Twelfth Division – Hikifune Kirio's Laboratory
"Captain, the data comparison is complete. We've reviewed 1,268 Earthside Gate of Hell activation records."
Urahara Kisuke handed the report to Hikifune Kirio, rubbing his swollen, dark-rimmed eyes.
"You've worked hard." Hikifune accepted the report and turned to the two standing nearby—Katori Nanatsuki and Unohana Retsu. "Sorry about this. We're short-staffed in the lab, so I had to ask for your help."
The Hell Reishi concentration discovered at the Tsunayashiro estate had been unusually high, prompting Hikifune to compare it with historical records to see if such levels had ever been observed before.
But verifying historical data in a short time wasn't easy, so she called in a few people with scientific training to assist.
Nanatsuki agreed without hesitation. Helping out meant he'd get firsthand access to fresh data.
Just like how a culprit enjoys revisiting the crime scene, he was curious to see if Hikifune's lab could uncover anything noteworthy.
"When it comes to Hell, no Shinigami can stay uninvolved," Nanatsuki said with a soft chuckle. "And how could I say no to Miss Kirio's request?"
"I have a feeling the Soul Society will have to face disasters brought forth by the so-called 'Lord of Hell' in the future," Unohana added. "It's best to prepare early... Besides, I'm quite curious about Hell's current state."
"Not once in history has the Hell Reishi concentration reached this level..." Hikifune flipped through the report. "The highest concentration recorded historically was when the Gate of Hell appeared five times in the same area on the same day. But the level detected at the Tsunayashiro estate was significantly higher than even that."
Urahara scratched the stubble on his chin.
He'd been so busy lately that he hadn't even had time to shave.
"Have we compared it to the 'Seventh Squad Captain Incident'?"
"I did," Nanatsuki added, handing over a supplemental report. "The Hell Reishi concentration during the Execution Squad Leader incident was lower than this current case, but still higher than the five-gate record."
"This must be related to the appearance of beings from Hell. Their spiritual bodies are likely composed of Reishi infused with Hell's essence... I'd love to capture one for study," Urahara mused.
He speculated that these beings' spiritual bodies were made of Hell Reishi, which would naturally leave behind traces after battle.
"Sending Shinigami into Hell carries tremendous risk. The longer they stay, the more dangerous it becomes. Prolonged exposure to Hell Reishi might even lead to being transformed into a Hell-creature," Hikifune warned, shaking her head at the idea of recklessly venturing into Hell without preparation or intel.
"But here's what's puzzling," Urahara said, scratching his chin again. "It's understandable that beings from Hell emit Hell Reishi, but why did the readings at the Tsunayashiro estate exceed even those from the Execution Squad Leader case? Is Tsunayashiro Tokinada's Reiatsu stronger than the Squad Leader's?"
Judging from the Hell Reishi left at the scene, Tokinada had massacred the entire Tsunayashiro clan. While his power was certainly enhanced by the Enrakyōden, that couldn't have been the only factor.
He must have had significant power of his own.
"I fought Tokinada in the Dangai. He was maybe at vice-captain level, definitely weaker than the Execution Squad Leader," Nanatsuki frowned. "Did something change after he entered Hell? We'll need to reevaluate his power..."
The "Hell Pearl" was formed from highly concentrated Hell energy. When shattered, it released all that power at once. Nanatsuki hadn't been able to control the amount released—otherwise, he wouldn't have used so much at once back then.
But this wasn't a flaw. Since the Soul Society knew so little about the Lord of Hell, they could just blame Tokinada's power shift on that entity.
"Which means... perhaps..." Hikifune hesitated. "He gained power from the 'Lord of Hell.'"
If Tokinada had received captain-level strength from the Lord of Hell—and could also use the powers of other Zanpakutō via the Enrakyōden—his combat potential would be terrifying.
"We'll need to prepare for him—or others like him—returning to wreak havoc in Soul Society. Kisuke, please optimize the Hollow Reishi Wave Detector and add functionality for detecting Hell Reishi."
Hikifune wanted to update the existing scanners, which were installed throughout Seireitei to alert when Hollows infiltrated. Now, she wanted them to detect Hell-based signatures too.
"Those things are easy to disrupt with Sekkiseki or stealth cloaks, but I guess something's better than nothing..." Urahara sighed. "More work again... I was hoping to finally take a vacation. I just finished working overtime for the Academy's new Reishi projection display!"
And most of that overtime had been due to Nanatsuki's requests, which made Urahara feel a bit guilty.
"If you're overloaded, I can help too," Nanatsuki offered cheerfully. "The Live Blade Tournament finals were delayed, so I've got some free time."
The massacre of the Tsunayashiro clan had shaken all of Soul Society.
The Central 46 demanded a thorough investigation, and each division had their hands full. So, the Shin'o Academy's Live Blade Tournament finals were postponed for two weeks.
Half a month later, the delayed finals were finally held.
Even after the delay, audience enthusiasm hadn't waned one bit.
"So the Five Noble Houses are now down to four..." Ōmaeda Kishinosuke glanced at the seating once reserved for the Tsunayashiro clan—completely empty now.
The Tsunayashiro clan had been wiped out.
"I was on the rooftop when it happened..."
"Tokinada slaughtered even his own people after getting his hands on that sword..."
Obana Jirō was recounting the event to a group of academy students nearby.
"You've been telling that story for half a month!" Kishinosuke interjected.
Sure, Jirō had felt the need to talk about it when it first happened, but now even he was getting tired of repeating it.
"But these students haven't heard it yet!" Jirō insisted. "They should know what it was like!"
"Anyway, who's leading the votes in the Academy?"
