Chapter 10: Another New Student

It had been a few years since Ichigo restored Las Noches to its new glory and a lot has happened since then.

Misuto had learned many things from Sosuke and was now on par with him in terms of strategy and battle tactics. She had trained with him in terms of reiatsu manipulation and a hollows version of shunpo called sonido. She would train with Ichigo in secrecy from everyone except Sosuke to control her enormous energy and even master her zanpakuto, Arrogante. Misuto had also grown from a little girl to a teenage like girl. She was now far more proficient now than she was when she was created all those years ago and had even taken to calling Sosuke her father. Sosuke actually didn't mind.

Soi-Fon had also gotten stronger and far more devoted to training her mind and body to show Ichigo that she does indeed have the potential to be great. After several attempts and a few antagonizing remarks, she had finally had the chance to face her own captain, Yoruichi, and managed to defeat her. It was something that didn't go unnoticed from the rest of squad two as rumors of Soi-Fon surpassing Captain Shihoin spread throughout the Seireitei. Ichigo was proud to hear that his student had won in her fight and proven her strength to everyone, especially Yoruichi.

Gin had become a little less creepy nowadays. Instead of always creeping up on people or sneaking up on them, he had taken to simply meeting them head on. It was a useful new trait he picked up from watching the way Ichigo fought when they went hollow hunting. It was something else for Gin to watch how his teacher performed in battle even if he was holding back considerably. He decided then and there that he would fight somewhat similarly to his teacher, and one day try and surpass him.

Sosuke had grown stronger and was even at captain class power now, same as the others. Even with his hectic schedule and constant avoidance of his captain, he still found the time to train. He even let Misuto out of the lab every once in awhile to watch him train. True he had to place an energy dampener on her so no one could sense her, but it proved very useful to get his new adoptive daughter out into the fresh air a few times a month. He also seemed happier now that he had her with him on a more than constant basis.

In Hueco Mundo there was a lot of order now that Las Noches was rebuilt. There was daily training regimens that were tailored to every single arrancar there and even monochromes of respect given to everyone. Ichigo had taken the time to personally train each and every single arrancar there despite how long it took. Now they all seemed heavily accustomed to fighting captain class soul reapers. Ichigo decided to take it a step further when he brought Sosuke and Misuto with him the first time around. Not many of the arrancar could tell but some felt that her energy was like Barragan's on a slight level. She was immediately placed as the new fifth espada, placing Ulquiorra at six, Nnoitra at seven, and both Zommari, Szayel and Aaroniero at the same positions. It was demonstrated by her of her incredible power that made the five not question. Aka was amazed by how strong Misuto was, all things considered. He had decided to show her around the first time she showed up and the two became friends easily. Now that they both looked like teenagers, most of the arrancar's didn't think that it was just some kids thing going on.

Ichigo hadn't changed all too much. He had grown some facial hair that was mainly just stubble, but all in all he still looked the same.

Ichigo had kept his eye's on recent events and people that he could entice to him or deal with if need be. It didn't take him long when he spotted a young adult soul reaper walking alongside the current captain of squad six, Ginrei Kuchiki. The young man looked like a younger and less hardened Byakuya. Byakuya was in standard soul reaper attire and actually just had his hair tied up in a ponytail with a red ribbon.

While he was lounging on one of his off days in a bar with Isshin and Kyoraku, he noticed the young Byakuya and could see that he was nowhere close to the Byakuya who had that massive stick up his ass. In fact, he was actually smiling as he walked with his grandfather. Ichigo decided to take this opportunity to seek out a new student he could use to help with his plans in the far future.

"Hey, Ginrei!" Ichigo yelled out as he got the old mans attention. Ginrei turned to see three of his fellow captains sitting together and enjoying a drink and smirked. "Come have a drink with us!"

Ginrei simply shook his head to stifle a chuckle and walked in to the establishment, Byakuya right behind him. It had become a very common occurrence for the old man to now partake in a few drinks with his fellow captains, especially since he was almost at the end of his captaincy position due to his health and age. He sat down next to Isshin while Byakuya stood there, actually nervous to be in the presence of two of the most respected captains and the most feared one.

Ichigo looked over to the young man and saw his hesitance. He smirked under his cup before gulping down the sake to keep pace with Kyoraku. "So Ginrei, is this your grandson I've heard so much about?" Ichigo asked the man.

"Yes he is Ichigo." Ginrei said with a smirk. "This is Byakuya Kuchiki, the next heir to the Kuchiki name and my eventual successor when his training is complete." That last part made the three at the table perk up while Byakuya looked away in embarrassment.

"You mean you're gonna let someone so young take over for you as both head of the Kuchiki clan and captain of squad six?" Isshin asked to clarify what he just heard.

"Yes, he is." Ginrei said with another smirk. "I take it you see his potential as well, don't you Ichigo?"

All eyes were now on Ichigo as he looked up and down the standing Kuchiki. By this point in time it was already known that Ichigo did in fact teach young and up-incoming soul reapers with potential. He already had three with him that were now considered being captains in the near future. Since he had been paying so much attention to Byakuya, Ginrei could tell what most likely could happen next and acted preemptively.

"If you see such potential in my grandson and wish to unlock said potential, then he is yours to train Ichigo." This surprised everyone at the table, especially both Byakuya and Ichigo. Byakuya for how his grandfather had practically given him to the captain of squad eleven to train, and Ichigo for how simple it was to get another student without having to convince them.

"Uh, Ginrei." Kyoraku started in a voice that had a mixture of confusion and subtle laughter to it. "Are you sure about this? I mean from what I've heard Ichigo's training isn't to be taken lightly."

Ichigo gave a subtle glare to the calm captain who was now chuckling under his hat.

"I'm sure Byakuya can handle it." Ginrei said in a sure fire tone.

Ichigo looked back to the old man then noticed that Byakuya looked a little worried. Ichigo had never interacted with Byakuya in this time before, so this was new to him. The most contact he had was years ago when he saw him as a kid trying and failing to chase Yoruichi for a hair ribbon. In his own time Byakuya never showed any other emotion aside from the rare angered scowl and the very rare smirk that Renji told him about one time. To see him before he was so stoic had Ichigo realize that something must have caused that to happen. With one last look over, Ichigo stood up. This got everyone's attention as he went over to Ginrei's grandson. Ichigo towered over him like most people from his future and could see the nervousness in Byakuya's eyes. Ichigo could tell that if Byakuya were to continue as is or was influenced by someone outside of his clan, then maybe he wouldn't turn out as the stoic a-hole he was in the future. It was worth a shot, so Ichigo spoke up.

"I can tell that he does have much potential." Ichigo started, surprising Byakuya. "He will make a great captain, if he were truly tested that is." He looked over to Ginrei and smirked. "I'll train him with my other students to bring about that potential."

The words were like music to Ginrei's ears. He knew that if Byakuya was really pushed then he could really reach his true potential and become something great in the soul society.

Ichigo looked back to Byakuya and saw a look of both confusion and a hint of anticipation for the training. He could tell that this was going to be fun in a weird and awkward time travel kind of way.

Done.

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