Chapter 95: The Hōgyoku... Is It Going to Take Form!?
"An expedition… That's way too sudden."
After the meeting ended, Takeru was in no hurry to return and assume his duties. He, Ichigo, and Aizen stayed in the corridor, discussing the Captain Commander's announcement.
An expedition to Hueco Mundo.
That phrase had never come up before. Even among the Gotei 13, the number of Shinigami who had actually set foot in Hueco Mundo was extremely small.
Ichigo knew the chain of events tied to the Hōgyoku was far from over, but he still had not expected the Captain Commander to be this aggressive.
"In truth, it isn't sudden at all."
Aizen had Hinamori Momo head back first to handle division business. He remained behind to explain the reasoning to the disciple who did not yet grasp the full picture.
"Including myself, the captains have been preparing for this for quite some time."
Then he glanced at Takeru.
"And you should have seen it coming too, shouldn't you?"
As the status of his two favored disciples changed, Aizen's manner of address shifted as well. He called them by their given names now.
"Mhm."
With a captain's haori on his shoulders, Takeru's presence felt steadier than before, more mature. Even his casual words carried more weight.
"Even if the Captain Commander didn't spell it out, a reasonable deduction makes the situation clear. Since they have allied with Hollows, it would not be difficult for them to exploit their nature to search the vast Garganta and locate the lost Hōgyoku."
"And once they obtain it, relying on its ability to break the restrictions between Shinigami and Hollows, they can easily create more Arrancar similar to Arturo."
"If the number of Arrancar reaches a certain level, they will inevitably become a threat to Soul Society."
"It's entirely possible they will launch a large scale invasion under the instigation of Gin and Tosen. In fact, the probability is quite high."
"So instead of letting the enemy fully prepare and invade, it is better to strike first and seize the initiative."
"Fighting on enemy territory comes with disadvantages, but it also prevents a war from causing damage to Soul Society."
Damage.
Ichigo could not help recalling the Captain Commander's Bankai.
It did not even need deliberate action. Its mere existence continuously evaporated moisture across Soul Society. If circumstances ever forced that power to be used, then choosing a battlefield like Hueco Mundo was far more appropriate.
Ichigo's eyes hardened.
"Then we fight. This way, whether for Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, losses can be minimized. Fewer lives get dragged into the struggle between the Gotei 13 and that group."
"You're right."
Aizen looked pleased, but his tone became solemn almost immediately.
"However, it is not limited to the factors Takeru mentioned."
"In fact, through Captain Ukitake's investigation over the past month, he found some intelligence regarding the rebels in the Great Spirit Library Corridor."
"And based on that intelligence, a terrifying conclusion was drawn."
"What conclusion?"
Ichigo's throat tightened.
Takeru narrowed his eyes, listening with quiet seriousness.
"The Hōgyoku possesses a will," Aizen said, enunciating each word.
"…?"
Ichigo frowned, completely lost.
"The Hōgyoku… From what everyone says, it's like a black purple or blue black glass sphere, right? That thing has a will? That's weird, sure, but what's so terrifying about it?"
"Yes. At first hearing, it doesn't sound terrifying."
Takeru's voice shifted, as if completing the thought for him.
"But what if it can grow like a normal life form?"
"?!"
A chill raced from Ichigo's spine straight to his scalp, leaving his head numb.
A will meant thought.
Thought was a hallmark of life.
If it could think, then the possibility of growth was no longer absurd.
"Captain Ukitake believes that is why Gin and the others captured Kisuke Urahara," Aizen continued.
He adjusted his glasses. A pale flash slid across the lenses, and the cold in his words deepened.
"They likely want to use the hands of Kisuke Urahara, the one who created the Hōgyoku, to continue cultivating it, letting it grow, and then forming an Arrancar army that possesses Shinigami power."
"Then they will allow the Hōgyoku to become a true life form, a true omnipotent New King materialized from pure power, and push that New King to lead the Arrancar army and overturn everything that currently exists."
"Yes. They hope to emulate the ancestors of the Four Great Noble Houses who once followed the Soul King, raising a new Soul King into the clouds, while they themselves become the voice of that new King's will, reshaping order and controlling all beings."
"Even if they do not truly succeed, the slightest possibility of success is an enormous threat to the three realms."
