The Hollowfication Incident

Prelude
One hundred and ten years ago, Lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen moves through his division, greeting other members before arriving at his Captain's office. His Captain, Shinji Hirako chastises him for not dressing up and introduces him to Jazz music before they leave for an inauguration ceremony at the First Division.

Shinji almost has a tantrum over not being granted entry into the meeting but when the door opens he is kicked in the face and sent flying by Hiyori Sarugaki, Lieutenant of the Twelfth Division. She insists she will not apologize but Love Aikawa hits her head from behind and tells her to say sorry.

Shinji begins to tease Hiyori by making faces at her behind Captain Love Aikawa's back and she starts to get angry as a result. She insists that Love look his way and see what he is doing but instead Love just pushes her back inside the First Division barracks for the ceremony. Horrified, Aizen requests that his captain behave more maturely in front of other officers from the Gotei 13.

While walking through the barracks, Shinji and Love discuss which captains have arrived for the ceremony with Love confirming that the 10th Kenpachi, Kenpachi Kiganjō is lazy and disobedient and they must blame the previous Kenpachi for losing to him. Shunsui Kyōraku arrives with Jūshirō Ukitake and Lisa Yadōmaru and chastises them for talking about other captains behind their back.

A concerned Ukitake wonders why Kirio Hikifune left so soon for her new post, thinking things should have gone at a more paced rate. Shinji expresses exasperation at the constant changes in captains and Kyōraku states that it is the natural cycle of things and that in the last two hundred years there is only himself, Ukitake and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto still as captains. Ukitake reminds him that he's left out Retsu Unohana and the captain panics slightly at the thought.

Kyōraku carries on and suggests there are many different reasons for the different captains over the years; the Captain of the Tenth Division died on duty; the Third Division Captain retired; and Hikifune was promoted which means others are needed to fill those roles. This news incites Aizen's curiosity as he asks how a captain can be promoted and wonders if Hikifune is now among Central 46 but Kyōraku denies this and asserts that she has been promoted to the Royal Guard, a division that is not among the Gotei 13. The news greatly stuns Aizen as he has never heard of a Zero Division.

Kensei Muguruma, Captain of the Ninth Division, interrupts their conversation and informs everyone that the new captain has arrived for the ceremony and Yamamoto wants them all to stand at in their usual positions. Kisuke Urahara then arrives in the room and Shinji wonders about his odd appearance. Urahara sheepishly apologizes for being late but Yoruichi Shihōin, Captain of the Second Division, stands forward berates him for being so hesitant as he is now a captain. Yamamoto arrives by pushing him into the room before formally announcing that Urahara has completed the Captain Proficiency Test and as such is the new Captain of the Twelfth Division.

When Urahara arrives at his new barracks, he introduces himself awkwardly and in return receives a difficult reception from his new subordinates. His new Lieutenant, Hiyori, expresses her unhappiness with the appointment and insults the secrecy of the Second Division, trying to get a reaction out of him but Urahara merely smiles. He insists that he isnot longer a member of his former division so there is no need to defend it when he is a member of the Twelfth Division now. Rather than placate her, his reply infuriates her and she kicks him before storming out of the meeting.

Later that night, Urahara sits at the railings outside his barracks and is approached by Shinji who accurately predicts that Urahara is having trouble with Hiyori. He explains that Hiyori is having trouble over losing Hikifune as her captain as they were close. When Urahara assumes he will never be good enough for her, Shinji lets him know that captains can never please their subordinates all the time but even then, they should still do what they feel is right for each of their divisions. As Shinji leaves, he uses Noren Mekuri to reveal Aizen who had been spying on the conversation and they both state that the other is intimidating.

Early Stages
Hiyori continues to struggle to accept her new captain, Urahara, although much of her subordinates are welcoming and helpful in his changes. She discovers that he has totally remodeled his new office, installing a lot of different technology. She perceives this as him eliminating all reminders of Hikifune's tenure there and this infuriates her. She demands to know why he is changing Hikifune's things but he reminds her that the office is now his to change as he prefers. She punches him for this but he ignores the transgression and informs her that he is making new changes and wants her to come to the Nest of Maggots with him.

