Ch 122: The Azuma Banquet.

Jeanne tiredly rose to a sitting position as she heard someone coming closer. A woman, from the sound of high heels on the stone floor.

For a second, she thought that it was strange for her to feel so tired, when there was nothing for her to do in that cell. Her captors, those damned maids, had somehow blocked her ability to use her sacred gear, or even the most basic of magics, and stripped her to her underwear before locking her in that cell. Since then, and had only come to give her bowls filled with porridge.

Admittedly, the porridge was delicious, and the mattress she slept on comfortable. The cell had a toilet and a shower with bottles of shampoo and body soap, so hygiene wasn't an issue. And just being held in a cell was better than what she had expected as she surrendered. But, when she saw her visitor open the reinforced door, she understood with a sinking feeling that this was about to change.

Rias was standing there, dressed in a black leather bodysuit partially open to reveal her cleavage, knee-high leather boots, a belt from which hung a riding crop and several restraints, and carrying a black bag in her left hand. She stared down at Jeanne, seeing her face change as she started to guess what was about to happen to her.

Rias stepped in the cell without a word. Predictably, Jeanne jumped at her, trying to knock her down and somehow escape, but it was child play for Rias, passively enhanced with half of Noah's attributes, to overpower her and pin her to the ground. Reaching for her belt, she took metal handcuffs and restrained Jeanne's arms behind her back.

"I won't hold it against you, slave." said Rias, keeping Jeanne pinned on the ground with a knee at the base of her spine. She gathered Jeanne's long blonde hair, created a rubber band, and tied them into a ponytail.

"Trying to escape is only to be expected. But it's completely hopeless…"

"I'm not your slave! My name is Jeanne!" shouted Jeanne angrily.

"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, even assuming you manage to get out of this cell, you are in an island that has been moved into a separate dimension There's no way out for you. And you have no way to get your powers back until we allow you to, slave."

Rias reached for her bag, took from it a black latex hood, and fed Jeanne's hair into the back hole. She had spent the last few days talking with Asuna, Kaede and Suzu, and they eagerly shared with her their experiences as trainers. The quickest ways to convert a prideful girl, they had said, was to attack her self-image, deny her very identity, and dehumanize her. To achieve this, Rias started by stretching the latex hood over Jeanne's head. The hood had holes for her eyes, nostrils and mouth. Rias made sure it was adjusted properly, then zipped it shut.

Dressing the struggling captive in the black latex bodysuit took some work, but could only end up one way. Next came a black leather corset, squeezing two inches off her waist size, a leather armbinder replacing the cuffs and pinning her arms tightly behind her back, emphasizing her modest breasts by pulling her elbows close together, a black leather posture collar, and, finally, knee-high leather ballet boots.

Jeanne was starting to get teary as her struggles and insults proved futile, and Rias forced her to stand. She wasn't used to walking in ballet boots and almost fell several times, but Rias easily caught her every time.

Connecting a leash to the collar's D-ring, Rias led her out of the cell, into a long hallway, and opened a door to a much larger room.

"No…" whined Jeanne, her eyes widening at the vast range of toys and restraints contained within the room. She couldn't even guess how some would be used.

Rias took her in front of a large mirror, and Jeanne tried to shake her head in denial at her own reflection.

But she couldn't look away. The posture collar forced her to face forward, but more than that, her obscene appearance was somehow mesmerizing, and she couldn't summon the willpower to look away.

"What do you see, slave?" asked Rias.

"I'm not a slave!"

"Oh? If you aren't, why are you dressed up like one? You should remove that outfit quickly, to avoid any confusion."

Jeanne angrily tried to turn to face her captor, but her precarious balance and bondage greatly restricted her movements, and Rias forced her to keep facing the mirror.

"You damn devil! You think I don't know what you're trying to do? I will never serve you or your master!"

"Slave, the first lesson I am teaching you is that you do not get to decide who or what you are. You are a slave because we say you are, and you lack the power to oppose us. Take a good look at yourself, while you still can. You will be blindfolded for most of your training."

