Arc 2: Canon 29: The Ash (2) [Complete]

[Zou ۞]

Name: [The Ash (2)] - The Adventure Name

Participants: [Shinigami, Human World Inhabitants] - Who can participate?

Location: [Miami, Florida] - Where does this take place?

Difficulty Level: [Hard] - Easy, Medium, Hard, Extreme. How difficult is this adventure?

Setting: [DE] Is this DE or NDE? Death Enabled or Non Death Enabled?

Plotline: [Not only Death Inc, but Seireitei has also noticed Ashi. Now is the time to intercept them, while they're young. Locate the members of Ashi in this thread as well, here in Miami. They are probably looking for someone so that they can recruit them. Be careful.] - Explain the plot of your adventure.

Estimated Enemy Strength: [1] Estimate the strength of the NPC's people will fight in this adventure. Class 7-1, what is their strength on average?

Estimated Time Until Completion: [5+ pages] - How many pages do you think this adventure will run for until it is over?

Starts: [Now] - When does the adventure begin?

Special Conditions: [4 participants maximum.] - Any special conditions, limitations, or other things.

[Manabu Brock]

"Go to Miami and find the Ashi." That's fairly straightforward. Just find a small group of people in a city of about 362,470. How hard could it be? Actually, it's not that bad. How many significant reiatsu sources could there be? That is, after all, the reason I'm here isn't it? This is not quite a Squad 7 assignment, but someone's got to do the tracking.[/i]

Manabu Brock stood on a rooftop and looked out over the city. He wasn't getting anything just yet. This would require more delicate sensory techniques. Now he'd get to field test something he'd been working on. He set down a small bowl and filled it with water. He then reached into his left pocket and withdrew a cork. The final touch (penultimate at least): Manabu held up his right hand and placed his forefinger and thumb together. Manabu concentrated, and a small, thin column of reiatsu formed and begin to get thinner and sharper until it finally resembled a needle. This he stabbed through the cork, which he then carefully placed in the water.

There was Manabu Brock's patented (patent pending) reiatsu compass prototype. The needle ought to react to any significant reiatsu current and point towards the source. Manabu pushed his own reiatsu down and held his breath in anticipation.

Manabu's remaining reiatsu: 499

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 70%[71 - 50] Points

Speed - 70%[71 - 50] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [50] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [50] Points

Light Aura - [75] Points

Dark Aura - [25] Points

Instinct - 200%[50 - 100] Points

Senses - 200%[50 - 100] Points

Energy sensory - 200%[33 - 66] Points

Healing Expertise - [75] Points


Total SP: [450] Points

[Zou ۞]

Despite his slightly above average energy sensory, Manabu was not nearly as good of a sensor as Richard Dong of the Bount was, for that Bount was the one who, many miles away from this place, had discovered both Kaishi and Isare, members of this group, known as Ashi. Of course though, Manabu shouldn't have much trouble doing this. A pure sensor was in fact unnecessary in Miami, which had very little reiatsu based population. As opposed to places in Europe and Asia, places in North America had extremely weak reiatsu amounts, and therefore few hollows and shinigami appeared here. This typically meant that the U.S. was a lot less important than movies led people to believe, though.

Despite this, even within thousands of people, Manabu would have no trouble at all finding these two guys, but someone was going to have to send him backup. He was a nonseat of Squad 7. How could he possibly do it alone? So, with the requirement of backup, Manabu was to be thrust out into this place. At any rate, he'd sense them right off the bat. There was no way that he wouldn't be able to. Far away, down in a bar in Miami, the two humans in cloaks were sitting in the very corner, inconspicuous despite their odd attires. There were two men present, both in the corner with their black cloaks, covered from head to toe, hoods drawn up to conceal all but their mouths.

The first man, the larger of the two, appeared to be broad shouldered, and rather buff, very muscular. His mouth had crinkles, but oddly formed crinkles, indicating that he was someone that liked cruel, sadistic smiles, and favored cackles. Since there were crinkles there, it indicated that he gave these two mannerisms quite often. His skin was light, and on his left hand he wore a black metal ring with some kind of insignia on it. On the back of his right hand, there was a tattoo of a trident in black ink. The second man, smaller, was thin, but his skin was oddly gray.

