House of Cards: Der Aufstand

[Kento Waffles]

Name: [Arc 4: Canon 2 - Der Aufstand]

Participants: [Anyone non-Vandenreich, 3 players maximum, 4th must see me. No reservations, post only.]

Location: [Seireitei]

Difficulty Level: [Extreme]

Setting: [DE]

Plotline: [You have seen or heard tale of oppression after oppression. Battle after battle. War after war. Yet after the Tridential Conflict, after the War of Angels, after the disastrous encounters with the Son of The King and with Saeki Kuchiki, at last the Soul Society is fortified. It is strong. And it has allies. Factions from all other places and worlds have been called to assist in battling the greater enemy, the threat of the Vandenreich. There is only one option. Kill them all.

Some have already entered via stealth, and they must be killed. Some are still at the wall, attacking to try and break it down. Kill all already in the Seireitei. If possible, continue past them and kill those at the wall. If possible, find and kill the Emperor himself.

Estimated Enemy Strength:

400 class 3 Mooks.

50 class 2 Mooks.

NPC Boss presence of 'A, The Apprentice, Akiyama,' 'B, The Boss, Baal,' Asura Kuchiki.

Estimated Time Until Completion: [3-5 pages]

Starts: [Now]

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon stood at the threshold of yet another battle as he starred out over the scenery of Soul Society a dimension that only a few years ago he would have believed impossible to enter for fear of absolute death. Now it was little less than another home where he could live along with another family that he sought to protect nearly as much as his own bloodline. Some things hadn't changed though and Asmoskon knew they never would until he put a stop to them for good. The Vandenreich was attacking Soul Society once again the only difference now being that Asmoskon was already in the dimension of the Shinigami and was ready to face off against the army of the Emperor and his Stern Ritters even if he was without his own army fighting beside him.

The Shinigami were going to fight off the Vandenreich and while they did the best that they could Asmoskon had no doubt that the Stern Ritters were going to emerge and start to slaughter them like sheep. The only individuals in Soul Society to Asmoskon's knowledge that would be able to hold their own against a Stern Ritter would be a few of the Captains and himself. He had to save as many Shinigami as possible while eliminating as many Vandenreich as possible without destroying their souls which was something incredibly hard to pull off due to their numbers. Nevertheless though Asmoskon was determined to aid in this battle against the corruption of his race in order to further his own goal of purifying the Quincy.

Asmoskon found himself in position three miles from the wall of the Shinigami stronghold that was currently being attacked by the might of the Vandenreich. It was one of the many high buildings that was more like a tower with Asmoskon taking his position at the top. From this position Asmoskon had a perfect vantage point of the surrounding area and would be able to attack any foe that even managed to cross over the wall. Just to make sure that he wouldn't be in a bad situation later on Asmoskon began to absorb the reiatsu from the surrounding area into his cross. There would be no mercy shown on this battle field just as no other had been shown. Asmoskon was a hardened military leader, but even more so than that he was a monster.

His Military uniform meant that he was more serious about this battle than he had been during the prison exchange against Saeki Kuchiki. He had brought everything with him leaving nothing behind in the human world and it was time to unleash his arsenal upon the Vandenreich. Asmoskon's pitch black longbow materialized in his left hand without the Quincy even needing to think of it as he pulled four arrows from the quiver upon his back that had just went to work customizing the arrows within his right hands grasp.

Asmoskon didn't feel the need to enhance his vision at the moment he knew the location of the Vandenreich beyond the wall and that was all he needed to go on to do at least some preemptive damage to their main force. Raising his arms high up and pulling the bowstring back to his lips Asmoskon aimed for half a second with his left eye steady on the wall of Soul Society. In the next instant the four arrows would be released from the prison of his grip allowing them to soar high through the air for several seconds until finally they'd descend upon the Vandenreich on the other side of the wall.

It was only possible due to Asmoskon's mammoth like strength that his arrows could travel the full three mile distance from the wall yet while his position wouldn't be given away easily he knew that the more experienced members of the Vandenreich especially the Stern Ritters would more than likely have a much easier time locating him now. The four arrows would descend throughout the first few rows of soldiers perhaps hitting a few, but not hurting them beyond knocking them down due to the blunt arrow heads.

Perhaps it would come as a shock or rather surprise to the standard soldier as to why something like this just happened when all of a sudden all four of the arrows would suddenly expel a blindingly bright flash of light that would leave all of the soldiers in the area around them unable to see. Only those that hadn't been looking to the arrows and those blocked by other soldiers would be safe from the flash of light. It was at that moment though that the shaft of each arrow suddenly attacked. The shaft of each arrow being made up of tiny black razors would fire off the razors from it's surface with a force of 300 at a speed of 500 up to thirty feet away in all directions.