Reluctantly, Jeanne stopped looking at Rias's image in the mirror and stared back at her own.

"You are only a slave, a rubber doll without a name, and without a face. Who you were before is irrelevant."

Rias took a black rubber ball gag from her belt. Jeanne stupidly tried to resist, but only delayed the inevitable.

"And now, this slave doesn't have a voice, either."

"Mmphf!" angrily exclaimed Jeanne, glaring at her.

Rias only shook her head slightly as she took the leather blindfold and fastened it on Jeanne, completing her anonymization.

It was another valuable advice the girls had given her. Turning Jeanne from a captive girl to a rubber doll, to an object, would help Rias do what she had to without flinching. Blindfolding Jeanne would also reduce the chances she would try to resist violently, make her feel more vulnerable, and would in time forcibly create an emotional dependency toward her Mistress.

Taking the last item from her bag, a chastity belt with a single insert, Rias fastened it on Jeanne. She protested and struggled a lot when the insert penetrated her butthole, but once again, only delayed the inevitable.

Rias took the remote Noah had created with the belt and activated it. The insert and the small vibrator pressed against Jeanne's clit sprung to life, and she squirmed for a minute as Rias stopped her from falling. The vibrations weren't anywhere near intense enough to bring her close to the edge, but they would make her aroused and keep her in that state.

"Slave, listen well. If you obey me, you will be rewarded." Rias turned the remote's knob for an instant, and Jeanne moaned as the vibrations grew stronger.

"If you disobey, however, you will be punished."

"Mphth!" yelped Jeanne as she felt electric shocks from her ass. Rias caught her again as she was about to fall.

With Jeanne's new reality established, all Rias had to do now was keep ordering her around, give her humiliating orders over and over, punish or reward her accordingly, and Jeanne would get used to it. Used to instant obedience. Used to recognizing Rias's voice as something she should submit to. As her Mistress being what her own existence revolved around.

Jeanne was without a doubt in the denial and anger stages of grief. Depression would set in, once she realized the hopelessness of her situation, eventually followed by bargaining. But Rias wouldn't give an inch. Finally, would come acceptance, and Jeanne would grow into her new role.

Then, and only then, would she gain better treatment, and would recover her name and identity.

It would only be a matter of time. But with three months to achieve results, Rias was confident she could pull it off.

…

Noah checked his own appearance in the mirror, making sure that he was presentable. He wore the uniform of the Anti-Demon Corps.

the last week had felt like a month to him. A month so filled with depravity that he didn't want any sex for a few days. After Akeno, Rias and the two dragons, Noah had 'taken care' of Shushu, Claire, Lizel, and Miyabi as well, as they had waited for a long time. But he needed a break now. A few days of nothing but grinding in Hueco Mundo and spending some time with his girls just chatting, kissing, and cuddling.

However, there was an important thing to do today. It was the day of the Azuma family's Banquet.

With another look at himself, Noah left his bathroom and joined Kyouka and Himari in the main living room.

"You should wear the uniform more often, Master. It suits you well." said Kyouka.

Himari smiled as she nodded in approval.

"For official business, I wouldn't mind. It would be a little too stuffy to keep wearing at home, considering our climate."

"Yes, another thing to be grateful for. We get this nice weather, when it's the start of winter in Japan." grinned Himari. Then her expression grew more serious. "Nei and Shushu should be there any minute now. They're waiting for Tenka and Ezo to go to the seventh dormitory and cover for our absence."

"Ok. It's nice that the squad will soon rotate out of that duty. On that note, I got an idea. I was thinking about asking Cassandra and her group to join the ADC in a few weeks or months. They don't have sacred gears, but their training is just about done, and with my abilities and the equipment I will eventually be able to provide for them, they should still be able to deal with anything short of an Adjuchas."

"Hum, that's an interesting idea…" mused Kyouka, considering. "They likely won't be as strong as the rest of the Chiefs, once you get your hands on them, but… If Suzu could beat me before, and they get an equivalent combat potential, they will be a great addition to the ADC. This remind me, I want to spar with Suzu and avenge my previous defeat!"

