Bloody Tiger [Hyosuke/Igen]

In an attempt to keep himself humble Hyosuke had just returned to the dojo from deploying more flyers made by his own hand, by his own hand, and as he came to rest in the dojo again he was pleased with his efforts of late. He did not expect his return to interacting with the wider Soul Society to be as successful as it was, or maybe he was just less curmudgeon about the whole thing than he thought he was.....

Shrugging idly to himself Hyosuke would begin to heat up more tea, the day's efforts perhaps warranting some more relaxation. Though he was far from exhausted Hyosuke was pacing himself throughout the entire day in the off-chance another student arrived. Once tea was done this time, Jasmine as usual though more milky this time, Hyosuke would step out onto the front of the dojo and simply enjoy the evening.

Unlike most he did not at all mind being alone in the Rukongai, especially not in the higher numbered districts, so he simply cradled his tea and stood on the simple wooden porch in front of the dojo. Little more than a way to break and disperse dirt from the street nearby and nothing fancy but Hyosuke did not mind. Noble or not he had still experienced worse and he kept an eye out for anyone carrying one of his flyers. He had lounged and passively accepted students earlier but now, to keep himself engaged, he decided to greet a few of them at the door.

As Hyosuke hummed to himself and enjoyed the air outside he took a sip of tea before spying an approaching pair, a flyer in the hand, and nodded his head in satisfaction. Cradling the cup above a cupped hand Hyosuke would lower it down to his sternum, showing the individual they had his attention before Igen smiled a cheery smile, and asked him if the flyer was his. Hyosuke would return Igen's bright, enthusiastic smile with a smaller, but nonetheless warm, smile that tilted up one side of his mouth.

"It certainly is, personally written as well, I felt it would show a bit of care in what I do."

Hyosuke stated this with a simple, calm, matter-of-fact demeanor as it was, put simply, his actual thoughts on the subject. He saw teaching, perhaps due to his own father training with him so much, as a very personal and important role for anyone to take. As such he felt it was only right to put a bit of himself into every aspect of how his potential students might meet him. Hyosuke's lips would curl into something more resembling an amused grin as he glanced to Ko, then back to Igen, and then into the dojo.

"I am afraid if you were looking for peers the dojo is quite empty at this very moment. Frankly all the sessions I have held recently have been private to the student, hopefully that is not an issue."

Hyosuke only mentioned this as Igen seemed a very upbeat and extroverted individual, no doubt someone who would quite enjoy having peers or classmates to compete with and compare his advancement to. But Hyosuke would quickly follow up that statement by motioning to the dojo and, consequently, the single obvious dirty spot in the center of the room. All the dust and grime in a single, strange near circle on the mats.

"You are of course welcome regardless, and may even have some tea if you like, I find it helps one calm and prepare for the rigors of training. Ah....."

Chuckling a low, warm chuckle Hyosuke smooth his hair back behind an ear, his singular eye meeting Igen's gaze before he inclined his head gently in a show of respect.

"Where are my manners? I am Hyosuke Niyagata and you, young man, are the first student I have had today I do not recognize on sight."

Straightening up Hyosuke would step aside, somewhat toward the dojo, to allow Igen to enter without having to sidle by him.

"Which is saying something considering you cut quite the unique figure."

Hyosuke gave a low hum as Igen seemed to get a bit sheepish at the compliment, looking down at himself as if he forgot what he looked like, and Hyosuke got the distinct impression Igen was used to much different reactions to his appearance. Nonetheless when Ko spoke up and Igen chided her for being rude Hyosuke kept the same cordial smile as Igen got sheepish. Poor thing. Two things about this conversation already seemed to unbalance Igen and Hyosuke chuckled softly. Looking at Ko with a bit of appraisal Hyosuke responded.

"I see.... well do well with your partner and you may yet see it."

At Igen's comment about setting up the place being gutsy, and the dojo's status, Hyosuke would nod and take another sip of tea as Igen did his own rather energetic form of a bow. Hyosuke was briefly reminded of Kaito in this, if only a little, as Igen seemed much more 'fiery' while Kaito was much more cool about his direct attitude. As for Igen's Zanpakuto spirit following him, truthfully it felt a bit rude to Hyosuke to comment on it directly, Igen had already been made quite sheepish twice now and when it seemed like compliments made the pink-haired boy embarrassed Hyosuke did not want to throw Igendai out of his currently determined demeanor. After all, what could he have said but a genuine bit of praise for his connection?

