Chapter 12

"Your report, Captain Muguruma," Yamamoto said.

It had been several days since the investigation first started. Every captain and lieutenant was present at the meeting.

"We found ten shikakushos in the bushes in the area we were investigating," Kensei said.

"They could've just taken their uniforms off though," Love said.

"No, there's no way those uniforms can be taken off with the sash perfectly in place," Kensei said. "Not to mention, we found sandals that still had the socks in them."

"Are you saying the soul reapers just disappeared into thin air?" Yoruichi asked.

"That's what it seems like," Kensei said.

"This is concerning. There is something out there that is causing soul reapers to somehow disappear, only leaving their shikakusho behind as evidence they even existed in the first place," Shinji said.

"There is a dangerous enemy out there. I had my squad set up camp at that location. If the enemy is targeting soul reapers, they'll eventually come after the Seireitei. I intend to catch them and kill them before that happens," Kensei said.

"Captain Urahara, you or a member of your squad shall go help investigate this matter," Yamamoto said.

Kisuke nodded and glanced at Hiyori.

"Hiyori? Can you do that?" he asked.

"Yeah," Hiyori said. "Just get me the equipment and I'll go."

"Good," Kisuke said. "You'll leave tonight then."

"Captain Muguruma, I believe you can handle it from here?" Yamamoto asked.

"Yes sir," Kensei said.

"Good. Dismissed."


It was late at night when the alarm sounded.

"Emergency assembly! All squad captains, please report to the squad 1 barracks immediately!"

Kisuke woke up, rubbing his eyes.

"There is an emergency concerning squad 9! The spiritual pressures of Captain Kensei Muguruma and his lieutenant have gone missing! A meeting with all captains will soon commence!"

Kisuke narrowed his eyes at the announcement before jumping up. He raced down the hall and slammed the doors open to the lab. The squad members within looked up in surprise.

"Where's Hiyori?!" Kisuke demanded.

"She left a while ago, sir," one squad member said shyly.

Kisuke gritted his teeth before turning on his heel and rushing away.

"Captain Urahara?!"

"Emergency assembly! All squad captains, report to the squad 1 barracks immediately!"

Kisuke gritted his teeth before rushing out of the barracks, flash stepping as fast as he could to the squad 1 barracks. Within minutes, he entered the meeting room just behind everyone else, hastily joining the line-up.

"We have a situation. We received a rather disturbing report from squad 9. They stated the spiritual pressure of both their captain and lieutenant have vanished completely. It is still unknown how this happened. At this point, we must view this as a worst-case scenario. Until yesterday, we were classifying similar cases in the Rukon District as unusual occurrences. But now, this has escalated into a personal upfront to the Gotei 13 and must be resolved." Yamamoto spoke.

He hit his disguised zanpakuto against the floor, creating a loud booming noise that echoed throughout the room.

"Since this is such a dire situation, I will select five of you. You five will be dispatched to the scene."

Kisuke stepped forward quickly.

"Please head captain, let me go!" he exclaimed.

"No."

"I have to go! My lieutenant is heading there as we speak!" Kisuke protested.

"Kisuke, shut up! Control yourself!" Yoruichi exclaimed. "Remember, you're the one who sent her there in the first place. By you pleading to go, it is an insult to her abilities as a member of squad 12 and as a lieutenant."

Kisuke clenched his fists.

"Come on, get back in line, Kisuke," Kyoraku said. "The head captain is the one who will choose who goes out there."

Kisuke reluctantly lined back up.

"Now, for my choices," Yamamoto said. "Captain Otoribashi, Captain Hirako, and Captain Aikawa. You three will head to the site in the Rukon District as soon as possible. Captain Shihoin, you will stay here and await further orders. Captain Ukitake, Captain Kyoraku, and Captain Kuchiki; you will guard the Seireitei. Captain Unohana, you will await in the medical treatment room for any potential casualties."

"Head Captain, if I may speak," Unohana said. "If your main concern is treatment of the wounded, shouldn't I be dispatched with the others to the Rukon District?"

"As long as this situation remains unclear, I will not put you, the head of medical treatment, at such risk," Yamamoto said. "I have others in mind to send instead. Enter!"

The doors opened and two people came in.

"Tessai Tsukabishi?" Ukitake asked. "Commander of the Kido Corps? And his lieutenant, Hachi Ushoda. They haven't come out in ages."

"Looks like he's pulling out all he's got on this one," Kyoraku muttered.

"I assume you heard what I said. I expect the two of you to head to the scene immediately." Yamamoto said.

"Will do," Tessai said.

"Understood, sir," Hachi said.

Kyoraku studied the two for a long moment before turning back to Yamamoto.

"Hey, old man Yama, sending both the commander and lieutenant of the Kido Corps without knowing the situation isn't too smart," he said. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"What would you suggest then?" Yamamoto asked.

Kyoraku turned his head slightly towards the window behind him.

"My lieutenant could go in place of one of those guys." he said. "Hey! Lisa!"

The squad 8 lieutenant popped up into the window.

"What do you want?" she demanded.

"She was there the whole time?" Ukitake sweat dropped.

"Lisa, didn't I tell you not to eavesdrop on a captain's meeting?" Kyoraku stated.

"I couldn't help myself. It's human nature to want to hear something you're told you're not supposed to hear," Lisa said.

"Then you heard every word?"

Lisa nodded.

"Yeah, I heard," she said.

"Will you do it?"

"Of course I will," Lisa replied.

"Good. You handle it," Kyoraku said.

Lisa nodded once in confirmation before rushing away.

"You want to send her on a mission like this?" Yamamoto asked.

"How many chances will she get to go on such a mission like this one? I'm like a parent who wants his child to learn something. And you know, experience is the best teacher," Kyoraku replied.

"I hope you're doing the right thing," Ukitake said.

"She might not look like it, but Lisa is strong. She's capable of protecting herself, so let her do it. Is that all right, Kido Commander?" Kyoraku looked at Tessai.

"That sounds perfectly fine. If that's what you truly want to do, then I will honor your request and sit this one out," Tessai said.

Tessai glanced at Kisuke for a brief moment. After being rejected by the head captain, the squad 12 captain seemed dead to the world, his gaze blank. Tessai turned around and walked away. Yamamoto hit the ground again.

"Very well then; Captain Otoribashi, Captain Hirako, Captain Aikawa, Lieutenant Ushoda, and Lieutenant Yadomaru, I hereby assign the five of you to form the investigational unit in charge of the vanishing souls case." Yamamoto said.

The four of them nodded before flash stepping away. Lisa had already gone ahead.

"The rest of you are dismissed."

The remaining captains bowed their heads before walking towards the exit. Kisuke didn't move a muscle. He didn't even move when Kyoraku planted a hand on his shoulder.

"She'll be fine," the squad 8 captain said. "Your lieutenant is strong...though she's not as strong as Lisa. Don't drown yourself in worry, Kisuke; it's the captain's job to have faith in their subordinates."

Kisuke didn't say anything in reply.