"I don't think she'll object." shrugged Noah. "How is your own training going?"

"Rather well, I think. Yoruichi and Asuna have a knack to make complicated things seem simple, or maybe it's the influence of your Mag attribute. But we're already able to use the most basic spells, and without having to utter those incantations. I am very thankful for that."

"I wanted to cringe every time I had to chant them." said Himari. "Still having to say the name of the technique now is bad enough."

"I certainly believe that." chuckled Noah. "I have seen you train on occasion, and the faces you made when you chanted those… Should I share with you my memories of it?"

"NO!" immediately retorted the two girls, reddening in embarrassment.

Himari's smartphone made a sound, and she read the message she had just received.

"They're coming in a minute."

Noah nodded and saw Lizel and Miyabi coming down the stairs. Lizel had her artificial arms out, and was busy balancing four pens by their tips. Even when one of them became too unbalanced and tipped over, she simply snatched them as they fell and started again.

"Are you about to depart?" asked Lizel, keeping her eyes on the pens.

"Yes. Miyabi, I intended to speak to you soon, about your mother."

"Yes? Has she done something?" asked Miyabi, suddenly worried.

"No. I've asked around, and as far as I'm aware, Miyako has been on her best behavior. As you know, I have invited her to live with us until the Devil King War is over. That will soon be the case. I want your opinion on whether I should extend that invitation indefinitely or not. It's not a bother for me if she stays, so I'm neutral on this matter."

Miyabi hesitated for a few seconds, then surprised Noah by bowing deeply.

"Master, please, let my mother stay… And, please, grant her immortality. She has her flaws, but still, she's my mom…"

"Raise your head, Miyabi. We don't bow to each other when asking for favors in our family. Not unless it's part of a play, at least. If you really want me to do something for you, making puppy eyes at me will be more effective."

"Duly noted." grinned Lizel.

Miyabi straightened, smiling.

"I'm fine with it, but I want you to do one thing for me." grinned Noah.

"Yes? I'll do anything."

"I want my gal girl back."

"Pardon me?"

"From the day your mother has been around, you have kept to your proper noble girl persona. But, is that the real you? If you and Miyako are to live there forever, I want you to be yourself, and your mom will just have to get used to it. I don't think she'll give you too much trouble for it anyway, because she doesn't want me angry at her. And if she does, I'll just spank the arrogance out of her."

Miyabi hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, Noah."

She stepped back, grinned, and made a V sign with a hand, bringing it to her right eyes.

"When you return, Miyabi the gal girl will be BAAACK!"

"I'm glad to hear that. I want you to be yourself. Gal or something else, I will appreciate your either way."

"Yes!"

Nei and Shushu suddenly appeared near Himari.

"Hi, everyone." immediately cheered Shushu, before walking to Noah, seizing his right arm to hug it against her chest.

"Hi, Shushu. Nei. How are you doing?" smiled Noah, letting Shushu give him some discreet fanservice as Nei came closer, and her patted her head.

"Hi, Noah onii-chan." replied Nei, smiling happily.

"I'm doing great. But I've been missing you!" said Shushu.

Nei and Shushu greeted everyone present, and Himari cleared her throat.

"If everyone is ready, we should go. My grandmother doesn't like tardiness."

"Yes." nodded Noah, taking Himari's hand. Nei, Shushu and Kyouka also touched Himari, and she teleported them.

Noah took in his surroundings. They stood in front of a large gate, beyond which stood a mansion, larger than the one Lilith had gifted him before Hagun Island. Noah could tell at a glance that the building was very old, but well maintained.

Himari pressed the intercom to announce them, and the seventh squad entered the courtyard. They were welcomed in front of the mansion's door by several women, most of them wearing ADC uniforms.

Noah immediately recognized Yachiho and Fubuki, as well as Maia, Himari's eldest sister who had come to his barbeque. But in front of them stood a someone who looked barely legal and wore an old-fashioned sailor-style school uniform, gray and black in color. She had short black hairs, with two short braids framing her face, and wore a white headband.

