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.

11. Chapter 11

Author's Notes: Hello there! I think it's been long enough since I last posted a chapter, so here's the next one. Yes, it's long. Are you really surprised? It's my style, after all, and spoiler alert; it's not changing anytime soon.

Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven: Finals, Recruitment and Graduation

144 years before Rukia Kuchiki's arrival in Karakura Town

"Again!" barked the spirit of Itachi's Zanpakutō.

She's truly relentless today, thought Itachi as he raised his sword once more, I suppose I shouldn't complain, though; it's not like I can get a match like this at the Academy anymore. Well, apart from sparring with Jiraiya, that is. Visaelya's coming along well, but she still has quite some way to go.

In the lead-up to the Academy finals, the spirit of his Zanpakutō had insisted on putting Itachi through his paces. It was not enough for him to simply ace the Zanjutsu portion of the tests; she wanted him to demonstrate the kind of mastery that not even the instructors at the Academy could match. While Itachi was all for pushing his skills to new heights, he wondered if this was really his Zanpakutō moving to demonstrate who his real teacher in the art of the sword was. An assertion of dominance over the Academy instructors, even if it was only through using Itachi as a proxy, wasn't something that he would put past her.

Save for an increase in the brightness of the crimson light of the moon and stars, his inner world had changed very little over the past year. As he crossed swords with the spirit of his Zanpakutō once again, Itachi supposed that it would not evolve much further at this point until he unlocked his Shikai. He hardy had time to admire the scenery at the moment, though; he knew full well the toll his sparring partner would extract from him should he allow himself to be distracted.

A devilishly quick thrust was her opening move. With instincts honed from countless matches with her, Itachi was able to catch the blow and redirect it before smoothly transitioning into a counterattack. Pivoting on his left foot, he spun to add centrifugal force to the blow as he unleashed a powerful horizontal slash. Of course, his foe was ready for it. A simple alteration in the angle of her blade was all she needed to deflect his attack and bleed off most of the strength behind it before countering with a sequence of swift cuts and slashes that put Itachi on the defensive.

She smiled as Itachi's blade danced through the air and parried her strikes. "You're in top form today. Most impressive."

Itachi nodded in acknowledgment. "Thanks."

It was high praise, coming from her, but Itachi knew better than to let it go to his head. It was more than just a compliment; it was a probe, a way for her to determine if flattery could weaken his defenses enough for her to slip an attack through. Itachi wasn't about to let her score a win so easily.

Deflecting a downward diagonal slash from his foe, Itachi immediately countered and went on the offensive. Striking high and low and from every possible angle, he drove his opponent back across the cobblestone walkway of his inner world. Brilliant crimson moonlight was reflected off his dancing blade while the song of clashing swords rang out in a cacophonous symphony.

The spirit of his Zanpakutō smirked as he pressed his assault. "My, my… such vigor, even after all the matches we've already had today. Despite your cool demeanor, you're quite passionate when the occasion calls for it. I wonder if she sees that in you as well."

"Who are you referring to?" asked Itachi as an image of Yoruichi unconsciously flashed through his mind.

His sparring partner shook her head as she parried his strikes. "Still not as bright as she thinks you are, though. What a shame."

She didn't offer any clarification, which Itachi had come to expect at this point. Instead she picked up the pace of the duel, redirecting a thrust aimed at her abdomen before countering with a horizontal slash. Itachi was able to deflect the blow, but in doing so he ceded the initiative to his opponent. She drove him hard, hammering his defenses with a rain of quick and powerful blows.

Itachi fell back, focusing on preserving his energy through deflections and parries as he waited for an opening to counterattack. It was no easy task; the spirit of his Zanpakutō was clearly pulling out all the stops in the run-up to the Academy finals. Her assault was as furious as it was unrelenting, and each blow was fierce and swift.

She was powerful, but she wasn't invincible; years of sparring with her had given Itachi plenty of insight into her moves. He could beat her now, but that was by no means an easy feat. It required cunning, endurance, and most importantly of all, patience. Fortunately for him, he'd had plenty of time to develop all three.

The trick was making the most of them. She never handed him a win out of charity; she made him fight tooth and nail just for a draw, let alone a victory. Her level of skill was phenomenal, and it had taken Itachi a long time to get to the point where he could truly match her in terms of technique, but years of fending off her withering assaults had honed his abilities to such a sharp edge that he was capable of taking advantage of the very few openings that he could find in her form.

He remained on the defensive, waiting for one of those openings to reveal themselves. She came at him hard and fast, with each strike as brutal as it was graceful. Her crimson eyes were sharper than her blade, ever alert for even the slightest hint of weakness. It was not just a contest of swordsmanship that the two of them were locked in; it was a battle of wills.

It was several minutes before he finally found the opportunity he'd been waiting for. At the end of a series of rapid thrusts, she overextended by barely more than a centimeter. It was the tiniest of windows, but Itachi seized it immediately. Angling his blade towards the ground, he redirected her blow and swiftly transitioned into a counter attack, bringing his sword up in a lighting quick slash. She attempted to block it, but she wasn't able to reposition her blade in time, and the edge of Itachi's sword came to a halt just a hair's width over her neck.

"Match," Itachi declared in cool triumph.

She smiled and nodded before her blade vanished in a pillar of black flame. "Indeed. Well done, Itachi."

He lowered and sheathed his sword. "Is that the last round for today?"

"Our last round until your finals are complete," she answered, "Your swordsmanship stands leagues beyond any of your classmates, with the possible exception of Jiraiya. Show the same dedication and skill in your Zanjutsu examination as you do in our sparring matches, and I have no doubt that you will pass with flying colors. For now, I would advise that you devote the study time remaining to the other aspects of your Soul Reaper training."

Itachi nodded. "Very well, then. Thank you."

"Of course," she replied, "I would be remiss if I did not do all that I could to ensure the progression of your abilities. You're nothing short of remarkable, Itachi; the faith that Squad Two's Captain has placed in you is well-founded."

Itachi couldn't help but give a small smile; it was rare indeed for her to be so effusive in her praise. "I'm glad to hear that."

The spirit of his Zanpakutō smiled. "Show them all the fruits of your education, Itachi. Show them that Shisui isn't the only Uchiha in the Soul Society that belongs in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

….

Rolling to the side, Jiraiya was barely able to avoid the powerful blow that the spirit of his Zanpakutō had unleashed. The heavy spiked club slammed into the part of the platform he had occupied just a split-second ago, and the sheer strength behind the strike left a considerable impact crater.

That would've hurt if I'd taken that head-on, he thought, He's really not messing around today!

Of course, it wasn't like the spirit of his Zanpakutō ever really messed around at all. It just wasn't in the armored toad's nature. Not for the first time, Jiraiya found himself wondering just how he'd gotten stuck with such a no-nonsense sword spirit. The closest the toad ever came to loosening up was the occasional quip at Jiraiya's expense.

Having evaded what could've been a match-ending blow, Jiraiya swiftly moved to counter. He managed to land a glancing blow on the armored toad's left shoulder, but it wasn't nearly enough to break through the plating. It certainly wasn't enough to get his sparring partner to concede the match; Jiraiya typically had to land a much more solid hit before the spirit of his Zanpakutō would grant him the win.

Fortunately, Jiraiya had developed his skills to the point that he was now more than capable of landing the victorious blow on his foe. Shifting to a single-handed grip with his right hand, he began gathering energy in his left while dodging strikes from his opponent. What had been so difficult to accomplish with spirit energy a year ago now came to him much more naturally; the signature swirling blue sphere of power that was the Rasengan formed and stabilized in his palm within just a few moments.

Weaving back and forth, rolling and ducking beneath the swings of the armored toad's spiked club, Jiraiya waited for the chance to strike. His foe was pressing harder now, and for good reason; the spirit of his Zanpakutō had been on the receiving end of the Rasengan quite a few times now over the past year. Jiraiya forming the blue ball of spirit energy now was his signal that he intended to bring the match to a close, so his opponent was redoubling their efforts in an attempt to seize the mantle of victory.

His foe was strong, but they weren't as quick as Jiraiya. Sidestepping a powerful overhand blow that wound up taking a serious chunk out of the platform they were fighting on, the Legendary Sannin charged forward and made his decisive strike. The spirit of his Zanpakutō could see what was coming but wasn't fast enough to block or dodge, and Jiraiya thrust out his left hand. The Rasengan slammed into his opponent's chest and sent the armored toad flying off the stone platform and into the water with a resounding splash.

Jiraiya grinned and pumped his fist into the air in triumph. "Yes! Ring out!"

His opponent hopped out of the water a moment later and landed on the platform with a heavy 'thud'. Jiraiya thought for a moment that his foe was about to start a fresh round, but after a moment the spirit of his Zanpakutō sat down in front of him in a meditative posture.

"Well done," the armored toad said, "Your abilities have progressed remarkably. You should be able to suitably awe your instructors in the Academy finals."

Jiraiya chuckled. "You know, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me! Are you going soft on me?"

"I do not give out such praise often because I do not wish for it to go to your head," the spirit of his Zanpakutō replied, "Besides, there are still plenty of areas that you could better yourself in, and you would have much more time to do so if you would cease peddling adolescent trash to the masses."

Jiraiya smirked. "Sounds like you're jealous of my success as a writer! You wishing you had my literary talent?"

The armored toad scoffed. "Hardly. It's a needless distraction. You should cast it aside so that you will be able to devote greater efforts to your training."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "Hey, I balanced the writer and ninja gigs pretty well back when I was alive. There's no reason I can't do the same in the Soul Society. Besides, the student allowances from the Academy aren't nearly enough to have any fun on; I would've died of boredom without the extra income!"

The spirit of his Zanpakutō rolled his eyes. "Pointless frivolities."

Jiraiya sighed. "I swear, you really need to learn how to lighten up."

The armored toad ignored him. "You may put our training sessions on hold until your finals are complete, but do not neglect your studies. Should you underperform in your evaluations, you will find our next sparring match to be a much more punishing experience than the previous ones."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll catch you later, big guy."

….

One week later…

Acting as the referee for this particular match, Jiraiya stood between Itachi and Visaelya with his right arm raised. "All right, ready? Three… two… one… begin!"

Visaelya lunged forward, trying to take her opponent by surprise with a swift uppercut right off the bat. As usual, Itachi seemed to have seen it coming, because he immediately rolled to the right; her punch hit nothing but air. Itachi swiftly move to counter, making a sweeping kick meant to knock Visaelya's legs right out from under her.

He'd pulled that move on her before, and this time she was ready for it. She back flipped to evade the kick and give herself some space to regroup. As soon as she landed Itachi advanced on her, but her arms were already up in a guard position. She blocked and dodged as he attacked her, throwing a variety of punches and kicks her way. His strikes were as quick as they were precise, but Visaelya had sparred with him long enough now that she had a pretty good handle on his fighting style.

Ducking beneath a right hook, she countered with a high kick. Itachi blocked the blow on his arm, but it still gave Visaelya enough of an opening to take the initiative. She pressed hard, giving her strikes as much variety as possible in order to keep him off balance. Whether or not she was actually succeeding in that was difficult to determine; as always, her friendly rival was damn hard to read.

Despite her best efforts, though, her opponent still found a way to decisively turn the tables on her. She kicked at his abdomen, only for Itachi to catch her leg mid-strike. His grip on it was solid, and he was able to flip her over and put her on the floor a moment later. Visaelya sighed and tapped out; she knew when she was beat.

"Damn it," she hissed.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," said Itachi, "You did quite well."

Jiraiya smiled. "No kidding. If you were in the Shinobi World, you'd be towards the top of your class in taijutsu. Your skills have come a long way!"

"He's right," said a third male voice. "You made a good showing for yourself, Visaelya."

This one was also familiar, and Visaelya blushed when she realized who it was. Turning around, she saw none other than Shisui leaning against the nearby wall and smiling at her.

Jiraiya grinned. "How's it going, Shisui?"

He nodded. "Not too bad, thanks for asking."

"When did you get here?" asked Visaelya.

"Just after you and Itachi started your match," he replied, "This is an open area, and it's not like I'm barred from visiting the Academy."

That was true enough. They were in the training yard behind the dorms getting in some last-minute practice before the Academy finals commenced. Visaelya knew that as a seated officer Shisui had full access to the Academy grounds, but it was still odd to her that he would come and visit like this. Not that she was complaining, of course; she was always happy to see him, although she would've preferred that he see her in a more dignified position. Being sprawled out on the ground after suffering yet another defeat at Itachi's hands was not the sort of image she wanted to serve as an impression.

"Right," she said as Itachi helped her to her feet, "Forgive me if this sounds rude, but why did you come here? It's a pleasure to see you again, but as an officer in Squad Two, don't you have important duties to attend to?"

Shisui smiled. "It's true that the Captain keeps me busy, but she also understands the value of allowing her subordinates some free time. I finished up my assigned duties early for the day, and she let me come over to visit. Finals week starts tomorrow, after all, so I wanted to see how you all were doing."

The Shin'ō Academy final exams were the grueling culmination of their six-year curriculum. They were hard enough for the regular students, but for those in the advanced track they were even more difficult due to the additional material they had to study along with the higher standards that they were held to. The first three days of the school week would be devoted to academic testing, while the last two would be the practical tests. Hohō and Kidō testing would take place one day, while Hakuda and Zanjutsu testing were scheduled for the last day. It was a daunting gauntlet, and Visaelya had done all she could to prepare for it.

"At this point, I think we're about as ready as we're going to be," she said.

Itachi nodded. "Agreed."

Jiraiya smiled. "I never was one for formal testing back in my Shinobi days, but I'm actually looking forward to this. From the way our instructors have hyped it up, it sounds like it'll be a fun challenge!"

Shisui laughed. "Well, if that's the case, you won't be disappointed! I was in the advanced track too when finals week came around, and they didn't pull their punches. I hope you've been hitting the books as hard as you've been hitting each other in training."

"Do you have any last-minute advice?" asked Visaelya.

Shisui smiled. "Believe in yourself. The tests are daunting, and the instructors designed them to make even the brightest students doubt themselves. Just remember how far you've come over the past six years. You three have worked hard and have earned your places at the top of the student rankings. You can do this."

Visaelya nodded and smiled; his confidence was encouraging. "Thank you, Tenth Seat… I mean, Shisui."

"Anytime," he replied, "I suggest you all get a good night's rest. Trust me; you're going to need it."

….

Four days later…

Jiraiya grinned in satisfaction as he looked downrange; his target had been completely destroyed. He wasn't so much as sweating even though they were pretty far along in the practical Kidō examinations now, which was more than could be said for most of his classmates. It was fortunate that they'd been given a substantial break between the Hohō test and the Kidō examination; otherwise he was sure that several of his fellow students would've collapsed by now in fatigue.

These tests are no joke, he thought, I don't remember the Shinobi Academy exams being quite so rigorous…

Truth be told, even if the practical exams that the advanced track students had to take were grueling, Jiraiya was feeling much better about them than he had about the written tests of the past three days. He'd studied his rear off, and Itachi had been a valuable partner in that regard, but there had been a ton of material to cover. The practical exams may have been no less comprehensive than the written ones, but Jiraiya was still much more comfortable with them because they involved the physical application of all that he had learned, something he was much more at ease with than the purely academic portion of the finals.

It was in the practical exams that the fruits of the past six years' worth of training could now be displayed for all to see, and Jiraiya was thoroughly enjoying himself. The earlier Hohō tests alone had been exhilarating, and the Kidō portion was proving to be just as entertaining. He and Itachi had been neck and neck throughout the day, and despite being even in the overall rankings their distinct styles, strengths and weaknesses were now truly coming into focus. Six years of learning and training side by side with the former Akatsuki member had given Jiraiya plenty of insights into his friend's capabilities as a soon-to-be Soul Reaper when compared to his own, and as it was all coming together now in the finals the Legendary Sannin had a pretty good idea as to where the two of them stood.

When it came to academic grades, the two of them were even; Jiraiya had tremendously improved his study habits when compared to what they'd been back when he was a troublemaking student in the Shinobi Academy. At first glance, it might appear to a casual observer that the same could be said for their practical abilities, but Jiraiya knew better. The key differences really came down to power and technique. When it came down to pure power, Jiraiya was reasonably confident now that his reserves of spirit energy were greater than Itachi's. They could both whip out Kidō spells like no one else in their class, but Jiraiya's offensive spells tended to have greater strength behind them, while his barriers and binding spells were more durable. Naturally, Itachi had noticed this, and it hadn't taken Jiraiya long to see how his friend had moved to counter; by focusing on his efficiency and precision. He wasn't as strong head-to-head as Jiraiya, but Itachi had an edge in accuracy. Even without the Sharingan, his gaze was razor-sharp, and each spell he fired off was never so much as a millimeter out of place. His power regulation was just as impressive; he rarely cut loose at full-bore, instead measuring each spell down to the last iota of energy.

This had also extended to their earlier Hohō examinations. When it came to speed and finesse, Itachi had Jiraiya beat. However, Jiraiya had an advantage when it came to endurance. The margins between them were difficult for their classmates to discern, and Jiraiya doubted that even their instructors had a good handle on the finer differences between them. However, he had no doubt that any Captain that happened to observe them would catch on soon enough.

I wonder what old man Sarutobi would say if he could see me now, he mused with a smirk, I bet he never imagined that I'd take tests like these as seriously as I am now.

They were in the home stretch now, or at least they were as far as the Kidō final was concerned. Jiraiya didn't know what the regular students had to go through, but the proctors for the advanced track had told them up-front that they would be expected to show comprehensive knowledge with regards to spell casting. They had run the gamut between simple offensive and defensive spells to those that were much more complicated and demanding. They had not proceeded sequentially; the proctors had called out spells seemingly at random, forcing the students to adapt quickly and control their power output as much as possible in order to avoid running out of steam. The unpredictability of the test was perhaps its most daunting feature for most students, but Jiraiya wasn't intimidated. After all, field missions were by their very nature unpredictable, so it was only right that the practical examinations had a wild card or two in them.

"Next spell!" barked the proctor, a man with greying black-hair, a strong build, and more than a few wrinkles in his face, "Offensive, number 54!"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow as fresh targets popped up; the spell that the instructor had just called out was the highest one so far. It was also a rather demanding one, even for students in the advanced track. Still, the stakes were on the table now, so there was nothing left to do but play his hand.

"Perdition's Flame, come forth!" he chanted, "Strike from the depths of Inferno, from the bowels of the Earth, and from the Sun in the sky! Let Evil know Judgment and find Repentance in Agony! Hadō 54: Haien!"

He thrust out his right arm, and an oblong blast of purple energy flew forth. It raced through the air and struck the wooden target downrange a moment later, engulfing it in flames and completely incinerating it.

That one's a real nasty piece of work, he thought grimly, I don't like it, but I can see how it would come in handy against Hollows. I just hope I don't ever have to use it against anything else…

The other students had unleashed their spells at the same time, and all the targets downrange were blazing as a result. Some, much like Jiraiya's, were consumed completely, while others were only partially destroyed. Jiraiya wasn't surprised that some of the students were having trouble; this late in the game, he imagined that it was all many of them could do to simply stay on their feet after all the spells they'd cast so far in this examination.

He glanced to his right and smirked at his friend. "Ready to throw in the towel?"

Itachi shook his head. "Hardly."

Jiraiya wasn't surprised. If Itachi was winded by the test, he wasn't showing it. He remained cool and aloof, patiently waiting to see what came next. Jiraiya hadn't expected him to be ruffled by their examinations, and so far, he wasn't disappointed.

Looking past Itachi, he was impressed to see that Visaelya was holding up quite well too. There was some sweat on her brow, but she was still standing and appeared more than ready for whatever else the proctor might throw at her. In terms of sheer power reserves, she actually occupied a middle ground between Jiraiya and Itachi, although she seemed unaware of that. As far as her technique went, she actually was little more than a step or two behind the pair of former Shinobi, which was no small feat. Her only real deficit at this point was her lack of prior combat experience when compared to Jiraiya and Itachi, but thanks to the field outings with Squad Two over the past few years she had begun to make progress on that front. She'd come quite a long way from her furious sparring matches with Itachi years ago, and while she clearly still considered him to be a rival it was on much friendlier terms now. The young woman had also mellowed out a bit when it came to her friendship with Jiraiya, although she still refused to so much as touch his novels.

An odd little trio we make, he mused, Not exactly a repeat of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and myself, although it does ring a few bells. Still, this is something different, something new… and I'm all right with that.

The instructor stepped forward, and while Jiraiya was bracing himself for the next round he found himself surprised at the teacher's announcement. "All right, that's enough. The Kidō test is over!"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Visaelya seemed a bit taken aback by that as well. "Oh… I thought we still had more to go."

Itachi simply shrugged. "I suppose he's seen enough."

"When will we know our results?" asked another student.

"Your scores will be posted on the notification board outside the Kidō practice range in one hour," the instructor replied, "For now, I suggest that you get some rest and reflect on your performance."

He's giving nothing away as to what he things of how we did, Jiraiya thought, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The students began to disperse, with Itachi, Jiraiya and Visaelya forming a small group just outside the range. The Legendary Sannin knew that all three of them could certainly use a little bit of downtime, although the prospect of finding out their test scores in an hour hanging over them would make that somewhat difficult.

"So," said Itachi, "now what?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "Beats me. Not really sure how to kill the time."

"How about some tea in the main student meal hall?" Visaelya suggested.

Jiraiya smiled. "I'd like that."

Itachi nodded. "As would I."

It barely took any time at all for them to cross campus to arrive at their destination; Shunpo was a remarkably useful talent both on and off the battlefield. They grabbed a table and had the tea brewed and ready just a few minutes later.

"So far, so good," said Itachi as he took a sip.

"You mean the exams?" asked Jiraiya.

"Of course," he replied.

Visaelya nodded. "Yes. They've been challenging, but not overly so. The extra time I've spent training with the two of you seems to be paying off. I suppose I owe you my thanks."

Jiraiya grinned. "Is that so? I can't remember the last time you thanked me!"

Visaelya rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head."

"You're our friend," said Itachi, "We're always willing to lend aid to your self-improvement."

That was certainly true. Maybe they hadn't gotten off to the best start, but there was no denying now that Visaelya did indeed count as part of Jiraiya and Itachi's circle of friends. She still had the same clique of female students from before that she spent time with, but when it came to serious training she always sought out the two former Shinobi. There was a level of mutual respect there that went beyond what was expected of colleagues; she genuinely seemed to be fond of them, at least from where Jiraiya was sitting.

"After we get out scores today, we'll just have the Hakuda and Zanjutsu tests to worry about tomorrow," said Jiraiya, "All that studying and extra training we did for finals week, yet it's already almost over."

Visaelya nodded. "Yes… and the recruitment exhibition will be upon us before we know it."

The majority of Academy students would be placed into divisions after the finals at the discretion of the institution's senior faculty and the Head Captain based on the pupils' strengths and weaknesses. However, for students in the advanced track, things were a little different. There was a two-week period between the end of the final examinations and the actual graduation ceremony, and at the end of the first week was the recruitment exhibition. This was an event where all thirteen Captains would come to the Academy, give the advanced track students a taste of what to expect from their divisions, and make their official recruiting offers to the candidates they had their eyes on. If a student didn't receive an offer then they would be sorted into a division at the discretion of the Head Captain. However, since the Captains were always eager to refill their ranks in order to make up for attrition and transfers, this was rarely an issue. What Jiraiya was really interested in was which Captains would make offers to him, Itachi and Visaelya.

Itachi and I are at the top of the charts, he thought, and Vissy's just a short step behind us. We're going to be hot commodities at the exhibition.

"We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves," said Itachi, "It's better to focus on the tests that are still ahead of us than the exhibition that lies beyond them."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Come on, Itachi. There's no need to play it cool with us; I know that you're just as excited for the exhibition as the rest of us!"

"The need to retain our concentration on the remaining finals is important," Visaelya admitted, "but the recruitment exhibition will still play a considerable role in determining our immediate future post-graduation. Itachi, even you must be giving it some contemplation."

After a moment Itachi nodded in concession. "I am, yes. The prospect is… intriguing."

Jiraiya gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Looking forward to meeting a certain Flash Goddess there, Itachi?"

Visaelya smiled. "There's no harm in admitting that to be the case if it's true. While I may have originally felt it to be rather unprofessional for Captain Shihōin to show such favor to you, I have no problem conceding now that her faith has been well-placed. I'm sure you're at the top of her list for the students she wants to grab for the Second Division, and from our time together I believe that you would serve her quite effectively."

Itachi seemed slightly taken aback by her praise. "I appreciate the thought. Still, I do not wish to be presumptuous."

Jiraiya sighed as he took a sip of his tea. "Come on, Itachi; you can't deny what the rest of us see. You've wanted to get into her division from the moment she and Unohana saved our butts from the Hollows. There's no shame in fessing up."

Visaelya nodded. "Indeed. It means you know where you want your immediate career to take you upon leaving this institution. There's something to be said for that level of certainty."

She then looked down at her tea, her expression uncharacteristically hesitant. "I myself wish I had a similar… conviction in the course I wish to take."

Something was up; Jiraiya wasn't used to hearing her air doubts like these quite so publicly. "Something you want to get off your chest, Visaelya?"

"We have time," Itachi offered as a gentle nudge, "If you have doubts, it is better to air them now and find a way to move them forward to a clear resolution rather than have them distract you during our remaining tests tomorrow."

Visaelya looked a bit surprised at their offers. "I… I'm grateful for the concern, but I don't wish to trouble you two, especially when we all have more pressing matters to attend to."

Jiraiya gave her a warm smile. "There's nothing wrong with sharing your burdens with your friends. That's what they're for, after all. Isn't that right, Itachi?"

Itachi nodded at Visaelya. "Quite so. What's troubling you?"

Visaelya looked back and forth between them for a moment. "Well… could this please stay between the three of us?"

Jiraiya and Itachi exchanged a glance; what were they about to get into here? Jiraiya had no issue with keeping Visaelya's confidence, and he was sure Itachi felt the same way, but he had to wonder just what was bothering her so much.

"Of course," said Itachi.

Jiraiya nodded. "Sure thing. What's up?"

Visaelya sighed. "Squad Ten is my family's division, something that I know the two of you are well aware of. My uncle fully expects me to join it upon graduation, as I'm sure my parents do as well. For them, the recruitment exhibition is little more than a formality; as far as they're concerned, my immediate path after graduation has already been mapped out."

