Yumeshiro awakens in the outer districts of West Rukongai. The buildings are rundown and the people are shifty. Garbage and dead bodies litter the streets. Having come from a life of nobility, this should serve as a culture shock to him, but surrounded on all sides by the worst of humanity, he finds he prefers this much more. With Reiatsu as powerful as his, the scum of the outer districts quickly learn that approaching Yumeshiro is fatal. Anyone that gets close becomes violently ill with hemorrhagic fever and purulent skin rashes. The ones who are stupid enough to approach him still further learn that, even weaponless, Yumeshiro Hatada is deadly. He fights with fists and teeth. Gouges out eyes and tears tongues out through their teeth. Eventually they all end up dead, and civilians leave out food and water for him in thanks. As the bodies pile high, Yumeshiro earns a reputation, one that incites more criminals to try their hand at bringing him down. No one buries them.

He blazes a path through the Rukongai, seeking a place where he can be left alone. He finds this place in The Red Gate Temple of Despair Mountain. Followers of an old religion used to live at the temple, but they were long gone, leaving the temple empty and crumbling from disuse. It's perfect for Yumeshiro.

As if the pillaging and looting and suppression by shinigami isn't bad enough, the village at the base of the mountain, Red Lily Village, experiences the extreme effects of Yumeshiro's Reiatsu due to their proximity. People get sick, and their animals and crops suffer. They begin leaving food, clothing, and treasure at the temple to appease what they assume is an angry god.

Two low level shinigami of the 6th Division, Jo Hama and Morio Igari, are alerted by the suspicious activity and powerful spiritual energy. They are not there to save Red Lily Village, however, as the pair had been extorting the poor villagers for quite some time. Claiming the West District as their jurisdiction, they are known for their corruption and readiness to send souls back into the life cycle, and so when they come strolling through, nobody is happy to see them. The villagers can smell trouble on the horizon.

They come to investigate the temple, but would soon regret it. When they separate, Yumeshiro kills one, steals his Asauchi, and uses it to kill the other. With a blade at his side, everything is right again.

What he doesn't expect is the thanks he receives for freeing the villagers of their oppressors. They praise him, bow at his feet, exclaim their graciousness and bless him, for he truly has the heart of a samurai. Yumeshiro hadn't even noticed that his Reiatsu wasn't making these people ill anymore. Could it be that he was subconsciously suppressing it to protect them? Whatever it was, Yumeshiro now had a purpose. He tells the villagers they will never need to worry again. He would direct his blade to their service and punish the ones who break the law. But there aren't any laws in the Rukongai, they say, that's why the outer districts are dangerous. When the villagers ask him what he means, he declares his laws right then and there: No stealing, no murder, no adultery or public indecency, honour thyself and thy parents, and most importantly of all, Despair Mountain, the Red Lily Village, and all their inhabitants belong to him. What happens to those who break the law? The ogre of Red Gate Temple will come to get you.

With time, Yumeshiro learned to rein in his Reiatsu consciously. Not only did he stop making others sick, but the villagers came to him for help when they were under attack by bandits and other corrupt shinigami. He directed them to build a barrier and gate around the village to easier protect it. It began to look more and more like the fortresses of Feudal Japan. The mayor wanted Yumeshiro to marry his daughter, but he politely declined. Villagers had him name their children. Though crime did not decrease, villagers felt safer knowing that the perpetrators would never get away with it. Stories of Yumeshiro's bravery and honour reach far across the land, and soon, everyone knows of the Oni of Despair Mountain.

Six years after his death, Yumeshiro awakens in a cold sweat. Chest tight, something is pulling at him. He presses his hand over his heart, momentarily forgetting he no longer has a Chain of Fate, but if this is so, then why does a wave of despair wash over him, and why does he ache? What was it he'd been dreaming of? He'd learned long ago that he is unlike other souls. There are things he remembers that he shouldn't, things he feels that he shouldn't. Loneliness. Rejection. Hatred. Yearning. The way he put his own blade to his throat, watched the fire leave the eyes of the one who held him as he did so. They're not family. He's not sure what they are, but he hears a voice that belongs neither to him nor his dream. You're awful, you're cruel, you'd never understand. It's vague, but when he closes his eyes, he sees red, the colour of passion and fury.  

