Division 3 Underground Training Facility

The previous mentioned areas are free to be used by any member at any time although each areas has its own unique set of rules in which must be followed while in use.

The Casual Sparring Field (CSF):

Located just beyond the descending ladder entrance this zone covers an area of approximately 19.5072 meters (64 ft) and runs at a steadily slope that makes balancing harder. As such it is recommended that any individual training here become comfortable with their ability to adapt to the environment. While in this area shoes are not to be worn and use of your zanpakuto is limited to states of up to Shikai. Given the un-leveled terrain in this area unleashing of techniques near Bankai level could cause a tunnel collapse.

The Meditation Zone (MZ):

Located just above the CSF leveling out to a flat plane covering just under 14.630 meters (48 ft), this area overlooks the CFS and its descent to the dusty depths below. It should be noted that due to its sudden rise in altitude that breathing within this zone can become difficult over prolonged periods of time. While in this general area fighting is NOT tolerated as it is strictly intended for meditation purposes be it through use of Jinzen or the calming of the body and mind.

The Depths:

Located at the end of the steep slant and sudden 133 foot drop leading from the CSF this area is shrouded in a heavy haze making it difficult to see at times. Covering an area of 29.2608 meters (96 ft) this area is much larger then the others. If viewed at the right angle it is possible to see the training grounds of a neighboring division at the chasm's edge. Due to its chasm like structure this area is an ideal location for more intense fighting and as such it has been approved for such actions as the mastering and or use of Bankai related techniques for those who pursue to enhance their skills. No restrictions apply to this area although note should be taken of not to overdo it at risk at causing a collapse of the structure from overhead which could result in an unforeseen burial from overhead.

Coming into the CSF for his upcoming battle with Ryoji, Neeba smirks as he is perfectly comfortable with it's environment. He has trained here before many times with Anbe in the past. He does a few practice swings as he waits for Ryoji to show.
"Is it like captains to be late?" He said to himself as he sheathed his sword.
"What a waste of time."

Neeba began to walk towards the exit of the CSF.

Ryoji had spent the last few hours enduring Head Captain Anju's constant abusive tendencies. It had become expected every time the two somehow managed to be in the same area. As a result this day Ryoji found himself unusually late. Appearing within the underground facility Ryoji would nearly collide with the potential candidate for a Captain's rank, Igarashi, Neeba.

Ryoji had heard many promising things about Neeba and had been designated as the individual responsible for testing his abilities. He would analyze the young man to see if he truly displayed the characteristics of someone befitting of a Captain. Given what he knew Neeba had graduated the Academy the top student in his class as well as an extremely capable fighter.

" . . . My, my I suppose you're a very impatient individual. Either way I apologize for my tardiness."

As Ryoji spoke he would begin to remove his sandals and socks neatly placing them to the side before turning to Neeba with the intention on instructing him to do the same. With his own properly tucked away Ryoji would fold his arms, wrinkling the shoulders of his Captain's haori before speaking again.

"Alright. First off I am Division 3 Captain, Sanada, Ryoji at your service. I'm sure you know full well why the Head Captain sought to have you and me meet here correct?"

Hearing the voice of Captain Ryoji, Neeba stops looking over his shoulder back at him. "Its about time you showed up." Neeba said as he slipped out of his shoes and socks.
"As I'm sure you already know, I'm Igarashi Neeba. "
"Well then. shall we begin?" He said putting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Without further word Ryoji would slowly draw his sealed Zanpakuto. As he stood there silently he took a moment to observe the man before him. Neeba seemed to be somewhat impatient as well as lacking in mannerisms; however, that alone was of no importance, at least not at the moment. As the two stood there Ryoji could sense the determination radiating from Neeba as his reiatsu began to spike suddenly.

"I suppose we should then, alright. . ." he took in a deep calming breath, "the first move belongs to you, Neeba-san . . . "

Holding his Zanpakuto to his side Ryoji prepared for the inevitable battle.