Beside Maia was another young woman Noah had never met. Her blue hairs were died white in front and former four spikes to the sides, and her right eye was covered by a medical patch. She was dressed in another ADC unform, but her vest was open, revealing a black leather bra underneath and nothing else. She looked like a caricature of a high school delinquent, and her smug expression did nothing to help.

"Welcome to the Azuma household, everyone." smiled Fubuki. "Let me introduce to you the matriarch of the Azuma family and previous Commander of the Anti-Demon-Corps, Tobera Azuma, as well as my youngest daughter-in-law, Homare."

"It's nice to meet you all. I am grateful for being invited to witness this event." smiled Noah with a polite bow, as the other members of the squad also voiced their greetings.

He didn't even blink when the late teenager turned out to be Himari's grandmother. He had seen this trope in animes several times already. It was common enough that the term 'lolibaba' had been created to describe them.

Tobera kept her gaze on Noah as she was introduced, evaluating him, something that reminded Noah of her daughter. But while Fubuki's face was a mask, Tobera was smiling slightly, as if she liked what she was seeing, or was about to pull a prank on him.

"Greetings, everyone. Thank you for coming. Himari, are you ready to participate?"

"Yes, Tobera-sama." nodded Himari, her eyes determined.

"Then we'll start right away. Every other participant is already present. Fubuki, go fetch them, please."

"Yes, Tobera-sama." she replied as she walked inside the building.

"I am glad that you accepted my invitation, Enfield-kun. I have been wanting to meet you for a while now." smiled Tobera, twirling one of her short braids with an index.

"I heard from Himari about the Banquet's purpose, and that outsiders normally aren't invited." Shrugged Noah. "If you are going as far as to break tradition, it would have been very rude of me to decline. Besides, considering my relationship with your granddaughter, I should at least introduce myself to her family."

Tobera grinned at Himari as she saw her blush. She was about to say something when other members of the Azuma family exited the mansion and line up.

"Follow me, everyone!" said Tobera as she walked around the mansion.

She led them to a small, enclosed courtyard behind the mansion. Facing the entrance was a wide door, with large sigils on its sliding panels.

"Remember his place, Himari?" smirked Homare as she put an arm on her shoulder. "I made you bawl plenty of times here. And yet, you returned to this trauma-filled place. Are you a masochist?"

For a second, Himari didn't move or say anything, and Noah observed the reactions of the Azuma family's members. Yachiho, to her credit, was ticked off and seemed about to intervene. Maia adjusted her glasses with a disappointed expression as she looked at Homare. Tobera and Fubuki didn't show any visible reaction. And the other members of the Azuma family he didn't know snickered at Himari.

The second passed, and Himari slowly turned her head toward Homare.

"I am going to crush you." she said quietly, but anyone hearing could hear the promise in those words.

"Bitch!" said Homare, taking a step back in surprise.

"Alright, I'm opening!" said Tobera, seizing the door panels and pulling them wide apart.

Right behind the door was some kind of irregularly shaped rift, two meters tall and four meters wide in its widest dimensions. Nothing could be seen about what was on the other side.

"Every participant, enter now!" commanded Tobera.

Fubuki was the first to enter, followed.

"Good luck, Himari." nodded Noah as he patted her shoulder.

"Give her a good beating." smiled Kyouka.

"I will!" replied Himari with a fearless smile, before walking through the portal with a resolute expression.

As soon as the last contender entered, the rift stopped being opaque, and a view of the island on the other side could be seen.

"We will be able to watch like this." said Tobera with satisfaction as she came closer.

"That's a convenient place for training or trials. What are the rules of the Banquet?" asked Kyouka.

"There are no rules, aside from murder not being allowed. I can heal any injury afterward, and the defeated will be ejected out of this dimension."

"Tobera-san, how is this dimension powered? It doesn't seem to be coming from a sacred gear, and is very different from the portals connecting to Hueco Mundo." frowned Noah.

"Actually, this portal is the original that has served as inspiration for those connecting to the ADC dormitories." replied Tobera with pride.