Shocking her subordinates, a forgetful Yoruichi gives permission for Urahara to enter here division grounds. Urahara has to drag a reluctant Hiyori to the Nest of Maggots. While doing so he explains a little bit about the history of the Second Division and how the Onmitsukidō was originally a separate entity but joined the Second Division when the commander became its captain. As a 3rd-Seat he was the the head of the Detention Unit. Thus he had to guard the Nest of Maggots and investigate and detain any Shinigami who was deemed a threat to others or who might impede their duties. He would arrest them and lock them up in the underground facility called the Nest of Maggots.

As they descend into the cave Urahara informs Hiyori that while the detainees cannot leave they can move freely about the facility. He also maintains that while they haven't done anything wrong they have been deemed dangerous by the Goeti 13 regulations. He elaborates that there is no such thing as withdrawing from the Gotei 13 and if she has heard of anyone withdrawing it means they have been forced into the Nest of Maggots by the views of Central 46. He also explains that he's always thought that those considered possibly dangerous they may instead thrive if given suitable employment matching their needs.

Hiyori is then attacked by a large detainee and reaches for her blade only to remember that she did not bring it with her. Urahara intercepts the blow and apologizes for not reminding her that she had left her Zanpakutō back at their barracks as weapons are not allowed within the confines of the Nest of Maggots. He further explains that because of this stipulation, the guards must all be able to handle the prisoners with their bare hands and must be skilled in doing so. He then laments that his face has been forgotten already when he's only been gone several days and defeats the attacker.

They continue through the facility and come upon a single prisoner shackled in a cell who turns out to be Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Urhara informs him he has a business proposition. Urahara introduces Hiyori and Kurotsuchi before he declines Urahara's offer. The new captain manages to interest him by announcing that he is creating a new organization that will require the abilities Kurotsuchi possesses. The new department will be called the Research and Development Institute. and he wants Kurotsuchi to become its vice-president and thus will inherit the organization if Urahara dies. Kurotsuchi smiles and states that Urahara is an unpleasant man.

Meanwhile, Byakuya Kuchiki is training at the Kuchiki Clan residence. His grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki brings a visitor to see him who turns out to be Yoruichi. She bounces her breasts against the side of his head angering him. They insult each other before she grabs the tie for his hair and escapes to the nearby rooftop. She taunts him by declaring that she is worried about the future of the Kuchiki Clan if the heir can have his tie stolen by a girl. The trainee Shinigami then angrily pursues her using Shunpo leaving a quiet Ginrei wondering when Byakuya will learn not to lose his temper so easily.

Elsewhere, Ukitake is visiting Kaien Shiba and asking him to become his new Lieutenant. Kaien declines the position insisting others are more suitable and experienced. Ukitake changes the subject and asks if Kaien has heard about the latest genius since Kaien to come out of the Shin'ō Academy, asserting that the Shinigami graduated in under a year. Kaien rebuffs the label of genius but confirms that he heard so Ukitake continues by stating the Shinigami is the same age as Byakuya Kuchiki and has a seated position reserved for him in the Gotei 13 within the Fifth Division.

At the Fifth Division barracks a fight has just concluded in the meantime. The newest member of the division, the Shinigami who graduated inside a year, has defeated the 3rd-Seat in a battle and killed him while doing so. An observer, Aizen, walks forward and asks the young Shinigami his name and he replies that it is Gin Ichimaru. Aizen compliments his talent and asks how he found the abilities of his opponent. Smiling in a mocking fashion, Gin insists that his opponent was hopeless, not worth mentioning in the future. Aizen calmly replies that the knowledge is good to know.

Middle Stages
Nine years after the promotion of Urahara, within the Rukongai, there are three souls contorting in agony. They hold their necks in agony as they spew a mysterious white substance from their mouths, choking on it the entire time. The pressure on their bodies becomes too much and they explode with some of the white substance landing on an umbrella that shield three observers nearby. One of them concludes that an ordinary soul cannot be kept a prototype in their experiment as their body breaks down too easily and his comrade asks if they should quit due to this but the first person insists they will continue with their actions.