Jiraiya grinned; he had a feeling he knew where this was going now. "Let me guess; you've got a different destination in mind."

Itachi leaned forward, and to the Legendary Sannin's eyes he seemed genuinely curious. "Which division would you pick over the one dominated by your family?"

Visaelya took a deep breath before answering. "Squad Two."

I thought so, he mused with a smirk as an image of Shisui flashed through his mind, and I think I know why she's leaning that way…

"Well, now," he said in a faux-conspiratorial tone, "That is interesting."

"Why the Second Division?" asked Itachi, "I would certainly welcome you as a fellow comrade were we both to go into Yoruichi's unit, but isn't her family also something of a rival to yours?"

Visaelya nodded. "Yes… and that's part of the reason why I wish to join her division. I… I do not wish for my destiny to be dictated by nothing more than my bloodline. I want to forge my own path, and the best way that I can think of to do so would be to join the squad that's dominated by the Shihōin Clan after graduation."

Jiraiya chuckled; he was sure there was more to it than that, but now wasn't the time to tease her about it. "Well, that's certainly one way to get the message across. A pretty bold statement if you ask me. Are you sure it's one you're really ready to make, though? I may not be an expert on Great Noble Houses, but it strikes me that this might cause some friction."

"Jiraiya's right," said Itachi, "If this truly is your decision, we'll support you, but is it one that you're prepared to go through with? The consequences may go beyond just a few sharp words from your parents and uncle."

Visaelya closed her eyes for a moment. "Yes… that's something I had considered. Family loyalty is not something the Drakken Clan takes lightly. I do not view this as a betrayal, but simply taking the steps I must to forge my own path forward. My family, though, may not take such a view."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "Do you think they'd openly retaliate against you? How bad could it get?"

"That's difficult to say," Visaelya replied, "Even Great Noble Houses are wary of crossing the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and drawing the ire of the Head Captain. Any action taken against me would be measured so as to not bring down such scrutiny upon the perpetrators. Direct attacks can be ruled out, but there are other means for them to make their displeasure known."

"Would they disown you?" asked Itachi.

Visaelya shook her head. "I don't think so. That's usually reserved for the gravest of offenses. That being said, I could become something of a black sheep to them. Cold shoulders at family gatherings, or no invites altogether, would likely be the first line of attack against me. After that… well, I suppose it depends on how much of a slight they view my actions as."

"Do you think it'd be worth the trouble?" asked Jiraiya, "I'm all for you asserting your independence and going down your own path, but you may have to live with the repercussions for a very long time."

Visaelya sighed. "I know. I… I'm not sure what to do."

"What feels right to you?" asked Itachi, "If you were forced to decide here and now, what way is your heart leaning?"

It took a moment for her to answer. "Squad Two."

"I see," said Jiraiya, "Look, how about this; for now, focus on the last two tests we have before us. Once the finals are done, take the week we'll have between them and the recruitment exhibition to do some soul searching, all right? I think your heart's in the right place, but this isn't something that you should force yourself to decide while you're in the middle of finals week. Find your answer after we wrap things up tomorrow, okay?"

Visaelya nodded. "Yes… I think you're right. Itachi?"

"There's nothing wrong with trying to plan ahead," he said, "but Jiraiya's correct. Right now, your immediate concerns are our remaining tests. Triumph over those, and then spend the time after them meditating upon the path you wish to take going forward."

Visaelya smiled at the two of them. "I will. Thank you, both of you. I know we didn't exactly start things off cordially, but… I'm glad that the two of you have become my friends."

Jiraiya smiled. "Same here. You may be wound up a bit too tight, but you're all right, Visaelya."

Itachi nodded. "You've come far, and you have much further to go. As long as the path you walk is one that you believe in your heart to be the right one for you, then I will do all I can to help. Perhaps we began as rivals, but I am proud to call you my friend."

Visaelya raised her cup. "To friends."

Jiraiya grinned. "I'll drink to that."

Itachi gave a small smile. "Likewise."

….

The next day…

The eyes of the proctor were on him, but Itachi paid them no mind as he took his Zanpakutō through a rapid sequence of slashes. He was completely immersed in the flow of his demonstration; there was him, his sword, and nothing else. This was the last exam, and Itachi was determined to put on his best performance yet.

Speed, grace, and precision; all three merged seamlessly in a manner that put nearly all his fellow students to shame. Only Jiraiya could truly match him, but one-on-one fights were unfortunately not the order of the day. Rather, each student was made to put on a solo exhibition, running through a series of offensive and defensive patterns as a cumulative demonstration of their skills. They were not to stop until the proctor told them to, and they were not told how long they would have to maintain their performance. It was as much a test of endurance as it was of technique, but Itachi refused to be daunted by it.

Perhaps his field experience, both in the past life and in the field trips he'd been on with Squad Two over the years, gave him an unfair advantage over other students, but Itachi wasn't above making the most of it. Every student in the class had been given the past six years to refine their technique and build up their stamina; he had simply gone further than most. He was resolved to gain a flawless score, and nothing less would do.

Itachi had no desire to appear arrogant, but at this point he had to wonder if an Academy instructor was really qualified to evaluate his skills. He had gone from suspecting that he could beat the Academy faculty in a match over the years to being certain of it, although he had still refused to actually call any of them out for a challenge match out of respect for their positions. It was not his proctor today that would be commanding him post-graduation, therefore it was not his proctor that he ultimately wished to put on this performance for. Given how she had helped him in the past, though, Itachi knew it would be improper for Yoruichi to serve as his evaluator for the test. Even if he believed that she could impartially judge his skills, he understood that the appearance it would give in light of her prior aid to him would not be a good one.

Focus, the spirit of his Zanpakutō chided him, You'll get the chance to show off for your favorite Captain soon enough.

I certainly hope so.

His blade wove a tapestry of silver flashes through the air. Thrust, slash, cut, parry, feint; all had their place, and all were made with unrivaled accuracy. The spirit of his Zanpakutō had been a peerless teacher in the art of the sword, and the fruits of her instruction were now on dazzling display for all to see. If Itachi had a complaint, it was only that he still did not know the name of his tutor and weapon. For someone who had progressed so blindingly quickly in life with the Shinobi arts, the slow pace of his development when it came to his Zanpakutō was quite jarring. Itachi was not deterred from moving forward, though; quite the opposite, in fact.

For all the praise that his instructors and classmates could heap upon him, Itachi was well aware that he still had much to learn. It was something that he did not wish to lose sight of, as he felt it kept him rooted in reality and would prevent him from overestimating his abilities. He was grateful for the new challenges that his afterlife had presented him with, and he remained determined to press onward and surpass who he had been in his first life. Not just in talent and deeds, but also in character; he would take all the mistakes that he had made the first time around and do everything in his power to make sure that the tragedies of the past did not repeat themselves.

He'd lost track of the amount of time that had passed when the proctor finally ordered him to stop. Lowering and sheathing his sword, he studied the face of his evaluator. The proctors were supposed to remain detached, but the man's eyes betrayed him; nothing less than awe shone within them.

"Was my performance satisfactory?" asked Itachi, with a feeling that he already knew the answer.

The proctor nodded numbly, clearly still trying to process what he had just seen. "Yes… it was. Your score will be posted with those of your classmates later this afternoon. Please be seated so the next student can begin."

Itachi did as instructed, settling in between Jiraiya and Visaelya. The two of them had already completed their tests; Itachi had been towards the tail-end of the class. Jiraiya had that typical knowing smirk on his face, while Visaelya gave him an approving smile.

"Well done," she said.

Itachi nodded. "Thank you."

"That was quite the show," said Jiraiya, "I imagine it won't be long at all before a certain Captain hears about it."

Itachi allowed himself a small smile. "Perhaps."

All that is left now is to learn my results, he thought as the next student began their tests, and then it is on to the recruitment exhibition. Are you as eager for that day as I am…

…Yoruichi?

….

One week later…

Bouncing on her heels, Yoruichi practically danced through the training yard of the Squad Two barracks as she went through her morning practice routine. Alternating between Zanpakutō strikes and a flurry of punches and kicks, she moved like lightning, and even an experienced observer would've had a hard time following her. This wasn't just another training session for her, though; it was an effort to burn off some of the excitement that had been building up within her throughout the week.

I probably should've used the training grounds that Kisuke built, she thought, I can actually cut loose there without worrying about the surroundings. Here I have to take care not to damage the barracks.

Her eagerness for this day had been ever-present over the past six years, but now it was kicking into high-gear. Seeing Itachi's test scores had been a considerable factor there; as expected, he'd gotten flawless marks, matched only by Jiraiya. The two of them had come very far since she and Unohana had first met them, and she was quite looking forward to getting them both out of the Academy and into the field. It wasn't just them, either; Visaelya Drakken had put on a very strong showing as well, and while she had come up short compared to Itachi and Jiraiya it was only by a very slim margin. Making matters much more intriguing were the hints Shisui had dropped that the heiress to the Great Noble House of the east was looking for a career path that deviated from those of her forebears.

It'd be a real coup if I could scoop up Rhaegon's niece right out from under his nose, she mused as she went through a sequence of rapid Zanpakutō slashes, I can already picture the look on his face…

She was all for it, but there were other factors that weighed on her mind, most prominently those of her parents. Yoruichi had nothing but disdain for noble family politics, but she was aware that her clan would likely be concerned that Visaelya joining Squad Two would give her a chance to spy on the Shihōin princess. It was a valid argument, yet Yoruichi's sense of the matter was that it wouldn't be a problem. Based on everything that Shisui had told her, Visaelya seemed determine to strike out on her own rather than rely upon her family name. Under those circumstances, it was hard to see the bright young woman's pride allowing her to become a spy for the Drakken Clan, even though Yoruichi knew it would be foolish to rule out the notion altogether. She would have some important decisions to make before the day was done, no doubt there.

The upcoming recruitment exhibition would be divided into two segments. The first was the public event, where the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, along with subordinates of their choice, would gather in the primary courtyard of the Academy. They would each have their own booths and displays that students could visit at their leisure. In the past exhibitions had been much rowdier, with the public events being so competitive and chaotic that at times the displays of power being unleashed had been enough to threaten not only the students but the Academy itself. New rules had been put into place in order to ensure safety and prevent the needless destruction of public property, and while it made for a much more orderly affair Yoruichi did sometimes miss the ruckus of the old days.

The second segment was commonly known as the bidding war. As the day wore on, the assembled Captains would begin dispatching messengers with private offers to their candidates of choice. Occasionally, Captains would leave their booths to seek out a backroom audience if a student was particularly sought after. Yoruichi suspected that the top three students in the advanced track this year would be faced with several such private meetings before the day was done. She already had her offer for Itachi worked up. It was as good of one that she could work up that would still seem reasonable to the outside observer, and she hoped it would stand up to the close scrutiny of the Head Captain. Division leaders had a considerable amount of leeway when it came to recruitment from the advanced track, but too much favoritism would draw unwanted attention from Yamamoto.

I could very well be competing against the old man today, she thought as she went into a backflip before going into a series of kicks, punches and blocks, Old Man Yama can really make a hard sell if he's determined to scoop up a particular candidate. That kind of pressure's hard for a student to withstand, even an extremely gifted one. Itachi…

She wound down her practice routine a few minutes later. As she sheathed her blade she heard applause coming from the edge of the training yard. Turning in that direction, she saw that her observer was none other than her Third Seat.

Kisuke smiled as she approached him. "Looking good. Working out a little pent-up stress?"

Yoruichi had to laugh at that; her old friend knew her too well. "Something like that!"

Kisuke nodded. "Thought so. Today's the big day. You've been waiting a long time for this."

"You can say that again," Yoruichi replied, "How are things coming along on your end?"

"I think I've got everything we need," said Kisuke, "I'm not sure how it's going to compare to Rhaegon's pet, but if nothing else it should draw some attention our way."

Yoruichi smiled. "Well, as long as it looks flashy, that's usually enough to reel in the curious. We've got some tough competition, but as long as we can at least draw people over to our booth then that's half the battle won right there."

Kisuke chuckled. "You provide the power and the sales pitch, and I manage the gadgets that keep it running smoothly. Soi-Fon and a few others help round out the crowd on our end, and Ōmaeda will be stuck back here on barracks duty again. With a little luck, this should be a very productive exhibition."

"I sure hope so," said Yoruichi, "We've got a lot riding on this one."

Kisuke nodded. "That we do. You ready?"

Yoruichi grinned. "Yup! Let's do this!"

….

Sitting off to the side of the meal hall, Itachi was mildly amused at the excited gossip that was buzzing amongst his fellow students. They'd been ordered to gather there about an hour ago, but they'd been directed to follow a rather curious route, one that went completely around the main courtyard that typically offered the most direct path. There was only one reason for them to do so, of course; the Thirteen Court Guard Squads were making the final preparations for their exhibits, and the Academy faculty didn't want to spoil the surprise.

They would've been better off just having us all stay inside the dorms, he thought, although I suppose there are plenty of windows there that look out upon the courtyard, too. Still, they could've had us all gather in one of the common rooms there instead and simply covered up the windows until they were ready.

Next to him, Jiraiya stretched his arms. "Think they're just about ready for us? They've been hyping this up ever since finals ended, so I'm ready to get this show on the road!"

Visaelya nodded. "Agreed. I don't know what the Captains have planned, but surely it wouldn't require too much work to set up. After all, these are just advertisements for their divisions."

"They wish to maximize their chances of getting high-quality recruits," said Itachi, "Our class is quite promising based on what I've overheard from the Academy faculty."

Jiraiya smirked. "Tooting your own horn, Itachi? I thought you were subtler than that."

"It's just an observation," he replied, "You've surely picked up on it as well. If not, then I seriously have to question how you became one of the Legendary Sannin."

Jiraiya chuckled. "All right, I guess I walked into that one."

Visaelya raised an eyebrow. "Are you two ever going to tell me what that really means? While I respect your privacy with regards to your past life, Itachi, you throw that title around quite often when it comes to Jiraiya. What is its significance?"

Itachi turned to the sage. "I suppose we've known her long enough. What do you think?"

Jiraiya smiled. "Why not? Today's a special occasion, so I guess there's no harm in imparting some wisdom on our friend here!"

"Very well, then," said Itachi, "You do it. You were one of the three, after all."

Jiraiya shrugged. "All right, then."

"Three?" said Visaelya as she glanced between Jiraiya and Itachi, "The way you speak, it sounds like you were not one of them, Itachi."

"That's correct," Itachi replied, "They belonged to an older generation."

Visaelya turned back to Jiraiya. "Care to elaborate?"

"We've certainly got the time on our hands," said Jiraiya, "It was me and two fellow students. A lovely woman by the name of Tsunade, and a… troubled but gifted man called Orochimaru."

'Troubled' would be a considerable understatement, Itachi mused, I wonder what Visaelya would think of the twisted deeds he got up to…

"Anyway, the three of us were the students of a man named Hiruzen Sarutobi," Jiraiya continued, "He was the Third Hokage of our village."

Visaelya raised an eyebrow. "Third Hokage? You've mentioned the term 'Hokage' before, although with different numbers prefacing it. Was he an important figure?"

Jiraiya nodded. "You could say that. The Hokage is the leader of the Village Hidden in the Leaves where Itachi and I are from. They're the head of the local government and also the commander-in-chief of the village's Shinobi. Think of the one who holds that rank as someone like the Head Captain… although I don't know if there's ever been a Hokage that could match Yamamoto for raw power."

"I see," said Visaelya, "What made the Third Hokage decide to take you three on as his personal students?"

Jiraiya chuckled. "You know, that was always something of a mystery me. Orochimaru was extraordinarily talented; considered the village genius of our generation at the time, so the Third taking an interest in him made sense. As for Tsunade, you couldn't find a more powerful Kunoichi anywhere in the world no matter how hard you tried. Even in her youth, she was pretty damn strong, not to mention her healing skills were incredible. I was simply the class goof-off, so it was a little odd how I got thrown into the mix there."

Visaelya smirked. "Nice to see that some things never change."

Jiraiya gave her a confident grin. "Hey, laugh it up if you want, but I earned my keep! All three of us became powerful under the Third's tutelage, and we were quite the team. We had our disagreements, almost constantly butted heads and eventually went our separate ways, but when we worked together… well, let's just say we made our mark on the world."

Visaelya nodded. "I'll take your word for it. When did the three of you officially become the Legendary Sannin?"

"During the Second Shinobi World War," he replied, "Our team had been officially dissolved prior, but due to the scale of the conflict we continued to work together. We were a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield… but there was one man who proved himself to be our match."

Visaelya's eyes widened slightly. "Really? Who was this?"

"Hanzō of the Salamander," said Jiraiya, "He was the leader of the Village Hidden in the Rain. His nation was relatively small, and it was unfortunately stuck between three of what were known as the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Due to its position it had the rotten luck of serving as a battleground during the Second Shinobi World War. Even if his nation was small, though, Hanzō was no pushover. He was so powerful and skilled that he was able to take on all three of us. In fact, it was all Orochimaru, Tsunade and I could do just to survive his attacks. He had us beaten, but the fact that we were all still standing was enough for him to dub us the Hidden Leaf's Legendary Sannin. The name stuck. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said of us. That battle against Hanzō was the last time the three of us fought together as a team."

"What happened afterwards?" asked Visaelya.

Jiraiya sighed. "Of the three of us, the war hit Tsunade the hardest; she lost both her brother and the man she loved. Although she made invaluable contributions to the village with her skills in the healing arts, she just couldn't continue on with being a Shinobi after confronting such a profound and personal tragedy. She left the village and the path of the Shinobi after the war. With all that she had to go through, I can't say that I blame her."

Visaelya nodded somberly. "I see. What about the man you called Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya shook his head, his expression grim. "Orochimaru… he was incredibly gifted, but there was always something off with him. I think the root of it was the loss of his parents at a young age. He became obsessed with achieving immortality. At first it might've been out of the belief that if he could live long enough he'd be able to meet his parents again when the were reincarnated into the world. However, it eventually became something far worse; a twisted desire to understand all facets of ninjutsu and to prolong his own life no matter what the cost might be. He started conducting horrific experiments on people from the village, including his fellow Shinobi. His actions were eventually discovered and traced back to him, and he fled the village as a criminal wanted throughout the Shinobi World."

"And… yourself?" asked Visaelya hesitantly.

Jiraiya closed his eyes for a moment before answering. "I tried to stop Orochimaru from leaving the village. I wanted him to face justice and repent for the crimes he had committed, but he was too far gone. He escaped, and it was in no small part my fault that he did. Had I been able to stop him then, so much pain and suffering could've been avoided. It wasn't too long after that that I left the village myself. I suppose part of it was self-imposed exile. I did what I could to track Orochimaru's movements, along with those of a newly formed criminal group that he temporarily hooked up with known as the Akatsuki."

He then turned to Itachi and smirked. "As it so happens, our class star was part of that organization."

Visaelya turned to Itachi, clearly taken aback by this revelation. "Wait a second… you were a criminal, Itachi?"

It wasn't a label that Itachi would deny, given what he had done in his past life, but the truth wasn't quite so clear cut. "Yes, but it's not as simple an affair as you might think."

She looked like she wanted to press the matter further, but before she could do so a murmur went through the rest of the assembled students. Itachi and his companions turned to see that one of the Academy instructors had entered the meal hall.

Looks like it's finally time, he thought, I wonder what awaits us out there…

The instructor cleared his throat before addressing the assembled students. "I want you all to listen very carefully. The next four hours will consist of the public phase of the recruitment exhibition. Feel free to visit all the booths set up by the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and ask any questions that you wish. This is also your last big chance to make a favorable impression upon the Captains, so make sure your conduct is appropriate. At any time during the next four hours or afterwards, you may be approached by messengers or by one of the Captains themselves. If you are approached, pay close attention, for they will tell you when and where they wish to meet you to discuss their official recruitment offer. Messengers may approach you anytime between now and the end of the day, so even after the public phase is over you can still receive an offer."

"Seems straightforward enough," Jiraiya murmured.

The instructor paused, and to Itachi the man appeared a little apprehensive. "Also, do not approach Squad Ten's… mascot without express permission from Captain Drakken. Doing so will be a ticket to an early grave."

Visaelya actually smirked. "That's putting it mildly."

So, we'll finally get to see one of the legendary beasts of the Drakken Clan, he mused, I wonder if it'll measure up to Visaelya's boasting…

"As another warning," the instructor continued, "I would strongly advise not to openly stare at Squad Eleven's guest for too long, especially with regards to direct eye contact. That will be taken as a challenge, and it is one that I can assure you none of you would survive."

Itachi's eyes widened ever so slightly at that. The nature of the warning meant only one thing; Captain Starmont had somehow manage to bring on of his Great Noble House's northern allies down to the Seireitei for the exhibition.

A very powerful ally.

Visaelya seemed a bit taken aback as well. "No way… he actually summoned one for this?"

Jiraiya chuckled, and Itachi had a pretty good idea why. "Well, now… this should be interesting!"

That's one way to put it, he thought, I know you've got a thing for women who can kick your ass, Jiraiya, but if you don't keep it in check it could get you killed today…

That should be fun to watch, the spirit of his Zanpakutō chimed in, I do hope that you get us front row seats for that event.

I'm sure Jiraiya would appreciate the sentiment.

"Any offers that you receive must be replied to before the end of the day," said the instructors, "To facilitate this, representatives from each division will remain on campus after the public phase of the recruitment exhibition is complete. They will be here at the meal hall once the public phase ends, so feel free to seek them out. Also, any of you who do not receive an offer from one of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads need not worry; you will simply be assigned to a division based on personnel needs and your individual skills upon graduation. Do not rush this process. Take your time and carefully consider each division as you visit their Captains today. You all have passed your final exams, so even if you have not yet officially graduated from this institution, you may consider today to be the springboard for the start of your careers as Soul Reapers."

With that, he stepped aside and gestured to the doors behind him. "Now, it is time for this year's recruitment exhibition to get underway. Go out there and meet the Captains, and take your first steps into the world beyond this Academy!"

A day that has been far too long in coming. Will you keep up the pretense of exploring your options, or will you cut to the chase?

Itachi had to smirk at that. The spirit of his Zanpakutō knew exactly which division he wished to join, and after all this time there was no point in playing coy about it any longer.

Hers will be the first that I visit, and I'll make my intentions clear. However, there is no harm in at least checking out the other divisions afterwards. After all, we'll likely have to conduct operations with them at some point in the future. It would be good to at least have a general idea as to who our fellow divisions in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are.

True enough. Well, there's no point in waiting around here any longer. Let's get this show on the road.

Itachi concurred, and joined the rest of his fellow students as they headed for the exits. There was a palpable eagerness coursing through the crowd, but Itachi restrained himself. The public event would last for four hours; there was plenty of time.

Jiraiya gave him a knowing smirk as they waited patiently for the bottleneck to ease up. "I'm surprised you're holding yourself back; there's a very lovely lady waiting for you out there, after all!"

"She's waited six years for this day," Itachi calmly replied, "A few more minutes won't hurt anyone."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Well, I'm all for being fashionably late, but don't overdo it. You only get so many chances to impress a beautiful woman, after all!"

"I'm surprised you get any at all, you oaf," Visaelya quipped at the sage.

Jiraiya put his palm to his chest in a gesture of exaggerated pain. "Oh, that's just harsh, little Miss Vissy!"

"My next barb will be worse if you call me that again," she replied.

Jiraiya held up his hands in surrender. "All right, all right! You can have this round."

Itachi couldn't help but smirk slightly as the three of them approached the doorway. "You two are as entertaining as ever. Might I suggest turning your energies towards the Captains instead, though? We do want to make good impressions, after all."

Visaelya gave an embarrassed smile. "Yes… I suppose we do."

Jiraiya grinned. "Do I even need to ask where you're going first, Itachi?"

"You can, but it would be a waste of your breath," said Itachi, "Feel free to go where you wish; I already know what my first stop will be."

Jiraiya nodded. "You know what, I think I'll do just that. I like the idea of checking out the other Captains at my own pace."

"If you don't mind, Itachi," Visaelya chimed in, "I wish to accompany you. I believe we both have the same initial destination in mind."

Itachi gave her a small smile; it looked like she was finally ready to make her big move. "If that's your desire, then I will not stop you."

"Thank you," she said before turning to Jiraiya again, "Try to stay out of trouble, Pervert Author, less Captain Unohana do us all a favor and relieve you of your wandering hands."

Jiraiya laughed. "Ooh, maybe she should be the Captain that I visit first! It's been a long time, after all. I need to make sure she still remembers me!"

"I highly doubt she's forgotten you," Itachi deadpanned, "You do have a way with women, after all."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Nice of you to notice, Itachi."

"I suppose Itachi and I will meet up with you when it's over," said Visaelya, "Best of luck, Jiraiya."

The sage nodded. "Same to you."

Jiraiya broke off from the rest of them as they stepped outside. Itachi hadn't exactly been sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't the sight that confronted him now. It might've been called an exhibition, but it almost had something more akin to a festival's atmosphere. The courtyard was dominated by the displays put up by each of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and it took a moment for Itachi properly orient himself in the sea of displays. Each was quite unique, with some much more prominent and jaw-dropping than others, and while he looked forward to studying each of them up close he was currently focused on finding just one in particular.

Visaelya seemed a bit surprised as well. "Oh, my… I'd heard that the Captains could get creative, but this… I've honestly no clue which one might belong to Squad Two. Any ideas?"

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating instead on sensing spiritual pressure. It only took him a moment to find Yoruichi's distinctive presence, and when he opened his eyes he locked onto her exhibit.

"Right there," he said with a nod.

Visaelya's eyes widened slightly as she followed Itachi's gaze. "Oh, that's… interesting."

"That's one way to put it," he replied, "Shall we go say hello?"

It took a moment for Visaelya to reply; she was rather wrapped up in the display, and it was hard for Itachi to blame her. "Yes… let's do that."

It was certainly a distinctive one, there was no doubting that. While other Captains had apparently gone for either size, flare or a touch of the exotic, Yoruichi had apparently decided to embrace the element of shadow that came with the darker aspects of Squad Two and its connection to the Stealth Force. A strange mist enshrouded most of the display with the exception of the very front, and it was constantly shifting and writhing in a mix of dark blues and violets. Illumination was provided by a series of six columns with bowls of brilliant blue fire atop them, and Itachi realized that he could sense Yoruichi's spirit energy emanating from the flames.

