After the Captains' meeting concluded, Okikiba Genshirō released the news of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's reinstatement under Yamamoto's name.
Because Sasakibe Chōjirō was bedridden, his duties were handed over to the Third Seat, Okikiba Genshirō.
He was also a dedicated and responsible old man who had followed Yamamoto for many years. He had even trained under the Genryū style.
When this news spread, it immediately caused a massive uproar within the Seireitei.
Many squad members were eager to participate, preparing to head to Squad One to sign up for the rescue operation.
If Naraku Sora hadn't stepped forward back then to forcefully control the Gagaku Kairyū that covered the entire Seireitei, more than half of the Soul Reapers would have likely perished within it.
It was safe to say that he was the hero who had saved everyone.
He should have been enjoying the reverence of the squad members right now, but due to the despicable actions of Hueco Mundo, this hero's whereabouts were currently unknown.
Almost everyone was holding in a breath of frustration, wishing they could charge into Hueco Mundo right then and there to rescue Lord Naraku.
Unfortunately, the Seireitei was currently in a state of reconstruction, making it impossible to spare too much manpower. Furthermore, the Captains were either heavily injured or completely bedridden. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.
Fortunately, with Squad Four's exquisite medical skills and the lite version of the Hell hot springs, this situation did not last for long.
At the same time, Central 46 also received this news. That very night, they issued a secret order summoning Head Captain Yamamoto.
The Underground Assembly Hall.
Yamamoto stood in the center of the hall as usual, both hands resting on his walking stick, calmly looking up at the high and mighty sages and judges.
A question came from behind the second curtain. "Head Captain Yamamoto, we hear that you plan to reinstate the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force?"
Yamamoto nodded impassively.
"But shouldn't this matter have been discussed with us first?"
"No matter what, Central 46 is the highest law enforcement agency in the Soul Society."
The voice behind the third curtain sounded somewhat anxious and particularly rushed.
Hearing this, Yamamoto frowned. A barely perceptible spark of fire flashed through his pupils. "Do you all disagree with this matter?"
"..."
Although the sages had recovered quite a bit of their courage recently, facing the Head Captain who had just recently unleashed his divine might and burned countless enemies to death, they couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated.
This was despite the fact that, many years ago, they had arrogantly and severely reprimanded this very Head Captain on more than one occasion.
"It's not that we disagree."
The voice behind the first curtain carried a gentle tone, attempting to ease the tense atmosphere.
"It's just that the Seireitei has just suffered an attack from Hell. Coupled with the depletion of our active forces, we are worried that dispatching too many Captains at once will put us in danger."
"Yes, exactly."
"Head Captain Yamamoto, please reconsider. Do not place the Seireitei in danger due to a moment of impulse."
"If the Gates of Hell were to appear again, it's highly likely that everything would be destroyed."
Watching these high and mighty individuals talk over one another to protect their own interests, a trace of irritation welled up in Yamamoto's heart.
What he had worked so hard to protect was not this bunch of useless trash who only knew how to hide during critical moments, only to jump out and point fingers once it was safe.
If his own disciple hadn't stepped forward, it would be a question whether these people could even still be sitting here.
And now they wanted to stop the deployment of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. Truly...
Yamamoto shook his head. "Everyone..."
"There are some things I do not wish to spell out, but if you insist on acting this way, then I wouldn't mind replacing you with a more obedient batch of Central 46."
"Previously, my thinking was too pedantic. I thought that by selecting a group of people, the Seireitei could develop stably."
"In the beginning, you did indeed do very well."
"But as time passed, you gradually became blinded by power, thinking only of seizing benefits."
"I have repeatedly tolerated the things you've done over the years, all for the sake of that hard-won stability."
"..."
*Thud!*
The walking stick struck the ground heavily, emitting a heart-trembling sound.
The massive Underground Assembly Hall fell dead silent as the sages stared in horror at the old man standing in the center.
In all these years, it was their first time seeing Yamamoto speak with such an attitude.
Furthermore, his fierce words were completely unheard of.
"I can't be bothered to say anything more."
Yamamoto's cold gaze swept over the crowd.
"I'll be blunt. The Togabito of Hell are immortal and indestructible entities. If what happened before occurs again, I cannot guarantee your safety."
"Sora is the only person who can stop Kuruyashiki."
"Therefore, conduct yourselves accordingly."
With that said, Yamamoto turned and left, not giving Central 46 the slightest chance to speak again.
Watching his figure walk toward the sunlight, the sages looked at each other in dismay. The massive hall remained silent for a long time.
Early the next morning.
Okikiba Genshirō headed to the Captain's office with the finalized list.
On the desk sat long-cold tea and a few pastries. Yamamoto was focused on handling squad duties.
Rebuilding the Seireitei was an extremely tedious task. Aside from the cooperation required from all the squads, as the Head Captain, he also had to resolve various unexpected situations.
Taking the list, Yamamoto merely gave it a brief glance before being stunned by the densely packed names on it.
"..."
"Everyone signed up?"
Okikiba Genshirō nodded and said in a deep voice, "Head Captain, to be honest, I was already frightened by the Captains' enthusiasm when I was registering them."
"All the high-ranking seated officers, regardless of whether they are injured or not, have signed up for this rescue operation."
"Lord Naraku's status in the hearts of the squad members is far higher than I imagined."
Yamamoto fell silent for a moment, then took out his brush and began to make annotations.
Heading to Hueco Mundo was no child's play; the slightest carelessness could result in death.