"Oh?"

"I guess I should tell you about the origins of the Azuma clan to explain. And it will be a convenient way to broach the main issue I asked for you as well. Tell me, Endfield-kun, what do you think of my family?"

As they talked, the fights had started on the island. Fubuki was on a rocky beach, weapon in hand, and faced two of the snickerers. One had blue flames surrounding her fists, the others some kind of cards in hand.

And on a cliff some distance away, another snickerer was laying on her stomach, crossbow in hand, aiming at Fubuki. And not seeing Maia who was closing on her.

"Tobera-san, can I be blunt?" smiled Noah.

"Of course. I have a thick skin, so say whatever you want. But, if I get too offended, I may decide to get even by giving you a beating." she said with a confident smile.

"I don't think it will come to that. When Himari and Kyouka first told me about your family only caring about strength and confining those you thought brought shame to your name, my opinion of the Azuma family was, less than stellar, let's say. I thought of you as a bunch of heartless maniacs and child abusers, and I was already considering how violent I would get when raiding this place to free Himari, if you ever tried to confine her."

"Eh… I feel like we're being underestimated here."

"But, after a few chats with Himari and a few interactions with Fubuki and Yachiho, I am thinking that my initial impression may have been too hasty. I am re-evaluating."

"Well, that certainly was blunt. But not really underserved. We have let our pride go to our heads recently, with all that talk about bringing shame to the name of Azuma."

The sniper had been neutralized by Maia, and Fubuki was using her spear, that she could extend or shorten at will, to give a sound beating to her two opponents. They clearly weren't a match for her.

"Hum, your daughter Fubuki is really skilled." praised Noah. he was already considering that having her spar with Kaede would benefit them both.

"And she's just getting started. She'll be the matriarch from today onward."

"Even if she doesn't win?"

"Himari is still too young and inexperienced for that role, even if she's the only one who might rival possibly Fubuki today. No, the Azuma doesn't only consider strength, even if we deem it the most important quality." smiled Tobera.

"Our family is old, Endfield-kun."

"Please call me Noah."

"As you wish. Call me just Tobera, too. As I was saying, our family is old. We can trace our origins all the way back to the Heian Era, a thousand years ago. At that time, Youkais were strolling the land openly, and Hollows were a lot more numerous and active. It was the age of monsters and heroes. And one of those heroes was named Jin Azuma."

"You ancestor." nodded Noah.

"Yes. He was a great warrior, devoted to fighting those who prey on humanity. And, through some miraculous circumstances, he managed to contact the God of the bible. There is no record of what was said, but they came to an agreement. Jin Azuma offered a sacrifice to honor God, by agreeing that none of his descendants would ever be a son. Not having a male heir doesn't matter much in modern society, but that was a pretty big deal at the time."

"Funnily enough, this sacrifice was distorted and retroactively shoehorned into the bible by the catholic church as the tale of Abraham and Isaac."

"Jin Azuma also swore that his female descendants would forever devote themselves to protecting humanity. In return, God agreed that, as long as the Azuma family acted as protectors, all of their descendants would be born with sacred gears. And he created that portal in the Azuma's ancestral land as a training ground."

"That explains a few things." said Kyouka. "I've wondered for a long time why there were so many female sacred gear users in the Azuma clan. I've even heard some pretty sinister rumors about bad things happening to babies born without sacred gears."

"I've heard those, too. Completely ridiculous. Anyway, we are a martial family, by long tradition. We have stuck to our ancestor's pledge, and society at large has recognized our contributions. But that comes with a price. We train our children for battle from a young age and put on a show of being overly harsh to motivate them to train harder. Despite that, most of our kin die a violent death before they grow old enough to retire."

"And that is the main reason we confine those who are too weak, Noah. We do not want to lose them in battle. And we cannot take the risk of them pursuing civilian careers, for fear that their descendants would do the same, eventually outnumber those in the ADC or police, and that God would decide we have abandoned our mission and stop giving sacred gears to our children."