She provided the power that gave life to them herself, he thought, much like how the flames that illuminated the barrow we explored last year were powered by the spirit energy of spell casters from the old kingdom. Fascinating…

At the center of the display was Yoruichi herself, sitting upon a stone chair that was covered in intricate and flowing runes. These runes glowed with spirit energy as well, and once again Itachi was reminded of the ancient Andunayan tomb. He could feel her power coming from the patterns emblazoned on the chair as well, a soft but clear reminder of both her strength and the incredible degree of control that she possessed. It wasn't just runes that decorated the chair she sat upon; sparks of white spirit energy danced along the back of it just over Yoruichi's head, almost providing a halo effect. The way the exhibit played with both light and shadow was most intriguing, and Itachi felt that it was rather fitting given the nature of the second division.

Yoruichi wasn't alone within the display. Standing to the right of her throne was Kisuke, while to the left was Soi-Fon. Shisui was close to the 'entrance', for want of a better term, and he also caught sight of Rija as well, along with a few other officers that he vaguely remembered from past field missions that Squad Two had taken students of the advanced track on.

The Captain grinned as the two of them approached. "The class ace and the daughter of the dragons, drawn here like moths to the flame… come on in. I don't bite… well, not unless you want me to, Itachi!"

He tried very hard to ignore the rush of heat that came to his face at that last part. Did she know that she had this effect on him? From the mischievous light gleaming in her golden eyes, he suspected he already knew the answer.

Kisuke chuckled. "What do you think of our little setup here?"

"It's very impressive," said Itachi as he and Visaelya stepped inside, "How did you put it all together?"

Kisuke smirked. "Hey, you know what they say; a good magician never reveals their tricks!"

"This can't just be all your doing, right, Captain Shihōin?" asked Visaelya, "I mean, I can feel your spirit energy coursing throughout this display, but…"

Yoruichi smiled. "You're wondering if the fog is a natural power of mine or something else? It's the latter. Let me put it this way; I'm providing the energy that sustains all this, while Kisuke worked up all the tricks that harness and channel it into the display that surrounds you."

"We knew that we couldn't compete with the likes of Squad Ten in a contest of raw power for grabbing attention," Shisui chimed in, "So we decided to play a different game. Squad Two's always had a bit of an air of mystery due to our involvement in espionage, scouting and security, so we felt we should play up that darker aspect of our division."

"You've certainly done so," said Visaelya as she looked around, "Some might be rather intimidated by the encompassing shadows of the mist."

Yoruichi smirked. "But you're not among them, right? Would that be your family pride speaking?"

Visaelya smiled confidently. "The Drakken Clan doesn't balk at shadows."

Yoruichi nodded. "Well said. Now then, what do you two say we get down to business?"

She snapped her fingers, and the dark mist moved to cover the entrance entirely. Now it was just the two students, Yoruichi and her subordinates, with only the flickering bowls of blue flame giving any sort of light. Studying Squad Two's Captain closely, Itachi felt that her demeanor was now akin to a jungle cat that had her prey in her sights.

"You two know more about my division than most students in your class, given the missions that we've taken you on," she said, "Still, one of the purposes of the recruitment exhibition is for us Captains to offer information so that bright pupils such as yourselves can make an informed decision once we start bombarding you with offers. Feel free to ask whatever's on your mind."

Itachi nodded, deciding to take the lead. "Very well, then. If we joined your division as Soul Reapers, how much overlap would our duties have with those of the Stealth Force?"

"As new recruits, it would initially be a bit limited," Rija answered, "Given the nature of the Stealth Force's mission profile, your assignments would only start to intersect with theirs once you've gained greater familiarity with the division and its responsibilities."

"We want you to be able to work well with the Stealth Force," Yoruichi added, "Cooperation is essential, and even though I command both the Stealth Force and Squad Two it can be difficult for members of both groups to work together if they don't fully understand each other. That's why you'll be given time after the official orientation to familiarize yourself with the inner workings of both organizations. Your superior officers, myself included, will do all we can to guide you through that period. It's definitely a different world when compared to other units, but it also means that many of our assignments are quite unique and offer challenges and chances to test yourself in ways that you wouldn't find in other divisions."

"I know that Squad Two oversees the Nest of Maggots prison," said Visaelya, "Technically its under the jurisdiction of the Stealth Force, but your Third Seat is also the Corps Commander of the Detention Unit, correct? Would we be called upon to aid there even though we wouldn't officially be members of the Stealth Force?"

Kisuke shrugged. "It depends. The two of you have superb Hakuda and Hohō scores, which are essential when it comes to working the Nest of Maggots. You'd be given an overview of the prison and the other facilities associated with the Detention Unit during your orientation, and you'd be expected to retain what you learn there should there be a crisis and we need you to act as reinforcements. Brand new Soul Reapers don't usually get called upon, though; we want you to build up a decent amount of experience before throwing you in there."

"The inmates of the Nest of Maggots are not to be trifled with," Soi-Fon cautioned, "They're extremely dangerous, and not just because of their crimes or the skills they possess. While within the prison they can move about freely and converse with the other inmates, but the nature of the Nest of Maggots is enough to drive all but the most disciplined prisoners to madness. That insanity can lead them to suddenly attacking Soul Reapers or members of the Stealth Force at a moment's notice, which is why Hakuda and Hohō are crucial areas of skill for anyone whose duties include the Nest of Maggots."

"An ironclad rule of that prison is that there are no weapons allowed for anyone who goes in there," said Yoruichi, her eyes narrowing, "There are no exceptions, even for me. Anyone who joins my division are required to keep their Hakuda skills as sharp as possible precisely because the Nest of Maggots is under our control, and I need everyone under my command to possess the abilities required to operate in such a dangerous environment."

"Being the jailkeepers of the Soul Society isn't exactly glamorous, but it is important work," Shisui pointed out, "By keeping the inmates confined we save lives just as surely as we do when we slay and purify Hollows."

"If you are asked to work the Nest of Maggots, it wouldn't be permanently," Rija added with a reassuring smile, "Wardens and guards are regularly rotated in order to avoid fatigue and burnout."

Yoruichi grinned. "If we're being honest here, I wouldn't be recruiting you guys just to turn you into my newest jailkeepers. The kind of talent you two have is best put to use out in the field, and that's where I want you! I may let Kisuke borrow you from time to time to help out the Detention Unit once I know that you can handle it, but it would only be on a temporary basis."

"What would our field work consist of?" asked Itachi, "The missions we did with you as students gave us a good look at some of Squad Two's operations, but I imagine that there's far more to it than the glimpse we got."

Yoruichi nodded. "You're right about that. I know you two have already gotten a good overview of our duties; in addition to the usual Hollow hunting, we're the eyes and ears of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads out in the field. Scouting missions in The Wild and the Realms of the Living are a regular occurrence for us, so you'll pick up plenty of reconnaissance work. Along with tracking and slaying Hollows, we also hunt down criminals, and you would be working with the Stealth Force for operations like that."

"We also tend to get more unusual assignments than other divisions," said Kisuke, "That expedition to the barrow in the north was a good example of that. Helping Squad Twelve with surveying and updating official charts and maps of the Soul Society isn't unheard of for us, especially since our members tend to excel at rapid movement. We also do extended patrols out in The Wild to keep tabs on the movements of known bandit tribes to make sure they don't consolidate and become a serious threat."

"In some cases, we'll be called upon to infiltrate those tribes for the purposes of intelligence gathering and sabotage," Shisui chimed in, "Assassinating leaders, burning food supplies, destroying weapons; you name it, we do it."

Rija nodded. "We're not just another sword for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; we're the knife that they use for their dirty work. We seek out threats and nip them in the bud through whatever means necessary."

Not unlike the Anbu black ops, thought Itachi, I'll be more at home in Squad Two than I could ever have imagined before starting my education here…

"Speaking of seeking out threats, that includes internal ones as well, right?" asked Visaelya as she turned to Shisui, "When we were exploring the Andunayan barrow, you mentioned that Squad Two often works with the Stealth Force to police the Seireitei. As new recruits, would be asked to partake in such operations?"

"On a case by case basis," Shisui replied cautiously, "The Seireitei's a whole different kind of jungle than what you'd find out in The Wild or the Realms of the Living."

Yoruichi nodded. "He's not wrong. The Seireitei may be the heart of our civilization, but don't let that fool you; policing it can be just as dangerous as hunting down Hollows or marauders beyond the Rukon District. After all, in here your opponents are much more likely to be your fellow Soul Reapers. They know the terrain just like you and have had the same education, not to mention they'll all have their own Zanpakutō."

She leaned forward and clasped her hands in front of her with a dark look in her eyes. "Since the internal security of the Seireitei is such a serious responsibility, should you join Squad Two you will also be given additional training in how best to take down your fellow Soul Reapers, and here's a hint; it won't be through honorable combat. The other divisions know this, and their members often harbor more than a hint of resentment towards us for that. We don't fight clean; we can't afford to when it's the safety and security of the Soul Society at risk. You'll learn every dirty trick you can think of and a good deal more besides, and you will be expected to use them should the need arise."

Itachi nodded; he'd expected as much, and it wasn't all that difference from what the Uchiha Clan had once done in their role as the Leaf Village Military Police Force. "Understood."

He glanced at Visaelya, and to her credit she did not seem daunted by what Yoruichi was describing. "Of course. The protection of the Soul Society must come first. Our personal honor is a secondary concern."

Yoruichi gave an approving smile. "Impressive. I expected as much from you, Itachi, but you, Visaelya… you're full of surprises today. I definitely like you more than your uncle, that's for sure! He's too prideful to truly appreciate our duties like you do. Are you sure you're a Drakken and not a long-lost Shihōin?"

Visaelya returned her smile. "While I'm sure it would be an honor to be counted amongst the members of your clan, Captain Shihōin, my blood is that of the dragons."

"Maybe," Yoruichi replied, "but your mind is something else. I think you might take to our kind of work much more naturally than any other member of your family ever could."

"I would be honored to be given the chance to prove you correct," said Visaelya.

Yoruichi grinned. "Interesting…"

"Did either of you have any additional questions?" asked Soi-Fon.

Itachi nodded. "Yes. Do Squad Two and the Stealth Force patrol the Rukon District in addition to the Seireitei, The Wild, and the Realms of the Living?"

Yoruichi gave him a thoughtful look. "We do, yes. After all, since it surrounds the Seireitei its important to keep tabs on developments there."

"Do you maintain records of particular groupings or communities within the Rukon District?" Itachi asked.

Yoruichi leaned forward again. "Yes, and should you join our ranks you would have access to them."

The light in her eyes was all Itachi needed to know that she had an idea as to why he was pursuing this line of inquiry. It wasn't surprising; he knew that Shisui took the time to patrol the Rukon District in an effort to track down other members of the Uchiha Clan, and it was likely that Yoruichi at least suspected what her Tenth Seat was doing out there.

"That being said," she continued with a smirk, "should you be assigned any Rukon District patrols, you would be expected to make sure that the mission remains your priority. I'm not opposed to you surveying the Rukon District out of personal interest, but I do expect you to maintain your professionalism and accomplish your assigned objectives."

Itachi gave a very small smile; she'd all but given him permission to join Shisui in searching for traces of their clan should he join Squad Two, and that was all the more reason for him to sign up as quickly as possible. "I understand. I can assure you that I would be able to maintain my focus and complete such missions successfully."

Yoruichi grinned. "I never doubted that for a moment. Any other questions?"

Visaelya nodded. "Yes. Forgive me if this sounds premature, but how soon would we be given opportunities for advancement?"

Yoruichi chuckled. "My, my, someone's eager to start moving up the ranks!"

Visaelya gulped nervously. "Forgive me, I just…"

Yoruichi laughed. "Oh, lighten up! I don't mind the question. I'm actually kind of surprised it took you this long to ask it. As for the answer, your rate of advancement will be determined by a few different factors. Skill's obviously an important one, but there's also the matter of how soon new positions open up in the ranks above you. There's a fair amount of personnel turnover throughout the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, what with promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and of course unfortunate deaths in the line of duty. Work hard and show me what you're made of, and you'll have a fair shot at climbing the ladder!"

She leaned back and stretched. "That being said, there's a general rule across the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; the ranks of Fifteenth Seat and above are typically reserved for those who have unlocked their Shikai. There are a few exceptions, but they don't come up very often. If you want to move up the ranks, the fastest way to do so is to deepen the bond between you and your Zanpakutō. Once you unleash your Shikai, you'll find a whole new world of opportunities opening up before you."

Visaelya nodded. "I see. Thank you for your time, Captain Shihōin. This has been very informative."

"Yes," said Itachi as he met Yoruichi's gaze, "I'm now surer than ever just which division I wish to join."

It was as clear a message as he could offer to Squad Two's Captain, and she grinned in response. "Glad to hear it! Still, don't be afraid to check out the displays that the other divisions are putting on. This is your only chance to experience the recruitment exhibition as students, after all, so have some fun and make the most of it!"

Visaelya smiled. "Of course. I'm honored by the time you've given us today Captain Shihōin… and should I prove worthy of your consideration, I eagerly await your offer."

Yoruichi smirked. "Not exactly subtle, but I like someone who's confident enough to lay their cards out on the table. You'll be hearing from me sooner than you might think, Visaelya. Same goes for you, Itachi!"

She snapped her fingers, and the mist behind them receded to reveal the entrance again. "Now, go out there and enjoy yourselves! Captain's orders!"

Shisui gave them a friendly smile. "It was good seeing you two again. I'll come find you both in a little while, so don't stray too far!"

Itachi gave his friend a nod. "I'll be looking forward to it."

"Yes," said Visaelya, and Itachi couldn't help but notice the slight blush that came to her face, "Same here, Tenth… I mean, Shisui."

As the two of them left Squad Two's exhibit, Visaelya turned to Itachi. "So, where next?"

Itachi shrugged. "I have no plans. I was assuming you'd want to check out your uncle's division, but if you want to inspect another's exhibit instead that works for me."

Visaelya nodded. "Squad Ten sounds good. Let's go."

He gave one last look over his shoulder at Squad Two's Captain. Some new students had entered her division's exhibit, but before the mist moved to conceal them Yoruichi gave Itachi a wink and a smile. He nodded in return. His intentions were clear, as was her invitation.

I'll pay the others a visit, but at this point it's little more than a formality.

Good, the spirit of his Zanpakutō chimed in, I can't imagine a better division for us.

Glad we're on the same page.

….

As fascinating as the displays of each division appeared, there had never been any doubt in Jiraiya's mind as to which one he'd visit first. It had been far too long since he'd laid eyes on Squad Four's lovely Captain, so even if he didn't consider himself to be cut from the healer's cloth he was still determined to check it out if for no other reason than to speak with the division's beautiful leader.

Not for the first time, he idly wondered what would've happened had Squad Four's Captain met Tsunade. Two incredibly gifted healers who were also powerful fighters and gorgeous women to boot? If nothing else, they'd probably have more than their fair share of jokes to make at his expense!

The chakra that Tsunade's build up over the years, combined with her skills in the healing arts, means that it will likely be many more years before she finally passes on to the Soul Society, he thought with a smile, I hope that's the case, at least. As much as I might want to see her again, she deserves as much time as possible in the Realms of the Living. In the meantime, I've got another powerful woman that I can work my charms on!

The Academy courtyard was filled with the spiritual pressure of the Captains to a point that it was almost suffocating, even though Jiraiya was sure that they were still suppressing the bulk of their power. Even so, it was relatively easy for him to pick out Unohana amidst the ambient spirit energy. Hers was a most unique presence; calm and soothing, yet with an undercurrent of steel… and a hint of something darker just beneath that. Jiraiya couldn't quite put his finger on what that might be, and it made her all the more intriguing to him.

Her division's exhibit wasn't as flashy or exotic as those of her fellow Captains, but it had a certain simple elegance and tranquility to it that he found to be quite appealing. A light blue banner was suspended by two poles overhead, with the words 'Squad Four' emblazoned upon it in black characters, and the writing was surrounded by a white embroidery pattern that looked like the gentle waves of the ocean. The division's insignia was the bellflower, and many pots filled with these blue-violet flowers created a beautiful perimeter around the display. Sitting on a simple yet quite comfortable looking cushion in the center of the exhibit was the Captain herself, a beacon of gentleness and serenity in the lively courtyard. Her Lieutenant, whom Jiraiya recognized thanks to his visits to the Squad Four barracks during the soul fracture incident with Itachi, was seated just to the left behind her.

There was another figure that was on a cushion to the right behind Unohana, a woman that Jiraiya had not seen before. She was unusually tall, at least six feet if Jiraiya had to guess, and had friendly if slightly nervous grey eyes that went rather well with her short and slightly messy silver hair. It was styled a little strangely on the right side with two shoulder-length braids, but Jiraiya had to admit it looked good on her. Thin and dangling red earrings framed her face and provided a bit of variety to the rest of her attire, which consisted of the standard Soul Reaper's uniform. Her figure was quite athletic, and her rather prominent chest, while not as magnificent as Tsunade's, was still enough to elicit a small smile from the renowned Pervy Sage. Of course, he couldn't afford to give it more than a glance while under the watchful gaze of Unohana.

Speaking of the Captain, she gave him a smile that was as charming and serene as it was downright beautiful. "Ah, if it isn't the Seireitei's latest literary sensation. Welcome, Jiraiya. Should I be flattered or concerned that you've apparently chosen to visit my division's exhibit first today?"

Jiraiya laughed. "I'm humbled by your praise, although your question wounds me! If a man doesn't seek out first the loveliest Captain in all of the Soul Society, then I'd have to question his priorities!"

He was surprised to actually hear her giggle, and boy was it the sweetest music to his ears. "Your boldness may yet be your undoing, but your silver tongue comes second only to your literary talents. Come then, Jiraiya, and let us see where your nerve takes you today."

She motioned to the cushion in front of her, and Jiraiya took a seat. With a much closer vantage point, he took the opportunity to study her gaze. Her deep blue eyes were much like her spiritual pressure; calm and gentle, yet with a hint of shadow that suggested something ominous lurking just out of sight. It was definitely a different feel than he'd gotten from Tsunade; her threats of retribution for his mischievous ways were open and quickly followed by a decisive beating from her inhumanly powerful fists. For all the compassion and tranquility that seemed to surround the Soul Society's greatest healer at first glance, that shadow suggested something much more dangerous awaited those who ran afoul her. A lesser man might've been scared.

Jiraiya was most certainly not lesser men, and he was intrigued.

A mystery for another time, he thought, I definitely want to know more, but that's not on today's agenda.

"Smooth words and an unhealthy boldness aside, I must admit that I'm rather surprised at your decision to approach my division before any other," said Unohana, "I've seen your Academy grades, and while they are most impressive, your results and notes from your instructors seem to indicate that your inclinations are more those of someone who wishes to fight on the front lines rather than act in a supporting capacity."

Jiraiya chuckled. "I'm more than just a fighter, you know? I've already surprised you once today; who's to say I can't do so again?"

The Captain smiled. "Yes… and the day is quite young."

Jiraiya nodded before turning to the silver-haired girl. "It is, which means we've got time for proper introductions. What's your name, my lovely lady?"

He saw just a hint of red appear on her cheeks before she answered. "I'm Isane Kotetsu, Squad Four's Seventh Seat!"

"Isane is quite a gifted Soul Reaper," said Unohana, "Her talents in the healing arts are coming along superbly, and she is also quite competent with her Zanpakutō. Truly, I'm most fortunate to have her in my division."

Jiraiya gave Isane a warm smile. "That's high praise coming from someone as accomplished as you. Keep up the good work, Isane!"

The plaudits seemed to fluster her, although she was still able to return his smile. "Oh… I will! Thanks!"

Unohana then gestured at the man behind and to the left of her. "I believe you're already acquainted with Lieutenant Yamada."

Jiraiya nodded. "How've you been?"

Seinosuke Yamada simply nodded. "Well enough."

This one's a cool customer, he thought, I wonder what it takes to ruffle his feathers…

"Now, let us commence with the business at hand," said Unohana, "As amusing as your company can be, Jiraiya, the recruitment exhibition does require that these sessions be handled seriously. So, what does a romantic-comedy novelist and soon-to-be Soul Reaper wish to know about Squad Four?"

Jiraiya leaned forward; if she wanted to curtail the small-talk, he could oblige. "Well, then, I suppose the best place to start would be this; what's it like in your division? I know you're the healing heart of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, but there's gotta be more to it than that."

"Medical duties are the core of our function," Unohana answered, "but you are correct; like a fine gemstone, there are several facets that we must be viewed through. In addition to our primary role as healers, you could also consider us to be the premier logistical division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. We help ensure that the other divisions are properly supplied, both with emergency first aid necessities in case members of Squad Four can't be immediately present and also with more mundane items such as rations and other consumable goods."

"We help administer the flow of consumables throughout the Seireitei," Lieutenant Yamada added, "Relying upon private merchants simply isn't sufficient, especially from a security standpoint. While Squad Four may be first and foremost the medical division, our members do have basic combat training, so if needed they can defend supplies, although of course they would also call for support from the other squads."

"We also help manage the overall inventory of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads," Isane chimed in, "We work closely with Squad One in that regard since they're the main administrative division."

Jiraiya nodded. "So, it's a lot of behind the scenes work, then. Am I on the right track?"

Unohana smiled. "Yes, you are. Some of it may not be as flashy or glamorous as the duties of other divisions, but they are essential to keeping the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as a whole up and running. While I'm not one to boast, it's a simple fact that without our work the entire organization would collapse."

"I see," said Jiraiya, "What else does Squad Four get involved in?"

"Teaching," Unohana replied, "When we have the available time and personnel, we host lectures and practical lessons regarding emergency healing. Members from all divisions are invited to attend, and even if medical duties are not their primary responsibilities these sessions can still provide a chance to learn and practice invaluable lifesaving skills. After all, even though Squad Four has relief teams that work with the other divisions, in the event that our members cannot be physically present for an operation or must scramble to reach units in the field, having personnel on hand that have even just a basic knowledge of field first aid can mean the difference between life and death."

Jiraiya smiled; he had enough experience from his past Shinobi life to know that she spoke the truth. "You're right about that. Where do you advertise for these sessions? I definitely wouldn't want to miss out on one."

"We take out ads in the Seireitei News Magazine," said Isane, "We also post notices on the public boards that every division maintains."

"It's effective enough," chimed in Seinosuke, "We have steady and reasonable attendance at our events, although of course the ones that tend to draw the biggest crowds are those led by the Captain herself."

Jiraiya grinned as he met Unohana's gaze again. "Well, that's only natural. I'd be all for some instruction from a Soul Reaper as accomplished as you!"

Unohana gave him a knowing look. "I wonder if you'd be saying that to Captains that weren't of the fairer sex."

Jiraiya laughed. "Of course, I would!"

He could tell that she wasn't buying it one bit, but she at least seemed willing to humor him. "Well, I'm pleased to see that you have an open attitude about such things. Is there anything else that I might assist you with today?"

"I know your division is primarily support, but when things are dire, have you ever been deployed straight to the front lines?" asked Jiraiya.

That shadow in her eyes grew just a bit more prominent in response. "As a division? No. If matters are so severe enough that members of Squad Four are needed as combat reinforcements, only one is sent. Only myself… and I can assure you that that's not only quite intentional, but more than enough."

Jiraiya didn't doubt it for a moment; even in a friendly setting such as this, he could feel the power that she was suppressing. When combined with that hint of shadow in her gaze, it made him almost feel sorry for whatever Hollow had the misfortune of becoming her target.

"I can definitely see that," he said, "I still remember the night you and Captain Shihōin saved me and Itachi like it was yesterday. You dealt with your Hollow pretty easily."

Unohana smiled. "I'm glad that I could leave you with such a positive impression of my skills. Truth be told, though, my performance that night could've used some work. I do my best to keep a reasonable training regimen, but the simple fact is I don't get similar opportunities for field combat as other Captains. I'm quite proud of my role as a healer, but I must admit it is somewhat regrettable that my status means the Head Captain is reluctant to send me to the front lines in a combat capacity."

Jiraiya nodded. "I see. I can understand his reasoning, although I do think it'd be better for all of us if he gave you a little more leeway. Any division would be lucky to have you appearing on the front lines to reinforce them."

"Once again, your talent for flattery is quite remarkable," Unohana replied with a laugh, "Of course, I do not consider flattery alone to make someone worthy of joining Squad Four."

Jiraiya grinned. "Maybe, but it can't hurt my chances, right?"

Unohana nodded, although the look on her face was rather serious. "I suppose not, but is this something you are seriously considering? Your spirit energy reserves are remarkable, especially for a student, so I have no doubt that with proper training you would make a most effective healer. However, your aptitude scores and finals results indicate a disposition that is much more suited for field work."

Jiraiya leaned forward. "There's nothing wrong with me exploring my options, right?"

"There is not," Unohana concurred, "but that does not change my reservations."

She looked at him for a moment, and Jiraiya could sense the gears at work behind those deep blue eyes. What she was pondering, the sage couldn't say, and this was despite the experience he'd gained at reading people over his long career as a Shinobi.

She nodded a few seconds later. "Well, as much as I enjoy educating others on the inner workings of my division, I cannot devote the entire recruitment exhibition to a single student, even one as charming and talented as yourself. If you are indeed exploring your options, Jiraiya, then it would be a disservice for me to keep you here so long that you miss the chance to make inquiries of the other divisions."

That seemed to be her hint to leave, but before he could do so she smiled again. "Might I suggest Squad Eight as your next stop? I know that Captain Kyōraku has been rather keen on meeting you again, especially since he has a taste for your novels. You may find some intriguing possibilities with his division… and those may have threads that tie back to mine as well."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Really? Care to elaborate?"

Her smile took on an air of amusement. "Not at this time. There are many mysteries in life, after all, and where is the fun in depriving a man like you the chance to solve one?"

Jiraiya chuckled. "So that's the game, huh? All right, then. I suppose I can play along."

He stood up and gave her one last smile. "It was a pleasure to speak to you again, Captain Unohana. I'm already eagerly awaiting our next meeting."

Unohana nodded, and her reply surprised him. "As am I, Jiraiya… and it may come much sooner than you think."

….

