Seireitei — Late Night
The tranquility that blanketed Seireitei was torn apart without warning.
Two surging captain-level Spiritual Pressures erupted simultaneously—
clashing like ancient Vicious Beasts locked in mortal combat.
Fifth Division Barracks — Captain's Office
Aizen Sōsuke sat quietly behind his desk.
Warm lamplight bathed his gentle features as he reviewed a routine report detailing abnormal Soul dissipation within Rukongai.
His expression was calm.
Peaceful.
That ever-present, reassuring smile rested naturally on his lips.
Just as his fingers moved to lift the teacup beside him—
They paused.
Almost imperceptibly.
Ripples spread across the once-still surface of the tea, trembling in tight, delicate waves.
For a single instant—
Aizen's smile vanished.
Only a sharp glint flashed deep within his brown eyes behind the lenses of his glasses.
Then, as if nothing had happened, the smile returned.
He turned his head slightly.
His gaze pierced through walls, distance, and darkness itself—
locking onto the epicenter of the Spiritual Pressure collision.
Two forces.
One of them… familiar.
Shihōuin Yoruichi.
Her reiatsu was erupting without restraint—
far more violent than usual—
carrying a Battle Intent that had been completely ignited.
She was fighting seriously.
But the other—
Aizen's pupils contracted faintly.
Crimson.
Burning.
Overbearing.
Radiating an oppressive will that refused to yield.
This unfamiliar Spiritual Pressure rivaled Yoruichi at full power.
It did not belong to any captain Aizen knew.
Interesting.
Such an existence… hidden within Seireitei all this time?
Dormant?
Or an unforeseen variable?
Either way—
Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai would not ignore this.
The office door burst open.
"Captain Aizen!"
Hinamori Momo rushed in, her face pale, eyes trembling with fear.
"Did you feel that? That terrifying Spiritual Pressure—! Is Hueco Mundo launching a full-scale invasion?!"
Aizen rose instantly.
Shock, concern, and captainly gravity replaced his gentle demeanor with flawless precision.
He stepped to the window, staring toward the eruption point, brows deeply furrowed.
"Hinamori, calm down."
His voice was steady—but noticeably faster than usual.
"These two Spiritual Pressures… their intensity is unprecedented."
He emphasized the word deliberately.
"They far exceed ordinary captain-level standards."
"Th-this… how is that possible?" Hinamori whispered.
"How could something like that exist inside Seireitei?"
Aizen turned back to her, concern etched convincingly across his face.
"Speculation can wait."
"If the aftermath spreads further, it will endanger the noble districts."
"We must act immediately."
"Hinamori!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Summon all Fifth Division Lieutenants. Prepare for emergency deployment."
"Contact the Fourth Division—request Captain Unohana to stand by for mass casualties."
"Yes, sir!"
Inspired by Aizen's composure, Hinamori bolted out.
"I'll investigate personally," Aizen said quietly, already stepping forward.
"We cannot allow unchecked chaos within Seireitei."
A flash of Shunpo.
He vanished.
Second Division Barracks
Suì-Fēng reviewed intelligence reports late into the night.
Her sharp eyes missed nothing.
Nearby, Lieutenant Ōmaeda Marechiyo sat hunched over a bowl of udon, trying—unsuccessfully—to eat quietly.
Just as he lifted a massive shrimp—
BOOM!
An overwhelming pressure slammed into the barracks!
"Pfft—COUGH—!!"
Ōmaeda choked violently, the shrimp lodged halfway down his throat.
Suì-Fēng reacted instantly.
The moment that Spiritual Pressure appeared—
Her body moved.
She shot to her feet, documents scattering like leaves in a storm.
That reiatsu—
She knew it.
Her blood ran cold.
"Lady Yoruichi?!"
The name escaped her lips before she realized she had spoken.
"C-Captain?!" Ōmaeda gasped.
"Is it an earthquake?! Or Hueco Mundo—?!"
Suì-Fēng ignored him.
Her gaze was fixed eastward, trembling.
No mistake.
That was Yoruichi's Spiritual Pressure.
"All Stealth Force—assemble!"
"Highest emergency level!"
Her voice cut through the air like a blade.
Ōmaeda panicked.
"Captain! That pressure's insane! Shouldn't we report to Captain-Commander first—?!"
"Wait?"
Suì-Fēng turned sharply, her glare piercing.
"Then you wait."
"I'm going."
She vanished in a black flash.
BANG!
The office door exploded into splinters.
Ōmaeda stared at the wreckage, then at his abandoned noodles.
"…My udon…"
With a wail, he scrambled after her—
his bulky form erupting with shocking speed as he chased into the night.
Eleventh Division
Zaraki Kenpachi jolted awake.
The overwhelming Spiritual Pressure was better than any stimulant.
A feral grin split his face.
"Haha…!"
"What a delicious scent."
He grabbed his Zanpakutō and kicked open the door.
"Over there!"
"Ken-chan! Wait for me!"
Yachiru clung to his arm, eyes sparkling.
"I wanna play too!"
Across Seireitei
First Division.
Ninth Division.
Twelfth Division.
Captains.
Lieutenants.
Even seated officers.
Everyone felt it.
Shockwaves of reiatsu swept through the city like a tidal wave.
"What's happening?!"
"That's not Hollow reiatsu!"
"I can't… breathe…"
"Which two monsters are fighting?!"
"Look—Captain-Commander Yamamoto!"
"Captain Suì-Fēng already moved!"
"The sky—look east! It's turning red!"
Lieutenants leapt onto rooftops, gazes heavy as they stared toward the epicenter.
Confusion.
Awe.
Fear.
Seireitei—
had been awakened.