Shikyo and his master sat in their hut, many books sprawled out in front of the pair as Hiroshi relayed the history of Sereiti to Shikyo.

"In the beginning there were no Shinigami. No academy to train them, and this place was only inhabited by the souls of the dead. But that peace didn't last long as there were restless spirits arriving, angry with their deaths and with unfinished business in the real world. The evil that slowly grew within these souls transformed them into something much more sinister and it was then that the Hollows were formed. The Hollows consumed the souls of the others nonstop until one man stood against them. This man Yamamoto Genryuusai, decided that something needed to be done about these creatures and it was then that he founded the Academy to train the Shinigami. Since that time, the Shinigami have acted to protect this world from the ever growing threat of the Hollows."

Shikyo listened to the story, his thirst for knowledge about this place growing as he heard of the Shinigami's origins.

"However since that time, there have been Shinigami who have defected from the Soul Society, using their abilities for purposes other than protection and because of that an elite squadron was created in order to investigate those who might use their powers against other Shinigami. It is for this reason that I created this place, as a way to train myself and my students away from the evil influence of others so that I can monitor them and handle the situation should I see that a Shinigami is leaning toward evil."

"That's not something you'll have to worry about with me." Shikyo reassured. "I have become a Shinigami strictly to protect the souls who reside here now, and if I cannot do that then I would dedicate my life to something else."

Hiroshi nodded at his young student's words, but it would take more than mere words to prove this to the Elder.

Approved + 1 to Intelligence.

Shikyo stood defensively before his teacher, spinning his staff in his hands in front of his chest. Hiroshi appeared behind Shikyo attempting to lash out at him with his blade, but Shikyo used his own Shunpo to appear in the air above his master. He quickly sheathed his weapon and his hands locked into position as he started an incantation. "Oh ruler, mask of flesh..." He wasn't able to finish before Hiroshi was behind him again, "Hadou #4 Byakurai!" Hiroshi shouted as an electric pulse surged through Shikyo's body, causing him to fall harshly to the ground.

"You should not attempt to use a spell unless you are sure you will be able to get through it before your opponent reaches you." Hiroshi commented.

Shikyo started to say something as he tried to move his right arm but found that his left leg moved instead. "What?" He then tried to move his right leg and found that his right arm moved instead. "What did you do to me?" Shikyo asked from the ground as he experimented with which limbs moved when he tried to move another.

"I modified my spiritual pressure so that instead of decapitating you, I only released enough electricity into your body to mix the signals of your nerves from your brain to the rest of your body. In essence, it is a binding technique I learned..."

Hiroshi stopped as he heard his protege mumbling something. Moving closer he was surprised to see Shikyo leap to his feet as he finished his incantation, "Way of Destruction #31 - Shakkahou!" A crimson fireball launched itself toward Hiroshi, he barely had time to dodge the attack but was further surprised when Shikyo swept his feet with his Zanpakuto, knocking him to the ground as he held the staff at Hiroshi's neck.

"You're a much quicker thinker than I gave you credit for." Hiroshi stated. "It takes most people much longer to figure out how to coordinate their limbs after that attack, and even then movement is still not as fluid as that."

Shikyo smiled as he helped his master up. "Intelligence, above all, is what will help me survive on the battle field." He stated, quoting Miku.

Approved + 1 to Intelligence.

Queen to bishop's three. The previous silence in the room, broken only by the movement of the chess pieces on the board was interuppted as Hiroshi commented on Shikyo's moves. "The Queen's gambit?" He asked. "It's a bit impulsive to immediately bring out your strongest piece. If you lose her then you'll have a disadvantage the rest of the game." Shikyo looked up from the chess board, momentarily pausing his concentration to respond to his mentor, "I don't plan to lose her. It's just for show to see how well of an opponent you are, but judging from your last move I take it you're familiar with the four-move checkmate." Shikyo continued as Hiroshi nodded, a small smile cracking through his normally serious face. "Now that I know you won't be defeated so easily I can begin to play more seriously." Shikyo and Hiroshi's game continued. Each making maneuvers to set them up for later in the game, while still attempting to catch their opponent off guard.

