Chapter 9: The Duel for the 4th Seat
inside the division 10 meeting room....
The atmosphere in the 10th Division's meeting room was electric as Yami and the 4th Seat, Kaito Yukimura, squared off in the center. The tension was palpable, with every eye in the room focused on the two Shinigami. For everyone this was the first time they had seen Yami in action, and they were eager to see how he would fare against a seated officer.
Kaito stood with his Zanpakutō drawn, his stance aggressive and confident. He was a tall man with sharp features and an arrogant smirk that seemed permanently etched on his face. His blue eyes glinted with the anticipation of an easy victory. After all, in his mind, Yami was just another upstart from the 4th Division, a division known more for its healing prowess than its combat strength.
Yami, on the other hand, appeared calm and composed, his face a mask of serene indifference. He hadn't even drawn his Zanpakutō yet, his hand resting casually on the hilt. His violet eyes, however, told a different story. They were cold, calculating, and devoid of any hint of fear or uncertainty.
Akiro Benjiro, the Captain of the 10th Division, leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he observed the two men. He could sense the tension in the room, but he was more interested in Yami's demeanor. He had observed Yami's calm demeanor throughout the earlier exchanges and was curious to see how this new addition to the 10th Division would fare against one of his seated officers.There was something about this man that intrigued him, a quiet confidence that suggested he was more than he appeared to be.
The 4th Seat wasted no time, lunging forward with a powerful, sweeping slash aimed at Yami's midsection. His movements were fast and precise, a testament to his years of training. However, Yami sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his body moving with a fluid grace that seemed almost unnatural. Kaito's blade sliced through empty air, the force of the swing causing a gust of wind to ripple through the room.
Yami's expression didn't change. He made no attempt to counterattack, merely observing Kaito with those cold, unreadable eyes. This only served to infuriate the 4th Seat, who snarled in frustration.
"Stand still and fight, coward!" Kaito growled, launching into a series of rapid slashes, each one aimed at a different part of Yami's body.
The other seated officers watched in stunned silence, their earlier skepticism giving way to disbelief. Kaito was one of the stronger officers in the division, known for his brute strength and aggressive fighting style. Yet here he was, unable to land a single hit on Yami, who moved with the ease of someone taking a leisurely stroll.
"Is he even trying?" one of the seated officers muttered under his breath, his eyes wide with shock.
"This can't be real," another officer whispered, her gaze fixed on Yami as he continued to evade Kaito's relentless assault.
But Yami remained an enigma. He moved with minimal effort, evading each strike with a subtle shift of his body. His feet barely seemed to touch the ground as he glided around the room, dodging Kaito's attacks as if they were nothing more than minor annoyances.
The other seated officers watched in stunned silence, their initial contempt for Yami slowly being replaced by a growing sense of unease. Haruto Amamiya, the 3rd Seat, observed the battle with a gentle smile, though even he couldn't hide his surprise at how effortlessly Yami was handling the situation.
Kaito, however, was growing increasingly desperate. His attacks became more erratic and forceful, driven by a mixture of frustration and disbelief. He couldn't understand how Yami was dodging his every move, how his opponent remained so calm and detached in the face of what should have been a relentless assault.
The frustration on Kaito's face was evident as he realized that Yami wasn't even taking him seriously. He could see it in Yami's eyes,those calm, unflinching purple eyes that seemed to regard him with a mix of boredom and indifference. It was infuriating, and Takeshi could feel his temper rising with each failed attempt to land a hit.
'How…how is he doing this?' Kaito's thought to himself, his breathing growing heavier with exertion. 'Is he mocking me?'
Yami, for his part, remained silent, his expression unreadable as he continued to evade Kaito's attacks. But inwardly, he was growing bored. The fight, if it could even be called that, had long since lost its novelty. Kaito's attacks were predictable, his movements slow and telegraphed. Yami could see through every move, anticipate every strike, and counter each one without breaking a sweat.
Yami finally lifted his hands up .His movements were still measured and precise, his expression unchanging. He hadn't broken a sweat, and his breathing was as steady as it had been when the duel began.
Kaito, in contrast, was starting to tire. His breathing was heavy, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he glared at Yami with a mixture of anger and disbelief. How could this man be so calm, so unbothered? It was as if Yami didn't even consider him a threat.
As Kaito prepared to launch another attack, Yami decided it was time to end the farce.Yami's left fist rocketed forward with lightning speed, landing squarely on Kaito's abdomen. The impact knocked the wind out of Kaito, and he staggered back, gasping for air. The blow was precise and powerful, a reminder that strength was not just in the sword but in the body itself. Kaito barely had time to recover before Yami was upon him again.
