Ninth Division Barracks.
The third seat was shouting orders as the squad members lined up nervously.
Although they still weren't sure what had happened, it seemed the Seireitei had once again been attacked by a powerful enemy.
Suddenly, his voice halted, and he looked up in shock.
A terrifyingly strong spiritual pressure was approaching rapidly.
Just sensing the presence made his body tremble uncontrollably.
Even trying to rest his hand on the hilt of his sword required tremendous effort. The other squad members also tensed up, alert.
Moments later, a golden figure landed in front of them, and they immediately relaxed.
Their attitudes shifted to respectful, each greeting him.
"Blond hair" — this was the unique feature of the Seventh Division Captain, Uzumaki Naruto. Although still young, he was one of the most popular captains in the Gotei 13.
Naruto looked around, sensing neither the presence of Komamura Sajin nor Tōsen Kaname.
It wasn't that he didn't know the way.
But compared to immediately rushing to the First Division's barracks—
There was something more important he needed to confirm.
"Has Captain Komamura and Vice-Captain Tōsen already left for the First Division barracks?" Naruto turned, his gaze landing on the third seat.
"Captain just received the notice and already left," the third seat replied. "As for Vice-Captain Tōsen, I'm not sure, but he should've gone too."
Naruto looked at him. "Not sure?"
The third seat became tense, nodding nervously and stammering, "I haven't seen the vice-captain since this morning."
"The captain didn't know where he was either."
"He even ordered us earlier that, once we saw Vice-Captain Tōsen, we were to tell him to head immediately to the First Division barracks."
Naruto asked the others.
Their answers were the same: they hadn't seen Tōsen Kaname since that morning.
This made Naruto's expression darken.
He disappeared after this morning?
The suspicion that had formed in Naruto's mind upon hearing the Second Division's report was now becoming increasingly real.
He turned and left.
Not heading toward the Fifth Division — their captain, as part of the rescue team, would definitely be at the meeting.
First Division Barracks.
The vice-captains were waiting outside the conference room.
All were present except the Third and Ninth Divisions' vice-captains. The Third Division had no captain for now, so the vice-captain was temporarily acting captain and likely inside the meeting room.
Tōsen Kaname was still absent.
Sixth Division's third seat, Kuchiki Byakuya, had come along with his captain. He stood away from the group, alone, frowning, his expression tense.
Naruto pushed open the door and entered.
Inside, all captains were present — no one absent, including Aizen Sōsuke.
"You're too slow, Captain Uzumaki," said Head-Captain Yamamoto.
Naruto apologized and took his position.
The Head-Captain's expression was stern, and his tone grave. "This is utterly absurd — another incident of a Senkaimon being sealed has occurred!"
"The last time was twenty years ago!"
"And now, once again, it has happened in such a short time."
"This is a direct provocation to the dignity of the Gotei 13."
"It also concerns the Soul Society's control over the World of the Living — a matter of great importance."
"Therefore, I will appoint three captains to head to the World of the Living as soon as the Senkaimon is repaired, to investigate the situation."
He paused, his gaze briefly resting on Captain Kuchiki Ginrei of the Sixth Division, then continued: "Captain Aizen Sōsuke of the Fifth Division, Captain Komamura Sajin of the Ninth Division, and Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division."
"These three—"
Naruto spoke up, interrupting before the command was finalized: "Head-Captain, I request to be part of this operation."
Yamamoto's face darkened slightly. "Captain Uzumaki, this is no time for impulsive behavior."
"I have a valid reason," Naruto said firmly. "I personally experienced the last Senkaimon sealing incident."
"Furthermore, I suspect this event is connected to the Hollowfication Incident decades ago."
"As the one responsible for investigating the Hollowfication Incident, I believe I must be present to support and investigate firsthand."
The Head-Captain's eyes sharpened slightly.
Several captains looked surprised.
Naruto glanced at Aizen Sōsuke, whose expression barely changed.
Back then, the "Captain Hollowfication Incident" had officially been blamed on Urahara Kisuke's experiments, confirmed by Central 46.
But… many captains still didn't believe that "truth."
Head-Captain Yamamoto looked up, a faint smile at the corner of his eyes: "Since your reasoning is so sound, Captain Uzumaki Naruto of the Seventh Division shall replace Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division."
Zaraki made a face. "So I don't get to slash anything?"
The Head-Captain merely glanced at him and ignored the comment, continuing with the assignments: "The Third and Eleventh Divisions will remain on standby for support."
The orders were issued.
The captains exited the conference room.
Kuchiki Byakuya approached, silently staring at his grandfather.
"The Head-Captain has selected three captains to support the mission," Kuchiki Ginrei said softly. "Captain Uzumaki is among them."