As she and Itachi approached Squad Ten's exhibit, Visaelya took a deep breath. She should not have felt this apprehensive given that this was essentially her family's division, but her growing desire to carve out her own path and deviate from what was seen as the only true road for members of the Drakken Clan to follow meant that her nerves threatened to betray her.

You haven't made up your mind yet, she told herself, there's no harm in simply looking around and paying a friendly visit to your uncle.

Unfortunately, Visaelya knew that that wasn't as true as she might wish it were. No doubt her uncle had expected her to visit his division first, so in his eyes she'd likely already committed her first slight by going to Squad Two's exhibit at the beginning instead. That might be something he'd overlook if she still joined Squad Ten, but if she did ultimately follow the guidance of her friends and strike out on her new path then her perceived offense would be multiplied a hundredfold.

She was so wrapped up in her doubts that she practically jumped when she felt Itachi's hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you're up for this? We can visit another division before this one if you want."

She had to smile; her friend had seen right through her, and while she might've wished for Shisui to be at her side here instead, she was still pleased that Itachi was willing to support her. "Yes, I just… well, it's a little harder than I'd anticipated."

Itachi nodded. "I imagine so. Remember, no matter how much influence your uncle or any other member of your family may try to exert on you, ultimately this is your decision. Do what feels right for you, not them."

Visaelya took another deep breath and felt her nerves begin to settle. "My decision… yes. Let's do this."

Her personal circumstances aside, the Squad Ten exhibit would've been imposing for any approaching student. The front was relatively straightforward; an archway of black stone had been constructed, and carved at the apex of the arch were the words 'Squad Ten', and just beneath those was an engraved image of a daffodil, the division's symbol. Above the division name was another engraved image, this one of a dragon's head wreathed in flame; the sigil of the Great Noble House Drakken. As impressive as the craftsmanship of the archway was, though, it paled in comparison to what lay beyond it.

Visaelya could feel the power radiating from the three men that were representing her family's division again. At the peak, of course, was her uncle, who looked utterly in his element at the spectacle that was the Academy's recruitment exhibition. He stood tall and proud, practically the poster child for men of the Drakken Clan. His skin was immaculately cleaned, and not so much as a strand of that long silver-blond hair that the clan was so widely known for was out of place. His violet eyes were gleaming with energy as he fielded questions from what must've been at least a dozen students; most members of the Drakken Clan were quite at home being the center of attention, and Rhaegon simply took to it even more naturally than the rest.

Standing with him were Lieutenant Obran Dorrell and Third Seat Isshin Shiba. Like their Captain, both men were also taking and answering questions from visiting students, but Visaelya could tell that they also had another task; to keep the pupils at a safe distance from one of the greatest of the Drakken Clan's legendary beasts.

I'd heard that he would be bringing his personal mount, she thought, I haven't seen it myself in a long time…

As majestic as he was fearsome, Daeloron The Infernal, mascot of Squad Ten and the personal dragon of Rhaegon Drakken, loomed menacingly behind the Captain and his subordinates. At least a hundred feet in length, it was a miracle that there had been room enough for the rest of the exhibits in the courtyard given just how much space the great beast was taking up. Even curled up and resting, the fire-drake utterly dominated Squad Ten's exhibit, easily putting the archway to shame.

Ashen black scales dominated the creature's hide, although these became intermingled with red ones along his back and neck. Opening his enormous jaws to yawn, he revealed gleaming and dripping teeth that were each the size of a typical Zanpakutō. Flanking its long tongue were two fleshy tubes; these were the vectors from which the beast could unleash the great flames that its kind were so feared for. Its amber eyes had a mildly curious gleam in them as they idly scanned the students milling about the courtyard, and Visaelya sincerely hoped that her uncle had fed Daeloron prior to bringing him here.

Behind his eyes and running down his neck were a series of spines connected by thin layers of pinkish-red flesh. These would normally lie dormant, but whenever the beast felt threatened or wanted to make a display of dominance Visaelya knew that he would raise them, and she could speak from firsthand experience as to how they enhanced his already fearsome appearance. Further back where his neck met his shoulders were the roots of Daeloron's black and red wings. They were currently folded at his side, but she had seen before how massive they were when the dragon took to the sky; his wingspan was almost as great as he was long, and the shadows they cast beneath him while he was in flight served as a foreboding omen to those that were unfortunate enough to face him in combat. The dragon had no front legs, but rather a set of claws that were at the joints of each wing, allowing him to crawl along the ground or rend prey with when he wasn't using his vicious fangs. Near the base of the dragon's tail, which like his neck had rows of fleshy spines running down it, two legs as thick as tree-trunks and ending in feet with claws as long as Visaelya's forearm gave the beast the means to move about on the surface when it didn't feel like flying.

She glanced at Itachi, wondering what he might make of one of the crown jewels of the Drakken Clan. Even if she was leaning towards defying her family this day, that did not change the fact that she was proud of her clan and its contributions to the Soul Society, and she wanted its power and prestige to be properly demonstrated to her friend.

For his part, Itachi remained calm, although she saw his eyes widen ever so slightly as he examined Daeloron. "Fascinating…"

It certainly didn't match the dropped jaws and looks of awe in the eyes of the other students that were gazing upon the dragon, but Visaelya hadn't exactly expected such from Itachi. His subdued but still noticeable reaction was more than enough for her, and despite her earlier apprehension she could not help but smile.

"Not the largest of our great drakes," said Visaelya, "That honor goes to Rhygaron The Blood Wing, the personal dragon of the Drakken Clan's patriarch, my grandfather. However, Daeloron is faster and more cunning than Rhygaron, at least in my estimation."

Itachi nodded. "Our classes gave a cursory examination of your family's creatures, but to actually see one of them firsthand is… well, it'll certainly be memorable."

"That's one way to put it," said Visaelya as she steeled herself for the imminent encounter, "Well, let's go make our presence known, shall we?"

The two of them came to the archway, with Visaelya taking the lead. Of course, it didn't take long for her uncle and his subordinates to spot them; indeed, Visaelya was sure that they'd been tracking her movements ever since the recruitment exhibition had gotten underway. Politely dismissing the current batch of students that surrounded him, he smiled and spread his arms in a magnanimous greeting gesture. Much to Visaelya's relief, the warmth in his expression seemed to be genuine, and it gave her hope that perhaps he was willing to overlook her earlier visit to Squad Two's exhibit.

"My dear niece," he said as he strode forward and embraced her, "Oh, how long have I waited for this day!"

She smiled as she returned the hug. "It's good to see you again, Uncle Rhaegon… I mean, Captain Drakken."

He chuckled as he released her. "Visaelya, if I've already embraced you, I think you can safely assume that I'm dispensing with formality for this occasion!"

That was one of the things she liked about her uncle; he might've been proud and often overbearing, but he had a soft spot for those he considered close family. "I understand… Uncle"

He then turned to Itachi and held out his hand. "And you must be Itachi Uchiha. I've heard a great deal about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

Itachi nodded as he shook Rhaegon's hand. "Likewise, Captain Drakken. I believe the last time I saw you was the joint Hollow extermination operation between your division and Squad Two."

Rhaegon smiled. "Ah, yes, the one involving the Hollow nest just beyond the Rukon District's eastern borders. You were one of the students acting with our interception groups. If I recall correctly, word was that you gave a superb accounting for yourself by student standards."

"I simply did what I was trained to do," Itachi replied, "and I did not fight alone. Visaelya fought courageously as well in that encounter, and without her aid it might've gone quite differently."

Visaelya smiled at his praise, even though she knew quite well that he was covering for her. After all, she'd been the only one in their group to be wounded in that mission. She'd become the weak link, only surviving due to her friends defending her, not to mention Shisui's timely intervention.

You've become stronger since then, the spirit of her Zanpakutō chimed in, and there is no shame on relying on help from your friends.

Perhaps, but I do not wish to become a burden to them. I will continue to increase my strength and repay them for what they've done for me.

I expect nothing less from you.

She'd grown much more accustomed over the past year to these mental conversations with her Zanpakutō. Now she could have them even in the midst of social gatherings such as the current circumstances without giving a sign of it to those around her. If nothing else, she was certainly proud of that bit of advancement in her abilities.

Rhaegon nodded. "Able to give credit where it is due, I see. A fine trait, and one that befits a leader. Your skills encompass more than just the fighting arts, it would seem."

He studied him carefully for a moment, and to Visaelya it seemed as if this was actually the first time he had seriously regarded him. Had he been so focused on getting his niece into his division that he'd actually ignored Itachi even though he was above her in the class rankings? Had he done the same with regards to Jiraiya?

Perhaps our family's pride truly is a double-edged sword, she mused, I always believed my uncle to be the greatest Captain in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, but if he made such a mistake like this simply because he put greater stock in the Drakken Clan name than what his own eyes would've told him by paying attention to the student scores, then that would be a serious oversight on his part.

Not that you'll tell him that to his face.

Not here. It's not an appropriate setting for it.

For his part, Itachi simply nodded courteously. "You're too kind, Captain Drakken."

Rhaegon then turned to his subordinates. "If your memory's sharp, then perhaps you'll recall my Lieutenant and Third Seat, both of whom were also present during that operation."

Itachi nodded again. "Of course. It's good to see you again, Lieutenant Dorrell and Third Seat Shiba."

Obran smiled. "Likewise. I'll admit that I never caught much more than a glimpse of you that day, but from what I've heard it sounds like you have some serious potential."

"That's the word that's going around," Isshin chimed in as he gave Itachi an evaluating look, "If Squad Two's reports from that mission were accurate, then it seems that there's some truth to it."

"I don't know what Squad Two's reports regarding that operation had to say about me," Itachi replied, "I prefer to let my skills speak for themselves."

Isshin smiled. "Good answer."

Rhaegon chuckled. "Well, Itachi, I'm sure that you and my niece didn't come here simply to reminisce about an old mission! What do you wish to learn about the most exciting division in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads? Ask whatever it is you'd like; we're an open book, I promise!"

Visaelya actually knew quite a bit already about the division thanks to everything her family and private tutors had told her; her Academy education in that regard had really been redundant. Besides, they were ignoring the elephant in the room… or, in this case, the live dragon in the courtyard.

"If I may be so bold, Uncle," she said, "I think it'd be best if we start with your division's mascot. I'm familiar enough with Daeloron, but I'm afraid that the same can't be said for Itachi. After all, the amount of exposure the Academy gives to our clan's dragons is quite limited."

Rhaegon beamed, which was hardly a surprise; Visaelya was sure that he never missed a chance to brag about his prized beast. "Well, who am I to say no to a request like that? What do you wish to know about the greatest dragon all the Soul Society, Itachi?"

Itachi studied the black behemoth carefully. "How do you manage to keep such a creature tame? I can only imagine the kind of damage he would do in a setting such as this were the mood to strike him."

Rhaegon gave a hearty laugh. "You're not wrong there! Daeloron's in his prime; even a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would be hard pressed to stop him should he go on a rampage. Fortunately, the Drakken Clan has a most comprehensive process for domesticating our dragons. Ever since he hatched, he's been exposed to my spirit energy, and dragons have remarkably keen senses when it comes to such things. In his early days he was certainly a willful creature, so exerting my spiritual pressure back then was an expression of dominance and intimidation. Of course, he still tried to press his luck, and he got a few firm lessons as to who was more powerful. To put it plainly, he's well-behaved because he knows better."

"And what about when you're not around?" asked Itachi, "He wasn't present during the joint operation with Squad Two, after all."

"We made sure he was well-fed before we departed," Obran answered, "A dragon with its hunger sated is a happy and content creature."

"Besides, we always have squad members assigned to keep an eye on him while the Captain's away," Isshin added, "They're not as strong as the Captain or the two of us, of course, but they're people that Daeloron's grown familiar with over the years thanks to the Captain training them. They know how to keep him calm."

Itachi nodded. "I see. What's his diet? Would I be wrong in assuming that he's carnivorous?"

"Not wrong in the least," Rhaegon replied, "His fangs and claws are proof enough of that, I think. Dragons will consume most kinds of meet, although each one eventually finds a favorite. Daeloron's no exception, and in his case, he has a particular fondness for seafood."

Isshin chuckled. "That's an understatement. He gets pretty enthusiastic whenever we're on a mission that's close to the ocean."

Obran smiled. "He's a magnificent sight to witness hunting. He'll circle over the waves for hours until he finds exactly what he wants. Typically, he'll go for either a shark or a dolphin. He'll swoop right down, pluck them from the water with his claws, and then toss them up in the air before making barbeque out of them. Then he'll take the meat back to shore and dig in."

It was a gruesome mental image, but one that Visaelya had long since grown accustomed to. After all, dragons were at the top of the Soul Society's food chain; all other creatures were fair pickings for them, regardless of Visaelya's personal fondness for some of them.

"I imagine he's as lethal against Hollows as he is against the creatures he considers to be his food," said Itachi.

Rhaegon grinned. "Oh, yes! A dragon in battle is both a wonderful and terrible sight to behold, and Daeloron has plenty of experience in burning Hollows to naught but ash and cinders. His roar alone is enough to send the lesser specimens fleeing, and those that remain do not last long against his flames. Only Menos-level Hollows can stand up to a fully-grown dragon, and even then, Daeloron's more than capable of holding his own against Gillians. An Adjuchas might be a bit more of a challenge for him, but considering that when he goes into battle it tends to be with me riding upon his back, he never has to fight those alone."

Obran sighed. "Unfortunately, as tremendously useful as he is in battle, there are limitations on where we can deploy Daeloron. For instance, the Central Forty-Six has decreed that none of the Soul Society's dragons can be brought to any of the Realms of the Living under any circumstances."

Isshin shrugged. "It's a bit of a drag, but it's also one of their few rulings that actually makes sense. After all, a big guy like Daeloron can cause a lot of collateral damage, and it's not like his flames discriminate between Hollows, souls, and living people."

Visaelya nodded. "That seems like a reasonable concern."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "What about Hueco Mundo?"

Rhaegon seemed a bit taken aback by the question. "Well, there's no explicit decree forbidding us from taking him there, but since the Thirteen Court Guard Squads has no way to make incursions into the home realm of the Hollows it's a moot point."

"If you managed to change that, though, what do you think the Central Forty-Six would say with regards to bringing the likes of Daeloron there?" Itachi pressed.

Isshin gave him a thoughtful look. "Well, I don't know about you, Captain, but I think the big guy could wreak some havoc there."

Obran nodded. "A considerable understatement. Keeping him fed might be an issue, though; Hollows tend to dissolve pretty quickly when they're killed, and even if they didn't I have a hard time seeing Daeloron finding their flesh to be appetizing. We'd have to pack meat and bring it with us, not to mention keep it from spoiling."

"This is all a fascinating exercise in hypotheticals," said Rhaegon, "but nothing more than that."

"If that's the way you see it, then you lack vision," Itachi countered.

Visaelya's breath caught in her throat. Was Itachi seriously calling out a Captain not only to his face, but in front of his subordinates? She wasn't the only one taken aback by this turn of events; Isshin and Obran both did a double-take at that.

What in the name of the Soul King are you doing, Itachi?

Making things interesting, it looks like.

I do not find this to be amusing!

A tense moment passed before Rhaegon burst out laughing. "I'd heard rumors, but I hadn't imagined… you are a bold one, Itachi! Here I was thinking that the only student to look forward to meeting today was my niece. You're just full of surprises!"

Itachi was nowhere near as amused as Rhaegon appeared to be. "I hardly think it would be surprising to consider such a notion. Hueco Mundo is the home of our enemies, and just because it is not accessible to us at the moment doesn't mean that we should not make plans regarding it. A time may come when Soul Reapers find a way to break through in a manner that doesn't involve slipping through the Garganta opened by retreating Hollows. Should that day arrive and an assault on the home realm of the Hollows becomes possible, a dragon as powerful as Daeloron would be a crucial asset, even if it were just for a quick strike rather than an extended campaign."

Isshin looked like he was actually considering the notion. "It would be nice if we could actually find a way to pull that off…"

Obran smiled. "You're right. We're almost always reacting when it comes to Hollows; it'd be nice to turn the tables on them."

Rhaegon nodded. "Yes. Creating a breach like that would likely require great advancements in spirit energy manipulation. It sounds like something the Kidō Corps could eventually tackle, although not likely a project that they could undertake anytime soon."

Visaelya raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"They're a much smaller organization than the Thirteen Court Guard Squads," Isshin answered, "Put it simply, it's a matter of manpower and resources."

"Corps Commander Tsukabishi is skilled, as are his subordinates, but the Soul Society tends to keep them quite busy," Obran added, "Their work in defending the Seireitei and fighting against Hollows is no less important than our own, after all."

"Perhaps the Central Forty-Six could permit an increase in their numbers?" Visaelya suggested, "It certainly couldn't hurt."

"It couldn't," Rhaegon concurred, "but, then again, one could say that an increase in numbers is also owed to each division along with the Stealth Force. Ultimately it comes down to finding qualified recruits, and there are only so many of those to go around. It's unfortunate, but that's just how things work."

He then gave her a proud smile. "Besides, last I checked, you didn't come here to talk about the Kidō Corps. This is my division's exhibit, after all! I think we're getting a little off-topic here."

Visaelya sighed. "Yes, I suppose that's true."

For a moment, Itachi appeared like he still wanted to continue down the current track, but eventually he relented. "Very well, then."

"So, what else do you want to know about us?" asked Obran.

Now it was Visaelya's turn. "I know that Squad Ten's one of the frontline divisions, but does it have any specialized secondary roles?"

"We're one of the more versatile divisions," her uncle replied, "Our members are quite capable when it comes to either direct combat or Kidō support. You could say that our flexibility is what makes us special; if we're not called to deal with a threat ourselves, then we're usually assigned to work with another squad and provide cover in an area where they're lacking."

"We're a 'jack-of-all-trades' division," Isshin added, "Any environment or situation you can think of, we can adapt and handle it."

"A valuable trait," said Itachi.

Rhaegon nodded. "It certainly is. We're one of the more dynamic divisions of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; if something exciting's in the works, Squad Ten's likely to be involved in one form or another."

Visaelya smiled. "Good to know."

Rhaegon's smile grew. "We also have plenty of advancement opportunities. Prove your strength and you'll find yourselves climbing the latter quite quickly. If you want to hit the ground running, there's no better division for you."

He spoke as if he was addressing the two of them, but Visaelya could see through it; she knew that the message was meant primarily for her. It was a good pitch, but after her and Itachi's visit to Squad Two's exhibit and all that Yoruichi had told them it also felt somewhat lacking in effort. Perhaps he wasn't trying to give off such a vibe, but to Visaelya it seemed like he was taking her decision for granted.

Then again, couldn't the same be said for the rest of her family?

Her mother, her father, the clan patriarch; as far as they were all concerned, her course was already planned out. Glory and honor would await her, but it would all be tied to her family name.

And the more she thought about it, the greater her certainty became that it wasn't what she wanted.

She bowed respectfully to Rhaegon. "I appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today, Uncle. This has been most informative."

Rhaegon raised an eyebrow as he looked between her and Itachi. "No further questions from either of you?"

Visaelya turned to her friend. "Itachi?"

He shook his head, and there was a knowing look in his eyes; he could tell that she was ready to move on from both this display and her family's connection to it. "I believe my curiosity has been sufficiently satisfied. Thank you, Captain Drakken; Lieutenant Dorrell; Third Seat Shiba."

Her Uncle seemed a bit taken aback by the abrupt ending of their session, but he composed himself quickly enough. "Very well, then. Enjoy the rest of the recruitment exhibition, and do not wander too far; I can assure you that messengers will be seeking you out soon enough."

I have no doubt of that, Uncle, she thought, just as I no longer doubt what my answer will be…

….

Jiraiya smiled as he approached Squad Eight's exhibit; the last time he'd seen Captain Kyōraku had actually been a little less than a year ago, when the senior officer had stopped by to congratulate him on the release of the latest book in his series. Having an avid fan of his work so high up in the ranks of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads was an advantage that Jiraiya certainly wasn't above making the most of, and in fact he'd been planning on visiting Squad Eight's display even before Unohana's recommendation.

If nothing else, this should at least be fun, he mused, I'm not sure what the connection between Squads Four and Eight is that Unohana was speaking of, but I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

It wasn't hard to pick out Squad Eight's display from the others, and based on Jiraiya's previous interactions with Captain Kyōraku it certainly lived up to expectations. A bright pink banner with the characters for 'Squad Eight' written in black was hoisted high for all to see from a flagpole that was mounted atop of what appeared to be a kabuki theater stage. A small staircase built at the front led the way up to the Captain, who was sitting on a comfy pink cushion. The stage had a painted background consisting of cherry blossoms in full bloom, and there were even petals wafting through the air outside the painting around the Captain himself. It didn't take long for Jiraiya to find the source; Lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru up in the rafters with a basket that she was constantly reaching into and pulling fresh petals from. She didn't seem to be particularly pleased with this assignment if the scowl on her face was anything to go by, and Jiraiya idly wondered just how much longer she'd be willing to keep up the performance.

Apart from the Captain and his Lieutenant, the only other Soul Reaper that Jiraiya could spot was one that looked entirely out of place. For starters, she appeared to be far too young; were he still in the Shinobi World, Jiraiya would've pegged her as either an Academy student or a fresh Genin at the oldest. She certainly appeared too young to be even a freshman student at Shin'ō Academy, yet her robes were those of a full Soul Reaper. She had black hair that fell to about halfway down her neck, and like Squad Eight's Lieutenant she wore glasses, although hers were wider and her eyes were a darker shade of blue. Also, unlike either the Captain or Lieutenant of the division, Jiraiya could not see a Zanpakutō on her. However, her spirit energy, while far overshadowed by Captain Kyōraku and Lieutenant Yadōmaru, was considerable and indeed quite shocking for one who appeared to be so young.

Then again, I've only been in the Soul Society for six years, he thought as he evaluated the girl, I've still got a lot to learn about the people who live here. This girl's just one more surprise that this afterlife's seen fit to throw my way…

The Captain smiled as Jiraiya came up the stairs onto the stage. "Well, now, this is more like it! I was wondering when you'd pay my division a visit, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya grinned. "I would've come by sooner, but there was a lovely lady that I had pay my respects to first! I hope you won't hold it against me."

Shunsui chuckled. "Considering the lady in question was Captain Unohana, I'd hardly be in a position to do so."

Jiraiya smirked. "The funny thing is, she recommended that I visit you after I was done with her division's exhibit. Strange how that works out, don't you think?"

Shunsui gave a small laugh. "Strange is one way to put it."

Jiraiya then looked up at Kyōraku's and grinned. "Hello there, Lisa! It's been far too long!"

She gave him a curt nod. "As much as I might enjoy your books, Jiraiya, I insist that you call me Lieutenant Yadōmaru."

"Oh, come on now, Lisa," said Shunsui, "There's no need for formalities with our guest here!"

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't make me dump these blossoms on you, Captain."

Shunsui sighed and shook his head. "Oh, all right, then. I suppose we've got more important things to discuss, anyway."

"Maybe," said Jiraiya as he turned to the girl sitting next to the Captain, "but it'd be rude not to greet everyone here first. What's your name, little lady?"

The girl gave him a friendly, if somewhat shy, smile. "I'm Nanao. Nanao Ise. It's nice to meet you, Mister Jiraiya. I really like books, but Lisa won't let me read yours yet. She says I'm too young."

Lisa smiled down at her. "That's because you are. There's a time and place for everything, Nanao. I'll let you know when I think you're old enough for Jiraiya's books."

Jiraiya gave Nanao a friendly smile as well. "As much as I like to expose new readers to my material, I think your Lieutenant's right this time. Just wait a little bit, and I promise it'll be worth it."

Shunsui chuckled. "I don't think there's anything wrong with introducing her to them now. After all, she's got to learn about that sort of thing sooner or later!"

Lisa glared at him from on high before promptly flipping over the basket. A torrent of blossoms rained down, with the bulk falling on the Captain, although Jiraiya and Nanao weren't completely unscathed.

"Now why'd you have to go and do that, Lisa?" asked Shunsui as he attempted to clear out the pile of blossoms that he'd been engulfed in, "I went through a lot of work getting all of those for you."

"You know exactly why," Lisa calmly shot back, "and you completely deserved it."

Nanao giggled. "Can you do that again, Lisa? That was funny!"

Lisa smiled at her again. "After we clean these up, I might dump them back on him later. That's only if you promise to be a good little girl, though."

Nanao nodded. "I promise."

"Good answer," Lisa replied as she hopped down, "Guess I'll clean these up… this time."

Jiraiya leaned towards Nanao as Lisa got to work while her Captain looked on with a smirk on his face. "So, Nanao, what brings you to Squad Eight? I'm sure you're talented, but aren't you a little young to be a Soul Reaper?"

"Well, I actually applied for the Kidō Corps first," she answered, "I'm really good with spells, but not so much with swords. Captain Kyōraku came to visit the Academy one day before graduation, though, and after that I wound up here."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow as he looked at Shunsui. "Is that so?"

Squad Eight's Captain smirked. "What can I say? I've got an eye for talent."

The look in his eyes was enough to tell Jiraiya that there was more to it than that, and also a hint that he didn't particularly feel like going into the details at the moment. That was fine; Jiraiya could shelve his curiosity for another day.

"Sure seems that way," he replied, "What's your rank, Little Nanao?"

Nanao shook her head. "I'm unseated."

"That'll change soon enough," Lisa chimed in, "You're just a bit too young for field experience at the moment, Nanao. Keep practicing your spells and you'll get the rank you deserve in time."

Nanao smiled. "Okay!"

Shunsui smiled as well. "You could say that Nanao's become something of a mascot for our division. That's why I brought her along today."

Jiraiya grinned. "Well, I can't blame you there! Who can say no to such an adorable face, after all?"

Nanao blushed. "Mister Jiraiya…"

"Don't tease her, Jiraiya," said Lisa as she gave him a sharp look, "You'll answer to me if you do, and you won't like it."

Shunsui laughed. "Now, now, Lisa! Don't go scaring away such a promising recruit!"

Lisa folded her arms. "If he's going to be as ill-behaved as you, Captain, then I don't think he's worth recruiting, remarkable finals scores notwithstanding. You're a big enough handful as it is!"

Jiraiya gave her a wink. "Hey now, I can behave for a beautiful woman like you, Lisa!"

"That's 'Lieutenant' to you!" she snapped as she hopped back up to the rafters again, basket of blossoms full once more.