It's Tadakatsu.

Yumeshiro sets out to find his friend. He's working on little more than a hunch and a feeling, and with the size of the Rukongai, it's a miracle he's able to find Tadakatsu within the year, but people don't forget red hair like his, and point Yumeshiro in the right direction. East Rukongai, District Forty, the exact opposite direction from where Yumeshiro started. It's about damn time.

Tadakatsu spots him and almost plows right through him. He wraps his arms tight around Yumeshiro, overjoyed at his arrival, and for once, Yumeshiro doesn't push him away. At first he isn't sure what he's supposed to feel, but after spending the day in Aosen Town with Tadakatsu's family, he figures it out. That familiar frustration with Tadakatsu's aimlessness and a feeling that his friend should be doing so much more with his life; Yumeshiro is incensed. He will not let Tadakatsu waste his life away. He's come to haul Tadakatsu to the Shin'o Academy to become a shinigami, so they can take their first steps to gaining power and status in this world.

Tadakatsu does not want to become a shinigami. His hesitance leads to him failing the entrance exam, while Yumeshiro passes with flying colours. Tadakatsu seems relieved at the news but Yumeshiro is beyond furious. Useless idiot! Blasted fool! If Tadakatsu doesn't pass the next year, Yumeshiro threatens to end their friendship. He would not allow himself to waste time on weaklings. The truth of it is that he expected better of Tadakatsu and is embarrassed of his misplaced faith. Tadakatsu is stronger than that! They should be doing this together, damnit!

The academy is yet another perfect place for Yumeshiro, as he excels at basically everything, even finding himself a rival in a student from decades past, whom the teachers mentioned often and who Yumeshiro decided he would surpass. Quickly setting himself apart from the rest, many people flock to him, and his instructors take notice, as do a few notable figures with high ranks in their respective divisions. Yumeshiro heard it all and lavished in it with the kind of grace one would expect from a humble samurai. He'd caught the Captain Commander's eye, as well as the attention of the Second and Ninth Division Captains. This creates tension between Yumeshiro and Seireitei-born souls, who consider Rukongai-born souls as less than. It's not long before Yumeshiro puts them in their place. If the instructors see anything, they don't say a word. Even nobility are afraid of him.

Students hound him, asking which Division he's thinking of going into. "You're suited for the Onmitsukidō Executive Militia," one says, because it's so easy to imagine the Oni of Despair Mountain punishing rule-breakers. Nah, there's no glory in secrecy. "How about the Seventh?" a female student suggests, hoping he will follow her, and they could bond over their strong loyalties. The Seventh's men are devoted and honourable, but he can't trust a Captain that won't show his face. "The Ninth is for the curious of mind," comes another, who had been secretly hoping he could read writing written by Yumeshiro, and aside from that, he shows great interest in strategy, with his favourite game being Shogi! Except Yumeshiro would much rather find company in men with strong personalities, and he won't be finding any guts and glory in the Ninth. Before anyone can suggest the Eleventh, he shuts them down. Though he is the pinnacle of masculinity and enjoys a good brawl like any hot-blooded man, he isn't brain dead. They don't get an answer after all...

When Tadakatsu finally enters into the academy, Yumeshiro puts him through the ringer to get him up to speed. They train nonstop and study relentlessly. Yumeshiro's grades are impeccable while Tadakatsu still lags behind, though unlike Tadakatsu, Yumeshiro does not learn the name of his zanpakutō before graduation, despite having carried it for almost eight years.

Based on his performance, Yumeshiro graduates a year early on glowing recommendations from his instructors, and he selects the Sixth Division, to everyone's surprise.

