[center][b][h2][u]Unbridled Potential[/u][/h2][h3][i]Team Masuuko
[sub]Part 1[/sub][/i][/h3][/b][/center][hr]
Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy's condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity. 

One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help to his sovereign, no master of victory.

Following the Commander's Initial brief, the words echoed within his subconscious. Pushing Taikou's ensuing conversation with Hiroto into the background as he pondered the current situation. It was only after he had reaffirmed his resolve to retaliate against the enemy, that Hiro's mind refocused on the present. Thus, when the Sōtaichou addressed him by name, delegating to him partial command of one of the hunting squads, Hiro quickly responded with a salute. Having quickly touched his right fist over his heart horizontally, before bowing his head in agreement. After straightening himself into a proper posture, he then waited until after the Sōtaichou had departed. Then turned to address those he'd be working with. Pausing only to eavesdrop on the Kenpachi as he assumed command of his assigned party.  A smirk glimpsed lips. 

He then turned towards Sunōfurēku. [color=#dc143c][b]"Well then. Shall we?"[/b][/color]

Unlike her fellow ex-captain, Rēku did not have to pull herself away from her own thoughts to listen. At the same time she was nowhere near as outwardly enthusiastic. If the commander and many others didn't know any better they might have thought Rēku fell asleep standing. She stood motionless and with her eyes closed throughout the entirety of the short rally and only opened her eyes slightly when her partner was mentioned letting the tiniest of smiles touch her lips before fading back into a near blank expression. As the commander left she slightly turned herself towards Hiro who had just spoken as her eyes finally opened fully. and she spoke softly, but clearly. "[color=#FF00FF]Indeed. When we leave, Hiro could you please alert the enemy of our presence by releasing a massive amount of spiritual pressure to attract a stronger group."[/color] It was phrased less as a question and more as heavy suggestion that she expected him to do.

Upon hearing her voice, the shinigami once again performed a salute. Seeing the meaning behind her words. [color=#dc143c][b]“But, of course.”[/b][/color]His voice held a nigh-mocking tone.

As the stirring speech came to a close--and not a moment too soon, she thought--Kairi ceased the quiet, and impatient, tapping of her foot, and made her way over to Captain Masumata and Tatasuko. She was just a little peeved that she hadn't been put with the Kenpachi, but oh well she was sure the Commander had a good reason for putting them into groups the way he had. Walking over to the pair of captains, she reached down to her sash and pulled out a stick of gum, which she popped into her mouth and began chewing. She had a somewhat bored look on her face, though her eyebrows were raised, as if expectant. It was as if she was saying,  [color=#FEFFE3][b]“Why haven’t we left yet,”[/b][/color]---wait no, that’s her actually talking. Um…. Oh well. After asking her question, she remained there silently blowing bubbles with her gum, one hand on her hip. She was ready to go kick some hollow’s ass into oblivion.

Among the others, Shizu wasn’t concerned when they would leave. She wasn’t concerned with what was stalling them. All she was focused on was what she had been focused on when the Captain-Commander was speaking: completing the mission. Everything else was white noise. However, she would be a lying lieutenant if she said she wasn’t curious about why they hadn’t left yet. “[color=a4d4ff]Usually I don’t share Kairi’s sentiments, but if we are going to have any chance of completing this mission to the Captain-Commander’s expectations, wouldn’t it be best make haste?[/color]”

Hiro shot both of them a disconcerting glance. Only to remind himself of his manners as he spoke. [color=#dc143c][b]“And how pray tell do we find this hollow? Where should we go?”[/b][/color] His silence invited an answer as he momentarily held his gaze between the two.

Blowing a bubble while Hiro practically glared at them, Kairi cracked a grin, glancing at Shizu as she did so. [color=#FEFFE3][b]“Heh, well we could go that way,”[/b][/color] she pointed in as if at a wall, though obviously intending the actual destination to be somewhere beyond. There was a long moment of silence, broken only by the bubble popping loudly.

She glanced again at Shizu, and gave her a thumbs up, [color=#FEFFE3][b]“Seriously though c’mon, we’re wasting time. The others are gonna get the best one before we can get to killing even one hollow! I just can’t stand for that.”[/b][/color]

Shizu exchanged a disapproving glance with Kairi. She didn’t appreciate the way she spoke to the captain. “[color=a4d4ff]We should not go in without a plan, Kairi. It would be a quicker way to death. Or are you simply [i]that[/i] foolish? Based on the way you aggressively pop your gum, I would imagine so. I mean, how else would you describe yourself?[/color]” Shizu said, brandishing a somewhat satisfied, albeit partially-smug, grin.

A sigh. It was all he could muster as he inwardly found himself cursing commander Taikou’s choice. Thus, after breaking off his gaze, and quickly rubbing his temples, Hiro looked to Sunōfurēku. Hoping to confirm their decision to take their leave. 

Kairi raised an eyebrow, her smile dropping somewhat as Shizu responded. [color=#FEFFE3][b]“Careful you delicate flower,”[/b][/color] she teased playfully, [color=#FEFFE3][b]“...you might strain yourself trying to look down on someone taller than you.”[/b][/color] She blew another bubble and then popped it, before chewing her gum for another long while. [color=#FEFFE3][b]“Also, [i]really[/i] relating my gum popping to my combat methodology? You’re seriously scraping the bottom of the barrel for insults huh?”[/b][/color]

“[color=a4d4ff]Touch a nerve, did I?[/color]” Shizu mused, “[color=a4d4ff]I wonder, Kairi. Is the reason why you’re responding the way you are because I’m right or that you simply don’t know the difference between an insult and a simple observation. If true—[/color]” Shizu was interrupted by Reku, prompting her to close her mouth, and put any remaining thoughts about Kairi on the back-burner.

[color=#FF00FF]“If you two are finished bickering like children we can head out now. At least one of you is showing usefulness.”[/color] Rēku bluntly interrupted the lieutenants and after that turned and used a shunpo to leave abruptly to head in the direction that Kairi had pointed out. While the two had been bickering Rēku had decided to try and locate any potential bounties. This seemed to be one of the better options and it was nice to know at least the second division’s old lieutenant had at least some promise.

Having made use of the aforementioned argument to hone in on a nearby presence, it wasn’t long before Hiro also used shunpo to vanish, leaving the two lieutenants to quarrel as he chased after Rēku, whom appeared to be headed towards a cemetery in the middle of the town.