"It's Tōsen." A Gotei Thirteen squad member from the Ninth Division recognized the newcomer. It was none other than Tōsen Kaname, who was serving as the Fifth Seat of the Ninth Division at the time.
Tōsen Kaname stood in midair, drew his Asauchi, and held it horizontally before him, murmuring, "Sing, Suzumushi."
"Suzumushi, First Form."
As his words fell, an invisible tremor spread from the blade. The Giant Hollows rampaging in the area instantly froze, while the Gotei Thirteen members locked in bitter combat quickly retreated.
Then Tōsen slowly swung his blade. The swing was not fast, yet it strangely left an afterimage.
"Suzumushi, Second Form, Benihikō."
Countless blades shot down like rain.
With this single move, several Giant Hollows were pierced through and died on the spot.
"As expected of Tōsen. He defeated so many Giant Hollows so easily," a corpulent squad member exclaimed.
Tōsen flashed into the crowd and spoke calmly to the fat man.
"Go comfort the civilians. I will report this sudden Hollow attack to the Captain."
After saying this, Tōsen flashed again and vanished. No one noticed that several rice grain sized crystals emitting faint blue light were hidden in his hand when he left, except Ito Makoto.
"As expected, Aizen is behind this."
When Ito Makoto saw Tōsen secretly take those crystals, he became certain that the mastermind of this disaster was Aizen Sōsuke.
"Oh, peeking like this is not very good."
Just as Ito Makoto was about to leave, a lazy voice sounded behind him.
He turned and saw a boy of thirteen or fourteen in a soul reaper uniform with silver hair, squinting as he smiled at him.
Ichimaru Gin.
Ito Makoto felt a headache when he sensed the enormous spiritual pressure coming from him.
If his true body were here, he might not fear Gin at this time. But in Soul Society, he was only a newly reincarnated soul with spiritual pressure but no real power. He could not defeat Ichimaru Gin, who was already the Third Seat of the Third Division and likely possessed Bankai.
So he could only act.
"Such terrifying Hollows. It must be hard on you Shinigami."
Ito Makoto pretended to be frightened, patting his chest.
Gin kept smiling.
Suddenly, Gin's eyes opened. His short Zanpakutō shot forward and slashed.
The blade grazed Ito Makoto's ear and killed a Hollow hiding behind him.
Ito Makoto collapsed to the ground in fear, trembling.
"It's dangerous outside these days. You'd better not wander around."
Gin spoke lazily, sheathed his blade, and left.
Minutes later, Ito Makoto stood up. The fear vanished from his face.
With his perception, he had long sensed that Hollow.
But with Gin nearby, he could not act. A newly reincarnated soul using Kido would draw suspicion.
This Hollow was only a Freshman Hollow, so he had ignored it.
It also did not drop any blue crystals.
After dusting himself off, Ito Makoto returned home.
…
In a dense forest of Rukongai, a man in a soul reaper uniform with black rimmed glasses stood with hands behind his back, smiling gently.
Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin approached.
Tōsen knelt on one knee and presented the faint blue crystals.
"Lord Aizen, the experiment failed. Those Giant Hollows cannot keep their sanity for long. One carrying a fragment was separated and likely killed by squad members."
Aizen Sōsuke smiled faintly and took the crystals.
"It is fine, Tōsen. The data is already excellent."
He turned to Gin.
"Gin, did you notice anything unusual."
Gin smiled and scratched his head.
"I dealt with an escaped Freshman Hollow. Everything else was normal."
…
East District, Fifty Seventh Ward.
Ito Makoto, Iwasaki Eri, and San Hana baba sat around a small table eating the thank you meal San Hana baba prepared.
The other tenants did not receive such treatment.
Iwasaki Eri looked at Ito Makoto excitedly.
"Makoto kun, you're amazing. You carried both of us so far so quickly."
"Maybe I was an athlete in my past life. I really struggled to lure that Hollow away until the Shinigami came."
Ito Makoto spoke nonsense.
They had not seen him kill the Giant Hollow on the roof.
San Hana baba complained with lingering fear.
"These Shinigami take so much money and still can't keep us safe. If not for Makoto, this old woman would be dead."
The three complained together, growing closer through shared danger.
After eating, Ito Makoto suddenly asked,
"Grandma, I want to apply to the Spiritual Arts Academy. How do I register."
Iwasaki Eri was startled, then looked a little sad.
San Hana baba was silent, then took two envelopes from a cabinet.
"With your status, you can't apply for three years. Take my recommendation to Oda You. He will let you take the test early."
"Thank you, Grandma."
"You little brat, already taking my good things after one day. My letter only lets you test early. The pass rate is less than ten percent."
Ito Makoto nodded seriously.
San Hana baba went to wash dishes but was stopped.
"Grandma, we'll help."
She froze for a moment, eyes distant.
"What energetic children. If Maruta were still alive…"