Eyes of the Soul

by operation meteor

Passing beyond the veil, Itachi finds himself in an afterlife that is far from the hellfire he'd steeled himself for. With a chance encounter involving a pervy sage, a Flash Goddess and a healer whose angelic appearance hides more than a hint of steel, the bane of the Uchiha Clan finds a chance at a second life... and perhaps redemption. Slow burn. M for language and violence.

7. Chapter 7

Author's Notes: All right, I suppose it's time to get the next one out there. Regarding some of the Kidō spells that appear in this chapter, since we never get a comprehensive list of every single spell available to Soul Reapers I decided to take a few liberties and create some new ones to start filling in the gaps.

Enjoy!

Chapter Seven: Training and Evaluation

One week and five days later…

"Next target and next spell!" Minerva barked, "Go!"

Itachi nodded before reciting the incantation. "Strike, lord of tempest and thunder! Make your fury known to men and beast alike, less they forget the higher order of the world! Hadō 4: Byakurai!"

Pointing at the target downrange with his right index finger, he let fly with a concentrated bolt of light-blue spirit energy. The precise shot nailed the target right in the middle, leaving a clean and smoking hole in it.

Minerva nodded and smiled. "Very nice. Most students have trouble with the more accurate version of Byakurai; they prefer discharging it from both hands. Your performance with both versions has been exemplary."

"Thank you," Itachi replied.

"Let's not rest on our laurels quite yet," said Minerva, "We still have the rest of the afternoon ahead of us, after all. Next target, and next spell up in the ranks. Hit it with your best shot."

Itachi took a deep breath to center himself before beginning the incantation. "Master of the spring winds, I summon you! Bring forth your creatures great and small, and let them overwhelm the enemies of creation! Hadō 5: Hotaru Bāsuto!"

He held out the palm of his right hand, and from it flew a burst of tiny green spheres made of spirit energy. The rapid-fire burst of emerald projectiles perforated the target next to the one he'd hit earlier with Byakurai.

Minerva clapped as Itachi caught his breath. "Excellent! That's a much more precise burst than I was expecting. First-year students usually send the projectiles flying all over the place."

"I can see why," Itachi replied, "All those spirit projectiles coming forth so quickly can be difficult to properly harness."

"Indeed," said his teacher, "Still, you did quite well. Keep it up and eventually you'll be able to increase the duration of the bursts, as well as your ability to direct the projectiles. With enough practice, a Soul Reaper using Hadō 5 can lay down a barrage capable of pinning a swarm of lesser Hollows. It's a good opening move when you're facing off against a large number of weaker enemies, and it's also useful for covering a retreat when the ranks of the enemy prove to be overwhelming."

Itachi nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Good," Minerva replied before nodding down range, "Now, let's keep at it. Next spell up in the ranks. By the time I'm done with you, not only will you pass the Head Captain's exam with flying colors, but when you rejoin the Academy you'll be the best damn spellcaster in your class!"

….

One week later…

"Ah," sighed Yoruichi with a smile as she leaned back behind her desk, "Finally done with the post-action reports! I swear, sometimes those take longer than the fights themselves!"

She had returned a while ago from a mission to the very edge of the Rukon District. Along with Soi-Fon, Kisuke, and a handful of other officers and foot-soldiers, she had overseen the purging of a Hollow nest that had somehow taken root in the darkest corner of South Rukon 79. The Hollows themselves had proven to be on the weaker end of the spectrum, but the fact that so many of them had been able to establish a foothold in the Soul Society and maintain it for as long as they had was concerning.

We really need to boost our numbers and get more patrols out there, she thought, We're just stretched too damn thin…

The door to her office slipped open, and Soi-Fon stepped in with a tray bearing a small pot and some cups. "Care for some tea, Lady Yoruichi?"

Yoruichi nodded. "Sure thing. Thanks, Soi-Fon!"

The head of her personal guard smiled. "You're welcome, Lady Yoruichi."

After it was poured she took a sip. "Did you make this yourself? You're really getting good at this!"

Soi-Fon bowed, and Yoruichi could've sworn she caught her bodyguard blushing. "Oh, it was nothing, Lady Yoruichi!"

Yoruichi leaned forward. "Come on, Soi-Fon, there's nothing wrong with showing a little pride in your abilities. Take earlier, for instance; you did very well in the fighting over in South 79. Your bond with your Zanpakutō is really coming along nicely!"

"You're too kind, Lady Yoruichi," Soi-Fon replied, "Still… I'm nowhere near as strong as you are."

Yoruichi shook her head. "Don't sell yourself short. Give it time. You're young, and I know how hard you've been training. You've already unlocked your Shikai, and I can tell that you're getting better at using it. I can't wait to see what your Bankai looks like once you finally achieve it!"

Soi-Fon gulped. "Bankai? I'm a long way from that, Lady Yoruichi!"

Yoruichi smiled. "Hey, I used to think that about myself, but look at me now! Trust me, if you keep up the hard work, that day will come before you know it."

Soi-Fon returned her smile. "I'll do that. Thank you, Lady Yoruichi."

As much as Yoruichi liked to tease her bodyguard, she was being completely serious with her today. Soi-Fon could sometimes be a little too high-strung and strict for her own good, but she was a decent woman at heart and a very competent subordinate. While Yoruichi didn't really think that she needed a bodyguard, she was glad that Soi-Fon was the one assigned to fill that role. It felt like having both a younger sister and a pupil, and Yoruichi was proud of how far Soi-Fon had come in the time that she'd served under her. In a way, she supposed that Soi-Fon was the Lieutenant that she really wanted; Marenoshin Ōmaeda was just a placeholder, a sop to a noble family and the petty politics of the Soul Society's aristocracy.

Her and Kisuke, she mused, I'd be much happier with either of them in the Lieutenant's slot, really. I wonder if I could make them both Co-Lieutenants someday. It'd be an unorthodox move, but it's not entirely unheard of. Ōmaeda won't be around forever, after all; a guy like him will either get himself killed through arrogance or will go on extended leave to take over his household once his parents decide to hand it over to him. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how things play out.

After she finished her tea she stood up and smiled at her subordinate. "That hit the spot. How about you and I take a little stroll over to the Squad Four barracks?"

Soi-Fon nodded. "Very well, Lady Yoruichi."

It was only mid-afternoon, and a very pleasant one at that as Yoruichi and her bodyguard left the Squad Two barracks and made their way through the Seireitei. The sun was high in the sky, a pleasantly cool breeze wafted through the air, and there was always the occasional Soul Reaper that bowed in greeting as the Captain and her subordinate passed.

"There are only two weeks left until the evaluation, right?" asked Soi-Fon, "Do you think Itachi will be ready?"

Yoruichi nodded and grinned. "Oh, yes! From what Minerva's last Hell Butterfly told me, it sounds like Itachi's really coming along well. I think the Head Captain will have a hard time saying no once the evaluation's over."

"When he graduates, will he really join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?" Soi-Fon asked, "His talents in Hakuda and Hohō would make him a prime candidate for recruitment by the Stealth Force, and there's always the chance that the Kidō Corps could take an interest in him as well."

"True," said Yoruichi, "but with the way his skills have been developing, I think it'd be a waste to put him anywhere other than one of the thirteen divisions. The Stealth Force would be the second-best option for him, and since they're still under my authority I suppose I wouldn't object if it came down to that but given that he's already awakened his Zanpakutō that alone makes him a natural candidate for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. We need someone with his abilities and potential operating on the frontlines, especially given how strained we are for manpower there as it is."

Soi-Fon nodded. "You're right. Actually, the Soul Society as a whole could use a boost in fighting strength. I know all of the divisions are fully staffed, but still… it feels like that's just not enough."

"So, you've caught on to that too, eh?" said Yoruichi with a smile, "Keep those powers of observation sharp, Soi-Fon; you'll go far with them, count on that."

The two of them made it to the Squad Four barracks a little while later. Stopping briefly by Unohana's office to say hello, they then went out to the training yard. When they got there, Yoruichi saw Itachi sitting in the middle of the yard, his Zanpakutō laying across his lap. Minerva was standing over him, and she nodded as Yoruichi and Soi-Fon approached.

"Jinzen…" said Soi-Fon softly as she studied Itachi.

"How's he doing?" asked Yoruichi.

Minerva gave her a confident smile. "He's a natural. It's all coming along better than I could ever have hoped for. You really found something special with him, Lady Yoruichi."

Yoruichi was about to reply when she saw a small cut appear on Itachi's left cheek. Minerva then leaned down and put her hand over the wound, and the familiar blue-green energy of Kaidō enveloped her hand.

That's right, thought Yoruichi, Minerva spent some time as part of Squad Four back in her active duty days before transferring to Squad Two. I'm glad she's kept her healing skills sharp.

"Not a deep one," her former teacher said after a moment, "Most of the wounds he gets in this state tend to be pretty shallow. If nothing else, the spirit of his Zanpakutō seems to be capable of some very precise swordplay."

"How long does he usually spend doing this?" asked Soi-Fon.

"Right now, I have him at half an hour each day," said Minerva, "He's been making the most of it; every time he comes back I spar with him, and his skills get just a little bit sharper each time. If Squad Eleven weren't so disdainful of Kidō I think they'd be chomping at the bit to recruit him; his swordsmanship is incredible considering he's still just a student."

Yoruichi shook her head. "I don't think Squad Eleven would be a good fit for him. They're way too rowdy, and they're not exactly a subtle bunch when it comes to combat. Besides, I can't see Itachi forgoing Kidō altogether just to get into a unit; the ability to cast spells is incredibly handy, especially given the wide variety that are available. He doesn't strike me as the type to set aside such a useful weapon for the trivial reasons that Squad Eleven does."

"Speaking of Kidō," said Soi-Fon, "how is he doing with that?"

"Exceptionally well," Minerva replied with a smile, "He's got his incantations down perfectly, and his energy control is far more advanced than anything I've ever seen in a student at this point in their education. His aim's excellent; incredibly precise, even with spells that aren't exactly known for their finesse. With the right spells and a good firing position, he could provide great cover during a battle, especially once he begins learning the more advanced and powerful techniques. He's got a good sense of spatial awareness, too, which is another vital trait for Kidō users."

"How about Hakuda and Hohō?" asked Yoruichi.

Now Minerva was all but beaming with pride. "The only other student I've had that's taken to either of them so intuitively is you, Lady Yoruichi. His technique in Hakuda is brilliant; I can definitely see how he'd dominate his class. Honestly, I don't think any of the Academy instructors could add substantially to his knowledge in that regard. You said he was a relatively recent arrival to the Soul Society, right?"

Yoruichi nodded. "Yes."

