Bleach: Three Paths

by Getsuga Goon

What if Rukia arrived too late at the start of Bleach? You'd be surprised. The fates of the Kurosakis would be forever changed by this one event. Takes inspiration from the Bleach Fanfiction named "White" by Melkor's Mercy. [Cross-posted on Ao3.] Cover image by Chris-Jin on DeviantArt.

61. Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Turn Back the Pendulum

Szayel's Lab, Las Noches

The pink-haired Arrancar, recently promoted to the Head of Hueco Mundo's Research and Development, frowns slightly as he enters the darkness of his lab, noticing someone else is already inside. Standing in front of a massive cylindrical vessel, filled with a glowing fluid, is the form of Kaname Tosen.

The blind man perks up and looks to the side, regarding the Arrancar, "Ashido Kano is asking questions about Kenpachi Azashiro."

The scientist rolls his eyes before walking over to his desk, above which multiple monitors are posted, "I already knew this, and I think you know that, Tosen. Now, why are you here?"

Tosen is quiet as he shifts his face toward the glass vessel again, regarding it intently with distant eyes despite not being able to see it. Szayel raises a brow at this before shrugging as he regards small test tubes on the desk, all holding various substances as well.

The former captain, meanwhile, places a hand on the glass vessel as he becomes thoughtful considering his past. An artificial, horned Hollow comes to mind, completely encased in black armor while possessing a white mask and skin beneath the armor.

Tosen hums, earning the scientist's attention, "The original 'White' was a being of purity… it was for that reason that I named it that. It wore black armor which hid its pure, white form within. It killed many, yet it did not understand the meaning of taking a life. It couldn't, since we did not teach it morality."

Szayel perks up slightly, an interested look on his face as the Shinigami continues, "Lord Aizen thought the notion that the black armor that 'White' possessed absolved and protected it from the reality of its actions was amusing. It didn't know any better and acted almost entirely on instinct. It was a naïve child, yet its purity was something truly beautiful, not unlike the Arrancar children within the palace…"

The Shinigami's hand falls from the glass as he explains, "After Ichigo Kurosaki's mother killed it, it managed to fuse with her… their souls were one and the same. It wasn't surprising to discover that once her son became a Hollow, he would take on its name and likeness. It is likely that the same thing would've happened with his sisters given the scraps of data Roka Paramia managed to collect from Aaroniero Arruruerie shortly before he was slain. Despite looking similar, Ichigo Kurosaki's armor possesses a distinct difference to the original White's…"

The pink-haired Arrancar frowns as the other man reveals, "His armor is white, not black…"

Tosen furrows his brows, finding this fact troublesome, "The child is no longer ignorant to the world… he understands what he does, yet kills anyway. His reasons for doing so are just, though… whether it was to unite Hueco Mundo or out of hatred for the Shinigami for what they did to his sister… Now, only the justifications for his actions remain to absolve the child from the reality of them."

Szayel smirks as he looks at the other man, "Or it could simply be that he is a Hollow! Killing and devouring other beings is a reality we Hollows are all forced to face the moment we are born, whether we like it or not! It's not as profound as you think it is, Tosen."

The former captain's frowning lips twitch as the scientist points to the exit, "Now if you'll please leave. Lord Aizen has given me important projects to work on…"

Tosen nods before leaving the room, muttering, "I don't know why I even bothered with you…"

Szayel shrugs as the Shinigami is now walking down the hall, out of earshot, "I don't, either. You should know by now this type of discussion bores me…"

After a moment, however, the scientist frowns as he instinctually lingers on the topic of Ichigo anyway, "The King is very… confusing… why does he bother pulling himself down with such unnecessary feelings of self-hatred…? It doesn't do anyone any good…"

The Arrancar considers this for a moment longer before shrugging carelessly and continuing to analyze the test tubes, "But then again, I've not felt this so-called feeling of 'guilt' once in my life, so perhaps that's all it is…"

Infirmary, Squad 4 Barracks

Toshiro, Rangiku, Renji, and Rikichi wait in the hallway outside of the infirmary in the Squad 4 Barracks, all frowning as they see the Shinigami within working tirelessly to heal the wounded and dying.

The white-haired boy narrows his eyes, "It doesn't look good…"

Inside the infirmary, Rukia assists the crying form of Momo as they both use green healing Kaidō to mend the charred and unconscious body of Shuhei lying on the operating table before them. The black-haired former vice-captain flinches and her sobs increase in intensity as she looks over at Izuru's disembodied form on the other table across the room.

Hanataro, who decided to return to Squad 4 briefly in order to assist in healing the wounded, works tirelessly alongside a black-haired man wearing a lab coat and Captain Unohana herself. The man with black hair, the 3rd seat of Squad 12 named Akon, uniquely has three small horns protruding from his forehead as he begins to reconstruct the dying blonde's right chest and arm using metallic parts. As he does this, Unohana and Hanataro continuously apply Kaidō to keep the man alive.

The veteran captain narrows her eyes as she notes, "He was lucky… Arturo Plateado only struck him with a Cero blast. If he had used his flames as he did with Tessai Tsukabishi, he would have died immediately…"

Back at the operating table, the raven-haired girl notes the other Shinigami's gaze, prompting her to gently touch her hand, still glowing with green light. Momo perks up slightly as her tearful gaze now meets Rukia, who gives her a nod while wearing a slightly hopeful smile despite the situation.

This prompts the former vice-captain to steel her gaze somewhat as she wipes her eyes and looks down intently at the scarred man's form, the green light of her healing spell intensifying, "No matter what happens, I promise that I will at least save you, Shuhei!"

Further in the infirmary, Kirinji directs Isane and many of the other Shinigami present to place the bloodied forms of the other wounded and unconscious Shinigami, including Kensei and Mashiro, into a large tub, filled to the brim with steaming water.

The royal guard grunts as he feels his still ruined hairdo, "I'm glad I decided to bring the portable hot spring container down with me from my palace… Manako Oshō was right, Arturo Plateado is not someone to take lightly…"

He then glances at the slim corpse of Hikifune in the corner of the room, currently being carried over by a couple of other Shinigami before being placed in the water as well.

This makes him narrow his eyes thoughtfully, "Once Nimaiya gets here, I'm tagging out… Hikifune needs to see Manako Oshō as soon as possible…"

Meanwhile, Squad 8 Barracks

The Squad 8 Barracks is oddly mostly untouched by the devastation, given that the only fight that took place near or inside of it was Kyoraku's stalemate with Tsukishima. Yamamoto and Kyoraku stand silently in the courtyard with Sasakibe and Nanao standing behind them. Like the Head Captain, the Squad 1 vice-captain certainly looks weathered, however, he appears to have been mostly healed from Gin Ichimaru's earlier savage onslaught, including his hand.

Standing in the grass a distance in front of the pair of captains and vice-captains are the frowning forms of Shinji, Hiyori, Love, Rose, Lisa, and Hachi, with a look of sorrow in their gazes as well. Next to the group of Visoreds are the similarly glaring forms of Isshin and Karin, accompanied by the much less aggressive Nozomi.

Urahara, standing with Yoruichi under a tree, frowns as he can almost see the tension between the two groups, "I don't look forward to moderating this…"

Kyoraku suddenly perks up before looking over at the bespectacled form of Lisa, shifting to a comical kissy face as he does, "Is that you, Lisa? My… you're even more beautiful than I remember!"

His comment makes the woman's brow twitch before a blush occupies her face as she scowls, "Keep your creepy comments to yourself, you perverted old man!"

The captain acts offended as he dramatically holds his chest as if struck. However, he maintains a slight smile as, despite her words, it is clear that she appreciates the sentiment, at least to some extent.

Shinji suddenly cuts in, whispering to the bespectacled woman still wearing her sailor-girl uniform, "That's rich, coming from you, Ms. Porno Magazine…"

She snaps at the man, clarifying, "That's different! I'm just naturally curious what other women do for a living!"

Love sweat drops as he rubs the back of his head, muttering, "Well when they come in about as often as my Jump Magazines, I wouldn't exactly call it natural curiosity…"

Nanao, meanwhile, looks down with a certain level of guilt as she can't bear looking at the older bespectacled woman. Lisa notices this, making her become somber and prompting the rest of the Visoreds to do the same.

After a moment, Shinji glances at the shopkeeper, stating slowly, "So… that Hollow really did kill Tessai, didn't it…"

Urahara purses his lips and nods as he doesn't dare turn around. In the grass behind him covered by a black tarp is a motionless corpse that was once known as Tessai Tsukabishi. The Visoreds all wear devastated, mournful expressions. The one who appears the most devastated of all is Hachi, who respected the man above all others.

Yoruichi grits her teeth as she now glares at Yamamoto, hissing so intensely that it is almost like she is in her cat form, "Anyway, Kyoraku, why is he here?"

The Squad 8 captain flinches slightly as venom laces her words, making him frown and answer objectively, "The Head Captain needs to hear this."

The dark-skinned cat woman huffs as she reminds him with a feral look in her golden eyes, "In that case, make sure to keep that powerless old man close to you… otherwise, my hand might slip and end him, just like he did to her…"

Nobody needs to ask who Yoruichi is referring to, the complete hate and contempt in her tone make it clear just how much Yuzu meant to her, despite knowing the girl for what feels like a small speck of her lifetime. Of course, her comment makes Isshin and Karin look at the Head Captain with hostility as well, naturally sharing the sentiment.

Kyoraku frowns as Yamamoto looks down ever so slightly, perhaps on some level regretful of his actions given everything bad that has happened to the Soul Society due to the decision to kill Yuzu. Specifically damning were the orders to execute her with the Sōkyoku, which was made as a result of the nobility's arrogance, leading to the most powerful and shamelessly violent Hollow in existence walking free.

Urahara places a hand on Yoruichi's shoulder, making her cross her arms and huff, calming down ever so slightly. The shopkeeper sighs as he glances over the group again, considering his wording.

Before he can speak, however, a young feminine voice calls out, "Have you room for a couple more, Kisuke Urahara?"

The shopkeeper and the others look to regard the owner of the voice, Karin widening her eyes in recognition, "That's…"

Standing at the edge of the courtyard is the form of Katsumi, flanked by Tokinada and a few bodyguards.

Kyoraku narrows his eye at the sight of the sadistic nobleman while the Shiba girl states in shock, "P-Princess…?"

The white-haired noble smiles slightly as she glances at the girl, "Hello, Karin. You look like you're doing… better."

Isshin slightly raises a brow at the noble girl's careful choice of words while his daughter nods slightly, her gaze becoming distant again, "Yeah… you could say that…"

After looking at Karin for a moment longer, the Tsunayashiro Head looks at Urahara, asserting, "I believe that the nobility ought to hear your side of the story, Kisuke Urahara. Further, I wish to assist in the situation with Sosuke Aizen and the Hollow White in any way I am able."

The shopkeeper gives her a nod before starting, "Now, where to begin…?"

Roughly 110 Years Ago, Squad 5 Barracks

A bespectacled male Shinigami with brown hair walks through the halls of the Squad 5 Barracks with a clear destination in mind. He wears a badge around his left arm, marking him as the vice-captain. As he walks through the halls, he is greeted by the many friendly, smiling faces of his squamates.

"Good morning.", the man greets back with a gentle voice.

Eventually, the man stops in front of a set of doors next to the grassy courtyard of the barracks.

He waits a moment before asking, "Are you ready, Captain?"

A voice responds on the other side of the door, "Yes. Come in."

The brown-haired Shinigami promptly opens the sliding door and enters the room, finding his captain, a man with long blonde hair standing on the other side of the room in front of a mirror. There is a shelf under the mirror with some of his belongings on it as well as a desk and other shelves in the corner of the room, holding a variety of documents.

The long-haired blonde, a younger version of Shinji Hirako, shifts his head to look at his vice-captain, remarking casually, "Hey… you aren't dressed up."

The brown-haired man, the younger form of Sosuke Aizen, smiles as Shinji continues in mild annoyance, "It's a festival. I told you to look dazzling, Sosuke."

Aizen maintains his smile, responding, "What about you, Captain?"

Shinji shrugs, "It's okay 'cause I'm a captain."

The bespectacled man raises his hand as he casually explains, "You won't make me look like the only fool. First of all, it's not a festival today. It's a ceremony."

The blonde cuts in, "It's a celebration, so it's like a festival."

Aizen responds, putting an end to their brief banter, "No, it isn't, sir…"

The brown-haired Shinigami is quiet for a moment before perking up and noting the music playing in the corner of the room, "By the way, what's that noise?"

Shinji grunts, briefly explaining, "Jazz. It's something from the world of the living. Good, isn't it?"

Aizen raises a brow, confused, "I'm not sure I understand…"

This makes the blonde man roll his eyes, "Then why do you ask…?"

Later, Squad 1 Barracks

"Hello?! It's Squad 5 Captain Shinji Hirako! Will somebody please open the door?", Shinji asks as he and Aizen stand in front of the large gate leading into the barracks.

The blonde sighs, "Squad 1's Barracks are huge… it makes me nervous. That's why I don't like coming here."

The bespectacled man behind him smiles, "You don't look nervous. Please don't whine because you think the ceremony's a pain."

Shinji frowns as he glares at the man behind him, "Shut up. Anyway, how can you see my face from there?"

Aizen ignores the question as the massive doors start to open, "It's open, sir. After you…"

As soon as the blonde turns to enter, a foot wearing a white sock is slammed into his face, sending him bouncing across the street behind him.

Landing on the ground is the visibly younger, tiny form of Hiyori, wearing a 12th division badge on her left arm to mark her as vice-captain, "Hey, stupid Shinji! Your face is flat and easy to step on as usual!"

