Unfortunately, the Original Author stopped updating about a month n a half ago, he said he'll return. But the we know how it goes, so this is the last chapter of this FIC I'll be updating here.
Chapter 178: Decision
Tea substituting for wine.
The form of address in Suoh's mouth gradually clarified faces in memory.
Ashido drained the tea in his cup.
No impassioned statements, no superfluous words.
The distance between the two suddenly drew close invisibly, atmosphere also relaxing accordingly.
"Captain Kyoraku... is he well?"
Ashido spoke again. Having not conversed with people for so long, obvious rustiness showed when speaking.
"Very well—frequently finds people to drink and chat with."
"Once said if he could really welcome you all back, he'd hold a celebration banquet, calling a group of beautiful women to drink together."
"Is that so?"
Ashido's lips seemed to twitch extremely slightly—a rusty smile that couldn't quite form.
Beautiful women and alcohol didn't matter.
Ashido's eyes surged with a thread of tension as he asked the question most concerning him.
"What about Captain Kuruyashiki?"
"From what I know, Senior Kuruyashiki was the Seventh Kenpachi, while the current Eleventh Division Captain is the Eleventh Kenpachi, whose name is Zaraki Kenpachi."
Hearing this, Suoh fell silent briefly, weighing his words before speaking steadily.
The Seventh Kenpachi Kuruyashiki differed from the current Kenpachi—personality modest and courteous, treating people genially.
He and Kyoraku Shunsui had been quite good friends several hundred years ago.
When mentioning Ashido, Kyoraku Shunsui had also reminisced about his deceased friend during conversation.
And Ashido's wandering in Hueco Mundo also stemmed from this man's unexpected demise when the Kenpachi title changed hands.
"...I see."
Ashido's eyes remained calm as he sighed softly.
In the Gotei 13, each Captain basically represented the person carrying heaviest weight in subordinate squad members' hearts.
Though he'd long held premonitions and guesses inwardly, personally confirming that the modest yet powerful man from memory had passed still proved difficult to conceal sadness.
Long-silent emotions stirred ripples in his heart.
Suoh spoke at the opportune time, redirecting the topic toward reality.
"Senior, we plan next to use this camp as foundation, advancing toward nearby areas—clearing, sweeping, and investigating."
"If possible, I hope you'll join us. With your understanding of Hueco Mundo, you could help squad members avoid many unnecessary risks."
"Alright."
Ashido looked toward Suoh's expectant gaze.
Nodding slightly, he didn't refuse.
During the hundred years, in countless midnight dreams, he'd wondered if outcomes would have differed had they possessed more power and preparation then.
Some prices—perhaps because of these lessons learned, these later generations needn't repeatedly pay.
Time moved forward.
"Thank you!"
Hearing this answer, joy immediately surged across Suoh's face.
Logically speaking, with Suoh's spiritual perception, Las Noches' massive architectural complex shouldn't prove difficult to find.
Initially, he'd thought he could quickly locate underground passages leading to Las Noches.
But reality proved exactly opposite.
In the process of understanding Hueco Mundo, Suoh gradually recognized his own naivety.
Hueco Mundo proved too vast—everywhere held deserts stretching beyond sight.
Unless abandoning the entire formation for solo long-distance investigation, attempting to locate and investigate Las Noches short-term proved tantamount to finding needles in haystacks.
Therefore inviting Ashido's participation, aside from valuing his combat power, also aimed to save exploration time.
Expedition opportunities proved limited—he must treasure this chance exploring Hueco Mundo.
Thus the two began discussing subsequent action plans in the main room.
Soon, a rough hand-drawn map lay on the table.
Ashido's gaze swept across regions enclosed by lines on the map.
Some were hunting grounds familiar to him, others forbidden zones where he'd sensed danger from afar and been forced to detour.
He extended a finger, fingertip stopping on an unmarked blank region on the map.
"I once encountered multiple Adjuchas-level Menos Grande in this area."
"Further out, I couldn't penetrate deeper. Adjuchas possess very strong territorial consciousness—recklessly intruding triggers encirclement."
"Adjuchas can mobilize numerous Gillians for coordinated action. Under command and coordination, if numerous Gillian cero form combined attacks, today's battle absolutely cannot compare."
"This scale of combat definitely isn't something ordinary squad members can participate in."
"I understand."
Suoh fell into contemplation.
He didn't fear combat, but as expedition team's leader, he must consider squad members' safety.
Over twenty squad members—even with him and Ashido, two Captain-level combat powers present—facing such large-scale cero could hardly guarantee no accidents.
Even grazing the edge meant immediate death.
If he couldn't bring subordinate squad members completely back to Seireitei, for Suoh this equaled failure.
He absolutely wouldn't permit such events occurring either.
Suoh's thoughts turned as he spoke earnestly.
"My plan is after completing mission quotas, we two form a small squad for targeted investigation of this region."
"Squad members guard camp, relying on barriers and Tenchuren for defense."
"Acceptable."
"But I have conditions. If we encounter irresistible crisis during investigation, I'll be responsible for rear guard."
Ashido didn't refute his thinking, as if long expecting this.
He spoke this sentence with extreme flatness, face carrying undeniable attitude.
He knew this land, also most clearly understood how to utilize terrain, securing that thread of survival for companions.
"Mm, we'll rely on senior when the time comes."
Suoh nodded readily.
But he held different considerations inwardly.
Ashido wanted protecting him as junior—this sentiment he'd accepted.
However, he also wasn't an unprepared reckless man.
Pre-arranged setups and emergency departure methods—before departure he'd already deduced many extreme situation scenario plans.
This present agreement served more to put Ashido before him at ease.
In following days, the expedition team used camp as axis, beginning systematic clearing of surrounding Hollow swarms.
Ashido also proved as Suoh expected—a reliable companion.
He not only knew terrain but thoroughly understood Hollow behavioral patterns.
With his presence, expedition mission progress advanced extremely smoothly.
Squad members' attitudes toward this taciturn senior gradually transformed from initial unfamiliarity to respect.
Especially after Ashido displayed clean, efficient Hollow-slaying techniques in combat, some bold squad members even began attempting to seek his guidance privately.
Though he spoke little, he'd always demonstrate and explain key essentials to squad members.
Bit by bit relearning how to get along with companions, integrating into the expedition team.
The evening before departing to investigate Las Noches.
Suoh sat beside the campfire, wiping the zanpakuto in his hands.
Ashido sat opposite, quietly gazing at dancing flames, staring through radiance at the distant past.
"Ashido."
"When you return with us this time, at the celebration banquet, you'll need to drink several more cups."
"You should mentally prepare—Captain Kyoraku won't easily let you off."
Suoh suddenly spoke.
This period's side-by-side combat and daily interactions—he'd vaguely sensed that thread of nearly martyrdom-like obsession deep in Ashido's heart.
Therefore, he'd intentionally tried mentioning matters after returning to Seireitei in limited daily conversations.
Not persuading, just casually mentioning like this.
Then waiting for words to slowly permeate the parched depths of heart.
"Mm, alright."
Ashido's lips lifted slightly as he chuckled softly.
Eyes still gazing at flames, he didn't continue speaking.
The answer proved quite brief, but no longer like previous casual conversations—merely polite responses.
Suoh knew this time he'd listened.
Fate's trajectory once again deviated.
The person before him shouldn't end like the original work—fighting to the end bearing all the deceased's names—but rather walking toward a future giving the dead different accountability.
This proved very important.
***
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