Another Prospect (JT - Tsuyoshi/Ashland)

[Tsuyoshi Minamoto]

”Eh? What the hell makes you think this one’s gonna be good for Third Squad?”

”Good for Third Squad? Well, frankly, I don’t. But I know that he has potential.”

==

Tsuyoshi found himself, again, walking through the halls of the Shin’o Academy. On a biweekly routine, he had made it a habit to personally travel to the Shin’o Academy to follow-up on recommendations either from his own Shinigami or from the Academy’s instructors in regards to potential subordinates who would be suitable for recruitment into his division. While the vast majority of the recruiting - and all of the grunt work - was left to the Unseated and Lowly Seated members of his Squad, he put a lot of time and effort into meeting particularly impressive individuals personally. It was important, after all, to identify and scout them for himself and to leave a lasting impression, especially if he wanted the quality of Third Squad’s shinigami to improve and rival that of the other more prestigious squads in the Gotei 13.

==

”Lazy and unmotivated. Doesn’t play well with others. Overconfident. Arrogant. Hates training. Come on - you’ve gotta give me something to work with here. He’s like the opposite of what I’m looking for in this squad.”

”Like I said, he has potential. He’s light on his feet, he has a natural knack for Kido. Sure, he might not train as hard now, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t lead him. That’s your job, remember, ‘Captain’? Besides, aside from the ‘lazy’ part, I seem to remember another Shinigami that didn’t play well with others. And last I checked, he could have been called cocky and arrogant just the same.”

==

It was a long conversation with a lot of convincing on the part of one of Tsuyoshi’s old mentors. He had heard of this student through the hearsay of one of his Seated Shinigami, but the reports from the academy were sorely lacking in any evidence that this student might actually be up to Third Squad’s standards. With all of the information provided, it honestly seemed like this prospective student would fit better in a different squad. However, it was known well enough that Ashland had an eye on Tsuyoshi’s division and he wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t personally go see if he was up to the task before trusting him alongside the lives of the rest of his subordinates.

Tsuyoshi followed the directions given to him to one of the classrooms that was currently in session. Unfortunately for the teacher and the students inside, Tsuyoshi’s lack of manners and disposition led to the man very blatantly opening the door unannounced and stepping inside, before scanning the students there. Tsuyoshi was dressed as he normally was - hardly professional for a captain.

His top was moderately fitted, simple and sleeveless, showcasing the tattoos that trailed down and along his arms. He wore the basic black hakama of the Shinigami uniform with only a few minor alterations, including the symbol for Third Squad embroidered on the outside of his right hip. A piece of white fabric, which a knowledgeable student would be able to identify as his haori, was wrapped and bound around his left leg, like a hip guard and kept secured by the same waistband that held up his hakama. Strapped on his left side rested his Uchigatana, and resting across his back was his Zanpakuto.

”Uhm. … E-Excuse me? Sir, you can’t - “
”Yeah, yeah.” Tsuyoshi waved dismissively at the woman’s protests and then continued. ”Irisaki, Ashland? I know you’re here somewhere. Get over here.”

”Sir, you can’t just interrupt - “
”It’s Captain. I'm here for a reason, and the reason is to pick up this kid and make sure he doesn’t drag my squad down. If you want me to leave, move me yourself, eh?”

Tsuyoshi was clearly short on patience today and waited for either Ashland to notice he was being called, or for someone to wake the boy up from his class. Once he’d gotten his attention, he gestured for Ashland to follow up, leading him outside and to the much larger training grounds out behind the academy, answering whatever questions Ashland might have had along the way.

[ashland]

Ashland was in class trying to pay attention but damn was it boring. Some class on travel between soul society and the human world and how it was accomplished. The guy who came up with the technique was either lost to history or he missed it. Still the technique was necessary in most cases to go and deal with hollows. Shinigami after all where sort of like shepherds to the afterlife and thus guardians of souls. At some point he stopped following entirely and had set his book over his face as he leaned back in his chair. Two legs balancing on the floor and two teetering in the air. He didn't much care about history lessons. The practice of something sure but how it came about or was used? Well learning from history had its value but without actually practicing a technique...he had lost interest. Education for the sake of education felt hollow. What he needed was to get stronger. To be able to enter the battlefield and be of use. Not waste away here in this class. If anything he was considering a nice nap when the doors swung open and a flicker of spiritual pressure came on the edge of his senses.

