Soul Terror - Shibuya

[Deleted]

Benjiro was just as shaken as Aoshi was when the deranged Failure proclaimed his intent of blowing up and taking everything alongside him, in the best imitation of your typical shonen villain that this bastard could muster. Normally Aoshi would bet on the enemy's sense of self-preservation, but this dude seemed perfectly content with committing seppuku as long as it meant blowing something up. "Fucking damn it!" He roared, knowing that he had fucked up with that last double tap. If only he had been paying more attention, perhaps all this could've been averted!

But there was no point in lamenting himself about what would be or what could have been had the two of them handled the situation differently. As always, Benjiro was incredibly quick to react, and he was taking it all upon himself to stop the blast using a Hado spell, intent on countering the explosion with his own spiritual prowess. Aoshi grit his teeth and clenched his right fist. He couldn't leave Benjiro alone with this, could he? But on the other hand, all he was good for was... punching. He had no other talents whatsoever to adapt to a situation like this! If anything, it made him thankful that the Seated Officer was fighting alongside him. At the very least, the other small explosions that were randomly happening around them had stopped. Hopefully that would give the Shinigami the concentration he needed to pull through and

Aoshi gave a small nod, and turned toward the direction those two had faced. They were using the city as cover, walking instead of flying--perhaps because the other Failure was as unstable as this one? He definitely seemed sane, unlike here Crazy Explosive Murder God Dynamight. Before he took off, however, he turned to Benjiro and gave him some reassurance... in his own particular way. "Hey, Rocky! You'd better live and join me right after, alright? I've had way too many people die on me over the past years! I mean, sure, I killed most of them, but let's not get into semantics!!"

Wishing his comrade good luck, Aoshi tapped into his maximum speed with Shunpo. Flash Step only carried him for a single step, as its name implied, but he would make good use of it by angling it slightly upwards and using the momentum to fly through the air and cover some distance. At a boosted speed of 1830, the greenhorn Shinigami flew through the air, feeling the wind on his face. Benjiro was counting on him with the results of this mission, and for once, the Kenpachi was just not thinking about his own well being or taking things as a light joke. Despite knowing about his past and clearly having some judgment on it, Rocky hadn't hesitated to protect him, even if it meant taking great damage himself. Aoshi respected that deeply. Now that he had found a proper seated officer to look up to in the Tenth, he'd better not bite the dust already!

Once he had covered some good distance, he felt himself decelerating, and still no sight of those two! The Shinigami's senses were not above the ordinary human, so he struggled to find them. He frantically searched, knowing he could not fuck up now that Benjiro was taking care of the harder part of the mission. Luckily for him, his hunch had been right, and he managed to see two silhouettes cutting on a street light. One advanced with purpose, the other was far, far too hesitant. Hurrying as much as he could, Aoshi maneuvered to land right in front of them with quite the entrance. His body was resilient enough to handle that much.

The 'boss', or rather the person clearly in charge, raised an eyebrow as if he felt completely insulted, but did not attack at first.

"You are not going anywhere", he declared, although he was not sure he could put his money where his mouth was. Aoshi was no good at sensing energy. Perhaps it was still a budding talent, but he just couldn't feel others' Reiatsu, even if he wanted to. However, he could immediately know that this enemy was far, far beyond his league. He knew he would not be able to hold a candle against this fighter. However, the Kenpachi didn't miss the hopeful look in the Failure's face. He was pretty damn good at reading people, after all. "Haven't you heard of consent, dude? No means no, even if it's only implicit. Let him go."

The incredibly strong unknown guy shook his head, tired. "Ugh, people all day today...", he muttered before fully addressing Aoshi. "I will give you five seconds before I put you through that wall."

Well, that was a lie. It had only been four before Aoshi was, as he had been told, rammed through the nearest wall. This dude had disappeared, stepped right in front of him, grabbed him by the face and fricking threw him through the nearest window with a strength of 400, feeling no need to overexert himself. Shards of glass landed everywhere on the street, including at the feet of one particular Failure.

"Alright. I am sick and tired of interruptions. Let's..."

The words died in his mouth as he turned towards his surroundings. The trees' leaves were quickly turning brown despite being summer, shriveling up and falling as if a premature death had caught up to them. The pavement began to erode and waste away.

"What now?" he muttered, not concerned in the slightest, yet slightly confused.

From within the house, Aoshi emerged, only he did not look like himself before. His whole body was covered in strange marks, his skin had gone deathly pale, and his hair was now a pinkish red. Where Aoshi put his hand to stabilize himself on the building, the drywall began crumbling away. Golden irises focused not on the Failure, but on the far stronger boss.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Aoshi's updated appearance}

"Yeah... that's the stuff, big guy. COME ON, SHOW ME EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!", Aoshi roared, eager as he had never been in his life.

"Oh, jolly. You are one of those."

OOC:
Reiatsu: 1070 -50[Shunpo] = 1020.
Aoshi has stopped holding back in order to survive. Ruination has activated.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The 'boss'}Type: Brave
Class 2, Rank 2
Strength: 800
Speed: 600
RS: 50
SPPR: 200
Senses: 100
Instinct: 100
Energy Sensory: 100
Total SP: 1400

SPOILER: Click to show

{Ruination}Aoshi's Spiritual Pressure is a representation of death itself, corruption, rot and the decay of things: entropy, in a single word. To be more precise, the theme of his power would be 'entropy acceleration'. Cinematically, this is represented in multiple ways in an growing area around Aoshi. Cinematically, spiritually weak beings (never RPCs) in a 100ft area around him will see their injuries, such as cuts, scraps or bruises, increase in size and gravity. Flesh and bones ache with strain, skin dries up, etcetera. Physical and spiritual matter will see any imperfections slowly take over: stone slowly turns to dust, metal rusts, wood rots and moulds, the grass and plant-life around him wither. Ruination also causes Aoshi to shift in appearance and personality, as described earlier, as the ability turns him into a counduit of decay and destruction.

How does this play in a fight?

Aoshi's physical touch on an opponent cause the natural effect of entropy decay effect to greatly accelerate, further weakening the foe's body and causing an increase in severity of previous injuries around the impact area. This is easily noticeable by the zone in particular becoming grayer and grayer, with its colors losing vividity. The skin cracks a bit, too. Under the effects of entropy, the opponent's physical defenses are also made more brittle, and injuries increase in severity: minor cuts don't close and become deeper, leading to grievous wounds; fatigued muscle fibers snap, bones with partial fractures break completely. This allows Aoshi to overpower defenses through relentless assault.

