Bleach: Sea of butterflies

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the halls of the 6th Division as Musashi and Arasaka sprinted toward the captain's office. The air was tense, filled with the hum of orders being shouted and shinigami scrambling to assemble. When they finally slid open the door, Captain Ginrei Kuchiki stood at the center of the room..

"You two have finally come," Ginrei said without turning, eyes still fixed on the map spread across the table before him. His hand moved decisively over the surface, gesturing at the 64th district in the far outskirts of Rukongai. "We've received reports of several Gillians sighted in the area. This isn't a minor disturbance. We'll be working alongside the 2nd Division."

Arasaka, still catching his breath, gave a half-hearted salute. "Got it, Captain. Who's leading the mission?"

Ginrei finally turned to face them, his gaze settling firmly on Musashi. "I will be leading the team."

Musashi simply nodded, recognizing the weight of the situation. If Captain Ginrei himself was stepping in, it likely meant the situation was more complex than it appeared. Perhaps this was tied to the recent captain's meeting.

"Understood, Captain."

With that, the squad quickly departed, shunpo carrying them across the districts in waves of blurred movement. The wind howled around them as they approached the 64th district. Upon arrival, the first thing they noticed was the faint silhouettes of the 2nd Division already in position. Almost all of them wore black shinobi garb, blending into the environment seamlessly.

All except one.

Suì-Fēng stood to the side, arms crossed, looking off into the distance, unaware of their arrival. Her expression was stoic, but the subtle tension in her posture betrayed her focus. Musashi's eyes shifted toward Ginrei.

"Captain, may I?"

Ginrei let out a quiet sigh and gave a slight nod. "Go inform her of our arrival."

With a flicker of shunpo, Musashi appeared directly behind Suì-Fēng, leaning in just enough to speak near her ear.

"We have arrived."

"YEEP!"

Suì-Fēng nearly jumped out of her skin, spinning around in a blur, one hand instinctively reaching for her blade. Her grey eyes widened as she realized who it was.

"Y-yyyou! What the hell are you doing creeping up on me like that?!"

Musashi remained perfectly straight-faced, tilting his head slightly. "The 6th Division has arrived."

For a brief moment, Suì-Fēng just stood there, her face slowly turning crimson, a noticeable vein bulging on her temple. The surrounding shinigami from the 2nd Division were all kneeling to Captain Ginrei welcoming him.

Before she could retaliate, Captain Ginrei's voice sliced through the air.

"That's enough, both of you. We're here for a mission, not to bicker."

Sigh

"Youngsters these days."

Suì-Fēng grumbled under her breath, crossing her arms tightly and looking away.

Arasaka, standing off to the side, couldn't resist the urge to chime in. "Yes, yes, stop hitting on her, Musashi. You'll have plenty of time for that later."

Musashi slowly turned his gaze toward Arasaka, the faintest hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes. Arasaka instinctively took a step back, holding his hands up in mock surrender.

"Captain, we should hurry," Arasaka added, his tone suddenly more serious.

Ginrei's eyes narrowed as he scanned the treetops and distant hills. The faint pressure of hollow reiatsu was already detectable, lingering in the air like a cold fog. "Agreed. We move now. Stay sharp."

They moved swiftly through the district, following the traces of spiritual pressure that led deeper into the forested outskirts. The branches creaked overhead, casting long shadows beneath the fading afternoon light.

Musashi flanked Ginrei as they advanced, with Suì-Fēng taking point alongside her division. Arasaka lagged just behind, his senses on full alert.

"It feels heavier than usual," Arasaka muttered under his breath. "The air."

"That's because there's more than just a few Gillians, there is a ton of them." Musashi replied quietly.

As if on cue, a low growl resonated through the trees. The ground trembled faintly beneath their feet. Emerging slowly from the shadows, a massive Gillian appeared.

Ginrei stepped forward, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his zanpakutō. "We'll split into teams. Suì-Fēng, take your squad and handle those Gillians in the rear, Musashi, Arasaka, and my division with me."

Suì-Fēng gave a sharp nod. "Understood."

Musashi unsheathed his blade with a fluid motion, the edge gleaming faintly as he turned his gaze toward the Gillian before them.

"Let's make this quick."

