"Huh, I expected you guys to not be happy to see me," I muttered as I stood outside the gate to the Twelfth Division's Headquarters, staring at the numerous Shinigami with their swords out and glares aimed at me.
"You got a lot of nerve coming here, Kanonji," The man at the front of the group spoke with his hands at his side, dressed in the standard Shinigami shihakusho with a white lab coat over it while the three small horns on his forehead were partly covered by his short black hair.
"I know, but I wanted to come set some things right before I leave."
"What makes you think we'll let you? Honestly, we could kill you now and none of the Gotei 13 would get here in time to stop us?", The man spoke with a frown and I smirked as I lifted my sceptre.
Instead of hitting them, though, Akon raised an eye as I let it drop, the sceptre floating over and falling to the ground as I shrugged.
"That enough or do you need to put me in cuffs too? All I'm here for is to speak to Nemu and I'll be out of your hair."
"I wish to speak to him," Nemu spoke up as she walked through the crowd, ignoring everyone's disgruntled looks as Akon frowned.
"You sure? You don't have to."
"I wish to," She answered and I blinked as Akon simply raised an eyebrow before raising a hand, watching as the Division groaned while sheathing their swords.
"We'll be watching," I think that was more aimed at her than me as I called my sceptre back to my hands, to which Nemu simply nodded before I waited until everyone was gone.
Neither of us said anything as everyone was gone since I didn't know exactly to say to the girl whose creator I killed while she was most likely waiting for me to speak first.
"So…how have you been?", It was a bit of a lame question to ask, but I had to break the awkward atmosphere as she simply gave me a stoic look before nodding.
"I have been good."
"Good, good. Um, honestly, this is getting a bit awkward here 'cause I'm not the best at this, but I just wanted to come see if you haven't been planning on my demise."
"I was, but I've decided it would be a waste of time and effort to do so," She answered and I blinked before sighing as I saw the glint of amusement in her eyes.
"Since when do you have a sense of humour?"
"Since Master Mayuri is no longer here to stop me from having emotions," She answered and I frowned at that as I remembered how poorly the man used to treat her.
"And? How has the new life been?"
"Like I said, good."
"Come on, it's got to be better than good, right?", I continued pressing and she looked at me before slowly nodding her head.
"It has been quite enjoyable to enjoy things, but it's not as…fun as I was expecting."
"Because you have to decide what you want to do and what you don't want to do, right?", I spoke with a knowing smile, chuckling as she nodded.
"Indeed. How do you all do it?"
"Quite easily. I do whatever piques my interest. That doesn't mean I do every thought that comes to mind like 'What if I killed someone' or 'What if I jumped off of a building', okay? 'Would that burger taste good', 'What if I went for a cup of tea at midnight' or 'What if I did some light exercise at 3 AM in the morning' are just some of the random thoughts I get through the day and I make sure to do them all. Why? Because I can."
"So, if I feel like going for an ice cream in the early morning hours…"
"You go do it. No one is there to stop you," I answered, to which she frowned in thought before nodding.
"Thank you for enlightening me on free will, Don Kanonji?"
"Please, just Don or Kanonji. Saying the full thing will make you tired of it real quick."
"I wished to ask. Is Don your true name?", She asked and I blinked at the weird question before shaking my head.
"No, my name is Misao. Misao Kanonji."
"…Hmm, Misao…I like the sound of it. You are now Misao to me."
"And you are Nemu. Pleased to meet you," I played along as I held out a hand and smiled as she looked at it before slowly shaking my hand.
"This has been an enjoyable interaction, Misao. I wish to have more."
"I think we'll be leaving in a couple of days before we overstay our welcome, but I have this book on Kaido that I got from Unohana. If you know anything about Kaido, we can go get ice cream while you help me understand it."
"I was made to master the basics of Kaido to help Master Mayuri during his research so I do know most of what the book contains," She answered and I shrugged before we turned and began making our way to the shopping district.
