Ashes of Ambition [Suigan/Byakuya]

It was a strange feeling walking these halls once considered hallowed.

Halls once tread by those who stood in the defense of Soul Society, ready to lay down their lives at a moments notice to ensure its absolute protection without regard to whom threatened them.

But look at them now, empty.

But in spite of their emptiness it was something that Suigan wanted to see for himself, whom had lied to him? The First Division Officer? or Hisakawa Yuuto? In truth it seemed more and more that the former had been the one who lied to him. Each passing moment as he walked flashes of old memories resurfaced, memories of the few times he had walked these very same steps.

This Gotei United had failed its one and only goal, but perhaps there was yet time to save this dying realm from total collapse and ensure its safety. Suigan knew not who to expect to be standing in the Office of the First Division Barracks, though he'd be lying if he said he didn't hope it was Yamamoto somehow risen from the grave to correct the injustices brought upon his Gotei... It seemed like something he'd do to Suigan.

His steps were soft but quick, one foot lifting as the other began to touch the ground. Though as he reached the double doors that separated the Office from the rest of the Barracks he saw several individuals standing guard, individuals he did not recognize. However, he did recognize Shinigami when he saw them.

Suigan himself was dressed in his old worn, battered, and torn Shihakasho. Not too dissimilar to the modern day uniform the Shinigami before him were wearing, mostly just significantly more worn down. In truth Suigan had no intent on stopping and had intended on moving right past them to see whom had claimed this Office as theirs, until the men had moved themselves such as to bar his entry and demand to know whom he was. However Suigan wasn't without respect, and he understood well his position here.

"My Name is Suigan Sato, Former Member of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Gotei. Since the Gotei United has failed in its duty so utterly and completely as to threaten the very safety of my District, I am here for one very simple purpose;"

Suigan paused, though his tone was loud enough that anyone who might be beyond the door would most certainly hear his words.

"I am here to ensure the safety of the Ryugon District, and by extension, the whole of Soul Society as those put in charge after Lord Yamamoto's death have abandoned their duty and can no longer be trusted to safeguard Soul Society."

Once more, Byakuya found himself in the former Captain Commander’s office, surrounded by a familiar mountain of paperwork. His personal guard stood vigilant in the halls, noting every individual who entered and exited. Immersed in the administrative tasks, a sense of nostalgia crept in as memories of his time as a Captain in the Gotei Thirteen resurfaced. He had considered reconciling and joining the Gotei United, yet both his pride and hers had proven insurmountable obstacles. It was a shame, truly—such an opportunity might have spared the Gotei United from the fate of disbandment it now faced.

The loud voice echoing through the large double doors drew little reaction from Byakuya beyond a raised eyebrow. His guards would naturally try to manage the intrusion, but Byakuya’s curiosity was stirred by the man’s bold claims. “Let him in,” he instructed, his tone calm yet commanding. Mid-sentence, the guard attempting to turn Suigan back paused, stepped aside, and kept a firm hand on his zanpakuto as Suigan was permitted entry. Two guards escorted Suigan into the office, while the remaining guards resumed their posts outside as the doors.

Sitting with the expected impeccable posture, Byakuya regarded Suigan with a steady gaze. “You have voiced your concerns,” he said, his tone measured and unyielding. “Now, explain precisely why you’ve come to me.”

Ah, it seemed there was indeed someone beyond the door, and that someone was paying at least a modicum of attention to what was going on. When the men stepped aside to guide him in, he carried himself with careful and measured steps, each one just as soft and intentionally placed as the previous or the next. His attention moving from the guards to the one who now sat where Yamamoto once did.

This too was a strange sight for Suigan, seeing another taking the seat that the famed Yamamoto once sat. A slight smirk on his face as recognition struck Suigan, of all the Captain's he knew of... Byakuya was probably one of few he would have expected to be sitting here. That did not, however, mean he thought him an adequate replacement, though in truth he could see few who could be considered 'adequate' when compared to such a man.

"So, Kuchiki-dono is now the Sotaicho. Not who I would have expected, if I am being truthful." While his tone didn't carry a haughty or arrogant tone with it, there was a certain level of snark to his words. "I can't imagine you being the one who was so childish as to disband the Gotei itself in the wake of this attack." Suigan looked around the room momentarily before his eyes returned to Byakuya "I will put it plainly, A few days ago an enormous black blast careened through my District, the Ryugon District, wiping out nearly half of it and leaving behind destruction so immense as to make even Aizen's attempt to overthrow Soul Society look like mere child's play."