"If that's the case, then I'm certain he was already well-versed in hand-to-hand combat when he was alive," said Minerva, "His reflexes are uncanny, he knows exactly what moves to go with depending on the situation, and his footwork is perfect. As for Hohō, that's coming along wonderfully. He's improving both the distance and precision of his Flash Steps, and he's getting better at working them into our sparring matches. The technique still requires considerable focus from him, but I'm confident that eventually it'll come as naturally to him as breathing."

Yoruichi smiled. "Hot damn! I do know how to pick 'em, don't I?"

Minerva nodded. "Indeed."

"How much longer will he be meditating like this?" asked Soi-Fon.

"He's about halfway into his session right now," said Minerva, "Are you two planning on sticking around? I think you'd enjoy witnessing our sparring match once he's finished, Lady Yoruichi."

"I'm sure I would," she replied, "but I'm afraid we can't stick around that long. There are still some things that I need to take care of today. I was really just coming by to say hi and check up on his progress."

"I'll give Itachi your regards," said Minerva, "If you come by a little earlier or later next time, you should be able to catch him outside of Jinzen."

Yoruichi smiled. "I'll try to remember that. Keep up the good work, Minerva. I can't wait to see what he's capable of once all this is done!"

….

One week later…

The cry of steel meeting steel rang out repeatedly as Itachi and Minerva clashed. Their Zanpakutō came together in a rapid-fire series of blows, a deadly display of precision, speed and power unlike any that could be found in the training halls of Shin'ō Academy. Student and teacher went back and forth, swapping between offense and defense at the drop of a hat, neither betraying a hint of weariness despite the fact that this latest match had gone on for at least a half-hour.

Itachi had initially been surprised when, after the first week of the accelerated Zanjutsu curriculum, Minerva had declared that they would no longer be training with wooden practice swords; they would be using only the real thing from that point onward. It had struck him as incredibly reckless, even taking into account the fact that they were in the heart of Squad Four and thus had ready access to the best healers the Soul Society had to offer. However, it hadn't taken Itachi long to recognize the wisdom in such a move; Minerva's swordsmanship was highly sophisticated, and the time he'd spent training with the spirit of his Zanpakutō had given him greater confidence in his abilities. Both fighters were capable of engaging in serious practice fights with real weapons and had the skills required to avoid serious injuries.

She may no longer have been on the active duty roster, but the former Lieutenant was no slouch when it came to Zanjutsu. There was a cold grace to her fighting style, a fluid efficiency that offered a tight defense and a punishing offense. She wasn't a power fighter; she was all about finesse and misdirection.

She would often feint high or low before going at her true target, or go into what felt like a random burst of strikes but were actually a carefully crafted sequence of attacks designed to confuse his defenses and create an opening. She varied the speed and power of her blows, keeping Itachi guessing as to how hard and how swiftly she would hit. She would often allow herself to appear off balance, sometimes with only a single foot touching the ground, but in fact she was in perfect control over her body and could pivot and pirouette with the ease and elegance of a dancer. Zanjutsu was not simply a means for combat with her; it was a veritable art form.

To think that she only rose as high in the ranks as Lieutenant before stepping down, he mused while fending off her attacks, I can only imagine what the Captains are capable of…

He'd caught glimpses, of course; his mind often flashed back to that fateful first encounter, where Yoruichi and Unohana had made short work of the Hollows with their blades. But it was only that; a glimpse at what was undoubtedly a vast pool of talent in the art of the sword. It made him all the more determined to complete his training and not only reclaim his rightful place in the Academy, but to graduate and earn a position within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

More precisely, Squad Two.

The more he learned about the inner workings of the Soul Society and its military, the more he became convinced that Squad Two was the perfect fit for him. With its blend of stealth and combat missions, it was practically begging for a former Shinobi like himself to join up. Although he had lost his ninjutsu and genjutsu abilities upon his death, he still retained the covert operations skills and the combat expertise that were absolutely crucial in such a role. While the Stealth Force struck Itachi as similar to the Anbu Black Ops organization that he had once been a part of, they were still considered a separate organization from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads even though they operated under the command of the Squad Two Captain, and thus he actually didn't think that they would be as good of a fit for him given the way his skills were developing. Since Squad Two as a whole could fight openly and in the shadows Itachi believed that that was the better option for him.

The fact that Yoruichi was the head of both Squad Two and the Stealth Forces was a considerable factor for Itachi as well. She had the capacity to serve both overtly and covertly, and Itachi wanted the same thing. It wasn't just because she'd saved his life, although he'd be lying if he said that wasn't an influence. It was because she had invested time and effort into helping him when she really didn't have to, and if her accepting his challenge in the Hakuda class before he had suffered the soul fracture was any indication, she had clearly taken a liking to him. Itachi found it hard not to return the sentiment.

She was swift and powerful, with combat abilities that rivaled or exceeded those of the strongest Shinobi Itachi had ever encountered. She was intelligent and insightful, and her wits had already been used a few times to Itachi's benefit. While she might have a teasing and playful nature, he could tell that she was a good woman who genuinely cared about the people around her and wanted to do her part to help others.

There was also no denying that she was incredibly beautiful.

Unfortunately, the thought of the lovely Captain was enough to distract Itachi for just a fraction of a second, and that was all Minerva needed. Her Zanpakutō slipped through a small gap he'd left in his defenses, and it gave him a scratch on his left arm.

His teacher smiled as she pulled back her blade. "Not bad, but your attention wavered just a bit at the end there. Something on your mind?"

"Nothing important," Itachi replied, perhaps a bit too curtly for his own good.

The knowing look in Minerva's eyes was enough to tell him that she didn't buy it, but she didn't press the issue. "I see. Good thing this was just a training match, then. Hold out your arm."

He sheathed his sword and did so. After Minerva had put her own weapon away she reached out and laid her right hand over his wound. The familiar blue-green energies of Kaidō enveloped both her hand and the cut, and Itachi could feel the soothing healing power flow into him.

"You truly are a gifted swordsman," she said, "I've never seen a student handle a blade as intuitively as you do. I know your Zanjutsu courses at the Academy always emphasize treating your Zanpakutō as an extension of yourself, but you take to it far quicker than most pupils that I've seen."

"I suppose it helps that I have more than one teacher when it comes to the art of the sword," said Itachi.

Minerva nodded. "True, and from the wounds I've seen you take it would seem that the spirit of your Zanpakutō is a much tougher taskmaster than I am. Once you graduate from the Academy, you should consider taking part in the Blade Dancer Festival. I think you'd do quite well there."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Blade Dancer Festival?"

"It's an annual event that celebrates the art of Zanjutsu," Minerva explained, "The Blade Dancer Festival takes place on the night of the first summer full moon. Soul Reapers from every division take part in a series of sparring matches with their Zanpakutō. The participants are usually matched according to rank and proven ability, and all are forbidden to utilize Shikai, Bankai, Hakuda, Hohō or Kidō. The matches go until one fighter is able to either disarm his opponent, force them to yield, or land a Mark of Contact. A Mark of Contact is a very shallow and superficial cut, much like the one I just gave you."

"It sounds dangerous, even with the rules you just laid out," said Itachi.

Minerva shook her head. "It's highly supervised, and all the participants are fully trained Soul Reapers. Squad Four always has a strong presence there as well in order to attend to any wounds that may be incurred. Also, while any Soul Reaper is invited to participate, the Blade Dancer Festival is typically seen as an occasion for the more finessed Zanjutsu practitioners to showcase their skills. Sometimes you get fighters that put more emphasis on raw power than technique, but they typically don't do very well. The subsequent loss of face usually discourages them from openly fighting in the following year's matches."

"Did you participate back when you were on active duty?" he asked.

Minerva smiled as she finished healing his arm. "Every year. I still head down to watch, although my current status means I'm forbidden to fight since traditionally only active duty Soul Reapers can take part. To tell you the truth, I actually miss being able to partake directly. It's not just an occasion to test your skills, after all. They call it the Blade Dancer Festival for a reason; the duels that take place there can be more beautiful than the steps and twirls of a traditional ball. Some Soul Reapers even treat it as a form of courtship."

Itachi was a little taken aback at that. "Courtship? In a festival devoted to sword fighting?"

Minerva chuckled. "Don't knock it until you've tried it, Itachi. When the right set of partners face off under the full moon… well, let's just say that sparks fly from more than just their blades."

For a brief moment, an image of him and Yoruichi clashing in such a dance of swords flashed through his mind. Itachi was confused; where were thoughts like this coming from?

"You said that the duelists are typically matched by rank and ability, right?" he asked, "Can participants seek out their own partners?"

Minerva smiled. "Yes, as long as it can be reasonably assumed that the initiator is not just trying to score a cheap win over someone he or she knows that they can beat. Why? Got someone in mind you'd like to dance with once you're eligible, Itachi?"

"I was just curious," he replied, all too aware of a slight rush of heat coming to his face.

Minerva gave him a knowing smirk. "Sure, you were. All right, then; let's get back to it. Sword up, and keep your mind on the fight this time!"

Itachi nodded as he brought his Zanpakutō into a guard position. A moment later Minerva lunged forward, and a new dance of blades was on.

….

Three days later…

With both hands held out before him, Itachi began the incantation. "Oh Lord of Summer, leave all in awe of your splendor! Engulf in the magnificence of the divine! Hadō 6: Nikkō Bāsuto!"

A sphere of brilliant white light shot forth. Flying out into the middle of the training yard, it then detonated, releasing waves of blinding light. Itachi had already shielded his eyes, and it was most fortunate that he had; he would've risked serious retina damage looking at the Kidō flare directly.

Once the light faded he turned towards his instructor, who was smiling as she applauded his handiwork. "Well done! That was a much bigger burst than last time!"

Itachi nodded. "Thank you."

That's a most useful spell, he mused, Temporarily blinding enemies is the most obvious application, but it can also be utilized as a signal flare if aimed towards the sky. It'll be even more effective once I'm able to cast it without the incantation and maintain most of the glare it produces.

He had four days to go until his examination with the Head Captain, and Minerva was ramping up the pace as a result. His drills had become much more intense, and his teacher was setting the bar for success higher with each passing day. Itachi wasn't complaining, though. Far from it; the challenge excited him, especially since he was learning so much in such a short amount of time. He felt like he had made more progress in the past few weeks than he had in the months he'd spent at the Academy prior to the soul fracture, and he was very much looking forward to the upcoming evaluation.

He heard a second set of hands join in the applause, and as he glanced to the side he saw none other than Jiraiya approaching. The Legendary Sannin smiled as he came forward, although Itachi could not help but notice his classmate's eyes lingering on the ample curves of his instructor.

This could be a problem, he mused, I can't say for sure how Minerva will react if Jiraiya… well, if he acts like himself.