Shinji, holding his bleeding nose, growls at the girl as he gets up, "Hiyori, you little…"

"What?! I'm not gonna apologize!", the girl snaps.

Her sudden response makes the captain shout back, "I HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING!"

The small blonde girl is suddenly struck in the head, causing her to wince in pain as a deep voice commands, "Say you're sorry!"

Hiyori has tears in her eyes as she holds her head and looks up at the much taller form of a man with a black afro wearing a white Haori and sunglasses, "What the hell, Love?! You think you can go around hitting other squad's vice-captains like that?!"

Love, currently the captain of Squad 7, places a hand on the girl's head as he responds, "Your captain's not around, so somebody's got to keep you in line…"

The blonde, twin-tailed girl barks at him as he holds her still, "I'm not a little kid! And why should I apologize to him?! LOOK AT WHAT HE'S DOING! I CAN'T STAND HIM!"

Behind them, Shinji is making dumb faces at the girl in order to taunt and mock her, leaving the afro-haired man to sigh, "Alright, alright…"

Aizen, meanwhile, frowns slightly and sweat drops, "Please, Captain… don't make that face in front of others…"

A Few Minutes Later

Shinji and the two vice-captains follow Love through the halls of the barracks, the blonde asking casually, "Is everybody here…?"

"Almost.", the Squad 7 captain responds as they continue walking.

The blonde man looks around, his hands in the pockets of his Gi, before asking, "Where's 'Kenpachi' at?"

Love shrugs as he walks further down the hallway, "He skipped out. As usual, he won't do as he's told."

Shifting to an annoyed expression, Shinji rubs the back of his head, "What a brat, even if he is the 10th Kenpachi… why'd they ever make a big pig like him captain anyway?"

The afro-haired bespectacled man frowns, "You know how it goes. He killed the 9th Kenpachi in a duel, so he took the title and captaincy. That's the tradition of Squad 11. It's the 9th Kenpachi's fault for losing to that guy…"

A masculine voice calls from the two captains' left, "So… speaking ill of others, eh? Not very admirable."

The two captains and vice-captains turn to regard the approaching form of Shunsui Kyoraku, flanked by a black-haired female Shinigami with the lower half of her uniform shortened into a skirt, as well as the visibly younger form of Jushiro Ukitake, wearing a ponytail.

Love grunts, "Say… you're early today, Shunsui."

The bearded floral-Haori-wearing Shinigami chuckles, "What do you mean? I'm always the first to arrive…"

The bespectacled woman next to him, the younger version of Lisa Yadomaru and currently the Squad 8 vice-captain, bluntly cuts in, "I slapped his butt and woke him up!"

Kyoraku frowns at being called out, muttering, "Don't say such things about your captain…"

Ukitake next to him looks around, noting, "I don't see Hikifune. Isn't she coming today?"

The Squad 8 captain sighs as he tilts his straw hat slightly, "No. I think she met up with the others already…"

The white-haired captain huffs in mild disappointment, "What's the hurry? It isn't an emergency… she could've taken her time…"

Kyoraku hums as he looks up slightly, "I agree…"

Shinji frowns as he looks up as well, now thoughtful, "There sure has been a high turnover of captains recently. Rose was promoted to Squad 3 captain just two years ago. Next, it's Squad 12's captain… are we going to be alright…?"

The floral captain smiles and assures the other man, "Now, now… there's a season for change in everything. Right now, it's our time. In fact, I think Ukitake, Old Man Yama, and I are the only ones who've been captains for more than a hundred years. Right?"

The man looks over to his white-haired friend for confirmation, who sighs with a frown, "Wrong. You forgot Captain Unohana."

This makes Kyoraku shudder in mild fear as he admits, "O-oh yeah!"

Ukitake continues frowning, his tone one of disbelief, "How could you forget her? I wouldn't let her find out you did."

The hatted captain shifts his stance as his tone is more somber now, "In any case, Squad 3's captain retired and Squad 12's was promoted. At least they didn't die like Squad 10's captain…"

A voice questions from behind him, "Promoted?"

Ukitake and Kyoraku turn around and look at Aizen now, making Shinji bark at him for interrupting, "Sosuke!"

The bespectacled man sweats somewhat nervously, "Oh… I'm sorry, I couldn't help overhearing."

Kyoraku smiles at the younger man, "No, it's alright, Sosuke. What is it?"

Aizen questions, "We vice-captains haven't been told yet… So, Captain Hikifune didn't retire, she was promoted?"

The floral captain nods, "That's right."

The bespectacled Shinigami looks confused as he continues, "Then she must've gone to the council of 46…? But I've never heard of a captain being promoted to the council before…"

Kyoraku smirks as he answers, "She didn't join the Central 46… she joined the royal guard: Squad 0."

Aizen's body seizes in shock for a moment before he starts to regain in bearings, completely in disbelief, "The royal… guard…"

Before the young Shinigami can linger on this thought too much, a harsh voice shouts at all of the Shinigami in the hallway, "HEY!"

Everyone turns and looks at the younger form of Kensei Muguruma, wearing the Squad 9 captain's Haori and having spikey white hair opposed to how it is styled in the present.

The man points at the door to the room behind him, "He's here. The new guy. The old man says to line up and wait…"

Captain Meeting Room, Squad 1 Barracks

After a while of waiting, the captains and vice-captains in the meeting room are greeted by the sight of a young blonde man, whose hair is disheveled, walking through the doors, wearing the Squad 12 captain's Haori.

The man, the younger form of Kisuke Urahara, widens his eyes before rubbing the back of his head, now wearing a smile as he sweats somewhat nervously, "Um… am I… the last one here?"

Shinji widens his eyes as he looks at the man, "What's this? Looks like we got ourselves a slacker."

Behind him, Aizen narrows his eyes slightly, noting, "So it seems…"

Meanwhile, Rose, standing next to the other blonde captain, sweat drops, "Look who's talking, Shinji."

The other Shinigami in the room look at Urahara with various levels of interest before the new captain starts with hesitation, "Um… can I… come in?"

"STOP!", a harsh feminine voice snaps at him.

This makes everyone look over at the younger short-purple-haired form of Yoruichi Shihoin, wearing the Squad 2 captain's Haori.

The woman continues with annoyance clear in her tone, "You're a captain, now! Enter with confidence, Kisuke!"

She huffs, leaving the blonde man to look at her with widened eyes, "Ok…"

Before he can enter the room himself, an old, rugged voice barks at him as a hand slaps him harshly on the back, making him stagger forward, "Now, get in there!"

The owner of the voice, Head Captain Yamamoto, enters the room after slapping the younger man, noting as he looks around, "Seems you're all here. Now, it is time to perform the induction ceremony."

After the living legend takes his seat at the end of the room, he regards the captains, "I'm sure you captains know that Captain Kirio Hikifune of Squad 12 was ordered 7 days ago to step down to accept a promotion. As you were informed, this resulted in a search for a new captain. The following day, on the recommendation of Squad 2's Captain Yoruichi Shihoin, we summoned the 3rd seat from her squad. Yesterday, I, Genryusai Yamamoto, witnessed along with other three captains, inspected his competency in the captain's exam, and concluded that his abilities and character were impeccable. Therefore, I hereby appoint Kisuke Urahara as the new captain of Squad 12!"

Later, Squad 12 Barracks

Urahara sweat drops and wears a nervous smile as he rubs the back of his head, regarding the crowd of Shinigami in front of him, "I guess I'm your new captain. It's my pleasure…"

The Shinigami remain quiet, not a single one responding to him. This results in a bit of a long awkward silence for the blonde man, which he decides to try to mitigate by turning to regard the tiny form of his new vice-captain.

"Nice to meet you—", he starts, only to have his hand slapped away by the blonde girl.

Hiyori barks, "I DON'T ACCEPT YOU! I still don't like Captain Hikifune being gone! Squad 2?! How can a guy who goes around killing people behind their backs be a captain?!"

One of the Shinigami from the crowd sweats nervously, "Vice-Captain!"

Another shouts urgently, "A-apologize to the new captain!"

The blonde freckled girl hisses as she points at the captain's smiling face, "WHY?! I'm only saying what everyone's thinking! You know you agree with me! You know you don't want to take orders from this clown who showed up outta nowhere!"

The Shinigami avert their gazes, refusing to admit to anything. Urahara, meanwhile, chuckles as he rubs the back of his head, which only serves to increase his vice-captain's anger.

Hiyori suddenly grabs the blonde man by his collar and barks, "DON'T GIVE ME THAT! I'm bad-mouthing your old squad! Why aren't you mad?! Doesn't that bother you?!"

Urahara maintains his smile as he answers casually, "No, not really. Because I'm the captain of Squad 12 now."

The girl's brow twitches as the man continues, "I made up my mind this morning that when I got out of bed, I'd be part of Squad 12. From now on, I'd get mad at anyone who badmouths this squad. Adjusting what does or doesn't make you mad… I think that's what they call a change in attitude…"

The man maintains a smile as looks down at his vice-captain, "…right?"

The tiny blonde girl suddenly kicks the man between the legs, right in the family jewels, making the spectating Shinigami gawk.

She runs off, through the exit leading to the courtyard, briefly pausing to snap at her captain, "YOU'RE A DUMBASS!"

Urahara frowns as he watches the girl leave the room.

Outside, after running out of earshot, Hiyori clutches her leg and whines, "Ow… what's he wearing under his robe…?"

Night, Squad 12 Barracks

Urahara sits out on the wooden balcony and stares up at the moon in dejection.

A voice suddenly calls from beneath him, making him perk up slightly, "Seems you're having a few problems."

Urahara looks down at the smirking form of Shinji below, making him widen his eyes, "Captain Hirako…"

The long-haired blonde grunts as he approaches, "Call me Shinji. We're both captains now."

After a moment, the two men both look up at the moon in the night sky above as Shinji starts, "So how's Hiyori? She's a handful, eh?"

The other captain responds immediately, "No."

The Squad 5 captain sighs, "She loved Captain Hikifune like a mother. It must be hard for you to fit in."

Urahara smiles weakly, "That's exactly how it is… I want to get to know them, but I won't be the same as their old captain…"

Shinji frowns as he glances at the man, "Do you mean that? I don't want to sound like a know-it-all but take some advice from a guy who's been a captain longer than you. When you're above others, you can sympathize with underlings, but you should never ingratiate yourself. Be yourself. And if no one will follow you, that just means you weren't cut out for the job. Besides…"

The Squad 5 captain smirks now as he begins to walk away, "You don't look like you'd be very good at ingratiating yourself."

Urahara frowns as he watches the man call out as he walks off, "Don't let them get to you. You remind me a little of myself, so I got a bit nosy… See you…"

As Shinji continues to walk away, his hands in his pockets, he frowns and questions seemingly no one, "How long are you gonna stand there… Sosuke?"

He drags his right hand through the air before revealing a wide-eyed Aizen hiding within the very matter itself, presumably listening in on the entire conversation.

Aizen glances at Shinji in disbelief, "Impressive… How long have you known?"

The blonde grunts, "Since you were in your mother's womb… let's go."

The bespectacled man nods before he walks off with his captain, "Yes, sir."

As the duo walk off with each other, Aizen asserts, "You're a scary person, Captain."

Shinji snorts in reply, "Look who's talking…"

Urahara smiles slightly as he watches the pair walk off, musing, "Yoruichi was right… being a captain… seems like fun…"

Morning, Squad 12 Barracks

Hiyori gawks at the sight of multiple massive tanks of fluid, as well as a pipe system and monitors, now installed within the captain's office, "W-WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"

Standing in the middle of the room and holding a hammer is Kisuke Urahara, who turns around and smiles at the girl, "Ah. Good morning, Ms. Hiyori."

The angry blonde girl, now with frustrated tears in her eyes, leaps and grabs the man's collar before screaming, "DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?! THIS IS OUR BARRACKS! YOU CAN'T REMODEL IT!"

Urahara blinks, casually responding, "It's ok. It's my room. Anyway, I wasn't remodeling it. I was just redecorating."

Hiyori barks again, "REDECORATING, MY ASS! YOU TOTALLY REBUILT THE PLACE!"

The blonde man maintains a smile, "It doesn't have to be all at once. I want you to get to know me, little by little. And I'll try to get to know you too, Ms. Hiyori. Ok?"

The blonde girl immediately strikes the man in the face, making his nose bleed, "NO!"

Urahara holds back her hand as he holds his bleeding nose with his other, a comical tear falling from his left eye, "Oh… by the way. I do have a favor to ask of you..."

Hiyori widens her eyes and stiffens as she hears the man's request, "Will you come to the Maggot's Nest with me?"

Squad 2 Barracks

As a man wearing ninja-like attire bows and finishes his report, the seated, short-haired form of Yoruichi questions, "Kisuke, huh?"

The ninja nods as he kneels before his captain, "Yes, ma'am. He said he had your authorization."

Yoruichi glances up to her left as she stirs the drink in her hand, a troubled expression on her face, "Um… what's he up to?"

The ninja man questions as various other ninja Shinigami are kneeling in a row next to him, "What do you want us to do? If you don't recall authorizing him, shall we ask him to leave?"

The ninja woman waves her hand holding her stir-rod carelessly before sipping her drink, "No. It's alright. Let him go wherever he wants."

The ninja man, still kneeling, perks up, "Then you do remember?"

Yoruichi looks at the bottom of her drink and casually grunts, "Nope."

The young Soi Fon, among the other ninjas, snaps, "Lady Yoruichi!"

