Yamamoto: We have an emergency!

Currently all of the captains (with the exception of Mayuri and Zaraki) were in the Squad 1 Barracks. Soi-Fon took a step forward to explain the situation.

Soi-Fon: Investigations by the Stealth Force have revealed that the traitor Kenpachi Azashiro has gone missing from the Muken. There is no evidence of Sosuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru or any of the other prisoners having attempted a prison break. All the members of the Patrol Troop are now searching for Azashiro.

Shinji: Now, that's a name I haven't heard in forever. He was captured before I became a captain, yeah?

Kensei: That was when we became Seat Officers, right? When that guy landed himself in the Muken for starting a revolt or something?

Unohana: I never thought I would hear Kenpachi Azashiro's name again so soon.

Hitsugaya: I've never heard of the guy. Is he called "Kenpachi" as some sort of sick joke, or is it a coincidence?

Byakuya: If I recall, the name "Kenpachi" is only passed down once the current one is slain by whoever will become their successor. There cannot be two Kenpachis at the same time. However, I've heard that there was one exception to this in this eleven-generation history of the Kenpachi name.

Yamamoto: Yes, and that exception is Azashiro.He challenged the 7th Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki, to a duel. He won and assumed the title, but no one has been able to beat Azashiro himself. After he committed his terrible crime, he was doomed to rot in the bowels of the Muken. The Kenpachi name was thus passed down to the lieutenant of Squad 11 at the time, and he became the 9th Kenpachi.

Kyoraku: And the 9th Kenpachi was cut down by a fierce warrior from the Rukon District who called himself Kiganjo. And the one who defeated the extremely powerful Kenpachi Kiganjo was Captain Zaraki, our current Kenpachi.

Hitsugaya: Let me ask you straight up. Do you think this Azashiro guy is tougher than Zaraki?

Kyoraku: I wish I could give you a straight answer. Both former Captain Azashiro and Captain Zaraki are in a class of their own. Besides, we don't even know the names of either of their Zanpakutos. In fact, we've never seen Azashiro's blade before.

Toshiro: What? So, you've never seen his Shikai?

Kyoraku: No, that's not what I meant. He literally doesn't have a Zanpakuto. Well, it's more like he does have one, but it was never seen by us, I suppose. He never once revealed that secret to us. Even when Central 46 tried to investigate, he insisted that he'd already shown it to them.

Hitsugaya: What? And Central 46 just accepted that?

Kyoraku: Yeah. It just goes to show how much you can get away with as a Kenpachi, the strongest Shinigami of us all.

Hitsugaya: I would say that's getting away with a bit too much.

Kyoraku: Anyway, my point is that a Kenpachi has special privileges within the Seireitei. Now that I think about it, maybe that's why Azashiro wanted to become a Kenpachi.

Yamamoto: With that out of the way. Lieutenant Omaeda.

Omaeda: Y-Yes sir!?

Yamamoto: Give us your report of your encounter with Kenpachi Azashiro.

Omaeda: Of course, sir!

Omaeda gave every captain at the meeting a full explanation on his meeting with Azashiro.

Omaeda: A-And that concludes my eyewitness report on Kenpachi Azashiro. Oh, right, there was one more thing that stuck out to me.

Yamamoto: What?

Omaeda: In the middle of it all, he turned to an empty space and said "Shut it" to no one in particular. It wasn't to us because we weren't talking. It was like he was talking to someone invisible.

"Oh, that? Kenpachi Azashiro was just talking to Urozakuro."

Standing at the door of the Squad 1 barracks uninvited was Yoruichi.

Soi-Fon: Yoruichi? I didn't know you were here! I would have met you at the Senkaimon had you given me the word.

Yamamoto then spoke up.

Yamamoto: I don't recall summoning you, but since you've come, tell us what you know.

Yoruichi: My apologies, Head Captain. I was planning on arriving well before the meeting began.

Soi-Fon: Yoruichi, who is this Urozakuro you spoke of?