Shunsui shook his head in amusement. "Fussing over rank aside, we really should get this moving along. I like you, Jiraiya, but I don't have all day to spend on this."

Jiraiya nodded. "Fair enough, then. Let's cut right to the chase."

"Sure thing," said Shunsui, "So, what do you want to know?"

"Let's start with the basics," Jiraiya replied, "I know that Squad Eight is another one of the combat divisions, but there's got to be more to it than that."

Shunsui grinned. "Well, if nothing else, we're a division that knows how to have a good time! We've got the best sake stash in all of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!"

Lisa shook her head. "I know you pay for it out of your own pockets, Captain, but storing it all is still a gross misuse of the space available in our division's barracks. You need to cut back."

Jiraiya chuckled. "So, I take it that means Squad Eight throws the best parties in the Seireitei? It sounds like you appreciate the value of knowing when to unwind and loosen up a bit!"

Now Shunsui was practically beaming. "Ah, finally, a recruit who gets it! Sure, we take our duties seriously, but at the end of the day what are we fighting for if not for the chance to enjoy in peace the sweet little things that life has to offer?"

"How about the balance of souls and the very foundation of existence?" Lisa deadpanned.

Shunsui shot her a knowing smirk. "Lisa, there's no need to put on such a serious front for our guest here. I've seen you let your hair down and enjoy yourself in our division's parties on more than one occasion, after all."

His Lieutenant nodded, although she looked just a tad bit flustered. "I'm not opposed to relaxing and enjoying myself, but things need to be kept in perspective. After all, you're one of the senior Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, which means there are greater expectations of you and those under your command whether you like it or not. I like our parties, Captain, but I also want Squad Eight to shine in the line of duty."

Shunsui smiled, and Jiraiya detected more than a hint of pride in his expression. "I know you do, Lisa. I couldn't ask for a better Lieutenant."

She actually smiled at that. "Thank you, Captain."

"So, apart from knowing how to have a good time, what else makes Squad Eight special?" asked Jiraiya.

Lisa answered before her Captain could. "Those who cherish sophistication and elegance find themselves right at home in our division. We run a tight training regiment too, of course, but there's nothing wrong with looking good while you're slaying Hollows."

Shunsui nodded. "Couldn't have put it better myself. I suppose you're looking for something a bit more substantive, though."

"That's right," said Jiraiya, "Not that I'm opposed to putting on a show and impressing others while fighting, but shouldn't a division have something more to set itself apart from the others than that?"

"We tend to get quite a few recruits with high Kidō marks," Nanao chimed in, "We work really well with the Kidō Corps as a result."

"That's right," said Shunsui, "A lot of times, we'll provide reinforcements for them in the field, maintaining frontline defenses for them while they focus on spell casting. Our members can also provide additional casters should the need arise."

"Cooperation is crucial in such missions," Lisa added, "Our strong working relationship with the Kidō Corps is one that's been forged in fire; they trust us to keep the enemy at bay, and we trust them to provide the pivotal ranged support required to win the day."

Jiraiya nodded. "I can only imagine just how effective in the field your combined forces are. It must be an inspiring sight."

Shunsui chuckled. "You could say that. More than a few Hollows have been unfortunate enough to find themselves on the wrong end of our spells and swords."

Nanao smiled. "We have joint spell practice sessions with the Kidō Corps back at the barracks sometimes, too. They're really fun!"

"Especially when you get to show off," said Lisa, "Isn't that right, Nanao?"

Nanao looked down in embarrassment. "Well, I mean, it's not like I try to show off…"

Shunsui laughed and patted the girl on the back. "You're too modest, Nanao! There's nothing wrong with wanting to show the others what you can do. It means you've got pride in your skills, and you're not the only one; Lisa and I are always happy to see how far you've come since leaving the Academy."

Jiraiya gave the girl a friendly smile. "You're really something special, aren't you?"

Nanao smiled sheepishly in return. "Maybe I am…"

"There's no 'maybe' about it," said Lisa firmly, "You're going to be a fine Soul Reaper once you've got more experience under your belt, Nanao."

Shunsui nodded. "Indeed, you will."

"So, is that the real secret to Squad Eight's strength?" asked Jiraiya, "A good balance of Kidō ability and skill in Zanjutsu?"

"It certainly doesn't hurt," Shunsui replied, "The Kidō Corps aren't our only partners that take advantage of our proficiency in spells, though. We've got a good working relationship with Squad Four as well. In fact, that's the main reason why Unohana sent you my way."

That piqued Jiraiya's interest, as well as his suspicion. "You two haven't been in cahoots since this exhibition began, have you?"

Shunsui gave him a mischievous smile. "And what if we have?"

Jiraiya grinned. "Well, then I for one want to know what the game here is. You going to let me in on the big, juicy secret now?"

"Not exactly a secret," said Shunsui, "or at least, not a closely guarded one. Like me, Unohana's another one of the more senior Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. We've worked together on quite a few occasions, and… well, I guess you could say that you came along at just the right moment, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya leaned forward and clasped his hands; this was getting good. "Is that so?"

Lisa took that moment to chime in. "Consider this; thanks to their decision to concentrate all our healers in the Fourth Division, the Central Forty-Six has essentially put a bunch of very valuable eggs all in one basket. Think of what would happen if Squad Four was the target of a concentrated surprise attack."

Jiraiya already had an answer. "It'd be a disaster. Captain Unohana might be powerful, but most of her subordinates aren't fighters and she can't protect everyone. Without support from other divisions, it'd be nothing less than a slaughter."

Shunsui nodded. "You're right about that. Captain Unohana's well aware of this, which is part of why she's worked to forge cooperative ties between her division and others that are capable of defending her subordinates in the field. The risk of the healers getting wiped out in one fell swoop remains, though, which is why we've been trying to set up a special project… one that you would be an ideal candidate for, Jiraiya."

"And what's that?" asked Jiraiya.

"We're normally supposed to wait for later to start throwing out recruitment offers," said Lisa, "but given the circumstances, I think we can be forgiven for bending the rules a bit."

Shunsui chuckled. "If the other Captains get angry, it's always easier to apologize once it's all over. Anyway, here's the deal; I've got an officer slot open with your name on it, Jiraiya. Since you don't have your Shikai yet, it's the 17th Seat in our division. Officially, you'd be much like any other officer of that position; you'd be responsible for leading teams in the field, hunting Hollows and performing the Konsō, and other such duties."

Jiraiya smirked. "What about unofficially?"

Shunsui leaned forward. "Unofficially, when you're not carrying out your regular division duties or training, you'll be undergoing personal instruction from Captain Unohana in the healing arts. You teachers at the Academy have all noted that you have considerable reserves of spirit energy, meaning that you'd have the necessary power for both combat and support roles."

Jiraiya smiled. "I see where this is going. You want a field officer that can also be an emergency healer should one of Squad Four's relief teams not be close by."

"Exactly," said Lisa, "We'd be bypassing the regulations of the Central Forty-Six in order to do this, so secrecy is important. If those sorry excuses for judges had any common sense then we wouldn't have to resort to such measures, but here we are. Their bureaucracy and dogma will be the end of us all if it goes on unabated, so we're taking a proactive approach."

"Squad's Four and Eight are taking the initiative here," said Shunsui, "If we can make this work, though, then you can expect this model to expand to other divisions. Squad Four will still hold the bulk of the Seireitei's healers, but at least this way we'll be able to improve response times and ensure that not all of our eggs are in one basket."

Jiraiya nodded. "So, I'd be a combination of frontline fighting power and a first responder in the event that no Squad Four healers are close by. Interesting…"

Nanao smiled. "It'd be a very important role in the division. I wanted to do it myself, but the Captain and Lisa said that I need to work on my fighting skills first. Since you'll be able to cast spells and fight with a Zanpakutō, you'd be perfect."

That once again brought up the question of why Nanao didn't have a Zanpakutō, but it was one that Jiraiya doubted he'd get an answer to at this time. He had something much more important to consider at the moment; was this an offer that he wanted to accept?

He found that it was. Of the three Legendary Sannin, Tsunade had been the renowned healer, so by taking on this role Jiraiya would get to understand her perspective a little more. It was clearly an important project for both divisions, and even if his starting rank would be relatively low it was actually a major opportunity to not only prove himself to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads but also to further develop his skills. How many times would more detailed knowledge of the healing arts have come in handy during his previous life? This was a chance to branch out of his comfort zone and learn new abilities which would likely be very useful out in the field.

Of course, all those considerations were secondary when compared to the fact that it would be Unohana herself providing the instruction. Jiraiya knew full well his reputation for turning on the charm when it came to the ladies, but he hadn't been blowing smoke when it came to praising the beauty of the Captain of Squad Four. Not only that, but his brief interactions with her had shown that there was much more to her than just her appearance. She was strong, intelligent and compassionate, but at the same time there was that shadow he'd caught glimpses of just below the surface. This would be a good way to gain further understanding of her, while at the same time he could still play to his strengths since he wouldn't be a full-time healer.

When all of that was considered, the choice was actually fairly simple. He doubted that he'd get an offer that was more tailor-made for him from any of the other divisions this day. Still, he didn't want to come off as too eager, and it might lessen the impression his would-be superior officers had of him.

Shunsui gave him a knowing look; the seasoned Captain could sense the gears turning in Jiraiya's head. "What do you think? I can't say for certain, but I doubt the other Captains would give you a pitch quite like this one."

Jiraiya smiled. "You're probably right."

"Can we take that as a 'yes', then?" asked Lisa.

Jiraiya smirked. "Well, how about this? The recruitment exhibition's still young, so I'd at least like to take in the other displays before the day's out. Once I finish my rounds, though, I'll come straight back here with my answer. You won't even need a messenger."

Shunsui nodded. "I guess that's fair enough. We're not going anywhere, and you really do only get to experience the recruitment exhibition once as a student, so you should make the most of this. Still, don't take too long."

"Tell us soon, okay?" said Nanao with a hopeful look in her eyes.

Jiraiya smiled as he stood up. "Oh, don't worry. You'll know my decision soon enough."

….

"That went much better than I had thought it would," said Visaelya as she and Itachi put Squad Ten's exhibit behind them.

Itachi nodded. Her fears regarding her family's expectations, particularly those of her uncle, had clearly weighed heavily upon her, but the former Shinobi had been confident in her ability to handle them. She hadn't disappointed him in the least.

"You were able to summon the strength to confront your doubts," he said, "You might've been apprehensive going in, but you had the courage necessary to hold your own and decide for yourself what path you want to take."

Visaelya smiled. "You make me sound much stronger than I felt back there. Honestly, I'm amazed I didn't pass out from the stress."

"Well, you made it through the flames of your trial," Itachi replied, "Your final decision is still before you, but from what I've seen I think you'll be able to make it with open eyes and conviction."

Visaelya nodded. "I'd like to think so. Even so, I appreciate your support. Were it not for you and Shisui… or even Jiraiya, for that matter… I doubt I would've come this far. I'd still be on the track my family wants me to be on, and I might not have found the courage to question it and look for another path."

Itachi allowed himself a small smirk. "Should I tell Jiraiya that you're in his debt? I'm sure it'd be music to his ears."

Visaelya scowled at him for a moment before breaking out into laughter. "Don't you dare! He'll never let me hear the end of it!"

Itachi chuckled. "Very well, then. Your secret's safe with me."

Visaelya smiled. "Let it not be said that you don't have a sense of humor, Itachi… even if it could use some work."

"If you're looking for humor from an Uchiha, you should try Shisui," he said, "He always had a better head for that sort of thing than most of our clan did."

"He does seem much more easy-going than you are," Visaelya noted, "No offense."

"None taken," said Itachi, "So, which exhibit do you want to hit next?"

Visaelya looked around. "Well, going to Squad Ten's display was my call, so I think it's only fair that the next one's yours. Do you have one in mind?"

Itachi scanned the courtyard for moment before his gaze found a sufficiently interesting target. "How about Squad Twelve?"

Visaelya nodded. "Sure. It'd be nice to see Captain Hikifune again, especially after our expedition to the barrow with her unit and Squad Two last year went so well."

"All right, then," said Itachi, "Let's go."

It might not have been hosting a live dragon, but Squad Twelve's exhibit was still quite impressive. The entrance consisted of what appeared to be a marble façade roughly one story high complete with a series of fluted columns. A small staircase was at the front, and as Itachi and Visaelya approached they could see that beyond the columns was a rather spacious chamber. Several ornate brass lanterns hung from the ceiling, and when the two advanced track students strode inside they found that they were illuminating a series of frescoes along the walls. Itachi didn't recognize the figures, but they all seemed to have a scholarly air about them. Some pondered scrolls or maps, while others appeared to be exploring ancient ruins. One image in particular caught Itachi's eyes; that of a vaulted haul illuminated with blue-green fire and being examined by Soul Reapers.

The Andunayan barrow, he mused, I guess Captain Hikifune has fond memories of that expedition as well.

The violet-haired Captain was currently holding court at the far end of the chamber with several students. She seemed to be in high spirits and was answering the attendees' questions efficiently and enthusiastically. A few more Soul Reapers formed a modest perimeter, and Itachi assumed that they were some of her subordinates. One of them stepped forward, and the look on her face wasn't exactly welcoming. She was on the short side, and it wasn't hard to spot her Lieutenant's badge on the left sleeve of her Soul Reaper robes. Her blonde hair was worn in long pigtails and gave her a somewhat childish appearance, but if the irritation in her brown eyes was any indication Itachi doubted it would be a good idea to point that out to her. The Zanpakutō worn at her belt was by all appearances a rather conventional katana, with the only distinctive feature of its sealed state being the small hearts that decorated the tsuba.

"Great, more newbies," she grumbled as she approached, "Look, why don't you two flies buzz off, all right? If you weren't as blind as bats then you'd see that the Captain's busy. Scram."

Not exactly a people person, is she?

He heard the spirit of his Zanpakutō giggle. Oh, like you're one to talk.

I can at least be polite. She's not even trying.

She folded her arms as she stood before them, her right foot tapping the floor impatiently. "Hey, are you two deaf? I said beat it! We've got enough pests around here as it is!"

Visaelya did a double-take at that. "Excuse me? Did you just call us pests?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Pests is the word that bothers you? She called us flies as well."

"Oh, good, you two can hear," said the girl as she rolled her eyes, "Yes, I called you pests and flies because that's what you are. I can tell who's a good fit for Squad Twelve and who's not, and you two are definitely not. That's why I'm going to save the Captain some time; get lost."

Visaelya put her hands on her hips and glared indignantly at her. "That's not your call to make!"

The girl scowled. "Excuse me? I'm the Lieutenant of this division, so it is my call to make!"

"I wasn't aware that a good Lieutenant went about sabotaging her Captain and division in such a boorish manner," said Itachi, "I thought that a proper Lieutenant would want to do her duty and make sure that her division picked up the best possible recruits."

The girl rounded on him. "You've got a lot of nerve, talking to me like that! I don't know how you wound up in the advanced track; you've clearly got more balls than brains."

"And you clearly have too much of a chip on your shoulder," Itachi replied, refusing to be intimidated even if she was a Lieutenant, "You also lack the self-control required to put your duty before your temper."

The girl reached for her Zanpakutō. "Say that again, you smartass dipshit!"

She was stopped from drawing her sword by a pair of slender yet firm hands that suddenly gripped her shoulders. "Hiyori, are you being rude to guests again? Come, now, I thought I taught you better than that!"

The girl nearly jumped as she looked over her shoulder at Kirio. "Captain Hikifune! I… I was just…"

Kirio shook her head, seeming mildly amused. "I know you like have fun with potential recruits, but there's a difference between friendly hazing and scarring them off."

"It'll take more than the likes of her to intimidate us," said Visaelya as she shot another glare at Hiyori, "No offense, Captain Hikifune."

Kirio smiled. "None taken. It's good to see you again, Miss Drakken… and wonderful to see you again, Itachi! I was wondering when you'd see the light and come my way!"

Itachi bowed. "It's good to see you again too, Captain Hikifune."

"It's been too long," said Visaelya.

Kirio was positively beaming. "Yes, it has. Please, come with me. We have so much to talk about!"

"Forgive me," said Itachi as he nodded at her Lieutenant, "but I believe that we're still owed a proper introduction."

Kirio's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, my, you're right! Hiyori, if you'd be so kind?"

The girl looked like she'd much rather not, but to Itachi's surprise she sucked it up and did as she was told. "Fine… I'm Hiyori Sarugaki, Lieutenant of Squad Twelve. Don't bother introducing yourselves; I already know who you are."

Kirio patted her on the shoulder. "There, was that so hard?"

Hiyori rolled her eyes. "Am I done, Captain?"

Kirio giggled. "I suppose you can take a break since I've been working you so hard today. I expect you to be back within half an hour, though, all right?"

Hiyori nodded. "All right."

She shot one last glare at Itachi and Visaelya before leaving the booth. Meanwhile, Kirio motioned for Itachi and Visaelya to follow her.

"I'm sorry about that," she said, "Hiyori's a gifted Lieutenant, but I'm afraid she gets rather impatient with other people."

"Did we do something to offend her?" asked Visaelya, "She seemed hostile from the moment she laid eyes on us."

Kirio sighed. "I'm afraid that might be my fault. Hiyori's still a bit sore about how you two and Jiraiya got to come with us on the expedition to the barrow last year while she was left behind on barracks duty."

"Is her personality part of the reason why you ordered her to remain in the Seireitei?" asked Itachi.

"Most of the reason, actually," Kirio admitted, "She's the jealous type, and I didn't want her trying to scare you off during the mission."

Visaelya raised an eyebrow as they came to a stop at the back end of the chamber. "What would she have to be jealous of? She's a Lieutenant; we're just students. Regardless of our abilities, it's not like we can compete with her on anywhere close to an even playing field based on where we stand right now."

Kirio gave them a surprisingly sheepish smile. "It's actually something a bit more… childish than that. You see, she's originally from the Rukon District, and a rather poor section of it at that. She never really knew her parents, so when she came to my division I wound up becoming something of a motherly figure to her. As a result, I'm afraid she gets rather agitated whenever my attention becomes focused on someone else… as it has been on you gifted students in the leadup to today's festivities."

Itachi nodded. "I see."

Visaelya shrugged. "Well, she'd better find a way to get over it. This is the recruitment exhibition, so it's only natural that her Captain would have her eyes elsewhere."

"I'll talk to her later," said Kirio, "I know she comes across as abrasive and rude, but Hiyori's quite competent as an officer. She's very skilled in the arts of Hakuda and Zanjutsu, although her temper can be a liability there if a foe's intelligent enough to exploit it. She also has more than her share of field experience, and while it's true that I left her behind for the expedition to the barrow she's got plenty of other missions under her belt. Enough about her for now, though; that's hardly why the two of you are here, after all."

She smiled again as she spread her arms in a grand encompassing gesture. "Welcome to the exhibit of Squad Twelve! Squad Two might be the eyes and ears and knives in the dark of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Squad Four may patch our wounds, and other divisions provide the brute strength, but we are the inquisitive mind of the Seireitei! We seek ever to expand upon the collective knowledge of the Soul Society, for it is only in understanding the world around us that we are best able to protect it!"

"That's quite a mission statement," said Itachi.

Visaelya smirked. "You certainly don't lack for pride in your division, Captain Hikifune."

Kirio laughed. "Maybe it was a bit much, but I just can't help it! There's so much that we do for the Soul Society that a venue like the recruitment exhibition just feels like an insufficient way to really get the point across. There's so little time, and I'm only allowed a handful of resources and subordinates for this event. I suppose the best way to make up for those deficiencies is through unbridled enthusiasm."

Visaelya looked around the chamber. "Your display's certainly an interesting one. It really feels more like a hall for knowledge and learning than an exhibit for a group that's part of a military organization."

"Uniqueness is vital in a setting like this," Kirio reminded her, "We can't compete with Squad Ten's mascot for sheer shock value, so I designed our display to appeal to recruits that lean more towards the intellectual side of serving the Soul Society. So far, I'd say that it's working out quite well."

"It's a well-conceived setup," said Itachi, "but there's more to Squad Twelve than just being the scholars of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; the expedition last year was proof enough of that."

Kirio grinned. "Ah, I knew you were a sharp one, Itachi! Yes, we're far more than just a bunch of academics, and our Zanpakutō aren't just for show. While maintaining the largest archives in the Seireitei is an important function of ours, we have our share of field duties, and many of those are rather unique when compared with the tasks set to other divisions."

"Like the barrow expedition," Visaelya commented, "Squad Two might've helped, but Squad Twelve was basically running the show."

Kirio nodded. "Yes, that's a superb example. Yoruichi's one of my favorite Captains to work with on cooperative ventures such as those; she recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of all parties involved, and she adapts her tactics accordingly. Her division's talent for scouting and stealth makes Squad Two an invaluable partner for our endeavors, although we do of course maintain working relationships with the other divisions. We can't rely just on one of our fellow squads for support, after all."

"Who else do you typically partner with?" asked Itachi.

"Squads Six, Eight, Nine and Thirteen when Squad Two's unavailable," Kirio replied, "Other divisions we'll work with to a lesser extent if we're pressed. If I had to pick a least favorite, it'd definitely be Squad Eleven. Too much brawn and too little brains, although Captain Starmont is something of an exception when compared to the bulk of his subordinates. At the very least, he has enough mental capacity to recognize that we're more than just a bunch of bookworms, which is far more than can be said for the rest of Squad Eleven."

Visaelya sighed. "That's rather shameful when one considers that Captain Starmont is from one of the Five Great Noble Houses. He should give the men and women under his command a better appreciation for the values of scholarship within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

Kirio shook her head. "It can't be helped. Squad Eleven's focus is purely physical combat, after all. They serve their purpose just as we serve ours. That's all there is to it."

"If that's the case, then perhaps you could elaborate further on the purpose of Squad Twelve," said Itachi, "Apart from barrows of the old kingdom, what else do your field teams seek out in the expanses of The Wild and beyond?"

Kirio smiled. "Fist and foremost, knowledge of our enemies. In that respect, we're not so different from Squad Two, but while Yoruichi's division combines scouting with precision stealth strikes, Squad Twelve performs in-depth studies. Many members of my division perform what might be closer to nature observations for learning about Hollows. As intelligent as they can be, many of their behavioral patterns are closer to animals than that of humans. By suppressing our spiritual pressure and taking advantage of the environment, we can keep a low profile as we take detailed notes regarding the habits of Hollows. Their feeding patterns, territorial rivalries, how they hunt, where they seek refuge when they're not fleeing to Hueco Mundo; records on all these behaviors and much more are kept in our archives, and we expand upon them with every trip out into the field."

"Observation's all well and good," said Visaelya, "but what about direct engagement? Squad Twelve does have combat potential, right?"

Kirio nodded. "Yes. Direct combat may not be our primary mission, but every Soul Reaper I dispatch on field missions is capable of defending themselves. We'll support the divisions we work with when it comes to eliminating Hollows, although our assignments are not typically centered around such work. We also conduct the occasional Konsō mission, particularly in the wake of large battles or natural disasters in the Realms of the Living."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "Speaking of the Realms of the Living, what role does Squad Twelve have to play there beyond the roles you've already mentioned?"

Kirio grinned. "I'm glad you asked! Squad Twelve's records are not just focused on Hollows or the ancient history of the Soul Society; we're keen to learn as much as possible about the various Realms of the Living. In particular, we focus on determining which ones Hollows tend to favor and helping the Thirteen Court Guard Squads devise means to keep them in check, although we have other interests as well."

Visaelya raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

"The location and observation of mediums, for one," Kirio replied, "The Quincy that were once prominent in the major Realm of the Living known as Terra are just one example of such beings that can be found. It's vitally important for the Soul Society to keep track of all such individuals and orders, both to monitor prospective allies and also to keep abreast of potential threats."

Itachi nodded. "The method in which the Quincy exterminated Hollows removed them completely from the flow of souls, right?"

"Yes," said Kirio, "As I'm sure you know, if their form of Hollow hunting continued on a large scale for a prolonged period of time, this would eventually result in an imbalance of souls between the Soul Society and Terra. Even if Terra is only one Realm of the Living, its massive population when compared to other Realms means that what happens there often has major consequences for the greater Web of Worlds and the stability of the afterlife. In the case of the Quincy, their utter extinguishing of Hollows instead of the cleansing that Soul Reapers perform with Zanpakutō had the potential to disrupt the flow of souls to the point as to invite the apocalypse. This threat was dealt with, although the extreme measures taken are justifiably a source of controversy even to this day, despite the gravity of the situation at the time. Anyway, that's why the study of mediums in the Realms of the Living is so important; it's crucial for us to determine if there are others like the Quincy who could pose a long-term threat to the balance of the Web of Worlds."

"Or, alternatively, find much needed allies," Visaelya pointed out, "From what I've learned over the past six years, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads could certainly use all the help that we can get."

Kirio smiled. "As I mentioned earlier, that is one of the reasons why we're so keen to track mediums. Oftentimes we get initial reports courtesy of our friends in Squad Two, but it's Squad Twelve that will then conduct the follow-up investigations. If friendly contact and relations can be established then naturally we strongly make the recommendation to the Soul Society to do so. Of course, the final decision on that matter rests with the Head Captain."

Suspicion wormed its way through Itachi's mind. "And if the Head Captain deems any newly discovered mediums to be a threat?"

Squad Twelve's Captain gave him a grim look. "Then they are dealt with accordingly."

"Even if they've displayed no hostile intentions towards the Soul Society?" asked Visaelya nervously.

Kirio sighed. "I know it sounds cold, but the balance of souls comes before everything else. When the very fabric of existence is at stake, harsh measures are unfortunately sometimes necessary."

"Does Squad Twelve take an active role in carrying out these measures?" asked Itachi.

Kirio shook her head. "No. That's typically left to the combat divisions. We are not innocent in such matters, though. After all, we do supply the information that they act upon. I will not whitewash affairs like these; they're brutal, distasteful, and sometimes downright monstrous, but given the stakes we can't afford to leave things to chance. Oftentimes a snap decision has to be made if the threat is severe enough… or if it has the potential to someday become a severe threat."

Visaelya shuddered. "How often do these situations come about nowadays?"

"Thankfully, much less now than in the past," Kirio replied, "The final campaign against the Quincies was over fifty years ago, and we were thorough. The mediums that we've discovered and monitored since then have all been little more than men and women with a modest bit of spirit energy dabbling with their powers. They're harmless enough, and in fact we try to take steps to protect them from Hollows where we can. After all, mediums are quite appetizing to those beasts, and devouring even one can considerably boost a Hollow's strength, so we have a vested interest in keeping them off the menu."

