Ichigo has finally packed and taped up the boxes full of his belongings and has labeled them with a marker so that he could tell what's inside when he unpacks them later. His feelings at the moment were mixed really because he was going to transfer to another school and will be starting a new life there tomorrow. He looked at the stack of papers containing information about a famous prep school called Hanzo National Academy. His class schedule, the school's layout, the location of the boy's dorm, rules and regulation handbook, and a brochure.
Now that he thought about it, this was the same brochure his idiotic old man gave him while he was busy trying to ambush him in the bathroom! After the Substitute Shinigami smashed in his face and kicked his ass out, so he comically made an Isshin-sized crater on the far wall. Ichigo still remembers two weeks ago when he was ordered by the Head Captain of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Shingekuni Yamamoto.
-Flashback-
"Greetings, Kurosaki Ichigo." Yamamoto greeted through a hologram.
"Gramps, what's going on?" Ichigo asked, puzzled.
"Straight to the point, I see. Very well, I will tell you. As you already know, the Soul Society has been preparing for the event should Aizen come to the world of the living. However, there have been a report of a strange anomaly that is happening in a place called Asakusa."
"Asakusa? As in the district in Tokyo?"
"Correct. From what intelligence have gathered, there have been strange occurrences going on in Asakusa. One of them is a high level of Reiryoku."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes. That doesn't sound good at all... "So you want me to go to Asakusa, find out what is going on, and figure out that high level of Reiryoku," Ichigo said blandly. "Is that what you're trying to say."
"Precisely. Normally I would ask one of the captains to investigate it. However, to send one of them now would only weaken our preparation should Aizen decide to attack Karakura, and I cannot let that happen."
"So why ask me? You know that I am not a member of the Gotei 13."
"That is true. But you have saved the Soul Society numerous times. Because of that, I trust you with this task, and you are far more capable of completing this mission. As you have proven to me in the past..."
Ichigo scowled and scratched the back of his head irritatedly. "Fine, I'll do this only for you, Gramps, and no one else..."
"I thank you for doing the Soul Society another great service!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure, so when do I leave?"
"A package will arrive there two weeks containing all the information you need. I have already taken the liberty to transfer you to the school, and the Soul Society has paid for your tuition and board and all expenses that you will incur during the year."
"What the hell! You already transferred me without even consulting me about it?!"
"I'm telling you about it right now, aren't I?"
"That messed up, Gramps!"
"In any case, good luck on your investigation and happy hunting."
"And what the hell do you mean by that?!"
"We have reason to believe there are large numbers of Hollow activity in that area..."
"Swell, now is there anything else that I need to know that you haven't mentioned...yet?"
"I believe that is it for now. If you need any assistance, I will send some reinforcements with the manpower I have available. Have a good evening..." Yamamoto said.
-flashback end-
He had enough time to straighten out loose ends during the past two weeks before he left school. The most important is the Shinigami, who will replace him to protect Karakura in his absence. According to Yamamoto, the Soul Society was supposed to be bringing another Shinigami who will be replacing Rukia for the time being. Ichigo thought it was a good idea because, frankly, the person who's officially on duty right now and who had taken her place was rather...useless. He was hoping that Gramps will pick a more reliable replacement to what's his name...
He still remembers that day that when he told his friends that he is transferring to another school. The first is Chad and the other, who told them about his covert mission from the Soul Society to investigate these strange occurrences in Asakusa. He still remembers the sad look on their faces and Orihime's crying, causing him to frown as he will not see his friend.
"GOOD MORNING, IIICCCHHHIIIGGGOOO!" Ichigo let out an irritated sigh as Isshin was flying toward him with an awkward flying kick. Ichigo, however, saw this one coming, and he stepped forward while he extended his right arm. His fist smashing through his old man's face, and he fell a ton of bricks on the floor. "Y-you h-have i-improve...my son!" Isshin shouted proudly before falling on the ground twitching.
Ichigo calmly walks over his body and finally takes a shower. When he was finished, he donned his dark blue jacket, a white t-shirt underneath his jacket, straighten out his blue tie, and put on a pair of blue pants. The formality suit represented didn't sit well with Ichigo and preferred his informal grey uniform instead. He let out a sigh as there was no use fighting the inevitable, and he might as well get it over with. He went downstairs and expected to be in the same old routine as usual. But his family...it seemed we were going to make a scene out of his departure after all.