Walking towards Captain Ryoji, Neeba quickly withdrew his Zanpakuto. At first glance, Neeba knew that he wouldn't like Captain Ryoji, but he could sense a strong amount of reiatsu emitting from him.
"He's actually giving me the first move!? He must be out of his mind." Neeba said to himself. Now, directly in front of Captain Ryoji, Neeba swung his sword aiming for his chest at a speed almost invisible to most shinigami in hopes of ending this quickly. A huge amount of spiritual pressure was put into his attack and it could not be evaded or blocked easily.

Ryoji wasn't surprised to see Neeba charge in with a full force frontal assault. Feeling Neeba's reiatsu momentarily raise Ryoji could sense that Neeba's incoming attack was fueled by his own spiritual pressure. As Neeba closed in Ryoji would disappear via a shunpo causing his attack to miss and appear just behind Neeba's exposed back as he would attempt to bring his blade vertically down his foe's backside. If successful Ryoji's attack would deeply wound Neeba causing him to reevaluate any further action.

Although his attack missed Captain Ryoji, Neeba was not caught off guard or surprised at all. He expected him to dodge the attack from the start. Captain Ryoji was hoping for his attack to land from Neeba's backside, however, instead of trying to evade his attack, Neeba simply let it hit him, but something was off. Neeba focused a huge amount of spiritual pressure, releasing it from his body to ward off Captain Ryoji's attack causing no damage to him. While still facing the opposite way, Neeba looks back at Ryoji as he mutters a kido spell.
"Rikujoro" (Six-Staff Light Prison) Neeba muttered. He was hoping to catch Ryoji in the spell, and then, he'd have him right where he wanted him.

As Ryoji's attack missed its mark he found himself on the receiving end of a formidable kido spell. Ryoji found himself surrounded by a barrage of six beams of concentrated light. Each beam slammed into Ryoji's waist rendering him unable to move any limb of his body. Although he had anticipated a form of resistance he hadn't predicted that an attack would arise in this manner. As Ryoji stood there immobile a small smirk broke through the corner of his mouth. Closing his eyes he would begin to speak to Neeba who still had his back turned.

"Hmph . . . Impressive. A level 60 kido at such a fast pace. I see the academy has upped their game these days."

Taking his time to take in a deep breath once more Ryoji would attempt to move his right hand which grasped his Zanpakuto only to fail as he had anticipated; however, in his failure he had managed to confirm one thing. As Ryoji began to speak his next words his reiatsu began to increase surrounding him with a deep blue aura.

" . . .It nearly impossible to break free of this level of binding relying on sheer will alone, at least for myself that is. However, your not leaving me with much of a choice here now are you. . .Sing in Harmony, Synronhkyou. . ."

A blinding light flared from Ryoji's right hand casting a shadow beyond and solid object surrounding them. Seconds later the light would dim and Ryoji's hand would now grasped what appeared to be a dual bladed sword; however, he was still held in place by the spell.

". . .Final Melody . . .Yin-Yang Duos . . "

As his words left his mouth Ryoji's voice would become distorted as his head appeared to crack and split uncontrollably. It wasn't long before the gyrations would spread toward his neck, then chest. As all of this occurred the kido binding him would begin to split as well before eventually shattering as another flash of light engulfed them. As the light cleared two nearly identical figures would appear before Neeba both grasping a respective dual-bladed sword.

Turning around to face Ryoji who seemed to have made a clone of himself, Neeba glared at them not moving a single inch. He was thinking about what his next move should be, planning out every possible scenario as fast as he could.
"Do you need some assistance?" Said a strange female voice coming from Neeba's zanpakuto.
"Just say the word and I'll..."
"No, I've got this! I don't need your help." Neeba said not letting the voice finish what it was going to say.
"As you wish." The voice said in disappointment.

Neeba felt that it was time to get serious and would attempt to attack both opponents. Using his lightning quick shunpo ability, Neeba appears directly in between both Ryojis. He was crouched on one knee with his arms folded across bringing his zanpakuto close to one's neck while pointing his finger at the other.
"Byakurai!" He said as he shot the kido spell from his finger tip while attempting to keep the other Ryoji from moving by holding the sword to his throat.

