(Jaeger HQ)
"So..." To say that the majority of the special police force was confused would be an understatement, not expecting their first mission to turn out as such. Esdeath had the frozen Ichigo brought to their base while the Jaegers, sans Stylish and Run, watched in puzzlement while she admired the man in the ice. "What's going on captain?" Bols finally asked. "Who is this Ichigo person and why did we need such an elaborate trap?"
"That boy is not human!" Honest shouted, coming into the headquarters with Stylish and Run in tow. The former having several tools for sample extraction ready and looking absolutely ecstatic, while the latter was just very curious. "You've really outdone yourself this time General. To successfully capture the capital's own reaper." He said, struggling between his excitement at victory and a calm smugness that the biggest obstacle was out of his way. The carcase of such a powerful being would offer a massive boon to the Empire, and more importantly to him. Maybe even the keys to immortality itself was within his grasp, the man thought while reaching out to the hybrid while Stylish prepared to drill through the ice.
"That's not smart." Esdeath warned, though it was ignored. Just as she expected, Ichigo's arms broke free with his veins glowing crimson, and struck at the two men. Stylish got his hand and tool crushed in Ichigo's right hand while his left quickly dislocated Honest's wrist, shoulder, then grabbed his skull in a crushing grip. A second later, the ice fell off of Ichigo as he shook himself free.
"I agreed to come along by your terms Esdeath, but I didn't agree to this." The Soul Reaper growled as the two began to wail in pain. "You should know, I'm not particularly fond of being a test subject without consent." He lightened up his grip and both men fell to the floor, clutching their still throbbing hand and head, and Marik came in through the door.
"Well, if I need consent," Stylish started in between pained squeals, "then may I have some sam-" The Arrancar kicked the doctor right out the door, Seryu running after him.
"My answer is no." Ichigo plainly said, swiping the odd crown Honest had on his head. A ring with three black diamonds. "I will not allow you to have me in any experiments. I've had to send plenty of 'failed test subjects' to their much needed rest and I personally don't trust your scientists." 'Is this a Teigu? Certainly has a feel of power to it.' The reaper thought as he examined the trinket, sitting himself in a chair. "Also, I'm still going to have to punish you for this Esdeath. Just not here because I'd like to avoid collateral damage."
"And that is very much appreciated, lord Shinigami." Honest said, finally getting back up. "I do hope you were successful in your duties. His majesty has been making an effort to try to preserve life in the Capital, but are you sure you should make such compassion known? It would be a shame if death itself were to-" He was saying while Ichigo and Marik shared a glance, before Ichigo poked his finger toward Honest. Marik immediately punched the fat man in the exact spot Ichigo pointed, not enough to kill him but definitely knock the wind out.
"I said I'd like to avoid collateral damage. Not that I wouldn't fight when push comes to shove." Marik returned to his king's side and waited. "Now, Esdeath, you said you wanted to see the world through the eyes of a soul, correct?" He returned his vision to the icy general, who smiled.
"Yes indeed, and my Jaegers are a fellow offering if they pass your test." She announced, shocking all the humans in the room, even Seryu and Stylish who just returned. "There is a great chance that we may die in the line of duty, fighting against the enemies of the Empire. Either we pass on to a peaceful rest or join our resident Shinigami in the service of something greater. I fully plan on doing the latter when this war is over, but your choices are your own." Some seemed to ponder the possibility, partially convinced of Ichigo's 'divinity' after surviving being frozen solid and throwing people around without touching them. Kurome was clutching her sword tightly, terrified of what the Soul Reaper would do to the friends she refused to let rest because of the Teigu's power.
"Hmm." Ichigo hummed as he appeared in front of her, staring deep into her black eyes. "You remind me of the wild one." He said, trying to be vague so that others wouldn't understand. Kurome's eyes, however, widened in a sense of recognition. 'I'll have to ask Akame about this girl... even their names sound alike.' He thought before his phone and Soul Tracker vibrated in his pocket, which he left off since reaching this world until he made Sheele a Soul Reaper. The idea was that she was the standard level of strength for future possible recruits. He pulled it out to check, and it was pointing out to the opening of the Empire's Grand Canal and further into the waters. 'Lucky me, I hope.' "Looks like something has come up. I'm going to check it out."
