[9th/Captains][Taishuu] Week 295: Exhibition: Calculations

[Shadowwind]

The earth crunched underfoot as a pair bandaged feet made yet another pass across the compacted dirt. For a man who seemed to pride himself on his cold calculating persona the diseased researcher seemed to be coming unhinged. Even the first spectators into the arena had arrived hours after the former assassin first appeared to begin the process of committing the field to memory. His motions had largely remained the same since that time. He continued a constant almost unsettling pacing back and forth down the length of the arena. His eyes occasionally flitted one way or another as he seemed to be trying to pick up on movement that had not occurred This was accompanied by constant moving of his charred and battered lips. A stream of murmurs left his mouth fading on the wind before they had time to fully be picked up.

The precise wrappings that always separated Feng Yin’s flesh from the outside world seemed hastily done. The linen overlapped loosely in a number of places, highly unlike the tight bindings that were usually used. In the researcher's left hand already rested his released zanpakuto the blighted crescent scraped gently along the ground as the researcher continued his walk. On one side of the arena its scabbard was resting against the wall. Many in the stands today would question whether Feng had the mental capacity to demand this trial, let alone the determination needed to pass it.

However, those fools couldn’t see that despite the trimmings, the bandaged assassin was almost calm. Nervousness still bubbled up into his throat on occasion as he did his walk. This peaked up whenever the researcher happened to look up into the stands and notice the stark white of a lab coat within the crowd. A year ago I was an outsider... tonight I may just be their captain, the bandaged biologist thought with equal measure of awe and nausea.

Everything about this day was a calculated risk to maximize his chances of winning in the general sense, as well as he could manage without knowing or even having the hint of who his opponent would be. Feng had his blade already to prevent the need to draw it, his murmurs were reciting the bits of information about the various captains that he had managed to gleam. If his opponent bought the farce as the mark of an unstable man, all the better. Today he saw no need to pay special heed to what prevented others from feeling disgust. The captains would get to see the man they would be allowing into their ranks, in more ways than one.

A slight smirk at the thought curled the researcher’s lips as he awaited the arrival of the men and women who truly mattered.


[445]
OOC: Will said for no one else to post before him so hold off ppls k thxs

 

[swaswj]

A murmur began to swell within the crowd, full of both excitement and apprehension. Five men were marching across the ground toward the pacing shinigami with Yoshinari Matsurine, head of the Onmitsu Kidou, at their lead. The Soushireikan was dark in every sense: his fighting robes were black with crimson cording, his hair was ebony and his eyes were steeped in shadow beneath his heavy brow. Darkest of all was the scowl on his bearded face.

Offering only a cold glare to the would-be captain as he passed, Matsurine and three of the Gundanchou continued on past Yin Feng. Lifting his head up, Matsurine called out in a deep, surprisingly strong voice. "Today is a momentous occasion! Every one of you is excited, and rightfully so, that you have the privilege... even the pleasure... of witnessing the intense and unbridled passion of a shinigami driven by the need and desire to become a captain of the Gotei Thirteen!

"Such a road is one not taken by many. In the best of times, only thirteen captains can ever exist at one time. Last week, you bore witness to the resounding ascension of Lucia Amaterasu-Frey to the role of Taichou of the Fourth Division! However, not every candidate is as talented... or lucky."

There was a sinister edge to those last words as his voice lowered. Only those nearby would have caught those words. "With no further ado, I present for your amusement, the test to determine whether Yin Feng is fit to stand among the captains of your precious Gotei Thirteen as a peer... or whether he deserves to return to the shadowed obscurity he skittered out of!

"Yin Feng will face Takeda Inori, the current Taichou o Daiyou of the Thirteenth Division!"

Still without a word to Feng, Matsurine and the other three marched off of the field, leaving Inori facing off against the bandaged shinigami.

Whether he wanted to or not, the test was beginning before a single captain had shown up.

[333/333]

 

[K3]

With a muted thud, Takeda Inori hit the ground of the arena in a brief, respectful kneel. Drawing himself to his full height, the Kanritai Gundanchou cut a strangely intimidating figure for his diminutive stature. Stringy, disheveled hair fell about his head, a blank gaze staring back at Yin Feng. His head tilted forward, almost appearing to look down upon the Captain Potential.

His lips moved briefly, a single hand coming up to brush away errant locks of jet-black hair. The words seemed to carry inevitably across the arena over the soft murmur of the crowd. A ghost of a whisper, the soft-spoken man gave a ghastly statement of his own. "May your fortune hold... Lieutenant."

