Led by Kensei, the Ninth Division arrived in Rukongai souls had perished, to investigate.
When Kensei and Kensei group arrived, apart from a child who had been attacked by a Hollow, they found nothing unusual. It was as if the so-called incident of the souls dying suddenly was just the work of a few Hollows.
Things are definitely not that simple...
As a 'powerful' captain, Kensei's keen senses detected the scent of conspiracy in the air.
"We'll camp here for today."
Kensei frowned slightly. He sensed the restless Reishi in the air and, for some reason, felt a trace of worry arise in his heart.
"I hope I'm just overthinking it..."
Kensei glanced at his vice-captain Mashiro Kuna, and the elite members of the Ninth Division beside him, and his heart immediately calmed down. With the entire elite force of the Ninth Division here, nothing bad would happen, nothing bad would occur...
In the middle of the night, the Captain of the Ninth Division, along with his vice-captain and all Seventh Seat, went missing...
The entire Seireitei was bustling with activity like never before, brightly lit. In response to the case Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, urgently convened Captains' Meeting.
The Gotei 13, except for the deceased captain of the Tenth Division, the still self-willed captain of the 11th Division, and the missing Captain of the Ninth Division, are all gathered together.
" Hiyori- chan, you can't come here. This is the Captains' Meeting. You should wait patiently in the Twelfth Division."
Kisuke Urahara, holding a furious Hiyori, stood in front of the First Division's meeting room, trying to calm her down. (The time had been moved up; Hiyori hadn't gone to the Ninth Division.)
"Are you kidding me? That Kensei has gone missing! How can you expect me to patiently wait at home like this?"
Hiyori spoke angrily after hearing what Kisuke Urahara said.
"This is the First Division's barracks. The Captain-Commander is here. This isn't a place where you or I can act recklessly."
Kisuke Urahara said helplessly to Hiyori, "It's fine under normal circumstances, but this is the First Division, and I can't let Hiyori."
Under normal circumstances, the Captains' Meeting would absolutely not allow members other than the squad leader to participate in the meeting. Someone like Hiyori, who shouted and yelled and tried to participate in the meeting, would be punished.
"Please Kisuke Urahara of the Twelfth Division. Please invite Lieutenant Captain Hiyori of the Twelfth Division to take her seat at the end."
Just as the two were having a very embarrassing argument outside the First Division's meeting room, the Old Man Yama's weathered and authoritative voice came from inside the meeting room.
"Smack~"
After hearing what the Old Man Yama said Kisuke Urahara loosened his arms that were tightly embracing Hiyori.
"Damn it, bald guy!"
Hiyori turned around and Kisuke Urahara Kisuke Urahara, leaving a shoe print on his face before sheepishly walking into the venue and obediently standing beside Shunsui Kyōraku.
" The Captains' Meeting will now officially begin."
Yamamoto squinted at Kisuke Urahara and Hiyori, who had returned to their positions, and spoke in a serious voice.
"Recently, there have been incidents of Soul Reaper dying violently in Soul Society. Today, there was even an incident of a Captain-level Soul Reaper going missing. We should risk the honor of the Gotei 13 to resolve this matter. Now, in the name of the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, I hereby order the Third Division Captain the Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi Fifth Division Captain, Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa— to go to the scene of the incident and resolve this matter. The Second Division Captain— Captain of the Seventh Division Yoruichi Shihōin —is on standby. The Captains of the Eighth Division Sixth Division— Kuchiki Ginrei, Shunsui Kyōraku Thirteenth Division, Jūshirō Ukitake— are responsible for the protection of the Seireitei. The Fourth Division Captain —Retsu Unohana and Twelfth Division Kisuke Urahara for the transport and rescue of the wounded."
The Old Man Yama narrowed his eyes and gave the order. He chose to send three people who were qualified among the captains in terms of both strength and character, and who were no less than or equal to Kensei Muguruma, to investigate the reason for Kensei's disappearance. He left Kuchiki Ginrei, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Jūshirō Ukitake, whose Spiritual Pressure and combat power far exceeded that of Muguruma, in Seireitei. This way, no matter what happened, they would have a way to deal with it.
