety. It was an intelligent escape, one that Himitsu had to respect her for.

While he had charged Bakudo #9: Geki, the lieutenant held off on casting it, which in turn ended his plan to electrocute her with other spells. He wasn’t in a position to push his offensive, not yet. Kimiko would surely have a counterattack prepared, and his priority would be protecting himself. In his current situation, he had to keep his focus on Kimiko. His peripheral vision showed more than one wolf back where Kimiko once stood. He heard about her wolves’ ability to heal and regenerate, so it seemed that she could dice them for the purpose of replication. Interesting. Unfortunately, the only thing between Himitsu and the wolves was his cracked barrier. Himitsu decided to end the animation of his Danku through Genesis Art: Vitae. That defense clearly wasn’t reliable.

But as the wolves moved through Himitsu’s spiritual pulse, signifying two of them, Kimiko had also appeared over his head. He had a split second before her leg came crashing down. First of all, if Kimiko was going to try and kick the barrier in an uncompromised position, Himitsu would automatically assume that she somehow summoned enough strength to shatter it. Secondly, his next reaction was instinctive. Right when Kimiko appeared and slammed her leg down with all her might, she’d find that she was stunned mid-kick. In the most awkward way possible, the momentum of her leg would just… stop. Freeze. Her entire body was stunned.

Kimiko would be hit with Bakudo #9: Geki, the same spell she had anticipated earlier. Unfortunately, Himitsu didn’t release his charge on the spell. His reiatsu had stayed at a steady level, for he already had the bakudo prepared. Kimiko’s evasion simply delayed it. With no warning from her energy sensory and with the spell coming from the stingray just beneath her, where she didn’t have vision, Kimiko wouldn’t know what hit her. By the time she registered that Himitsu had paralyzed her, the rest of the Kasumi’Oji’s plan from earlier would follow through. Using Lineage of Reiatsu once more, a use of Hado #35: Raikou Kawa would send high voltages of electricity through her body, severely numbing her muscles. However, she proved to be difficult for Himitsu to handle this time. Unfortunately, he would have to inflict more damage to slow Kimiko down, and so a thin lighting beam would shoot from the stingray through her thigh and bone, completely preventing her from using her right leg.

But unfortunately, her wolves proved to be problematic. Himitsu had to watch out for them as well, and to do so, he needed help. After Kimiko had been taken care of and the wolves were only a second away from devouring Himitsu, the canines would find an unpleasant surprise. Suddenly, two red wolves three times the size of Kimiko’s would appear by the Lieutenant’s side. By using Genesis Art: Vitae on two uses of Hado #31: Shakkoho would lunge toward the wolves. They seemed to materialize out of thin air, and now, the wolves would have instead charge straight into their explosive counterparts. While Kimiko’s wolves were notably faster, Himitsu’s had an easier task. They just had to act as a defense for Himitsu, and it’s harder to charge at Himitsu than it is to block him. If the wolves tried getting to close, the Shakkoho guard dogs would erupt into a fiery explosion to eliminate the wolves. And as all this was happening, Himitsu hadn’t moved a muscle. He kept one eye on the wounded Kimiko and another eye on her troublesome release.

Reiatsu Remaining: 4650/6,000 (+200 for only one use of Raikou Kawa instead of 2, -25 for Byakurai, -200 for Shakkoho x2)

Life Force Remaining: 5100/6000

Note: Danku is still a stingray, but Himitsu ended Vitae’s enhancements so it can no longer move.

[Kimiko Shihoin]

The battle against the Kasumi’Oji known as Himitsu was progressing at a rate that Kimiko felt was rather dull. She enjoyed battle perhaps more so than even the extreme members of Division Eleven and yet never enjoyed doing battle against these types of opponents. The type of individual that would stay still behind some sort of defense while casting spiritual techniques in an attempt to bring her down.

She had experienced the same type of battle dozens of times over to the point that even fighting against a high standing and powerful Vice Captain or at least a former one it was no more exciting than the prospect of getting something good for dinner. The young Shihoin enjoys battles that pushed the limitations of what her body was capable of achieving and so far there were only a few Shinigami in all of Soul Society that were capable of such a feat.

Ever since she had become a Shinigami her cousin Okami had been a constant reminded that she was his successor. She was meant to lead after him and in order to do so effectively she had to become better than him or else she was simply weakening the family she sought to protect. He had defeated her shortly after she had become a Shinigami and from that moment onward Kimiko had trained her body in some of the harshest ways possible.