Speaking of drama, he still doesn't know how goat chin or whoever pulled the explanation off, but it convinced his sisters that he was transferring to another school because of the opportunities it would give him when he graduates from the prestigious school as Hanzo Academy. Thin excuse, but it worked out nonetheless, so Ichigo can't complain about it. Now he's wondering how he will survive the drama and the waterworks when that starts. Seriously, he survives and won battles against Renji, Kenpachi, Byakuya, Kariya, Ganryu, Kusaka, Hanza, Shusuke, and Muramasa. He fared well with his training with Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Zangetsu. He also kicks his Hollow's ass when he turned to the Vizard for help to control its power and using it for his own.
So considering all the hell, he went through training and battling none stop. This touchy-feely stuff would be a piece of cake...at least he hopes so.
"Ichi-nii, I d-don't want you to go!" Yuzu cried.
"Hey, it's alright, I'll call to say what's up, and I'll come to visit on the holidays, okay?"
"You promise?"
"Yes, I'll promise."
Yuzu ran up to him and cried, causing Ichigo to let out a sad smile on his face. He did what any older brother could do and held his sister tightly as his eyes grew in trouble. They're in capable hands even though goat chin over there is semi-reliable, but they should be alright without him worrying too much. Karin didn't have to say anything, but she have tears in her eyes, and she ran up to him too. Then Ichigo turned around and saw his dad trying to embrace him in a bear hug but punched him in the nose for a preemptive strike because he was in the middle of trying to make a sneak attack while he was comforting his sisters.
"You have done well, my son, and I am very proud of you!" Isshin shouted proudly.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Try not to get too crazy once I'm gone, will ya?"
"Masaki, you see this, don't you! How is this ungrateful son of ours have become such a delinquent treating me this way!" Isshin cried, pleading toward the poster.
"Shut the hell up! I'm not like that, and you know it!" Ichigo shouted as he got nervous when his old man's mood change.
"I have a gift..." Isshin handed him a package causing Ichigo to look at it suspiciously.
"What's in it?"
"Trust me, my son, you will thank me when you find yourself in a situation when you need to ah... "perform" your duty," Isshin said wisely.
"Okay, whatever..."
"MASAKI, OUR SON IS LEAVING TO FORGE HIS DESTINY TO FINALLY BECOME A MAN!" Isshin shouted as he ran up to the poster, dramatically causing Ichigo and his sisters to sweatdrop.
Ichigo then looked down at his sisters and gave them one last hug to each other. Then he said his final goodbyes to his family and went out the door.
He heads toward the train station and purchases a ticket to Asakusa, and gets on the train as it heads to its destination. He looks outside the window as he took one last look of Karakura, thinking it might be the last time he sees his hometown. This mission that Yamamoto gives him will challenge him when he arrives at Asakusa. But he will move forward, just like what Zangetsu said to him.
-later-
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for riding with us today." A pleasant voice spoke as people begin to gather by the door. "We will be arriving at Asakusa shortly. This will be our last stop for this line."
The train stop as Ichigo gathered his things and made his way to the door. He stepped off the train and into the station as he takes a look of Asakusa's scenery. "So this is Asakusa? It's just like the brochure said, one of the most popular places in Tokyo." He pulled out his phone and pressed the navigation app to search for the location of Hanzo academy. "Now to find where Hanzo Academy is."
-on the boat with Asuka-
"Asakusa! I'm back home!" Asuka said, feeling happy to be back. "Mm-hmm! I sure did miss looking at this beautiful sight!"
"Beautiful, indeed." A female voice said, causing Asuka to turn her head to see a young woman with tanned skin, green eyes, and black long hair that tied into a ponytail by a white ribbon that went past her thighs. She wears a red and black uniform with a shirt that exposes a sizeable amount of her midriff, a very short miniskirt that doesn't do much to cover her buttocks, revealing a plentiful portion of her buttcheeks, especially with a gush of wind or slightest forward movement. She also wears thick knee-high school girl shocks. "Are you from Asakusa?" She asked.
"Huh?
"Did you just say you've returned home?"
"Ah, you were listening?"
"More correctly, I managed to hear you."
Asuka gasp in shock as she have an embarrassed look on her face. "Ah! I was going to boarding school in Asakusa, but something came up, and I had to leave for a while, but I missed it and couldn't help but cry out. I'm sorry!" Asuka apologizes, bowing her head, causing the tanned girl to chuckle.
"You're a funny girl." She said as she leave to herself.
