Hey! This is a fanfiction, writing out an Alternate Timeline of the anime known as Bleach, a timeline which occurs within our real world! Inspired by real dreams I've had, this story is my outlet to write a story about said dreams. I hope you enjoy...
DISCLAIMER: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR MAJOR EVENTS AND CHARACTERS OF BLEACH AND ITS SUBSEQUENT LIGHT NOVELS. If you don't wish to be spoiled, then do NOT read until you have seen all of Bleach and know of the light novels Can't Fear Your Own World, WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU, and Spirits Are Forever With You.
Rukia had just left my room as it's getting dark. I threw my pajamas on, brushed my teeth, shaved, and dried my face before hopping into bed for the night. I wonder who the 'special someone' is that Rukia wants to introduce me to?
As I awaken in Soul Society, Rukia is laying next to me. I roll over to find her smiling like a kid up at me, her contagious attitude making me smile.
"Rukia! Now that I'm here, who did you want to introduce me to?"
"Follow me and you'll find out!"
She grips my wrist and bolts out the door, with me in tow. After some running Rukia finally slows to a walk as we approach... Squad 2's barracks? What does the Stealth Force have anything to do with my training...?
Rukia takes me to a clearing similar to the one in the Squad 13 barracks. There, waiting for us, is the oddly cheerful and friendly version of Squad 2's Captain, Soi Fon. After I enter, Rukia begins to leave.
"Rukia! Where are you going?"
"To fulfill my duties as Captain! I have a job, you know! Trust me, you're in good hands!" She leaves my line of sight as I turn back to Soi Fon. Her warm demeanor is just as off-putting, if not more than, Aizen's sheepish nature.
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"She's right, Tsuchiya. Come closer, I don't bite!" She laughs as I take a few steps closer to her.
"Umm, ok? Sorry, I expected the Captain of the Stealth Force to be... you know... more strict? I'm just surprised you're this nice.
"No need to be worried. My demeanor hides my strength. Anyway, I was asked by Rukia to teach you the art of Shunpo."
Soi Fon draws her Zanpakuto, releasing it as her sword becomes a gauntlet with a stinger-like claw on her middle finger.
"Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi!" Well, at least her Zanpakuto is the same. She begins to explain to me what Shunpo is. I knew the gist, it allows you to move so fast you become a blur, but Soi Fon explains the details I'll need in order to achieve it.
"So, what exactly is Shunpo? And how do I use it?"
"I'm glad you asked, Tsuchiya. You see, Shunpo is a movement technique which allows its user to move faster than the eye can follow."
As if to demonstrate, Soi Fon suddenly has moved from 30 feet in front of me to about 10 feet to my left diagonal. Shocked, I flinch.
"It's characterized by how fast you can move from one place to the other in the least amount of steps." She 'teleports' again, this time right next to me.
"If you get good enough at it, you could be like Lady Yoruichi and move kilometers in a single step." Yoruichi can move that far in one step? No wonder she's the 'Flash Goddess'.
"Lady Yoruichi? As in, Yoruichi Shihoin?"
"Yes, current head of the Shihoin clan. She's my mistress, I've served her and her noble family for pretty much my whole life."
This was quite the revelation. Yoruichi is still head of the Shihoin noble house in this timeline, which means she never got exiled! I wonder if I could meet her...
"So this Shunpo thing. It sounds hard to accomplish."
"That's why I'm here. You may not get to Lady Yoruichi's level, but since your Zanpakuto is a large heavy axe, this skill should prove fruitful in battle. Now, listen closely."
She takes my hand and points to a spot near a tree.
"How many steps do you think it would take for you to walk to that tree over there?" I pondered, it would probably be hundreds.
"I don't know... A couple hundred? At least?"
"Nono, that just won't do. Ok, now concentrate on reaching that tree... using only 50 steps."
I was confused, but probably shouldn't question it. I concentrated, then stepped forward. As if like magic, my steps took longer strides and it was if I was dead sprinting even though I was walking. I counted to 50 steps and... I reached the tree.
"How did I just do that?" Within a split second Soi Fon was next to me again, rubbing my shoulder.
"That, Tsuchiya, is the most basic form of Shunpo. Moving at sprint speed using the energy required to walk. Now, practice that more and you'll be quite the Shunpo user in no time!"
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After some time working on Shunpo, I was able to reach the end of the clearing from the opposite end in just 25 steps. Being able to close gaps and travel short distances in split seconds would be critical in battle with my Shikai being a massive axe.
"Alright, outstanding job Tsuchiya! Now, one final test."
Soi Fon stabs my hand with her Shikai. A weird, four-pointed symbol formed on it, making me nervous. Her ability is two-strike kill - in other words, if Soi Fon stabs you with Suzumebachi in the same place twice, it's an instant kill. No buts, no special cases. You're dead.
"Try and evade my attacks, and let's see if you can stay under 5 strikes from Suzumebachi. Don't worry, I'll take extra measures to not hit you in the same place twice." I was scared, but clearly she knew what she was doing so I trusted her.
A few minutes later, I was out of breath, and Soi Fon patted my back. "Only four strikes! Nice job- wait, are you ok?"
"I'll be fine..." I say in between breaths as I start to black out from a combination of breathlessness and my dream time being up. I passed out onto the ground, the last thing I heard was Soi Fon yelling for someone to get Rukia.
What do you think of Tsuchiya Isoruko learning Shunpo? I thought it was needed, due to his axe being so big and slow. This marks the first of the final two chapters of this arc, as I get settled in, the Soul Reaper Civil War arc will begin with Chapter Nine! I have the perfect idea for an alt-universe Soul Society arc, with similar concepts but an entirely original villain and lots of different battles.
I hope you enjoyed, and thank you so much for reading!
