"Ah, Captain Shihōin," said Rhaegon with that oh-so-familiar-and-annoying arrogant drawl, "How kind of you to finally join us. I was beginning to wonder if your title of Flash Goddess was misplaced for all the time it took you to reach us here. I mean, even the Squad Four relief team managed to beat you!"
Do not punch, Yoruichi silently told herself as she and Soi-Fon approached him, do not punch, do not punch, do not punch…
"A pleasure as always, Captain Drakken," she replied with a smile that carried more than a hint of steel behind it, "How kind of you to have actually held position instead as the Head Captain instructed instead of charging blindly into the caves and leaving the healers defenseless."
"While I would never go so far as to blatantly defy Head Captain Yamamoto, I cannot help but question his wisdom in this regard," said Rhaegon, "This is a simple clear-out mission, one no different than those that Squad Ten has handled in the past. I do not believe that a joint operation is required."
"Your pride in the abilities of your division is commendable," said Yoruichi with a smirk, "but surely you're wise enough to know that there is more to this than just a simple clear-out operation. These Hollows have nested quite close to the Rukon District, so it's imperative that we be thorough and root them all out before they're able to further expand their numbers and attack. Two divisions are better than one in that regard. Having a relief team from Squad Four on hand just in case things get dicey is a bonus."
Rhaegon sighed. "Perhaps so, but still… was bringing along the students really necessary? I'm sure they're a talented lot, particularly my niece, but I fear that they may only get in the way here."
"These aren't just any students, and you know that," Yoruichi countered, "These are the best and brightest advanced track students from the fourth, fight, and sixth year classes. They've earned the right to test their skills in the field and prove themselves. They may surprise you."
Rhaegon nodded. "Well, seeing as we'll have them operating in reserve as opposed to being part of the forward strike force, I suppose they may yet make themselves useful. We do need the extra manpower to cover all the cave entrances, after all."
"My scouts should've helped your division map them all out by now," said Yoruichi, "Are you ready to move in?"
Rhaegon smiled. "Yes. Thanks to the advanced team you sent along, the main tunnel has been located. You and I will lead our primary force through there, while our lower tier officers will position teams outside of the secondary passages to intercept any Hollows that attempt to flee."
Yoruichi grinned. "We'll be the spear, and they'll be the net. Simple, yet effective. The best plans always are."
Rhaegon chuckled. "Indeed. I know we've had our differences in the past, thanks in no small part to the Great Noble Houses that we hail from, but I must say that I am looking forward to fighting alongside you again, Captain Shihōin. Your clan may be a bunch of desert cats, but at the very least you are a lioness with fearsome claws and fangs."
Yoruichi smirked as she folded her arms. "And your clan might be a bunch of lounging seaside lizards, but you've at least got the talent that's worthy of the name Sunfire Dragon."
The proud Captain laughed. "Nice to see your wit remains as sharp as your Zanpakutō! Now, let us go put these beasts down."
Yoruichi nodded before turning to her bodyguard. "Soi-Fon, go and round up our officers. Let them know the operation's about to begin and to get to their positions."
"Understood, Lady Yoruichi," she replied before heading off.
"Lieutenant Dorel!" Rhaegon called.
Squad Ten's second in command, Obran Dorel, stepped forward a moment later. The second borne son of the Dorel noble clan, a less powerful but still respected family, he cut a rather dashing figure. The Dorel house's ancestral homelands were in the southeast, and it showed in Obran's olive skin, dark brown eyes, and black hair. He possessed a well-trimmed mustache and a neat, thin beard, all of which added to that roguish air that Yoruichi knew he loved to put on. Like his Captain, his build was slender but athletic, and Yoruichi had seen him perform enough times at the annual Blade Dancer Festival to know that he was no slouch in combat. His Zanpakutō was a standard-length katana with a crimson hilt and a yellow-orange guard.
"Captain Drakken," he said before smiling at Yoruichi, "Captain Shihōin! What a pleasure to see you again. I do hope my Captain provided at least a courteous welcome."
Yoruichi smiled in return; the Dorel house did not share the Drakken clan's rivalry with her family, and even if it had she knew Obran well enough on a professional level that the two of them got along just fine. "As much as can be expected from him."
Obran chuckled before turning back to his Captain. "Of course. What do you need, Captain?"
"Go find Third Seat Shiba," Rhaegon commanded, "Tell him to get everyone ready. We'll be moving out shortly. Report back to me when you're done."
Obran nodded. "Very well. Consider it done."
Rhaegon smirked and shook his head after his Lieutenant had left. "A bit too insolent for a man of his position, but he does know how to get the job done."
