The Gotei Ghosted Me [Tsubine/J]

J relented to Tsubine’s logic as it was sound, no matter his desire to partake in something more than a child’s drink. He tentatively watched Tsubine put on this little diorama in front of him, explaining what he believed was the next stage in the Soul Societies chaos, and J couldn’t disagree. When that flask came out, he knew what it represented. He also refrained from snatching it and raised an eyebrow at Tsubine.

“I understand what you’re hinting toward,” J said and then picked up the flask. Before saying anything more, he took a good drink and then gave it back. “You have the resources to carry out something like that?”

Tsubine reached over and took the flask back. He took a small sip before setting it back down between them—just out of J's reach though. "Unless you're one of the Four Greats, no one has the resources to carry that out. Even Central 46 isn't just one person."

"I have more resources than you'd think. In fact, the only thing I'm lacking on is people capable of holding their own. Sure, I have my guys that can hold their own in a fight with other thugs or even the Sakutaiso... but I've got only a handful that can utilize Reiryoku. The strongest I've got are Kohaku and Hiro. Though Kohaku did tell me about someone the Kosaka have that apparently has a Shikai... " Tsubine waved that thought off. "Either way, the Gotei's gone. That means the paychecks are going to stop. People that have been providing for their families out here in the Rukongai suddenly aren't going to be able to. They're going to be looking for employment, and I plan on giving it to them."

"The first person I want in on this, J, is you." Tsubine pushed the flask closer to J. "There isn't another person alive that I trust as much as I trust you. You've got a reputation for working hard and being fair. Hell, it's part of how I operated out here in the first place. You saw that what I was doing was a net-benefit for the Rukongai and trusted me to not be like the warlords in, like, Zaraki or something. If you join, I can at least claim some legitimacy—I can say that my goal is so righteous that even the head of the Saionji is behind me."

J was silent for a long time, likely a confusing and uncomfortable amount of time. He expression was steady, but stern, and his eyes focused on the example Tsubine used in front of him. The man ran through calculation after calculation, wondering whether or not this would be the best path for him. He was a lawful man, and took pride in that part of him. Tsubine was a good man, but he dealt in more criminal behaviors. There was a serious concern about fully allying in such a manner.

“How legit are you planning on going?”

Tsubine shrugged. The question was, in his mind, a loaded one. He knew J had been thinking, and he honestly expected such a question. "J, to what will 'legitimacy' be held to? Central 46 isn't going to be able to enforce laws like they once did. Without the threat of the Gotei, the Sakutaiso can't enforce them either with everyone scattering about. And I don't imagine the remnants will be doing much more than enforcing order, and we both know that likely won't be beholden to the 'law.'"

"I'm not going to start raping and pillaging. But I'm also not going to lie to you and say that I'm going to follow every law. What I'm going to do is what I've been trying to do in the first place: putting criminal groups either under me or under the ground. I'm the 'criminal' the powers-that-be can trust to be who I am. Everything I do is for the Rukongai and is bettering lives. Besides..." Tsubine leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "I can't exactly be picky. I'm going to need strong fighters like the two I asked you to track down. I'm looking to repay those invaders in kind one day." As he said the last line, he tilted his head slightly forward so he could see J's reaction.

This was a lot for a man like J to consider. Law abiding, strict, and valuing a sense of honor and duty has always kept him on a very particular path. Even with the legacy of his family gone, he still had one to build for himself, and what sort of legacy would come about if he relented and fell into a more criminal life style. He trusted Tsubine, but how far could he trust the thugs and ruffians that Tsubine would be able to recruit?

J picked up the flask and took another drink.

“I…” J sighed. “I don’t know. I’ll consider it, but I don’t know.”

Not convinced yet, huh? No matter. Tsubine had other ammunition. "The fact is, I need someone like you. Whatever I make, it's not going to be strict like Gotei was—either version. The primary purpose of it will be to make the Rukongai a better place to live for those within it. I'm not looking to venture out and deal with the balance thing that you once tried to sell me on. That's too... cosmic for me, you know?" Tsubine leaned forward and started cleaning up his little makeshift diorama.

"I can rely on the people to defer to my sensibilities when I'm around. When people start acting up because the boss isn't looking, I need someone that can and will knock skulls together to get them to stop." He began looking through some of the other documents again. "J, what's more important to you. Is it your pride and honor that you're doing the right thing, or is it following the law?"

J was unable to understand how Tsubine thought the protection of the realms, the Soul Cycle, was not something he could do. It was, without a doubt, the most honorable job one could do, at least in J’s view. Still, J could see his point. If Tsubine was going on this type of endeavor, someone else could watch his back. And then that blasted fucking question slithered its way into J’s ear like a fat worm. J immediately got what that was supposed to fucking do. Damn it, Tsubine.

“You already know the answer,” J said, his tone annoyed.

Got him. Tsubine smirked. "You're damn right I do." He continued to look through the documents, trying to find something to spark something that... sparked something."J, I'll never ask you to do something that I think will cross your lines. I won't ask that of anyone I trust, really. But especially not you. I promise you that." Tsubine might have other people cross that line, but he'd never make J cross any of his own. That was part of why he enjoyed having a variety of criminal elements under him. Some were more willing than others to do dirty work that needed to be done.

"I've got an inkling of a couple of people that I think wouldn't necessarily jive with the noble control or might just be more invested in the Rukongai. One of them I think you know, since she was in your Division. Hono... I didn't catch her last name. Pink hair, kinda spunky. Talked about cooking food. She's got family in the Rukongai. Another guy... Joshua Jeh...ova or something. It's one of those foreign names I don't get. He tried to get me a meeting with Central 46 so I could send some resources into the Seireitei to help with the rebuilding and clearing, but they were busy... probably with the whole Gotei-disbanding situation. He doesn't seem the type to be under a noble's thumb. I think he'll fit in."

"You know anyone else? Oh, and any luck on either of those two names?"

With the promise to respect J’s honor in all of this, a silent agreement was made and the conversation continued on. The mention of Hono was a surprise; he wasn’t aware they knew each other. “Kaen,” J said to confirm the woman’s last name. He took a moment to think of anyone else he would suggest for this. He rarely got in too deep with the morals and beliefs of other members of the Gotei. Most of his interactions were professional, usually training or on missions. “Not at the moment,” J said, shaking his head and sighing. “If that changes, I will let you know.”

It was hard not let that frustration show. Tsubine had hoped something had come up about either of the people he was looking for. They would make excellent additions to the team. But that was a time for later. He had a couple of people he could already go and find. Hopefully they could spread the word to the people they knew as well. Tsubine then glanced at J and eyed him like he was thinking of buying the man. "You know... I'll have to get a uniform. I can't have people wearing their old Gotei uniforms, nope."

It was at this moment that Tsubine finally saw J. He was haggard. The only thing not out of place was his hair somehow. Even during the fight with Ignacio, the man's hair remained impeccable. Probably some kind of noble magic. "You look like shit, man. Go get some rest in the guest bedroom. I'll have Kitazawa prepare a good meal for when you wake up." When J stood up, Tsubine snatched the flask back. He knew J's bad habits more than anyone. "And no day-drinking. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, aibō."