Yoruichi: Urozakuro is the name of Azashiro's Zanpakuto.

Yamamoto: And how did you come to learn of his Zanpakuto's name?

Yoruichi: Urozakuro simply told me herself. It was over a hundred years ago. Kisuke and I were testing the new Tenshentai at the underground training grounds. She appeared before us out of nowhere. She didn't stay for long, but she seemed to really like us. She even started blabbing about her powers without either of us asking. She said something to the tune of, "I think it'd be fun to make my user suffer by revealing my abilities." Reckless if you ask me. I think she was being honest, though. I don't think that would be something Azashiro would've allowed.

Yamamoto: And why didn't you report this to us?

Yoruichi: I did report it to the previous commander of the Stealth Force, but once the report made its way to Central 46, they told us not to tell a single soul. I will accept any punishment that Central 46 wishes to give me for disobeying their orders by discussing it here with you now. Perhaps the higher-ups had some plans of their own, but we'll never learn their true intentions now. They've all since passed from illness, incidents, or Aizen's hands. I suppose the truth behind their reasoning has been buried with them. But if I may hazard a guess, they may have wanted to keep Urozakuro's powers secret to prevent morale from falling. Worst case scenario, the entire Seireitei will be plunged into chaos.

Hitsugaya: Is her powers really that dangerous?

Yoruichi: They could give Kyoka Suigetsu a run for its money.

Omaeda: What?! Y-you're saying he's at that level?! Tell me you're joking, Yoruichi!

Yoruichi: When he was a wanted man in the past, we tried to pinpoint his location with Bakudo. But no matter how many times any of us tried, we could never find his specific location. All we knew was that he was somewhere in the Seireitei.

Komamura: Does that mean he can negate Kido and Spirit Energy?

Yoruichi: It's certainly annoying either way. If I recall correctly, no Bakudo worked on him either. Not even the 99th one or its final incantation, Fatal Seal. Which means that his power is not of negation, but fusion.

Soi-Fon: Fusion?

Yoruichi: Azashiro appeared to be speaking to something invisible because his inner world merged with the real world. Urozakuro remains unable to be seen by others, unlike the manifestation of Tenshintai. He's always in his Bankai state, which would explain why he wasn't carrying a blade. I think it would be fair to say that his Bankai allows him to merge with and control his surroundings. Kenpachi Azashiro fuses his body with the space surrounding him. The ground that we stand on and the very air itself is now a part of him. He has the ability to manipulate the reishi in all of these materials.

Hitsugaya: How far can he reach?

Yoruichi: I think you already know the answer to that question.

Omaeda: H-hold up now, that's-

Yoruichi: Yes... He's already fused with the Seireitei itself. The sights of the places that he's fused with, and the voices that travel through them, all reach him as if he were there to experience them himself. Which means everything we are saying here will reach him, too.

Komamura; There's one thing I don't get. Couldn't he have broken out at any time if he had all that power?

Yoruichi: It's not that easy to escape the Muken. It is covered in layers of seals that suppress zanpakuto abilities in case someone attacks it from the outside. If what Urozakuro said is to be trusted, Azashiro was able to hear all of the goings on of the Seireitei, but was unable to move around.

Hitsugaya: Then how was he able to escape this time?

Soi-Fon: Because of the Ryoka attack on the Department of Research and Development.

Hitsugaya: Huh?

Soi-Fon: Back when Kisuke Urahara was the captain of Squad 12, some of the seal mechanisms were moved there. The decision was made with the reasoning that managing the seals separately, rather than all in the same place would be safer, but it's backfired now. There don't seem to be any signs of other prisoners escaping the Muken, but the Stealth Force is conducting a thorough investigation nevertheless.

Shinji: Hang on. Now that Azashiro's got his powers back, couldn't he break out Aizen and the others, too?

Yoruichi: I find it hard to believe that he would. He's not looking to cause chaos and ruin. Isn't that right Kenpachi Azashiro?

