Opening the Vault [Private/Blade]

Azure was far from stupid, the small trip through a crowd of City goers wasn't going to bring about what he wished for Chifuyu. Her intellect and focus truly preceded her. As the two finally emerged from the flood of general, basic citizens, the Leader rubbed his neck and stretched. As great as it was to interact with those he protected it always happened to be a slight pain to himself and others. It made little sense as to how they threw themselves together so tightly with little effort, let alone somehow forcing both him and his subordinate through the thick mass of bodies. In the end, the two were safe and sound, removed entirely from the thicket of people.

"Right, Right." Azure's assumption was correct. Chifuyu saw them as a set of pawns that, once protected and given a home, would express gratitude however they truly could. While the girl wasn't exactly wrong, she also wasn't exactly right. It was entirely true that Azure did what he could to protect those going about their day all around the pair, however this didn't take away from how they treated him. Gratitude wasn't something that could be so easily spawned from a pact of protection. Proof of this could be found all throughout history. Rubbing his chin, the man turned towards Chifuyu before speaking. "I figured you'd say that." The hand that previously stroked his chin reached forward, his index finger finding its way towards the girl's nose before he pulled back. Sometimes, it wasn't so wrong to listen to your elders.

"A long term agreement of protection between to individuals could spawn gratitude. Is it because I'm this so-called Alpha you make me out to be or are the citizens of Karakura genuine?" Turning, Azure stepped forward and began to walk once more. A set of shops filled his view rather quickly as he continued. "I could be an alpha, but I don't think thats the case. It would have been the case if I carried myself differently. The strong being that protected the weaker beings could gain gratitude through sheer fear. I, however, respect our citizens in turn. Not everyone seeks to grow stronger day in and day out. Some have lives that are dedicated to work that betters how economy, their lives are focused entirely on their family or they simply want to live without the fear of death. When you return such a wish with respect of your own rather than making yourself out to be the clear leader can easily sway opinions."

If he had to guess, the strong girl believed that those who didn't seek some form of betterment were deserving of sympathy. The weak would only stay weak unless they changed willingly, but what was so wrong with that? Everyone who had a dream of some kind deserves to act on it if it doesn't harm the lives of others, that was Azure's belief. He didn't fight for Karakura simply to keep the weak from death, he fought for the future's of those who lived within it. There was only so much he could do in his own lifetime, once he was gone those around him would have to take hold the mantle known as a future. It was truly that simple for him, could the same be said of Chifuyu and her family?

Stopping in the entryway of a small cafe, Azure placed his head within to greet the owner before once again returning to the sidewalk and Chifuyu. "I just want a future for those I protect. Sometimes thats all someone needs to be grateful. Isn't that enough to put your life on the line?" He sighed, rubbing at his neck again before leaning against the building's front window and looking to the sky. "Bettering yourself is fine. Wanting to be powerful and gaining respect from it is also just fine. But, what is it that you want, Chifuyu? What if I was gone tomorrow, the Vanguard without a leader. Would you take the mantle to protect the futures I've put on a trajectory forward or would you want the respect you deserve?"

As thoughtful and deep as Azure's question was, he knew exactly why he wondered such a thing. His future wasn't far from an end with what he had in mind. Eventually, his antics would catch up to him in some way or another. Death was only imminent for someone who didn't look after themselves. Nevertheless, that didn't stop him from having these tiny and important conversations. Someone had to move the cute Yuudehsi in the right direction, why couldn't it be him?