"Wow!" said the sage, "That's better than anyone in our class has been able to manage. Looks like you're really coming along, Itachi!"

Itachi nodded in greeting. "Jiraiya. What are you doing here?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "I got leave to visit you this afternoon. I mean, we are pals, right?"

Minerva folded her arms and smirked. "So, you're Jiraiya, huh? Interesting…"

Jiraiya grinned as he held out his hand. "You have me at a disadvantage, miss…"

"Rawlins," she replied, "Minerva Rawlins, retainer to the Shihōin Clan and former Lieutenant of Squad Two. Lady Yoruichi's requested that I oversee Itachi's training and cram studies to get him caught up with the rest of the students in the advanced track. I was wondering when our paths might cross."

"Really?" said Jiraiya, "Why's that?"

"Lady Yoruichi mentioned that she had met you along with Itachi the same night, and that you had both aced the entrance exams," said Minerva, "She was impressed by the potential you showed, although she was also amused at your, shall we say, ill-advised attempts to ingratiate yourself with Captain Unohana. Really, I'm amazed you still have hands after that."

Jiraiya laughed. "Well, what can I say? I've got a certain charm that takes its time to work its magic!"

Minerva chuckled. "Is that so? Well, if you're here to try to ply those charms on me, I shall only say this; my blade's as sharp now as it was when I was on active duty, and I've maintained the skills needed to make the most of that edge."

Jiraiya whistled, and although he raised his hands as if to surrender, Itachi could not help but note the amused look in his eyes. "All right, all right! There's no need for the steel to come out from behind the silk, Miss Rawlins! While I'm always up for a pleasant conversation with a woman as lovely as yourself, I really just came here to check up on Itachi."

Minerva nodded. "Very well, then. Itachi, we can take a break for a few minutes. I'll be back shortly, and we'll be picking up right where we left off. I expect you to be ready."

"Of course, Miss Rawlins," he replied, giving her a curt bow.

His instructor gave an evaluating look to Jiraiya before heading inside. The Legendary Sannin's gaze lingered on her backside as she left, and Itachi rolled his eyes; some things truly never changed.

"One-on-one instruction with a beauty like that?" he said with a chuckle, "You really do get all the luck, you know that?"

"So you keep saying," Itachi deadpanned, "How's class going?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "Not bad. It's kind of weird being at the top of the rankings; I'm used to someone else taking the spotlight. My class clown act's just not as fun when the teachers don't have a serious and talented star student to compare me to."

"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Itachi, "Don't worry; you'll have me back in the mix soon enough."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "You sure about that? I know that the Head Captain himself is the one who'll decide whether you rejoin us or start over. He doesn't strike me as the type to go easy on someone, no matter what their circumstances or abilities are."

"Believe me, I'm well aware of that," Itachi replied, "I'm not expecting this to be easy, but I've had a good teacher to help me prepare. More than one, actually."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "You mean the spirit of your Zanpakutō, right? You find out her name yet?"

Itachi shook his head. "It would seem that I'm not ready for that in her eyes. That's natural, I suppose; she did awaken prematurely, after all."

Jiraiya smiled. "Still, the fact that she's awake in the first place is something. When it comes to your Zanpakutō, you're further along that anyone in class. People are going to be jealous of you once you return, so you'd better watch your back!"

"Duly noted," said Itachi.

Jiraiya's smile became a smirk. "So, has the lovely Squad Two Captain been by to see you at all?"

"She has," said Itachi, his eyes narrowing, "What's it to you?"

Jiraiya sighed. "You really need to loosen up a bit. Don't tell me you weren't happy to see her!"

"I was," Itachi replied casually, "I fail to see how that's any of your business, though."

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Fine, forget I asked. So, is Captain Unohana around?"

"This is her division's barracks, so that's a yes," said Itachi, "If you're looking for another dislocated shoulder, she should be in her office."

Jiraiya laughed. "Is she now? I might just have to stop by!"

"Feel free to do so," Itachi deadpanned, "Just don't say I didn't warn you about the shoulder if you press your luck."

Jiraiya chuckled. "I'll try to remember that."

The two of them were quiet for a moment before Jiraiya spoke again, and this time the Legendary Sannin looked quite serious. "I've been doing some thinking lately. You and I have a pretty good idea as to how the whole process of souls crossing over here works now, and not just because we experienced it firsthand. Everything that our instructors have taught us got me to wondering about ninja you and I might've known that have already passed on… and those who haven't yet."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "I'm listening."

"The Akatsuki, Orochimaru, Danzō… the ninja world has some pretty nasty customers," Jiraiya continued, "Supposedly the worst of the worst go to Hell, but there's always the chance that some could end up here. Even if their ability to use ninjutsu is gone in the afterlife, spiritual power would allow them to do a lot of damage should they properly harness it."

Itachi nodded. "That's true. I know that the Akatsuki in particular had already taken several casualties prior to my passing, and our former world has plenty of other unsavory characters that have passed beyond the veil. Hollows are far from the only threat to the Soul Society when the likes of them are at large."

"Exactly," Jiraiya replied, "Of course, who's to say that some of them haven't already become Hollows?"

"That's hardly a comforting notion," Itachi quipped.

Jiraiya nodded. "Believe me, I know. My point is that we really need to keep our eyes and ears open for signs that any of our old enemies might be active in the Soul Society. Ninjutsu made them dangerous enough in life. In death, they may lose the powers that they were accustomed to, but they could gain an entirely different set of abilities… and potentially become even deadlier than they were in life. The likes of ex-Akatsuki getting Hollow powers is bad enough, but can you imagine the kind of carnage they'd be capable of if they somehow acquired Soul Reaper abilities?"

"Kidō and Zanpakutō…" Itachi murmured, images of potential death and devastation flashing through his mind, "Shikai and Bankai… they'd be on a whole different level of strength with such power at their disposal."

"My point exactly," said Jiraiya grimly, "We need to build up our own abilities as quickly as we can, and not just to graduate from the Academy and take our places in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. If any of our old enemies come to the Soul Society and still have the same ideals and beliefs that led them down such dark paths in life, then I'm sure they'd be more than willing to enact them here if they managed to gain the power to do so."

Itachi nodded. He had already been determined to learn all he could and improve his skills, but now there was a whole new level of urgency to his efforts. There were plenty of people that he'd dealt with in life that could prove to be a threat to the Soul Society if given the right tools for the job… and even more who had come and gone long before Itachi had been born.

'Rest in peace' is a common blessing passed from the living to the dead, he mused darkly, but the more I learn about this afterlife, the more it seems to be anything but peaceful…

….

Three days later…

"All right, now," said Minerva from the sidelines, "You know what to do. Three…two… one… go!"

Itachi's eyes narrowed. The world suddenly flew by in a whirlwind, and the next second later he was completely across the training yard. Looking down at the ground, he allowed himself a small and satisfied smirk when he saw the black mat beneath him.

Right on target.

"Excellent!" cheered Minerva as she clapped, "You've really got this down! The only student I've ever seen perform Shunpo better than you at this stage is Lady Yoruichi. She'd be proud to see how far you've come with your technique."

Itachi bowed. "You flatter me, Miss Minerva."

His teacher shook her head. "Hardly. Just ask Lady Yoruichi the next time you see her; flattery's not my style. You truly are a talented young man. I must say, I'm almost reluctant to let you return to the Academy; I'd love to see how much further you could go under my individual instruction rather than have you go back to the classroom."

"I think you're putting the cart before the horse," Itachi replied, "I still have to pass the Head Captain's test tomorrow."

Minerva smiled. "Trust me, you'll be fine. Just give the test as much focus and determination as you have your training under me, and I'm confident that you'll succeed."

Itachi nodded. "Thanks. Do you know how the Head Captain will structure the test?"

"I have only the vaguest outline, I'm afraid," she replied, "There will be a written portion and a physical evaluation. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine."

"I see," said Itachi.

Minerva came over and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it. You'll only stress yourself out if you worry about what's beyond your control. There won't be anything on the Head Captain's test that you haven't gone over with me already. The Head Captain's firm, but he can be fair as well. In fact, with everything that I've seen, I wouldn't be surprised if the Head Captain tries to recruit you into his division once the test is done!"

Itachi shook his head. "I'm sure that would be an honor, but from what I've learned since my education here began I don't think that Squad One would be a very good fit for me. Rules and regulation have their place, but the Head Captain's division seems too rigid when compared to some of the other units."

"Well, that's to be expected," Minerva replied, "The Head Captain is the most powerful and renowned Soul Reaper in existence. Naturally, the members of his division are expected to maintain the utmost degree of professionalism and honor in their conduct. The bar's set higher there than any other unit of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

"Honor and professionalism are all well and good," Itachi argued, "but based on everything you've taught me, Squad One appears to be a bit too focused on doing things by-the-book. They also don't get as much time out in the field when compared to other units. In fact, the division seems more like an administrative entity than anything else."

"It's true that Squad One is more involved with the day-to-day running of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as a whole than other units," Minerva admitted, "Given the size of the Soul Society's military, a certain level of bureaucracy is inevitable. All divisions have their own internal paperwork to attend to, but Squad One is the unit that they ultimately file it with, and thus it's charged with coordinating and overseeing all the others. Squad One answers only to Yamamoto and the Central Forty-Six, and if you think the Head Captain's division is stiff, trust me; the Central Forty-Six are orders of magnitude worse."

Itachi nodded. "Duly noted."

"All that considered, don't brush Squad One off as just a bunch of paper-pushers," Minerva cautioned, "They may not get as much field time as the other units, but they make up for that with a strict training regimen. Besides, they've still got both the Head Captain and his Lieutenant leading them, and the two of them are incredibly powerful. The Head Captain himself has seen more battles than any other Soul Reaper in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and old age hasn't slowed him down a bit."

"So I've heard," said Itachi.

Minerva smiled. "You know, it's not often that he's willing to personally evaluate an individual student. Lady Yoruichi may be your lead advocate, but the Head Captain wouldn't have gone along with this if he didn't see true potential in you."

"It'd be hard for him to see much of anything, considering we haven't met yet," Itachi deadpanned, "The closest we came to that was his address to the student body at the start of the schoolyear."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "And you don't think that the marks you received in class prior to the soul fracture would've caught his eye? Or perhaps you don't believe that Lady Yoruichi and Captain Unohana witnessing you and Jiraiya taking down a Hollow unarmed and with no Soul Reaper training is something that might earn the Head Captain's attention?"

"The Thirteen Court Guard Squads weren't always here," said Itachi, "I've certainly learned that much from my time at the Academy. The same goes for Zanpakutō and even the Soul Reapers themselves, yet the fact that souls were able to survive the depredations of Hollows before then would seem to indicate that people were still able to fight and defeat them."

