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Everyone noticed the change as soon as Raidon and Izumi returned. They left the hall as biter rivals; now it was clear as they returned that they had found some common ground and formed an unexpected friendship.
Naomi found that they no longer sat alone –every lunchtime and dinner, they were joined by Raidon and his cluster of friends.
And even though she was grateful that there was no more discrimination based on their place of residence and she was beginning to make friends with other students, Naomi missed the time when it had just been her and her big sister.
Ever since she had met Izumi, her big sister had been her whole world. She was so powerful, the most respected fighter in Zaraki, her protector. Her reign as Hebi was nothing like the tyranny and fear that Tsuji had ruled with. Now the Hebi wasn't a crazed killer –Izumi hadn't even killed her predessor.
Naomi may be young in body and mind, but even she could understand the changes that had happened in Zaraki. Izumi not only defended her, but cared for every Zaraki as though they were all family members.
Changes had happened here as well, turning the two bitter rivals into friendly rivals, maybe into friends. It seemed to be something Izumi was good at –bringing out the good in everyone.
Izumi and Raidon did their best to keep the extent of their newly-found relationship under wraps. They still constantly tried to outdo each other in class. The only real difference was the fact that they used each other's first names.
The only time they fully dropped the façade was during their secret shikai training. After a few sessions, Etui had stopped turning up to oversee their spars, obviously trusting them not to hurt each other too severely.
It wasn't just swordplay they practiced now –they had a lot of prepping to do for the Advanced Placement exam. The third years were so far ahead of them, it was almost impossible for the two genii to catch them and learn their own course at the same time.
The two had to master the art of flash-step, a Hoho technique that wouldn't be taught to the first-years; they had to learn Kido Chants up to number 50 and Discard the chant for those below number 25 –something the other freshmen couldn't even hope to learn safely.
After a few separate sessions of studying theory for Kido and Hoho, they would book a session, an hour under each name as though they were training separately. It worked well.
The rest of the week flew him, and before long, they had the practical in the Real World.
As they gathered in front of the gates into the Academy, chatting stopped as three figures arrived. One was obviously their wispy-looking teacher.
There were mutterings at the sight of the other two: both of them were wearing shihakshou (1). The taller man had vivid crimson hair, with numerous tattoos even on his face; the other was a petite girl with her hair up in a bun and very familiar to Izumi. It was the Lieutenant of Squad 5, Momo Hinamori.
"Alright, I'm only going to say this once, so listen up!" the man shouted. The crowd fell completely quiet.
"I am Lieutenant Renji Abarai of Squad 6, and this is Squad 5's Lieutenant Momo Hinamori. We have been chosen to be your escorts on your trip to the Real World.
"In a moment, we're going to open the official Senkaimon (2). On the other side is Karukura Town, something of a spiritual hotspot. Because of the large number of high-level souls in that town, there is a high chance that Hollows will be drawn in. But you won't need to overly worry –an experienced Barrier Unit is already in position, so they'll take care of as many Hollows as possible. But keep on your toes just in case you have to deal with a Hollow.
"Once through the gate, you are free to team up or go solo as you want. Each student has a quota of five Wholes (3) to perform a Konsol on to send them to the Soul Society. Once you're done, return to the entry point.
"So, if you're ready, let's go."
As he drew his zanpukto to open the doorway, Izumi turned to Raidon.
"Isn't your father the Squad 6 Captain?" she asked. "So well do you know Lieutenant Abarai?"
"I know him pretty well," Raidon admitted. "He's always good for a laugh, at least."
She remembered the first time she had seen the noble and almost cold Byakura Kuchiki, how she had been unable to look him in the eyes. Now that she was studying at the Academy, she understood why –his spiritual pressure was so much greater than hers, it had forced her energy into submission. Somehow she got the impression that the Lieutenant was more open and friendly –how did he work with the Squad 6 Captain?
"Less talking at the back, please!" cut in their teacher's voice, and Izumi and Raidon watched as Abarai's blade stuck the air, half of it vanishing as he turned it like a key. The Senkaimon appeared out of thin air.
It was dusk in the World of the Living as the students arrived and scattered one after another. Without an order, they spread out and began to comb the town for Wholes.
Izumi was one of the solo runners; she had seen Raidon heading off in the centre of about three or four of his gang, headed to another area of the town.
The first Whole Izumi encountered was that of a businessman carrying a suitcase. He was shaking in fright, but there was no sign of a threat that Izumi could sense. Obviously the Barrier Unit had taken care of the Hollow.
Now it was time for her to put what she had learnt in the classroom into practice. She stood in front of the frightened Whole.
"Are you alright? You don't look hurt," she said. The Whole looked up at her and silently nodded.
"It's time for you to leave this world," she said, drawing her zanpukto. The Whole backed away as best he could.
"I don't want to go to Hell," the soul said, the fear clear in his voice. Izumi crouched down to his level as the butt of her dagger began to glow neon blue.
