Soul Society.
After Central 46 disappeared, the Captains' Meeting undoubtedly became the highest decision-making body in Soul Society.
The return of the five members of the Visoreds was also discussed at the Captains' Meeting.
The final decision was—
Rojuro to be the Captain of the Third Division.
Shinji to be the Captain of the Fifth Division.
Lisa to be the Third Seat of the Eighth Division.
Kensei to be the Captain of the Ninth Division.
Mashiro to be the Third Seat of the Ninth Division.
After filling the vacancies in the Gotei 13, each division finally returned to normal operation.
—
Half a year passed in a flash.
During this time, Hueco Mundo and Soul Society were at peace.
The noble district was rebuilt, but it no longer had its former prosperity.
The Four Great Noble Clans became history, with the Tsunayashiro clan now controlled by Tokinada.
—
Captains' Meeting Room.
"Everyone, it's time to change the location where the Ōin is stored again."
Yamamoto sat at the head of the table, holding his cane with both hands.
Upon hearing about the Ōin, all the captains' expressions changed.
The Ōin is a royal treasure, said to possess immense power, but its usage and functions are unknown. It's storage location is even more secret and is changed every few decades to ensure its safety.
According to past practice, the Gotei 13 would be responsible for guarding the transfer of the Ōin, usually with each division taking turns.
"This time, the Tenth Division will be solely responsible for the transfer of the Ōin." Yamamoto issued the order.
"Yes."
In Toshiro's opinion, although the Ōin was very important, this was just an ordinary escort mission.
—
The Human World.
A cloud was moving at high speed.
Above the clouds, a large-scale, lavishly dressed honor guard was performing a ceremony, with dozens of strong men carrying a huge palanquin, and inside the palanquin was the Ōin.
The Tenth Division, responsible for security, was accompanying them, on alert directly beneath the cloud.
"Captain, it's such an important item, couldn't it be transferred secretly? Why all this fanfare?" Rangiku looked up at the magnificent scene in the sky.
"Because authority needs adornment." Toshiro said, crossing his arms.
Rangiku teased Toshiro, "Oh, Captain, you say that too? Be careful not to let others hear you."
"Saying things like that will get you reprimanded, you know."
Suddenly—
Boom!
A bolt of lightning struck the palanquin where the Ōin was located.
The palanquin overturned, and the surrounding people cried out in alarm and pain.
The lightning then transformed into two spheres and attacked the honor guard.
Seeing this, the members of the Tenth Division below rushed to the rescue. A large number of division members surrounded the lightning spheres, but they were instantly knocked down.
A whip emerged from one of the lightning spheres and struck towards Rangiku.
"Die!"
A figure emerged from the lightning sphere, with short blue hair and a hollow mask on its head.
'An Arrancar? Aizen?'
Upon seeing the Arrancar, Rangiku couldn't help but think of Aizen.
"Growl, Haineko!"
She released her Zanpakuto and engaged the Arrancar in battle.
Meanwhile, Toshiro went to check on the Ōin.
A fireball flew through the sky, reaping the lives of the honor guard.
Toshiro stepped forward to block the fireball, and another Arrancar with short red hair appeared from within it.
"Who are you people?"
The Arrancar didn't bother to engage him and immediately fled.
Toshiro quickly checked the palanquin, but the Ōin was already gone.
Just as he was stunned, a sword pierced his abdomen. He quickly retreated, facing a person wearing a cloak, a mask, and completely covered. But Toshiro had a familiar feeling.
"Who are you?"
The person said nothing, drawing their sword and attacking Toshiro.
The two became entangled in a fight. Toshiro tried to pull off the person's mask, but only managed to tear off their cloak, revealing the shihakusho underneath. Then, the person immediately fled into the distance.
"Stop!"
Toshiro immediately gave chase.
By the time Rangiku arrived, both Toshiro and the Ōin were gone.
Because Toshiro was injured, he soon lost track of them. But another mysterious person followed several individuals to a hidden cave.
Seeing that person remove their mask, the mysterious person understood.
"So that's it, Kusaka Sojiro?"
...
Captains' Meeting Room.
Rangiku knelt on the ground, reporting the specific details of the incident.
"Arrancars again?"
"Is Aizen finally making his move?"
Hearing about the Arrancars, the captains' expressions varied as they voiced their speculations.
Thump!
Yamamoto stopped the discussion, "The most urgent matter now is to retrieve the Ōin, and second, to find Captain Hitsugaya's whereabouts."
"Second Division Captain Soi Fon will lead the Onmitsukido to the Human World to investigate. Furthermore, the Tenth Division is not to participate in any subsequent actions, all members are to remain on standby in their barracks."
"This is an emergency special order."
"But..."
Rangiku still wanted to argue for the Tenth Division to participate in the search.
But she was interrupted by Unohana, "Execute the order, Lieutenant Matsumoto."
...
Meanwhile, at the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyorinmaru!"
"Vacuum Ice Blades!"
A person in a black robe launched an attack on the leaderless SRDI.
"Ah!"
The screams of the researchers were incessant.
Without Mayuri in charge, these people were defenseless against the attack.
"Woven-Ice Wall!"
The black-robed person sealed off the entrances and exits with ice walls, continuing the slaughter and plunder.
By the time the supporting Shinigami arrived, they only saw the corpses scattered everywhere and the ruined SRDI.
—
Captains' Meeting Room.
After Yamamoto issued his orders, the meeting was about to conclude when a voice came from outside the door.
"Urgent report! The SRDI has been attacked, with heavy casualties! The Reiatsu of Hyorinmaru remains at the scene!"
"What?"
The captains were shocked by the news.
Rangiku's eyes widened in horror, and Mayuri immediately left the meeting room, rushing towards the SRDI.
They had just been preparing to search for Toshiro, but they never expected him to appear directly.
And why did Toshiro suddenly disappear, and why would he attack the SRDI?
Yamamoto slightly opened his narrowed eyes, looking at the member of the Onmitsukido outside the door.
"Are you certain it's Hyorinmaru's Reiatsu?"
Facing the Captain-Commander's inquiry, the Onmitsukido member trembled. "Yes, at the scene... a large amount of ice crystals were also found."
The Captains' Meeting Room fell into silence.
At this moment, each captain received messages from their subordinates, confirming that what the Onmitsukido member stated was true.
The current situation was extremely unfavorable for Toshiro.
Although there were many suspicious points, all the current evidence pointed to him.
Thump!
"Order! All members of the Tenth Division are to be confined, and their Zanpakuto confiscated!"
"The Second Division, Sixth Division, and Eighth Division are to proceed to the Human World to search for the Ōin, and... arrest Hitsugaya Toshiro."