Minerva nodded. "You are not wrong, but those times were far more brutal than the present day. Yes, people were still able to defeat Hollows, but those victories often came at great cost. The rise of the Soul Reapers and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads should be enough to tell you that a greater form of protection was needed."

"I do not dispute that," Itachi replied, "but if the Head Captain truly is as old as everyone believes, then I imagine he has met others in the past who were able to defeat Hollows without Soul Reaper powers at their disposal. What Jiraiya and I accomplished may be rare these days, but I doubt it's unheard of. There's also the fact that the two of us were barely able to defeat one Hollow, and three more showed up immediately after that one was killed. Were it not for the intervention of Captains Yoruichi and Unohana, Jiraiya and I would not have survived."

"Quite true," said Minerva, "but thanks to them, the two of you did survive, and you are here now. Lady Yoruichi believes that there is a great deal that the two of you can offer the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and I am inclined to believe her. It should not surprise you that others feel that way as well."

"You say the two of us, but I seem to be the one getting the special treatment," Itachi noted, "I don't see any special tutors for Jiraiya, yet he and I were at the top of our class together before the soul fracture."

"It is precisely because you suffered the soul fracture that my services became necessary, remember?" Minerva countered, "Were the situation reversed, who's to say that Jiraiya would not receive the same treatment from Lady Yoruichi? You may be the one that's truly caught her eye, but make no mistake; she has high hopes for both of you."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "If she would help either of us, then why do you say that I'm the one that she's really focused on?"

Minerva smiled as she looked past him. "Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Itachi turned around to see none other than Yoruichi and Soi-Fon standing at the edge of the training yard. "How long have the two of you been here?"

Yoruichi smiled as she stepped forward, her bodyguard trailing behind her. "Long enough. How's it going, Minerva?"

Minerva gave her a polite bow. "Very well, Lady Yoruichi. It's good to see you as well, Soi-Fon."

Soi-Fon gave her a curt nod. "Minerva."

The Captain of Squad Two then turned to Itachi. "So, you want to know why I've taken a particular shine to you?"

"It would be nice to get some clarity on that," Itachi admitted, "Don't get me wrong; I am grateful for all that you've done for me. It's just… well…"

"Why you, out of all the other students I could've chosen to give patronage to?" Yoruichi finished for him with a knowing smirk, "I've got an eye for talent, Itachi. Sure, Jiraiya landed the killing blow on that Hollow the night we met, but I was honestly more impressed with you. The way you moved and fought, coordinating with your ally while playing to your strengths… you may not have been trained in the art of fighting Hollows, but you handled yourself impeccably all the same. I could tell that you were something special, and you've only proven me right since then. In fact, I don't really think it's possible to put it into words, so why don't I help you demonstrate through action just what I'm getting at here?"

"What do you have in mind?" he asked.

Yoruichi grinned as she shed her haori, revealing her black sleeveless and backless outfit while her right hand slipped down to her Zanpakutō. "Fight me. Right here, right now. I won't use Shikai, Bankai, Kidō, or anything else. Just Zanjutsu."

"Lady Yoruichi, you shouldn't!" Soi-Fon protested, "You're too reckless!"

"As much as I'd like to watch the two of you spar, Lady Yoruichi," said Minerva, "I believe that would be unfair to Itachi. Even without Shikai or Bankai, we all know that you'd easily win."

"It's not about winning or losing," Yoruichi replied, her gaze locked on Itachi, "Just like it wasn't about winning or losing the day you challenged me in your Hakuda class, Itachi. It's about discovering just how far your skills have come. What do you say? Care to dance?"

Itachi could not help but give a small smile; there was something about the playful energy in her eyes that he just couldn't say no to. "All right."

The two of them stepped out into the middle of the training yard. As they drew their Zanpakutō, Itachi saw Minerva and Soi-Fon move off to the side. He turned his gaze back to Yoruichi, who held her short sword in a reverse grip.

She gave him a devious smirk. "Ready whenever you are, Itachi."

Itachi turned to Minerva, who stepped forward and raised her arm. She looked back and forth between Itachi and Yoruichi for a moment before commencing her countdown.

"Three…two…one…go!" she barked.

Yoruichi surged forward like a bolt of lightning. It wasn't a Flash Step, but it was still incredibly fast, and Itachi was barely able to bring his sword up in time to block her opening strike. While successful in preventing her from scoring a winning hit right off the back, he didn't have time to congratulate himself; Yoruichi's first attack was just the initial move in a sequence of strikes, a rapid-fire blitz designed to overwhelm his defenses. His sword weaved through the air like a thing possessed as Itachi defended himself from her punishing assault.

My sword's longer than hers, so I have the edge in reach, he thought as he backpedaled and deflected her blows, but a smaller sword can be used with greater speed and precision, and offers more flexibility as well. She's got all of the above and more…

It quickly became apparent that Yoruichi's particular style of Zanjutsu was much more acrobatic in nature than that of his fellow students. She leapt, flipped, rolled, and more, refusing to attack along a single axis. Her agility and flexibility were on full display here, and Itachi could only marvel at her balance and control. For all her hops and spins, there wasn't a single moment where she let her momentum get the better of her. She was in complete command of her body and blade, and it was all Itachi could do to keep her from overwhelming him with her speed and mobility.

Leaping into the air, she did a somersault over his head and came down behind him, lashing out with her sword before her feet even hit the ground. Itachi parried the strike, but before he could counter she struck again, and he was barely able to deflect the attack. She might not have been going all out, but even while holding back she very much remained a force to be reckoned with.

And Itachi loved it.

On the surface he appeared as calm as ever, but inside he could not deny how much he was enjoying the chance to spar with her again. Their fight in his Hakuda class had never been far from his mind during his training bouts with Minerva, but getting to cross swords with her was something new entirely, a breathtaking experience that Itachi wanted to savor. Her moves were so unlike those of anyone that he had sparred with before, with a catlike grace that emphasized her efficiency and precision. His advantage in reach meant nothing in the face of her experience and skill; she was in complete control of the match, and they both knew it.

Regardless of the gap in skill and the knowledge that he didn't have a chance at victory, Itachi's eyes still searched for the slightest of openings even as his sparring partner continued her relentless assault. No fighting style was perfect; every technique had a flaw, a gap in its defenses, big or small, and Itachi was determined to find it here. He could not go this entire fight without at least once seizing the initiative for himself, and if nothing else he wanted to make sure that his opponent got to enjoy herself as much as he was.

After a few more seconds of blocks and deflections, Itachi finally found what he was looking for. Rather than directly parry Yoruichi's next strike, he ducked instead, allowing her blade to slice through the air just above his shoulder. He then brought his Zanpakutō up and thrust forward, forcing her to pull her weapon back to redirect his attack. Itachi didn't let that stop him; he pivoted and whirled, adding centrifugal force to his follow-up strike. Yoruichi once again blocked the attack, but Itachi was able to press the assault; at last, he was on the offensive.

He struck hard and fast, launching a swift sequence of slashes and cuts. Yoruichi deflected every one of them, and the way she hopped back and forth from one foot to the other made it almost feel like she was dancing as she fended off his attacks. She was grinning as he continued to push forward, eagerly evaluating him, studying his moves and trying to figure out just what else he had up his sleeve.

She laughed as she parried blow after blow. "Now this is more like it! Come on, Itachi! Show me what you've got!"

Itachi happily obliged her. He pushed forward, determined to make her sweat this round. Up and down, left and right; his Zanpakutō was all over the place. Variety was the spice of life, as the old saying went, and that was especially true for a swordfight. Unpredictability would be the only way for Itachi to keep his foe on her toes, but that was definitely a case of easier said than done. After all, even with his considerable skills and prior combat experience, it would be all too easy for him to unconsciously fall into a pattern that Yoruichi could eventually recognize and exploit. Feigning randomness and mixing things up was much harder than most people believed. One couldn't just swing their sword about wildly like a drunken lunatic; even in such a mad frenzy, eventually a pattern would emerge whether the wielder wanted it to or not. As counterintuitive as it sounded, randomness had to be calculated.

So Itachi did precisely that, or at least attempted to. A burst of thrusts here, a flurry of slashes there; whatever he could think of that would keep her guessing. Alas, despite his best efforts, not once did she betray even the slightest hint of being caught off guard by his moves. Hers was the confidence of a lioness that had its prey dead to rights; she was only waiting for the right moment to pounce.

That moment came when Itachi overextended himself on a thrust, and Yoruichi instantly seized it. With a deft flick of her wrist, she redirected his strike, and a split-second later her blade was at his throat.

She smiled as she held her Zanpakutō just a centimeter over his skin. "Even better than I'd hoped for. Minerva's worked wonders with you, Itachi."

"I'm afraid I can't take all the credit here, Lady Yoruichi," the instructor chimed in, "After all, he has been practicing with the spirit of his Zanpakutō as well."

Yoruichi nodded as she withdrew her blade and sheathed it. "Of course. How's that been going, Itachi? Making any progress with your Zanpakutō?"

"Not with regards to her name," Itachi replied as he put his sword away, "but our sparring matches are as intense as ever."

Yoruichi gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Give it time. You'll be able to hear her name soon enough. Hell, I'm impressed with how far you've come in just the last month. I hope you can see now why I've invested so much time and effort into you; it's not every day that a Captain takes the time to spar with an Academy student, you know."

Itachi bowed. "I appreciate everything that you've done for me. I promise I won't let your efforts on my behalf go to waste."

Yoruichi smiled again. "I know you won't. You're ready for tomorrow, Itachi. I can't wait to see the look on the Head Captain's face when you ace his test!"

"Forgive me, Lady Yoruichi," said Soi-Fon, "but I don't think that a test administered by the Head Captain himself is something to be taken so lightly. Itachi, please remain vigilant."

Itachi nodded. "I will."

Yoruichi sighed. "It's too bad you're not part of the squad yet, otherwise I'd take you out drinking after a match like that. I'd probably drag Kisuke and Soi-Fon along for the ride too, now that I think about it. I bet you'd be pretty fun to hang out a bar with, Itachi."

"I don't know about that," Itachi replied, "I didn't drink all that much when I was alive, and that hasn't changed since coming to the Soul Society."

Yoruichi grinned. "Trust me; we'll fix that as soon as you graduate!"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "No offense, Lady Yoruichi, but sometimes you sound like Captain Kyōraku. I don't think that his is an example that your parents ever wanted you to follow."

Yoruichi laughed. "Oh, lighten up, Minerva! You know that I don't drink nearly as much as he does!"

"Perhaps," Minerva replied with a smile, "but I do worry sometimes. You are the Shihōin Clan's princess, after all; you have a position beyond your rank as Captain to consider, you know."

