To Serve and Protect

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro had always been a pacifist, and violence was something he deeply abhorred. He had seen so much destruction and devastation in his long life, both as a human and as a Shinigami. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness and empathy for those who resorted to violence. Even though the six men had incited this battle, Benjiro couldn't help but feel pity for them. He knew that violence only bred more violence, and that it was a vicious cycle that never truly ended. That was why he fought to restrain and avoid causing harm, as much as possible.

This was not the same for Munemasa-san and Satoshi-san, despite them holding their strength back. Watching Munemasa-san and Satoshi-san strike and dispatch of the men with ease made Benjiro realize just how skilled they truly were. He was impressed, but also somewhat disturbed by the ease with which they had impaired their foes. As he watched the men lie on the ground, unconscious and defeated, Benjiro couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness. He had sensed it earlier, they were not in their right minds. They deserved no punishment for actions they were manipulated into doing.

"Kan ji zai bo satsu. Gyo jin han-nya hara mi-ta ji. Sho ken go on kai ku. Do issai ku yaku..." The beginning of the heart sutra, a prayer meant to bring healing, peace, and clarity to these men. He hoped that this would aid them in finding peace and safety, even in the cold of the mountains. He continued the Heart Sutra under his breath as he gripped the prayer beads attached to his Zanpakuto. He then turned to see the three he had bound in his Horin, walking up to them with an empathetic look on his face, even as they cursed him. It was at that point that Munemasa-san agreed with him and apparently noticed that something was wrong.

Munemasa-san brushed the hair of one of the men aside, revealing a system of oddly colored veins that pulsated. Upon closer inspection on the three he had bound, Benjiro noticed the same thing. Munemasa-san's medical knowledge came to light at this point, as she carefully and precisely created an incision on the man's neck, extracting the foreign reiatsu from the man's body. True enough, he no longer had that strange spiritual signature on him anymore, and Munemasa-san complimented his intelligence. "This success is due to the two of you as well, Munemasa-san, Satoshi-san."

Satoshi-san proposed the most likely hypothesis, that this was the result of a hollow's power. She did bring up a terrifying thought though, what if the Hollow's ability worked on the three of them? If the power of these men were enhanced to the point of being able to see and attempt to fight Shinigami, then a Shinigami might become far stronger as well. Sure, if Benjiro were to be controlled, Munemasa-san and Satoshi-san could very easily dispatch of him, but if either of his two seniors were controlled, it would be difficult to say the least. "I pray it does not come to that, Satoshi-san."

Munemasa-san explained how they could remove the discolored veins with precise trauma, being careful not to damage the brain stem. Fortunately, gentle was the man's forte. He carefully followed Munemasa-san's example in cutting out the rest of the discolored veins, the three still conscious immediately slumping to the ground as soon as the parasites were removed. Thankfully, the wind and the snow dropped considerably at this point, allowing Benjiro some seldom moments of warmth amidst this frozen peak.

Munemasa-san proposed that they bring the bodies over to the nearby power plant, and Benjiro quickly scooped up four of the six men. He not only had the benefit of strength but of size, capable of hoisting the two men on his shoulders and carefully holding two of them underneath his arms. Satoshi-san easily picked up the remaining two men before trudging off towards the building. She seemed to be a very bold individual, which Benjiro respected. There was a need for caution in equal parts to action after all. Benjiro followed after her, making his way to the power plant.

Speaking of, the power plant was actually quite a bit larger than initially expected. Benjiro couldn't help but wonder what exactly it was powering all the way up here in the mountains, especially for it to be so large and nearly devoid of people outside of the six they fought. Well, it seemed devoid anyways, until they were close enough to notice the open steel door with tracks leading out of it. As soon as they noticed it, however, the large steel door began to close, faster than they could safely run towards it. Satoshi-san, the woman of action that she was, tossed the two men she carried and closed the gap.

"Satoshi-san! The humans!" He exclaimed out of surprise before stomping over to try and figure out how to carry them. He turned back and saw that Satoshi-san had failed to stop the door from closing, which was surprising considering she managed to reach it quite a bit before it had sealed. It was at that point that she reared back and truly demonstrated her immense strength, blasting the door open with a single punch. Benjiro just blinked, did they even need him for this mission?

Anyways, Benjiro took on his duty as a guardian and quickly made his way to the entrance of the power plant, depositing the four men inside before making a trip back for the two left in the nearby snowdrift. He didn't want to shepherd any souls before it was their time after all, especially since they had to be careful about messing with the balance of souls. After he ensured the unconscious men were protected, he would turn to the others and ask them a question.

"What is this place?"

Munemasa Iroka Satoshi Fuuko

[Munemasa Iroka]

Fuuko's suggestion that some hollow was responsible for the strange polyps that had controlled the six men did seem reasonably logical. Hollows, after all, were known to have weird powers such as this, though the masked menaces were just as varied as Shinigami were with their zanpakutou. But even Shinigami usually did not possess such sneaky, invasive powers such as this. Iroka nodded her head, as she tapped her chin. "Most likely some sort of hollow powers, yes," she replied, "though I must say that we're most likely dealing with a rather intelligent one. If I get controlled, that shouldn't be an issue. I'm not that strong," Iroka concluded with a laugh.

Although she didn't say it, Iroka was all for them not having to fight one another, just like Benjiro had opined. Whether their enemy could make its thralls stronger or not, there was nothing as disconcerting as having to face off against one of her friends or colleagues. As the group picked up the bodies, with Iroka not having anyone to carry, they headed for the plant, while Fuuko asked if the 12th Division could have been involved. "Unless it's a case of Junibantai technology being captured and used by whoever is behind this, I doubt it," Iroka replied. "It could be that--" she was unable to finish, as the door began closing, and Fuuko broke off into a run.

With the blonde's speed, she would definitely be able to get into the door before it closed; she was that fast. Instead, Fuuko stopped before the door, and laid into it with a single blow, dislocating it and sending its crushed form flying off to hit the wall at the far end of the room beyond with a loud clang. Iroka stared at Fuuko as though the blonde was growing an extra head, and then slowly covered her mouth with her hands. "Oni-chan, you're really scary!" she exclaimed, as she entered the room into which she was ushered by her fellow squad mate. After Benjiro brought in the unconscious men, the group would find themselves in a rather large room, which looked like some form of warehouse, which would be odd, seeing that this was supposed to be a powerplant. At the far end of the room, beside where the ruined remains of the door Fuuko had pulverized lay, was another smaller steel door.