The dark-skinned woman frowns, "What is it, Soi Fon? Are you worried?"

The young girl frowns and becomes quiet as she sweats somewhat nervously, prompting Yoruichi to sigh, "Don't worry… it's Kisuke. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."

Nearby, Outside of Maggot's Nest, Squad 2 Barracks

Massive doors leading to the so-called 'Maggot's Nest' open up as Urahara and Hiyori wait in front of them.

The captain perks up as he asks, "Shall we?"

The blonde girl next to him grunts, "No."

Urahara chuckles jovially, "C'mon, don't be like that… let's go! ~"

"No!", the girl repeats as she sticks out her tongue.

This makes the captain reiterate in kind, "Let's go! ~"

Hiyori widens her eyes as the man tugs on the back of her collar and drags her with him.

She begins to flail and scream, "I SAID NO! LET GO OF ME!"

Urahara continues to drag the flailing girl as he chuckles, "In case you forgot, the Maggot's Nest is kind of like a small prison beneath the Squad 2 Barracks for the sake of temporarily holding those who aren't guilty of a crime but have still been deemed as problematic. It wasn't originally affiliated with the Gotei 13, but the Shihoin family has served as its directors for generations. Often, a member of the Shihoin Clan ends up being the captain of Squad 2, as they were when the Gotei 13 was founded with Chika Shihoin! Anyway, I ended up working there at one point, so I know the place quite well!"

Hiyori grunts as, at this point, she is released from the man's hold and walks next to him, "So, you're a prison guard, then!"

The man smiles as he sweat drops, "Nope. I'm the warden… My main duties were imprisoning and supervising those who've committed crimes within the Seireitei."

The girl nods, "Right, you're a guard."

He corrects her again, "A warden."

Hiyori shrugs as a prominent frown is on her face, "It's the same thing. Basically, your job was to push a bunch of criminals around! If that was one of your main duties…"

She pauses as her brow twitches, "Hey… does that mean you had other duties?"

Urahara glances at her, his expression much more neutral now, "Yes. There is another duty associated with the 'Management Force' I had led… a duty called 'Special Management'…"

He further explains, "That means to investigate, contain, and monitor members of the Gotei 13 whose beliefs or behavior might pose a threat to other Shinigami or interfere with the Gotei 13's goals."

Hiyori crosses her arms and shouts, "TOO WORDY! Make it simpler!"

Urahara chuckles as he raises a finger to explain, "Ok… we find dangerous individuals and imprison them! ~"

As the pair continue to walk, the captain reiterates to the girl for perhaps the third time that day, "And circling back to the Maggot's Nest—that is the place where such dangerous individuals are placed…"

The pair are silent for a while as they continue walking. Eventually, they reach a gate flanked by two ninjas, which leads down into the prison. After a moment, the captain and vice-captain proceed and walk down into the depths.

Maggot's Nest

A droplet of water hits the ground as Hiyori and Urahara descend a set of stone stairs in the darkness of the cave.

The freckled girl looks around, noting the obvious as she grunts, "Huh… it's a cave. You actually keep people down here?"

Urahara smiles as they reach the bottom of the stairs and he begins to open a set of doors, "Yes, it's terrible, but it could be worse… look here…"

Hiyori widens her eyes at the sight of a multitude of criminals, all wearing modest white robes, occupying the well-lit interior. Many are seated on the stones throughout the room, treating them as chairs, while others sit around them, seemingly playing games.

The captain maintains his smile as he explains, "They're not allowed to leave, but they can move about as they like within the facility. Please be careful, though, sometimes they get violent…"

The girl frowns as she looks at the various, troubled prisoners and asks, "What have they done?"

"Nothing.", the captain replies, leaving the girl wide-eyed.

He coldly continues, "I told you… the people down here have been labeled as 'dangerous' despite not having broken the law. This is as defined by the Soul Society itself. They haven't committed a crime, so they can't be punished. But if we let them roam freely, they may cause trouble. That's why we keep them here."

Hiyori snaps at him, "ARE YOU CRAZY?! That makes no sense! If they haven't done anything…"

"Ms. Hiyori…", the captain interrupts, "…have any of your classmates left the Gotei 13?"

The girl grunts as she crosses her arms, "One or two, so what?"

Urahara looks off distantly, "Actually, the Gotei 13 makes no provision for resignation."

Hiyori widens her eyes in shock as the man elaborates, "When someone leaves the Gotei 13 for personal reasons it's termed as a leave of absence. If they leave for an extended period of time and don't return, it's called expulsion. We don't recognize an individual's right to resign."

The girl begins to sweat nervously as she questions, "What…?"

Urahara points his finger in the air as he further explains, "Resignation means you're put under special care. Guardsmen ordered to resign are forcibly incarcerated here."

Hiyori blinks, confused, "But why go through all the trouble?"

The captain looks down, a dark look in his eyes, "The Gotei 13 is a noble organization. Anyone who qualifies for it is by definition dangerous. That's the belief of the Central 46, who governs the Seireitei. So potentially dangerous elements are dealt with secretly…"

He looks up slightly now, his gaze distant, "Ms. Hiyori, there's something I've thought ever since I was put in charge of this place. Many of the people here are dangerous. But, if we could provide them with an environment in which they could use their abilities, then these threats may be turned into assets…"

Suddenly, a massive man among the prisoners leaps at Hiyori from behind, who instinctually reaches for her blade. Her eyes widen in horror as she realizes she left her Zanpakutō back at the barracks, leaving her stunned in shock as the man is almost upon her tiny form.

However, before the man can smash her under his hand, Urahara steps between them and easily holds the massive man back with a single hand, "I'm sorry. I knew you left your blade behind, but I didn't say anything… weapons are forbidden down here. So, the commanding officer must be able to pacify these people with his bare hands."

The massive prisoner grunts as he tries to crush the captain to no avail, making the blonde man smirk, "How sad. It's only been a few days and you've already forgotten my face. And I was always so nice to you… ~"

Urahara then throws the man back with great force, sending him crashing into the side of the wall. The captain immediately starts to casually walk deeper into the nest, flanked closely behind by his vice-captain.

They descend some stairs and stand at the end of a corridor, prompting a voice to call from within, "Is that you… Kisuke Urahara? What are you doing down here?"

Hiyori and her captain share a look before they walk down a corridor and stop at the end of it where a set of bars traps a prisoner within.

Urahara smirks at the person in the cell, starting, "I came to see you… Mayuri Kurotsuchi."

Within the cell and seated on a stone slab with his left ankle shackled to the ground, the younger form of Mayuri Kurotsuchi sits. His hair is blue as usual, but it is worn in a comb over as opposed to his typical, unique hairstyle. Further, while his face is mostly white, a thin black strip runs horizontally through both of his eyes.

Urahara levels a serious gaze on the future captain, "I want you to leave this place with me…"

Hiyori, meanwhile, gawks as she takes in the man's unique appearance, "Who… is this guy…?"

Mayuri hums as he looks at the vice-captain, "That's rude. Obviously, this boy wasn't taught proper manners."

The girl's eye twitches before she starts screaming, pulling on her captain's Haori, "B-BOY?! I'M A GIRL! ANYBODY CAN SEE THAT! YOU CAULIFLOWERED MONSTER!"

Urahara chuckles as he offers the bare minimum explanation, "She's my vice-captain."

The inmate's eye twitches, "Vice-captain?! You've been promoted? Congratulations."

The captain rubs the back of his head as he remains smiling, "Thank you. But I'm still waiting for your answer."

Mayuri blinks, confused, "To what? Your mad suggestion that I leave this place with you?"

Urahara nods, still smiling, "Yes."

The inmate responds immediately, "I refuse."

This makes the captain's gaze become a degree colder as he asks, "Why's that?"

Mayuri maintains eye contact with the other man as he states objectively, "Because I'm satisfied with my life here. There's no need for me to leave."

Urahara chuckles, "Come on. That can't be true. You have nothing to tinker with down here…"

The clown-looking man questions, somewhat curious, "Tell me… why do you want to let me out of here?"

The captain smiles, answering simply, "I need your help."

The inmate doesn't relent in his eye contact as he continues, "Don't lie. You're transparent to me. I can see your very bones."

Urahara rubs the back of his head as he maintains a friendly smile, "My… you really are suspicious of me, aren't you."

Mayuri grunts, "You perplex me. You're an irritating man."

The captain's gaze becomes serious at this comment, prompting him to reveal, "I value your expertise. That's the truth. I'm creating an organization under the control of Squad 12 that has never before existed in the Soul Society. It's called the Department of Research and Development. I'd like you to be its assistant director."

Hiyori frowns at this, her eyes widened, "WHAT?!"

The inmate, however, narrows his eyes, "You want me to serve under you?"

Urahara raises a finger as he clarifies with a dark, knowing smile, "Yes. What do you say? You'd be just under me in rank. In other words, if I died, it would all be yours."

The small blonde girl next to him sweats nervously as the inmate smirks, noting, "You really are an irritating man…"

Squad 8 Barracks

Kyoraku walks through the Squad 8 Barracks while holding a bottle of sake, a smile on his face and almost a skip in his step, "It's that time of month again…!"

The passing Shinigami in the barracks all wear friendly smiles and sweat drops as their captain's gaze is intent, now entering the open, grassy courtyard with some trees in the middle. Leaning against a tree and napping is a young-looking man with spikey black hair, looking to be in his mid-to-late teenage years. He snores loudly, earning him frowning, disapproving looks from the fellow Shinigami, who promptly bow to their captain as he arrives.

Kyoraku frowns slightly at the sight, prompting one of the Shinigami to note with a look of slight contempt, "Good luck trying to wake him, Captain! He's been sleeping like this ever since he returned from patrol in the world of the living earlier today… he won't listen to anything we tell him!"

The floral captain shifts back to a smile as he chuckles, "Oh, is that all? That's nothing to worry about, he works hard enough on patrol!"

The Shinigami looks away as he mutters, "I highly doubt that sir…"

Kyoraku maintains his friendly exterior as he waves the officers off, "Now, you all can return to your duties! I'll take it from here! ~"

The group of Shinigami begrudgingly do as told before leaving the courtyard and going elsewhere within the barracks.

The captain looks down, merely stating as he holds up the sake, "Hey, Isshin, I brought the alcohol! ~"

The young Shinigami's snoring suddenly stops as he quickly shoots to his feet with his eyes open, greeting, "G-Good evening, Shunsui! Or… or is it morning…?"

The young form of Isshin scrunches his brows as he rubs the back of his head, not knowing what time it is.

Kyoraku sweat drops as he maintains a friendly smile and reminds, "You're supposed to call me 'Captain Kyoraku' when on duty, kid…"

Isshin rubs his neck as he frowns slightly, "Who even cares about any of that? I know you sure as hell don't! Besides, we're alone right now."

The older Shinigami chuckles, "I guess you're right about that…"

The men walk through the courtyard before the captain opens the sliding doors of his office and the pair walk inside.

As they now are seated at a table across from each other, Kyoraku sighs and places two cups on the table for them, "You know, the officers in the Squad really don't like you that much, Isshin. They think you're lazy and unfit to be a Shinigami."

Isshin grunts as the older man begins to pour the sake into the cups, "I don't care what they think…"

The older Shinigami hums as he places the bottle in the middle of the table, now finished pouring, "Well I've gotten quite a few complaints about you that I have to address as the captain. Apparently, sending you off alone on missions in the world of the living wasn't enough to stop them…"

The younger Shinigami frowns and purses his lips as he looks to the side, clearly not in the mood to be scolded.

Kyoraku's eyes soften as he picks up his sake cup, "I've told you this before, but I see a lot of my younger self in you, Isshin. And I don't really mean that in a good way…"

Isshin shrugs, "Well, you turned out fine, so I don't really see the issue…"

The hatted man's eyes narrow as they hold a deep pain unknown to the boy across from him. He considers his past, which he doesn't dare speak a word of as it is far too painful for him to casually recall in detail.

After a moment, the bearded captain sighs before sipping on his sake, noting, "We both know you could not only be a seated officer, but a vice-captain with your current level of skill... I could appoint you to a vacant seat right now, but it's clear you aren't interested. Any particular reason for that?"

The young black-haired Shinigami grunts, "I couldn't laze around or goof off as much with that level of responsibility… also, you can't be serious about me being a vice-captain! It'd be a massive pain! I've seen how much paperwork you pass off to Vice-Captain Yadomaru!"

Kyoraku sweat drops as he pours himself more sake, "You don't have to say it like that..."

Isshin shrugs again, "In any case, I'd rather remain unseated for now since seated officers are always expected to follow orders. It's easier for an unseated Shinigami to get away with disobeying stupid orders they don't like."

The captain sighs and sweat drops again, "That's not something you should tell your captain, y'know…"

Kyoraku then smiles, narrowing his eyes as he sips his drink, "By the way, are you any closer to achieving Bankai yet…?"

The young man sighs, placing his sake cup on the table and looking through the doorway at the trees outside in the courtyard, musing, "Engetsu's a pain in the ass as it is… I'd rather not force him into submission if I don't have to… sounds like a pain…"

The captain nods, fully understanding, "Oh, you don't need to tell me twice. Katen and Kyokotsu are fickle, I'll tell you… I'm not one who's ever particularly excited to use my Bankai…"

As the floral Shinigami's words linger, Isshin takes another sip of his sake and looks at the trees outside distantly, "Unseated officers are more likely to be assigned outside of the Seireitei… if I were promoted, then I can't defend the people in the Rukongai and world of the living from Hollows as often…"

His eyes narrow slightly as he mentally asserts, "I'll never let stupid orders get in the way of doing the right thing…"

Kuchiki Residence, Noble District

In the courtyard of the Kuchiki Residence, a young boy, with black hair tied into a ponytail and wearing a white Gi with the sleeves rolled up, swings the wooden training sword in his hands with great vigor. Clearly, the boy is intent on perfecting his Zanjutsu technique, given that he is drenched in sweat.