"That is why the Captain Commander said we must crush the world's crisis in its infancy."
September marked the start of autumn. By mid month, the heat had faded. In the courtyard ringed by corridors, leaves withered and fell. The breeze spun them into the air, carrying a bleak, desolate feeling.
Yet that atmosphere did not make the quiet flame in Takeru's eyes waver in the slightest.
"I see…"
"Supporting the Hōgyoku to become a new Soul King, huh." Takeru's tone was almost casual. "Interesting, but the success rate is low. So I'll look forward to the Arrancar army instead."
"Let's see who's stronger, them or Arturo."
Those fearless words dragged Ichigo's thoughts back from the edge.
He curled his lip. "I actually hope they aren't too strong. There are already plenty of Hollows in the World of the Living and Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo is a whole different story."
"If it goes wrong, we might really get chased all over the place by a pack of Arrancar, fighting one after another without time to rest."
Takeru patted Ichigo's shoulder.
"It'll be fine."
"When the time comes, you can disguise yourself as a Hollow and infiltrate their forces."
"…Wouldn't that be even more dangerous?" Ichigo's mouth twitched.
During filming and the process of learning partial Bankai, he had already mentioned the Hollow inside him to Aizen. There was nothing to hide anymore.
Aizen had even expressed high approval, saying the idea perfectly reminded him of something and would broaden tactical thinking.
The master and his two disciples continued walking as they talked.
"Ichigo."
When they reached the entrance of the First Division barracks, they realized someone had been waiting there for quite a while.
More precisely, she had been waiting for Ichigo.
"Rukia? What are you doing here?" Ichigo stared, surprised.
Rukia did not answer immediately. Instead, she greeted Captain Aizen respectfully, and then turned to Takeru as well.
Aizen smiled and nodded, then left first, leaving the three old friends to speak.
"I heard you got promoted. Impressive, Rukia." Takeru's smile looked sincere enough. "No, I should address you properly now. Kuchiki Third Seat."
Rukia's face was already tight, and that nearly made it crack. She shot a resentful glare at Ichigo, who was struggling to hold back laughter, then forced herself to inhale and smile.
"You jest. My progress is indeed significant, but it pales in comparison to yours, Captain Shimiya. You are even more remarkable."
"You don't understand the troubles of a genius, Kuchiki Third Seat." Takeru shook his head as if burdened by fate itself, sighing at her stiff expression.
"People don't want to believe a genius like me can't become a captain."
"People are more willing to believe I became a captain in just half a year."
"People especially want to believe I should be able to become a captain in half a year."
"So there's nothing remarkable about it. I simply did what I was supposed to do."
"…Pfft!"
Ichigo finally broke. Tears streamed down his face as he pointed at Rukia, laughing so hard his shoulders shook.
"This guy even bet with me that you'd get transferred to the First Division as a Third Seat for a while… Oh, and I almost forgot. When I went to help the Thirteenth Division before, this guy ordered me around and said that if I joined the Thirteenth Division, I'd start as a seated officer too."
"The day I reported, her expression looked like she'd seen a ghost. I really regret not taking a picture with my denreishinki. I would've shown it to you for sure, Takeru."
"Ichigo, you…!"
Rukia trembled with anger, face flushed, fists clenched like she might actually punch him.
"Ahem."
Ichigo immediately stopped laughing and cleared his throat.
"Kuchiki Third Seat, please watch your attitude."
"…Vice Captain Kurosaki, may I ask if you can handle your squad duties by yourself today?"
Rukia's cold laugh made Ichigo's face freeze solid.
His gloating finally bounced back onto Takeru's face.
Although he had gained experience in the First Division, Ukitake's poor health meant Ichigo had to shoulder the captain's workload on top of his vice captain responsibilities.
To put it simply, he wrote a report, placed it in a folder, and carried it to the office. In the past, that folder would be submitted to the captain for approval. Now he sat down, pulled the report out, and signed his own name.
Like Kira and Shuhei, he was essentially an acting captain.
But there was one key difference.
Ichigo's strength was undeniable to everyone. He met the basic requirements to become a captain.
So in the eyes of the Thirteenth Division squad members, and even other divisions, he was no different from the Thirteenth Division captain except for the title itself.
