Bleach - The secret captain

Tenjiro - The Invitation

I sat there in shock that I could be completely healed when my battle seemed as if it were minutes ago. I was sat there, thinking about what had happened when all of a sudden I remembered. "wait.... what- what happened to the people- the warriors!". I said in a panic.

My Brother looked to the ground with a sad expression in his eyes. "Uncle Totemo, Cousin Akaruku and a couple clan supporters passed, but the rest seem to be in stable condition. Our clan now has eight members and nineteen supporters. Our clan is slowly dwindling away brother".  He looked up, his eyes looked like they had no emotion at all... no dignity.... no honour,  just... nothingness.... but... how can I speak, I failed to protect everyone, I am the reason that two of my family members died.

"Tell me, Subete" Tenjiro said sounding confused. "Why Is it that you held back against Yachiru, the only reason you lost is because she used your emotions against you, but if you had gone at her full force you would of won from the beginning". 

"W-what. How did you-". I said confused to how this stranger I just met could know I wasn't using my full power.

"Could it be because she's a woman? I've been watching you for quite a while Subete, well... I count two weeks as a long time anyway, because I've been hearing of a clan closely related to the soul king, it intrigued me". He smiled.

"Not many people know about my clan, we may have ties with the five noble clans but we aren't as well known as they are, who told you?" I was starting to get suspicious. "And... how did you know that I was holding back, I've barely fought in the past two weeks, how can you know the difference between me holding back and going all out?". I reached for my sword only to realise it wasn't there, it was at the other side of the room. 

"Hey now, no need to go looking for a fight... I healed your wounds, now why would I want to reopen them". He said cockily as my brother stared me down, clearly annoyed. 

"It may be true that you healed my wounds but, how do I know I can trust you, you may just be looking for a fight. You certainly seem to have done your research before coming here." I could see that my brother was annoyed with me although I don't know why, I haven't done anything... unless... he's mad I lost my battle with Yachiru. I sighed. "I'm sorry, it's not everyday I get a stranger that knows this much about me. You're right though." I looked down. "I held back against Yachiru, but... how could I not. The stories tell of how despicable she is, slaughtering people for the sake of it... and yet when I arrived none of my men were dead. It made me doubt the stories, I thought maybe she was just some psychopath coming to challenge my clan yet again, all it takes it a few whispers and everyone just appears looking to challenge the strongest, when I was young I was taught never to use my power unless I have a good reason, and attacking a weak woman with no chance of beating me is unforgivable... no, shameful." I said regretting my actions. "But I must know who told you about us, only important noble family's know about us". I said intrigued.

"Well if you must know..." he seemed to smile. "I've come with an opportunity, an opportunity to gain more power. I wasn't actually told about you directly by anyone, there were just a few whispers, and my job is to find someone with considerable power like yourself, and take them to someone. You see I have a friend who supposedly lives in the royal palace which is total nonsense, I found him lurking around the Shihoin looking at their zanpakuto and-" 

"what's a zanpakuto". I interrupted.

"what, you don't know what a zanpakuto is?" I shook my head "well... it's a sword that can release into a second form called a Shikai which is ten times more powerful than your regular sword, and then theres a Bankai, which is ten times more powerful than the Shikai. Oetsu Nimaiya, he's the one who I was talking about, he created the zanpakuto. I'm surprised you dont know about this, I was sure Oetsu's discovery was known by the entire soul society, unless someone was hiding it from you".  He looked like he was deep in thought.

"Ten times more powerful huh, how can I get my hands on one of these?" I said intrigued as I thought of improving my power.

"Well... you would have to see  Oetsu for that, he told me to bring him someone worthy of wielding a zanpakuto, someone with great will power, strength and empathy. I think you'd be the perfect candidate for him." He said reluctantly.

I could sense he didn't want to rush into this and just take me straight to this man Oetsu, but if Tenjiro's right and someone really is keeping this information from my clan... I would like to know why. "So, will you take me to this Oetsu guy?"

"I can't, he says he lives in the royal palace... even if I think thats nonsense thats the only place he's told me he goes to. I don't have the slightest clue, whether he's lying or not. I'll have to contact him, I have an address for a letter but, I can't find the place anywhere... nor has anyone I've asked ever heard of it".

"Well I guess the only thing you can do is send a letter to the address he gave you and hope it reaches him" I said hoping this would work.

"You're right, I'll write one and wait for a return" He said with confidence. 

 Me and Tenjiro were talking more about this zanpakuto thing as my brother stood up. "So thats it then, this man heals you wounds and now you trust everything about him?" He sounded frustrated.

My conversation with Tenjiro stopped. "what? He healed my wounds yes, earning my respect, but he has yet to earn my full trust. After I've met this Oetsu person is when I'll decide if he is truly trust worthy." 

My brother seemed to snarl at this response. "hey now, hey now. Let's not fight over me" Tenjiro said feeling the rising tension. 

"No, we aren't fighting. Supirichuariti just has a lot on his mind". My brother left the room, knowing I only use his full first name when he is in the wrong, I usually call him Supiri. "Sorry about that, I think he's upset about something, I better go talk to him later. But first, I'd like to hear more about this zanpakuto, like, is there a form higher than Bankai?".