A man wearing the Squad 6 captain's Haori suddenly approaches the boy, noting, "Good, good."

The boy pauses and looks behind him to see an old man with gray hair and a mustache wearing a white scarf in addition to his Haori and standard black Shihakushō. This man is the 27th head of the Kuchiki Clan: Ginrei Kuchiki.

The man softens his gaze as he regards the boy, "I see you're working hard, Byakuya."

The boy, a much younger version of the current head of the Kuchiki Clan: Byakuya Kuchiki, exhales as he wipes some of the sweat from his face.

He then properly addresses the man with youthful excitement in his gaze, "Grandfather! You've returned to the mansion. Will you be sleeping here tonight instead of at the barracks?"

Ginrei nods before explaining, "Yes. Now, Byakuya. You've trained enough for today. There's a guest here to see you."

The boy raises a brow as sizeable, plump breasts make contact with the back of his head, "A guest?"

His eyes immediately narrow before he suddenly swings his wooden sword behind him, the 'guest' dodging with ease while laughing obnoxiously.

Byakuya hisses, "You devil cat!"

Yoruichi, wearing her white Haori, continues to laugh as she crosses her arms, "I came all the way out here to play with you and that's how you greet me, you brat?!"

The boy screams at her, "Shut up! I didn't ask you to come here! I'm the future head of the Kuchiki Clan! I have no time for games!"

The woman vanishes with a flash and casually steals the boy's hair tie from right behind him, asking, "Are you sure…?"

A vein pulsates from under the boy's eye before he swings at her again and, again, completely misses as she dodges.

Byakuya glares at the obnoxious, laughing form of the cat woman standing on top of the mansion now, holding his hair tie in the air, "If its future head can't keep a girl from stealing his hair string, then the Kuchiki Clan's in big trouble!"

The boy smirks as he sends the woman a death glare, "Don't move, Yoruichi Shihoin. I can perform Flash Step and—"

Yoruichi cuts him off with a playful smirk, "You lose, Byakuya Kuchiki! ~"

She then vanishes with a flash, leaving the boy to contract his eyes.

Byakuya glares at the ground as he starts to take a stance, hissing, "I see… you're goading me. Alright… then see for yourself that my Flash Step is superior to yours!"

The boy promptly disappears with a flash as well, leaving Ginrei to sigh as he is now left alone, "Ah… if only Byakuya could control that temper of his…"

After a moment, the nobleman starts walking into the mansion, deciding, "Well… perhaps I'll have some tea."

Meanwhile, Squad 13 Barracks

A female Shinigami wearing an apron finishes pouring some tea as Ukitake, seated on a cushion on the wooden floor, sends her a friendly smile, "Thank you."

The woman walks off, leaving the black-haired form of Kaien Shiba, seated across from his captain, to watch her leave with widened, curious eyes.

After a moment, the nobleman sighs as he picks up his cup of tea, "I told you this when you asked right after I graduated, and I'll say it again… I'm not going to be a vice-captain."

Ukitake sweats as he wears an almost begging smile, "Please don't keep saying that. I'm disappointed enough as it is."

Kaien eyes the man as he blows on his hot tea, insisting, "There are many who deserve to be promoted before me."

The white-haired captain smiles as he samples his own tea, "A matter of respect, was it? That's very like you."

After a moment, the captain sets his cup on the ground and changes the subject, "By the way, have you heard the news?"

Kaien tilts his head, needing the captain to be more specific, "About what?"

Ukitake elaborates, "We have a new recruit. They say he's our first prodigy since you."

The Shiba man furrows his brows as he sips his tea, "I'm no prodigy… and besides, aren't they forgetting Isshin?"

The white-haired captain sheepishly rubs the back of his head, "Ah, right… well, you know how Isshin isn't very well-liked by his fellow Shinigami… it also doesn't help that he's not in the Seireitei very often. I haven't even seen him for quite some time since he was posted in the world of the living..."

Kaien sets his drink on the floor before nodding, "Anyway, about this prodigy…"

This prompts the captain to shift to a smile excitedly as he continues, "Right. Apparently, this boy graduated from the Shino Academy in just one year."

The black-haired Shinigami blinks in surprise, "One year? That is impressive."

Ukitake's smile widens, his excitement growing, "I know, right?! He's about the same age as Byakuya, Captain Kuchiki's grandson."

Kaien frowns slightly as he notes, "Ah, that cocky kid…"

The captain continues, "Yes. He might be just a bit younger. I understand they're going to start him out as a seated officer."

The nobleman muses with a thoughtful look in his eyes, "Amazing… a seated officer at that age? Sounds like they have high hopes for him."

After a moment, Kaien's expression becomes joyful as he can't help but smile, "And a vice-captaincy just got more unlikely for me!"

Ukitake cuts in, slightly disappointed, "Don't sound so happy…"

The Shiba man perks up, now wearing a curious smile, "So? Which Squad was lucky enough to get him?"

The white-haired captain looks up thoughtfully as he sips on his tea again, "Oh… um… I think it was Squad 5…"

Night, Squad 5 Barracks

Aizen wears a smirk as he stands in the courtyard of the Squad 5 Barracks, "Good. You're even better than I'd heard. I'll ask you again. What is your name?"

A young boy with silver hair and slitted eyes looks over at the vice-captain with a smirk as the left side of his head is completely soaked with blood. He stands over a bloodied corpse and holds a short, bloodstained blade in his hand.

The young Shinigami answers, maintaining his smirk, "Gin. Gin Ichimaru."

Aizen maintains his amused smile as he glances at the corpse, "And how did you find our 3rd seat?"

Gin almost chuckles, "Completely useless. What a joke."

The bespectacled man's soft yet calculating eyes stare intently at the boy as he remarks, "Is that so…? That's good to know…"

Roughly 9 Years Later, Night, Rukongai

Under the night sky of the Rukongai and within a forested area, multiple souls wearing modest Gis scream in pain as they fall to their knees. A white substance shoots from their mouths as they now clutch their throats, beginning to choke on it. After another moment, the individuals completely turn into the substance before dissipating in the air, leaving only their clothes behind. Three figures stand before the clothing, and one of them can't help but crack a smirk.

Morning, Seireitei

As Shinji, flanked by his vice-captain, Sosuke Aizen, walks through the streets of the Seireitei with his hands in his pockets, he can't help but note the Shinigami around him looking at someone down the street.

He tilts his head and perks up slightly, regarding the approaching trio, "Oh… Good morning."

Approaching is the smiling form of Kisuke Urahara, flanked by Hiyori and Mayuri, who responds, "Ah! Good morning, Mr. Hirako!"

Shinji grunts in mild annoyance, „I told you to call me Shinji. You're such a pain."

The Squad 5 captain glances at the former inmate to Urahara's left, "Good morning, Mayuri."

The scientist glares at the man as he warns, "I've asked you not to be overly familiar. Address me as Kurotsuchi. You're such an irritating man."

Shinji scowls at the man, not finding his attitude to his liking, "And you're a pain."

The captain perks up, starting to change the subject, "Oh, by the way… did you hear?"

Urahara raises a brow, "Hear what?"

Before Shinji can respond, Hiyori kicks him hard in the back, knocking him to the ground.

The blonde turns around on the ground with comical tears in his eyes as he shouts at the girl, "WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

Hiyori snaps back, "YOU DIDN'T GREET ME!"

The two continue to bicker, leaving Urahara to chuckle and sweat drop.

Aizen then looks over to the captain and repeats Shinji's earlier question, "Captain Urahara, have you heard?"

The captain shakes his head, prompting the vice-captain to answer, "There have been strange deaths discovered in the Rukongai."

The blonde captain, now brawling with Hiyori on the ground, perks up and adds, "I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK ABOUT THAT! GOOD JOB, SOSUKE!"

Urahara turns a curious gaze on the other captain, "Strange deaths…?"

Shinji sits up as he ends his brawl with the girl, answering with a serious expression, "Yeah. Several Rukongai residents have disappeared in the last month. The cause is unknown."

The Squad 12 captain frowns, "Disappeared? You must mean they ran away?"

The older captain grunts, "Idiot. That's called missing. We wouldn't be concerned if people were just going off somewhere. That's their business."

He levels his serious gaze on the younger man, clarifying, "But this is different. They actually disappeared. The clothes they were wearing were found lying on the ground. They vanished into thin air."

Urahara widens his eyes slightly as the older blonde man continues, "If they'd died and became Reishi, their clothes would've gone with them. But they didn't die. Their Konpaku were unable to maintain the form of a living person and they disappeared. It's the only explanation."

After a moment, the Squad 12 captain looks to the side and places a hand on his chin, "Unable to maintain their living form?"

Shinji grunts as he starts to walk away, "Sorry. I'm just repeating what Captain Unohana told me. I'm not sure what that means."

The Squad 5 captain sighs as he looks toward the sky, "In any case, Squad 9 has launched an investigation…"

Meanwhile, Rukongai

The white-haired form of Kensei Muguruma is flanked by four other male Shinigami, who all wear white, long-sleeved jackets. One of them wears a goggled mask to cover their face and has a unique-looking, dark brown afro.

The captain's brow twitches as a Shinigami woman with a red scarf and short green hair with shaded glasses resting in it walks behind them, asking in a confused voice, "What's unknown? Come on! What is it, Kensei?"

Kensei turns around and snaps at the woman, his vice-captain Mashiro Kuna, "Shut it! Unknown means unknown! Quit babbling!"

Mashiro frowns as she waves her arms around, hidden beneath her extra-long sleeves, "What's wrong with you? A captain doesn't just go investigate something unknown without knowing what it is first!"

The white-haired man growls, "It's because it's unknown that we're investigating!"

The green-haired woman argues, mockingly, "Yeah, but an advance party of ten people was sent out first! You could've waited for them, but nooooo! I'm Kensei, I can't wait!"

The girl starts crying comically to mock the captain, "I'm Kensei! I'm an idiot!"

A vein bulges from Kensei's head as he turns around and growls, now held back by three of his men so he doesn't attack the woman.

The man with the afro stands in front of him pleadingly as he waves his hands, "Please calm down, Captain!"

After a moment, the man grunts and calms down slightly, shaking his men off of him as he glares at his vice-captain, "Look, I never asked you to come along! We don't need your help! Go home!"

Mashiro starts to whine, "No! I'm your vice-captain, so I have to go with you! Don't you know that?! You're so stupid, Kensei!"

The man wears a feral smile as his eyes contract in an angered manner upon the woman shouting, "Dumbhead!"

Without warning, the ever-spontaneous Mashiro falls on the ground and starts rolling around in the dirt, "Forget this! I'm hungry! I want some rice dumplings and…"

As she continues to list off the foods she wants, one of the men, with long brown hair, looks at the captain and questions, "What should we do with her?"

Kensei grunts as he turns to walk off, "Leave her!"

Before the man can get far, he hears the screams of children making him look behind him with wide eyes. A large, multi-legged Hollow, with a long neck, roars as it chases a group of children, making the male Shinigami all draw their katanas. The Shinigami cut at the beast's neck and legs, doing little more than nicking them, causing it to roar again.

The roar makes one of the boys, who has spiky black hair, trip and fall before skidding to a halt in front of Kensei. The boy looks up to see the steeled gaze in the captain's eyes, glaring at the Hollow.

After a moment, the captain chants as he swings his blade, making it turn into a hunting knife, "Blast it, Tachikaze!"

A focused wind blade is promptly sent off, immediately severing the Hollow's head, resulting in the beast turning into glowing particles, now purified.

After looking at the Hollow fade for a moment longer, Kensei's blade reverts to its sealed state as he sheathes it and looks back at the others, calling, "Is everyone alright?!"

"Yes, sir!", the Shinigami answer as they carry the other two children and place them on the ground.

Kensei grunts as he looks at the form of the crying black-haired boy, "What are you crying about? You should be happy you survived!"

The long-haired Shinigami sweat drops as he looks at his captain, "That's a bit unreasonable, Captain…"

The white-haired man grunts as he grabs the boy and starts to lift him from the ground, "No it isn't. Come on, get up."

Once the boy is back on his feet, the captain places his hands on his hips, "What's your name?"

The crying boy perks up as he wipes his still-falling tears, answering, "S-Shuhei Hisagi…"

Kensei maintains his typical grumpy scowl as he responds, "Shuhei, huh? That's a strong-sounding name! So, stop crying!"

The boy continues to wipe his eyes, trying to stop his tears from falling.

Meanwhile, Mashiro shouts to her captain as she holds up a Shihakushō, "Kensei! Look what I found!"

The man's eyes widen in horror as she states, "There's more of them, about ten total!"

The other Shinigami begin to get nervous as Kensei looks to the ground, thoroughly unnerved, "Ten of them…?"

Mashiro shrugs, "Yeah, so what?"

A cold sweat falls down the man's face, "You idiot… there were ten Shinigami in the advance party!"

The woman scrunches her brows, "Well, maybe they just got hot and took them off!"

Kensei grunts, "Idiot… how do you take them off without undoing your obi?! How do you take your socks off with the sandals still on?!"

Mashiro starts to rub her face, troubled as she is now greatly confused.

The captain shifts and barks at the long-haired man, "Eishima! Contact central! We have our first Shinigami victims!"