This was abnormal because it took a great deal of spirit pressure for him to notice it given his lack of skill in spirit sensory. Not that the man was flexing at all but he didn't seem to be actively concealing his presence either. Ash himself was in the required student garb of a blue shitagi (under shirt), a white kosode (shirt) with blue stripes, Blue hakama (trousers), white socks and sandals. The academy symbol on either breast of the Kosode. His Zanpakto was strapped to his hip with a blue ribbon flowing from the base of the hilt. His long black hair hung flat around his shoulders down to his chest. The thing that made him stick out from the other students was the eye patch over his right eye. Slowly as the man spoke rudely to the teacher he would lift the book off his face and sit forward. Setting it down calmly as a golden hawk like eye would examine the man. He already understood one thing before the man stated he was a captain. This man was stronger than even Kaen. He could feel it exerting from the being. As if he were a walking fire.

He was summoned but still he waited until they stopped talking before rising to his feet. He had taken a moment to study what he could during the few seconds he had. So the symbol for squad three was apparent and this man stated he was the captain even. Tauk had taught him a lot about fighting and Kido in the hospital as much as they could while recovering. The man had been an unseated member of squad three but his injuries had left him unable to be a soul reaper anymore. Missing limbs had a tendency to cause that. Since Ash had managed to get out of the fight only missing an eye and several broken bones he had assumed Tauk had been training him as a replacement. Now he wondered what value he might actually bring to such a man.

Still Ash would calmly rise from his seat even as hushed whispers would pick up. He didn't like the tone the man took with the teacher. Forcing his way with his position but he also knew he held no power to do anything about it. Instead he would follow in silence with a frown on his face. Waiting until they were out of anyone's ear shot on the way to finally speak up. Foolishly perhaps but he wasn't one to sit idly by.

"While I understand you rank higher than anyone else at this academy...that was rude. Risking a beating here...I'll still state I do not agree with how you treated the instructor. "

[Tsuyoshi Minamoto]

Tsuyoshi stepped out into the training ground behind the academy with Ashland behind him. ”While I understand you rank higher than anyone else at this academy… that was rude. Risking a beating here… I'll still state I do not agree with how you treated the instructor.” He cast his eyes up and into the sky, squinting at the sun beaming down over the top of them. With Ashland’s decision to speak out, Tsuyoshi couldn’t help but grin. He kept his eyes overhead before taking view of the current individuals gathered at the grounds - the majority of them knew who he was, though it could be inferred by their looks that there was something unusual about his presence there. Fortunately for Ashland, he wouldn’t have to guess for much longer.

Tsuyoshi wheeled about, placing his hands on his hips and shifting his weight onto his back foot. “Ehhhh? Bold and direct, outspoken about your displeasure with my behavior and an implicit sense of how things should be instead of how things are.” He commented out loud, taking stock of Ashland’s person with his gaze. “You know, I’m impressed. Maybe they were right - maybe you’ve got some promise about you after all.” He brought his arms to a fold over his chest, eying the young academy student. “I was asked to come, off-schedule, to assess your abilities. The Instructors here have some concerns about your… how to put this - they think that you’re lazy and that you only pay enough attention to pass class, but not enough attention to make sure that you don’t get your squadmates killed when you eventually graduate. Don’t worry too much about Miyaka-sama, eh? She’ll make sure I never hear the end of it.”

He turned about, gesturing for Ashland to continue following him as he made his way up towards one of the specialized regions of the academy grounds. In front of them, stations were assembled to help instructors take academy students through the basics of Hoho and other types of agility application. “So, you’ve made the mistake of getting enough attention with your abilities that your instructors are recommending you for Third Squad. Tell me about yourself then. I read some of the basics off of your sheet, eh? But I don’t care about ‘strengths’ and ‘weaknesses’, not right now. Every Shinigami has things that they’re good at and things that they suck at, myself included. In Third Squad, we work together as a unit to minimize those weaknesses and maximize those strengths. I want to hear what drives you. What’s your motivation? Why are you here?”

[ashland]

Ash was surprised to say the least. He had expected perhaps to be scolded or even beaten for insolence. He had stood up for his beliefs thinking this but he had not expected it to be a test. His first impression of the man had been a falsehood created simply to see the kind of man Ashland was? It was clever he would give the man that. After all Ash doubted many would willingly speak back to a captain of all people. Still his golden eye watched with both the widened surprise quickly shifting to a cautious and narrow gaze. His eye under his missing eye under his eye patch suddenly felt like it was itching. He wanted to get a piece of candy from his inner coat pocket to use it to calm down...but he held off for now. There was a future at stake and now was not the time.



