Loyal Followers; Undying Friends (Bleach: Jūchin)

Countdown to Departure: 9 - Rule-breakers
Meanwhile...

The remnants of Hikaru's Inner Circle steadily ran towards the Blue Stream Gate, the desired exit out of the Seireitei. Their number consisted of Mizu Kurosaki, Saya Kōkiaru, Sayuri Kuchiki, and Nodoka Kumori.

"This feels so wrong," brooded Sayuri. "What did Hikaru ever do to earn such hatred?"

"All of us have done something warranting hatred.," said Mizu. "Mostly, the Gotei 13 doesn't particularly care for a Yonkō who does not conform to the standards set before him by his superiors. There was a lot of rules bent while Hikaru was Captain."

"Is Captain," corrected Saya.

Mizu looked back with a stoic stare then continued his story. "Even though people say the Royal Family has little interaction with the Gotei 13, that's actually a lie. When occasions arise, they will do things to maintain the Gotei's soldiers, such as breaking up the strongest group of fighters in Soul Society, the Yonkō."

"But the Royal Guard are much stronger than the Yonkō, right?" asked Sayuri.

"Currently, yes," answered Mizu.

Sayuri paused. "You said currently."

Mizu nodded. "Currently, the Zero Division and its affiliates are far stronger than the current Yonkō and previous title-holders that still live. I know Gensaku Kaenōra still lives, but I doubt he'd be a match for the Guard at his age. In regards to the current Yonkō, They have kept their titles for two generations, meaning that there have not been any stronger people to arise save for Raian Getsueikirite, Seijūrō's successor, for a good several centuries."

"Whoa," muttered Sayuri under her breath. "So, what about the Zero Division in regards to their power to the Yonkō."

Mizu looked back to Sayuri and the group whose attention was fixated on the Kurosaki. "If all of the Yonkō survive this stupid banishment, over time, the combined power of the Yonko would be enough to conquer all of Soul Society."

Saya and Sayuri gaped at Mizu. "Are you serious?!" they asked simultaneously.

"Yes." Mizu faced forward again. "Each one of them is an incomplete canvas. To put a number to it, they're all at about 15% right now."

That statement caused Sayuri and Saya to stop completely in shock of what they have heard. Mizu slowed down and backtracked to them. "Be surprised all that you want, its true. Let's keep moving."

Sayuri and Saya nodded quickly and resumed their run to the Blue Stream Gate. Nodoka hadn't stopped, so all of them had to catch up to the diminutive man. He gazed back at Mizu. "I'm guessing their rates of growth are different."

Mizu nodded. "Of them, I'd say that Hikaru's the slowest. He has a lot of potential, but because of how much power he has yet to rein in, it makes him develop slower than others."

Nodoka resumed watching where he was going. "I always thought it was because he's lazy."

Mizu narrowed his eyes. "That too.

"But seriously, 15%? Isn't that giving them too much credit?"

"I don't think so. They're all exceptional battlers, but I don't think that they can be called extraordinary just yet. I feel like there's going to be more that will bring them closer as comrades and stronger both individually and cooperatively."

Nodoka looked back to Mizu again, question in his eyes.

"What?" asked Mizu. "Something on my face?"

"You made it sound as though you know that we'll get through this," explained Sayuri, who had just caught up to Mizu and Nodoka.

Mizu was slightly taken aback, then a smile came across his face. "One thing I've learned about that brother of mine is that he never dies. He just keeps coming back and says 'Well, this all looks horrifying'."

Saya giggled. "That sounds like something he would say."

"Someone should use that for a book or something," said Sayuri. "It'd be good for someone with a dry sense of humor."

"Dryer than Nodoka's?" asked Mizu.

"No, that's too dry," chirped Saya.

Nodoka gave her a sideways glance, soughing his annoyance. His eyes shot open, jolting his head to the side.

"What's up?" asked Mizu, the levity gone from his speech.

"Took them long enough," said Nodoka. "They're here."

"Who's here?" asked Sayuri apprehensively.

"We are," spoke a detached voice. Utsūgi Kururugi and Taira Geshunin blocked the group's path to the Blue Stream Gate. The air pressure suddenly became three times denser. Saya and Sayuri fell to their knees, trying to breathe in the heavy air. Nodoka clutched his chest, but nonetheless kept his stance strong. Mizu was relatively unaffected, though how long he could remain in this atmosphere was unknown to even him. However, this did not stop him from emitting all his rage through his reiatsu, directing it towards Utsūgi.

"The hell do you want, crow-bastard?" growled Mizu.

"Simple," started Utsūgi. "I would like to-

"Where did you come from, Mizu?" interrupted Taira.

"Huh?" Bewilderment was all across Mizu's face.

"Do not interrupt me, Taira," spoke Utsūgi fiercely, but quietly.

"Show some respect, crow-bastard!" barked back Taira. "Haven't you ever heard of 'ladies first'?"

Not sure if I should be cautious of her or encouraging her, thought Mizu.

For all our sakes, pick cautious, sent Nodoka to Mizu.

The Kurosaki nodded slightly, just enough to where Taira and Utsūgi could not determine what he was doing if they were not paying attention. Which, at the moment, they were not.

"The 'will of heaven' has determined that you may continue, even if you have an ugly mouth as well," spoke Utsūgi.

"As well?" Rage filled Taira's eyes. "As well as what?!"

Utsūgi turned away.

Taira's incense became elevated. "What? Have something to say, crow meat?"

''Damn, if only Saya and Sayuri weren't being bogged down by these guy's reiatsu. It would be really nice to just Shunpo out of here while they're distracted. Unfortunately,'' Mizu glanced over at Sayuri and Saya, both of which were minutes from fainting. that doesn't seem like it's happening anytime soon. He redirected his attention to Utsūgi and Taira.

"We are here for a purpose," said Utsūgi. "You may revel in your narcissism at another date. Right now, 'the heavens' have determined that we have more pressing matters at hand."

"Narcissism?!" Taira's outburst racked the buildings around her.

Mizu saw this as his opportunity. He drew his blade and charged towards Taira and Utsūgi.