A soft glimmer of energy seemed to conjure up from the air, slowly building into a palpable aura. Coral-tinted reiryoku seemed to arc away from the man, an electric accent to the kidou energies that appeared to be building. It seemed to ruffle every inch of his being.

His jacket, long-sleeved and Chinese and tinted as white as snow, draped past his wrists in a perfect fit. Ruffling with the force of the Gundanchou's energy, the gi-like garb fell to his waist-line, almost to his knees. Beneath, Western-style pants held a muddy look to them above the pristine jacket. At his waist, a pair of strangely-shaped holsters shone with a glimmer of brass at their tops.

Once more, Inori's lips shifted and moved, the soft words now lost on the bandaged man with the growing ruckus of the crowd. A sharp crack filled the air, a rumbling tone that echoed long and loud before the ground around Feng rent apart.

Smoke rising from their newly birthed forms, the cats stretched their limbs - energy arcing away from their forms much like Inori himself. Then, all at once, the Gundanchou moved, his energy a beacon for the Gorogoro.

In an instant, the string-haired man was in front of Feng, blank look barely acknowledging the spell he had cast. With a thunderous roar, the cats rushed towards the man's location - and the Lieutenant he now stood in front of.

In another instant, Inori was gone.

[ 360 / 360 ]

 

[Nargles]

Resounding ascension seemed to be a rather interesting word to describe Lucia’s captaincy. To her at least, she spent most of the time getting kidney punched by Haresuno and well falling. Then again, regardless of the adjectives used, the lavender-haired girl was rather pleased with herself at the end of it.

She was so pleased in fact that when granted the haori two days later, she may have gone rather... overboard. The new, white, cloth was worn over her black jacket. The garb was sleeveless, a white hood folded behind. It drooped down to her calves, tailored in an impeccable crescent. On inside facing part of her left sleeve were four mechanical dots. Upon closer inspection they seemed to be lighting up in seemingly random intervals. While the article did carry with itself eons of mystical tradition and ritual, it now seemed to also carry a wi-fi hotspot detector with Bluetooth functionality.

Modernization in a manner of speaking.

Lucia ran up the staircases that lead to where she was supposed to show up. It felt odd to her considering a week ago she was in the pit itself. However, she was much more focused on the excitement of judging than reflecting on the ordeal she faced. After all, it wasn’t bad to celebrate.

She ran out, stumbling into the spectator’s area with an almost comical run. The healer assumed she would be the last, considering the vagueness of time the match would actually start. The actual emptiness of the booth caught her off guard, as she quickly regained her composure, acting in the regal manner that Captains were supposed to.

The medic looked down, her blue-eyes glancing over the two combatants who were already well on their way. A certain level of... was it caution... rose up within her. While she and the bandaged man had worked together before, it was far from a fully trusting relationship. That combined with the rumors of the shady deals with nobility that had carried out left a bad taste in her mouth. Perhaps it was her responsibility to her family kicking in, but her mind was already filled with doubt. There were too many mysteries with him, too many agendas unknown. Didn’t help that his opponent was someone who was equally, if not more shady than him.

Perhaps by the end of it some of the mysteries would be solved.
​

[357]

 

[Shadowwind]

The researcher gritted his teeth, he had expected the Gundanchu to be advise to to his trial. What hadn’t been expected was this. His aptitude in the demon arts had been learnt not by calm peaceful meditation, but through the pain of being on the receiving end of more spells than he could possibly hope to recount.The man jumped after the Gandanchu’s disappear drawing the cloud of kidou up after him. His reiatsu spiked flowing into his blade hand as the wound sang towards the incoming cats. The weapon tore through the Gandanchu’s onslaught as the researcher returned to his starting location.

With a deep cold exhale of the breath he had been Feng prepaired himself for what came next. Former assassin was veiled in an aura of verdant green as his reiatsu spiked. Two words left the researcher’s mouth as he answered the Gundanchu the only way he would, “Ban kai.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Feng’s reiatsu suddenly shifted, the green molding upon the declaration. What was once the color of a grass field turned instead to the moss of a tomb. The very pressure tore away at the wrappings surrounding the researcher revealing at last what the man had sought to hide.

Muscle was still easy to discern on the former assassin’s now viable chest and arms, showing that despite the disease that wrecked his body the man was still fit. Yet, that disease seemed ready to end his life at any moment. His body was covered in a mix of hideously large black pustules, some ready to burst some already seeping their contents down the man’s skin. What flesh wasn’t covered instead seemed as though it had received massive amounts of chemical burns.

