The instant the white shadow lunged at him, Izuru Kira's face went completely pale.
A grotesquely distorted white blur rushed along the ground, so fast that it tore a gap through the mist.
"Captain!"
Even Kira's sword draw went awry.
He had meant to look impressive as he stepped in front of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. After all, he was the Third Division's lieutenant. Even if he was scared to death, he couldn't actually let his fifteen-year-old captain die first.
At that thought, Kira's expression grew even more despairing.
Because he suddenly realized that he really did seem about to die.
"Raise your head, Wabi..."
Halfway through, his tongue tied itself in knots.
"W-W-W... Wabisuke!"
Wabisuke's blade bent into a hook and slashed forward, bearing heavy Reiatsu.
Then it missed.
The white shadow suddenly twisted sideways in an awkward pose, slipping right past the blade.
Kira's pupils trembled.
"It can dodge!"
Wasn't that obvious?
Yoriichi stood where he was, his right hand resting lightly on his sword hilt, his gaze calm.
The white shadow skirted around Kira and darted along the ground again.
Bzzzz-
The sound of mechanical friction drew closer and closer. Kira even felt cold air brush his cheek.
He swung again.
Another miss.
"Why?"
Kira's voice went shrill.
"It doesn't even have eyes!"
"Maybe it doesn't use eyes to see."
Yoriichi spoke.
"Captain, now isn't the time to analyze that!"
Clutching Wabisuke, Kira was nearly frightened into becoming a critical-care patient in the Fourth Division.
He now strongly suspected that this thing was some sort of Hollowfication remnant left behind by Sōsuke Aizen.
It specialized in attacking lieutenants at night, draining their Reiatsu, stealing their skincare products, and driving them to write their last wills.
What a vicious scheme.
Just what he would expect from Aizen.
Just then, hurried