Asmoskon knew that it wouldn't be game changing, but he was going to do everything in his power to bring down the Vandenreich and if that meant crippling or perhaps killing a few of them prior to them even getting passed the wall then that was fine. However, this was always meant as a message. The Vandenreich had been trying to hunt Asmoskon down for some time now only to have it's own agents end up dead. Chances had it that someone would recognize the black arrows being used against them or rather assume he was the one to just make the first move in this war.

Asmoskon would continue to stand upon the top of the building gathering the reiatsu of the surrounding area into the black cross beneath his uniform that still clung around his neck. This battle was going to be long and many lives were going to be ended yet Asmoskon for all of his love and caring felt no grief nor guilt, no hesitation or conflict of judgement within his soul. This was war and one that he didn't plan on losing nor leaving any survivors on the side of the opposition.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2100/500
Quincy Cross: {+1600}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats & Skills}
Strength ❖ 300
Speed ❖ 400
Spiritual Pressure ❖ 100-50%=50
Reiatsu Strength ❖ 400x2=800
Light Aura ❖ 80
Dark Aura ❖ 20
Instinct ❖ 300
Senses ❖ 300
Energy sensory ❖ 100
Healing Expertise ❖ 0

•[Weapons: Archery] [4]
•[Acrobatics] [3]
•[Strength of Will] [3]
•[Battle Analysis] [3]
•[Battle Focus] [2]
•[Crafting] [3]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Equipment}
40x Datsu
Mechanical Quiver
Xcution Uniform
Power Ring
G.O.D
R.O.O.T
10x Ginto Tubes
2x Plasma Swords
4x Band Holsters
10x Supaiku Shafuto - 4 = 6 Remaining
20x Ginto Shafuto
10x Gasu Shafuto
5x Sonikku Shafuto
5x Setchaku-zai Shafuto
15x Furasshu Pfeil - 4 = 11 Remaining
15x Bakuhatsu Pfeil
5x Mamushi Pfeil
5x Kojin Poison
5x Joseki Pfeil
5x Parusu Grenade (Arrows)

[Alexander Kuma-Hebi]

Alexander Kuma-Hebi was on high alert. It was something that was only expected of him in such situation. Alexander looked high at the sky. It was beautiful, in his eyes. Clear, blue skies of Soul Society. And Alexander stood, and looked at them. And within himself, he offered a short prayer. My lord, you who are King of All. Give us wisdom to stand through this day in victory, and grant us the strength to face your judgement should we fall. It was a short one, and it was more serving to bring peace into Alexander's mind than to invoke Soul King's protection. After all, even with his limited knowledge, he knew soul King existed in isolation, and that Alexander, and everyone else for that matter, would have to protect what they wished to with their hands. It was simple. Those who prevailed and stood through it all would be allowed to carry on. Those who fell would meet their rightful judgement at the hands of Soul King, and then their souls would pass to whatever destiny Soul King would decide for them. But for Alexander, it was simple. With these hands of mine, I shall protect my home, or meet my judgement on the battlefield. However, Alexander was not alone in his head, and his soul. A sinister voice was plaguing him, and it stepped forward again. Yes... Go meet your pathetic end, Shinigami. Fall into darkness and make your body mine one and for all! It was Lord Discord, or rather, a piece of him that was implanted into Alexander. Alexander didn't event blink at his words, but rather he responded with his own thought. That is never going to happen, wretched demon. BEGONE! With that thought, Discord was pushed away, he would be silenced for a time, but would no doubt come to plague Alexander later.

But for now, what was important was the task in front of Alexander. He was ordered to stop the invaders. Alexander was given reports that were simply telling Vandenreich has arrived. But Alexander knew better. Vandenreich wouldn't merely arrive back so easily. No. It had to be that man. The only man that would so openly move Vandenreich against the Soul Society. Their Emperor was back. Alexander knew that Emperor was slain. But it didn't surprise him. A man pretending to usurp the holy King would have to be able to deal with such little trifles like dying. If he couldn't even do that, how could the Emperor claim the seat of power he desired for himself? It made sense for Alexander, and he theorized all of this. But. Be it truly Emperor or something else, Alexander could sense it. Through that speck of darkness in his soul that was Discord, he could sense it. But unlike the painful sensation it gave when Alexander was around somebody with excessively bright presence, it was different now. It was kind of a throbbing sensation, at same time acting like in pain as well as in awe. As if somebody was in front of Alexander with great darkness and light inside of him at same time. Not that anyone was truly in front of Alexander. He was yet to see what was it that stirred Discord like this. But it was odd. Whatever it was, it was extremely powerful, for it interfered with a shard of a demon that was implanted into Alexander's soul from far away.