Though the black ichor that wept freely over the most of Feng’s body, there was another obvious lattice that seemed interspersed with the disease. This other marking took the form of a black tribal design that seemed to weave over the entirety of the researcher. The researchers in the crowd would recognize it nearly instantly though the enormity of the design would have been unlike what they ever saw. The man had succumbed to the Void.

The designs wove their way up the man’s face, which seemed the least pox-ridden of the visible parts of the former assassin’s body. The reasoning for the man’s hidden eye became readily apparent with a quick glance as the now unwrapped shinigami. Feng’s right eye bulged from some inner pressure, its gun metal color further clouded in blindness. The eye constantly wept the same black substance that seemed to be pouring from every location. The researcher however seemed unafraid of the monstrosity of his body. His working eye stared cold murder across the battlefield as he looked for his his opponent.

At the same time, the man’s spiked reiatsu seemed to have a life of its own, the molded green cloud rose above the man who had produced it all the while growing in size. From the midst of the storm of energy two gargantuan blades fell to either side of Feng. Each easily three times the size of the man standing between them. Yet, the former assassin made no move to grip either of the colossal swords. Instead, two giant hands appeared from within the conflux of energy to take hold of the weapons.

From out of the swirling mass of reiatsu a being, even more titanic than the scimitars the former assassin had manifested, pulled itself onto the battlefield. The creature appeared vaguely human though extremely malnourished. The outline of every bone seemed to protrude just under the creatures sickly yellow skin. It seemed as though any quick movement threatened to force them jutting out of the leathery sack they were encased in.

The giant began to slowly breathe, taking in its first breaths. Each seemed to be weaker than the last, rather than strong heavy breathing the creature seemed to perpetually be gasping for air as though each intake would be its last. Wrecking free of the cloud at last, the creature turned the sunken black abysses that served as eyes out onto the assembled crowd. With a deft motion each of the massive blades were pulled free of the earth as the monster got poised for attack.

[719/1164]

stats and things

Jumped and then used:

[ Ijou Ittouryoudan ] - "Exceeding Cutting In Two With One Stroke"
With greater mastery comes greater prowess. These Zanjutsu specialists are able to bring their true skill to bear when facing off against their enemies' attacks. Rather than merely splitting an attack, the user delivers a series of rapid attacks that utterly destroy the enemy's attack.

Usable against techniques and abilities up to twice the cost of Ijou Ittouryoudan, this technique costs 750 reiatsu to use.

Requirements: 3,000 Zanjutsu

To slice through gorogoro. Then went bankai:

Feng Yin, Vice-Captain 9th Division
Reiatsu: 31,469
Ekibyou: 37,532
Zanjutsu: 20,000
Hakuda: 0
Hohou: 11,469
Kidou: 0

Feats:
PM 1: Soul Slayer
PM 2: Masochistic Speed
VC: Kagebushi-Ryu
Retribution: Patient Zero
Bankai: Symbiotic Combatants

Ekibyou
Reiatsu: 17,202
Combat: 14,074
Sonido: 9,382
Ability: 0

 

[K3]

With a muted flare, undetectable to the man's unrefined senses, more energy emanated. Words unspoken to the world, and a moment later a coral-tinted mist appeared to float from the ground itself! Rising high into the sky, the horizons darkened.

With a dull rumble, the scant few clouds in the sky engorged, congesting overhead. Soon, the sun itself was blotted out, the telling signs of Amagoi showing their heads. An instant later, the clouds turned a sickly grey, before the downpour began.

The rain fell in sheets, quickly soaking both the bandaged Lieutenant and his monstrous Bankai. The traces of Gorogoro were washed away, the scent of ozone fading from Feng's nose. The black liquid that traced and ran down Feng's body mingled with the water, a tapestry of fluids that seemed to mar Feng all the more.

Where there wasn't there suddenly was, fast and blurring with speed unhinged to the naked eye. A flash of brass and steel as Inori appeared behind the Lieutenant, fists brandishing a messy blur of weaponry.

[ 173 / 533 ]

 

[Apeiron]

A low whistle rolled out from behind the Onmitsu Kidou, the stalwart form of the Fifth Division’s captain casually leaning against the nearby wall with his staff in hand. He had arrived only a moment ago, but as to how he reached the captain’s observation stand without passing the Gundanchou was a secret of his division. His eyes were firmly fixed on the fight below, but his mind was churning how to handle the slight the Onmitsu Kidou had delivered towards the Gotei.

