Bleach [54-57] (Patreon)

Chapter 54: Reshaping "White," Favorability Soars

There's always been controversy over exactly when the Hōgyoku was implanted into Rukia Kuchiki.

It now appears the second view was correct.

Kisuke Urahara implanted the Hōgyoku into Rukia Kuchiki much earlier.

If Rukia Kuchiki is already over one hundred and ten years old, the implantation might even have happened while she was still alive in the Human World.

Simply put, Hollow White very likely sensed the Hōgyoku inside Rukia Kuchiki, then chose to "transfer" and "merge" with it.

Yoshio couldn't help looking at Aizen.

What would Aizen do?

"That's the Hōgyoku created by Mr. Urahara, right? Is Mr. Aizen planning to extract it?"

Aizen looked at Yoshio and calmly shook his head.

"No hurry."

He gazed at the image of Rukia and said softly, "Aren't you curious what will happen to 'White' after it encounters the Hōgyoku?"

"Mr. Urahara is bold, putting the Hōgyoku right under Captain Aizen's nose, inside the Seireitei."

"In a sense, that's hiding in plain sight, isn't it?"

Kisuke Urahara was exiled to the Human World, so everyone would search the Human World for him and the Hōgyoku, yet he chose to stash something so important in the Soul Society, outside his pursuers' line of sight.

You should know, even if Kisuke Urahara has informants in the Soul Society, they're mainly in the West 6th District of the Rukongai.

But Rukia Kuchiki often appears in South Rukongai, which is also far from Urahara's sphere of influence.

Under normal circumstances, no one would expect Urahara to do this.

"And what about 'White'?" Yoshio asked softly. "Is it fine to just use him on Rukia Kuchiki?"

He was a bit worried—without Hollow White, who would bring Shiba Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki together?

Kurosaki Ichigo can't not exist. If he doesn't appear, is Yoshio supposed to save this world?

Forget it—he has no interest in being a savior.

One difference between the Shinigami world and others is that the protagonist isn't especially crucial to plot progression.

Without Kurosaki Ichigo, Aizen would still execute Rukia Kuchiki to extract the Hōgyoku.

Without Kurosaki Ichigo, after seizing the Hōgyoku, Aizen would still declare war on the Soul Society.

Without Kurosaki Ichigo, Yhwach would still grow within the Wandenreich.

Without Kurosaki Ichigo, the Thousand-Year Blood War would still erupt.

But...

The difference is, without Kurosaki Ichigo, Aizen and Yhwach's plans would succeed, and the Soul Society would fall.

So Yoshio truly hopes Ichigo won't be absent. If he is, does Yoshio have to protect the Soul Society? Fight?

Forget it—he has no interest in being a doctor either. Exhausting! Scraping by is enough.

Besides, when does killing monsters ever end?

After Aizen comes Yhwach; after Yhwach comes Hell. If you're invincible, your enemies eventually descend from the heavens.

Battle never ends—leave that to Kurosaki Ichigo.

Hearing Yoshio's words, Aizen frowned.

To be honest, his research on Hollow White had only just begun.

Hollow White is the first—and so far only—Hollow created from a Shinigami's soul, so naturally there's much to study.

But his frown quickly smoothed out.

"Then we'll just make another."

"After all..."

"It's a consumable."

Based on the data Aizen currently has, even without the [The Animals] provided by Yoshio, he's confident he can create another "White."

It's only a matter of time.

Seeing Aizen so confident, Yoshio nodded as well. With Aizen's ability, recreating Hollow White isn't impossible.

"However, I suppose the Seireitei won't be very peaceful next?" Yoshio asked.

"Just a trifle," Aizen said calmly. "For now, pay more attention to Rukia Kuchiki."

"Mm."

Yoshio nodded.

He stayed in the lab for a while longer, then went home.

…

The next day, he didn't go to the Fifth Division, but headed straight to the Fourth.

Upon arrival, Yoshio entered Jūshirō Ukitake's ward and found Kyōraku Shunsui inside.

Seeing Yoshio enter, Jūshirō Ukitake coughed twice and said, "Thanks this time, Yoshio-kun. If not for you, Kaien, Rukia, and I would probably all have died at that Hollow's hands."