Then, Yoruichi Shihōin, whose mobility is arguably the best in the entire Seireitei, was prepared to provide support. This deployment was practically perfect, but if I had to point out any flaws...
"Objection!"
"Whether it's moving the wounded or treating them, I think as the Fourth Division Captain, I should go to the front lines."
Retsu Unohana, this beautiful Yamato Nadeshiko radiating maternal love, stepped out from the line and raised an objection to the Old Man Yama.
"Rejected! The situation at the front lines is still unclear, and I absolutely forbid you... and the members of your Fourth Division from going to the front lines."
Without a second thought, the Old Man Yama rejected Retsu Unohana's request. In the Old Man Yama's mind, Retsu Unohana was far more dangerous than this crisis.
"Then I..."
Kisuke Urahara then raised his hand, gesturing to the Old Man Yama, indicating that he intended to go to the front lines.
"Turn down."
The Old Man Yama squinted at Kisuke Urahara Kisuke Urahara, uttering only two words without bothering to explain himself.
"Um... Is that so?"
Kisuke Urahara, who had been standing tall, immediately deflated after hearing what the Old Man Yama said.
"Although neither of you went to the front lines, I've found replacements who can go with you."
After seeing that the two of them remained silent, the Old Man Yama continued his speech.
"Come in!"
As the Old Man Yama finished speaking, a person holding a scepter and with his hands clasped together and a rosary around his neck slowly walked towards the group from outside the conference room door.
"Oh... it's the Kidō Chief! Looks like things have gotten out of hand."
When Shunsui Kyōraku saw that even people from different systems had come to the Thirteenth Division's barracks, he raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly deep in thought.
"We hope that the Kidō Chief, Mr. Tessai Tsukabishi, and the Vice Kidō Master, Mr. Hachigen Ushōda, can go to the front lines with the captains to investigate the situation."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at the two people who walked in from outside and spoke.
"Yes, sir..."
After listening to the Old Man Yama's words Tessai Tsukabishi nodded slightly, his expression relaxed and calm, a result of his extraordinary strength as Kidō Chief.
"Alright, in that case, I will announce the list of the expedition team..."
After hearing what Tessai Tsukabishi said, the Old Man Yama raised his scepter, intending to strike the ground and announce the end of the meeting.
" Captain-Commander, please allow me to accompany you."
However, just as the Old Man Yama raised his scepter, Hiyori, who had remained silent and was not allowed to speak at the Captains' Meeting, finally couldn't hold back any longer. She came to the center of the captains' group, knelt on one knee, and pleaded with Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
" Hiyori..."
Kisuke Urahara and Shinji Hirako looked at the figure who had suddenly asked to go along and said in unison.
"As the Lieutenant Hiyori Twelfth Division, I believe you are well aware of the rules of the Captains' Meeting. I am now..."
The Old Man Yama looked at Hiyori, who had interrupted him, and slowly opened his eyes, which had been narrowed, and spoke seriously.
"Um... Yama-jii, I think it's a bit inappropriate to send the Kidō Chief and the Deputy Kidō along now. After all, we don't know the specific situation at the front lines at all. If the two Kidō go together because of an unknown enemy... wouldn't that be a bit ill-considered?"
When the Old Man Yama was about to find Hiyori guilty and give Hiyori a demerit, Shunsui Kyōraku stepped in to help.
"Then what do you suggest?"
After hearing Shunsui Kyōraku's words, the Old Man Yama asked...
"I think it's best if the Vice- Kidō goes. As for the Kidō Chief, my Vice-Captain and Captain Urahara's Vice-Captain can fill it. Don't worry~ My Vice-Captain and... Vice-Captain Hiyori are both very strong~"
After Shunsui Kyōraku finished speaking, he winked at Kisuke Urahara and Shinji Hirako.
"You mean you want to bring your vice-captain now?"
After hearing Shunsui Kyōraku's words, Jūshirō Ukitake asked...
"Of course~ Lisa -chan~ You should be here, right?"
Shunsui Kyōraku adjusted his straw hat and glanced sideways at the window beside him, asking a question.
"Certainly!"
As Shunsui asked the question, a radiant and beautiful girl with glasses stepped forward.
"I already told you you can't eavesdrop on the Captains' Meeting, right?"