But it was not important right now. For Alexander was given the mission, the mission he would fulfill at any cost. Defend the Society. Kill all that belong to Vandenreich. Alexander knew that it was right thing to do. Even if he held some sympathy for them, he would still cut them down the same. For Alexander remembered what he once read in the libraries of soul Society. "And he shall come, he who is the master of sinful black sheep, he who is the king of blind white sheep. And he shall claim the crown not his, so that the long dead can command the faith of those not born. The one who shall call down upon the world an age of darkness." It was a prophecy by a seer from times long lost. But Alexander still remembered it, and he reinforced that by reciting it just now. He knew what it meant. And he would not let it pass. Forgive me, my King, but I intend to send many of them to your justice with these hands of mine. I only hope... that your halls of judgement can take them all in! Alexander offered a prayer and a challenge at the same time. He knew that there were no gods, but the King was the only pure, absolute existence akin to that. Within King's hands was the judgement of every soul after its death. But Alexander knew that it meant another, more important thing. Everything else... was in his own hands. And it only depended on him.

As the sun shined down on Soul Society, to those of the Vandenreich, it would seem as if there was a tall statue of a man standing in front of the northern gate of a great wall that protected the Seireitei. With the gate at his back, there he stood, Captain of Squad 3, Alexander Kuma-Hebi. As usually, dressed sharp, in his usual suit, with stern expression on his face, and with two huge katana that were his Zanpakuto at his left side. He stood there, ready to battle. Ready to go, ready to defend what was his home. Gotei 13 could perhaps rest, knowing that it's northern defenses were held by one that was not a man, but a monster. For Alexander may have changed his thoughts, and may have changed his beliefs, and his ways. But in his deepest core that governed him in each and every one of his battles, he could not change. It mattered little, what the ideas, what the cause was. The monster in shape of a man was only waiting to be unleashed upon its prey. But not yet. Alexander first challenged his opponents. "Oh, ye, sheep, black and white! Come! The wolf is here, and hungry is he! May the blood flow, and may the King grant you all his mercy! FOR I SHALL SEND YOU ALL TO HIS JUDGEMENT!"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}
Strength - [(400+100)*2.75=1375] Points
Speed - [(300+100)*2.75=1100] Points
Spiritual Pressure - [300] Points
Reiatsu Strength - [(300+100)*2=800] Points
Light Aura - [50] Points
Dark Aura - [50] Points
Instinct - [150] Points
Senses - [150] Points
Energy sensory - [0] Points
Healing Expertise - [0] Points

Total SP: [1600] Points


[Weapons: Swords] {4}
[Hakuda] {3}
[Battle Analysis] {3}
[Strength of Will] {3}
[Damage Recovery] {1}

[OOC note: I am personality wise using post-CIU Alexander.]

[Kento Waffles]

Play this

The corner that Alexander Kuma-Hebi turned on his way to defend against the Quincy would be met with shock. He would see a hundred Soul Reapers in front of him within the walls of the Seireitei, all of them screaming in fear. The moment he turned that very corner, what he would see was a young man in a tight white outfit and a shaved head of brown hair sprinting through the Soul Reapers. They attacked him, but he was so fast that most could not even try to fight him. Just by raising one's arm for Kido or a sword strike, a Soul Reaper would suddenly be ashes. Flashes of white reiatsu exploded about, and every single strike was in vain. The entire process took but mere seconds.

By the time Alexander could comprehend what was going on, he would be alone, a hundred Soul Reapers dead between him and this new enemy. The enemy that regarded him had glowing blue eyes, and had such a potent and terrifying reiatsu that even Alexander might be just a bit anxious about the enemy he had encountered. The newcomer was silent, wordless, and his gaze was intense with the ferocity of a starving animal at last laying its teeth into an unsuspecting pray. This man started to walk forwards, his rage evident, his hate commanding him, and his power seemingly unparalleled. The air around him sparked and distorted with electricity and heat, and his reiatsu gave off an impression like fire.

As he continued forward, he extended one hand out in the direction of the far away walls that guarded the Seireitei. Alexander wouldn't know why, but Asmokon would. Suddenly, those arrows that had been fired to produce light simply extinguished and sputtered out, producing nothing and achieving no effect. The mighty Quincy's arm lowered once more after this as he walked. In both of his hands, blades of pure white reiatsu ignited, both held in reverse grips, and he continued toward Alexander. It did not appear as if he even cared to acknowledge that he was facing off against a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. To him, Alexander was nothing but mere fodder, as insignificant as all the other Soul Reapers had been.

He was wordless, not acknowledging or greeting in any way. Stoic, yet clearly consumed by rage. Hatred. As he arrived before Alexander, his arms blasted forwards and he moved into a rapid assault against the man by slashing with one of his reiatsu blades. It was a poignant attack, extremely aggressive, and aimed to cut into Alexander's throat. Yet that wasn't all. It was noteworthy that his footwork was something else entirely. Every single step he took was graceful, perfect. His form was unprecedented, probably the most flawless Alexander had ever seen. This guy that was suddenly attacking him was, unknown to Alexander, the greatest of the Stern Ritters... A, The Apprentice, Akiyama.

