Itachi Rebirth: A Shinigami Tale

"Hado 90?!" Ukitake asked, surprised. "Why the sudden interest in learning that?"

"I wish to learn the full incantation of the spell." Itachi continued. "When I arrived on Sokyoku Hill, I witnessed Captain Aizen use it once against Captain Komamura and once again against me. So far, I've been able to copy exactly how Aizen did it. But in his words, the skill was nowhere near its perfected state and I assume it is because he didn't use an incantation. I've already tried looking for information on the incantation but it's been locked away in Soul Society's record library."

"You can already use it?" Ukitake looked at Itachi dumbfounded but shook it off quickly and sighed. "I guess it's to be expected of you. First you hold your own against the Captain Commander and now here you are learning forbidden kido." Ukitake stopped for a moment to think and scratched his head.

"Alright Itachi. I have no problem teaching you. You have already mastered Kido in the 80s and I trust you won't abuse this power. But remember, using Kido in the 90s is forbidden. Please refrain from using it unless you absolutely have to."

"I understand Captain." Itachi replied.

"Alright good, then I'll give you the incantation. I'm sure you are aware but I recommend you don't practice that kido here. Reiatsu of that magnitude will easily be sensed throughout Seireitei." Ukitake said as he reached into his pocket and took out a small piece of paper. He quickly wrote down the incantation and handed it to Itachi.

"Get rid of this when you're done." Ukitake said before walking away. Itachi nodded and looked at the incantation briefly before burning it away moments later. 'I'll need a quiet place to practice this later...for now I'll just work on training with what I already have.'

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The next day, Itachi had prepared his day to continue his training when he received a notice to meet the Captain Commander.

'A notice from the Captain Commander?' Itachi thought to himself before leaving the training ground. Captain Ukitake was resting so he informed the 3rd seats about his departure before exiting the barracks and made his way over to the first division. He entered the main hall, noticing Yamamoto who was seated in the center of the room with a cup of tea.

"Lieutenant Uchiha of the Thirteenth Division, reporting." Itachi said as he bowed.

"Uchiha Itachi, raise your head and take a seat. I've made some tea." Yamamoto ordered as he gestured for Itachi to sit on the cushion in front of him.

"Yes sir." Itachi replied as he sat down. Yamamoto poured him a cup and handed it to Itachi. Itachi thanked him and took a sip. The two of them sat in silence briefly. 'The Captain Commander called me in for tea? No that can't be right.'Itachi thought to himself.

"You must be aware that you weren't called here to simply have a tea party with me. I called you here personally in response to the abilities you demonstrated and the threat of Aizen. As you know, Aizen has affected a majority of Soul Society with his zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu. Captain Ukitake is ill again so I cannot ask him so instead I chose to ask you directly. Have you seen Kyoka Suigetsu?" Yamamoto asked.

"No I haven't. I remember Aizen inviting all the lieutenants for a team building exercise a while back but I declined it as I had to take care of Ukitake's duties since he fell ill." Itachi responded.

"Is that so? Then I have an important role for you, Lieutenant Uchiha. I've seen your power for myself. You can withstand my reiatsu and your own is easily at a Captain's level. You will be key in stopping Aizen, as you have not yet seen his zanpakuto." Yamamoto said as he took another sip of tea before continuing to speak again.

"Perfect Hypnosis…" Itachi said to himself as he stared at his cup of tea. 'So Kyoka Suigetsu's ability affects the opponent's five senses simply by seeing it. If anything, it's very similar to how I cast genjutsu with my Sharingan. That must explain why he brought Tousen with him, as he is blind and is therefore not affected by Kyoka Suigetsu...No that can't be it. Aizen's power is strong enough that even if someone like Tousen was to oppose him, he would swiftly cut him down. The way I am now, I'm not sure if I could beat him.'

Yamamoto noticed Itachi was staring blankly at his cup and called to him to snap him out of it.

"Lieutenant Uchiha, I have a question regarding your abilities. That illusion you trapped me inside of and tortured me for a month straight. After Aizen left, I was bedridden for several days and Captain Unohana had to treat me. That was no power of your zanpakuto was it? It's those strange eyes of yours. Of the thousands of years I've lived, I have never once encountered someone with your eyes." Yamamoto asked. Itachi could feel tension in the air as Yamamoto brought up what happened in Tsukuyomi.

"I apologize for putting you in Tsukuyomi, but it was a last ditch effort to stop someone of your power. There was no possible way for me, Captain Ukitake, and Captain Kyoraku to have fought you otherwise." Itachi said as he bowed his head. The tension in the air lifted and Yamamoto's expression softened again.

"So that technique is called Tsukuyomi? I've never heard of such a thing. But regarding what you did to me there, I've decided to overlook it. You mentioned inside there that you could control time, space, and physical mass. I will acknowledge that if you had d.e.s.i.r.ed to, you could have killed me." Yamamoto mentioned and Itachi remained silent.

"Lieutenant Uchiha, I'm considering making you a Captain. As you know, we have several openings since those three traitors left. Due to the wartime we are in, I have authority to bypass the requirements as we are in need of replacements. Do you have bankai? I believe I remember seeing you release your shikai with that skeletal figure." Yamamoto asked. Itachi shook his head in response.

"I have neither shikai nor bankai. For some reason, I have been unable to imprint upon my zanpakuto. It's something that has bothered me for years now but I've always pushed it to the back of my head as I've found other ways for me to increase my strength." Itachi replied. Yamamoto's eyes opened upon hearing this. 'This youngster is fighting at a Captain's level without having attained even a shikai?'

"Hmm that is indeed strange." Yamamoto said as he took another sip of his tea. "I'm sure you are aware of the zero division. In that division there is a man who forges the zanpakuto and another who names them. I'll see what I can do to relay a message to them about it. You will be our ace in defeating Aizen and we will need you to become stronger than you already are."

"What about the new substitute shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo? It's unlikely he has seen Aizen's zanpakuto as well and his reiatsu is at a Captain's level." Itachi mentioned.

"How observant of you. We will need him to fight as well. But he is a last resort. This is Soul Society's problem and I do not need someone from the living world handling our issues-" Yamamoto replied but was interrupted as Lieutenant Sasakibe walked in.

"Captain Commander. I do not mean to interrupt your tea ceremony, but there is a request from Central 46. They wish to speak with you immediately." Sasakibe said as he kneeled on the ground.

"How troublesome. Fine, I'll be there briefly. Lieutenant Uchiha, you are dismissed. Send in a butterfly if you do choose to become a Captain as I won't be in the office for a while." Yamamoto said as he gestured for Sasakibe to clean up the tea ceremony. Itachi bowed one more time before leaving the hall.

'Become a captain…'