Kyōraku Shunsui also looked over and couldn't help saying, "I didn't expect such a dangerous incident last night—thanks to you, Yoshio."

I don't believe you two!

Ukitake's better—his favorability shot straight up to sixty-six. But you, Kyōraku Shunsui, only jumped from fifty to fifty-five.

Is this what a seasoned schemer looks like?

Forget it—at least it went up.

Victory is within sight; one day, I'll break through your emotional defenses.

Can I reach eighty?

It will.

Yoshio said a bit sheepishly, "Actually, it was mainly Captain Ukitake and Lieutenant Shiba who drained that Hollow's physical and mental strength. Otherwise it wouldn't have fled so decisively."

"It's a pity I'm still too weak and couldn't kill it."

"Don't say that. I heard from Kaien that you and the Kaido saved his and Rukia's lives."

"Where is Lieutenant Shiba? I heard from Hanatarō he's already been discharged?"

When Yoshio arrived, he'd seen Hanatarō and learned from him that Shiba Kaien had already left the Fourth Division.

"...He told me he wants to go to Hueco Mundo," Ukitake said after a moment's silence. "He wants to search Hueco Mundo for that strange Hollow."

"..."

Yoshio also fell silent.

How dangerous is it for a Shinigami to go to Hueco Mundo?

"You agreed?"

"...How could I... refuse?" Jūshirō Ukitake said softly. "I couldn't refuse Kaien's request, so..."

"I'll report this to the Captain-Commander."

"Though I'm not very close with Lieutenant Shiba, we've fought side by side. If this is approved, please inform me before he departs so I can see him off."

"Of course." Ukitake nodded.

Only then did Yoshio say, "Alright, I won't disturb Captain Ukitake's rest. I'll go check on Rukia."

"Mm, go on."

After Yoshio stepped out, he suddenly saw Kuchiki Byakuya coming out of Rukia's room.

Kuchiki Byakuya saw Yoshio as well. Although he appeared indifferent, Yoshio could see his favorability toward him...

Already at 72!

Chapter 55: The Team Entering Hueco Mundo

Look, look, look!

Look at them!

Didn't I save her?

After I saved his sister, the brother's favorability shot from single digits to over seventy in an instant!

Now look at you two old-timers: one's been stuck below sixty forever; the other, even after I saved his life, only went up a little over sixty.

Heh, old folks are really hard to please these days.

Even though Kuchiki Byakuya's favorability toward Yoshio reached seventy-two, he still maintained a stern facade and didn't say a word, just coldly walked past him.

Tsk.

Yoshio didn't say anything either; after all, the most substantive benefit—the favorability—was already in his hands.

He muttered under his breath and headed for Rukia's ward.

Rukia was still unconscious.

"Hanatarō."

Just as Yoshio was about to enter, he saw Yamada Hanatarō walking from the other end of the corridor.

He went up to him and asked, "How's Rukia now?"

He'd met Hanatarō before when visiting Shuhei at the Fourth, and after a few encounters, he and Hanatarō were on familiar terms.

Otherwise, the favorability wouldn't be over sixty.

And Hanatarō's favorability is relatively easy to raise—Yoshio hadn't been to the Fourth many times and hadn't spent much time with Hanatarō, yet it still went up.

"Miss Kuchiki, she..."

Hanatarō still seemed a bit nervous around Yoshio. He said, "It's strange—her body's fine, but she hasn't woken up. The Captain suspects her spirit has been shocked and injured."

"Probably her first time seeing such a brutal battle," Yoshio offered as an explanation for Rukia.

"That's possible."

"Can I go in and see Rukia?"

"Well... in theory, yes," Yamada said, then hurriedly added, "But Captain Kuchiki just stopped by and said unrelated personnel shouldn't disturb Miss Kuchiki's rest."

"Oh? Captain Kuchiki cares a lot about Rukia."

"Yes, they're siblings." Hanatarō clearly didn't grasp the internal Kuchiki Clan dynamics and simply assumed they were siblings.

