Chapter Eight: Konsō 2/2

Kisuke smirked. "Hypothetically, yes. Shin'ō Academy really just scratches the surface as far as your Kidō instruction is concerned. The spellcasting arts are really far more versatile than your classes let on. Kidō's got potential applications beyond blasting Hollows, putting up barriers, and healing people. Once you study it in-depth and come to a deeper understanding of its true nature, you realize that it could become a key to a multitude of problems if harnessed and manipulated in the appropriate manner."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "I didn't realize that such in-depth study of Kidō was required of the head of the Detention Unit."

Kisuke laughed. "Normally it's not, but you'll find that I'm more than just a glorified jailkeeper! Yoruichi knows that far better than most."

"If your interests lie in Kidō, then why serve as the Corps Commander of the Detention Unit?" asked Itachi, "If you and Yoruichi are old friends, then surely she'd be willing to give you a post that would better suit your abilities."

Kisuke smiled. "She would, but it turns out I'm pretty good at my current job, too. To be the head of the Detention Unit, one has to be highly skilled in both Hohō and Hakuda. Not that I'm trying to brag here, but I daresay I've got talent in those areas. Besides, this role and the rank of Third Seat are about more than just putting me in charge of watching over prisoners."

"What do you mean?" asked Jiraiya.

"Normally I wouldn't discuss stuff like this with students," said Kisuke, "but Yoruichi likes the two of you, and at the rate you're going you'll be joining our ranks soon enough, so I figure she won't mind if I start filling you in now. Long story short, she doesn't think too highly of Squad Two's Lieutenant, so she wants people she knows she can trust in positions of authority. Being Third Seat gives me considerable influence in the division and makes it easier for me to help her implement her policies."

Itachi's brow furrowed as he recalled the meeting with some of the other Captains Yoruichi had taken him and Jiraiya to after the Academy entrance examinations. "Her Lieutenant was imposed on her due to noble family politics, right?"

Kisuke nodded. "That's right. Marenoshin Ōmaeda might be able to use Shikai, but trust me; that's really his only qualification for the role of Lieutenant. He lets his family's wealth go to his head and keeps forgetting that, as far as the nobility's concerned, his clan is actually a minor one. He's okay in a fight against your garden variety Hollows, but anything above that's out of his league. He's full of himself and has just the right combination of arrogance and ignorance to make himself a nuisance to everyone around him. Not many people in Squad Two like the guy, but unfortunately we're stuck with him."

"So the Captain works around him by elevating people she trusts to positions of authority," said Jiraiya with a knowing smile, "Even if they hold a lower rank than the Lieutenant, with enough of them in the right positions she can neutralize his influence. Sound about right?"

Kisuke smirked. "You catch on quickly. As far as Lieutenants are concerned, Ōmaeda's a paper tiger. The real management of Squad Two is handled by Yoruichi, Soi-Fon, and myself."

"A well-conceived setup," said Itachi, "However, what happens if the Lieutenant catches onto the fact that he's being sidelined?"

"Well, so far we haven't had to worry about that," said Kisuke, "Subtlety and intrigue isn't one of the Lieutenant's strong points. If he does, we'll play it by ear; we've gotten pretty good at improvising over the years."

"Is that part of why she wants me to join Squad Two after graduation?" asked Itachi, "Does she think I'll be able to provide another work-around to use against her Lieutenant once I advance in the rankings?"

"It might be a factor," Kisuke admitted, "She's definitely taken a shine to you, and she's usually a good judge of character. Would you be willing to play along if that were the case?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes. After all she's done for me, supporting her in her efforts to run Squad Two as she sees fit would be the least that I could do in return."

Kisuke raised an eyebrow. "Not a hint of hesitation… I'm impressed. She really does know how to pick 'em."

"What about you, Jiraiya?" asked Itachi, "In the event that we both end up in Squad Two, would you be willing to go along with Yoruichi's… management system, for want of a better term?"

Jiraiya smiled. "I've got no problem with it. If it helps her run her division effectively, then I'm in."

Kisuke grinned. "Great! I've got a feeling that the two of you will fit in with Squad Two just fine after you graduate."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," said Itachi as he gestured at the scarred landscape and the multitude of rotting corpses, "We should keep our focus on the job currently at hand."

Jiraiya's nodded. "Right. That soul I just sent along wasn't the last one that needs a Konsō to be performed today."

"All too true," said Kisuke grimly, "Let's go find them before they become the beasts that we're sworn to put down."

….

"That makes six for each of you now," said Kisuke as the soul Itachi had just performed the Konsō on disappeared in a stream of blue light, "You guys have really gotten the hang of it."

Itachi agreed. He had been a little nervous at the start of the mission; the Konsō was unlike any other ritual or task that he had performed before. However, it was quickly becoming natural to him, and he suspected that part of that had to do with the sense of accomplishment and serenity he felt each time he sent a soul onward to the other side. This wasn't the same as killing an enemy. It was releasing an innocent from torment and giving them the chance to start anew. It was granting lost souls peace and safe passage from the grisly battlefield where their lives had been so cruelly cut short.

It almost felt… redeeming.