Itachi's brow furrowed in thought. "Have you ever found any of these mediums in the Shinobi World?"

Kirio smiled. "Looking at your home Realm of the Living in a new light with all that you've learned since arriving here? To tell you the truth, we don't make it out much that way, and we really need to change that. I did some digging through the archives after I found out that you and Jiraiya were from there, and I was able to uncover a few reports of beings who appeared capable of detecting Hollows and spiritual beings like Soul Reapers. There weren't nearly as many as those found in other worlds, which was rather surprising when considering the kind of power the energy people of that Realm call chakra can grant."

Itachi was curious. "Were there any common factors that tied them together?"

"You mean beyond their ability to see spiritual beings?" asked Kirio, "Not particularly. They were all spread out over disparate areas, belonging to different cultures and practicing varying beliefs. Although…."

Itachi immediately seized upon her hesitation. "What is it?"

"A few reports mentioned something rather specific," she said, "The time between them was considerable, so I didn't connect them at first, but looking back I think that was rather sloppy."

"What are you talking about?" asked Visaelya.

"One account was several centuries old," Kirio answered, "Another was much more recent… in fact, it was actually dated around the time that you first came to the Soul Society, Itachi."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What did these accounts mention?"

"They spoke of two clearly separate and distinct individuals," Kirio replied, "The similarities were thus; strikingly high levels of the energy known as chakra, and strange eyes."

A chill went down Itachi's spine; the detail would be crucial, and he had to know for sure. "What did they look like?"

"According to the reports, they were purple," said Kirio, "Much more interesting than the color, though, was the fact that within them were ripple-like patterns surrounding the pupils. It was such an odd description that I actually had to go back through the reports to make sure I was reading them right. Even now, it's still very strange to picture eyes like those."

Itachi nodded, his mind racing with this new information. "Yeah… I can imagine what your subordinates felt when they saw them."

Kirio's eyes narrowed. "You know what they encountered, don't you?"

"I do," said Itachi firmly, "A very rare form of eyes in the Shinobi World. In fact, they were once believed to be no more than legends among my people."

"What was it?" asked Visaelya.

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment. "The Rinnegan."

Kirio's brow furrowed. "The Rinnegan, hm? That's the first I've heard of that term."

"That's not surprising," said Itachi, "Like I said, it was rare enough that it was once thought of as nothing more than a myth. Suffice to say that it grants extraordinary power to whoever has it; the ability to see spiritual beings with those eyes would not be beyond the realm of possibility."

Kirio nodded. "I see. If you know what these eyes are called, then would it be a stretch to assume that you might know the beings who had them?"

"One of them, at the very least," said Itachi, "The being from the more recent report; was it a man with orange hair?"

"Yes," said Kirio, "My subordinate was, naturally, focused more on the eyes, but he did make minimal notes regarding the being's physical appearance, and orange hair was a part of it."

Itachi nodded. "I thought so. He was a colleague of mine when I was alive. He was incredibly dangerous; your subordinate did well just to recover the information they were able to gather and escape with their life."

Kirio sighed. "Unfortunately, that was all about all we were able to do. I tried to send others back out to actually establish contact, but every time they attempted to get close they perceived an unspoken threat coming from those eyes and kept their distance. This man didn't appear to be acting in a manner that posed a threat to the balance of souls, so at the time we didn't feel any need for further follow-up. Perhaps that was a mistake."

"What was this man's name, Itachi?" asked Visaelya.

"When originally I knew him, it was as 'Pain'," Itachi replied, "That wasn't his real name, though. I believe it was actually Nagato."

"Interesting," said Kirio, "Was he a Shinobi like you and Jiraiya once were?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes… one of the most dangerous in the world. In fact… he's the one that killed Jiraiya, and was once a pupil of his."

Visaelya's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Completely," said Itachi, "Jiraiya will definitely want to know that you encountered him, even if it was only briefly. I'll pass the word along to him later. Have there been any sightings of him in the Soul Society?"

Kirio raised an eyebrow. "You believe he's passed on since we last saw him in the Shinobi World?"

"I do," said Itachi, "When I was temporarily revived, the ninja who did so had me under the same spell as Nagato; he'd died his first death some time after my initial arrival to the Soul Society, although I didn't realize this until the soul fracture was healed. I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say that Nagato's revival was undone before my own, and I witnessed his second passing."

Technically, that wasn't entirely accurate; Itachi had stabbed Nagato with his Susanoo's Sword of Totsuka, which had restored the young man's consciousness before supposedly sealing him away in a realm of drunken dreams for all eternity. Given what he had learned about the afterlife since his passing, though, Itachi had to wonder if that was what Nagato's ultimate fate had truly been.

The Sword of Totsuka is a spirit weapon, although it is quite unlike those we found in the barrow of the old kingdom, he mused, When I died the second time, what happened to the souls that were trapped in the gourd? It was bound to my Susanoo, but since I passed on to the Soul Society for good, my Susanoo should've died with me. The souls in the gourd… perhaps they were released into the Soul Society upon my final passing. Whether that is for good or ill, though, is something I cannot say for sure…

"I see," said Kirio, "Well, I've heard nothing regarding anyone in the Soul Society matching this man's description, but that's not surprising given just how vast it is. Even someone with a feature as distinctive as this 'Rinnegan' would be difficult to track down."

Visaelya rubbed her chin in thought. "What about the older report that you mentioned earlier? The one that goes back several centuries?"

Kirio sighed. "Beyond the description of the eyes, I'm afraid there wasn't much to go on. Unfortunately, whoever was running Squad Twelve at that time wasn't as careful with records maintenance as other Captains of the division have been; the parchment was faded, and despite restoration efforts there's only so much we can do to make poorly cared for documents legible."

Several centuries ago, Itachi thought, I wonder… the timing combined with the eyes...

"The Sage of Six Paths…" he muttered, more to himself than to his companions, "Is it possible?"

Kirio looked puzzled. "Sage of Six Paths? Who's that?"

"A historical figure in the Shinobi World," said Itachi, "Actually, 'legendary' might be a better term for it. The Rinnegan was first associated with him, and it was said that he was responsible for the creation of the Shinobi World in the first place."

Visaelya's eyes widened. "Wait, so he was some sort of god to your Realm of the Living?"

Itachi shook his head. "Not entirely. The world itself had already existed before he came along, so to think of him as some creator deity would be a mistake. Rather, it was he who first spread the teachings that allowed humanity to manipulate chakra, and that could be considered the root of the Shinobi World that Jiraiya, Shisui and I lived in. Supposedly, his power was extraordinary, thanks in no small part to the Rinnegan. That's actually part of why the Rinnegan was considered a myth for such a long time; there had been a long-running debate in the Shinobi World about whether the figure who had wielded it was historical fact or something that our ancestors had come up with in some past story to explain the founding of the ninja arts."

"Fascinating," said Kirio, "What side of the debate were you on, Itachi?"

"I didn't pay it much mind," Itachi replied, "At least, not until I met Nagato. After learning that the Rinnegan was in fact real, I had to reconsider many previous assumptions. Looking back on it all now, it wouldn't surprise me if the Sage of Six Paths was real… and if the timing of that report you mentioned is any indication, then I believe that the bearer of the Rinnegan that Soul Reaper spotted might actually have been him."

"If that spotting was several centuries ago, then this sage must've passed on long ago, regardless of how powerful he was in your Realm of the Living," said Visaelya, "A being that strong in life would likely be power in death as well. Wouldn't the Soul Society have picked up on someone like that before now?"

"Not necessarily," Kirio countered, "Remember just how much ground there is to cover here. The Rukon District alone is impossible to patrol thoroughly due to its sheer size, and that's not even getting into The Wild. If this sage has not been found in the Soul Society, there are plenty of logical explanations for why that might be."

Itachi nodded. "That's true. If he wanted to be found, I imagine that would've happened by now. Either he's vanished on purpose, or perhaps his spirit's already gone back into the flow of souls and he's been reincarnated in the Shinobi World again."

Kirio shrugged. "It's all academic in the end, really. As fascinating as this topic might be, it's not why the two of you are here today."

Visaelya smiled. "You're right. It might be interesting, but it's only related to one aspect of your division. I'm sure that there are many unique mediums scattered throughout the Realms of the Living."

"Exactly," said Kirio, "If you join Squad Twelve, you'd have a chance to help us learn more about them. Hard to say no to thrill of discovery, isn't it?"

"That seems to be the spirit of Squad Twelve as whole," said Itachi, "Discovering new insights into the world around us. Would I be wrong?"

Kirio shook her head. "Nope, you've hit the nail right on the head. Glory in combat is not our way, but there is far more prestige in the acquisition of knowledge than the other divisions would have you believe. You two are exceptionally bright; I didn't need our field trip last year to know that. Your grades are clear indicators that you appreciate the value of scholarship in addition to the combat training you were given at the Academy. I cannot force you to decide on one particular path, but I can say that Squad Twelve would welcome both of you with open arms... and respectable starting positions."

Visaelya smirked. "Well, if that means offers will be coming our way before the day's done, then the very least we can do is take them into consideration."

"Agreed," said Itachi, "If nothing else, it's intriguing."

That was more for the sake of politeness than anything else; his mind was more or less made up by this point as to which division he wanted to join. Still, Itachi had to admit that the life of a scholar was an interesting alternative path.

Perhaps in another lifetime, he mused, I hope you can forgive me for turning you down this time, Captain Hikifune.

Kirio smiled. "Well, as much as I'd love to snap the two of you up right here and now, I've no right to pull you into my division without giving you the chance to examine the rest. Go out there and explore some more; the recruitment festival is a banquet of knowledge in its own right for students such as yourselves, and you should feast until you've had your fill!"

….

Moving along at his own relaxing pace, Jiraiya had initially been indecisive as to which division he wanted to visit next. Squads Four and Eight had been the ones at the top of his list, and while he certainly wanted to check out the others he didn't have a particular order in mind. Squad Two would definitely be soon, not for the very least because it would give him a chance to visit the lovely Yoruichi and likely the feisty Soi-Fon as well, but he wanted to spice things up with a new division first.

And there was one that had caught his eye; Squad Eleven.

The division's display in and of itself was impressive, if not exactly original. Two rows of six stone columns had been set up, each topped with an iron granite bowl that housed a smoldering fire. The columns themselves had images engraved upon them, most of which were of warriors clashing with either each other or with Hollows in scenes of epic battle. Runes that reminded him of the Andunayan barrow were carved beneath them, and Jiraiya assumed they provided some context to the images. While he was mildly curious as to the history behind them, that was easily eclipsed by his interest in the exhibit's occupants

At the center, of course, was Squad Eleven's Captain; the ninth Kenpachi, Torrence Starmont. Although it was customary for every Squad Eleven Captain to replace their first name with the title of Kenpachi, it was rather difficult for this one to do so given that he was also the eldest son and heir of the Starmont Clan, the Great Noble House that ruled the far north of the Soul Society. Jiraiya had heard that his subordinates used the traditional title for him, but outside the confines of the division the man's name largely depended on who was addressing him. Naming aside, there was little doubt that the man was very much the image of both a rugged northern noble and the indomitable leader of Squad Eleven. Tall and very well built, with musculature that had been enhanced and refined through both rigorous training and heated battle, his appearance lent no doubt that he was first and foremost a warrior. His dark brown hair was long and, while groomed, still had a bit of a wild look to it, like it was less the mane of a man and more the untamed fur of a bear or wolf. His grey eyes had a fierce light in them, as if they were constantly searching for something to test his mettle against. The Zanpakutō that hung at his side was longer than most, taking on in its sealed state the form of a great ōdachi with grey and blue hilt wrapping and a silver guard with wolves engraved into it. His spiritual pressure was suppressed in order to avoid harming any of the students, but even then Jiraiya could sense its distinctive characteristics; hot and volatile, rather ironic given that it was the energy of one that hailed from a clan known for its harshly cold homeland.

While the Captain was naturally at the heart of the exhibit, it wasn't hard for Jiraiya to pick out his Lieutenant amongst the other Squad Eleven officers gathered there. Even more imposing than his direct superior, at least on a purely physical level, Gosuke Kiganjō was a mountain of a man. Broad with built-up muscle, his Soul Reaper robes were open enough at the front to reveal a large patch of thick black chest hair. His complexion was quite dark, and his brown eyes and black hair only reinforced it. He had two spiked piercings below his lips, and overall his appearance was quite rough; if Jiraiya had seen him out on the street, it would've been easy to mistake him for a thug rather than a Lieutenant of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. His spiritual pressure was considerable even when it was being suppressed, and Jiraiya had to wonder just how much of a gap there was between him and his Captain. The Zanpakutō he wore was an interesting one, with a thick open ring at the bottom of the handle, complete with a small red tassel and a golden circle engraved into it.

The exhibit might've been focused on Squad Eleven itself, but Jiraiya's gaze was inevitably drawn to the very special guest that the Captain had brought to the event. If the division was trying to compete with Squad Ten's dragon, they were giving it all they had in the form of a being Jiraiya had not expected to meet in person this day. Behind the Captain and Lieutenant was an absolute giant of a woman, rivaling even the behemoth that was Kiganjō in height. Her frame, or at least what Jiraiya could make out of it, was almost pure muscle, and in her own way she was almost as menacing as Captain Drakken's pet. Clad in black leather armor with a gold harness rather than Soul Reaper robes, the arms and legs that remained exposed were almost as pale as snow. Dark boots of animal hide went up her knees, thick and lined with fur at the top. Her face was completely concealed by a menacing helmet that had small black wings coming out from the sides and two curved horns sprouting from the forehead. There was a pair of thick dark lips engraved upon the steel face of the mask, but they did not look inviting. Chainmail draped down from the helmet covering her neck along with a portion of her shoulders, as well as concealing whatever color her hair might've been. The eye-slits of the mask were rather small, but Jiraiya thought he detected a flash of cold silver behind them. The head of a double-edged axe peeked out from behind her waist, and Jiraiya was sure that the full weapon was every bit as intimidating as the woman who wielded it.

The most eye-catching feature of all, though, were the two enormous wings that seemed to envelope the woman. Even folded, they seemed to dwarf her, with their bent joints still well above her head. If Jiraiya had to hazard a guess, he was willing to bet that her full wing-span was twice again as long as she was tall. Their feathers were a mix of black, gold, silver and bronze, a mixture that was as beautiful as it was ominous. Far more impressive than their appearance, though, was the power that Jiraiya could feel radiating from them. It seemed to be suppressed much like that of Squad Eleven's Captain and Lieutenant, but even then, it permeated the air around her like an oppressive haze. Jiraiya could only speculate as to what her full-strength might be, but even with just this hint he was willing to bet that she could go toe-to-toe with a Captain when she cut loose.

So, he thought, this is one of the famed warrior women of the north…

A Valkyrie.

An ancient organization that predated not only the Thirteen Court Guard Squads but also the Andunayan conquest of the Soul Society, the Order of the Valkyries was quite unique as far as warriors in the afterlife were concerned. Part religious sect and part militant force, the Order was composed exclusively of women who had pledged themselves to protecting and serving both the lands of the far north and the Starmont Clan. Renowned for their fearsome abilities and incredible power, these proud and indomitable women were perhaps the main reason why the unforgiving lands of the north could still be inhabited by humans, for it was they who had beaten back the Hollows in bygone ages and had given others a chance to settle in that harsh domain.

Fully-fledged Valkyries actually made up no more than a small handful of the Order's members, and from what Jiraiya understood thanks to the few mentions that they'd been given in class their numbers typically did not exceed single digits. The bulk of their ranks consisted of new apprentices, acolytes, temple guards, healers, lore keepers, and handmaidens. A woman was not considered to be a true Valkyrie until she'd been given her own pair of wings. The crafting of these wings was a closely guarded secret, but it was rumored that the power they were infused with allowed their wielders to go toe-to-toe with a Soul Reaper Captain's Bankai. Jiraiya didn't know if this was true or not, but if the spirit energy he could sense emanating from Squad Eleven's guest was any indication it was certainly within the realm of possibility.

His staring hadn't gone unnoticed; the Valkyrie's posture shifted ever so slightly as Jiraiya approached. His eyes met hers, and he recalled what the instructor in the meal hall had said earlier.

"As another warning," the instructor continued, "I would strongly advise not to openly stare at Squad Eleven's guest for too long, especially with regards to direct eye contact. That will be taken as a challenge, and it is one that I can assure you none of you would survive."

It's not in my nature to back down easily, he mused, but discretion would serve me well here. I'm not exactly at the point that I can challenge someone like her, at least not yet.

He casually shifted his gaze towards Squad Eleven's Captain. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some of the tension in the Valkyrie's frame ease up, and Jiraiya allowed himself to focus firmly on the man who ran the division.

Captain Starmont stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as Jiraiya approached. "I was wondering when the top tier students would begin making their way here. Welcome to Squad Eleven's exhibit, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya smiled. "So, I beat Itachi and Visaelya here? Good to know. It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Captain."

"Likewise," he replied, "I've seen the scores from your combat instructors along with the results of your finals. For a student, you demonstrate exemplary battle potential."

"Glad you noticed," said Jiraiya, "I'd hate to think that all my hard work was for nothing."

Captain Starmont actually smirked at that. "Hard work? Hardly. There's a difference between that and genuine talent for battle. Yours is definitely the latter. We're not supposed to make this inquiry, but rumor has it that you're from the Realm of the Living known as the Shinobi World, and that you acquired a considerable amount of combat experience in your past life there. Would there be any truth to that?"

Jiraiya chuckled. "You don't mince words, do you? Let's just say that there is and leave it at that."

The noble nodded. "Fair enough."

His Lieutenant grinned. "So, you can actually fight worth a damn?"

Jiraiya casually shrugged. "I'd like to think so."

"I'm sure you're aware of our reputation," said Captain Starmont, "Your spirit energy reserves are considerable for a student, but if you join us you should be prepared to only use it to enhance your physical battle prowess. We're not cowards who hide behind Kidō spells, and we won't accept those that do into our ranks."

"That goes for your Zanpakutō, too," said Kiganjō, "If you unlock its Shikai, it'd better be a melee type. Otherwise, you can hightail it out of here."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "I heard you guys had some strict rules about that sort of thing, but I didn't think they were that rigid. Don't you think you're missing out on potentially talented members if you're cutting off recruits like that?"

"Some might be of that opinion," the Captain replied, "Here in Squad Eleven, we know what we stand for. Since our division's founding, we've had only one purpose; to take the fight to the enemy with our blades. We might maintain barracks in the Seireitei, but the only place a true member of Squad Eleven is really at home is at the heart of a battlefield."

"We're all doomed to die," Kiganjō added, "Squad Eleven believes that our deaths should come gloriously in combat. Who wants to die of old age? Only weaklings go out that way."

"Something tells me you guys probably have a high turnover rate among your members," Jiraiya quipped.

Captain Starmont's gaze hardened. "Everyone who joins our ranks knows what they're signing up for. As for those who might be under a false impression, they're free to transfer out whenever they'd like. There's no peaceful 'leave of absence' after a long career in this division; Squad Eleven is for warriors, and there's only one acceptable way for a warrior's career to end."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "Doesn't that cause problems for someone like yourself, though? You are the heir to a Great Noble House, after all. It'd be awfully inconvenient for your clan if you died, no matter how glorious your demise might be."

"Arrangements have been made," the Captain replied gruffly, "I'm not my father's only son, after all. Besides, noble family politics shouldn't be your concern as a Soul Reaper, especially if you're looking at Squad Eleven."

Kiganjō nodded. "We don't have time for any of that court intrigue. The only thing that Squad Eleven concerns itself with is battle."

"So, I've noticed," said Jiraiya dryly as he glanced at the Valkyrie, "Is your guest of the same mindset?"

Starmont turned to the winged warrior and smiled. "I was wondering when you'd bring up Gunnr. She may not be a member of Squad Eleven, or even a Soul Reaper for that matter, but I can assure you that her fervor for battle is every bit as great as our own. It's why I invited her to this year's exhibition; who better to represent the north alongside myself than the Valkyrie known as the Mistress of War. Squad Eleven undertakes more than its share of missions in the north, so for us to fight alongside the Valkyries is not an uncommon occurrence."

Jiraiya regarded Gunnr carefully. He knew that wasn't her real name; one of the Order's customs was that any woman who became a full-fledged Valkyrie had to discard her past name and take on a new one. Gaining their wings was considered a transcendent moment, one which symbolically represented the death of who they had once been and their subsequent rebirth into their new life. It was a sign of utter commitment, one that was not made lightly.

I wouldn't mind knowing who she was before she claimed her wings, he mused as he studied her, but I doubt that's something she'd divulge here.

"I'm sure it's an honor for Squad Eleven to host a Valkyrie at today's festivities," he said, "Of course, I'm willing to bet that the real reason you invited her was so you'd have a way to compete with Captain Drakken's mascot. Am I wrong?"

The slight stiffening of the Captain's posture was all the hint Jiraiya needed to know that he'd hit the nail right on the head. Starmont could talk all he wanted about 'representing the north'; he was really just trying to one-up a fellow Captain, no matter how much he might try to deny it.

And he certainly did try to deny it. "I don't know what you're talking about, Jiraiya. Valkyries are the pride of the north; they're not to be trotted out like prized horses to show off to others."

Much to Jiraiya's surprise, it was none other than the lady in question that undercut her host. "And yet that is why you truly requested my presence, Lord Starmont."

It was a statement of fact, not a question, and Jiraiya couldn't help but notice a hint of displeasure in her voice. That was a shame, because apart from that her voice was absolutely lovely; low and smooth, buttressed by firm confidence. She knew who she was, what she was capable of, and that right now she was fulfilling a role that she considered to be beneath her.

The Captain bristled at her words. "Even if that were the case, I would think that you might enjoy getting to leave the north for a little while."

Gunnr shook her head. "If that is your belief, then you know less of the Order than you should. The north is our only home, and it is the land we are duty-bound to defend. We do not belong anywhere else, least of all in some exhibit that's as much an exercise in vanity as it is for recruitment."

Jiraiya smiled. "You cut right to the chase, don't you? I like that in a woman!"

The Valkyrie turned her gaze towards him, and even through the small slits in the helmet he could make out enough of her eyes to get something of a read on her. He was surprised to find that she actually seemed more curious about him than anything else, which Jiraiya definitely took as a good sign.

"Your bold, for a student," she said after a moment, "Surely you were warned about me before you came here?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "One of the instructors might've mentioned something about you. If they thought it was going to scare me away from you, then they were wrong."

The light in her eyes brightened ever so slightly, and Jiraiya was willing to bet that behind that mask she was smiling. "So, it would seem. You do not lack for courage, if nothing else. That's certainly more than can be said for most of the students I have observed here today; they refuse to make even the briefest of eye contact out of fear."

Jiraiya laughed. "Well, they were told that you'd take it as a challenge and that they should avoid picking a fight! I can't say I blame them; you might be holding back, but I can tell that you're packing an incredible amount of power in those wings of yours."

"While it is true that a Valkyrie would normally consider a sustained period of staring to be a challenge, we are not unreasonable," said Gunnr, "We enjoy polite conversation just like anyone else, and simple eye contact is part of that, after all. We're proud, but we're not beasts, and we certainly have greater self-control than the likes of Squad Ten's dragon."

Jiraiya nodded. "Good to know."

She then folded her arms. "That being said, boldness without restraint is not healthy. You should be wary, Jiraiya, less you provoke a force that's beyond your ability to counter."

Jiraiya grinned. "Good advice, but I might not be able to follow it. Provoking powerful women is something of a hobby of mine!"

A very soft sound came from behind that mask, and Jiraiya did a double-take. Was this armored and winged warrior actually laughing?

"A hobby," she said, and this time he definitely caught at least a giggle before she fully composed herself, "You're an interesting one… far more so than most men of the southern lands that I've met in the past."

Jiraiya smirked. "Oh, really? That's pretty high praise coming from a woman as powerful as you! Care to join me for a drink later? I'm sure I could find ways to keep you entertained!"

Gunnr shook her head. "I'm sorry, but the drinks that are served in the Seireitei are too weak for my tastes."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Too weak? What exactly do Valkyries drink, anyway?"

"Come to the north sometime, and you'll see," she replied, "Besides, I'm afraid that I'm not here to mingle and carouse, regardless of their appeal or the one who's making the offer."

Jiraiya didn't take it personally; she certainly wasn't being rude about it, and in fact was turning him down much more gently than women had back when he was alive. "I understand. If I get a chance to visit the north after graduation, I might just have to come find you."

The glimpse of light in her eyes that he could see through the slits in her helmet looked rather amused at that. "If you have what it takes to make it to the Temple of the Valkyries, then you will have earned the right to find me. The trek is not to be taken lightly, as many wayward travelers would attest. Should you prove yourself capable of surviving the journey, you may be deemed more than merely interesting by my sisters."

Jiraiya grinned. "If that's a challenge, then you should know that you Valkyries aren't the only ones who know how to rise to meet one!"

Gunnr nodded. "So it would seem."

Captain Starmont cleared his throat. "I'm glad that you're not intimidated by my guest, but she is not the one that runs Squad Eleven, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya chuckled as he turned back to him. "Well, if you didn't want her to steal the show, then you shouldn't have invited her."

The Legendary Sannin could tell that he was wearing out his welcome; the Captain seemed much less keen on having him here now than he had been earlier. Had his pride been offended by Jiraiya seeing through his motives for having a Valkyrie as part of his exhibit so easily? Was he just insulted because Jiraiya was more interested in his guest than he was in his division? Either way, it didn't matter to him.

I suppose Squad Eleven's got its own charm, he mused, but I'm afraid it's not one that really speaks to me. I came here more out of curiosity than anything else. I think I've learned all I need to about Squad Eleven today.

The Captain seemed to sense his line of thought. "Do you have any further questions for my Lieutenant or myself today, Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, I think I've got a pretty good idea as to what Squad Eleven's all about. I won't take up any more of your time."

He spared one last glance towards Gunnr before leaving, and he saw her shift to meet his gaze. The sage wished she wasn't wearing that helmet and mask; it would've made her much easier to read.

"I suppose this is goodbye for now, Miss Gunnr," he said, "Or would that be Lady Gunnr? I don't really know what titles you Valkyries typically use."

