Post by Tsuyoshi Minamoto on Feb 19, 2022 22:43:44 GMT -5
In the recent months, activity for the Third Division of the Gotei 13 had increased dramatically. While there were always 'enough’ recruits, it had been rare to see an abundance of Shinigami on the Division's grounds or in their Squadhouse. Similarly, the Third Division had not had a particularly impressive roster of well known Shinigami; while the division had a number of formidable individuals in it, there was no one available to fill any of the seats above 5th Seat and there was a distinct lack of anyone resembling a Captain stepping into the position. Granted, while Shinigami were generally promoted by the Captain-Commander in the recent months, the Squad's lack of obvious growth and activity had led to a stagnation in promotions. Rumors had begun to swirl around the Gotei 13 that there was some type of activity out of sight, but ultimately there was nothing really impressive to say about the Division.
That was, until, a few months ago. In the last three to six months, recruitment efforts for Third Squad had nearly doubled. While the presence of Seated Shinigami had not increased at all, leading to a lack of reputable officers, the overall population of the Squad had increased dramatically, with students being personally welcomed and invited to join the Third Division by graduated Shinigami. Visible construction had begun on the Squadhouse and what used to be referred to as 'functional, if a little run down' seemed to be in the process of being aggressively renovated.
Atop the barracks level, construction had started on a second floor to accommodate the new influx of Shinigami, and the surrounding training yards had begun receiving some obvious aesthetic touch-ups. The main entrance hall and the area to the Captain's primary office, as well as the halls meant to house the Seated Officers, had begun interior redesign and piles of wallpaper and other supplies acquired from neighboring divisions and storehouses sat inside, demanding that tenants move around them while they waited to be used. New training dummies and reinforced combat targets as well as a dedicated area for multiple one on one combat sessions had begun construction, though the framework of this construction wasn't finished yet.
It seemed that something, or someone, had sparked new life into the Third Squad in the last two seasons, and rumor had it that one of their former middle seats had recently been promoted to the position of Captain. Rumors continued to suggest that this appointment was on the direct orders of the Captain-Commander. Outside of Third Squad, there weren't many who intimately knew of this individual though other Captains had met him with fleeting, mixed reviews. When questioned, outlandish remarks from 'Figurehead' to 'Placeholder, until a real Captain proves themselves' had begun to spread throughout the Gotei 13. In support of this, there were rumors that this man was no master of Kido, and had not even a Shikai or Bankai, something considered rudimentary for even the lowest of Captains. So who was this person?
Members of Third Division were very much aware of who their new Captain was and, while some held reservations about the appointment, the overall reception of him was considered very positive indeed. He was an unorthodox choice for Captain; a younger Shinigami with a generally lackadaisical attitude provided things seemed to be getting done on time, who didn't even have the respect to adhere to the tradition of properly wearing his Haori. He was said to walk around in a regular black Shihakusho, often with his arms revealed, and his Haori folded and wrapped around one hip. He was easily recognizable from a distance, and even a basic level of critical thought could put two and two together, but the fact remained that this man… hardly seemed appropriate for his new position.
He hadn't drawn his Zanpakuto in decades. He didn't have the ability to do even basic Kido. But there was something about him that struck an uneven chord with those in his presence. To his Division, it was something akin to a commanding aura - the type of supportive, yet authoritative energy that demanded attention and respect when the occasion arose. To many other Shinigami, he was… unnerving. Everything from his smile to the way he carried himself bore the sense of a confident warrior, one who wouldn't hesitate to spill blood, even if the need didn't arise. He was Sanbantai-Taicho (Third Squad Captain) Minamoto Tsuyoshi.
Today, Tsuyoshi was outside, overseeing a large drill session of Unseated Shinigami, led by a recently appointed 19th Seat. Out in the open, Tsuyoshi took a position against a series of advanced training dummies, currently deactivated, with his arms folded across his chest and one leg hitched behind the opposite ankle. In front of him, the Shinigami were running drill after drill, with appropriate cadences after each strike or block. While he was mostly silent, there were a few instances where he spoke up, his voice carrying easily over the group and unmistakable in a crowd - an almost gravely kind of bark to get the attention of his subordinates during their drills.
"Ehhh? Ichirou! Yes, you, with the flowery Zanpakuto! Pick your elbow up! Your stance is atrocious - you're lucky you're not in 11th Squad or I'd have your neighbor kick your ass!" The Unseated Shinigami trembled briefly and then quickly reinforced his stance, shifting his weight and engaging the rest of his body to better stabilize himself.
"Yes, Taicho!"
"Better! Still sloppy, but better!"
The short exchange came and went, as did many others. Opportunities exactly like this one gave Tsuyoshi the ability to directly participate in the instruction of his subordinates and his relatively predictable schedule allowed for many new visitors to easily find him through a few questions. Nearly every Unseated Shinigami in the Squad could hedge their bets and say that Tsuyoshi was either in the training grounds, or responding to a distress call.