Shunsui Kyōraku asked helplessly, his words filled with nothing but doting affection, not a hint of blame.
"Why are you all being so mysterious? It makes me really curious."
Lisa raised her chin, looking as if she was absolutely right.
"So... you heard what we just said, right? There shouldn't be any problems, right?"
Shunsui Kyōraku asked his adorable vice-captain.
OK!
Lisa gave Shunsui a thumbs-up, then vanished through the window like a whirlwind.
"As everyone has seen..."
After Shunsui Kyōraku finished doing all this, he smiled at everyone.
" The Captain Kyōraku..."
Kisuke Urahara called out Shunsui Kyōraku's name as if he had something to say.
"Don't worry~ Three captains, two vice-captains, and one vice-master Kidō, this lineup will be fine."
Shunsui Kyōraku knew what Kisuke Urahara was worried about. He gently shook his head. Even during the Hueco Mundo campaign, they had only dispatched three captains at most. This was more than enough. Kyōraku had unknowingly raised his flag higher and bigger.
Kisuke Urahara's eyes still held a lingering worry after hearing Kyōraku's words, but once he heard Kyōraku say that, he ultimately said nothing more.
"That makes sense. The final personnel are now decided: Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi of the Third Division Captain, Captain Shinji Hirako of the Fifth Division Captain, Captain Love Aikawa of the Captain of the Seventh Division, Lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru of the Eighth Division, Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki the Twelfth Division, and Vice- Kidō Hachigen Ushōda. That's all... Meeting adjourned..."
The Captains' Meeting finally ended with the sound of the Old Man Yama's wooden cane striking the floor.
"..."
After the meeting, Kisuke Urahara looked somewhat dejected. He stood in front of the First Division barracks, his heart filled with anxiety. For some reason, he felt that there were all sorts of strange things going on in this matter.
"Your Excellency, are you Kisuke Urahara?"
Just as Kisuke Urahara was worrying about his vice-captain, the Kidō Chief Tessai Tsukabishi, holding a scepter, came to Kisuke Urahara's side and began to speak.
Like Tessai Tsukabishi Kisuke Urahara Wakabi was one of those who believed that this matter was full of strange occurrences.
"Master Tessai Tsukabishi... actually, it's like this..."
Kisuke Urahara looked at Tessai Tsukabishi in front of him and for some reason felt a sense of relief. His sixth sense told him that the person in front of him could be trusted.
"Huh... aren't these Captain Urahara... and the Kidō Chief Tessai Tsukabishi?"
Just as Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi were about to exchange some words, a young man with short brown hair, wearing a black Shihakusho, and a gentle smile on his face slowly walked towards them.
"Are you Lieutenant Aizen? May I ask what brings you here?"
Kisuke Urahara looked at the person in front of him and asked calmly.
"I came to ask if the meeting is over. My team leader didn't explain anything to me and just ran out of the barracks. Now none of the team members know what happened. I don't think this can continue, so I came here to find out what's going on and also to find out about my team leader."
Aizen bowed slightly to Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, then spoke in a very calm tone.
" The Captain of the Ninth Division Kensei Muguruma is in trouble. Your captain, along with the other captains, has been dispatched to the front lines to provide support. You must immediately return to the Fifth Division to take charge and ensure the soldiers do not panic."
Kisuke Urahara explained in simple terms, referring to Aizen.
"I see! I understand! I'll go back now..."
After hearing Kisuke Urahara's words, Aizen bowed slightly to Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, then turned and jogged towards the Fifth Division's barracks.
"This is not the place to chat, Captain Urahara, please come with me."
Tessai Tsukabishi addressed Kisuke Urahara before him.
"OK."
Kisuke Urahara didn't think much of it and nodded slightly.
"Hmph~"
On the other side, Aizen, who had been Aizen towards the distance, smiled slightly; everything was going according to plan.
Kisuke Urahara, this 'scapegoat,' has now become his best alibi.
Hiyori, Shinji Hirako, and the others arrived at the scene, the terrifying enemy that appeared before them was neither the Hollow they had imagined, nor Quincy seeking revenge against the Soul Reaper once again, but their comrade... Kensei Muguruma, whose face was masked and whose body was wrapped in White pillars!!!
"Is this Kensei?"