Still the mention of the instructors having observed his own behavior and reported it made Ash frown. Well this was bound to happen eventually...but he didn't think it would be so soon. Certainly he didn't think word would spread to a captain. Worst of all it had made it to the captain of squad three. The squad he had been aiming for since he spent those months in the hospital. He felt a ping of anxiety over whether or not this would be the turning point for him. If he would impress further upon this man his own abilities or if he would fall short. A moment of hesitation held his feet. His legs wanted to lock as they were supposed to follow the man. To lock in place and never move again. The anxiety telling him he would fail here. However his fist clenched and he clenched his jaw with it. He would not fail here.



He had decided and thus his feet began to move. He forced himself to follow and listen. Victory was in his veins. Fire in his soul. Ash would not conform to his own image of his failed self. He would rise above his doubts. He followed as his golden eye fell on Captain Minamoto. A strong man and clever. He could barely sense Reiatsu but he knew this man was strong. If he pushed himself....Ash would likely suffocate under the pressure. Still he would not falter as he was asked a question. Finally his gaze would shift to the ground a moment. Memories were pain and his drive. But still they had an unpleasant feel to them. However after a moments hesitation he would speak. This was the first time a seated member would ask him something personal beyond his capabilities in a fight....and it was the captain of the squad he was aiming for.



"I was from the outer most part of soul society. Where we lived on scraps and there was little in the way of hope and happiness. People scrapped over the littlest things but despite being an orphan...I was adopted by other kids though as far back as I can remember. I figure without them district eighty would have been where I died...We weren't really blood but I took the surname we all shared anyway. Irisaki. Ichika was the oldest and she took care of us as best she could. I had two brothers named Haru and Haruko. We got by well enough...But curiosity had me venturing closer to the center of soul society. I actually picked up a couple of Kido just by observation and practice and used that to make our lives better...but one day...One day I was forced to understand what a hollow was...much like many others I am sure but..."

He would visibly clench both fists as he shook slightly. Rage flaring in him as his golden eye would begin to shine with energy. " A hollow ate my family. I, with the help of an unseated member of squad three named Tauk Kishimoto managed to take it down...but I barely survived and Mr. Kishimoto will never fight again. However he helped me hone more Kido as we recovered and suggested I join the academy...He suggested I strive for squad three. Your squad....what drives me? What I imagine drives most shinigami to become what they are. I want to hunt down hollow and end every last one that I can find. I want vengeance...I want justice...I want to use this rage I can't keep from boiling over and wipe every last one from existence."

[Tsuyoshi Minamoto]

Tsuyoshi took quiet mental notes of Ashland’s mannerisms while they spoke, eventually turning about once he had finished asking his question in order to get Ashland’s full answer. While Ashland went through the emotions that brought him to this point as he spoke, Tsuyoshi kept his facial expression and his stance fairly neutral. After initially talking about where he came from, Ashland continued to go on and talk about his family and the skills he developed. Tsuyoshi folded his arms across his chest, listening quietly and taking in the information given. Tsuyoshi didn’t have anything to say until Ashland mentioned Tauk Kishimoto - he was a Shinigami that Tsuyoshi didn’t know particularly well, a Shinigami with no notable rapport or repute who did his job well all the same. While Tauk had never specifically mentioned Ashland in the times after his recovery, he vaguely recalled the Unseated member discussing someone in the Rukongai who had helped him.

He mulled quietly over the remainder of Ashland’s story. It was a pretty classic one: soul lives out in the Rukongai, soul and family are ravaged by some beast, soul gets training and power for revenge. It was painfully common and it was one that Tsuyoshi had fielded plenty of times. Eventually, after several painfully long seconds of taking in Ashland’s story, he nodded and hummed aloud. “... A painful background, eh? Sounds like you’ve got a fire deep in your heart that you can’t put out. A thirst for combat and a lust for revenge.” He nodded again, shifting his feet a bit underneath him. “Perhaps the training I had in mind for you isn’t quite the training that you need.” He thought aloud, before scrunching up his face and finally sighing, turning a bit and taking a few paces across Ashland’s field of view. He placed a hand on his hip and then turned about, looking Ashland up and down.

“Revenge is a powerful motivator. A very potent foundation to lean on when things get tough, eh? But that kind of motivation can be dangerous. S’not far from how I ended up here and got to where I am today.” He continued pondering out loud, partially to himself and partially to Ashland. He raised his voice for the next question, looking Ashland directly in his good eye. “Sounds like the only real question that needs to be asked is which one are you here for more - to be a Shinigami for the Gotei 13, or to hunt hollow?” He held a hand up, in the case that Ashland went to respond immediately. “Don’t answer that question yet. We should start your assessment, eh? Draw your Zanpakuto.” He gestured to Ashland with his dominant hand, resting his non-dominant hand on top of his Uchigatana hilt at his waist, like it was holding up his hand rather than actually grabbing it for any kind of use.