Was the Soushireikan so petty that this was how he acted? And for something so trivial? Pride then, the Founder-Captain decided, was the man’s reasoning. But he stowed that thought for later when his suspicions could be confirmed.

But if this was how the leader of the Onmitsu Kidou acted, then it was perhaps better that they remained in the shadows of Central Forty-Six. Far and away from the daily duties of the Gotei.

“Soushireikan,” the Founder-Captain said with an indifferent greeting, though the chosen title was said with purpose and respect. “My only hope is that, much like I did with the taishuu with Captain Amaterasu-Frey, you received permission from the Soutaichou to use whatever means necessary in this fight.” His cyan eyes unhinged themselves from the fight and focused on the man who rivaled Sayis in perhaps power as much as title. “To include beginning without him present. It would be terribly disrespectful of you to begin without the head of the Gotei present.”

[250]

 

[Shadowwind]

The punch began to connect with the researcher’s ribs earning an grunt as the former assassin began to reel from the pain. At the same time the patterns of the Void shifted upon themselves, the tribal designs reforming as Feng tapped into the power. Suddenly, the researcher just was no long there. His former location just seemed to now be. The strike continued forward hitting nothing but air, as the researcher rematerialized off the Gundanchu’s left side. Once more the web weave of patterns morphed as the steel-eyed researcher delivered a strike between Inori’s ribs with a loaded surprise.

At the same time Feng made his attack, the titan was already rumbling to join its creator. The beast’s right arm swept outward to aid in his master’s assault. The behemoth blade sang through the air seeking to cut off escape out away from where the researcher was baring his own blighted steel. All the while the researcher’s mind seemed hellbent on finding out just why his opponent was so bloody fast.

[171/1335]

stuff

Feng used an Ares' Road to avoid the full brunt of the assault launching into a Lethe's Touch infused attack after landing. If it hits Feng is inducing hyper pain sensitivity. Also being to sanmei how the dude is hopping around so much.

Lethe’s Touch
Non-combatants by nature, the researchers of the 9th are often dragged forcibly into open conflict when it arises. While not nearly as physically imposing as other more militant divisions, the researchers are masters of stalling while awaiting analysis of a key enemy weakness. Lethe’s Touch is the codename given to a unique phenomenon witnessed by attempting to force outsiders to interact with the Void. By paying 3% reiatsu a researcher is able to infect, either via a physical hit or through a long ranged ability such as kidou, their opponent. Doing so allows the 9th member to select a single one of the opponents senses which is then distorted by the energies of the Void.


This translates itself as altering the sense to either hyper or hypo-effectiveness. Influences on touch can render papercuts feeling like horrible stab wounds, vision can be forced to double, words begin to fade. The effects persist for two rounds. If the opponent is hit again by another strike influenced by Lethe’s Touch the duration resets.


Ares’ Road

Charon’s Road is a powerful tool within Soul Society. However, interference in the other planes renders the transportation method highly ineffective. However, there is a small caveat in this restriction. By tapping into the power of the Void, 9th agents are able to warp the area around them. The Void supplements what the Charon’s road would normally do and tunnels within 10m of their current position. Any longer than this causes destabilization of the wormhole leading to a myriad of side-effects. This ability is strenuous and can only be used once per turn at a cost of 2% of the 9th divisioner’s reiatsu. Additionally this ability cannot cause the user to manifest within an object and they must have knowledge of their landing area if they wish to pass through a barrier. Since the stabilization of this ability is drawn from the Void, there are no restrictions on usage within different realms.

::Sanmei::.
Officers of the Ninth are known for their intelligence and analytical ability. By further training and honing the reflexes and nuances of their minds, these people are then able to find out mechanics, structure, and weaknesses of almost anything surrounding them- and in this case their talents have been focused particularly on their possible enemies- Hollows, Arrancar, Vizards, Rogue Shinigami, Quincy, and Advent Humans.

Designed in training sessions with Demi-Hollows at first, next is sparring sessions with other Shinigami with combative techniques, and lastly are Soul Reapers with Shikai. The hopeful officer begins learning distinct yet subtle differences in the way their opponents move and act: when techniques and Kai abilities are being used. The instinct of the mind gathers this information quickly in battle and applies it abstractly. The Void aids in this process by infusing untapped power of the Soul to aid in the brain/ nervous system's functions.