"Eh? Huh?" Asuka watch as the tanned girl waves her hand toward her. "I wonder what school she goes to?" Asuka wondered as the boat arrives at the terminal. She gathered her things and got off the boat as she made her way to Hanzo Academy. As Asuka walking down the street, she bumped into someone causing her to fall to the ground and landed on her butt. "Ow..."
"Sorry, are you hurt?" A male voice asked.
"I'm fine..." Asuka said, rubbing her butt. She looked up and saw a man who looked the same age as her and had a permanent scowl on his face. He has spiky orange hair, which made him look like a delinquent, warm brown color eyes, and a noticeable muscular body. He wears a male Hanzo uniform, consisting of a blue jack, white t-shirt underneath the jacket, blue tie, and blue pants.
"Here, let me help you up." He offers his hand to her as she grabs it.
"Thank you," Asuka said as she got back on her feet when she notices that he is fairly taller than her.
"You must be going to Hanzo Academy, right?" He asked.
"That right! How did you know?"
"It's because I'm transferring there and I'm starting my class tomorrow. Since you're a student over there, mind showing me around the school and where the dormitory is?"
"Sure, no problem at all. I'll be happy to help you."
"Thanks." They grab their thing and make their way to Hanzo academy.
"I'm Asuka, by the way." She introduces herself with a smile.
"Kurosaki Ichigo. Please to meet you." The man, know as Ichigo, said.
-later-
Hanzo National Academy.
A famous prep school, having been founded in 1919, is nearing its 100th anniversary. One thousand students are enrolled there. However, mixed in with the ordinary student are a small number of students in the shinobi training course. The academy was originally founded as a normal high school, but when the shinobi course began, it changed its name to "Hanzo," after the legendary shinobi. The only people who know of the shinobi course's existence other than the instructor, Kiriya, are the principal and vice-principal. In addition to shinobi classes, Kiriya also teaches ordinary math classes. And this place is a very well know ninja school.
And so, Asuka guides Ichigo to Hanzo Academy.
"Well, that's all that I can show you," Asuka said as she then points to the main of the school. "The faculty office is in the main building to the left. I believe you will find it easily there. I'm sure you won't miss it."
"Got it. Thanks for helping me out, Asuka." Ichigo said, causing Asuka to nod.
"You're welcome," Asuka said with a smile.
"Later," Ichigo said, leaving Asuka alone to herself.
'He's not what he seems despite looking like a delinquent.' As she looks at the clock on the main building, Asuka thought, causing her eyes to widen at the time. 'Oh no! I can't be late for training!' Asuka quickly disappeared and left the area.
Ichigo headed in the boy dormitory and went into his room to see all of his stuff is already there. He looks around as his room is simply a small one filled with a study desk, a one-person bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom. There was also a bookshelf that seemed to fill with some important books, texts, and documents next to the window. 'Alright, time to unpacked.' Ichigo thought as he is starting to unpack his thing.
-Hanzo Academy, old building-
As said before, unknownst to the students and most of the school's staff, the Academy is also known as a shinobi Academy where certain individuals come here to train. All while aiming to be a full-fledged Shinobi.
Asuka is one of these said individuals as she snuck herself into a traditional tea room with a back door that leads to another hidden room where Shinobis meet and train. She opened the door and entered a Japanese classroom when she saw a student having tea at the table there. A refined girl with long straight black hair and flat-cut bangs wears the female Hanzo academy school uniform. This is Ikaruga.
"Whew, I made it just in time," Asuka said, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Welcome back." Ikaruga greeted.
"Ikaruga-san, Asuka reporting in." Asuka said bowing her head.
"I'm glad you manage to give that boy the slip earlier," Ikaruga stated, causing Asuka to be a little surprised.
"Oh, you saw that?" Asuka asked in embarrassment, causing Ikaruga to look at her.
"But you should conceal your presence first, right? You should know better than give some random boy a tour around the school." At this, Asuka begins to rub the back of her head sheepishly.
"I couldn't help being so happy after being away for so long," Asuka said, trying to justify herself.
"We are both students and not students at this school. You are missing the fundamentals." Ikaruga scold.
"I'm sorry." Asuka apologized when suddenly a pair of hands grab her breast from behind and start fondling them.
They belong to another ninja student, a long blond-haired girl that wears a blue headband with laces on the side of her head. To her friends, she is mainly known for her spunky attitude. This is Katsuragi. "What are you so down about? That's not like you, Asuka." She said with a grin while still fonding Asuka's breast.