In fact, most people think so. Not many understand the Kuchiki Clan's internal situation; even Renji, who later becomes a Lieutenant, didn't really know how Rukia and Byakuya get along within the family.

Yoshio naturally wouldn't elaborate.

"Forget it. Since Captain Kuchiki said so, I won't disturb Rukia's rest."

Yoshio continued, "Have you eaten? I got up too early and haven't had breakfast yet."

"Ah, yes," Yamada said quickly.

"That's a shame. I was just about to invite you out for a bite."

"How about you take me with you?"

Suddenly, Kyōraku Shunsui's voice came from behind.

"Captain Kyōraku?" Yoshio turned and, seeing Kyōraku, asked curiously, "Weren't you with Captain Ukitake?"

"Ukitake just needs rest now; there's nothing for me to do there," Kyōraku said. "I haven't had breakfast."

"Alright, let's go grab something."

Yoshio rubbed his stomach.

…

Outside the Fourth, they found a bun shop.

Yoshio ordered two baskets of buns, one meat and one veggie.

"Wow, you can really eat," Shunsui said in surprise.

"If you're not proactive about eating, your thinking's got issues," Yoshio said, popping a bun into his mouth. "Besides, I just went through a big fight last night—I need the calories."

"That being the case..."

Shunsui looked at Yoshio and said softly, "I've basically heard everything from Ukitake about last night."

"That Hollow... why did it attack Rukia Kuchiki?"

"..." Yoshio chewed his bun, a bit puzzled as well. "Maybe because Rukia was the weakest?"

"I don't know if Captain Ukitake told you—this Hollow is very strange, unlike any we've seen before."

"Its intellect is high. If not for the spiritual pressure it emits clearly being that of a Menos Grande, just from the way it fights, I'd even think it's... a Shinigami."

"...Ukitake mentioned that as well," Shunsui said. "Last night, the Captains convened an emergency meeting to discuss this."

"Huh?" Yoshio was surprised. "There was a Captains' meeting last night? How did I not know!"

"We wanted to bring you to ask a few questions, but Captain Aizen said, 'Lieutenant Yoshio just went through a battle and is too tired, he needs rest,' so we didn't bring you."

"In any case, you and Ukitake already briefed Captain Retsu Unohana on the basics, so it wasn't absolutely necessary for you to be present as a firsthand witness."

"Captain Aizen is so considerate," Yoshio sighed. "It's a great honor to serve as Lieutenant of the Fifth Division."

Shunsui chuckled. "Aizen is indeed an excellent Captain; otherwise I'd be trying to poach you to the Eighth."

"Forget it, I'm a Lieutenant in the Fifth. If I came to your Eighth, would you let me take Nanao's place?" Yoshio muttered, then added:

"Let's talk business. What did the divisions decide to do about that Menos Grande?"

"No resolution yet," Shunsui said. "However, a Hueco Mundo expedition is likely, especially given Lieutenant Shiba's strong request."

"Going to fight in Hueco Mundo..." Yoshio frowned. "That's not our turf."

"Yes, very dangerous—so it's still under discussion," Shunsui said. "But I think it's likely to pass."

"If there's a dispatch team, who would be on it?" Yoshio asked.

This was what he really cared about.

He hoped they wouldn't send him somewhere like Hueco Mundo.

There are tons of people in the Soul Society whose favorability he still needs to raise—why go to Hueco Mundo?

He'll go eventually, but only after Aizen has dealt with Las Noches and established order.

Hueco Mundo right now isn't fit for a dog!

In any case, Yoshio absolutely won't go.

"Besides Lieutenant Shiba, probably people from the Eleventh Division," Shunsui speculated.

Yoshio secretly sighed in relief. Eleventh Division is fine—those berserkers love fighting, let them go.

After finishing breakfast with Shunsui, he returned from District 4 to the Fifth and started the workday.

Five minutes after sitting down in the office, Renji hurried in.

"Lieutenant Yoshio!"

Renji burst in and asked, "Rukia—she's okay, right?"

Chapter 56: Mercy and Reassignment

"Renji."