She didn’t know how to stop anymore nor did she want to because of the thrill that came with a death match against someone that could take her blow for blow. She knew there were Shinigami that could fight her and others that she couldn’t defeat with Hakuda alone. However, out of all of those there was only one that she had found that she could train against while enjoying herself. The Vice Captain of Division Seven, Kaen.

A man that Kimiko felt looked a little young for his age and rumored experiences yet regardless he had proven himself to be a more than capable fighter. He had faced off against her only a short time after she had become the Captain of the Division and in that fight he had showed her that he was worthy of her respect and attention. While she loved her family and sought to protect all of Soul Society and the Human World by enforcing the laws there was a part of her that didn’t want to lose this battle for the simple reason that she wouldn’t be able to face off against Kaen at any moment if she lost.

That’s why Kimiko was no longer going to take this battle lightly she had been keeping her focus and evading whenever possible at the moment that something seemed to be happening, but continuing that manner was going to take more stamina and keep this battle going longer than she deemed Himitsu worthy. That’s why as she appeared over his barrier with her right leg coming down just as Haunzu was rushing through the spiritual field Kimiko continued through with her attack.

Himitsu believed that due to the close proximity of Kimiko’s body to his barrier and the placement of her body that she wouldn’t be able to see the small red orb of reiatsu that was cast upwards from the barrier towards her body. However, he was wrong for there was something special about Kimiko’s zanpakuto that no one had ever come to understand or at least not in the time that it mattered.

Haunzu all of them were watching the scene unfold the two twin headed wolves were charging from the front looking from different angels at the same scenario. The Haunzu that was still standing in the area that had been untouched by Himitsu’s spiritual wave was watching as well even though from a farther vantage point his senses more than made up for it allowing him to keep his eyes upon the exchange.

They were no longer the only spirits that had been manifested from Kimiko’s inner world though as above her falling now downwards around the barrier that Himitsu had cast were the former pieces of the Haunzu that Kimiko had executed Shunpo off of only a moment earlier. Those pieces of flesh and bone were already rapidly regenerating into brand new Haunzu almost fully sized black and grey wolves that starred downwards at the two Shinigami from every possible angle from above. There were now ten Haunzu in all with six new wolves descending upon the barrier while the harmed one was completely healed now falling downwards doing the same thing as his siblings.

Himitsu was dead wrong in assuming that because Kimiko’s own eyes might not be able to see the small kido being cast upwards that she would be taken off guard. Kimiko had more eyes at the moment than any other Shinigami in all of Soul Society as she watched her own movements and Himitsu from eleven different vantage points. Her brain processing all of the images at a rate that could only be handled after weeks and weeks on training along with her beast like instincts.

Her right leg continued to descend downwards there was just one thing that Himitsu didn’t think of when he cast the kido. Was Kimiko really going to be stopped when it touched her? The answer was no. The binding kido Geki’s form collided with Kimiko’s right foot as she brought it downwards altering the angle of her foot making sure that her downwards kick would shatter his spell work breaking the spell immediately with her monstrous strength.

Kido was something that Kimiko over the last few years had faced off against more so than even other entities that utilized their body as a strength. It was from this experience of dealing not only with kido, but also the reiatsu based abilities of Hollows and Arrancar that Kimiko’s actions were precise resulting in the destruction of the binding kido with overwhelming force preventing the spell from even taking effect on Kimiko’s body as it was immediately destroyed. At the same time Kimiko’s right foot would strike the barrier sending through it the shockwave directly down onto Himitsu Kimiko could sense another spike in his reiatsu.

“Haunzu he’s going to do something get in there and take him down now.” Kimiko spoke telepathically mainly to the twin headed wolves that were at this moment right at the edge of the barrier were it was cracked. In that instant they’d both collide with the barrier shattering it gaining entrance to an area that Himitsu had claimed as his own in this battle.

“Leave it to us your Majesty!”

“Whatever this man is planning it won’t be enough.”

Both of the twin heads were confident in the idea that they could take down Himitsu from within his own barrier even as he cast the strange wolves made of fire. However, that would be the last thing possible for him to achieve in that brief space of time. He had planned on his kido paralyzing Kimiko in order to buy him enough time to eliminate her wolves. As her right foot would strike the barrier Kimiko would feel pain course throughout the lower part of her leg as the lightning kido that Himitsu had prepared flowed from the barrier into her leg.

That didn’t prevent her shockwave from traveling through the barrier as a medium and appearing from the barrier itself directly above him which with the strength behind it would cause severe damage to Himitsu’s body. While Kimiko hadn’t been able to predict or plan for the sudden electricity that was coursing throughout her calf she was quick to react. Almost immediately Kimiko would flex her gastrocnemius the larger part of the calf muscles which would create of lock down for the electricity that was flowing through her leg. Suddenly it would be like the muscle itself was breaking the electricity and pushing it inward towards Kimiko’s bone.

