Chapter 14 - Aftermath (2/2)
They arrive to see a few shinigami performing healing kido. One of the nurses notices them and tells them to wait outside. As they both walk back outside, Kenta approaches them.
”Taro! Are you alright! What about Daiyu?” Kenta asks with a worried look on his face.
”I'm fine...they are healing Daiyu right now.” Taro replies. Itachi looked down the hallway to see Aizen and Gin walk out of the dean's office with Ounabara behind them. As they walk by, Aizen gives Itachi a light smile as they lock eyes before passing by. Ounabara stops at Itachi and tells him to follow him to the dean's office. Itachi complies while Taro and Kenta look at him confused.
Ounabara and Itachi enter the dean's office and Itachi is told to take a seat. An old man sitting at the desk in front of Itachi welcomes him.
”Hello Uchiha Itachi.” The old man offers a warm smile.
”Raise your head young man. What you did today was very commendable. Captain Aizen told me about your actions. You took down a powerful hollow by yourself and saved a member of the barrier corps. Ounabara and I talked briefly about your performance in class and have come to the decision to graduate you early from the academy. We believe that experience in the squads will be much better for you than the academy training. But graduation won't be for another two months. I also highly recommend you participate in the upcoming Academy tournament. There will be plenty of high ranking shinigami watching and you'll have a lot more options to where you'll want to join when you graduate. That will be all, you are dismissed.”
”I understand headmaster. Thank you.” Itachi is dismissed from the office and walks back out into the hallway. Taro and Kenta were no longer standing in front of the nurse's office. Itachi walks by to see a sign posted on the door saying ”no visitors.” He could sense the reiatsu of Daiyu and Kanzaki and was relieved they were still alive. Itachi walks across the courtyard towards his dorm but halfway across, he notices Itsuki out of the corner of his eye running towards him.
”There you are Itachi! I got back with the first group and was dismissed early but then I heard about what happened and then I couldn't find you!” Itsuki says frantically.
”I'm fine Itsuki.” Itachi had an empty look in his eyes and Itsuki noticed. He decided not to pester Itachi anymore and Itachi walked back to his dorm. He laid down and thought about the events that occurred.
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The next day, classes were canceled and a memorial service was being held in the courtyard for the students who died in the exam. Itachi sees a picture of Tatsumi and the other 6th years being displayed in the courtyard. The scene of Tatsumi's death plays through Itachi's mind but he is snapped out of his daze by Taro approaching him with Kenta and a heavily bandaged Daiyu behind him.
”Itachi. I couldn't move against those powerful hollows yet you were able to fight one off and defeat it as all I could do was watch as my 6th year mentor was killed by them… Thank you for saving us.” Taro suddenly bows his head to Itachi out of respect. Daiyu does the same and Kenta looks at them both shocked before joining in.
Daiki watches as Taro bows his head. 'Uchiha Itachi...so even my rival bows his head to you…' Daiki thinks to himself as he watches from a distance before leaving the courtyard.
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”The Academy tournament has finished its final stages of planning and will happen exactly two months from today. All years of students are eligible. There will be high ranked officials from the Gotei 13 appearing including lieutenants and captains who will be spectating. We don't have a full list of who will be showing up but the confirmed captains will be Captain Soi Fon and Captain Kuchiki. Brackets will be decided on the day of the tournament through a lottery pull system. I expect all of you to train hard and do well in this tournament for you are the advanced class and will help you be in good graces with the captains who are watching.”
Ounabara dismisses the class and Itsuki and Itachi walk through the courtyard.
”Itachi I want to fight you in the final match!” Itsuki says to Itachi with a determined expression.
”You'll have to train harder then Itsuki.” Itachi replies and Itsuki nods his head in acknowledgement. The two of them head to the training grounds and begin to spar with each other.