“I’m told that you prefer Kido-based combat, but that you’re also fairly light on your feet and not the worst with a Zanpakuto. So, we’re going to be working on Hoho today. Now, you already know one of the founding techniques of Hoho, but I’m going to be discussing it more as a principle than in the form of specific techniques, at least until you’re ready to go into those.” He paused to make sure Ashland was absorbing what he was saying before continuing.

“Hoho, as a fighting style, means incorporating your agility and footwork heavily into your combat, whatever it may be. It can be done armed, unarmed, with or without Kido, and it doesn’t necessarily need to involve Shunpo, eh? On its own, it can make you a nightmare to try and pin down in battle. Combined with other techniques and specialty combat training, it can make you an absolute terror for more than just a single opponent. So, we’re going to work on your movement today.”

“The goal is simple - hit me anywhere more central than from the elbows or knees downwards. Upper arm, thighs, torso, head, et cetera. The longer you stay in one spot, the harder you’ll be punished for it.” He shifted his weight a bit wider apart, his left hand still resting on the top of his Uchigatana hilt and his right hand resting at his waist. He grinned, stretching his neck a bit and then giving Ashland a beckoning motion. “Don’t worry about holding back, eh? If you hold back, you’ll only hurt yourself.”

[ashland]

Ash would cross his arms subconsciously preparing to defend himself. It was clear he was a stubborn man. Already as the man summarized up his pain and sorrow he was preparing to defend himself. Running scenarios of how this conversation went in his mind. Naturally most of them didn't go well for him but he was fully prepared to argue his point as best he could against logic and reason. His lips pursed as they stopped and his golden eye watched warily. The man mentioned how revenge was a powerful but dangerous motivator and Ash would narrow that golden gaze. The small scars on his face seemed to burn at the memory of a hollow. The burning building...the blood on the walls. All of it flashing back to him as it always did when hollows were brought up. When he was asked if he was here to join the gotei 13 or to hunt hollow he was quick to open his lips to response. To him they went hand in hand after all. One didn't do one without the other. It was the purpose of the squads to deal with the hollow threat. Something about balance and what not too but....

His lips would close quietly as he was told not to answer yet. Irritation flashing across his face at that. He had been ready to argue and debate but instead simply got shut down for now. Still he recalled who each of them was and thought better about disobeying an order despite his stubborn pride wanting him to bark out a reply anyway. Instead he would hesitate only a moment to shush himself as his lips closed. He took a deep breath through his nose before doing as he was told. His right hand settling into a firm grip on the hilt of his zanpakto as the blue ribbons on the bottom seemed to wrap themselves around his wrist. Almost lovingly. Though Ash did not seem to notice as he instead focused on the man before him. He had his opinions but he also had experience. Which became obvious as the lesson began. Clarifying what they would be practicing. The hoho technique the man had mentioned was the only one that Ash knew at the moment and it was draining so it was more of an escape or single attack technique. Interesting how it could be simplified into a principle instead of specific techniques....well that could do him some good.

So he would be utilizing speed as todays training goal. It was true up until now that each session had been lacking in comparison to those he fought. One had taught him to perfect what he was good at and another had taught him to continuously push an attack to keep his opponent off balance. In either regard speed would do him a great deal of good. Still this seemed like another one sided match. This time pain would be involved. Still what did this man know of Ashland's feelings? Of his hate or what drove him? If he wanted to get cut than Ashland would put his all into this. Don't hold back he said. Of course not. what would be the point when fighting a captain? Hesitation out of fear? What was stronger? His fear or his rage? Ash would grit his teeth and take another breath. Not replying as he had been instructed not to yet. Instead he would assume a one handed grip in the interest of speed. So he charged forward. However words echoed in his mind. Difficult to pin down meant a straight line was ill conceived. Which is why it was just a feint. At the last moment Ash would shift his feet. Attempting if Tsuyoshi hadn't drawn his own sword yet to dive to his sword side. Attempting to slam Ash's left hand down to force the weapon to remain sheathed on top of Tsuyoshis. His right hand holding the blade would attempt to stab the man in the upper arm of his arm on his sword side.

[Charlotte & Serenity Buckner]

Though short, I'm willing to count this cuz training did occur 'v' 28 paragraphs, so that'll be 140 TP!