That only lasted for a moment however as Kimiko swiftly flexed her soleus the muscle closest to the shin bone under the gastrocnemius causing a type of two fronted guard within her own body against the electricity that was suddenly being crushed by Kimiko’s sheer strength. While the electricity had caused some bleeding and damage to her muscles it was now crushed broken and now the process was being brought further downwards to Kimiko’s foot which tensed and caused even the barrier that she was standing on to crack.

Himitsu’s lightning kido was a nice trick, but against Kimiko’s strength it wouldn’t be enough. It seemed that he had prepared even more against her though as a beam of lightning emerged from the barrier aimed to strike her right thigh. The Shihoin princess while her own body to close to perceive it accurately was able to view all of it through the many Haunzu keeping their gaze locked on her location. A grin spread across her small face as the lightning beam would make contact with her thigh which had just been flexed and stop with a shrieking howl of noise as the beam shattered apart off of her muscle.

Kimiko held strength that very few other Shinigami could match or for that matter even acquire and this was the result of her death defying training and experience. Her body was stronger than Himitsu’s spell work and the proof was now out for everyone watching to bare witness to the Captain that many others claimed to be head strong and naïve. She wasn’t to be ignored nor mocked for choosing to walk a different path. Her strength was her own and stopping her wasn’t going to be as easy as they all thought.

Whether or not Himitsu was able to somehow dodge the shockwave that Kimiko had sent down upon him mattered very little even if it was next to impossible and he was most likely in grave pain and heavily injured. It didn’t matter for the simple reason that within his barrier were the twin headed Haunzu and his own two fire wolves that he had granted life through some unknown spiritual ability. Inside of the barrier occurring at the same time as the exchange of strengths between the two Shinigami were the movements of the wolves.

Haunzu all of them held far more experience in combat than any simple minded cast kido creatures. All of Haunzu had trained with Kimiko throughout the last few years taking on foes from virtually all races in mortal combat and more than often coming out victorious. These were the same entities responsible in part to Kimiko’s vast improvement and her ability to deal with damage to her own body. They had torn her apart over and over again learning from her how to better themselves even while she learned from them. They were all a team and this team wasn’t going to be undone by a simple minded spell.

Inhaling as much oxygen as the four heads possibly could while within two bodies the set of Haunzu charged forwards at a speed of 816 moving fast enough that Himitsu himself would barely see anything as they were nearly invisible to his eyes and senses. Each step taken making virtually no noise from the stealthy wolves. This was the moment the kido wolves were only a few feet away from them while they were roughly fifteen feet from Himitsu. In that next instant it would seem as if Himitsu was successful as his wolves would explode in a fiery burst causing smoke and fire to engulf the inside of his barrier.

What he more than likely had overlooked when casting his kido in order to deal with both of the wolves quickly was the fact that they were still close to him. The explosion would reach the Shinigami more than likely causing heavy burns across his own body from his own reiatsu strength. He had been caught in his own spells area of effect along with perhaps the shockwave that Kimiko had sent through above him which would have caused the ground of the arena to burst apart creating a dust cover around Himitsu to make dealing with the explosion of his kido practically impossible.

It wasn’t over though the challenger would still more than likely be able to fight even if his body had taken heavy damage and for that reason the Haunzu had planned accordingly. Only a foot or so prior to colliding with the kido wolves both Haunzu had released the air within their bodies outwards towards the opposing wolves. The result was quite simple. While the explosion still occurred it was directed backwards further towards Himitsu guaranteeing that he would be hit by the flames of his own spell.

It would also cause the explosion to make contact with Haunzu less as it continued to charge through the flames. It wasn’t something that any of them enjoyed yet knew was in the best interested of their queen. The fur burning from their flesh as they felt pain spread across every part of them. They would reach a few feet from Himitsu only to fall to the ground in overwhelming pain unable to move. That was when their planned went into the final stage. The Haunzu that had been fused together with the dominate bodies split apart from the now burn counterparts returning to their own bodies which had been unaffected due to the fusion.

In the black smoke cover the two met together fusing into one body as a single twin headed wolf that was unharmed from the explosion. It would charge forward moving silently due to the skill in Stealth that all of them possessed while at a speed of 816 the body full of stamina as it hadn’t done anything up to this point. In that next instant it would reach Himitsu wherever he was located within his barrier doing the best it could to bite down upon Himitsu’s wrists to prevent him from casting his spells in some way along with causing heavy bleeding.