His mouth had crinkles too, indicating smiles, cackles, for they were the oddly shaped crinkles all the same. On his right hand, he had a black ring identical to that of the man with the trident tattoo, and on the back of his left hand in blank ink, he had a tattoo of a snake. Both men were present in the bar corner for only a few seconds of view, for one of them cocked his head to the side. "We've been discovered? Hehehehehe..." the man with the trident tattoo said, for the one with the snake tattoo had been the indicator. The lights switched off in the establishment for a split second only. When they came back on, everyone was looking around in surprise, trying to discern what had happened. The two men were gone.

In reality, they were already heading down an empty section of beach, having covered much distance in very little time. They were walking, and for whatever reason, that one part of the beach was empty, completely devoid of people. As a result, these guys could be intercepted there, if Manabu (and whoever showed up) figured the location of these guys. They didn't appear to be making any effort to hide their reiatsu anymore, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to find them.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

Ranmyaku, captain of squad 8, stood behind Manabu, his powerful tail wavering ever so slightly. “Ah the human world... mused the reptile, “Practically paradise if not for the sins and faults of those who live here. Ranmyaku hated humans out of both jealousy and because of their closed minds. They had never been accepting of him when he spent his days in the sewers of Soul Society and he doubted the living humans were much different.

He observed with unspoken authority as Brock’s needle pointed towards the nearest powerful source of reiatsu. “Good work Manabu,” said the reptile who was sent as the muscles of the operation. “Follow me as best you can, I think I can sense them from here,” said the reptile as he disappeared, instantly flying towards the shore on the outskirts of the city. He wasn’t sure how useful this unseated shinigami would be if things got hairy, but he had done a good job sensing the Ashi to begin with. Ranmyaku had never been too skilled in things such as reiatsu sensory, so it was good to have someone like Manabu Brock with him.

Ranmyaku sped off towards the sandy Florida beach with the unseated shinigami trailing behind. “Well, at least it’s sunny today,” smirked the reptile as he flew. Needless to say the cold-blooded captain was pleased when he heard the mission would be taking place in Miami. Ranmyaku visited Florida often. It provided a comfortable climate nearly all year round. However, nothing enraged the reptile more then watching humans wrestle crocodiles for sport. He sympathized with the peaceful crocs who only wished to be left in peace.

It wasn’t long before Ranmyaku reached the beach where the two mysterious Ashi members were casually strolling. With a huge thud the captain landed in front of the two Ashi members. Sand flew up around the reptile as he created a large crater in the ground. Turning his head towards the two, a toothy smile crept across his face. “Just what do you think you’re doing here?” the captain said as his scaly hand drifted to his katana strapped to his side. The shinigami’s captain’s haori was visible and it was obvious he was a shinigami. But Ranmyaku wasn’t sure what the other two men were.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 350 Points

Speed - 200 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 250 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 250 Points

Light Aura - 60 Points

Dark Aura - 40 Points

Instinct - 50 Points

Senses - 50 Points

Energy sensory - 50 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1,200 Points

[Zou ۞]

OOC: Post skipped.

[Manabu Brock]

Well, it seems Manabu's part of the mission was finished. Actually, that was technically the entire mission: find the Ashi. In any event, Manabu took off after the lizard captain. He'd never be able to keep up, but at least he wouldn't lose track of him. He had a rather distinct spiritual pressure due to his... well, he's a lizard person.

By the time Manabu had made it to the beach, he had already begun talking with the targets. There was some light tension, but nothing imminently violent. It looks like there'll be a little conversation before an fighting begins. Hopefully there wouldn't be any fighting at all. The orders were not to engage, but Ranmyaku is a captain, and it's up to him to decide whether to modify or exceed orders in the field.