Meanwhile, Asmokon was far away from everything, keeping vigilance with his senses, and attacking from afar. Yet, even far away did not save him. No, rather, suddenly he would find that out of nowhere, as if he had blinked and missed it, a man sat next to him. The man that called himself Wilhelm Kohler. The one who was known as B, The Boss, Baal. And Kohler looked down at Asmokon while sitting next to him. "Why do you oppose us?" he asked Asmokon. "You are a Quincy, so you will inevitably be betrayed by the Kuchikis that you have allied with. They are Soul Reapers. This is the natural state of things. You must see the darkness that overtakes Sozen Kuchiki. It is in his culture. His history. His blood."

SPOILER: Click to show

{Akiyama's Stats/Skills}

Strength: 150 (188)
Speed: 400 (500)
Reiatsu Strength: 400 (1800) (2250)
Spiritual Pressure: 400 (1800) (2250)
Instinct: 300 (400)
Senses: 200 (250)
Energy Sensory: 200 (250)
Healing Expertise: 150 (188)

---

[Battle Analysis] [4]
[Street Fighting] [4]
[Imitation] [3]
[Damage Recovery] [3]
[Pain Tolerance] [2]
[Strength of Will] [3]

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Standing atop of his vantage point Asmoskon watched the arrows that he had fired off only a few moments ago suddenly disintegrate while they soared through the air on course to the target location. Immediately Asmoskon’s body went into action his mind scanning the surrounding area for reiatsu signatures that he might have over looked and just like that as if he had made some sort of rookie mistake there were two massive individuals right near him.

His body turning to the side while his arms stayed in the archer position enabling him to simply channel his reiatsu into the arrow form creating an arrow held by his middle and index finger on his right hand that was now aimed at Stern Ritter B’s Head. Asmoskon starred a gaze filled with nothing, but contempt and rage towards Baal as the far older Quincy spoke to Asmoskon. This was a bad situation one that Asmoskon hadn't been planning to face until further in this battle yet it seemed that the situation had sought him out from the start.

Asmsokon knew that although it was one of his end game goals to eliminate Baal personally that despite the opportunity he was in no way prepared to take on one of the two strongest Vandenreich solo. He had to aid in the war yet with Baal right beside him it was like he was forced into an impossible situation. Asmoskon wasn’t without control over his emotions though which allowed him to listen to Baal as he spoke bad mouthing the Kuchiki and Asmoskon’s choice to ally with them.

“You speak as if my family wasn’t betrayed by its very race Wilhelm Kohler. Have you forgotten that you led the hunt against my family simply for leaving the Vandenreich after we bled centuries for your Emperor. He was as much our Emperor as he was yours until he led us all into war against the Shinigami for no other reason than to simply prove himself the better. So now tell me how the Vandenreich is any different than you claim Sozen to be.”

Asmoskon was speaking to Baal in a serious manner yet at the same time he was able to tell based on the strength of the reiatsu that he was sensing just who was the other Stern Ritter that was near him. “How can this be? How did they both get so close!” Asmoskon screamed inside of his own mind at the fact that the two most powerful Ritters were already passed the wall. He could give it his all everything possible and he knew that regardless against Baal and Akiyama he was already dead.

[Alexander Kuma-Hebi]

Alexander did not flinch. He did not even move an eyebrow as a response to the Shinigami slaughtered, or man before him killing him. It was war. Strong prevailed, and weak had a tendency of dying in such times. And while strong were obliged to protect the weak, it was mainly that Shinigami were obliged to protect non-Shinigami. Shinigami were soldiers, and were all responsible for their actions. Even if circumstances of their deaths were out of their reach to change, they all knew that it was a possible outcome when they enlisted in Gotei 13. Thus, Alexander did not even flinch when the opponent took care of Shinigami. He had time however, to analyze the man before him. To slaughter them all like helpless lambs... this man just might be the right wolf for today. Indeed, Alexander could see effects of the man's Reiatsu. And what was far more impressive, he could even feel it. Truth to be told, Alexander on average did not feel Reiatsu. As far as sensing energy went, he was effectively blind in that department. However. Sometimes. Sometimes he could feel it. Sometimes, he would face adversaries with their Reiatsu so potent, so mighty, of such magnitude, that even Alexander, even through Kageno'O, could feel. It was simply so powerful. Alexander could sense it. And that meant that his opponent, whomever he was, was certainly one of Vandenreich's Generals. Alexander knew there weren't any soldiers of the Vandenreich save for those five who could have that kind of power. But who he was? Alexander did not know. He could however discern whom he was not. Soul Society had good reports on two of the Generals. Baal and Caesar. And this guy matched neither of them in appearance, which simply meant he was one of other three.