Haunzu would have a hold of Himitsu if successful and from that point onward immediately would pull him down to the floor of the arena with all of its might more than likely causing the arena floor to cave inwards. At that point Himitsu would be lifted up and brought back down being trashed about by the twin headed wolf with its located jaw. Kimiko had no intention of killing Himitsu yet wasn’t going to stop Haunzu from doing the best that he could against her challenger.

She had already vanished executing shunpo once again in order to get back to the original location that was unaffected by Himitsu’s spiritual wave. It was at this moment that she watched through the eyes of Haunzu and all of the counterparts that were falling around the barrier awaiting any sign of Himitsu destroying it or trying to escape. If he did either they would react either by charging at the fleeing prey or charging inwards from the sides. Whatever Himitsu did Kimiko always had eyes on him and it was only a matter of time now. He had burned up the oxygen within his barrier while all of the oxygen within the arena was virtually gone. Kimiko and Haunzu had taken care of it so that now most of what was inside the arena was carbon dioxide while the remaining oxygen was within their lungs. It would only be a few moments until Himitsu found himself choking and unable to continue.

Shikai: 3/10

Remaining Reiatsu: 1150/2000
Shunpo: {-50}

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Kimiko was a powerful Captain with uncanny physical capabilities. That much was certain. If she had her way, Himitsu’s body would be a broken mix of blood and shattered bones. However, unfortunately for Kimiko, she miscalculated. Perhaps the perspective of the wolves didn’t give her a clear angle. Perhaps her arrogance interfered with her rationality. Regardless of what explanation was true, the result would be the same. Kimiko’s counter would fail. Her body would be paralyzed. Lightning would numb her muscle. A bolt of white-blue light would pierce through her leg.

Kimiko’s mistake came from believing that her kick would collide with the thin beam of light from Bakudo #9: Geki. However, Geki would come from right beneath her while her foot was in the process of moving from near her head down toward the barrier. Even when her foot did collide with Danku, it wouldn’t slam into the part of the shield directly below her. It would hit a foot or two in front of her body. Well, it would have if her kick was able to continue. With nothing to stop Geki, the spell would paralyze Kimiko for a few seconds, enough time for the rest of the combo to be carried out. Byakurai would go through both the muscles in her thigh and the bone while Raikou Kawa would burn and slow down the rest of her body.

Another miscalculation came a second later as her fused wolves jumped through Himitsu’s own fire wolves. Yes, Himitsu was in the blast zone, which was an error on his part. However, as the wolves triggered the blast, he was still capable of defending himself. He flexed his reiatsu to activate the Light: Aegis, creating a shield of light that extended from his skin to protect him from his own blast. If Kimiko’s wolves were able to still rush at him, that same shield would repel them.

However, the wolves would not be able to do so. Even though they de-fused after bursting into flames, their fur would still be burning. Ending their fusion doesn’t also somehow put out the fire. The flames will carry through, and so the wolves would fall to the ground, crying in pain from the flames before they reached Himitsu. When they did, Himitsu would let Aegis fade. He didn’t point his hand or finger at the wolves, but four bolts of lightning shot out of his chest. Each pierced the wolves’ heads, end their lives.

The Lieutenant’s eyes looked up at Kimiko, who would just be recovering from the paralysis as she lay on the barrier above him. He had a different air about him now. His gaze was as sharp as steel, and a serious frown pulled on his lips. “I have proved myself before you, Kimiko. Without relying on my zanpakuto, I have bested your shikai. Concede so that we may get you medical attention. This is your last opportunity to do so, or...”

Himitsu wasn’t in the arena in Seireitei anymore. No, he suddenly found himself in a heated battlefield. Fires raged around him as lifeless bodies swam through rivers of blood and tears. But it was quiet. There was no fighting. There was no sound. He was vaguely aware of hundreds of eyes on him, but the man paid them no mind. He was focused only on the man before him. The heat of an enormous serpent protectively coiled around him forced beads of sweat down his face, obscuring the vision in one eye. The other, however, could see his opponent very clearly.

Ginrei Kuchiki’s elderly face was undisturbed. No, he was enjoying himself. He enjoyed the death and the pain that the Kasumi’Oji were suffering all around him. After all, this was a war they initiated against the Shihoin. The Kuchiki only intervened to keep the peace, and what a beautiful peace they had reached. Hundreds were dead, and Ginrei simply smiled with dark satisfaction.

“That’s enough of this, Mamuro, don’t you say? It’s time for me to dispose of you and the rest of your pathetic kin.”