Yoruichi chuckled. "The fact that you're married to his little sister doesn't hurt either, right?"
Rhaegon nodded. "No, it does not. Although I may be a bit too lenient with him thanks to her influence…"
Yoruichi shrugged; that was his business, not hers. "Whatever you say. Time to go to work!"
….
"Check it out," said Jiraiya, nodding towards the center of the encampment, "I think it's almost showtime."
Following the sage's gaze, Itachi could see signs of increased activity. Most of the senior officers of Squad Two and Squad Ten were assembling, as were the rank and file. The Soul Reapers from Squad Four were still setting up the medical field aid station, although some of them had dropped what they were doing to observe the gathering. He spotted Yoruichi step out of the crowd and approach them a moment later, and the serious look on her face was all Itachi needed to know that Jiraiya's guess was right on the money.
"Hey, everyone," she said as she drew near, "Sorry about the wait. I want you all to follow me, okay? Pay close attention to Captain Drakken and I, all right? We're only going to go over this once, so stay sharp!"
She motioned for the students to follow her. Together they went to the middle of the encampment, joining the rest of the assembled Soul Reapers. Yoruichi then motioned for Itachi and the others to halt, and a moment later she joined Captain Drakken at the head of the gathering.
A nod from her was apparently the cue that Squad Ten's Captain had been waiting for. "All right, everyone, it's finally time. Before we begin this mission, I'd just like to thank everyone here for their cooperation. I know that our two divisions haven't always been on the best of terms, but working together today will go a long way towards ensuring that we all get to return to the Seireitei alive."
He gestured at Yoruichi before continuing. "While the safety of the advanced track students today is primarily the responsibility of Squad Two, I wish for any Squad Ten members assigned to the interception teams to keep an eye out for them as well. After all, some of them may end up joining our ranks upon graduation, so let's make sure that they get a favorable first impression!"
Yoruichi then stepped forward. "We'll be dividing into two distinct groups for this mission. The first is the attack group. That will consist of Captain Drakken, myself, and our most capable frontline fighters. Our goal is simple; to enter the main cave and engage the Hollows head-on. Due to the scale of the cavern network, however, it is highly unlikely that we'll be able to kill all of them downward. In fact, it's all but certain that some will find their way to the secondary caverns and make a break for the surface."
"That's where the second group comes into play," she continued, "We've mapped out all of the caverns, and the second group will be charged with intercepting Hollows that come out of the secondary caves. The interceptor group will be divided into multiple smaller teams to accomplish this objective. While members of both Squads Two and Ten will be with the attack and interceptor groups, it will be my division that will supervise the advanced track students as they reinforce the interceptors. Students, that means you will pay attention to my subordinates; if you don't, then you'll have only yourselves to blame when you become dinner for the Hollows."
There was a collective shudder that went through most of the students, though Itachi wasn't particularly bothered. He wasn't the only one, either; Jiraiya actually seemed more amused by the warning than anything else.
The two of us have enough fighting experience to hold our own should trouble come along, he thought, and our continued education has only helped in that regard. I do hope the others heed her words carefully; it would be a shame to lose any of our classmates today, or indeed any of the Soul Reapers here.
He then saw Captain Drakken nod at one of his subordinates. "Third Seat Shiba should have relayed assignments to those of you under my command by now. We'll also be leaving a team behind to defend the Squad Four medical station, just to be on the safe side. You all know the roles that you have to play in this mission, and I expect you to perform as well today as you have in the past. This is nothing that you haven't done before, so believe in yourselves and fight like I know you can!"
Itachi followed the Captain's gaze towards Squad Ten's Third Seat. A tall and muscular man with short and spikey black hair, brown eyes, and rather long sideburns, he wasn't quite what Itachi had been expecting of such a high-ranking officer, although his encounters with the likes of Yoruichi, Kisuke, and others were repeat lessons about keeping his expectations flexible. Isshin Shiba struck Itachi as a rather laid-back man, not all that different from Jiraiya on first glance, in fact. Yoruichi hadn't said much about any of Squad Ten's officers on the trek out to the mission site, but she had mentioned the Third Seat in passing and seemed to have a favorable impression of the man. With Itachi's senses now refined after four years of training in the Soul Reaper arts, he was able to detect a very sizeable amount of spirit energy emanating from Isshin, and he could tell that the officer was holding back much like the other high-ranking warriors in the area. The man might not have been a Captain or Lieutenant, but it was clear that he had plenty of potential.
