Chapter 55 - Escort (1/2)
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At the Thirteenth Division Barracks
”Uchiha, I'm glad to see you're alright!” Ukitake said upon seeing Itachi return from the fight. ”I sensed a large reiatsu coming from your direction but it seems you had no problems dealing with it.”
”It wasn't a problem at all. But I am curious as to why Kuchiki and Inoue are here. I thought only I was called back.” Itachi asked.
”Ah those two. Inoue wanted someone to train with and Kuchiki was no longer required in the living world so she offered to help her train. They decided to help defeat a few hollows for training but I didn't expect them to run into a hollow that strong.”
”That was no ordinary hollow. It was an Arrancar, created by Aizen as a test.” Itachi said as he made his way over to a side desk and sat down. ”I'll include more details about it in the report.”
”Well I'm glad you made it back safely and helped Kuchiki and Inoue. Sentaro and Kiyone have finished the rest of the paperwork so there is nothing left for today after your report so go ahead and relax. I'm going back to my room for a long awaited nap.” Ukitake mentioned as he walked out of the office.
'It was an arrancar, however its strength was greater than the one I fought outside Urahara's shop.' Itachi thought to himself.
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1 month later
”You seem like you have a lot on your mind, Itachi.” Ukitake said, breaking the silence between them. ”It's not like you to seem worried.”
”It's not that Captain. I was just reflecting on the training I did with Kurosaki back in the living world.” Itachi replied. 'It reminded me of how things could have been…with Sasuke.'
Itachi looked at Itachi's expression and decided not to pry. Despite Itachi having been in the Division as a lieutenant for over twenty years, he still knew nothing about his backstory.
As the two continued walking, a hell's buŧŧerfly flew between them with a message. Both Itachi and Ukitake looked at each other as the message played.
”Kuchiki! We've just received the report!” Ukitake yelled at Rukia who was in the center of the training grounds with Orihime. Head back to the living world! The arrancar have appeared again!”
”Yes Captain!” Rukia replied as she ran out of the training grounds.
”Wait Kuchiki, I-” Inoue cried as she chased after Rukia.
”Inoue, even if you go through the Senkaimon with me, you'll end up in the dangai because you don't possess a hell's buŧŧerfly.” Rukia said as she turned around.
”Inoue, it is important in situations like this you remain calm.” Ukitake said as he and Itachi approached her.
The living world
”Bankai again? Are you trying to bore me to death? Did you forget your bankai couldn't even touch me?” Grimmjow laughed as he faced Ichigo. ”I'd rather face that other guy who messed up Tousen! Where the hell is he?!”
”He's not here. But don't worry about him. I'll be more than enough for you now. I'm not the same person I was a month ago.” Ichigo replied. ”By the way, what happened to your arm.”
”Heh, I felt I could take you on with only one arm so I threw it away. And to prove to Tousen that I can beat that guy he lost to, even with only one arm! But I should have thrown them both out so maybe you would stand a fighting chance!”
”Then I guess I don't have to go easy on you.” Ichigo said as he glared at Grimmjow and put his hand over his face.
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At the Visored Hideout
”Shinji, you think that dumbass Ichigo is going to get beat up?” Hiyori asked.
”You would know if you had actually decided to train with him. But his progress…” Shinji said before stopping. 'When he trained with that lieutenant, he grew at a remarkable rate. He's able to use his mask for several minutes at a time after only training with him for a couple weeks. And he increased that even further in the month he trained with me. But it wasn't just his hollowfication that got stronger, his basic fighting skills increased. Damn, I should have watched them longer. The hell kind of training did that Lieutenant do?'
Grimmjow stared in shock at Ichigo as he donned his mask. His reiatsu was drastically increased and darker.
”What the hell is that?!” Grimmjow yelled, confused.