Why the Sixth? It figures that nobody really knows him. The Sixth Division held a Prison Ward, which he was eager to fill since hearing about it from his classes. The Sixth is where he would truly be at home, where his values would be welcomed and nurtured. Those who demonstrate strict adherence to law and order are best suited to the Sixth, and above all else, Yumeshiro is a man who believes in the law. Well, punishing those who break laws, anyways. It's all the same to him.

Five men from his class follow him into the Sixth — Mitsugi Arase, Saburo Daiju, Akio Furui, Hirofumi Kagami, and Saiichi Ishimura. They can be called his friends, but more accurately, they are like an entourage, men that were inspired by him from the get go and recognized his noble heritage. Who says you need to be related to nobility to be noble? To them, Yumeshiro might as well have been a king, the epitome of masculinity, and for good reason. Each one of them can recount at least one time Yumeshiro stuck up for them or took the time to teach them. He even allowed one of them to stay with him for a whole semester after a freak storm destroyed his home and killed his dog. Though Yumeshiro stood on a mountain far above the rest, he still pulled these men to stand by his side, and that was more than anyone had ever done for them.

Before he's even stepped through the door, Yumeshiro's name is whispered amongst the barracks, because upon graduation, he is given the 6th Seat. As rare as this is in other Divisions, in the Sixth a shinigami is more likely to be struck by lightning in the middle of a sunny day. Captain Kuchiki must really be impressed, and indeed he was, enough to greet Yumeshiro and formally introduce himself when they crossed paths. Though outwardly humble, Yumeshiro's bow is patronizing, and Byakuya feels deeply how little Yumeshiro truly respects him, and they have a wordless exchange, a power struggle. Byakuya gets a feeling, no, not a feeling, the knowledge, that this man is not just challenging him, but warning him, establishing dominance. If the two of them fought, he is not so sure he will come out the victor.

He recognizes Yumeshiro's strength and character, a rarity in and of itself, and despite his cold and callous nature, extends an invitation to Yumeshiro to join him for tea in the courtyard. Onlookers stand with their mouths hanging open. It's just one thing after another with this guy! Seriously, who is he?

Over a year later, Tadakatsu graduates. Of course Yumeshiro came to the ceremony, despite saying he wouldn't, because if nothing else, he's hiding his pride by acting like he's surprised that his friend graduated at all. The party carries over to Aosen Town, where Yumeshiro finally meets the tutor that Tadakatsu spoke about so much, and was shocked to find that this Hideyori "Hide-chan" Matsunaga is the very same Hideyori Yamamoto that Yumeshiro set his sights on in his first day of class, and if that's not bad enough, he is the same Hideyori Yamamoto that had been keeping a close eye on him and his friends for some time, even having sat to drink with the group a few times already. Of course Yumeshiro mixed up the surnames, when Tadakatsu only ever referred to his tutor by nickname or as a Matsunaga (and as a man amongst men, no less! Tadakatsu, you idiot!) To Yumeshiro's horror, Hideyori is quite a bit shorter and prettier than he imagined, though he still carries himself with the grace and dignity of a true samurai. Still, it's embarrassing as hell when Tadakatsu starts telling Hideyori what Yumeshiro imagined him to look like, so he decks the bastard right in the face. He hates how much Tadakatsu laughs, and how it brings a reserved smile to Hideyori's face. Talk about tragic.

After the party, Hideyori invites Yumeshiro to the hot springs in the First Division barracks. One conversation leads to another, and Hideyori reveals his intention to become the Captain Commander in spite of his father's wishes. Yumeshiro, who'd already decided that the current state of Soul Society is abysmal, is in full support of Hideyori's ambitions upon hearing of Yamamoto's cowardice. To be so thoroughly afraid and envious of your own son is to lose your way as a swordsman. A father must always want his children to succeed him. In Hideyori he sees all eight virtues of Bushido: rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, truthfulness, honour, loyalty, and character. After all this time, Yumeshiro has found himself a master worthy of his blade. He pledges to help Hideyori attain this goal.

