….
Even with all the meetings she had attended with him, Yoruichi still found it difficult to get a good read on Head Captain Yamamoto. His scarred and wrinkled face could be utterly inscrutable, and he rarely betrayed so much as a hint of what was really going through his mind.
"So that is your request, Captain Shihōin?" he asked, "You wish to have this Itachi Uchiha mentored by one of your clan's private tutors until he is caught up with his fellow Academy students? This is a most unorthodox proposal."
Yoruichi nodded. "I understand that, Head Captain. However, I believe that an exceptional student like Itachi deserves such consideration. To have him start over from the beginning would be a profound waste of both time and talent. We need him to get back on track so we can get him into the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as quickly as possible."
The Head Captain shifted his gaze. "Do you concur with her, Captain Unohana?"
The leader of Squad Four nodded. "Yes. While I do realize that this is a breach of protocol, I believe the current situation warrants it. You have seen the marks he received before the soul fracture occurred, yes?"
"Indeed," said Yamamoto, "and I shall be the first to admit that they quite impressive, all the more so for a newly arrived soul. However, good grades alone are not enough to warrant such special treatment."
"Then consider this, Head Captain," Yoruichi countered, "Itachi's shown a knack for combat that goes far beyond what we typically see in students. He and Jiraiya were able to take on a Hollow unarmed and with no knowledge of the Soul Reaper fighting arts. That alone should speak volumes of the potential that he holds. Those fighting abilities are deeply ingrained in him, and I'm positive that they're skills he held when he was alive. He's a natural, and we'd be fools to set him back just because of a medical incident that was completely beyond his control."
Unohana nodded. "Captain Shihōin raises a very valid point, Head Captain. After all, consider Captain Ukitake; his medical problems are well known, and yet that does not change the fact that he is an invaluable member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."
"There's also the fact that his innate abilities as a fighter have already grown exponentially in the limited time that he's been at the Academy so far," Yoruichi added, determined to press her point home hard, "When I sparred with him in his Hakuda class, I could already tell that his skills had evolved tremendously, and that's a growth that would only be set back if we had him start over. He's also already accessed his inner world and awoken his Zanpakutō, and while that may have been prematurely triggered due to the soul fracture, that doesn't change the fact that he spent time training with the spirit of his sword while his body was in the care of Captain Unohana. Itachi's already well down the path towards unlocking his true powers as a Soul Reaper, and I believe that we should be doing everything possible to make sure that he continues down that road. I'm confident that by the time he graduates, his abilities will have grown to the point that he could be granted an officer's position right out of the gate. He's a rare find, Head Captain; we can't let this opportunity go to waste."
There was a long pause, and Yoruichi could sense that this was the moment of truth. The Head Captain's brow furrowed in thought, and Yoruichi could only hope that the old man made the right decision.
After a moment, he turned to the leader of Squad Four. "Captain Unohana, how long would you say that Itachi requires observation now that the soul fracture appears to have been mended?"
Unohana took a few seconds to consider before replying. "Normally, I would like to keep him under my care for at least two weeks. However, given how far behind he has already fallen when compared to his classmates, I am willing to reduce it to one."
The Head Captain nodded. "Very well. In that case, here is my decision. Captain Shihōin, how soon can you make contact with a suitable tutor from your clan for Itachi?"
Yoruichi smiled. "I'll have the Hell Butterfly out within the hour. I know just the instructor for the job."
"Good," said Yamamoto, "You will have your tutor come to the Squad Four barracks in two days' time. While Itachi continues recuperation, he will begin to catch up on his academic instruction. Once Captain Unohana deems him fit, he can recommence his physical training in the Squad Four practice yard. From that point forward, I want him to undergo an accelerated curriculum, and I shall personally evaluate him one month after his period of observation under Captain Unohana comes to an end. Should he pass, I will allow him to rejoin his classmates in the advanced track. If he fails, he will have to wait until the next school year comes around and start from the beginning."