Ukitake was more like a retired senior who remained in the squad as an advisor.
Perhaps it was a preview of the future.
In any case, Ukitake was content.
But for Ichigo, who held two positions, it was a completely different reality.
Two positions meant a workload that was no joke. He did not even have time to train.
To avoid dampening the young man's enthusiasm, the normally gentle and dependable Ukitake not only continued to let his right hand men, Third Seat Kiyone Kotetsu and Third Seat Sentaro Kotsubaki, assist Ichigo.
He also specifically promoted Rukia to Third Seat.
Three Third Seats, serving as Ichigo's deputies.
One of them was even an acquaintance.
Ukitake's intentions were profound. It was also a way to compensate for the debt he owed Rukia.
Rukia herself possessed considerable strength. Becoming a seated officer was inevitable. It was only because of Byakuya that she had not been given important roles before.
With three deputies, Ichigo's life finally became easier. He only needed to handle the captain's work. The vice captain portion was handed over to Rukia, and the remaining tasks were split to the other two Third Seats.
A mature team had already taken shape. Once the initial adjustment period passed, the transfer of authority could happen at any time.
That said, in the current early stage, with Ichigo still new to the job, he depended heavily on Rukia's help.
To be blunt, for reports that contained blind spots in his understanding, without a senior squad member who had risen through the ranks, without Kuchiki Third Seat breaking things down for him, he would not even dare to sign his name.
Seeing Ichigo's stiff expression, Rukia finally let out a breath, satisfied.
"Do you understand now why I was waiting for you here?" she said, then glared again. "It's one thing for Takeru to be arrogant, but you dared to be arrogant in front of me too!"
"Huh?"
"Ahem." Rukia straightened, then turned toward Takeru with a formal expression. "My apologies, Captain Shimiya. If there's nothing else, I will take this idiot vice captain back to work."
"Oh. Good luck," Takeru replied brightly.
Ichigo's face darkened.
"You're a captain now too. Don't think it'll be easy." He grumbled at Takeru. "This job is way more troublesome than doing external duty with the First Division."
"If I can't hold on, I can still ask Captain Ukitake for help. You won't be so lucky."
"Indeed," Takeru said, agreeing far too deeply.
"This job isn't for just anyone, but… people who know my combat record from external missions don't want to believe I'd be bad at being a captain."
"People are more willing to…"
"Let's go, Rukia!"
Without waiting for Takeru to finish, Ichigo grabbed Rukia and bolted, refusing to look back.
"Huh? Oh, alright…" Rukia blinked, then managed a quick parting look over her shoulder. "Then, Takeru, we'll be leaving now."
Takeru watched them go, unbothered. Then he calmly turned and called out.
"Then let's head back too, Hisagi."
"Yes, Captain."
From the shadow of a nearby street corner emerged a lean, capable man.
Shuhei Hisagi, vice captain of the Ninth Division.
Like Rukia, he had been waiting outside since the meeting ended. He had not interrupted his captain's conversation.
"There's no need to be so formal," Takeru said as they started walking. "I prefer to earn respect and the courtesy that comes with it, rather than receiving humble deference like someone just ran into nobility."
The mention of nobility made Shuhei immediately understand the point. His stiffness eased.
"I understand, Captain."
This time, the word captain sounded far more natural.
"Notify the squad members to assemble in the barracks," Takeru ordered. "I have something to tell them."
"Yes!"
Shuhei immediately pulled out his denreishinki and began sending messages to the other seated officers.
Watching his thumb press buttons nonstop, Takeru thought of something and added another instruction.
"When we get back, tell Captain Kurotsuchi to develop an online multiperson communication function. Put each division member's contact number into a dedicated discussion group. That would make everything much more convenient."
"Hiss… that's a good idea!"
Takeru nearly said that chat software in the World of the Living was already extremely advanced, then paused.
He remembered the era.
The World of the Living was still in the early 2000s.
Thinking about it that way, things that would become common in the next twenty years really did sound advanced right now.
If the Ninth Division leveraged that properly, they would never lack funds in the future.
Still, compared to future funds, and compared to earning praise from his subordinates, what Takeru valued more was the return brought by the machine soul.
.....
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