Just as Yoruichi called Azashiro's name, the Kenpachi made his appearance known to the rest of the captains, seemingly eavesdropping on the conversation the entire time.

Azashiro: I suppose I should thank you for saving me the need to explain it myself.

Yamamoto: I don't know whether to call you brave or foolish for showing your face here, Soya Azashiro.

Azashiro: It's been so long, Head Captain. I'll save you any further questions by saying that this form of mine is only one part of me. I find no meaning in spreading ruin, so I ask that you refrain from interfering.

Yamamoto: Long ago, you surrendered and allowed yourself to be submitted to confinement. What do you gain by breaking out of it now?

Azashiro: I never thought I'd ever see you calmly ask a criminal his motive, Head Captain. You've mellowed with age. In the past, you would have skipped the questions and immediately tried to subdue me.

Yamamoto: Get to the point.

Azashiro: You even threw away your personal feelings to serve in your role as an essential cog in the Soul Society, back when you ordered Rukia Kuchiki's execution. Everything you've done has been for the Soul Society. You've given countless brutal orders over the years, regardless of who might see you as a villain. I respected that part of you, but Ichigo Kurosaki and (Y/N) (L/N) have had too much of an impact on you. It's rather unfortunate. However, judging from the fact that you chose not to heal your lost arm, I can see that your pride has not changed one bit. To me, that pride of yours is the most useless part of you.

Yamamoto: So, you have no intention of answering my question.

Azashiro: My goals still remain the same as they always were. Instead of a worthless explanation, I thought it best to continue with my greeting. Let me be clear. At this time, I do not intend on harming the Soul Society in the slightest.

Hitsugaya: And you think we're going to just take your word for it.

Azashiro: Whether you trust me or not is up to you. All I want is to avoid unnecessary conflict. I will say it again. I do not intend to harm the Seireitei. I have but one goal in mind at this time. And that goal is to fulfill my duties as a Shinigami. It's as simple as that. I will start by taking care of the skull-faced arrancar, before moving on to Hollow extermination. That is all I wish to do.

Kyoraku: No one's going to believe that. You didn't break out of prison just to help us with our work now, did you?

Azashiro: You're right. I would've stayed put in prison if it weren't for that skull-faced woman.

Kyoraku: Care to fill us in on what you plan to do with her powers? I'm not exactly up to date on that front.

Azashiro: I'd rather not go on such a meaningless tangent, but I will share what is necessary to cast away any pointless doubts of yours. My powers were freed due to the Ryoka attack, yes, but I did not plan for that to happen. We were not working together. Allowing me to neutralize that woman's powers would be greatly beneficial to the Soul Society and the World of the Living. I would even like to ask for your help, if possible.

Yamamoto: What benefits do you speak of?

Azashiro: The complete eradication of the Hollows, and peace to all souls. All we need to do is purify Hueco Mundo and perform minor adjustments to the hearts of humans in the world of the living. Resentment, greed, base instinct, and other obsessions are what break the chains of fate and spawn Hollows, so we just need to eliminate those factors. I am sure you've all heard of something similar in your studies of the world of the living, of the existence of doctors who perform what is known as psychosurgery. What I will be conducting is akin to that. I will be altering part of the brains and souls of humans to eliminate the elements that lead them to become hollows. I suppose that once all humans have been adjusted, no one will be going to Hell. What kind of effect it will have will need to be thoroughly investigated.

Shinji: You want to change what makes humans... human? That's just stupid. Are you listening to yourself? Tokyo alone has over 10 million people. Even if you alter a hundred people a day, it'll still take 100,000 days.

Azashiro: I can change 10 million souls in one day if I use that woman's powers. It will still take around a year for me to reach my goal, but that is a mere drop in the ocean of the Soul Society's million years of history.

Yamamoto: Our world and theirs are two sides of the same coin. What you are planning lacks even a single modicum of respect for the world of the living. You are also making an utter mockery of the justice that our forebearers have upheld for generation after generation.