Given enough time in combat, the user may ultimately know every detail concerning the technique/Kai and its weaknesses. Only one technique or ability can be studied at one time and it takes three (3) rounds before said technique or ability is fully studied.

If the user is struck with the technique/attack/ability while trying to analyze it, it gives them further insight on how the ability is used; one less round is subtracted from figuring out their opponent's skills. More or less this technique lets the user bypass the feigning ignorance rule.

 

[K3]

The rain continued to pour down, water beading down Inori's hair and matting it to his head wildly. With not a single pause, the Gundanchou pivoted with the sudden lack of resistance. A low hiss flittered past the researcher's ears, a thin sneer drawn across his opponent's lips.

Inori's right hand came up, slamming against Feng's oncoming blade. What met the ichor-tipped blade was revealed to be a serviceable trench knife - the brass knuckles easily weathering the assault and one of a pair, as revealed in the man's other hand. The hefty swing of the monstrosity's blade came down, but a crafty smirk crossed the dark-haired man's face. As the blade slammed into the ground where Inori was, he seemed to sink down before Feng's eyes!

A great dust cloud was thrown up. A sharp crack filled the air briefly as the blade cleaved the ground beneath with its sheer strength. Then, all stilled, the cloud revealing a sheen of rain. The downpour persisted, large puddles coalescing on the soft sands of the arena before turning it into an unhelpful sludge of mud.

Once more behind Feng, the Gundanchou rose, his soft-spoken voice carrying to the Lieutenant's ears over the incessant patter of the rain. "Awaremu, Shikei."

With a flash of coral-hued energy, the trench knives in the man's hands melted away, sloughing onto his wrists to solidify into solid manacles. Small rings appeared to be present for holding a chain, but for a moment none appeared. Then, another sound joined the soft raucous of the rain: the jangling of steel.

Almost indistinguishable through the thick sheen of the rain, a chain of almost passable detail appeared to pool about the Gundanchou's feet. A moment later, Inori sunk beneath the water at his feet, words carrying to him far after they mattered. "Water Walk."

Then, he ran past Feng from behind him. For a moment, the pair locked eyes - Inori's stormy cobalt still fixed with an unreadable intent - before the Gundanchou threw his arms wide as he passed Feng. The chain affixed to his manacles appeared to phase cleanly through the Lieutenant, before the slack seemed to suddenly go taut behind him.

Just as quickly, the slippery Gundanchou had sped past the titanic construct of the researcher, the taut line poised to wrap cleanly around Feng's mid-section.

[ 389 / 922 ]

 

[Chef Bryardee]

The acrid smell of cigarette smoke came ahead of the sound of the flat, hard footfalls of the latest arrival’s wooden sandals. Stopping there and pinching the roll between his teeth, the raven-haired man gingerly sat himself down on the ground, laying out as tenderly as possible; his body was heavily wrapped in bandages from head to toe. His right arm was held up in a sling, which he rested in the fold of his deep grey kimono. That and the deep black haori over his shoulder guarded most of his injuries from view, though.

There was no broad-brimmed roningasa over his head, however. The First division lieutenant had relieved him of it... in the harshest of manners.

With a few sharp hisses of pain, the Thirteenth division arbitrator made himself comfortable, one leg propped up with his head rested in his hand. He took the cigarette from his lips after taking a long drag of it, and vented it greyish-blue smoke through his nostrils, watching the spectacle through the dispersing haze.

Though he did take note of the Ninth division lieutenant’s combat prowess, seeing as the two would in time come to blows, it was the nobleman’s opponent whom held more of the unseated Peacekeeper’s attention...

[whogivesadamnthisshitaintgonnagetgradedanyways/whogivesadamnthisshitaintgonnagetgradedanyways]​

 

[Wayne]

It was about time Yin Feng had his shot at the captaincy. Out of all the recent candidates who have fought and bled for their division’s haoris, the bandaged man was perhaps the only one whom Kyuketsu had some semblance of bias for. He favored Feng more so than the last three captain-hopefuls, particularly since he himself was the one who gave the man the green light in order to advance in his taishuu. Of the trio that came before the analyst, every single one of them had passed, at last filling the position of their respective squads. Surely, it would be quite shameful should the one person Kyuketsu betted his hopes on fail spectacularly after such a streak of victory and success.

