Testing one's worth

A warm wind brushed against Cho's face as he stood in the center of the squad ten training grounds. His long red hair seemed to glimmer in the light over the sun. His zanpakuto was strapped securely to his back. Today was the day. Today was the day he'd be tested to become captain of squad ten.

There was a bundle of nerves in Cho's stomach, but you'd never know it from the way he looked. Cho didn't know who'd be testing him, he just knew they'd be arriving soon. Anytime now the test would begin. In just a matter of moments his life would be changed forever.

Soren walked into the squad 10 training grounds and flared his reiatsu to signal that he was here it was powerful but not overwhelming as of yet. Soren saw who he was facing against he didn't know why they wanted him to test a captain perhaps it was because the other captains was busy although reasons didn't really matter now since he was here and the test was about to begin. Soren walked out in front of the captain and smiled brightly and sighed hanging his head he didn't know how he would approach the whole situation personality wise should he be more strict or should he kind he always hated this types of things.

Soren looked at his opponent in front of him his voice being firm but at the same time kind. Ahh dammit I'm always terrible with these types of things anyways I'm Soren Kiyomeru Substitute Shinigami. I'll be testing you for your captain rank position due to all the other captains being busy. Now then lets get down to business. Soren reached for his zanpaktou on his right side he drew it slowly revealing a pure white zanpaktou holding it with his right hand pointing it to the ground. The wind blew Soren's medium length white hair flying around his icy blue stare locked in on the captain his uniform being of inverted colors with a with a white long coat with black flames around the edging of the coat.

As Cho looked out at the training ground he began to ponder just who would be training him. Maybe the captain of Squad 11? That'd be pretty cool. What about the Squad four captain? They had to be pretty dangerous with their kidou. Maybe even the Captain Commander? Nah, wishful thinking.

Cho wouldn't have to wait anymore to find out. Just behind him in the entrance he felt a blast of spiritual pressure. Well, he had felt all the captain's spirit signatures at one point, and this wasn't one of them. Cho turned and saw a man with white hair.

Cho smiled at the man and bowed.

"Hello."

Ahh dammit I'm always terrible with these types of things anyways I'm Soren Kiyomeru Substitute Shinigami. I'll be testing you for your captain rank position due to all the other captains being busy. Now then lets get down to business.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Soren, I am Cho Akaguchi."

Cho paused and drew his own sword.

"Yes, let's."

Soren smirked and readied himself for his opponent by getting in stance he charged forward as if he was going to just perform a basic attack at Cho that's when he used his flash step to disappearing quickly and reappear from behind him having about 3 meters between them holding his left hand out in front of him he calmly spoke. Hadou 31. Shakkaho. A medium sized red ball formed at the ends of his fingertips and he releases it at Cho he just wanted to see exactly what he would do although he knew it would be nothing for him to block so Soren wasn't quite finished yet twisting his zanpaktou to the side he quickly spoke again this time more hurriedly.

Bakudo number 9. Geki! As the Shakkaho rapidly approached the captain unless he managed to counter it in time a red light would form over him rendering his body completely useless as the Shakkaho would hit him directly. Soren watched carefully and kept his eyes out for anything strange and himself on the ready.

Cho watched as Soren raced forward. Dust from the ground of the arena billowing up about his feet. The training area was unusually quiet today. Not one squad ten member was out training. The stands were bare, no one watching. The training facility was like a ghost town. The warm breeze caressed Cho's face again, when he felt Soren appear behind him.

Hadou 31. Shakkaho.

Cho smirked as he heard this command leave Soren's mouth. With the grace of a ballerina and the speed of a cheetah Cho spun throwing his hands before him.

"Bakudo 39, Enkosen!"

A shield of light formed before him just as the red ball of energy crashed into it, sending a plume of smoke and sparks into the air.

Bakudo number 9. Geki!

Shit.

Soren had forced him into a corner already. Cho glanced up and could see the red paralyzing light forming above him. If he didn't act quick he'd be trapped. Cho flashstepped forward and broke through what was left of his spell. Embers from Soren's hakudo clung to Cho's clothes, leaving burn marks in the black shirt.

Cho continued towards Soren. He faked left and appeared on the man's right side. He swung his blade hard with both hands at the substitute shinigami's midsection.

Soren saw the captain throw up the kido shield smirking as if Soren was no challenge that was when he saw the Geki kido form he had to drop the shield and he rushed Soren faking a left and coming at his right side. Soren's eyes cut right and he sighed turning his body to his right side and placing his zanpaktou out in front of him turning his zanpaktou upside down and to it's side barely blocking the captains strike however he had a calm demeanor sparks flying off the colliding blades barely missing his face his eyes locking on the captain.

Soren sighed pointed left index and middle finger at the captain speaking clearly. Bakudo number 1. Sho. The captain as the captain was finishing his attack he was merely pushed back Soren didn't know if he was off balance or not but he rushed forward anyway pressuring the captain with his own offense.