Byakuya hesitated, then belatedly looked at Naruto, who was slightly shorter than him.
"Byakuya, I've experienced this kind of event once before," Naruto said, trying to reassure him. "Back then, two Menos-class Hollows appeared. It should be similar this time. With your ability, they shouldn't pose too much threat to your brother."
Byakuya nodded but said nothing.
Naruto looked at him, then at Ginrei.
"Captain Uzumaki, please proceed," said the elderly head of the Kuchiki clan, still managing a faint smile. "My grandson is not weak."
"I will explain everything to him properly."
Naruto nodded and left with Kobeni Jinyōmon.
Several minutes later, at the Senkaimon.
The Twelfth Division and Kidō Corps were still repairing it.
All three squads were on standby and ready.
"Still no sign of Vice-Captain Tōsen?" Naruto asked Komamura Sajin. Behind Komamura was the third seat Naruto had spoken with earlier.
Komamura frowned, even his ears drooping. "Yes, I still haven't been able to find Kaname."
"He didn't leave any message about where he went."
"I see…" Naruto murmured.
Komamura tilted his head. "I heard you went to the Ninth Division earlier after receiving the orders?"
"Were you looking for Kaname?"
Naruto raised his eyes, meeting the big dog's gaze. "Is Vice-Captain Tōsen a close friend of yours?"
Komamura nodded without hesitation. "Kaname is my best friend."
He paused, then added, "Captain Uzumaki, you and the Head-Captain are both men I greatly respect."
Respect and friendship are two very different emotions.
Naruto didn't speak further.
But Komamura had begun to sense something, and his tone grew heavy: "Did something happen to Kaname?"
"I'm not sure yet," Naruto shook his head, voice low.
He turned and glanced at Aizen.
The Fifth Division Captain had his head bowed slightly, as though deep in thought.
Naruto frowned.
He hadn't had a chance to talk to Sōsuke today.
Something felt… too quiet about him.
Gin, noticing Naruto's gaze, turned his head and gave a sly grin.
Just then—
"The Senkaimon has been repaired," said the frog-faced Twelfth Division officer, Hiyosu. "Captains, please prepare for departure."
With his words—
The red door slowly opened to both sides.
"Move out," Naruto said softly, a black hell butterfly fluttering in front of him, leading the way through the gate.
World of the Living.
Kōyasan, Wakayama Prefecture.
Home to the largest cemetery in the country — already a place filled with spiritual energy. But today, it was thick with a chaotic, demonic aura.
In the unseen world, hidden from ordinary humans—
Things were even stranger.
Several shinigami in black uniforms stood in a tight circle, backs to each other, nervously scanning the foggy surroundings.
But nothing was visible — only dense mist.
It looked like they were facing off against the air itself.
Yet, the scattered corpses in the woods and among the gravestones clearly proved—
An enemy was present.
"Vice-Captain Kuchiki, the call for reinforcements still can't get through," one of the shinigami reported, barely able to keep the panic out of his voice.
"Damn it, what the hell is this thing?!" the others were all on the verge of breaking down.
What was supposed to be a routine mission—
Had gone wrong from the very beginning.
There weren't many Hollows here, and the few that did appear were weak — newly formed, barely sentient.
This didn't align with the usual nature of a "spirit-rich land."
Then the invisible attacks began.
Wounded shinigami started leaking strange, bone-colored fluids, which overwhelmed them.
Soon, they went mad, losing reason and attacking their comrades.
The infection spread — those struck by the "Hollowfied" comrades also began Hollowfying.
They were dying one by one — in chaos and madness.
Within just ten minutes, a squad of dozens had been reduced to only a handful.
The man called "Vice-Captain" appeared calmer than the rest.
"There was another case of the Senkaimon being sealed before," he said. His face bore a resemblance to Kuchiki Byakuya, though more mature and softer. His tone carried reassurance. "It didn't last too long back then."
"It's already been almost thirty minutes. The gate should open soon."
"We just need to—"
He never finished his sentence.
Suddenly, one of the squad members began to convulse, bone-colored liquid oozing from his nose and mouth, covering his face.
He was Hollowfying!
"When did it happen?! Didn't we confirm he wasn't wounded?!" Kuchiki Sōjun exclaimed, swinging his arm. "Break formation!"
But the Hollowfied shinigami had already raised his blade and leapt at the nearest comrade.
Kuchiki Sōjun frowned.
He raised his sword to block, but the crazed shinigami easily knocked him aside.
The mask had fully formed.
Now mindless, the Hollowfied soul reaper lifted his sword high—
And in that split second—
A golden chain flew in, wrapping around the Hollowfied man and slamming him away.
(End of Chapter)