Yin Feng possessed the shrewd, Machiavellian cunningness necessary for a leader—that in itself was evident in the Duelist lord’s eyes. However, his proficiency in combat was still yet to be seen in full. Though they had crossed blades once before, Kyuketsu had utterly dominated the man without so much as breaking a sweat. He could only hope that in the time that passed, his protégé would have become stronger not just spiritually, but physically, above all.

The Gundanchou’s skill set was leagues beyond Feng’s ken, yet that in itself was the test. Should the captain-hopeful play his cards right and time every move and countermeasure precisely, then a miracle might just transpire.

236​

 

[Bish]

The Taishuu of Lucia Amaterasu-Frey was still as fresh in Satoru's mind as it had been during the event itself. Seeing those two titans clash had sent his curious nature into an overdrive.

What made them so strong?

That was the question which still burned at his core, making him wonder just how one got to such titanic levels of power. With that in mind, Satoru had made it a point to be present at the next Taishuu early. Only around half of the seats had been filled so far, but Satoru leaned on the railing yet again.

The emergence of Ekibyou and the unveiling of Yeng Fin drew a reaction from the Mystic, but not one of scorn or disgust. His first question was not Dear Kami, what is that thing? more than it was a Well that's interesting. I wonder if his zanpaktou did that to him?

His thoughts turned towards his own soul, probing the crimson bat which resided in his tanto.

And I used to think you were rough on me! Glad you've still got my back and that you aren't stabbing me in it.

The crimson bat snorted before responding, If I did that to you, what would it say about you who spawned me?

The Fourth Seat considered that for a moment, stroking his chin in thought.

That my soul has a sick sense of humor. Now watch this match with me, Dia. We can chat about it later, if you feel so inclined.

 

[Time Lady Katie]

The Mystic didn’t care for this moment at all. Following her realizations at the last Taishuu and her fight with Maruyama Ilsa, no longer did she care to pretend she was something she wasn’t. She had the duties of a Captain simply because someone had to have them, but that did not make her a true Captain. It made her a shallow imitation of a Captain. So when she materialized in her seat, she did so without her haori. Not even the illusion of a haori she wore during the last battle.

She didn’t really know Feng beyond her research into House Yin’s activities, and so she did not start this observation from a point of faith as she had with Lucia. Still, she did want the Onmitsu Kidou the hell out of the Gotei, so he nwas afforded an early benefit of the doubt in her book. Besides, how could she vote against him unless something truly catastrophic happened? It wasn’t like she was truly a leader of the Gotei. She didn’t really have the right to judge. It was mercy, luck and perhaps nepotism that put her in charge of the Tenth Division, what mandate did that give her to judge other prospective Captains?

She folded her arms and watched, for soon she would be asked to pass judgment on someone she had no right to. At least she could be well-informed about the matter, which clearly wasn’t a priority given Nana’s performance at the last such event.

250 Words
250 Total​

 

[Dysney]

The nekogami was late. Again. However, this time she'd arrived early enough to find a seat of her own. The odd sounding reiatsu of Yin Feng caught her attention. Hazel eyes widened in shock. What was that? Frowning, Adele hoped whatever had happened to the usually bandaged man wasn't too painful.

Her ears twitched. Satoru and Adelaide were also present. Gaze still fixed on the battle before her, she sent a quick message to both her superiors. Hello.

The brutal fight, or half a fight, she'd seen in the last Taishuu made the Mystic wonder if the spectacle today would be just as violent. Both contestants would push each other far past their limits and blood would be shed. The idea of such a barbaric and dramatic event scared the nekogami. Was this what her own captain had faced?

[139]

 

[Shadowwind]

The chain’s appearance was only given away by the distortion it caused as it plowed through the rain storm. Yet, seeing it coming, the former assassin gave it no mind. Instead he turned back facing his opponent thankfully the Gundanchou seemed to be moving in a straight line. Ahead of Inori’s steps a single solitary mark, 影, manifested itself nearly imperceptible amid the driving rain. Just as the the chain pulled taut along Feng’s body just as his opponent stepped on the mark. In an instant the researcher’s reiatsu spiked itself drawing the Gundanchou towards the center. At the same moment the unbandaged biologist drove forward weaving through the falling raindrops before his mark.

The Void doubled over, rearranging itself once more as the man delivered a sweeping strike across Inori’s upper chest seeking to cut through the man’s pectorals. From behind the duo the wheezing of the giant accompanied its monstrous footsteps as it closed the gap to deliver a massive overhand swing of its own.

[167/1502]

holy mother of on hits batman!

