Disappearances in Soul Society

Disappearances in Soul Society

Prelude
101 years ago, 9 years after Kisuke Urahara became the Twelfth Division captain, three souls choke on a substance spewing from their mouths. Three shadowy figures watch on as the souls die, with one of them stating that ordinary souls cannot "contain the prototype". A second person asks if they should halt the experiments, but the first replies that they shall continue.

In Seireitei, Hirako greets Kisuke as he passes by with Hiyori and Mayuri. When he calls him Hirako-san, Shinji reminds Urahara that he told him to call him Shinji. He then says hello to Mayuri, who reacts hostilely to being called by his given name. As they begin conversation, Hiyori kicks Hirako, annoyed that he did not greet her. While the two bicker, Aizen asks Urahara if he has heard about the strange disappearances in Rukongai, which has been occurring for the past month. Urahara asks if by disappearing they mean going somewhere else in secret, but Hirako says that is not the case; the missing souls leave behind their clothes. He goes on to repeat Captain Unohana's explanation that if they had died, they would have turned to Reishi, and their clothes would disappear as well. The only thing they can think of is that without dying, the souls are becoming unstable and unable to maintain a Human form and they cease to exist. Hirako says that he does not really understand it, and that the Ninth Division is investigating the cause.

The 9th Division Investigates
As the 9th Division's captain, Kensei Muguruma, his lieutenant Mashiro Kuna and four seated officers march through Rukongai, Kuna questions why they are there. She says that they should wait for the 10 advance guards to report in and that Kensei is being impatient, as a captain should not need to investigate unknown causes. An angered Muguruma is restrained by his subordinates, who remind him that she is always like that and try to calm him. Muguruma asks her why she came along, and tells her to go home. Kuna throws a tantrum, demanding Ogahi (a type of food), but Kens, a young boy falls at Kensei's feet. Muguruma uses his Shikai to cause the Hollow to explode and asks his officers if they are alright. Seeing the small boy crying, Kensei tells him that he should be happy that as is alive, and to smile. He hauls the boy to his feet and asks him his name. The boy tries to wipe away his tears as he says "Shūhei Hisagi." Kensei tells him that Shūhei is a strong name, and to quit crying. Shūhei reluctantly agrees, still trying to wipe away his tears. When Kuna reappears, Kensei demands to know where she was during the fight. She cuts him off by saying she found ten Shihakusho in the nearby bushes.

Muguruma realizes that the ten shihakusho belonged to the ten advance guards he sent out and they were not taken off, but rather the wearer had vanished. He orders Eishima to inform Central 46 that they have their first Shinigami victims in the disappearing soul case. He tells Izaemon Tōdō that there might be a pathogen causing the souls to break down, and to request a researcher be sent by the 12th Division. Muguruma instructs Kasaki have the Division send a tent, as they will be camping there tonight, as he intends to prevent any threat from reaching Seireitei. His Fifth Seat asks what he should do, and Kensei tells him to search the area with him. Muguruma tells the children to go home before the sun sets, and Hisagi notices the number 69 tattooed on Kensei's chest before he leaves.

Call Forth the S.R.D.I.
In a laboratory of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, Mayuri and Hiyori argue about who has their ranks in the Twelfth Division and the Institute. Hiyori then yells for Kisuke, demanding that he do something about Kurotsuchi. Urahara tell her about his prototype for a new Gigai that he has developed in a bid to stabilize the souls that have been disappearing. Tōdō arrives at the laboratory, requesting an audience with Urahara. After being updated about the situation, Urahara promises to send someone that evening and instructs Tōdō to return to Muguruma. Kisuke asks Hiyori to go, but she refuses, demanding that someone of lower rank be sent instead, pointing at Akon, who retorts that she is always complaining and should quit if her job is so bad. Hiyori tries to kick him, but he dodges her. Urahara tells Hiyori that she is the only one he can trust with acquiring a sample from the scene.

Fall of the 9th Division
Tōdō arrives back at the Ninth Division's camp ground, only to be told he is late. He explains that he went to the Twelfth Division's headquarters by himself and asks to switch places with the Fifth Seat, whom he tells to get some sleep. Eishima explains that only one of the seated officers is to rest at a time, with the other three standing guard. Inside the tent, Kensei, Kuna and Kasaki are resting. Mashiro begins talking in her sleep, annoying her captain. Muguruma hears a noise outside and, along with Kasaki, rushes to investigate. He finds two of the blood-soaked officers lying on the ground, with Tōdō standing nearby. When Tōdō collapses moments later, Kensei tells Kasaki to be ready, as the enemy is still nearby. Muguruma calls for Mashiro, but as he turns his back, Kasaki's neck is cut. Kensei is shrouded in darkness and stabbed through the back. As the darkness recedes, he turns to see his attacker.

Aftermath
An alarm sounds across Seireitei as all captains are summoned to the First Division headquarters for an emergency meeting. Upon hearing that the Reiatsu of Kensei and Mashiro has vanished, Urahara rushes into the laboratory and asks a researcher where Hiyori is. When she tells him that Hiyori has already left, Kisuke rushes off, thinking to himself that he should have went himself.