The long-haired man, Eishima, nods, "Yes, sir!"

Kensei shifts to a man with a ponytail and wearing a headband, "Todo! There's a chance it's an unknown pathogen that decomposes Konpaku! Have Squad 12 send someone to investigate!"

"Yes, sir!", the Shinigami, known as Todo, responds.

The captain shifts to another of the Shinigami, a bald man with a mustache, ordering, "Kasaki! Tell the rest of the unit to come here with a tent! We'll be sleeping here tonight!"

He looks at the four men he came with as a whole before ordering, "If an enemy is behind this, they'll eventually attack the Seireitei! It's our duty to stop them before they get that far!"

"Yes, sir!", the men all reply at once before dispersing to carry out their orders.

The man wearing the mask question, "Captain, what should I do…?"

Kensei looks back at him and barks, "You're with me, Tosen! We're searching the area!"

The captain then steadies a look on the children, "You brats get your butts home! Before the sun goes down! Got that?!"

The white-haired man turns his gaze away from the children, revealing the '69' tattoo on his chest, which becomes burned into the mind of the young Shuhei Hisagi, who would go on to idolize the man who saved his life.

Lab, Squad 12 Barracks

Mayuri hums as he eyes a fluid substance in a test tube within one of the labs in the Squad 12 Barracks.

He suddenly looks back, starting, "Hey! Where's container number 22? Where are you?! Hurry up! I don't have all day, you know."

Hiyori, carrying a stack of glass containers, suddenly throws them all to the ground, shattering them as she barks, "SHUT UP!"

The girl, wearing a white lab coat, hisses as she points at the scientist, "I'm helping you out and that's how you talk to me?! Drop dead, creep!"

Mayuri grunts in confusion, "What's wrong with you? The way you're behaving really is unappealing…"

This comment makes the girl's anger increase, "I said SHUT UP! Why am I helping you anyway?! I'm a vice-captain! What seat are you? Well?!"

The scientist dodges admitting his rank as he looks up carelessly, "Don't be silly. I don't require a seat."

Hiyori hisses, "Then I'll tell you! 3rd seat! THIRD! Get it?! I'm the vice-captain and you're the 3rd seat! That means you can't boss me around!"

Mayuri raises his finger and corrects, "You're the one who doesn't get it. I'm the Deputy Director General of the Department of Research and Development. You're just the chief lab officer, in here, I outrank you. As long as we are in the laboratory, you must obey me."

The girl has angry tick marks on her face as she barks back into the barracks, "KISUKE!"

The captain rubs his eyes as he carries a mannequin over his shoulder into the room, "Yes? What is it? Could you keep it down? I didn't get much sleep…"

His vice-captain points at the 3rd seat across the room, "Do something about this guy! You need to teach him his place in this world!"

After a moment, the girl blinks as she eyes the mannequin, "Huh…? Wait, what's that?"

Urahara smiles as he glances at the mannequin, "Oh, this? I'm glad you asked! It's a new prototype for a new type of Gigai. This morning Shinji said that the Konpaku in the Rukongai were disappearing because they couldn't maintain their form. So, I thought that maybe we could put a Konpaku that's starting to disintegrate inside a human-shaped container and prevent it from disappearing. I'm trying to make such a Gigai using the technology at our disposal."

The captain sits the mannequin down as his subordinate blinks, "You're…"

Before she can finish, rushed footsteps can be heard before someone starts banging on the metal door of the lab, shouting, "E-excuse me! I'm Izaemon Todo, 6th seat of Squad 9! Is Captain Urahara here?! Captain Muguruma sent me to ask for your assistance!"

Urahara narrows his eyes as he states, "Please come in…"

A Few Minutes Later

Urahara hums as he finishes listening to the other Shinigami's report, "I see. Alright. I'll send someone before nightfall. You can return to your squad."

"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!", Todo bows before promptly leaving the area.

The captain then turns and sends a jovial smile to Hiyori, "Well, then… You heard the situation. I'd like you to go there, Hiyori."

The girl flinches before pointing at a young small boy with black hair wearing a lab coat, "ME?! No way, send someone else, like him!"

The boy deadpans as he looks at the girl, "All you do is complain. If you don't do anything, then maybe you shouldn't be vice-captain…"

Hiyori hisses at the boy, kicking at him as he dodges fairly easily, "Oh, you think you can talk to me like that, Akon?!"

The boy, the younger form of Akon, ignores the girl's further taunts as he walks over and hands a beaker to Mayuri, "Here you go, Deputy Director."

"Thank you.", the scientist replies as he takes the beaker and starts to analyze the substance inside it.

The sight of the two makes Hiyori growl in frustration, prompting Urahara to chuckle and regard the girl with a friendly smile, "Sorry, Hiyori. This is an important assignment. You're the only one I trust to do it."

The girl calms somewhat as she looks at the man, prompting him to continue, "It's essential that you get samples from the scene of the Konpaku's disappearance. Take whatever you need from the storehouse. I'm counting on you, Vice-Captain Sarugaki…"

Hiyori flinches at the man referring to her so formally, making her look away with a frown and blush slightly, muttering, "Fine…"

Night, Rukongai

Tosen and Eishima stand around the Squad's tent with two large torches set up to light the darkness of night.

Todo suddenly appears with a flash, prompting the masked form of the future captain to glance at him, "Where've you been, Todo?"

The other Shinigami grunts, "Sorry. Give me a break I went straight to the barracks. Anyway, I'll take over. You guys get some rest."

Tosen begins to explain, "Here's the situation. The three of us have to stand guard. We'll do it in turns."

Eishima adds, "Kasaki and the captain are resting inside right now. You stand guard over there."

The headbanded Shinigami nods with a serious look in his eyes, "Sure. No problem."

Inside the tent, Kensei and Kasaki sit upright, around a fiery pot, resting their eyes as they balance themselves on their sheathed swords. Kensei opens his eyes slightly, glancing at the sleeping form of Mashiro, lying on her back and drooling as she scratches her left breast under her Gi carelessly.

The captain frowns and sweat drops, "How can she sleep in a situation like this…?"

He pulls her Gi over her chest, grunting, "Hey, fix your robe."

This makes the girl talk in her sleep, smiling teasingly, "Kensei, you bad boy…~"

The captain's brow twitches, "Keep me out of your dreams, idiot…"

Kensei flinches as he hears the distinct sound of blades cutting flesh, prompting him and Kasaki to grab their blades and rush out of the tent.

The captain starts, "What happened—?!"

He widens his eyes at the scene of Eishima and Tosen on the ground, bleeding profusely, as Todo stands with his sword in his hand. The headbanded Shinigami turns around, before suddenly bleeding out and falling to the ground as well.

Kasaki screams, "Todo!"

Kensei scowls as he looks around urgently while drawing his blade, "Damn it! Draw your sword, Kasaki! We're under attack!"

The captain turns around and shouts into the tent, "Mashiro! Wake up!"

He seizes as he hears a blade cut flesh again, making him turn and see Kasaki fall to the ground bleeding profusely as well.

Kensei widens his eyes as he doesn't see the attacker anywhere, starting, "W-What the…"

He is suddenly run through by a katana, now soaked with his blood.

The captain slowly looks behind him, his eyes shining in realization as he recognizes the attacker, who is now visible to him, "Y-You…!"

Squad 12 Barracks

Urahara, previously sleeping at his desk, rubs his eyes as he slowly gets up as alarms ring throughout the Seireitei.

"EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! ALL CAPTAINS ASSEMBLE AT THE SQUAD 1 BARRACKS!", the alarm rings out.

The captain widens his eyes as he hears the alarm declare, "SQUAD 9 IS NOW ON HIGH ALERT! CAPTAIN MUGURUMA'S AND VICE-CAPTAIN KUNA'S REIATSU HAS DISAPPEARED! ALL PERSONELL…"

Urahara shoots up from his desk and runs through the barracks, suddenly opening the door to the storehouse as he regards a bespectacled girl, "Where's Hiyori?!"

The girl flinches, "S-she just left, sir…"

The captain immediately runs off as the alarms continue to ring out, narrowing his eyes as he feels regret, "I should've gone instead… I should've known something like this might…"

Squad 1 Barracks

Yamamoto slams his cane on the floor as he declares to the other captains present, "We are in a state of emergency! According to the reports, Captain Muguruma's and Vice-Captain Kuna's Reiatsu have disappeared! The cause is not yet known! This could well portend something catastrophic! We must find out who is responsible for these attacks and stop them! The honor of the Gotei 13 is at stake!"

The Head Captain grunts, asserting, "Five captains will go to the scene immediately!"

Just then, Urahara arrives, gasping for air as he rushed to get here as fast as he could.

Yamamoto notes, "You're late… Captain Urahara…"

The Squad 12 captain looks intently at the living legend as he still breathes heavily, "Please… send me…!"

Many of the veteran captains present look at the man, unconvinced.

Yamamoto's brow twitches before he asserts, "No."

Urahara begins to argue, "B-But sir! My vice-captain—!"

"KISUKE!", the voice of Yoruichi shouts, making the blonde man flinch.

The dark-skinned woman places her hands on her hips and continues to shout at him, "Get ahold of yourself! You're the one who sent her! Don't you have faith in her abilities?! Don't shame her like this!"

The woman's words echo through the halls of the Squad 1 Barracks, leaving her blonde friend wide-eyed.

After a moment, the Head Captain sighs before getting back on track, "Back to the matter at hand… Captains Rojuro Ohtoribashi of Squad 3, Shinji Hirako of Squad 5, and Love Aikawa of Squad 7 will all be heading to the scene immediately. Meanwhile, Captain Yoruichi Shihoin will stand by until ordered."

He glances at the veteran captains in the room, "Captains Ginrei Kuchiki of Squad 6, Shunsui Kyoraku of Squad 8, and Jushiro Ukitake of Squad 13 will defend the Seireitei. Captain Retsu Unohana will stand by at the general relief station to treat the wounded."

This makes the woman perk up slightly, "Excuse me, Head Captain, but should I not go to the scene as well?"

Yamamoto argues, "It's too risky. We can't afford to lose you. I'm sending someone else… come in…"

Upon being prompted, the doors of the meeting room open up revealing the younger forms of Tessai and Hachi. Tessai holds a staff in his hand and wears a black Shihakushō under his unique blue coat. Behind him, the larger form of Hachi wears a white jacket over his own Shihakushō.

Ukitake widens his eyes at the sight, "Tessai Tsukabishi… it's been a long time since I've seen him out in the open."

Kyoraku tilts his straw hat as he smirks at the sight of the Kidō Commander and his pink-haired Vice-Commander, "This is turning into a big deal…"

Yamamoto grunts, "You know the situation. I want the two of you to be on hand on the scene."

Tessai bows, "Yes, sir."

Meanwhile, Kyoraku glances at the dejected sight of the sulking Urahara before getting an idea.

After a moment, the veteran captain raises his hand, "Hold on, now, Old Man Yama…"

The Head Captain sends a nasty side-eye at his protégé, making the man hide part of his face under his straw hat as he waves his hand defensively, "Oh, sorry… but… don't you think it's a bad idea to put both the Commander and Vice-Commander in harm's way?"

The living legend looks at the younger man curiously, trusting his council in this instance, "What would you suggest?"

Kyoraku tilts his head as he smiles, "You can send my vice-captain instead."

Ukitake's eyes are wide as he looks at his friend, "You are going to call her now?"

The man suddenly shifts behind him, calling at the window and answering, "Yes… LISA!"

The bespectacled woman suddenly pokes her head in through the window, "What?"

Kyoraku smiles jovially as he looks at his speechless friend across the room and points back at the woman, "See?"

The hatted captain looks back at his vice-captain with a scolding look in his eyes, "I told you not to spy on the captains' meetings."

Lisa frowns as she retorts, "I couldn't help it. It's natural to want to know what's being hidden."

Kyoraku sighs as he closes his eyes, "How much did you hear?"

She looks to the side, "Everything…"

He opens his eyes as they now share a gaze, "Can I trust you with this?"

Lisa nods seriously, "Of course."

Kyoraku sighs as the woman gives him a thumbs-up before running off.

The living legend grunts, "I haven't agreed to it yet."

The floral captain smiles, "Please, sir. Opportunities like this don't come often. I want her to gain experience. She's almost like a daughter to me… won't you let her go? Don't worry. She's a lot stronger than she looks…"

Kyoraku tilts his head and regards Tessai, "Do you mind, Commander?"

The Kidō Commander responds, "Not at all."

The bespectacled man walks out of the room, remarking, "Now if no one minds, I'm going to lie down…"

As he leaves, Yamamoto slams his cane on the floor again, barking, "Rojuro Ohtoribashi, Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Hachigen Ushoda, and Lisa Yadomaru! You five will form a special task force! Your mission is to discover who or what is causing the Konpaku to disappear!"

The captains begin to disperse, leaving Urahara wide-eyed.

As Kyoraku passes, he lays a supportive hand on the man's shoulder, reminding him, "Don't worry… that Hiyori is strong."

He removes his hand and keeps walking, making the other captain look at him as he continues, "But not as strong as my Lisa. Have faith in her. A captain must have trust and patience…"

Meanwhile, Rukongai

Hiyori, beaten and battered, runs from an attacking figure, trying to avoid conflict. The figure suddenly slams its fist on the ground, blasting the girl back a distance with a slight shockwave. She scowls as she regains her bearings and wipes the blood from her face, glaring at the figure that suddenly lunges. Before it can attack her, however, it is parried by a sword, making the girl widen her eyes.