Ginrei held his blade out before him, his eyes locked with Mamuro’s as he spoke.

“Bankai…

[smear:#809982FF]“...I’m not going to hold back any longer.”[/smear:#1979e6FF]

Reiatsu Remaining: 4250/6000 (-400 for Aegis)

Numbness Raikou Kawa: 1/3 (When it reaches 3/3, Kimiko will still feel the numbness since it technically only hit this turn. It counts for 3 of her posts)

[Kimiko Shihoin]

Her right leg moving downwards was enough that within a fraction of a moment it would strike the barrier that Himitsu had cast only about a full minute ago however it seemed that the Shinigami was fast enough to cast a counter to the Shihoin. While Kimiko was able to see the small red orb of light that had just risen from the barrier below her right foot as it moved downwards she wasn't fast enough to change the angle of her foot in order to intercept the kido. Motioning her foot though wasn't the only thing that Kimiko had done as she had flexed her legs in anticipation of what type of kido Himitsu was casting against her.

So as Kimiko felt the motion in her right leg cease just short of colliding against the barrier that Himitsu had cast along with the balance of her body suddenly being taken from her control. In the following moment the explosion of Himitsu's fire wolves was already occurring while the flames were being mainly sent towards Himitsu himself due to the high volume of air that Haunzu had exhaled in order to cast the explosion of flames. Just as Himitsu cast his next two kido his mind occupied with trying to inflict as much damage as possible on Kimiko he'd find his body beginning to burn even before he could cast his protective aura.

The burns wouldn't last more than a moment yet would be enough that his body was suffer some burns across at least the front. Kimiko was unable to move for a brief moment as her muscles flexed against the binding spell she felt the lighting coursing throughout her left leg. Thankfully Kimiko's muscles while they were suffering from the effects of the lightning coursing throughout them were still strong enough that they prevented the lighting from traveling any further than her knee. As for the beam of lightning that was sent towards Kimiko's right thigh it made no difference. Her leg had already been flexed prior to being paralyzed and the beam would shatter against her skin the muscles beneath so dense that the spell couldn't penetrate.

The red aura around Kimiko that was keeping her at bay would suddenly shattered as the Shihoin broke the spell with her strength just as Haunzu after separating from the two bodies that had been burnt from the flames of Himitsu's spells rushed from the smoke. Himitsu had assumed that simply because the flames were still in the area around him that Haunzu would suffer the same fate no matter how many of them rushed him. He was wrong. The flames that were left now were all along the ground while the air was covered in thick black smoke that burned at the lungs as it was breathed in. Haunzu both of them that were left had suffered no wounds as the bodies that had been burnt were not their own.

These two had been fused with another primary meaning that as they unfused and regained their own bodies nothing had inflicted harm upon them. While the ground was still on fire that didn't mean that Haunzu's fur was so easy to catch alight that he would suddenly burst into flames. In fact the moment that the two remaining Haunzu fused into one no more fire would be able to touch them. They rushed forwards causing a small amount of air to rush off of them due to the sheer speed that they were traveling pushing away the flames around them along with the smoke.

Just as Kimiko broke free from the binding kido Haunzu would leap inside of the smoke that engulfed not only them, but Himitsu as well. The large wolf with two heads was in the air now and would smash against Himitsu's chest trying to bite into his shoulders with each head. However, it seemed that the golden aura that Himitsu had cast around her body was strong enough that Haunzu's jaw muscles and fangs were only able to push down upon the armor of light. There was no doubt that eventually the wolves would have the strength to break through the armor, but they didn't have the time they would need. Either way Himitsu would be pushed off of his feet and sent falling to the arena floor with enough force that his body would crush the ground below him and more than likely knock the air from his lungs.

Kimiko felt no longer any need to try and breach through the barrier that Himitsu had cast in order to protect himself her right foot touching the surface of the barrier now she would execute Shunpo returning to the same section of the arena that wasn't under Himitsu's spell. "Alright it's time Haunzu do it" Kimiko instructed telepathically to all of the Haunzu that now were not only right next to Himitsu, but surrounding his barrier on all sides. In the next instant all of the Haunzu present would howl as loud as possible with the only exception being the one present right beside Kimiko.

Kimiko held her hands over her ears to make sure that her own body wasn't going to suffer the negate effect that the massive amount of sound pressure was inflicting upon everything in the area with the exception of Hauzu themselves. Himitsu would find himself in a massive amount of pain as he would feel as if his head was going to explode at any moment. Unable to cover his ears due to the simple fact that Haunzu the twin headed wolf had his paws now located on Himitsu's arms the Shinigami would hear nothing, but the loud howls for about two moments and then it was over. He would hear nothing as blood burst from his ears and down the side of his head.

