At the same time Hiyori and Karin are about to go on their walk, Rin Tsubokura at the SRDI Central Surveillance Office rubs his eyes and looks at the monitor again to make sure he wasn't reading the numbers incorrectly again. Even though it turned out he was, he still could not believe the results from the most recent spectral analysis of the Living World.

"Why are you gaping at the screen like that, Rin?" Hiyosu - a fat, blue skinned fishlike character most Shinigami recall having seen around during one or two pivotal moments, but find great difficulty in remembering the name of - yells at him from across the room, "You're supposed to be keeping your eyes peeled for any abnormal readings."

"I think this one might count, sir."

The Department Head rolls his chair closer to see, looking over Rin's shoulder with a retractable left eye he controls by winding a lever attached to his left temple.

"My, this is interesting. Very, very interesting. A group of powerful spiritual bodies has appeared in Zone X." He rubs his hands together like a scheming mad scientist. "My, that Squad 14 is going to have their hands full with this one."

"Is it like the hollows from before?"

"It's difficult to tell. The signature is unlike anything I've ever seen before."

"Well, how can we be sure it's something bad?"

"Don't ask stupid questions!" Hiyosu snaps as he reels his eyeball back into place. "Anything that is neither a human, a soul, or shinigami poses a threat to the reincarnation cycle." They have had this conversation several times before in the past, and yet...

Rin is about to say something in retort, but is distracted by a figure dressed in white robes standing at the center of the dimly lit room.

"Captain Kurotsuchi?" He asks, craning his eyes to see by the dim light of the dual rows of computer monitors. "How long have you been standing there?"

In actuality, Nemu Kurotsuchi had been watching them undetected for quite some time; only allowing herself to be seen when she felt compelled to join their conversation.

"Hiyosu, your assessment is false." She says matter-of-factly, with a flat, unwavering vocal tone. "There exist valid exceptions to your argument."

"What makes you say that, Captain? If you can name one other kind of spiritual being that has ever benefitted the Sereitei-"

"The substitute shinigami known as Ichigo Kurosaki, the quincy known as Uryu Ishida, the demi-hollow Yasutora Sado" She says in a list, then looks directly at Rin when she adds, "Artificial souls."

Rin smiles, something he was doing more and more of since one of the more infamous squads in the Sereitei underwent some much needed spring cleaning. Needless to say, the new Captain's subtle gestures of kindness were a vast improvement over the constant threat of long-range detonation mines being installed into your body while you sleep.

Hiyosu scratches his chin thinking of a counter-argument, but you'd be pretty stubborn to take on Nemu Kurotsuchi in a battle of facts. "Fine, I'll admit there are exceptions." He finally admits, and it should be noted that even a fish freak like him was capable of feeling awkward, after having not only just been trounced by his superior officer, but for accidentally dissing her and the coworker sitting next to him.

"Still, based on past research results, odd spiritual patterns indicate on a seventy to eighty percentile scale that a malevolent presence is at work."

"Yes. It could even be that the hollows may now be mutating to an extent that we can no longer identify them based on the signature of their Reiatsu." Nemu says in her typical robotic monotone, "I will arrange for scouts to attempt a visual analysis. In the meantime, maintain vigilance of the subject."

"We should warn the Squad 14 Captain just in case, right?" Rin suggests, at which Nemu nods in agreement, saying, "As protocol demands," then turns to leave with a swish of her robes.

"You know, Rin, the old Captain's robes look kind of big on her." Hiyosu comments, looking over his shoulder to be sure she was not still in the room.

"Is it? I think it suits her just fine." He says, blushing slightly.