In Rukongai, Kensei Muguruma heard the bloodcurdling screams and rushed out of the tent, gripping his Zanpakutō tightly.
The sight that greeted him was a massacre.
Two members of the 9th Division who had been on night watch lay motionless on the ground, their lifeblood seeping into the dirt, staining it crimson. Their lifeless eyes reflected the pale glow of the full moon above, a stark contrast to the burning rage in Kensei's heart.
A short distance away, squad member Tōdō stood frozen, his Zanpakutō still in his hand, yet there was no sign of movement.
"Tōdō..." Kensei's eyes turned bloodshot, and he instinctively activated his Shikai.
"Tachikaze—blow them away!"
The blade in his hand transformed, and Kensei took a step forward, ready to strike down the traitor before him.
But then, he hesitated.
Tōdō, who had been standing still just a moment ago, suddenly had blood gushing from his throat. He collapsed to the ground in an eerie silence.
Something was wrong.
Kensei's instincts screamed at him.
Tōdō's Zanpakutō was clean. There was no trace of blood on the blade. If he had been the attacker, the weapon would have been stained. And the scream—Kensei suddenly realized—it hadn't come from the squad members on the ground.
It had come from Tōdō.
His unease deepened. The shadows around him felt heavier. This was no simple ambush. This was a carefully orchestrated trap.
A trap set not just for his squad—but for him, the Captain of the 9th Division.
"Mashiro! Wake up!"
Kensei's thoughts turned to Mashiro Kuna, who was still sleeping inside the tent. Panic surged through him. He needed to wake Mashiro and get him out of here.
He stepped back, turning toward the tent—
Darkness.
For a brief moment, his vision blurred. His body wavered.
By the time his senses returned, a sharp, searing pain exploded in his chest.
Kensei looked down.
A narrow, deadly blade had pierced through his body from behind, its tip glistening with his blood.
His grip on his Zanpakutō trembled. He slowly turned his head, and his pupils shrank in sheer disbelief.
"You... Why...?"
His voice was weak, filled with shock and betrayal.
The full moon continued to bathe the land in its cold light, silently witnessing the tragedy unfold.
Meanwhile, in the barracks of the 1st Division, Uehara Shiroha sat leisurely, absentmindedly spinning a pair of thin-framed glasses between his fingers. His lips curled into a faint smile as he checked their details once more.
[Disguise Glasses]
Grade: B-Class
Type: Technological Product
Ability: Completely disguises the user's appearance, spiritual pressure, temperament, voice, scent, and even the essence of their soul.
Introduction:
A Kryptonian creation, acquired after completing [Special Mission 5: Join the Gotei 13].
"When I put on these glasses, I am a harmless reporter. When I take them off, I am a god on earth."
This little tool was going to be invaluable tonight.
Despite being only a B-class item, its effect was powerful—comparable, in some ways, to Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu.
Just as he finished reviewing the item's details, a sharp voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Emergency call! Emergency call!"
"An urgent situation has occurred! The spiritual pressures of Captain Kensei Muguruma and Vice-Captain Mashiro Kuna have suddenly vanished!"
"All captains are to gather at the 1st Division headquarters immediately!"
Uehara's smirk widened.
"It's finally begun."
With Kensei and the others out of the picture, the stage was set.
Without hesitation, Uehara split off a shadow clone. Unlike before, when he had dispelled all his clones, this was his first one of the night. It would remain in Soul Society, ensuring he had a solid alibi.
"That should be enough to fool even you, Aizen."
The real Uehara, meanwhile, put on his disguise glasses.
In an instant, his entire appearance changed. His once youthful face transformed into that of a composed, bespectacled middle-aged man. His spiritual pressure altered, becoming completely unrecognizable.
Satisfied, he activated his Shunkyō Space Manipulation and slipped into the void.
With this ability, he could freely enter and exit the alternate space, allowing him to traverse Soul Society undetected.
Of course, such movement required spiritual energy. But with his immense reserves, the cost was negligible.
The space around him was barren, save for a small corner filled with various items—several high-end fishing rods, multiple sets of clothing, shoes, and other necessities.
Uehara casually picked up a white windbreaker that he had prepared in advance and swapped it with his Shinigami uniform.
Then, he retrieved a mirror.
The reflection that stared back at him was completely different from before.
A handsome, bespectacled man with sharp black hair and a refined aura.
"As expected of me. Even when disguised, I'm still stunning. If only I were a little taller..."
He had even planned for that. The clothes and shoes he wore were stolen—borrowed—from a noble's mansion. No records, no proof. If someone tried to track him, they'd find nothing.
"A battle of deception against Aizen... It's all in the details."
With everything in place, Uehara swiftly moved toward Rukongai.
While the other captains were scrambling to gather at headquarters, he was already making his move.
Thanks to Shunkyō's Space Manipulation, he bypassed every security barrier without effort. To the guards and patrols, he was nothing more than an invisible ghost.
Within moments, he had breached the Soul-Sealing Membrane, the supposedly impenetrable boundary between the Seireitei and Rukongai.
As expected, it was utterly useless against him.
Under the moon's watchful gaze, Uehara sharpened his spiritual senses.
A moment later, he locked onto two distinct spiritual pressures.
With a small smirk, he moved toward them without hesitation.
Back at the 1st Division Headquarters, tension filled the room.
The captains of the Gotei 13 stood assembled, their expressions grim.
Even the usually laid-back Kyōraku Shunsui was no longer smiling. His usual playfulness had been replaced with razor-sharp focus.
In a single night, an entire team had vanished without a trace. Not just any team—but the 9th Division, along with its Captain and Vice-Captain.
This was no ordinary attack.
The only one who remained completely unfazed was Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. The ancient leader stood firm, his wooden cane pressed into the floor as he issued orders with unshakable authority.
"3rd Division Captain, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi(Rose). 5th Division Captain, Hirako Shinji. 7th Division Captain, Love Aikawa. You three will lead the search-and-rescue operation."
"2nd Division Captain, Shihōin Yoruichi. Remain on standby."
"6th Division Captain, Kuchiki Ginrei. 8th Division Captain, Kyōraku Shunsui. 13th Division Captain, Ukitake Jūshirō. You will assist me in defending the Seireitei."
"4th Division Captain, Unohana Retsu. Prepare for the wounded."
With the orders given, the captains moved.
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