Chapter 1

The situation is critical!

The Spiritual Pressure has been identified as Ryoka who disguised themselves as Shunsui, Jushiro, and Head Captain Yamamoto.

Their Spiritual Pressures vanished around Sokyoku Hill, but not because they were defeated. They've gone into hiding. The Stealth Force have received word of this and has begun their investigation.

So, we still have no idea who they really are or what they want?

Lieutenant Abarai was injured and is currently at the Relief Station. It's only a minor injury, so he should be back on his feet soon.

I wonder if this has anything to do with Azashiro escaping from the Muken or the Arrancar invasion.

As their identities evade us, we are unable to make any guesses about it.

Shunsui and Jushiro were supposed to be in charge, right? What happened to them?

Captain Ukitake took a turn for the worse and is resting now. I heard that Captain Kyoraku had something important to investigate and left the Relief Station in a hurry.

I see. In other words, he may know something about what's going on.

I can't really say for sure.

Hello? Is Renji hiding out around in here?

Captain Hirako?! What's going on?

Oh, you're here, too, Rukia? Something up?

No, I just came here to deliver Captain Ukitake's medicine.

Well, ain't that some nice timing. I should be looking into all this impostor business going on near Sokyoku, but...

What's happening? I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what's going on beyond the Sokyoku business.

Ah, so that's why you're here. I don't know how it all started either, but I'll tell you what I know.

It's not a lot to go on, but yeah.

So, just as you noticed Shunsui when you were seeing off Squad 11, there was a strange burst of Spiritual Pressure?

Then he went to the Sokyoku, a fight broke out, and he transformed into some weird form. And then before you knew it, the enemy disappeared.

That's the long and short of it, huh?

That's it, yeah. We were there, but we have no idea what's actually going on.

Huh? Since when were you here at the Relief Station, Captain Hirako?

Heya, Momo. Am I not allowed to be here? I'm working, y'know.

I never said you couldn't be here.

But I heard that you were spotted making your way to the western Rukon District just before, so seeing you here was a bit strange.

Weird! There ain't anybody out there who's as handsome as me.

Right. Something else didn't sound right, either.