SailorStar9: This is the start of the new arc of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts? Read and review.

Pairings: Ishida/Hasu, minor pairing Hitsugaya/Karin

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Prologue: The New Captain Appears! His Name Is Amagai Shūsuke

In the 10th Squad office...

"Captain, did you hear?" Matsumoto burst in with the newest gossip. "There's gonna be a new Captain fro the 3rd Squad."

"I'm a Captain." Hitsugaya reminded. "I've already been notified. It will be officially made public at the Captain's meeting tomorrow."

"But Kira," Matsumoto mused. "I wonder when he mastered Bankai."

"Kira isn't the new Captain." Hitsugaya corrected.

"He isn't?" Matsumoto slammed her hands on the table.

"Don't mess up my paperwork!" Hitsugaya snapped. "I don't know any of the details about this new Captain, either."

"I see..." Matsumoto noted. "I thought it was kinda of strange that Kira was made the Captain. So then, who's the new one?"

"We'll find out tomorrow." Hitsugaya continued working. "Now forget them, get to work!"

"Now I really want to know..." Matsumoto whined.

The next day...

"Yesterday, a patrol unit on long term deployment to the real world returned safely." Yamamoto started the meeting. "They managed to come back without a single casualty. This is truly a great accomplishment. As of now, the 3rd, 5th and 9th Squads are without Captains. We cannot leave the Gotei 13 in this condition. As such, Lady Tula, myself, and two of the Captains present here were called upon yesterday to observe the Captain's Qualification Examination. We found one man suitable for the job. And so, I will introduce you to the gentleman who will take the former 3rd Squad Captain Ichimaru Gin's position. The new 3rd Squad Captain of the Gotei 13, Amagai Shūsuke, may enter."

His Zanpakutō is a short sword. Komamura mused, watching Amagai walk pass.

He's got spirit. Kyoraku grinned.

"I'm Amagai." the newly appointed Captain addressed the gathered Captains. "I'll do the best job I can. I'm new to this position, but I look forward to working with everyone."

In 3rd Squad barracks...

Kira turned when he heard footsteps entering the compound.

"That's our new Captain?" Inose echoed, seeing Amagai and Kibune follow behind Tula.

"Then, I'll leave the two of you to be acquainted with the Squad, Captain Amagai, 3rd Seat Kibune." Tula backed off. "Lieutenant Kira," she addressed the blond. "I will entrust you to ease Captain Amagai's initiation to the Squad."

"Of course, Tula-sama." Kira nodded. "I'm the Lieutenant, Kira Izuru." he introduced himself.

"I'm Amagai Shūsuke." Amagai returned. "I am now the 3rd Squad's Captain. Pleased to meet you." he held out a hand. "And this is Kibune Makoto." he turned to his 3rd Seat. "He'll be joining the 3rd Squad today, just like me. He was part of my patrol unit and is pretty strong, so I decided to bring him along with me. I'd like him to be our 3rd Seat."

After the failed initiation party...

"Gotei 13, 3rd Squad, emergency!" Rin's voice came over the Hell Monarch Butterfly. "Emergency! Menos have appeared in the Dangai at Area 0035. They are currently passing through it and are heading directly to Soul Society. There are thirty of them."

"Attention!" Tula's voice sounded from the Hell Monarch Butterfly. "The 3rd Squad is hereby ordered exterminate all of the Menos who have infiltrated the Dangai. Complete your preparation with the utmost haste and mobilize immediately."

"Lieutenant, let's go." Kibune looked at Kira, the two ranking officers were gathered around the drunken Amagai. "We have no choice since it's a direct order from Tula-sama. I'll ask for the Kōryū to be shut down. You lead the Squad."

"Right." Kira made the decision. "We're going to ask to enter the Dangai and exterminate the Menos." he informed the Squad.

"Split into groups of four per enemy." Kira instructed, the Squad were now in front of the Senkaimon. "We're going up against Menos, so be careful. Charge!" he gave the order and the seated officers dashed into the Dangai.

"Here they come!" Inose warned.

"Platoons, move into position." Kira ordered. "Raise Your Head, Wabisuke!" he activated his Shikai and took down the nearest Menos. "Everyone, we're getting there." he encouraged. "Keep at it."

"What's that?" Inose turned when he heard a rumble.

"Kōryū..." Kira breathed as the walls starting melting.

"No way!" Aida exclaimed. "What's going on?"

Kira gritted his teeth as the Kōtotsu neared the Squad. "3rd Seat Kibune, what is going on?" he saw Kibune had Shunpo-ed in.

"I don't know." Kibune admitted. "I'm certain that the Kōtotsu were supposed to have been shut down."

"Retreat!" Kira gave the order.

"I'll bring up the rear." Kibune informed Inose, having saved him from a Cero from one of the Menos. "Hurry."

"It's too late." Inose exclaimed in horror. "We won't make it."

"Move!" Amagai barked, jumping over Kira and placing himself between the Kōtotsu and the Squad. Pulling out his tuning-fork Bakkōtō, he destroyed the Kōtotsu with a single blast of green energy. "Kibune, are you absolutely certain you asked for the Kōryū to be shut down?"

"I am." Kibune confirmed.

"I don't think the Research Institute would make such a grave error." Amagai mused. "Something's fishy about this."

Omake: Arrancar Encyclopedia

Ichimaru: Today, we're talking about Kurosaki Ichigo's 'Hollowification' process. Kurosaki Ichigo's Reiatsu radiates evil like the Espada when he turns into a Hollow cos...

Ichigo: Why the hell am I on this segment?

Ichimaru: (Pulls out Ichigo's Hollow mask) Cos, you're more like an Arrancar than a Shinigami, ain't cha?

Ichigo (Twitches) Am not!

Ichimaru: Anyway, I heard the 3rd Squad got a new Captain?

Ichigo: Yeah, I think so.

Ichimaru: (Amagai comes on screen) Ah, him? That's gonna be rough on you all.

Ichigo: (Surprised) You know him?

Ichimaru: (Shrugs) Course not. Good luck, Izuru.

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Kira and Kibune investigate an old execution ground with Squad member Shinta Seko. The three fall into the execution pit, which is filled with caged Hollows. Kira and Kibune easily defeat the Hollows, but one of the Hollows manages to absorb Shinta. When Kibune attempts to kill the Hollow with Shinta, Kira stops his attack, and Kibune state that Shinta's lack of skill as the reason he should die. Amagai arrives and reveals that he created the entire affair. Now that's done, read and review.