Manabu's cursory estimation of the combatants favored the opposing side in power. On the other hand, he didn't really know much about them or about the 8th Division's Captain. Manabu landed behind and to the left of Ranmyaku on one knee. If those two had any sensory ability at all, they'd surely have known he was coming, but he wanted to minimize the impact of his arrival anyway. This position would indicate clear subordination to the Lizard Taicho as well as his lack of intention to fight. At least, he had no intention to fight unless otherwise ordered.

Well, these two look interesting enough. Matching hoods and rings... sinister. What do we have around here? Sand and ocean water close by. City buildings less close. No real vegetation to speak of. Some vehicles. No humans at the moment. Stay calm...

Manabu's remaining reiatsu: 499

[Zou ۞]

Both men removed their cloaks, tossing them aside to reveal black leather coats underneath, stored conveniently. The coats were rather long with buffed out tails, and both men wore them unzipped. The black collars were sticking out to form a fashion statement, apparently. The larger of the two men, around 6'3, was muscular and tall, and his skin was tanned. Black lines were visible all across his face, in the appearance of black veins. His eyes were red, and his hair was spiked like flames and orange. He appeared to be in his mid twenties despite everything else. The crinkles around his mouth suggested a guy that liked to smile. And give a rather cruel smile.

The second one had no hair at all, and a flat, reptilian looking face with gray skin. His eyes were slits like a snake's eyes, and green, beady. His tongue was forked, and flicked out every now and again. He was also very thin, and it was a rather terrifying sight. Two men, terrifying to say the least, and probably rather powerful too. "Kishin, do it." The tanned man with the trident tattoo said. The gray skinned man with the snake tattoo grinned an evil grin. Kishin flew forwards, moving in an arc straight towards Ranmyaku. Not even a second of hesitation from him. However, as he neared Ranmyaku, he disappeared. Where did he go?! Meanwhile, the man with the trident tattoo continued to stare down Manabu.

He didn't move at all. And, he didn't look civil. He wasn't smiling at that moment. That was when the ground beneath Manabu and Ranmyaku caved in, dropping them into an enormous pit filled with salty ocean water. What had happened?! Kishin materialized next to his friend. Where had that pit come from?! How had he done that?! It was a shock, indeed.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

The captain observed both of his opponents, his eyes fell on the smaller of the two. He appeared to share some qualities with reptiles himself. The shinigami was especially surprised when the man’s tongue shot from his mouth and revealed itself to be forked. Was this human mocking him? The captain’s eyes narrowed on the gray-skinned Ashi member as his own tongue flicked out before retreating back inside his mouth. Ranmyaku didn’t react as Manabu landed behind him on a knee. The 8th squad captain didn’t know how much help his comrade would be against the two Ashi members, but he was confident in his own abilities. “Maybe you should get somewhere safe...” stated the reptile to the unseated shinigami, “It doesn’t look like this is going to end pretty.” However, just as the reptile said that the larger of the two ordered the other to charge.

As ordered the reptile-like fullbringer, named Kishin, flew at the two shinigami. Ranmyaku unsheathed his blade instantaneously, however the smaller of the two humans disappeared before he reached the lizard. “Where did he go?!” thought the captain as he looked around. He was fast! Immediately the ground beneath his feet collapsed to reveal an enormous pit that was filled with water, presumably because the ocean was nearby. However, the reptile fell only a few feet before catching himself and levitating in mid-air. He would not be fooled by such a simple tactic.

Ranmyaku flew up to ground level over the pit and glared at the two with merciless eyes. He hoped that Brock would be able to do as he did and simply levitate before he hit the water. “Just who are you people, and what do you want?” spat the reptile as he remained floating above the chasm. A more aggressive captain would have attacked by now, but Ranmyaku was determined to get SOME information out of them before he went all out. It’s not like they had directly attacked him yet anyway. However, Kishin’s actions did cause Ranmyaku to unsheathe his Isutsu Natsuin and keep a watchful eye. Things were most likely about to descend into a brawl, and Ranmyaku would be sure to leave his mark on the battlefield.

