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Post by Jiro Hitoshi on Apr 18, 2024 1:24:57 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 412 “Childhood Friends”: Jiro lay on the tatami floor in the Masanobu Dojo, Makino dancing around him during weapons training. She was spinning, swinging, and lunging a War Scythe like it was a second appendage. On his back, legs drawn up and one leg crossed over the other at the knee. Jiro was spinning a dagger that he had gotten as a gift from Makino’s eldest brother Kin, he was staring at the ceiling and talking to his best friend of 16 years.
“So did you talk to the fam about enrolling in the academy?”“Yeah,” Makino replied doing an elevated roll, her weapon reaching out for an attack.The War Scythe swung directly over the top of him, but he did not flinch, just continued to spin his dagger. It was something he was used to after being raised around a family of assassins. Not to mention he had trained with them numerous times. If not for his mother's objections he would be working with their group on nightly missions. He was that well-trained in their techniques.
“Well? What did they say?” Jiro shot up to a sitting position as Makino stabbed the War Scythe into the training dummy. |
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Post by Makino Tori on Apr 18, 2024 1:27:13 GMT -6
Makino forced the War Scythe down then jerked it back up before she pulled it straight back, releasing it from the training dummy. She turned and let the long rod of the scythe thump against the floor, the blade of the scythe towered a good foot over her head.
“Surprisingly well.”
“No way,” Jiro looked at her wide-eyed. “You mean to tell me Kin-sama--”
Makino shook her head slowly stopping Jiro in midsentence as she looked on at him. “Nii-sama is still being the overbearing, overprotective, older brother, head of the family pain in my backside.”
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Post by Jiro Hitoshi on Apr 18, 2024 1:29:41 GMT -6
Jiro chuckled and did a kipup from the floor as Makino walked over, and put away her weapon. “Well, I know Kouen-san and Shirou-san are all for you enrolling. Your mother and grandfather don’t have an issue with it.”
Jiro suddenly went silent, then started to laugh as he grabbed his midsection. “Ryuu-dono agreed!? I never thought I would see that day. I was sure Kin-sama would give in first.”
Makino nodded agreeing with Jiro's statement as the two walked toward the door to exit. “Yeah, but now I have to go before the Great Noble Households and convince them--as well as Kuchiki-sama, Shihoin-sama, and Suigetsu-sama--to stand by me and hide my identity as a Masanobu assassin.”
“You damn well know Suigetsu-sama will. She has told you more than once she would stand behind you when this day came to pass.” Jiro reminded her.
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Post by Makino Tori on Apr 18, 2024 1:31:50 GMT -6
Makino nodded as the two turned and slid the doors closed to the dojo. “Alright enough about me. You knew the mess I would have to deal with in all this.”
They turned and walked down the steps after the dojo was closed up. “What did your mother say about you enrolling this year?”Jiro sighed as he lifted his hand, combing his fingers through his auburn hair. "Eh."“Well, that doesn’t sound encouraging.” Makino giggled, “I take you had as much resistance as I did or well as close as one person could give you compared to the two objectives I had.”Moved
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Post by Makino Tori on Jul 8, 2024 20:40:07 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 480 "Surprises at the Masanobu Manor": (continued) The soft tatami mats cushioned Makino’s bare feet as she stood in the center of the dojo, her focus unwavering. She held a bokken, a wooden practice sword, its weight familiar in her grip. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the shoji screens, casting long shadows across the room. Opposite her, Kin, her strict and stoic brother, stood with his own bokken, his eyes narrowed in concentration."Again," Kin commanded, his voice firm but calm.Makino nodded, adjusting her stance. She lunged forward, her bokken slicing through the air with precision. Kin blocked effortlessly, their wooden swords clashing with a sharp thwack. He countered with a swift strike, and Makino barely had time to block, her muscles straining with the effort."Your guard is too low," Kin criticized, stepping back to give her room. "Focus, Makino. Every movement must be deliberate."Makino took a deep breath, centering herself. She adjusted her stance, raising her guard. Kin nodded approvingly. This time, when she attacked, her movements were sharper, more controlled. Kin blocked and countered, but this time Makino anticipated his strike, dodging and launching her own attack. Their practice swords met with a satisfying crack, and for a moment, a small smile tugged at the corner of Kin's mouth.
