First Invasion of Soul Society

The **First Invasion of Soul Society** was the first battle of the Blood War.

## Prelude

Five days prior to the beginning of the war, the barracks of the 1st Division of the Gotei 13 was invaded by foot soldiers of the Wandenreich. These Soldat announced that Soul Society would soon be at war with their empire. Soon after, Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe was crashed through the barracks by an unseen assailant, forcing Captain-General Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to rush to his aid and allowing the invaders to escape. Sasakibe died shortly afterwards, but not before revealing the enemy's ability to steal **Bankai**.

During the interim period, Sasakibe's funeral was held and Yamamoto calls a Captain's Council to determine the location of the Wandenreich base. When that fails, he orders the Gotei 13 to prepare for war. The Kidō Corps are informed separately to begin their own preparations and are also told about the **Bankai**-stealing capabilities of the Quincy.

## Battles

Five days later, the Wandenreich made good on its promise to invade Soul Society, doing so suddenly and without warning. The Sternritter launched their attack by appearing in a series of flaming pillars composed of extremely dense Reishi. Over the course of the next seven minutes, the Quincy kill an estimated one-third of the Gotei 13's fighting forces, including a vice-captain and several 3rd Seats.

### Assault on the Kidō Corps

#### Tenshirō Azashiro vs Asguiaro Ebern

Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Kidō Corps was also assailed by the Wandenreich, who sent their converted Arrancar to deal with the unit responsible for maintaining the Senkaimon. They were met by Kidō Corps Commander Tenshirō Azashiro, Vice Kidō Chief Mimi Miyake, and Corps Commander of the Execution Force Shinpachi Saeki. Commander Azashiro commanded Mimi to boobytrap the area against more Quincy while ordering Corps Commander Saeki to remain back and watch the fight, observing weaknesses in the enemy.

The Arrancar quickly demonstrated its ability to generate a Quincy Spirit Weapon and Tenshirō answered by using several low-level Bakudō spells to defend himself. Agitated, the Arrancar wondered aloud how Tenshirō intended to beat him without using **Bankai**. Relying on earlier intel that suggested the enemy could steal **Bankai**, Tenshirō decided to test out a new strategy of his and released his Zanpakutō, **Kōunryūsui**. Going on the offensive, it initially seemed the Corps Commander was outmatched, causing the Arrancar to grossly overestimate his own abilities. However, he quickly discovered the blasts of water from Tenshirō's **Shikai** could break through his Hierro and decided to push the battle to a quick finale.

Tenshirō stole the opportunity to perform his Bankai, **Kōunryūsui**, which the Arrancar immediately responded to by using a specialized medallion to "Medalize" the Corps Commander's **Bankai**. The Arrancar then rushed to activate the **Bankai** for himself, but was surprised when Tenshirō showed no fear. Tenshirō revealed that he had started with **Shikai** to confirm he could kill the Arrancar without his **Bankai**, then used his ace to see this stealing ability for himself. He asks Shinpachi if the younger Shinigami had seen everything, to which Shinpachi replied that he had. Tenshirō then killed the Arrancar in a single stroke of **Kyūryū**.

## Trivia

### Differences from Canon

* Without Ichigo Kurosaki present in this universe, the Wandenreich incursions into the Living World never happen and Asguiaro Ebern and Luders Friegen have altered fates:
	+ Asguiaro Ebern is instead killed by Tenshirō Azashiro.
	+ Luders Friegen is instead killed by Shinpachi Saeki.

## References

1. ↑ Databook: Timeline of Events
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 *Bleach* chapter 494
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Bleach* chapter 483
4. ↑ *Bleach* chapter 489