"You don't need to remind me," said Yoruichi, "I get enough letters from my parents regarding that as it is. Don't worry; I've never taken the partying too far."

"I don't think the partying's really what your parents are concerned about," said Minerva, "but I suppose you would know that better than I."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Is there something that I'm missing here?"

Yoruichi shook her head. "It's nothing; just stupid noble family politics. Don't worry about it, Itachi."

Itachi was curious, but he knew when to back off. "Very well, then."

The Squad Two Captain turned back to Minerva. "Well, do you have anything else in store for him today?"

Minerva shook her head. "I've covered everything that I can possibly think of. He's as ready as he can be for tomorrow."

Yoruichi smiled as she turned to Itachi. "Glad we're on the same page, then. Well, nothing left for you to do but rest up until tomorrow, Itachi. Make sure you get a full night's sleep, all right? If I know the Head Captain, you're gonna need it."

Itachi nodded. "Will do."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," she said with a wink, "Sweet dreams, Itachi!"

….

The next day…

It had been quite some time since Itachi had last seen the Head Captain, and this was the first time that the master of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads had spoken to him directly. If the venerable Soul Reaper had been imposing before when addressing the students of Shin'ō Academy on the first day of the school year, then the weight of his bearing was all the heavier now that it was focused on Itachi alone. The scarred and powerful old man studied him for a good long moment, and Itachi didn't dare make the first move.

Not even the Third Hokage held the same level of gravitas that the Head Captain commands, he thought, I know he's not actively exerting his spiritual pressure, but even so… it's almost crushing with his focus on me like this.

It wasn't just the Head Captain that had come to see Itachi in the Squad Four barracks today. Off to the side were Captains Yoruichi and Unohana, along with Minerva and Soi-Fon. In addition to them was another man that Itachi had not met before; a tall and lightly-tanned Soul Reaper with short silver-gray hair, a small black handlebar mustache, and sharp brown eyes. Over the standard shihakushō he wore a white jinbaori with long white arm-guards. There was also a white turtle-neck under his uniform, and a Lieutenant's armband was on his left arm.

"It is nice to meet you, Itachi Uchiha," said the Head Captain, causing the former Shinobi to stiffen his posture ever so slightly, "Rare indeed is a student that one of my Captains will speak so highly of, yet it seems that you have impressed both Captain Shihōin and Captain Unohana."

Itachi bowed. "I'm honored by their praise. My only desire is to demonstrate that I am worthy of the faith they have shown in me."

"You will be given a chance to do precisely that today," said the Head Captain before nodding at the white-haired Lieutenant.

The man stepped forward and passed a stack of papers to Itachi. "I am Chōjirō Sasakibe, the Lieutenant of Squad One. I assisted the Head Captain in working up the evaluation that you shall take today."

Itachi nodded. "I see."

"You will start with the academic test you now hold in your hand," said the Head Captain as he gestured at the sole table in the middle of the room, "Two hours will be granted for you to complete it. Once it is complete, I will personally review your answers. After that, we shall move on to the physical portion of this examination. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Head Captain," he replied.

"Then take a seat, Itachi Uchiha," said the Head Captain, his eyes narrowing, "Your test will begin on my mark."

Itachi went over to the table and sat down. A pen was already there waiting for him. Itachi took a moment to look over the first page before turning to his audience. Did all of them really intend to just stand there and watch as he took a written test for the next two hours? If they did, he couldn't stop them, although he imagined that they'd be awfully bored waiting for him to finish.

After a moment, the Head Captain spoke again. "Your test begins… now!"

There was nothing left to do now but go for it.

….

"Looks like he's coming along well," Minerva whispered into Yoruichi's ear, "I think he'll be done soon."

Squad Two's Captain nodded. It had been about an hour and a half since Itachi had started the test. No one had left the room, and to his credit Itachi had acted as though the rest of them weren't even there. His attention was solely on his exam, giving each question careful consideration before writing his answer.

I wish I knew what exactly was on it, she thought, Head Captain Yamamoto wouldn't share the material with any of us, though. I guess that's to be expected, though; with the favor I've shown to Itachi, he might've been worried about me trying to give him an edge in the test.

That wasn't something that Yoruichi would've done, though; she had faith in Itachi and wanted him to succeed on his own merits. If she had shown him favor it was only because she had seen the incredible potential within him, and she wanted to do all she could to help him develop his abilities as a Soul Reaper. She considered it her duty as a Captain to make sure that the Soul Society would benefit from Itachi's gifts once they matured… although privately, she might admit that her personal feelings played a role here too.

There was something about the young man that sparked curiosity within her. For a new arrival in the Soul Society, he had already shown a remarkable affinity for the fighting arts, and that raised a good deal of questions. What had he been in his former life? Who had he fought, and how had he fought them? How had a man as bright and talented as he appeared to be met his end at such a young age?

In the Soul Society, inquiring about the past lives of arrivals was considered something close to a social taboo. At the very least, it wasn't to be done casually; only those who had deep connections with each other could even consider to ask such questions. When someone passed on from the Realms of the Living to the Soul Society, who they had been in the past was no longer supposed to matter. Here, they had been given a new life, one that, in theory at least, they could live without being burdened by the past.

However, Yoruichi suspected that Itachi was burdened by his past. Perhaps it was just because he was still a new arrival, but Yoruichi believed that there was more to it. She had not forgotten what Unohana had told her when Itachi had healed from the soul fracture, and she could only guess at what might make a stoic young man such as himself shed tears. Although he had shown himself to be both a model student and a brave individual, Yoruichi had not failed to notice how there seemed to be a shadow in his gaze. He was a calm young man, but she'd caught hints of what appeared to be a deeper emotional scarring when she'd looked into his eyes. She didn't know what he had seen and done when he had been alive, but he was clearly haunted by it.

I know it's not my place to pry, she thought as she watched him enter the home stretch of the written test, but still… that doesn't mean I'm not tempted. I was born in the Soul Society; I didn't come here through death like Itachi did. My knowledge of the Realms of the Living stretches only as far as the missions I've been on outside the Soul Society, so I can only imagine what Itachi's time there was like. However, I think it's pretty safe to say that his life wasn't like that of your average person. Someone who lived a normal and healthy life isn't the type of person who has the skill and temperament required to challenge a Hollow unarmed after just arriving in the Soul Society. Something happened to him… and whatever it was, I've got a feeling that it wasn't pretty.

For now, there was little for her to do but rein in her curiosity. If all went well, not only would Itachi pass today's test, but eventually he would graduate from the Academy and take his place amongst the active duty Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, preferably in her division. Eventually, she hoped that their professional relationship and personal friendship would develop to the point that she'd be able to broach such a sensitive topic with him. If nothing else, he really did strike her as a decent young man, and she definitely wouldn't mind the chance to get to know him better.

Another ten minutes or so passed before Itachi put his pen down and gathered up the test papers. He then stood up and presented them to the Head Captain.

"I believe that's all of them," the young man said, "What next?"

"I shall grade them personally," the Head Captain replied, "with some assistance from Lieutenant Sasakibe. You will wait out in the hall with the others. Once we are finished here, you shall move on to the physical portion of this evaluation."

Itachi nodded. "Understood, Head Captain."

Yoruichi smiled as Itachi came over towards her. "You finished before the whole two hours was up. I think you nailed it!"

"I hope so," said Itachi as they left the room, "The questions weren't easy."

"That's to be expected," said Minerva as the door shut behind them, "The Head Captain himself came up with the test, after all. Still, you should've been familiar with all the material presented."

"I was," said Itachi, "thanks to you, Miss Minerva."

Minerva smiled. "Don't look so worried; I'm sure you did just fine."

Yoruichi grinned as she gave Itachi a pat on the back. "She's right, Itachi. You got this!"

Soi-Fon nodded. "I believe that you will succeed, Itachi."

"I must admit," Unohana chimed in, "you completed the Head Captain's written examination faster than I thought you would. I believe that bodes well, although you should not rest on your laurels until you've completed the physical evaluation too."

Itachi nodded. "Of course."

They spent the better part of the next hour standing in the hallway making the occasional bit of small-talk as they waited for the Head Captain and his Lieutenant to finish reviewing Itachi's written test. While Yoruichi could be a patient woman when the situation called for it, she was actually rather eager for them all to move on to the physical portion of the examination.

I can't wait for the Head Captain to see just how far Itachi's come, she thought, the excitement building within her, Hell, it'll be fun to see the look on Sasakibe's face too when he sees just what Itachi's capable of!

When the Head Captain and his Lieutenant finally emerged from the room, Yoruichi saw Yamamoto give Itachi a long, hard stare. She couldn't tell what the old man was thinking, but that was par for the course. Eventually the Head Captain nodded at the young man, and Yoruichi thought she caught the barest hint of a smile beneath that ridiculously thick mustache of his.

"Well done, Itachi," he said, "I'm pleased to inform you that you passed your written examination with flying colors."

Itachi nodded, and Yoruichi saw some of the tension leave him. "Thank you, Head Captain."

Unohana smiled. "Congratulations, Itachi."

Minerva folded her arms, a satisfied smirk on her face. "I expected nothing less."

Yoruichi gave Itachi a playful punch on the shoulder. "See, what did I tell you? You had nothing to worry about!"

Even Soi-Fon was smiling. "Well done."

Lieutenant Sasakibe cleared his throat. "While the academic test is now complete, we must still conduct the physical examination."

Yamamoto nodded. "Indeed. Let us proceed to the training yard so that we may begin the tests for Kidō, Hohō, Hakuda, and Zanjutsu."

Yoruichi and the others followed the Head Captain outside. She saw that a series of targets had already been set up; it appeared that they would be starting with Kidō.

The Head Captain pointed the gnarled staff that contained his Zanpakutō at a mat that had been set out in the training yard. "Itachi, we shall begin the physical examination by testing your skills in Kidō. First semester students in the advanced track are expected to have a basic understanding of Hadō 1 through 20, so you will perform all of those spells. You will be given a brief rest period at intervals of every five spells so that you may maintain your spirit energy. Is that understood?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes, Head Captain."

"Very well, then," said the Head Captain, "You may begin when you are ready."

All right, then, thought Yoruichi as she saw Itachi step onto the mat, I guess it's time for Round Two.

You can do it, Itachi!

….

Looks like he's doing just fine, Minerva thought as she watched the home stretch of the Kidō test with a satisfied smile, I wonder what's going through the old man's head right about now…

She looked on as Itachi held his right hand up high and began the latest incantation. "Lord of Storms, Queen of the Sky, Wrath of the Heavens! The Knight of the Bolt rides forth to strike down the Heart of Corruption! Hadō 19: Raimei!"

A spear composed of golden-yellow lighting appeared just above the upraised palm of his hand. The lance flew forward a second later and struck the target downrange dead-center, bursting it into splinters.

