Battle in Fugai Forest

Prelude
After the disappearances in Soul Society begin and the 9th Division Task Force that is led by Lieutenant Kuna and Captain Muguruma disappear in their investigation of the incident, Captain-Commander Yamamoto calls for an emergency meeting of the Gotei 13.

At the emergency meeting, Yamamoto reports that Kuna and Muguruma's Reiatsu have disappeared, and the reason is unknown. The Captain-Commander says that they must assume the worst until they know more on the situation. Until the previous day, the matter only concerned Rukongai, but Yamamoto declares it is now an issue which must be resolved on the pride of the Gotei 13. As Yamamoto says that he will send five captain-class Shinigami to the scene, Urahara makes a late arrival at the meeting.

Urahara immediately requests to be allowed to go, but the Captain-Commander declines his request. Kisuke tries to argue with him, but is stopped by Yoruichi, who tells him not to lose his composure. She states that since he chose Hiyori to go on the mission, his actions are an insult to her.

Because of this crisis, Yamamoto selects Captains Hirako, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, and Love Aikawa to go to Rukongai, while Yoruichi is to stand-by for separate orders. Captains Ginrei Kuchiki, Kyōraku, and Ukitake are told to guard Seireitei. Captain Unohana is told to prepare her medical facilities for incoming casualties. Unohana asks if it would not be better if she went to the scene to treat the wounded, but Yamamoto refuses to allow healers to go into an unknown situation.

As a result, he has decided to send others and invites the Kidō Corps Captain Tessai Tsukabishi and his lieutenant, Hachigen Ushōda to enter the room. Both Kyōraku and Ukitake are surprised to see the Kidō Corps’ top officers after a long time of not seeing them. Yamamoto notes that he assumes the two are aware of the current situation and asks them to head to the scene, to which both Shinigami accept the order.

As this occurs, Kyōraku notices Urahara’s worried look. He then remarks to Yamamoto that it is a bad idea to send both the captain and lieutenant of the Kidō Corps into an unknown situation. Yamamoto asks what he would suggest instead. In response, Kyōraku asks for his lieutenant to be sent. He then calls for Lisa, who had been eavesdropping on the meeting. As Kyōraku briefly scolds Lisa for eavesdropping, he checks with Lisa if she is willing to go the scene. Lisa agrees. Yamamoto notes how Kyōraku is doing as he pleases, to which Kyōraku replies that it is rare for such an event to occur, and he would like to give her some experience. He comments that Lisa is strong, and asks Tsukabishi if he will step aside for her. Tsukabishi concedes and Yamamoto finalizes the orders.

The meeting ends and the captains all begin to leave the hall as Urahara stands there stunned and worried. Kyōraku notices this, pausing at his side and placing a sympathetic hand upon Urahara's shoulder. He tells his fellow captain not to worry about the situation as Hiyori is a strong Shinigami but still not as strong as his Lieutenant, Lisa. He advises Urahara that waiting and having faith in their subordinates is also part of a captains duty. Kyōraku then leaves as a silent Urahara watches him go, his expression being one of worry and concern.

Battle
In the forests of Rukongai, Hiyori evades attacks from a large shadowy figure. As the figure attacks again, Hirako arrives and defends Hiyori. He asks her why she has not drawn her sword. Hiyori replies that she could not draw it. When the moon breaks through the clouds, Hirako is shocked to see Hiyori’s attacker is a Hollowfied Kensei. Love, Rose and Lisa arrive moments later. All three are also shocked by the site of Kensei. Love and Rose wonder if the Hollowified Kensei is really their friend with Rose stating that his mask and Reiatsu are just like a Hollow's. As Kensei roars, Hirako tells them he does not know if their opponent is really Kensei but they must draw their Zanpakutō, otherwise they will die. All of them back away from Kensei, but the Hollowfied Shinigami catches Love off guard by appearing behind to attack. A large explosion occurs and despite Love blocking with his Zanpakutō, his uniform is ripped and he is left breathing heavily. Love comments that his power is what he would expect from Muguruma. Hiyori tries to stop the others from attacking Muguruma, but Hirako tells her to be quiet as they have to stop him, especially if it really is Kensei. Love agrees with Hirako’s statement and draws his blade. Yadōmaru also takes out her sword and tells Hiyori not to worry, saying that there are plenty of ways to defeat an opponent without killing them. She decides to cut his tendons and asks Rose to take the right side. The two then charge forward and as Rose approaches Kensei, he is found off guard by a Hollowfied Mashiro, who attacks from above. Lisa notices and tries to warn Rose, but her warning comes too late as Rose is kicked into the ground. Hirako expresses his surprise at seeing Kuna in a similar state to Kensei. Kuna then attacks Hirako. As Hirako finds himself struggling to hold himself against Kuna’s kick, the Hollowfied-Kuna is caught by caught by Hachi with Bakudō #75 Gochūtekkan. Ushōda makes his arrival, out of breath and noting that everyone runs so quickly. He then turns his attention to Muguruma and casts Bakudō #63 Sajō Sabaku on him. When he asks what is happening to Kensei and Mashiro, Hachigen is stunned to see Muguruma breaks out of the Kidō spell with physical strength alone.