I am beyond redemption, he forcefully reminded himself, I slaughtered my kin and tormented my younger brother so that he might strengthen himself and avenge our family's murder by taking my life. It doesn't matter if I wiped them out for the sake of the village and for peace; nothing can change the fact that it was and remains a monstrous crime. No amount of good deeds I commit as a Soul Reaper will absolve me of that guilt.

Yet you strive for that absolution just the same, said the spirit of his Zanpakutō.

That gave Itachi pause. There was not a hint of sarcasm in her remarks, but Itachi still found it hard to believe that she was being serious.

Why would I strive for what I know is beyond me?

Perhaps because you are not as wholly consumed by darkness as you believe yourself to be.

So says the woman generated from my soul that wears the black flames of Amaterasu as clothing.

Not all that is dark in appearance is dark in intention. Nobility and virtue exist even in the shadows if one knows how to look for them. I would've thought that you, of all people, would understand this.

I know what it means to work in the shadows for a purpose greater than one's self. However, if you go too deep into the darkness, even with selfless intentions, your nobility and virtue can be irreparably scarred. I fear that my passage through shadow and flame in the name of peace came at a cost to my soul that was far too high. No amount of nobility and virtue can wash away this much blood.

No one is saying anything about washing away the blood that has been spilt. I would come at this from a different perspective.

And what might that be?

Let the blood you've spilt in the past be a reminder and a warning. Use it to keep yourself anchored in your purpose. As long as you are able to remember the terrible price that you paid in the past for going too far, you will be able to find your path to a future where redemption may yet be possible.

That's…. surprisingly optimistic, coming from you.

The spirit of his Zanpakutō giggled. Even maidens wrapped in the black flames of Amaterasu can have hope for tomorrow, you know. Best we pick this back up at another time, though; youare currently in the field, after all.

It was at that moment that Itachi felt a hand on his shoulder. He nearly jumped before he saw that it was Jiraiya, who looked a little worried.

"Hey," he said, "Everything okay? You still here with us?"

Itachi nodded. "Yeah… sorry. I got… distracted."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "That's not like you."

Kisuke smiled. "Let me guess; your Zanpakutō decided to have a little chat with you?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

"Hey, I used to be a student too once upon a time, remember?" Kisuke pointed out, "It can take a while to get used to having a two-sided conversation inside your own head, believe me. Eventually it'll become second nature and you'll be able to do so without getting distracted from the world around you."

Jiraiya chuckled. "I hope so. Mine can be pretty talkative sometimes too, so I can see why you zoned out there for a second, Itachi. Still, you might want to tell her to keep it down; this isn't the best place to get distracted."

Itachi nodded. "You're right."

Who does he think he is to order me to shut up?

Just do me a favor and go along with it for now, all right? I've got a job to do here.

The spirit of his Zanpakutō huffed, and Itachi could easily picture her folding her arms and scowling. Fine, then. You're a lousy conversationalist anyway.

Itachi wouldn't argue with that.

"How many more souls do you think are out here?" asked Jiraiya.

Kisuke's brow furrowed in thought. "Hard to say. If the other students have been sending them along at the same rate as you two, then we should've made a decent dent in their numbers. More than a few had already become Hollows or had been consumed by Hollows before we even arrived here, so there's that to consider as well. I also had some of my subordinates on Konsō duty earlier in order to get a jump start on containing the situation. We've still got a way to go, but we're making progress."

Itachi surveyed the ranks of rotting corpses. "Are battles like the one that was fought here common in this world?"

Kisuke sighed. "I wouldn't say that they're an everyday occurrence, but they happen far more often than you'd think. Of all the Realms of the Living that Soul Reapers monitor, Terra has the largest population. That means more souls need guidance to the Soul Society from this world than any other, and to make our jobs that much harder it seems that the leaders of the many nations that make up this world have little to no qualms about starting wars with each other. As if that weren't bad enough, they're also determined to find more and more effective ways of killing each other."

"So I've noticed," said Itachi as he knelt next to a fallen soldier and closely examined the weapon next to the corpse, "The smell coming from this thing… blasting powder?"

Jiraiya took a good whiff before nodding. "Hey, you're right. I haven't smelt this stuff since the last time I saw fireworks at a festival."

"Apparently, it's been weaponized in this world to shoot projectiles at lethal velocity," said Kisuke, "In this world, humans kill each other practically every day with these weapons. Anyone can learn to use them with a little practice, and while they're not particularly accurate, that can be made up for through sheer numbers. The result is a field of death like the one we're walking through now."

"These look mass produced," said Itachi as he studied a few more rifles, "Each soldier from the same army has the same weapon. No individual craftsmanship, but I suppose that's not really needed for the weapons of frontline infantry."

"It's a shame, really," said Jiraiya, "There's no soul or artistry in these things. I know it's not their purpose to look pretty, but it is nice when someone takes their time with making a weapon."

Kisuke chuckled. "Well, when you wield a Zanpakutō, most other weapons look pretty plain in comparison, whether they're mass produced or otherwise. It's hard to find weapons as unique as ours, especially once we unlock our Shikai and Bankai."

"Since you're the Third Seat of Squad Two, I take it that you've managed to achieve Shikai, right?" asked Itachi.

Kisuke smiled. "Indeed, I have. If you're lucky, you might get to see it sometime."