"I believe we may as well explore this place, and see if we can find Kajou-san," Iroka stated, walking towards the door. All of a sudden, there was a whirr, and a large loudspeaker descended from the ceiling. "Greetings, my flies in a jar," came a raspy, irritating voice. "Welcome to my secret lab. I knew you Shinigami would send someone to look for your missing fly, but I didn't expect to have three new test subjects waltzing into my trap. I am indeed fortunate. You, however, are not." And then the speaker went silent. Iroka turned to look at her colleagues, and then suddenly vanished, as a hole opened under her, and she disappeared into it.

Whatever the others did, whether they stood still or charged forward, individual holes would open under them, and they would fall in, as the air within the holes had been purged of reiatsu so that standing on the air would be impossible. The fall was absolutely harmless, though, and each Shinigami would find themselves traveling through a long chute before being ejected into in a fairly large subterranean chamber. They would be alone... except for a figure standing at the far end of the room watching them. The annoying voice came again. "I have analyzed the three of you, and I am pleased with my findings. Rock, paper, scissors. It is quite obvious. And so, as expected, Rock, meet Paper; Paper meet Scissors; Scissors meet Rock. Hahahahahahaha!"

Each Shinigami would quickly realize that the other person in their room was an Arrancar, of all things. But they didn't seem particularly complete; like they were the mid-step between hollow and Arrancar. Fuuko's opponent was some giant creature with the head of an insect, and a bloated body. "Just my luck," Bloated Bugface said, the excitement evident in its voice, "I got one of the hotties! Don't be repulsed by my form. I'm actually quite charming, and you'll find me irresistible once you get used to me, hee hee hee!"

Benjiro was met by a meek-looking creature with some weird pipe-like protrusions sticking out of its back. "Uh, I'd rather we didn't fight, if that's okay with you," the creature said. "I was captured and brought here, and I just want to be allowed to go home."

Iroka found herself looking at a half-human, half-nautilus hybrid, except that the thing was wielding a pair of cleavers. "DIE!" it said.

The Shinigami would also notice that there were screens which allowed them to see what was going on with their colleagues. On the one hand, it was good to be able to know if they were doing well, but it was also a double-edged sword. One could get distracted by the screens.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bloated Bugface's Stats}
Strength: 100
Speed: 100
Reiatsu Strength: 400
Spiritual Pressure: 300
Instinct: 100
Senses: 100
Energy Sensory: 00
Healing Expertise: 00

Total: 1100

Abilities: ??

SPOILER: Click to show

{Portable Pipe Organ's Stats}
Strength: 150
Speed: 220
Reiatsu Strength: 50
Spiritual Pressure: 50 
Instinct: 50
Senses: 100
Energy Sensory: 00
Healing Expertise: 00

Total: 620

Abilities: ??

SPOILER: Click to show

{Slasher Squidward's Stats}
Strength: 500
Speed: 300
Reiatsu Strength: 50
Spiritual Pressure: 50
Instinct: 100
Senses: 100
Energy Sensory: 00
Healing Expertise: 00

Total: 1100

Abilities: ??

Satoshi Fuuko Benjiro Hiroto

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"That's right!" Fuuko said, grinning as she slapped her chest. She clenched and unclenched her fist and watched as Iroka hopped into the warehouse. Fuuko followed behind her a bit more casually. She was about to call out for Kajou when the loudspeaker came on. Her eyes narrowed 

"I ain't nobody's-" Fuuko was about to spit when she saw Iroka fall. She blinked and reached out her hand, but found her own feet had lost the ground beneath them. "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" She howled until she hit the ground, now in a different place entirely. "Ghhk!" She looked around. "OI! SIS!" She barked. "PERVERT!?" 

Then she heard the voice and turned to look at the bloated thing with the bug face. "The fuck?" She barked. She raised her eyebrow as it called her out. "Fuck that. I'd rather have the pervert look up my skirt!" Fuuko declared. That's when she caught the monitors. "Oi!" She barked. She didn't know if they could hear her or not, but she was pretty sure someone could. "Hey, asshole!" Fuuko barked and looked around. "Get yer kicks while ya can, because when we find ya, I'm gonna punch ya til yer uglier than this motherfucker." She said, nodding to the bloated bug-faced halfancar. 

Fuuko decided to test what this creature could do without getting too close. She unsheathed her Zanpakutou, tossing it in the air with her left, and catching with her right. As she caught it, she swung it forward and reiatsu condensed around it. A gold colored slash whipped at the bug-face. 

"Sakugen!" The slash whipped at the bug creature with a force of 600 Strength. 




Reiatsu: 4975/5000 - Blood Bank: 000 - Unreleased Katana

(Sakugen used)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Sakugen}
Technique Name: Sakugen (Cut)

Technique Class: 7 - 10 TTP

Technique Type: General Shinigami.

Usable By: Shinigami, Vizard, Rogues.

Technique Element: N/A

Technique Cost: 25 Reiatsu.

Description: The user pours Reiatsu into their body, and their sword, and releases it in a mighty slash attack. A small slash of Reiatsu shoots outwards, and can cut with the same force as the user, if it hits. It also bypasses the cutback effect, as well as comes with the user's weight. It feels like it hits the enemy with the user's body weight, on top of cutting into them or their tools.

How to Use: Charge and slash in an instant.

Incantation: N/A.

Drawbacks: It drains some Reiatsu and some stamina, but also comes with a requirement. One must have a minimum of 200 in strength to be able to use this technique, or it cannot be used.

Made By: Ozuru Ren.
Reserved?: No.

