One week later…
The cry of steel meeting steel rang out repeatedly as Itachi and Minerva clashed. Their Zanpakutō came together in a rapid-fire series of blows, a deadly display of precision, speed and power unlike any that could be found in the training halls of Shin'ō Academy. Student and teacher went back and forth, swapping between offense and defense at the drop of a hat, neither betraying a hint of weariness despite the fact that this latest match had gone on for at least a half-hour.
Itachi had initially been surprised when, after the first week of the accelerated Zanjutsu curriculum, Minerva had declared that they would no longer be training with wooden practice swords; they would be using only the real thing from that point onward. It had struck him as incredibly reckless, even taking into account the fact that they were in the heart of Squad Four and thus had ready access to the best healers the Soul Society had to offer. However, it hadn't taken Itachi long to recognize the wisdom in such a move; Minerva's swordsmanship was highly sophisticated, and the time he'd spent training with the spirit of his Zanpakutō had given him greater confidence in his abilities. Both fighters were capable of engaging in serious practice fights with real weapons and had the skills required to avoid serious injuries.
She may no longer have been on the active duty roster, but the former Lieutenant was no slouch when it came to Zanjutsu. There was a cold grace to her fighting style, a fluid efficiency that offered a tight defense and a punishing offense. She wasn't a power fighter; she was all about finesse and misdirection.
She would often feint high or low before going at her true target, or go into what felt like a random burst of strikes but were actually a carefully crafted sequence of attacks designed to confuse his defenses and create an opening. She varied the speed and power of her blows, keeping Itachi guessing as to how hard and how swiftly she would hit. She would often allow herself to appear off balance, sometimes with only a single foot touching the ground, but in fact she was in perfect control over her body and could pivot and pirouette with the ease and elegance of a dancer. Zanjutsu was not simply a means for combat with her; it was a veritable art form.
To think that she only rose as high in the ranks as Lieutenant before stepping down, he mused while fending off her attacks, I can only imagine what the Captains are capable of…
He'd caught glimpses, of course; his mind often flashed back to that fateful first encounter, where Yoruichi and Unohana had made short work of the Hollows with their blades. But it was only that; a glimpse at what was undoubtedly a vast pool of talent in the art of the sword. It made him all the more determined to complete his training and not only reclaim his rightful place in the Academy, but to graduate and earn a position within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
More precisely, Squad Two.
The more he learned about the inner workings of the Soul Society and its military, the more he became convinced that Squad Two was the perfect fit for him. With its blend of stealth and combat missions, it was practically begging for a former Shinobi like himself to join up. Although he had lost his ninjutsu and genjutsu abilities upon his death, he still retained the covert operations skills and the combat expertise that were absolutely crucial in such a role. While the Stealth Force struck Itachi as similar to the Anbu Black Ops organization that he had once been a part of, they were still considered a separate organization from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads even though they operated under the command of the Squad Two Captain, and thus he actually didn't think that they would be as good of a fit for him given the way his skills were developing. Since Squad Two as a whole could fight openly and in the shadows Itachi believed that that was the better option for him.
The fact that Yoruichi was the head of both Squad Two and the Stealth Forces was a considerable factor for Itachi as well. She had the capacity to serve both overtly and covertly, and Itachi wanted the same thing. It wasn't just because she'd saved his life, although he'd be lying if he said that wasn't an influence. It was because she had invested time and effort into helping him when she really didn't have to, and if her accepting his challenge in the Hakuda class before he had suffered the soul fracture was any indication, she had clearly taken a liking to him. Itachi found it hard not to return the sentiment.
She was swift and powerful, with combat abilities that rivaled or exceeded those of the strongest Shinobi Itachi had ever encountered. She was intelligent and insightful, and her wits had already been used a few times to Itachi's benefit. While she might have a teasing and playful nature, he could tell that she was a good woman who genuinely cared about the people around her and wanted to do her part to help others.
There was also no denying that she was incredibly beautiful.
Unfortunately, the thought of the lovely Captain was enough to distract Itachi for just a fraction of a second, and that was all Minerva needed. Her Zanpakutō slipped through a small gap he'd left in his defenses, and it gave him a scratch on his left arm.
