Fourth Division Barracks, Comprehensive Relief Clinic.
The news that the Tenth Division had been beaten black and blue by the Ryoka in front of the Hakutoumon had already flown into the clinic.
Squad members hurried in and out, carrying bandages, hemostatic agents, and the Reishi replenishing fluids needed for Kaido, preparing for the impending wave of wounded.
Vice Captain Isane Kotetsu was busy running around, leading the squad members to check for any shortages. Even Hanataro was so busy he was tripping over his own feet.
However, the Document Department was exceptionally quiet.
Even the sound of hurried panting echoing through the corridor could be heard clearly.
Nichika's heart was beating rapidly.
Not only because of her run back from the Fifth Division just now, but even more so because she harbored a secret plan capable of changing the Soul Society.
Panting heavily, she pushed open the doors to the Document Department, instinctively scanning the room first.
It was empty, devoid of that familiar and awe-inspiring figure.
"Phew..."
Nichika let out a long breath, leaning against the doorframe.
'Lady Shinobu hasn't returned yet. Thank goodness.'
If Shinobu Kocho's eyes, which seemed capable of seeing right through people, saw her right now, Nichika wasn't sure if she could keep her expression from crumbling.
"Nichika? What are you doing at the door?"
A gentle voice suddenly came from behind, startling Nichika so badly she shivered and almost jumped.
She spun around to see her older sister Hinaki standing there holding a stack of documents, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Hinaki!" Nichika patted her chest, forcing a goofy face in an attempt to cover up her panic. "You scared me to death... Why don't you make any sound when you walk?"
"You were just too focused, weren't you? What were you thinking about so deeply?"
Hinaki walked into the room and placed the documents on the desk, then looked at her younger sister with some curiosity. "You don't look so good, and your breathing is..."
"Where did you go just now? Didn't Lady Shinobu tell us to stay in the barracks and not run around?"
"..."
Nichika's gaze shifted for a moment.
This was the first time in her life she planned to lie to her family, and it brought her a pang of guilt.
But immediately after, Aizen's seductive voice echoed in her mind once more.
'Yes, it's for everyone's sake.'
Nichika tried hard to calm her expression.
"I just... I just went to the triage desk up front to deliver an urgent document."
Nichika pointed outside, mixing truth with lies. "They were short-handed over there, so I helped out while I was at it."
"The Seireitei is a complete mess right now. Everyone is shouting about the Ryoka everywhere; the atmosphere is terrifying."
"Yeah, I heard the Tenth Division suffered heavy losses." Hinaki sighed. Being naturally naive, she didn't doubt her sister's words. "Lady Shinobu having us stay behind must be for our own safety."
"Don't be too curious, either. It's really scary out there right now."
"I know, Hinaki."
Nichika nodded obediently, then acted as if she had suddenly remembered something.
She walked over to the desk and rummaged around until she found a document folder.
"Oh, right, Hinaki." Nichika picked up the folder and waved it in front of her sister. "Regarding the pharmacological analysis of the experimental materials from last month, hasn't the Department of Research and Development been pressing for a reply and supplementary data?"
Hinaki paused for a moment, recalling the matter. "That is true... Lady Shinobu planned to have Vice Squad Leader Yamada deliver it tomorrow, considering how chaotic it is outside right now..."
"I'll go deliver it!"
Nichika volunteered, saying, "I can't calm down enough to organize these medical records right now anyway, so I might as well make the trip."
"Besides, if that data isn't delivered in time and it delays the Twelfth Division's experiments, Captain Kurotsuchi is terrifying when he gets angry..."
At the mention of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Hinaki couldn't help but shiver.
To many squad members, the terror inspired by the President of the Department of Research and Development had long surpassed that of the fierce and wicked members of the Eleventh Division.
After all, the people from the Eleventh Division were just straightforward; if a conflict arose, it would at most result in a beating that hurt for a few days.
But being targeted by the Twelfth Division was the stuff of nightmares.
"But outside right now..." Hinaki looked out the window hesitantly.
"It's fine!" Nichika spun around, showing off the Zanpakuto at her waist. "I'm not some defenseless child, and the Twelfth Division barracks aren't far from here. I'll come straight back as soon as I deliver the items, I absolutely won't dawdle!"
Looking at Nichika's determined gaze, Hinaki finally compromised.
She knew very well that although Nichika was always well-behaved in front of Lady Shinobu...
...she actually had a fiery spirit and couldn't sit still doing this kind of tedious work.
She stepped forward and straightened the slightly crooked collar of Nichika's Shihakusho, saying softly, "Alright then... but you must come right back after delivering it. Don't wander around over there, and definitely don't go looking at things you shouldn't out of curiosity!"
"The Department of Research and Development is probably a mess right now too."
"Understood, Lady Hinaki!"
Nichika offered a playful salute, then grabbed the document folder and flew out of the Document Department like a little bird.
Watching Nichika's retreating back, Hinaki frowned slightly.
"...I just feel like Nichika is acting a bit strange today."
But soon, the urgent sounds of wounded being transported outside interrupted her thoughts.
She shook her head and threw herself back into her busy work.
After leaving the Fourth Division barracks, the smile vanished from Nichika's face.
She clutched the document folder tightly to her chest. Hidden in the lining of her clothes was the crystal Aizen had given her.
The object was cold and hard, yet pressed against her heart, it felt like a branding iron, constantly reminding her of the mission she bore.
'It's fine... It's just a little prank. It won't cause any major problems...'
Nichika continuously hypnotized herself in her heart, her pace growing faster and faster.
She avoided the crowded main roads, specifically choosing alleys that were rarely used, and sprinted toward the Twelfth Division's headquarters.
Although the outside was in an uproar due to the Ryoka invasion, with alarms blaring one after another, this actually provided the perfect cover for Nichika.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the increasingly fierce battle between the Eleventh Division and the Ryoka on the distant streets. No one would pay any mind to a low-ranking Fourth Division squad member running through the alleys.
Soon, that bizarrely shaped, metallic-looking complex of buildings appeared in her line of sight.
The Department of Research and Development.
The brain of the Seireitei, and also its most insane testing ground.
When Nichika stepped through the gates of the Twelfth Division, she was stunned by the sight before her.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Transmit this batch of data to the President!!"
"Report! The abnormal Spiritual Pressure fluctuations in Hueco Mundo are still rising! Damn it, what the hell is that thing?!"
"I don't know! A powerful force has pierced through Hueco Mundo and the Dangai... No, it's pierced through the barrier of the entire world!!"
The entire main hall of the Department of Research and Development was currently like a kicked hornet's nest.
Countless researchers in white lab coats were scurrying around like headless chickens, carrying all sorts of documents and instruments flashing with eerie lights.
On the massive display screens, red warning lights flashed frantically, and the piercing blare of alarms threatened to rupture eardrums.