The being Shigure spoke of…
Was none other than a Hollow that had begun the process of Arrancarfication.
In truth, the existence of Arrancar was not something that began with Sōsuke Aizen.
The Hōgyoku merely accelerated and stabilized that evolution.
Even without it, under rare and extreme conditions, certain Hollows in Hueco Mundo could remove their masks and gain Shinigami-like powers becoming incomplete or natural Arrancar.
In later years, Aizen himself would confirm this phenomenon.
Among the most notable examples:
Coyote Starrk, who evolved into an Arrancar naturally due to overwhelming loneliness and power.
Ulquiorra Cifer, a being who displayed traits of a naturally evolved Hollow approaching Arrancarization even before Aizen's intervention.
It was precisely because such anomalies existed that Aizen took interest in Hueco Mundo in the first place.
However
When Shigure spoke of his experience, he had not encountered Starrk or Ulquiorra.
His account was… selective.
After all, very few Shinigami had ever entered Hueco Mundo and returned alive.
Even fewer could verify the truth.
Back then, the group that infiltrated Hueco Mundo had long since been separated shortly after entry.
Zaraki Kenpachi, ever battle-driven, had gone his own way almost immediately.
The Shihōin family's representative at the time had also split off during the incursion.
And the only one who had remained alongside Shigure
Shihōin Yoruichi
Had already defected from Soul Society decades ago.
Which meant…
No one present could challenge his version of events.
Within the chamber, both Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō remained silent for a moment after hearing Shigure's words.
Shunsui adjusted his straw hat slightly, his expression difficult to read.
"Shigure… that's quite the piece of information to sit on."
His tone wasn't accusatory but it carried weight.
Information of that magnitude, revealed only now, was no trivial matter.
Still…
He did not press further.
Shigure was no longer a captain of the Gotei 13. And even when he was, his role had never aligned with intelligence gathering like the Eighth Division.
More importantly
If what he said was true…
Then the implications were far more troubling than the delay in disclosure.
Ukitake spoke softly:
"If Hollows exceeding the level of Vasto Lorde existed over a century ago…"
"Then Hueco Mundo, as it stands now, may be far more dangerous than we've assumed."
Shunsui exhaled lightly.
"That would explain the recent irregularities in Hollow activity within the World of the Living."
He paused, then spoke with quiet resolve:
"We'll need to begin a proper investigation into Hueco Mundo."
"That falls under my division's jurisdiction."
As Captain of the Eighth Division, intelligence and surveillance were his responsibility.
The decision was made.
Later Shigure's Residence, Seireitei
After the gathering dispersed, Shigure returned home alone.
The image of Shiba Isshin, severely wounded, lingered in his thoughts.
"…So it's begun."
He murmured to himself.
Unlike the others, Shigure understood the deeper context behind the incident.
Isshin's report had been… incomplete.
Yes, he had fought a powerful Hollow.
Yes, he had been gravely injured.
But that wasn't the full story.
During that encounter
He had met Kurosaki Masaki.
A Quincy.
And not just any Quincy
But one deeply tied to events yet to unfold.
The relationship between Shinigami and Quincy remained strained, even after the Quincy's near extinction. For Isshin, revealing Masaki's existence would only complicate matters and potentially endanger her.
So he had chosen silence.
Shigure understood that choice well.
Days Pass Seireitei
Shigure quietly kept watch over Isshin's condition.
The captain of the Tenth Division had suffered severe injuries, requiring extended recovery.
But true to his nature
Once healed, Isshin returned to duty as though nothing had happened.
His personality remained as ever:
Carefree. Loud. Unrestrained.
Much like Shunsui, he was reliable when it mattered but otherwise prone to slacking off whenever possible.
This caused no small amount of frustration for his lieutenant
Matsumoto Rangiku.
"Where did he go this time…?"
Rangiku muttered, walking through Seireitei with a sake gourd in hand, clearly irritated.
Unlike the strict and disciplined Ise Nanao of the Eighth Division who often compensated for Shunsui's laziness Rangiku had little interest in overworking herself.
If anything, she preferred to drag her captain back and make him do the paperwork.
The difference in division culture was… evident.
Fortunately for the Tenth Division
There was another presence.
A prodigy.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
Though still young and not yet captain, Hitsugaya already handled a significant portion of the division's administrative burden with remarkable efficiency.
While Isshin and Rangiku avoided responsibility in their own ways
Hitsugaya silently ensured everything functioned.
Meanwhile Isshin's Disappearance
Isshin's diligence lasted… briefly.
Before long
He vanished again.
Rangiku's search throughout Seireitei yielded nothing.
But Shigure knew exactly where he had gone.
The World of the Living.
For ordinary Shinigami, traveling there required authorization and access through a Senkaimon.
But as a captain and a member of the Shiba Clan
Isshin had access to private methods of transit.
He did not use the official division gate.
Instead
He used a personal Senkaimon, maintained through Shiba clan resources.
His destination was clear.
Karakura Town World of the Living
Kurosaki Masaki had been distracted lately.
Her thoughts wandered more often than she cared to admit.
During class, her eyes drifted toward the window.
Again and again.
She didn't fully understand why.
She had only met that Shinigami a handful of times.
Their conversations had been brief.
And yet
She couldn't stop thinking about him.
Was he alright…?
His injuries had been severe.
And beyond that
There were questions.
So many questions.
About the Soul Society.
About the world he came from.
A place where souls resided.
What was it like?
How did it function?
She knew nothing.
And that unknown pulled at her curiosity.
Today
As usual
She glanced out the window.
At first, it seemed like any other day.
Then
A figure appeared.
Clad in black.
Standing just within view.
Masaki's eyes widened instantly.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"That's "
There was no mistaking it.
A Shinigami.
And not just any Shinigami
It was him.
Shiba Isshin.
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