"What about letting me come?" Esdeath suddenly asked. "This is related to your duty, is it not?" Ichigo tossed the possible Teigu he had onto the couch, keeping an eye on it all the same by Reishi sense.
"I don't yet have the means to let you do that, short of killing you Esdeath." He said, making note of the Prime Minister subtly taking the crown back. He had a feeling of distress ever since Ichigo took it that only calmed down by a fraction when he reclaimed it, the possibility of that crown being a Teigu went up. "I'll do it when I have the time." Just as he was about to leave, a messenger appeared in the doorway.
"Is there an 'Ichigo Kurosaki' here?" He asked, Ichigo raising his hand. "His majesty would like to request your presence at your earliest convenience sir."
"Noted." Ichigo took off his Gigai Ring and disappeared from human sight shortly before leaving with Marik in tow. "Head back to base and continue training Sheele. Thanks for coming as we planned."
"Of course my lord." He said just before sighing. "Can't wait till that girl can hold her own so I can take my naps again." The Arrancar made his way back to Night Raid's base while Ichigo continued on to the waters, where a fight was taking place.
(Over the Cruise Ship)
"The big ones always tend to bring trouble, don't they?" Ichigo asked, floating over the cruise ship, a massive vessel with a dragon's head at the helm. On the deck were dozens of unconscious forms of various people, someone that was split in half with a soul floating a bit above that was cheering an ally apparently, Tatsumi was injured and clutching his stomach, and Bulat was crossing blades with an older man. "Do I know that guy from somewhere?" He wondered as the fight continued and a third person, about Tatsumi's age, appeared. "Where have I seen them?"
"Secret skill!" The older man yelled, despite a deep cut in his stomach. "Blades of blood!" He roared as his blood shot at Bulat like bullets, some he deflected, others piercing into his flesh.
"He's a stubborn one, I'll give him that." The hybrid said before descending, believing that the fighting was either over or close to being. As he dropped to the ship, he grabbed onto the floating soul. "Okay, time... to... Huh." He just barely recognized the man, but the man clearly remembered Ichigo.
"YOU!" He said, pointing a trembling hand at the Soul Reaper. "You're that Shinigami that general Esdeath is so infatuated with!"
"I am. And you are?"
"I'm Daidara of the Three Beasts, Esdeath's personal guard!" He proudly proclaimed, reaching for a weapon that was no longer there. "In the name of my master, I'll... I'll..." He kept reaching until he remembered that he was dead and in the presence of a Death God.
"It wouldn't have made any difference even if you had your Teigu Daidara." The soul of the older man said after his mortal life ended, somewhat struggling in the transition. "We were all there and watched as even lady Esdeath was brought low by him. None of us can fair any better than the general." He walked up to Ichigo and bowed in respect. "Please forgive my colleague, all of us in the Three Beasts have our own reasons to follow our general. She saved my life, for example, so while I don't like some of my actions, I still did so out of loyalty to my savior."
"River's right." Daidara admitted. "I thought I was the strongest, until she proved me wrong. I respected her power and strength."
"And what about that one?" Ichigo asked, pointed at the now buffed up blond man while Bulat was yelling at Tatsumi to focus.
"He respects Esdeath as the greater sadist." Daidara told him. "Kid collects faces... from people that are still alive. It's creepy as hell." The three shuddered at the odd and sick hobby of the boy named Nyau as Tatsumi called upon the power of the Teigu Incursio. The armor of the Teigu manifested as a giant avatar before it began shifting into something more beast like.
'That thing... it's still alive!' Ichigo realized while watching the armor change in a mixture of awe and horror. Awe at the creature's life force and horror at what life must be like for it. The next exchange of blows was the last as Tatsumi and Nyau punched at each other, with Nyau getting sent right into a wall on the ship and made a crater before falling to the ground dead. "Stay here, all of you. I've something I need to do." He put on his Gigai Ring just as Tatsumi dispelled his armor and ran back to Bulat.
"Ichigo! Him too? Really!?" Tatsumi said, tears welling up in his eyes as Bulat died. "I can't even say good-bye this time can I?" Ichigo looked to the side as Bulat got himself together, now dealing with the fact he was dead. "We just lost Sheele, now bro? Why do they have to-!"
