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.