One month, thought Yoruichi, that's going to be tight. Still, if anyone can help him cram all the knowledge and skill Itachi will require to pass the Head Captain's evaluation into him during that time period, it should be the tutor I've got in mind…
"Do you find this to be an acceptable arrangement, Captain Shihōin?" asked Yamamoto.
Yoruichi nodded. "I do, Head Captain."
"As do I," said Unohana with a smile, "I believe Itachi will be more than up to the challenge."
Yoruichi was surprised to actually see the Head Captain chuckle at that. "Such confidence, I see. I have not seen you praise a student like this in quite some time, Captain Unohana."
Unohana nodded. "Well, students as gifted as Itachi are rather rare. I'm quite optimistic regarding his chances of passing this accelerated curriculum."
Yamamoto then turned to Yoruichi. "As for you, Captain Shihōin… it is rather unlike you to take such a personal interest in a student. If his talents are great enough to warrant the advocacy you've given him, then I look forward to presiding over his evaluation."
Yoruichi grinned. "Trust me, Head Captain; you won't be disappointed."
….
Two days later…
"How are you feeling, Itachi?" asked Unohana as she walked in.
Itachi nodded. "Very well. I just finished Jiraiya's book, actually. I must say, I'm rather surprised; since I helped with the editing, I didn't think I would enjoy the final product as much as I have because I knew how the story went. Despite my foreknowledge, it's been a pleasurable read."
Unohana smiled. "Is that so? Well, I'm glad to hear it. I do hope that you've been resting like I told you to, because starting today I'm afraid you're going to have much less free time."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Instead of answering his question directly, the Squad Four Captain looked over her shoulder and called out into the hallway. "Feel free to come in now!"
Two women stepped into the room. The first was Yoruichi, who gave Itachi a friendly nod and smile as she approached. The woman next to her, however, was one that Itachi had not met before. She was a tall and well-built woman, with a mature, athletic figure and ample curves that were visible even through her black and white shihakushō. Her dark blue hair was tied up in a bun, and her cerulean eyes had a certain stern look to them, but at the same time there was also a hint of almost motherly warmness visible as well. A set of thin-framed glasses gave her a scholarly air, and that was further emphasized by the books she was carrying. At the same time, though, a standard-length Zanpakutō with a triangular guard and dark green hilt was more than enough to tell Itachi that this woman wasn't all books and learning, and the confidence in her stance suggested that if push came to shove she'd be more than competent with her blade.
"How's it going, Itachi?" asked Yoruichi.
"Quite well, thanks," he asked before turning to the mystery woman, "Forgive me, but I don't believe we've met before, miss…"
She gave him a nod. "I am Minerva Rawlins, former Lieutenant of Squad Two and now retainer to the Shihōin Clan. I serve as both a family guard and also as a private tutor in the Soul Reaper arts. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Itachi Uchiha. Lady Yoruichi speaks very highly of you."
Itachi's eyes widened. "Former Lieutenant? But I thought…"
"That Soul Reapers don't retire?" Minerva finished for him with a smile, "Technically, that's true. My status is more along the lines of 'extended leave' than anything else. Theoretically, I can be recalled to active duty at any time. In practice, my good standing with the Shihōin Clan gives me greater protection than most. For former high-ranking officers like myself, forging connections with a powerful noble family is the best way to ensure a comfortable post-active duty lifestyle."
Itachi nodded. "I see."
"It's actually pretty common practice for families like mine to take in Soul Reapers who have grown weary of active service, provided they can still aid us in some way," said Yoruichi, "Minerva was my personal tutor when I was young, and she helped prepare me for the Shin'ō Academy entrance exams. It's considered embarrassing for a noble family to send a son or daughter to the Academy only for them to fail the exams, so private tutors are a way for them to determine ahead of time if their children have the aptitude for it and save themselves a potential loss of face."