"Whether it's appearance or Spiritual Pressure, he's practically identical to a Hollow..."
For the first time, Shinji Hirako hesitated, unsure whether the man before him, who had been his colleague for decades, was an enemy or a ally.
"Roar!!"
Hirako and the others were only momentarily distracted when Kensei Muguruma, who had already completed his Hollowfication and evolved into Kensei Muguruma Kensei Muguruma, arrived behind the Captain of the Seventh Division, Love Aikawa, in an instant.
" Love!"
Hirako, his forehead covered in cold sweat, looked at Kensei, who had suddenly appeared behind Love, and shouted loudly.
"Bump!"
With a single blow, Kensei Muguruma, now in his Hollowfication, ripped the clothes off half of his fellow captain Love Aikawa.
"So strong! Far surpassing the previous Kensei Muguruma!"
Love was shocked. This was definitely not the Kensei Muguruma he knew. The Muguruma Kensei did not have such a powerful Spiritual Pressure!
Don't let your guard down!
Just as Love was alarmed, Lisa Yadōmaru had already drawn her Zanpakuto and arrived in front of Kensei. Facing the blade in the hand of her former colleague Kensei, Lisa showed no hesitation. Her swordsmanship, which she learned from Kyōraku, forced Kensei to retreat step by step.
"So strong!"
Hiyori looked at Lisa, who was also a vice-captain, and muttered to herself, admitting that she did not have Lisa's strength.
"Bump!"
However, in the very next second, Kensei, who possessed absolute power, punched Lisa, who had no time to dodge, sending her flying.
"Hateful..."
Lisa knelt on one knee, her brows furrowed as she looked at Kensei in the sky.
"Leave this to me."
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi arrived in front of Lisa the instant Kensei was knocked away. He Zanpakuto horizontally in front of his chest and, facing the powerful Kensei, immediately planned to use his Bankai.
" Bankai Kinshara..."
Unfortunately, before the only captain who intended to use his Bankai could Bankai, a white figure descended from the sky—it was... ' Visored Flying Kick!' Mashiro Kuna, now in his Hollowfication, landed a kick on Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi's head.
"Bump!"
With a cloud of dust, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi collapsed into the deep pit, his eyes losing all consciousness.
"Damn it..."
Shinji Hirako, seeing the sudden voice, felt a headache coming on. His Bankai (though powerful, he couldn't control Bankai ) was useless here, Shikai he wasn't sure if his Kensei and Shinji Hirako Mashiro Kuna, who fought based on instinct...
Just as Hirako hesitated, Hiyori was sent flying by the Hollowfication Mashiro Kuna. The Hollowfication Mashiro Kuna already possessed the combat power of Captain-level. If you had to give her a standard, it would probably be the level of Muguruma.
" Bakudō Sixty-Three: ' Sajō Sabaku '!"
With the sudden appearance of countless chains, Mashiro Kuna was finally bound.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."
The stout and burly Hachigen Ushōda finally arrived at the battlefield. He was panting heavily, clearly indicating that he was not very skilled at Shunpo (the Shunpo technique).
"I'm sorry, I rarely practice Shunpo, so..."
As the vice-chief of the Kidō Corps Kidō Hachigen Ushōda and the Stealth Force are two extremes. On one hand, he trains almost exclusively in Kidō every day, while on the other hand, he trains almost exclusively in Hakuda and Shunpo every day.
"It's alright, it's good that you're here..."
While the group was talking...
"Roar!!"
Kensei Muguruma in his Hollowfication, has launched his attack.
"What's this?"
" Bakudō 75 ' Gochūtekkan '"
Hachigen Ushōda was startled by the Hollowfication Kensei before him, but his movements were swift, and he immediately unleashed Kidō No. 75.
"Boom!"
The terrifying iron pillar instantly immobilized Kensei... However, this was, after all, an incomplete 75th Bakudō without incantation, and the target of the suppression was the upgraded version of Kensei Muguruma. With a shattering sound, Kensei instantly broke free.
"Is there anything even stronger?"
Shinji Hirako stood in front of Kensei, but even with his strength, he was still unable to suppress the Hollowfication Kensei in hand-to-hand combat. Kensei was already skilled in close combat, and his strength increased even further after Hollowfication, making him far beyond Shinji Hirako's ability to deal with.
