49 Achieving Bankai (1/2)

Itsuki was surprised,

'Two weeks'

He never expected that it would take that long for him just to achieve the first two stages of Saber.

'Still, who would've thought'

Itsuki was still surprised to encounter Saber inside his inner world. She seemed to have some direct link with his eyes.

Coming out of his thoughts, he saw Yoruichi waiting for him as he once again got up and followed her. Yoruichi, didn't let this blunder go, as a playful smile appeared on her face,

”Arara, it seems that you have some issues with your Shunpo. Would you like this elder sister to help you?”

Itsuki just ignored her while he once again reached the trees. Over the years, he had come to ignore her taunts and just treat it like an everyday thing. His relationship with the girls had gone long past friends and, including them, even Itsuki didn't know where they were. They had come in contact with each other as sparks seemed to fly, especially between Rangiku and Yoruichi. Rangiku had long since passed the academy and had joined the 10th division like the anime. She expressed her interest in joining Itsuki but was adamantly refused by him.

Itsuki knew that the 2nd division was no place for someone of Rangiku's character, so he was against it. It was the same for Gin, he wouldn't let her get close to the one that harmed her. Plus, he didn't want to show any weakness to him so her request to enter the 5th division was immediately denied.

Downtrodden, she went to the 10th division, who's current captain was someone who wasn't mentioned in the anime. It seemed Shiba Isshin hadn't become the 10th division captain yet.

Over the years, Itsuki had many run-ins with various captains and lieutenants, including the future visored members and Aizen himself. All these interactions were brief as Itsuki was doing his job, other than that he was still dead set on trying to defeat the third stage of Saber. His most notable interaction was probably with Sarugaki Hiyori when a criminal Shinigami escaped into the S.R.D.I Headquarters, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.

His subordinates were barred entrance into the facility and eventually Itsuki was called. Coming in front of the facility's entrance, a group of Onmitsukido members could be seen standing confronting a small figure. The said figure had spiky blonde hair tied into twin pigtails and brown eyes. She was relatively short and wore the standard Shinigami uniform with a lieutenant armband. She had three freckles underneath each eye and a long protruding fang from the upper left side of her mouth.

She seemed to be in deep anger and started beating the members up as Itsuki got close.

”Like I said, no one is here!”

”But, Lieutenant Sarugaki, we have no choice. The criminal was seen entering the facility”

Before Hiyori could retort a voice was heard,

”What's going on here?”

””Corps Commander””

The members immediately kneeled upon realising the intruder was their superior. Hiyori looked upwards at the newcomer while holding an Onmitsukido member by the collar and the other hand balled into a fist. Looking up, the sun entered her eyes and she couldn't get a proper glance at the figure in front of her.

Just as she was squinting her eyes trying to make out the figure, the all too annoying voice of her captain was heard.

”Ma, ma. There's no need to get physical, and, Minamoto-san, you and your subordinates can enter…”

Before he even finished speaking Itsuki had already disappeared from their sights.

”Oi!!”

Hiyori tried stopping him, but she had lost all traces of him.

”Give up Hiyori-san, he has already gone”

Hiyori was gobsmacked by Itsuki's speed as she just stood there in the same position. Turning towards her captain, she saw him just stand there while smiling at her,

”What'cha looking at me for, D*ckhead?!”

Throwing the man grasped in her arms at Urahara, she stomped off. Urahara and Itsuki's subordinate were left shocked with the way she acted. Trying to confirm his suspicions he voiced out,

”Don't tell me Hiyori-san, you're unaffected”

Hearing this, Hiyori turned around

”Huh?”

Clearly confused by Urahara's claims, a confused look was plastered on her face.

”Didn't you see, Minamoto's face?”

Turning her head to the side she replied,

”No, the sun was in the way”

As if realising something,

”Come to think of it, even last time I didn't get to see his face”

The group had a look of understanding on their faces when they saw Hiyori's face deep in thought.

”Although, I've heard rumours in the Shinigami's women association…”

During her contemplation, a gust of wind was felt before Itsuki returned while dragging an unconscious Shinigami by the nape.

”Let's go, I've caught him”

””””Hai””””

Hiyori just stood there, mouth agape, as Itsuki had appeared in front of her, in full view. This time she got a perfect look at Itsuki's face as a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. Itsuki's cold eyes looked down at her. She looked up and his next words brought out a vein,