Still, Alexander was not the one to break his head on such trivial things. He had opponent to deal with right now, and one formidable enough on top of that. On average, Vandenreich General should be above Captain of Gotei 13 in strength, but, Alexander was not average Captain by any means. His glaring weakness, a lack of release, was actually a boon in these circumstances, as Vandenreich could steal Bankai, which tended to be a quite big problem if one would face them with it. However, there was no need to worry, at least about that. With no Bankai in his possession, Alexander couldn't get it stolen! Brilliant, really. However, Alexander analyzed his opponent further. He had good movements, gracious, but highly efficient, highly effective. He was good, Alexander could tell. And those Reiatsu blades? These weren't half bad too! At last Alexander had somebody against whom he could unleash his all. However, he did not have time to analyze his opponent's footwork too much, as that very same opponent was approaching him. Oh yes, he was coming at Alexander, aiming to attack him, coming with him from straight front, and he attacked Alexander. But Alexander knew the attack was going to come anyway. He could see his opponent's hand clenching that blade a bit tighter in preparation for the slash. Alexander saw the initial buildup of strength in his opponent's muscles, even through the clothing. And slight twists of the wrist, positioning for the attack. No, Alexander knew where that attack was going to go, and how. He had enough of skill in analyzing things in thick of battle, and he had enough experience. He knew where the attack would land. What trajectory it would take. So, as that blade was launched into that slash, aiming to get him, Alexander would not merely wait to be hit.

Alexander knew all that he knew, so he would not let himself be hit. Not yet, at least. After all, he would look pretty bad if he got killed without putting up a fight. Oh, and put up a fight he would. Hell of a fight, at that. As that blade was already traveling at Alexander, he would not stay to wait it. He would dodge, naturally. A single step of Shunpo would be easiest, most obvious, and textbook response. Alexander had no intention of using it. Rather, he opted to use something else. Shukuchi-Ho was a step used by Hakuda masters, and it was not common thing among Shinigami. Therefore, as opposed to Shunpo, it had better chances of being partially or completely unknown to his opponent. Alexander utilized it just as the opponent committed to the attack, Allowing him to use it to step to the side and diagonally forward, while maintaining some distance between him and his opponent, and at the same time, keep on facing him. But Alexander would not stop, he was a master of Shukuchi-Ho. That allowed him to utilize it to a great degree. Without even stopping in that spot for a moment, Alexander would use the step again, seemingly melding two steps into one, however, it was still two steps. Both propelled Alexander at speed of 1800, which was triple of 600. While Shukuchi-Ho tripled speed, and Alexander was a lot faster, he held his speed back, so that he would not begin to strain himself, he could only fight at his fullest for a short while, so being conservative was a good thing. But this being Alexander, he could fight on a high level and actually keep on being conservative.

And that second step? That led him straight behind his opponent's back. And he turned partially with that step as well, so he was still facing his opponent. But that was not all. Alexander knew several things. He knew that if this Quincy had a Reiatsu that even he could sense, that it was almost certain that cutback from this Quincy would outright kill him. He also knew Quincies of the Vandenreich had Blut, powerful defensive technique that was superior even to Hierro. But when those were put two in the same equation, well, Alexander had a solution. It was effective solution, and Alexander calculated it in well before taking the first step. Before embarking with the first Shukuchi-Ho, he counted it into his plans, and prepared mentally for it. Alexander did not have to worry about cutback. Kageno'O, while blocking his energy sensory, and while extremely useless against such opponent, was still a layer of Reiatsu present on his skin. And reiatsu-coated attacks, well, they did not face cutback. However, Blut was something else altogether, but it was unimportant regardless. Because as Alecander went into those steps, he went into preparation as well, at the same time. Simultaneously to preforming those two steps which appeared to be one, he prepared. He focused his physical strength, and focused it onto the open palm of his left hand. And he simultaneously cocked it back at waist level, during the steps. So, when Alexander emerged out of the second step, he was just behind his opponent, and his palm immediately shot out, aiming to hit his opponent in a corkscrew manner.

It was something extremely powerful, indeed. Even with Alexander being conservative and holding it back at 600 strength, it would be extremely powerful. It was Sei Shin Suikyou Shou , extremely powerful Shinigami Hakuda technique. It had quite the potential for damage, especially against people who had armored defenses akin to Hierro and Blut. Simply put, damage on such opponent would be quintuple! Regardless how strong his opponent's Blut was, it would still face terrible hit with this. And chances of this hitting were incredibly high, as Alexander was straight behind opponent's back, he came there while his opponent was committed to slash against him, and what is even more important, Alexander's usage of Shukuchi-Ho meant that Alexander got there extremely quickly. After all, even with holding back his speed, his Shukuchi-Ho was equal to a Shinigami with a speed of 180 performing Shunpo! With all pieces at the right places, it was seemingly all prepared for curtains to close right now. But, even if they did not, even if Alexander did not succeed right here and right now, he would keep on going. For him, even if he didn't know whom his opponent was, this battle was important. Even if he knew that one in front of him was Akiyama, it would not change anything. Alexander fought for his home, and only option for him was success, or so King help them all...