Kimiko had been unable to attack Himitsu personally due to his barrier and constant rapid casting of kido, but something that he couldn't defend against was the sound produced by Haunzu from all sides directed right towards him. He would be unable to hear throughout the remainder of this battle while his balance would no longer be correct or perhaps even possible making fast and precise movement impossible. There was still another problem though that the twin headed wolf was further just over Himitsu. The oxygen inside of his barrier was nearly completely gone now as the wolf inhaled all of it around the both of them careful not to inhale the flames that were now dying away. Himitsu would choke as there was no oxygen to fill his lungs or allow him to continue his challenge.

Shikai: 4/10

Aspects of the Predator: 4/10

Remaining Reiatsu: 1350/2000
Shunpo: {-50}
Hyunnarda: {+250} (Was never executed)

[Himitsu Kasumi'Oji]

Kimiko had a handful of misconceptions, and the reality of the situation played out differently from how she envisioned it in her mind. For starters, let’s talk about her wolves. When two wolves fuse, the body they share is made up of both their bodies. It does not materialize out of thin air while their other bodies just disappear. Therefore, when the fused wolf catches fire and de-fuses, each individual wolf will still be lit on fire. For that reason, Kimiko’s wolves would be lying on the ground, scorched. Himitsu would have no problem killing them with his lightning.

Next was the issue of the fire. Kimiko believed that Himitsu was distracted by her own assault, preventing him from using the Light: Aegis in time against his own flames. However, the originally chronology of the battle had Kimiko bring her leg down before the wolves even broke through Himitsu’s barrier. With that logic, he’d be able to counter Kimiko with his combination of spells and still have the split-second required to mentally activate Aegis.

And lastly was the byakurai piercing Kimiko. Even if the Squad 7 Captain flexed, the effects of Raikou Kawa’s electricity would cause her to lose her muscle flex simply because of the way electricity interacts with muscles. Kimiko, paralyzed by Geki, wouldn’t be able to send any electric impulses to her muscles to counter those of Raikou Kawa. For that reason, Byakurai would meet no additional resistance and cut cleanly through her muscle and bone. For that same reason, Kimiko wouldn’t be able to break Geki’s paralysis after Raikou Kawa had weakened her body and hindered her authority over her muscles. She’d only be freed of the paralysis after a few seconds, when the technique itself ended.

Once the binding ended, Kimiko would be free to limp or hop away on one foot to safety. Hanuzu could join her, but she only had one wolf remaining. All were burned and killed except for the wolf that regenerated from the head Himitsu took with her toward the ceiling. Thus, only one wolf would howl. Still, that one wolf could produce enough sound to damage Himitsu’s ears, but the Kasumi’Oji knew he was at risk when he saw Kimiko cover her own ears. For that reason, he launched a pre-emptive attack.

Thanks to the Light, Himitsu’s reaitsu had infected all surfaces in the arena, including the reiatsu barrier and the floor. By using Lineage of Reiatsu, he created a shakkaho the size of a person right underneath Hanuzu. Even if the wolf could anticipate it and run at its full speed from the fireball, Himitsu also willed the Shakkaho to combust the moment it formed, causing the explosion of flames to engulf Hanuzu even if it escaped.

In the end, Kimiko hadn’t respected Himitsu’s final warning. Unfortunately for her, the Vice Captain was a man of his word. He would do all in his power to end the battle. All he could promise Kimiko was her life, but not much else. There was no more holding back in this fight. Himitsu drew the katana at his hip, making a shallow cut in his palm as he did. Suddenly, it began to emit a bright white light as the weapon lengthened into a long glaive – a staff-like weapon with a blade at the end. This was Himitsu’s shikai, but the physical form of his release was a tiny fraction of its true power.

Hiimtsu’s shikai functioned with the theme “infinity.” It applied to all his spells. First, Himitsu cast Spiritual Pulse once more. This time, however, the sensory ability never faded. It filled the entire arena so that, wherever Kimiko and her wolves went, Himitsu could sense them. He no longer needed his eyes and ears. Kimiko would not be able to hide from him. He no longer needed his Danku barrier either, letting the spell fade into the air. Had he stayed beneath it for a minute longer, he’d surely notice that the wolves depleted nearly all the oxygen, leaving him very lightheaded. However, that never occurred. Himitsu wasn’t on the defensive anymore.

