BREAKTHECHAIN01: REFLECTION

Of the many training grounds the Jūsanbantai held, this was certainly one that none could enter without his permission. Yoru no Tochi— otherwise the 'Land of the Night'— was otherwise hidden to the naked eye, an overgrowth of black trees hiding it from both visual detection, and with its few barriers, spiritual detection as well. The grass dark as coal, sky littered with stars and air as chill as even the most icy tundra, it wasn't the most comfortable place of residence, though it was the easiest to utilize Jinzen in within the Jūsanbantai as a whole— so he believed.

There he sat, encased in a manifestation of his own power. To any, he would appear to be in meditation, arms crossed with zanpaktou stabbed into ground before himself. Sitting upon the grasses with eyes closed and haori folded off to his right, he spoke no words outward, though his expression showed his distress. This would be the last time he tried to make peace. This would be the last time that he tried to make amends with his master and friend.

Yet...

"You dare come to me? After what you've done?" said Bushido. "It's your fault! Don't ignore me anymore!" replied Seijirou. Blade lifted high above head as he assumed stance of Jōdan-no-kamae, he rushed his master, aim made for men. Yet, he was parried nigh automatically, tossed aside as though he were nothing but a child. Blade wrested from grasp and held at his own throat, Seijirou was left at Bushido's mercy entirely. Eyes narrowed and mouth opened wide in surprise and anger, the shinigami's expression betrayed his own disbelief.

"You dare—"

"Dare I do. My power is not meant to be waved around like a baton, young one. Until you learn this, my power is naught. Think, Seijirou. What have you always wanted to do— protect, even? What is your blade for if you rush headlong into battle with no thought? How many times have I told you that the key is to wait for the enemy to strike first? You have learned nothing. Nothing."

"I'm the best the Seireitei has to offer! How can you say I haven't learned anything when no one can beat me!"

"And yet, you were beaten just now, and earlier even by those you sought to kill— those whom you swore to eradicate! There shall be no more words spoken from me. You have lost your greatest defense, and all the same, your greatest asset. From this moment on, my power is yours no longer lest you wrest it from me by force. The next time you meet with me, we duel to kill."

"What are you—"

"Begone!"

The lands of Bushido's Naimen Sekai appearing desolate and devoid of any sort of life, Seijirou was left alone with nothing, blades that had previously littered the desert shattered. In no way would he share the same connection he had previously with his zanpaktou. In no way would Bushido trust him with his power. Bringing himself to a stand as anger literally seethed from his form, Seijirou spoke with such intensity that all within his world were forced to listen. "I don't need you, or your power! I'm good enough on my own, and you know that. That's why you're running away! That's why your armor was so weak!" Even with these words of provocation, he was met with no response. Fine. It merely further proved his point.

"Seijirou—"

He did not listen. Instead, turning on heel and disappearing from the realm, he returned to corporeal form, reaching forth to take hold of hilt of zanpaktou. Gripping it-- harder than he ever had before previously-- he slid it into saya, glare imminent. He didn't need his zanpaktou, nor did he need it's abilities. Rather, he could take care of himself just fine. "Screw him," he spoke out, bringing himself to a stand. Could he find no peace, even on his own land?