As Igen declared his challenge Hyosuke finished the tea and nodded, his singular eye meeting both of Igen's as he looked down ever so slightly at what was not a student, it seemed, but a challenger. With a small, appreciative sigh Hyosuke placed the tea cup back in his hand and his smile turned into a bit of a grin.

"Very well then Igendai-san, your challenge is accepted, though I certainly hope you wouldn't back down if I were to make the challenge a bit more interesting, hmm? Come...."

Hyosuke would then turn and lead the way into the dojo, calmly setting the tea cup on a low table off to the side of the room, the vague smell of some dust and copper in the air. Various weapons adorned the walls. Blades, polearms, most seemingly ornamental, though as Igen entered Hyosuke instead picked up a large red Wagasa and draped it over a shoulder. It's crimson fabric spreading open behind Hyosuke as he motioned to the single, stark spot of dirt on the floor.

"Apologies for the mess, one of my students was quite messy during her training, we've been quite active as of late."

Taking a place at the head of the room on the mats, Hyosuke would allow Igen to do whatever he wished to prepare for the challenge as he idly twirled Benicho Kogo.

"Now, as for your challenge, what do you say to a bit of motivation hmm?"

Hyosuke's grin grew to a bit of a jovial smirk as he looked Igen in the eye with just the smallest hint of an undercurrent of a teasing tone to his voice.

"You seem like you may need it after all."

Hyosuke couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Igen's concern for the dojo's integrity, inwardly chuckling that no doubt this young man wasn't from a noble family as a small slight like that would cause a scandal, or at least if Igen was he didn't seem to care. Either way Hyosuke wasn't phased by the comment and nodded his ascent, motioning for Igen to follow as he made his way out back to the bit of land attached to the dojo's back entrance. Fenced in and private it was used for much larger group demonstrations, with a small pond more for show toward the very back of the place. It wasn't massively bigger in area to move than the dojo's internal layout but at the very least there were no walls, furniture or supplies at risk.

As Igen mentioned not being a gambler and not having money Hyosuke took up a place toward the back of the open space, the pond a scant few feet behind him, and leaving Igen with his back to the dojo if they faced one another. Hyosuke gave an appreciative hum, that same calm smirk on his features unable to be helped as he chuckled, idly commenting.

"Oooh?~ Well if you're getting cold feet at losing some pocket change......"

Hyosuke trailed off for only a half-second before shaking his head.

"I jest, Igendai-san, no it is not your money I want. Rather you seem a passionate and devoted young man with an honest heart and a strong connection with your Zanpakuto, and I can think of no greater prestige or honor your defeat could offer my dojo than, should you lose, you agree to become a student of mine in full."

This time Hyosuke waaaaaaaaaas, just a tiny bit, pushing Igen's buttons but the core of the statement remained truthful.

"As for your side of the wager, what you would gain, I would be more than happy to offer you a purse if money is a concern. Otherwise, the choice is yours, within reason. Do you wish a nice dinner at the finest restaurants in the Rukongai? At least, something along with the honor of having bested me, naturally."

Despite talking about the prospect of being bested in his own dojo Hyosuke seemed almost.... intrigued by Igen's choice. Genuine interest in the pretty young Shinigami's mindset and how he operated though that, in and of itself, was his own way of preparing to train Igen should he be victorious.

Of the two things made into a back and forth between them Hyosuke could appreciate the ease with which the young Shinigami smiled and, in truth, he was the opposite of disappointed with Igen's answer to his wager. Indeed he was almost downright pleased by it. While he may not be the biggest fan of the Gotei's modus operandi as of this moment it was refreshing to see someone who took to their duties with such commitment and passion. In fact Hyosuke genuinely smiled at Igen's answer, matching the pink-haired Shinigami's own calm smile.

"A respectable response, my eager challenger, perhaps I will treat you to the dinner regardless of this outcome."

As Igen seemed to unleash his Shikai Hyosuke decided to truly humor him, undeniably a bit of excitement racing in his own veins as he snapped Benicho Kogo shut and dropped it into his left hand. Only to then raise his right and gently lift his eyepatch off, his right eye opening as his crimson eyes gleamed eagerly in the sunlight, his spiritual pressure expanding massively as it rippled across the courtyard and Hyosuke took his own stance. Left side forward, feet apart and ready, limber and prepared.

However, Hyosuke thought better of releasing his own Shikai to begin with, and instead he would angle his right arm behind his back, hidden by his body from Igen's sight and the sight of Ko, while digging his nails into his right pale to draw blood. His expression never changing as it welled to the surface and Hyosuke nodded to Igen.

"I am prepared Igendai-san, show me what you can do."