A year passed—neither too long nor too short.
The Soul Society, made up of the Seireitei and Rukongai, was home to both Shinigami and ordinary souls.
Just as Hollows would occasionally wander into Soul Society, Shinigami also patrolled to prevent disturbances.
The squad responsible for these patrols and for handling rogue Hollows within Soul Society was the 10th Division—essentially the police force.
"Captain! We've detected signs of Hollow activity in Kusajishi District! "
Inside the 10th Division barracks, an officer reported respectfully to his captain.
"Kusajishi District? Hollow activity? "
"Did you inform Squad 11? " the captain asked. Technically, their role was patrol and security; extermination of Hollows usually fell under the 11th Division's domain.
"No, sir. Judging by the spiritual pressure, it's just a few small fry that slipped in from Hueco Mundo. Nothing serious."
The officer reported truthfully.
"I see…"
"In that case, gather the whole squad. We'll use today's hunt as a lesson—to show you what kind of monsters Squad 11 faces daily. Maybe then you'll stop saying they're just a bunch of drunken thugs."
The captain smiled faintly. With Kenpachi Kuruyashiki now leading Squad 11, most other divisions had grown complacent. New recruits no longer understood how dangerous fighting Hollows really was—some even mocked Squad 11 as uncultured brutes. He intended to fix that.
"Understood!"
The officer left to rally the division.
Moments later, the captain addressed his assembled squad:
"Today, I'll lead you on a live mission against Hollows. Understand this well—fighting them is deadly serious."
Then to his lieutenant: "Form ranks. Move out! "
"Yes, sir! Everyone, line up! March! "
The 10th Division moved out in formation toward Kusajishi.
On the way, they ran into Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, returning from drinks with his men.
"Yo, brother! Need a hand? Squad 11's free right now! " he called out cheerfully.
"Just a few weak Hollows. No Menos-class among them. I've got it covered."
"Is that so? Then I'll leave it to you. Come drink with me after! "
Kuruyashiki clapped the captain on the shoulder with a grin. If the other man said he didn't need help, so be it. After all, what were a few small Hollows to a captain with Bankai?
"Sure. We'll share a drink after."
Neither man gave it another thought. Nor did any other captain who heard the report. To all of them, this was nothing more than a routine extermination mission.
They couldn't have been more wrong.
"Hahaha… So this is the difference between captains?
I thought you were all like that tall guy who cuts down Adjuchas without even releasing his blade…"
Szayelaporro Granz chuckled as he held the 10th Division captain by the throat with one hand.
"You… bastard…"
The captain's haori was in tatters, his Zanpakutō broken. Behind him lay his squad—massacred.
It had begun the moment they stepped into Kusajishi. Their spiritual pressure was cut off by some kind of device. Then this humanoid Hollow appeared—leading a dozen Adjuchas. What followed wasn't a battle; it was a slaughter. Even after releasing his Bankai, the captain was no match for this overwhelming monster—one with the strength of a legendary Vasto Lorde.
"Oh? Looks like my bait just got taken down. A monster must've arrived."
"Everyone, time to leave! "
Szayelaporro, ever cautious, sensed two of his bait Adjuchas being killed instantly. Without hesitation, he opened a Garganta behind him.
"Take all these valuable research samples. When I'm done experimenting on Shinigami, I'll return to Soul Society for more…"
He licked his lips, eyes gleaming with manic hunger. Dragging the broken captain along, he vanished into the darkness.
"Move! Take everything! "
The surviving Adjuchas grabbed bodies and the barely breathing, vanishing into the Garganta behind Szayelaporro.
Slash!
The barrier sealing the area shattered in a single strike.
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki arrived, blade in hand—only to find carnage. Bodies everywhere. And on the ground, a broken Zanpakutō he recognized all too well.
Sweat trickled down his forehead.
The Soul Society had been invaded.
Aside from a few left at the barracks, the entire 10th Division was annihilated—captain, lieutenant, seated officers—all dead or captured.
It was the bloodiest disaster in over a century.
The incident shook even the Central 46. Captain-Commander Yamamoto himself was enraged—and for the first time in ages, Squad Zero descended. Kirinji Tenjirō was dispatched to investigate.
Meanwhile, deep in Hueco Mundo…
"With all these Shinigami corpses—and a living captain—my evolution will be flawless. And I'll discover how to suppress Sōgo-sama's overwhelming reiatsu…"
Inside Szayelaporro's lab, massive glass tanks held countless Shinigami bodies. But his greatest prize was the battered, barely alive captain of Squad 10—his ultimate test subject.
"Slurp…"
Szayelaporro licked his lips, eyes blazing with anticipation. In his mind, the day of his Arrancar rebirth was already here.