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Report: It is believed that a group of dispatched Shinigami has gone missing. Their course was set for The Human World, but it is confirmed that they never appeared at their designated location. Reports from the 12th division indicated that minutes after entering the dangai, they received several mixed signals from their monitors, suggesting some sort of abnormal activity within the dangai. It is believed that the dispatched group has gone missing, or far worse, have met with fatal consequences.



It is in our responsibility to send out a search and rescue order, but given the circumstances of their disappearance, an order is not likely due to the risk of losing further squad members. After scanning the precipice world for several days, we received no signs of active reiatsu. Furthermore, no traces of reiatsu could be detected as well. It is in my professional opinion and best judgment to conclude that the party is listed as K.I.A. (Killed in Action).

Office of The Central 46
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(This part is narrated by Naoko's point of view.)

A blue sky, a blue sky is the only sign of hope we have left in this empty world. This world, once filled with memories of the past, has become a present state of despair……

On the day we were dispatched to The Human World something odd occurred in the dangai. Maybe it was because Makoto wasn’t taking things too seriously, or Osamu’s stubbornness to not move when the cleaner approached, but Kazuki didn’t care. He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me away, never looking back. Before we knew it, we were not at the coordinates we originally plotted. Our communication devices ceased working, and we found ourselves in the middle of a shallow ocean surrounded by huge rock formations. Makoto and Osamu didn’t make it through the dangai, at least I don’t think they did. The only ones left are me and Kazuki.

It is odd really in examining this world, for it has never shown up in any reports I have personally scanned. What makes this place all the more peculiar is that it is inhabited by pluses; yes the souls of the dead! Somehow, these souls did not make it to rukongai after being sent via soul burial. Instead, they are stuck here, bound to a place where they could not call hell, for there is no torment, nor heaven because there is no relief. The pluses we have encountered do not have a chain of fate, yet they have not converted into hollow. It seems that the reishi in this world is slightly different than in soul society, which is the likely contributor. Regardless, the pluses pose no threat to us, so we are fortunate. At least, that is what we thought initially.

We are not sure why, but suddenly hollow have appeared in this world. When they do come, their targets are the pluses. I’m not sure what the reason of their sudden appearance is, but I and Kazuki do our best on a daily basis to protect them from the hollow, although we can’t protect them all.

No one has come for us since we were stranded, but since we are squad mates, we look out for each other. The pluses also provide some sanity with casual conversation as well. After spending much time in this world, I can’t help but sense there is something more, something more profound to this world than we presently see.

Kazuki, because of you I have been able to endure, able to manage the hell we live in. I will always be there for you, I will always protect you, and forever will I be by your side.

I noted something interesting today when I spoke to one of the pluses, a young boy that passed away before his time. His name is Charles, and he likes fairytales because they were always read to him before going to bed. Unlike most of the other pluses, Charles was especially fond of this world, because it was a living embodiment of a fairy tale. The pluses were in distress, the hollows are the enemy, and Kazuki and I are the knights that protect everyone from harm. There is one aspect in particular that Charles wouldn’t stop talking about and strange to me because I’ve never seen it since we arrived.

Charles spoke of a castle atop one of the rock formations, just like in the fairytales, only there was no king, princess, nor guardsmen inhabiting it. He recalled first seeing the castle when it descended from the sky. A man with crimson hair reportedly sat atop the highest tower of the castle. After the castle settled atop one of the formations, a blinding light engulfed the world. That is when the monsters began to appear.



Kazuki left earlier, deep into the shallow ocean in order to aide a cell of pluses that requested his protection. I have not heard from him since, yet it feels like an eternity's passed since I've last seen him. I wonder, may he have found the fame castle Charles was speaking of?

My thoughts set adrift were temporarily frozen, when I was brought back to reality by the cry of a woman that ran towards our direction. She pleaded for help, with her face full of despair. She claimed that a overwhelming group of hollow attacked the group she was apart of. I asked whether she saw another being dressed in the same clothing as mine and she confirmed. I acted without hesitation and followed the direction she pointed towards. I left towards the barren sea, with no sense of direction. The only guide I had was this feeling of desperation that something might have happened to Kazuki. Oh, how terrible would it be to see him in such a state. My only hope is that I will be able to reach him in time.

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I must have scaled a large part of the ocean, because I could not find the location nor any trace of Kazuki's reaitsu. Damn this infernal interference. It's making for looking things up a pain in the ass. No matter, I won't give up, and I know he is counting on me, so I will do my best to help him out.

This feels strange, the air is becoming denser and there is less sign of life. How can this ocean stretch out for so long yet so shallow? I'm not sure where I am at this point, and I can't help that I made a wrong turn somewhere because I don't recognize any landmarks, not that there is any really. Finally, in the distant, I began to take notice that the air seemed to contort in an odd manner. What if that lady that came to me and Charles was lying and she just set me up for a trap? Oh, how I wish I would listen to my intuition, because when I heard that familiar growl, and turned to face the source of the sound, I was in for quite a surprise.....