Spiritual Pulse was just the start. The cut Himitsu made in has hand when he unsheathed his blade drew blood, and that blood was all he needed to cast one of his most powerful techniques: Hado #86: Soukahou. Blue fire danced around Himitsu’s arms, hands, and glaive, and from each of those sources, hundreds of little sapphire flames shot out at a speed of 600. These projectiles, however, were different. They took on the shape of doves, and they flew with a purpose. Himitsu had programmed them with one function: burn everything except for Himitsu himself. Thus, most would pursue Kimiko and her wolves while the rest flooded the entire arena.

But there are two more unique aspects of the flames. One came from Himitsu’s release. Everywhere the doves flew, they left flames behind them that would remain indefinitely. In less than a minute, they would fill the entire enclosed arena with fire except for a sphere with a ten-foot radius around Himitsu. But if that wasn’t enough to defeat Kimiko, Himitsu had reinforced the spell with his life force using Genesis Art: Augundae. Rather than being class 2, Soukahou had been elevated to class 0.5. It was even more powerful than a traditional class 1 technique, making it far more difficult to defeat. Kimiko would be in a pickle, and unless she could find a way to defeat Himitsu soon, the battle would be over.

Ready, Lex?

Of course, Himitsu. Let's get you that Captaincy.

Reiatsu Remaining: 3600/6000 (-150 for Lineage of Reiatsu, -100 for Shakkaho, -150 for shikai, -400 for Soukahou, -50 for Spiritual Pulse)

Life Force Remaining: 3800/6000 (-300 for Vitae on Soukahou, -1000 for Augendae to make Soukahou class 0.5)

Shikai: 1/10

Numbness from Raikou Kawa: 2/3

[Kimiko Shihoin]

It seemed that Himitsu was overconfident in his own abilities as a spell slinger while also underscoring the abilities of Kimiko's zanpakuto. The wolves were in fact much different than how Himitsu seemed to perceive them as the body of a fused wolf wasn't in fact made from the combination of both bodies. In fact it was much different and one of the many reasons that Haunzu was such a formidable opponent more so against swordsmen than spell slings. However, when one of more of Haunzu fused together only a single body stayed in a manifested form becoming the host or primary body to the spirits.

In fact when Haunzu separated from one another just as these two that had survived the charge through the flames had their bodies did in fact materialize out from the body of the primary wolf which in this case was scorched and unable to continue battle. However, the bodies of these two which hadn't been the primary which suffered the burns had no signs of the fire at all for they hadn't interacted with them until after the Haunzu had returned to their own bodies. Now it was the same as those two remaining inside of Himitsu's barrier fused together into another twin headed wolf. It was a problem for the spell slinger as he had believed Haunzu was easy to eliminate and as such passed activating his golden armor hadn't done anything to defend himself.

Haunzu had been able to smash into him regardless of whether or not he was fast enough to cast a bolt of lightning against him the strength of the tackle would send Himitsu down to the ground knocking all of the air from his lungs and causing at least a small amount of pain to him. That though was the last chance that he had been given as there wasn't only a single Haunzu left. There were seven all stationed around the barrier like they had been for the last few seconds and now all of them were howling and Himitsu had made no attempt to stop them as he hadn't deemed them a threat or perhaps hadn't been able to think of the surroundings fast enough while being pressured inside of his own barrier.

It didn't matter the end result would be the same his ear drums would essentially explode from the overwhelming almost inconceivable pressure produced by the sound. Blood would gush from his ears while his mind would be plague by an extreme headache until someone managed to heal his ears. His hearing completely gone meant more than just an inability to perceive noise, but also an inability to move with grace or even stand correctly. Himitsu was essentially locked down now with no chance to execute shunpo or any other type of movement correctly. Casting kido would become an agonizing challenge as he would try to think within his mind only to feel overwhelming pain.

Kimiko hadn't gotten away unharmed however her left leg was giving her some trouble and a lot of pain from the electricity that had coursed throughout it and up into the majority of her body which was also in a good deal of pain yet nothing that she couldn't handle compared to her past experiences. The muscles throughout her body were numb yet numbness just meant that her ability to feel her muscles and most of her body was foggy. She still had the skill to use her body correctly for the most part even if some of the accuracy was diminished she wasn't helpless which had been the displayed as she executed Shunpo back into the safe location of the arena next to the Haunzu that stood beside her.

