The sudden appearance of such a large number of Hollows was something that absolutely could not be ignored.
After realizing that multiple souls had undergone forced Hollowfication, Muguruma Kensei immediately issued orders. Leading the Ninth Division personally, he began the urgent task of purifying the Hollows that had appeared throughout the surrounding districts of Rukongai.
Under the coordinated efforts of trained Shinigami, the unstable Hollows were swiftly eliminated one by one.
Yet even as the final Hollow dissipated into reishi particles, unease lingered in Kensei's heart.
This was no ordinary outbreak.
After ensuring that the area was temporarily secured, Muguruma Kensei prepared to return to Seireitei and report the situation directly
When something went wrong.
Seireitei — First Division Barracks
Late at night, within the headquarters of the First Division, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was abruptly awakened.
The Commander-General had already retired for the night, his immense Reiatsu subdued in sleep.
But the hurried arrival of his vice-captain shattered the silence.
"Commander-General," Chōjirō Sasakibe said urgently, kneeling at once, "an emergency report has arrived."
Yamamoto opened his eyes.
The moment he heard the contents of the report, any trace of drowsiness vanished.
"…So it has begun," he said gravely.
He rose, donning his captain's haori.
"Immediately summon all captains of the Gotei Thirteen."
"Yes, sir!"
Moments later, the sharp, resonant sound of the captain's emergency summons echoed throughout Seireitei.
Whether in the midst of paperwork or deep in sleep, captains and vice-captains alike had no choice but to respond.
One by one, figures converged on the First Division's Captain-Commander's Chamber.
Not long after, the captains had gathered.
"So… Shigure," Kyōraku Shunsui said as he leaned lazily against a pillar, glancing sideways, "do you have any idea what's going on this time?"
He had noticed immediately that Gosuke Shigure was already present.
Despite his usual indolent demeanor, Kyōraku trusted Shigure's judgment deeply. especially after the discovery of the Quincy shadow realm beneath Seireitei.
"That spirit subspace alone saved us from a far worse situation."
"I honestly don't know," Shigure replied calmly. "I was asleep until the summons came. If something happened, it must have happened fast."
"You went to bed that early?" Kyōraku blinked. "That's rare."
Shigure smiled faintly. "I'm not young anymore. Health management is important."
Kyōraku stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You might be right. Maybe I should start sleeping earlier too…"
As quiet chatter spread, more captains arrived.
Jūshirō Ukitake, however, was absent.
No one found this unusual.
Given his chronic illness, his attendance was always uncertain. The captains had long since accepted that Ukitake's presence was, at best, a matter of chance.
Yet there was one thing none of them doubted
No matter how frail his body appeared, Ukitake was unquestionably a captain-level Shinigami.
The room fell silent as Yamamoto entered, Chōjirō Sasakibe following closely behind.
His presence alone carried overwhelming authority.
"Everyone," Yamamoto said in a deep voice, "an incident has occurred in Rukongai."
"The Ninth Division, dispatched to investigate repeated soul disappearances, has encountered an emergency situation."
"The captain of the Ninth Division, Muguruma Kensei, has requested immediate assistance."
The gravity of his words settled heavily over the room.
Before anyone could speak
Two additional figures entered.
One was a tall, bearded man wearing purple robes.
The other, stout and pink-haired, followed beside him.
Tsukabishi Tessai, Commander of the Kidō Corps.
And Hachigen Ushōda, Vice-Commander of the Kidō Corps.
Their arrival alone confirmed that this was no ordinary incident.
The Kidō Corps rarely intervened directly,especially their highest-ranking members.
Their expertise lay in barriers, spatial manipulation, and forbidden Kidō.
Several captains immediately realized
This situation might involve dangerous spatial or spiritual phenomena requiring high-level sealing techniques.
Yamamoto wasted no time.
"I have decided on the rescue team," he declared.
"Hirako Shinji of the Fifth Division will take command."
"Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō of the Third Division."
"Aikawa Love of the Seventh Division."
"Yadōmaru Lisa, Vice-Captain of the Eighth Division."
"And Hachigen Ushōda of the Kidō Corps."
"They will proceed immediately to Rukongai."
"The rest of you are dismissed."
The selection was decisive.
Three captains, one vice-captain of exceptional ability, and the Kidō Corps' vice-commander.
Such a force was overwhelming by any standard.
After all, Muguruma Kensei himself was already a captain-level combatant.
If even he required assistance, the threat could not be underestimated.
As the captains departed, Urahara Kisuke, Captain of the Twelfth Division, remained thoughtful.
Two days earlier, he had assigned Sarugaki Hiyori to assist with investigating the soul disappearances.
Coincidentally, she had joined Muguruma Kensei's operation.
Now, with an emergency unfolding
Urahara felt a rare unease.
Although Hiyori had initially resisted him fiercely after his appointment, over time she had gradually acknowledged both his intellect and the achievements of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
He genuinely regarded her as his subordinate.
And now
Her safety was uncertain.
That night felt unnaturally long.
Gosuke Shigure did not join the rescue team.
Instead, he returned to the Eleventh Division barracks, remaining on standby.
He did not believe the situation had escalated to the point where Kenpachi-level intervention was required
But instinct told him something fundamental was shifting.
Before dawn arrived, the true cause of the night's chaos would finally begin to surface.
And with it
A shadow far deeper than Hollows or Quincy would start to move.