SPOILER: Click to show

{abilities}Strength - 400 Points (600) +50%
Speed - 300 Points
Spiritual Pressure - 400 Points (500) +25%
Reiatsu Strength - 45 Points (31) -30%
Light Aura - 95 Points
Dark Aura - 05 Points
Instinct- 75 Points
Senses- 100 Points (75) -25%
Energy sensory - 40 Points
Healing Expertise - 0 Points

• [Battle Focus] {1}
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
• [Lack of Fear] {2}
• [Zanjutsu] {1}
• [Strength of Will] {2}
• [Damage Recovery] {2}
• [Bleeding Tolerance] {2}
• [Anti-Stealth] {1}
• [Blood Scent] {2}

Munemasa Iroka

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro took a deep breath as he prepared himself for what lay ahead in the power plant. He had just managed to rescue each of the formerly controlled men and bring them to safety, but now it was time to uncover the mystery that was held within. They needed to save Kajou-san after all, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread, but he wasn't sure why. He followed closely behind Munemasa-san and Satoshi-san as they entered the power plant, keeping his senses sharp and his guard up.

Munemasa-san took charge at this point, saying that they needed to find Kajou-san within, but before either Benjiro or Satoshi-san could reply, a voice echoed throughout the room. It was a sadistic and vain voice, and it seemed to relish in the fact that they were all there, ready to become its playthings and fall into its trap. Benjiro felt a chill run down his spine as he listened to the voice, wondering if whoever had done this had experimented on the six people from earlier. He could not let his guard down.

Just as the voice finished speaking, however, the ground beneath them gave way, and the trio plummeted down into a pit. Benjiro felt his heart race as he fell, sliding through the serpentine tunnel. As he hit the ground, he looked around, realizing that they had been separated and each thrown into a different pit. "Munemasa-san! Satoshi-san!" He tried to call out to them, but to no avail. He couldn't even see them at first, not until he noticed the screen blare to life with his two comrades facing off against an enemy within the room.

That was when he realized that he was not alone either. Benjiro sensed its energy before he saw it properly, it felt like a hollow but different. It's unique spiritual signature confusing the inexperienced Shinigami, but it had not shaken his resolve. He turned his attention towards the source of the spiritual energy and he saw a meek looking creature that seemed half hollow, with pipes growing out of its back. As soon as their eyes met, the meek creature pleaded to not fight, claiming that it was captured and wanted to go home instead.

"...Very well." The gentle giant didn't take a lot of convincing to be dissuaded from combat. Besides, he did not feel any hostile intent from this creature either. Benjiro figured he could try to converse with it a little more. "I am grateful for your peaceful nature, but I hope you understand if I take some more precautions. Trust me, this will not hurt at all." The gentle giant of a Shinigami approached the mysterious creature and attempted to touch one of the pipes.

"Stun them all with your blinding deception. Bite the night with your unfailing jaws and cause your enemies to cower in fear. Bakudo number 11, Haihin." Benjiro finished the incantation for Haihin, carefully injecting little knots of traps made out of his own spiritual energy in the attempt to rupture the flow of the opponent, in the case that they did attack. In case they did not though, two marks of the swastika symbol would appear on the arrancar's body. "Forgive my caution, and my lack of manners." He asked, bowing gratefully to the dead. "I am Benjiro Hiroto, an Unseated Shinigami. Who are you?"

Reiatsu: 950/1000
-25 Haihin

Munemasa Iroka Satoshi Fuuko

[Munemasa Iroka]

Bloated Bugface did not seem particularly pleased with Fuuko's rebuttal. Even less so when she called out that she was going to beat whoever was responsible for this setup until they were uglier than the insectoid creature. "That's very rude of you to say!" Bugface buzzed angrily. "Maybe it's high time that I...." The pseudo-Arrancar's words were silenced as Fuuko's raging slash cut through its massive body, slicing easily through the blubber-like flesh. But if Fuuko had made an attack, it seemed to have no effect on the creature whatsoever, as the flesh simply closed back, sealing the wound.

Immediately, Bloated Bugface reached back, and sent a closed fist towards Fuuko, aiming to hit her with a straight punch. "How dare you attack me without warning?" It shrieked. "You are so rude! I must teach you manners! MANNERS!! MANNEEERRRRSSSSSSSS!!!" Even as the ugly creature ranted and raved, it swung with its other fist, attempting to make another attack shortly after the first in order to take Fuuko by surprise. Chances were that this attempt would be unlikely to achieve success, but Bugface was willing to try.

Meanwhile, Benjiro seemed amenable to discussing with his own opponent, although he was, at the same time, unwilling to simply let down his guard. As he approached the creature while incanting the words of a kidou, Portable Pipe Organ drew back and flinched as he reached out and touched it. It cringed as though expecting a blow, or a sudden infliction of pain, but such did not come. Instead, all that existed were two manji-like marks on its body. Pipe Organ rubbed at them, first softly, then more frantically, as though trying to get rid of the marks, but all to no avail. The partial Arrancar screamed.

Flinging itself down on the ground, like a destitute child deprived of some hoped-for treat, the creature bawled, ignoring Benjiro's introduction and question. "Whatever did I do to deserve this sort of treatment?" it wailed, covering its face with its hands. "I've been kidnapped from my home, forced to be in a place I don't want to be, and the person that says he's grateful for my peaceful nature has cursed me for no reason. I wish I wasn't this gentle," it sobbed. Benjiro, for his part, if he cared to pay attention, would realize that, although it was almost imperceptible, there was a tiny, but steady stream of reiatsu-charged air constantly emanating from Pipe Organ's pipes. Whatever their function was, was as good a guess as any, though.

"I'd rather we didn't fight," Iroka said to Squidward. "DIE!" came the reply. "Why do you want me to die?" the orange-haired Shinigami asked. "DIE!" came the reply again. Iroka frowned. "What did you eat for breakfast?" The answer was the same: "DIE!" Iroka gave a light laugh as she clapped in glee. "That's all you can say! That's all you can say!!" she intoned in a singsong voice.

Her amusement was short-lived, though, as Squidward responded calmly, "I can say other things." Iroka blinked in surprise. "Oh, okay. Other things like what?"

"DIIEEE!!!"

And with that, Squidward launched himself at Iroka. She moved to avoid him, drawing her zanpakutou as a precaution, but he was faster than she was, intercepting her and swinging one of his cleavers. The Shinigami parried the slash, but the sheer strength of the mollusk creature sent her flying. She rectified herself and landed on her feet, but Squidward was upon her again. At least it seemed the others were doing well, she thought, as she tried to fend him off.

