48 Bankai (1/2)

Kaien continued to look at him with a complex look. He couldn't help it as it had only been over two years since he saw this youth when he first applied. Now he was the 3rd seat of the 2nd division and the student of the captain commander. Judging from the previous battle, it seemed that he could go toe to toe with captains and had far surpassed him in strength.

Worst yet, it seemed his fiancée, Shiba Miyako, had somehow entered Itsuki's fanbase. Remembering his otherworldly looks, he started to feel that she was slowly escaping from his grasp. The more he thought about it the more depressed he got. His complex look slowly turned to a depressed one where the atmosphere around him also started to show changes. Sentaro and Kiyone, who were next to him and instantly got worried at his changes.

”Shiba-dono, are you okay?”

This went unheard as he continued in his thoughts.

The more Kaien looked like this the more worried they got. Their usual cheerful lieutenant was suddenly gloomy. They tried their best to cheer him up, but it was not until their captain returned did his gloominess subside.

”What's wrong?”

”Nothing”

Ukitake suddenly remembered something as he looked at Itsuki then at Kaien before giving out a small giggle. He decided to not help the idiot and started making his was towards his division.

”Let's go”

”””Hai”””

Shunsui also got up with his hair in a comedic afro.

”It seems that we would have to talk another time, Kouhai”

He had returned to his normal way of addressing Itsuki as he left with Lisa.

Only two people were left as Itsuki looked at Yamamoto's head,

'It really is shiny'

”Hmm”

Yamamoto turned to look at Itsuki and only came across the familiar icy face.

'Must've been my imagination'

As this thought crossed his mind, he started lamenting on the different type of students he had. One was prim and proper but was bedridden with an illness and a weak constitution. One had a quick mind yet was mostly filled with lecherous thoughts. Lastly, there was Itsuki, had a calculative mind and a strength that was approaching him. He had the wits and the brawn but also had a mystery hidden beneath his icy exterior. Yet, he was too young.

Sighing at his selection of students he looked back at Itsuki.

”Seems like you've improved yet again”

Itsuki just nodded as he watched Yamamoto leave.

'Why did he come here?'

Time passed with Itsuki training and doing his duties as the corps commander of the detention unit.

Seikyo was growing ever big as Itsuki remembered her first flight. Itsuki stood there as a look of determination was plastered on the eagle's face. They were currently in Yoruichi's training place where her and Urahara played when they were young. It was also the place where Ichigo would later achieve Bankai. This being Seikyo's first flight, brought Itsuki's excitement to his peak as his eyes started to sparkle.

”Kyuu~”

With one heaven defying leap, Seikyo pushed the air underneath her. Gusts of wind blew outwards as she lifted of the ground on her own for the first time in her life. A flash of joy appeared in her eyes before being replaced by determination. Using all her efforts she looked up to see Itsuki's disappointed face. Wait. Looked up?

Seikyo was flapping furiously as she looked up at Itsuki. She had barely reached Itsuki's knees, but the higher the hope the bigger the disappointment. In this case, it was lower the flight, the bigger the disappointment. No matter how much effort she put in she wasn't able to go any higher.

Wasting all her strength she fell to the ground with a depressed move.

Looking at this, Itsuki felt sorry for her as he kneeled down and picked her up. Bringing her to look at his eyes Itsuki was suddenly stumped. He didn't know how to comfort her. Due to this, Itsuki continued to look as he tried to say something while, Seikyo looked back getting more and more depressed. Just when Seikyo was about to lose all hope, Itsuki's voice was heard

”Good effort”

With this, Seikyo's mood took a 180 as she snuggled into Itsuki's hand. From there, Seikyo trained and trained until she was capable of normal flight. Further on, she tried her best to explore new heights and continued to fly higher.

As for Itsuki, he slowly but surely inched closer to achieving Bankai until he was finally able to face the girl in the white yukata. This however had taken a total of six years, and Itsuki had guessed that there was roughly a year and a half to the hollowfication incident.

”You've finally come”

Itsuki remained quiet as he looked at the girl before him. Right now, in his hand there was only one long Odachi. It reached two meters long with the blade being 160 cm and the Tsuku being 40 cm. The Tsuku was pure black while the azure blade had a violet shine. The hand guard had a depiction of a coiling dragon roaring with the blade coming out of his mouth.