He came at the captain slashing down with a good amount of force. Soren would mormally try faking him out but he didn't feel the need to this time not being cocky or anything. He just didn't feel the need for trickery or being deceiving. He kept calmly thinking about the Captains next actions if he had time to block or if he would find a way countering Soren.

Cho was impressed by this man's skill. He was a worthy opponent, and would surely give Cho a run for his money. Cho smiled as the man saw what he was doing. So he could see out of his white eye. Interesting.

Cho was readying himself for another strike when the man used the low level kido on him. Cho stumbled back a bit, but steadied himself. He heard the crunch of lose gravel beneath his feet. So, they had made it all the way over to the Eastern side of the training arena.

Cho watch as the man charged at him, he raised his blade and swung down hard at Cho. Cho shifted his weight onto his heels as he raised his sword up to block the blow.

Soren's strike was strong enough that it did just what Cho wanted it to. Cho let his feet come out from under him. His body began to slide on the loose gravel. As Cho began to slide, going between the man's legs, he raised he zan and swung it attempting to slice the man from the crotch back.

Soren watched as Cho fell on to his back sliding towards Soren his eyes raised and using his flashstep he disappeared for a second reappeared sliding back and breathe heavily. Soren had to admit that was close he stood up brushing himself off and sighed looking towards Cho and speaking calmly. Alright you have the basic swordplay and Kidou down. Since I'm not really welcomed by everyone in the Siereitei and you probably want to get this test over with soon so let's get this started shall we?

Soren held his zanpaktou out in front of him sighing the white aura of his reiatsu gathering around him he spoke calmly [/color=cyan]Shine, Tenryū tōboe.[/color] His zanpaktou shattered into dust then eventually sparkled disappearing for good his reiatsu suddenly getting a bit stronger then the level it was at he held out his hand and some of the white aura formed another zanpaktou replica in his hand. Soren was ready for whatever was coming next he wanted to see the captains released form even though it wouldn't be surprise him if the Captain didn't go into it.

Cho watched as Soren managed to dodge his attack. He was fast, good. Cho enjoyed a challenge. Cho quickly made it back to his feet.He was about to launch into another attack when Soren spoke.

Alright you have the basic swordplay and Kidou down. Since I'm not really welcomed by everyone in the Siereitei and you probably want to get this test over with soon so let's get this started shall we?

Cho smiled a littler wider this time. Music to his ears.

"Yes, let's."

He watched as Soren gripped his zan and held it in front of him. He watched as the man released his zan into it's shikai state. It really was flashy. It let off a decent amout of energy, so it had some bite with it's bark. Good. This man seemed to be anxious to leave, and there was no point in holding back now. Cho held his zan out with his right hand, pointing it in a northerly direction.

"Spread your wings Dacchiwaifu Kijuuki !"

When the release command left Cho's lips a vortex of wind formed around Cho, starting at the tip of the blade. The wind swirled around Cho in such a manner that it blocked out anyone's view of him. After only a few seconds the wind was gone. Cho stood there, with a longer blade with an ivory hilt.

Cho looked at Soren, the smile gone from his face. In it's place was a blank expression. With no warning Cho vanished on the winds of a flash step. Swinging his zan with both hands at Soren's shoulder.

Soren smirked a bit when he saw the captain releasing his zanpaktou sighing as he captain used flash step to charge at him catching off guard. However he smiled charging forward to him with his own flashstep Ozakai having the speed advantage though starting out before Soren so his strike was bound to be stronger then Soren's nevertheless Soren wasn't going to back down from the clash as they were bound to clash Soren came with a horizontal slash however that wasn't just it for him taking one of his off his blade he held out two finger underneath his right arm and he spoke calmly even still. Hadou 9. Byakurai. He let the kido fire from his fingertips aiming for Ozakai's right shoulder however due to this Soren's defenses were weakened however he figured if they both that got hit that would be fine. he still needed to see Ozakai's weaknesses it seemed with his release Ozakai's pernality had changed to Soren which he made a note in the back of his mind.

Cho kept his calm demeanor as he charged Soren. He wasn't surprised one bit when the man charged back. When they were just arm's length apart Cho noticed Soren fire a kido.

Damn

Cho thought. He had no time to block the attack. He had to try and tank the blast. Cho's swung his blade hard. When it made contact with the kidou smoke and sparks flew. Cho could feel the skin on his hands blistering as the attack burned him. Then he was through it, his sword coming down. He was just inches away from Soren.

Soren watched as Ozakai cut through kido not after suffering burn on his hands however Soren sighed returning his hand to his blade and as Ozakai's zanpaktou came down. Their blades clashing Ozakai blade coming down and Soren holding it back a little too late it cutting into left shoulder a little bit that's when Soren smiled and his zanpaktou began shine brightly getting a misty aura around the blade. Spoke spoke calmly seeing as there was no way either of them were getting away from this not with eases anyways.

