Patter, patter...
Large raindrops fell from the sky, wetting everything on the ground.
Isshin looked up at the sky. "It's raining..."
Meanwhile, the two 10th Division's Shinigami responsible for Narumishi City whispered nearby.
Shinigami A said hesitantly, "What should we do? Captain told us to go back..."
"Don't be ridiculous!! Going back means returning to the Soul Society! If we do that, we'll get reprimanded!" Shinigami B interrupted.
"Let's hide somewhere nearby. After all, leaving this to Captain should be fine," Shinigami B added.
"Yeah, okay!" Shinigami A nodded, then both found a hiding spot nearby to watch Isshin's actions.
Seeing the two Shinigami hide, Isshin leaped onto the tallest nearby building, observing the surroundings.
"Shinigami being targeted... Does that mean Shinigami themselves are the targets, or does it react to high Reiatsu? Not sure which," Isshin pondered.
"Since I don't know, let's try luring it out with Reiatsu—" Thinking this, Isshin's right hand reached for his Zanpakuto.
Shiing—
Isshin's Zanpakuto slowly unsheathed. Simultaneously, an immense, powerful Reiatsu erupted from him.
"Boom!"
Beyond Captain-level Reiatsu spread recklessly in all directions.
"Whoa!"
"So strong!! This is Captain Shiba's Reiatsu?!" In the distance, the two hiding Shinigami responsible for Narumishi City exclaimed in awe.
Though some distance away, under Isshin's Reiatsu, they couldn't help but tremble, their bodies stiffening, movements slowing.
Just then, a dark figure suddenly appeared beside the two Shinigami. A sharp gleam flashed.
Schlick!
Schlick!
Two sounds of blades cutting through flesh.
"Ugh—"
"Aahhh—"
The screams cut off abruptly. The two Shinigami were instantly decapitated.
Hearing the screams, Isshin immediately looked towards their hiding spot.
Seeing his dead comrades, Isshin roared in fury, "Damn it!!"
"No reaction to high Reiatsu?!"
The one who released Reiatsu was Isshin, but it attacked the two Shinigami hiding nearby.
At that moment, Isshin suddenly felt intense danger. His senses screamed warnings.
Instantly, without thinking, Isshin trusted his intuition and instinctively leaned forward.
Schlick-
Though Isshin reacted extremely fast, his left shoulder was still injured.
Isshin slowly turned to look. A creature with two horns, pitch-black body, blade-like arms, wearing a Hollow mask stood there.
Its overall appearance resembled Ichigo's complete Hollowfication form, the Horned Hollow Form.
A drop of cold sweat slid down his head. Isshin's pupils contracted. "What is this thing?!"
"This thing... is a pitch-black Hollow!" The creature looked very different from ordinary Hollows. Isshin had never seen such a Hollow before. Yet, it wore a Hollow mask, confirming it was undoubtedly a Hollow.
"Roar—!!!" The pitch-black Hollow howled at the sky.
"I see... Entirely black, with its holes plugged... But judging by Reiatsu and mask, definitely a Hollow. No mistake!" Isshin affirmed.
As soon as Isshin spoke, the pitch-black Hollow instantly charged at him.
"So fast!!" Seeing its speed, Isshin's expression turned grave. He swung his blade to meet it.
…
Soul Society, Technological Development Bureau.
Three figures watched a screen displaying Isshin.
"Oh my, what a surprise. Isn't that the 10th Division's Captain? Why is he there?" Aizen smiled slightly.
Hearing Aizen, Tosen behind him immediately answered, "Aizen-sama, the Gotei 13 hasn't issued any deployment orders."
Beside him, Gin smiled with narrowed eyes. "Ara ara, acting on his own? That's problematic!"
"No, this is good. An unexpected harvest," Aizen said gently. "I'd like a closer look. Any way?"
…
Karakura Town, Ishida Residence.
Masaki stood by the window, watching the lightning, thunder, and pouring rain outside.
Suddenly, Masaki's expression turned serious. "An incredibly powerful Reiatsu is moving..."
"It's a Hollow—!!"
"And the other..." Here, Masaki immediately pushed open the door, wanting to go outside.
"Where are you going, Masaki?" Ryuken suddenly appeared.
Masaki hesitated. "Ryuken, I just—"
"No need to answer. I know. But give up," Ryuken interrupted.
Masaki said unwillingly, "But—"
"How many times must I say it? We Quincy should act after the Shinigami," Ryuken said.
"And that deployment should be left to mixed-bloods like Katagiri and others. That's the ancient custom."
"Masaki, you should think more about your position. You must cherish yourself more."
"Our pure-blooded Quincy blood must not be spilled lightly!!" Ryuken said seriously.
"But, Ryuken! From the Reiatsu, that Shinigami seems to be at a disadvantage! If left alone, he'll die!!" Masaki shouted.
In Masaki's sensing, the Shinigami fighting the Hollow was completely suppressed. Continuing like this, he'd likely be killed.
Thinking this, Masaki ignored Ryuken's warning and ran outside forcefully.
"Wait! Masaki!!" Ryuken called.
Hearing Ryuken, Masaki looked back. "Ryuken, I think you consider Aunt Izumi's matters, Quincy matters, and future things a lot before acting. That's a great quality of yours."
"But, I'm not you, Ryuken. For me, 'cherishing myself' means doing today's work today."
"Because tomorrow's me definitely won't forgive following customs and not doing what can be done today."
"Tomorrow's me will surely hate today's me who didn't save a life. So, I will go. Don't stop me!"
With that, Masaki ignored Ryuken and ran outside.