His teacher smiled as she pulled back her blade. "Not bad, but your attention wavered just a bit at the end there. Something on your mind?"
"Nothing important," Itachi replied, perhaps a bit too curtly for his own good.
The knowing look in Minerva's eyes was enough to tell him that she didn't buy it, but she didn't press the issue. "I see. Good thing this was just a training match, then. Hold out your arm."
He sheathed his sword and did so. After Minerva had put her own weapon away she reached out and laid her right hand over his wound. The familiar blue-green energies of Kaidō enveloped both her hand and the cut, and Itachi could feel the soothing healing power flow into him.
"You truly are a gifted swordsman," she said, "I've never seen a student handle a blade as intuitively as you do. I know your Zanjutsu courses at the Academy always emphasize treating your Zanpakutō as an extension of yourself, but you take to it far quicker than most pupils that I've seen."
"I suppose it helps that I have more than one teacher when it comes to the art of the sword," said Itachi.
Minerva nodded. "True, and from the wounds I've seen you take it would seem that the spirit of your Zanpakutō is a much tougher taskmaster than I am. Once you graduate from the Academy, you should consider taking part in the Blade Dancer Festival. I think you'd do quite well there."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Blade Dancer Festival?"
"It's an annual event that celebrates the art of Zanjutsu," Minerva explained, "The Blade Dancer Festival takes place on the night of the first summer full moon. Soul Reapers from every division take part in a series of sparring matches with their Zanpakutō. The participants are usually matched according to rank and proven ability, and all are forbidden to utilize Shikai, Bankai, Hakuda, Hohō or Kidō. The matches go until one fighter is able to either disarm his opponent, force them to yield, or land a Mark of Contact. A Mark of Contact is a very shallow and superficial cut, much like the one I just gave you."
"It sounds dangerous, even with the rules you just laid out," said Itachi.
Minerva shook her head. "It's highly supervised, and all the participants are fully trained Soul Reapers. Squad Four always has a strong presence there as well in order to attend to any wounds that may be incurred. Also, while any Soul Reaper is invited to participate, the Blade Dancer Festival is typically seen as an occasion for the more finessed Zanjutsu practitioners to showcase their skills. Sometimes you get fighters that put more emphasis on raw power than technique, but they typically don't do very well. The subsequent loss of face usually discourages them from openly fighting in the following year's matches."
"Did you participate back when you were on active duty?" he asked.
Minerva smiled as she finished healing his arm. "Every year. I still head down to watch, although my current status means I'm forbidden to fight since traditionally only active duty Soul Reapers can take part. To tell you the truth, I actually miss being able to partake directly. It's not just an occasion to test your skills, after all. They call it the Blade Dancer Festival for a reason; the duels that take place there can be more beautiful than the steps and twirls of a traditional ball. Some Soul Reapers even treat it as a form of courtship."
Itachi was a little taken aback at that. "Courtship? In a festival devoted to sword fighting?"
Minerva chuckled. "Don't knock it until you've tried it, Itachi. When the right set of partners face off under the full moon… well, let's just say that sparks fly from more than just their blades."
For a brief moment, an image of him and Yoruichi clashing in such a dance of swords flashed through his mind. Itachi was confused; where were thoughts like this coming from?
"You said that the duelists are typically matched by rank and ability, right?" he asked, "Can participants seek out their own partners?"
Minerva smiled. "Yes, as long as it can be reasonably assumed that the initiator is not just trying to score a cheap win over someone he or she knows that they can beat. Why? Got someone in mind you'd like to dance with once you're eligible, Itachi?"
"I was just curious," he replied, all too aware of a slight rush of heat coming to his face.
Minerva gave him a knowing smirk. "Sure, you were. All right, then; let's get back to it. Sword up, and keep your mind on the fight this time!"
Itachi nodded as he brought his Zanpakutō into a guard position. A moment later Minerva lunged forward, and a new dance of blades was on.
….
Three days later…
With both hands held out before him, Itachi began the incantation. "Oh Lord of Summer, leave all in awe of your splendor! Engulf in the magnificence of the divine! Hadō 6: Nikkō Bāsuto!"