"Better," he acknowledged. "But you're still hesitating. Confidence is key."Makino wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, her determination unwavering. "Yes, brother." |
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Post by Riku Asuhara on Jul 8, 2024 21:04:40 GMT -6
Riku hummed in curiosity at the sounds coming from the dojo. It sounded like Makino was training for something. For what, he had no idea. He couldn't imagine a noble like Makino needing to train for anything that required fighting. Makino herself, maybe, but given her lineage, he doubted it.
Before they could resume, the dojo door slid open. Both siblings turned to see Koko standing there with Riku by her side. Riku smiled at the two of them and waved.
"Surprise!" Riku chirped. "Bet you didn't expect to see me, huh?"
"Riku!" Makino exclaimed, lowering her bokken, her face lighting up with a rare smile.
Koko grinned, stepping inside. "I thought you might want a break from training. Look who dropped by unexpectedly."
"I decided I couldn't wait till Saturday," Riku giggled, hugging Makino. He looked at the bokken in her hands. "Are you training for a kendo competition or something? I didn't think you would be into swordplay."
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Post by Kin Masanobu on Jul 8, 2024 21:19:36 GMT -6
Kin, ever the disciplinarian, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He watched as Makino hurried over to greet the young boy, Riku, a soft expression briefly crossing his face. Hearing the boys question, Kin spoke up quickly.
"Next year, Makino is joining the Academy. There's no way I'm letting my baby sister enroll without some knowledge of sword handling," Kin declared firmly.Makino's expression changed instantly as she quickly glanced at her oldest brother. She knew he was just covering for the real reason, but she wondered why he would use the Academy, given how touchy the subject was for him and Hakuryuu. She nodded slowly, a soft smile crossing her lips as she looked back at Riku. "I thought I told you I was joining the Academy next year," she said."No, I don't think so," Riku placed a finger on his lips and hummed, shaking his head. He smiled at Makino, lowering his hand. "But I wouldn't put it past myself to forget." He turned to Makino's older brother and bowed deeply. "Pleased to meet you, Tori-sama. Thank you for having me in your home. I'm Riku. Riku Asuhara. Makino and I met in the market the other day. You may have heard of my own older brother Naoru from Koko-san." Kin bowed his head slightly greeting the young boy, "It's always a pleasure to meet Makino's friends." He looked from the boy to his sister.
"We’ll resume later. Enjoy your visit, Makino." Kin said after a moment, his tone softer.
Makino nodded, grateful for the reprieve then led Riku out of the dojo, chatting animatedly, while Koko shot Kin a playful look before following them. Kin watched them go, a faint smile playing on his lips before he returned to his disciplined solitude, the dojo once again quiet and still.Moved
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Oct 17, 2024 3:48:03 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: The ChaosEpisode 550 "Grudge": Kouen Masanobu stood in the dim light of the family dojo, his brow furrowed in concentration. The soft tap of his feet against the wooden floor echoed through the empty room as he shifted his stance. The rhythmic sound of his sword slicing through the air was a comfort, a reminder of the years of training that had shaped him into the formidable warrior he was today.
For as long as he could remember, the Masanobu name had been synonymous with precision and secrecy. Born into a lineage of assassins whose blades had been sharpened by centuries of hidden conflict, Kouen had long accepted the burden of his legacy. He inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar scent of polished wood and the lingering incense used for meditation, but today, his mind was not as calm as it should have been. Today, the dojo offered little solace from the storm of thoughts that had taken root in his mind.
The Robin Hood group.
They had become a persistent thorn in their sides, a group of thieves brazen enough to target nobles and business moguls but clever enough to leave no trace. Their robberies were precise, surgical, and in some ways reminiscent of the Masanobu style. That thought irked him more than he wanted to admit. To him, they were a group of reckless amateurs playing at a game they didn’t fully understand. They had struck several times in the last two weeks, hitting the Naito family, robbing them of contracts and deeds acquired through less-than-honorable means. There was no honor in theft, no matter how justified they thought their actions were.
Kouen's blade slashed through the air again, this time with more force. His breath quickened as his frustration bled into his movements. Amateurs or not, they were becoming a problem. A problem that needed to be dealt with.