While the opponent retains their physical Strength, each contact with Aoshi will cause this stat to be treated as 5% lower of their maximum, but only when defending against a physical attack (does not apply to OS clashes). barrage/multi-hit techniques will see this amount double. Note that Massacre Demon techniques may have a different rate of reductions (contingent on approval for each), as the style was conceived to make full use of Ruination. These reductions are cumulative, but reset when Aoshi starts holding back again. If he won't stop going all out, the opponent must remain untouched by Aoshi for at least three posts of combat to purge the decay effect. Items/defensive powers or Releases that make contact with Aoshi's body will see their durability is directly cut by this ability in the same way, but at twice the rate; this durability is not refreshed if Aoshi starts holding back again. Of course, this includes any items he himself holds, which will rapidly decay due to prolonged contact with him. Thus, Aoshi can't physically hold an item for more than 2 posts without it breaking.

Since the enemy's body becomes weaker and frail, techniques that are taxing or have adverse effects on the foe's body will further strain them. This will lead to injury if their durability goes under the required Strength threshold for use. However, they will never be locked out of using them if they so desire. For example if a technique requires 400 Strength, it would injure the user's body if the stat would be considered as 380 defensively due to this ability. As Ruination also affects spiritual matter, long lasting spiritual techniques in contact with Aoshi's body (such as Bakudo) will wither and decay at a much faster rate, making it easier for him to break free of them. Hierro also suffers greatly from Ruination's effects, reducing the number of posts required for adjustment by 3 per hit (multi-hits do not add any extra for this purpose). Techniques like Cero or Bala that hit the foe to cause damage and then disperse are too fast in their effect to be weakened by Ruination.

Now, how can you stop Ruination, other than by not getting hit?

• On hit, any opponent who has been struck can spend a flat amount of Reiatsu to cancel the effects of Ruination on their body. The necessary amount to cancel a 5% debuff will increase with Aoshi's class, and will be increased/decreased by 50 per Class difference with the opponent. The numbers are 5 (Class 8), 25 (7), 50 (6), 75 (5), 100 (4), 125 (3), 150 (2), 175 (1), and 200 (0), with a +/- 50 Reiatsu per Class difference adjustment. For example, with Aoshi at class 4, it would take 100 Reiatsu to block the Ruination effect when taking a single punch if the foe is also class 4, 150 if the foe is class 5, or 50 if the foe is class 3.
• On cast, defensive techniques can be formed at higher Reiatsu costs to undermine Ruination's effects by granting them a spiritual buffer to repel Aoshi's strikes. For defensive release overalls, paying the cost of releasing at 1 class higher will negate a total of 15%, up to a total of a 60% Ruination buffer per increased class. This cost can still be paid even if you would overshoot any maximums, (e.g. Shikai could pay an extra 150, 300, 450 or 600 Reiatsu to gain the 15, 30, 45 or 60% buffer respectively, but would still only be class 3). A 60% buffer means Aoshi must, for example, land 12 basic attacks before Ruination will begin to take any effect on it.
• For defensive non-overall techniques, (e.g. Danku or a release technique that creates a shield), paying 20% more for it will grant a 10% Ruination buffer, up to a maximum buffer of 40%. This won't have any effect if Aoshi has a +2 class superiority over the technique. Conversely, the buffer % for the same cost will double if Aoshi has a +2 class inferiority over the technique. Release overall buffers stack with these, but will be consumed first.

Another added drawback is that Aoshi's personality change makes him far more unstable and difficult to deal with, going as far as to attack his allies if they get in the way of a good battle. He may even attack them if he feels unsatisfied with the brawl. This personality effect does not go away just by lowering his stats back down again, and will require 3 posts of non-combat to be purged entirely. Needless to say, any ally Aoshi touches will be subjected to the same decay effects as an opponent would.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As the immense power of Benjiro's Kido coursed through his veins, the waves of his soul surged forth, manifesting in the form of a colossal tidal wave. The sheer force of the water bore down upon the manic individual, its weight and pressure intensifying with each passing moment. It was a sight to behold, the convergence of spiritual energy and the elements in a breathtaking display of Shinigami prowess. Yet, even in this encompassing wave, it was only compassion that could be felt by the manic individual, a desire to embrace instead of smother, a testament to the depths of Benjiro's own care and compassion.

With unwavering focus and unwavering resolve, Benjiro's goal was not to extinguish the explosion entirely but to contain its destructive force. The mass of water enveloped the manic individual, exerting an oppressive pressure that threatened to crush him. The power of the wave acted as a formidable barrier, shielding the surrounding area from the brunt of the imminent blast. 

As the explosion erupted within the confines of the encapsulating water, the force unleashed was still formidable, much more than Benjiro himself could have created, but it was mitigated by the resilience and versatility of the spell he had cast. Instead of block after block being razed to the ground, the devastation was contained within the watery prison. The explosion vaporized the waters, transforming them into a haze of mist and smoke that hung heavily in the air, obscuring the aftermath. Hopefully this mist would provide more credence for the humans to believe that this was a gas leak or a gas explosion. Rationalization often aided in the process of such grisly scenes. 

Amidst the dissipating mist, this scene revealed a grim tableau. The once-manic individual now lay charred and lifeless, barely recognizable except for the haunting smile frozen upon his features. Benjiro's gaze lingered upon the burnt corpse, a surge of melancholic empathy flooding his heart. To think that one could wish for endless death and violence, finding pleasure in mutual destruction, it was heartbreaking. He mourned not only the loss of life but also the tragedy of a soul so twisted and consumed by darkness that it sought death and destruction as its only solace. He thought to pray in this moment, his heart urging him to reflect and speak to the Buddha for guidance, but then he realized something.

A pang of regret tugged at Benjiro's conscience as he realized he had sent Aoshi to apprehend the remaining two members of the trio, leaving the young Shinigami to face the unknown dangers that awaited him. Despite the strength the Shinigami had relative to most recruits, he was still green and inexperienced. Power wielded with inexperience could prove to be more dangerous than a lack of power alone. Concern welled within Benjiro's tired but compassionate soul, propelling him forward with a renewed determination.

Thankful for his heightened spiritual senses, honed by years of experience and training, Benjiro sensed the distinct reiatsu signatures of the duo he sought. Their presence pulsed through the ether, guiding his footsteps and hastening his pursuit. He knew he had to catch up swiftly, trusting in Aoshi's resilience while yearning to offer his support and protection.

