Flash Stepping from rooftop to rooftop, tree to tree, and building to building, the man flew like a bat out of hell toward the source of the disturbance. He knew that another shinigami, stationed much closer to the disturbance, could go it alone. However, it would be a suicide mission since he didn’t even hold a lower officer seat. No, this Arrancar’s spirit pressure would overwhelm him, possibly in the first few seconds, and lead to the worst possible scenario… or so he thought.

Just less then a mile away from the scene, the signal of the hollow disappeared, leaving only the shinigami signal. What the hell? Third Seat Kazuya Hayashi thought. A person like that could never take out a hollow of such strength. Something’s amiss.

With that, he arrived at the park, not a soul, or hollow, in sight. With great caution, the man walked around the park, signs of a great battle left every way he looked. Trees splintered into millions of pieces, stone statues naught but rubble, paths completely torn up. Indeed, a great struggle took place here, but where was the survivor?

A moan came from the area directly ahead, prompting the still disguised god of death to run forward towards it. There, kneeling in front of a mangled, and bloody bench, was the equally mangled and bloody shinigami. He approached quietly, out of respect for the dead, remaining half of a beautiful young woman. However, his comrade caught wind of his arrival.

“I… wasn’t… strong enough… to save her,” he weeped into space.

What could he say to comfort him in this dark time? The answer came out almost before he could stop himself. “There… there’s no easy way to say how she still could’ve lived, however, I am certain you did all in your power. If I had arrived sooner, she might still be alive.”

Turning around to see his comforter a mild look of surprise came upon his face. “Hayashi-sama from twelfth? Thank you, sir… but it’s all my fault.”

“Listen,” Kazuya continued. “If you want to blame anyone for her death, blame the hollow who killed her. Speaking of, what happened to it?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “It must’ve fled from your approach while I was out cold. I don’t remember much of the battle except for the beginning, so it must’ve knocked me out to come in for the kill… thank you for coming though, sir.”

“Not a problem,” the third seat replied. “You might want to go back to Soul Society and get yourself checked out, you’re hurt pretty bad.”

“Thank you, sir. I will.” With that, he summoned a spirit gate, and went through to the other side to seek aid. However, Kazuya still wasn’t alone. Something felt out of place, a presence similar, but not exactly the same as someone he knew.

Deciding to take the cautious path, he slipped a soul candy past his lips, ejecting him from his Gigai. “You know what to do,” he spoke, causing it to run into the bushes. Placing a hand on his Zanpakuto, he stood at the ready in case they wanted to mess with him.