Chapter 32 - Promotion (2/2)

”Ah, you must Uchiha. Captain Soi Fon informed me of your arrival.” Ukitake says upon seeing Itachi walk in.

”Yes, Captain Ukitake. Uchiha Itachi reporting.” Itachi says as he bows. Ukitake looks at him for a moment.

”Ah, you don't have to be that formal with me, Uchiha. You won't have to be as formal as you were in the 2nd division.” Ukitake says as he walks towards Itachi. He reaches his hand out to Itachi. Itachi looks back up and shakes his hand.

”Come with me, I'll introduce you to some of the squad members who are currently here.” Ukitake says as he gestures to Itachi to follow him. Itachi nods and he follows. The two of them walk down a long hallway leading to a door. Ukitake opens the doors and gestures for Itachi to go first. Itachi walks through and sees a large group of people in front of him talking among themselves. The door closes behind him and Ukitake stands in front of them. He quiets them down before speaking.

”Everyone, I would like you all to meet the newest member of our squad. He transferred over from the Second Division. Come forward and introduce yourself.” Ukitake looks at Itachi who was standing behind him and Itachi steps forward in front of the group of people.

”Hello, I am Uchiha Itachi. I've been ȧssigned as the Lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division starting from today. I look forward to working with all of you.��� Itachi says to the group of shinigami in front of him who were giving him awkward stares. There was an awkward silence and tension in the room. Itachi realizes it must be because their previous lieutenant just died and they haven't acknowledged an outsider from a different division as their lieutenant.

”Okay everyone, how about we all disperse for a moment. I need to show Uchiha around the division.” Ukitake says with a smile on his face. The shinigami acknowledge their captain and slowly trickle out from the room.

”This was my mistake, Uchiha. I was hoping there would be a slightly warmer reception. Please forgive them. Ukitake said apologetically.

”That's okay captain, I can see in their eyes how much they admired the previous lieutenant.” Itachi replied.

”Thank you for understanding, I was going to have someone show you around, but she is still rather dispirited, so if you don't mind, I will show you around for now. Ukitake said.

”Thank you,” Itachi replied before following behind the captain.

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In the span of half an hour, Ukitake introduced Itachi to the facilities and duties he would be performing as the lieutenant.

”Alright Uchiha, you will be responsible for day to day operations of the division. There may be times when you would be required to go on missions too dangerous for normal shinigami. You haven't met them yet as they weren't at the reception earlier, but the two third seats Kiyone and Sentaro will also ȧssist with the general day to day things.”

”Alright if--” Before he could finish, Ukitake suddenly keeled over and started coughing.

”Captain!” Itachi quickly appeared by his side. ”Are you alright?” he asked.

”Ah.. yes” Ukitake weakly replied. ”I will just need to rest for a bit.”

”Please allow me to ȧssist you back.” Itachi replied before helping the captain up and ȧssisting him to his room.

As he was approaching the room, he saw two shinigami walking towards the room as well. One was a female with short, dark blonde hair. She was wearing a collared shirt under her shihakusho and white gloves. The other was a tall man with black hair and a short goatee, he was wearing a thin headband and two white straps around his shoulders.

The two looked towards Itachi and their captain who was coughing. They immediately rushed over towards Ukitake.

”Captain, are you alright?!” The two said at the same time as they approached.

”Ah.. you two. Don't worry, I am alright…” Ukitake replied.

”Sir.. This is?” Kiyone questioned.

”Yes.. this is the new lieutenant of the thirteenth division, Uchiha, Itachi” Ukitake replied.

”I see. Nice to meet you, we will take it from here” Kiyone replied

”Ah.. Uchiha, before I go, I forgot to give you your lieutenant badge. It should be on my desk in the main office, feel free to pick it.” Ukitake said before the two shinigami ȧssisted him back to his room.

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Itachi began walking back towards the main office. He noticed a short shinigami with short black hair standing by the entrance of the room. He hadn't seen this shinigami in the welcome reception. He tried his best to memorize each individual as he would be responsible for their activities in the division.

Itachi approached the young woman.

”Hello, can I ȧssist you?” Itachi asked.

The young woman was startled at Itachi's question. She was completely inattentive to his arrival. She was waiting outside the captain's office so she could speak to Captain Ukitake..

”I am sorry, I don't think we have met. I am Kuchiki, Rukia.”