"There's still... but it will take a little time."
Sweat beaded on Hachigen Ushōda's forehead, but his hands moved swiftly, and a terrifying Spiritual Pressure emanated from his body.
"Leave it to me!"
The Captain of the Seventh Division, Love Aikawa, whose body was half-charred black from the explosion, stood in front of Kensei. The terrifying Spiritual Pressure surging within him temporarily stopped the crazed Kensei.
"The Ninety-Nine Forbidden Bakudō "
Leather straps, specially designed to restrict Spiritual Pressure, instantly wrapped around Kensei's arms, with nails embedded in the ground. They absorbed the Spiritual Pressure from Kensei's body while restricting Kensei movements, firmly trapping Kensei in place.
"Huff... huff..."
After finishing all this, Hachigen Ushōda was panting heavily, his forehead covered in sweat. He unleashed the Ninety-Nine Kidō without chanting, demonstrating the strength of a vice- Kidō master.
"Ninety-nine numbers without chanting... The reputation of the Kidō Corps is well-deserved..."
Shinji Hirako praised Hachigen Ushōda softly as he watched him display this skill, a skill that even Captain-level like them could only dream of.
"It's getting a little difficult..."
Hachigen Ushōda shook his head slightly. This was already his limit. If it were Tessai Tsukabishi, he could have directly used the Bankin to kill Kensei Muguruma within that massive restriction.
"No matter how you look at it, we can consider it a success..."
Shinji Hirako smiled; in any case, their mission was complete.
However, just as Shinji Hirako was smiling, a series of unexpected events occurred... A Shinji Hirako -black darkness enveloped Shinji Hirako's vision, followed by the gradual disappearance of his hearing, sight, smell, and Spiritual Pressure. For a moment, Shinji Hirako Shinji Hirako unsure if he was still alive in this world, but the pain in his chest told him that he was indeed still alive.
Once Shinji Hirako's eyes were filled with light once more, everyone else collapsed to the ground, unconscious...
"Are you Kaname Tōsen and Gosuke?"
Shinji Hirako looked at the two people in front of him, his body trembling slightly, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Hahaha... Good evening~ Shinji Hirako ~ I heard you were gossiping with others, saying that you were too weak, did you hear that, senpai?"
"That slash to your chest just now was inflicted by me, senior. How about that? Aren't I much stronger than you thought?"
A hint of madness flashed in Gosuke's eyes as he spoke to Shinji Hirako in a rather talkative manner.
"What did you say?"
Shinji Hirako glanced down at his fallen companion, his body slowly trembling.
"Stop looking, I killed them all, don't worry~ they're not dead~"
Gosuke brandished his Zanpakuto, his eyes filled with savagery and bloodlust.
"Asshole!"
Shinji Hirako cried out, suddenly feeling something gushing out of his body. He opened his mouth and vomited, then his consciousness gradually blurred. He could feel an endless stream of power surging out of his body. Shinji Hirako gently touched half of his cheek; he finally understood his situation.
"Is this the power of the void?"
Shinji Hirako muttered uncertainly to himself, knowing that his situation was the same as Kensei Muguruma before him; he too had unknowingly been infected by the power of the Hollow.
"To be precise, it's Hollowfication, Shinji Hirako ~"
Gosuke smiled gently at Shinji Hirako.
"..."
For some reason, Shinji Hirako looked at Gosuke as if he were looking at another person, a person named Sōsuke Aizen.
"Hmph~"
Inside the Sixth Division barracks, Aizen, who was arranging work, suddenly smiled slightly, as if sensing something. If someone skilled in Kidō were present, they would certainly be able to see that Aizen's eyes were sharing vision with Gosuke.
"Doesn't it seem strange to see Gosuke like this? Captain, let me tell you clearly, there are no incompetent people in this world, only people who can't discover their own abilities. My dear Captain, you should just obediently leave Soul Society ~"
Aizen smiled slightly, silently thinking to himself that his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, were cold and terrifying. There was no one in this world that Aizen couldn't use. If he wanted, the whole world would revolve around him, simply because he called Sōsuke Aizen someone who was on par with a god.
(End of this chapter)