The owner of the blade, Shinji Hirako, grunts as he stands in front of the girl and now glares at her, "Are you crazy? Draw your sword."

Hiyori looks away and frowns as she weakly comments, "Are you crazy? How could I draw my sword against him…?"

Shinji widens his eyes as he looks at his opponent again, seeing a white-armored and masked version of the Squad 9 captain standing quietly across the battlefield, "K-Kensei?!"

Love, Rose, and Lisa rush onto the battlefield following the Squad 5 captain as the Squad 7 captain calls, "Hiyori! Are you ok—?!"

The trio stop dead in their tracks and widen their eyes at the monstrous form of Kensei, clad in white armor that also shoots out of his back in the form of white cylinders. The captain's piercing, Hollowfied eyes shine through from under his mask, quietly observing the Shinigami before him.

Love frowns, "What happened…?!"

Meanwhile, Rose questions nervously, "Is that really Kensei?! That mask, that Reiatsu… he's a Hollow!"

The Squad 5 captain furrows his brows, also troubled, "I don't know… if that's really Kensei or not but I do know we'd better draw our swords if we want to live…"

The armored form of Kensei suddenly roars, producing a shockwave that makes the Shinigami quickly disperse as Shinji grabs Hiyori around her waist and retreats slightly with her. Love, now midair, flinches as the Hollowfied Shinigami suddenly appears behind him and slams a punch at him, creating an explosion in the sky.

Rose and Lisa stare at the scene with widened eyes as the captain calls, "LOVE!"

From the explosion, the afro-haired man is sent skidding across the sky a smoking mess, the right side of his uniform completely blown off as he now has his blade drawn.

He smirks between tired breaths, "Ugh… that stung. Not bad, Kensei…"

Hiyori, still being held by Shinji, shouts urgently, "NO! Don't you know who that is?! That's Kensei! Don't—"

She is cut off as she starts coughing, prompting the man holding her to regard her with a serious tone, "That's enough, Hiyori… We have to stop him. If that thing really is Kensei, then that's all the more reason."

Hiyori looks up at the man with widened eyes before the other blonde captain adds, "He's right, Hiyori. We have to stop Kensei because we care about him."

Both he and the bespectacled woman draw their blades as the Squad 8 vice-captain remarks, "Don't worry about anything. There are plenty of ways to stop someone without killing them."

Lisa speaks to Rose intently, not taking her eyes off the Hollowfied captain, "Let's sever the tendons of his arms and legs. You take the right side."

The musician smirks slightly, "Alright. Let's go."

The captain and vice-captain leap off and approach the Hollowfied Shinigami from each side, poised for a pincer attack.

Lisa flinches, however, as she notices something behind the captain, making her cry out, "Behind you! ROSE!"

A white foot is suddenly slammed into the blonde's head, promptly sending him to the ground with a shockwave and knocking him out as he lies in the rubble.

Shinji glares at the Hollowfied form of Mashiro, wearing white-armored pants, "Mashiro—!"

The woman immediately leaps at the blonde captain, making him raise his blade before blocking the attack. The ground beneath him buckles as the Hollowfied vice-captain's kick clashes with the captain's blade, showing just how powerful her attacks currently are.

Before the vice-captain can follow up, two hands clasp together, prompting five iron beams connected by chains to slam down on her as a voice chants, "Gochūtekkan."

Mashiro's Hollowfied voice hisses as she is completely pinned down, immobilized by the Kidō.

Behind her, Hachi breathes heavily as he remarks with widened eyes, "You guys… run so fast…"

Shinji widens his eyes slightly at the arrival of the Kidō master, "Hachi…"

The large pink-haired man looks up at Kensei once again fighting Love, making him raise his hand and chant as a golden chain forms around the Hollowfied captain, "Bakudō 63: Sajō Sabaku."

The chain constricts around Kensei, restricting his arms and leaving him to fall to the ground, growling in a distorted voice.

It is now that Hachi starts to freak out, questioning, "Shinji! What is going on here—?!"

He widens his eyes in horror and cuts himself off as he watches Kensei stand up and forcefully break through the sealing spell.

Hachi gasps in disbelief, "W-What?! He broke through a Bakudō in the 60s through sheer physical strength alone!"

Squad 12 Barracks

In the grass outside of the Squad 12 Barracks, a figure disguised in a black cloak walks along the wall.

They flinch as a voice regards them, "You've created something very unusual."

The figure looks at Tessai, who holds his arms behind his back passively, "A cloak that completely insulates Reiatsu. Extraordinary."

Urahara sweat drops from under the cloak, noting, "Darn. You found me."

The commander questions, "Do you mean to save your vice-captain? The moment I saw you at the meeting, I thought this might happen."

The Squad 12 captain smiles as he looks down slightly, "You got me…"

Tessai grunts, "We both spent time at Yoruichi's mansion. Do you think I would not have figured this out?"

Urahara glares at the man from under his hood, "Could you let me pass?

The mustache man smirks slightly, "That's a big request. I can't let you go alone."

The Squad 12 captain widens his eyes as the other man urges, "I feel an indescribable fear tonight as well. Please! We must hurry and get to them!"

Squad 8 Barracks

A couple of guards patrol the area around the Squad 8 Barracks before flinching as they suddenly cross paths with its captain, "C-Captain Kyoraku!"

The floral captain smiles at them with his hands casually tucked in the sleeves of his Gi, "Hey! Patrolling, eh? Good job."

One of the Shinigami sweats nervously, asking, "Is everything alright? Why are you out so late, sir?"

Kyoraku maintains his jovial smile as he responds, "I couldn't sleep."

He glances a distance away to see Aizen walking on a balcony, a worried look on his face. The two men give each other a slight nod before the captain sighs.

He remarks, "I suppose I'm just paranoid…"

The Shinigami look at him in confusion before the captain notes, "It looks like Vice-Captain Aizen can't sleep either…"

The Shinigami suddenly notice the vice-captain in the distance as well, making them bow in respect as Kyoraku walks toward the entrance of the barracks.

After entering and walking through the courtyard, the man perks up slightly as he notices the form of a small, bespectacled girl with short black hair, "Ah…"

She holds a book in her hands and looks up at him with worried eyes, making him smile as he asks, "You're uh… Nanao Ise, right?"

She answers respectfully, albeit with a loud voice, "Um, yes! I'm honored you would remember me, sir!"

Kyoraku's smile widens as he bends over slightly, "Of course I do. I always make sure to keep an eye on the little ones—they're always so full of energy. And you come visit me at least once a month."

The captain then looks up thoughtfully, "Oh… come to think of it, it's the first of the month, isn't it?"

The tiny form of Nanao looks down with a frown as she becomes somewhat flustered, "Yes. I was hoping to have my monthly reading session with Lisa…"

Kyoraku sighs as he sulks slightly, "I see. I'm sorry, but Lisa's busy tonight."

Nanao scrunches her brows and wears a worried look, "With what?"

The captain's eyes soften as he answers, "She's on an important assignment. Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be back by dawn…"

Meanwhile, Rukongai

Lisa bleeds profusely as she is sent crashing to the ground from one of the Hollowfied Kensei's devastating punches. Her body bounces off the ground due to the sheer magnitude of the impact before settling in the rubble a beaten and bloodied mess. Kensei growls before lunging at the woman to brutalize her further before a Hadō spell explodes against his back, making him pause and shift his blood-lusted gaze on the caster.

Within his sights and lying in a pile of rubble is the beaten form of Rose, holding up his smoking left hand and remarking, "Don't… the Kensei I knew would never attack a girl…"

The Hollowfied captain roars as he begins to lunge at the downed man.

Before he can reach him, however, Hachi presses both of his hands together, making a unique signal with his fingers, as he chants, "Bakudō 99: Kin!"

Black bindings suddenly appear, forming an 'X' with the Hollowfied Shinigami at its center. The bindings suddenly constrict around his body before white, stake-like objects are jammed on top of them, further enhancing their strength. Kensei struggles for a brief moment before inevitably falling to the ground, helpless against such a high-level sealing spell.

The pink-haired man breathes heavily as Shinji smirks at him, noting, "A level 90, eh? Not bad…"

He returns the man's gaze, admitting, as he sweats in exhaustion, "I'm pushing it a bit…"

A wind blows across the battlefield, leaving the still-standing Shinigami; Shinji, Love, and Hachi—to regain their bearings as they observe the sealed Hollowfied forms of Kensei and Mashiro.

After a moment, Shinji grunts, "So, what now?"

He looks at the taller, pink-haired man, "Can you do something using your Kidō?"

Hachi sweat drops, "I'm not sure what spells would work without knowing exactly what happened…"

Hiyori, still being held in Shinji's arm, suddenly starts coughing and gagging, making the man look down at her, before looking at the taller man again, "Hachi, would you mind fixing her up first…?"

He pauses as the girl suddenly calls, "Shi… Shinji… let… let go…!"

The captain widens his eyes as a white substance suddenly spews from her mouth and forms a horned mask on her head, which she promptly uses to slice him across the chest, blowing him back a distance now bleeding profusely The now Hollowfied form of the tiny vice-captain roars to the sky as Shinji falls to the ground, leaving the others to look at her in horrified shock.

As the others try to attack her, the area around them suddenly goes completely black, robbing them of their senses and making Love question, "W-what is this…?!"

The next thing they know, the black void shatters and they all start bleeding profusely, suddenly cut down without explanation.

Behind the downed form of Love is Tosen, removing his mask and holding his bloodied sword in his hand, making Shinji hiss at him, "Tosen! How could you do that to Kensei? Why would you betray your own captain?"

After a moment, a smooth voice calls out from behind the blonde man, making him widen his eyes in recognition, "He didn't betray anyone… he's actually very loyal. He followed my orders with perfect loyalty."

Shinji glares at the smirking form of his vice-captain, flanked by the young Gin Ichimaru, as he continues, "Please don't blame him, Captain Hirako."

The Squad 5 captain levels a death glare on his subordinate, hissing, "Sosuke…! I knew it. It was you…"

Aizen hums, amused, "So, you knew all along? I'm impressed."

Shinji scowls as he continues to bleed on the ground, "Of course I did."

The vice-captain's eye twitches slightly behind his spectacles, "Since when?"

The captain reminds, "I told you… since you were in your mother's womb."

Aizen now hums thoughtfully as he closes his eyes, "I see…"

Shinji grunts as he elaborates, "I always thought you were dangerous. That's why I chose you as my vice-captain… it was so I could keep an eye on you, Sosuke!"

The brown-haired Shinigami maintains his smirk, "Yes… thank you for that, Captain Hirako. Your distrust of me blinded you."

The captain narrows his eyes, starting to rise from the ground, "I told you; I knew."

Aizen's smirk widens as he clarifies, "No. You had no idea. For this past month, the person walking behind you wasn't me."

Shinji's eyes widen in horror and confusion, "WHAT?!"

The Shinigami begins to unsheathe his blade, leaving the moonlight to reflect off of it as he clarifies, "I'm able to create a wide range of illusions. That is the true ability of my Zanpakutō, Kyoka Suigetsu. That power is called Kanzen Saimin (Complete Hypnosis)!"

The captain's gaze is one of utter dread as Aizen further elaborates with his typical smooth, pompous voice, "You're very astute, Captain Hirako. If you'd treated me the way other captains treated their vice-captains, you might've figured it out. But you didn't because you didn't trust me. You kept your distance and never divulged any information to me. I don't even know what your Zanpakutō abilities are, despite serving under you for years. You never tried to get to know me…"

The bespectacled Shinigami continues to look down on the captain, "That is exactly why it was so easy to manipulate you. You failed to notice the differences in behavior, even as I replaced myself with a complete stranger. I made sure the man who took my place memorized the way I spoke and acted toward you and the other Shinigami. If you had a deeper understanding of me, you may have noticed. Right now, you are lying on the ground there because you never got to know me, Captain Hirako."

Shinji growls as he now sits upright, continuing to bleed, "Sosuke…"

Aizen perks up slightly, "Oh, and one more thing… you said you chose me as your vice-captain to keep an eye on me. That's incorrect. Just as captains have the right to appoint the officers in their squad, the officers also have a right to decline. Although, that right is rarely exercised. Despite that, I still chose to be your vice-captain. I did so because I knew your deep skepticism of me would make you easier to manipulate than the other captains. So, in actuality, it's more like I chose you, Captain Hirako…"

The blonde man, having heard enough, rises to his feet and levels his sword at the man, shouting, "SOSUKE!"

Just as he is about to attack, white goop shoots from his mouth and left eye, beginning to completely cover the left side of his head and partially form a Hollow mask.

He gags as his right eye is full of dread, leaving Aizen to smirk darkly, "Thank you for being so easily provoked…"

Shinji curses, his gaze urgent as his body begins to become encased in white armor, "Damn it! Me too?!"

He flinches as he notices the others behind him all beginning to develop Hollow masks and armor as well, prompting him to shout, "SOSUKE! What did you do to them?!"

Shinji seizes as the mask solidifies on the left side of his face, making the vice-captain note, "As I suspected. Hollowfication is accelerated by the victim's agitation and blood lust."

The blonde captain glares at the other man with his right eye as he breathes heavily, "Hollowfication…? What the hell is that…?"

Aizen grunts lightly, amused, "It's not necessary for you to know."

Hiyori, still wearing her mask, suddenly releases a roar of agony, prompting Shinji and the turncoats to look at her.

As she becomes quiet, her Hollowfied eyes look at the older blonde man from behind her mask, starting in a distorted voice, "S-Shinji…?"

Aizen frowns before glancing at Tosen, ordering, "Kaname."

"Yes, sir.", the blind man states as he starts to draw his blade.