Asuka was surprised as she keeps getting more and more embarrassed with her perverted friend's shenanigans. "Kat-nee!" Asuka cried.
"Mm-hmm! Welcome back!" Katsugari said as Asuka manage to break out of her hold while covering her breast and taking a step back.
"Geez! I can't let my guard down around you!" Asuka exclaimed.
"Who cares? It's not like I'm hurting anything. Ah, if I do this, you'll grow even bigger!" Katsugari said as Asuka cried out in shock and embarrassment.
"No! In fact, I wish I was smaller!"
"Aw, that'd be a shame."
"It would not be a shame!" Asuka exclaimed; they heard a loud noise from the hidden door and turned around to see who it was. It was a pink-haired girl in small pigtails who was currently on the ground with splattered snacks on the floor. This adorable girl is Hibari.
"Ah, that hurt," Hibari said, rubbing her butt.
"What are you getting into this early in the morning, Hibari?" Katsugari asked.
"I thought I was going to be tardy, so I tried to hurry inside, but I seemed to have overdone it... Ah, Asuka, welcome back." Hibari greeted with a smile.
"Here I am, Hibari-chan," Asuka said with a smile.
"You passed your advancement tests, right?" Hibari asked, getting back on her feet.
"Mm-hmm."
"That's terrific!"
"Thanks.' Asuka said with a smile.
"Hibari, you should worry about yourself before celebrating others." A new voice said to Hibari. It comes by a nearby window from a white-haired girl with ling twin-tails held by a shuriken. She have red eyes and wears an eye patch over her left eye. However, the eye it covers is functional. She was currently eating some dry squid. This is the prodigy ninja, Yagyu. She is normally depicted with an indifferent expression.
"It's okay. It's okay. I'm still happy, even if it is someone else." Hibari said with a smile.
"Yagyu! How long have you been there?" Asuka asked, surprised by her sudden appearance.
"Concealing one's presence is a basic shinobi skill," Yagyu replied.
"Yeah, you're right." Asuka laughed sheepishly at her response.
"Ha, good grief, it's hard to tell who's the upperclassmen, huh?" Katsugari said patting Asuka's back.
"Then again, while Yagyu may only be a first-year, her rank is higher than mine," Asuka said.
"That because Yagyu is especially gifted," Hibari exclaimed to them.
Suddenly a smoke bomb blows up in the classroom. When it cleared out, a man with gray wavy hair and auburn colored eyes wearing a black suit is now standing in the middle of the room. This man is the girls' Shinobi teacher, Kiriya.
"Everyone here, right?" Kiriya asked, causing the girls to bow to him.
"Kiriya-sensei, good morning." Ikaruga greeted, causing Kiriya to nod to her and turn his head toward Asuka.
"Asuka..." Kiriya called.
"Y-yes?!" Asuka stuttered as Kiriya let out a smile.
"Good work." Kiriya praised her.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't go that far," Asuka said timidly.
Kiriya opens his book to see her score. "Let's see... Hmm... Used empty shell when the scroll was about to be taken, and in process, damaged your shinobi outfit... Used a smoke grenade in an urban area... Time remaining was nearly zero... Oh, and this is incredible!" Kiriya said with a smile, causing Asuka to be slightly nervous. "Exactly at the minimum passing line. That's not something you could do even if you were trying to."
"Please don't be impressed about the wrong things!" Asuka exclaimed, being embarrassed about her score, causing Kiriya to close his book.
"Well, a pass is a pass. I look forward to even greater diligence."
"Hai!" Asuka said with a smile.
"For today's training, the first period will be hand-to-hand skills. Everyone gets change and assemble in the training area." Kiriya said, disappearing in a puff of smoke, causing the three girls to cough.
-with Ichigo-
"Phew, finally done," Ichigo said, finish unpacking as he sat on his bed. He pulls out the sheet as he read the report given to him by the Gotei 13. "I wonder what cause Asakusa to attract the Soul Society's attention? Let alone Hollows." His Shinigami Badge starting to beep, causing him to stand up from his bed. "A Hollow? Better get to it." Ichigo grabs his Shinigami badge and exits his soul out as his body fell on the bed. He opens the window and headed toward the direction of where the Hollow is located.
-With Hanzo Team-
After their training is done, the girls decide to go to the shopping district to buy some snacks when they get back home. "Man, I'm so glad that training is done," Katsugari said, stretching her arms.
"I agree. It's nice to get a break once in a while." Asuka said with a smile.