Excellent, she thought, I couldn't spot a single flaw in his form, and the incantation was spot-on. Just one more to go, Itachi.

Even with a short break every five spells, running through twenty of them like this was no small feat for a first-year student, even in the advanced track. Itachi had proven himself to be more than up to the challenge, though. He had remained composed and focused throughout the test, and Minerva was pleased to see all the hours they'd spent practicing paying off here. If the Kidō Corps learned of his performance here today, then Minerva suspected that Yoruichi would have even more competition when the time came to recruit Itachi after graduation.

"Impressive," she heard Unohana murmur.

Yoruichi was smiling. "Come on, Itachi. You're almost there."

"Just one left…" Soi-Fon muttered.

Sasakibe quickly jotted something down on a notepad. "Well done."

The Head Captain gave Itachi a nod. "Commence the final spell!"

Itachi held out both hands as he chanted the incantation. "Wave of the Divine, crash upon the ramparts of the Demon King! Overwhelm through righteous might, pound through the tempest of Hell! Hadō 20: Tenkū no Myaku!"

The air rippled and warped as a broad wave of invisible energy burst forth. A line of targets was knocked over by the pulse, and even a few tiles were uprooted by the strength of the attack.

Yoruichi started clapping. "Nice job, Itachi!"

Unohana smiled. "Superb technique."

Soi-Fon nodded. "Well done."

Minerva clapped as well. "Excellent work!"

"Indeed," said Sasakibe, looking rather impressed by the display, "Quite a demonstration for a student."

The Head Captain nodded in approval. "Quite so. That concludes the Kidō portion of this test. Itachi, if you would kindly step inside for a few minutes while we prepare for the Hohō section of this evaluation, that would be appreciated."

"Understood," Itachi replied.

Not knowing what else to do, Minerva followed him, with Yoruichi, Soi-Fon, and Unohana in tow. She was curious as to what sort of test the Head Captain had devised in order to evaluate Itachi's progress with Hohō, but she doubted that the old man would take kindly on her spying on the preparation.

Stay on your guard, Itachi, she thought as she silently studied her student, I'm proud of how well you've done so far, but you're not out of the woods just yet.

….

"I wonder what Head Captain Yamamoto has in mind for evaluating your progress with Hohō," Captain Unohana mused aloud, "I know the Academy has its own standards, but I imagine that he'd be deviating from the usual testing due to these unique circumstances."

"Whatever the old man has up his sleeves, Itachi can take it," said Yoruichi as she gave the young man a confident smile, "Isn't that right, Itachi?"

To his credit, Itachi appeared very calm, although Unohana thought she detected a bit of tension in his features. It was perfectly natural given the stakes involved in the evaluation, after all, but Unohana was still impressed with how well he kept in check. He had a level of self-awareness and control that was very uncommon in Academy students, particularly ones that were still in their first year.

"I suppose I'll find out soon enough," he said after a moment.

Soi-Fon's brow furrowed in thought. "A special Hohō evaluation would likely test the accuracy of you Shunpo technique, along with distance and speed. How would the Head Captain accomplish that in an area as confined as the training yard?"

"There are several possibilities," said Minerva, "Knowing the Head Captain, it'll be something sufficiently challenging."

Before any of them could speculate further the door to the training yard slid open, and Lieutenant Sasakibe poked his head in. "The Head Captain is ready for you now, Itachi."

The group went outside, and Unohana's eyes narrowed as she saw that a series of mats had been laid out across the training yard. Each one had a black circle drawn on it, and in the center of the circle was a red dot. In addition, each mat had a small white flag set up next to it with a black number on it. The numbers went from one to twenty, corresponding with the number of mats that had been set up.

I believe I see what the Head Captain has in mind now, Unohana mused, I wonder if Itachi's figured it out yet…

Minerva folded her arms as she observed the setup. "Interesting…"

Yoruichi smirked. "Yeah. This should be fun to watch."

The Head Captain stepped forward. "Your objective here is simple, Itachi. Starting from the first mat, you will Flash Step to each of the other mats in ascending numerical order. Simply landing within the black circle on each mat will earn you one point, while landing directly on the red dot will give you two points. Knocking over a flag or landing outside the circle, however, will result in the loss of a point, and missing a mat entirely will cost you two points. The minimum passing score is thirty. Is that understood?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes."

"Thirty to pass?" said Soi-Fon, raising an eyebrow, "Out of a possible total of forty points? That's too much for an Academy student! That would mean that he can't afford to miss a single target, and he'd have to get at least ten bullseyes on top of that!"

"For the likes of us, it's a simple task," said Unohana, "For a student, however, it's rather daunting… especially for one that's still a first-year."

Minerva nodded. "Yes. An ordinary student would be lucky just to scrape by. However…"

"Itachi's no ordinary student," Yoruichi finished for her with a confident smile, "He can do this."

"I shall be timing you as you take this test," Lieutenant Sasakibe added, "Your speed will also be a factor in determining whether or not you pass or fail."

"Understood," said Itachi.

The Head Captain pointed to another mat, one without a target on it or flag standing by it. "Take your place there. You will start on Lieutenant Sasakibe's cue."

Itachi did as the Head Captain instructed, and all the while Unohana and the others waited for the countdown. Since Itachi's training over the past month had taken place in the Squad Four barracks, Unohana had occasionally witnessed his Shunpo practice sessions. She would be the first to admit that he had made considerable progress, but was he really ready for a test that required this level of control? Yoruichi and Minerva might've been confident about Itachi's chances, but the Captain of Squad Four was leaning more towards Soi-Fon's assessment; the Head Captain might indeed be asking too much of the young man.

There is no point in raising objections now, she thought somberly, Head Captain Yamamoto has thrown down the gauntlet, and Itachi appears to have accepted the challenge. All the rest of us can do now is watch and hope for the best.

"Commencing countdown!" barked Sasakibe, "Five… four… three… two… one… begin!"

It was fortunate that everyone in the audience was capable of following a Shunpo practitioner's movements, yet even with her trained eyes Unohana was still surprised by just how swiftly Itachi raced through the course. His technique was far beyond that of a typical student; not only did he have speed, but his precision was truly something to behold. The numbered flags flapped in the wind created by the rush of his movements, but not one of them fell over.

And every step Itachi took put him right on the red dot at the center of each target.

It was over in mere seconds, and Unohana belatedly realized that she had actually been holding her breath during the demonstration. She allowed herself a small smile as she turned her gaze to the Head Captain, and although the head of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads kept the same implacable expression on his face, she thought she caught just the barest hint of approval in his eyes.

Yoruichi grinned and clapped. "Good work, Itachi!"

Soi-Fon gave a small smile as well. "That was very well done."

Minerva smirked. "Perfect."

"Indeed," said Unohana, "What say you, Lieutenant Sasakibe?"

It took a moment for him to respond. "I… I could not find any flaw with his technique. As for his time… well, suffice to say it was impressive."

"Quite so," said the Head Captain, nodding at Itachi, "A perfect score, Itachi. Congratulations on clearing the Hohō portion of this evaluation… and on exceeding my expectations in the process."

Unohana raised an eyebrow. That was high praise indeed, coming from Yamamoto. She couldn't recall the last time she had seen a student receive such a compliment from him.

Itachi bowed. "Thank you, Head Captain."

"That just leaves the Hakuda and Zanjutsu tests," said Sasakibe, "Head Captain, perhaps a small break would be in order?"

Yamamoto nodded. "That seems reasonable. Itachi, you are permitted a fifteen-minute rest period. I suggest you make the most of it; you will be pressed hard in your final two trials and you will need your full strength to prevail."

"I'll be ready, Head Captain," Itachi replied firmly.

Interesting, thought Unohana as she watched Itachi head off to the side of the training yard for a brief respite, I wonder what the Head Captain and Lieutenant Sasakibe are planning for the last two tests. I suppose we'll find out soon enough…

….

I don't understand, thought Soi-Fon as she looked around the training yard, Itachi's break is almost over, but nothing's been set up for the Hakuda test. All Lieutenant Sasakibe did was put away the mats and flags from the Hohō test…

As a member of the Stealth Force and the head of Yoruichi's personal guard, Soi-Fon was trained to spot the smallest sign of deception and subterfuge, but she could not find a hint of either here. Nothing new had been set up in the training yard, and it appeared that neither the Head Captain or his Lieutenant had any intention of bringing out targets or anything else that Itachi could demonstrate his Hakuda skills against. Soi-Fon supposed that it was possible that Yamamoto and Sasakibe had rigged something in the training yard ahead of time, but she couldn't spot any evidence that might suggest hidden devices or other mechanisms.

She glanced over at her Captain, but if Yoruichi was concerned or suspicious Soi-Fon couldn't detect any sign of it. That was typical; her commanding officer could easily conceal her true feelings whenever she felt like it, despite her usually laid-back and playful personality. Right now, Soi-Fon saw only a small smile on Yoruichi's face. Rather than anxious or suspicious, Yoruichi actually seemed to be looking forward to the next phase of the exam with no small measure of excitement.

It was the same for Captain Unohana and Minerva; neither of them betrayed any hint of apprehension. If anything, the two of them seemed almost as eager as Yoruichi appeared to get the next part of the evaluation underway. Soi-Fon could only hope that she would be able to match their level of composure one day; she was almost jealous of how all three of the women standing with her had achieved such confidence and self-control.

She took a furtive look at Itachi, who likewise did not seem to be all that concerned with what might be in store for him next. If anyone should've been nervous, Soi-Fon figured it'd be him. After all, if he failed today's test he would have to start from scratch at the Academy. However, he gave no outward sign that the consequences of potential failure were weighing on him. He was calm and centered, and he almost seemed to be meditating at the moment. How could a student appear to be as composed as two Captains and a former Lieutenant? For the life of her, Soi-Fon just could not figure that out.

She then saw the Head Captain gesture for Itachi to come forward. All eyes were on the young man as he stepped into the center of the training yard. Lieutenant Sasakibe stepped forward as well, and Soi-Fon's eyes widened as she realized what was about to happen.

No, she thought, they can't be serious…

"Itachi Uchiha," said Yamamoto, "for the Hakuda test, you will engage in a sparring match with Lieutenant Sasakibe. I shall evaluate your performance and signal when the match is over. Is that understood?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes, Head Captain."

Yoruichi smirked. "Well, now… I didn't think Sasakibe would be getting his hands dirty today."

"How interesting," said Unohana, "I haven't seen the Lieutenant fight in quite some time."

"Neither have I," said Minerva with a smile, "I hope he's not rusty."

Soi-Fon couldn't believe what she was hearing. "How is this a fair test? No matter how gifted Itachi may be, there's no way that a student can defeat a Lieutenant!"

