Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, its characters or any of the characters that are going to appear unless stated otherwise.

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Author's Note: Finally, the first chapter for the next saga, Soul Strike!

Short expectation on what to come:

Reveal of rest of Thanatos Initiative

New Captain's powers and abilities

Replacement as Shuhei's Lieutenant

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-----Karakura Town, Residential District-----

Sado "Chad" Yasutora, the "big man" of Karakura High School, was returning home from a day of grocery shopping. Oddly enough, he wasn't concerned with going at all. He is still thinking about what transpired weeks ago. A cousin, Dario Vidal, completely out of the blue, visited him and his friends. It later turned out that Dario, along with a few others, were part of an elite organization called the Thanatos Initiative, a large collection of spiritual aware humans. One of their missions involved awakening the abilities of one of his friends and classmates, Tatsuki Arisawa. Now, their goals are surrounded in mystery, making it difficult to understand what their next plan will come to fruition…

Once Chad got to his house, he simply opened the door and walked in. "Hello, Chad," said Dario, who was patiently reading a newspaper in Chad's kitchen.

Unaffected by his cousin's appearance, Chad said, "Hey Dario." He simply went back to unpacking his groceries as Dario read on.

Casually placing his paper down, Dario turned to Chad and said, "I'm surprised you haven't asked yet."

Chad just replied, "Cause I know why you're here," as he finished his unpacking.

With a disappointed sigh, Dario reached for a cup of coffee and explained, "Trust me, if I was here to spy on you, I would do a better job of getting my answers."

Chad simply relaxed in his living room, saying, "So…you've only been visiting me as family…for the past week."

Dario sighed again, saying, "I don't really see much of our familie now, even before I joined Thanatos. Papa is dead. Mama is staying with my sister. Otherwise…I haven't really seen anyone else."

"Besides me…" said Chad.

Dairo simply nodded. "Even if we stay in silence, it is good to be near family." Dairo continued to drink his coffee. The phone soon rang, with Chad being the first to answer. After a period of silence, Chad placed the phone back down, with Dairo saying, "Your friends?" Chad simply nodded. "Fine." Standing back up, Dairo said, "It'd be best to join up with the rest of the other agents now."

-----Karakura Town, Construction Site-----

Where the warehouse once stood, a construction site now stands. Several days ago, the warehouse was mysteriously caught ablaze, resulting in its complete destruction. Thankfully, no one was injured. Deciding not to waste the empty lot, the Karakura Town council decided to build a three-story apartment building, large enough to house several people at once, yet small enough to within the boundaries of the lot. The framework for it is already being placed in, with some familiar faces aiding in its construction…

Dario casually walked up to the large construction site, casually sipping from his coffee mug. Soon, a rather large worker, who seemed to greet Dairo with a stern look on his face, approached him. Dario only smiled, saying, "What's the matter, Vlad: don't like the day job?"

Vlad only grumbled, but finally said, "This job sucks. Why the hell do you get to relax while we have to do all the hard work?"

"Must I go over this again, comrade?" said Missah, who was disguised as a construction foreman. "Dario is the only one with relatives here. Aside from their 'unique' attributes, any information he could again shall help the Initiative greatly."

Grunting, Vlad remarked, "It'd be easier just to beat them instead."

"Unacceptable," said Missah, "Their abilities make them very formidable. If we charge in reckless and headstrong, we will surely lose."

"I still think my plan is better."

Dario smiled, commenting, "You're plans usually leave you locked up."

An angered Vlad got into Dario's face, stating, "That was one time, and that bastard got what he deserved."

"Now, here you stand," stated Missah. "You still have girders to place in, Vlad. Get back to work." Vlad continued to grumble and grunt as he left the two agents by themselves. Missah turned back to Dairo and said, "He's still upset about the mission."

Dario nodded, saying, "Yea, well, I'd feel better if we sent him in place of Jones, but he's revealed himself to the enemy. I doubt they would have a hard time putting two and two together."

"I'm more worried about Xion. He detests being part of these missions, especially this one," stated Missah.

Dario only chuckled at that comment, "He shouldn't. With his powers, he doesn't even need to lift a finger."

"What about Bedeau…or Kohn?"

"Like I said, don't worry. They know how to take care of themselves." Dario then hammered the point with, "The Spiritual Agents know how to take care of each other."

Missah sighed and understood the point. "Very well, but I pray that we don't size up coffins when this mission turns south."

-----Urahara Shop-----

Only a month ago, the entire Urahara Shop was under a completely impenetrable barrier created by the Vizard Hachigen. Only until recently the shop was back open for business, and there was a lot to talk about. Inside a simply room, Urahara, along with his friend and ally, Tessai Tsukabishi, were greeted with the familiar faces of Ichigo and his friends… along with a newcomer.

"So," said a cheerful Urahara, "You must be Tatsuki Arisawa. Its finally a pleasure to meet you."

"I've heard about you as well. According to my friends, you're the crazy Shinigami who runs this shop," answered Tatsuki.

"O-ho, I believe you're mistaken. A Shinigami, yes, but definitely not crazy," said the flattered Urahara.

"Urh, enough of this crap," said Ichigo. "So, Hat-and-Clogs, what's been going on this last month for ya?"

Pondering a bit, Urahara said, "Not much. I mean, we were trapped in here for a month's time, so it's been pretty boring. Of course, we were trying to figure out how to escape from this barrier out front."

Tessai commented, "We've finally been able to crack it today. It was a surprisingly complex spell, yet I sense a bit of familiarity in its spiritual energy…"

"That can be overlooked for now," said Uryu. "So, since you've been around longer than anyone lese here, do you know of a 'Thanatos Initiative'?"

Urahara and Tessai looked at each other with faces of concern. Turning back to the group, Urahara replied, "Unfortunately, no. Why do you ask?"

Uryu turned away and said, "Nevermind, then. Its unimportant." Urahara kept his mind focused on the idea of the 'Thanatos Initiative", wondering if it is more important than he realizes.

"Anyway," continued Urahara, "since you're powers are manifesting, how about training in our underground level? There's plenty of open space for you to practice and its completely hidden from the rest of the town."

"Whoa," said the surprised Tatsuki. She didn't realize such a complex existed underground. "I hope its better than the last place we trained."

"Really?" asked Tessai, "Where was that?"

Uryu explained, " We were trying to help her practice in an abandoned warehouse until your barrier was gone. It was fine until several days ago."

"A lot of Hollows were drawn to us, and Tatsuki got a little excited during the fight and…" explained Ichigo.

"She burned down the entire warehouse!" explained Orihime. Urahara and Tessai looked on with embarrassed faces, impressed to see such power in Tatsuki. "At least the Initiative was kind enough to cover out tracks. They're even building something new other there." Urahara had a small look of concern on his face, noticing Uryu has the same look as well.

"Whoever this 'Thanatos Initiative is," thought Urahara, "they're doing a pretty good job at covering tracks. Just what the hell are they planning?"

-----Thanatos Initiative HQ, Third Upper Floor-----

Scott Sanders, the leader of the Initiatve, stared off into the main computer screen, watching as information kept coming up onto it. Eventually, a video transmission came up, revealing a young man part of the Technology Division a few floors down. "What's the status on the projects?"

"Our notes confirm that the D.D. shall be operational by tomorrow. We still need more data for PROJECT: L4Z4RUS."

"I see…put it on hold until that data can be secured. Continue on production of the new vehicle and start testing the new cloaks. I an intending to complete our newest project as soon a possible. Then you shall have that data."

"Of course, sir. When will you like to activate D.D.?"

"I want it ready by 0900 hours, in time for OPERATION: BL4CK CR33D."