In the Seiretei, Shinji is out walking with Aizen when he comes upon Urahara and his two immediate subordinates. Shinji greets Urahara who refuses to use Shinji's first name so Shinji becomes aggravated. He becomes even more annoyed after greeting Kurotsuchi who admonishes him for using his informal name. Shinji comments that he is unpleasant then moves to tell Urahara some news. However he is attacked by Hiyori in response to leaving her out and the two of them begin to scuffle and argue about it as Urahara watches on, awkwardly scratching his head.

As they scuffle Aizen turns to tell Urahara the news that Shinji had been meaning to tell him. Shinji becomes irritated with his subordinate when Aizen informs Urahara of the mysterious disappearances in the Rukongai. Confused, Urahara asks if they are simply running off without word but Shinji elaborates that they are physically disappearing and nobody knows why they are doing so. They are actually disappearing and instead of their souls turning into spirit particles the way they would if they died their clothes are being left behind and thus they seem to be losing their human form.

This serious news greatly puzzles Urahara who wonders how a soul can completely lose control in maintaining their human form before dying. Turning away from him, Shinji apologizes for confusing him about the situation. He elaborates that he was informed of the theory from Retsu Unohana. He is also quite adamant that, even though he's just explained it to Urahara, he really doesn't understand the possibilities either. He asserts that it has been decided that more evidence needs to be gathered and that the task has been assigned to the Ninth Division.

A team of high ranking officers from the Ninth Division have been sent to investigate the area with the strange disappearances. Behind the Captain Kensei Muguruma and his seated officers, Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna trails behind moaning about what Keni means when he says he doesn't know what they are looking for. This irritates the captain who insists it means just that as they are searching for clues now. Mashiro reminds him that they previously sent out a ten-man team and they should wait for their report but Kensei counters that its the lack of their report that is the reason they have come out instead.

Mashiro continues to assert that this type of job was not one for a captain to partake in, insisting that Kensei is just bored sitting in his office. She begins to whine more until Kaname Tōsen, the 5th-Seat, asks that she calm down but she refuses. Kensei's temper snaps and he turns around to attack Mashiro but he is held back by Heizō Kasaki, the 3rd-Seat and Shinobu Eishima, the 4th-Seat who reminds Kensei that she is always like this. He tries to calm himself but Mashiro begins to have a temper tantrum, rolling around on the ground crying out that she is hungry.

An angry Kensei is suddenly distracted by the ominous cry of a Hollow. They turn to find a massive Hollow, with a long neck, chasing three young Souls. Both Kasaki and Eishima are stunned by the sheer size of the Hollow. Kensei immediately draws his blade and orders his men to attack it. They promptly obey his command, each one slicing a part of the Hollow. Despite this, the monster remains standing, knocking a young soul to the ground. The child looks up and notices Kensei step forward to engage the beast.

Kensei releases his Zanpakutō Tachikaze and uses it to slice the Hollow apart and destroy it. He makes sure that nobody is hurt among his subordinates before noticing the child cowering on the ground. He advances towards him and demands to know why he is upset since he survived the attack. Kensei then smiles at the child to show him how it is done but the result is quite terrifying. He asks the child his name and he reveals that it is Shūhei Hisagi. Kensei informs him that it is a strong name and he should stop crying but Hisagi continues to cry due to fright.

Mashiro returns to the scene, her absence during the battle irritating Kensei, dragging with her a Shihakushō, informing them that she found ten of them in a bush. She doesn't think it is significant but Kensei and the others realized that the garments belong to advance team they had sent out to investigate earlier. They realize this because the uniforms are still layered as if they were covering someone, like the socks are still inside the sandals. Kensei comes to the conclusion that the disappearances are far more dangerous than they thought.