He thought he caught a glimmer in those silver eyes hiding behind the mask, and if he had to bet he'd say that she was smiling. "We do not keep titles in our Order, Jiraiya. The closest we have to them are the new names we take when we are granted our wings. Use my name freely, as I would use yours."

Jiraiya smiled. "All right, then. It was a pleasure to meet you, Gunnr. I can't say what the future holds, but I hope our paths cross again someday."

The Mistress of War nodded. "As do I, Jiraiya. I shall tell my sisters what I have seen here when I return to the north, and we shall keep our ears open for word of you exploits. If I've read you correctly today, I'm sure you will have great deeds to your name in due time. Your name will reach the north long before you do."

….

"Where'd little Miss Vissy run off to?" came a familiar male voice from behind him.

Itachi didn't need to turn around to know that Jiraiya was approaching him. "She went to the meal hall for some tea. She should be back in a little while."

Jiraiya smiled as he came up next to him. "Well, I can't blame her for wanting a little break. This is quite the fun day we're having, after all!"

Itachi couldn't argue with that. The recruitment exhibition was still in full swing, after all, and he still hadn't gotten through all the displays yet. It was so far beyond the runup to the graduation ceremony that had taken place at the Academy in the Village Hidden in the Leaves all those years ago.

Perhaps they should've instituted something similar, he mused, Shinobi can follow many paths after graduation, much like Soul Reapers. It would be good for Genin to get a chance to sample certain Shinobi roles; there's not nearly enough of that in the Academy curriculum, or at least there wasn't back when I was attending.

"Well, what do you want to do?" asked Jiraiya, "Were you thinking of waiting for her to come back from her break?"

Itachi shook his head. "She said not to wait for her. I think she wants to finish touring the rest of the exhibits on her own."

Jiraiya nodded. "Fair enough. You feeling like doing the same, or do you want to mix it up? I wouldn't mind a partner if you're up for it."

"Sounds good," said Itachi, "Feel free to set the pace. I'm in no hurry."

Jiraiya smiled. "I guess we do still have plenty of time left."

The two of them idly wandered through the crowd with no particular destination in mind. Itachi scanned the surrounding displays while Jiraiya did the same, evaluating potential destinations just like they would mission objectives back when they were Shinobi.

"By the way, I've got some news for you," said Itachi, "It concerns a former student of yours… and a former colleague of mine."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Nagato? What did you hear?"

Itachi relayed to him the conversation he'd had with Captain Hikifune. As the sage took it all in, the ex-Akatsuki member could sense the gears turning within his mind.

"Orange hair, not red," he said after a moment, "You sure?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes. Her report was quite specific on that front."

"I see," said Jiraiya, "So it was one of his Paths that her subordinate encountered, not Nagato himself. Still, if a Path could see a Soul Reaper, there's no reason why Nagato couldn't."

"Nagato never mentioned seeing anything like that when you were training him?" asked Itachi.

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, but he was very young back then. His Rinnegan was likely still developing; he didn't have nearly the same kind of power back then as he did when he killed me. It's possible that he gained the ability to see spirits with it much later on. Even though I was his teacher for a time, I'll admit that there's a ton I didn't understand about his eyes. Hell, even now I know that I still don't have a complete grasp of them; there's a damn good reason the Rinnegan was considered to be a legend, after all."

Itachi nodded. "You're right. He never gave any hints when I was in the Akatsuki that he could see beings such as Soul Reapers, but it's entirely possible that he simply kept that knowledge to himself. A powerful Shinobi doesn't reveal their secrets lightly, after all."

"That's certainly true," said Jiraiya, "I wonder if being able to see spirits when others couldn't might've played a role in who he became. To be able to sense the dead in a way that those surrounding him could not… that could've influenced the philosophy he ultimately came up with."

Itachi shook his head. "It's possible, but we have no proof one way or the other. His experiences in the Third Shinobi World War were powerful enough to serve as sufficient motivators; being able to see the dead may have played only a minor role in comparison to that, if it had any influence at all. Either way, it's a moot point now."

Jiraiya sighed. "I know, but still… I can't help but look back and wonder. He was my student, after all, even if it was only for a little while. I had a responsibility towards him, and I failed to give him what he really needed. If I'd understood more, dug deeper, then maybe he wouldn't have become Pain."

"You did what you thought was right at the time," Itachi countered, "What happened afterwards, and how Nagato reacted to it, was beyond your power to control."

Jiraiya chuckled ruefully. "Maybe, but… well, it's all too easy to second guess ourselves and try to find a way to change the past in our heads. I'm sure you know a thing or two about that."

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment as images of a fateful blood-soaked night flashed through his mind. "Yes..."

There was a somber silence between the two of them for a few seconds before Jiraiya nudged his shoulder. "Why don't we go check out that one? Seems as good a place as any."

Following Jiraiya's gaze, Itachi saw the display of Squad Five. It was rather modest when compared to the exhibits that had been put together by the other divisions, but it was still an intriguing one. The setup was simple yet rather elegant, consisting of a small banzai garden and a stone walkway that led straight to the senior officers. A white banner hung over the entrance with the division's insignia, the lily of the valley, emblazoned in black upon it.

It had been quite some time since Itachi and Jiraiya had last seen Captain Hirako, but the commander of the Fifth Division seemed to recognize them easily enough as he gave them a friendly nod and wave. Itachi responded in kind, but soon found his attention drawn away from the Captain and towards his Lieutenant, who appeared to be studying him quite keenly.

It was the first time Itachi had met him before, but right away he could sense that there was something different about him when compared to the other Lieutenants that he'd met so far. As far as appearances were concerned, his seemed plain enough; well-groomed brown hair, rectangular black-frame glasses over a pair of soft brown eyes, and a relatively average if somewhat on the athletic-side build. He wore the standard Soul Reaper robes, and his badge was tied to his upper-left arm. The Zanpakutō that hung at his waist looked like an ordinary katana with green hilt wrapping, while the only oddity was the tsuba, which was shaped like a hexagon.

Utterly ordinary at first glance, Itachi mused, and yet… something's amiss.

A quick glance at Jiraiya out of the corner of his eye told Itachi that the Legendary Sannin had caught it too. The Lieutenant warranted closer scrutiny, or at least that's what Itachi's instincts were telling him. Why, though? After a moment's thought, Itachi realized it was the man's eyes that were the source of this feeling. The way they looked at him appeared to be more than just an officer evaluating potential new recruits. It felt like he was being viewed as something else… and it felt oddly familiar.

For the briefest of moments, a strange mental image flashed before Itachi's mind's eye. The man's body remained, but his face was replaced by that of another.

Orochimaru.

It was only for a split-second, and it would've been all too easy to dismiss as just a figment of his imagination, but Itachi knew better. He'd seen the way that the fallen Legendary Sannin had looked at him when he'd joined the Akatsuki; seeing him not as a human being, but as a test subject or target.

That was exactly how the man before him was looking at him now. He was much subtler about it, and of course it helped that his appearance wasn't snake-like as Orochimaru's had been, but it was there all the same. The look he was giving Itachi and Jiraiya now was that of someone evaluating new faces to see if they'd be of use to him, not his division. A normal observer wouldn't have picked up on it, but the last thing Itachi and Jiraiya could be accused of was being normal.

The way the Lieutenant was looking at them wasn't the only hint that something was off with him. Taking another glance at Hirako, Itachi realized that the Captain of Squad Five's stance wasn't quite what it had initially appeared. To the majority of the attendees of the recruitment exhibition he probably seemed at ease, but there were enough hints in the way he carried himself for Itachi to come to a different conclusion. The way he stood might appear to be relaxed, but his footing was solid enough that he could react to an attack instantly. Also, Itachi couldn't help but notice that Hirako appeared to be making sure that at least one of his hands was never too far from the handle of his Zanpakutō. There was a certain distance between Captain and Lieutenant that wasn't like what Itachi had observed from officers he'd met before. It was as if Hirako were making a conscious effort to keep his subordinate at arm's length, although Itachi doubted most people would pick up on that.

A Captain that's wary of his own Lieutenant, he thought, This isn't like Yoruichi and her Lieutenant; she appears to view him as simply an annoyance or an unwanted interloper courtesy of noble family politics. Captain Hirako and his subordinate, though… it feels like he sees him as a potential threat. A threat to what, though?

One thing was for sure; the fun and carefree air that had surrounded the recruitment exhibition up until now was gone, at least for Itachi and Jiraiya. They were both on guard, and Itachi was sure that the two veteran Soul Reapers they were approaching had picked up on it. How things would play out from here was an open question, but neither of them was about to walk away.

Shinji smiled as the two of them approached. "I was wondering when we'd get the chance to chat today. It's been a while."

Itachi nodded. "So it has. Good to see you again, Captain Hirako."

"Nice little setup you've got here," said Jiraiya, "Tasteful, but not ostentatious. Someone in your division has a good eye for this sort of thing."

Shinji smirked. "Well, as much as I'd like to take all the credit, I did have some help from my Lieutenant. Speaking of which, I don't think you guys have met before."

The brown-haired man gave the two of them a polite nod. "I'm Sōsuke Aizen. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance; Captain Hirako has spoken quite highly about both of you in the past."

Itachi turned to Shinji. "Is that so?"

Shinji shrugged. "Hey, what can I say? You two have been raising eyebrows ever since the Academy entrance exams six years ago. You showed promise back then, and your test scores have only served to reinforce that. Hell, you even managed to get back on track and impress the Head Captain after that soul fracture incident. You've had some high-profile eyes on you for quite a while now."

"Nice of you to butter us up like that," said Jiraiya, "but we don't need to waste time on flattery?"

Shinji chuckled. "Right to the point, huh? All right, then. I can play that game. What do you want to know?"

"Let's start with the basics," said Itachi, "What can you tell us about Squad Five?"

"Well, as far as organization's concerned, we pretty much follow the standard model," Shinji replied, "I'm at the top, Aizen's my Lieutenant, and so on from there."

"There's no need to make things too complex," Aizen added, "The format may be traditional, but it serves its purpose."

Maybe Itachi was imagining things, but it almost felt like the Lieutenant had all but spat out the word 'traditional'. What was it about that word that seemed to leave a bad taste in his mouth?

"Any special duties?" asked Jiraiya.

"Not to the extent of divisions such as Squads Two and Twelve," Shinji answered, "I suppose our functions are rather ordinary when compared to theirs. We fight Hollows, perform the Konsō, patrol the Soul Society, defend the Seireitei, and more."

"We keep a flexible mission profile," said Aizen, "We do have high standards for recruits, and all members are expected to excel at battle readiness."

Shinji smiled. "We're close to the top when it comes to rapid response times. Squad Two might beat us out there, but occasionally we can give Yoruichi a run for her money. No small feat when you're up against the Flash Goddess."

Itachi nodded. "I see."

"Your reputation's certainly a good one," said Jiraiya, "Even in the Academy, Squad Five is one of the units that held up by the instructors as a model division. You must've put in a lot of work in order to maintain that kind of image."

Shinji smirked. "When you're good at the job, people tend to notice. Usually it's Squad Six that gets that kind of praise. Nice to see that we can give them some competition."

"Captain Kuchiki's division always strives for perfection," Aizen added, "However, they can become a bit too rigid in their pursuit of it. Flexibility is invaluable, and we take pains to emphasize it in Squad Five."

"A good mindset," said Itachi as he studied Aizen carefully, "One that the Soul Society as a whole could stand to embrace a bit more."

Aizen smiled slightly. "Yes, I suppose it could."

His response might've seemed casually approving on the surface, but Itachi thought he sensed something more behind it. It was hard to say for sure, but it almost felt like contempt. Was it for Itachi, or was it for the Soul Society?

If Itachi had to guess, he'd bet on the latter.

Shinji sighed. "Plenty of our divisions see the value in that kind of approach, but the Head Captain and the Central Forty-Six are a different matter. They're about as flexible as ancient oaks, which is to say not very."

"So we've noticed," said Jiraiya, "The Academy instructors might try to gloss over it, but it's not hard to recognize that both the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Central Forty-Six are organizations that give a great deal of deference to tradition, maybe overly so."

Aizen's gaze shifted to Jiraiya, examining the Legendary Sannin with interest. "How might you act to address such an issue?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "I don't think I'm really qualified for that. I mean, I'm technically still a student, after all."

"Nothing wrong with thinking big and moving outside your comfort zone," said Shinji, "You're going to be an official Soul Reaper this time next week, after all. A little initiative will go a long way."

Aizen nodded. "Yes. I for one would very much like to hear whatever thoughts both of you have on the matter."

Itachi and Jiraiya glanced at each other, and it wasn't hard for the two of them to recognize what the other was thinking. Who was really running the recruitment here? Was it the Captain or the Lieutenant? What sort of answers were they looking for?

Best to play things close to the chest for now, Itachi thought as he looked at the Lieutenant again, Especially around this one…

He settled for something noncommittal. "That's difficult to say. I won't speak for Jiraiya, but at this point I don't think I have enough practical experience with the Thirteen Court Guard Squads or the Central Forty-Six to give a proper answer."

"Same here," said Jiraiya, "Sorry."

Shinji shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

"Perhaps another time, then," said Aizen.

A slight smile was on the Lieutenant's face. Itachi had expected him to look disappointed, but if that was indeed how he felt he was hiding it quite well. Was he perhaps amused instead? Maybe he had recognized Itachi and Jiraiya's answers for what they really were; a way to avoid revealing to him their true thoughts on the matter.

One thing was for sure; Itachi did not want to linger. If Aizen's own Captain held himself in a manner that suggested he was suspicious of him, then Itachi wasn't about to let his guard down. Anyone that could draw the watchful eye of a Captain was not someone to be taken lightly, and despite all the power Itachi and Jiraiya had wielded in their pervious lives they were still developing their new abilities in the afterlife. If there was a fight to be had, then for the moment their potential opponent was way out of their league.

His Zanpakutō apparently felt the same way. Withdraw and regroup. This man's dangerous… extraordinarily so.

Why, though?

I cannot say with any greater certainty than you can at the moment. Still, we should trust our instincts here.

Itachi wholeheartedly agreed. "Thank you very much for your time today. This has been a very enlightening experience."

Jiraiya smiled. "Perhaps we'll see you around after we join the active duty ranks."

"I'd like that," said Shinji, "You two certainly have a way of keeping things interesting."

There was a look of approval in the Captain's eyes, one that went deeper than what he'd just said to them. It was a look that indicated he recognized what was going through Itachi and likely Jiraiya's mind as well, and he was impressed that they'd caught on to his subtle unease regarding his Lieutenant without any verbal clues.

A potential ally, then… but against what?

We'll have to find the answer another time. Let's get out of here.

Itachi bowed. "Farwell, Captain Hirako; Lieutenant Aizen."

Aizen nodded, the slightest hint of a smirk appearing on his face. "Until next time. Enjoy the rest of the recruitment exhibition."

I think enjoyment went right out the window the moment I met you…

…and I think that you are just as aware of that as I am.

….

Sitting off to the side of the courtyard, Visaelya tried and failed to suppress a yawn. She hadn't expected to be so tired from just wandering around between the displays during the course of the recruitment exhibition, but much to her surprise it was starting to catch up to her.

If this is enough to wear me out, how am I supposed to cut it in the field?, she thought, I can't believe I'm getting tired from something like this…

She shook her head. It wasn't the physical activity that was getting to her, even if she had put in quite a bit of walking so far. It was simply stress. She might've become more determined with regards to which division she wanted to join, but that didn't mean that the repercussions of her upcoming decision would just disappear. If she went through with it, she was going to ruffle a lot of feathers; smoothing things over would be no easy task.

"Hey there!" said a familiar male voice, "Looks like someone's had enough fun for one day!"

Her eyes widened as Squad Two's Tenth Seat approached her; she'd been so distracted that she hadn't even sensed him. "Shisui! What are you doing here?"

He smiled. "I told you I'd come find you later, didn't I? Mind if I join you?"

Visaelya nodded. "Please, by all means. Still… shouldn't you be back at Squad Two's display? The recruitment exhibition isn't over quite yet, after all."

Shisui shrugged as he sat down next to her. "It's close to winding down… well, at least the public phase, anyway. The bidding war's about to kick off, and my Captain asked me to help her get a head start."

Visaelya's heart skipped a beat. "Wait… are you here with Captain Shihōin's offer?"

Shisui smirked. "Not quite. She wants me to take you to her in a little while so she can present that to you in person, and in private. She also dispatched Rija on a similar errand. You get one guess as to who she sent her after."

Visaelya didn't even have to think about it. "Itachi."

Shisui chuckled. "That was quick."

"It wasn't hard," she replied, "I take it she wants to present her offer to him first, and I'm next on her list?"

Shisui nodded. "Pretty much. I know it's not exactly fun to come in second, but she really does think highly of the both of you. Consider her dispatching me to keep you company as her method of getting the jump on the other Captains; she deemed you worthy enough that wanted to get the first crack at you, and I'm here to see that she gets it."

Visaelya smiled. "That's a great honor. It'll probably take my uncle by surprise; when I visited Squad Ten's display earlier, he seemed convinced that he already had me in the bag, so to speak."

"That'd be your uncle's pride working against him," said Shisui, "Just like Captain Shihōin suspected. No offense, but your uncle's easy to read."

Visaelya shook her head. "None taken."

A surge of warmth came to her face when Shisui put his hand on her shoulder. "Are you ready for this? The decision that you're about to make will impact your life in ways that you can't begin to imagine."

Visaelya took a deep breath, but her smile remained. "I am, and in no small part thanks to you. I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't saved my life, after all. I think the very least I can do is return the favor."

"That's a nice sentiment," said Shisui, "but don't feel like you have to join our division out of some obligation to me. If you're really going to do this, do it because it's what you want."

Visaelya nodded. "I understand. How much longer do you think it'll be?"

"Well," Shisui replied, "if my instincts are right, I'd say the Captain should be meeting with her first recruitment target any minute now…"

….

As he walked with her, Itachi saw Rija give him an approving smile. "Every time I see you, it feels like you've grown. I still remember that joint operation with Squad Ten from two years ago like it was yesterday. You were just a fourth-year student then, but you more than held your own. Look at you now!"

Itachi had been resting when she'd initially approached him. He and Jiraiya had finished touring the rest of the exhibits a little while ago, and the sage had gone off on his own shortly afterwards. When Itachi had asked, Jiraiya had just smirked and told him it was about a job offer that was too good to pass up.

Whatever path he's going down, I suspect I'll get an answer soon enough, he mused, I have my own path to consider now, and it would seem that I'm about to take the next big step down it.

Rija had already confirmed what Itachi had suspected when she'd come to find him; she was the escort Yoruichi had dispatched to bring him to her for her official offer. She hadn't told him herself what the offer was; Squad Two's Captain apparently wanted to save that for the in-person private meeting. Itachi didn't mind, particularly because he preferred to hear it directly from Yoruichi anyway.

"I don't think I've ever seen the Captain quite as excited about a potential recruit as she is about you," Rija continued, giving him a wink, "I can see why, too. Ability, intellect, looks; you've got it all!"

Itachi shook his head. "I still have much to learn."

"You're much further along than you think you are," Rija replied, "At the rate you're going, I don't think it'll be long until you start climbing the ranks. I could end up being your subordinate before we know it!"

"I doubt that," said Itachi, "You proved yourself to be highly skilled during the joint operation two years ago, and your Shikai is very impressive. I still have a long way to go before I could consider competing with you."

Rija smiled. "That's nice of you to say, but I know better. Captain Shihōin hasn't been shy about sharing your test results with those of us she considers her friends. Your growth during your time in the Academy has been nothing short of explosive. My rate of progress has been steady but incremental. I have no doubt that you'll surpass me someday… and I honestly wouldn't mind that. It was the same with Shisui, after all."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Rija nodded. "Oh, yes. I outranked him when he first joined the division, but I could already tell that he had potential. It didn't take him long to prove it and jump above me in the rankings. I made my peace with it; he's a solid leader and a very capable fighter, so I've got no issue with taking orders from him. I think it'll be the same with you."

"Perhaps," Itachi conceded, "but in the meantime, I'm quite willing to follow your orders while you remain my superior."

Rija grinned. "Sounds to me like you've already made up your mind when it comes to which division you want to join! The Captain was right to keep her eyes on you."

She stopped at the door to an unused classroom a moment later. "Speaking of the Captain… well, after you, Itachi."

She moved to the side, allowing Itachi to step forward and enter the classroom. A moment after he entered, he heard her slide in behind him before shutting the door. The widows were open, but it was already late afternoon and evening was approaching, so the light in the room was a bit dim. Itachi spotted Yoruichi immediately, sitting right on top of the teacher's desk with a warm smile on her face. Standing behind her slightly to the right was Soi-Fon, and she was studying Itachi quite closely.

"Six years…" said Yoruichi as her gaze met his, "Has it really only been that long? It felt a lot longer at times. Wouldn't you agree, Itachi?"

"Perhaps," he answered, "Time's flow is tricky. Years can pass in moments, moments in years, yet the flow runs only one direction all the same."

She smiled and hopped off the desk. She didn't Flash Step, yet she was standing before him in what felt like the blink of an eye. Itachi might've been taller than her, but the difference in height did not lessen his respect for her one bit, nor did it take away the fact that he knew just how massive the gap in their power was.

Power that she used to save my life, he thought, To save an afterlife that I believed myself to be unworthy of…

"You have no idea how proud I am to see you here like this today," she said, "I knew you had potential, but you blew past my highest expectations time and again. Not even the soul fracture could keep you down for long. I might've given you a helping hand to get you back on track, but you earned every bit of that and repaid me tenfold with your growth. Your progress has been nothing short of remarkable, Itachi."

"You're too kind," Itachi replied, "The only reason I survived long enough to reach this point is because of you. Had you not found Jiraiya and I that night, we would've fallen to the Hollows. Even after that, my recovery from the Soul Fracture was only possible because you acted swiftly and got me to Captain Unohana. I've been in your debt since the moment we met."

Yoruichi shook her head. "I understand why you might see things that way, but all I did was lend an assist or two along the way. You've walked this path with your own two legs. You earned the right to be here, Itachi."

"To come so far and achieve what you have over these past six years is no small feat," Soi-Fon chimed in, her eyes narrowing, "Are you ready to take the next step? We have very high expectations for you, and intend to challenge you accordingly."

Itachi nodded. "I understand. I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to prove myself worthy of the faith you've placed in me."

Yoruichi's golden eyes were positively gleaming with anticipation. "Well then, let me lay it out for you. It's no secret that I've wanted you in Squad Two since the night we met, and I think you're ready to hit the ground running. Join my division, and you'll be made Sixteenth Seat the moment you graduate."

Itachi prided himself on keeping his thoughts and feelings veiled, but even so he couldn't keep his eyes from widening ever so slightly. "The highest rank possible for someone who hasn't unlocked their Shikai?"

Yoruichi nodded. "I've got the opening thanks to a recent transfer, and I can't think of a better starting slot. With the way your abilities have been growing, I doubt you'll stay there for long; you unlocking your Shikai is just around the corner. I can feel it. Once that happens… well, I'm willing to bet that you'll climb your way up the ranks very quickly."

Itachi's mind was racing with what this all meant. "What would my responsibilities be?"

"After orientation and getting you settled in, I'd start by running you through a few security patrols first to help you get the layout of the Seireitei down," the Captain answered, "Since Squad Two and the Stealth Force work closely together, you need to know this area like the back of your hand. Seeing as you're a quick study, though, I don't think that'd take too long. After that's when the real fun begins!"

"Your patrols will shift to the Rukon District, The Wild and the Realms of the Living," said Soi-Fon, "You'll hunt Hollows either by yourself or under the command of a senior officer. Once you've gained sufficient experience, you'll be put in command of your own field teams, with membership determined by available personnel and the nature of your missions. You will also engage in scouting operations, becoming just one of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' many eyes and ears throughout the Soul Society."

"Don't forget internal security operations," Yoruichi added, "It won't just be Hollows that you'll be called up to fight. Criminals and rogue Soul Reapers will also be on the menu, and you could be charged with hunting them down at any time. You'll have to stay on your toes, Itachi!"

"Of course," Itachi replied, "What about when I'm not in the field?"

"For starters, you'd be responsible for maintaining your own training regimen," said Yoruichi, "Senior squad officers might help out from time to time, but for the most part you'll be dictating the pace of your growth."

Soi-Fon's eyes narrowed. "Lady Yoruichi has placed a great deal of trust in your abilities and your drive to refine them. Do not dishonor her by becoming complacent!"

Itachi bowed. "I can assure you that I will not allow that to happen."

Yoruichi laughed. "Seriously, Soi-Fon, ease up a bit! You've seen his test scores and instructor remarks just like I have; you know he's got the discipline needed to keep himself sharp."

Soi-Fon shook her head. "With all due respect, Lady Yoruichi, I don't think you're taking this seriously enough. As your subordinates, our conduct reflects upon you as our commander."

"And none of you have ever given me cause for concern on that count," Yoruichi countered, "Well, except for Ōmaeda, but since he wasn't my pick he doesn't really count."

She then winked at Itachi. "I know you'll make me proud, but if you need a little additional incentive, then here it is; show me you're determined to improve yourself, and I might make the time to give you some personal instruction!"

As good as he was at keeping himself calm and composed, Itachi couldn't help but feel his heartbeat pick up a bit at that. "I'll keep that in mind. It would be an honor to be taught by the Flash Goddess herself."

Yoruichi giggled and batted her eyelashes at him. "Buttering me up with my unofficial title? You've got quite the silver tongue, Itachi!"

It felt like she was playing with him, but Itachi couldn't stop the slight rush of heat he felt in his face. Why did she have such an effect on him?

I think we both know the answer to that.

Not now.

Killjoy.

His personal feelings for Yoruichi aside, the fact remained that this was the perfect starting position for him. Thanks to its connection with the Stealth Force, Squad Two was the division whose duties were most similar to that of Shinobi. He'd be able to hit the ground running and give the experience he'd acquired in his past life practical application. Not only that, but he'd be under the command of the Captain that had demonstrated the greatest commitment to his grown, and there was no doubt in his mind that despite her playful nature she wasn't joking about the prospect of personally training him.

What more could he ask for? This might've been just the first official offer he'd received today, but at this point he already knew that there was no point in waiting for the others. Squad Two had everything he wanted, so why drag things out for longer than necessary?

