Bleach: The Exiled Captain

Chapter ThirtyNine: The Winter War

Gray flat clouds blocked the shining yellow sun from entering through. Not a single leaf was left on a tree. Even the water was frozen due to the low temperatures of that Winter day. Yes, the day had come. The day that every Soul Reaper in Soul Society had rigorously trained for.

Tension in the air grew higher as every Shinigami waited in anxiety for their attackers to arrive. In total, there were twelve squads ready, meaning there were also twelve Captains as well. Three Captains per gate, alongside them were two thousand Shinigami at the ready, as well as the giant GateKeepers.

With the intel Jason had learned while being held prisoner, he knew that Alec- the leader of the attack as well as his Father- would attack at every gate. So, to prepare for the attack, the Captains had decided to split themselves up.

At the Eastern Gate- also known as the Blue Stream Gate- was Kaiwan, its Guardian. The three Captains positioned there was the barbaric Kenpachi Zaraki, the prodigy Toshiro Hitsugaya, and the stern Kensei Muguruma.

"Can't wait for the bloodshed to begin!" Zaraki's blood boiled with excitement.

"This war will cause the death of many, I can't see why you're so excited." Kensei scorned at Kenpachi's impatient behavior.

"Why wait for the war," Kenpachi pulled out his sword, "How 'bout the two of us start."

"How about, no."

All the while Toshiro just rolled his eyes at the bickering of these two grown men.

The Northern Gate, or rather, the Black Ridge Gate, was guarded by Danzōmaru. Next to him was the flash-step goddess Yoruichi Shihoin, the musically talented Rose, and the healer Retsu Unohana.

Rose played a melancholy tune from his violin that he brought along as he sang, "Today will be a sad day. A day where the lives of many are lost. But, a day that will be remembered in history. A day the Shinigami fight toe to toe to the very Demons from Hell."

"Aren't you poetic." Yoruichi grinned.

"At a time like this, how can I not be?"

Unohana just stayed quiet, not in the mood to talk. Why would she be? Like Rose had said, today would mean the lost of many souls and to a Healer like her, that was never a good thing.

Towards the South Gate- better known as Red Hollow Gate- stood Higonyūdō. With him was the lax Shinji Hirako, the noble Byaukuya Kuchiki, and the loyal Sajin Komamura.

"Any of you two want to get some sake after this fiasco?" Shinji asked as he picked his nose. This only earned him a scowl from the other two. "Wow, tough crowd."

Finally, at that West Gate- or rather the White Road Gate- was Jidanbō Ikkanzaka. With him was the Captain Commander Shunsui Kyoraku, the powerful Ichigo Kurosaki, and last but not least, the electrifying Jason Yamamoto.

"Long time no see, Jidanbō!" Jason greeted the giant.

"Yes, long time indeed, you were a brat the first time I saw you but now you're a Captain!"

"Aye, Jidanbō, do you remember me?" Ichigo joined in on the conversation.

"Of course I remember, how could I forget?"

Ichigo chuckled at the memories as Jason walked to his Commander who was gazing at the buildings ahead of him.

"We evacuated everyone, right?" Kyoraku ask Jason, as he still looked at the horizon.

"Yes, everyone is inside Soul Society. And unlike before, they won't be able to breach the inside of the Sekkiseki thanks to Urahara and his Squad being behind and-"