In the Path of Behmoths [ Tento | Tsu ]

The sun was dipping low over District 66, casting long shadows across the still devastated landscape. Among the scattered ruins, a group of people huddled together, their eyes wide with fear and desperation. The invasion had left scars on the district, and now, the looming threat of hollows as large as buildings threatened to finish what had begun. Remnants of forces that chose to stay and feast instead of retreating.

Tento Zefa stood at the forefront, his zanpakuto held firmly in his grasp. His eyes were focused, determination etched into every line of his face. He knew the stakes; these people had nowhere else to turn, and their safety depended entirely on his strength and resolve. As the ground trembled beneath the weight of the approaching hollows, Tento took a deep breath, centering himself. "Stay behind me and stay close," he called out to the group, his voice calm and authoritative. "I'll protect you. If you see a chance to, escape. I'll take care of the rest".

The first hollow emerged from the shadows, its massive form blotting out the dying light. Tento didn't hesitate. With a burst of speed, he launched himself at the creature, his blade striking with precision and force. The hollow let out a deafening roar, but Tento pressed on, his strikes fueled by an unwavering resolve. His blade shifting in a blinding cut through the hollow's mask in an overhead slash.

The two not twins quickly went on the move. Guiding and soothing the distressed refugees to a safer location nearby as Tento's body went on the attack. As he landed he heard the words come from Tsubine’s voice. A older man matching what looked like his own age with Grey hair and deep shy blue eyes. A strong presence greater than his own, a needed factor given the wreckage around them.

Tento landed with a slow breath coming from his chest, his blade still in a guarded stance although it was lazed pointed towards the ground. The hollow was beaten, but he couldn't let his guard down. He felt many hollow energies in the area when he was in his way. The men had fallen fighting them but Tento had no way of knowing if they were defeated or just fled.

My men hmm? Was he a community boss or something? With the chaos all around them in the aftermath of the invasion and the disbandment of the Gotei, Tento was not shocked about a powerful man amongst the Rukongai gathering power. After all, people were excited and did such a thing when the Gotei was around. Was this man good or corrupt was the real question. Was he just, lawful?

“Sorry there man”, Tento said facing the man, listening to the man with a calm face as he let out a frustrated sigh. He had gone into action not recognizing their presence upon arrival. He could understand what he was wanting. There were plenty of times when Tento faced hollows that severely harmed or killed men and women under his charge. The act of not avenging them oneself gave a sick feeling to one's pride, but Tento knew more than enough about what it felt like for their efforts to just be for nothing and to fail.

Tento wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes meeting Tsubine’s with a mixture of respect and determination. If he came ro defend these people then that was good enough for him. "The Gotei may be gone, but the duty to protect remains," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. " That duty doesn’t disappear just because the organization does. Although…I was not able to get here in time. I was a bit away helping people rebuild and felt the battle. He glanced at the fallen hollow, its form dissipating into nothingness. "Your men fought bravely. I’m sorry”. Their efforts were not in vain but But know that their efforts were not in vain."

Tento's eyes held steady as he returned Tsubine's gaze, feeling the weight of the words between them. "Thank you, I appreciate your understanding. Every loss is a heavy one, but honoring their bravery is the least we can do". He nodded thoughtfully at the mention of Takamori. "Takamori, huh? That makes sense. The forest there is vast and would provide ample cover for our enemies. We can't let them use it as a breathing Ground."

Tento's stance shifted slightly, a small spark of anticipation in his eyes. "I appreciate the information. We need every bit of it to protect our people. And as for duty... it's what keeps us going, isn't it? The drive to protect, to serve, to uphold what we believe in." Tento gave a pause. “At least that what I liked to tell my brothers and sisters in the 4th. If a Shinigami chose to not defend the Rukongai and Soul Society as a whole right now, then they are no Shinigami i wish to attach to".

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "And who knows, maybe one day we'll get the chance to test our skills against each other. But for now, let's focus on keeping our people safe." He extended a hand to Tsubine, his grip firm. "By the way. Tento Zefa. Former 5th seat of 4th division of the ex Gotei United”.

It seemed that any fleeting hollow energy he sensed nearby had vanished at this man's arrival. The hollow's felt his might even more than Tento did. A blessing in acquiring safety for the immediate district. Tento took a moment tho to appreciate the firm handshake and what appeared to be sincerity behind Tsubine’s words. At least right now his gut was not giving him any bad feelings about him. There was something refreshing about a straightforward approach. No pretenses, no just because so fancy words, just genuine intentions. Yet, he remained slightly skeptical, aware of the possibility that Tsubine could be a strong individual aiming to accumulate power, regardless of his intentions. That was life right now given the chaos within the Soul Society and the Rukongai.