They stop when a large crowd gathers on the street as there are news vans, fire trucks, police cars, and an ambulance in the area. The girls decide to see what is happening when they see the whole area being destroyed as the newscasts are filming the scene. "Geez, what happens here?" Katsugari asked, looking at the damaged structure.
"Indeed, it looks like a battle happens here," Ikaruga said.
"What could have done all this?" Asuka asked, looking confused.
"I don't know, Asuka. But it best to finds out when something like this happens again, seeing that the police are already here." Ikaruga said.
"Can't believe this have happened when we are training," Katsugari said, a bit disappointed.
Suddenly, a loud explosion happened in the area, causing the people to scream in terror as they begin to panic, running away from the scene. "What happen?!" Hibari asked, being scared.
"I don't know. But stay close to me, Hibari. I will protect you." Yagyu said, standing in front of her.
While the girls look around to see if the culprit is nearby in the area, unknowing that there is a Hollows there. Ichigo arrives at the scene and sees five Hollows in the facility attacking the shopping district. He grabs Zangetsu and quickly dashes toward the Hollow, slicing off one of the Hollow's arms, causing it to roar in pain. One of the Hollow turn his attack toward the Substitute Shinigami and tried to attack him. But Ichigo saw this as he cut off one of its legs and stab in the head, purified the Hollow causing its body to evaporate. When one of the Hollow appears behind him, Ichigo dodges it to surprise attack and cause damage to the area. Seeing that damage they may cause, Ichigo flew up in the air causing the Hollows to follow him. When snake-like Hollow is about to attack him, but Ichigo saw this as dodge, it attacks and slices its mask, causing it to dissipate into nothingness.
The Hollow that Ichigo cut off its arm is charging toward him as he dodges it to attack and cut it down so easily. One of the Hollow tosses a couple of small creatures to Ichigo as it uses its tongue, causing them to explode, creating smoke in the air. When the Shrieker thinks it got him, Ichigo came through the smoke and cut the Hollow in half, causing its body to disappear. Ichigo senses an attack coming behind him as he dodges it that came from the last Hollow. However, when he saw where the attack is going. Ichigo's eyes widen as it is heading toward a group of girls, one of them in particular. "Asuka!" Ichigo shouted as he shunpo in front of her. He quickly grabs her and drags her down to the ground as the attack hits the ground causing the whole area to be cover in smoke. Ichigo looks up to see the Hollow attack him as he uses shunpo and cuts down the Hollow, causing its body to dissipate.
Meanwhile, the girl cough as the smoke clouded their vision from the sudden attack. "Asuka!" Ikaruga called in worry. When the smoke clear, they saw Asuka on the ground as she looks completely shocked at what happens. "Asuka, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Ikaruga-san," Asuka said looking surprised.
"I can't believe that we got attack right now," Katsugari said as she and the others are shocked by the surprise attack. They look down and saw a few holes that appear on the ground where Asuka was standing.
"Why did it come from?" Hibari asked, looking at the ground.
"I have no idea. But whoever it is, they are good of concealing their presence." Yagyu said as not even she able to sense the attacker.
"By the way..." Asuka said, getting back on her feet. "Did one of you drag me to the ground when it happens?"
The rest of the girls look at her confuse as neither of them even tough her. "No, we didn't," Ikaruga replied.
"Eh? But I was sure somebody touches me." Asuka said look confused.
"Are you sure you didn't slip and fall?" Katsugari asked with her arms cross.
"I'm serious! I felt like someone touched me when that attack was about to happen!" Asuka exclaimed as the rest of the girls look at each other as they could tell that she isn't making it up.
"Regardless, we should report this to Kiriya-sensei when we get back," Ikaruga said, causing the rest of the girls to nod as they head back to Hanzo Academy.
However, Asuka could have sworn that she felt someone touch her when that attack was about to hit her. She know that she didn't make that up as she stops and looks at the hole one last time. 'I'm sure I felt someone when that attack happens. But whoever you are. Thank you for saving my life.' Asuka thought.
"Come on, Asuka! You don't want to get left behind!" Katsugari called.
"Coming!" Asuka said as she is catching up to them.
Unknown to them, Ichigo is standing in mid-air as he watches from above, seeing that Asuka and her friends are safe. He let out a smile, knowing that he save his friend just in time when that attack was about to hit her. If it would be a second later, who know what could have happened to her. "That takes care of that. Now to head back to the dorm." Ichigo said as he heads back to his room.