Inside the First Division barracks, the routine captains' meeting was currently being held.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stood at the head of the room and tapped his cane against the floor.
"Does anyone have anything to report this month? If not, this meeting is adjourned."
Jūshirō Ukitake stepped forward and said, "Captain-Commander, some days ago, the Thirteenth Division was attacked by a Hollow. This Hollow possessed human-like intelligence, was capable of speech, and also had the ability to fuse with and devour Shinigami. Because of this, my lieutenant, Shiba Kaien, and the Third Seat, Shiba Miyako, both lost their lives."
For some unknown reason, Ukitake concealed the fact that Shiba Kaien was not dead.
This made Kazuma, who had been dozing off in the line of captains, slightly lift his eyelids.
Ukitake's words caused an uproar throughout the barracks.
Everyone began discussing the matter among themselves.
Shiba Isshin, in particular, became extremely emotional, because Shiba Kaien was not only the head of the main Shiba family, but also his nephew.
Shiba Isshin stepped forward.
"Captain Ukitake, I hope you can give me an explanation. The head of the Shiba family cannot die in battle under such unclear circumstances."
"Captain Shiba, I am deeply sorry about Kaien's death as well. This was completely an accident. At the time, both Kuchiki Rukia and I were present, but neither of us reacted in time to that Hollow's special ability. It drilled into Kaien's body, and in the end, I had no choice but to personally cut down Kaien after he had been assimilated by the Hollow."
With those words, Jūshirō Ukitake also dragged the Kuchiki family into the matter.
Ginrei Kuchiki glanced at Jūshirō Ukitake, but he did not say anything.
However, Isshin was no fool.
He had also heard of that young girl from the Kuchiki family.
At present, she was not even a seated officer.
Even if she had been there, she would not have been able to change anything.
The main responsibility for this oversight still lay with Ukitake.
"Ukitake, I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer. Otherwise, even if you are a captain, the Shiba family will not let this matter rest."
Isshin looked at Ukitake with sharp eyes.
"Captain Shiba, this matter is indeed my responsibility. However, what we need to understand right now is why that Hollow possessed such advanced intelligence. This is definitely not an ability an ordinary Hollow should possess!"
Ukitake spoke with a grave expression.
"Hmph. Naturally, others will investigate those questions. You should first think about how you will explain this to the Shiba family!"
Isshin snorted coldly, his tone filled with dissatisfaction and anger.
Looking at Isshin's fury, Ukitake sighed inwardly.
He knew very well that he could not escape responsibility for this incident.
But what confused him the most was why such an intelligent Hollow had appeared.
If all Hollows possessed intelligence, then the work of the Shinigami would become extraordinarily difficult, and the casualties would inevitably become far more severe.
"Captain Shiba, regarding Kaien's matter, I will personally visit the Shiba family and give you a satisfactory answer."
After Ukitake said this, he fell silent.
The atmosphere in the barracks suddenly became extremely heavy, as if an invisible pressure had enveloped the room.
Everyone could feel the tension and oppression spreading through the air.
No one spoke.
Only heavy breathing echoed faintly.
All the captains understood very well that this incident was undoubtedly a massive blow to the Shiba family, and for Ukitake, it was an extremely painful lesson.
At that moment, Aizen also stepped forward.
"Captain-Commander, I also have something to report."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto stared at Aizen and said, "Sōsuke, did something unusual happen on your end as well?"
"Yes. Around the same time, students from Shin'ō Academy went to the World of the Living for field training. While they were fighting simulated Hollows, a giant Hollow concealed its Reiatsu and ambushed the students."
Another uproar spread through the barracks.
Even ordinary Hollows could conceal their Reiatsu now?
Aizen continued, "Not only that, but this Hollow also summoned reinforcements. After receiving a request for aid from sixth-year student Shūhei Hisagi, Captain Ichimaru of the Third Division and I went to rescue them."
"And the final result?" the Captain-Commander asked.
"This incident resulted in the deaths of two sixth-year students. The entire Barrier Team responsible for maintaining the barrier was also wiped out."
Aizen's voice remained calm, but there was a trace of sorrow contained within it.
Hearing this news, the noise in the barracks abruptly stopped.
The captains all fell silent.
In both incidents, the Hollows that had appeared displayed extremely high intelligence.
This meant that these were not isolated incidents. Instead, some unknown change might have occurred within Hueco Mundo.
This abnormal phenomenon made everyone uneasy and confused.
They began to realize the severity of the problem and started guessing just what kind of change had taken place in Hueco Mundo.
"The Eighth Division will investigate these two incidents. Shunsui, I trust there will be no problem leaving this to you."
After a long silence, the Captain-Commander gave his order.
At the same time, his gaze swept briefly over Kazuma, who was about to fall asleep.
"Well, well. Leave it to me."
Shunsui Kyōraku accepted the task without hesitation, indicating that he was willing to take responsibility for the investigation.
"As for the situation in Hueco Mundo, Captain Kurotsuchi, the Twelfth Division will be responsible for that."
The Captain-Commander continued, assigning another important task to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Monitoring Hueco Mundo would still have to be handled by the Department of Research and Development.
"I have also taken note of the Captain-Commander's arrangements," Mayuri Kurotsuchi replied.
"Then today's meeting ends here. Dismissed!"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto ended the meeting.
The captains left the barracks one after another.
"Kazuma, want to come to my Eighth Division for a drink?"
Shunsui Kyōraku walked up beside Kazuma and said with a smile.
Kazuma glanced at him.
"Drinking sounds great! Lets hurry up and go, i'm already getting sleepy. A little alcohol will make it even easier to sleep."
...
Inside the captain's office of the Eighth Division, Kazuma and Shunsui were drinking heartily.
"Do you know something behind the scenes?"
Kyōraku got straight to the point.
"I knew you didn't invite me here just for a drink. What inside information could I possibly know? I only just heard about this too." Kazuma helplessly shrugged.
"Really? Then why were you dozing off during the meeting?"
Shunsui clearly did not believe him.
"Maybe because i slept poorly last night?" Kazuma yawned.
"You…" Kyōraku's expression darkened.
"Don't force me to beat you up."
"Shunsui, why don't you believe me? I really don't know anything!" Kazuma raised his hands in surrender.
"Actually, I only have a rough guess. I think Hueco Mundo may have given birth to a Hollow with a special ability, one that can raise the intelligence of ordinary Hollows. Of course, that is only my speculation."
Kyōraku rubbed his chin as he thought over Kazuma's words.
"If that is really the case, then things will become troublesome."
"That is why you all need to be careful," Kazuma reminded him. "Also, it would be best to notify the Shinigami stationed in the World of the Living and have them take precautions as well."
"I understand." Kyōraku nodded.
"Thanks for the reminder Kazuma, i will report this to Old Man Yama."
In truth, Kazuma was also somewhat confused.
Hadn't that Hueco Mundo scientist, Szayelaporro Granz, already been killed by him long ago?
Where had Aizen found another researcher?
After thinking it over, Kazuma finally came up with a possibility.
'Damn it. I nearly forgot. Szayelaporro still has an older brother, Yylfordt Granz. Aizen must have found him to replace Szayelaporro.'
After thinking of this, Kazuma stretched lazily.
"Shunsui, although your motives weren't pure, I still have to thank you for treating me to alcohol. I'll head back first and catch up on sleep. See ya!"