"How long did it take you to unlock?" asked Jiraiya.

Kisuke shrugged. "A while. Faster than most, but the process was still time consuming. Some people just click with their Zanpakutō easier than others. It varies from person to person."

Itachi nodded. "I see."

"So, what's yours like?" asked Jiraiya, "Is it a man or a woman?"

Kisuke gave the two of them a sly smile. "Now you're getting greedy. A good Soul Reaper doesn't reveal every trick they have up their sleeves, you know. Some are eager to show off their Zanpakutō and regale others with descriptions of its power, but I prefer to keep my cards close to the chest."

"A reasonable attitude," said Itachi, "Does Yoruichi know about it?"

Kisuke nodded. "Of course. She's my friend and my Captain, so I'm not worried about her knowing what it can do."

"Speaking of Yoruichi," said Itachi, "What's her Zanpakutō like? With the skill I've seen her demonstrate, I find it hard to imagine that there are many Hollows out there capable of pushing her to the point that she uses either her Shikai or Bankai."

"That's very true," Kisuke admitted, "I have seen her use both forms, though, and they're really something special. However, it's not my place to tell the two of you about them. That's for her to share with you if she feels like it. That being said, if you both join Squad Two and survive long enough, I'm sure you'll see her unleash her Zanpakutō's abilities eventually. Consider it something to look forward to."

Indeed, thought Itachi, I imagine it must truly be something to see if she's strong enough to be a Captain. All the more reason to push myself so I can get into her unit.

Is that the only reason?

No games. Not now.

The spirit of his Zanpakutō sighed. Sometimes you are just no fun.

"Every Captain has both Shikai and Bankai, right?" asked Jiraiya, "Is that an ironclad rule?"

Kisuke's brow furrowed in thought. "Well, it's been the general rule, but I suppose the Head Captain might make an exception if a Soul Reaper demonstrated Captain-class power without achieving Bankai. To my knowledge, I don't think it's ever actually happened, but it'd certainly be interesting to see."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Anyone capable of matching a Captain's strength without Bankai, let alone Shikai, would be a fearsome warrior indeed. Perhaps too fearsome, even. Wouldn't the Head Captain and the Central Forty-Six see someone like that as a potential threat?"

Kisuke nodded. "The Central Forty-Six probably would, but it's hard to tell with the Head Captain. Frankly, his Shikai alone can lay most Bankais to waste. There's a rumor out there that if the Head Captain uses his Bankai for too long it would actually destroy the world."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. "You're joking, right?"

Kisuke shrugged. "Like I said, it's a rumor. It's been a very long time since anyone's forced the Head Captain to go all out from what I understand, and it's not like I've ever seen his Bankai in person. Given the strength of his Shikai, though, I wouldn't exactly rule it out."

"If he's that powerful, then what's stopping him from ruling over the Soul Society directly?" asked Itachi, "The Central Forty-Six are judges, not warriors; it's not like they could stand against him if he decided to seize the reins for himself."

"There is the Royal Guard," Jiraiya countered, "They should be able to stop him… right?"

Kisuke smiled. "Hard to say. Every member of the Royal Guard's a former Captain, so they're not pushovers. However, they don't leave the Royal Realm very often. Even if they did, I honestly don't know if they'd be a match for the Head Captain. In terms of raw power, he's in a class by himself."

"Then if there's no meaningful check on his power, what has kept him from ruling as a dictator?" Itachi pressed.

"The Head Captain's his own check and balance," Kisuke answered.

"What do you mean?" asked Jiraiya.

"You could consider the Head Captain to be the human embodiment of conviction," Kisuke replied, "His belief in the laws and customs of the Soul Society is absolute, and he follows them without fail. He also possesses greater loyalty to the Soul Society than anyone else in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; everyone knows that he would sacrifice both himself and all of our divisions in service to the Soul Society without a second thought."

"So it's through conviction and dedication to duty that keeps him from assuming the power to rule, then," said Itachi, "Is that really enough?"

Kisuke shrugged. "Well, he hasn't assumed absolute power, and he's had plenty of opportunities to do so. If he hasn't taken over the Soul Society over the past two thousand years, then I think that tells you quite a bit about the kind of man he is."

Itachi nodded. "That's true. If nothing else, it shows a great deal of respect towards order and tradition."

Jiraiya smiled. "He might be a stiff old man, but it seems like his heart's in the right place."

Kisuke nodded. "You could say that. He's stern and unyielding, but he's got a strong sense of honor and justice. He'll enforce the letter of the law even when it might cause him personal difficulty, and he doesn't play favorites. The high noble clans know better than to mess with him, and it's thanks to that deference that the Thirteen Court Guard Squads aren't at the mercy of their whims. The nobles can and do exert influence, but they all know better than to cross the Head Captain. He keeps us united in our purpose, and that's no small feat when you consider just how large of an organization we are."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "He's led the Thirteen Court Guard Squads since their founding, right? What happens if he steps down… or is incapacitated?"

Kisuke looked concerned. "To be honest, I don't think anyone's really given that much consideration. The Head Captain's very presence has become something akin to a law of nature. His role as our commander is treated the same way as the sunrise and the sunset; something that cannot be challenged."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "He's not immortal, though. I mean sure, souls live for far longer than humans do in the Realms of the Living, but even then, they eventually die and go back into the reincarnation cycle. The Head Captain can't avoid that fate forever."