Kimiko's right leg was still much better off compared to how Himitsu had planned as his own spell had aided her in defending against the bolt that he had cast off in the hopes of getting through her bone. Geki had paralyzed her body for a few moment which had kept her from flexing her left leg and keeping the electricity at bay from her body however her right leg was already flexed by the time that Geki struck her. Even the electricity that Himitsu had planned would weaken her muscles wasn't enough her flexed muscles weren't just locked in place by her own might, but by the strength of his Geki keeping the muscles in the same position which was enough to prevent the bolt of lightning from even getting passed her skin.

Now though it seemed that Himitsu wasn't going to stay down even after having his hearing stripped from him along with more than likely his ability to think freely at the optimum speed his brain can process information due to the pain that it was going to experience throughout the remainder of the battle. Kimiko flexed her muscles feeling the numbness in them while trying to regain her own optimum movement yet knew that while she could still use her body and guide it through experience and skill it wasn't as accurate as she was used to and would have to be careful of what was going to happen next.

Himitsu's barrier shattered as it seemed he deemed it no longer needed just as he was starting to choke on the limited amount of oxygen left in it. The truth was though that the oxygen in the entire arena was getting low as it was already below forty percent due to Kimiko constantly inhaling massive amounts along with all of her Haunzu doing the same and only releasing carbon dioxide. This arena pretty soon was going to be nothing, but a giant room filled with poison. It wouldn't take long for Himitsu's reiatsu to spike as he released his Shikai which took on the form of a polearm. "Get everyone situation C."

Kimiko continued to speak telepathically to all of the Haunzu currently present in the arena which took a grand total of five remaining with four of them positioned around Himitsu on the outline of where his barrier had been while the other continued to stand by Kimiko. Himitsu was preparing something Kimiko could sense it as his reiatsu continued to stay at a high altitude compared to normal meaning he was channeling something. The four Haunzu around his position inhaled the air from all sides with enough strength that Himitsu would be able to visibly see the fire around him moving towards them more than a few feet before it stopped and all of the oxygen around him was being taken away.

If he didn't do something quickly he was going to suffocate as he had no oxygen to breathe as it was all being taken away from him. Kimiko wasn't one to enjoy these types of battles that involved very little up close and personal exchanges of the soul. Not to mention that at the moment she had to gaze upon the bodies of her wolves. One was scorched after being burnt by Himitsu's fireball only a moment or so after they had all started to howl. Then there were the two Haunzu that lay on the ground also scorched from the charge through the flames. Positioned only ten feet or so in front of Himitsu. Finally there was the twin headed wolf that Himitsu had cast lightning through as it charge him. It had been able to knock him down to the ground, but now as he stood it was behind him unable to do anything as both of the conscious-nesses of Haunzu had returned to the inner world.

Himitsu would cast the same spell that he had at the very beginning of the battle between the both of them sending a pulse of his reiatsu throughout the arena. Kimiko swinging both of her arms upwards sent out ten crescent shaped shockwaves moving at 1000 speed with the same force behind them right towards Himitsu and the area surrounding him. If he didn't move he was going to get cut to pieces, but almost any kind of movement was going to be difficult not only due to the fact his balance was basically gone, but also his oxygen was basically gone already leaving him even further down a hole as his brain would start to panic along with his heart making intelligent thought next to impossible. The pulse would be cut apart like it had been the first time however the majority of the arena was still covered this time though with a much larger section between Kimiko and Himitsu unaffected by his spell.

Himitsu having already thought of his next step to his plan more than likely in this dangerous situation wouldn't be able to change it meaning that as he cast the spell known as Soukahou and the blue fire danced around him only to then fly off in all directions something bad happened for Himitsu. The Haunzu positioned around him saw the blue fire dance around his body as did Kimiko and now with the little oxygen remaining around Himitsu he was burning all that would allow him to continue for even another few moments. The Haunzu had been given orders to follow through with Situation C which was something that they had developed alongside Kimiko that had been taught to the rest of Division Seven over the last few months. Containment.

Exhaling all of the air they had inhaled over the last few seconds towards Himitsu the strength of the air would push back the blue fire at least for a few moments as it started to move away from Himitsu. It was being kept back overheating Himitsu and possibly burning him now that he didn't have his golden aura to protect him. He was trapped in a situation that he had helped create as he had no oxygen to breathe along with the massive headache caused from his ear drums exploding. He had no way to execute Shunpo correctly and if he tried he'd most certainly be burnt by his own fire while misplacing his position and ending up somewhere uncertain. The shockwaves most certainly almost upon him now as they cut through his pulse of reiatsu. Kimiko still had to worry about the blue fire spreading, but at the moment it was held back for a few seconds and if Himitsu couldn't do something then this battle was finished and she wouldn't have to do anything about it.

Shikai: 5/10

Aspects of the Predator: 5/10