With each stride, Benjiro's resolve grew stronger. He bore the weight of responsibility upon his shoulders, the duty to safeguard lives and bring justice to those who threatened the delicate balance of their world. As he pressed forward, the echo of his steps a resolute cadence, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of knowledge and growth. Every encounter, every challenge served to push him forward, to reach for his goal of peace, so that these heedless violence may be stopped for good. He had only hoped that he would arrive in time to see Aoshi and aid him before it was too late. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}Strength: 200 (300)
Speed: 200 (100)
RS: 220 (330)
SPPR: 180
Instinct: 100
Senses: 100 (50)
ES: 100
HE: 0
LA: 75
DA: 25

---

Learning - 1
Calm Mind - 1
Strength of Will - 2
Weapons: Swords - 1
Pain Tolerance - 2
Bleeding Tolerance - 2
Damage Recovery - 2
Mental Incantation - 2
Kido Mastery - 2

[Deleted]

The explosion of the Failure was stopped by Benjiro, whose mastery over Kido allowed him to follow a more creative solution rather than just trying to overpower the blast, which would have failed. The waters were vaporized, but everything else remained unharmed; the Seated Officer's quick thinking and actions had saved Shibuya... for the time being. While he made his way toward the remaining Failure and the man that was apparently responsible for all this damage, Aoshi was getting back up on his feet, ready to face him so that he would not escape. Needless to say, this was nothing but Aoshi attempting to save some time, regardless of how eager he was to plunge into battle.

With a Shunpo, the excited Kenpachi would plant himself right next to the boss, and did not waste any time. He delivered a quick combination of four punches, although needless to say, he was not even moving at a fraction of what this man was capable of. His strength, while superb for a greenhorn's standards, could not cut it either... and this man could tell right away. He gave Aoshi an uninterested look as he dodged the first strikes, and then used his hands to parry the second, went back to dodge the third, and blocked the fourth.

"Hm?" he said, taking a hop back while looking at his hand. Aoshi took advantage of this opening to try and close the distance again, wanting to knock him flat on the ground with a roundhouse kick. The man would parry it as well, and his expression soured once more. At that moment, he got Aoshi by the arm and wildly threw him away, making him crash through yet a second house wall. The Ruination-afflicted Kenpachi let out a grunt of pain, as his power did not even come close to this bastard's.

Speaking of whom, he was not just brawn and no brains. He looked at his hands, then at the area around them, with everything decaying. It did not take him too long to draw the parallel between the sudden weakness that he felt in his constitution. "There's something funny going on with you, isn't it, boy?" he asked out loud, though it was not clear whether he wanted an answer or it was rhetorical. He then used a step technique himself to reach the downed Kenpachi, grabbing Aoshi by the Shihakusho and lifting him up. Again, that weakening sensation spread through his limbs and body, and threw him back out on the streets. Aoshi bounced twice on the ground; this one hadn't been meant to hurt, but just to put him out there in the open, where he could keep an eye on the paralyzed Failure as well.

From the sidelines, he watched, his longish white hair damp with sweat, and glowing red eyes fixed on the Shinigami. If the explosive-obsessed man already looked rough, this one's physique looked far more frail, yet lithe. Little to no muscle, soft facial features, it looked like all it would take was a small cut to throw such a frail body into overdrive. Shards of glass still littered that side of the street.

Fortunately for everyone involved, the 'boss' did not yet figure out how Aoshi's Ruination worked; or perhaps he did, but saw no reason to exert himself. Thus, with the extended contact with the boy, his defensive strength had dropped to 80% of its usual value, for a total of 640--still well beyond either Aoshi or Benjiro's means. The Kenpachi tried to get up, but his body ached so badly. This fucker was strong, crazy strong.

"I'm getting tired of this. I thought you might be an interesting addition to our ranks, but you're far too green..."

Benjiro would arrive at that point, if he kept going at his current speed, making the man turn toward him as well. "I suppose I should thank you for taking care of that. I don't take kindly to idiots, and thanks to you, I can write off him biting the dust as unfortunate damage. In return, I'd recommend you go home. Unless you want to join your junior and end up dead for no reason."

"I didn't hear no bell..." Aoshi said, mustering the strength to get back up again. Regardless, he was not in good shape; he probably could not keep fighting much longer. That was how overpowering this man was. Even with Rocky there, would they be able to win a direct battle against him?

OOC:
Reiatsu: 1070 -50[Shunpo] = 1020.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

With urgency coursing through his veins, Benjiro sprinted toward the location where Aoshi was locked in a battle against the remaining two culprits responsible for the destructive explosions in Shibuya. Every step he took, he felt the weight of responsibility pressing upon his weary shoulders. He knew the danger that awaited his junior, and his heart swelled with a fierce protectiveness.

Refusing to rely on his Flash Step, Benjiro preserved his spiritual reserves, choosing to save his strength for the imminent battles. Fear gnawed at him, knowing that the spiritual power emanating from these strange individuals far surpassed what Aoshi could handle. The disparity in strength was evident, and Benjiro's worry intensified with each passing moment. He quickened his pace, driven by a potent mix of determination and concern.

As he arrived at the scene, his heart sank at the sight before him. Aoshi lay sprawled upon the street, battered and overpowered by his adversaries. Anger flared within Benjiro, but he tempered it with caution. He knew that blind rage would only lead to their downfall. Assessing the situation, he turned his gaze toward the leader of the group, a figure exuding confidence and pragmatism.

He spoke, thanking Benjiro for taking care of the manic individual, as he cared not for idiots. As thanks, he recommended that they return home unless Benjiro wished for death, just as his junior did. However, Aoshi was still alive, standing back up and barely managing to stay on his feet. "No, stay your blade Aoshi. Or your fists." Benjiro urged for caution. They would be overpowered in this state, especially with the fragile yet powerful fighter standing on the sidelines. The leader spoke of these individuals as if they were mere weapons, and Benjiro's intuition warned him of the dangers lurking beneath their motivations. With a steady voice, he addressed the leader, seeking to gain insight into their intentions and potentially uncover their destination.

"You seem to speak with purpose, as well as talking of writing off unfortunate damage as if you were a bookkeeper of sorts. These... individuals, they are seen as weapons? What do you intend to do with them?" Benjiro's eyes never wavered from the leader's gaze, his voice tinged with a mix of authority and empathy. He aimed to buy time, to understand the depth of their motives and the potential ramifications of their actions.

"I assume the explosions of Shibuya were by chance, not by design. You do not seem to wish for more of an inconvenience, so hopefully words will be enough to let us both be on our way." He questioned their involvement in the explosions that ravaged Shibuya, hoping to discern whether it was a deliberate act or a mere twist of fate. His words were a delicate dance, seeking resolution and a peaceful resolution, even amidst the chaos that unfolded.