"There must be some sort of succession protocol," said Itachi, slightly worried at where this conversation was heading, "Right?"

Kisuke sighed. "I'm not an expert in all of the Soul Society's laws, but off the top of my head… I don't think there is."

"And no one considers that to be a problem?" asked Itachi, exerting considerable effort to keep the incredulity he felt from his voice.

Kisuke chuckled. "Well, not everyone's as forward-thinking as you."

"I don't think that you have to be a 'forward-thinking' individual to consider something as simple as a succession protocol," Jiraiya pointed out, "That seems like something that should be pretty standard fare for any military organization."

"And the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are a military with a mission that's more important than that of any other armed force in all of existence," Itachi pressed, "Maintaining the balance of souls, keeping the Hollows in check, and preventing the apocalypse that could ensue if something went wrong? There is no more vital mission than that. For the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to not have a clear procedure for succession in the event of the Head Captain's fall from the scene is blatantly irresponsible."

Kisuke shrugged. "For what it's worth, I'm not arguing with you. Those are all completely valid points that the higher-ups really need to give greater consideration than they have been over the years. The problem is that both the Soul Society and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are organizations that place an incredibly high level of importance on tradition, and since the latter's founding the Head Captain's been woven into the very heart of that tradition. It can be as stubborn and rigid as the old man himself."

"Well, then they need to find a way to make themselves more flexible," Jiraiya argued, "That level of rigidity is not a trait that lends itself to long-term survival."

Kisuke nodded. "You're right about that."

They were suddenly interrupted a bloodcurdling call. The hairs on the back of Itachi's neck stood up; he immediately recognized that cry.

After all, he'd heard it before over three years ago.

Itachi instantly drew his Zanpakutō, and Jiraiya and Kisuke did the same. "A Hollow."

Additional cries rang out, their tones slightly varying but still similar enough to belong to the same species. Itachi's eyes narrowed, and the expressions of his companions became equally grim.

"More than one," said Kisuke.

"I thought your advanced team had cleared this area out," said Jiraiya.

Kisuke nodded. "We had, but that doesn't mean that new Hollows can't show up. This is still a fresh battlefield, after all. There are plenty of scraps left for them to hunt down, and of course there's us as well."

"What should we do?" asked Itachi.

Kisuke studied him and Jiraiya for a moment, and Itachi didn't like the look in his eyes. "Well, normally I'd say we regroup with the others. However, from the sound of it, it seems that this particular group of Hollows isn't all that far from our position. In fact, we're probably the closest to them out of all the Soul Reapers and students in the area."

"Isn't that all the more reason for us to pull back and regroup?" asked Itachi.

Kisuke smiled. "If you two were a normal pair of students, I'd say yes. However, I think it's been pretty well established by now that you two aren't normal students, even for the advanced track. We're not the only ones who would've heard those Hollows; I'm willing to bet that Yoruichi's aware of them, too. She'll make sure that the rest of the students are well protected, but I don't think that we need to be quite as careful when it comes to the two of you."

"If that's how you feel, then what did you have in mind?" asked Jiraiya.

"Just a little bit of reconnaissance," Kisuke replied, "What do you say? Are you two up to go spy on some Hollows?"

Itachi knew that he should refuse, but part of him actually wanted to go along with it. After all, what better training was there than actual field experience?

After a moment he nodded. "All right. Forward recon is one of Squad Two's duties, so if Yoruichi wants us to join her division after we graduate then we might as well get some practice in."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Why not? It sounds a lot more interesting than just hanging back with the rest of our classmates!"

Kisuke smirked. "Now that's what I was hoping to hear! You two just might live up to my expectations after all. All right, let's get moving!"

Itachi and Jiraiya followed Kisuke over a nearby hillside. When they reached the crest, the Third Seat crouched and motioned for the two students to do the same. Following Kisuke's gaze, Itachi saw no less than three Hollows gathered below.

"Looks like they're regular Hollows," said Kisuke after a moment, "I didn't think we'd be unlucky enough to run into a Menos out here, but you never know."

"Why aren't they moving?" asked Itachi, "Hollows are drawn to souls with high quantities of spirit energy, right? Wouldn't it make sense for them to be heading towards our class?"

Kisuke nodded. "Normally, you'd be right. However, Hollows can typically tell the difference between mere souls with high levels of spirit energy and actual Soul Reapers. That's why they're not just charging in to chow down just yet."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed as the Hollows screeched again. "They're calling for help."

"Which means we need to act quickly," said Itachi grimly, "Kisuke, can you take them?"

Kisuke smiled. "A trio of garden variety Hollows like these? It'd be no problem for me. However, where's the fun in that?"

"That depends on your idea of fun," Itachi quipped.

"What's going through the strange head of yours?" asked Jiraiya.

Kisuke chuckled. "Now you're starting to catch on. I'll jump right to the chase; I want to see you two take them on."

Itachi should've seen that one coming, but it still took him off guard. "You do realize we're third year students, right? Even advanced track students aren't supposed to go up against live Hollows until their final year."