[OOC: I called onto the established precedent regarding the step tech usage for Kenpachi, for now I will keep on going with it until you guys decide about it, in which case I'll roll with the decision; also, I used Sei Shin Suikyou Shou as written, and it clearly says 5x for one palmed version, I am aware of it needing to be rewritten by you guys, but for now I will use it as it is written.]

SPOILER: Click to show

{I just couldn't resist}

[Kento Waffles]

Play this

The Quincy assassin that Alexander was facing would turn out to be much more powerful of a physical opponent than anticipated. With reiatsu like that, most would have expected him to focus his efforts exclusively on spells, but this was a man who liked to do everything up close and personal. The perfect kind of opponent for someone like Captain Alexander Kuma-Hebi, yet also the worst kind of opponent. Akiyama was extremely quick on his feet. In less than a second his eyes scanned Alexander's movements, going up and down. He had been attacking not as a means to engage Alexander but to evaluate him. And what he saw was something that allowed him to go far beyond what even Alexander could hope to stop.

Where Asmokon was, the Quincy named Wilhelm Kohler smiled sardonically. "You deflect my question," he said. "Your opinions about His Majesty do not affect that the Kuchiki will betray you. If what you say of the Vandenreich is indeed true, then you are only making the same unwise mistake by trusting them as you did when you trusted the Vandenreich. This just doesn't make sense, does it Mr. Masurao? If you hadn't gotten involved maybe you could have lived, I might think..." From there, Asmokon would still be able to sense the shift in Akiyama's reiatsu to become colder and more filled with hate. Akiyama was beginning to face Alexander Kuma-Hebi.

Akiyama's eyes were quick to evaluate Alexander's footwork and body, scanning which parts would be moving simply by the subtle giveaways of the body's telltale signs. Expert combatants were good at that. Those with the same level of expertise as Akiyama were exceptional at it. Alexander had fought an Arrancar with the same such rare skill, one named Kuroi Naito some years ago. Yet Akiyama took it to a whole other level. In the same instant when Alexander tried to dodge with Shukuchi-Ho, Akiyama's reiatsu pulsed from his body as he activated Hirenkyaku Constant to increase his speed. His feet then moved, virtually simultaneous with Alexander because of having read his opponent's intent and having prepared himself in advance.

Not that it was necessary. In terms of numbers, Akiyama was faster than Alexander. Alexander's top speed was almost double what he used for Shukuchi-Ho, 1100. With Shukuchi-Ho, it was 1800. Akiyama's speed with Hirenkyaku Constant was even faster than Alexander's top speed, coming in at 1500. But what he did next was even more shocking. Akiyama used Shukuchi-Ho, delivering at a speed of 4500, vastly exceeding what even Alexander's top speed would have given him. Akiyama did it seamlessly, with no warning or build-up, and Alexander would be absolutely shocked, not only by this, but by the fact that Akiyama's footwork was better than his was, and that he had even mimicked Alexander's form, staying in trajectory to face Alexander while moving.

Kohler's words rang to Asmokon while the battle of Alexander and Akiyama continued. "But to answer your question, what separates us is purpose. Religion. Purity. His Majesty is absolute, and if you had been truly loyal to him he could have revived any family members who died in wars with a wave of his hand... Remember, Mr. Masurao, it was you who chose to betray us despite knowing how miraculous His Majesty could be. You were the ones who brought death to yourselves." Asmokon might now sense that Akiyama's reiatsu indicated an unimaginable impressive desire to kill. He would practically be able to feel Akiyama's breath on his neck, hot and ready to devour the throat.

Thus, when Alexander arrived in an attempt to take Akiyama's back, the mighty Apprentice was instead invading Alexander's guard. It was so fluid, instant, and flawless that Alexander would have no time to posit a counter to that movement or reorient himself, his direction, or his travel. It was so unexpected that Alexander would merely be stunned by what he had just witnessed. When he came forward with Sei Shin, Akiyama was a step ahead of him because his move was a direct counter, having predicted a use of Shukuchi-Ho and countered it with mimicry and strategy. He was already extending a hand out, and his blade was shaping from a blade into a small orb in his palm. The orb grew larger as it made contact with Alexander's incoming hand, which entered the orb, and was fully encompassed.

The small white orb of reiatsu was transparent so that the hand could be seen encased in it. In that moment, Akiyama snarled at the Captain with hate in his eyes. "You thought I've never seen Shukuchi-Ho before?! You know nothing. I've killed many Soul Reapers like you..." He pulled away by jumping back. When he did, Alexander would find hand separated from wrist effortlessly. It stayed in the orb as Akiyama moved away, leaving only a perfect stump where the hand should have been on the Squad 3 Captain. Akiyama was strong. Maybe he was too strong. He was perhaps the most overpowered opponent that Alexander had ever come across in his life.

