As soon as he exited the Seireitei Gate, Uehara Hakuyu saw a group of Shinigami emerging from the Seireitei Gate, heading towards the Rukongai.
These Shinigami were all burly, with a few sporting mohawk hairstyles, looking like gangsters or delinquents.
On the back of their Shinigami robes, four large characters were written: "Sixth Division Ninth Squad".
Leading them was none other than the Ninth Squad Captain, Rokkaku Kyokaku!
Besides this man, known as the unit of measurement for Shinigami strength, Uehara Hakuyu also saw two other familiar faces.
One was the Ninth Squad Vice-Captain, Kugan Shiro, a "big-hearted" green-haired girl who wielded a powerful Hakuda technique.
The other was hiding in the shadows, almost invisible, the Ninth Squad Fifth Seat, the "Blind Monk", Tousen Kaname.
At this time, Tousen Kaname did not yet sport the sunglasses and dreadlocks he would later wear at the start of the story.
He instead had an explosive hairstyle similar to the Seventh Squad Captain, Love Aikawa.
Half of his face was concealed by a white mask, revealing only his tightly closed eyes.
Of course, this was a normal mask, not a Hollow mask.
Uehara Hakuyu simply glanced at them, then continued on his way as if nothing had happened.
He knew that Rokkaku Kyokaku was planning to personally investigate the disappearance of Rukongai residents.
And this was the beginning of the Hollowfication incident.
Unbeknownst to them, Aizen had already cast a carefully woven net over these captains of the Gotei 13.
And they remained completely unaware.
But this time, Uehara Hakuyu was ready to give Aizen a little surprise, to raise the stakes.
In the streets near the Seireitei Gate, Uehara Hakuyu strolled leisurely.
At that moment, he frowned slightly, looking towards the shadows.
Sensing Uehara Hakuyu's gaze, a silver-haired youth emerged from the shadows.
The youth wore a Shinigami robe, with the Fifth Division armband on his right arm.
The silver-haired youth looked at Uehara Hakuyu, his eyes narrowed as he chuckled softly, "Uehara-kun, long time no see."
Despite his smile, the silver-haired youth exuded an inexplicable coldness, like being targeted by a venomous snake.
"It's Gin Ichimaru, it's been so long, you're still the same, you like to look at people with your eyes closed, that's probably what makes you a genius."
Uehara Hakuyu spoke with a sigh of admiration.
He and Gin Ichimaru were indeed classmates.
But Gin Ichimaru graduated in just one year, becoming a Fifth Division Seat Officer on the day of his graduation.
While Uehara Hakuyu took six years to graduate.
So, Gin Ichimaru was a true genius, while Uehara Hakuyu was just an ordinary "cheater".
"Uehara-kun, you're still so interesting." Taunted by Uehara Hakuyu, the fox-like smile on Gin Ichimaru's face became even more pronounced.
Although Gin Ichimaru had only been classmates with Uehara Hakuyu for one year.
But he still had some understanding of Uehara Hakuyu.
The reason was that this man had been an outlier from the academy.
While others diligently trained and studied, Uehara Hakuyu would go fishing one day, shopping the next, and even sneak off to drink sake.
Others thought Uehara Hakuyu was not ambitious and was wasting his talent.
But Gin Ichimaru felt that Uehara Hakuyu seemed to have an inexplicable confidence and assurance.
It was just a vague feeling, even he couldn't be sure.
However, this made Gin Ichimaru pay attention to Uehara Hakuyu.
Facing Gin Ichimaru's probing, Uehara Hakuyu chuckled, and said with a straight face:
"I heard that Vice-Captain Aizen thinks highly of you, and even promoted you to Seat Officer. You know, Vice-Captain Aizen is one of the few honest people in the Seireitei, Gin-san, you must work hard, don't let the expectations of an honest man down."
While uttering these strange words, Uehara Hakuyu had already guessed Gin Ichimaru's intentions.
Gin Ichimaru appearing here was most likely to keep an eye on Rokkaku Kyokaku and his group.
However, given his cautious nature, he shouldn't have shown himself.
The reason he appeared here was most likely to test Uehara Hakuyu.
Facing Gin Ichimaru's subtle probing, Uehara Hakuyu responded with ease.
Hearing Uehara Hakuyu's absurd words, Gin Ichimaru just smiled and nodded, even seeming grateful to Aizen.
But his eyes became deeper as he spoke.
He was a little puzzled.
Was this Uehara Hakuyu really just at that level?
After a probing session that yielded no results, Gin Ichimaru could only smile and wave goodbye to Uehara Hakuyu.
...
In the Rukongai, Rokkaku Kyokaku and the other Ninth Division Shinigami were staring in shock at the scattered Shinigami robes on the ground.
He had just rescued a young boy named Hinamori Shuuhei from the Hollow.
However, what was strange was that there was no sign of a Senkaimon opening nearby, where did this Hollow come from?
Then, they discovered ten empty and clean Shinigami robes.
The number matched exactly with the number of the advance team Shinigami.
And these Shinigami robes were like complete "shells", the belts were still tightly wrapped around the robes.
It couldn't help but make one wonder how those robes were taken off.
The discarded straw sandals still had the foot wraps inside, as if their feet had suddenly disappeared.
This scene was exactly the same as the previously missing civilians.
When Soul Society spirits died, their clothes would disintegrate into Reishi and disappear along with them.
Therefore, this strange event could only be defined as a disappearance.
After the arrival of the advance team Shinigami, this phenomenon not only didn't disappear, but it even spread to them.
Thinking of this, Rokkaku Kyokaku felt a growing unease, and immediately gave an urgent order to several of his squad members:
"Ooshima, report to the Central 46 immediately, say that ten advance team Shinigami have all gone missing, the disappearance method is the same as the previous Rukongai residents!"
"Tohdoh, contact the Twelfth Division, have them send technical personnel immediately to seal off the scene and investigate thoroughly!"
"Kasho, get everyone ready, we're staying here tonight."
After giving his final order, Rokkaku Kyokaku's expression was firm. No matter who was behind this, they wouldn't be allowed to harm the innocent.
Except for Kugan Shiro who grumbled a few words without a care, the rest of the Ninth Division Shinigami didn't hesitate to set up camp, choosing to stand together with their Captain.
Soon, Tohdoh brought back news that the Twelfth Division Vice-Captain, Hiseiri, was on her way.
As for the Twelfth Division Captain, Kisuke Urahara, he was too busy with his secret research to spare any time.
Hearing this news, Rokkaku Kyokaku's expression finally softened.
Night quickly fell, Rokkaku Kyokaku carefully patrolled once again.
When he returned to the tent, he found Kugan Shiro fast asleep.
Rokkaku Kyokaku shook his head.
At this time, only the carefree Kugan Shiro could sleep so soundly.
As he was deep in thought, Rokkaku Kyokaku heard a scream from outside the tent.