Kisuke nodded. "That's true, but you'll find that in Squad Two we tend to bend the rules here and there, or at least Yoruichi doesn't mind it if we do. Normally I wouldn't put students into a situation like this, but you two are different. Ever since the night she met you, Yoruichi's been convinced that the two of you had combat experience in your past lives. Your time at the Academy should've sharpened those skills to the point that you can challenge Hollows by now, especially given how far ahead you two are when compared to your fellow students. If your full potential's going to be unlocked, then you need more challenging tasks than what your instructors are able to give you. If that happens to involve a little risk, well, you know what they say; nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "So, it's trial by fire, then."

"Does Yoruichi know?" asked Itachi.

"Not yet," Kisuke replied, "but I think she'll be very interested in how you two do. Truth be told, I'm pretty sure she assigned me to monitor you two precisely because she thought I might pull something like this. She's known me for a long time, after all."

Itachi's hand went to the handle of his Zanpakutō. "So you say. Very well, then; I accept your challenge."

Jiraiya smiled. "Same here. It's about time we got our hands dirty!"

Kisuke grinned. "Excellent! How you two decide to tackle these beasts is up to you. I'll stay on over-watch and make sure no one tries to crash the party, Hollow or otherwise. Now, show 'em what you've got!"

Itachi and Jiraiya moved forward, keeping low and doing their best to suppress their spiritual pressure to avoid detection. The Hollows were wary, but the beasts did not yet seem to be aware of their presence.

"How do you want to do this?" asked Jiraiya.

"Weaken them at range, then move in to finish them off," said Itachi, "How's your Kidō coming along?"

"About the same as yours," Jiraiya replied, "Just need to keep enough distance to make sure the incantation's complete before the Hollows can get to us."

Itachi nodded. "Right. What do you think? Number 33?"

Jiraiya smiled. "Two blasts at once? I'm game!"

The two of them raised the palms of their right hands, aiming them at the trio of Hollows as they commenced the incantation in unison. "Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws! Hadō 33: Sōkatsui!"

Twin blasts of blue-white energy flew forth and engulfed the Hollows. None of the beasts fell, but all three were burned and scarred by the wave of power that had slammed into them. They were dazed and disoriented, which meant that now was the perfect time to move in for the kill.

A single Flash Step brought Itachi and Jiraiya right into their midst, and the two students wasted no time in drawing their Zanpakutō and carving into their foes. Itachi leapt onto the shoulders of the closest Hollow before thrusting his blade right through the back of the beast's head. Meanwhile, Jiraiya had stabbed one of the creatures in the gut before pulling his sword out and swinging it upwards. The blow caught the Hollow right where its neck met its head, and the beast was decapitated in a single fluid motion.

The third and final Hollow was slightly larger than the others, and by the time Itachi and Jiraiya had dispatched its two companions it looked like it had shaken off the shock of their initial Kidō strike. It was scorched and seared, with wisps of smoke still emanating from its skin, but its eyes were locked on Itachi and Jiraiya, and it looked quite angry. The beast swung about wildly with its claws, forcing the two students to pull back for some breathing room.

Jiraiya smirked. "I think we made it mad."

Itachi nodded. "Indeed. Take the left; I'll go right."

The two men charged back in, determined to put their foe down like the rabid monster it was. The Hollow's claws were long and sharp, and it had a clear advantage in reach over the students, but its movements were slow, and its bestial fury actually made it easier to predict and counter. Ducking low to avoid a vicious swipe, Itachi then swung his Zanpakutō up and took the Hollow's right arm off at the elbow. At the same time, Jiraiya thrust his sword into the left side of the creature's abdomen. The beast fell to its knees, howling in pain. Together, the two students raised their swords for the coup de grace, thrusting them straight into the Hollow's head.

As the creature dissolved they heard applause coming from behind them. Turning around as they lowered their blades, they saw Kisuke approaching them, and he looked rather pleased with their handiwork.

"Well done," he said with a smile, "A lot better than I was expecting, really. You two really have a knack for this!"

Jiraiya smiled as he sheathed his sword. "Coming at it with the proper training and the right weapon makes the job a hell of a lot easier than the first time we took on one of these things."

Itachi nodded. "I have no desire to sound arrogant, but… well, it was easier than I thought it would be."

Kisuke laughed. "You sound surprised! I don't think you two have fully comprehended yet just how far you've come in three years. I'm sure your instructors have heaped praise upon you, but I'm willing to bet you've grown numb to it with the passage of time. The only way at this point for the two of you to truly understand where your training has taken you now is for it to be put to the test outside of the classroom, and you've passed your first test with flying colors!"

Itachi was about to respond when a series of familiar cries rang out. Turning around, it didn't take him long to spot the source; additional Hollows had come calling.

Five of them this time.

"It seems we're celebrating prematurely," he said as he drew his sword again.

"Yeah," said Jiraiya as he did the same, "We don't have the element of surprise this time. What's the plan?"

Kisuke smirked as he unsheathed his Zanpakutō. "Why don't you two take a break? You've put in your share of work for the day; let me handle these guys."

"Are you sure?" asked Itachi.

"You're really going to take them all on by yourself?" said Jiraiya with a hint of incredulity.