---

Satoshi Fuuko Benjiro Hiroto

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"I ain't known for my politeness, jackass." Fuuko hissed with a grin as the ugly thing became incensed. She was happy to have split it in half... but when it just reformed... An even wider smile appeared on her face. Even as it howled and threw a punch at her, Fuuko stiffly took the fist and grunted as she stumbled back. The second fist came and she took that too. Her head jerked backwards and she stumbled nearly to one knee. It hit hard. Probably harder than a lot of things hit, but no where near as hard as Fuuko. 

She sniffed and then spat some blood from her mouth as she stood up and sheathed her Zanpakutou. "My turn." She said as she grinned and rushed at the bug faced Arrancar. She threw a flurry of rapid fire punches at the bug face, putting her full strength into each one, while going as fast as she could. 

"ORRAAAAA!" She Shouted. 

After the brief flurry of punches, she tried to grab hold of the blobby bug guy with enough of a grip to try and hurl him into the wall. "I can and want to do this all day, but you can start talkin any time ya like!" Fuuko barked at the bug faced thing. Now Fuuko's adrenaline was really pumping through her! She nearly forgot about her comrades as she faced the prospect of a real donnybrook.



Reiatsu: 4975/5000 - Blood Bank: 000 - Unreleased Katana

SPOILER: Click to show

{abilities}Strength - 400 Points (600) +50%
Speed - 300 Points
Spiritual Pressure - 400 Points (500) +25%
Reiatsu Strength - 45 Points (31) -30%
Light Aura - 95 Points
Dark Aura - 05 Points
Instinct- 75 Points
Senses- 100 Points (75) -25%
Energy sensory - 40 Points
Healing Expertise - 0 Points



• [Battle Focus] {1}
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
• [Lack of Fear] {2}
• [Zanjutsu] {1}
• [Strength of Will] {2}
• [Damage Recovery] {2}
• [Bleeding Tolerance] {2}
• [Anti-Stealth] {1}
• [Blood Scent] {2}

Munemasa Iroka

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro approached the Partial Arrancar, Portable Pipe Organ, with caution. This was his first time encountering an Arrancar, having only heard about them from the Shino academy. Despite the creature's seemingly harmless attitude, Benjiro was wary. As he drew closer and began incanting Bakudo number eleven, he noticed the Arrancar flinch and cringe as though anticipating pain. What could have caused such a reaction from the poor creature? No matter how painful his Bakudo seemed, when he touched the Arrancar, only two manji-like marks appeared on its body. Pipe Organ rubbed at them frantically, but they would not disappear.

The creature's reaction surprised Benjiro. It flung itself to the ground and began sobbing, lamenting its forced presence in a place it did not want to be, and the curse it had received for no reason. It was alarming to see a supposedly deadly and devastating race act so emotional and so human, as if it truly was just a person that was down on their luck. "Easy now, friend. It's not going to hurt you, I actually think it looks good! It's like a tattoo!"  Benjiro tried his best to reassure the Arrancar, telling it that he meant it no harm. Despite its distress and his reassurance, Benjiro also remained alert to the steady stream of reiatsu-charged air emanating from the pipes of the Portable Pipe Organ.

"Come, why don't you tell me about this home of yours? I am a Shinigami after all, and I guide lost souls like yourself. Let me be your guide?" Benjiro continued to try to calm the creature, empathizing with its plight and showing concern for its well-being. He acknowledged that the situation was unfair and undeserved, and tried to reassure the Arrancar that he would aid it in any way he could. However, his mind kept flickering back to the stream of reiatsu that caught his attention. He couldn't help but wonder what their function was, and what kind of danger they might pose, whether the Arrancar meant it or not.

As Benjiro spoke to the Portable Pipe Organ, he tried to learn more about the creature and its abilities. "How did you get kidnapped friend? What did they do to you?" He asked it questions in order to learn more about the mysterious Arrancar. He wanted to know about its home, its nature, and its powers. Perhaps the Arrancar's answers would provide further insight into the mysterious observer that placed them under these conditions in the first place.

He also took the time to glance back towards the monitors every now and then, watching what the other two were doing. It was at that point that he saw Satoshi-san battling another Arrancar with her fists alone, seemingly overpowering it with a flurry of blows that the camera couldn't follow. Meanwhile, Munemasa-san seemed to struggle against the force of the Arrancar she faced, their swords clashing shortly before she was sent reeling from the blow. If those two Arrancar were so quick to battle, wouldn't it be the same for the one he was facing? He couldn't be sure. 

In the end, Benjiro found himself feeling a mix of emotions - empathy for the Portable Pipe Organ's plight, wariness of its potential power, and a desire to understand it better. He remained calm and kind, trying to reassure the creature and assuage its worries, while also staying alert to any signs of danger or imminent combat. Despite his lack of experience with Arrancars, Benjiro showed himself to be a compassionate and curious Shinigami, willing to learn and understand even those who might be considered enemies.

Satoshi Fuuko Munemasa Iroka

[Munemasa Iroka]

It seemed, for all intents and purposes that Fuuko was delighted that this fight did not end so quickly. The weird insect Arrancar, having launched his own counterattack, noted that all his blows connected with their intended target. Bugface seemed pleased that his attacks were hitting home, until he realized that the blonde Shinigami had simply tanked them without any notable damage to herself. With a grin, she announced that the next round was hers. And then she attacked.

This time, it was with her fists. Her attacks were sufficient to wreak havoc on the face of the ugly creature, as some strange purple liquid and bits of bug face flew with every punch. Then she grabbed the creature and sent it flying smack into the wall, where it made a loud 'splat' sound, before sinking to the ground in a shapeless heap. It was surely dead, for such an assault as had been delivered by Fuuko was difficult to take full in the face and survive. Except it wasn't. The shapeless mass took form again, and Bugface glared at her. "Okay! Kid gloves are off!! Prepare to meet your end!!!" So saying, the creature began expanding rapidly until it was twice its size, which had been initially quite large to begin with. And then it charged Fuuko. There was no particular attack, just an attempt to tackle her. And if Bugface succeeded, Fuuko would find herself being immersed in a form that was now more jelly than solid. Apparently the intention was to suffocate her. Punches would simply distend the rubbery form but produce no lasting results.


