Ten years later — Naruki City, Etsuhide District.
The stationed Shinigami Suzumiya Haruya was leaning against a utility pole, dozing off, when a panicked shout suddenly came from the direction of the Enbā District:
"Leader Suzumiya! Leader Suzumiya!"
Haruya lifted his eyes and looked over, only to see Itō Makoto, the Shinigami stationed in the Enbā District, hurrying toward him. When he got closer, Haruya asked in confusion:
"Makoto, what are you doing here?"
"Leader Suzumiya, have you heard?!"
"Heard what?"
"That person is leaving!"
"Oh, you mean Senior Fūjin Taichi?" Haruya nodded and explained:
"Our 13th Division posting to the Human World lasts ten years.
By my count, today is exactly the day Senior Fūjin returns to Soul Society. What's there to make such a fuss about?"
"No, I'm worried about what happens to Naruki City after Senior Fūjin leaves…"
Makoto said anxiously.
"What do you mean, what happens?"
Haruya looked at him, puzzled.
"We just keep doing what we've always done—patrols, purification, and Konsō…"
"No… when I was still in Soul Society, I heard that Naruki City is a high-risk zone…
Several stationed Shinigami have already been killed during their terms!"
"Oh."
Haruya replied indifferently, glancing around.
"Those guys were probably just weak and got taken out by Hollows.
We're excellent—nothing's going to happen to us!"
"Is that so…"
Makoto murmured, then began listing names under his breath:
"Saigōko… Miyago Hiroto… Asabuchi Ryōshu… Chishima Hidenen… Watanabe Junzō… Mōri Kurenai… Hanaaki Wataru… Shinoyubi Akane… Asairo Hideko… Saionji Ran… Saitō Suzume…"
"..."
Haruya knew all the names Makoto had mentioned—
Every single one of them had been a stationed Shinigami who met a tragic death in Naruki City over the years.
Without exception, they were all attacked by unknown entities—
And aside from a pool of blood, there had been no other traces left at the scene.
The only conclusion Soul Society had managed to confirm so far was a single ominous sentence:
"On a night of the full moon and shadow-rain, the slaughtering Ox-Demon descends."
It was midnight in the Human World.
The moon hung high and full in the sky, pouring pale silver light over the silent city of Naruki.
A cool night breeze swept in from the outskirts, sometimes gentle, sometimes sharp, producing a rhythmic whooo as it passed through the empty streets.
Gradually, the moon reached its zenith—
Then suddenly, a mass of dark clouds drifted in from the western horizon, slowly swallowing the yellowed moonlight.
In an instant, Naruki City grew dim and oppressive, filling the heart with an indescribable sense of unease.
"Dammit, is it going to rain now of all times?"
Haruya didn't believe in nonsense like 'full-moon ox-demons'.
But seeing the clear night suddenly turn gloomy, even he felt a chill creep up his spine—
What if he really did run into some kind of Demon?
"L-Leader Suzumiya… the wind is picking up!" Makoto cried out in panic.
"I know! Stop yelling!" Haruya snapped back irritably.
"L-Leader Suzumiya, it's gone dark!"
Makoto blurted out as the sky grew heavy and oppressive.
"Idiot, I can see that!" Haruya scanned the pitch-black surroundings warily, thinking to himself:
Damn it… I'm not really this unlucky, am I?!
"L-Leader Suzumiya, I—I think we should call for help from Senior Fūjin!
Anyone who survived ten years in a place this terrifying must have extraordinary skills!"
"You bastard! I told you to stop babbling!!" Haruya slammed his fist down on Makoto's head and shouted.
"B-but… I'm scared!" Makoto said timidly.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Makoto!
You joined the 13th Division as top of your class—now show some backbone!"
"The problem is… exams don't get people killed!
Waaah—I'm calling Senior Fūjin for help!!"
Itō Makoto shouted as he pressed the radio to his ear:
"Senior Fūjin! Senior Fū—"
"Enough already! Can't you just shut up for once?!" Suzumiya Haruya couldn't help but roar at him.
"..."
Makoto's lips trembled, but no sound came out.
"What's wrong with you now?!"
Haruya turned his head—and the sight before him made his blood run cold.
Blood spilled from the corner of Itō Makoto's mouth.
A sharp claw had pierced straight through his chest, his bloody intestines and torn flesh spilling onto the ground in a horrifying mess…
"Wh-What?! What the hell is that?!"
Haruya was both shocked and terrified. He leapt backward at once, drawing his Zanpakutō as he shouted:
"Who's there?!"
"Gurrrr…"
A pitch-black, humanoid Hollow released Makoto's body and slowly stepped out of the shadows.
Under the dim yellow glow of the streetlight, it could be seen clearly—
It had golden, flowing hair, its entire body jet-black. There was a hollow hole in its chest, but something seemed to be plugging it shut.
Its limbs and overall shape were almost identical to a Shinigami's, yet both arms had been transformed into black blades resembling Zanpakutō.
Its face was covered by a pale-white mask, with a sharp, curved horn protruding from each side!
"That silhouette… is it a Hollow?! But why does it have Zanpakutō-like blades?!"
Haruya thought in horror.
"Gurrrr…"
The humanoid Hollow seemed incapable of speech, only producing choking, drowning-like sounds from its throat.
Whoosh—
The moon in the night sky was completely swallowed by dark clouds.
A gust of night wind blew past, and suddenly a fine drizzle began to fall, pattering softly onto the silent streets.
"Dammit, can we not use the rain to set the mood right now?"
Haruya muttered to himself. Instinctively, he looked up—
—and his pupils instantly contracted.
What? He... he's gone?!
"Gurrrr…"
At that moment, the Hollow's sound came from behind him.
Haruya's heart skipped a beat. He spun around and slashed backward with his Zanpakutō—
CLANG!
The blade struck the Hollow's thigh, producing the sharp ring of metal against metal.
Damn it… so it really is a Hollow…
Haruya knew well that a Hollow's strength was reflected in its skin—
The higher the rank, the harder the outer layer.
Legend had it that Menos-class Hollows had skin harder than steel!
"Gurrrr…"
The humanoid Hollow raised its arm and brought it down in a vicious slash—
SHHK!
A massive wound was torn across Haruya's chest, white bone clearly visible beneath the torn flesh as bright red blood sprayed out!
"AAAAAAHHHHH—!!"
Haruya screamed in agony. Ignoring his injuries, he forcibly activated Shunpō—
whoosh!
—and flashed dozens of meters away.
But with a mere tap of its toes, the humanoid Hollow appeared right behind him again.
Its blade-like arms swung down once more—
SHHK!
Two pillars of blood erupted from Haruya's back!
"AAAAH!!"
Suffering yet another devastating blow, Haruya howled in pain. His Zanpakutō slipped from his hand as he collapsed heavily to the ground.
"Gurrrr…"
The humanoid Hollow stepped on Haruya's back, gurgling in apparent satisfaction.
Then, one blade-like arm suddenly thrust forward—
Piercing straight through Haruya's chest and lifting him into the air.
Slowly, the creature opened its gaping, blood-soaked maw—