Bleach: The Exiled Captain

Chapter ThirtySeven: The New Commander

As Jason flew back to the mountain top, he wondered how his friends had changed while inside. He hoped that they'd remain the same but then again, that would be asking too much.

The past five days not much had happened. He trained with Nozomi and his Squad mainly. He still had to keep tabs on Rukongai however it seemed as if it was more peaceful there now. Rumors had spread around about an orange hero, whatever that meant. He'd have to investigate later.

For now, he finally reached the top of the mountain. He went back inside. His friends were due any minute now.

Jason walked back and forth. They were five minutes late and no one had shown up. At last, the door appeared, it was outlined by a white light as it slowly opened.

The first man to come outside was a tall, lean built man. His arms were drawn with a Dragon tattoo that ran all the way up to his shiny bald head.

"Stephen." Jason said astonished of his changed.

"Sup blondie."

Jason laughed, "Five years and still the same bad insult."

"Don't fix what ain't broken. And don't forget, I want my rematch."

"And you'll get it. But we have more pressing matters at hand."

"Like what?" Another voice said.

This time a medium sized male came out. His dreadlocks still the same however he no longer needed glasses. Other than a more toned body, Botsu remained the same.

"For instance. Our former Commander has passed due to his illness."

The two Shinigami were shocked.

"I can't believe the old man is dead." Botsu said in disbelief.

"Old geezer had it coming I guess." Stephen was almost punched by Jason, however he dodged." Whoa there blondie. It was a joke."

"A bad one."

"Whatever the case." Botsu interrupted them."Who's the new Commander?"

"Central 46 is still de-"

The mountain quivered as if it feared what had just entered. Finally, the third man came out.

Ash changed the most inside there. As he walked outside a death like aura accompanied him. His body paler than snow, his body almost like a skeleton. But his spiritual pressure. It felt off. Not to mention almost as strong as Jason when he gained his Quincy powers.

"You're just gonna stare at me, brother?" Ash said with a his red eyes digging into Jason's soul.

"Huh." Jason replied distracted but eventually kept his composure. "No. What. Just-"

"Pff. Silly as ever." Ash walked passed Jason and left outside.

"What happened to him?" Jason asked Botsu.

"He hollowfied." Botsu grimly said, shivering at the memory of what happened.

"What, what do you mean." He asked astonished at the revelation.

"Just like he said." Stephen said. "You see we were training while Ash was still recuperating inside from his bitten shoulder."

Botsu then explained in vivid detail, "As we trained to get used to the gravity in there well-"

"Damn so that blonde spent five years in here alone, huh." Stephen said as he ran around the perimeter, still getting used to the gravity.

"Yup, shows his superiority over you." Botsu taunted.