Without missing a beat, Yami followed up with a rapid series of punches. His first strike was a right hook to Kaito's jaw, snapping his head to the side. Kaito tried to swing his sword in retaliation, but Yami's movements were too swift. With a fluid motion, Yami ducked beneath the swing and landed a devastating uppercut into Kaito's ribcage, the force behind it making a sickening crack.
Kaito gritted his teeth, trying to stay on his feet, but Yami was relentless. Yami moved with the grace of a predator, each punch landing with surgical precision. A knee to Kaito's stomach followed, sending him stumbling backward. His vision blurred, and his breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to regain his balance.
"What… What is this…?" Kaito's thoughts raced as he tried to comprehend the sheer power behind Yami's attack. It didn't make sense. How could someone who had been evading so casually suddenly unleash such strength? It was as if Yami had been toying with him all along.
"What was it that you were saying that i bit off more than i can chew ," Yami's voice cut through the air, his tone almost casual as if he was speaking to a sparring partner, not an opponent in a fight for a position.
Kaito snarled, frustration flashing across his face. His pride was wounded, but he was too proud to admit it. He came at Yami again, this time with a barrage of quick slashes , hoping to overwhelm the newcomer with sheer speed.
But Yami wasn't fazed. He leaned to the side, avoiding Kaito's slahes with ease, before retaliating with a quick left jab to Kaito's solar plexus, followed by a spinning roundhouse kick that slammed into Kaito's temple. The blow sent Kaito sprawling to the floor, his Zanpakutō clattering out of his hand.
The room was silent except for the sound of Kaito's labored breathing. His body ached from the punishment he had just endured, and his mind was beginning to lose focus.
Yami didn't give Kaito the time to recover. He advanced once more, and with a single step, he grabbed Kaito by the collar of his uniform and lifted him off the ground, bringing him eye-level. Kaito struggled, trying to throw punches, but Yami's grip was unyielding.
"This is pointless," Yami said, his voice low and calm. He brought his fist down, crashing it into Kaito's ribs again with the full force of his strength. A sickening crack echoed through the room as Kaito's breath escaped in a strangled gasp. "You don't stand a chance against me."
Kaito's body went limp in Yami's grasp, his arms hanging uselessly at his sides. The pain was unbearable, and he couldn't even summon the strength to fight back anymore. Yami dropped him to the ground with a cold, emotionless expression on his face.
Akiro Benjiro watched the battle with growing interest and watched the battle with a thoughtful expression, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. He could see how effortlessly Yami was controlling the fight, how he was able to match and Kaito's spiritual pressure It was clear to him that Yami was controlling his spiritual pressure with remarkable skill, matching it to Kaito's level while still dominating the fight. It was an impressive display, one that spoke volumes about Yami's true strength.A smirk tugged at the corners of Akiro's mouth as he observed Yami's performance. 'He's holding back,' Akiro thought, The Captain couldn't help but smirk, It was clear to him that Yami was far stronger than he let on, and the captain couldn't help but be impressed by the newcomer's skill.
But his admiration was tinged and his smirk faded slightly as he glanced at Kenta Matsumoto, who was watching the fight with a scowl on his face. Akiro could see the arrogance in Kenta's eyes, the sense of superiority that had taken root in his lieutenant over the years. It was a problem that Akiro had been aware of for some time, but now, watching Yami's effortless display of strength and Yami's mastery of Hakuda, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment in Kenta's attitude. The Lieutenant was still sneering, his expression a mix of disbelief and stubborn pride. Akiro sighed inwardly, noting how Kenta's arrogance had blinded him to the reality of the situation. The Lieutenant had grown complacent, convinced of his own superiority, and it was clear that he wasn't taking Yami seriously as he was watching the battle and was failing to notice how dangerous Yami was .
'Arrogance will lead you to your downfall, Kenta,' Akiro thought to himself, shaking his head slightly before refocusing on the duel.
The other seated officers were similarly captivated by the fight, their earlier contempt for Yami now replaced with a mix of awe and trepidation. It was becoming increasingly clear that they had underestimated the newcomer. The ease with which Yami was handling Kaito, a seasoned 4th Seat, was nothing short of astonishing.
"I…I can't believe this," one officer muttered, his voice tinged with awe. "He's…he's completely overpowering Kaito…"
" Did he really come from the 4th division ?" another officer whispered, her eyes wide with astonishment. "I've never seen someone in that division fight like this…"
Haruto Amamiya's gentle smile remained, but there was a glint of surprise in his eyes. He had suspected that Yami was strong, but even he hadn't anticipated just how effortlessly the man would dominate the fight. It was a humbling experience for the other officers, many of whom had initially dismissed Yami as an unworthy addition to their ranks.
Kenta Matsumoto, however, was staring at the scene in disbelief now . His arrogance had been shattered, and there was now a look of wariness in his eyes. The way Yami had decisively defeated Kaito, without even drawing his sword, made him realize just how dangerous this newcomer truly was.
Yami stood over Kaito, his face an impassive mask as he observed his fallen opponent. He took a step back and folded his arms, waiting for Kaito to speak.
"Do you yield?" Yami asked, his voice cold but measured.
Kaito didn't answer immediately he stared into Yami's eyes, and what he saw made his blood run cold. It was as if he was staring into a void, a black hole , there was no anger, no hatred in those eyes,only an unyielding calmness that seemed to swallow everything around it. It was as if Yami was a black hole, an abyss that threatened to consume Kaito entirely.. Sweat dripped down his face, and his hands trembled as he realized the full extent of Yami's power. There was no doubt in his mind now,he had been utterly defeated. His body trembled, his pride crushed beneath the weight of Yami's skill. His mouth opened, but only a strangled whisper came out.
"I yield…" Kaito gasped, his voice hoarse with both defeat and disbelief.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as the words were said.
Captain Akiro Benjiro rose from his seat, his expression unreadable as he looked between Yami and Kaito . "The duel is over," Akiro announced, his voice firm and authoritative. "Yami is the new 4th Seat of the 10th Division."
The announcement was met with awkward applause from the other seated officers. Many of them looked uncomfortable, their earlier condescension now replaced with fear and begrudging acknowledgment. They had witnessed Yami's strength firsthand, and it was clear that he was not to be underestimated.
Yami simply nodded, stepping back and sheathing his hands behind his back as if the entire thing had been little more than a casual sparring match.
"Congratulations, Yami," Haruto said, his voice warm and sincere. "You've more than earned your place here."
"Thank you, Haruto," Yami replied, his tone polite but reserved. He wasn't one to bask in praise or seek validation from others. His focus was always on the path ahead, on the challenges yet to come.
Captain Benjiro looked around the room, his gaze lingering on each of the seated officers before finally settling on Yami. "Now that the challenge has been settled, let's begin the meeting," Kazuki announced, his voice cutting through the lingering tension in the room.
The seated officers exchanged glances before turning their attention to the captain, their expressions now serious and focused. The earlier tension had dissipated somewhat, replaced by a sense of solemnity as they prepared to discuss the matters at hand.
As the meeting progressed, the officers discussed various issues affecting the division, from ongoing missions to internal matters that required attention. Yami listened intently, his calm demeanor unchanged as he absorbed the information being presented.
Benjiro led the discussion with authority, his sharp mind and tactical acumen evident in the way he addressed each issue. Haruto offered his insights when necessary, his calm and collected nature complementing the captain's more direct approach.
Lieutenant Kenta Matsumoto remained silent for most of the meeting, his earlier arrogance tempered by the display of power and skill he had witnessed from Yami. He glanced at Yami from time to time, a scowl still etched on his face, but the condescension had been replaced by a wary respect. Captain Benjiro noticed this with a smirk but didn't comment on it.
As the meeting came to a close, Akiro gave a final nod to the seated officers. "That concludes our meeting for today," he said, his tone signaling the end of the discussion. "You are all dismissed."
The officers began to rise from their seats, the atmosphere in the room noticeably lighter now that the meeting was over. Yami stood as well, preparing to leave, as Yami stepped out into the corridor, Haruto caught up to him, offering a friendly smile. "You handled that duel exceptionally well, Yami. I'm looking forward to working with you."
Yami nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Likewise, Haruto. I'm here to contribute to the division in any way I can."
The two exchanged a brief, respectful bow before Haruto turned to leave the room. Yami followed suit, with that, the two men parted ways, each heading off to their respective duties making his way into the corridor as the other seated officers watched him with a mix of curiosity and respect. The condescending looks that had greeted him when he first entered the meeting room had vanished, replaced by looks of acknowledgment and, in some cases, fear. Yami's first day in the 10th Division had been eventful, to say the least, but he had already proven himself as a force to be reckoned with. As he walked through the division's halls, he greeted other officers he walked past going about there own duties.As Yami stepped out of the division halls into the outside area , he took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm settle over him.
But Yami knew that this was only the beginning,there were still many challenges ahead, and he was determined to face them with the same calm resolve that had carried him through today. The path before him was long and arduous, but he was more than prepared to walk it.
Yami couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what the future held. The path before him was uncertain, but Yami was ready to face it head-on, knowing that he had the strength and determination to overcome any obstacle that stood in his way.
hope you guys enjoyed!!!!!!
now begins Yami journey into the 10th division