Watching Neeba appear between them Ryoji would observe as he held him at the tip of his sword while he prepared to fire a condensed amount of reiatsu into his duplicate. The blast would surge from Neeba's finger tip as Ryoji's double only had enough time to bring up one side of his blade to block the full force of the intended attack, sending him sliding backwards down the rocky slope as he would regain his footing. At this same the original Ryoji would use his only means of getting himself out of this situation, a shunpo.

Disappearing than reappearing the position opposite in which he had been,Ryoji would take up the position his clone had held previously attemmpting to bring down one side of his blade to strike Neeba's unarmed hand.

Meanwhile as the original Ryoji began his retaliation the clone would widely swing one end of his blade causing it to split from its hilt, just below the midsection in which he held it. The blade would begin to travel on an arched trajectory toward the two above as a black heavy chain followed. Given its path the blade would no doubt pass just below the original Ryoji's left side where it would be masked by his haori. Suddenly ripping through the haori, should the attack hit Neeba it would surely cause a great degree of injury as well as complication as it would require Neeba to not only dodge the original Ryoji but an unseen attack as well.

With Ryoji now on the offensive, Neeba totally sees him as a completely different person and a bigger threat than he had originally thought. He didn't have time to think about how Ryoji dodged his attack but more importantly, how to counter his and gain the upper hand. As Ryoji strikes at Neeba's unarmed hand, Neeba counters by moving his hand from Ryoji's reach. Attempting to hit him with a headbutt Neeba didn't notice Ryoji's sneak attack coming up from behind him. It was the blade from his clone ripping through Ryoji's clothing and soon into Neeba's flesh if he did not evade it.

Caught off guard, Neeba barely manages to escape by flipping backwards, however, the blade grazed his right cheek causing it to bleed. Looking down at his zanpakuto and back at Ryoji, Neeba smirked.
"You're going to have to do better than that, Ryoji." He said as the blood flowed down his cheek dripping onto his blade.
"Guess it's time I use you for awhile hmm." Neeba said looking down at his zanpakuto.
"Bleed all Enemies, Asmodeus." Upon saying his zanpakuto's release, almost instantly, Neeba's speed and power increased significantly and his zanpakuto underwent a change in appearance.
"Is this what you wanted to see Ryoji?" Neeba said to himself as he raised his sword into the air.
"Wreak havoc on your enemies and feast on your prey, Illuyanka! A gigantic dragon made of blood was released from Neeba's blade with teeth and claws each as strong as a captain's zanpakuto. The dragon charged straight for the original Ryoji leaving a trail of blood throughout the sky. As it approached, the dragon swung its gigantic arm running its deadly claws through the ground at an attempt to swipe Ryoji. If the attack would land, Ryoji would be killed instantly and torn asunder.

Using the shunpo ability, Neeba, appeared directly in front of Ryoji's clone already swinging his blade with the intent of beheading him. Now since the clone was unarmed to Neeba's knowledge, he would make for easy prey. As Neeba began his assault again, the look in his eyes had changed. He had the exact same look in his eyes as Anbe in her final days. As his face was emotionless, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, or what he planned to do next.

As Neeba's counter attack, in a form of a blood dragon, surged through the sky Ryoji found himself in a difficult situation as the ground below him began to quake as the attack headed directly toward him. Having dodged his duplicate's ranged attack the chained blade would begin to retract having failed to hit its intended target. In an attempt to ward off the attack barreling toward him Ryoji would begin to twirl his released Zanpakuto. Twirling the weapon by its mid-section, forming a disc shaped blur acting as a shield, the defensive maneuver displayed by his blade lashed at the ground below, carving deeply into the soil. As the attack collided with incredible force Ryoji would begin to slide up the rocky slant.

As Neeba confronted the momentarily defenseless replica the second Ryoji found itself on the receiving end of what appeared to be fatally intended attack. Although the blade was in the process of retracting it was unlikely that it would return in time no matter how short it's duration was.