He stopped mid-motion, holding his stance for a moment, before lowering his sword and wiping the sweat from his brow. His thoughts drifted to the current investigation. The Sixth Division had been tasked with finding the Robin Hood group, but even with the skill of Fifth Seat Yorusuke Nagano and Lieutenant Renji Abarai, they had yet to corner them. The thieves were elusive, always one step ahead, and the more they slipped through their fingers, the more suspicion grew. It was only a matter of time before the wrong questions were asked—questions about the Masanobu Assassins, the hidden world that operated in the shadows of the Soul Society.
Kouen’s grip tightened on his sword. Could they be connected? The thought gnawed at him, a dark possibility he had tried to push aside. If the Robin Hood group had somehow uncovered the existence of the Masanobus, or worse, if they were trying to expose the assassins, it would spell disaster for his family. The very balance of power between the noble families rested on secrecy. If that veil was lifted, if the truth about the Koriyama clan's shadow dealings came to light, everything would unravel.
But there was something more personal in this for Kouen. It wasn’t just about protecting the family name; it was about the honor that he had spent his life preserving. He couldn’t allow these thieves to continue mocking everything the Masanobus stood for.
Stepping back, Kouen sheathed his sword and moved toward the center of the dojo, kneeling on the tatami mats. He closed his eyes, centering himself, and let his thoughts flow freely. The Robin Hood group had to have a weakness, something they hadn’t considered. Every group, no matter how tight-knit, had cracks. Kouen had learned that during his years as an assassin—whether through overconfidence, lack of experience, or divided loyalties, everyone eventually slipped. The trick was to find that weakness before they realized it themselves.
His mind began to organize the facts. The Robin Hood group had avoided killing, which was curious for a group so bold in their actions. Were they making a statement, or was it a matter of principle? Either way, it could be used against them. Kouen had long believed that principles were the undoing of most criminals. They thought themselves righteous, untouchable even, until reality came crashing down.
The Masanobus, on the other hand, held no such illusions. They operated in silence, their blades unseen until it was too late. They didn’t flaunt their skills or leave calling cards for their enemies to find. The Robin Hood group had done exactly that—loud, obnoxious in their defiance, and yet they had the audacity to mock the Masanobus.
“I won’t allow it,” Kouen muttered under his breath, his voice a low growl in the quiet dojo.
A flicker of movement outside the dojo caught his attention, and he instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword. His senses were heightened, alert. But after a moment, the movement ceased, and the stillness returned. Likely just a passing breeze, he told himself, though his instincts had rarely been wrong.
Standing, Kouen walked to the door and slid it open, stepping into the crisp evening air. The Masanobu estate lay before him, a sprawling, well-guarded fortress that had stood for generations. It was a symbol of power, of the legacy his ancestors had built and protected with blood and sacrifice. The thought weighed heavily on him.
How many generations of secrets am I willing to protect? He asked himself.
Kouen knew that finding the Robin Hood group was just the beginning. The investigation would lead to answers, but it would also lead to choices—choices that could determine the future of the Masanobus and the Soul Society itself. He would need to be vigilant, ruthless even, if it came to that. But most of all, he would need to act before anyone else connected the dots.
Turning back to the dojo, Kouen let out a slow breath, his resolve hardening. He had to find the Robin Hood group, not just to end their crimes but to ensure they never got close enough to the truth.
As he re-entered the dojo, he picked up his sword once more, the familiar weight grounding him in the moment. He was a Masanobu, after all, and this was his responsibility. No matter what it took, he would protect his family’s legacy.
Because that’s what Masanobus did—they eliminated threats before anyone even knew they existed.
The door of the dojo slid open, quickly grabbing the unwanted attention of the occupant as he lunged at the intruder. Metal clashed as Kouen looked into the eyes of his eldest brother Kin. He withdrew this blade as did his brother.
"Are you looking to get yourself killed," Kouen questioned as he walked back to the center of the dojo."I need to speak to you, Kouen. Meet me in the sitting room in 10 minutes I need to gather the other two." Kin turned and left Kouen to his own.Kouen only growled under his breath as he sheathed his blade and proceeded to the sitting room to speak with his brother.--END RP-- "Plan of Action" |
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