Kisuke studied him and Jiraiya for a moment, and Itachi didn't like the look in his eyes. "Well, normally I'd say we regroup with the others. However, from the sound of it, it seems that this particular group of Hollows isn't all that far from our position. In fact, we're probably the closest to them out of all the Soul Reapers and students in the area."
"Isn't that all the more reason for us to pull back and regroup?" asked Itachi.
Kisuke smiled. "If you two were a normal pair of students, I'd say yes. However, I think it's been pretty well established by now that you two aren't normal students, even for the advanced track. We're not the only ones who would've heard those Hollows; I'm willing to bet that Yoruichi's aware of them, too. She'll make sure that the rest of the students are well protected, but I don't think that we need to be quite as careful when it comes to the two of you."
"If that's how you feel, then what did you have in mind?" asked Jiraiya.
"Just a little bit of reconnaissance," Kisuke replied, "What do you say? Are you two up to go spy on some Hollows?"
Itachi knew that he should refuse, but part of him actually wanted to go along with it. After all, what better training was there than actual field experience?
After a moment he nodded. "All right. Forward recon is one of Squad Two's duties, so if Yoruichi wants us to join her division after we graduate then we might as well get some practice in."
Jiraiya chuckled. "Why not? It sounds a lot more interesting than just hanging back with the rest of our classmates!"
Kisuke smirked. "Now that's what I was hoping to hear! You two just might live up to my expectations after all. All right, let's get moving!"
Itachi and Jiraiya followed Kisuke over a nearby hillside. When they reached the crest, the Third Seat crouched and motioned for the two students to do the same. Following Kisuke's gaze, Itachi saw no less than three Hollows gathered below.
"Looks like they're regular Hollows," said Kisuke after a moment, "I didn't think we'd be unlucky enough to run into a Menos out here, but you never know."
"Why aren't they moving?" asked Itachi, "Hollows are drawn to souls with high quantities of spirit energy, right? Wouldn't it make sense for them to be heading towards our class?"
Kisuke nodded. "Normally, you'd be right. However, Hollows can typically tell the difference between mere souls with high levels of spirit energy and actual Soul Reapers. That's why they're not just charging in to chow down just yet."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed as the Hollows screeched again. "They're calling for help."
"Which means we need to act quickly," said Itachi grimly, "Kisuke, can you take them?"
Kisuke smiled. "A trio of garden variety Hollows like these? It'd be no problem for me. However, where's the fun in that?"
"That depends on your idea of fun," Itachi quipped.
"What's going through the strange head of yours?" asked Jiraiya.
Kisuke chuckled. "Now you're starting to catch on. I'll jump right to the chase; I want to see you two take them on."
Itachi should've seen that one coming, but it still took him off guard. "You do realize we're third year students, right? Even advanced track students aren't supposed to go up against live Hollows until their final year."
Kisuke nodded. "That's true, but you'll find that in Squad Two we tend to bend the rules here and there, or at least Yoruichi doesn't mind it if we do. Normally I wouldn't put students into a situation like this, but you two are different. Ever since the night she met you, Yoruichi's been convinced that the two of you had combat experience in your past lives. Your time at the Academy should've sharpened those skills to the point that you can challenge Hollows by now, especially given how far ahead you two are when compared to your fellow students. If your full potential's going to be unlocked, then you need more challenging tasks than what your instructors are able to give you. If that happens to involve a little risk, well, you know what they say; nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Jiraiya folded his arms. "So, it's trial by fire, then."
"Does Yoruichi know?" asked Itachi.
"Not yet," Kisuke replied, "but I think she'll be very interested in how you two do. Truth be told, I'm pretty sure she assigned me to monitor you two precisely because she thought I might pull something like this. She's known me for a long time, after all."
Itachi's hand went to the handle of his Zanpakutō. "So you say. Very well, then; I accept your challenge."
Jiraiya smiled. "Same here. It's about time we got our hands dirty!"
Kisuke grinned. "Excellent! How you two decide to tackle these beasts is up to you. I'll stay on over-watch and make sure no one tries to crash the party, Hollow or otherwise. Now, show 'em what you've got!"
Itachi and Jiraiya moved forward, keeping low and doing their best to suppress their spiritual pressure to avoid detection. The Hollows were wary, but the beasts did not yet seem to be aware of their presence.
"How do you want to do this?" asked Jiraiya.
"Weaken them at range, then move in to finish them off," said Itachi, "How's your Kidō coming along?"
"About the same as yours," Jiraiya replied, "Just need to keep enough distance to make sure the incantation's complete before the Hollows can get to us."
Itachi nodded. "Right. What do you think? Number 33?"
Jiraiya smiled. "Two blasts at once? I'm game!"
The two of them raised the palms of their right hands, aiming them at the trio of Hollows as they commenced the incantation in unison. "Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws! Hadō 33: Sōkatsui!"
Twin blasts of blue-white energy flew forth and engulfed the Hollows. None of the beasts fell, but all three were burned and scarred by the wave of power that had slammed into them. They were dazed and disoriented, which meant that now was the perfect time to move in for the kill.
A single Flash Step brought Itachi and Jiraiya right into their midst, and the two students wasted no time in drawing their Zanpakutō and carving into their foes. Itachi leapt onto the shoulders of the closest Hollow before thrusting his blade right through the back of the beast's head. Meanwhile, Jiraiya had stabbed one of the creatures in the gut before pulling his sword out and swinging it upwards. The blow caught the Hollow right where its neck met its head, and the beast was decapitated in a single fluid motion.
