"What?"
"More enemies?!"
"How could this be? Captain Muguruma..."
The remaining four captains were shocked as they turned their gazes to where Shinji Hirako had been. To their astonishment, the figure that had sent Hirako flying was none other than Muguruma.
However, at this moment, Mugurma's chest, pierced by the gaping hole left by Yoruichi's attack, and other orifices on his face were oozing a strange white substance unique to Hollows. The substance began to spread, gradually covering his body and face with a white, bone-like mask of a Hollow.
"Roar!!!"
In the next instant, Muguruma, whose body seemed to swell unnaturally, clenched his fists and let out a bestial roar. A shockwave exploded outward, rippling violently in all directions.
This sight utterly stunned the four captains.
Not only had Yoruichi shown signs of Hollowfication, but even Muguruma, who had just been fighting at their side, was undergoing a similar transformation. He had seemingly lost all sense of self and had launched a surprise attack on Hirako.
Muguruma's roar appeared to be a signal. Suddenly, the injured Shinigami nearby, who had suffered under Yoruichi's assault, began emitting similar white Hollow-like substances.
In an instant, a large number of Shinigami began to show signs of Hollowfication. Some collapsed mid-transformation, their spiritual bodies disintegrating into particles of spiritual power, leaving the plaza eerily chaotic and horrifying.
"This isn't right. It's Captain Shihouin! The Shinigami she's attacked are all showing signs of Hollowfication..."
"Not just her—it's possible that anyone attacked by a Hollowfied Shinigami will undergo a similar transformation, creating a chain reaction!"
"If that's the case, then this is disastrous. It might lead to the collapse of the entire Seireitei—or even the Soul Society!"
Kyoraku Shunsui's face turned grim. He glanced toward his Vice-captain, Lisa Yadomaru, and instinctively shouted, "Lisa, is Tenteikura ready? Send an immediate alert across the Seireitei! Summon the Kidō Corps to seal off the Fourth Division's barracks with a barrier immediately!"
Though Shunsui's instructions seemed long, the events from Yoruichi's appearance to now had spanned mere moments.
Tenteikura, Bakudō #77, a large-scale information relay technique, required not only incantations but also intricate symbols etched into the caster's body. Lisa had just finished the final stroke on her arm.
"Silken Net of Black and White! Twenty-Two bridges, Sixty-six crowning sash;
Footprints, distant thunder, pointed peaks, revolving grounds, nightly prostrations, sea of clouds, the pale ranks of troops, complete the grand circle and surpass the heavens."
"Bakudō #77: Tenteikura!"
Immediately, Lisa connected to all spiritual pressures within the Seireitei. She addressed them urgently.
"Emergency! Emergency!!!
"This is a joint message from Captains of Division Third, 5
Fifth, Seventh, and Eight, delivered by Lisa Yadomaru, Vice-captain of Eight Division..."
In an instant, the voices reverberated across the Seireitei. Every Shinigami, noble, member of the Kidō Corps, gatekeeper, and even the servants and maids heard Lisa's transmission.
Many had already noticed the unusual spiritual pressures emanating from Fourth Division's barracks. Those who had been hesitant now wore grave expressions.
A joint emergency announcement from four captains, utilizing Bakudō #77, signaled a crisis far beyond what ordinary measures could handle—a situation even captain-level forces struggled to contain.
"Currently, within Fourth Division's barracks, Captain Yoruichi Shihouin has shown signs of abnormal Hollowfication. She is attacking Shinigami indiscriminately, with no awareness or control."
"Additionally, Shinigami attacked by Captain Shihouin are showing rapid signs of Hollowfication and losing their consciousness!"
"We urgently request captain-level reinforcements and immediate deployment of the Kidō Corps to seal off Fourth Division's barracks with a barrier. This must be done without delay—"
Before Lisa could finish, the transmission from Tenteikura was abruptly cut off.
"Thud!!"
At the top of First Division's headquarters, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni struck his cane against the floor heavily. He gazed at the chaos visible from the direction of Fourth Division's barracks.
"The Gotei 13... to think we would face such disgraceful circumstances! What a failure of duty!"
Opening his sharp eyes slightly, Yamamoto exuded a terrifying aura of authority as he issued a command.
"Transmit my orders: all captains in the Seireitei are to mobilize immediately. Additionally, both leaders of the Kidō Corps must lead their forces towards the Fourth Division's barracks and seal the entire area with barriers. We must prevent the chaos from spreading further."
Chojiro Sasakibe, the First Division Vice-captain, hesitated before speaking. "But if we seal them inside, wouldn't the captains and division members trapped within face even greater peril?"
Yamamoto cast a heavy gaze towards the Fourth Division's barracks for a moment and replied calmly, "If Captains like Shunsui have made this decision, then it is one we must trust."
"Understood!"
Sasakibe bowed and prepared to leave when Yamamoto suddenly added, "You will personally go to Fourth Division's barracks as well."
"Is the Captain-Commander worried that the situation might spiral out of control?" Sasakibe asked.
Yamamoto's tone grew somber. "No, my concern extends beyond the Hollowfication. Captain Unohana is already at the forefront of this crisis, with no retreat possible."
Hearing this, Sasakibe's expression hardened. As someone who had served Yamamoto for over a thousand years, he immediately understood the true gravity of the situation.
Within the Seireitei, Fourth Division was permitted to operate on the front lines for medical support when necessary. However, Captain Unohana Retsu was an exception.
A specific and unyielding restriction applied to her: under no circumstances was Captain Unohana allowed to approach the battlefield's front lines without explicit authorization.
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