"May I get a triple scoop?", She asked as we started walking and I chuckled at the genuine excitement that flashed in her eyes for a brief moment before I nodded.
"Let's make it a quadruple scoop."
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The office of the Head Captain was a large one as I walked into the room, escorted by his silver-haired lieutenant with the moustache while I looked at the interior.
It looked the same as any other office with the wooden flooring and the desk near the back-wall that had a painting of the First Division's symbol hanging above it.
Off to the side, though, I was impressed by the wide view of the Seireitei that was partially obscured by the thick wooden pillars connecting the roof to the ceiling.
"Master Eijisai, Don Kanonji is here to see you," Yamamoto didn't move from where he was looking out the view, Chojiro simply stepping back and staying quiet as I hummed.
"So, what did you want to speak about?", I began, not wanting to waste any time especially since Ichigo and the others were waiting for me.
"It is about Aizen and the war that is coming."
"Aizen has made his move and as you saw, he's not the only captain that betrayed you. There's also the issue of the item the guy had stolen from Rukia. Do you know anything about it?"
"Our scientists have been unable to identify it," He answered, but his rather simple answer made me raise an eyebrow as I hummed.
"Is that the truth or a lie?", I asked, watching as the man finally turned to face me with a heavy pressure that pushed onto my shoulders.
"It is nothing but the truth."
"Ah, then you'll have to forgive me, Master Eijisai. I simply wished to see if you truly wanted to work together or if you were trying to do everything on your own."
"If I wished to do it all, then we would not be having this discussion,"
'That still doesn't mean I trust everything you are saying,' I thought with a smirk before nodding.
"Of course. Now, let's talk business," I said while clapping my hands with an eager grin, catching Chojiro twitching slightly at the sharp snap while Yamamoto continued to remain stoic.
"Now, the Don Kanonji is not here to enlist or join the Gotei 13 as one of your substitute Shinigami. No, no no, the Great Don Kanonji offers a partnership between equals."
"And what would you contribute if not obedience?"
"What is the most important thing for an army to possess when they go to war?", I answered his question by asking one of my own and he narrowed his eyes slightly while I caught even Chojiro looking to be in thought.
"Power?"
"No."
"Quantity?", Chojiro chimed in and I grinned before shaking my head.
"No, but I like that you're joining in. No, what every army needs is someone to rally not just the soldiers but the very people they claim to protect. I know I am weak, but I know how to bring hope. How to turn fear into strength! Cries of fear and hopelessness into laughter and determination! I am a fighter, but also a showman at heart!"
"So, you would be there to boost morale?", Yamamoto asked and I dropped the Don personality for a moment as I nodded.
"Exactly. I believe in protecting the world of the living and the Soul Society, but I do not wish to be a pawn for the Gotei 13. If you want someone that can motivate not the higher ranks of your organization, but the common soldier that would struggle in comparison with the leaders, look no further than I."
'Well, at least he's not denying it instantly,' I thought as I watched Yamamoto briefly closing his eyes, looking as if he was considering it before he nodded.
"Very well, you may act as our…motivator, but understand that if you step one centimetre over the line-!"
"You'll get out your katana and burn another hole through my chest. You don't have to worry, but you should apologize for that by the way. That really hurt."
"How did you know that Aizen's Zanpakuto was activated through eyesight?", Instead of entertaining the thought, the man jumped to something I wasn't expecting and I blinked before shrugging.
"Well, something that would grant one complete hypnosis over your targets' senses is pretty overpowered, but I had a slight theory that it was most likely activated by first taking control of the most powerful sense a person uses: Their eyes. Thankfully, it proved to be the right one."
"I see," He seemed to look as if he knew there was more to it, but he just nodded and I grinned as I bowed my head, nodding to Chojiro who nodded back before I flared my cape with a flourish and waltz out of the room.
'Well, at least he didn't ask me anything about the Hogyoku, which reminds me. I need to have a word with Urahara.'