"Don't forget who you're talking to," Kisuke replied, "I'm the Third Seat of Squad Two. I'm more than just a glorified jailor, you know. Here; let me give you a demonstration."

The man suddenly disappeared, and it was only thanks to Itachi's training that he was able to pick up Kisuke's presence again before the Soul Reaper was amongst the Hollows. As he completed his opening Flash Step he sliced a Hollow in half with an almost casual ease that Itachi could only marvel at.

And he was just getting warmed up.

The remaining four Hollows surrounded him, but Kisuke didn't look the least bit concerned. As they all lunged forward he leapt into the air, vaulting over them and causing the beasts to crash headlong into each other. A second Flash Step brought him right behind one of the Hollows, and he thrust his Zanpakutō into the back of the creature's head. The three surviving Hollows rounded on him, ready to tear him apart with their claws and teeth.

They never got the chance. Kisuke's sword was little more than a silver blur, decapitating one Hollow and impaling another straight through its mask in the blink of an eye. The final Hollow didn't get as mercifully quick an exit; Kisuke cut off its legs before flipping his sword over to his left hand and stretching out his right.

"Hadō 33: Sōkatsui."

It was the same spell that Itachi and Jiraiya had used before, but only in name and type. The blast of blue-white energy that ripped forth from Kisuke's palm was at least twice the size of what the two former Shinobi had been able to conjure, and that was without the spell's incantation. Also, unlike the scorch marks that Itachi and Jiraiya's attacks had left on their target's, Kisuke's spell disintegrated the Hollow outright. Itachi could only imagine just how powerful the blast would've been at full strength.

So this is the strength of a seasoned officer, he thought, I can't believe he was able to muster that level of power with no incantation…

Next to him, he heard Jiraiya whistle. "Now that's what I call some fireworks!"

Itachi nodded. "That's certainly one way to put it."

Kisuke smiled as he approached the two of them. "Well, that was a nice little bit of exercise! Always good to keep one's skills sharp and all."

"I'd say that they're more than sharp," Itachi replied, "You've certainly earned your rank."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Indeed. That was quite the show you put on. I'm almost embarrassed by how we did in comparison!"

Kisuke shook his head. "Don't be. You two are still students, after all. What you're capable of is still far ahead of anything that anyone else in your class can do, so don't sell yourself short. Remember, you're only halfway through your Academy years. By the time the two of you graduate, I can only imagine what the two of you will be capable of. I'm not the only one looking forward to that day; I know that Yoruichi's absolutely dying to snatch up the two of you before any of the other Captains get a chance come graduation."

"Speaking of Yoruichi, shouldn't we report back to her?" asked Itachi, "I'm pretty sure an encounter with Hollows on our Konsō exercise is something that she'll want to hear about."

And you want her to hear about how well you did in the fight. Don't bother denying it.

Shut up.

The spirit of his Zanpakutō was silent, but that didn't matter; Itachi could easily picture the satisfied smirk that must've been on her face.

Kisuke nodded. "I think you're right. She might give me free reign in situations like this, but she does like to be kept in the loop. Well, let's get a move on. We may have dealt with this batch of Hollows, but there's always the chance that more could come. As fun as it might be to see you two go at it with them again, I think I've worked you both enough for one day."

….

Yoruichi smiled as she saw Kisuke leading Itachi and Jiraiya towards the main group. Her Third Seat had taken his sweet time, and she had a feeling it had to do with the sudden cessation of Hollow cries.

If I had to guess, I'd say the boys had a little fun with our uninvited guests, she mused, I'd expect nothing less from Kisuke. I can't wait to get the details!

She folded her arms and smirked as her friend approached. "Nice of you three to finally join us. Done taking in the sights, Kisuke?"

Her Third Seat chuckled. "In a manner of speaking. Sorry about the delay, but we had to deal with some pests back there."

"I see," she replied, "Well, since you three don't look any worse for the wear, am I safe in assuming that things went well?"

Kisuke smiled. "Very."

"Lady Yoruichi," said Soi-Fon, "Forgive me for interrupting, but we really should get the students out of here. We have no idea how many more Hollows may be out there."

Yoruichi nodded. "Agreed. How many did you three have to deal with?"

"Eight in total," said Itachi, "We spotted no sign of enemy reinforcements, but they could be lurking just out of sight."

"I'd hate for our exercise to be cut short early," said Jiraiya, "but there is that old bit about discretion being the better part of valor to consider."

True, she thought, but if the rest of your classmates were gone and it was just you two here, I'd be tempted to let you stick around and see what you can do. I guess I'll just have to settle for getting Kisuke's report later this time.

"We've put a pretty good dent in the number of souls that were wandering around here," Kisuke chimed in, "My team should be able to manage things from here if you want to get the students back to the Academy."

"All right," said Yoruichi, "I know it's earlier than we'd originally planned, but I think everyone got in a decent amount of practice today. Next time we take you all into the field, we'll try to find a less volatile spot. For now, let's head home. Soi-Fon?"

"Already on it, Lady Yoruichi," her bodyguard replied.

Indeed, her Zanpakutō was already drawn, and a moment later Soi-Fon thrust it forward. She then turned the blade so its edge ran parallel to the ground, and a second later there was a flash of light as a rift appeared in the air. A set of rectangular sliding doors appeared and opened up, and behind those were another set of doors, this time forming a circle. Those doors slid open as well, and a small flock of Hell Butterflies flew out.