"Punch him." Bulat said, knowing that he couldn't do so anymore. Thus, Ichigo punched Tatsumi right on top of his head. Before either could say anything else, the hybrid held up a finger.
"Tatsumi, I do not control when people die." He said as it began to rain. "I don't even get to decide where they go afterward. All I do is send them to where they will go, I put souls to rest. Letting them say good-bye is a final courtesy that I don't have to actually do. I didn't have to allow Sheele to say good-bye to Night Raid, I didn't need to let your two friends say their final good-byes, or anyone for that matter. So why do I? It doesn't change the outcome of where they'll go, it doesn't change that they're dead, all it actually does is provide closure, which is ALL I CAN DO!" He shouted, scaring the assembled figures. "I have been the most generous Shinigami of my entire ilk, because I don't hear of any other that bothers enough to give any soul any closure." Senna's words came back to him, when they first helped that young boy's soul find his dad despite his disinterest at first. "Now Bulat has some final words for you, after that, get back to your mission. Stop crying. I'll speak for him." Ichigo said, turning to the dead assassin and nodding.
"Right. Tatsumi, don't worry." He said with Ichigo relaying the words. "The kind of power you just showed, you'll surpass me in no time. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather pass on Incursio to. Train hard, make Incursio evolve further than I could ever hope to, and make sure you keep your promise Tatsumi. Survive for your sake, for your village, and for your promise to Akame." He reached out a hand to place on Tatsumi's shoulder, which the boy somehow felt. "I might not stick around, but I'll always be with you. Lil' bro." Tatsumi couldn't help but cry, and still promised his mentor that he'd keep pushing himself harder and harder. Ichigo removed his Gigai Ring and marched back to Daidara and River, with a trembling Nyau.
"Alright, time to do this." Ichigo cracked his knuckled before pulling out one of his Zanpakuto. "Before we start, I'm recruiting people to become Soul Reapers with me." This drew the expected surprise, and hope from Nyau, that he was expecting. "I have a war of my own that I'm facing, and I need to build my own forces. You will be trained, you will retain your memories, you will grow stronger than you ever could before, and Bulat, you can continue to watch over Tatsumi. The price, you will abandon old allegiances, the affairs you have with the Living are over.
"So, you say you don't choose whether people go to Hell or not." Nyau said, stepping forward with some confidence. "Can we still go to Hell and punish the sinners?" Ichigo's response was to tap his forehead and summon the Gates of Hell. "Wait! I-I-I can be useful! I can serve you well!" The chains wrapped around him and dragged him into the burning depths, shocking everyone but the Shinigami who had grown too used to seeing those doors opening.
"I do have standards, let that be known." Ichigo said as he looked to the remaining three. River stepped forward next, the fight was long gone in his eyes.
"I gave my life to my mistress, I've done things that I rather I didn't do, killed people that would've done well for the Empire because of the Prime Minister, and I won't run from my just dues." He declared. "I'm done fighting Shinigami. Heaven or Hell, send me on my way." Ichigo tapped his head, and the blue light glow as he slowly faded. "Maybe we'll have that drink next time we see each other Bulat. If we ever meet." He smiled before disappearing, leaving the two warriors, who were looking quite conflicted.
"I've sworn my life to the general because of her strength, so I don't know if I'd be willing to abandon her just like that." Ichigo looked skyward and swung his sword, cleaving the clouds apart and ending the rain and overcast. Both Bulat and Daidara could only stare, completely stunned. "I will follow you wherever you command." That left Bulat, whom Ichigo looked at expectantly.
"Honestly, working with any former member of the Empire's army is gonna leave a bad taste in my mouth, and I don't know if I can toss aside my previous loyalties to Night Raid and Revolution." The warrior admitted, shaking his head in thought. "But I promised to watch over Tatsumi. And I will keep it. I will keep to your rules, but I'll be keeping an eye on Tatsumi as well."