Kensei decides that this situation is too dangerous to continue and that the Seireitei must not be affected so they have to stop the cause there before it gets any closer to it. He orders Eishima to report to Central Command that the disappearances have claimed their first Shinigami victims; Izaemon Tōdō is ordered to get researchers from the S.R.D.I. due to the possibility that an unknown pathogen is the cause for the breakdown in the soul; he orders Kasaki to contact a patrol squad in order to obtains a tent so that they can set up camp in the area that night. He tells the children to go home as it isn't safe. Hisagi spots Kensei's tattoo of the numbers 69 and it makes an impression on him.

At the S.D.R.I., Kurotsuchi is carrying out experiments on various substances. He chastises Hiyori for not moving equipment faster which angers her as she is higher ranked than he is. Kurotsuchi tries to dispute this and he is the vice-president of the institute which causes Hiyori to call out for Urahara to intervene. However, when Urahara leaves his office he is actually very tired having not slept the night before and tells Hiyori that he is working on a Gigai to help those disappearing to keep their human form. The news shocks Hiyori.

Tōdō arrives and interrupts their conversation. He reports the situation to them and Urahara thanks him for doing while asserting that he understands the seriousness of the situation. He sends Tōdō to report back to his captain before asking Hiyori to be the one who goes to the investigation site. She initially objects but he states that he needs somebody he can trust to get him proper samples. She finally agrees to be the one to go to get samples but informs Urahara that it will cost him later on.

Tōdō returns to the investigation site where Eishima and Tōsen are standing guard outside the tent Kensei has set up. The three have a short disagreement over who should be on duty but finally agree to let those inside the tent rest first. Inside the tent, Mashiro is sleeping soundly while Kensei is pensive regarding the situation that has developed and he wonders how she can sleep so casually with everything that is happening. Mashiro almost exposes herself in her sleep causing Kensei to get annoyed when e tries to cover her up and she grabs his hand.

A sudden scream from outside the tent alerts Kasaki and Kensei to an issues. They rush out to find the other officers felled with Tōdō glancing at them before he too collapses bleeding to the ground. Ordering his remaining officer to look for the attacker, Kensei tries to wake Mashiro. However, Kasaki is cut down before he is able to wake her. Suddenly the world around Kensei goes dark and, stunned, he is stabbed from behind through his chest. Deeply injured, he manages to turn his head to look at his assailant only to find that he actually recognizes them.

At the meeting he has assembled, Yamamoto informs those present that there is an emergency situation as Reiatsu of bother Kensei and Mashiro have completely vanished for unknown reasons. He insists that because the reason is not known they must assume the worst. The honor of the Gotei 13 is on the line and for this reason he will send 5 captains to investigate the area. Urahara arrives to the meeting late and out of breath. Despite Yamamoto chastising him for being late, Urahara immediately asks to be one of the captains assigned to the task.

Yamamoto denies his request and Urahara promptly begins to yell about having sent a subordinate to the area. Yoruichi suddenly shouts at him, angry with Urahara for losing his composure as it is insulting for him to do so as he ordered her to the area himself. While Urahara is stunned, Yamamoto orders Love, Shinji, Rose to move out to the camp area while Yoruichi is to standby for further orders. He tells Ukitake, Ginrei and Kyōraku to stay and guard the Seireitei. When he asks Unohana to prepare relief stations, she requests to be sent to tend to those already wounded but Yamamoto denies this as they need their healers.

The door opens and admits the entry of Tessai Tsukabishi, Captan of the Kidō Corps along with his Lieutenant, Hachigen Ushōda. Their arrival shocks those present as Tessai rarely ventures out in public. Yamamoto informs them that he wants their presence at the camp of the attacks and they both agree to go. Kyōraku stands forward then and suggests that it is a bad idea to send both the Kidō Corps highest ranking officers and suggest sending his lieutenant instead. Much to the shock of the others, Lisa Yadōmaru has been listening in on the meeting and agrees to go in Tessai's stead.

As the other captains are leaving the hall, Urahara stands there stunned and is approached by Kyōraku who places a sympathetic hand on his shoulder to reassure him. He reminds Urahara that Hiyori is a strong Shinigami in her own right, although he asserts that she is still not as strong as "his Lisa". As he walks away he tells Urahara not to look so worried as part of being a captain is also to wait and have faith in their subordinates. Urahara watches him sadly as he leaves.