"Okay, everyone, you know the drill!" Yoruichi barked, "Stay close to Soi-Fon and I, and we'll all be back in the Soul Society before you know it. Let's move!"

….

Taking a sip of tea, Kisuke smiled as he looked across the table at Yoruichi. "I'm glad you had me along for the ride on this one. You were right; those two really are something special. Especially Itachi."

They were back at the Squad Two barracks going over the post action reports. It had taken Kisuke a little while longer to get back to the Soul Society due to having to oversee efforts to send the remaining souls from the battlefield on to the afterlife, and there had been a few more Hollows that required dispatching as well. Overall, it had been a full day's work, and Kisuke was grateful for the chance to kick his feet up and relax a little now.

That little exercise was a lot more interesting than I thought it'd be, he mused, Itachi and Jiraiya… I can definitely see now why Yoruichi's been keeping her eye on the two of you.

Yoruichi grinned as she finished filling out the last form in what had once been a rather imposing stack of them. "He's a real gem, right? It's been a long time since I've seen someone take to all of this as naturally as he does."

Kisuke nodded. "The way he handled his first Konsō alone was impressive, but the fight with the Hollows… I think you hit the nail on the head with him. Whatever he and Jiraiya were before coming to the Soul Society, they definitely had some combat experience, and it's carried over to their next life. Hell, if they joined Squad Two tomorrow, I bet they'd do quite well. Three more years at the Academy almost seems like a waste of time."

Yoruichi sighed. "I know what you mean. I was considering asking the old man if I could pull them both out and have Minerva complete their training herself, but I think I've already pressed my luck with the Head Captain enough as it is. I'm sure he recognizes their talent, or at least Itachi's, but you know how he is with regards to going through the traditional process and all."

Kisuke shrugged. "Well, look at this way; at least they'll be a little more refined by the time graduation rolls around. From the way I see it, it appears that they'll be able to hit the ground running once they go on active duty."

Yoruichi smiled. "That's what I was thinking, too. Man, I can't wait for that day to finally come!"

Kisuke smirked. "You do realize that you don't necessarily have a lock on the two of them, right? The other Captains aren't blind, after all. With the waves these two have been making, I'd be surprised if your colleagues aren't plotting ways to bring them into their divisions."

Yoruichi nodded. "Oh, I'm well aware of that. The competition's going to get pretty stiff the closer we get to graduation. I'd rather get the two of them as a set, but if I have to haggle with another Captain, I can let Jiraiya go. Itachi, though… well, let's just say that he's not up for negotiation."

Kisuke chuckled. "I wonder how he feels about that."

"I think he might be warmer to the idea than you realize," Yoruichi replied with a knowing smirk, "After all, not only did I save his life, but I helped him out after that incident with the soul fracture set him back. Don't forget that he specifically challenged me to a sparring match in his Hakuda class the same day that took place, either. Also, from what Minerva told me when she was training him, he sounds like he's pretty open to the idea of joining Squad Two. I don't think that's changed if your report's any indication."

"Maybe," said Kisuke, "but that doesn't mean he won't be tempted by some of the other Captains. Depending on the openings in their squads when graduation comes around, they could make some pretty impressive pitches to him."

Yoruichi nodded. "I know. It'll be about more than just who can offer him the best starting position, though. If I've read him right so far, he'll want a division that can put his talents to the best possible use and still give him a chance to expand and improve upon those abilities. Given the kind of work we do in Squad Two, I think he'll have a hard time in passing us up."

Kisuke smiled. "I hope you're right. He definitely seems like he'd be interesting to watch, especially once he unlocks his Zanpakutō's Shikai. Depending on how he turns out, he might even make a fun test subject if I can talk him into it!"

Yoruichi laughed. "Maybe, but don't pull him into anything too dangerous! I want him in one piece, Kisuke."

"Well, he still has to get through the rest of his term at the Academy either way," said her Third Seat, "Today won't be the last time that he goes out into the field, after all. He still has to survive the rest of the trips the advanced track goes on, and this was a relatively easy one."

Yoruichi smiled. "True, but I think he's up to the challenge. If anything, those trips will help him tap into more of his abilities and further refine them. I'll have to see if I can get Squad Two involved in more of them; it was pretty fun playing overseer this time around. It'd be even better if I could observe him myself next time instead of relying on you. No offense."

"None taken," said Kisuke with a knowing smirk, "I know how you like to enjoy your eye candy."

Yoruichi wouldn't deny it. Itachi might not have been a skirt-chaser like his pal Jiraiya, but he was very easy on the eyes, and it hadn't been hard to tell based on observing his classmates that he was rather popular with the female students in the advanced track. Yoruichi couldn't blame them; if anything, three years of training in the Soul Reaper arts had simply enhanced what had already been a particularly handsome figure.

Good looks, brains, impressive skills and an enormous amount of potential, she mused, Itachi, you really are the whole package, aren't you?

"So," said Kisuke, interrupting her pleasant train of thought, "who do you think your biggest competition is for recruiting him?"