That night, Yumeshiro dreams of a forest overshadowed by a mountainside. Amaryllis flowers sway at his feet. At the top of the mountain he can see the shadow of a temple masked by thick clouds. Not a star shone in sight. The moon illuminates a path up the stairs. The breeze carries the smell of death. A miasma, foreboding and raw, slithers through the trees. Yumeshiro has no interest in following the path. A voice tickles the back of his ear, "What does the Code of Bushido have left to offer? You have nothing to commit to. Without your honour, you are nothing." He's heard this voice before, and he's heard these words, but he cannot remember from where. He tries to call out. No one answers, and he awakens the morning after, red dots fading from his vision. Overcome by nausea, he barely gets himself to the bathroom in time to throw up. With the world spinning the way that it is, he is useless, and he must take a day off to recuperate. 

But as the day drags on, Yumeshiro becomes so ill that he falls into a deep, fitful slumber. His fever is high, he's delirious, and erythematous vesicles have cropped up all over his skin. He once again finds himself at the base of the mountain. The same voice beckons him. That must be it. Whatever is in the temple is making him ill. Well, whatever it is is gonna be sorry.

So up the mountain he climbs, fighting against his own body. The stench of death and decay gets worse and worse the higher he climbs, and everything around him rots away. When he reaches the top, he hears laughter that shakes the entire mountain. The spiritual pressure is unbearable yet familiar. Without a second thought, he enters the temple, and comes face to face with the symbol of punishment and all that is evil — an oni. 

"I knew you would come," it says, a sneer on its face.

"Who are you?"

"I am the master of this world, the keeper of its laws, and the punisher of the wayward and wicked. I am you." 

Yumeshiro scoffs at that. "I am not that ugly." 

"On the outside, perhaps." 

Yumeshiro redirects the conversation. "What have you infected me with? What's your purpose in making me ill?" 

"Why would I, with all the powers I have been granted, spend any amount of energy on a puny mortal such as yourself? No, it is not I, but you that are making you sick. That's what happens when you deny yourself." It doesn't explain further, nor does it give Yumeshiro the chance to demand it to. Rising from its seated position, the ogre lifts its club. "Perish here under the weight of your own hubris!"

They fight. It's the kind of fight that destroys the mountainside and turns the forest inside-out. Yumeshiro cannot understand what he has done to anger this ogre, but whatever it is, the beast is blind with rage, though it appeared so calm in the temple. They read each other's moves like they're conjoined. Eventually Yumeshiro overpowers it. Instead of slaying the ogre, he kneels beside it, and asks it its name. The ogre knows him like he knows himself. He must know its identity.

Though begrudgingly, it accepts the defeat, and answers. "I have always been with you. I am your strength and your weakness. I bear your burdens and feel your shame. I've voiced every doubt you've ever had. I've celebrated your victories and suffered your defeats. I am your blade. I am you. I am Oniseigi, and I concede to you, Yumeshiro."

Yumeshiro jolts awake and finds himself in a bed and a room that is not his own. His men, who were seated around him, run to his side to barrage him with questions. The most pressing matter is that he doesn't get up, as his fever is way too high! ...Huh? Wait, but he doesn't have a fever anymore. What about the rash? The Captain forbade Yumeshiro from coming back to the Sixth Division barracks until he is declared non-contagious, except his skin is as clear as can be. Okay, but what about his delirium? Yes, he was sleep-talking, and boy was it concerning stuff! Ah, but wait, he's fully conscious now. Yumeshiro calls the lot of them idiots, though he's grateful to them for having brought his blade. Hidden justice, what a fitting name. Yumeshiro ties it to his side, and orders his men to get back to work. He doesn't tell anyone of his discovery.

Text 

Notes:
- Shiro is an asshole lol

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