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It was only when Ichigo and Souji unleashed their combined demonic power and crushed everyone in the vicinity to the ground, that they stopped fighting. Even then, they both had to consistently keep up a certain level of pressure to dissuade any further fighting. Of course, once the small militias had been dealt with, Sirzechs's less combat oriented servants brought the two lords together and began hammering out a compromise.
It wasn't easy. Tempers had flared, threats had been made, swords been drawn. The two Pillars only managed to act reasonably when Ichigo threatened to turn the entire expanse of land into a smouldering crater. Although, afterwards both Lords had made some derogatory comments about his and Souji's reincarnated status. Luckily Ichigo was used to such things from his days in high school and Souji had long since been accustomed to the bigotry of to some of the Pureblooded Devils. Unfortunately for said bigots, both Ichigo and Souji were far more powerful than they were and, in the Underworld's society, that's all that mattered.
Once Sirzechs's legal department had finished up and an accord had been reached, Ichigo and Souji grabbed a small lunch and shipped off for Kyoto. Souji had been particularly eager to revisit the jurisdiction of the old military police.
"It has been quite some time since I last visited the old Imperial Capital." Souji said wistfully.
Ichigo tilted his head towards the senior servant and asked, "You left before the capital was transferred to Tokyo, right?"
"Indeed," The old warrior nodded his head. "I was in Edo though it had yet to be named the capital yet. I was dying of tuberculosis when Sirzechs-sama had offered me a place in his peerage. I had no desire to meet my end in a sickbed rather than at the tip of a blade. It would have been shameful, so I shook hands with the Devil in hopes that my demise would arrive in some more glorious fashion. I can happily say that I have never regretted that decision."
"It still amazes that I get to talk to one of the Boshin War's most famous figures. They talk about you in our schools." Ichigo said with a slight smile.
Souji smiled gracefully. "You flatter me Ichigo-kun. I played but a humble part in that war."
"Do you see that site?" He said with near excitement and Ichigo followed Souji's finger as he pointed towards a particular place down below. "It is greatly changed yet I still recognize it. It was there that I first locked swords with Himura*."
"Himura?" Ichigo queried.
"Your books will say naught of him," Souji said with fire in his eyes and sharp smile on his face. "He was an Imperial assassin and, perhaps, the greatest swordsman of the war."
"Better than you?" Ichigo asked teasingly.
Souji took it in stride. "At the time? Yes. Manslayer we called him and truly, many met their doom by his blade. I believe his head count had surpassed a hundred by the end of the Revolution."
Ichigo looked on in surprise, having not expected the admission.
"You would have marveled at the strength reflected in his sword." Souji shook his head ruefully. "At that point in my life, I had already had some exposure to the supernatural. Yet, in spite of my advantage, like a demon in battle he was and every stroke of steel was death heralded. The draw of his sword made Raijin's bolt pale in swiftness."
"Sounds like quite the warrior," Ichigo mulled.
Souji hummed in agreement. "I believe this is enough of nostalgia for now. Let's us descend and proceed on foot. It would not bode well for us to be tardy for our appointment with Yasaka-hime."
"You've met her?" Ichigo stuffed his hands in his pockets as he slid down through the air.
"I have never met her personally," Souji admitted with a shrug. "Although, I've seen her from a distance and have heard much of her from the Yōkai of Kyoto."
"Oh?"
"She is said to very fair with those she reigns over and quite humble. Yet, there is said to be a severity in her that she shares with the Lady of the Sun and Universe."
"So kinda like Grayfia-nee," Ichigo asked with a wry smile.
"Oh not at all," Souji chuckled. "She smiles far more often than our beloved Queen."
They both touched the ground simultaneously and began to navigate through the various pilgrims and tourists that flooded the central city. Quickly, the two of them made their way to back alleys where the less savoury characters tended to reside.
Taking care to avoid the puddles in the gravel road, Ichigo's lips turned downward as a certain music hit his ears.
"I do believe that is yours, Ichigo-kun," Souji pointed out.
Reaching into his pocket, Ichigo pulled out his cell phone. Surprise flitted across his face as the caller ID displayed a name he had not expected to call him. Pressing the green talk button, Ichigo held his phone to his ear.
"Yuzu?"
"ONII-CHAN!"
"Gah!" Ichigo swiftly pulled the device away from his ear as the volume of his sister's voice threatened to damage his ears.
"Why are you yelling?" He said as he switched the phone to the other ear and cleaned out the initial one with his pinkie finger.
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