Inwardly, Benjiro's resolve burned bright. He would protect Aoshi, his charge, with every fiber of his being. His duty as a Shinigami extended beyond the realm of physical combat; it encompassed the pursuit of understanding, the search for alternative paths, and the unwavering belief in the power of words wherein applicable. He hoped that through dialogue, he could sway the leader's disposition, avoiding further violence and unnecessary loss.

In this tense confrontation, Benjiro stood as a beacon of reason and compassion. He sought a way to defuse the situation, to reconcile the conflicting desires for justice and peace. His years of experience had honed his insight and nurtured his ability to navigate treacherous waters with tact and diplomacy. He yearned for a resolution that would spare lives and preserve the fragile harmony of the situation.

[Deleted]

Aoshi looked at Benjiro when he was told to stay down. Normally, he would have immediately ignored the order and thrown himself straight at the opponent again... but even in his frenzied state, he already understood that the boss had all but beaten him. Actually taking his life would be nothing more than a formality for this physical monster, so the thirst for a proper battle had already been more than quenched. He may be dissatisfied in victory, but never in defeat. After all, what was he going to complain about? Not having every bone in his body broken?

The 'boss' made a grimace when Benjiro began to ask him about their operation, about their intentions with the Failures that he had seemingly brought alongisde him. It was clear that the did not want to deal with any explanations whatsoever. In fact, what did this man owe the two Shinigami? "Do you seriously think you are in any position to make questions? What part of I'd recommend you go home did you not understand?"

He brought a hand to his forehead, dragging it down. For someone so fit and powerful, he really did not have much patience. "This is why you lot piss me off. Give a finger, and you'll all take the arm", he said with a grave tone, entering his battle stance again. His muscles flexed, perhaps because he was preparing an attack. Aoshi could not know. "And exactly why I'm going to-"

"N-no, you won't!" the voice of the Failure came from the side, trying to sound strong, although it just came as a pitiful shriek of someone who was very, very scared. But courage was not the lack of fear; just doing the right thing in the face of it. And at that moment, the right thing meant standing up to this man before anyone would die.

"...What the fuck do you think you're doing?" the 'boss' growled, looking directly at the albino. The remaining Failure, the one that had yet to move an inch, had closed her hand around one of the crystal shards that had resulted from Aoshi's forced exit from the nearby buildings. The makeshift weapon was not pointed around any of them, however: it was pointed around the spiritual being's neck. "Drop that right now, or I will kill the two of them where they stand".

The Failure trembled a bit, but remained steadfast, eyes fixed on him as if trying to capture his every movement. "I-If you move a muscle, I'll blow up, too! I only have to press on this harder than I already am; I doubt I even need to cut my own neck!"

"Tch", the boss 'clicked' his tongue. "You would blow us all up, just because of a petty tantrum? I could use Shunpo and take that from your hands."

No, he could not. Despite the man's bluffing, Aoshi immediately understood that he was on a weak position now. From what they had seen, all it took was some rough contact to make these bastards go nuclear. Furthermore, this man did not want to cause a commotion, and the result of the first explosion that had drawn them in in the first place had been an unfortunate event. Whoever else was behind all this, because there was no way this guy was flying solo, they wanted to lay low for the time being. In the end, the man's position relaxed. Aoshi did not take that, however, and remained on guard just the same. Who knew whether he would take a moment of weakness to strike at all three of them?

Still, no attack would come. "Suit yourself. It's clear that we have to take greater care with who we bring in, or else we'll end up with failures like you three."

Regardless, he did not care. If anything, the retrieval operation had failed, but they had provided insight on how strong and fragile their little tools could become. If they continued to refine the process, soon they would be able to access far more powerful, far more destructive Failures. He spat on the ground, tightening his fists once again, then issued a warning.

"Fine, I'll let you all three go. But let me warn you: after today, our operation will be changing. I will make damn sure to finish you off the next time I so much as see any of you Shinigami step one toe on our turf. And this time, no amount of self-sacrifice will get me to stop."

With those words, the man used his overwhelmingly fast Shunpo to step away, vanishing from sight. Still, the Failure did not let go of the crystal shard. Aoshi let himself fall flat on his rear, having only been able to keep standing just for sheer defiance. As things stood right now, if the Failure got so much as nicked by the crystal shard, they would all be on the epicenter of a really nasty explosion. The behavior shown until this moment might point out that this was not a foe, but someone that was just all too scared...

[Benjiro Hiroto]

In the aftermath of their tense encounter, Benjiro found himself standing amidst the debris-laden streets, the weight of the recent battle heavy upon his weary frame. The leader's words and threats causing the Shinigami to prepare himself for battle once more. He had hoped beyond hoped that he would have been able to settle this with words, but it was clear that the leader had a hatred for the Shinigami corps. Not only that, but as he entered his battle stance, his sheer physical prowess seemed to far outmatch Benjiro's own power.

Fortunately, this would not have been the first opponent Benjiro had faced that was far stronger than he was. It seemed as if this leader was a match for the Avian Arrancar he had battled with the help of Munemasa-san and Satoshi-san months ago, but he had only been an annoyance as opposed to a combatant in his own right. He gripped his Zanpakuto, hoping to call upon the power of his katana in this manner. If the proper need arose, would his blade share its name? Only time would tell, but until then, he channeled reiatsu into his free hand to channel and incant any number of his Kido simultaneously with his swordsmanship. In truth, Benjiro's true strength laid in his versatility as opposed to his sheer power. He just hoped that was enough.

That was when the fragile and timid albino woman spoke up, shrieking with a burst of courage. She bargained for their safety with her own life, causing the leader to threaten them all. Benjiro's empathy and concern spiked as he hoped she would not damage herself, both for her own life and safety and also for the safety of those in greater Shibuya. Still, he understood that she was trying to protect them, and he would not let her waste her chance. If the leader was to make any moves towards her, Benjiro would lash out with a flash step of his own. 

Thankfully, her provocations had worked. The leader gave up on all three of them, but only promised to kill them the next time they met. The leader had retreated, leaving behind an air of lingering tension that clung to the surrounding atmosphere. Benjiro's gaze shifted towards the timid albino individual, her fragile form still clutching a shard of debris against her delicate neck. His heart ached with a mixture of empathy and concern as he recognized the desperation in her actions.

Approaching her slowly, Benjiro's voice was gentle yet firm, seeking to reassure her and offer solace in the midst of chaos. "He is gone now. You are safe," he spoke softly, his eyes conveying a genuine sincerity. "We have no intention of causing you harm. Are you injured?" His words held a tenderness, a genuine care for the well-being of this young woman who had found herself entangled in a web of destructive intentions.

