"Hmm..."

Eiji nodded in acknowledgement at his commander's request for greater civility. Though not pleased to do so, it seemed that he would have to allow Gotei involvement in the affairs of the Kido Corps... For the moment.

"Is that so?" He responded to Elenia. "Then you will understand that what we do here must be kept in utmost confidence. No one can know."

Pleasantries out of the way, he vanished in Shunpo and reappeared with the others before the entrance to the empty subway station. Down the stairs and into the darkness, he could feel the presence of unrecognizable spiritual activity. Concerned, but confident in the abilities of his partners, Eiji was the first to descend the concrete steps, his hand on the central railing for guidance and support. Toward the bottom, past the turnstyle gates, the strange Reiatsu grew stronger, but no less curious with his approach.

When he had cleared the final step and hopped the waist-high gates, he stepped into the large station itself. At the far end, opposite of where he entered, he could see a second set of stairs leading up, likely to another entrance; it was by these stairs that he could see Z.W.E.I and the many felled hollow at his feet.

But what was he? Eiji did not sense he was a Hollow, but he was not the same as a Shinigami. The Fuku Kidocho grasped his Tanren with his right hand, prepared for hostility, and called down the hall.

"State your name and your business here, or leave and pretend you saw nothing," he commanded, moving his foot forward for more a more stable stance.

(OOC: Looks like everyone who would join has joined. Let's begin! Edit: You guys can fight the hollow as you please, but i'll control the arrancar)

"Hmm. There are many beings with reiatsu similar to a Shinigami's; you should not be so quick to let down your guard."

Eiji turned to peer at the newest newcomer standing behind the group. She, he was sure, was another Shinigami, and a strong one. Nonetheless, she was not a member of the Kido Corps, and was thus another risk to the secrecy of their assignment. He returned to a less aggressive position, but kept his left hand rested on his zanpakuto.

How would he reconcile this situation with the assignment? Further, why were there so many officers in the human world, let alone in one city? Though disturbed by these questions, the Fuku Kidocho did not resign from his relaxed disposition. He answered Aki with a light wave of his hand and a subtle smile:

"There is nothing to be concerned about, Ue-sama." He gave a respectful nod, then turned to face Z.W.E.I. "We have no business with this-"

But before he could continue, a great sensation pressed on his entire body; a new reiatsu, both heavy and threatening, filled the station. To those who had encountered it before, it would be a familiar sensation: neither hollow nor shinigami, an arrancar had come, perhaps itself lured by the concentration of reiatsu in the station.

Eiji snapped his attention toward the tracks, from which the impure reiatsu emanated. In sight of group, a clawed finger seemed to burn through reality itself, causing the surrounding space to burn and crumble outward as a light flame slowly consumes a paper. From the sensation of the distortion, it seemed to be a Garganta, but its presentation made it much more curious than familiar. Behind the cindered reality, a female form became visible, then the cold stare of one who was undisturbed by the numbers rallied against her. Why would she be? She presented herself to them.


She stepped calmly out of her personal Garganta, flanked by countless eyes and the growing dread produced by the desire of a mass of Hollow to feed. With the casual outstretching of her clawed hand, a torrent of beasts poured from the rend in reality and toward the group, blocking their sight of the Arrancar woman. Reacting immediately, Eiji was the first to act; throwing his hand before him, his move would be a defensive one: "Bakudō 39! Enkōsen!"

At his call, a bulwark of condensed reiatsu formed between the group and their attackers, large enough to protect them all, into which the first few Hollow smashed, breaking their bodies upon it with the sickening crackle of bone and tendon. Despite skipping the incantation, he was able to draw out the spell's full potential; a meager display of his kido mastery. As he held this first line, Eiji looked to the others to begin the counter attack.