Benjiro, for his part, was attempting to communicate with PPO, who seemed more interested in crying and bewailing its predicament. When he spoke about serving as guide to the wailing creature, PPO glared at him. "In case you didn't quite get the memo, the 'guiding' that your kind does is sticking swords into my kind. How do you expect me to take your offer? I want to go home, you want to kill me. All you Shinigami are alike!" There was a pause. "Besides, did I mention that I hate tattoos? I don't want any such rubbish on my body! Remove it, then I'll know you can be trusted."

The question regarding how PPO got kidnapped was met with a pensive silence, as though the creature was considering if it was worth answering. Then it replied, "I was captured by one of your kind, you supposed guides of the lost. He kept saying things about how my sacrifice would serve the greater good, and he brought me here. I have been here for close to three weeks, now. I got injected with strange chemicals that caused these weird pipes to grow from my body. I have no idea what they do. Just break me out of here, and I'll find my way home. It's in Hueco Mundo, so I won't advice you to go there." It would be at this point that Benjiro would notice that his sight was ever so slightly getting impaired, like the onset of a migraine's auras; mild, but present. It was very likely the gas, which had been exuding from PPO's pipes ever since Benjiro had entered the room. Not much Haihin could do against something that was already activated, was there?


"DIIIEEEEE!!!" Squidward yelled for the umpteenth time, swinging his cleavers one after the other at Iroka. The first she stepped back to avoid, but wasn't quick enough to dodge the second, although she managed to parry it with her zanpakutou again. The force of the blow sent her flying again, but this time, she wasn't so lucky, as there wasn't enough space to sail through the air. Her back encountered the wall behind her with explosive force, knocking the wind out of her lungs as pain radiated through her torso. Any harder, and she probably would have broken some ribs. Sadly for Iroka, Squidward wasn't interested in letting her get breathing space.

The mollusk Arrancar sped in and aimed a slash at Iroka's neck. She ducked, or more accurately, her knees buckled, causing her to fall and miss the cleaver by mere inches, as the huge blade carved a furrow in the wall. The buckling of her knees was not a lucky dodge; it was easier for one's knees to collapse when they were already shaky, and Iroka had simply gone with the pull of gravity. Staying on the ground would be dangerous, though, and the Shinigami quickly rolled and righted herself, twisting as she swung her sword at Squidward. With her almost nonexistent skill in zanjutsu, and her lacking physical strength, the blade merely made a shallow cut across Squidward's arm. "Eh?" Iroka said, looking and sounding confused, as though she was surprised at her lack of ability to hurt Squidward. "You're so boring!" the Arrancar exclaimed. "YES!" came the exultant reply. "I made you say something else again!!" Squidward's expression darkened considerably, and the look of elation on Iroka's face faded. "Now now, no need to get angry, ne? I just wanted you to say something else...."

"DDDDIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"

---

Satoshi Fuuko Benjiro Hiroto

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Fuuko clapped her hands together as she tossed the ugly bug-faced beast. She was expecting it to whine and cry and talk about not getting beaten up anymore, but it did... the opposite. Fuuko watched as, once again, the bug face seemed to regenerate. It even shit talked back, saying it had been pussyfooting this whole time and now it was ready to fight for real. Fuuko took a step back as it barked at her and started to grow. 

"Tch. What the fuck?! I just put the kid gloves on! You fat Fuck! What is this shit?!" Fuuko hissed as the thing rolled at her with a a blubbery girth. "Shit!" 

Fuuko dove out of the way of the first rolling charge, but she was pretty sure that it could just bounce off a wall and come right at her. She had also tried cutting and punching it to no avail. Clearly whatever this guy was, she was pretty sure that stabbing it would  be just  as effective. Sure enough, her thoughts were proven right as it just came at her. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Fuuko hissed. The thing could also probably roll around after her forever. She'd get tired first and then that was that. As it approached again, she slammed her foot against the ground as reiatsu hardened around it. 

"Shunpo Eichi!" She hissed and a shockwave expanded out rapidly from her position. She knew it wasn;'t going to hurt  it, but it should at least slow it down while she used the flash step to get across the room. Fuuko landed in a corner and dropped to her hands and knees. She could feel sweat dripping from all over her and her mouth was open. It felt like she had fought three rounds of a boxing match, but she knew it was the Shunpo. She had maybe one left in her to keep her distance, but she was patient. She focused on sights and sounds other than the rolling bug ball. 

Fuuko quickly drew out her zanpakutou, without the usual flourish, and held fast in a crouch. Maybe the ugly thing would taunt her about giving up, or whatever it thought was clever, but Fuuko had to set aside all of that. It probably thought eating her Shunpo Eichi was funny since it couldn't hurt the rolling bug ball. That would mean it wouldn't try and stop her from doing it again. She just needed a sign. She just needed something. 

That's when she heard it. That's when she felt it. There was a soft kuchunk that was unmistakably some kind of blade hitting some kind of wall. The reverberations were even more faint, but they were there too. She didn't look at it, but looked up at Bug Face. She had wondered how thick these walls were, but retreat was not the reason. She had wondered about just getting out if she defeated Bug Face, but where she felt the impact would be about where Iroka had been. The bug-face was nearing again and Fuuko's foot started to be wrapped in condensed reiatsu. Once again, she stomped on the ground to halt the bug ball. This time, however, she sent herself flying towards where the wall was and then condensed some more Reiatsu around her zanpakutou and slashed at the wall. 

"Shunpo Eichi! Sakugen!" This time the golden slash of reiatsu was aimed at the wall that she was flying towards. If that was enough to dent her side, then her own impact should throw herself into the wall hard enough to bust it open. It wasn't going to be fun, but if it didn't work, then what was waiting for her would be a hell of a lot worse. Fuuko lowered her shoulder and hoped for the best as she crashed into the wall. 

'I can't let that fat fuck kill me. I'd die of embarrassment first! I know it!'

Reiatsu: 4650/5000 - Blood Bank: 000 - Unreleased Tachi

SPOILER: Click to show

{Sakugen}
Technique Name: Sakugen (Cut)

Technique Class: 7 - 10 TTP

Technique Type: General Shinigami.