The blonde captain shouts helplessly as now just about the entire left side of his body is encased in the white Hollow armor, "S-STOP!"

His screams are no use as Tosen promptly cuts the girl down, leaving the bespectacled man to level a cold gaze on his captain while leveling his blade at him, "Let's put an end to this… Captain Hirako. You were the perfect superior for me. You kept me close because of your suspicions. You kept your distance because of your skepticism. You thought you could restrain my movements by keeping an eye on me. Remember this: transparent treachery is nothing to fear. What's truly frightening is the treachery that can't be detected."

Aizen raises his sword above his head, poised to strike his captain down, "Goodbye. You people were magnificent pawns…"

Shinji seizes and curses as he knows that the final death blow is coming. Perhaps in an act of fate, the vice-captain is forced to pause as the cloaked form of Urahara appears behind him before striking at him with his Shikai. Aizen widens his eyes and sidesteps just in time to avoid being killed as his vice-captain's badge is cut from his uniform.

The cloaked captain instinctually retreats slightly, leaving the turncoats to look at him and his companion, the bespectacled man narrowing his eyes and humming, "What a pleasant surprise…"

Across from them, Tessai and the cloaked Urahara glare at him as he tilts his head, asking, "What can I do for you gentlemen? …Captain Urahara… Commander Tsukabishi…"

The young Gin smirks as he jovially notes, "Uh-oh. They found us."

Tosen insists, drawing his blade once more, "I'll kill them."

Aizen, however, raises his hand to stop him, "That won't be necessary…"

The blind man starts to argue; however, the vice-captain calmly reminds him, "Kaname… I said… that won't be necessary."

Tosen widens his blind eyes before bowing and taking a knee as he sweats nervously, "F-Forgive me, My Lord!"

Meanwhile, Shinji huffs and puffs as he regards the younger captain with a distorted voice, "Kisuke… what the hell are you doing here?"

This leaves the Squad 12 captain to widen his eyes and note comically, "Shinji! What's with the hideous mask?"

The older captain smirks as he manages to chuckle despite the damning situation, "Good one…"

Urahara returns the smile before his expression becomes much more serious, frowning as he sees the other Shinigami in similar states, including his vice-captain.

The man then levels a death glare at the bespectacled traitor, starting, "Vice-Captain Aizen…"

Aizen looks at the other man with a neutral look, "Yes, sir?"

Urahara narrows his eyes as he presses, "What are you doing here?"

The vice-captain doesn't hesitate as he lies, motioning toward the Shinigami on the group behind him, "Nothing. As you can see, I found the wounded members of the special task force who were investigating the disappearing Konpaku. I was just trying to help them."

The captain maintains his cold glare, "Don't give me that… why are you lying?"

Aizen looks offended, "Lying? What's wrong with a vice-captain trying to help his captain?"

Urahara grunts, "No. That's not what I'm talking about. You said they were wounded. You call this wounded? It's not a good lie. This is Hollowfication."

The bespectacled man narrows his brown eyes, now smirking evilly, "I see… you're the man I expected you to be."

His words cause the captain to widen his eyes and sweat nervously, completely caught off guard.

Aizen promptly sheathes his blade before turning to leave, "I'm glad you came here tonight… we're leaving… Gin… Kaname…"

Urahara lunges to pursue, calling, "STOP!"

Before he can get too far, he flinches as Tessai screams behind him, "OUT OF THE WAY, CAPTAIN URAHARA!"

The captain widens his eyes before immediately disappearing with a flash as the commander holds his left palm in front of him and chants, "Hadō 88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"

A massive blue blast of lightning is sent at the retreating trio, intent on destroying them.

Just as the blast is about to hit, Aizen doesn't even bother turning around as he chants, "Bakudō 81: Dankū."

His chant seemingly creates an almost infinite vertical wall which completely stops the blast, resulting in it creating a massive explosion that sends a shockwave across the forest in the Rukongai.

Tessai scowls in disbelief, "Impossible… a vice-captain stopping my Kidō with a Dankū performed without an incantation!"

After a moment, the barrier shatters, revealing that Aizen and his followers have escaped unharmed.

The commander exhales as he regards the cloaked captain next to him, "I'm sorry. It seems I've let them get away…"

Urahara sweats as he asks nervously, "Tessai… what is he…?"

Before they can linger on the traitor Shinigami, Shinji suddenly pukes up more of the white substance before falling to the ground.

This makes Urahara urgently call to his senior and friend, "SHINJI!"

Tessai then asserts, "We'll worry about Vice-Captain Aizen later. Captain Hirako and the others need immediate treatment!"

The captain furrows his brows, "B-But we can't treat them here! With conditions this advanced, they'll need to be…"

The commander's nose twitches as the captain trails off, prompting him to note, "Urahara… you seem to know something about this thing called Hollowfication. That means you know how to deal with it, am I wrong?"

Urahara sweats as he wears a neutral expression and regards the man, "…I do… but it's a gamble…"

Tessai hums as he settles, "I see. Anything is better than doing nothing! I'll transport these eight Shinigami to the Squad 12 Barracks. If you have access to your facilities, you can save them?"

The blonde man widens his eyes, "In their condition?! But how?!"

The commander answers as he looks back slightly at the captain, "I will use Jikanteishi (Time Suspension) and Kūkanten'i (Space Dislocation)…"

Urahara quietly looks at the Kidō master in disbelief as he clasps his hands together, requesting, "They are both forbidden spells. So, I'll ask you to cover your eyes and ears for a moment…"

Lab, Squad 12 Barracks

The entire battlefield, along with the Hollowfied Shinigami, has been transported to the main lab within the Squad 12 Barracks.

Tessai exhales as Urahara walks to the corner of the room and opens a safe, pulling an object from it, "Hollowfication was something I stumbled upon while trying to strengthen the Konpaku of Shinigami. In the process, I created a substance that instantly destroys the boundary between Hollows and Shinigami."

He returns to the commander's side, revealing an eldritch-looking orb encased in a gem of sorts, "I'll use this to treat them… it is called… the Hōgyoku…"

Morning, Squad 12 Barracks

Urahara lies on the floor in the barracks, knocked out and completely exhausted from having to treat the Hollowfied Shinigami the previous night. As the sun shines in through the window, the captain immediately shoots up with widened eyes, finding the masked form of Shinji lying unconscious against the wall.

Urahara then notes Tessai sitting in the corner, holding his hands together in a unique manner, which prompts him to sulk as he rises to his feet, "I'm sorry, Tessai… I failed…"

The commander is quiet as he quietly watches the man walk to the exit, musing as he does, "I'm going for some fresh air…"

The man leaves the lab and walks through the halls of the barracks, flanked by Tessai.

Just as they enter the grassy courtyard, multiple guards wearing black clothing appear and level their batons at them, declaring, "Captain Kisuke Urahara of Squad 12! Kidō Corp Commander Tessai Tsukabishi! The Central 46 has issued a warrant for your arrest!"

Both Shinigami are wide-eyed and shocked as the guards finish, "Please come with us."

Central 46 Chamber

Urahara and Tessi wear Reishi cuffs as they stand in silence within the darkness of the Central 46 Chamber.

The blonde captain glances around the chamber at the council, who all are seated behind veils to hide their faces, "What's all this about?"

One member of the council snaps at him, "Did we permit you to speak?! This is an interrogation. You will speak only in response to our questions. Remember your place, Captain!"

Urahara apologizes as his thoughts are troubled, "Interrogation? Am I suspected of something?"

Another member of the council questions, "Where were you last night after midnight?"

The captain tilts his head, answering, "I was in the forest in the Rukongai's 6th district."

This prompts yet another member to question, "Were you conducting your Hollowfication experiment?"

Urahara stiffens and widens his eyes in confusion.

One of the councilmen grunts, "Were you testing the results of your abominable research on the Captain of Squad 5 as well as the other Shinigami who accompanied him last night? Well?"

The captain snaps, "Hold on, sir! Who told you…?"

One of the elders on the council reminds, "You are not allowed to ask questions."

Urahara furrows his brows and scowls, "…it was Vice-Captain Aizen, wasn't it?"

The same elder warns, "That's twice, Captain Urahara. Another outburst like that and you'll be charged with contempt."

This does not prevent the captain from lashing out, desperate to reveal the truth, "It was all Sosuke Aizen's doing! We went there to help Captain Hirako and the others!"

Another elder on the council hisses, "That's so absurd it's almost laughable! The vice-captain of Squad 5 didn't leave the Seireitei last night. Multiple officers and a captain testified to the fact. There's no doubt about it!"

Urahara flinches, his face full of dread now, "What…? No…"

A ninja Shinigami suddenly arrives and kneels before the council, reporting, "We've discovered traces of the Hollowfication experiment in Squad 12's Research Laboratory."

The dread on the captain's face increases as the speaker, an elderly man with a mustache, declares, "It's settled. We hereby sentence you, Commander Tessai Tsukabishi to Underground Prison Level 3: Shugo for the crime of performing forbidden spells! As for you, Captain Kisuke Urahara, for committing treasonous research and deceiving and causing bodily harm to your comrades, all of your Reiatsu and spiritual powers will be removed, and you will be permanently banished to the world of the living!"

The elder grunts before adding, plunging the captain into despair, "Additionally, the ones you experimented on will be disposed of as Hollows!"

Urahara snaps, "Wait a second, sir! That's not—!"

The man widens his eyes and pauses as a figure, clad in black and face hidden, appears at the chamber's entrance at the top of a set of stairs.

The council is in an outroar at this, one of them pointing at the figure, "Who permitted you to enter the chamber?! Leave immediately!"

The figure narrows their golden eyes before leaping down next to Urahara and Tessai, promptly breaking off their Reishi cuffs with their fists.

The trio wastes no time as they all disappear with a flash, prompting one of the councilmen to hiss, "CAPTURE THEM! THEY'RE RENEGADES!"

Later, Under Sōkyoku Hill

Within the cave beneath the Sōkyoku Hill, Urahara rubs the back of his head as he thanks the figure currently removing the cloth concealing their face, "Thank you… Yoruichi…"

The noblewoman narrows her golden eyes as she discards the cloth, "No need to thank me. I'm angry you didn't bother to ask for my help at all last night. I oughta kick your butt for that, Kisuke…"

She glances at the Hollowfied, masked Shinigami stacked in a pile across the room, all unconscious, "I brought all eight of them here, as well as the new Gigai prototype you've been working on."

The ninja woman glances at her friend, "Now get to work. The moment Captain Hirako told me about the incident, I knew to expect the worst… I had an idea of what your solution for that would be…"

Urahara returns to look before sighing as he looks away, "So, you had it all figured out… you're very sneaky…"

The woman looks at the pile of Shinigami again as she retorts, "You're one to talk…"

After a brief moment of silence, the blonde Shinigami approaches the Kidō master, "Tessai… would you restrain Shinji and the others? A two or three-layered barrier around the entire area as well should be sufficient…"

Urahara's gaze is completely serious as he asserts, "Within 20 hours, I'll create ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigais for them and for you and me, Tessai."

This leaves Yoruichi to smirk, "No need to worry about me… I can manage on my own."

The blonde man then looks intently at the forms of the Visoreds, "I will hide out in the world of the living and take my time figuring out a solution… I promise. I'll find a way to undo the Hollowfication."

Present, Squad 8 Barracks

Karin widens her eyes in shock as the man finishes, making her glance at the Visoreds, "They have… Hollow powers?"

Everyone else hearing this story for the first time also have widened eyes, many things beginning to logically fall into place and clarify just how deeply they were deceived by Aizen.

Urahara's look is serious as he asserts, "Aizen needed my Hōgyoku to complete his own. I believe he wishes to use the fully awakened one to create an army of Arrancars—similar to Arturo Plateado and those other maskless Hollows that attacked the Seireitei. But that's not all…"

Many of the Shinigami present feel absolute dread as the exiled captain reveals, "I am of the belief that, based on what Yoruichi has told me about her battle with him, as well as what Shinji told me he said when retreating to Hueco Mundo, Aizen wants to create an Ōken so he can get to the Soul King."

Yamamoto clutches his cane harshly as he glances at Kyoraku, "Then this is all the more reason to deal with the threat of Arturo Plateado as swiftly as possible! If what you are saying is true, Kisuke Urahara, the threat Sosuke Aizen poses has just increased astronomically!"

Most of the Shinigami present nod despite their personal feelings on the Gotei 13, unable to deny that both Arturo and Aizen need to go down.

Karin, meanwhile, widens her eyes and questions, "The Soul King…?"

Isshin notes his daughter's confusion, prompting him to promise, "I'll tell you later…"

The girl accepts her father's answer as Katsumi thoughtfully cups her chin, "Why would that insolent Sosuke Aizen want to reach the Soul King…? What does he know to make him feel that way…? I'll have to discuss this with Uncle in private later…"

Urahara suddenly sighs, "Well, in the meantime, I'll come up with as many contingency plans to deal with Aizen and the Hollow White as I can… the Gotei 13 seems to have their hands full enough as it is…"

Yamamoto and Kyoraku nod, admitting that is the case.

Shinji cuts in, asserting as he speaks for the Visoreds, "And as for us, as soon as that damned Hollow rematerializes, we'll give him Hell for killing Tessai and nearly doing the same to Kensei and Mashiro…"

Backing up the man's words, the Visoreds all hold their blades as the desire for revenge is held in their eyes.

