It had been sixteen years since Sosuke Aizen had been defeated. Ichigo had conquered his inner hollow once again and then with the final Getsuga TenshÅ he had defeated Aizen after an epic battle. The few surviving Arrancar had fled to Hueco Mundo never to return. Now Karakura Town had been returned to the living world and the worlds were at peace. All of the shinigami had returned to Soul Society and Ichigo and his human friends had gone back to their normal lives. Rukia and Renji still visited them often enough and sometimes other shinigami did too. On one such visit Rukia asked Ichigo if she could speak to him alone. He followed her into his room. "What is it?" he asked.
"I wanted to ask something of you. Would you be willing to join one of the squads? We need someone to fill in the holes that Aizen, Gin, and Tousen left behind. You could easily become a captain," Rukia said.
"Why would I do that? My life is finally peaceful!" Ichigo exclaimed.
"But if you were a captain you wouldn't have to fight except in emergencies," she said.
"I guess so. But I would have to handle all of the responsibilities," he said. Rukia thought for a moment and then she got an idea.
"You could become head captain!" she said excitedly.
"Huh? But you already have one of those," he said confusedly.
"He keeps making the wrong decisions and you have to save the day. I think it's about time he retired. And you would be perfect to take over for him. Most of Soul Society would happily choose you over him at this point," she said.
"Doesn't that come with even more responsibility?" he questioned.
"You could choose a new lieutenant to help you so you could come to the living world frequently. Someone you could trust..."
"Like you?"
"What!?" Rukia exclaimed.
"You're pretty strong and I know I can trust you," Ichigo pointed out.
"B-but I-" she stuttered.
"I'll try to become head captain only if you agree to this," he said smugly.
"Fine," she muttered.
"Well, what should I do first?" he asked.
"Well, you'll need to join one of the squads missing a captain before you can try to become head captain. Oh, and to officially join a squad you have to pass the exams in the shinigami academy," she said.
"I have to do what!? I'm as strong as a captain and I have to train with a bunch of newbs!?" Ichigo exclaimed. Rukia laughed and nodded her head. He glared at her. "You just wanted to see me go through the academy didn't you?" he growled.
"That was one of the reasons," she said while still laughing. He growled at her again.
The Next Day at Ichigo's House
"You're doing what!?" Renji exclaimed while laughing his butt off. Ichigo was in a foul mood because everyone except Chad and Orihime were laughing at him. Rukia was laughing again, Renji was practically rolling on the floor, and Uyru was laughing pretty hard as well.
"You haven't learned any kido so this could actually do you some good," Orihime pointed out.
"I'll probably be better at it than Renji is," Ichigo said with a grin. Renji stopped laughing and glared at him.
"You wanna find out who is better than who?" he challenged.
"Would you guys give it a rest?" Rukia said with a sigh. They continued to glare at each other.
"So when are you leaving?" Chad asked.
"Tomorrow I guess," Ichigo said.
"So soon?" Orihime said sadly.
"I'll make sure to visit as much as possible," Ichigo said. Orihime smiled.
The Next Day at the Shinigami Academy
Ichigo's foul mood was worse than ever as he stood in the training room. After he had joined they had taken his sword from him and given him a regular, but well made, katana. It was able to stand up to a Zanpakuto's basic form. A shikai or bankai would destroy it in a heartbeat though. He had started his sword training first. He was currently fighting fake stuffed hollows. Later he would move to fighting other students. Even though that wouldn't be a challenge either it would be better than slicing up a dummy.
A few Days Later
He hadn't started kido class yet but he had moved on to fighting other students. Before he had managed to start controlling his power better he
had sent several to the hospital by accident. All of the other students were terrified of fighting him. "Who will train with Kurosaki next?" The instructor asked.
"I will!" Came a cocky voice. Ichigo turned to see a kid with short, slightly spiky, blue hair as well as blue eyes. His training uniform was opened up to reveal a surprisingly muscular torso for someone in their early teens. He had a cocky grin plastered on his face. Ichigo's jaw hit the floor.
"Grimmjow?" he gasped.
"Yeah, that's me. How'd ya know my name?" Grimmjow asked.
"Why are you here!? Shouldn't you be in Hueco Mundo!?" Ichigo exclaimed.
"Why would I be there? Isn't that the world of the halos or whatever they're called?" Grimmjow questioned.
"Hollows," the instructor corrected.
"Yeah, whatever," Grimmjow said.
Wait, this can't be the same Grimmjow. He's younger than the Grimmjow I knew, and he doesn't have a mask or hole Ichigo thought.
"So, are we gonna fight or are you too chicken to face me?" Grimmjow jeered.
He sure has the same personality, not to mention he looks the same. So it has to be him doesn't it? Ichigo thought.
"Come on already!" Grimmjow whined.
"Er, okay," Ichigo said. Grimmjow rushed at him. Ichigo just lazily raised his sword to block. When Grimmjow's sword made contact it hit with surprising strength. "You're pretty good," Ichigo remarked. Then he quickly knocked Grimmjow's sword out of his hand and smacked him with the flat of his blade which sent him flying into a nearby wall. Oops, I guess I put too much strength into that hit Ichigo thought. Grimmjow stood back up and glared at him.
"I wanna fight again!" he growled.
"Your turn is over," the instructor said. Grimmjow huffed and turned away. After the class was over Grimmjow walked over to Ichigo.
"Hey, your name is Ichigo Kurosaki isn't it?" Grimmjow said.
"Yeah, what do you want?" Ichigo asked.
"I want you to know I'm gonna beat you real soon," Grimmjow said cockily.
"Why do you want to so bad? I'm sure some of the others have beaten you," Ichigo asked.
"Only one other has," Grimmjow said with a grin.
"Who?" Ichigo asked. Grimmjow's grin turned into a scowl.
"Some emo kid. I gotta beat you so I can get stronger and kick his unnaturally white butt!" Grimmjow growled. As he said this he pointed to the kid he spoke of. He walked along silently, ignoring everyone else. He had messy black hair, pale skin, and emerald green eyes. Ichigo's jaw dropped again. He shunpoed over to the kid and grabbed his shoulder. The kid stared at him with large green eyes.
"Are you Ulquiorra?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Ulquiorra replied.
"Erm, no reason," Ichigo said.
"I bet that trash Grimmjow whined about me beating him didn't he?" Ulquiorra said.
"What did you just say!?" Grimmjow yelled.
"You heard me, trash," Ulquiorra said calmly. He then turned to leave. Grimmjow moved toward him but Ichigo blocked him.
"Calm down," Ichigo said. Grimmjow just growled and stomped off. "This is gonna be a lot worse than I thought..." Ichigo said with a sigh.