3rd Division vs. The Hollows

3rd Division vs. The Hollows is the event in which Amagai tries to promote the connection between the different Divisions in the Gotei 13, as well as Yamamoto's Menos ruse to see how well the Gotei 13 handle themselves in an emergency situation. This event takes place in the Kasumiōji Conspiracy.

Prologue
The 3rd Division members are assembled at the assembly hall, where they are greeted shortly after by Lieutenant Izuru Kira and 3rd Seat Makoto Kibune. They apologize for their lateness, and the Division wonders where their new captain is. Amagai is addressing a Captain's meeting, proposing the idea of inter-squad co-operation, using the incident in the Dangai as a prime example of the Gotei 13's lack of communication between the divisions.

Amagai then states that joint training is necessary to promote this concept, with captain Kenpachi Zaraki dismissing it as a waste of time. Captain Jūshirō Ukitake disagrees with him, stating that the captains who defected from the Gotei 13 used that lack of contact between divisions to go about with their secret plans, and that this idea could prevent further cases. Later, at the bar, Amagai is seen intoxicated once more, depressed by the viewpoint of the other captains. Captain Kyōraku consoles him, whispering to Ukitake that he got drunk off of the smell of the sake.

Ukitake reinforces Amagai's proposal, stating that it will take a while for the Gotei 13 to agree as a whole. Amagai, overcome with happiness, hugs him in delight, much to Kyōraku's surprise. Amagai gets up and apologizes, finally feeling motivated, as he drinks the sake and collapses. Elsewhere Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya tells Lieutenants Renji Abarai and Rangiku Matsumoto about Amagai's proposition of joint training, which prompts Rangiku to imagine a possible scenario. She then tries to persuade Renji to think approve of it, as Hitsugaya walks away.

Hitsugaya knows of Kyōraku and Ukitake's wholehearted support of Amagi's concept, and hopes that this doesn't cause dissension between the captains. Later, Izuru reports to the 3rd Division that the proposal has been rejected, much to the dismay of the other members, who believe that they will continue doing tedious tasks. They comment on the ridiculous nature of tasks they were assigned, as 3rd Seat Makoto Kibune walks in, stating that two captains are supporting Amagai's idea, and tells them that their opinions may soon change. Izuru eyes off Kibune, citing their previous conflict and his appearance at the Kasumiōji compound. Kibune inquires what is wrong, to which Kira asks him why he entered the Kasumiōji compound the other day, to which Kibune states that he must have him mistaken for someone else. Kira wonders whether it actually was him, but his train of thought is interrupted by a Hell Butterfly, which announces that Menos have infiltrated Soul Society. Kibune states that they should go out first, regardless of their captain's whereabouts.

Kira refuses, telling them that they should wait for their captain, but Kibune interrupts, stating that their training was more than sufficient to allow the Division to handle itself without the presence of the Captain. Kibune then asks if he is prepared to disregard the Division's wishes, in order to receive orders from Amagai, as it would ruin their morale. Kira counters, stating that they don't have enough information to rush in blindly. However, the other members back Kibune up, stating that they can more than handle it. Since Kira refuses to take the lead, Kibune is forced to take up the mantle, and watches in shock as they wholeheartedly agree with Kibune's perspective. Meanwhile, the 11th Division are seen assembling, and are searching throughout Seireitei for the Menos. Ikkaku Madarame states that the 11th Division will get there first, but they are cut off by the 7th Division members, led by Liutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba. Ikkaku and Iba immediately start arguing, as both divisions start squabbling over getting there first.

The 10th Division is also searching for the Menos, but haven't come across any sightings. Hitsugaya leaves Rangiku in charge of the search squad, and promptly leaves. Soon after, Rangiku comes across an area cordoned off by the 12th Division. Rangiku asks about the sign, to which Mayuri appears, explaining that the 12th Division will capture them, as it is unheard of for Menos to appear in Soul Society. Hitsugaya is seen searching by himself, as the Hell Butterflies issue an update, stating that the Menos have now been narrowed down to the northeastern section of Seireitei. Upon hearing this, Iba and Ikkaku issue orders simultaneously for their search squads to head in that direction. Kibune and the other members of the 3rd Division search squad are puzzled by the recent announcement, stating that the Menos shoud be close by, but there are none. Kira approaches the group, particularly Kibune, telling them to pull back, restating his previous reasons. The members berate him for saying that, when they've already come this far, with Kibune going as far as to state that he was the one who was originally against the idea to leave, and asks why he is even here.

A messenger reports to Kyōraku that the search for the Menos has led them to find only the members of other divisions. He thanks him, and asks Nanao what she thinks of this. She comments on its strange nature, comparing it to being frustrated over an unseeable enemy. He agrees, and wonders if there are actually Menos invading. Hitsugaya appears, wondering the same thing. Kiyone and Sentarō are shocked at the revelation that the Menos was a ruse, as explained by their captain.

Ukitake states that all they have been hearing are announcements, but there hasn't been a single reported sighting. He then realises that the whole incident was set up to show how easily it was for the Gotei 13 to fall into a state of confusion. He wonders who was responsible for this incident, as Yamamoto reveals himself as the instigator, much to his surprise. Kira faces off against Kibune, who tries to tell him to stand down, resorting to the use of his katana. However, Amagai intervenes, telling them to stop fighting. He apologizes for his lateness, and tells Kibune not to overstep his authority as 3rd Seat.

Kira feels an unusual reiatsu appear, and he notices a huge Menos towering over them. Amagai asks what is wrong; to which he turns to look, as five Menos have simultaneously appeared over Seireitei. All the search squads are seen diverting to the 3rd Division's location, all competing to get there first. s the search squads converge together, they find themselves in a writhing mass of each other; unable to move. Yamamoto explains that his aim was to see how the 13 Divisions would react in light of false information, and wonders what Amagai will do during this situation.

Amagai employs their training session layout, telling the other Divisions about their maneuvers, as he releases his Zanpakutō, sending a bright green column into the air, notiifying the other divisions of what they are about to do. He instructs the members of the 3rd Division to move the other search squads according to his instructions. With the use of the joint-attack principle, 4 of the 5 Menos are killed. Kira smiles at his captain, but notices Kibune reading information under his glasses.

Aftermath
After the last Menos is killed, Liutenant Chojirō Sasakibe reports to Yamamoto the success of the 3rd Division's methods in organising the other divisions to combat. Yamamoto then announces his approval of the joint-training sessions. At the 3rd Division barracks, the members are seen congratulating each other on finally stepping out of the shadow of Gin Ichimaru's betrayal. They go on to say that, with Captain Amagai by their side, they can finally be respected by the other Divisions. They turn to Amagai, who has already fallen asleep in his chair.

Kira is seen walking around in the early hours of the morning, and stops to examine what Kibune is doing,as he releases a Hell Butterfly from his cupped hands, as Kira watches on in confusion.