A sphere of brilliant white light shot forth. Flying out into the middle of the training yard, it then detonated, releasing waves of blinding light. Itachi had already shielded his eyes, and it was most fortunate that he had; he would've risked serious retina damage looking at the Kidō flare directly.
Once the light faded he turned towards his instructor, who was smiling as she applauded his handiwork. "Well done! That was a much bigger burst than last time!"
Itachi nodded. "Thank you."
That's a most useful spell, he mused, Temporarily blinding enemies is the most obvious application, but it can also be utilized as a signal flare if aimed towards the sky. It'll be even more effective once I'm able to cast it without the incantation and maintain most of the glare it produces.
He had four days to go until his examination with the Head Captain, and Minerva was ramping up the pace as a result. His drills had become much more intense, and his teacher was setting the bar for success higher with each passing day. Itachi wasn't complaining, though. Far from it; the challenge excited him, especially since he was learning so much in such a short amount of time. He felt like he had made more progress in the past few weeks than he had in the months he'd spent at the Academy prior to the soul fracture, and he was very much looking forward to the upcoming evaluation.
He heard a second set of hands join in the applause, and as he glanced to the side he saw none other than Jiraiya approaching. The Legendary Sannin smiled as he came forward, although Itachi could not help but notice his classmate's eyes lingering on the ample curves of his instructor.
This could be a problem, he mused, I can't say for sure how Minerva will react if Jiraiya… well, if he acts like himself.
"Wow!" said the sage, "That's better than anyone in our class has been able to manage. Looks like you're really coming along, Itachi!"
Itachi nodded in greeting. "Jiraiya. What are you doing here?"
Jiraiya shrugged. "I got leave to visit you this afternoon. I mean, we are pals, right?"
Minerva folded her arms and smirked. "So, you're Jiraiya, huh? Interesting…"
Jiraiya grinned as he held out his hand. "You have me at a disadvantage, miss…"
"Rawlins," she replied, "Minerva Rawlins, retainer to the Shihōin Clan and former Lieutenant of Squad Two. Lady Yoruichi's requested that I oversee Itachi's training and cram studies to get him caught up with the rest of the students in the advanced track. I was wondering when our paths might cross."
"Really?" said Jiraiya, "Why's that?"
"Lady Yoruichi mentioned that she had met you along with Itachi the same night, and that you had both aced the entrance exams," said Minerva, "She was impressed by the potential you showed, although she was also amused at your, shall we say, ill-advised attempts to ingratiate yourself with Captain Unohana. Really, I'm amazed you still have hands after that."
Jiraiya laughed. "Well, what can I say? I've got a certain charm that takes its time to work its magic!"
Minerva chuckled. "Is that so? Well, if you're here to try to ply those charms on me, I shall only say this; my blade's as sharp now as it was when I was on active duty, and I've maintained the skills needed to make the most of that edge."
Jiraiya whistled, and although he raised his hands as if to surrender, Itachi could not help but note the amused look in his eyes. "All right, all right! There's no need for the steel to come out from behind the silk, Miss Rawlins! While I'm always up for a pleasant conversation with a woman as lovely as yourself, I really just came here to check up on Itachi."
Minerva nodded. "Very well, then. Itachi, we can take a break for a few minutes. I'll be back shortly, and we'll be picking up right where we left off. I expect you to be ready."
"Of course, Miss Rawlins," he replied, giving her a curt bow.
His instructor gave an evaluating look to Jiraiya before heading inside. The Legendary Sannin's gaze lingered on her backside as she left, and Itachi rolled his eyes; some things truly never changed.
"One-on-one instruction with a beauty like that?" he said with a chuckle, "You really do get all the luck, you know that?"
"So you keep saying," Itachi deadpanned, "How's class going?"
Jiraiya shrugged. "Not bad. It's kind of weird being at the top of the rankings; I'm used to someone else taking the spotlight. My class clown act's just not as fun when the teachers don't have a serious and talented star student to compare me to."
"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Itachi, "Don't worry; you'll have me back in the mix soon enough."