(Back at the Capital: Later in the day)
Ichigo dropped off his new recruits back at the Night Raid hideout, told Marik to watch them, and sealed them in his underground base with a high level barrier spell with the same training Sheele went through. Sheele was happy to have an old teammate of hers with her now, but had also shed a few tears that he was now dead like her. The last thing Ichigo did at his base was retrieve the other thing he was working on, a glove with the 'Soul Ejection' Kido laced into it, and grabbed some Hollow bait. If Esdeath wanted to see his world, she'll see all he had to show. His power, the Hollows, and how she'd stack up against them. With that done, he reappeared at the Jaegers HQ.
"Soul Reaper!" Run called out, being the only other one in the meeting room. Stylish and Seryu were working on patching up the former's hand, Wave was helping Bols cook and bring dinner to Kurome, who locked herself in her room for some reason, and Esdeath was in a meeting. "I was hoping to speak with you alone. I have... some questions." The man said, looking around the room to make sure they were alone. "I have a request, and am willing to pay-" He started before Esdeath came in with the other Jaegers.
"Listen up people, our first big job as the Jaegers is here!" She announced, heading for the table in the middle of the room. Run seemed agitated, but joined his teammates at the table. "Nice to see you here Ichigo, are you going to join us on this mission. You'll have to tend to them after we're done anyway, and it would be a perfect chance for me to see the spirit side of things." She said with a smile. Ichigo wanted to wipe that smirk off her face, but waited. That would come later.
'I wonder what kind of Hollows will appear.' Ichigo thought to himself, rolling the bait around between his fingers. Esdeath continued to brief her soldiers and ask their resolve... Stylish, for some reason, felt necessary to denounce Ichigo as any sort of god and that Esdeath was a more fitting goddess. "Right. You guys go on ahead, I said I'd meet with the Emperor." He said before flashing away to do just that. Ichigo appeared in the throne room, with Honest, Budo, some new old guy, and Makoto discussing the affairs of state. Before anyone could react, he was directly in front of the Emperor and slipping the Spirit Bracelet on the kid before removing his own Gigai Ring. "Okay, what is it kid?"
"Was that wise to do?" Makoto asked, still trying to catch up mentally to what just happened. The look from Ichigo prompted him to continue. "Right, I was wondering if you could get Night Raid to give us the Teigu Spectator. If they need a reason, tell them it's to protect the former Prime Minister Chouri, who now serves on my staff." He said pointing at the new older man while Budo tried to restore order in the palace. "Honest noted him as a threat to his authority and power, and he was always a good and honest man to the people. I'm sure he's a person of interest that the rebels would rather see alive."
"And why would they trust you? I have been vague about you being freed from Honest." Ichigo asked, making Makoto reach into his pocket.
"This is the Emperor's Seal." He said, handing the golden stamp to the Shinigami. "Only high ranking officials and other generals will recognize that and it is always kept on the Emperor. Show it to whoever it is that you talk to." Ichigo bounced the gold seal a few times in his hand before pocketing it.
"I'll see what I can do." With that, Ichigo took the bracelet back and left the throne room, leaving the job of explaining things to Budo and Makoto. Which he doubted that either appreciated having to do, but his concerns laid elsewhere. He traced Esdeath's presence to a high ledge overlooking the fortress that the Jaegers were tasked with eliminating as a bandit hideout. "Did I miss anything?"
"Nope, just in time to watch them in action." Esdeath answered, not even shocked at Ichigo's sudden appearance. "How will they fare in your eyes?" Ichigo wondered the same as he watched them attack the fortress. The first up was the cyborg girl with the dog Teigu, Seryu if he remembered correctly. She certainly proved adaptive with the different weapons she could switch out her arms with, Mayuri would have a field day with her if she let him do the same body modification, but one look at that savage and predatory grin told the Soul Reaper enough. That girl was a murderer and with how she always used the word 'justice' for every other word probably means she's unstable, she'd probably decide to kill souls rather than use Konso because she'd consider herself the judge.