[Zou ۞]

OOC: Post skipped.

[Manabu Brock]

Manabu started to get up as soon as Kishin made his move, but he wasn't all the way up when the ground fell out from under them. Ranmyaku-taicho managed to catch himself in mid-air, and Manabu managed to make a nice splash as he hit the water. It's a little embarrassing to have just fallen in like that, but Manabu would be back up again shortly.

Then Ranmyaku began speaking while Manabu... still hadn't come up yet. Surely Manabu knows how to swim. Of course he does. Even without swimming there's more than one way to get out of the water. Ranmyaku was still in his standoff with the two Ashi members, so he couldn't invest much time or effort in Manabu at the moment. What was taking so long? Something wasn't quite right here. Manabu Brock was nowhere to be seen or sensed.

Manabu's remaining reiatsu: 449

[Zou ۞]

The man with the trident tattoo looked at Kishin as he returned. "Captain and Nonseat..." Kishin hissed. The man with the trident tattoo looked back at the two again, his eyes cold, his smile cruel and icy. He didn't look very friendly, obviously. He looked rather evil. "Hey...Hakuren...I want to kill them..." Kishin said. Both were currently ignoring Ranmyaku's question, of course. The one with the trident tattoo, apparently named Hakuren, looked straight into Ranmyaku's eyes, his own full of a void of insanity. He had a bloodlust just as large as the reptile man's, this meaning Kishin's. They were both the type that liked to slaughter people for sport. They both obviously enjoyed blood. Probably not good for Ranmyaku and Manabu.

"You...don't need to know." Hakuren said. "But if you interfere, we'll kill you." He turned away from them, his skin a flicker of dark red as he moved away, and his eyes a flash of yellow. He was leaving then, walking away from both Shinigami. Kishin groaned, and then quickly followed, taking stride directly behind Hakuren. The two of them were walking away, ignoring both Shinigami. Well, that wasn't an expected reaction. Considering the personalities that they gave off, it seemed more likely that they'd be attacking. Oh well. Did this mean Ranmyaku and Manabu had to attack first?

A quick flick of black swept across Kishin as he turned, a glint scanning him and his hands when he took himself away. These guys were some pretty insidious characters. What kind of people was King Shada recruiting? These Ashi...what was the purpose of them? What was the purpose of assembling so many people of high level strength? How had he managed to find so many strong people in just a span of months? Had he planned this for a longer time than imagined?

SPOILER: Click to show

He's a Class 1 Fullbringer, and originally an Akki. He used Saigo No Houmen to take on a human state.

Strength: 100

Speed: 400

Spiritual Pressure: 300

Reiatsu Strength: 300

Instinct: 300

Senses: 400

Energy Sensory: 200

Healing Expertise: 0

Light/Dark Aura: 0/100

Total SP: 2000

SPOILER: Click to show

This guy is also a Class 1 Fullbringer. He's a former Arrancar that used Saigo No Houmen.

Strength: 400

Speed: 200

Spiritual Pressure: 250

Reiatsu Strength: 250

Light/Dark Aura: 0/100

Instinct: 200

Senses: 200

Energy Sensory: 100

Healing Expertise: 400

Total SP: 2000

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

“You...don’t need to know,” came the large man’s reply, “But if you interfere, we’ll kill you.” This reply didn’t sit well with the captain. With a snort he took his blade and held it at arm’s length. “Live Unsealed Once Again, Isutsu Natsuin!” instantly the reptile’s blade transformed into a long glavie with five rings laced into the blunt side of it’s blade. Ranmyaku chose not to unseal his blade any further yet, perhaps this is all it would take to get them to talk. “I DO need to know...” boomed the reptile as he held the glavie’s staff at arm’s length pointing at the two men.