Knight to bishop's three. "Check." Hiroshi announced, almost smugly. "I can't believe I didn't see that." Shikyo mumbled as he glared at the board so intensely that it seemed the pieces might spontaneously combust. "Now even when you move your king out of check, I can still take your rook. It's the classic forked attack, make your enemy chose between two options but regardless of the choice, you still have the advantage when it's over." Shikyo groaned as he slowly moved his king away, and once more when Hiroshi took his rook. "I underestimated you." Shikyo stated plainly as his mind went back to working on his own strategy. It was true that it might seem like he had the disadvantage, but his plan had already been in effect since the beginning and this distraction was only Hiroshi trying to misdirect him from something greater.

Bishop to King's four. "Now what are you going to do?" Hiroshi asked, over confidence dripping from every syllable. "You just lost your queen and..." Before Hiroshi had a chance to finish his statement, Shikyo moved another piece, completely his plan "Checkmate."

"What?" Hiroshi looked over the board, checking and rechecking the pieces again. "Congratulations. You got me."

"I knew from the moment the game started that you were interested in taking my queen and all I had to do was use the rest of my pieces to set up the trap while you stayed fixed on her. It was a sacrifice to let you take her, but it was necessary in order to achieve victory."

"Let that be a lesson then," Hiroshi stated. "Don't be distracted from your main goal by other things, but stay focused."

+1

A creative way to demonstrate intelligence for your character. I appreciate the variety, and especially the way you show he's smart, rather than just announce he's smart, then send him out to do stupid things... *grumbles* the way I've seen in too many published works! lol

Shikyo followed Hiroshi into the tavern. It was the first time the pair had left the training grounds and Shikyo was under the impression that it was some sort of celebration. As they entered the tavern Shikyo immediately noticed the various figures in the bar, his subconscious mind taking in the number of occupants as well as noticing the various characteristics that made each one unique. He paused for a second as he saw a pool of liquid beneath one of the men at the bar, trying to decide where he'd seen it before. Taking two seats in a booth, Hiroshi waved over a waitress and ordered two tall glasses of the number 7. Shikyo had no idea what kind of drink he would be given but he assumed that it was some sort of alcoholic beverage, after all it was a celebration. With a growing smile on his face Shikyo spoke, "I think I already know but why are we here? Is my training finally over?"

Hiroshi looked back into his protege's eyes, a certain seriousness glinting in his pupils that immediately alerted Shikyo to the fact that something was not right. "What can you tell me about the three men sitting at the bar." Shikyo turned his head to look behind him but his mentor quickly stopped him. "Without looking again. You saw everything you needed to when we first arrived." Shikyo nodded as he closed his eyes, replaying the image of the men in his mind. "Well their beards have grown long but they aren't kept, which would indicate that they've been away from civilization for some time. The taller one in the middle had a sword and..." He suddenly stopped as he realized what the pool of liquid was that was below his chair. "Keep going." Hiroshi stated as the waitress brought back two shots of a cobalt blue liquid. Shikyo waited for the girl to leave before continuing. "It was blood. The tanner one on the right had scratches along the side of his face, and the shortest one on the end was wearing a ripped shirt. A fight?"

Hiroshi nodded at the shot before him. "Take that."

"What is it?"

"It will help trust me." Shikyo nodded and followed his mentor in drinking the shot. "Who are those men?" Shikyo asked.

"They're mercenaries. They were hired to find and kill a woman by the name of Jocelyn." As Hiroshi continued to speak Shikyo's eyes suddenly drooped, his vision becoming blurry. "Something's wrong." He slurred. His head was spinning. "What was that drink?"

"I can't have you trying to stop me from what needs to be done." Hiroshi stated. "I know how you are."

Hiroshi left the second shot untouched on the table, along with his protege.

Again, interesting way to display the intelligence of your character. +1

That takes you to 10 intelligence, thread closed and congrats!