Suddenly appearing, Shinji had short yellow hair, wore a white shirt, black trousers, and a tie. Although he had a slacker-like demeanor, his origins were extraordinary.
He was a former Captain of the 5th Division of the Gotei 13, and also the Captain of the 5th Division before Aizen. Aizen had once served as his Lieutenant for a period of time.
From the beginning, Shinji had sensed that Aizen was problematic, so he transferred him to serve as his Lieutenant to monitor Aizen and prevent him from doing evil.
However, Shinji was ultimately no match for the mastermind Aizen. A hundred and ten years ago, he was tricked by Aizen, and as a result, not only he but also his companions became victims of Aizen's Hollowfication experiment.
Then the Central 46 ordered Shinji and the other Hollowfied Shinigami to be 'disposed of' as if they were actual Hollows.
If not for Kisuke's rescue, Shinji and the others would have died over a hundred years ago.
However, although Kisuke saved them, he was ultimately framed by Aizen and had to flee the Soul Society with Yoruichi, Shinji, and the others, living incognito in the Living World ever since.
After being cured by Kisuke, Shinji and the others did not live with him. Instead, they lived with Sarugaki Hiyori, Yadomaru Lisa, Ushoda Hachigen, and others.
Furthermore, due to Aizen's Hollowfication experiment, Shinji and the others gained Hollow powers after surviving. When using these Hollow powers, they form Hollow masks. Thus, they call themselves the [Vizard].
Although Shinji and the other Vizard had been hiding in Karakura Town in the Living World for over a hundred years, their intense hatred for Aizen had never faded. They were constantly waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on Aizen.
After learning about Ichigo's situation, Shinji began trying every means to get close to him. Despite being several hundred years old, he even transferred to Ichigo's school.
The reason Shinji was so interested in Ichigo was mainly to recruit him into the Vizard and strengthen their power.
After all, Ichigo also possessed both Shinigami and Hollow powers. In a way, he was no different from the Vizard. So, to win Ichigo over, Shinji had been trying every possible way to contact him recently.
This was also why Ichigo knew Shinji.
Of course, Ichigo only knew Shinji as a 'transfer student' who had recently joined his class. He knew nothing else.
"Hirako! Why are you here? And is that a Zanpakuto in your hand?!"
Seeing the Zanpakuto in Shinji's hand, Ichigo's mind was shaken.
"Hirako, who are you?!"
Although Shinji was holding a Zanpakuto, Ichigo didn't think he was a Shinigami.
In Ichigo's eyes, Shinji looked suspicious no matter how he viewed him.
"Shh... Relax, Ichigo."
Shinji, holding his sword against Ichigo's with his left hand, raised his right index finger to his lips in a silencing gesture. "How can someone with Reiatsu as strong as yours get so nervous so easily? The whole world will feel it, you know."
"Feel it? Who are you talking about?"
Ichigo's heart tightened.
"Do I have to spell it out for you? What an idiot you are..."
…
On a street in Karakura Town.
Uryu had just left a convenience store not long ago, carrying his purchases and walking home.
Just then, a dark crack suddenly split open in the sky behind him, and a giant Hollow was struggling to squeeze through the crack into the Living World.
As if sensing something, Uryu suddenly stopped walking and slowly turned his head.
"What!"
...
"Ah, what's that sound?"
After finally being 'freed', Kon, who had been running wildly through the town in Ichigo's body, seemed to sense something and suddenly stopped.
"Ah, that scared me. I thought Ichigo had found me." Kon stopped, looked around, and seeing nothing unusual, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Hmph, whatever. I haven't been out at night for ages. I'm going to enjoy this fleeting youth."
Kon muttered nonchalantly and started hopping and skipping around again.
What he didn't notice, however, was that a dark crack had suddenly split open in the sky above him. A pale, terrifying hand reached out from within.
Then the crack grew larger and larger, and finally, a giant figure crawled out.
"Found you! Kurosaki Ichigo!!"
The giant figure looked at the so-called 'Kurosaki Ichigo' walking down the street.
Its enormous size, the hollow hole in its chest, and the Zanpakuto on its back… if anyone familiar with such things were present, they would recognize it as an [Arrancar].
But if it were Ichigo, even though the enemy's appearance had changed due to becoming an Arrancar, Ichigo would definitely recognize its identity!
Grand Fisher!
The murderer who directly killed Ichigo's mother, Kurosaki Masaki!!
Upon seeing the so-called 'Kurosaki Ichigo', Grand Fisher directly slapped and shattered a building.
Boom!
The building collapsed, and countless steel and concrete fragments rained down on the 'Ichigo' below.
"Hmm?"
Kon, who had been walking along, heard the noise and instinctively stopped, looking up.
"Waaah!!"
Seeing the concrete and steel debris suddenly falling from the sky, Kon was so scared he screamed. Reacting quickly, he dodged to the side.
Boom!!!
Countless chunks of concrete and steel fell, completely burying the spot where Kon had just been standing.
"What's... what's going on? Why does someone always have to ruin my fun?"
As he spoke, Kon finally noticed the enormous Grand Fisher and stood frozen in place.
Kon trembled all over, his teeth chattering. "Y-You are..."
"I am Grand Fisher!"
"Die! Kurosaki Ichigo!!"
Grand Fisher roared and attacked Kon directly.
"I-I'm not Ichigo..."
But Grand Fisher didn't give Kon a chance to explain. He launched a brutal assault.
Kon could only run for his life, feeling wronged and helpless.
...
Karakura Town, Urahara Shop.
Kisuke stood at the shop's entrance, staring gravely into the distance.
Swoosh!
Yoruichi slid open the shop door and walked out.
"Urahara, this is..."
Yoruichi was wearing her pajamas, clearly having been sleeping until she noticed the anomaly and hurriedly got up.
"Ah, that's right. This is an Arrancar's Reiatsu!"
...
Soul Society, 10th Division's Barracks, Toshiro's room.
Although it was night, Toshiro's room was still brightly lit.
At that moment, Toshiro, wearing only a white undershirt and draped in his Captain's Haori, sat at his desk handling 10th Division paperwork.
Knock, knock, knock...
A sudden, urgent knock sounded.
Toshiro frowned slightly but still said, "Enter."
"Captain!"
Rangiku walked in hurriedly.
"What is it, Rangiku? Has something major happened?"
Toshiro asked.
It was late, and Rangiku was disturbing him. Her urgent demeanor meant something important must have occurred.
"Captain! The Research and Development Institute just issued an emergency notice! Reiatsu resembling an Arrancar has appeared in the Living World!!"