Usable By: Shinigami, Vizard, Rogues.

Technique Element: N/A

Technique Cost: 25 Reiatsu.

Description: The user pours Reiatsu into their body, and their sword, and releases it in a mighty slash attack. A small slash of Reiatsu shoots outwards, and can cut with the same force as the user, if it hits. It also bypasses the cutback effect, as well as comes with the user's weight. It feels like it hits the enemy with the user's body weight, on top of cutting into them or their tools.

How to Use: Charge and slash in an instant.

Incantation: N/A.

Drawbacks: It drains some Reiatsu and some stamina, but also comes with a requirement. One must have a minimum of 200 in strength to be able to use this technique, or it cannot be used.

Made By: Ozuru Ren.
Reserved?: No.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Shunpo Eichi}
Technique Name: Shunpo Eichi

Class: 4

Technique Type: Kidō

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:
The "exploding Shunpo" technique. This allows the user, for a cost of 150 Reiatsu, to initiate a Shunpo. This Shunpo releases far more power, so anywhere within a meter of the user will be hit with an explosive shockwave equivalent to the user's physical Strength when the Shunpo is used.

How to use technique:
Stated above.

Drawback:
Stamina drain. Reiatsu cost. Can only be used twice per post.

SPOILER: Click to show

{abilities}Strength - 400 Points (600) +50%
Speed - 300 Points
Spiritual Pressure - 400 Points (500) +25%
Reiatsu Strength - 45 Points (31) -30%
Light Aura - 95 Points
Dark Aura - 05 Points
Instinct- 75 Points
Senses- 100 Points (75) -25%
Energy sensory - 40 Points
Healing Expertise - 0 Points



• [Battle Focus] {1}
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
• [Lack of Fear] {2}
• [Zanjutsu] {1}
• [Strength of Will] {2}
• [Damage Recovery] {2}
• [Bleeding Tolerance] {2}
• [Anti-Stealth] {1}
• [Blood Scent] {2}

Munemasa Iroka

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro listened carefully to PPO's words, trying to understand the gravity of the situation. He knew that PPO was right, that many Shinigami had killed Hollows and other perceived enemies without hesitation, but he wanted to show that there were some Shinigami who were willing to listen and help those who needed it. "I understand that you feel that way, but I promise you that I won't harm you," he said reassuringly. "As for the tattoo, it is a mark of trust. It will show others that you are under my protection and no harm will come to you. And I promise that it won't hurt, nor will it last long. I promise to remove it once we are safe."

When PPO revealed how it was kidnapped, Benjiro's heart sank. He couldn't believe that another Shinigami would do something so horrible. "I am so sorry that you were taken by one of my fellow Shinigami," he said with genuine remorse. "No one deserves to be treated like that. I will do everything in my power to get you out of here and back to Hueco Mundo." Despite what he said, the gentle giant wondered why one would willingly want to live in Hueco Mundo, but home was home, regardless of its comfortability he supposed. Besides, there were more important issues at play as Benjiro's mind raced with possibilities of who could have done such a thing and what they wanted with PPO.

That was when he noticed his mind begin to cloud and fog as his senses began to feel hazy. As the gas began to affect him, Benjiro fought to keep his focus on PPO's words. He realized that he needed to act quickly before it was too late. "Your pipes have been releasing gas." he said urgently, trying his hardest to hold some of his breath. "The gas is making it hard for me to think. We need to get out of here, do you know the way? Please trust me, I will get you out of here safely." Benjiro offered a hand to help PPO up sop that they could make their way out of the room, should PPO know the way. 

If PPO did not, then he would simply shake his head. "Then we may need to calm you down further. You need to regain control of these new additions to your body, and I believe I can help, if you let me." He offered before closing his eyes and clearing his mind. Meditation and Purposeful breathing was a big part of his Buddhist upbringing, and in doing so, one can gain more control over their own body. If the PPO was willing to try it, perhaps it could regain control of the pipes that have been attached to it. He only hoped that this would not devolve into another battle like what Munemasa-san and Satoshi-san were going through.

Satoshi Fuuko Munemasa Iroka

[Munemasa Iroka]

It seemed Benjiro sympathized with PPO, which was quite strange for a Shinigami. Still, the Arrancar remained guarded. Shinigami were the natural enemies of hollows and their ilk, no matter how nice a single Shinigami decided to be. As things stood, Benjiro was the exception to the rule. "No, no! I can't trust you," PPO wailed, as it shrunk away from the giant. "The fellow who put me here said the same thing to me, that he was going to help me get home. You're all the same! And no, I don't know how to get out of this place. If I did, I wouldn't have waited for you to come and save me, would I?"

That was all well and good, except for one thing. For Benjiro, having a learning capacity higher than the average person, the giant would realize a minor discrepancy in what PPO had said. Earlier, the Arrancar had said that its captor had said that its sacrifice was for the greater good BEFORE he brought it here. It did sound a bit dissonant that the creature was now saying that its captor had brought it here by deceiving it into trusting that he would get it home, as opposed to capturing it outright and praising its imminent sacrifice. But how Benjiro would take that realization, and what he chose to do with it, was another matter.


Bugface's charge was avoided by a prudent Fuuko, which was rather wise of her, seeing as it would have been rather difficult to cut her way out of the blubber that made up its body. As it approached again, it was suddenly struck with a powerful shockwave as the blonde Shinigami created some space between herself and the Arrancar, blasting it with the after-effects of Shunpo Eichi. "Ah... that almost hurt, hahaha," the huge tub of insect lard said in glee as it began wobbling her way again. "It's only a matter of time until I catch you, and when I do, it will be all over for you!"

Apparently, Fuuko wasn't interested in that process of events. As the blubbery Arrancar drew close, Fuuko did the Shunpo Eichi again, causing Bugface to laugh. "I told you that technique won't-- wait, what are you--?" Whatever words it was saying next would most likely not be heard by Fuuko, as she targeted the reiatsu-charged slash at the wall, almost immediately afterwards slamming into the already weakened structure with her insane strength. The wall was strong, but someone of Fuuko's strength levels could break a concrete wall just by punching it. The wall exploded as the blonde Shinigami hurtled through it, right into another room.


