A Hollow uprising.
Every captain's expression turned grim.
Purifying Hollows and performing Konsō in the World of the Living was ordinarily the duty of the Thirteenth Division. At most, if something unusual occurred, reinforcements would be drawn from other divisions.
But for the matter to be brought before the captain's assembly meant its severity had far surpassed anything they had imagined.
"Captain Kurotsuchi of the Twelfth Division will explain the situation," Yamamoto Genryūsai said, then fell silent.
"Ha… so none of you are taking this seriously yet, are you?" Mayuri let out a twisted laugh, his long fingers writhing in the air like serpents.
"The scale of this incident goes far beyond your imagination. According to my Department of Research and Development's reiatsu-sensing data, forty-eight cities lost stationed Shinigami overnight."
Shock swept across the chamber.
"Hollows are flooding into the World of the Living like madmen, exploiting their numbers to overwhelm posted Shinigami. What's more, our detectors can no longer track their movements with accuracy. Beyond a few Adjuchas, most are Gillians and various other forms of Menos. And—multiple specimens like Metastacia have appeared."
Mayuri's grin widened with grotesque delight.
"In fact, I've already collected several intriguing samples for research."
At the mention of Metastacia, he deliberately glanced at Shimo. That Hollow's abilities had been revealed to Mayuri by him.
"Oh my, this truly is a disaster."
Kyōraku Shunsui's voice was lazy as ever, but his face was steadily hardening. As one of the oldest captains, he remembered past Hollow incursions—but none had ever been so widespread.
"Head-Captain Yamamoto, are you saying we'll need to deploy elite forces to the World of the Living?"
All eyes turned back to the Captain-Commander.
"Captain Kyōraku, please wait until I finish." Mayuri's tone sharpened, now unnervingly calm.
"Ah, my apologies," Shunsui said with a bow.
Mayuri continued.
"Though the cause is unclear, these Hollows have… changed. Evolved. They conceal their reiatsu, evading detection. Crude technique, yes, like a child's trick—but the sheer number who can use it is unprecedented."
His hands drew wide circles in the air as if sketching unseen diagrams.
"With detection crippled, developing a new sensor will take years. To limit losses in the meantime, we have two options."
He raised two pale fingers.
"First: rely on vice-captains and higher-ranked Shinigami to personally sense reiatsu.
Second: deploy ten times the usual number of stationed Shinigami to each city."
"That is the situation. Distribution, of course, falls to the Captain-Commander."
Yamamoto spoke at last.
"Lieutenant Chōjirō and I have analyzed this matter. To minimize losses, both measures will be implemented simultaneously."
Chōjirō Sasakibe stepped forward to elaborate.
"The Thirteenth Division will continue its regular Konsō and purification duties. The Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Divisions will each dispatch reinforcements. Meanwhile, the Onmitsukidō will investigate the cause of this sudden Hollow unrest."
The captains exchanged thoughtful glances but offered no objections.
Chōjirō pressed on.
"Five vice-captains will each be assigned to protect two cities. If necessary, you may apply for permission to release your zanpakutō. However, captains are strictly forbidden to leave Seireitei until this Hollow chaos is resolved."
Shimo's eyes narrowed. The situation has grown this dire?
The Human World had long been stable, yet now Hollows ran rampant. Yamamoto's restriction on captains leaving Seireitei could only mean he suspected something deeper.
Still, the truth was plain: as long as Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu ensnared all of Soul Society, it was Shimo's absence that would truly leave Seireitei vulnerable.
And yet, there were parts of Aizen's grand design Shimo didn't wholly oppose—like tearing down Central 46, whose so-called sages were nothing more than parasites clinging to power.
"…For the Human World's operations," Yamamoto's voice cut through his thoughts, "responsibility will fall to Fourth Division Lieutenant Kyōraku Shimo."
Shimo froze. His calm expression stiffened.
Why me? I didn't even volunteer…
"Captain-Commander, I'm not well-suited for this sort of assignment!" he protested.
"Do not worry. You will have an aide." Yamamoto's eyes remained firm.
"Given your strength, you will be stationed in the most heavily afflicted city. Prepare yourself."
"…And if I say I'm not prepared?" Shimo muttered.
Yamamoto ignored him, turning instead to Shiba Kaien, who was attending in Jūshirō Ukitake's stead.
"Thirteenth Division Lieutenant Shiba Kaien—you will be second-in-command for this operation."
"Yes, sir!" Kaien's response was crisp, his loyalty unquestionable. He was Yamamoto's preferred model of a Shinigami: talented, dutiful, obedient.
"Do any object?" Yamamoto asked. His words sounded like a question, but his tone carried the weight of a challenge—raise a hand, and you raise your sword against me.
No one dared.
Shimo certainly had no interest in fighting the strongest Shinigami alive. He'd rather hunt a few Hollows to vent his frustrations.
The meeting adjourned.
As captains began to depart, Chōjirō quietly stopped Shimo.
"Lieutenant Shimo—please wait."
Shimo sighed. "What now? Another demand?"
"Not at all," Chōjirō smiled gently. "The Captain-Commander only wished me to remind you—the Hollow crisis is grave. Please exercise utmost caution."
Shimo hesitated, then gave a nod.
"…Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
The warning made him wary. If Yamamoto felt the need to single him out, the situation in the World of the Living was likely worse than he imagined.
When did he start paying this much attention to me? Shimo mused. Was it during the Hueco Mundo mission?
Before he could dwell further, Shunsui approached with Byakuya Kuchiki and Soi Fon.
"Be careful, Shimo," Shunsui said with rare seriousness. "The Kyōraku bloodline still needs you to carry it forward."
Byakuya gave a curt nod. "Take care. You matter to more than yourself."
After they left, Soi Fon lingered awkwardly. Her usual cool demeanor faltered, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
"I-I'll… I'll find the cause of the Hollow outbreak quickly. S-so… please be careful out there."
Her short, straight bangs framed her face, and the braids of her hair swayed as she spoke. Shimo couldn't help but notice how uncharacteristically flustered she seemed.
He placed a hand lightly on her head. "You too."
Her face turned crimson instantly.
"U-understood!" she blurted, then vanished with shunpo.
Shimo chuckled. "Cute. Much cuter than before."
A warm voice rose behind him.
"Truly enviable bonds, aren't they?"
Shimo turned to see calm brown eyes and a gentle smile.
"Captain Aizen."
"Shimo-kun," Aizen greeted, serene as ever. "Be cautious in the Human World. The Hollow situation is dire."
He looked every bit the benevolent captain, the dependable ally. To anyone else, his words would be simple kindness.
But Shimo knew better. The root of this chaos stood right before him—Aizen Sōsuke, soon to be the King of Hueco Mundo.
"Thank you for your concern, Captain Aizen," Shimo replied evenly, betraying nothing. "I'll be careful."
Once Aizen departed, Shimo returned to Fourth Division.
Fourth Division had many units, though for this mission only two could be taken. The rest had to maintain Soul Society's medical system.
"Rokushima Yusuke," Shimo ordered, "you'll lead Fourth Division's contingent in the Human World."
Their destination was already clear.
"Karakura Town."
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