Aizen had barely returned to the Seireitei when he heard the alarms ringing without pause.
"Captain Aizen!"
Momo Hinamori hurried over to him, clutching a stack of documents.
"The Captain-Commander has asked you to attend an emergency meeting."
"With such a huge commotion, did something happen?"
"It's in Rukongai. Many strange monsters have suddenly appeared and are steadily advancing toward the Seireitei."
A sharp glint flashed through Aizen's eyes. "Hollows?"
Momo Hinamori shook her head. "The reports say they aren't Hollows, only creatures resembling animals. But every one of them is highly bloodthirsty, and the locals are organizing resistance."
Aizen arrived at the First Division barracks, where all the captains had gathered. After entering the meeting room, he took the initiative to apologize. "My apologies. I returned late—I spoke with the emperor of the Living World for a while longer. I did not expect something like this to happen."
He had a mission-related reason for going to the Living World, so Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto said nothing. Once everyone had arrived, he began issuing emergency response orders.
Hitsugaya could not help asking, "How did these monsters appear?"
Shunsui Kyoraku said, "We do not know for the moment. We still need to send people to Rukongai for a thorough investigation."
This monster disaster had erupted without warning. There had been no signs beforehand, and the outskirts of Rukongai had always been lawless, chaotic regions beyond anyone's control. Even Hollows appearing there would have been normal.
Once Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto had finished giving his orders, the Captain's Meeting came to an end. The captains departed to carry out their respective duties.
Gin Ichimaru came to Aizen's side, smiling as he said, "Captain Aizen, could it be that you know something about this disaster?"
Aizen remained calm. "Gin, do you think I should be