Used a combo of:
Shinzui no Kage - The Essence of Shadow
The primary technique of Kageboushi-Ryu is perhaps innocuous at first glace. Practitioners are trained in focusing all their effort on a single location they wish to reach. First using reiatsu to guide them before being able to conjure the image at will. Locations must be within 20m of the practitioner and once selected are marked by the appearance of the kanji 影 at the target location. Up to two marks may exist at any single time, however there is no cost to placing a mark. The true power of the techniques comes when the marks are activated. it allows the practitioner to nearly-instantly appear at the target location with all the momentum they currently had. This movement can only be tracked by individuals with 75% of the practioner’s speed stat. Activation costs 2% reiatsu and may only be used twice per turn.
Requirements: Kageboushi-Ryu

Daku no Kage - The Shadow’s Embrace
A secondary function of the Shinzui no Kage marks, a practitioner may elect to pay a small portion, 2%, of their reiatsu to feed the mark. This causes a vacuum effect to originate from the mark itself drawing anything within 3m of the location back towards the mark. The mark is still able to be teleported to even after the vacuum effect has been initiated, however Daku no Kage can only be used a single time per turn.
Requirements: Kageboushi-Ryu

To get away from the chain. Strike is infused with another Lethe's this time to blur Inori's vision.

 

[K3]

The inevitable pull of the mark's seemingly unknown power caused a brief stumble in the man, no more. Yet a brief stumble was enough, the researcher's sudden appearance lancing forward in a vicious stroke.

This time, though, the blade was stopped outright - slamming heftily against the man's chest without any seeming yield. Energy continued to gather about the Gundanchou, a telling ability of a Hakuda expert. Behind him, the bellowing hack of the monstrosities blade seemed to slam forward - the sickly ichor of its ebony blades greedily aimed to cleave Inori in twain.

What happened next could only be testament to the Kanritai leader's strength. With a deafening shriek, the gigantic blade slammed down onto the steel chain of Shikei, sparks leaping to cast the rain in a brief orange glow. Inori did not so much as budge, both blades held at bay.

For a moment, all was still, Feng unwilling to pull back for fear of retaliation. His Bankai seemed to have frozen, perplexed at the failure of its assault. It seemed to twitch, momentarily, bringing up its other arm in preparation, but stilled once more as Inori twitched his free arm upwards.

Then, as the rain fell about the combatants, the Gundanchou slowly clapped the Lieutenant on the shoulder, his soft words audible only to Feng. "Powerful... but untamed. Raw. Without purpose.

"What a sad fate." He concluded. Then, he moved. The hand that rested on Feng's shoulder lanced upwards, looping the chain of Shikei about his neck in a vicious noose. Seizing the slack of the chain with the other hand, he shunted the blade of Feng's Bankai aside, before heaving the researcher aloft. The chain constricted painfully about the man's neck, his body slathering his surroundings in the pitch-colored liquid.

Then, with a soft grunt, the Lieutenant was flung headlong into his own creation.

[ 310 / 1232 ]

 

[Rob]

Okay, it hadn’t been a trial by combat. So, what? Haresuno had been an idiot and if he hadn’t been one in the first place, he probably would’ve realized how close he had actually gotten to losing his haori to Lucia. Now that would’ve been a spectacle she wish’d she could’ve been a part of.

Unfortunately, no such luck. Even worse still was that it didn’t make her any more liked by the rest of the...

Right, as if she cared.

Feng’s taishuu on the other hand was one she looked forward for a bit more, if only because the Onmitsu Kidou had decided to omit the Soutaichou, and just do whatever the hell they felt like doing. Truly outstanding, really. She appreciated their guts, and if the start of this fight was any indication...

She wondered if they weren’t better off with the Onmitsu Kidou filling the ‘vacant’ Captaincy spots permanently. Not that anyone would agree with her on that, though.


[165]

der i rote

 

[Shadowwind]

One of the titanic saber dropped from the colossus’ hands as the researcher flew headlong into the waiting mit. Feng’s bones ached, yet still her turned in the monster’s palm, “Lacking purpose?” Feng muttered fumingly.

In response to its wielder's boiling ire Ekibyou began to wheeze even more, accompanied by a slow roar of thoughts into the researcher’s mind. You are about to ensure that regardless of if you were to beat Faust himself you would never gain the haori. The spirit chimed, concerned but with a slight edge of amusement.

