A curtain of rain hung over all of Karakura Town, as though the entire city had been draped in a thin veil. Yet within that misty dampness, a faint sorrow seemed to linger.
Several raindrops fell onto the mask etched with strange patterns, sliding down its smooth surface as though the person beneath it were crying...
"My lord, thirty-one Reishi Baits have already been deployed throughout Karakura Town. At present, around sixteen Adjuchas and seven hundred fifty-six lesser Hollows have entered the Living World. Four of the Adjuchas have already been eliminated by Asano Kiyoshi and a Quincy, but the two of them are nearing exhaustion as well. Just now, they chose to split up."
Listening to his subordinate's report, the man in the Oni Mask did not answer immediately. He stood atop a skyscraper, watching the Hollow hordes continuously pour forth everywhere. Rain streamed down his mask, like a god pitying all things in the world.
After a brief silence, the Oni Mask spoke.
"Most of the places where Hueco Mundo appeared are in densely populated areas, correct?"
"Yes, my lord. Everything was arranged according to your instructions. At present, Asano Kiyoshi and that Quincy are hunting the Small Hollows in various locations. However, due to the sheer number of Hollows, the Small Hollows appearing everywhere have already caused numerous casualties. By my estimation, the death toll has now exceeded two hundred."
Hearing his subordinate's words, the Oni Mask looked at him—or rather, at the Deer Pattern Mask he wore. Then, his voice sounded somewhat hoarse beneath the Rainy Night sky.
"What is it? Do you pity them?"
"..."
"It is only natural to pity them. They are dying because of our plan. That helplessness in the face of fate is, in truth, no different from ours..."
After saying