Chapter 1

So? What did you figure out?

Well, that Zanpakuto's power is definitely having an effect.

Still, after I actually confronted them, I realized there must be more to it than just that.

I see. Then I guess I'll have to go search for the culprit myself.

In that case, take these with you.

Are these what I think they are?

I bet you've seen them at my training ground before, but I've secretly been making improvements to them.

I've also been handing them out to the other captains, just in case.

Good luck out there.

Thanks.

This should be the spot where Rukia and the others ran into the intruders who copied the forms and Spiritual Pressure of the Head Captain, Shunsui and Jushiro. Which means...

Tell me more about what happened when you guys ran into those things.

Of course. We set out for the Sokyoku as soon as we heard the news, and Captain Kyoraku was already waiting there.

I had my suspicions when Captain Ukitake, who had ordered me to hurry to the scene back at the barracks, appeared there shortly thereafter.

Even the Head Captain showed up. That is when the fight broke out.

Between everyone?

Right. And they changed to their true forms when they were confronted by the captains. I don't think they used Bankai to do so, either.

Come to think of it, about halfway through the fight, even the captains looked the same. Now, how did they do that?

So, they left no traces behind, huh.