In a town within the human world—
Kotani, a Thirteenth Division Shinigami stationed here, was desperately engaged with two unusually large Hollows.
These Hollows were too strong for him alone. Though he had already sent for reinforcements from Soul Society, dodging their attacks had left him badly injured.
Initially, Kotani had tried leading them away from the populated town, but soon realized that, without the buildings for cover, his odds of survival would plunge even lower.
What's taking the backup so long?! Kotani thought bitterly, hiding inside a small, dilapidated building.
BOOM!
The ceiling exploded, debris raining down as a massive, pale hand thrust toward him, intent on seizing its prey.
Ignoring the pain of falling rubble, Kotani scrambled away with all his might.
Behind him, the Hollow roared in frustration. Kotani sprinted through the narrow street—only to see another giant shadow descending ahead, cutting off his escape.
"Dammit!"
He sharply changed direction, but the huge figure leaped, landing directly in front of him. Kotani pivoted desperately, only to find himself blocked from behind by the other Hollow.
"What's the matter? Giving up already?" taunted the Hollow, towering several meters high with a monkey-like form and speaking eerily from behind its white mask.
Kotani swallowed nervously, craning his neck upward as his trembling hand reached for the Zanpakutō at his waist.
"It's been so long since I tasted Shinigami," the Hollow sneered cruelly. "After all this chasing, you'll taste even sweeter."
With no other choice left, Kotani drew his blade again, bracing himself to fight to the death.
Just as he opened his mouth to shout defiantly, another voice rang out of nowhere.
"Do Shinigami really taste that good?"
Kotani froze, bewildered. Even the massive Hollow paused, startled, slowly turning its white-masked face to glance at its shoulder, upon which stood a figure—a Shinigami in black robes, holding an asauchi casually at his waist.
With a furious roar, the monkey-like Hollow slapped at its shoulder. But the swift strike hit nothing, causing the beast to howl in pain from striking itself instead.
The newcomer lightly touched down upon the Hollow's palm, calmly raising a finger and pointing directly at its head.
As his lips moved, the Hollow only caught two quiet words:
"[Byakurai]."
Fwoosh—!
A white bolt of lightning pierced straight through its skull.
Everything happened too quickly. Before Kotani could even register the event, another voice calmly invoked a Shikai from nearby:
"Shoot to kill, [Shinsō]!"
Another white flash streaked across the sky. Unlike the earlier Kidō spell, this attack was clearly the elongated blade of a Zanpakutō, impaling the second Hollow and instantly killing it.
The reinforcements finally arrived…
Kotani slumped to the ground, utterly drained.
Two Fourth Division members quickly arrived at his side using Shunpo.
"I'm Iemura Yasochika of the Fourth Division. How are you?"
"I…I'm okay," Kotani managed shakily.
From midair, Nobu surveyed the area, confirming no further threats.
"You truly opened my eyes today, Nobu-kun," remarked Ichimaru Gin, appearing beside him with a casual flash-step.
"Killing a Hollow of this level with merely Hadō number four…no wonder you managed to slay a Menos Grande alone."
Nobu returned Gin's smile lightly. "I still have a long way to go compared to you, Ichimaru-fukutaichō."
He recalled vaguely—soon, Ichimaru Gin would become captain of the Third Division, which meant this seemingly carefree vice-captain likely had already mastered Bankai.
Together with Ichimaru and two Fifth Division members, Nobu moved to join Iemura and Kotani.
Gin glanced at the injuries beneath Kotani's torn Shihakushō. "You're Kotani Zennosuke from the Thirteenth Division, correct? Where's your teammate?"
Kotani's expression darkened.
"He's dead. There were three Hollows—we desperately managed to kill one. If only you'd arrived a little sooner…"
A heavy silence fell.
Nobu glanced toward Gin.
Sensing Nobu's unspoken thoughts, Gin murmured softly, "Are you blaming me, Nobu-kun?"
This rescue mission was jointly assigned to the Fourth and Fifth Divisions. They had set out immediately after receiving word, but before entering the Senkaimon, the Twelfth Division insisted on separately inspecting Gin, causing significant delays.
As a vice-captain, Gin bore the Reiatsu-limiting seal required for visits to the Human World. If any captain or vice-captain attempted to remove this seal themselves, the Twelfth Division would immediately notice.
Earlier, when Twelfth Division members inspected Gin, Nobu had openly complained about the delay, arguing that each moment wasted increased danger for the Shinigami awaiting aid.
At the time, however, Iemura had sharply reprimanded him, reminding Nobu these were the rules of the Thirteen Divisions and had to be obeyed.
"No, I'm not," Nobu casually replied. It wasn't Gin's fault—he didn't choose to bear the Reiatsu-limiting seal.
"Allow me," Nobu said to Iemura, who was already treating Kotani with Kaidō.
Iemura stepped aside immediately. Kotani's injuries weren't severe. Nobu quickly assessed the damage, placed his asauchi against Kotani's shoulder, and released a wave of visible spiritual energy.
Moments later, Kotani's wounds healed completely.
Even Gin, watching closely, opened his typically narrowed eyes slightly wider in quiet surprise.
Kotani, stunned by his swift recovery, looked Nobu up and down, noticing the insignia beneath his robe. "Wait, you're from the Fourth Division?"
Given Nobu had effortlessly dispatched a Hollow with Hadō number four, and carried an asauchi rather than medical equipment, Kotani had assumed he belonged to the Fifth Division.
Nobu grinned widely. "Yeah. Tachikawa Nobu."
Recognition flashed in Kotani's eyes. "I've heard of you!"
The other Thirteenth Division member left no body behind, devoured whole by the Hollow, only leaving behind an abandoned asauchi.
After returning to Soul Society through the Senkaimon, Gin and the Fifth Division Shinigami exchanged brief words with Iemura before departing ahead, as they were the main force behind this mission.
Kotani followed them, as the remaining tasks did not concern the Fourth Division.
Watching them go, Nobu suddenly muttered quietly:
"My first assignment to the human world and someone already died… It leaves a bad taste."
Iemura placed a reassuring hand on Nobu's shoulder, sighing gently. "It's inevitable sometimes. Every member of the Thirteenth Division deserves our respect."
He continued firmly, "And the things you said earlier at the Senkaimon—don't repeat them again. The Thirteen Divisions' rules are strict. You're just an ordinary Shinigami; it's not your place to question these matters."
"I understand," Nobu responded mildly.
Yet Nobu knew the issue of the Reiatsu-limiting seals was likely more complex beneath the surface. Still, it wasn't something he could solve immediately.
After all, he himself had benefitted from the advantages of the seal before.
"But honestly, Nobu-kun, you're really amazing. You could probably handle these missions solo from now on," Iemura praised cheerfully.
Fourth Division Shinigami typically had low combat capabilities, so field missions were often joint efforts with divisions like the Fifth or Eleventh, who took charge of fighting while Fourth handled medical support.
Now, Nobu could handle everything alone.
Nobu chuckled, shaking his head lightly. "No thanks. I'd rather not be worked to death."
Iemura burst out laughing at that.
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