Yoruichi put her hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Soi-Fon. The Head Captain never said that Itachi had to defeat Sasakibe."

Unohana nodded. "While I'm sure Lieutenant Sasakibe would win if it were a real fight, I imagine he'll be holding back today to allow Itachi to properly demonstrate his skills. It wouldn't be much of an evaluation otherwise."

"Indeed," said Minerva, "The goal of this evaluation is to judge Itachi's level of skill in relation to where another student in the advanced track would be at this point in their training. It would be completely unreasonable to expect any student to be able to defeat a seated officer of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, no matter how talented they are. The Head Captain and Lieutenant Sasakibe are both well aware of that."

Yoruichi smiled. "Remember, Soi-Fon; the Head Captain can be harsh, but he can be fair as well. He wouldn't create a test that Itachi was guaranteed to fail. That would make all the time Minerva spent training Itachi this past month a complete waste, and that's not the Head Captain's style."

Soi-Fon sighed. "I see. My apologies for my outburst, Lady Yoruichi. I should never have questioned the Head Captain's judgment."

Yoruichi giggled. "You don't need to apologize, Soi-Fon. Actually, I thought it was kind of cute how you were looking after Itachi like that! I didn't realize that he was starting to grow on you!"

Soi-Fon's face flushed red. "T-that's not it at all! I-I just wanted to make sure that he had a fair test because of how his performance would reflect on you, Lady Yoruichi!"

Yoruichi smirked. "Whatever you say, Soi-Fon."

She turned her attention back to the middle of the training yard, where Itachi and Sasakibe were facing off. The two men impassively evaluated each other as they waited for the Head Captain to give the go-ahead.

A moment later, Yamamoto raised the gnarled staff that concealed his Zanpakutō. "You will commence your match on my mark! Three… two… one… begin!"

Sasakibe made the first move. The Lieutenant surged forward and took a jab right at Itachi's head. Itachi already had his hands up in a guard position, however, and was able to block the attack. Sasakibe swiftly followed up his opening move with a series of punches, but Itachi bobbed and weaved, and the blows barely missed him.

That was when Sasakibe went low and made a sweeping kick, attempting to take Itachi's legs out from under him. Itachi was already in motion, leaping over the kick and using the opportunity to go onto the offensive. A quick sequence of jabs forced Sasakibe to backpedal, and Itachi pressed his attack. When Sasakibe grabbed his fist mid-punch, Itachi twisted free of the Lieutenant's grasp before grabbing him by the arm. For a moment it appeared that the student would be able to throw the officer, but Sasakibe was able to force Itachi to release him by aiming a high kick at his head. Itachi rolled to the side, and as he came up he was once again forced onto the defensive as Sasakibe rained punches and kicks down on him.

Soi-Fon was stunned by what she was seeing. Sure, she had witnessed a few of Itachi's Hakuda sparring matches with Minerva when Yoruichi and her had visited the Squad Four barracks, but the level of skill he was displaying now far surpassed what she had seen from him before. In fact, were he not wearing his student uniform, one might be forgiven for mistaking him as a fully trained Soul Reaper as far as Hakuda was concerned.

Did he really come this far in just a month, she thought, or is there more to it than that? He came here from the Realms of the Living, so perhaps he had hand-to-hand combat experience when he was alive…

Whatever the answer was, that didn't change the fact that Itachi was holding his own against a Lieutenant. Sure, Sasakibe might've been holding back for the sake of the test, but the abilities Itachi was demonstrating with regards to Hakuda were impressive nonetheless. It gave Soi-Fon further insight into why Yoruichi was so invested in his ongoing education; talent like his made him a natural candidate for Squad Two or the Stealth Force, both of which were under her Captain's command.

"He's doing very well," said Unohana, "Your instruction has served him in good stead, Minerva."

Minerva smiled. "Truth be told, all I ever did with him as far as Hakuda's concerned is spar. He was pretty fun to train in that regard."

"I bet," said Yoruichi with a smirk, "He's come a long a way since our little match all those months ago."

Soi-Fon could only look on in silence as Itachi and Sasakibe went back and forth, trading punches, kicks, attempted grapples and more. There wasn't so much as a hint of wasted movement in either fighter. Both kept their balance despite the rapid pace of the match, and they remained as calm and collected as they had been when they'd been sizing each other up before the fight had started.

It took a few moments, but eventually Soi-Fon was able to discern key aspects of Itachi's technique that set him apart from Sasakibe. While Squad One's Lieutenant remained rooted to the ground, the Academy student was more willing to engage in acrobatics if it gave him the chance to get the drop on his opponent. The occasional backflip would give him the chance to both evade an attack and regroup, while a daring leap over his foe provided a brief opportunity to attack from above or behind. Of course, Sasakibe was able to read and counter Itachi's moves, but it spoke volumes of the young man's skill that he was able to engage a veteran officer in such a manner, even if it was just a sparring match.

On and on they went, switching from offense to defense at the drop of a hat. Neither fighter showed any signs of slowing down, and Soi-Fon soon lost track of time as the match continued. Nothing outside the fight itself mattered, and she could not help but be fascinated by the display of martial prowess. Itachi's abilities in the art of Hakuda far surpassed any that she had ever seen from an Academy student before, and she could only wonder at just how strong he would be once his skills had reached full maturity.

Lady Yoruichi is one of the greatest Hakuda practitioners in the Soul Society, she thought, Could… could that be part of why she's so interested in him? Does she believe that he could one day stand alongside her at the peak of Hakuda prowess?

It was impossible for Soi-Fon to say for sure just what her Captain's true motives were. As much as she had gotten to know Yoruichi in the years since she had been assigned the role as head of her personal guard, Soi-Fon would freely admit that there were still aspects of her Captain that she could not fully comprehend. Her inner thoughts and whims could still be something of a mystery at times, and it made her incredibly difficult to predict. As laid-back and casual as she often appeared, when her interest was piqued she could throw herself into a mission or project with surprising dedication and passion. Perhaps that was what Itachi was to her; a project of sorts, the chance to guide and help an ideal candidate for Squad Two, to have him ready to join the division's ranks and rise swiftly when he finally graduated from the Academy.

It was as good a guess as any that Soi-Fon could come up with at the moment.

After what felt like forever but had likely been no more than ten to fifteen minutes, the Head Captain raised his staff before slamming the end down into the ground. On cue, Itachi and Sasakibe immediately halted their match and turned together to face Yamamoto. Soi-Fon could not help but lean forward as she studied the Head Captain's stern expression for the smallest hint as to what was going through his mind.

After a moment, the Head Captain nodded. "Well done, Itachi. I am satisfied with how your abilities in the art of Hakuda have progressed. Lieutenant Sasakibe, what are your thoughts?"

Soi-Fon saw the Lieutenant's brow furrow in consideration for a moment before answering. "His skills are exceptional. In fact, I daresay they are far beyond what a student at this point in his education should possess. Itachi is quite gifted, and I see no reason why he should not pass this portion of the evaluation. "

"Good," said the Head Captain, "Congratulations, Itachi."

Itachi bowed. "Thank you, Head Captain."

Yoruichi grinned. "Nice going, Itachi!"

"Splendid work," Unohana praised.

Minerva smiled. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

Soi-Fon nodded. "Good job."

"I will allow you another rest period before the final trial," said Yamamoto, "You will have ten minutes, and I suggest you make the most of them. Believe me when I say that your toughest test still lies before you."

Toughest test?, thought Soi-Fon, What could possibly be tougher for a student than a Hakuda match against a Lieutenant? All that remains is Zanjutsu… what does the Head Captain have planned?

What does he have in store for Itachi?

….

Itachi was grateful for the multiple chances the Head Captain had given him to catch his breath over the course of the evaluation. While he had not been pressed as hard as he might've been in battles past, the tests that had been thrown his way so far over the course of the day were enough to keep him on his toes. The reactions of both the Head Captain and the other onlookers boded well for how he was doing so far, but Itachi remained on guard. After all, the Head Captain could still fail him if he deemed it appropriate even though Itachi had done well on every test so far.

Zanjutsu is the final skill to be tested, he thought, I do not know how the Head Captain intends to conduct this last examination, but if the previous ones are any indicator, passing it will require me to call upon all of the skill that I have acquired in the art of the sword.

Not for the first time since the examination had begun, Itachi found himself glancing at Yoruichi. She gave him an encouraging nod and smile, and the light of anticipation gleamed in her golden eyes. Knowing that she believed in him provided a significant boost in confidence, although he did have to wonder why her approval mattered more to him than that of the others present today. Hell, she wasn't even the one that was proctoring this examination, yet Itachi found that he desired to excel more in her eyes than those of the Head Captain, and it was the latter that would ultimately decide his fate!

For all your brilliance in the fighting arts, there are some areas where you really are quite dull, said a familiar female voice inside his head, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that chief among those areas is women.

It wasn't the first time that the spirit of his Zanpakutō had addressed Itachi while he wasn't training with her in his inner world, but he was still having a little trouble getting used to the idea that she could just drop her two cents on him at any time she pleased. He also found it surprisingly difficult to keep his outward expression from betraying to others that he was having an internal conversation, although he supposed that it was something that he would eventually grow accustomed to.

If you've got something to say, just come out and say it.

She laughed. Where's the fun in that?

He mentally sighed. A Zanpakutō was supposed to reflect the aspects of its wielder, but Itachi had a hard time coming to terms with the notion that she had inherited her level of sass from him. He could make the occasional quip should the occasion called for it, but Itachi had to wonder if he really was as snarky as the spirit of his sword was proving to be.

I don't have time this…

Indeed. You'll have a far more pressing opponent than me to trade barbs with in short order.

What are you talking about? My final trial is one of Zanjutsu, not trading quips.

I know, and the barbs in that trial will be the points of yours and your opponent's swords.

Itachi's eyes narrowed as he carefully regarded the Head Captain. No…

Why not? Your Hakuda test was a match against his Lieutenant, after all. Would it not make sense for him to conduct a similar exercise for the final trial?

I don't believe it.

Then you're a fool.

There was a sinking sensation in the pit of Itachi's stomach as Yamamoto's stern gaze fell upon him. He really didn't want the spirit of his Zanpakutō to be correct, but his gut was telling him that he wouldn't be so lucky.

I might be in trouble here…

He could clearly picture the smirk on the face of the spirit of his sword. That may be a considerable understatement.

"Come forward, Itachi!" barked the Head Captain.

Here we go…

Stepping into the center of the training yard, Itachi waited for the Head Captain to address him again. He did not have to wait long.

"Your final trial will be a test of your abilities in the art of Zanjutsu," said the Head Captain, "In my experience, there is only one way to truly comprehend the depth of someone's skill in the way of the sword, and that is to fight them!"