Noah considered for a few seconds, then nodded. "I see… I can follow your reasoning for the confinement part. But I have serious doubts over the pressure you bring to your children. Appealing to their pride and sense of honor and responsibility might achieve the same desire for strength than the strength hierarchy you have put in place, and your method nurture in some of them some problematic behaviors. Case in point, the bully over there."

Noah pointed to Homare, visible in the portal's surface, who had met Himari in the forested area of the island and started to fight.

Himari had previously told Noah about her stepsister Homare. Her sacred gear, Python, could create some kind of virtual keyboard on her thighs, and by quickly entering commands using it, Homare could pre-program her body's movements, achieving greater strength and speed at the cost of flexibility.

That particular fight only lasted seconds, as Himari had already boosted herself with Augment, on top of her passive enhancements, and like she had promised, easily crushed her childhood bully at her own game, leaving her unconscious and with two broken arms.

Like the two defeated snickerers defeated by Fubuki before, and others Noah hadn't paid attention to, Homare reappeared near the portal, lying on the ground, and Tobera walked to her, starting to transfer to her some of her life force to heal her.

This was the effect of her sacred gear, Noah knew. Tobera could absorb the life force or any living being, using it to prevent the aging of her own body, and transfer some of it to others to accelerate their healing. It seemed that part of the Azuma's garden was reserved to her, just so she could absorb the life force of plants.

Noah shrugged and activated his Mass Healing, almost instantly healing everyone.

In the island, Maia and Yachiho had joined together, but didn't seem to want to fight.

"Thank you." sighed Tobera. "I hate to admit it, but we've had more than our fair share of troublesome children over the centuries. I was quite rambunctious myself in my youth. But I thought this was just something we'd have to live with. And then, I started hearing about a young man who recently joined one of my granddaughters' squads. A young man who seemed to be able to grant his allies potent abilities."

"Maybe it is time for the Azuma clan to have a Patriarch."

"I am not going to share my abilities with every single member of your family, Tobera." warned Noah, having long guessed why Tobera had invited him. "Are you aware of the conditions needed for it to happen?"

"You can grant your abilities to those who… offer you their loyalty. It would mean, doing that kind of things." she said, watching her language as Nei was present.

"Yes. I am open to the idea of sharing my abilities with more members of the Azuma clan. Fubuki already agreed, and if Yachiho and Maia are willing, so am I. But not the others. I won't have bullies in my family."

"How about me? Or am I too old for you?" asked Tobera with a grin.

"…I'm considering it. I do not care about your age, but I want to know you better before accepting." said Noah. "And how would that even work on the very long term, once multiple generations are considered?"

"I was already expecting you to decline sharing your powers with everyone, so how about this? Those you do not choose will have descendants on their own that won't be related to you by blood, and you won't be involved in their raising. Once they become adults, they will have the opportunity to meet with you, and if you both want it, you will do this and that with them. This way, the Azuma will develop over time a solid core of immortal warriors, resulting in a decreased importance of the necessity to have sacred gears for our descendants. We will be able to raise our kids better, and give them more freedom."

Noah considered the offer for a while. With what Tobera had suggested, there would be no issues with incest or potential grooming. He would still have the possibility to not choose anyone whose behavior was too much of an issue, and with him being able to help even people without sacred gears become warriors able to deal with all but the strongest Hollows, the Azuma descendants would likely have more freedom.

He could even share his abilities with soul contracts without having to dominate people sexually, as Nei's case had proven. He might do just that with his own children, in time. Although Tobera didn't seem aware of that.

But there was a thing he needed to confirm.

"Have you discussed this with Fubuki? Does she agree?"

There would be little point in agreeing with this if the next matriarch denounced it the next day.

"Yes. That proposal is mostly her idea."

"If I accept your idea, the Azuma family members I empower will be allowed to come and go anywhere they wish to. They won't be confined to Japan."

"I can agree with that, as long as at least two or three of them at a time are stationed in Japan, or can be reached and come help within minutes, in case something big happens."

"Then we have an agreement." smiled Noah, offering a handshake.