Akiyama held up his quite orb which now contained Alexander's hand. Blood ebbed into the orb and polluted the white inside with small streaks of red. The orb then shrunk as Akiyama clenched his fist, and soon the hand was gone, and all that was left was blood staining Akiyama's hand and leaking out onto the ground. "When the world is red and you drown in a torrent of blood, then you can try your tricks, Soul Reaper..." Akiyama told him ferociously. Every word was spat with venom, as if hate was all that Akiyama could process. But, he was strong. Much stronger than Alexander Kuma-Hebi had probably expected. While Akiyama was talking, reiatsu from the air itself started to appear and funnel into his body to charge him.

"You thought not having a release would help you because I can't steal your Bankai..." Akiyama told Alexander, recognizing immediately that Alexander lacked the ability to communicate with his Zanpakuto spirit. "But you were WRONG. We're the same... I don't use a bow either, which means I don't care if you can Bankai or not. The only things I need to make you die are my bare hands..."

Then, without waiting for Alexander to respond, Akiyama moved in on him again. Once again a blade of reiatsu formed in his hand and he came in with the most beautiful and perfect footwork that Alexander would have ever seen. This time, Akiyama's slash turned his weapon into a whip that danced at Alexander's face. Whatever happened next, Alexander might be in trouble, or might been in for the fight of his life. This was no time for him to experiment. This was time for him not to hold back. He might have to use his strongest powers right off the bat or Akiyama might kill him. But there was no guarantee that Akiyama couldn't match those strong powers either... So what then?

Kohler's words rang again to Asmokon. "But you will understand that this time, I know. I know it because Sozen will have you killed sooner or later, too."

Akiyama's Remaining Reiatsu: 23,700/22,500 Reiatsu (+1900 from cross x2 + fragment, -700 for Hirenkyaku Constant and two reshapes)

SPOILER: Click to show

First, a note about Akiyama. His reiatsu's special power to compensate for having no release is called Super Adaptation. It means his reiatsu is constantly taking note of his environment, but is also funneling itself into his veins, his brain, his blood. His skills in predictive combat are thus heightened and so are his reflexes. Most devastating of all, it means both his body and reiatsu adapt to new situations with unrelenting speed, and he evolves with every single new encounter or clash. Because of this amplification of his talent for adaptation, it also means his imitation skill is far more useful. He is even able to almost instantly mimic skilled martial maneuvers he has only partially seen as long as he reads the person in question very well while doing and mimicking his copy target. He can also perfectly replicate no-cost physical moveset or skill type techniques that he has seen only once. That includes things like Shukuchi Ho or Ikotsu. Now for his swords!

1. Super Shape - He generates blades of reiatsu for 100 reiatsu each. He already had them out when you first encountered him, thus no cost that post. For 100 reiatsu, he can immediately reshape them into something else with nearly limitless options provided a balanced size limit. Shields, orbs, whips, etc. But one constant is that getting hit by his blades hurts like no other blade, and every single iteration, no matter what shape, has a degree of very precise cutting power and also some burning power for cauterizing wounds inflicted and dealing maximum pain. Each reshape also costs 100.

[Alexander Kuma-Hebi]

Akiyama was indeed not to be underestimated. But neither was Alexander. Oh no, not at all. Maybe he was not considered to be in the upper echelon of Captains because of his lack of influence on politics and his social standing, but when it came to pure combat, he was one of top dogs down there. In pure combat terms, he was among the best. Nobody could deny his strength. The fact that Akiyama was countering him came as no surprise to Alexander. Truth to be told, Alexander would consider Vandenreich really to have fallen low if their Generals couldn't do even that. Alexander didn't even change his own expression as Akiyama counterattacked, but his mind was racing, for a mind of a warrior always devises next moves, the ways to attack, to defend, to counterattack. The fact that his opponent was way faster did not escape him, nor he cared for it. It was the other thing that made it far more interesting, so to say. Alexander had enough experience to recognize the very technique he often used. Shukuchi-Ho. How this Quincy could use it, was way beyond Alexander, but his mind brushed it aside, as it was less important right now. After all, if Alexander was right, and this was indeed a General, it would be no surprise for him to be able to pull off such a feat. Generals were immortal lords of the Vandenreich, answering only to Emperor. They on average were above Captains in strength, but in previous encounters, results were mixed. Sometimes Generals came out on top, sometimes Shinigami Captains. Alexander certainly wouldn't back down, especially now. This was a battle, one that he had to win at all costs.