Yoruichi's brow furrowed as she carefully considered the question. "Tough call. I remember Kirio really wanted to get the two of them into Squad Twelve when I introduced Itachi and Jiraiya to her at that meeting after the entrance exams. The other Captains that were present seemed interested in them too, but to varying degrees. Unohana might be another one that I'll have to watch out for; she's had about as much exposure to the two of them as I've had, so she knows just how promising they are."

Kisuke chuckled. "Even with Jiraiya acting a little bolder than a man should around her?"

Yoruichi laughed. "Yeah, although if he doesn't watch out she'll do more than just mess up his shoulder next time! I can't really see the two of them being healers, but their Kidō scores have been top notch, so they could always pick up some skill with Kaidō. Minerva's not the only person I know to have spent some time in Squad Four to work on their healing abilities before moving on to another division. Not many people go that route, but it's not unheard of, either."

"Would she let the two of them go that easy?" asked Kisuke, "Unohana's got just as much of an eye for talent as you do, after all. She could decide to hold on to one or both of them; if they proved capable of maintaining their combat abilities even as their skills in Kaidō progressed, they'd be very useful for her division."

Yoruichi nodded. "You make a good point there. Still, I don't really think that Itachi and Jiraiya are the kind of recruits Unohana's looking for. She typically scopes out the students who excel in Kidō first and foremost, which puts her more in competition with the Kidō Corps than Squad Two. Itachi and Jiraiya do very well when it comes to spell casting, but from what I've seen their real strengths lie in Hakuda, Hohō, and Zanjutsu."

"So it's the more combat-heavy squads that you need to watch out for, then," said Kisuke, "Sound about right?"

"Exactly," she replied, "Jiraiya and Kyōraku seemed to hit it off pretty well after the entrance exams, while Yadōmaru warmed up to Itachi, so Squad Eight could definitely be gunning for them. Thanks to his work on that light novel series of his, Jiraiya's also gotten plenty of exposure to Squad Nine. I don't think he's Kensei's ideal type of recruit, but Mashiro's a wild card; you never know what she might talk him into."

"The Head Captain could come into play here too, at least as far as Itachi's concerned," Kisuke pointed out, "He did oversee that special examination for him after he recovered from the soul fracture. From what you told me, the old man seemed pretty impressed with what Itachi was capable of back then, and he's only gotten better since."

Yoruichi sighed. "I know. Going head-to-head with Yamamoto for a recruit isn't a fight I'm looking forward to, but it might just come down to that. The old man's definitely a potential threat there, no doubt about that. Still, I'm hoping that I can use the talent Itachi displayed during the exam to convince the Head Captain that he's got a natural aptitude for a division like mine. As long as I can make a solid and logical argument, I should be able to get the old man to see things my way."

Kisuke nodded. "Well, I hope it goes well should it come to that. It'd be a real shame for Squad One to hog all the best students; they tend to get a disproportionate share of each class's cream of the crop, so a little shakeup this year would be nice."

"You got that right," Yoruichi replied, "Outside of Squad One, I guess the only competition I'm really worried about would be from Squads Six and Ten."

Kisuke raised an eyebrow. "You mean Kuchiki and Drakken? They haven't even met Itachi and Jiraiya yet, right?"

"To the best of my knowledge," said Yoruichi, "Still, as far as status goes, they're both like me; members of powerful noble families with plenty of pull inside the Seireitei."

Kisuke's eyes narrowed as he considered the two Captains. "Drakken I can see scouting the two of them at some point, but I don't think Jiraiya would mesh well with Kuchiki. Old man Ginrei would be more likely to target Itachi for recruitment."

Yoruichi nodded. "I agree. Squad Six does everything possible to maintain its image as a 'model division', so someone with Itachi's skills and bearing would appeal to Captain Kuchiki. Squad Ten's a little more easy-going in comparison, but they've gained a reputation for daring and jumping into the heart of the action under Captain Drakken. Of course, that special dispensation he received from the Head Captain and the Central Forty-Six played a role in that. They've become quite popular as a result."

Kisuke chuckled. "You don't say? You know, it's pretty easy to see why that's the case. After all, no other division has a mascot quite like that."

Yoruichi smirked. "Yeah, and it packs a real punch in a fight to boot. It's a little hard for other units to compete with something like that when it comes to impressing new recruits, even for divisions like mine with a noble heading them."

Kisuke smiled. "True, but since when have you let that stop you?"

Yoruichi grinned. "Never!"

Just you wait, Itachi, she thought, I don't care how hard I have to work for it; I'm getting you into Squad Two no matter what!

Author's Notes: As a historical reference, the place where this chapter's Konsō exercise took place was near the River Alma on the Crimean Peninsula. What Itachi, Jiraiya and their classmates were walking through was the aftermath of the Battle of the Alma, a major engagement that took place on September 20th, 1854 during the Crimean War. This also offers a bit of perspective for where the story currently sits; still quite a ways off from the modern era, to the point that it'll be quite some time before Bleach protagonist Ichigo's even born!

Also, if you're wondering about the surname 'Drakken' that came up in Kisuke and Yoruichi's conversation at the end of the chapter, that's the name of one of the new aristocratic families that I'm introducing in this story. There'll be more information on them in the next chapter.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please review!