As had become a habit when he met a new Soul Reaper, Itachi's gaze lingered on Isshin's Zanpakutō. In its sealed state it took on the guise of an ordinary tachi, with a red handle and hexagonal brass tsuba. The way it was carried was rather unusual; Isshin had it on a string that was wrapped around his belt in a manner that reminded Itachi of the iaidō style he'd occasionally seen sported by some of the Samurai that hailed from the Land of Iron in the Shinobi World. Since the design of the sealed weapon was a tachi, it was worn with the edge down instead of up like a katana would've been. Capping off the ensemble was a blue tassel attached to the end of the pommel.
I wonder what he's like in a fight, Itachi mused, I suppose I'll just have to wait and see. Actually, if he's with the attack group, then I probably won't get the chance today; he'll be down in the caves while I'm up here with the rest of the students. That's a shame… oh, well.
Squad Ten's Third Seat stepped forward and began barking out orders. "All right, people, you heard the Captain! Attack teams and interceptor teams, get to your positions! We've got a job to do, so let's move it!"
"The same goes for Squad Two!" called Yoruichi, "Time to go to work, people! Keep your wits as sharp as your blades and we'll all make it home tonight!"
As assembled Soul Reapers began to disperse, Itachi saw several of them from Squad Two's ranks approaching the students. Among them was a woman that Itachi realized was heading straight for him.
"Itachi, Jiraiya, Visaelya?" she said when she reached the trio, her voice a little on the deep side and actually rather melodious, "I'm Rija Usorba, Fifteenth Seat of Squad Two. The three of you will be under my supervision for this mission. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Itachi took a moment to evaluate the officer. She was a rather striking woman, with a tall and very athletic build that was apparent even through her loose Soul Reaper robes. Her skin was definitely on the tan side, and it actually reminded Itachi a bit of Yoruichi. It was accented by a mane of dark red hair that managed to be long and flowing even though it was tied up in a ponytail. Her eyes were a deep and vibrant shade of emerald, and when combined with her dark blue lipstick the affect was rather alluring. She projected an aura of confidence and reassurance, with what Itachi was surprised to realize had an almost motherly feel to it. Her Zanpakutō was secured at her hip, with its bright green hilt-wrapping and golden circular guard quite difficult to miss.
Itachi nodded. "It's nice to meet you."
Jiraiya grinned as he looked her up and down. "Truly, the pleasure is all mine! I feel more confident about this mission already!"
Rija smirked. "Ah, yes; Captain Shihōin warned me about you, Jiraiya. Ply those charms to your heart's content, but I'm afraid you'll find me no easy prey."
Jiraiya chuckled. "Hey, I don't mind a challenge!"
"Please, spare us your vulgar attempts at courtship," Visaelya dryly quipped at the sage before turning to their overseer, "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Usorba."
The officer smiled. "Please, just call me Rija. There's no need for formalities when we'll be fighting alongside each other."
Visaelya nodded. "Very well, then… Rija. I hope you won't find this to be rude, but I'm rather curious as to the nature of your name; I've never heard one quite like it. Would you by any chance happen to be from the Shihōin Clan's Principality?"
"A keen observation," she replied with an approving nod, "and a spot-on guess. Yes, I'm from the ancestral homelands of the Shihōin Clan. They recognized my talents and sent me all the way to the Seireitei, at no small expense I might add. Their support was based on the condition that I join Squad Two in support of their clan's heiress, and I was more than happy to oblige them; the Captain is certainly worthy of it."
Just like Kisuke and Soi-Fon, Itachi mused, Yoruichi seems to have a knack for inspiring loyalty in her subordinates. I wonder if it comes naturally to her or if she had to practice to consistently achieve that… I suppose I'll find out when I join her division.
Indeed. You're already well down the path to being just like them as it is.
I owe her. She saved my life, and she's done a great deal for me since then. Joining Squad Two in order to repay her upon graduation is the right thing to do.
Perhaps…
Itachi could tell when his Zanpakutō was holding back her real sentiments. He wasn't going to push her to come clean here, though; it would just invite quips that he'd rather do without at the moment.
"Will we be working with any of the other students in this mission?" asked Itachi.
Rija shook her head. "No. Captain Shihōin is rather keen on putting your abilities to the test today, so we'll be operating apart from them. We will be in proximity to other Soul Reapers that are assigned to the interceptor teams, though, so we'll be expected to support them should the need arise, and vice versa."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Are we really expecting heavy action? Between the two Captains leading them, it seems like the Soul Reapers in the attack group will have things pretty well covered."
"We still need to remain on our guard," Rija replied, "While the Captains and the Soul Reapers accompanying them will have little trouble dealing with the bulk of the Hollows, the beasts that manage go and make a break for the surface will still be quite dangerous."
"We'll be ready for them," said Visaelya firmly.
Rija smiled. "That's the spirit! All right, then; let's get moving!"