Bleach: Azashiro

During our return journey, Yasuko pestered Sato-sensei with her questions. I was amusing the old man's misfortune.

"Teacher, but you said that this is not possible". - making an offended face and looking condemningly at the teacher, she said dissatisfiedly.

-You can't, but the masters could - could see that Sato-sensei was already used to her and answered her calmly.

"Well, please, Sato-sensei, maybe I can do it". - having built a plaintive face, Yasuko tried to pity the old man.

-No--

What a capacious thing he doesn't have, he succeeded. I would at least look at her, otherwise she's trying so hard to make a more compassionate pug, she even squeezed out a tear, haha.

There was nothing to do on the road, so I had fun at their expense. At each of our stops the same thing happens, Yasuka tries to persuade her to teach her, to strengthen the kido with a spell.

There wasn't much point in this; she simply didn't have enough control, just like me. Unfortunately, I never learned how to enhance the released kido or reading the spell. It's still difficult for me to interfere with the structure of an already released kido, but there is progress, albeit small. I learned to strengthen the kido, but only with the help of a banal increase in reatsu. That is, I just serve more reatsu in the kido than necessary. It works clumsily and the efficiency is simply terrible, but I can't do it any other way. The teacher says this is the first step towards subtle manipulations in the kido. All that remains is to understand how to take this second step and everything will be fine.

By the way, it was because of me that she pestered Sato Sensei and accidentally heard what we were talking about. So she also demands to start training her, and she decided to ignore the fact that she simply does not have enough reatsu for the slightest reinforcement. And yes, that's right, in order to strengthen, albeit at a measly 10% of Hado №4 Byakurai, I need to swell the reatsu with Yasuko's full reserve on top.

The expediency of this action makes me bang my head against the wall. Fortunately, I understand that this happens not because this is the norm, but because I lack control over the reatsu. I just can't properly adjust such a volume of reatsu to a weak hado. The teacher was lying a little or did not want to speak, but not only masters can strengthen the kido with a spell after activation, and quite skillful experts are capable of this. At the moment, I can be classified as an expert, but only for the number of kidos I can use, most of them without casting a spell.

I can't become a master like that, I need to fully learn how to manipulate a spell, and I simply trigger a certain sequence embedded in the kido itself, without influencing it in any way, except by simply directing it where it should be. That's it, I'm not capable of more yet, except perhaps to strengthen Byakurai by pumping so much spiritual power into it that Kurohitsugi will have enough for Hado №90.

I always knew that I had problems controlling the reatsu, but the battles showed that I should pay more attention to it. Literally every aspect of my power, at the moment, requires a greater level of reatsu control that I am capable of. It annoys me, but at the same time I'm glad it came to light so early.

The teacher generally said that my grandfather could release two kidos at once, hiding one in the other and all this without casting a spell. And if necessary, then he can strengthen each one, here is the height of skill in kido according to Sato-sensei.

In this I have to agree with him, hide one kido in another, I can't even imagine what it takes for this. The kido uses mainly the power of names, each kido is given a name and it works like a program that can be run by any user who fulfills all the necessary requirements: reatsu, direction, spell (if necessary), image (helps some). And how to insert another program into this, so that it works, is completely unclear.

Of course, I would first learn to strengthen the kido normally before thinking about such complex spell manipulation. Unfortunately, Sato-sensei will no longer be able to teach me, there is simply nothing. Strengthening the kido with a spell, the only thing he can teach me. Most likely you will have to contact your grandfather or sit in the library and try to figure it out yourself.

And so, at an average pace, we all moved with a detachment of eighteen shinigami towards Seireitei, sometimes stopping to rest. I could have done it faster, but we had a wounded Toshi who still hasn't recovered, and my wounds haven't healed yet, so we didn't move too quickly.

***

During one of our breaks, I heard an interesting rumor that recently a sword demon exterminated a group of Shinigami. He was described as a demon burning his enemies. It is unknown where he lives, where he comes from, but traces of his activities could be found in many areas of the Rukongai.

Having asked a couple of weak shinigami what they said to each other. It turned out that it was not noticed only in the nearest areas of Seireitei and rumors about it began more than 100 years ago.

This led me to think about the current state of affairs in the Soul Society. Everyone is run by Council 46, they directly command only the Kido detachment. It seems as if this is not enough and it would have been possible to rebel long ago by removing them from power. But we should not forget that the main support of the Council is noble families.

Each noble family has shinigami under its leadership, some less, some more. And the main duties of shinigami are performed by those subordinate to the noble shinigami families. By forming detachments, they clear empty clans into the territory or, if necessary, are sent to distant areas.

The outlying areas of the Rugongai survive for the most part through gangs consisting of Shinigami. They, to the best of their ability, clear their areas of empty ones. If they cannot cope and empty ones attack the following areas, detachments formed by noble families are used.

For example, the Kieraku family is often involved in the destruction of empty areas in the middle and far regions. They are a fighting clan specializing in zanjutsu and it is not uncommon to see family members in these forays.