Ranmyaku’s reiatsu flared as he charged the two Ashi. The reptile didn’t have time to worry about Manabu. He was sure that he could handle himself. In no time at all the reptile had reached their backs as they walked away and delivered a crippling, wide sweep that threatened to slice both of them from the safe distance of 6 feet away. Ranmyaku’s advantages in close combat were numerous. In a battle of blades he could keep the enemy at bay with his long shikai, but if an opponent managed to move in closer, Ranmyaku’s natural body would be ready to tear them apart.

The reptile kept his talons very sharp for this very reason, and being carnivorous, Ranmyaku’s teeth were naturally sharp. He was a lethal force even without his blade. Ranmyaku delivered the slice with expert precision. It would cleave through the first and keep traveling to the other assuming they didn’t do something about it. Why was he attacking? Perhaps it was because he could already see that they weren’t telling him anything without a fight, or perhaps he was replying to Kishin’s aggressive performance earlier. Whatever the case, Ranmyaku delivered the first strike and was surely about to unleash hell.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2300
Shikai: 1/10

[Zou ۞]

OOC: You forgot Shikai duration and reiatsu cost. Also, post skipped.

[Manabu Brock]

Manabu remained out of sight. There was nothing useful he could do before, so he decided to use Onmitsukido tactics (with a bow to Sun Tzu of course, who taught him first): stay out of the way and wait for your moment. Now that Ranmyaku-taicho had launched an attack, Manabu became worried about retaliation. There was a fair chance if not a good chance (probably a great chance) that these men would be able to kill him. There might not be another moment after this, so Manabu was forced to take it.

He had climbed out of the pit after taking the opportunity to use kyakko. He was going to use the free, unobserved time to set up something useful or at least observe his opponents before acting, but the abrupt attack form the Lizard Captain had thrown a wrench in those plans. At least he'd managed to mave a few yards away.

When Ranmyaku released his zanpakuto, Manabu unsheathed his own: katana and wakizashi in the right and left respectively. He then inserted the katana's hilt into his tanto's hilt, which is hollow for just this purpose. Standing ready with the fully withdrawn Shonen, Manabu whispered as quietly as he could, "Kanstasu..."

Then the moment of truth came. Ranmyaku made his move, and Manabu dropped his kido and engaged. If Ranmyaku was a speed demon, Manabu was a... slightly fit guy? He had to use shunpo just to keep any sort of pace, and he needed to reach the enemy at the same time as the taicho. As soon as he took off, he finished the release, "... Shonen." He appeared in front of the two Ashi a few feet off the ground and came down with a slash at each going down and outward as the captain's attack came from behind.

Manabu's remaining reiatsu: 199

Shikai 1/10

[Zou ۞]

It was almost instant, and perhaps it had already been there. However, for the one known as Kishin, his coat was made of some sort of metal substance, and easily blocked the blades of his adversaries, keeping them away from him completely. The coat had not only turned silver and seemingly solidified, but had completely hardened to a point that it was impossible for blades to get through. It had enlarged as well, moving to cover both Kishin and Hakuren, almost instantly expanding when it formed, and become a large wall that blocked all attacks from both enemies. Oh, crap. These guys were strong if they could defend so instantly. Maybe they'd prepared ahead of time, though.

Suddenly though, the coat shrank back to normal size, but Kishin and Hakuren were gone as soon as it did that, gone in an instant. And then, the next instant, Hakuren was moving towards the back of Ranmyaku, and his fist was flying towards Ranmyaku's head, the back of it, aiming to split it open at the skull. Meanwhile, Kishin was already flying towards Manabu, his coat tails whipping out, for his back faced Manabu. The coat looked...sharp? Oh. It if hit Manabu, it was going to cut him. Being cut, he'd get hurt. It was probably the equivalent of getting hit by a blade. So, he'd have to block the coat with his own blade, of course.

Naturally, both of these enemies were stronger than they were letting on, but the fact that they'd yet to release their Fullbring might be startling. Ranmyaku and Manabu were probably unaware of the generals of Fullbring, but the fact that these two hadn't properly released any special abilities besides that coat indicated that they didn't feel they needed them, and this meant they felt they could afford to go easy on the two Shinigami, and still win.