Soul Society Upheaval

With the first came the second, followed by more and more souls pouring into the Gates of Hell of the Underworld Bureaucracy.

And as more souls flooded in, the yin energy spewing from the gates of the Underworld Bureaucracy grew denser.

Gradually, the sky over the once bright and sunny South Rukongai 89th District became increasingly grim.

Then a sheet of black spread out from the gates of the Underworld Bureaucracy.

The scattered yin energy began continuously flowing toward other districts of Soul Society.

In those already impoverished districts of Soul Society, some souls instinctively drawn by the yin energy also began slowly migrating toward the gates of the Underworld Bureaucracy.

It was as though something there held an irresistible allure for them.

At that moment, within a prosperous estate in Seireitei.

A stern-faced man in flowing white robes knelt before a low tea table, his expression silent.

With smooth, elegant movements, he brewed himself a pot of tea, then quietly turned to watch the cherry blossoms drifting outside the window.

"Rukia probably hasn't had time to go to Hueco Mundo yet," Byakuya Kuchiki murmured thoughtfully.

A flicker of concern passed through his calm eyes.

Just as he was quietly lost in thought, a young man wearing a Shihakusho hurried toward his room.

The sliding door was suddenly thrown open, and the man inside looked solemnly at Byakuya Kuchiki.

"Captain, I have an urgent report!"

Byakuya Kuchiki slowly withdrew his gaze.

"What is it?"

The reporting man's expression sharpened. "Captain, something abnormal has happened in Rukongai!"

Byakuya Kuchiki remained calm. "Explain in detail."

"Yes, Captain!" the man said respectfully, lowering his head.

He gathered his thoughts, then continued his report.

"According to patrol squad reports, for unknown reasons, starting from the Fifty-First District, a large number of Rukongai souls have