In the forest, a breathless Hiyori runs frantically from an attacker, evading many of their attempts to harm her but still manages to get injured somewhat. As the shadow moves to attack her again, Hiyori realizes the fruitlessness of her situation only to be saved at the last moment by the arrival of Shinji who parries the attack with his blade. He tells Hiyori she is an idiot for not drawing her blade to defend herself but Hiyori insults Shinji before she insists that she could not. The moon then casts light over the shadow to reveal that her attacker is Kensei in a Hollowfied state.

Lise, Rose and Love arrive on the scene and are shocked to see their comrade so transformed, noting his Hollow appearance and Reiatsu. Shinji advises them to draw their blades or else they will die facing the creature. Kensei lets out a massive Hollow cry then and attacks forcing the group to jump away to evade his attack. Kensei appears behind Love then, surprising him and punching him to the ground in a huge clash. Love manages to stay on his feet with his Zanpakutō drawn but is injured by the attack and comments that the attack stung which was hardly surprising given it was Kensei.

From where Shinji is carrying her, Hiyori calls out to them all and demands that they stop trying to fight Kensei as he is their friend and they shouldn't kill him. She is overcome by a coughing fit before Shinji chastises her. He and Rose assert that if it is Kensei, that is more reason to stop him due to his strength. Lisa tries to reassure Hiyori by stating there are many ways to stop him without actually killing him. Drawing her blade, she maintains that she will cut his tendons, telling Rose to take the right side while she takes the left.

The two Shinigami move in to attack Kensei, concentrating on trying to surprise him. However, Lisa sees a Hollowfied Mashiro appear behind Rose with her leg raised in the air to kick him. With Rose distracted with attacking Kensei, Lisa tries to call out to warn him but Mashiro manages to land a heavy blow on the captains head, knocking him to the ground. Shinji recognizes who they are dealing with and expresses exasperation that Mashiro has also been infected with the same condition as Kensei. She notices him and immediately begins to attack forcing the captain on the defensive, blocking her kicks with his blade.

Hachi shows up then and uses '''Bakudō # 75. Gochūtekkan''' on Mashiro knocking her to the ground and holding her imprisoned there under large grey, stone pillars that the spell summons. Sweating and panting wildly, Hachi comments between breaths that they all run quite fast and he could not keep up with them. Shinji is shocked by his arrival. Seeing Kensei in the air as he prepares to make another attack, Hachi raises his hand and uses Bakudō #63 Sajō Sabaku which summons huge chains that wrap around the transformed captain causing him to fall to the ground, unable to attack for the time being.

With the immediate threat disabled, Hachi turns to Shinji and demands to know what is going on. He wants to know what has happened to Kensei and Mashiro but is interrupted by a surge of Reiatsu from Kensei. The transformed captain is able to get to his feet and break through the powerful chains that bind him which greatly surprises the Kidō Corps Lieutenant. Hachi mentions that he has never seen a binding spell above level 60 to be broken by physical force alone which Kensei has just managed to do in his new form.

Elsewhere, Tessai manages to find Urahara trying to sneak out to the battle against his orders wearing a cloak that completely blocks one's Reiatsu. He wonders how Tessai knew he would do try to rescue Hiyori and the Kidō Corps Captain replies that they both grew up together in Yoruichi's mansion so he should at least know him that much. Urahara asks if he will stop him from passing but Tessai replies that he will not allow him to go alone as he senses something dangerous so they both should go.

In the Seireitei, Kyōraku meets some patrolling Shinigami outside the Fifth Division barracks. While there he sees Aizen carrying some books through the building and wonders if he was over-thinking things. The guards ask him what he is talking about but he simply states that Aizen cannot sleep either prompting the guards to turn to their lieutenant and bid him goodnight respectfully. On his way back to his own barracks Kyōraku sees Nanao Ise who is looking for Lisa. Afeter telling her that Lisa is on an important mission, she will be back in the morning.

