13 Court Guard Squads' Setsubun

Squad 3 Lieutenant, Izuru Kira. Here by summons.

Likewise, Squad 9 Lieutenant, Shuhei Hisagi. At your service!

Has something happened, Head Captain?

I'm sure you're both aware that there've been many accidents and disasters around the Seireitei in recent days.

Yes, sir. Just this morning, someone was hurt in an accident. I've also heard that a sort of mild epidemic is going around.

There seem to be many who are injured in natural disasters during their missions as well. Squad 4 has been quite busy, and I've been told that the Treatment Rooms are at full occupancy.

Indeed. I'm taking this situation gravely. So I've decided we shall attempt to get rid of this streak of ill luck by performing the traditional springtime rituals of Setsubun, here in the Seireitei.

With that, I would like for you two, Izuru Kira and Shuhei Hisagi, to take charge of the Setsubun event.

I've already notified each squad. You may seek their help if needed.

Y-Yes, sir!

I gladly accept!

So, we've accepted this task, but...

What's Setsubun?

Uh... A spring event to get rid of bad luck?

Yes, I know. The Head Captain already said that.

Hmm. I suppose Momo might know about this sort of thing.

Yeah. She seems like the type. Let's go ask her.

Setsubun?

We're not sure what we're supposed to do for it.

Do you know what kind of event it is?

Um, I'm actually not quite sure myself.

I was taught that it's about warding off bad spirits and bringing in happiness. But there are a lot of different traditions.

So, there's multiple things we have to do, and it's different depending on the region, I'm guessing.

Sounds like it might be a little tough to prepare for it then.

I-I'm sorry I can't be more specific about it.

I would love to help you with the preparations, but...

Momo? You look a little pale. Are you alright?

Thanks for the thought, but you should get some rest.

Yeah... I'm sorry.

She said she was taught about it. Maybe she learned from Aizen.

We might've reminded her about him, huh? I feel bad now.

Right. We need to get all these bad thoughts out and bring in that happiness! Let's make this Setsubun a success!

Yeah, I agree.

First, we'll have to ask around to find out about the different traditions.

Yeah!

Now, which squad should we start with?

Our first source of information could be key, so we should ask someone who might know more-

FIRE!!!

What?! A fire?

Accidents in the morning, and now a fire? We're really in a streak of bad luck.

Hey, where's the fire?!

So this is where the fire is? But it's Squad 13's barracks!

*Cough* There's a lot of smoke!

Are Captain Ukitake and the members of Squad 13 safe?

Huh? What's everyone doing here? You look panicked.

Captain Ukitake! Glad to see you're okay!

Okay?

Wait, what's everyone talking about?

What do you mean? We were just told that there was a fire here!

Huh? A fire?

Oh! Hahahaha!

Uh... This isn't a laughing matter!

Oh, no. I'm sorry.

You're right. There's a lot of smoke, but this isn't because of a fire.

Huh?

Well, um. We'd received notice from the Head Captain about Setsubun, so we were preparing for it.

I heard before that you're supposed to broil sardines and decorate them with a branch of holly to ward off bad spirits.

Since there have been a lot of bad things happening lately, I thought I'd make a lot of them to keep the bad luck away.

So you mean this smoke is the result of you trying to broil sardines?

You scared us for a second there.

I'm so sorry!

Well, that's the gist of it. Won't you forgive her?

But boy, does it smell good. The air is filled with that smoked fish smell and it's making me hungry.

Hahaha!

You're right. This is starting to make me hungry too.

Right? Hahaha...*Cough*

The smoke...! *Cough* In my throat...! *Cough*

Oh no! Captain Ukitake! Are you alright?!

Please be okay! Captain Ukitake!!!