Follow Me, 剣王子

**Date Started:** December 9, 2021
**Date Completed:**
**Next Role-Play**: N/A
**Users Involved:** User:Starving Skeleton,
**Setting:** Soul Society, Rukongai
**Characters Involved**:
* **Shinigami**: Akaoni Ouga,
* **Hollows**:
* **Others**:

“Do you know why I made you the Mugurumi Commando Unit's Vice Captain?” Captain Mugurumi asked. His broad shoulders and mountainous muscles stood strong when in the presence of the masked giant before him. A man with dark skin and long locs. He wore a white mask with horns that extended upwards and clutches which yanked his mouth into a devious grin. A shinigami who imitated the hollows he hunted.

“I ask myself that everyday. Considering most of them hate me.” Akaoni responded. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

“They don’t hate you, Akaoni. You’re not like the animals in the Eleventh Division. They’ve watched you save countless souls….many being their own.” Kensei smirked and took a sip of his root beer. Contraband he asked the thirteenth division to sneak from the human world. “It’s not hatred. It’s not fear. It’s reflection.”

“Reflection?” Akaoni repeated.

“We reflect what those around us show.” Kensei smirked. “But those men charge into battle behind you without the slightest hesitation. You want to be a beast. And so they treat you as such."

"Ha!" Akaoni chuckled. "Still doesn't answer my question since chivalry, honor, bushido...None of that matters when a beast is a beast."

"Yet I've seen you sheathe your blade in victory when an animal would've claimed their opponent's life as food." Kensei laughed. "This just lets me known you wear your little *hollow* mask but you've yet to confront yourself. And that's what's holding you back." He brought his hand up and yanked it away as if pulling something from the air before him. Bringing down a white hockey-like mask that covered his visage. The captain's voice was distorted from behind the bone-like material. "Only when you face all of yourself...then even an *actual* monster will trascend themselves."

Akaoni heard rumors of a few captains capable of this transformation. While they weren't afraid of using their unique powers, members belonging to this unique group refused to speak on it. Some stating a secret gag orders from those bastards in Central 46. Kensei pulled off his mask. Revealing his chiseled jaw and defiant smile.

"You recently unlocked your Shikai."

"How'd you know, Captain Kensei?"

"I remember that night. I almost pummeled you for waking me up but I decided against it because I *am* proud of you. However, you'll never suprass your limitations until you learn self-reflection." Captain Kensei walked towards his desk and sat down. He pulled out a piece of paper. "Anyway, I have an important announcement this weekend and you need to be there..."

*“Reflection?”* Akaoni thought to himself during his trip to Rukongai. *"I don't need to waste time knowing myself. I just have to get stronger. And then I'll kill the hollow that too your life sensei."*

Today was an off day. Captain Mugurumi often had to force Akaoni to take time for himself that didn't involve training or fighting. And so he decided to waste time the only way he did. A trip to his favorite tea shop. Seireitei had good tea...but nothing tasted better than the wild grown flowers of this district.

After waking up from his slumber, Kenzo Shinzui decided to start his day off with some Rukongai tea, one of the only good places about the Rukongai. After getting dressed, he headed to the shop ready to start his day.

The tea shop wasn't too far off when Akaoni saw several sword brandishing man surround a smaller, older gentleman. They were of varying sizes. Each intimidating considering who they chose to terrorize. But Akaoni felt nothing but annoyance. This wasn't his job. After all, the Ninth Division existed as the Gotei 13's security force. However, his sensei would demean him for ignoring such horrible behavior.

*"Those born with power are obligated to protect those without."* He'd repeat to Akaoni.

"Unless that old man has wronged you in some way, what you're doing is sure to bring bad karma." He said. "And if he did wrong you, it is beyond your ability to enact retribution."

"W-what'd you say you piece of shit?!" The supposed leader barked. They turned around but jumped when they realized just how much larger Akaoni was.

Kenzo heard the commotion and decided to check it out, using his natural leg strength to get there in almost no time as if he used Shunpo itself. "What's going on here" he said before looking at Akaoni.