Still… “Nice to meet you, Tsubine. Community outreach, huh? It's good to hear someone is focusing on rebuilding and reconnecting. We need more of that,” Tento responded, falling into step behind Tsubine as they began their walk toward the border. Well, not fully behind at least, Tento was beside the man but following a few steps behind to properly follow him. “Lead the way then”.

Tebro adjusted his zanpakuto slightly as he put it away, feeling the weight of its presence, a constant reminder of his duty and the battles he had faced. Shiomaru may have been able to bend the wins but its expectations was as heavy as iron. “I wouldn't say im a specialist but I did well enough at school and in the field”, Tento said simply. “I'm not much to throw all my eggs in one basket. But if I'd have to say. I would say my best skill is zanjutsu”.

“The 4th was the main combat force of the Gotei. So as you would expect, we were expected to be above average physically as well as in our combat capability. Handling emergency situations, providing physical labor, protection etc etc”. Tento started, “but I tended to also give aid to other divisions. So at one point I had tasks, minor as they had been, in all of the divisions”.

Tento glanced at Tsubine, appreciating the man's sharp instincts while keeping his skepticism in check. “But you know, it’s not just about the division you're from. It’s about how you choose to carry yourself and the values you uphold. Some of my unseated officers called me a drill sgt more than a supervisor sometimes”. Tento said finding the informative questions interesting and straight to the point. “So tell me Mr. Tsubine, what do you do when you're not doing community outreach and handling the rebuilding needs of your people?”.

Tento noticed the spark of excitement in Tsubine's eyes at the mention of Zanjutsu specialist. It was clear that he shared a passion for swordsmanship, and Tento couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie. As soon as he picked up a blade at Shino he felt a strange connection and draw to it. However, it still did little in comparison to his love of martial arts. With that in mind as he observed Tsubine's interaction with Kōgin Reimei, he did not know if this man was a 4th member not in the 4th with how the news turned to excite him or if the news did some unease. From his sensation that he could feel and gut feeling so far, there were no hostile feelings. At least none towards Tento.

It made him be on guard slightly but also intriqued. It was as if Tsubine's own zaptuko was trying to influence it's partner. With Tento's own zan spirits finding a soft swell of excitement being pushed to their master while also declaring for him to focus on the task at hand, for now. The bond between a Shinigami and their Zanpakuto was always a fascinating dynamic.

It seemed a lot of Tento's words were having an impact on this man. Tento could see the gears turning in his mind. When Tsubine spoke about the challenges of protecting the outer districts and the lack of Gotei United presence, Tento nodded in somber agreement. He had thought the 6th division was doing their part in helping with the well being of the Rukongai, but perhaps they did not expand their forces as far as the need was….

"You're right. I…use to believe the Gotei was active in helping a lot of the worst places. Maybe due to my delusions when I helped in patrols. However since the invasion, the farther you get from the central districts, the harder it is to see their influence”. Now it was that due to the disbandment or massive loss of personnel was unknown. Maybe it wasn't as bad as this guy said. Perhaps it was his own experiences and truth blocking the full picture. At the very least, it was better than under the Gotei 13 hopefully.

“It has been one of the reasons I've stepped up and do what I can to protect people while they rebuild. With so many people dead or out of commission, if I don't, who will? I can't really expect people to pick up the slack of what I see right now”. Tento said in a change of sterness un his voice. The Rukongai was most certainty not a home for him. He was not living there for long before he got placed in Shino. Heck, he couldn't even remember what district he was in. But. He had schoolmates and comrwdes who had a home at different places. He had gotten to know the communities her served during his patrols. He saw the people. That was more than enough of a reason for him.

Hearing Tsubine mention Rio Shihōin, Tento's expression softened. "Yes, Rio is, was part of the 4th with me. She is something else”, he said fondly. “A strong warrior with an even stronger character. She is alive but it has been awhile since I spoke to her”. Rio was most certainty a reliable person, she had proven as such as his Vice Captain. They had a bumpy start after Tento ruined their positive start after…a passionate decision in the heat of the moment. But thankfully she had forgiven him and they had reconciled. It was a bit of Information to hear she had a way with kids though. That was a bit of her personality he had not gotten to see. But it had sense given how well she helped take care of the division.

Tento paused. Lofe after, the scattered, was still a heavy issue. It would soon be at the forefront that no one could avoid. Lives were lost and families broken. There would be many teens and children with nowhere to go. He…had to think about that. Prepare something that he could do to help.

People needed to fight not for just themselves. But to maintain the bakance of the world so that destruction did not fall like this. To work together, train body mind and soul, to be strong ready to prevent others from experiencing the same oain and loss that had transpired for tge last year. Every life protected, every soul guided.