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "That makes sense, but it's hardly fair to students who come into the Academy through the Rukon District and lack such an advantage."
"A point that both of us will readily concede," said Minerva, "Unfortunately, that's hardly the only unfair aspect regarding the Soul Society's structure and class divisions. If you're as sharp as Lady Yoruichi has told me, then I'm sure you've noticed plenty examples of inequality already."
"You could say that," Itachi replied.
"You'll learn a good deal more about them by the time Minerva's through with you," said Yoruichi, "She doesn't hold back, which is one of the reasons why my family took her on as a retainer."
Minerva nodded. "I reviewed the courses that you were taking part in once Lady Yoruichi sent me her request. I must say, I was rather surprised; most students in the advanced track don't choose a class in politics as an elective in their first semester. That requires taking a very close look at how the Soul Society is structured… and despite how they may frame the course, a gifted student can readily see through the sugar-coating the instructors lay on and examine this realm's many faults and inadequacies."
"It wasn't hard to find a few of them," Itachi quipped, "and that's putting it mildly."
Minerva smiled. "A sharp wit and tongue, I see… I like this one, Lady Yoruichi."
Yoruichi grinned. "I figured you would."
"So, why are you here?" asked Itachi, "I have a hard time believing that Captain Yoruichi brought someone like you along just for a friendly visit."
Yoruichi nodded. "Nice to see your mind's still ticking on all gears, because you're gonna need it in top shape to get through this. Normally, when a student misses as much class as you have due to a medical emergency, the higher ups at the Academy have them start the semester over. That's fair enough for most students; it's better than kicking them out of the Academy altogether, and it still gives them a solid chance to make it through their coursework and successfully graduate. However, I'm of the opinion that the normal approach would be a waste of time with regards to you… and thanks to a little help from Unohana, I was able to talk the biggest authority in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads into seeing things my way."
"The Head Captain…" said Itachi softly.
"Yup," Yoruichi replied, "The Academy falls under his jurisdiction, which means ultimately the final decision on matters such as this lies with him. It took some work, but Unohana and I were able to convince him to give you a shot at catching up that doesn't involve you starting over from square one. However, you're gonna have to work for it, and there's a serious time crunch involved."
Itachi nodded. "I'm listening."
"For the next five days," said Minerva, "you will continue your recuperation and physical therapy under Captain Unohana's guidance. During that time period, we shall begin cram study sessions to get you back on track as far as your academic studies are concerned. Once the observation and convalescence period ends, you will then be undergoing an accelerated curriculum over the course of a month. Academic studies, Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Hohō; you'll be working on all that and more. Unlike the Academy, there will be no days off; we don't have the luxury of them given our time constraints. I'll be running you hard, so you'd best steel yourself now."
"Understood," said Itachi, his eyes narrowing, "What happens once that one-month time period is complete? Am I to take my place amongst my classmates right away, or will there be some sort of final test first?"
Minerva smiled. "The latter. A comprehensive evaluation will be administered, and your examiner will be none other than the Head Captain himself."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Yoruichi answered, "Minerva and I will be observing you as well during your test, but the final decision on whether or not you pass lies with the Head Captain alone. Pass, and you'll be readmitted into the Academy and be allowed to resume your studies. Fail, and you'll have to start over next school year, minus the entrance exams. The Head Captain can be a strict judge, and he'll have high standards for you to clear given the exception he's making here, but he's not unreasonable. If you put everything you have into your training and the final exam, I'm confident that you'll succeed."
Itachi nodded. "I appreciate that. I'll do my best."
Yoruichi smiled. "Glad to hear it. Well, I've gotta get back to the Squad Two barracks. Minerva, he's all yours. I'll check in from time to time to see how things are going. Good luck, Itachi!"
"Thanks," he said before she left the room.
Minerva then stepped forward, setting her stack of books at the foot of his bed before passing one to Itachi. "No time like the present, I always say. Let's get started. You've got a lot of catching up to do."