This must be a bad dream. I’m convinced that somewhere I am fast asleep, so much that I have fallen into the deepest depths of my subconscious. I tell myself this because I cannot believe the predicament I have found myself in.



These enormous creatures of the sea began to emerge from the water, but how is this so? The water is barely ankle high, so what sort of trickery is this? That’s right! It’s probably all an illusion, because it’s a bad dream, a dream….that’s making my head hurt. Kazuki, I’m alone again, scared, helpless, even with my zanpakuto at my side, my heart beats uncontrollably, or should I say irrationally with fear. Damn it, what am I thinking? I’m a member of the 11th division! It would be utterly disgraceful to our captain if he got word of my actions. That’s right, we are fighters. The very best Soul Society has to offer in fact.



“But why, why do I feel like this?”

The monsters increased the speed with which they advanced towards me. They each must have been easily ten feet tall which is not truly intimidating, but in large numbers, I knew they should not be taken lightly. My zanpakuto shimmered as I withdrew it from its sheath, and the light reflecting from the water bounced off the metal of the blade. What a worthy introduction, especially for a weapon of that caliber. I never got tired of it, even more so when I commanded the shikai with its release command, “pierce, hachidori!” The plain katana would soon form into the shape of a rapier dressed in silver with a slight blue cote.

I dashed forward, quickly whipping the blade through the skulls of each sea creature in hopes that I could dispose of each in the quick manner. After I took care of the initial wave of five monsters, my head began to hurt once more, but this time the pain was more profound. It was like my senses were being clouded because of the pain, but I was determined to fight on, at least until Kazuki arrives, if and when he decides to. No matter, I would continue to fight on. Wave after wave came after the first, and quiet frankly I lost count of the total. If I didn’t know any better, my captain would be damned proud of my kill count, but I had more important matters to address, like this agonizing headache.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Looking back now, in this empty cell, with my two hands tied to chains attached to the cold wall behind me, I wonder, why was I still alive? Was it because my life was spared? Perhaps someone came to my rescue when my headache became so severe I completely blacked out? Is this really just a bad dream, or a horrid nightmare?

“K-Kazu-ki….,”

Were the only words I could muster, and finally it seemed as if my prayers had been finally answered when I heard the sound of footsteps coming from the darkness before me.

(Note: Hachidori translates to Hummingbird)

The footsteps were slow; echoing softly through what must have been a long corridor leading to where I was currently situated. Mentally, it felt as if an eternity passed by until a soft purple light emerged from a small opening on the door of my cell. It was now clear that I was being held captive, and the party responsible was now going to appraise their reward. I could make out the figure that stood before me on the other side of the door, well at least their head, because it was covered by a black hood. I kept silent as the figure opened the door. I could still remember the howl that door let out as it swung open. Finally, the figure walked in, and they were holding a candle lit by a purple flame. The figure knelt down before me and softly whispered, “Welcome home, my sister,” before withdrawing her hood and revealing her face.

“M-Makoto!?”

I couldn’t believe my eyes, but it was true. Makoto was right there standing before me, flashing that same smile she did when we first left on this suicide mission. She quickly undid my chains and helped me up to my feet, although I tried to on my own. I realized that I was far too weak from the previous battle to stand on my feet, so Makoto made sure to help me up and escort me out of the room. At the same time, my head swirled with countless questions as we walked into the corridor. At both sides, lamps began to light up this time without the purple flame, but with standard red fire. We didn’t walk far before entering a chamber that resembled a throne room. The ceiling must have been three stories high, and almost seemed infinite. This room was well lit, and neatly decorated with several paintings of a woman I had no recollection of. However, I would soon meet the one responsible for all of this. We walked towards the middle of the room where a throne reset. At both sides were both Osamu and Kazuki! This was becoming way too unreal.

I stood before a large figure of a woman sitting on the throne with her head resting on the back of her left hand. Despite the fact that she wore a kimono, her legs were crossed, and she wore a warm smile. Both Osamu and Kazuki were dressed in strange armored clothing, resembling a Japanese samurai.

“Naoko Takagawa,” she stated whilst Kazuki walked to my side and embrace me in a tight hug.

“I apologize for the means with which we used to bring you here, but we had no other choice. The pluses must not be aware of what we are doing, nor what we intend to do.”

“And that is,” I hesitantly replied.

“Anarchy, my dear. A revolution lead against the people responsible for our oppression. Against the people who’ve abandoned us, banished us into this realm of unruliness!”

I was confused about what she was talking about. I wasn’t sure what she was referring to nor did I care. That only thing that mattered to me was that I was by Kazuki’s side again and I didn’t want to leave his side again. However, this lady went on to explain that her captain, the former captain commander Suika Masayume was wrongfully accused and held captive in the Maggot’s Nest for his idealistic view of the Spirit King. She also had plans to get him out of the cell, and burn soul society to the ground. Now, normally I would disagree to this because I would be turning against my people, but something about her was welcoming, reassuring, and optimistic. Oh, I can’t remember the last time I was in soul society, its been to long! I would do anything to go back, anything! That’s when it started, first there were treatments involving the purple flame, then extensive training that hardened every bone in my body, and finally the time would come.