Engaged in a duel with Dark Megumi, Itachi deftly evaded her attack as she shattered his last sword. Upon landing on a nearby rock, he glanced back at Brooke, who observed the confrontation from a distant tree branch.
Unsure of the passage of time in the unchanging underground, Itachi couldn't help but blush as he locked eyes with the mischievous brunette.
Surveying the dwindling number of swords remaining, he speculated, 'If there are few swords left, then the genuine one must be near.' With a resolve to strategize further, Itachi shifted his focus away from his injuries. However, his attention was back to broke and noticing Izuru accompanying Brooke.
Itachi appeared puzzled by the unfamiliar emotion stirring inside him. He questioned the significance of who Brooke conversed with, as he believed her happiness to be the primary concern.
'You are expected to focus on training rather than watching Miss. Kotetsu,' remarked Dark Megumi, appearing next to Itachi. Itachi insisted, 'I was not staring at Brooke.' As Izuru swiftly exited the hideout, Itachi redirected his attention towards Dark Megumi upon hearing her scornful remark.
'I am merely curious about Izuru's intentions,' he explained. Dark Megumi commented perceptively, 'I can observe the way you glance at her,' as she strolled towards Brooke, who had descended from the tree. Itachi followed them over to Brooke, who approached with a solemn expression.
'Brooke, what seems to be the matter?' he inquired as she approached him. 'I believe we must halt the training for today. Toshiro requires our immediate assistance, and we can discuss further from there,' Brooke declared.
"Stopping the training session? May I ask why?" inquired Itachi, who had been determined to persist until achieving his bankai. The attention of the Uchiha was captured by Brooke's remark about the necessity of speaking with Toshiro regarding Captain Soifon. "Because Toshiro needs to have a conversation with us regarding Captain Soifon," she stated, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Itachi, intrigued, questioned, "Soifon? Has she returned already?" With his curiosity piqued and training momentarily forgotten, Brooke advised the group to go and hear what Toshiro had to say before proceeding further. As Brooke employed flash steps to depart the underground training area, the raven-haired man turned to Dark Megumi and Kaze Megumi, seeking their approval to halt the training session. "Are you both comfortable with pausing the training? I wouldn't want to upset either of you," he inquired sincerely.
"If that is what Captain Hitsyugya requests, then we should comply and resume our training afterward," replied Kage Megumi, her unwavering blue gaze fixed upon Itachi. "It would be wise to go and avoid any potential consequences for not being present," she added, urging Itachi to leave now.
Itachi nodded and swiftly moved after Brooke, who was waiting outside for him with her arms crossed over her chest, urging him to not lag behind. She then took the lead towards the tenth division.
"I apologize," Itachi said as he followed the brunette to the division, his thoughts circling around why Toshiro wanted to meet with him and Brooke. He wondered if it was about Soifon and her team's return or something different. Hopefully, it wasn't something negative.
Upon reaching the tenth division with a series of quick movements, Itachi landed next to Brooke who knocked on Toshiro's office door to announce their arrival.
"Come in!" Toshiro's voice came from the other side, signaling for Brooke and Itachi to enter the office. They walked in and stood before the short captain.
Upon observing Toshiro, Itachi noticed Rangiku standing solemnly behind him, sparking his curiosity. Before he could inquire about Toshiro's intentions, Brooke preemptively addressed the topic.
'You wish to discuss Captain Soifon with us?' Brooke's question was directed at Toshiro, who confirmed, 'Yes.' The white-haired Captain proceeded to elucidate the recent occurrences in the ninja world, including Soifon's capture.
Itachi's gaze sharpened as he absorbed the information from the 10th squad Captain, prompting him to question, 'Kidnapped? By whom?' His fist clenched in reaction, until Brooke placated him with a hand on his arm.
'Yes, it all happened fast, and according to Captain Ukitake, it was perpetrated by an individual named Danso,' Toshiro recounted, meeting Itachi's gaze.
Itachi attentively listened to Toshiro, the captain, as he revealed that the man responsible for kidnapping his sister was also the root of the suffering within the Uchiha clan.
'What course of action do you suggest?' Itachi inquired, prepared to accompany whoever the head captain assigned to assist in retrieving Soifon.
'For now, we must refrain from taking action,' Toshiro stated composedly, contrasting Itachi's apparent inner turmoil. 'And why is that?' Itachi inquired, puzzled by their decision to abstain from immediate intervention.
Toshiro met Itachi's gaze directly. 'Yoruichi and her team have already pinpointed Soifon's whereabouts and are currently mobilized to secure her safe return,' he explained.
'Furthermore, Sasuke and his squad are providing assistance, ensuring a positive outcome. Your focus should be on training diligently to achieve bankai at the earliest opportunity,' Toshiro concluded.
Itachi was astonished to find Sasuke aiding in delivering the message that he had been trying to communicate through Sasuke's visions. He had maintained contact with his brother for a while, but had ceased doing so due to other priorities.
'Okay, please inform me if they manage to get Soifon back,' Itachi asked, now determined to acquire his bankai by the following day or at least within the next two days.
Toshiro reassured him, 'Certainly, I will inform you. Now, proceed with your training, and once you achieve your bankai, we will proceed with the final part of your captain test,' he said, returning to his duties.
Grateful that the white-haired captain agreed to keep him informed, Itachi nodded and followed Brooke out of the office.
Turning to Itachi, Brooke suggested, 'Let's return to training,' and led the way back to the underground.