Bleach Vol. 36

More than a century before the conflict in Hueco Mundo, Urahara is appointed captain of the Twelfth Division with the support of Yoruichi Shihōin. Hiyori resents her new superior, but Urahara gradually earns her respect and recruits the imprisoned Mayuri Kurotsuchi to help establish the organization that will become the Soul Reaper Research and Development Institute. Elsewhere, Shinji keeps Aizen close because he distrusts him, unaware that his lieutenant has already begun manipulating those around him.

Nine years later, unexplained disappearances occur in the Rukongai. Kensei Muguruma and the Ninth Division investigate, rescue a young Shūhei Hisagi, and discover that the victims have lost their souls. Kensei and Mashiro Kuna subsequently vanish, prompting a second expedition led by Shinji.

The investigators find Kensei and Mashiro transformed into Hollows and struggle to restrain them. Hiyori then begins Hollowfying as well, while Kaname Tōsen incapacitates the expedition’s remaining members. Shinji alone remains conscious and confronts Aizen, realizing that the conspiracy he feared has already placed every member of the group in mortal danger.