To replenish the ranks of Shinigami, there is an Academy of Spiritual Arts, where everyone can study if they meet the requirements. There they are given asauchi. Afterwards they will have a choice of where to go, a Kido detachment, a secret operations detachment or for service to some clan. Noble families, in turn, hire teachers for their offspring, as was the case with me, and send their children to the academy only as punishment.

There is also a covert operations detachment with the head of the Shihoin clan. They're here, sort of like cops, investigating law violations, conducting interrogations and destroying targets. They have the authority to use force against noble families. Over the past 50 years, they have destroyed more than 20 small clans.

At the same time, Council 46 does not have the power to order shinigami what they should do if they are not in the service of noble families or are not in the kido unit. And it turns out that the Soul Society does not have its own army. More precisely, it exists, but Council 46 has no direct power over them. If a noble family does not like the order given by the Council, it may refuse. Of course, not every clan has such a privilege. Mainly among noble families and some of the highest noble families, the rest do not have the right to refuse the Council 46.

Gotei 13 in blicha represented the central military power. Now, a large number of Shinigami roam the Soul Society and no one knows how many there are. Some of them gather gangs and engage in robbery, others open shops or work as mercenaries and teachers, like Sato-sensei. Among the unaccounted shinigami there are also truly strong ones, the same sword demon or Yachiru Unohana. And they don't obey anyone. It is very difficult to kill them because of their strength, so it turns out that they hang around the entire society of souls and do what they want.

But even they do not dare to enter the nearest areas of Seireitei. If something serious happens near the capital and all clans begin to hunt the culprit.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, above everyone, in the current hierarchy of the Soul Society, stands the Palace of the Soul King. According to rumors, only 2 Shinigami live there, excluding the King of Souls himself. They serve as guards for the palace and its messengers.

From the lessons I realized that the palace does not interfere in the affairs of the Soul Society, except in special circumstances. And all power lies with the Council 46. Even if I live in this world, it's strange for me to see such a division of power.

The Soul Society is under regular attacks from empty ones, but there is no army here. Council 46 could have formed an army a long time ago; there are enough academy graduates to assemble a small army in 10-20 years to protect the Soul Society and its inhabitants. They did not do this and all the main strength of the world was gathered in Seyreitei and nearby areas.

As if the main task of Council 46 is not to ensure the safety and management of the Soul Society, but to maintain power in the hands of noble and noble families.

This is the only way I can explain why all the power is in their hands. It is worth noting that noble clans are many times superior to the strongest noble families. My clan is considered one of the three strongest not noble, but even we will not be able to withstand the Tsunayashiro clan, which is in decline. We will be able to defend against attack, but the results will depend solely on the grandfather. Whether he can withstand the fight, against two users of the bankai or not.

***

We were already approaching Seireitei and I had already seen the Tower of Repentance, where the most dangerous criminals were imprisoned; on the top of the hill next to it was Sokyeku, with the help of which these criminals were executed.

It seems that the city is not protected, just come and attack, but this is far from the case. In case of danger from the sky, the walls fall, which most of the time protect the palace of the King of Souls. The walls themselves are made of murderer stone, a rare material that blocks all spiritual power.

The seireitei is also permanently surrounded by a spherical barrier preventing movement underground and by air. The walls create this barrier because of the material from which they are created.

Landing on the outskirts of the city, our detachment slowly wandered the streets towards the Azashiro estate.

The houses were similar to each other, with white walls and roofs made of yellow tiles. They differed only in shape and height. Sometimes found at home with small verandas, but these were rather exceptions.

Returning back from the Rukongai areas, the number of restaurants and tea establishments immediately catches your eye. Most likely this was due to the fact that strong souls had to eat, unlike weak souls who did not need food.

Seireitei would seem like a paradise to ordinary souls living in Rukongai. Smiles shone on the faces of people walking along the city streets, and sometimes you could see children running. There were no criminals, thieves or gangs here. In this city, everyone has something to do and work to do, but not everyone is allowed here.

It was difficult to get from Rukongai to Seireitei. You can move to this city only by entering the Shinigami Academy or under the patronage of a noble family, which is what recently happened to the Ito family.

Reflecting on the state of affairs in the city, we have already reached the estate. Fenced with white walls, with black tiles. Behind the walls one could see a four-story building, with a black roof and columns supporting a sheer roof, on the second floor.

Passing by the guards standing at the gate, who let us through, after a quick inspection. I looked around, the servants still worked hard, trying not to show their interest in our procession.

Around the central building in which the clan members live, there were four more, but smaller ones. Each of these four buildings were connected by an open curtain-roofed corridor. All buildings were in the same colors, white stone and black roof. It would seem inconvenient to live in a completely stone house. But inside the house was decorated with wood and created a cozy atmosphere.

Sato-sensei walked me all the way to my father's office. Yasuko went to her place, considering it inappropriate to go with me to the head of the clan.

Entering the office, I looked around quickly. All also along the walls were shelves filled with books, in the corner behind my father's right shoulder, on the table there was a tea service and three chairs next to the desk at which my father was sitting.

-Thank you, Sato-san, you are free. - sensei after his father's words, bowed and went about his business. - Sit down.

