The Ghost's Den [Inv]

A man had entered into his domain, and with him he brought an inquiry of if the Taichou was there. A white mane and zanpakuto to his name-- And nothing more.

" I am, and I am not. "

Ignorant of who the person may be, he took a standing position as he looked down slightly to better spectate the man's every move and word. His haori slipped and fell off, Ryuusuke caring very little of it to be there much longer. A single sigh of dread escaped his lips before he made his own question.

" What is it you seek? "

There was nothing Ryuusuke had to offer anyone at this point except penance for their ill actions taken towards him-- Verbal or otherwise. He wasn't expecting any visitors, besides Shizuku Tomitsuka. But the voice was that of a male, his presence unwanted.

For what good it was worth, the man seemed to want to find out if Ryuusuke was still able to perform his duties. He spoke of fear vested in Ryuusuke, or rather if there were any, but his vessel, no, Ryuusuke felt empty.

But there was remorse, guilt even, lingering in the unseen depths of his heart. For letting his his father, the perished souls-- But most importantly for letting his Zanpakuto down on that day, and letting it be destroyed, albeit partially. There was an anger unfurling inside of him that yearned for penance.

" You approach me with the ideals of weakness and fear to my name... "

His reiatsu began to emanate from his person violently, a cerulean hue to all the energy radiating from him, and even his Zanpakuto. It was still a part of him-- A tool forged by his very soul. And just like it's wielder, The Zanpakuto was a fragment of what it once was. Ryuusuke was tired of being looked down on, tired of everyone treating him as an inferior. Nobody gave him the least bit of credit to respect for this sacrifice of his, while even the Soutaichou ran from the scene-- Nowhere to be found until after everything had went down, and the Espada escaped unpunished. What was it now, the third or fifth time she let the arrancar Nabill Ggodsent escape? It mattered little, because she proved most useless until everything had ended on it's own on every occasion she needed to be actively present. It seemed she was only around to give orders and flex her superiority, and nothing more.

" You may leave...now. "

The man had drawn close, but Ryuusuke watched his hands and any gesture he would make with the utmost analytical intentions. He hadn't given his name, and he practically challenged the Taichou with his words. The closer he got, the more Ryuusuke felt the urge to show him just what it meant to be fearful.

His Reiatsu did not hesitate as it engulfed the vicinity like an ocean, it's current now sweeping around not only Ryuusuke, but the man before him as well. What he had said was nonsensical, almost as if he suggested treason.

" Allowing The Arrancar to escape is not a crime committed against me... "

Leering with amber hues the Hachibantai Taichou gave one last chance. He brought up so much information about others, but little of himself-- Giving Ryuusuke a distinct sense of unease about his presence. Although he was extremely upset with the Soutaichou, he did not think to act against her.

" ..And you offer me nothing but a waste of time. Your words are vile-- Deceitful. I'm not going to ask you to leave again. "

Of course not. He was going to force his absence, one way or another. With what was already said, there wasn't much more to conclude this meeting, exempt his departure. If the man was so quick to offer retribution against the Soutaichou, then Ryuusuke wasn't likely someone he cared much for either. Ryuusuke continued stare at him, waiting for the man's next poor choice of words, or action, were it to be his last. He was growing more than sick of it all.

Just as he had suspected the individual before him was one with rotten intent. The moment had been practically priceless, and while he was mocking Ryuusuke, he couldn't help but begin to laugh sharply. After that short beginning, though, he stopped dead to speak but one word in a low tone suggesting the laugh of his was not genuine. His left hand grabbed the Zanpakuto at it's sheath simultaneously, and diagonally drew it out as the sword would take a swift change for the better.

" Bankai. "

From his current position, Ryuusuke would seem to disappear swiftly after his Bankai had released. The man wouldn't be able to see him coming. Nobody did. Ryuusuke was a tough opponent in this aspect. Even if it was unfair. Even if it was considered deplorable. This is what happened when you tried to fight something like him--A ghost.

His best Shunpo brought Ryuusuke to the man's immediate right (a foot span away), but he had naught the idea of using his Zanpakuto. Instead, he was going to let this man rot and suffer, without injury, in the depths of Seireitei's prisons. From the right of his opponent, Ryuusuke plunged forward with his forehead at the man's right temple-- Specifically aimed to incapacitate him nigh instantaneously upon impact. Only just before contact would he allow his presence to be revealed, his attack physical, and connecting to where he had aspired to strike the man.

Even though every urge told Ryuusuke to strike the man down for good, he couldn't bring himself to kill another Shinigami. He couldn't help but think what Shizuku would think of him if she ever learned of it. Or his father, or Zanpkauto spirit for that matter. It just didn't seem right, even more-so because his life was spared.

K.O.

"How unbecoming."

Light feet met the ground not even a dozen feet from the scuffle that was unfolding. Hands nestled themselves within' comfortable, deep pockets within the man's cloak. The visage of the new arrival was young, though his eyes spoke of decades of intelligence embed within' the seafoam colored hues-- but that wasn't all. Anger and contempt lines his facial muscles. His lip nearly found itself pursed upwards in disgust at the sight that he beheld. The normally composed, stoic Nathaniel appeared bothered deeply; the fukutaichou revealing a part of him only his Taichou knew of.-- Slowly a hand reached outwards and tugged outwards his katana. Feeling the black bandages underneath his fingers gave him a sense of comfort and understanding of what he should- no, must- do.

He scanned the Taichou before him and was met with the image of a broken man, consumed and controlled by his anger. The sight of it alone was enough to nearly bring a tint of amusement to the corners of Nathaniel's lips, though, he held it off. Seeing the man before him so broken, battered, and beaten only angered the Fukutaichou more. It held nothing even near the anger he harbored for nigh over a century over the betrayal that had torn his world down around him. How dare he lose control and lash out physically. The soft green hues were aware of any and everything that occurred. The perception he harbored was above that of many that resided in the Sereitei and his ability to guide his reiatsu to enhance him in any way only further proved his abilities.

"To release a Bankai within' the Sereitei on a comrade, much less someone of my division.." He let the words linger, his right arm holding the hilt of the sword and bringing it level with his left shoulder, facing backwards. The look on his face warped from that of molten to steel, his jaw line becoming prominent under the increase pressure from locking it. "How deplorable. Maintaining eye contact, he sucked in a breathe. "Render Judgement, Zetsushi."² The Zanpakuto he held in his hands dissipated then, scattering among the air and the wind, latching onto anything that was within' range and lingered. Through every pore and opening in both of their bodies it was absorbed invisibly; nothing could see this aside from the wielder, giving it a deadliness unmatched in the soul society.

"Chi."

Regardless of who would be the one standing of their bout, their sense of time would warp; a second would appear to be hours as the time it took for a message between the brain and their muscles would become longer and more drawn out. Both men felt this, though, only one would meet their end by it. Regardless of whether or not the Captain before him would enter his corporeal state meant little as the gas remained regardless of where he went in the vicinity and would only follow Nathaniel as he gave chase.

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Render Judgement, Zetsushi²