"Allow me to make a quick introduction! "
"I am Kisagi, a student in my sixth year. "
"I'm Kanazawa! " "I am Yue! "
At that moment, atop the expansive roof of the Spiritual Art Academy within the Soul Society, a substantial gate for world transmission stood prominently, encircled by Academy trainees gearing up for their initial encounter and simulated combat.
Among the trio leading this group, Shuhei Kisagi is destined to become the vice-captain of the 9th Division.
Though he currently remains a student in his sixth year at the academy, he, alongside the other two, bears the responsibility of guiding fellow trainees into the human realm to eliminate hollows.
Initially, he outlined the objectives for everyone, mentioning that sixth-year students had previously ventured into the current world to select an appropriate site for enchantment, after which the trainees would engage the hollows to gain practical experience.
Shuhei concluded by stating, "Even though a suitable battleground has been identified, the outcome of the combat cannot be assured, do you comprehend that? "
Without awaiting a discussion from the students below, the trio pivoted and called out: "Alright, let's go! " "Unlock! " As Shuhei's command echoed, the previously shut world-transmitting gate behind him gradually opened, allowing all those following him to enter through the portal.
In the human realm, it was nighttime. After Shuhei guided the trainees into the barrier, he instructed them to spread out.
The trainees began to scatter within the barrier according to their assigned teams, each searching for the hollows that needed to be defeated.
Just as the sixth-year students were still conversing about the safety of the barrier and expressing their lack of concern, a massive black void tore open in the sky, and Fiander, wearing half an Arrancar mask, grasped a piece of paper tightly in his hand. An Adjuchas emerged in a beastly form.
"Honestly, why must Aizen-sama keep assigning me these tasks. "
"He gets to be the hero saving the day, while I'm stuck playing the villain, poor me." As he spoke, Fiander extended his spiritual sense to assess the surroundings, discovering that the students below were all within the barrier, and the only one exhibiting standard Shinigami strength was the boy with the numbers 6 and 9 inked on his face.
"69? What a peculiar tattoo! How odd." Fiander recalled that this boy would eventually become a vice-captain but couldn't recollect anything further.
"Too weak. Master Aizen expects me to capture an Adjuchas-level Menos Grande to deal with these novices? "
"Once the Reiatsu of the Adjuchas is unleashed, they likely won't be able to move. Never mind, let's locate the target first. I believe that's Abarai and the others. "
As Fiander surveyed the scene below, he finally spotted the trio of teens: Kira Iziru, who appeared less pale, Abarai Renji, who resembled a ruffian, and Hinamori Momo, who remained unmanipulated by Aizen.
The trio was engaged in a fight against a hollow, with Abarai Renji maneuvering the crawling creature into an open area. Hinamori Momo leaped, reciting a spell as a red light flickered in her grasp.
"Hadō's Thirty-Three Red Cannon! " "Boom—" Following a minor explosion, only a cloud of smoke and dust remained, and the weak kidō failed to inflict any harm on the hollow at all.
Just as the hollow seemed poised to flee, Kira Iziru descended from above, raising his Zanpakutō with both hands and cleaving the hollow in half.
Sheathing his Zanpakutō on his back, Kira smiled at Abarai and Hinamori as they approached him. "Kira, nice job! "
"Yeah, it certainly wouldn't have been as effortless if we had been on our own," he replied.
"Fool! Even by myself, I could have handled it with ease. " The three quickly vacated the battlefield amidst the chaos, but as they departed, the perceptive Hinamori glanced back twice, sensing something amiss.
"What's up? Hinamori? " Abarai inquired, puzzled.
"Nothing, it's fine. "
Upon stating this, the group returned to the assembly point where the other trainees were gathering. By now, numerous teams had assembled, and since this was merely training, the chances of significant trouble for a team of three trainees were minimal.