Sitting on a chair opposite my father, I was silent and did not want to start the conversation first. Looking calmly at my father, I noticed signs of fatigue on his face, small circles under his eyes and slightly frowning eyebrows in tension.

Apparently, during the week that I was gone, my father had to work a lot if you look at the number of papers on his desk, which increased several times compared to my previous visits to his office.

Having finished writing, my father carefully sealed it and put it in the inner drawer of the table. Still not paying attention to me, he beat his pipe with tobacco and lit a cigarette. And only then did he look at me, relaxing, and leaned back in his chair.

"Aki, tell me what happened there". - looking at me, waiting to hear my story of events, he told me.

-On arrival in the 15th district, we immediately headed to the Ito family estate. They were already waiting for us. Akuma Nakamura and his men came for Yasuko. A battle ensued, I fought Akuma and captured him, and Yasuko and the others dealt with his people, I don't know what was happening to them, but only Yasuko and Toshi survived. - without changing my face, I told my father what happened there.

-You captured him? Without the sheek? - Leaning forward a little, he asked me. He knew that taking an enemy was more difficult for the living than just killing them.

-Yes, I'm lucky. I caught him and neutralized him with the help of Kido. - I didn't lie about the fact that I was lucky with such a first opponent.

Akuma clearly did not often fight for his life, relying on his zanjutsu prowess and his zanpakto abilities, but neglected kido and hoho. If he had been a little more knowledgeable about them and the fight would have been difficult for me. Even so it was not easy for me, it was not easy to overcome the barrage of ice needles.

If he had continued to shower me with his needles then, I would have received more and more minor wounds and I would not have been able to take him alive. But he decided to end everything with a strong attack, when the advantage was already on his side.

Of course I don't know if he was knowledgeable in kido, but during the fight I got the impression that he wasn't very good at it. He used the kido once, before releasing his shikai, after which he completely focused on the ability of his sword.

But if he had known how to use Danka, he would have defended himself from my attack. And my chances of winning are close to 0. I don't have a spell in my arsenal that can break through Danka. My only chance of winning would be to catch him, to strike him with a sword.

Although all this makes no sense, I then decide to just kill him. It seems to me that killing him would not have been so difficult; I would most likely have managed to kill him before his release.

What I thought then is unclear. He was too cautious, he wanted there to be no complaints against the clan, but all these are excuses, even when I did not recognize his geb, one could simply kill him, and the clan could cope with the consequences, if they existed at all.

For some reason, it didn't occur to me then that if I didn't recognize the symbols of someone else's family, it simply couldn't be strong, I knew all the strong clans and that's why I was taught this.

Of course, you shouldn't cut down everyone you meet if they can't do anything to you, but then he attacked us, and I behaved strangely.

"Are you injured?" the father asked worriedly, most likely noticing bandages peeking out from under his clothes.

"Yes, he left a few minor scratches and pierced his left shoulder, and patted the empty shoulder a little". - I answered in a calm voice, as if it meant nothing.

-Clearly. As I understand it, you managed to face an invasion of empty ones. - he said with a slight grin, but his eyes were gloomy.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who understands that the appearance of empty ones in the 15th district was unusual, and if we take into account previous events, it is already becoming suspicious.

"Yes, we are lucky that there are still free Shinigami left in the city", I said in an everyday tone.

-As long as the usual empty ones were handled by Yasuka and the rest of the shinigami. I fought with Adjukas. - I stopped talking, waiting for my father's reaction to my words. But it didn't follow, he just nodded his head, as if telling me to continue.

-It was in the fight with him that I was able to reach the shikaya. He was quite strong, but I would have come out of the battle with a couple of scratches if someone hadn't intervened. During the battle, at a time when I almost killed the empty one and all I had to do was finish it off, they interfered with me. In the end, I missed a strong gray, I was able to weaken it, but still I was wounded and spent a lot of reatsu on defense at that moment. I ended up killing the empty one, but it wasn't the end. - I said.

At that time, my father listened to me very carefully, even stopped smoking his pipe. He and I both understood, Shinigami intervened and it was an attempt to kill the heir to the Azashiro clan.

-Shinigami attacked me, apparently didn't want to reveal his identity. He was hiding all the time, and after the empty death, he tried to finish me off with the help of a kid. If the members of the covert operations squad had not arrived on time, I would most likely have been dead.-

After the words I said, I looked at my hands. I didn't like the feeling of weakness that I experienced then. Even if I had won, if he had not been afraid of his exposure or something else, I would have been dead. This shows once again how weak I am. Even with shikai, I can't count strong, stronger than most shinigami? Yes, of course, but most shinigami are only suitable for the role of cannon fodder and gate guards. And I wasn't going to compare myself to them.

Therefore, it's worth taking up your training for a couple of years, finally learning kido up to level 90, fortunately now I have to master them, tighten control and don't forget about kaido. There is still a lot of work, as well as time.

"Shikay, that's good". - the father said with a smile, trying to defuse the situation, but becoming serious the next second, he continued. - Tell me everything you can about this shinigami.