Suigan had stopped only ten or so feet from the desk, though now moved out towards the balcony that overlooked the Seireitei, his hands moving behind his back and folding into each other "Your previous Sotaicho has gone completely missing with no explanation at the pivotal moment when powerful Arrancarr and Hollow invade, regardless of who you are such things can only be seen as an act of treason. It is clear to me now that leaving the Gotei when I did was a grievous mistake, whomsoever was placed in charge after Lord Yamamoto's death have turned traitor and abandoned the sacred duty of the Shinigami to protect Soul Society." While he spoke only what his thoughts were, there was a certain logic too them... Even if it might have been seen as a leap to some.

"Everything Lord Yamamoto built up has been destroyed by the Lieutenant of this Gotei United who decided to disband the Gotei in its entirety, not those that invaded." It was now that he turned to once more face Byakuya. Had anyone but a Captain of Lord Yamamoto's Gotei been occupying this office, he might've drawn my Zanpakuto immediately. However since it is you that occupies it I am, at the very least, willing to talk. "How do you intend on fulfilling the sacred duties of a Shinigami?"

It would be Byakuya's response to this question that would determine how he moved forward, while he wasn't a 'Shinigami' by trade anymore, the Ryugon District now lay in ruins and it required a strong, unrelenting leader to ensure such things would never happen again... Or at least if they did, those responsible would have found their head on a pike by the end of the day.

Byakuya did not recognize the man who strode into his office, and thus no trust was granted. Yet he noted the audacity it took to approach and chatter on like an elder recounting their good old days. Funny, this one didn’t seem that old. As this newcomer, Suigan Sato, wandered boldly through his office, Byakuya's stern gaze followed him. Every time Byakuya might have interjected, Suigan pressed on, prompting the faintest lift of his brow. It was, almost, entertaining.

When the question was posed, Byakuya appeared ready to respond—leaning forward as if to speak, then pausing deliberately. He held Suigan in a sharp, pointed silence, inviting him, almost expectantly, to fill the air with more words. But this time, the silence remained. Good, he could actually speak now.

“There are plans underway to establish a new organization to replace what was disbanded,” Byakuya stated, though he held a curiosity himself. “Where does your interest lie? Is it with your district alone, with the Soul Society as a whole, or does it extend to the preservation of the Soul Cycle itself?”

A concise enough answer to be sure, and one followed up with a question from Byakuya himself. In truth it took Suigan a few moments of thought before he could earnestly answer such a question, during which he had his eyes closed in contemplation. In truth his highest interest was his district and its safety, though what exactly might that've entailed?

He had joined Yamamoto for safety of his district, and in the process ended up protecting all of Soul Society and by proxy the Soul Cycle itself. Admittedly the latter of those were just happenstance and a result of the want for the former, though now that he thought about it... This situation wasn't much different outside of those involved in it.

When he was ready to respond he let out a soft sigh "Earnestly..." He began, his eyes slowly opening "I'll be honest, my highest priority right now is seeing to the safety of my district." He gave a few moments pause as he raised one hand to look at it before his head rose to once more look at Byakuya "I care not how this is accomplished. That being said..." He gave another pause this time, gauging how Byakuya reacted to what he had said before continuing "Now, given what I've already said defending my district, Soul Society and the Soul Cycle, are all one in the same. So to your question of where my interest lay... It lays wherever ensures the safety in totality of my district. If that means defending Soul Society, If that means defending the Soul Cycle, then so be it."

Would this mean he needed to remain away from his district yet again for potentially another thousand and five-hundred years? Perhaps. But in truth that didn't matter so long as it was protected, that was the only thing that mattered to him on a personal level.

Suigan could read nothing from a man like Byakuya, whose gaze was as collected and unyielding as his presence. He was never one to disclose his thoughts easily. In Byakuya’s eyes, however, Suigan’s responses showed a level of immaturity and naïveté all too familiar among those who had once served within the Gotei United. Byakuya had little patience for the “protect mine” or “protect everyone” mindset. The former was narrow and self-serving, while the latter, though well-intentioned, was idealistic and failed in execution time and again. However, even Byakuya could see potential in one so bold...

"Overreaching is precisely what led to the Gotei United’s collapse. They scattered their focus—stretching from the Seireitei to the Rukongai, meddling in the world of the living, and dabbling in trade, combat, and politics as if they were a governing body—all under the direction of a single leader. In contrast, I am assembling a group, the Daimeikantai, with one clear purpose: to protect the Soul Cycle. It will be guided by a council whose purpose is essential to the world's very survival... As you should expect, we are recruiting. And as one who still holds pride from his time under Yamamoto’s Gotei Thirteen, tell me—are you interested in being part of something greater than just your District?"