Outside a Twelfth Division building, a dark, cloaked figure walks. The individual is seen by another, who comments that dark, cloaked figure has an interesting invention. The non-cloaked figure is revealed to be Tessai Tsukabishi Tsukabishi tells the figure that making a cloak that completely blocks one's Reiatsu is quite extraordinary. Urahara reveals his face underneath the cloak, and Tessai asks him if he is planning on rescuing Hiyori. Tessai tells Kisuke that he thought this would happen when he saw Urahara at the meeting earlier. Urahara does not deny it. Tessai reminds him that they spent a lot of time together at Yoruichi Shihōin's mansion, so he would not have failed to notice such things. Urahara asks if Tessai will not let him pass. In response, Tessai says that he will not let him go, let him go alone that is. Urahara is surprised at this response as Tessai continues by saying he is sensing an unfathomable terror and that they shall go together. While this occurs, Kyōraku walks around the Seireitei in the darkness. He comes across two guards, who ask if everything is alright. Kyōraku tells them that he was just having trouble sleeping. He spots Aizen, who also notices him. Kyōraku shrugs it off, commenting that perhaps he was over-thinking it. When one of the guards asks what he means, he dismisses it as nothing and says that Aizen seems to be having similar trouble sleeping. As the guards say good night to Aizen, Kyōraku tells them to get some rest and they say good night to each other. When he returns to the Eighth Division barracks, Kyōraku comes across Nanao Ise, who is holding a book. Kyōraku remembers her name, and she tells him she is honored because by this. He tells her that he always tries to make note of the young girls' names, and Nanao visits him every month. Kyōraku then recalls that it is the first of the month, prompting Nanao to say she wanted to read with Lieutenant Yadōmaru again. Kyōraku apologizes to Nanao, informing her that Lisa is not there. When she asks why, he says that she is on an important mission, but will be back by dawn.

In Rukongai, Yadōmaru is injured by Kensei and she is sent falling into the ground. Kensei moves in to attack again, but Rose attacks Kensei. He implores Kensei to stop, stating that he was not the type of person to attack a woman. The Hollowfied-Kensei simply roars and goes after Rose instead. Hachigen then uses Bakudō #99 Kin to restrain Muguruma. Hirako compliments Hachigen on his skills, to which Hachigen comments that he may have overexerted himself as he breathes heavily. Everyone then goes to examine Kensei. Hirako asks Hachigen if he can do something about their condition with Kidō, but Ushōda states that there is little he can do without knowing the cause. Hiyori then starts coughing again, with Hirako wondering if she is alright. He tells Hachi to heal all of them, starting with her. Hiyori tells Shinji to let her go as fluid flows from her mouth. All are surprised to see Hirako be cut across the chest as a Hollow mask forms on Hiyori. As Lisa and Love rush towards her, they are shrouded in darkness. Heading noises in the dark, Love calls out to his fellow Shinigami, but is cut down. As the light returns, Hirako recognizes Kaname Tōsen and asks him why he betrayed his captain Sōsuke Aizen appears with Gin and answers his captain’s question appears, telling Hirako that Tōsen has not betrayed anyone as he has followed his orders. Aizen asks Shinji not to blame Kaname for what he has done.

Upon realizing that Aizen is responsible for what has happened, Hirako reveals that he has suspected him since before he became his lieutenant. Hirako tells Aizen that he chose him as his lieutenant so that he could keep an eye on him, as he viewed Aizen as dangerous and untrustworthy. Aizen thanks Hirako for this, saying that it was thanks to those misgivings that he failed to notice that for the previous month, Aizen had substituted another Shinigami for himself. Aizen tells Hirako the ability of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, can cause anybody to misconstrue what they see. He calls this ability “complete hypnosis.” He continues to explain to the shocked Hirako that he might have been able to see through it if he had engaged with him as the other captains did with their lieutenants. However, Hirako did not trust him, kept his distance and did not share any information. Due to this, he did not notice when Aizen switched places with another person, who had memorized his normal behavior and responses to other members of the division and the other captains. Aizen finishes his explanation by saying Hirako’s intention to keep an eye on him by making his lieutenant is wrong and reminding Hirako that a Shinigami has the right to refuse promotion. Despite how rare this is, it is something that he could have done. Aizen tells him that he did not refuse because Hirako's distrust was ideally suited for his goals. Aizen tells his captain that it is not Hirako who chose him, but rather him choosing Hirako. He adds that Hirako should apologize to his allies, as it is because Aizen chose him that they are all laying on the ground. This infuriates Hirako. As he gets up to attack Aizen, fluid erupts from his mouth and eye, forming into a Hollow mask. Aizen thanks Shinji for rising to his taunt, as it confirms his suspicion that the Hollowfication occurs more quickly when the subject is in an agitated state. Hirako wonders what Aizen is talking about, but Aizen simply remarks that he does not need to know. Hirako then begins screaming as his Hollowfication takes place. When Hiyori sees this, she calls to Hirako. Aizens sees this and has her cut down by Kaname. As Hirako stares in disbelief, Aizen tells him that it is time to end things. Aizen again remarks on how perfect Hirako was for Aizen’s plans with his vigilance and distrust. He draws his blade to kill Hirako and bids farewell, noting that “the betrayal you can see is trivial. What is truly fearsome, is the betrayal that you don't see.”

Aftermath
With his blade drawn, Aizen prepares to kill Hirako and calls them all wonderful test subjects. Hirako curses, causing his Hollowfication to advance. However, Aizen is then stopped by Urahara in his Reiatsu blocking cloak. Urahara cuts off Aizen's division insignia armband. As Aizen, Kaname and Gin notice the arrival of Urahara and Tessai, Aizen remarks that they have yet another interesting guest. Urahara and Tessai then confront Aizen, Kaname, and Gin on what they were doing. They also attempt to save the Hollowfied Shinigami.