"You don't have to worry about Hell," she said soothingly. "You aren't going to that place. You're headed to the Soul Society. There, you'll be at peace forever."
She tapped the Whole on the forehead. He was surrounded by a pale blue light and pulled down. He had passed on and would find himself in the Soul Society.
With one Whole down, Izumi took off to find another soul.
The Barrier Unit was made up of members of the Advanced Sixth Year class, those selected for being the best at Kido. Their job was to maintain a safe environment for the visiting First Years, taking care of the Hollows that would be attracted from Hueco Mundo by the soul-rich centre even more now that there was a concentration of trainee Soul Reapers.
They sensed the tear in the sky the moment the Garagnta tore open. Only one group of Hollows could open something like that.
The Arrancar were back.
"Acknowledged," Renji Abarai said. "Tighten the net and escort the students back to the entrance point. I'll open the Senkaimon immediately."
Renji looked out at the town, thinking.
Why would the remains of Aizen's Arrancar army be coming back to Karakura? It was a century since the final battle there; a hundred years had passed since Sosuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tousen had finally been defeated. The Arrancar were no longer able to harness the spiritual core.
Renji ran through the list of Arrancar who had survived.
The Primera Espada, Coyote Starkk, couldn't be behind this assault. He had admitted that he had only joined Aizen for security and comfort. And Lillinette, his Fraccion, was still too immature to be a real threat.
The only surviving member of the Privaron Espada, Mosqueda, had expressively stated his lack of interest in invading the Real World.
Renji wouldn't put anything past the Sexta Espada, Grimmjaw Jaegerjaquex. The teal-haired Espada was a wild card, beyond even Aizen's control. Grimmjaw had been a constant foe of Ichigo, almost killing him more than once. And he was a sore loser, pursuing Ichigo despite having severe injuries. But for some reason, he felt indebted to Ichigo for saving his life and establishing him as the King of the remnants. All that big pussy-cat wanted was to fight and to rule the Hollows. This sort of assault just wasn't Grimmjaw's style.
The only remaining Espada-class Arrancar was Neliel Tu Oderschvank; she had been loyal to Ichigo ever since they had met on the journey to Las Noches. She had saved his life when he had been targeted by the now-deceased Nnoirta Jiruga.
So who was behind this, and why?
A Hell Butterfly fluttered to Izumi as she sent her third Whole to the Soul Society. It perched on her finger to relay its message.
"All Freshmen are to abandon their Konsol practices and return immediately to the site of the Senkaimon. The area is no longer secure. Repeat, this practical is cancelled. Return immediately."
The Hell Butterfly took off again. Izumi sheathed her dagger-zanpukto, cursing bad luck. But she automatically knew that this was no joke –the Soul Reapers were serious and extremely professional
As she ran, Izumi felt the Garganta tear open the sky.
Despite everything that was happening, Izumi stopped and looked around.
A tall man with overlong silver hair and the creepiest grin fixed on his face stood just on the other side of the Garganta as it opened, beginning to leak out Menos Grande Hollows. It was only a brief glance, but Izumi recognised him instantly from Recent History 101. It was one of the traitors who had almost destroyed this very town and unbalanced everything the Soul Society stood for a century ago.
He was the former Squad 3 Captain, Gin Ichimaru.
But he was supposed to be dead. None of this made any sense.
An Adjuchas-class(4) Hollow lunged at her; Izumi recovered from the shock and turned tail. She raced for the rendezvous point, but she could sense the Hollow beast closing in fast. She raced as fast as she could, but she knew instantly that she had left it too late and she was caught.
There was only one thing she could to.
Drawing her zanpukto, she faced her enemy. The Adjuchas had been joined by others, and led what could only be described as a pack. Izumi swung her zanpukto in an arc as she called the command.
"Blaze, Fenikagi!" she barked and automatically called out a wall of fire between her and the Adjuchas as it leapt for her. The Hollow yelped as it collided with the fiery barrier.
Izumi gave it no time to recover –changing her stance and grip on the sword, she unleashed the form of a phoenix to burst out of the flames.
She heard the screech as the Adjuchas was cut deeply by fire, disintegrating on the spot.
The other pursuers stopped at the ferocity of the attack and the loss of their leader; Izumi took full advantage and ran. None of the Hollows followed her.
As Izumi reached the Senkaimon and passed through to safety, a dark-skinned figure with black dreadlocks, wearing a tattered Soul Reaper uniform stepped out of his hiding place on a nearby rooftop. He had sensed everything.
That girl had used a shikai, and been able to defeat an Adjuchas as though it was any common Hollow. She was definitely not the average student. But just who was she?
Only time would tell just how powerful she was, and whether or not she would get in the way of their plans.
(1) The Soul Reaper uniform for a member of the Court Guard Squads
(2) Official gate of entry and exit between the World of the Living and the Soul Society
(3) Souls that still have a chain on their chests
(4) The second level of Hollow evolution -previously a Gillion which consumed other Gillions.