Chapter 54 - An Unexpected Enemy (1/2)

Two weeks later

Ichigo continued his training at the Visored's hideout. During the two weeks, Itachi showed up nearly every day to train with him and give him advice in fighting.

'He's grown very fast in these couple of weeks.' Itachi thought to himself as he parried blows from Ichigo's zanpakuto. 'He's already corrected most of the mistakes I've shown him in his technique and he can wear his mask for far longer.'

Itachi and Ichigo clashed blows one more time before creating distance between each other. As Itachi got ready again, he felt a vibration in his shihakusho pocket and pulled out his denreishinki. 'I'm being recalled back to Soul Society? This soon?' Itachi thought as he sheathed his blade.

”What's up Itachi?” Ichigo asked as he withdrew his hollow mask.

”I'm being called back to Soul Society. Unfortunately our training will have to stop here for now. But you've improved drastically. A little bit more training and I think you could fight Grimmjow.” Itachi commented.

”Leaving so soon Uchiha?” Shinji said as he appeared next to them and put a hand on Itachi's shoulder.”I've been watching you guys train. You may not be a Visored, but you did a good job with this kid. You're not bad, Uchiha.”

Itachi nodded to Shinji in acknowledgement and waved Ichigo goodbye as he vanished from the room.

”I guess I'll take over from here. Hiyori's still buŧŧhurt that you chose to train with Itachi over her.” Shinji laughed loudly.

”I heard that dumbass!” A voice echoed from across the training room.

”Let's get started.” Shinji said to Ichigo as he donned his hollow mask.

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Itachi had taken a Senkaimon back immediately after leaving the warehouse and found himself at the main Senkaimon of Soul Society. He quickly made his way to the Thirteenth Division Barracks where he was greeted by Captain Ukitake.

”Welcome back.” Ukitake said with a smile. ”How was your trip to the human world?”

”It went well. But I am confused as to why I was called back immediately with little detail in the message.” Itachi responded.

”Well, there has been a massive influx of hollows that are appearing throughout Rukongai and it is suspected to be a result of Aizen's takeover in Hueco Mundo.. However, these hollows are far too strong for normal shinigami to handle and even seated officers are struggling. The other Divisions are short on manpower, especially the Tenth Division, as both the Captain and Lieutenant are in the human world.”

”Understood Captain. I will deal with the hollows.” Itachi replied.

”I've sent the coordinates to your denreinshinki already. You'll meet up with two others and help them take care of the hollows in that area.” Ukitake said. ”Now go.”

”Yes Captain.” Itachi nodded then vanished from the spot.

”Santen Kesshun, I reject!” Orihime said as she put her hands in front of her. A triangular barrier formed in front of her as a hollow's attack was repelled off the barrier.

”Hado 33: Sokatsui!” Rukia said as she fired a large blue wave of energy at the off balance hollow.

”It was a good idea coming here for training, Kuchiki. I didn't expect to be fighting so many hollows though.” Orihime said as she retracted her Santen Kesshun.

”There is still one more that was reported here. So let's-” Rukia stopped mid sentence as she saw a large hand reaching for Orihime's head. Her eyes widened as she ran to Orihime to try to push her out of the way from the strange looking hollow. The hollow was about the size of a tall human, and had gray skin with spiky black hair. In the middle of his bȧrė ċhėst, was a hole.

She bȧrėly pulled Orihime away as the large fist was about to strike her. The hollow's strike misses and hits the ground, causing the ground to shake as it cracks beneath them. The shockwave from the punch sends the two women flying back, separating them. As Orihime regained her balance, the hollow appeared in front of her. As he reached for her neck, he felt an increase of reiatsu from his side.

”Dance, Sode No Shirayuki. Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!” Rukia punctured the ground with her blade, creating a large ice circle as she took a battle stance with the ice forming around her blade. Soon after, a large wave of cold reiatsu swept over the hollow, encasing him in ice and preventing him from moving.

”Inoue, get out of there!” Rukia yelled as she sensed the increase of Reiatsu from the hollow. Inoue nodded and ran towards Rukia just as the ice around the hollow shattered. The hollow looked at the two women and raised his palm to them as a red energy began to gather. As Rukia watched the light, she began to run towards Orihime to try and protect her as the Cero was fired.