Chapter 27 - Maggots Nest (1/2)
”Captain Soi Fon.” Itachi calls out. Soi Fon stops walking but doesn't turn around.
”I can acknowledge the mistakes I made in this battle. My past self may have lived by the way of the Onmitsukido, but that is something I didn't realize until the moment before my death. Using your comrade's life to take another, is what the Onmitsukido sees as ”correct.” But what they define is correct is simply their ”reality,” not my own.”
Soi Fon turns back around hearing this and walks back to Itachi, looking him in the eyes.
”Uchiha, you are without a doubt a gifted individual. When I saw you fight, I noticed your battle hardened demeanor. I thought you had a certain ”ruthlessness” within you, one that I could nurture to one day surpass even myself. However, it appears I misread you entirely and that darkness you harbor is nothing more than a remnant of your past self.” Soi Fon turns back around and starts walking away but then stops.
”Also, I don't care for what is right or wrong. I execute my orders for the sake of Soul Society. I eliminate every enemy that will stand in the way of the Gotei 13. I don't distrust your loyalty but if you were to one day become an enemy of Soul Society, you too will become my enemy. Now stop wasting time. The mission is complete so go back to the barracks.” Soi Fon says then continues walking.
Soi Fon's words sink into Itachi's head. 'I know that all too well...I became the enemy of Konoha for the sake of Konoha…'
Aizen walks up to Itachi and interrupts his deep thought. He looks at Itachi and sees his eyes are still changed.
”Everything okay Uchiha? I'm sorry your comrade had to die in that fight. But you came out relatively unscathed. That is quite an impressive feat. I could feel that reiatsu from Sereitei. It's definitely something even a lieutenant would have struggled with.” Aizen says to Itachi with a slight smile.
”I can cope with it.” Itachi replies.
”I don't mean to pry, but based on your conversation with Soi Fon, it appears you two have conflicting philosophies.”
”It's understandable in this line of work. The Captain has never been one to value camaraderie.”
”Indeed...But you seem to value your comrades. That is quite commendable. If you one day switch divisions, Squad 5 will accept you with open arms.” Aizen says, giving Itachi one last smile before walking away. 'You're becoming someone who I might need to monitor, Uchiha.'
Itachi stared at Aizen's Captain haori and the symbol imprinted on it as he walked away. After Aizen disappears from view, Itachi vanishes from his spot and makes his way back to the barracks.
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For the next five years, Itachi was ȧssigned on various ȧssassination missions. Most he would go alone but some he was ȧssigned as a group, even having Soi Fon join a few times. During the times Soi Fon joined, something bothered her about Itachi's methods. Despite him always successfully eliminating the target(s), he would always prioritize saving a teammate over going for the kill.
In his spare time he researched for clues regarding the incident 60 years ago.
Itachi sat alone in his room, sitting on the tatami mat and reading a book about past events in Seireitei.. 'That man mentioned something about sixty years ago...So multiple Captain and Lieutenant level shinigami went missing. Urahara Kisuke was exiled for performing taboo experiments but the details of the experiments are not specified here...there was something Nobutoshi knew that must be only accessible in confidential records. I seemed to have reached a dead end.' He hears a knock on his door and his name called out.
”Uchiha. The Captain wishes to see you immediately in the meeting room.” A voice calls out from behind the door.
”I'll be there momentarily.” Itachi says as he closes his book and walks out. He closes the door behind him and then vanishes from view, making his way to the meeting room with great haste.
He opens the door to the meeting room and sees Soi Fon standing by herself. Itachi closes the door behind him and bows.
”Uchiha. Your performance has been far above my expectations. However, I don't think you are a proper fit for the executive militia. But I also don't want your skills to go to waste. The third seat who was in charge of the Detention Unit was killed recently and we are in need of a replacement. Uchiha Itachi, you are hereby promoted to third seat, the Corps Commander of the Detention Unit. Leave your Executive Militia uniform outside your room and change back to your regular shinigami attire. I'll see you in front of the Maggot's Nest.” Soi Fon says then leaves the room.
Itachi goes back to his room and changes clothing. He looks back at the book he was just reading and tries to piece things together. 'I'll do this later.' Itachi leaves his room and leaves a neatly folded Executive Militia uniform outside his door before flash stepping away to the Maggot's Nest.
Itachi meets up with Soi Fon shortly at the entrance to the Maggot's Nest. He sees two guards outside guarding the entrance.