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: Simply breakdown: Thanatos base and agents will be introduced in this chapter, along with the head honcho behind it all. Also, I'll reveal a captain-to-be before it ends.

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Normally, you would see gym equipment, groundskeeper tools and the occasional dead rat when you look inside the school shed. However, this was entirely different. When Rita opened the door to Ichigo and his friends, they got a glance at just how advanced the Thanatos Initiative has gotten. A long, metallic hallway, lined with various computer screens on both sides, stood in front of them. Ichigo and his friends just stood in shock and awe.

Ichigo said, "What…how-"

"Spatial doorway. Tends to be random sometimes. Try imagining opening a drawer and find this in place of socks," said Dario, trying to make a joke. He then took the first step in, followed by Rita.

Turning her head, Rita said, "Well, coming?" Snapping back to their senses, Ichigo and his friends followed Rita, with Chad being the last to enter. Before entering, he looked around to see if anyone was watching. Once he finished, he closed the shed door right behind him

-----Thanatos HQ, Location: Unknown-----

Ichigo and his friends looked at the computer screens as they followed Dario and Vidal down the hallway. They saw several different images on screen, including: somebody suiting up in an army uniform similar to something out of Gears of War, multiple soldiers training with firearms, a group of soldiers taking down a group of hollows, a "slick" version of a black tank firing at a Gillian Menos Hollow, and a few soldiers out of uniform and just socializing. "Jeez," Ichigo said out loud, "Just how many of these guys are around?"

Dario answered with, "I think well over ten thousand. Each one handpicked for this kind of operation." When they reached the end of the hallway, Dario turned to the group and said, "You'd be surprised just how many are qualified for this kind of work." Near the side of the end of the hallway, Rita placed a hand on a scanner on the wall. After having ti scanned, a computer voice rang out with:

"SPIRITUAL AGENT: RITA CALADO CONFIRMED. ACCESS GRANTED."

A metal door opened in front of them, prompting the group to enter inside and gaze in wonder. A massive room, filled with other Thanatos agents walking about, socializing or doing work on their own. In the far back of the room is a set of pillars, which actually housed elevators. In an announcer form, Dario said, "This…is the main floor of the Thanatos HQ. Generally used for relaxation between missions and the like."

Estatic, Orihime said, "Wow, this is incredible."

Surprised, Uryu asked, "You're saying, everyone here-"

"-is a low-ranking Thanatos agent, unlike Dairo and I." Rita then motions the group to continue following her and Dario. Reaching the middle pillar, the doors slid open to reveal an empty elevator. Everyone boarded the elevator, with Rita selecting a button already. Soon, the doors closed and the elevator started to go up.

"Uh," Orihime asked, "Where are we going?"

"First floor. We'll be going up until we meet the commander."

"Who's that?"

"You'll see." The elevator stopped, with the doors opening. The first floor looked like something out of a fancy hotel, with red carpets, beige wallpaper, and even some candlelights near a few red doors. Rita continued with, "This first floor houses our computer staff, as well as the 13 Spiritual Agents, like Dario and I."

"I'm surprised," Uryu said, "You're not in an angry mood at all."

Rita, taking the comment the wrong way, said, "Wait, are you saying I'm always in an angry mood?"

Nervous, Uryu said, "No…I mean not really…its just-"

"Don't let her get to you," Dario explained, "He tends to be a bit emotional sometimes, but I'm usual the one causing her the most grief." The elevator doors closed once more, and then went back up once more.

"How many floors are there?" asked Rukia.

"Three floors up and three floors down." answered Dario.

"…and the next floor?" asked Ichigo.

"The medical floor. If we're lucky, we might be able to see her at a free moment." Soon the elevators stopped and the doors opened once more. This time, an advance medical center appeared, complete with operating tables and advanced machinery. Out of all of Ichigo's friends who looked on, Uryu stood the most surprised.

"Incredible," Uryu said, "My father's hospital equipment is nothing like this."

"The Thanatos HQ houses one of the most advanced medical centers in the world. Considering what we're fighting, we cannot afford anything but the best!" explained Dario.

"So, who runs it?" asked Uryu.

"Hello," said a quiet, serene voice. All heads turned to the voice, revealing a female just into her 20s and standing a little under 6ft tall. She possessed a clean, calming face, complete with hazel eyes and a small smile. Her white skin, along with her long brown hair, made her quite attractive. She's wearing clear-framed glasses, along with a modified doctor's uniform, much sleeker compared to a standard one. She then said, "I'm sorry, you must be new here."

Taking advantage of the moment, Dario said, "Everyone, this is Sofia Bianco. She's our head doctor of the Thanatos Initiative and ranked 7th among the Spiritual Agents."

Grinning, Ichigo looked at Rita and said, "So she's your boss?"

"Don't push it, Ichigo," said a peeved Rita.

"I'm sorry," said Sofia, "I didn't want to cause any trouble."

"It's alright, Sofia," said Dairo. "You don't always have to take the blame. That's what us bigshots are for."

"What is he, her father?" whispered Ichigo to Chad.

"No," Chad replied, "Her friend."

"Oh, thank you," replied a calmer Sofia. "I should get back to work now." She then turned around and walked over to one of the surgery tables. Soon, the elevator doors closed once more and the elevator went up.

"A little on the sensitive side," stated Uryu.

"She's always like that. Just wants to make people proud of her," said Rita.

"Heads up, everyone. We're entering the brain behind this operation," stated Dairo. Sure enough, when the doors reopened, a grand sight was beheld. Several small computer screens surrounded a large room, with the circular platform in the middle. A level below the circle is several Thanatos agents, working on their own computers simultaneously. The platform itself had a large table, with the same hand holding a lightning bolt symbol in the middle. Around the table were 13 metal chairs, each for one Spiritual Agent. A floor above is a thin walkway around the platform, with the largest computer screen right across from the elevator. Everyone soon stepped off the elevator and went down some stairs to the table.

"Incredible," said Uryu.

"This is the brain behind the Thanatos Initiative," said Dario. "The mind, however…" he said as he pointed to a figure up in front of the large computer screen. The figure had their back turned, but looked mid-20s. Combed black hair and a black business suit attire made him look very official. Turning around, the white male showed his green eyes and goatee to his subordinates and guests.

Smiling, the man spoke in a casual tone with, "Name's Scott Sanders. Ranked 1st of the Spiritual Agents and 4th Generation Leader of the Thanatos Initiative."

-----Seireitei, 1st Division HQ-----

Inside the grand hall of the 1st Division, Captain Commander Yamamoto, along with Captains Kyoraku, Unohana and Ukitake, are waiting for the arrival of a certain someone.

"So…the last one, correct?" asked Yamamoto.

"We preferred to stick with just 3 for now, Commander," said Jushiro.

"Very well. Enter." Soon a figure started to approach the Captains, then knelt down on one knee when they were only a few feet in front of them. "You have been selected to become a Captain. But first, you must pass a dangerous test to perform Bankai. If you pass that test, you shall achieve the Title of Captain for your specified division. Will you accept?"

"Yes, Commander Yamamoto."

"Then rise and head to the designated training area…Shuhei Hisagi."