Meanwhile at the battle, Lisa has gotten injured at Kensei's hands as he knocks her to the ground and moves in to attack more. An injured Rose distracts him by asserting he never used to be one for attacking a defenseless women causing the transformed captain to anger before trying to attack his fellow captain instead of Lisa. From nearby, Hachi uses '''Bakudō #99. Kin''' on Kensei catching him within the magical ribbons that force him to the ground and prevents any further attacks on the others.

Shinji compliments Hachi's abilities and the Kidō Corps Lieutenant sheepishly admits that he may have overdone the spell a bit. Shinji asks if Hachi may be able to fix Mashiro and Kensei but the Lieutenant asserts that he cannot fix it as foremost, he doesn't even know what is affecting them. Suddenly, Hiyori begins to cough and convulse in Shinji's arms, telling him to drop her before she suddenly slashes him with her blade, shocking everyone. She lets out a a loud Hollowfied cry as a mask appears on her face.

Those present are stunned and move in to attack her when a darkness suddenly envelopes the entire area. Love calls out to them all but they are all stabbed and fall to the ground injured as the darkness evaporates and Shinji sees that the perpetrator is Tōsen. Lying injured on the ground, Shinji demands to know why Tōsen betrayed his own captain but another two Shinigami arrive on the scene and one maintains that Tōsen did not betray anybody as the entire time he has been his loyal subordinate. Shinji turns to see two of his own subordinates, Aizen and Gin standing behind him.

Aizen wonders if Shinji suspected him as the perpetrator and his captain confirms as much, that he always knew Aizen couldn't be trusted and was dangerous and that's why he chose him as his Lieutenant, to keep an eye on him. Aizen thanks Shinji for suspecting him as his suspicions kept him from ever truly knowing his subordinate thus allowing Aizen to fool him. Shinji tries to refute this but Aizen reveals that for a month, he was not the one who had been following him, revealing the power of Kyōka Suigetsu, his Zanpakutō; complete hypnosis. He maintains that his entire plan was able to come into fruition because Shinji never got to know Aizen.

Aizen begins to taunt Shinji by insisting that he did not choose him as his Lieutenant but in fact Aizen thought that Shinji's suspicions of him were ideal for his plans and thus Aizen chose to become his subordinate, not the other way around. Aizen insists he should apologize to those lying injured around him as it was his decision that resulted in their defeat. His taunts anger Shinji greatly and the captain gets to his feet to draw his blade and attack. However a white substance blasts from the side of his face and the wound Hiyori had given him and Shinji realizes he's been infected too.

Aizen calmly thanks Shinji for getting agitated at his slight provocations. All around Shinji, the others begin to Hollowfy as well, with the white substance forming on their faces. Aizen is able to see and deduce that anger accelerates the Hollowfication process as he at sometime had previously thought and thus he had provoked Shinji just for his own experiment. Shinji asks what Hollowfication is but Aizen replies that he has no need to know about any more. A Hollowfied Hiyori manages to call out Shinji's name in a hesitant fashion but Tōsen cuts her down at Aizen's insistence.

Aizen decides to end the situation, thanking Shinji for his perfect balance of distance and vigilance over him that allowed him to carry out his plan in the background. He informs Shinji that the betrayal he sees is trivial compared to the betrayal that he doesn't see that is truly fearsome. He bids Shinji farewell, about to attack but is attacked from behind by Urahara who slashes off his Lieutenant armband. He looks over his shoulder and mockingly comments on the arrival of another few interesting guests.

Aizen asks the two new arrivals, Urahara and Tessai, what they want as Gin comments sardonically that they have been found. Tōsen asserts that he will kill them but Aizen tells him that it is fine and does so again when he tries to contradict him. Realizing that he was disobeying an order, Tōsen gets down on his knees and begs forgiveness from Aizen his master. Shinji asks Urahara why he came but Urahara makes a joke about the mask forming of Shinji's face. He then sadly glances in Hiyori's direction, seeing her lying injured on the ground.

