Eternity served Cold (Shura/Tento)

As Tento continued to listen to his third seat he nodded his head. Her years of life and service over him held a deep well of wisdom and experience to seek. It was easy to do so since they were division members. But, he had a genuine respect to the warrioress first and foremost. She was a warrior...albeit a fiery hot tamale one sometimes. At this point with how old he imagined she was, it was just a part of her core personality. One he found himself getting more and more used to, expect, as he interacted with her. Everything was built on truth like she sad. Its presence and the lack off. Lies, twisted delivery, hidden details. All pieces to the game that the enemy could be playing. And so in that end what would they aiming for sending teach back in that condition? Of...if they were responsible, attack the hole numerous times. To wear their minds? To weaken their strength and numbers? Deep inside Tento thought it was clear and straight forward.

We are coming for your world. And your best may not be enough to stop all of us.

"Truth Shura. One that is unknown all the same but spells bad news", he said in a calm somber. To what end was this a honest assessment or just fretting though? To be in a place for which there is no return, a place that has consumed everything you are. Surely that could not be the case simply being on guard regarding the enemy and strategizing against what was and was not known. It couldn't...right??

He then gave a pause of his own at Shura's next words. Closing his eyes and a tilt of his head in genuine interest at the thoughts of the upper echelon that represented the Gotei United. "Hmmmm. That is a true way to look at it I suppose. But, why not both? Our Captains and Vice Captains are examples to all of us what is expected and needed. What we should become and be able to be, the numerous ways, to protect the balance of the cycle of souls. So with that it is the same in the end, they are the pillars of what we are as well as our examples. Bloodline mat give a vast amount of Reiastu or spiritual pressure, but that means naught more than a blank page to me. After all, that is only one's start or potential. Rio may be a Shihoin but she is as strong as she is because she trained to take advantage of what she was born with and surrounded with. You, may be a simple 'girl from the Rukongai', but today you are a warrior that many in the Gotei respect for your combat abilities and long service of quality duty. Heck, I would argue you are easily worthy to be a Vice Captain, if not a Captain. In the end though," Tento said opening his eyes giving a soft sigh.

"I don't expect anything out of you two merely because of your positions, Vice Captain and 3rd seat; although one should. I expect MANY things because I know both of you. I have fought with and against you. I know who you are as people a bit, and what the positions you hold represent. It is a respect to you and what you have become. And what it means to hold those, your merit ", Tento explained in a warm sternness and pride. Respect oozing from his voice instead of the normal goofy and teasing tone he loved to take with Shura.

Her worlds had a frustrating true all the same though. Being worthy of the title of a Captain and Vice Captain in skill was one thing. But having that, the power, and title were different. Even in the advancement of spiritual energy on average in the world, the unpleasant of such powers and abilities took a toll on the world they tried to protect. Life was impacted in expected and unexpected ways. And with such people, it would take a lot for them to be called in or for them to rush to the frontlines. Such was the role of commanders. It was why Tento believed that the foot soldiers had to improve continuously and work together to succeed. For if the likes of the Captains and Captain Commander to come, things might as well be too late and the world doomed. As fearsome as, Zaraki Kenpachi and Nagoshi Kanae may be. There was only so much one being could do. And only so many strong foes they could face at once. If whatever wounded the 5th Captain for example came to battle, there would be a hard time telling if either of them one on one would come out successful. And that was if there were not multiple creatures on that level fighting them or lesser hollows getting in the way!

All the same such a thing was heavy on her mind. And the heavy, longer silence in between her words were clear of this. Uncertainty was not a sight he ever thought he would find with her. This was a cautious, a care. She wanted to communicate clearly, to have her meaning understood wholly to its core.

"Shura...that's is well and all but...ah. That's missing my point. It isn't to surpass out Captains and Vice Captains solely for their power. But I meant in the aim of vanquishing the foes they can and the ones they cannot. The intimacy and maturity they hold came with time and work, and will with us as well. But I am only after beating the foe that is before me that wishes to harm our world and eat souls. And the ones after them, and the ones that hide in their shadows".

It was no lie that that was his point and aim in the end of the day. When he walked up to those doors that were the home to the Shin'o Academy, that was the purpose he took on to fill the void within him. That was what mattered at the end of the day; purifying hollows and preventing evil to consume the world. However, with the type of person Tento was. It was false that he had no deep drive and passion to do more than that. To be the best he could be. To uncover the deepest parts of his Zanpakuto spirits and what it meant to be a Shinigami. To what it meant in this phase in the after life as a Shinigami. Unable to go back into the human world and start anew. No past avoidable to him and no true future. A static continuity in purgatory.

"I do. And yet I will be stubborn Shura. To the end. Strength is strength. In the realm of the best there are many ways that that power is shown. Some use powers different from Zanpatuko to have an equal realm of power. Take such of the legends of Yoruichi Shiohoin. She never uses her Zanptauko, but through the realms of shunko and martial arts. Is considered an elite Captain level person. Or Zaraki Kenpachi. No Bankai let alone shikai, let alone his spiritual energy, physical power, and skill, makes him a demon amongst the history of Captains. The bond between Shinigami and Zanpatuko spirit is a tail of old. But the ways Shinigami acquired is evolving. More learned, new pages. Our leaders are our pillars and our examples. But in the end of the day we have to move forward to the challenge regardless".