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"Hey, Don! Where the hell have you been?!", Ichigo asked with a grin as I walked up to them, noting everyone already dressed in similar outfits like the ones we arrived in.
'Right, Uryu makes the new clothes for everyone,'
"Here and there, but mostly here," I answered, smirking as he just narrowed his eyes while Uryu palmed his face and Orihime giggled.
"Do not antagonize him, Kanonji. I'd rather not deal with his annoying shouts this early in the morning."
"The annoying thing here is your breathing," Ichigo fired back, Uryu looking at him with a glare while Chad quickly stepped in between them to stop them from fighting.
Honestly, I quite enjoyed the bickering between the four. It was a welcome sight after the cold stares and the Shinigami holding the hilts of their Zanpakuto with tight grips in the First Division compound.
"Alright, dumb and dumber, let's not throw punches while we're about to leave."
"Who the hell are you calling dumb?!/ Exactly. If anything, you are more of an idiot than the two of us!", Ichigo and Uryu exclaimed respectively, making me roll my eyes as Chad looked amused while Orihime hid her giggles.
"Anyway, when the two of you are done shouting about things that don't matter, we've got bigger fish to fry that are named Sosuke Aizen and his merry band of traitors."
"Right, yeah. What is the plan with them?", Ichigo asked as he calmed down and I smirked before giving a sly grin.
"Well, thanks to my incredible charm, the strategies birthed from my wondrous mind and a little discussion with the powers at the top, the Soul Society and our little group are now officially unofficially allies of sorts."
"Really? You expect us to believe they trust you? After you killed a captain?", Uryu asked with a sceptical look and I couldn't help the snort that escaped my lips while shaking my head.
"Trust is a very strong word there, young Quincy apprentice of mine."
"I am not your apprentice."
"Let's call it a mutual understanding. I help them and in exchange, they don't try and kill me."
"Oh, cool. So you work for them now," Ichigo said before raising an eyebrow as I shook my head.
"No, no, no. I don't work for them. I am merely helping them out of the goodness of my heart."
"…So, you could have just said no, then?", Orihime asked and I blinked before nodding.
"I could have, but I feel like I owe them some of my luck and power after having killed off one of their captains, a kill I am still quite pleased with to this day."
"Okay, then. Also, you missed Ruki and Ukitake when they came to say goodbye."
"Ah, that would explain the skull badge at your waist," I said while scanning the wooden badge in question, narrowing my eyes slightly at it as it felt like every other piece of wood in the Soul Society.
Filled to the brim with spiritual energy and nothing more.
'Hmm, I know Ginjo from the Fullbringers said something about it draining his energy, but I can't feel anything at all.'
"I see you scanning it. You can't have it," Ichigo spoke with a huff as he took off the badge and I rolled my eyes as the others just shook their heads.
"Do not worry, Kurosaki. Your weaponry are but mere trinkets before my beautiful sceptre!", I exclaimed as I softly rubbed the beautiful blue sceptre in my hands, Ichigo watching me do so before shaking his head.
"You're still a weirdo, Kanonji."
"And you're still a punk. Now, onwards, my students! It is time we leave this place and head back to more familiar lands!"
"Were you seriously going to forget about me?", I stopped in my tracks as I heard Yoruichi speaking, slowly turning my head to see the cat sitting on my shoulders with her eyes narrowed at me.
"…In my defence, I thought you would be home by now."
"And how would I get back home without the necessary equipment?"
"I don't know," I muttered with a shrug and she just shook her head before looking to Orihime as the bubbly girl spoke up.
"Yoruichi, where have you been?"
"Oh, here and there, but mostly-!"
"You can't use that. I already said it," I interrupted with a smug smirk and the cat blinked as she looked at the kids who all nodded.
"He did already say it."
"…You thieving bastard."
"Anyway, students! Time to head back home!"
"Well, hopefully that train thing isn't there again," Ichigo spoke out loud and both Yoruichi and I turned to see him looking hopelessly hopeful before shaking my head as Yoruichi looked to me.