Now was the perfect time for any visitors to easily find and acquire an audience with this 'new Captain', and to sate any curiosities they may have had.
That was, until, a few months ago. In the last three to six months, recruitment efforts for Third Squad had nearly doubled. While the presence of Seated Shinigami had not increased at all, leading to a lack of reputable officers, the overall population of the Squad had increased dramatically, with students being personally welcomed and invited to join the Third Division by graduated Shinigami. Visible construction had begun on the Squadhouse and what used to be referred to as 'functional, if a little run down' seemed to be in the process of being aggressively renovated.
Atop the barracks level, construction had started on a second floor to accommodate the new influx of Shinigami, and the surrounding training yards had begun receiving some obvious aesthetic touch-ups. The main entrance hall and the area to the Captain's primary office, as well as the halls meant to house the Seated Officers, had begun interior redesign and piles of wallpaper and other supplies acquired from neighboring divisions and storehouses sat inside, demanding that tenants move around them while they waited to be used. New training dummies and reinforced combat targets as well as a dedicated area for multiple one on one combat sessions had begun construction, though the framework of this construction wasn't finished yet.
It seemed that something, or someone, had sparked new life into the Third Squad in the last two seasons, and rumor had it that one of their former middle seats had recently been promoted to the position of Captain. Rumors continued to suggest that this appointment was on the direct orders of the Captain-Commander. Outside of Third Squad, there weren't many who intimately knew of this individual though other Captains had met him with fleeting, mixed reviews. When questioned, outlandish remarks from 'Figurehead' to 'Placeholder, until a real Captain proves themselves' had begun to spread throughout the Gotei 13. In support of this, there were rumors that this man was no master of Kido, and had not even a Shikai or Bankai, something considered rudimentary for even the lowest of Captains. So who was this person?
Members of Third Division were very much aware of who their new Captain was and, while some held reservations about the appointment, the overall reception of him was considered very positive indeed. He was an unorthodox choice for Captain; a younger Shinigami with a generally lackadaisical attitude provided things seemed to be getting done on time, who didn't even have the respect to adhere to the tradition of properly wearing his Haori. He was said to walk around in a regular black Shihakusho, often with his arms revealed, and his Haori folded and wrapped around one hip. He was easily recognizable from a distance, and even a basic level of critical thought could put two and two together, but the fact remained that this man… hardly seemed appropriate for his new position.
He hadn't drawn his Zanpakuto in decades. He didn't have the ability to do even basic Kido. But there was something about him that struck an uneven chord with those in his presence. To his Division, it was something akin to a commanding aura - the type of supportive, yet authoritative energy that demanded attention and respect when the occasion arose. To many other Shinigami, he was… unnerving. Everything from his smile to the way he carried himself bore the sense of a confident warrior, one who wouldn't hesitate to spill blood, even if the need didn't arise. He was Sanbantai-Taicho (Third Squad Captain) Minamoto Tsuyoshi.
Today, Tsuyoshi was outside, overseeing a large drill session of Unseated Shinigami, led by a recently appointed 19th Seat. Out in the open, Tsuyoshi took a position against a series of advanced training dummies, currently deactivated, with his arms folded across his chest and one leg hitched behind the opposite ankle. In front of him, the Shinigami were running drill after drill, with appropriate cadences after each strike or block. While he was mostly silent, there were a few instances where he spoke up, his voice carrying easily over the group and unmistakable in a crowd - an almost gravely kind of bark to get the attention of his subordinates during their drills.
"Ehhh? Ichirou! Yes, you, with the flowery Zanpakuto! Pick your elbow up! Your stance is atrocious - you're lucky you're not in 11th Squad or I'd have your neighbor kick your ass!" The Unseated Shinigami trembled briefly and then quickly reinforced his stance, shifting his weight and engaging the rest of his body to better stabilize himself.
"Yes, Taicho!"
"Better! Still sloppy, but better!"
The short exchange came and went, as did many others. Opportunities exactly like this one gave Tsuyoshi the ability to directly participate in the instruction of his subordinates and his relatively predictable schedule allowed for many new visitors to easily find him through a few questions. Nearly every Unseated Shinigami in the Squad could hedge their bets and say that Tsuyoshi was either in the training grounds, or responding to a distress call.
Now was the perfect time for any visitors to easily find and acquire an audience with this 'new Captain', and to sate any curiosities they may have had.
{Summary}Third Squad’s grounds have undergone a series of renovations and are in the middle of undergoing construction. Amidst the activity, Tsuyoshi is overseeing the daily training of his Squad. He is easily found for anyone that would like to meet Third Squad’s recently appointed Captain.