The situation in Naruki City was extremely strange.
Almost all the Shinigami stationed there had lost contact, including several seated officers.
This abnormal phenomenon drew serious attention from the Gotei 13.
They believed this matter was no small issue and that the truth had to be uncovered as soon as possible.
After the captains' meeting was convened, Captain-Commander Yamamoto decided to dispatch the captain of the Tenth Division, Isshin Shiba, to the World of the Living to investigate.
"Isshin, this matter will be your responsibility. You must find out what happened to the Shinigami stationed in Naruki City."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto spoke with a grave expression.
"I will uncover everything, Captain-Commander."
Isshin Shiba nodded with a solemn expression.
After all, if so many Shinigami, including seated officers, had lost contact without even being able to send a request for aid, this was definitely not a minor incident.
...
"Captain-Commander! This time, we are going to lose another captain." Kazuma spoke with deep concern.
"Did Aizen tamper with this matter?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked with a frown.
"It is indeed him. And what Isshin will encounter in Naruki City this time is no ordinary Hollow."
Kazuma sighed and slowly continued.
"Is it another Hollow with intelligence like before? That should not be enough to trouble Isshin, should it?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked doubtfully.
Kazuma shook his head.
"The Hollow causing trouble in Naruki City this time is a Vasto Lorde that Aizen modified. If Isshin goes to the World of the Living, he will definitely be under a Reiatsu limiter. Then, if he also suffers a sneak attack from Aizen, I'm afraid his chances will be grim."
When Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto heard this, his expression turned extremely ugly.
He knew very well how powerful a Vasto Lorde was.
It was the highest class of Menos Grande.
If Aizen's scheme was added on top of that, then this time, Isshin Shiba would likely face a near-fatal situation.
"Kazuma, you must make a trip for this matter. Isshin Shiba cannot be allowed to die like this. However, you also cannot let Aizen discover you."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto spoke with a solemn expression.
"I understand. But I can only keep Isshin in the World of the Living and bury him there as a hidden piece. Otherwise, there will be no way to explain how he managed to return safely to Soul Society after being attacked by a Vasto Lorde Hollow and ambushed by Aizen."
Kazuma frowned as he considered a plan.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto thought for a moment, then nodded.
"That is acceptable. Let Isshin remain in the World of the Living for the time being. But the position of captain of the Tenth Division…"
Kazuma saw the Captain-Commander's concern and smiled as he comforted him.
"You don't need to worry about that problem. I will help Tōshirō master Bankai as soon as possible. With his talent, he should be able to master it quickly. Besides, Rangiku Matsumoto will be there to assist him. With the two of them in the Tenth Division, there should not be any problems."
After hearing this, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto nodded slightly in agreement.
...
After that, Kazuma left the Captain-Commander's office and headed to the World of the Living to find Isshin Shiba.
At this time, after receiving his orders, Isshin Shiba had already undergone the Reiatsu restriction and was heading alone toward Naruki City.
Outside Naruki City, a figure wearing a Shihakushō and white haori was advancing at great speed.
It was none other than Isshin Shiba, who had arrived from Soul Society.
While traveling, Isshin sensed a powerful and evil Reiatsu.
This Reiatsu was different from that of an ordinary Hollow.
It filled the entirety of Naruki City.
"This is troublesome. The intensity of this Reiatsu may belong to a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande."
Isshin frowned, carefully sensing the Reiatsu spreading through the area.
He thought to himself, 'I have to deal with it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, even more Shinigami will die.'
Thinking this, Isshin no longer hesitated.
He immediately took out his communicator and contacted Soul Society.
Soon, a voice came from the other side.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Department of Research and Development? I am Isshin Shiba, captain of the Tenth Division. I may have encountered a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande in Naruki City. I am requesting release of my Reiatsu limiter!" Isshin spoke quickly.
Hearing Isshin's words, the Shinigami from the Department of Research and Development was stunned at first.
Then he reacted and hurriedly said,
"C-Captain Shiba! I will submit the request immediately. Please be careful!"
After saying this, the connection was cut off.
Isshin put away the communicator, a grave look flashing in his eyes.
If it really was a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande, then in his current state, with his Reiatsu still restricted, he was completely no match for it.
However, he believed that as long as the Reiatsu limiter was released, he would be able to unleash his full strength and defeat this Vasto Lorde Hollow.
Isshin gradually entered the city.
He discovered that the residents here were all in a strange state of sleep, as if they were being controlled by some kind of power.
Isshin carefully searched for clues and eventually arrived before an abandoned building.
There, he found a dying Shinigami.
After questioning him, he learned that the man had been attacked by a mysterious Hollow.
"Looks like my judgment was correct. Damn it! The limiter still hasn't been released. I hope I don't run into it yet."
Just as Isshin was thinking about how to avoid the Vasto Lorde Hollow for now, the Vasto Lorde appeared at precisely the worst possible moment.
This Hollow had a horned mask and hair that fell past its shoulders.
The front ends of both arms were shaped like blades.
Aside from its mask and hair, the rest of its body was black, and its Hollow hole in its chest was blocked by some unknown object.
"What rotten luck. I was just thinking about how to avoid it, and it came straight to me."
Isshin's Reiatsu limiter still had not been released, so he was no match for this Vasto Lorde Hollow at all.
Isshin adjusted his state of mind and quickly prepared for battle.
He knew the Vasto Lorde before him was extremely powerful, and even the slightest carelessness could cost him his life.
The Vasto Lorde let out a low roar and immediately attacked.
Isshin dodged to the side while swinging his Zanpakutō in an attempt to counterattack.
However, because his Reiatsu was restricted, his attacks had almost no effect on the Vasto Lorde.
Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, Isshin decided to use hit-and-run tactics, look for an opportunity to escape, and wait for the limiter to be released.
He used the surrounding buildings as cover and began an intense chase with the Vasto Lorde.
Of course, it was really just the Vasto Lorde chasing him while he fled.
While escaping, Isshin discovered a narrow alley and rushed into it without hesitation.
The Vasto Lorde followed closely behind, only to be trapped by a Kidō trap Isshin had set.
Temporarily escaping danger, Isshin seized the chance to catch his breath while thinking about his next move.
He noticed that the alley branched off in all directions, and a bold idea emerged in his mind.
He planned to lead this Vasto Lorde Hollow around in circles through the alleys and buy enough time for the limiter to be released.
Once he made up his mind, Isshin suppressed his Reiatsu to avoid drawing the Hollow's attention, then quickly darted back and forth through the alleys.
However, the Vasto Lorde soon caught up again. Even so, Isshin kept leading it around in circles.
After passing through several alleys, Isshin was suddenly cut off from the front by the Vasto Lorde.
"A Vasto Lorde really is a Vasto Lorde. Its intelligence is too high."
Isshin's little trick had still failed.
However, at that moment, the communicator on his body suddenly rang.
To him, in all these years, that sound was practically the most beautiful melody he had ever heard.
"Captain Shiba! The request to release your Reiatsu limiter has been successfully completed. How do you feel now?"
"Haha, perfect timing. If you had been any later, you probably would have had to collect my corpse."
Isshin Shiba was in an excellent mood and even had the leisure to joke with the Shinigami from the Department of Research and Development.
As the Reiatsu limiter was released, Isshin clearly felt a surging, violent power rush into him like a tide.
That powerful Reiatsu instantly filled every corner of his body.
Finally, the restriction had been released.
Isshin tightly gripped the Zanpakutō in his hand, and blazing fighting spirit ignited in his eyes once again.
This time, he would definitely cut this Vasto Lorde into eight pieces.
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