"Thank you. Noah. This will save a lot of my family members in the future." said Tobera, grinning slightly mischievously as she took his hand.

"Let's hope so. We can discuss how to raise the kids I may or may not eventually have with people from the Azuma family another time. For now, I'd like to watch this."

They turned to watch the portal.

Himari and her mother found each other at the edge of the forest. Yachiho and Maia had stopped to watch from a distance. It seemed clear to everyone that this would be the last fight of the Banquet.

"Kyouka, what do you think?" softly asked Noah.

"I am not sure. Himari is strong, but Fubuki is the Deputy-Commander for a reason."

Noah nodded. He didn't know much about Fubuki's combat abilities, but from her aura and her expertise with her spear, he considered her as being about comparable to Grayfia. Maybe even stronger.

The rift didn't transmit sound, so he didn't know what she and Himari said to each other, even if he could easily imagine. Something along the lines of 'Show me what you got, my daughter.' and 'I am not weak any longer!' But the fight started with Himari using Augment and Shunpo to appear right beside Fubuki.

Fubuki managed to avoid Himari's fist by jumping to the opposite direction and using the shaft of her spear as a lever against Himari's ribs to push herself further away.

What followed next was a very intense fight. Himari fought bare handed, as trying to fight with an arm turned into a canon would be a handicap against an opponent like Fubuki, and had the advantage in speed and strength.

And yet, she couldn't seem to gain a decisive advantage. Fubuki had taken a few hits, but they didn't seem to bother her, and she was smiling. Himari, too smiled. Her forearms were covered in welts and bruises from having parried the spear's shaft many times, but she didn't take the time to heal herself and just kept trying to get through her mother's defense.

Several times, she had tried to grab the shaft to stop the spear's movements, but Fubuki had obviously found a counter to that. Whenever Himari grabbed it, Fubuki suddenly extended or shortened the spear, forcing Himari to let go or lose her balance.

At times, Himari used Shunpo to try to blind side Fubuki, but the later always managed to react in time to avoid any serious hit.

The fight lasted for almost five minutes, until Himari ran out or energy to maintain Augment. Fubuki noticed Himari slowing down, managed to hook one of her daughter's legs with her spear, and broke her stance. Himari fell and immediately tried to rise to her feet, but the spear's blunt end pressed on her back between her shoulders, pinning her down.

Himari froze for a second, and sighed as Fubuki withdrew her spear. The match was over.

Noah saw them talk a bit to each other, smiling, and they hugged.

"That was an impressive fight." grinned Tobera. "I had heard Fubuki's report on Himari's fight against Yachiho, but I've never seen anyone except Ren put so much pressure on Fubuki."

"Yes. They both impressed me." smiled Noah.

Tobera brought out Fubuki, Himari, Yachiho and Maia out of the pocket dimension, and closed the doors.

"Well done, everyone. From now on, Fubuki is the Head of the Azuma family" announced Tobera.

Himari walked to her squad members, and they hugged together.

"You did great, Himari." smiled Kyouka.

"We're proud of you." added Noah.

"Thanks, everyone." said Himari with a radiant smile.

She turned her head suddenly, feeling a hostile glance on her. Homare, who had woken up, glared at her former victim, but she flinched and looked away when Himari frowned at her.

"Now that this is over, let's celebrate! We have prepared a feast! Come inside, everyone!" called out Tobera.

Noah followed the others inside, mentally crossing the Azuma Banquet off his to-do list. With this, his schedule was clear for a while, and it felt surprisingly relaxing. He could just devote most of his days to train in Hueco Mundo, to be ready for his face-off against Aizen.

And he would make Fubuki his, very soon. Her Sunset spear, the manifestation of her own sacred gear, would be much stronger than anything Noah could currently create. It would allow her to face an Arrancar without having to worry about her weapon breaking mid-fight, and with her current strength, she could already face some of them, despite not having any movement technique.

If he also managed to procure a decent weapon for Ren as well, and if he could convince the Captain-Commander to have them participate in the fight along with him and Asuna…