"It's nearly time to convene! "
"Regardless, we're safe. " After hearing his comrades on either side and noticing that the training personnel were close to arriving, Shuhei pulled out his communicator and called out to the sixth-year student overseeing the barrier:
"Hey! What's going on with the enchantment team? "
"Hey, respond quickly! " When no answer came from the communicator, he was taken aback, prompting Kanizawa to inquire.
"What's the matter? "
"It's odd. There's been no response from the enchantment group. " At that moment, as Kanizawa turned to look behind Shuhei, a massive bone blade lunged at him, lifting him into the air.
"Eh? EEEAHHHH! ! ! ! "
With Kanizawa's piercing scream echoing, a colossal hollow emerged before everyone, and the Abarai trio, still in conversation, rushed to the meeting point. They discovered the horrifying scene: Kanizawa, one of the sixth students responsible for guiding them, lay dead at the hands of the hollow.
"Dammit! I didn't expect a giant hollow to show up here; how is this even possible? " In that instant, Shuhei was gripped by cold sweat, instinctively drawing his Zanpakutō from behind, as he faced the giant hollow, which fixed its gaze on him.
"You monster! You murdered Kanizawa! ! "
Yue leapt into action, brandishing her Zanpakutō with a fierce shout, completely disregarding the unusual Shuhei beside her.
"Hold on. . . stop! Yue! "
Before he could intervene, Shuhei watched in despair as his ally was swiftly annihilated by the colossal Hollow.
"Get out of here! You all need to leave now! "
Shuhei yelled urgently to the trainees following him, then promptly requested assistance from Soul Society.
"What a fool; didn't she hear the order to halt? She doesn't value her life, at all. "
"What could be the reason for Lord Aizen instructing me to bring this Adjuchas? "
Fiander, positioned where the enchantment group ought to be, peered down at the fleeing crowd and the enormous Hollow, remarking,
"I must admit, Master Aizen's experiments are increasingly formidable, yet they are merely primitive creatures. To think that after transformation, I would actually gain these capabilities. "
"Energy spheres resembling Cero, concealing your Reiatsu for surprise attacks, heh, it's remarkable! "
Just when Shuhei was on the verge of losing consciousness, blood pouring from his wounds, the rookie trio surprisingly returned despite his orders to escape.
Abarai and Kira raised their Zanpakutō to defend Shuhei, intercepting the Hollow's lethal strike, as Hinamori Momo recited:
"O King of Kings! Mask of flesh and blood. "
"Vientiane, Yubo, those named after individuals! Burning heat and chaos. "
"Across the sea, turn back and head south, advance! "
As the three of them united their voices: "Hadō no 31 Red Cannon! ! "
The trio collaborated and unleashed the red cannon with a complete incantation. A massive fireball erupted from Hinamori Momo's hand, striking the Hollow's head, which was dangerously close to them.
"BOOOOOOOOM--! ! "
In the wake of a tremendous explosion, the Hollow recoiled, covering its face in agony and howling, "Hhaaaaaaaeeeeee! ! ! "
Without delay, the trio seized Shuhei and began to withdraw.
"What do we do now, senpai? "
"Why is such a gigantic Hollow in the human world? ! "
"I have no idea; I've requested backup from the Soul Society, it should arrive shortly. " Just as they reached a street corner, a disturbance in the surrounding space revealed nearly ten enormous Hollows materializing before them.
One was already a dreadful challenge, but now with this many, Kira, who struggled with his nerves, couldn't contain his terror and yelled.
"No. . . please! I want to live, I want to survive! "
The presence of the towering Hollow instilled a heavy feeling of despair in Shuhei and the others.
"How is this possible? Did it summon its comrades? ! "
Even Hinamori Momo, typically more composed, turned pale and froze in fear. Without granting them a moment to react, one of the Hollows unleashed an energy sphere, hurtling toward them.
"Let's change the tide, Nejibana! "
Just as the energy sphere was nearing them, a blue trident accompanied by a massive surge of water pierced through the hollow's assault and swiftly eliminated one of the figures.