The third and final Hollow was slightly larger than the others, and by the time Itachi and Jiraiya had dispatched its two companions it looked like it had shaken off the shock of their initial Kidō strike. It was scorched and seared, with wisps of smoke still emanating from its skin, but its eyes were locked on Itachi and Jiraiya, and it looked quite angry. The beast swung about wildly with its claws, forcing the two students to pull back for some breathing room.
Jiraiya smirked. "I think we made it mad."
Itachi nodded. "Indeed. Take the left; I'll go right."
The two men charged back in, determined to put their foe down like the rabid monster it was. The Hollow's claws were long and sharp, and it had a clear advantage in reach over the students, but its movements were slow, and its bestial fury actually made it easier to predict and counter. Ducking low to avoid a vicious swipe, Itachi then swung his Zanpakutō up and took the Hollow's right arm off at the elbow. At the same time, Jiraiya thrust his sword into the left side of the creature's abdomen. The beast fell to its knees, howling in pain. Together, the two students raised their swords for the coup de grace, thrusting them straight into the Hollow's head.
As the creature dissolved they heard applause coming from behind them. Turning around as they lowered their blades, they saw Kisuke approaching them, and he looked rather pleased with their handiwork.
"Well done," he said with a smile, "A lot better than I was expecting, really. You two really have a knack for this!"
Jiraiya smiled as he sheathed his sword. "Coming at it with the proper training and the right weapon makes the job a hell of a lot easier than the first time we took on one of these things."
Itachi nodded. "I have no desire to sound arrogant, but… well, it was easier than I thought it would be."
Kisuke laughed. "You sound surprised! I don't think you two have fully comprehended yet just how far you've come in three years. I'm sure your instructors have heaped praise upon you, but I'm willing to bet you've grown numb to it with the passage of time. The only way at this point for the two of you to truly understand where your training has taken you now is for it to be put to the test outside of the classroom, and you've passed your first test with flying colors!"
Itachi was about to respond when a series of familiar cries rang out. Turning around, it didn't take him long to spot the source; additional Hollows had come calling.
Five of them this time.
"It seems we're celebrating prematurely," he said as he drew his sword again.
"Yeah," said Jiraiya as he did the same, "We don't have the element of surprise this time. What's the plan?"
Kisuke smirked as he unsheathed his Zanpakutō. "Why don't you two take a break? You've put in your share of work for the day; let me handle these guys."
"Are you sure?" asked Itachi.
"You're really going to take them all on by yourself?" said Jiraiya with a hint of incredulity.
"Don't forget who you're talking to," Kisuke replied, "I'm the Third Seat of Squad Two. I'm more than just a glorified jailor, you know. Here; let me give you a demonstration."
The man suddenly disappeared, and it was only thanks to Itachi's training that he was able to pick up Kisuke's presence again before the Soul Reaper was amongst the Hollows. As he completed his opening Flash Step he sliced a Hollow in half with an almost casual ease that Itachi could only marvel at.
And he was just getting warmed up.
The remaining four Hollows surrounded him, but Kisuke didn't look the least bit concerned. As they all lunged forward he leapt into the air, vaulting over them and causing the beasts to crash headlong into each other. A second Flash Step brought him right behind one of the Hollows, and he thrust his Zanpakutō into the back of the creature's head. The three surviving Hollows rounded on him, ready to tear him apart with their claws and teeth.
They never got the chance. Kisuke's sword was little more than a silver blur, decapitating one Hollow and impaling another straight through its mask in the blink of an eye. The final Hollow didn't get as mercifully quick an exit; Kisuke cut off its legs before flipping his sword over to his left hand and stretching out his right.
"Hadō 33: Sōkatsui."
It was the same spell that Itachi and Jiraiya had used before, but only in name and type. The blast of blue-white energy that ripped forth from Kisuke's palm was at least twice the size of what the two former Shinobi had been able to conjure, and that was without the spell's incantation. Also, unlike the scorch marks that Itachi and Jiraiya's attacks had left on their target's, Kisuke's spell disintegrated the Hollow outright. Itachi could only imagine just how powerful the blast would've been at full strength.
So this is the strength of a seasoned officer, he thought, I can't believe he was able to muster that level of power with no incantation…
Next to him, he heard Jiraiya whistle. "Now that's what I call some fireworks!"
Itachi nodded. "That's certainly one way to put it."
Kisuke smiled as he approached the two of them. "Well, that was a nice little bit of exercise! Always good to keep one's skills sharp and all."
"I'd say that they're more than sharp," Itachi replied, "You've certainly earned your rank."
Jiraiya chuckled. "Indeed. That was quite the show you put on. I'm almost embarrassed by how we did in comparison!"
Kisuke shook his head. "Don't be. You two are still students, after all. What you're capable of is still far ahead of anything that anyone else in your class can do, so don't sell yourself short. Remember, you're only halfway through your Academy years. By the time the two of you graduate, I can only imagine what the two of you will be capable of. I'm not the only one looking forward to that day; I know that Yoruichi's absolutely dying to snatch up the two of you before any of the other Captains get a chance come graduation."
"Speaking of Yoruichi, shouldn't we report back to her?" asked Itachi, "I'm pretty sure an encounter with Hollows on our Konsō exercise is something that she'll want to hear about."
And you want her to hear about how well you did in the fight. Don't bother denying it.
Shut up.
The spirit of his Zanpakutō was silent, but that didn't matter; Itachi could easily picture the satisfied smirk that must've been on her face.
Kisuke nodded. "I think you're right. She might give me free reign in situations like this, but she does like to be kept in the loop. Well, let's get a move on. We may have dealt with this batch of Hollows, but there's always the chance that more could come. As fun as it might be to see you two go at it with them again, I think I've worked you both enough for one day."