Jiraiya folded his arms. "You sure about that? I know that the Head Captain himself is the one who'll decide whether you rejoin us or start over. He doesn't strike me as the type to go easy on someone, no matter what their circumstances or abilities are."
"Believe me, I'm well aware of that," Itachi replied, "I'm not expecting this to be easy, but I've had a good teacher to help me prepare. More than one, actually."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "You mean the spirit of your Zanpakutō, right? You find out her name yet?"
Itachi shook his head. "It would seem that I'm not ready for that in her eyes. That's natural, I suppose; she did awaken prematurely, after all."
Jiraiya smiled. "Still, the fact that she's awake in the first place is something. When it comes to your Zanpakutō, you're further along that anyone in class. People are going to be jealous of you once you return, so you'd better watch your back!"
"Duly noted," said Itachi.
Jiraiya's smile became a smirk. "So, has the lovely Squad Two Captain been by to see you at all?"
"She has," said Itachi, his eyes narrowing, "What's it to you?"
Jiraiya sighed. "You really need to loosen up a bit. Don't tell me you weren't happy to see her!"
"I was," Itachi replied casually, "I fail to see how that's any of your business, though."
Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Fine, forget I asked. So, is Captain Unohana around?"
"This is her division's barracks, so that's a yes," said Itachi, "If you're looking for another dislocated shoulder, she should be in her office."
Jiraiya laughed. "Is she now? I might just have to stop by!"
"Feel free to do so," Itachi deadpanned, "Just don't say I didn't warn you about the shoulder if you press your luck."
Jiraiya chuckled. "I'll try to remember that."
The two of them were quiet for a moment before Jiraiya spoke again, and this time the Legendary Sannin looked quite serious. "I've been doing some thinking lately. You and I have a pretty good idea as to how the whole process of souls crossing over here works now, and not just because we experienced it firsthand. Everything that our instructors have taught us got me to wondering about ninja you and I might've known that have already passed on… and those who haven't yet."
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "I'm listening."
"The Akatsuki, Orochimaru, Danzō… the ninja world has some pretty nasty customers," Jiraiya continued, "Supposedly the worst of the worst go to Hell, but there's always the chance that some could end up here. Even if their ability to use ninjutsu is gone in the afterlife, spiritual power would allow them to do a lot of damage should they properly harness it."
Itachi nodded. "That's true. I know that the Akatsuki in particular had already taken several casualties prior to my passing, and our former world has plenty of other unsavory characters that have passed beyond the veil. Hollows are far from the only threat to the Soul Society when the likes of them are at large."
"Exactly," Jiraiya replied, "Of course, who's to say that some of them haven't already become Hollows?"
"That's hardly a comforting notion," Itachi quipped.
Jiraiya nodded. "Believe me, I know. My point is that we really need to keep our eyes and ears open for signs that any of our old enemies might be active in the Soul Society. Ninjutsu made them dangerous enough in life. In death, they may lose the powers that they were accustomed to, but they could gain an entirely different set of abilities… and potentially become even deadlier than they were in life. The likes of ex-Akatsuki getting Hollow powers is bad enough, but can you imagine the kind of carnage they'd be capable of if they somehow acquired Soul Reaper abilities?"
"Kidō and Zanpakutō…" Itachi murmured, images of potential death and devastation flashing through his mind, "Shikai and Bankai… they'd be on a whole different level of strength with such power at their disposal."
"My point exactly," said Jiraiya grimly, "We need to build up our own abilities as quickly as we can, and not just to graduate from the Academy and take our places in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. If any of our old enemies come to the Soul Society and still have the same ideals and beliefs that led them down such dark paths in life, then I'm sure they'd be more than willing to enact them here if they managed to gain the power to do so."
Itachi nodded. He had already been determined to learn all he could and improve his skills, but now there was a whole new level of urgency to his efforts. There were plenty of people that he'd dealt with in life that could prove to be a threat to the Soul Society if given the right tools for the job… and even more who had come and gone long before Itachi had been born.
'Rest in peace' is a common blessing passed from the living to the dead, he mused darkly, but the more I learn about this afterlife, the more it seems to be anything but peaceful…