'So she's out.' He decided as he moved on to the doctor. Stylish was more of a support type, though Urahara and Mayuri have proven how dangerous a smart man can be, so he'd probably do well in squad 12. However, he seemed like this disturbing mix of Yumichika's aesthetic demands and Mayuri's morality and desire to experiment. He'd require more analysis, but Ichigo doubted he could stomach the man being a Soul Reaper. He displayed modified humans, but was project Spearhead any better... maybe, but that wasn't an argument he wanted to have. Next were Kurome and Wave, who once again seemed like a weaker Akame and stronger Tatsumi... the resemblance was still odd to the hybrid. Bols and Run were the last and they mainly showcased the power of their Teigu, nothing he couldn't do with his Kido or Quincy bow against Bols flamethrower and Run's wings.
"Well?" Esdeath asked as her team finished up and started to return to their rendezvous. Ichigo didn't answer as some of the newly made souls already started turning into Hollows, even attacking each other. Being the person he was, he went into action. Grabbing Esdeath by the waist, causing her to blush for the first time in a while, before flashing down to the Jaegers.
"Catch. Spiritual bitchslap." He said, tossing the general toward her subordinates before donning the Soul Ejection glove and pushing Esdeath's soul from her body. "She's alive, just comatose while her soul is out of her." He quickly explained before turning to soul form and making quick work of the spirits in the base. "Well?" He asked, reappearing before Esdeath, who was watching in shock.
"That... that... how fast... are you!?" She gasped, suddenly noting how hard it was to breath. "What is this?"
'Teigu users seem to adapt more easily to being souls.' Ichigo thought as she already began to steady her breathing. 'More research into the spiritual requirement of Teigu.' "This is the first time you became a spirit, is it not? You need to relearn how to live in a new body, breathing first, and movement second." She nodded in understanding as she quickly reached a more comfortable state. "As for how fast, not too sure. I've never bothered to measure it, but it's never fast enough." He took out the bait and crushed it. "Now watch Esdeath, this is my life as a Soul Reaper." He said as dozens upon dozens of holes opened in the sky with hundreds of Hollows, and one massive tear slowly appearing.
(With Honest)
"Damn that Soul Reaper!" He raged, not even able to enjoy his usual snacks after Chouri talked Makoto into making cut backs on certain expenses to fund a new project to clean up the district; removing litter, repairing buildings, providing medical care, removing drugs, and all out of the 'secret' funds he had from bribe money and tax evasion. "He had a hand in this! I know it!" The problem is, he was losing his resources. Night Raid is killing off his pawns, Budo would start making arrests if he made a move in the wrong direction, Esdeath is too infatuated with that Soul Reaper, and he's losing his grasp on the child emperor. If he doesn't do something and soon, then his carefully laid out plans will be completely unsalvageable. "Maybe it's time I have those two move." He suddenly decided. "He should be close to done with his travels and the other is just one position away from taking over that little cult! Just need to move quickly." He began writing a pair of secret letters, one to a man named Syura and one to a Bolic.
(Illustrated Guide to the Special Police)
Jaegers Reaction to Ichigo
Wave: 'Teigus? I can deal with. Quirky teammates? I can deal with. Crazy boss lady? Fine. A literal reaper of souls? What the hell is going on!? The Capital is insane!'
Kurome: 'He's going to take them away. He's going to take them all away. I can't let that happen. I can't let them go! Sister... I'm scared. Why can't we be together again like we used to be?'
Run: 'If I can get his help, then I can certainly achieve my vengeance. But can I persuade a god of death to help me? I know I have to change the empire, but I must avenge my students. Please Shinigami, grant me your favor and help remove a monster from this world.'
Bols: 'So that was the God of Death. ...I know I shouldn't think like this, but the general is right and I may die in the line of duty. I should ask him what Hell is like so I can be prepared, because I know Heaven won't have me.'
Seryu: 'I wonder if he'll let me join him if I die in the line of duty. That sounds good, serving justice to the sinners for all eternity! But, then why did captain Ogre have to die?'
Stylish: 'He's certainly a cutie, but just so not my type at the same time. I want nothing more than to experiment on him, a genuine godly entity! But how? Maybe I'll strike when he's in human form... he should be vulnerable. I'll need to prepare my army... all of my dear experiments should be able to help.'
Esdeath: 'I want his babies, I want his babies, I want his babies, I want his babies, I want his babies, I want his babies, I want his babies, I want his babies!'
Ichigo: 'I'M NOT A JAEGER! LEAVE ME ALONE!'