His attention then turned to Aoshi, whose battered form bore the wounds of their encounter. Benjiro's eyes traced the injuries that marred his junior's body, his concern deepening. "How are you holding up, Aoshi?" he inquired, his voice laced with both the weariness of their recent battle and a steadfast determination. "Can you manage the rest of this mission, or should we seek immediate healing?" The bond between senior and charge was palpable, as Benjiro's protective instincts flared, desiring to shield Aoshi from further harm.

In this moment, the aftermath of their encounter offered a fleeting respite—a fragile interlude of introspection amidst the chaos. Benjiro's thoughts swirled, his mind a tapestry of emotions, reflections, and questions. The leader's disdain for the Shinigami Corps had resonated, stirring a deeper sense of introspection within Benjiro's soul. Were they truly fulfilling their duty as protectors, or was there truth to all the hatred they had received? It was a weighty question, one that lingered on his weary shoulders for longer than he would like to admit.

Yet, in this fleeting moment of respite, Benjiro's immediate concern lay with the well-being of those before him. He awaited their response, ready to act accordingly. His gaze held a quiet intensity, a resolve to protect and heal those under his care. And if Aoshi required immediate attention, he would ensure that the young warrior received the care and healing he needed, for Benjiro knew that their journey was far from over.

[Deleted]

After the leader left, the Failure's legs went wobbly and she let go of the crystal shard, which clattered on the ground. It took her best not to fall down, having to put a hand onto the nearest wall so she could remain unharmed. Despite the lack of further danger, any scrape or injury might trigger a similar explosion to the ones that had already left that district of Shibuya in a pretty gnarly state. Benjiro quickly tended to her, in the same caring manner in which he did everything else. "I'm not hurt, but please don't get too close! I don't know... I don't know if I'm going to explode one moment or another", the Failure said, red eyes fixed on the Shinigami. Still, it was clear that Benjiro's presence relaxed her a little, as her shaking stopped momentarily. In the meantime, Aoshi didn't even spare a single glance for her. Perhaps in his normal state, he would've, but not when under the effects of his own Kenpachi power.

He felt cheated. It was crazy, but after being right about to lose his life, Aoshi still felt cheated. He hadn't been able to see this man's full power; he had been denied a true battle for survival. Part of him knew that they should count their lucky stars the albino's intervention had saved everyone around from what would've been a proper death. But another part of him made Aoshi stand, and deliver a punch at full strength to the nearest wall, with no regards for the property. It was a frustrated attack, with no technique behind it; in fact, the lack of technique would be clue that Aoshi could not keep going much longer after being roughed up by thi The strength behind it was enough to make it crumble into debris with a rather loud noise, and Ruination began grounding said debris into dust. Ah, he wanted to keep fighting, and yet he could not. He was rather injured, after all.

"I've gotten your face, you bastard..., he growled, although the deranged smile in Aoshi's lips should clue Benjiro in that he was not frustrated about losing. No, he was frustrated about being unable to put up a better fight, but excited at the prospect of hunting this guy down in the future. It would make for one of the greatest fights in Aoshi's life... but it was not yet time. "The next time we meet... I'll rip you apart with my bare hands!"

This aggressiveness and disregard from safety was far from what Aoshi had been displaying so far in the Tenth; a glimpse into the murderer that had gleefully slaughtered the six people that had once invaded his home. Despite this, it was clear he was strong, or at least had the potential to become stronger. Benjiro would most likely need to weigh and consider these factors when making his report. After all, what did Soul Society want Aoshi as? A proper Shinigami, or a weapon to throw at their enemies?

"Believe me... I want to fight this guy so much that it's driving me insane. If it were me, I'd follow right now", he said, and then tightened his fists so much that his already pale skin went even paler, somehow. If frustration had a face, then this would be it. "But I just fucking can't. It's taking me all I have to be standing right now."

"T-That man is really strong and fast. I don't think you will be able to catch up to him..."

"You think I give a shit about that?", Aoshi asked, turning his deranged smile to the Failure, and making her flinch and cling onto Benjiro's huge frame, pressing her body against him as if he was a powerful shield. Yeah, the Kenpachi was not the kind of man one would see as a hero, but Benjiro was.

"What are we going to do? I... I don't want to stay here. If I stay here, people could get seriously hurt!", she asked the giant of a Shinigami.

It was unlikely that they would be able to just leave her there. Doing so was an invitation for something much worse to happen, as one minor scrape was all it took for her to go off. In his current state, Aoshi was in no way to think properly, lost in his thirst for battle and wounded all over his body. It would fall onto the more experienced officer to dedide whether it was best to pursue the much stronger and faster boss, or to cut their losses and return with this woman as actual proof that there was something far more sinister than expected going on with these attacks.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

In the aftermath of the intense encounter, Benjiro found himself contemplating the nature of power and its influence on those who possessed it. The weight of the oppressor's strength, the suffocating grip of their dominance, left him questioning why it often seemed that the most powerful individuals were the ones who used their power for nefarious purposes. Was it the corrupting force of power itself that twisted their souls? These thoughts swirled in his mind, like a tempest of introspection, as he turned his attention towards the albino woman who now knelt before him. Her face displayed a mix of fear and relief, a profound dichotomy of emotions.

Concerned for her well-being, Benjiro approached her gently, his voice filled with empathy as he inquired about her condition. The woman shook her head, indicating that she was physically unharmed, but her fear persisted. She revealed her unique ability to cause explosions, a power that could result in catastrophic consequences for anyone who touched her. Benjiro listened attentively, his mind already racing with a potential solution. With compassion in his eyes, he offered his help, suggesting a way to suppress her ability by marking her and blocking the flow of her immense reiatsu. "I might know of a way to aid you. There is a technique known as Haihin that leaves a mark on your spiritual energy, blocking the flow and possibly preventing your body from exploding. I'd need to approach you if I were to use it, however. Would that be alright?" But before he could delve further into his plan, his attention shifted to Aoshi, his junior.

To his surprise, Aoshi's demeanor underwent a drastic transformation. Frustration and hatred etched themselves onto his face, while his eyes burned with an intense desire for vengeance. Benjiro's worry deepened as Aoshi expressed his determination to pursue the powerful culprit responsible for their ordeal, despite the toll it was taking on his body. The woman, sensing Aoshi's deteriorating condition, voiced her concerns, emphasizing the insurmountable strength and speed of their adversary. In response, Aoshi lashed out with aggressive anger, his emotions threatening to consume him.

Sensing the escalating tension, Benjiro moved swiftly, positioning himself between the two individuals. With a calming touch on the woman's shoulder, he sought to soothe the tumultuous atmosphere. His voice, steady and measured, proposed a solution that would bring them to safety in the Seireitei. "We have managed to mitigate most of the damage here. Let us return to the Soul Society," he suggested, his words aimed at diffusing the volatile situation.