As the original Ryoji was held at bay by Neeba's ferocious attack he smirked slightly as he knew that Neeba would take this moment to assault Synronhkyou personally. Coasting to a stop slowly Ryoji's blade would begin to take on a reddish hue as it spun, no doubt an effect of Neeba's on blood dragon; however, the glow it began to cast was entirely unnatural. Neeba's dragon would begin to loose its force as it began to seemingly dissipate.

With seemingly no time remaining Synronhkyou ( the replica's name/ zanpakuto) found the other end of his sword, the blade that remained with him, begin to glow. Almost at the same moment Neeba would bring down his own blade the reddish-hue that Ryoji was warding off would illuminate the two opposing forces. Suddenly what appeared to be a bloody head of a ferocious dragon would spring forth from the blade that Synronhkyou grasped. It appeared as though Ryoji had succeeded in warding off the attack as it now was being transferred from Synronhkyou's own. This sudden turn of events would surely astonish Neeba and proved troublesome should he not succeed and deflecting what appeared to be his own technique that he had unleashed against Ryoji some distance away. Some feet away Synronhkyou's original blade would close in retracting harmlessly as the dragon's arm erupted before Neeba attempting to attack him in the very same manner he had intended to attack Synronhkyou.

Looking out the corner of his eye to see his own dragon now trying to attack him, Neeba stops his assault on Ryoji's clone immediately putting his right hand out as a sign to halt. As the dragon stops it waits for it's master's next orders.
"Its done." Neeba said flinging his hand into the air. The dragon quickly disperses leaving blood all across the battlefield.

Even the dragon god Illuyanka was a failure. Ryoji seemed to be worth much more credit than originally given, however, with the same emotionless look on his face, Neeba knew that this fight would be coming to a conclusion very soon. Putting his arm directly out in from of him, Neeba utters the release for his bankai.

"Ban...kai. Asmodeus Boido De." A huge red sphere of spiritual pressure appeared around Neeba completely engulfing him. This was Neeba's second time using his bankai, therefore, he is unable to control it at 100 percent. Knowing this, he runs the risk of killing himself or Ryoji in the process.

Looking into the eyes of Ryoji's clone, Neeba targets him with a kido spell.
"Inemuri" Neeba whispered in an attempt to put Ryoji's clone into a deep slumber leaving him immobile.

It seemed that Neeba had finally released his Bankai as the atmosphere became heavy around the three. He had even done so without the provocation Ryoji had predicted he would need. Ryoji watched as Neeba's reiatsu engulfed him and he once more began an assault on Synronhkyou. It appeared as though Neeba was intent on neutralizing his Zanpakuto.

Having failed to stop Neeba himself in the sudden release of his Bankai Synronhkyou would be distracted and fall pray to Neeba's latest maneuver. His eyes began to feel heavy as they would begin to dialate multiple times before going blank as he slumped over to the ground still clutching his blades.

Ryoji watched as Synronhkyou fell to the rocky ground immobile. Despite this Ryoji was entirely unconcerned by this turn of events. Although he had given many allusions as to second him being a clone that was entirely false. Synronhkyou was the physical manifestation of his Zanpakuto into the physical realm. Something of which had taken Ryoji years to master. With that knowledge it would nearly impossible for such a kido to have long lasting effects on it. Turning his attention back to a now fearsome Neeba Ryoji would disappear via a shunpo and confront Neeba head on eager to test the young man's sudden burst of power. It was truly intense and on par with that of a fully ranked Captain. Reappearing directly behind Neeba Ryoji would attempt to lash out at his left arm through the red sphere that engulfed him. What would ensue was entirely unknown to him.

Upon releasing his bankai, an ever so curious Ryoji drops in to investigate, lightly swinging his sword towards Neeba's aura to see if he could get a gist of what he was up against, however Neeba was not in that spot anymore. Using his shunpo ability, he flashed over to the sleeping body of Synronhkyou.
"Illuyanka......eat!" Neeba said raising his hand towards the sky. The dragon came spiraling from what seemed to be another dimension at speeds as great as a shunpo. As the dragon flew down vertically towards Synronhkyou, it opened its mouth wide, making all of its teeth visible as it was about to feast on its prey. In that same moment, Neeba would turn to look at Ryoji to see what his next move would be.