The battle erupted in a flash of movement, steel meeting hollow flesh under the watchful gaze of the fading sun.

...

The sky over the 64th district darkened as the shinigami from the 6th and 2nd squads dealt with the remaining Gillians. Their coordinated attacks swiftly brought down the last of the towering hollows. Arasaka stretched, cracking his knuckles as the final Gillian dissolved into nothingness.

"Well, that was easy," Arasaka said, brushing his hands off. "I was expecting more of a challenge."

Musashi, standing beside him with his zanpakuto still drawn, frowned. "Something feels off. Stay alert."

The air around them grew heavy, and without warning, a garganta ripped open in the sky. A deep purple cero surged out from within, crackling with energy and tearing through the atmosphere. Ginrei stepped forward, his blade flashing as he deflected the blast, scattering the destructive energy across the sky. 

Musashi's eyes narrowed as he peered into the garganta. From the swirling void emerged two figures. Their spiritual pressure was immense, suffocating even the experienced shinigami present.

As the garganta closed behind them, the two hollows stepped forward, their forms distinct and humanoid.

The first hollow resembled a towering ant, its exoskeleton gleaming under the faint sunlight. Its mandibles clicked menacingly, and its multiple red eyes glowed with malice.

The second hollow was slimmer, resembling a cockroach with long, jagged limbs and a sleek, dark carapace. Her violet eyes scanned the shinigami below with predatory interest.

"Those are Vasto Lorde..." Musashi muttered, gripping his zanpakuto tightly.

Ginrei's gaze hardened. "This is an order. Everyone except for Musashi, Arasaka, and Suì-Fēng will withdraw immediately. Return to the Seireitei. Now."

The gathered shinigami hesitated, paralyzed by the sheer presence of the Vasto Lorde. Ginrei's sharp tone snapped them out of their trance, and they hurriedly retreated, using shunpo to vanish into the distance.

The ant-like Vasto Lorde sneered, clicking its mandibles. "Tsk, that old withered shinigami blocked my cero. How boring."

"Hey, the prey is running." The cockroach-like hollow's lips curled into a cruel grin. Without hesitation, she jumped into the air, raising her arm as energy gathered at her fingertips. A bright crimson cero began forming.

Before she could fire, Ginrei appeared at her side in an instant, his blade humming with lethal intent. "You're oponent is me."

The ant Vasto Lorde lunged forward to intercept, but the sudden hiss of a blade cutting through the air stopped him. Musashi appeared before the hollow, his blade held high.

He brought his blade down on the Hollow. The Vasto Lorde brought up both of his hands above his head. There was crisping sound of a swords against a metal.

"You're not leaving either," Musashi said calmly.

The hollow's mandibles clicked again as he eyed Musashi. "Heh, you look tasty as well, shinigami."

Above them, Arasaka positioned himself in mid-air, both hands glowing with Kidō energy. "Hado #33, Shakkahō!" A red ball of energy streaked toward the ant hollow.

The hollow leapt back, dodging the blast, but searing pain suddenly shot through his back. Blood sprayed into the air before rapidly regenerating.

Suì-Fēng landed lightly beside Musashi. "Tch. Too shallow."

The hollow glared at the three shinigami, his gaze shifting uneasily between them. "I'm not great at defending against three opponents..."

Nearby, the cockroach Vasto Lorde fought desperately against Ginrei. Despite her speed, she bore several deep cuts along her body, and her breathing grew labored. The ant hollow narrowed his eyes. 'She's struggling way too fast. This is bad. We need to retreat.'

Musashi noticed the hesitation in the hollow's eyes. "Where are you looking? We're still in the middle of a fight."

He dashed forward, his blade flashing as he aimed for the hollow's shoulder. The ant hollow used sonido to create distance, his mandibles clicking nervously.

Arasaka smirked, stretching his arms. "Looks like they're not as tough as they pretend to be."

Musashi kept his eyes on the hollows, his grip tightening on his sword. "Don't get cocky. Vasto Lorde are hollows said to be on Captain level. This isn't over yet."

The hollow's mandibles clicked faster, his unease palpable. As Ginrei pressed his attack against the cockroach hollow, the ant Vasto Lorde tensed. 'If we stay, we might not leave alive... but if we retreat now, they'll follow.'

(End of a chapter)