Byakuya had some unique insights into the collapse of the Gotei United, insights that an outsider like suigan wouldn't of had. Suigan hadn't realized just how far they had tried to reach, just how many cookie jars they tried to put their hands into. So many different things that were reached for, so many things that ultimately didn't matter when it came to what their core job was.

He could see now why they had failed where Yamamoto's Gotei had not. They extended far too much and hadn't the resources to maintain such overreaching, and to top it all off they clung to only a singular leader for it all. Such a thing was simply not practical. It became quite clear to him as Byakuya spoke where this conversation was headed, a direction that would give him an ultimatum.

While Suigan had only been in the Gotei because of a promise, he couldn't say that it wasn't something he detested or regretted doing, and just as thought Byakuya extended that offer to him... To join this 'Daimeikantai' and help something more than just his district. Suigan's head turned away from Byakuya, down to his Zanpakuto that clung tightly to his side. It yearned to be unleashed once more, to be held by its Master for the first time in almost three hundred years.

Admittedly, Suigan had neglected Kōkai Ryūō Sōkaishin quite a lot. While he still communed with it often, he never drew its blade for fear of being discovered. Perhaps now it was time to right past mistakes, the mistake of leaving the Gotei... Of abandoning the Soul Society for admittedly selfish reasons... He didn't regret making those decisions, but they were mistakes all the same. The Ryugon District was in tatters, and would remain such if something wasn't done... if something wasn't changed.

Suigan did not turn his head up for several long minutes, minutes that, to him, felt like hours. This simply wasn't a decision he could make without thinking about what might actually happen if he accepted. What would happen to the Ryugon District in his absence? Would it be safer for it, or would it fall to chaos? This decision was starkly different than the one Yamamoto had given him, it wasn't one being given out of force... it was simply a decision he had to make.

If he turned it down, he could return to the Ryugon and protect it directly though his presence would now be known and everyone would know he lived... But this could also alienate him from potential allies, allies that could help ensure the Ryugon's safety. Likewise joining this organization could keep him from the Ryugon district, could keep him away for another millenia if not longer.

By the time he had turned his head up to look at Byakuya, nearly five minutes had passed since he posed his question, though at the same time the look on his face hadn't changed since he looked down. "I understand the weight of this decision... And it isn't one I can make lightly. However, I will not make the same mistake that I did in the past, even if it means the Ryugon is without me for another millenia or more, I will accept your offer, Kuchiki-dono."

It was time to take accountability for his mistakes, time to ensure such things never happen again...

First, this man wouldn’t stop talking. Now, he stood there in complete silence, staring at the floor for so long that Byakuya began to wonder if his time would be better spent catching up on the paperwork he had left unfinished. With that thought, he reached for a document he’d been reviewing before Suigan’s arrival. If the man lacked the maturity to join the Daimei, it would be of little consequence to Byakuya. He would prefer another member who understood the gravity of the Soul Cycle, but there were other candidates.

Byakuya’s attention was pulled back as Suigan finally spoke. He gave him a moment to think, then refocused his gaze. “Good,” he said, offering a slight nod of approval, the gesture carrying more respect than usual. Rising from his seat, Byakuya approached with a piece of paper in hand. “Sign this. In time, you will be summoned, and our mission will begin. Keeping in mind what I previously said about reaching too far, what role do you feel most suited for?”

Suigan stood patiently as Byakuya approached with a piece of paper, looking over it for a few moments and reading the brief descriptions of each division they had planned and setup. After a few moments looking them over, he placed his name down and spoke "The Defense Corps, it is the best suited for my skill set."

This was it... There was no turning back or going back, he would defend the Soul Cycle... Or he would die trying, there was no other option. Without the cycle, there was no Soul Society, and without Soul Society, there was no Ryugon District.

This was not a formal contract or official enlistment—that would come later once those documents were prepared. For now, a name alone would suffice. Byakuya accepted the sheet, glanced over it briefly, then offered Suigan a curt nod. “What abilities make the Defense Corps your preference? Come,” Byakuya instructed, setting the paper aside and moving toward the exit, but not before the nobleman took up his zanpakuto and placed it at his hip. “Like the others who join, you will be tested to gauge the level of your combat skills.”

Byakuya led the man to one of the nearest training areas that had not been destroyed in the attack. “Here, you are free to use whatever abilities you see fit,” he said, moving to the opposite side of the arena. A critical gaze remained fixed on Suigan, waiting for some sort of demonstration of his capabilities.