Despite the final positioning not so good as Alexander initially had wanted, it was still decent. His opponent was in front of him, even though facing him, and Alexander saw no point in altering his plan. But as his hand shot out to deliver that strike, so did his opponent issue the counter. A blade turned into an orb, and it was on collision course with Alexander's hand. Alexander however knew that there was no time for redirection, nor withdrawal of the attack. But what else could be done? In such a situation, Alexander knew that best course of action was to force it through. Only less than a second was his hand from contact with that orb, but it was more than enough for Alexander to enact certain alterations to his plan. He had no intention of losing this clash. But the strike had to be more powerful than ever if it was to do what it had to. So, to make it so, Alexander released his own restrains. He put his whole strength into it, and no longer limited it in any way. But he also did more. Simultaneously, he activated two techniques. He quickly flexed his muscles and also vibrated his arm that was extending to attack, so that his muscle size and capacity went up for a few brief moments. That was the first technique that he used, Do-Re-Mi. It was incredibly powerful, able to double strength for one attack. Also, Alexander used another technique simultaneously. Shunpo Karin. With momentum already existing, Alexander could use it. It greatly increased the speed of the attacking arm, making it tenfold of what it was. And it was even before that impressive, for when Alexander unleashed his full strength, his speed was also unleashed. So, just less than a second before the attack, it was all ordinary. But a tenth or two of a second later, Akiyama would be in trouble since Alexander activated those two techniques. So now, he was in a situation that he couldn't dodge.

For Alexander's attack was now monstrous. It was incredible. It had stat strength now equal to 2750 Strength, and it went forward at the 11,000 Speed. It was undodgeable, and nearly unthinkable. But what would happen next? That depended on what Akiyama did. If he remained on his course of action, Alexander's attack, which was also still usage of Sei Shin Suikyou Shou, would not only break through the orb with ease, but it would proceed to his Akiyama directly, and this meet his Blut. However, since it was a technique that was designed to destroy armored opponents, its damage would be five times greater than this attack would normally be. Such power would not only hit Akiyama hard, but it would in fact crush him, with such extreme forces scattering him on a cellular level, to put it simply, he would vanish without a trace, forever. And even if Akiyama had a way to strengthen his orb so that it would withstand Alexander's attack, the sheer force of impact would still hit him. it would perhaps crush him, or even if he could withstand it because of Blut or whatever, he still would have been picked off the ground by the incredibly powerful wind produced by Alexander's attack, which would throw him away. And even if he somehow dodged, Akiyama would still be caught by that wind, simply because it was omnidirectional, wildly blowing in all directions outwards from Alexander. It was because Alexander's attack, in any case, caused such violent and sudden displacement of air, that it violently reacted, and because of forces of action and reaction, produced winds of same power blowing in all directions away from Alexander. It alone would destroy many building surrounding them, rendering them to rubble. But in the direction Alexander's attack was aimed, wind would be coupled with kinetic force of the attack, not only destroying buildings for miles in that direction, but reducing those nearby to dust. No, this surely, would be the end. Or would it? Even as his attack was in motion, Alexander knew that Vandenreich Generals were pretty tough...

Full Strength Posts: 1/15
Remaining Reiatsu: 2900/3000 (-100 for Shunpo Karin)

[OOC: Sorry for short post, but well, lets try to pick this one up and catch them Quincies progress rate.]

[Kento Waffles]

Akiyama's power was not brute force. It was overwhelming adaptation. The only creatures that survived in nature were those that could adapt to their surroundings. Those with the appropriate genetic advantage that allowed them to survive unique circumstances to breed, passing on that adaptation to their offspring. It was hunt or be hunted. Kill or be killed. And Akiyama appeared to notice the change to Alexander's attack. Of course, how couldn't he? With his sensory level and his senses, it wasn't difficult to notice, and with his instinct it was easy to quickly process a counter using the expertise given to him by his skill of analyzing combat. He was a perfect warrior.

As Alexander strengthened his attack and increased its speed, he had taken the option of trying to power through Akiyama's defense. But The Apprentice was a different kind of monster. Rather than allow Alexander's strike to hit the orb, Akiyama reshaped it, so that it moved around Alexander's arm and become a much larger orb, only completing its shape by closing around his arm at the elbow. It did not just grow. It reshaped and grew all at the same time. It wasn't terribly large, but it was large enough to encase Alexander's arm. And as it reshaped, it became clear that the reishi within had been structured to be very, very dense. Alexander's arm was encased in a trap immediately as it spurred forwards.

It didn't even complete the motion that would allow wind to jut out. It didn't even manage to hit anything as the larger orb enclosed now around half of Alexander's arm. Instead, that half of the arm was swallowed by the reishi and severed right there, ending the strike even more prematurely. This allowed Akiyama to jump back and his orb to constrict and incinerate the entirety of the half of Alexander's arm he had just taken, now leaving Alexander with an even smaller stump. Alexander had lost the arm. With it, he was returned to an earlier possible situation, the one where Akiyama used perfect footwork to get in close and attack with his whip.

The whip's trajectory, however, had been altered due to the sudden change in the circumstances based on size and reshaping. It was longer than before, and so when it rippled toward Alexander, it risked literally slicing into his torso at three or four different points and letting him become many pieces. The fierce rage in Akiyama's eyes never faded while he attacked this Soul Reaper Captain. The difference between him and any other General in the Vandenreich was that he was A. He had literally been trained to become more powerful by the Emperor himself. This wasn't some disciple or someone who had been handed power. This was someone who had been carefully made.

Akiyama's Remaining Reiatsu: 23,600/22,500 Reiatsu