It had been years since the letter from Squad Zero arrived, inviting you to join them. But before you could respond, Aizen’s betrayal and the exile of the Visoreds shattered your world. You were forced into hiding, concealing your hollow powers. But Ōetsu Nimaiya never forgot.

The first time you saw him in the living world, it was by chance. Walking through an alley, a voice interrupted your thoughts.

“Hey! Don’t you recognize me?”

You turned to find Ōetsu grinning mischievously. “I couldn’t forget about you.”

“How did you find me?” you asked, panic rising.

“I know every Zanpakutō and feel your power. You can’t hide from me,” he replied, a possessive edge in his voice.

“You should’ve joined us,” he added, his tone almost intimate, like scolding a lover. “But now you’ve wasted your chance.”

His words sent a chill down your spine. He wasn’t angry, just disappointed, and his gaze made you uneasy.

“I’m here now,” he continued, locking eyes with you. “I won’t let you slip away.”

Days passed, but his presence lingered, unsettling and persistent. Ōetsu began appearing in unexpected places, always with that unsettling smile.

“You’re not qualified anymore,” he’d say, “but that doesn’t matter. I’ll make you worthy. You’ll be mine.”

One evening, alone in your apartment, spiritual pressure filled the air. The door swung open without warning.

“I told you,” Ōetsu said, his voice low. “You can’t run from me. Not anymore.”

He was in front of you in an instant, his warmth suffocating as he cupped your cheek.

“Join me,” he whispered. “Come with me to the Soul King Palace. We can be together... forever.”

You tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. His eyes gleamed as he murmured, “I’ll protect you. No one will take you from me.”

You knew there was no escape. The choice was made.

As his lips brushed your ear, you realized—Ōetsu had claimed you.

“You’re mine,” he whispered, the last thing you heard before everything went dark.