Urahara turns towards Aizen and asks what he is doing in the area. Aizen insists that he came upon the injured members of the investigation squad and has been trying to help them before Urahara and Tessai arrived. Urahara calmly demands to know why he is lying to him and Aizen asks if there is something wrong with a lieutenant trying to help his captain. Urahara rebuffs this by confirming that the victims are not merely wounded but have been Hollowfied as evidenced by their condition. His knowledge surprises Aizen who confirms that Urahara is just the sort of man he always thought he was.

Aizen sheathes his blade and states that he is glad Urahara showed up tonight before turning away from the scene, telling his subordinates to follow him. Urahara moves to get them to wait but Tessai demands that he get down before using Hadō #88 Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō to attack the retreating trio. Aizen blocks the Kidō with a chantless Bakudō #81 Dankū which greatly surprises the Kidō Corps Captain due to Aizen merely being a lieutenant. When the dust clears the trio has vanished and Tessai apologizes to Urahara for letting them get away.

Ending Stages
Urahara is stunned by the entire episode and is about to ask Tessai about it when Shinji begins to cry out in pain. Tessai informs him that they need to treat the victims first but Urahara states that he can't do it there while they are in their current state of Hollowfication. After getting Urahara to confirm with he can help them at his institute, Tessai decides to use forbidden Kidō techniques in order to freeze time and transport the entire group to Urahara's laboratory so that he can work towards curing them of their affliction.

When at his lab, Urahara quickly gets to work, asserting that Hollowfication was a solution he came up with as a way of strengthening souls and Shinigami after they had reached their limits. He researched the possibility before creating an object that will instantaneously break down the barrier between a Hollow and a Shinigami. He declares that with that particular object he hopes to save Shinji and the others afflicted with Aizen's infection. He reveals the Hōgyoku to Tessai, showing his comrade he small but powerful sphere in his hand.

Urahara tries all night but his attempts to cure the eight infected Shinigami fail and this stresses him out. He apologizes to Tessai for not being able to fix the issue and decides he needs some fresh air. When he goes outside his way is blocked by Central 46 guards who arrest the two of them. They are brought in to the Central 46 Compound where they are informed of their charges. Urahara confirms that he was in the forest and he is accused of conducting the Hollowfication committed by Aizen.

Urahara demands to know who told them that and tries to tell them all that Aizen was the real perpetrator. Central 46 warns him not to continue to speak out of turn or they will add to his charges however Urahara continues to try and convince them of the truth. They inform him that Aizen was sighted at his own barracks by a captain so he is lying to them. A messenger arrives and states that the victims were found at Urahara's labs so they decide to sentence him now.

They sentence Tessai to imprisonment in the Underground Prison 3, 'Shugō' for using forbidden Kidō techniques. For the Hollowfication experiments, Urahara is sentenced to being stripped of his powers and banished to earth. Central 46 also affirm that Shinji and the other victims will be dealt with as Hollows and thus eliminated. They are interrupted by the arrival of a masked individual who smashes their shackles and takes them all to the Secret training ground underneath the Sōkyoku Hill where they have have taken the victims of the infection as well.

Their savior removes their mask and reveals themselves to be Yoruichi which Urahara knew all along and thanks her. She tells him that he doesn't need to thank her but that she will refrain from beating him for not taking her with them the previous night. She reveals that along with the victims she also brought Urahara his new Gigai that he was working on since he learnt of the situation from Shinji. Urahara realizes that she knew about his experiment from the start and that she's unpleasant for pretending otherwise.

Urahara tells Tessai to cast a barrier around them so that inside twenty hours he can make Gigais for himself, Tessai and the 8 Hollowfied victims. Tessai wonders about Yoruichi but she asserts she will escape. Urahara declares that they will solve the puzzle while the hide out on Earth. He swears that he will find a way to reverse it but in present time, the Visoreds discuss their history of how Urahara discovered that the biggest miscalculation he had made was that there were no miscalculations and the worst possible outcome happened. Shinji states that they are indebted to Urahara and to Aizen before they all stand up and walk out towards battle.