Turning his gaze back to the woman, Benjiro offered reassurance, his voice laced with sincerity. "Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to keep you safe within the confines of the Seireitei. If you are willing, I will also do my utmost to find a way to prevent the explosive nature of your abilities. Will you trust us and come with us?" His voice carried the weight of his dedication to their protection, his resolve unwavering. He hoped that his words would resonate, providing solace amidst the chaos and uncertainty they had endured.

[Deleted]

After Aoshi's harsh words, Benjiro quickly positioned himself to block Aoshi's path, obscuring the Failure from view. Was he trying to do that so that he would not attack her? The Kenpachi did not know, and he was far too angry to care. At this point, Aoshi was nothing more than an attack dog, lashing out at the innocent Failure that had just saved both of them due to his frustration at his inability to get a good fight, all because of his own weaknesses. Ironically enough it was this attitude that placed him in exactly the role that Soul Society expected of him. They did not want a Shinigami, a Seated Officer they could trust, someone that could lead the new generation coming later into the future.

No, what they wanted was a rabid animal that they could let loose at the enemy and watch from afar as it tore through Hollows, Hellions, Quincies; whoever opposed them, really. Aoshi should see this, but he did not give enough of a shit about his situation to be cognizant; not in his current state. In the end, he turned away with clenched teeth and a glare, his ruinous Reiatsu flaring and causing an even faster decay of their surroundings, whether organic or inorganic matter. Like an avatar of entropy and the implaccable passage of time, everything around him continued to wilt and die. Soon enough it would begin to affect nearby humans if they remained in Shibuya.

After assuring that no harm would befall her and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, the Failure looked up at the gentle giant, eyes full of hope... and perhaps, something else. It was the first positive human contact she had had after who knew how much pain and time away, becoming what she was now. Perhaps it was because they had fought to save Karakura, because they had been willing to confront the boss to save her, or because of Benjiro's rather positive aura making it easier for her to trust him, but she slowly nodded, giving him a positive response.

"A-Alright. I will trust you, um... Rocky?", she said, blissfully oblivious that was just Aoshi's nickname for the gentle giant.

After his answer, she would turn to watch Aoshi, still wary of him due to his incredibly dark aura. Although Ruination would soon begin to recede, the young man's body was still deathly pale, muscles tightened in what looked like a bout of barely controlled rage. It was almost as if a tea-kettle was boiling hot over a fire, threatening to explode if not removed immediately from that situation. Funnily enough, Aoshi was not the one of the two with actual potential to explode.

"Fine by me", the Kenpachi growled, the desire to punch yet another wall into debris almost taking over once again. Lately, he had been taking far too many losses. He'd once thought that his capacity and strength made him dangerous, but as it turns out, he was just another weakling for mostly everyone. That frustrated him to no end. How many quality battles had he been missing because of a dumb fear like holding back? "Let's get the hell out of here."

He planned to change things around once he got back to the Tenth. It may be his more violent self speaking, but from that day forward, he would take much less care in holding back, and instead learn how to properly unleash all the might his body was capable of. The death of that man at his bare hands was a sweet carrot dangling in front of him, and he would claim it someday. But for now, he had to cut his losses and fucking run away. Yeah, even thinking about it made his blood boil.

Regardless, the Failure would still cling to Benjiro, although she spoke loud enough for the two of them to hear when she introduced herself.

"M-My name is Mio... I'm s-sorry you got dragged into this mess."


OOC:

Mio has agreed to be taken back to Soul Society. The 'boss' has escaped. Interrogation can be conducted on the 'prisoner'.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As Benjiro stood between Aoshi and the fragile woman, he couldn't help but observe the drastic transformation in his junior's appearance. Aoshi's once vibrant complexion had faded to a ghastly pallor, his muscles tense and rigid, no doubt causing him great discomfort. But it was the dark aura that surrounded him that unsettled Benjiro the most. The malevolence emanating from it was palpable, yet Benjiro sensed an immaturity, a rawness that suggested this darkness could still be shaped and controlled. There was hope, a glimmer of possibility that Aoshi's untamed power could be harnessed for good.

The destructive influence of Aoshi's energy was evident, as it corroded the very concrete beneath their feet. Benjiro knew that he had a challenging task ahead of him. He would need to guide Aoshi, teach him to master this newfound strength, and channel it in a way that served a higher purpose. It was likely the uncontrolled nature of this power that led Aoshi to kill those six men. With proper guidance, perhaps this curse could become a blessing, benefiting not only Aoshi but also those around him. Benjiro clung to this hope as he urged the trio to return to the safety of the Soul Society.

Turning his attention to the fragile woman, her trust in him touching his heart, Benjiro offered her a comforting smile. "You have my gratitude. I hope I do not disappoint." He understood the importance of keeping her calm, as any disruption to her fragile state could lead to a catastrophic explosion. His words were genuine, however, as trust given by one supposedly meant to be his enemy was hard earned. Though, he did take note that the woman used the affectionate nickname of Rocky, given to him by Aoshi, though there was not enough time to correct her in this moment.

Aoshi's agreement to return to the Soul Society brought a sense of relief to Benjiro. Drawing his Zanpakuto, he prepared to open the Senkaimon. Before they departed, Mio introduced herself and apologized for involving them in this dangerous situation. Benjiro shook his head, dismissing her apology. "Do not fret, Mio. We are duty-bound to protect and serve," he replied with a calm and reassuring voice. Placing a hand on the top of her head, he cast the Kido that she had consented to. "Haihin" With a single word, he placed a seal upon her, sending waves of calm and nurturing warmth from his own soul. "There, it should be much safer now." He said with a smile, ruffling her hair.

Stabbing the air with his Zanpakuto, Benjiro then unlocked the Senkaimon. "Stay close to me, Mio, Aoshi. I will be your escort to the Seireitei," he instructed, aware that rushing ahead might invite unwanted attention from other Shinigami, especially considering Aoshi's unique appearance in this moment and Mio's unidentified power. Once they arrived through the Senkaimon, Benjiro stepped forward and announced his presence. "Benjiro Hiroto, 12th Seat of the Tenth Division, returning with Unseated Officer Kuzan! This woman is vital to my current mission, but we require immediate medical attention at the Tenth Division!" His voice carried a sense of urgency and determination, determined to ensure their safe passage and swift care upon their arrival.

---

Reiatsu: 1475
-25 for Haihin

[Deleted]

Mio kept looking up to Benjiro like a lost puppy, in what even the Ruination-afflicted Aoshi quickly identified as a budding crush for the towering Shinigami. Of course, he did not really care about being a third wheel there, but this sort of sappiness was an ill substitute for the thrill of battle. In that state, he wanted to fight, not joke around at how Rocky was smoother than he may have thought himself in the first place. When Benjiro put a seal on the Failure to stabilize her powers a little bit, she took a few seconds to look at her hands and arms, as if feeling the difference.