"DDDDIIIIII--" Squidward did not finish its battle cry, as the sound of what seemed to be an explosion rocked the building. Iroka shrieked as though she had been in the epicenter of whatever it was that had caused the noise. She disliked loud noises; sudden loud noises, even less so. But as the orange-haired Shinigami turned to see what had caused the noise, she saw the remains of what had been a wall, along with her friend and fellow squad mate picking herself up from the floor. Both Shinigami and Squidward stared at the blonde, then Iroka screamed again. But this time it was in delight.

Ignoring the cephalopod Arrancar, she charged Fuuko, slamming into the blonde as she wrapped her arms around her tightly in a hug. "Oniiiiiii-chan!!!" she yelled exuberantly. "So you were in the adjacent room. How did you know I was in here? What happened? Your room wasn't big enough for--?" her voice trailed off as she saw Bugface's immense form squeezing through the hole Fuuko had made. She pulled back from the hug, but still remained close to Fuuko, eying the approaching Arrancar warily. "Was it this big when you started fighting it?"

"DDDDIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!" yelled Squidward, brandishing its cleavers as it came along. Meanwhile, Bugface caught sight of Iroka. "Another cutie! This is my lucky... gah!" Iroka had narrowly avoided a cleaver slash aimed for her head, and that had sliced into Bugface, making the Arrancar angry, though unhurt. "Watch what you're doing you stupid tentacled twerp!". Squidward ignored the complaining tub of insect lard, and aimed its second cleaver at Fuuko's head as well. "DDDDIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!"


Satoshi Fuuko Benjiro Hiroto

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Fuuko felt the wall give way and crashed through it with a spray of dust and concrete. Once she was on the other side, she glanced back and grinned. It would be hard for the fat bug to get through in that form, she thought. However, as she stood up, she was blindsided and nearly crushed. Her fellow squadmate and best friend thanking her with a tight hug. Fuuko returned it, squeezing Iroka and mashing their bodies together.

"Sis!" Iroka squawked, her voice cracking a bit as her eyes teared up. "I'm so glad yer ok!" She nodded and opened her mouth to answer Iroka's questions, when suddenly the realization that they were still in a fight hit her. Fuuko had watched Iroka deftly dodge this ugly squid's cleaver and laughed as it cut through the Fat Bug face.

"Ha! You fuckin-Shit!"

Fuuko lowered her head and hit the shunpo. She crashed into Iroka, scooping her up as she leaped to the other side of the room. She landed in a crouch and set Iroka down. Then, she cupped Iroka's cheek so the Orangette would pay attention. "We can hug it out once we kill these ugly fuckers and find the pervert. I can't hurt that fat tub of lard, though, so you gotta take care of it. Use yer magic bullshit or whatever. I can probably handle meatcleaver guy." Fuuko grinned as she stood up.

"I've been wantin ta show ya this fer a while now, Sis." Fuuko said and stared at the squidbeast. "Oi! Tentacle face! You fucked with the wrong person when ya went after Iroka-chan! You're the one that gets ta D-D-D-D-DIIIIIIIEEEEE!" Fuuko held her sword out in front of her and inhaled. 

"Nomibanji..." 

'Yes... yesssss! Finally! Say it, Anego!'

"Shukketsubuki!" 

'Here I cooooome!'

Fuuko's zanpakutou was covered in light for an instant and slowly started to fade away. Once the light was gone, Fuuko's fist was wrapped tightly around... a small, red bladed pocket knife. Fuuko nodded and then looked at her weapon. "Prepare ta... What the shit!?" 

'Ahahahahaha!'

"What the actual fuck is this!?" Fuuko shouted angrily. 

'Ahahahahahaha!'

Fuuko's cheeks grew red with embarrassment as she looked from one Hollow to another while the voice in her head bombarded her with laughter. She then looked at Iroka. "Iroka-chan... Please... kill me and never tell anyone about this... Though I may die of embarrassment first... so be quick!" 

'Ahahahaha!'

_______________________

Reiatsu: 4400/5000 - Blood Bank: 000 - Released Pocket Knife (1 Post)

(Used Shunpo) (Released Shikai)

SPOILER: Click to show

{abilities}Strength - 400 Points (600) +50%
Speed - 300 Points
Spiritual Pressure - 400 Points (500) +25%
Reiatsu Strength - 45 Points (31) -30%
Light Aura - 95 Points
Dark Aura - 05 Points
Instinct- 75 Points
Senses- 100 Points (75) -25%
Energy sensory - 40 Points
Healing Expertise - 0 Points



• [Battle Focus] {1}
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
• [Lack of Fear] {2}
• [Zanjutsu] {1}
• [Strength of Will] {2}
• [Damage Recovery] {2}
• [Bleeding Tolerance] {2}
• [Anti-Stealth] {1}
• Blood Scent {2}

Munemasa Iroka

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro listened carefully to PPO's words, his expression a mixture of sympathy and concern. He understood why the Arrancar was guarded, considering the history between Shinigami and hollows, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated at the generalization. "I understand your distrust, but I assure you, I am not like the others. I do not wish to harm any souls living in peace." he said gently, trying to convey his sincerity. There was a part of him that knew that he could not simply overcome the barrier between them with words alone. There was too much malice and disdain between his kind and the denizens of Hueco Mundo. 

It wasn't like Benjiro didn't understand where the fear and apprehension came from. His own experiences with Hollows were quite terrifying, and the way that they devoured souls had hurt him deeply, but to lump all hollows in together as mindless soul-stealing creatures was nothing short of bigotry. When PPO expressed its frustration at being trapped and not knowing how to escape, Benjiro felt a pang of guilt. He had wanted to rescue the Arrancar, but it seemed like he wasn't going to be able to do so easily. "I'm sorry you've been trapped here, but if I am to get you out then you need to help me. You need to try and... hold your breath. We'll be able to get out if you hold your breath." he promised, hoping to reassure PPO and get it to stop spewing out so much gas.