Speaking again his he began to push Ozakai back a little bit his zanpaktou sliding creating sparks Horisutoraiku. without warning his zanpaktou's aura began to flare releasing a crescent wave that upon the release exploded catching them both in the small area. Soren jumping back his clothes being somewhat singed he awaited to see what happened to the captain.

Cho's facial expression never faltered as his blade made a shallow cut in Soren's left shoulder. He was slightly confused when Soren smiled. Did this guy have some sort of pain fetish?

Soren's zan began to glow, and he pushed Cho back a bit. Cho's guard went up higher than it had been previously. That's when Soren spoke. A wave of energy pulsed from the mans blade. It singed the skin on Cho's cheeks, and left his clothes smoking. Well, that was unfortunate, and irritating. You wouldn't know Cho was irritated from looking at him though. Cho began to channel his energy into his zan, and the blade began to vibrate. Cho swung the blade at Soren and spoke, sending a blast of wend towards Soren.

"Song of fate!"

Soren smiled as the razor winds hit him tearing the top half of uniform in half his chest getting a long cut down his body Also being pushed back a little. Soren wasn't too worried with getting hurt besides it'd just make the captain look all the better but Soren was used this type of pain especially during his last training session forced to fight on nothing against someone who was beyond captain level his tolerance for pain went up as well.

Standing there bleeding Soren laughed a bit standing as if he was just fine. He was hurt however at the same he was glad his training paid off he was able to take on Captain level shinigami which he couldn't do before. He muttered to himself Thanks for the training Bane.... Also Raiden. He stood picking up his zanpaktou holding it out in front of him in a kendo type of stance. He was fighting wind or so is what it felt like at least he began to formulate a plan staying on guard keeping his senses sharp just in case he decided to use flashstep or one of his wind abilities.

Cho was a bit confused. The man didn't attempt to dodge his attack. He just stood there and took it. Cho watched as it tore through his clothes and cut into his chest. This guy was tough, but how much more of this could he take? Cho never let his stone like expression falter. It was hard, yet beautiful.

Cho had a plan. He ran towards the man, muttering to himself. Cho raised his blade as if he were going to try and strike Soren, but when he was just feet away he stopped, throwing his hand out before him.

"Hadō 33 Sōkatsui!"

Soren watched as Cho came to attack him then held back back firing a kidou spell sighing Soren had seen enough from his opponent to tell he was ready to be a captain to him it didn't really matter too about what there was on the outside but so long as they had the right mental state he was perfectly fine with it however they'd get stronger eventually. Soren noted his hand and him getting prepared with a kido spell soren merely sighed and sealed his blade him saying 'Sokatsui' Soren sighed he had been prepared for this with awhile now. Bakudo number 81. Dankū. He snapped his fingers and a rectangular barrier appeared stopping his kido before it reached Soren.

Soren looked at him sighed not sounding quit the same it was calm yet lacking his usual caring tone he spoke. I see. You have the abilities to pass your test but I just want to know something. Why is that you fight? What will you teach your squad members? Finally your future ambitions? I suppose after these questions your exam will be complete by my book Captain Cho.

Soren looked calmly at the captain that before him Soren had referred to him Captain Cho meaning he had passed but these things was really just to satisfy his curiosity really. soren knowing he'd probably like the answers began to turn around and walk away slowly though he'd like the Captain to answer him whilst he left.

Cho watched as Soren blocked his kido. He had to admit to himself that it miffed him a little. He kept his stone like demeanor though, and was preparing another attack in his head when he heard Soren speak.

I see. You have the abilities to pass your test but I just want to know something. Why is that you fight? What will you teach your squad members? Finally your future ambitions? I suppose after these questions your exam will be complete by my book Captain Cho.

He was taken aback slightly. The man just called him Captain Cho. So he passed? These questions though. Cho had never really thought much about them.

"I fight...I fight...I fight to protect those who can't protect themselves. I fight to protect those who dare to be different. I will teach the members of this squad to display grace under pressure. To be humble and to put the needs of others first. I will teach them to respect everyone, no matter how they differ from themselves. Finally, I will teach them to find pride in doing what's right, and what's just. My future ambitions? Simple, to bring as much peace and unity to the universe as possible."

As Soren walked away he heard the captains responses and he smiled a bit but sighed he stopped as the wind blew passed them both he thought about it for a moment and turned his head looking at the captain. A simple hmm escaping from his lips he turned back around spoke Those are some good dreams to have remember not to be discouraged if something gets in your way. As of now I pass you to become a captain of the gotei 13 I'll send in my report later. The damage you did to me in battle should be good enough along with your ideals. With that Soren used his flash step to disappear from the site.

-exit thread-