Best of luck, said his Zanpakutō, and Itachi couldn't tell if she was being sincere or sarcastic.

"Itachi Uchiha," Yamamoto continued, "as your trial in Hakuda was to spar with my Lieutenant, I believe that it is only fitting for your trial in Zanjutsu to be a match with myself. We shall fight until I have gained a sufficient understanding of your level of skill! Is that understood?"

Itachi could only nod as he concentrated on mentally centering himself; he would need every bit of focus he could muster if he was going to pass this test. "Yes, Head Captain."

The old man then held out his staff, and the wood swiftly peeled away, revealing a Zanpakutō with a purple handle and a circular guard. The Head Captain did not unleash his Shikai, but even then Itachi could still feel the power radiating from the blade.

"Prepare yourself, Itachi!" Yamamoto commanded, "Lieutenant Sasakibe; the match begins on your mark!"

"Good luck, Itachi," said Unohana with a smile.

Yoruichi grinned. "You've got this!"

"Fight well, Itachi," said Soi-Fon.

"Show us the fruits of your training," said Minerva.

I seriously can't believe that I'm about to do this, thought Itachi, I've never heard of an Academy student facing off against the Head Captain in a one-on-one match.

Lucky you, his Zanpakutō quipped, giggling like a schoolgirl.

I do not find this to be funny.

Oh, really? Too bad; you'd fare better if you learned to see the humor in situations such as this.

That sounds more like Jiraiya than me.

Perhaps. It'll be amusing to hear his reaction once this is over.

Itachi saw Sasakibe raise his right arm. "Five… four… three… two… one… begin!"

Itachi barely had time to bring his sword up into a guard position before Yamamoto was on him. The Head Captain's advanced age did not appear to impact his speed in the slightest; he was fiendishly fast, and that was more than matched by the power behind his swing. It took every ounce of strength Itachi had to block the attack, and while he was sure that the Head Captain was holding back he was still astounded by the fierceness of the blow.

I can't keep blocking those head-on, he thought as he backpedaled, I'll have to deflect and parry at angles to bleed off the force behind those attacks, otherwise I'll lose all my energy.

So he did just that, altering the tilt and direction of his sword just enough so that his subsequent efforts to fend off Yamamoto's strikes weren't straight up blocks, but instead allowed room to redirect the massive amount of power behind the attacks without Itachi's arms suffering the strain that would otherwise come with a standard block. Even then, though, that was only enough to allow him to maintain a working defense; it was not sufficient to give him the means to counterattack. There was a brutal efficiency in the Head Captain's fighting style; for all the power behind his strikes, they were still precise and controlled. No energy was wasted even as the old man hammered Itachi's defenses like a smith beating metal at a forge.

Itachi continued to fall back under the Head Captain's furious assault. Wanting to avoid getting pushed up against a wall, he made sure to slightly alter his angle as he moved, and as a result the path of the fight began to resemble a broad circle. Itachi wouldn't fool himself, though; this was only a temporary measure. It would keep him from getting cornered for now, but if Yamamoto decided to increase the pressure then it would not hold up. He had to find a way to seize the initiative, but the old man's technique presented no obvious openings. Speed and power combined with millennia of experience meant that the Head Captain was extremely effective at covering himself even while on the offensive.

Effective, but not invincible, he thought as he fended off a sequence of ferocious slashes, There's no such thing as a perfect fighting style, no matter how experienced the wielder may be. Keep your eyes open, Itachi; there will be an opening. You just have to find it.

As the duel progressed, Itachi realized that while he'd been focusing on the Head Captain's swordplay, he hadn't even bothered to examine the footwork that went with it. Sure enough, Yamamoto was well-balanced, firmly rooted but still capable of maintaining incredible mobility. After a few moments, though, Itachi began to comprehend that the key to him perhaps finally getting in a solid attack of his own in this fight lay with the Head Captain's footwork rather than swordplay. The way his legs would brace or shift were subtle signs of what was coming, and although the timing would be incredibly tricky Itachi was slowly beginning to understand how he might be able to exploit that fact.

Continuing to hold the line, so to speak, Itachi patiently waited for the exact moment that he would be able to go onto the offensive. As Yamamoto unleashed a ruthless barrage of overhand blows meant to hammer him into submission, Itachi remained mindful of the Head Captain's legs and feet even as he desperately deflected the old man's attacks. Finally, in the briefest moment in the transition from the final overhand strike to a thrust, Itachi found what he had been looking for.

There was just the tiniest shift in balance, the smallest possible window, but Itachi threw caution to the wind and went for it. As Yamamoto thrust forward with his blade, Itachi bent his sword just enough to allow him to redirect the strike and slide beneath the Head Captain's Zanpakutō. He then lashed out with a horizontal strike, forcing Yamamoto to step back to dodge the attack.

Here we go.

Itachi was well aware that this might be the only chance he'd get this fight to go on the offensive, so he went all in. Surging forward, he unleashed a lightning-fast sequence of slashes and cuts, varying the trajectory of each one in order to keep his opponent guessing. The Head Captain's defense was steady, but Itachi was still able to keep him on the backfoot. Of course, Itachi wasn't about to let that go to his head; if Yamamoto weren't holding back for the sake of the test, he had no doubt that the old man could've killed him several times over by now.

He feinted towards the Head Captain's legs, launching a flurry of swift thrusts before suddenly altering his target. His blade swiftly went upward, missing Yamamoto's chest by the slimmest of margins. Itachi could've sworn he saw the old man's eyes widen ever so slightly, but it was only for a moment. Then the Head Captain stepped forward, and with a single swing he batted Itachi's blade aside before flipping his sword around and bringing the edge to Itachi's throat.

Itachi sighed as he lowered his blade. "I suppose that's the match."

Yamamoto nodded as he withdrew his sword. The weapon quickly returned to its wooden staff façade, and all Itachi could do was wait for the verdict as he sheathed his Zanpakutō.

There was a long moment of silence before the Head Captain gave him a nod of approval. "Congratulations, Itachi. Your swordsmanship was exemplary for a student. You have passed your final test!"

Itachi allowed himself a small smile. "Thank you, Head Captain."

Yoruichi came forward, smiling as she gave Itachi a pat on the back. "Good work, Itachi!"

"That was very well done," said Soi-Fon.

"Your technique was superb," said Unohana, "Lasting as long as you did was no small feat."

Minerva smiled. "You've come a long way since we first started our lessons together, Itachi. The Zanjutsu instructors at the Academy won't know what to do with you when you get back; I doubt they'd have anything more to teach you at this point."

Even Lieutenant Sasakibe got in on the praise. "That was a marvelous performance, young man. I believe you have a bright future ahead of you."

Itachi was surprised to hear a faint chuckle come from the Head Captain. "Indeed. You show great promise, Itachi. It is clear that you trained very hard over the past month. Miss Rawlins, you have done a fine job with your student. You should be proud of him."

Minerva nodded. "Oh, I am, Head Captain. I haven't had a student as talented as him since Lady Yoruichi was under my wing."

Yoruichi grinned. "Ah, those were good times. Thanks again for helping him out, Minerva. I owe you one."

Minerva bowed. "Nonsense, Lady Yoruichi. It was an honor to train Itachi on your behalf, and I would do it again in a heartbeat."

"So," said Itachi, "what happens now? Am I to return to the Academy immediately?"

"Tomorrow morning," answered the Head Captain, "I shall inform your instructors that you shall be rejoining their classes. I'm sure that they'll be pleased to have you amongst the student body again. However, do not let yourself become complacent; you have demonstrated considerable skill today, and your triumph over these trials means that we shall all be expecting great things of you going forward."

Itachi nodded. "I understand. I will not let you down."

Yamamoto's brow furrowed in thought. "Where your path will take you from here… I must admit, it shall be most intriguing to watch you move forward. I believe I am beginning to understand why Captain Shihōin has taken such a keen interest in you. If your skills are properly nurtured and brought to their full potential, then you will have much to offer the Soul Society."

"Word will spread about what happened here today," said Lieutenant Sasakibe, "Officers across the Thirteen Court Guard Squads will take notice of you, if they have not already. There will be many eyes observing your education with great interest."

Minerva smirked. "And they'll want a say in your career path on graduation day. If you continue to study and train as hard as you did to reach this point, then you may find yourself to be a little too popular for your own good when the time comes for you to join the active duty ranks of Soul Reapers."

Yoruichi smiled as she playfully elbowed Itachi. "Don't forget who's already got dibs on you, Itachi! Squad Two will be calling your name on graduation day!"

"That would certainly be a viable career path," said Unohana, "However, that will ultimately be your decision, Itachi."

"When the time comes," Soi-Fon chimed in, "choose the division that you think fits you best. Of course, I would certainly welcome you as a comrade-in-arms should you join Squad Two."

Yoruichi smirked. "You hear that, Itachi? Soi-Fon likes you, too! You'll have another friend already lined up when the time comes for me to give you a tour of the Squad Two barracks."

Minerva chuckled. "Yes, that's one way to sell him on joining up."

Looks like someone's dying to get you into her unit, said his Zanpakutō, She doesn't really have to sell you on anything, though; Squad Two's the only post-graduation destination you have in mind. Don't even try to deny it.

I wasn't going to.

Unohana put a hand on his shoulder. "Come, Itachi. You performed well in the tests, and I don't see any sign of injury, but I do wish to run a quick examination just to be safe."

Itachi nodded. "Very well, then."

The Head Captain nodded. "Sasakibe and I must return to the Squad One barracks. Farewell, Itachi Uchiha. I suspect we shall meet again sooner or later."

"Soi-Fon and I should probably run along, too," said Yoruichi, "We've been away from Squad Two for long enough as it is."

"There is a considerable amount of paperwork piling up," Soi-Fon pointed out.

Yoruichi groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I am not looking forward to that."

Unohana giggled. "Some things never change."

"I suppose it's time for me to return to the Shihōin family mansion, then," said Minerva, "It's been a pleasure, Itachi. I hope this won't be the last time that I get the chance to work with you."

Itachi bowed. "Thank you for all that you've done for me. I won't forget it."

Yoruichi smiled. "See you around, Itachi! I can't wait to see what you're capable of the next time we meet!"

Author's Notes: A quick word on the Head Captain's Zanpakutō. Yes, I'm well aware that the staff form is normally its sealed state and that the staff disappears when Yamamoto's about to unleash his Shikai. I decided to alter things a bit by giving the Head Captain the ability to shift his Zanpakutō from staff to sword form while still keeping the weapon sealed and not unleashing his Shikai.

Class is back in session for Itachi in the next chapter, and that's not all; I'll be introducing Jiraiya's Zanpakutō spirit as well. Hope you liked the chapter! Please review!