5-1 The Invading Army Undermine the Seireitei

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Gah!

Huh?

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About time you showed up. You here to bust me out?

We're going to see Master Genryusai. We need to report what's going on and get his input.

I guess. They certainly don't make these cells very comfortable for sleeping. This place was literally a pain in my butt.

This is no time for jokes. We have to get you out of here, right now. Here is your sword.

Ah, yes. Just the thing I needed.

Shunsui?

Sorry about this.

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That was so easy. Almost too easy.

Stop, Shunsui. That's not the job we're here for. We have to go. We have other matters to attend to.

Sorry to bother you. We'll only be a minute.

Pardon this intrusion, sir.

So, what brings the two of you here at this hour?

You two have a ways to go yet. You made a very basic mistake, allowing your target to sense your intent to kill.

You're good, Master.

I'm very impressed. So just when did you know?

So now, tell me, young ones. What makes you think you can dispose of me so easily?

You got an answer? Guess the only way is to show him. Y'know, I've been looking forward to this.

Me too.

You really have a desire to fight me? Well, if you're truly ready, I'm happy to accept your challenge.

But be aware, I have no plans of losing to you just yet.

What did you find, Isane?

It's confusing. What I'm seeing doesn't seem quite right. This traffic log for the Precipice World indicates frequent travel by Ichigo Kurosaki and Captain Kyoraku.

Do you suppose that Captain Kyoraku would have altered these records?

I don't think he would do something as obvious as that. But I do think the traffic information in that log has been altered.

If that's the case, there's probably only one person who could've done that. That would be Captain Kurotsuchi.

No, this is too easily noticeable for him to have done it.

Well, then, who did this?

I wanted to solve this, so I went over to the Daireisho Archive to do some further research.

The Daireisho Archive? In the Underground Assembly Hall?

Yes, it's a huge repository. It contains the records of all Soul Society events and information. Everything is stored there, whether one wants it to be recorded or not.

Oh, I see. So did you find anything that would help us out?

I found a Department of Research and Development scientist who's completely obsessed with the Precipice World.

This individual has put together many studies on the Precipice World all by himself.

But there's one detail about him that truly concerns me. Prior to a certain time, there appears to be no record of him existing.

What? Even in the Daireisho Archive?

Yes. I don't know the reason, but it would appear he's no ordinary member.

Did I get that right?

Meet the head of the Precipice World Research Section, the Department of Research and Development's Seventh Seat, Kageroza Inaba.

Just as I expected. Although, I thought it would take you a little longer to find me. I didn't think you would access the Daireisho Archive.

Lieutenant.

Yes, ma'am!

You're wasting your time.

It appears you have been able to cross over both space and time. Is that the result of the Precipice World research you've done?

You are very astute. However, the technology involved is still imperfect.

You're using the Precipice World to cut off the Soul Society from the world of the living. What exactly is your plan?

You'll find out soon enough. Heh, hahaha.