"I... wow", she could only say. Her voice had become steadier now, as if free from am affliction, and smiled warmly towards Benjiro. "Thank you. Ever since I became this, I..." She stayed her tongue. Now it was not the time to delve into her backstory, or how she had ended up here. No, the boss might change his mind and return! It was imperative they got out of there as quickly as possible. Both her and Aoshi did as told, though Aoshi stood a bit away from the two, perhaps due to the unconscious knowledge about what his power truly entailed. Maybe it was Ruination starting to recede, thus making him more mindful of others. Nobody could tell, and it frankly did not matter.

After all of them crossed Benjiro's Senkaimon, they returned to the Soul Society; harmed and tired, yes, but in one piece and with an important witness. All in all, the mission could be considered a success... but it was still not over. They still needed to make their debriefing, preferrably after questioning Mio so they could gain as much of a

With the Tenth Squadron being still mostly in rebuilding process, any first aid medical attention would be temporarily rerouted to the Fourth. Thus, the Shinigami waiting outside the Senkaimon were quick to point the Seated Officer in the appropriate direction, with all the deference in the world, only to freeze up just a bit when they saw--and felt--both the Failure and Aoshi. Although of the two, the Failure was easily the most imposing, the sinister aura trailing behind the Kenpachi was chilling. In stark contrast with his soured expression, Mio was looking all around her, marveled at the new world she had just become a part of. A world she did not know, one that she could have never imagined up until just a few weeks before, when she had first been taken as a normal human.

"This is incredible", she muttered to herself with a tiny little smile.

By the time the three of them had entered the medical facilities, Ruination had finally receded, leaving Aoshi back to his usual calmer self, the one that took things in a much lighter way and who joked around. Of course, that also meant that his physical strength was also back to more manageable levels, which meant that he could not keep ignoring the bad state his body was in anymore. Thus, he let himself fall on the ground for a moment of rest, not really caring about decorum or the pride of the Shinigami. All that had gone away after being hurled through a literal wall.

"You know, Rocky, no need to wait for me. Medical attention is pretty damn slow these days anyway", he said, turning his attention to the now stabilized Failure. "So, Mio, why don't you tell us who you are, what you were doing, and how in the world you got turned into a literal walking bomb, ready to destroy Shibuya just like that? No pressure~" Aoshi said, intending to sound lighthearted and crack a joke at the situation, but his voice came out rougher as anticipated due to the frustration of a lost battle, one in which he had been completely unable to do anything. That meant his words could actually be interpreted as a bit hurtful, and it showed on Mio's face.

Maybe that was why she was a bit reticent to answer, and turned to Benjiro. "I, um... is it alright if I say it here? Out loud?".

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As Benjiro escorted Mio and Aoshi through the Senkaimon and into the Seireitei, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. Mio, now freed from the burden of her explosive powers, appeared visibly calmer. The Haihin he had placed upon her had allowed her to find respite from the constant fear that had plagued her. Her delicate nature seemed to soften, as if the weight upon her fragile heart had lessened.

Gratefulness shone in Mio's eyes, a glimmer of gratitude for the respite Benjiro had provided. He wanted to respond, to assure her that he was glad to see her feeling better, but time was of the essence. They quickly made their way to the Fourth Division for medical treatment, as the Tenth Division was still undergoing repairs. The sight of Mio's surprise and awe at the beauty of the Seireitei brought a gentle smile to Benjiro's lips.

"I am truly glad to see you feeling better, Miss Mio," he expressed softly, his voice filled with warmth. "I take it this is your first time here?" The question lingered in the air, a subtle way to gather information. If she confirmed it, he could deduce that she had once been alive before becoming a living bomb. It was a tragic fate, to say the least.

They settled into the medical facilities of the Fourth Division, and Benjiro couldn't help but notice the absence of his usual comrades. Munemasa-san, Satoshi-san, Kazuhiko, and Gestalt were nowhere to be found, a testament to the chaos that had unfolded in the wake of recent events. The burden of healing fell heavily upon the Fourth Division, and the strain was evident.

As he turned his attention to Aoshi, Benjiro noted that the boy's body had returned to its normal state. The dark aura that had surrounded him had dissipated, a sign that he was returning to his former self. However, Benjiro remained vigilant, understanding that the remnants of such power could still linger. When Aoshi suggested that Benjiro need not wait for him, the experienced Shinigami shook his head gently.

"It's fine, Aoshi. You are as much a part of my mission as Miss Mio is," he reassured, his voice carrying a sense of unwavering dedication. "I do not mind waiting. We will see this through together." Benjiro's commitment to their well-being was unwavering, his protective nature extending to both Aoshi and Mio.

It was at this moment that Aoshi turned his attention to Mio, his curiosity piqued by her presence and her past. He sought answers, a desire to understand the circumstances that had led her to become a living bomb. Benjiro watched the exchange, his gaze shifting from Aoshi to Mio, offering reassurance in the form of his presence. Despite this, Mio seemed reticent to answer, undoubtedly still worried about the thug that had overpowered the two Shinigami. She seemed to trust him at this point, so Benjiro took charge in soothing her concerns. 

"We are within the confines of the Seireitei, surrounded by the trained officers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads," Benjiro interjected, his voice calm and assuring. "There are hundreds of officers more powerful than I. There is no safer place among the Three Worlds. You have my word, Miss Mio." His words carried a weight of sincerity, a promise that they would be protected within the sacred grounds of the Seireitei.

[Deleted]

Mio turned to Benjiro with a very warm smile when he told her how glad he was that she was feeling better. She even flushed a bit at being called "Miss Mio", given that respect was the last thing she had been given by her captors. With her crackling Reiatsu Strength put under control thanks to Benjiro's Haihin, she really looked far more at ease than before. "Yes. It's the first time I have been here. I... I know I heard them mention some sort of society before, but I didn't think it would be something like this", she said, not noticing that Benjiro's question had been carefully constructed to ease her into giving them information. Aoshi raised an eyebrow at that comment, but did not say anything. So, those fuckers were actually taking live human beings and turning them into this?

"Were you able to see spirits before?" Aoshi interjected, curious about her answer. Mio seemed to be a bit more at ease talking to him now, given that Ruination had receded, so she slowly shook her head.