After PPO spoke though, Benjiro's mind began to work, analyzing the information and looking for any discrepancies. When he noticed the discrepancy in PPO's story, he felt a small twinge of suspicion. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but he couldn't ignore the inconsistency either. The Shinigami that put him there had simultaneously promised to free him and help him but also captured him in the name of the greater good? The Arrancar seemed to be contradicting itself, which probably meant that its words were not to be trusted.

"It will help me if you can tell me what kind of Shinigami trapped you here. Learning what they were like can help me decipher where the exit could be, or how to escape from this room at the very least." The reason behind this question was twofold, the first being an honest one. Perhaps knowledge about the captor would in fact inform him of where the exit of this entrapment truly was. The second reason was an entrapment of sorts as well, as he had prepared himself for PPO to lie to him again. In his mind, he had focused his spiritual energies into yet another Horin, a staple technique of his that he planned on using to tie up the pipes. 

All he needed was a trigger. Should PPO lie to him again, or speak without the information adding up, then Benjiro's face would harden with that of pity and resolve. He would point at the deceitful Arrancar and open his mouth to utter a single word. "Horin." As soon as the Eishohaki cast Bakudo left his lips, a geyser of orange energy would burst forth from his fingertips and encircle the pipes that spewed sense scrambling smog before compressing and hardening like the roots of a great tree. If he was successful, hopefully the pipes would be clogged by the compression while simultaneously restraining the Arrancar. 


Reiatsu: 925/1000

-25 Horin

Satoshi Fuuko Munemasa Iroka

[Munemasa Iroka]

Iroka gave a surprised yelp as she found herself whisked off her feet by Fuuko and carried some distance away from the two pseudo-Arrancar. As Fuuko put her down and explained her intention of taking on Squidward, while Iroka would switch places with her and take on Bugface, the orange-haired Shinigami nodded, as she dramatically waved her hands in a sinuous pattern. "Magic bullshit or whatever. Right." She sounded so serious, though, and as someone who didn't often engage in sarcasm (it usually flying over her head), for all intents and purposes, Iroka wasn't joking.

"Whichever the case, Oni-chan, you're a lot more intelligent than you let on, you know," Iroka said, beaming at her best friend. As Fuuko mentioned that she had been wanting to show Iroka something for a while, the carrot-top paid full attention. In fact, Iroka wasn't the only one who focused on the dark-skinned blonde. Both Bugface and Squidward turned their attention to her as well, watching with wariness and apprehension. Fuuko held out her sword, and called a command, along with a name. She was releasing her zanpakutou! The two Arrancar drew back, visibly intimidated, as the light emanated from her weapon.

And it was a pocket knife. Iroka didn't seem to get the issue with the weapon, for she looked rather impressed, as she clapped her hands in glee. "Oh, Fuuko-chan, it looks amazing!" she gushed. Most likely if she were someone else, she could have been accused of being sarcastic. But this was Munemasa Iroka. She was too exalted for sarcasm. There was an uncomfortable silence, and then Bugface erupted into laughter. "After all that drama, a kitchen knife?! Ahahahahahahahaha!! I have never seen anything so pathetic in all my life." Squidward did not laugh, but the latter did not seem amused, anyhow. "I'm not fighting you," it said to Fuuko, pointing a cleaver at Iroka. "She has a bigger sword."

Meanwhile, PPO kept up its sniveling and whining, despite all Benjiro's words to convince it that he was worthy to be trusted. "You plan on harming me somehow, if I hold my breath," the Arrancar replied. "And if you think holding my breath will prevent whatever is coming out of my pipes, that won't work. These things aren't respiratory organs. So, just keep lying to me. I'm sure it will make you feel better about yourself, like your colleague that brought me here."

Benjiro asked what sort of Shinigami had brought PPO here. There was a pregnant pause, then the creature warily replied, "Does that really matter? Well, if you must know, he said he was from the 12th Group or something. As for how he behaved, if that will do any good, he was very violent; he seemed to enjoy fighting, and causing damage to people and things." Now, that description surely sounded more like someone from the 11th, rather than the 12th Division, as the Junibantai Shinigami were more interested in research than violence. And if he had actually been from the 12th, why would the 12th be sending Shinigami from other Divisions to clear up a mess that seemed unethical, even by Shinigami standards?

And then the Horin struck. Benjiro's use of the spell, though not exactly as it was intended for, did manage to successfully constrict a good number of the pipes, squeezing them shut, and drastically reducing the amount of strange gas emanating from them. The Arrancar gave a blood curdling shriek, as it threw itself down on the floor again. "It hurts! Squeezing the pipes hurts so bad!! Why are you Shinigami all so heartless? And I was beginning to trust you. You're just like the others of your kind!!! When will all of this end?"


Satoshi Fuuko Benjiro Hiroto

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Fuuko's cheeks couldn't be more red if she tried to make them that way. Iroka, as much as Fuuko loved the orangette, was not helping. Being laughed at and mocked by not one, but two Hollows was more than she could take. She was just glad the Pervert was trapped in another room and couldn't see this. Steam was practically coming off her head as she leered at the squid faced Hollow.

Fuuko's fists balled as she clutched Shukketsubuki in her hand. 'Ahahaha! Don't worry, Anego! I won't let ya die for real! Ya gotta learn ta walk before ya can fly, though, ne? If you can't handle this chump, then maybe ya should just die! Ahahaha!' Fuuko's eye twitched and when the aquid outright refused  to fight her, Fuuko exploded. 

"FUCK YOOOOU!" She howled as she put everything she had into punching the squid's face with her free hand. 


_______________________



Reiatsu: 4400/5000 - Blood Bank: 000 - Released Pocket Knife (2 Posts)



(Used Shunpo) (Released Shikai)

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 400 Points (600) +50%

Speed - 300 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 400 Points (500) +25%

Reiatsu Strength - 45 Points (31) -30%

Light Aura - 95 Points

Dark Aura - 05 Points

Instinct- 75 Points

Senses- 100 Points (75) -25%

Energy sensory - 40 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points







• [Battle Focus] {1}

• [Pain Tolerance] {2}

• [Lack of Fear] {2}

• [Zanjutsu] {1}

• [Strength of Will] {2}

• [Damage Recovery] {2}

• [Bleeding Tolerance] {2}

• [Anti-Stealth] {1}

• Blood Scent {2}

Munemasa Iroka