'Should we…?'
'No, let the boy have hope.'
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"What was that you said about a train, Ichigo?!", I shouted, cackling with laughter as the huffing teenager glared at me while the familiar Kototsu chased after us.
"How the hell was I supposed to know?!"
"You weren't! You were just supposed to keep your mouth shut!"
"Hey, I don't see you running down here!", Ichigo shouted back at Yoruichi riding on my shoulders and she just stuck her tongue before I looked forward as Orihime spoke.
"I see the exit!", Turning to look to the front, my eyes widened as I caught sight of the light, everyone shouting in surprise as I activated the Reishukaku and formed a barrier around us.
"Hang on!", With that said and a single thought, the air rippled as I shot us forward as fast as I could, easily piercing through the light at the end and out into the dark starry skies of the Human Realm.
Not wanting to drop us a few stories, I curved us through the air before aiming for the ground, pulling up at the last second and deactivating the barrier right as we came to a stop.
The kids grunted as I let them fall onto the ground, while Yoruichi simply let out a hum, leaping from my shoulders and landing gracefully beside me.
"Next time, warn us before you do something like that," Ichigo groaned as he pushed himself up and I just grinned as I helped him up.
"Next time, don't jinx us."
"You can't prove that was because of me."
"That was fun, like riding a roller coaster!", Thankfully, Orihime's bright cheers cut through before he could continue shouting and I grinned as the giggling girl dusted off her skirt.
"A bit of a rough landing, but quite good," Uryu spoke up, Chad giving a simple nod as I looked up at the sky to see the hole in space closing back up.
"Looks like we landed safely."
"And with quite the method, too~ I was expecting to help you kids out, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised you all landed safely," I turned as I heard the familiar voice, turning to see a smiling Urahara along with Tessai, Ururu and Jinta walking up to us.
"Eh, I'd rather use something we already had."
"Indeed. From the look on your face, I assume you have something to say of me, Mr. Kurosaki," Urahara asked, making me glance at the boy to see him staring at Urahara with a stoic gaze.
"Why did you put the Hogyoku inside Rukia?", The Kurosaki teenager was as blunt as ever, looking at Urahara as a slight tension entered the air.
"Straight to the point, I see. Well, I hid the Hogyoku inside of Ms Kuchiki because I had calculated that her soul was the safest place at the time. Her body was weakened from transferring her powers, which made it the perfect empty vessel to mask its presence from those who would seek it.
However, I did not intend for her to be targeted and harmed by Aizen. That was a miscalculation on my part and for that, I apologize to all of you," Urahara spoke with a bow of his head, to which Ichigo simply stared at him before I smirked as the teen sighed.
"It's fine. You were trying to protect it from someone evil and while I am a bit pissed that you used Rukia, I understand why you did it. That doesn't mean it's a good thing, but I understand."
"Thank you, Mr. Kurosaki," Urahara spoke with a small smile and Ichigo just waved his hand dismissively before the teens looked to me as I clapped my hands.
"Alright, you teens should be going now. You all have fought bravely and now, I need you all at full energy if you want to help me with some Hollow hunting tomorrow."
"Right, see you guys, then. Also, Kanonji, you're still weird!"
"And you're still a dumbass!", I spoke cheerfully while waving at Ichigo, Chad dragging him along despite the teen wanting to hit me as Orihime waved cheerfully while Uryu nodded and followed after them.
"Jinta, Ururu, why don't you go and tell Kon that Ichigo is back?"
"Sure thing, boss!", Jinta spoke with a thumbs-up as he began walking, the four of us watching as he and Ururu walked away before Urahara and I looked at each other.
"Something on your mind, Mr. Kanonji?", He asked and I simply smirked as I nodded.
"Yeah. Now that the children are away, I think it's time we all had a little talk."
A/N: Ooh~ What does the Don want to talk about now? Find out next chapter~!
Next chapter: Talks and Meeting Witches~!
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