The Zanpakutō. Its unique shape and abilities are defined by its Soul Reaper. The Soul Reaper is able to harness the power of the Zanpakutō by learning its name and forming a synergistic unit. The Zanpakutō is born with its Soul Reaper, and dies with its Soul Reaper. That is the existence of a Zanpakutō.
But what if that's not the end?
Obviously, this is a retelling of the Zanpakutō Rebellion arc from the Bleach anime. There will be the stations of cannon that have to be visited; however, it's also a bit of an AU, so there's going to be a difference in viewpoints and some of the story. The story's based off of a long standing spoken RP between Skitty Cat and myself, but streamlined for the general public. Hope you guys enjoy this!
~ Music ~
Proglogue: Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons
But what if that's not the end?
Spoiler Show~- Do or Die -~
(Sakurabito Prologue)
You boys will be on your own for this mission; you can’t count on any help except for what you give each other.
His head smacked against the back of the prison cell, and he had to blink back stars. His assailant stalked toward him, mad fury etched over his face; he hadn’t lost any of his skill or strength, despite centuries of incarceration chipping away at his body. The captain stood just a few feet away, immobile for the moment; but a cold rage slowly filled his eyes and every line of his body, hinting at a burning temper that had been subdued with age, duty, and experience, but neither tamed nor extinguished. The brittle cold in the captain’s eyes promised murder on the prisoner for bringing harm to a boy that shouldn’t exist, yet he did.
Don’t go! Dad, Uncle; don’t leave, please!
Hollows flooded the glade as the boy struggled to gain his feet, the world swimming around him more than usual. Shadows danced at the edges of his vision, the faintest breath of a prickle on his skin that he’d felt only once before in his life, when he’d been just a small child.
Please, I like it here. I don’t want to jump again.
He pushed the prickles back, focusing his attention on the bodies in the glade and the chaos of the battles. At the center of the storm, he saw his best friend charging toward the one summoning the demons, his blade drawn and his voice raised. Even though the boy couldn’t hear his words, he knew the desperate pleas that were falling from the other’s lips.
Do whatever is necessary to both fulfill your mission and to keep it a secret for as long as you possibly can.
He slid away from the wall, falling to the side just as the prisoner took a swing at his head. The captain raised his sword, his mouth forming the familiar words as the blade burst into a thousand small shards that reflected the sunlight. The boy’s vision swam, both from the blow to his head and the images of possible outcomes for this fight, this mission.
What’re our odds?
Six possible outcomes. Four futures that tore his guts out, leaving everyone he cared for a wreck because of his failure. One where his friend made it home but he didn’t. The final one saw them both returned, but the chances were so small that he couldn’t see the choices that would lead them to that perfect end. He’d be happy with two of the futures he saw, but his friend would accept nothing but the last one.
One in six.
Dark hair tangled in his face as he forced the vision to the back of his thoughts with years of practice until all he saw was black hair and green grass and red, red blood at his feet. He could feel it dripping down the side of his face, and his side ached from where the prisoner had stabbed him, but the boy could still fight. Raising his eyes, he caught the sight of one last person, a young ninja with his cowl flipped down. The ninja held the boy’s gaze for a moment, then gave a slow nod before he reached a hand up, sliding the cowl over his head and face, hiding his thoughts from everyone except the boy.
All I ask is that you return home safely.
It was his most important promise, and the one he was most afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep. Even so, his hand crossed to his scabbard, drawing his blade at the same time the young ninja drew his, their movements mirroring each other perfectly.
I’m sorry, Dad.
He spoke softly, yet the prisoner and the captain’s attention both turned to the boy as if he’d screamed that one, single word.
“Bankai.”
Obviously, this is a retelling of the Zanpakutō Rebellion arc from the Bleach anime. There will be the stations of cannon that have to be visited; however, it's also a bit of an AU, so there's going to be a difference in viewpoints and some of the story. The story's based off of a long standing spoken RP between Skitty Cat and myself, but streamlined for the general public. Hope you guys enjoy this!
~ Music ~
Proglogue: Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons