Bleach Fanfiction: Chapter 10 – Rising to the Call
Nanami's progression within the 10th Division had been steady, his skills and discipline earning him recognition. Over the past months, his dedication had not gone unnoticed, and he had risen through the ranks, now standing just behind Rangiku in terms of leadership. His cold, calculated demeanor and exceptional combat prowess made him an irreplaceable asset to the division.
Still, despite the rising responsibilities, Nanami continued his nightly routine of training, refining his Kido, and honing his techniques in secret. However, tonight, he was taking a rare moment to rest. The barracks were quiet, and as he lay back, the weight of his progress settling over him, a deep calm washed over him. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself a moment of reflection.
That was when the sharp, blaring sound of an alarm ripped through the silence.
Nanami's eyes snapped open, and he sat up instantly, his senses immediately heightened. The alarm wasn't just a regular call—it was an emergency signal, one sent by one of his comrades. Something was terribly wrong.
Without a moment to lose, Nanami stood and quickly fastened his Shinigami uniform. His movements were quick and methodical, the urgency of the situation clear in his mind. As he exited the barracks, Rangiku appeared by his side, her own uniform slightly disheveled from the abruptness of the call.
"Nanami!" she called, falling into step beside him, her voice urgent but steady. "We need to check in with Captain Hitsugaya."
Nanami nodded, his expression stoic but focused. "Let's move."
---
They arrived at Hitsugaya's office within moments. The captain was already standing behind his desk, his sharp eyes scanning over a hastily written report. The tension in the air was palpable as Hitsugaya's gaze lifted to meet Nanami's and Rangiku's.
"Captain," Nanami greeted, his voice calm despite the alarm.
Hitsugaya gave a quick nod in response, his usual stoic demeanor in place but with an edge of concern. "The alarm was triggered by one of our patrols in the human world," he explained, wasting no time. "They've encountered a large number of Hollows—more than expected."
Rangiku crossed her arms, frowning deeply. "How bad is it?"
Hitsugaya sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "The report isn't detailed yet, but it seems several of our people are injured, and the Hollows are still attacking."
Nanami's eyes sharpened at the mention of injured comrades. He remained quiet for a moment, processing the information, before he spoke up. "Captain, allow me to go. I'll handle the situation and assist our people."
Hitsugaya's icy gaze met Nanami's, clearly evaluating him. The captain knew of Nanami's capabilities—he had seen them firsthand during missions—but this situation could be dangerous. Still, the quiet confidence in Nanami's voice reassured him.
"Are you sure?" Hitsugaya asked, though his tone already indicated his decision.
Nanami nodded once. "Yes. I can handle it. If the situation escalates, I'll call for backup immediately." Said calmly by Nanami.
Rangiku, standing nearby, chimed in, her concern evident. "You better ask for help if things get dicey. We don't need any heroes getting themselves killed."
Nanami gave her a small nod of acknowledgment. "Understood."
Hitsugaya, after a brief pause, nodded firmly. "Alright. You have permission to go. Be quick about it—and don't take unnecessary risks."
Nanami turned to leave, but Hitsugaya's voice stopped him briefly. "Nanami, take care of them."
Nanami glanced back, his expression unwavering. "I will, Captain."
And with that, Nanami disappeared in a flash of Shunpo.
---
Karakura Town had a strange aura about it, even on a peaceful night. But tonight, as Nanami arrived, the air was thick with spiritual pressure, swirling with a sense of danger. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rooftops as he landed silently in the middle of the town.
The scene before him was chaotic. Several Shinigami were fighting off a large swarm of Hollows, many of them visibly exhausted and wounded. Cries of exertion and the clash of steel against Hollow masks echoed through the streets. But as soon as Nanami appeared, the mood shifted.
One of the Shinigami, barely managing to stand after a particularly vicious attack, spotted him and let out a relieved cry. "Nanami!!!He's here!!!"
The others, upon hearing the name, glanced up, some barely able to believe it. But when they saw the tall, dark-haired figure in his pristine uniform, glasses glinting under the moonlight, their faces lit up with hope.
"Nanami!" another called, his voice filled with relief. "Thank the heavens!"
The cheers that followed were laced with admiration, as stories of Nanami's prowess had spread throughout the division. He had become something of a legend in their ranks—not just for his incredible Kido skills, but for his unshakable calm in the face of danger.
Nanami, however, remained focused. He quickly assessed the battlefield, noting the number of injured and the growing swarm of Hollows that were still approaching.
"All of you, retreat and tend to the injured!" Nanami commanded, his voice firm but composed.
"But Nanami, there are still so many—" one of the younger Shinigami began, but Nanami silenced him with a single look.
"I'll handle the Hollows. Go now, before more of you are hurt."
Reluctantly, the Shinigami obeyed, gathering their wounded comrades and retreating to a safer distance. Nanami remained standing in the middle of the battlefield, his hands at his sides as the Hollows began to converge on him. Their grotesque forms snarled and snapped as they rushed toward him, but Nanami remained unmoved.
With a fluid motion, he raised his hand and began a series of rapid, precise incantations under his breath.
"Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"
Six rods of light shot out from his fingertips, instantly paralyzing the nearest group of Hollows, freezing them in place. The Hollows struggled, their monstrous limbs thrashing against the bindings, but they couldn't break free.
Nanami didn't stop there. With another swift motion, he followed up with another spell.
"Hado #63: Raikōhō!"
A massive blast of thunderous energy erupted from his palm, obliterating the paralyzed Hollows in a flash of light. The remaining Hollows, sensing the danger, began to circle him warily, but Nanami's calm expression didn't falter.
As more Hollows poured in, Nanami moved swiftly, his Shunpo so fast it left afterimages as he darted between them, unleashing a combination of high-level Kido spells and precise strikes with his blade. He was like a force of nature—calculated, efficient, and devastating.
Each spell he cast was executed with pinpoint accuracy, and the sheer power behind his attacks left the Hollows no room to fight back. Within minutes, the battlefield was littered with the remains of fallen Hollows, and the spiritual pressure that had once suffocated the area began to dissipate.
The Shinigami, watching from a distance, couldn't believe what they were seeing. Nanami had single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, wiping out the swarm of Hollows with a level of power and precision they had rarely seen.
When the last of the Hollows had fallen, Nanami stood in the center of the battlefield, his glasses still perfectly in place, his expression as calm as ever. He turned to the Shinigami who had been watching in awe.
"It's done," he said simply, his voice carrying the weight of both authority and reassurance.
---
As the Shinigami slowly approached, tending to their wounded, many of them came up to Nanami, offering words of gratitude and admiration. "You're incredible, Nanami," one of them said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I've never seen anything like that."
Nanami gave a small nod, his gaze distant as he scanned the area to ensure all threats had been neutralized. "Just doing what needs to be done."
Though he said little, his actions had spoken volumes. Nanami had not only proven himself once again but had also solidified his reputation within the division as a powerful and reliable Shinigami—one who could be counted on in the direst of situations.
But even as the others cheered and tended to their wounded, Nanami remained vigilant. He had handled the immediate threat, but there was always a larger game at play in the world of the Shinigami. And Nanami, with all his caution and wariness, would be ready for whatever came next.