I am done acting the part of penitent candidate. “The Gundanchou seem to believe that just because the fact that an idiotic woman lacked any foresight that the Gotei is now theirs. As clearly evidence by that same slumped figure, the haori does not make the captain. I already am more the captain of the researchers than any of you will ever be,” The researcher boomed, his voice carrying across the arena. “You wish to see purpose? This blade,” Feng smirked, nodding toward the weapon in his hand, “will pierce your heart.”

Without warning the colossal construct reeled back before its arm shot forward releasing the researcher. Poised to strike the man flew headlong towards his opponent appearing ready to live up to his threat. Suddenly, however, the man simply wasn’t. The former assassin rocketed forward from behind the Gundanchou, the momentum of his launch still fully preserved, the blighted crescent weaving its way directly towards Inori’s spine.

[249/1751]

fastball special

Used Shinzui no Kage to warp back to the mark Inori is still at.

 

[K3]

"Touza Raiden." Two simple words, softly spoken, pierced the air. With an electric whine, the world about Feng came alight in yellowish hellfire. The lightning arced through the air, a haze of static that cast the rain in a dire glow.

Feng's body, slick with water, made easy prey.

The lightning danced across his chest, lancing upwards to his arm and causing it to seize. Steam hissed upwards, the heat of the kidou evaporating some of the water. Even the pitch that the researcher's body weeped seemed to further conduct the low-level Hadou. It hardly stopped the researcher, but that seize of the arm was all the opening Inori needed.

Pivoting low, the Gundanchou's entire body seemed to coil inwards, ducking cleanly beneath the oncoming slash. Then, the two met eyes once more, and the Lieutenant seemed taken aback. The blank stare of Inori had been replaced with a fiery glare - full of passion and promise - that seemed to burrow through Feng and into the wretched soul beneath.

Time slowed, the instants of retribution nigh. The rain seemed to part lightly in anticipation, the leftover current of Touza Raiden casting a backdrop of steam against the combatants. Then, the moment ended, Feng's perception righted, and all he was aware of was the distinct impact in his chest before his ribs caved in.

[ 224 / 1456 ]

Notes

Touza Raiden is full-bypassed with Jumon Kaiki, the blow is Tenonai.

 

[Shadowwind]

“What got me interested in disease,” the researcher managed to wheeze, sounding frighteningly similar to the noise the colossus was making, as his chest caved in under the force of the Gundanchu’s blow, “was how contagion always seems to adapt.” The black ichor flooded his chest cavity pouring up against the compressed sternum pushing it back outward slightly from the sheer pressure of now tar-like substance. Feng’s breathing seemed a little stifled as his right lung took the brunt of the pressure from the now crowded chest cavity. Each inhale always seemed to leave the former assassin a little short.

Studying his opponent Feng gave a cold stare, his voice dropped away from the crowd as a smirk rolled its way onto his face. “I believe now is as good a time as any to wonder if I could bribe my way to a win? As idealistic as Sayis’ Gotei is, there are still those who realize money, prestige and power rule the day. I can offer all three if that’s what it takes to make a dent in you.” With a wry grin the man continued slightly more seriously, “If you decline that polite offer perhaps you’d oblige me with why a Gundanchou sees fit to use my own division’s techniques against me?”


[214/1967]

those playing along at home

Feng has been using sanmei the past three rounds and found out that Inori is using a 9th tech against him

Wound Stifled using:

Patient Zero - Unique Feat
The bioweapon that caused ruination in Feng’s body and the manifestation of the man’s zanpakutou spirit still causes ripple effects years later. First noticed after repeated puncture by needles to analyze his own blood, Feng bleeds far less than he should. By gradually increasing the amount of trauma he dealt to his body, the man found the myriad of microorganisms housed within his body will respond to trauma with an attempt to prevent the man from bleeding out their brethren. Wounds treated this way take on a black hue from the bacterial tourniquet until the researcher’s own skin can heal. This ability does not ‘heal’ the damage inflicted merely attempt to stabilize the wound very quickly.While the wound is stabilized, the bacteria dampen the neural responses to the wound, deadening the pain.

In battle this makes it nearly impossible to cause Feng to bleed out without a blood thinner. As soon as the weapon in his skin is removed the bacteria quickly get to work to mend the site. This usually results in the man not losing more than a trickle of blood per assault His wounds quickly stitch themselves together using 2% of his own reiatsu per wound to bind the patch of bacteria together. This repair can also work to try to stabilize vital organs however the repair is hasty and cannot be used to restore damaged function (ex. a pierced lung would still result in decreased oxygen intake just not cause complete lung collapse.)