"No. I was... I was living a normal life up until about a month and a half ago. I am on my last year of college, hoping to land an internship soon", she mentioned. Aoshi didn't really care that much about her previous background, but every bit of information was crucial, and he was not about to fuck up the mission at that point by being petty. Instead, he leaned back, arms folded behind his head as he waited, seated on the ground with his back against the wall. People from the Fourth were running around, and while he was injured, he was not in a life-or-death state. He could afford to wait a bit more. He did grin at Rocky when he mentioned that he was as much of a part of his mission as Mio was, specially when her brow furrowed just a teeny tiny little bit. What, don't you want to share?, Aoshi thought, but again, said nothing. Not his business.

"Fine, fine. I knew my company would grow up on you, Rocky. I'm like coffee, takes a while to get used to, but then you can't live without it", he said, joking again. Still, with Benjiro's approval, Mio would be convinced to start talking. What was going to come was a tale that may not reveal that much at a glance, but would at least give them insight on the insidious plot brewing in the World of the Living.

"I... Like I said, I was just a college student. I never had any strange contacts with anyone. I didn't meet any strange guy, nor see anythign weird happening around me. I was... I think I was returning home from one of my lectures. That's it. Everything went black, and before I knew it, I was in what looked like a warehouse. I'm not sure, it was always very dark."

"I... couldn't see anything at first, other than other people that had been captured as well. They were..." she took a moment to gulp, skin even paler than it already was. "They had these cracks. They looked infected at the time, but now I know it was because of this strange power. I don't think... I don't think they were able to contain that much power. The man that was held right next to me didn't explode, but his body broke down. He... he turned into dust, just like that. All that time, he had been speaking to people I could not see. I assumed he had gone crazy, until after some experiments, I was able to see them, too."

Mio paused for a moment, shoudlers shaking a little bit. It was clear the experience had been traumatic, and it was taking all her willpower to revive it, even if it was only in her mind.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As Mio shared her tragic tale with Benjiro and Aoshi, the room seemed to grow heavy with sorrow. Both Shinigami listened intently, their questions filled with empathy and concern. Benjiro couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in his heart as he noticed how at ease Mio had become around them. It was a testament to the trust they had managed to earn from her in such a short time. Even Aoshi, with his initially abrasive demeanor, had shown a softer side, proving that compassion was not entirely lost in him.

The weight of Mio's story struck Benjiro deeply. The fact that this was her first time in the Soul Society and she had been robbed of her life, her freedom, and her future was heart-wrenching. Innocence had been stolen from her, and it filled him with a white-hot rage that he had to suppress. Despite the torrent of emotions surging within him, Benjiro maintained a calm and composed exterior. He knew that his role was to be a source of strength and support for Mio.

"That is very unfortunate, Mio," Benjiro expressed softly, his voice tinged with genuine sorrow. "I am deeply sorry for your loss." His hand gently rested on her shoulder, seeking to offer some comfort to the trembling girl. He understood the weight of her trauma and the gravity of the situation she found herself in.

As Mio trembled, her vulnerability was evident, and Benjiro's heart ached for her. He wanted to protect her from any further pain, to shield her from the darkness that had consumed her life. The question he asked next was delicate, but crucial. "Is there anything you remember about the ones who did this to all of you?" he inquired gently, hoping to gather any information that might lead to justice for Mio and the others.

His eyes softened as he gazed at her, offering reassurance through his presence. Benjiro was determined to be the support she needed, to guide her through this ordeal and help her find a semblance of peace. The weight of her trust weighed heavily on him, and he vowed to protect her with every ounce of his being.

[Deleted]

Mio smiled warmly to Benjiro's words.

"W-well, I guess nothing can't be done about it, right?" Mio said, although her smile was clearly forced. The young woman was trying to think on the positive, seeing how she had met some people that did not want to experiment on her or do awful things to her. Well, she was a bit scared of Aoshi still, but even he hadn't done anything to actually hurt her. A far cry from what she had experienced before, in her prison. A prison that she had seemingly escaped through sheer luck, through the dumbness and madness of her more 'explosive' peer, and the goodwill of the Shinigami that had been sent to investigate the case.

However, Benjiro then asked perhaps the most important question in the entire 'interrogatory', if one could call the willingness to share information such. Who else could she remember that may have been involved in this whole ordeal? Even Aoshi, who admittedly had only been paying attention to the important parts, incorporated and looked at her very, very seriously. Part of him still hadn't forgotten how easily he had been handled, even at his strongest. That wasn't something that happened everyday, but it looked like his 'everyday' had changed the moment he joined the Tenth.

"I... I can tell you this. Of all the people I met there, of everyone that passed me by after they gave me these... powers", she said, looking at her now snow-white skin, part of what being a Failure entailed, "the man that was with us was not the strongest. He... he reported to someone else. I am not sure if it's only one or more, but one day, someone important came to visit the facilities. They didn't give us any names, or even let us see. I just heard a voice, a man's voice. They weren't talking just about Shibuya. Other parts of Japan, too. I think... Karakura?

She instinctively cupped her shoulders with each opposite hand, as if seeking to pacify herself. "But that's not all. I'm not sure if it's relevant to you, but... I can never forget how everyone in the cells felt that day." Her eyes wandered to the distance as she described it."It was such an oppressive feeling that I even forgot I was chained. How can I put this... have you ever been choked to half-death? I think that was how it felt to me", she said, and then a grim realization dawned on her. With those words, she had effectively given them a target to seek. She may as well have been sent them straight to their deaths, if Aoshi and Benjiro were to continue pursuing this lead right now. "P-Please, you cannot go after them. If you will, whoever that was is going to kill you! That... that cannot be a normal person, it has to be a monster!"


Her words were almost desperate, but Aoshi could only lower his head and smile. That smile was not one that anyone in his position should have had, and yet he still showed it. He was happy, so incredibly happy that he thought he might explode. The man that had beaten him was not at the top of the food chain, but below them. That meant there was so much room left between him and the top dogs that he needn't hold back in the same way he had been doing this far. After all, it was only reasonable to think that the captains would be at that level, in which case, he had nothing to fear. A huge burden was lifted off his shoulders, replaced by another one he was more than happy to carry.

"Well, threaten me with a good time~", Aoshi said in a sing-songy voice, but despite that joking tone, his words were dead serious. "If you wanted to scare me off, you're doing an awful job at it, Crackles", he said, finally deciding on a proper nickname for Mio. "As for death, I wouldn't worry. We're pretty much ghost samurai, aren't we?"

He then tilted his head towards Benjiro.

"So, Rocky, think we can take these people on right now, as we are?"

Aoshi already knew the answer to that question, but hearing it in the form of 'orders' coming from a superior would cement that this was not a whim, but an important issue in the Gotei 13, and as such he could devote his time to it.