Azashiro: Respect is pointless and unproductive, Genryusai. Shinigamis only need to focus on their roles and keep the worlds running. That includes me, of course.

Yoruichi: Do you also plan on using that woman's power to also exterminate the Hollows?

Azashiro: Yes... alongside with the powers of (Y/N) (L/N).

The whole room went silent.

Azashiro: There's a good possibility that (Y/N) (L/N)'s ability could evolve past simply creating a copy of a soul, but instead taking the original soul. With his zanpakuto he would be able to purify the soul he stole, turning every hollow in Hueco Mundo into a purified soul that could be sent to the Soul Society.

Unohana: How exactly do you plan on convincing them to help you with this plan of yours?

Azashiro: The skull-faced woman has no say in the matter. I will give (Y/N) (L/N) a chance to help me by his own volition. However if he refuses I will simply take his power by force.

Soi-Fon: And you simply believe we'll let you hurt him?

Azashiro: (Y/N) (L/N) may be a shinigami but he is also human. Regardless if he helps out or not, he'll eventually be a victim of the brain altering experiment that I'm planning. I'm simply offering him one final chance to perform his duty as a Shinigami.

Yoruichi: Are you sure that's why? Or are you scared that he has the ability to stop your own?

Azashiro: It is true that he has a power that counters my own, but you seemed to be implying that he has the ability to defeat me. A preposterous claim.

Unohana: Is it? You should know that (Y/N) is a boy who improves at rapid rate. One slip up and he'll find a way to take you down. You admitted yourself that (Y/N)'s ability counters your own.

Azashiro: Think what you will, but I've given you all the information that I'm willing to tell you. I'll bid my farewells here.

Soi-Fon: Where do you think you're-

Azashiro then vanished without warning.

Soi-Fon swiftly left for the exit before being stopped by Yoruichi.

Soi-Fon: Yoruichi? What are you doing?

Yoruichi: The Head Captain hasn't dismissed us yet. What do you think you're doing? To find (Y/N)? Sorry, but you're the Captain of Squad 2. You have to stay here in the Seireitei. (Y/N) can take care of himself.

Soi-Fon: But this isn't just any Shinigami or Arrancar. This is a Kenpachi. And he's out for (Y/N)'s life!

Yoruichi: Unohana said it herself. One slip up and (Y/N) can come up with a plan to take him down. Azashiro wouldn't go after (Y/N) right away.(Y/N)'s ability to absorb reishi is dangerous to Azashiro, so he'll be thinking of a way to fight him without using his ability to fuse with his surroundings.

Yamamoto: I had Captain Zaraki looking for the second arrancar but I think it would be best to have him take on Kenpachi Azashiro. Captain Kurostuchi is currently in Hueco Mundo with Ms. Zulema looking into the second arrancar in question. All we need now is to assemble a team to look for this "Roka Paramia".

Yoruichi: (Y/N), Ichigo and their friends are already on it. They were preparing a plan to search for her right before I left for the Soul Society.

Yamamoto: Is that so? Then I'll leave it to them. Ms. Shihoin, Captain Soi-Fon. Please keep a watch on (Y/N) (L/N) for the time being. At least until we handle Kenpachi Azashiro. I will have Marenoshin Omaeda take command of Squad 2 until your return.

Soi-Fon and Yoruichi: Yes sir!

Yamamoto: With that said, this meeting is now dismissed.

Soi-Fon was the first one to leave the room with Yoruichi following slightly behind. As the rest of the Captains left the room, Unohana thought to herself.

Unohana: *thinking* Be careful, (Y/N). Just as you can defeat Azashiro with one slip up... Azashiro can do the same...

To be continued.

Now we know what Azashiro's goals are. And a very complex one at that. However, there is a chance to stop him now that we know that (Y/N)'s abilities can combat against what many thought was an unstoppable ability. Though that doesn't mean Azashiro can be easily defeated.