The mention of the man makes Isshin glance at his corpse, still covered by the black tarp, prompting him to note, "Speaking of which, we should also give him a proper send-off in the meantime…"

Urahara, Yoruichi, and the Visoreds are all somber as they nod in agreement. Hachi promptly clasps his hands together, summoning a levitating Kidō barrier that gently lifts Tessai's body from the ground. Isshin, Urahara, Yoruichi, and the Visoreds quietly begin to leave the barracks, intent on returning to the Rukongai, as Karin and Nozomi both glance at Katsumi before quickly following after.

After everyone leaves, Mayuri and Nemu suddenly appear, earning the attention of the remaining Shinigami.

The scientist grunts, "It's about time you finished talking about that! There is an urgent issue that requires the attention of at least one captain in the world of living. Specifically, it's—"

"No.", the Head Captain immediately replies, cutting the other man off.

Mayuri gawks in disbelief before scowling, "Head Captain, the situation has to do with the Blanks! They're getting out of control! If left unchecked, an imbalance in the precipice world so severe may occur that the Dangai itself collapses! The world of the living and Soul Society would be sent crashing into each other! It would—!"

Yamamoto's hand clutches his cane as he roars, "CAPTAIN KUROTSUCHI!"

The scientist flinches, mild fear now in his eyes under the feral gaze of the living legend, who barks, "I will not send even a single captain to deal with mere Blanks! Not as Arturo Plateado roams free! You say that the Blanks could end the realms? Well, I KNOW Arturo WILL be the end of us if left unchecked!"

Kyoraku, Nanao, and Mayuri are wide-eyed at the sight of Yamamoto, who for the first time that any of them can recall, has a hint of fear in his gaze. Sasakibe also looks down solemnly, as familiar with the ancient Hollow as his captain is.

After a moment, the Head Captain exhales, calming somewhat, which prompts the Squad 8 captain to cut in, "Hey… Kisuke Urahara and Isshin Shiba just left. You could ask them to—"

The egotistical scientist hisses, "I will NOT ask Kisuke Urahara for help!"

Yamamoto counters with a growl, "If you are unwilling to ask for outside assistance, then the Blanks clearly do not pose enough of a threat to split our forces up over. You are to remain in the Seireitei and develop countermeasures to combat the Hollows, the phoenix included."

Mayuri frowns as he begrudgingly nods and stomps out of the barracks while Nemu continues to flank him. The scientist widens his eyes, however, as Katsumi and Tokinada seem to be waiting for him outside, flanked by their bodyguards.

The captain rolls his eyes, asking, "And how may I be of assistance to the nobility?"

The white-haired girl explains, "I have a special interest in Karin Shiba. I do not wish for her body in the world of the living to come to harm whatsoever. Therefore, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with the Head Captain. I think I might have an offer for you that you cannot refuse, Director Kurotsuchi."

Mayuri raises a brow as the girl uses his preferred title before responding, "It does me no good if I am not able to observe these creatures."

Katsumi coyly smiles as she points to Nemu standing behind the captain, "Head Captain Yamamoto said that he would not part with any of the captains. I did not hear him say anything about vice-captains. There shouldn't be any issues if you send her to observe the Blanks and collect samples on your behalf. In fact, the Tsunayashiro Clan would like to take the situation with the Blanks completely off your hands so you might focus on our Hollow problems…"

The scientist hisses, "Absolutely not! I told you; I want—I mean, NEED data on this!"

The girl bargains, "Then what if your vice-captain were to temporarily serve under me? That would allow you to collect data after the situation has been handled."

Mayuri looks between Nemu and Katsumi, narrowing his eyes as he is skeptical, "You mean to take my creation as your underling? You are presumptuous in thinking I would ever allow anyone other than myself to act as Nemu's master…"

The noble girl looks to the side with a slightly disappointed look, shrugging as she casually reveals, "Oh well… I was planning on compensating you nicely if you let me borrow her, but…"

The scientist's ears twitch slightly as she continues, "…I suppose the Department of Research and Development doesn't need the additional funding that would come from the Great Tsunayashiro Clan—"

"Very well…", the captain suddenly cuts her off, making her smirk.

Mayuri returns the smirk as he declares, "I shall lend you my vice-captain, Nemu Kurotsuchi, to help you deal with the situation with the Blanks on the promise of additional funding for my other projects as well as sending me any data collected on the Blanks upon completion of the operation."

Katsumi continues smiling as she nods, "It's a deal, then. You can expect your first payment to arrive before morning."

The scientist's smirk widens as he regards his vice-captain in a pleased tone, "Nemu, you are to follow any and all orders that the generous Lady Tsunayashiro gives you until the Blanks are dealt with, understood?"

The woman bows, "Yes, Master Mayuri."

Mayuri looks back at Katsumi before stating, still with a pleased tone, "Nemu is all yours. I will be awaiting your first payment, My Lady…"

The captain promptly walks off, leaving the noble girl to shift to a disgusted scowl as she watches him leave, "Such a twisted man he is…"

Her uncle, Tokinada, however, grins widely as he considers, "Nice pivot, my lovely niece… This just continues to get more and more interesting, doesn't it…? Yet still, the fools have no idea of the impending chaos! In fact, I think I'll go issue Aura her next orders after this…"

Nemu suddenly speaks up, making the shorter form of Katsumi perk up and look up slightly to regard her, "My Lady, what are your orders?"

The girl nods as her face becomes neutral, "Yes… here's what I'd like you to do…"

Canopy, Las Noches

Ichigo continues to sit in silence with Tatsuki at the top of one of the towers atop Las Noches, considering, with a downcast gaze, "Chad was in the Soul Society, too... I bet he'd be here if he could... I wonder what he'd say if he saw my sorry state right now..."

After a moment of considering his best friend, the Hollow perks up slightly upon recalling something else, shifting to the girl next to him and questioning, "Say, Tatsuki... how are Keigo and Mizuiro? Don't tell me they are still wrapped up in all this too..."

Tatsuki perks up before shaking her head with a slight frown of confusion, "No, they should still be going to school as normal to my knowledge... and what do you mean by 'still'? They never got involved with any of this spiritual stuff!"

The Hollow's gaze settles to a neutral expression as he sighs, "Forget it… it's just a relief to know that at least some of my friends stayed normal..."

She frowns and opens her mouth to say something, but suddenly Aizen's voice cuts in, "May I have a word with the King?"

Tatsuki widens her eyes before glancing at the former captain, who lacks the glasses he had in the past, as well as his hairstyle being completely different, now slicked back. She looks at him with a level of scrutiny for a moment, considering if she should allow it.

Her brow twitches in recognition of the Shinigami, "Wait… he's the one who helped Orihime heal Ichigo…"

The girl promptly shrugs and glances at her friend, "That depends on him..."

Ichigo sighs before standing up and looking between Tatsuki and Aizen, stating, "Tatsuki, could you give us some space?"

The girl blinks before furrowing her brows, "Why doesn't he want me to hear this conversation…?"

Despite her thoughts, she nods and disappears with Bringer's Light after reminding her friend, "Just don't go running off..."

Now alone, Ichigo and Aizen stare at each other quietly before the orange-haired Arrancar questions, "What do you want, Aizen? Is something wrong in the palace?"

The Shinigami smiles slightly, answering, "No..."

This makes the young Hollow frown, now visibly confused, "Then what do you want?"

Aizen maintains his smile before walking along the pillar in a circle and answering as he looks out at the desert, "What exactly is it that you plan to do next?"

Ichigo raises a brow, troubled by the man's seemingly odd pivot, "What do you mean?"

The renegade glances at the young Hollow, "You've just become the King of this palace. I'm merely curious what your plans for your reign will look like moving forward."

The Hollow blinks, troubled as he realizes he hasn't given it much thought. His plan ever since finding out about how his mother died was to force Barragan to step down. He wanted to hand the throne over to someone else more qualified than the old King, excluding himself, as he planned to die as punishment for what happened to his mother and sister. However, his friends interfered, and changed that trajectory completely, convincing him that there are more reasons he should remain living than there are for him to die.

Aizen sees the thoughtful, conflicted expression on the boy's face. It is clear to the Shinigami that the younger being is working through his motivations. Thus, the typically arrogant Shinigami remains silent, patiently waiting for a response.

After some thought, the teenage Hollow answers, considering what Sora told him earlier, "I guess I would say that I want to find any other Hollows throughout Hueco Mundo who are still feasting on each other and offer them a chance to come here, away from that life..."

Aizen closes his eyes, maintaining a smile, "How benevolent of you... but what then...?"

Ichigo scrunches his brows, becoming troubled, "Well, I..."

The Hollow King becomes silent as he can't really find an answer at the moment.

The Shinigami opens his eyes as he presses, "You have this new army... a brand-new Espada as well. Yet all you would have them do is find straggling Hollows?"

Ichigo scowls, starting to see what the man is getting at, "There's no reason to go to war! Enough have died as it is!"

Aizen frowns as his eyes narrow, "He is not ready to hear that yet... so, instead..."

The brown-haired Shinigami reveals bluntly, "You won't have a choice."

The Hollow King's look is dark as he growls, "What did you just say to me?"

Aizen maintains a frown as he speaks objectively, "Las Noches has no protective Sekkiseki barrier like the Seireitei. Once the Shinigami have recovered from the recent attacks, they will come here, to Hueco Mundo, for you and me."

Ichigo widens his eyes, starting to realize what the captain is actually getting at as he continues, "And when they do, all of the Hollows in Las Noches will throw themselves at the blades of the Shinigami, to protect you, their King."

The young Hollow snaps, desperately trying to argue, "NO! I'll face the Shinigami alone! I alone will die so they don't—"

The Shinigami cuts him off coldly, "Don't be a fool."

Ichigo flinches as the former captain continues, "I saw how loyal your followers are firsthand. The ones who came with us to the Soul Society—any one of them would die for you without hesitation. Even Nelliel, who was once my subordinate. Do you really think they would just let you get yourself killed without a fight?"

The Hollow King is wide-eyed in realization, the fact that they wouldn't even let him kill himself slapping him in the face.

Aizen settles, "They are far from the only ones in this palace who feel this way... your Fraccions, fellow Espadas, and even the human girls..."

Ichigo's scowl worsens as he snaps in frustration, "But I never asked for that level of devotion! I don't want it!"

The Shinigami's gaze seems to empathize with the boy as he explains in a genuine tone, "I understand that it doesn't make sense, Ichigo, but the people who have pledged themselves to you have made up their minds. Many will not hesitate to destroy themselves if it is required to further your existence... neither you nor I can change their stance on that."

The King frowns as a desperate look occupies his features, clearly troubled and needing time to process.

Aizen opens his mouth to say something else, however, he is cut off as a voice screams from the arena below, "WHITE!"

Both the Shinigami and Hollow tense as blood-lusted Reiatsu rains down and a red Cero is launched at them from below.

Ichigo instinctually pulls his blade from the sheathe, now coated in blackened red energy, as he cries, "Getsuga Tenshō!"

The Cero and sword beam explode as they crash against each other, leaving the forms of Ichigo and Aizen to appear in the arena below with a respective buzz and flash. They are followed by Tatsuki, who appears with green flames, staring at the attacker in wide-eyed confusion. Standing across the cracked, heavily damaged arena, is the cackling form of Grimmjow, flanked by his Fraccions and the frowning forms of Nelliel and the Picaro.

Meanwhile, Sora's Palace, Las Noches

In a mirrored room inside Sora's palace, Orihime smiles joyfully as she styles the Hollow girls' hair, leaving them with very unique and comical hairstyles. Sora and Wonderweiss both smile as they stand in the doorframe, watching the auburn-haired girl continue to do the girls' hair. Kukkapuro, meanwhile, is lying down in the corner of the room, currently resting.

Mila Rose, Sung-Sun, and Apacci look at their reflections in the mirror with unsure looks on their faces as Halibel, whose hair is slicked back at the moment, muses, "So, this is how his sister is like… interesting…"

Cirucci sweat drops as she looks at her currently obnoxious-looking cow-lick hairstyle, "Are you sure this is a trendy hairstyle in the world of the living…?"

Orihime giggles as she admits shamelessly, "Nope! It's not trendy at all!"

This makes the violet-haired woman shake her head, returning the style back to normal as she hisses, "You little—!"

Before she can finish, everyone in the room widens their eyes as they are drenched in intense, blood-lusted Reiatsu. Halibel and her followers return their hair back to normal as well, before promptly disappearing with Sonido.

Sora glances at Orihime, as well as his Fraccions, including the now growling Kukkapuro, before nodding, "Let's go."

They all disappear with Sonido as well, except the auburn-haired girl, who uses Bringer's Light instead.

Arena Above Canopy, Las Noches

As everyone begins appearing in the area around the arena, Ichigo levels a look of warning at Grimmjow standing across from him, "What the hell do you think you're doing, Grimmjow?"

The panther continues to cackle as he motions toward the growing crowd, now including Sora and Orihime's group, as well as all of the other Espadas and their Fraccions, with the sole exception being Ulquiorra.

Grimmjow declares as he draws his Zanpakutō, sending a shockwave across the palace canopy, "Isn't that obvious?! I'm here for my rematch, White!"

Author's Note:

Happy New Year! It is also Urahara and Yoruichi's birthdays, which is fitting given how much of them is in this chapter!

While writing this chapter, I thought about how crazy it would've been if Unohana went to investigate and became one of the Visoreds. Unohana is already scary, but with a Hollow mask, it makes me shudder, LOL.

I just thought it would be nice to include the lengthy flashback within the story itself since it does a ton for a lot of characters, especially the Visoreds. Anyway, with this chapter out of the way, the story marches on! I have a lot of interesting ideas planned for the arc moving forward, which I hope to be able to share sooner than later.