Ryoji was not surprised to see his attack fail to strike Neeba. As his blade swung into the dusty air Ryoji would become aware that Neeba had indeed vanished and once more turned his attention onto a now unconscious Synronhkyou. Ryoji watched as the physical manifestation of his Zanpakuto sat defenseless as the blood dragon once again showed its massive face. It appeared unlike the time Ryoji himself faced off against the creature it now intended to feast on his Synronhkyou. The very second Neeba would look away Synronhkyou would begin to crack as if he were a mirror as the dragon barreled down onto him. Seconds later Synronhkyou would burst into what appeared to be thousands of small fragments, defeated at least for the moment. Ryoji locked eyes with his worthy opponent as his own Zanpakuto began to revert back to its sealed state.

"Impressive . . ." Ryoji would speak swinging his katana over his right shoulder where it would rest. "I hadn't imagined Synronhkyou being caught so easily by a kido. Perhaps he's not as wise as I believe him to be. . ."

As he spoke Ryoji would turn his head toward the ceiling of the underground cavern. It appeared that the ceiling had begun to tremble in uneasiness, no doubt from the release of a Bankai leveled technique. Dust slowly fell to the ground pebbles along with it. Returning his gaze toward Neeba he would speak as he began to turn his back to him.

"While I am fully aware that we are indeed in a battle I'd appreciate at it if we didn't destroy this place. Doing so would cost a great deal of trouble for the Seireitei as well as myself. With that said . . ."

As Ryoji concluded his speech he would begin to run off in the direction he had been facing, his katana trailing behind him grasped in his right hand. He intended for Neeba to follow him deeper down the slant of the underground facility. Should he do so he would descend deeper and deeper into the underground area where he eventually would encounter a sudden drop in the ground.

Upon reaching the edge of the slant Ryoji would leap into the dark depths where he would free fall for about 130ft. As he fell deeper into into the darkening area a heavy thick haze that would begin to obscure even his enhanced vision. Landing with a soft thud somewhere below Ryoji would wait for Neeba while at the same time attempting to observe his blade through the dense haze. The haze itself was concentrated to the point that it made it nearly impossible to see even more than 10 feet in front of oneself.

"He sure did a number on you . . ." Ryoji would mutter quietly.

". . .It's nothing I can't handle . . . besides we're not done here yet" spoke a disembodied voice spoke identical to Ryoji's own. "Pay attention . . . he's getting closer"

Dismissing his dragon again, Neeba would begin to follow Ryoji, thinking that he was planning something. The new battleground was far different the their original spot, however, it did seem a bit more durable. Was Ryoji finally planning on showing his bankai.

Reaching Ryoji in a short time, Neeba would eye him down, barely seeing him through the thick fog.

"When are you going to finish this?" Said the voice from Neeba's zanpakuto. It was clearly frustrated as to how long the battle has gone on.
Not paying the zanpakuto any attention, Neeba continues to look at Ryoji.
"Your move, Ryoji."

As he had anticipated Neeba had arrived shortly after, his figure just barely visible before Ryoji. Having just been provoked into going on the offensive once more Ryoji would begin to slowly stroll backwards, his figure disappearing into the heavy haze. As he moved he would speak the words . . .

"Bankai . . .Synronhkyou Tsukigami . . ."

Through the haze Ryoji's reiatsu peaked before suddenly suppressing altogether. This would make it nearly impossible to detect his exact location. Through the layer of haze Ryoji's voice could be heard in what appeared to be in two directions at once simultaneously; however they spoke two completely different words.

"Hadō #54. Haien" spoke the voice closest to Neeba's back. Almost instantly a dense concentration of purple spiritual energy would rush Neeba. Should the attack land he would be engulfed in a wave of intense flames.

"Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui" spoke the voice just above Neeba. Almost instantly a dual wave of spiritual energy would rush Neeba from above that would surely incapacitate him should he be caught in it's wake.

