The Booze 2: Electric Boogaloo

Shunsui drank from his own glass once more as he listened to Ulv explain herself. He smiled when she'd finished. She was certainly blunt. He could appreciate that, there was a certain charm involved with simply stating what was true, with no flowery tip-toeing around the question.

"Well I don't honestly mind if you only come to see me when you need something, you're forgetting that I get to see you as well."

He gave her a playful wink, then laughed heartily. Even though the way he conducted himself had changed for the better in the past few centuries, that tell-tale flirtatious nature was ever present. Finishing off his own glass he set it back on the blanket that lay beneath them. He noticed now just how much better it was.

"You're right, it certainly is something, isn't it? And don't worry about it. I, more than anyone, understand how busy life can become in a short period of time."

He smiled wistfully as he said this, pausing for a moment before he continued to speak.

" Do you have some sort of conflict with Toshiro? Perhaps you're right, still, a man can dream. You seem to be doing better now though, that's something, at least. The last time we met there was definitely a real problem. As for myself... I've been busy lately as well. Mainly with increasing the defenses of the Gotei, and Soul Society as a whole. And a few other things I'm not at liberty to discuss just yet."

Shunsui leaned back somewhat at this point, stretching his arms above his head, then interlocking his fingers behind his head. He'd needed this break. Work had certainly been dragging him down more than usual lately. Most likely due to the fact that he'd taken on so many extra burdens. But the undeniable fact was still there. He was getting old, and the same spryness he'd possessed in his youth just wasn't at the same level. He had many more years in him, he knew that, but it would only get harder.

"I'm glad you've come."

The statement seemed out of place without the context of his thoughts, even to him, but he expressed the sentiment all the same.

Shunsui enjoyed the sound of her laugh. It went nicely with the picnic, and the peaceful day. Some things just fit together like that, it was a pleasant thought. He listened quietly as she spoke of her first experience in the Seireitei. Young Toshiro seemed not to have changed much in the last few centuries. That was disappointing. He'd always been viewed as a prodigy, someone who could progress much more quickly than his peers, and who achieved a much greater level of strength with less training. Still, Shunsui knew the truth of the matter. However talented and powerful Toshiro may have been, he was no elite fighter. Above average? Yes, but still only marginally. Shunsui held these opinions because he'd fought by the young Shinigami's side many times in the past, and when that was the case the flaws in his ability became apparent. It was not a physical weakness or ineptitude that held Toshiro back, it was his own brash, selfish personality. A greater detriment by far than merely being less powerful than others.

"I see. Well, I am sorry to hear that, it must have been a terrible experience. I'm glad it all worked out in the end."

He was sitting more attentively now that they were having more of a serious conversation. A minor change, but one that most would pick up on. It seemed she was getting to the point now, revealing the true reason she'd come. While she did so Shunsui thought back to the first time they'd met, and he could tell, comparing the Ulv that sat in front of him then to the one that sat in front of him now, that she'd grown quite substantially. Excellent progress. His own pursuit of pure power was on hold at the moment. He was focused more on technique and skill at the moment, and so he did not worry as much if his power was less than it could be. He knew exactly how to use it, which many couldn't say.

"Minatumi Harbor? If I'm ever on Earth for any reason I'll be sure to check it out. But, onto the more pressing concern. You'd like a spar then? I suppose I could take a break for a while. I'll just get one of the others to do the rest of the paperwork, and then I'll be done for the day. Were you planning on doing this now?"

Perhaps he was being a bit generous, but if anything was still true of Shunsui after so many years, it was that he had a soft spot for pretty ladies. Plus, to tell the truth, he was slightly curious about what exactly it was that Ulv was trying to master. Seeing it develop with his own eyes would be a treat indeed.

Shunsui stood alongside Ulv, deigning to help her with this task. He let out a sigh as he stood, a usual mannerism for the lazy captain, but as he did so there was a marked shift. The usual care-free attitude and light demeanor seemed to evaporate in very little time at all. The man who stood before Ulv now was not the same man who'd stood before her only moments before. The smile had faded from both his lips and his eyes. His face had taken on more of a grim tone. Even the light atmosphere that usually followed Shunsui everywhere he went had left them. This was the face of a warrior, a scarred and ragged face, but a brave one, and an honest one. He looked over towards Ulv with mostly blank eyes. He was now fully prepared to unleash anything he was asked to. Ulv had said that the consequences would not be so dire, he certainly hoped she was correct.

His body barely moved at all, the only perceptible motion his right arm raising to run parallel to his body, index finger slowly extending. By this point in time the small, red, concentrated ball of energy could be seen forming at his fingertip. It crackled with a ferocity that was perhaps unexpected, but one's kido is perhaps the best look into the soul. As much as he played up the harmless old man act, there was a ruthless killer who resided in that body as well. Oh sure, he did enjoy himself when he was with friends, and the lecherous old man routine was not simply an act, but underneath was a man who would stop at nothing, who would persevere no matter the costs. His point of view, in the simplest of terms, could be broken down to "the ends justify the means." This was something he had always believed in.

The crackling grew more intense now. The energy coming from his fingertip was clearly audible, snapping every few seconds as if it had become angered. That should be more than enough. His arm fully raised, finger pointed straight at Ulv, Shunsui released the kido he'd been charging up until now.

"Shakkaho"

The red ball of energy flew from his fingertip, growing as it did so. In its wake it left a trail of energy, a deep red essence that colored the very air in front of them. It shot towards Ulv at breakneck speeds, the only thing he could do now was watch, and see what happened.