The Division 11

Training the plebs

The morning choirs had come to an end. The laundry from the night before were taken down. Folded and returned to their respective owners. It was usually the unseated officers who did these odd jobs. Some of the unfortunate would be the ones who had to clear out the out houses. Some were fortunate enough to be in the kitchen but even this was a curse at times. During winter the warm fires and the smell of steamed rice were a relief against the frosty winds. During summer, the crowded space was a punishment to the underlings. Stuffy and exploding with sweating men. Today the kitchens weren't so bad. It was spring time and a cool breeze would pass through. The current season demanded less cooking with fires as fresh greens from the mountains would be most of the dishes. The only dishes that needed a fire in the mornings were the rice and soup.

Yuri entered back into her division. Her entrance being met by a single loud and short. "KENPACHI-SAMA! GOOD MORNING!" Boy she never grew bored of that. In perfect unison, like an army. Her army. Good Boys. The time was past breakfast. The morning warm ups of laps and stretches were finished. Their bellies were filled with good food. Now? It was time to train with their swords. All over the 11th division barracks, those who weren't on duty somewhere around Seireitei or the real world would be in one. In Dojo's wearing black and Gi Hakama each of them holding a wooden bokken. These were no ordinary ones. These were heavier, multiple wooden poles being wrapped around the blade. These they would swing all morning, strengthening their arms and stomach. Most of them could swing this heavy thing with one hand. Even the plebs, it would only be the new shits that couldn't swing the twig. No one was allowed to touh their zanpakuto until they had each swung a minimum of 3000 swings. Those who swung a few thousand higher usually found themselves with a seated rank within the division.

Yuri Kenpachi, was in such dojo. The Dojo filled with her double digit seated officers. She sat in the front of the dojo, leaning against a large arm pillow. The arm she used to prop her head against pressed her cheeks slightly. She was in a comfortable position. Like a teenager about to watch TV, neither bored or excited about anything in particular. In front of her one or two single digit officers were instructing them.

"2-9-87!!"
"HA!"
"2-9-88!"
"HA!"
Sweat dripped off their faces and tied back hair. They gathered Ki at every strike and released it in a roar. Yuri visited the morning training sessions. The time was never set, sometimes she wouldn't sometimes she would. She looked at the twats swinging the heavy bokken.

"3000!"
"HE-HA!"
They were always so enthusiastic with their last swing. Most of them would swing more before and after lunch. But for now they were given a short break. At once all of them kneeled, sitting on the heels of their feet. Their heavy Bokken placed on their left side. Such was the way of the Samurai but Yuri allowed the left handed to place it on their right. If a rule made it so that a man could not fully show his abilities then the rule was obsolete. Their hands would be unclenched fists, resting ontop their knees. They breathed in deep slow breathes, such was their discipline. Finding peace in their minds and body. Governing their heartbeats. Pathetic thought Yuri. Sweating and losing breathe over 3000 swings.

Part Discipline, part warm-up, part strength training, the true objective of the routine was to make one tired. Though most of these men here could swing double the said amount, 3000 was usually enough. Their muscles had woken up and more importantly, their slightly tired bodies wouldn't waste a single movement now. That was vital. Never waste a single micro unit of movement. Now the 2nd part of their training. This weeks objective was simple. Two thin pieces of paper were stacked on top another. This would be held in the air by whatever was needed. Each would get it. Swing and cut the paper. It did not matter if they cut it horizontally or vertically. All they needed to do was to cut only the first sheet of paper. The second sheet should remain in tact. Simple yet insanely difficult. Even some of the captains could not achieve this. It was only the 11th division, 1st division, 2nd division and 6th division Captains and vice captains managed. All the single digit officers in the 11th division could do this 8 to 9/10 times. Precision, micro metric control of the body. Yuri's own training. Yuri herself still held the record of achieving her first successful cut in 2 days. Those were grueling days, today? Yuri could do it with any blade at any angle without even looking. Not a Single movement wasted.

The training began at a pace each to his own. A lot swearing, shouts and general bickering could be heard. Yuri Kenpachi left them, already having seen enough. They weren't too far of but they still needed more training. After this all of them would wash, a short break then lunch. Afterwards everyone went to their duties everywhere around the world. The time before dinner was free time, they could do what they wanted. Such w as after dinner too. Many trained some chose to relax and socialize within the division. This wasn't the only routine. Some trained in the evenings and slept in the mornings. Respective of their shifts. Yuri went to her onother dojo. A large space. She stood in the centre. The dojo was in two parts. An inner room and outer room. The two rooms were seperated by sliding doors. Sliding doors which could be opened to accommodate spectators. This dojo was usually used for duels.


edit IC:

No one came so she left

exit >>