Noticing that Ryoji was using kido from multiple locations, this did not come as a surprise to Neeba, considering the fact that his zanpakuto seems to be able to fight alongside him, but the question still remained; how would he stop this assault?

"Danku" Neeba said calmly, creating an energy barrier to block Ryoji's Haien. Using his zanpakuto, Neeba would attempt to stop Ryoji's Sōren Sōkatsui with brute force slashing at them releasing a bit of spiritual pressure in the swing.

"Is that all you can do, captain?" Ryoji said dusting his shoulder off lightly. Waiting for Ryoji's next move, Neeba waited patiently anticipating his next attack.

Ignoring Neeba's obvious taunt Ryoji noticing that his attacks had yet again failed decided to try another technique. Swinging his cloaked black robed arm Ryoji would embed his Zanpakuto in to the ground as from somewhere in the distance Synronhkyou would do the same.

The ground below Neeba would begin to crack and rumble as what appeared to be a a pair of blade broke through the ground's surface. The blades would form an "X" -like shape that rushed Neeba aiming to impale him should he not move in time. This was one of Ryoji's more advance techniques and surely would pose a problem for any experienced warrior.

Child's play, Neeba thought as the two blades came up from the ground. Any ordinary shinigami would have easily been dealt with by this attack. The entire match, Neeba was waiting for the perfect opening to catch Ryoji off guard. Since Ryoji's zanpakuto was extended, Neeba believed this could be his one true chance to take him down.
"I'm going for it." Neeba said to himself as he used his flash step to dodge both attacks as well as close the gap between him and the Ryoji that spoke from above him. Directly in front of him, Neeba would thrust his zanpakuto forward straight at Ryoji's chest for a chance to strike his Saketsu (Binding Chain) and Hakusui (Soul Sleep) with two quick thrusts. If the attack lands, it would cut off all spiritual pressure from Ryoji permanently, rendering him incapable of being a shinigami ever again.

As his attack failed once more Ryoji would focus his attention on Neeba who had closed on him and attempted to attack him in a crucial area. Managing to deter the attack from completely ending him the Neeba's attack would strike through Ryoji's left collar bone and shoulder respectively with each thrust causing blood to begin to poor from the wound

For reasons he did not under stand the Shinigami intended to perform an unforgivable act upon him. Setting his feelings aside Ryoji, with the blade embedded within his shoulder would lock eyes with Neeba.

"I don't know what it is you attempt to gain by doing that but you should no something . . .don't take me lightly"

"Y. . . you bastard. . ." Synronhkyou would moan from somewhere in the distance.

Neeba's attack had struck him perhaps not where it had been intended but it had connected all the same. Ryoji stood suspended in midair with Neeba apparently unhurt from the latter attack. As they floated their Ryoji's Zanpakuto would begin to glow as it retracted. He would slide himself off the blade and kick back disappearing into the haze once more where he began to assess Neeba.

"Careful you fool . . "

Watching Ryoji as he disappeared into the fog again, Neeba couldn't help but wonder what he was up to. Tired of pursuing Ryoji further, Neeba decides to land back on the ground. Wanting to end this match in the next few moves, Neeba would have to think of a strategy and fast. He was beginning to feel fatigued.
"I can't keep this bankai up much longer." He thought to himself.
"You must hurry and find that troublesome shinigami. I want to taste more of his.....blood." Said the voice from within his zanpakuto.

Ryoji observed the wound inflicted on him. Although it had managed to break through the other side his wound was not a problem. However, the same couldn't be said about Synronhkyou who had taken the full effects of Neeba's assault. Determine to push Neeba even further to complete his evaluation Ryoji formed an idea.

Ignoring the pain bestowed upon Synronhkyou would rush through the haze toward the are where Neeba should be. The blade in his hand glowing a deep purplish black. He would attempt o thrust his blade into Neeba's left foot while at the same time gathering a mass amount of kido in his left hand and move it towards Neeba's chest in a thrusting motion.