Any Soul Reaper unsuited for group battles was not approved, such as Hirako Shinji and Kyōraku Shunsui.
Although their Zanpakutō were powerful, they would affect their teammates, and a single moment of inattention could lead to a total team wipe.
The first-generation Captains were also unsuitable.
Without the power provided by Hell, their strength was somewhat weaker than when they were alive. Furthermore, if they died, it was highly likely they would be dragged back to Hell again.
Considering all aspects, it was safer for them to remain in the Soul Society.
Those with average strength were also a no-go.
Danger ran rampant in Hueco Mundo. Ordinary Soul Reapers would struggle to deal with even lower-level Menos Grande, the Gillian, let alone the higher-level Menos.
After checking and crossing out names for quite a while, Yamamoto finally confirmed the final list.
However, right at that moment, a sneaky figure appeared near the office.
He looked left and right, and only after confirming there were no other eyes or ears nearby did he tiptoe into the room.
Seeing the newcomer, Yamamoto paused for a moment. He couldn't help but feel that this guy's movements looked exactly like that rebellious disciple who had been abducted by Hueco Mundo.
He furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "Third Seat Urahara, what are you doing here?"
Urahara Kisuke piled on a smile and hurried over to the desk in a few quick steps. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed Okikiba Genshirō standing nearby.
Thus, he forcefully swallowed the words that had reached the tip of his tongue.
Seeing this behavior, the corner of Yamamoto's eye twitched, and a sense of foreboding suddenly arose in his heart.
No matter how he looked at it, this guy's demeanor felt incredibly familiar.
If he hadn't confirmed that the other party's Reiatsu was indeed Urahara Kisuke's, he would have drawn his sword and slashed at him.
"Genshirō, you may leave first."
"Yes, sir."
Okikiba Genshirō's personality was different from Sasakibe Chōjirō's. When it came to Yamamoto's orders, he never questioned whether they were right or wrong; he merely executed them firmly.
Soon, only the two of them remained in the office.
Seeing the man leave, Urahara Kisuke once again piled on that familiar smile.
"Old Man Yama—ahem, Head Captain Yamamoto, Lord Naraku asked me to bring you a message."
"?"
Yamamoto suspected that either he was getting old and his ears were failing him, or the Urahara Kisuke in front of him had researched so much that he had completely lost his mind.
Why was he suddenly spouting nonsense out of nowhere?
"Third Seat Urahara, are you in your right mind?"
Urahara Kisuke: "?"
"Head Captain Yamamoto, I am perfectly lucid. It really was Lord Naraku who asked me to bring a message."
"What message?"
"Has the list for the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force been finalized?"
"It's right here."
Urahara Kisuke skillfully took the list, glanced at the names on it, thought for a few seconds, and then added a few more back on.
For example, Hirako Shinji and Kyōraku Shunsui.
He also added the names of a few Lieutenants, while simultaneously crossing out Unohana Retsu's name.
"Lord Naraku said that you don't need to worry about this rescue operation."
"Furthermore, he's having a great time over in Hueco Mundo. He's in no immediate danger, so there's no need to worry about him either."
Yamamoto's brows furrowed tightly as he stared dead at the Urahara Kisuke in front of him. It wasn't until cold sweat began to continuously bead on the other party's forehead that he finally shifted his gaze, refocusing his attention on the list.
"Is that all?"
Urahara Kisuke nodded.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, looking him up and down before putting the list away.
"Since there's nothing else, you may leave."
"I still have other squad duties to attend to."
Urahara Kisuke turned to leave, but before he could even take a step, he suddenly heard the sound of something being thrown from behind. He instinctively reached out and caught it.
He found that it was merely a warm roasted sweet potato.
"Your reward for passing on the message. Now get lost."
Urahara Kisuke didn't mind at all. He simply tucked it into his robes and left the squad barracks.
Watching that retreating figure, Yamamoto pondered for a few seconds. He then tossed aside the work at hand and instead placed Ryūjin Jakka into the tea stove.
Watching the rising aroma of the tea, he let out a soft chuckle.
"Hmph, at least he has a bit of a conscience."
Walking all the way to a secluded corner far from the squad barracks, "Urahara Kisuke" confirmed that there was no one around before directly reaching out and forcefully tearing open a Garganta.
He stepped into the Dangai.
A crescent moon hung high in the sky, and a sea of silver sand stretched endlessly.
A majestic palace stood amidst the boundless desert, resembling a fortress of war, exuding an aura that warned the living to stay away.
"Flashy Pink Pineapple, for what reason have you summoned this King?"
A Garganta tore open, and a figure stepped out from within, arriving in front of Szayelaporro.
"Naturally, it is a matter of great importance."
Seeing the person he wanted to meet, Szayelaporro grinned, his smile appearing exceptionally loyal.
"Your Majesty should remember, right? I have always been researching a project that is incredibly important to me."
Naraku Sora thought for a few seconds before realization dawned on him.
"I have some impression of it. Something about becoming a perfect lifeform?"
Szayelaporro nodded with a solemn expression.
It was truly gratifying that King Naraku could remember his affairs.
"So, what does this have to do with me?"
"You aren't expecting me to help you with your research, are you?"
Although Naraku Sora often boasted of his world-shocking intellect, that was in other areas. When it came to specialized fields, it was better to leave it to the professionals.
Szayelaporro nodded and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I want you to help me train."
Naraku Sora: "?"