Jirō turned toward one student, clearly looking to place a bet—and maybe borrow some money from Kishinosuke.
"Obviously Komamura Sajin!" the student declared. "You saw how he fought in the last match. He knows how to deal with someone fast like Yadōmaru Lisa!"
"Aizen Sōsuke's strengths are Shunpo and Kidō, but those don't threaten Komamura much," another student added with a nod.
None of the students here were from the Calligraphy Club, so no one was around to refute them.
Outside of that club, most students believed Komamura had a much higher chance of winning.
"Is that so..." Jirō asked a few more just to be sure, and the conclusion was consistent.
Then he and Kishinosuke disappeared—off to place their bets.
Up in the guest stands, captains and vice-captains had come to watch.
Each division had investigated for half a month and still found nothing of substance. No clues, no leads—so the matter was quietly shelved.
"Vice-Captain Kuchiki, you holding up alright?" Kyōraku Shunsui asked, making conversation before the matches began.
"I'm managing," Kuchiki Sōjun replied stiffly. "My father had already started familiarizing me with internal affairs, so I'm coping."
"Still so tense, even with all that responsibility on your shoulders!" Kyōraku chuckled, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Thank you for your concern, Captain Kyōraku."
Sōjun's eye twitched slightly—he had a hard time dealing with people like Kyōraku.
One major change recently: Kuchiki Ginrei had stepped down.
The Tsunayashiro massacre had occurred in the Noble District—Sixth Division's jurisdiction. Ginrei accepted responsibility and resigned as captain.
Now, Vice-Captain Kuchiki Sōjun was acting as captain.
Ginrei wasn't sitting in the guest stands, but in the Kuchiki family's private section.
"Trouble's really been piling up lately. The Onmitsukidō just reported an anomaly in Hueco Mundo."
Shihōin Yoruichi had just received a message.
"The Hueco Mundo expedition is still stationed near the Forest of Menos. Did something happen?" Nanatsuki asked.
"The outer areas of the forest were already cleared. The expedition has been on standby for years now," Yoruichi explained. "But recently, the Onmitsukidō detected activity from Las Noches' Hollows within the forest."
Nanatsuki recalled how years ago, while collecting materials in Hueco Mundo, he had witnessed Las Noches assembling a Hollow army.
It was thanks to his warning that Yoruichi had deployed agents to monitor Las Noches.
"Could they be targeting the expedition force?" Kyōraku frowned.
Las Noches was powerful. If they moved on the expedition, Soul Society would have to dispatch reinforcements.
"Looks like another battle's coming!" Kuruyashiki Kenpachi grinned, cracking his knuckles. He had missed most of the big conflicts in recent years and was itching for action.
"Does the ruler of Las Noches not fear Shinigami retaliation?" Kyōraku shook his head. He never understood the logic of Hollows.
The expedition and Las Noches had always maintained a fragile peace. There was no need for conflict.
The purpose of clearing the Forest of Menos was to maintain balance across the three worlds.
Hollows, unlike normal souls, had incredibly long lifespans.
With time, their numbers could easily outgrow those of Soul Society.
That's why the forest had to be periodically purged.
"Las Noches' ambition is growing. We may need to teach them a lesson," said Yamamoto with a deep frown.
Shinigami tolerated Las Noches because it helped maintain basic order in Hueco Mundo.
Total purification was impossible. Order, even among Hollows, was preferable.
But if Las Noches started acting out, Soul Society would have no choice but to strike hard.
"Didn't we say the top Academy contestants could earn early graduation assessments?" Kuruyashiki Kenpachi mused. "Why not assign them a mission in Hueco Mundo?"
"These contestants are strong—well above seated officer level. I think it's feasible," Kyōraku nodded.
"But isn't that dangerous?" Ukitake Jūshirō asked. "Las Noches houses some truly terrifying Hollows—even captains struggle."
He was thinking specifically of Baraggan, the so-called king of Hueco Mundo.
"Then let their teacher lead the way," Kyōraku smiled. "Isn't Katori their homeroom instructor? He'd make a fine mission leader. If they encounter something too strong, he can handle it."
Kyōraku had seen Nanatsuki's shadow-based powers and trusted his strength.
Yamamoto considered for a moment.
"Las Noches is formidable. We must act with care."
"Yoruichi, you'll lead the Onmitsukidō to scout their movements."
"Yes—"
"Captain Yamamoto!" Kuchiki Sōjun suddenly stood. "I request permission to lead the Sixth Division into battle!"
The massacre had stained the Sixth Division's honor. Sōjun wanted to restore it through victory.
He also needed to prove himself, having just inherited command from his father.
Yamamoto furrowed his brow, then nodded.
"Very well. Kuchiki Sōjun will lead the Sixth Division to the Forest of Menos and reinforce the expedition."
"The Academy examinees and their instructor may accompany them."
Since Nanatsuki had captain-level power, Yamamoto was fine with letting the Sixth Division take the lead.
Whether more reinforcements would be needed would depend on how far Las Noches pushed.
He wasn't looking to destroy Las Noches entirely.
They just needed to deliver a warning—enough to make Las Noches maintain order and stop sending Hollows to wreak havoc in the World of the Living.
"So I'm not invited?" Kenpachi muttered, disappointed. He'd wanted to stretch his legs in Hueco Mundo.
"You always hog the spotlight. How are the youngsters supposed to grow?" Kyōraku clapped him on the back. "Let's give them a chance."
He hoped Kuchiki Sōjun would grow into his role quickly.
With one captain down, the burden on the rest increased.
The more capable captains there were, the easier Kyōraku's own job would be.