"It may be an unofficial title," he said after a moment, "but it's one that I have no doubt was well-earned… and I hope that I'll get the chance to see that legendary speed in action out in the field."

Yoruichi grinned. "You saying what I think you are?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes. Captain Shihōin…"

She held up a finger. "Hey, what'd I tell you before? It's just Yoruichi unless the other Captains are around."

Itachi couldn't help but give a small smile in return. "In that case… Yoruichi, if you'll have me, I'd be honored to join Squad Two as your Sixteenth Seat."

Her eyes were ablaze with triumph as she held out her hand. "The honor's mine. Welcome to the division, Itachi."

"Thank you, Yoruichi," he replied as he shook her hand.

A playful light came to her gaze. "I've got the feeling that this'll be the start of something special! What do you think, Itachi?"

Once again, there was a slight rush of heat to his face, but Itachi didn't let that hold back his response. "I think you're right."

….

To say her uncle looked displeased was a mild understatement. For all his efforts to maintain the urbane demeanor that was expected of both a Captain and a member of one of the Five Great Noble Houses, Rhaegon Drakken's agitation and anger at what Visaelya had just told him were blatantly obvious. She'd expected him to react poorly to her decision, but she had at least thought he would keep his aristocratic composure.

She'd been quite wrong on that account.

His fists were clenched, and his violet eyes were ablaze with indignation. The output of his spiritual pressure hadn't changed, but Visaelya had to wonder how long that would last. Members of the Drakken Clan had a reputation for being as wrathful as their dragons when provoked, and while Visaelya had always thought her uncle above such impulsive fury it was clear that her assessment had been mistaken.

"To think that you'd be the first…" Squad Ten's Captain hissed, his voice absolutely seething with anger and disgust, "You were born into the comfort and wealth of the greatest clan the Soul Society has ever seen, and this is how you repay us? Treachery from the daughter of my elder brother…"

His messenger had taken her to meet him in an empty classroom and had left after ushering her inside, so they had no audience. On the one hand, it was good that there were no outside witnesses to Rhaegon's decidedly un-Captain-like display. However, Visaelya could not help but feel more than a little fearful; how far would her uncle go in his fury? It was the first time that she'd ever been concerned for her physical safety while in the presence of close family.

Despite her fear, she was determined to stand her ground. "I've already given my answer to Captain Shihōin. Upon graduation, I will be the Eighteenth Seat of Squad Two."

"Eighteenth Seat…" her uncle repeated through grinding teeth, "The Eighteenth Seat… of that witch's division? Eighteenth Seat of the Shihōin Clan's squad? Just how determined are you to insult your family?"

Visaelya was appalled at what she was seeing. Yes, some members of the Drakken Clan took their rivalry with the Shihōin Clan more seriously than was healthy, but she'd always thought that her uncle was above the petty competition between their houses, or at least took it in stride. Had something changed… or had he always been like this and had simply kept it hidden?

"I'm not doing this to offer insult to our family," she replied, "Taking a position in Squad Two as the start of my career as a Soul Reaper does not mean that I reject our Great Noble House. I'm simply doing what I feel will allow me to serve the Soul Society to my fullest potential."

"By taking a lesser rank in a lesser squad?" Rhaegon spat, "I kept the slot of our Sixteenth Seat open specifically for you! You are a Drakken! Your path must go through Squad Ten!"

Visaelya's gaze hardened. "The only one who will dictate my path is myself, Captain Drakken. I love my family, but I refuse to be defined my name alone any longer! I will serve the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as a Soul Reaper in my own right. I will be recognized according to my abilities, not according to my bloodline! I'm proud of my lineage, but I am done with having my future dictated by my family."

Her uncle glared at her. "You're doing more than just disgracing our family here. I don't think that you fully comprehend the jeopardy that you're putting your future in."

"I'm taking my future into my own hands," Visaelya shot back, "If you think threats are going to stop me, then you're mistaken."

Rhaegon gave a theatrical sigh. "Even if that threat is to deny you your own dragon egg?"

Visaelya had suspected that would be the price for her defiance long before her uncle had brought it up. It was a heavy blow; all children of the Drakken line eagerly awaited the day that they would be deemed worthy of receiving the egg that would eventually hatch into their personal dragon. The gift of the egg had only been denied to members of the family on very rare occasions. Even if it was a consequence that she'd known was possible before making her decision, it was still one that she didn't take lightly.

She would not let it deter her, though. "If that's the price to pay for the freedom to decide my own destiny, then so be it."

Visaelya at least had the satisfaction of seeing her uncle's eyes widen in shock; clearly, he'd been expecting that threat to do the trick. "Well, then… it would seem that there truly is no swaying you from your folly."

"No, there isn't," she said with more than a hint of pride.

Rhaegon took a deep breath before nodding. "Very well. I shall inform the family of your decision. Don't expect them to take it well."

"I'm not," Visaelya quipped dryly, "Just as long as they don't expect to be able to stop me. Our family's powerful, but you know just as well as I do how this works; once a student has accepted a recruitment offer, only the Head Captain can overturn it if the Captain that made the offer does not rescind it. I may not be as familiar with Captain Shihōin as you are, but she does not strike me as the type of woman to renege on an agreement. As for the Head Captain… well, even I know his reputation. He won't take kindly to our family interfering blatantly in matters such as recruitment."

Her uncle chuckled ruefully. "Yes… it would seem that your tutors were too good at their jobs. Fine. Let Captain Shihōin and Head Captain Yamamoto be the shields for this 'freedom' that you've come to value so highly. You will find it to be but a shade of the glory you could've known had you stayed true to your family."

Visaelya glared at him. "We'll see about that."

….

"So, I hear you snagged two out of the top three," came a familiar male voice from behind her, "Quite the haul, Captain Shihōin!"

Turning around, Yoruichi saw the leader of Squad Five approaching. A wry smirk was on his face, and given the topic he was leading with, she couldn't blame him.

She smiled as he came up to her. "You know, sometimes I amaze even myself. Itachi was the one I was gunning for from the start, but it was nice to get Visaelya along with him."

Shinji chuckled. "No kidding. I bumped into Captain Drakken a little bit ago. I don't think I've seen him that angry since you and Kisuke slipped laxatives into his dragon's dinner a few years back."

Yoruichi grinned. "Ah, good times!"

"Not for the guys who had to spend all week cleaning the Squad Ten barracks," Shinji deadpanned before looking around, "Speaking of Kisuke, where'd he run off to?"

"He's making a quick run to the Squad Two barracks," she replied as she gestured over her shoulder, "We can't move all this stuff in one go, after all."

The public portion of the recruitment exhibition was over, so all the gathered divisions were in the process of packing up their displays. Shinji had taken care of his relatively quickly, which didn't surprise Yoruichi; the simple setup he'd had meant it was pretty easy to close up shop once the day was done.

Shinji nodded. "I see. Well, when you get the chance, do you mind passing along a message to him? It's actually for both of you."

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "All right, I'll bite. What's up?"

Shinji smiled. "I had the pleasure of having both Itachi and Jiraiya stop by Squad Five's display at the same time. They didn't stay too long, but we had an interesting chat. My Lieutenant was there too, of course."

Yoruichi's eyes slightly narrowed; she knew how Shinji tried to keep his Lieutenant at arms-length, and Kisuke had caught onto it as well. "How'd things go?"

Shinji gave her a smirk that was almost devious. "Those two are sharp… way sharper than they let on. Their level of perception's nothing short of incredible."

In other words, they were able to catch onto Shinji's unease regarding Aizen, even though he tries to keep that under wraps, Yoruichi mused, Itachi and Jiraiya… you two just keep on exceeding my expectations. I might've been focused primarily on Itachi, but Kyōraku landed quite a catch with Jiraiya…

"Well, there's a reason why they turned so many heads during their time at the Academy," she said.

Shinji nodded. "No kidding. Anyway, just make sure that little tidbit finds its way to Kisuke, all right?"

"Leave it to me," Yoruichi replied.

….

On the surface, Squad Ten's Captain remained composed as he walked through the corridors of his unit's barracks. It would only be close associates who might recognize the signs of his agitation; the brisker than usual pace, the slight tension in his jawline, the occasional twitch of an eyebrow, and other subtle visual cues. Fortunately, his Lieutenant and Third Seat were overseeing the cleanup of Squad Ten's display, and the privacy of Rhaegon's office was just at the end of the hall.

Viewed objectively, this year's recruitment exhibition had gone quite well. A solid group of advanced track students had been persuaded to join Squad Ten, and when combined with the recruits he would gain from the regular students once assignments had been allotted to them the future of his division was secure for the time being. However, his failure to land any of the top three advanced track students, especially his niece, rankled him to no end and overshadowed what otherwise should've been considered a successful day.

I never saw this coming, he silently fumed, When were the seeds of her treachery planted?

It was a question that he continued to brood on as he slammed the door to his office shut behind him. In fact, it preoccupied him so much that he initially failed to notice that he wasn't alone.

"So easily flustered," came a deep male voice, "One might find your demeanor more befitting of a jilted lover than that of Squad Ten's Captain and a member of the Great Noble House Drakken."

Rhaegon whirled around, glaring at the figure standing by the window. Their back was to him and he wore a black cloak that concealed most of their features, but even through that a few details were discernible. The slightly bulky shoulders weren't of natural muscle, but rather from the plating of armor that was worn beneath the cloak. His overall figure was an athletic one, of average height but not to be underestimated; Rhaegon could think of more than a few Hollows who had learned that lesson the hard way.

"You came away without the prize you truly sought," the cloaked figure continued, "Is a spurned recruitment offer really all it takes to get such a rise out of you?"

"How did you know about that?" asked Rhaegon.

"Word has spread quite quickly," the man answered, "Your petulance in the matter has only accelerated that. I thought that your tutors instilled in you the value of keeping a cool head and maintaining your aristocratic demeanor. I imagine that they would be quite disappointed if they could see you right now."

"The one who's earned their disappointment is my sorry excuse for a niece," Rhaegon shot back, "Our family will not just let her betrayal slide."

"You're too hung up on a perceived slight," the cloaked figure countered, "and a minor one at that. Your niece's decision is regrettable, but it was always hers to make. You must simply adjust your plans accordingly. Adaptability serves a Captain much better than wounded pride."

"She's not just another recruit," Rhaegon insisted, "Drakkens who have become Soul Reapers have always joined Squad Ten!"

"So she's the first to buck the trend," the man replied with a shrug, "If she wishes to make history in that regard, then let her. Remember to look at things with an eye to the long-term. Just because she has joined Squad Two does not mean that she will always be there. There is always the chance that she'll transfer divisions. Even if she doesn't, the Drakken Clan is large enough that I'm sure there will be fresh chances for you to recruit other family members into the division."

The cloaked figure's demeanor shifted slightly, becoming a bit tenser. "Besides, by obsessing over a member of your bloodline, you allowed the real prizes to slip through your fingers practically without a fight. Squad Two didn't come out on top because they won over your niece; Captain Shihōin had her eyes on a much more powerful student, and her diligence was rewarded. Likewise, Squad Eight's Captain was also able to keep his focus and look beyond the family names of students, and as a result the second diamond in the rough will be in his hands once the graduation ceremony is complete."

Rhaegon scoffed. "You're referring to Itachi and Jiraiya? Their scores might've put them at the top of this year's advanced track, but without the power that flows in through a noble bloodline their careers will eventually plateau."

"If you believe that, then you're a fool," said the cloaked man, "The prodigy of the Uchiha Clan and one of the Legendary Sannin have potential as Soul Reapers that goes far beyond any the Academy has seen in quite some time. Dismiss them at your peril; I will not make the same mistake."

Rhaegon folded his arms. "While we're on the topic of mistakes, I'm starting to wonder if your plan is one of those. The timetable's far too long; we can be ready to make our move far sooner than the century that you call for."

"When did this notion slip into your head?" asked the figure, "Have you so easily forgotten who the opposition will be? Your foe is not someone to be taken lightly."

"The Head Captain is powerful, but he's far from invincible," Rhaegon countered, "With the allies we plan to gather, we'll be able to challenge him."

"Not if you move too soon," the cloaked man argued, "There is a very good reason why I've counseled playing the long game. A premature strike is an invitation to failure and suicide."

"I'm not saying we make our move right away," said Rhaegon, "Rather, I think a couple decades is all that will be needed to gather sufficient strength. A century is overkill to say the least."

"Hardly," the figure replied, "After all, the Head Captain is not the only foe that we must contend with."

Rhaegon rolled his eyes. "Are you still obsessed with that old legend you stumbled across in my family's archives? This 'Sealed King' is nothing more than a fable those who were defeated nearly nine hundred years ago came up with to console themselves at the loss of their leader."

"No," said the cloaked man firmly, "It is far more than that. When your ancestors took part in the old war against the Quincies, they were quite diligent in recording their experiences for posterity. What I have found in the Drakken Clan archives has been most illuminating, and you would dismiss it at your peril. The Sealed King is real, and he is a greater threat to our plans than even the Head Captain. That is why a prolonged timetable is necessary; we need time to locate and dispatch this threat before it regains its full power. Only then should we turn our attention to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Central Forty-Six."

Rhaegon shook his head. "If this is a threat that your so concerned about, then wouldn't it be better to take the Soul Society sooner so that we can consolidate power and pursue it from a position of strength? Waiting a hundred years is folly!"

"You did not display such discontent with the plan I laid out to you before now," said the figure, "The source of it is more than just agitation at the failure to recruit your niece, isn't it? Who have you been speaking to? Your family's patriarch has been in full agreement with me, and I highly doubt that he's had a change of heart in recent days."

Rhaegon's eyes narrowed. "If you think I'm foolish enough to limit myself to a single advisor, then you're mistaken. You've served the Drakken Clan well over the past few years, but you hardly have a monopoly on long-term planning."

"So you've found another advisor, then," said the cloaked man, "One that, it would seem, would have you reach out before you are truly prepared to grapple with the foes before you."

"Hardly," said Rhaegon, "They just happen to think that a century of buildup is excessive, and I happen to agree with them."

"Is your father aware of this new advisor?" asked the figure.

Rhaegon nodded. "Yes. He may not be willing to speed things up yet, but there is plenty of time to change his mind."

"And plenty of time for me to keep him from committing the clan to folly and ruin," the cloaked man countered, "Don't let impatience undermine your ambition. I certainly will do all in my power to keep things on track. If that means I must counsel your father against your rashness, then so be it."

Rhaegon sneered. "Feel free to try. You yourself once told me that your power is currently a fraction of what it once was, and I know that's part of why you want to wait so long. This is about more than just rebuilding your own strength; this is about the Drakken Clan taking what is rightfully ours and ushering in a new golden age for the Soul Society!"

"I never said that this was about me," the figure replied, "However, if you try to challenge the Head Captain without my full power behind you, then I'm afraid that your efforts will be doomed to failure."

"So you say," Rhaegon shot back, "but with the force that we'll have behind us once our alliance with the north is finalized, I think we'll be able to prove you wrong."

"You're a long way from securing that alliance at the moment," said the cloaked man, "I know full-well that Lord Torland Starmont has been playing hard-to-get ever since your father began making overtures to him. It'll be quite some time before he's willing to make even a tentative agreement, much less an alliance. He's a cautious old wolf, but he wouldn't have survived for so long in the north were he anything less."

Rhaegon shook his head. "He'll come around. All that's needed to draw a wolf out is the right kind of meat. If it takes a few years to properly entice him, that's fine. I imagine we'll still be able to pull it off well before the century that your plan calls for has passed."

There was a moment of silence before the figure answered. "Perhaps. Even so, bringing the north onto our side will not guarantee victory, especially if you reach out too soon. Your new advisor is overly ambitious. Does he really serve your ends? It sounds like he has his own agenda."

Rhaegon chuckled. "And you don't? I hardly expect him to ally with us for nothing, and the same went for you when we first met. Everyone has their own interests. That doesn't mean that his can't serve ours."

"That's assuming his interests truly align with ours," said the cloaked man, "Without knowing who he is, I can hardly be assured that is the case."

"I didn't reveal your identity to him," said Rhaegon, "As a courtesy, I'm afraid I can't reveal his to you. Fair is fair, after all."

"Fairness has nothing to do with it," said the figure, "but I can already tell that I'm not going to get a real answer out of you. I'll pursue his identity on my own."

"I'd advise against that," said Rhaegon, "I don't think he'd take kindly to someone investigating him, and he's more formidable than he might first appear."

For the first time since their conversation had begun, the cloaked man looked over his shoulder. The cowl of his hood still veiled most of his face, but his eyes shone out from the darkness like beacons.

Violet beacons…

…with ripples flowing across them.

"So am I," the figure growled, "You would do well to remember that."

Before Rhaegon could reply, the man Flash Stepped out the window and vanished into the setting sun.

….

"How you holding up?" asked Jiraiya as he passed his friend a cup of tea.

Visaelya smiled as she accepted it and took a sip. "Better than I thought I would, all things considered."

"You stood up for yourself, choosing your own path against the one that your family wanted to force you down," said Itachi as he joined them, "Sometimes that takes more courage than going into battle."

Jiraiya nodded. "Your fate's your own now, Visaelya. As long as it's what feels right to you, we've got your back."

It was late evening, and the three of them were back in the student dorms. It was customary for a party to be held there after the exhibition was over and people knew what divisions they would be joining. A great spread of food had been laid out, drinks were flowing, and if Jiraiya had a complaint it was only that there was no alcohol.

Well, that should change after graduation, he mused, After all, my new Captain seems like the kind of guy who has a proper booze stash hidden away somewhere…

"I'm still a bit surprised that you won't be coming to Squad Two with Itachi and I," said Visaelya, "This is really what you want?"

Jiraiya smiled. "Yup. Don't get me wrong; it was tempting to follow you two, and I'm sure we'd have a ton of fun in Yoruichi's division together. It's nothing against any of you. This is simply the road I thought would be the most interesting to travel down."

"Even if you're not coming with us, congratulations are still in order," said Itachi, "Seventeenth Seat in Squad Eight is nothing to sneeze at. You must've really made an impression with Captain Kyōraku."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Well, not just him. Don't forget the other part of the deal I told you about."

Visaelya smirked. "Personal lessons in the healing arts with Captain Unohana would be a great honor for any Soul Reaper, but for you they might actually be more dangerous than going out into the field if you don't mind your wandering hands!"

Even Itachi seemed mildly amused. "I know you took your chances with Tsunade and got a thrashing for your trouble, but Captain Unohana strikes me as considerably more dangerous to cross. I'd hate to hear of your untimely demise by her blade and lose a sparring partner as entertaining as yourself."

Jiraiya laughed. "Well, I can't make any promises! Sometimes the risk really is worth the reward!"

Visaelya shook her head. "Ever the oaf, even on the cusp of graduation…"

"I'm assuming that Captain Kyōraku will still grant you some time for your writing," said Itachi, "If I recall correctly, he's one of the more prestigious fans of your work."

Jiraiya grinned. "You got that right! I'll still have my division responsibilities and my personal training to attend to, but he definitely gave the impression that he wants me to keep up my little series."

Visaelya rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I look forward to the next installment in the series, then," said Itachi before taking a sip of his tea.

The conversation died down as the three of them focused on their food and drinks. Jiraiya continued to smile as he took it all in. Who would've thought that, six years after his death, he'd be enjoying a party with a man that he'd once considered to be an enemy as they prepared to go their separate ways come graduation? The past six years almost felt like little more than a blur, and they were just the tip of the iceberg that was the afterlife he'd wound up in.

The party went on, and gradually students began to drift away towards their rooms for the night. Soon enough, Visaelya was among their number, yawning as she bid good evening to Jiraiya and Itachi.

"She's had a longer day than most," said the former as the young woman left the dining hall.

The latter nodded. "She'll be dealing with the consequences for longer than most as well."

"Do me a favor and keep on eye on her, all right?" asked Jiraiya, "At least, since the two of you will be in the same division, you'll be able to lend her a hand if her family tries to cause her trouble. She doesn't deserve that kind of grief."

"Shisui will be able to help out on that front as well," Itachi added, "Visaelya does seem to be rather fond of him, after all."

Jiraiya smirked. "I guess that's one way to put it."

The Legendary Sannin looked around the meal hall, making sure that the remaining students weren't paying attention to them before turning back to the former Akatsuki member. "So, now that she's off to dreamland for the night, how about the elephant in the room?"

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "You mean what happened back at Squad Five's exhibit?"

Jiraiya nodded. "You got it. Glad I wasn't imagining things if you picked up on it too."

"Yes…" said Itachi softly, "It was subtle, but there all the same. The Lieutenant… something's not right about him. I think Captain Hirako's aware of it, too."

"I caught that, too," said Jiraiya, "That wasn't a man who's comfortable around his second-in-command."

Itachi leaned forward. "When I first saw him, the feeling I got… well, it reminded me…"

"Of Orochimaru, right?" Jiraiya finished for him.

The Legendary Sannin had the satisfaction of seeing his friend's eyes widen ever so slightly. "So… you as well, then..."

"Oh, yes," Jiraiya replied, "I knew Orochimaru for far longer than you did, after all. Appearance-wise, him and Aizen are night and day. However, that look in his eyes while we were at Squad Five's display… that felt all too familiar."

Itachi nodded. "He was sizing us up. Not as potential recruits, but as something else. Asset or liability, target or test subject, ally or threat… take your pick."

"He likely saw more than one," said Jiraiya, "It definitely wasn't the same kind of evaluation I got from the Lieutenants of other divisions when I visited their exhibits."

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment. "I couldn't get a solid read on his power. At first glance, he seemed to be projecting himself as a typical Lieutenant might, or at least one that's holding back their spiritual pressure in such a social setting. However… I don't think that's an accurate image."

Jiraiya's gaze hardened. "Agreed. There's an undercurrent there, one that runs deep. No wonder his Captain was nervous. It's impossible to judge his true strength, which makes him all the more dangerous."

"What do we do about it, though?" asked Itachi, "As of right now, we'd be punching way out of our league. Even after our power grows, that doesn't change the fact that he's a senior officer in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Even if his Captain's wary around him, he appears to be in good standing as a whole, or at least that's the impression I got based on how other students approached him. More to the point, all we have right now are just vague feelings of unease that we can compare with a threat from our previous lives. That's not exactly compelling, even if we're inclined to trust our instincts."

"Believe me, I know," said Jiraiya grimly, "We'll just have to keep our eyes open. Officially joining the Thirteen Court Guard Squads will at least give us access to greater resources; we can expand our knowledge of him and try to figure what's going on there beyond simply us having a bad feeling."

"What about the Captains of the divisions we're joining?" asked Itachi.

Jiraiya shrugged. "Yoruichi seems like she'd at least hear you out, although you might want to hold off until you've got something more solid than just a hunch. Kyōraku seems decent enough, although I don't know him as well as some of the other Captains that we've encountered over the past six years. I might need to bide my time for a bit. That's just my take on it, though. We'll be in separate divisions, so we'll act based on our own discretion."

Itachi nodded. "You're right."

Jiraiya smiled. "So, after six years, you and I are finally going our separate ways. It's been fun, Itachi."

"Yes," Itachi replied, "although I suspect it would be premature to call this the end."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Good point. You and Shisui are going to be searching the Rukon District for your clan, and I'm willing to lend a hand. We'll have to keep in touch so we can at least compare notes."

"Agreed," said Itachi, "Beyond that, our paths are our own. Where they take us from here… well, there's only one way to find out."

….

One week later…

At least the speeches haven't been as long as I feared they would be, Itachi mused as he stood at the head of his class.

The spirit of his Zanpakutō seemed to be in full agreement. Ceremony and pageantry grow dull quite quickly. Even this has been hard to stay awake through.

You're falling asleep during my graduation?

Could you really blame me if I did? You're about as bored as I am.

Fair enough.

It was true that pomp and traditional ceremonies didn't hold all that much of an appeal for Itachi, but he could still understand their place in the order of things. Graduating from Shin'ō Academy was a momentous occasion, especially when one considered the fact that death had been a distinct possibility during the field missions they'd gone on over the course of their education. They had passed through their trials by fire and otherwise, though, and now Itachi and the rest of his class stood here as one chapter of their lives came to a close.

It had been by the slimmest of margins, but he'd beaten out Jiraiya for top marks. Itachi wasn't about to let it go to his head, but he still allowed himself a small amount of satisfaction at having proven his abilities to the Academy faculty. Since Jiraiya was in the Number Two slot, he stood at Itachi's right, while Visaelya was to Itachi's left thanks to her placing in the Number Three spot in the rankings.

Apparently, Itachi's Zanpakutō wasn't the only one that was about to doze off; he saw Jiraiya try and fail to stifle a yawn. "Ah, man… could they hurry this along?"

"Quiet!" hissed Visaelya, "The Head Captain's still speaking!"

Indeed, he was, although it appeared the he was on the home stretch of his commencement address. Itachi was only halfway paying attention; his focus was on one of the officers standing behind Yamamoto. Not all of the Captains were attending the ceremony, but a few had apparently decided to put in an appearance, including the one that Itachi knew he wouldn't be here without.

Yoruichi.

His eyes met hers, and she smiled with pride and satisfaction. The light in her golden eyes radiated excitement, and Itachi could hardly blame her. After all, he was more than itching to take his place in her division and officially start his new career.

At long last, the Head Captain's address drew to a close. As the venerable commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads stepped aside, he motioned for the students to come forward. Itachi led the way, and they were greeted with applause from the assembled officers and Academy faculty.

They'd been given instructions prior to the ceremony, so Itachi knew that once they left the stage, they'd be greeted by representatives from the divisions that they were joining. They would then be led to the barracks of their respective squads, now officially Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

It's been a long road to get to this point, he thought, giving Yoruichi a small smile, and yet, even now I know that my journey has only just begin. I look forward to taking the next steps with you, Yoruichi.

Author's Notes: And with that, the Academy Arc comes to a close! I was tempted to go through the displays for every single one of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads at the recruitment exhibition, but I figured the chapter was long enough as it is. I basically designed the whole thing as a combination of a convention/job fair, and it was quite fun to use it as a means for bringing more of the cast to the stage. Plots are afoot, one of our main villains has made his debut, and Itachi and Jiraiya are now officially Soul Reapers. Fun times are ahead; the story's only just begun!

Hope you liked the chapter. Please review, and see you all next time!