Yoshio sighed, looking at Renji's anxious face, and couldn't help saying, "Why don't you go see for yourself?"

"I..." Renji paused, his face flushing. "I... I'm just an ordinary Shinigami. Rukia's of noble birth. Before I can speak to her as an equal—before I become strong enough—I'll let Rukia live with her family."

Renji knows Rukia appears carefree on the surface but cares deeply about family. Now that she finally has one, he absolutely mustn't disrupt her life.

Yoshio felt helpless about his thinking. He'd actually tried to persuade Renji that the Kuchiki Clan isn't as scary as he imagines. Who says an ordinary Shinigami can't talk to a member of the Kuchiki Clan?

But...

Renji insists on facing Rukia as an equal, which means he needs at least Lieutenant level before seeing her.

So Yoshio stopped trying to convince him. Everyone has their own ideas.

He could only answer, "Rukia isn't physically injured; it's probably some kind of psychic trauma, so she hasn't woken up yet."

"But with the Fourth Division's Kaido, she should recover soon."

"That's good." Renji exhaled. "Thank you, Lieutenant Yoshio. I heard you were the one who carried Rukia and the others back in the end."

"I should be ashamed. I still couldn't do anything to that Hollow."

"Lieutenant Yoshio, I heard there's a Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team being formed—is that true?" Renji suddenly asked.

"..." Yoshio froze for a moment, then smiled. "You really are well-informed—even I only learned that not long ago."

"Hinamori told me," Renji said. "So it's true?"

Yoshio nodded.

"I..." Renji's gaze gradually firmed, and he said solemnly, "Can I join that squad?!"

"Hm?" Yoshio frowned, puzzled. "Why do you want that?"

"I... I want to grow stronger. If I fight in Hueco Mundo, I think I'll improve faster," Renji said. "And I want to avenge Rukia!"

"Do you know how hard and dangerous it is to find one specific Hollow in Hueco Mundo?"

Yoshio couldn't help saying, "You might search for a hundred years and still never find it. And Hueco Mundo is rife with danger—before you find that Hollow, you might get ambushed and killed by some other Menos Grande."

"I know, but even so, I still want to try."

Seeing the determination in Renji's eyes, Yoshio could no longer stop him from his own "suicidal" choice.

Forget it, forget it...

"I can mention it to Captain Aizen. Whether it works depends on his decision."

"Thank you!" Renji said, delighted.

"Alright, off you go. I'll go see Captain Aizen in a bit."

"Thanks..." Renji thanked Yoshio again and left.

Yoshio didn't dwell on it.

He already got Renji's Souls Ability, anyway.

He used work time to finish next week's The Thousand-Year Blood War novel. The Seireitei Communication is a weekly serial—meaning Yoshio only needs to update one chapter per week.

He took the finished manuscript to Aizen to look over first.

Yoshio had thought Aizen only liked those obscure "papers," but to his surprise, he was actually interested in Yoshio's novel.

Sitting opposite Aizen, Yoshio propped an arm on the desk and rested his head on his hand.

Aizen read for a long time, and Yoshio couldn't help yawning.

"That's all?"

Aizen said with a trace of regret.

This chapter's update ends with the Straw Hat Pirates defeating Arlong and setting sail with their companions.

To keep the Seireitei vibe, Yoshio couldn't copy One Piece outright or it would never pass review.

First, names had to match the "Seireitei" style, so he named the protagonist "Akagi Gamma." Second, the setting isn't entirely aimless.

Up to now, everything takes place in the Rukongai, then after passing through District 80 of East Rukongai, they continue east into the sea.

Yoshio defined that sea as the Quincy Sea, a refuge for the Quincy defeated by the Shinigami a thousand years ago.

"Captain Aizen, you think writing novels is easy?" Yoshio grimaced. "It's mentally exhausting, you know?"

"By the way, about the upcoming Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team—Captain Aizen, do you know who's on it?"

"Didn't you already hear from Kyōraku?"

"As expected of Captain Aizen—nothing gets past you," Yoshio flattered, then said, "Then you must also know about Renji, right?"

"Abarai-kun..."

Aizen's glasses seemed to flash as he murmured, "I've already decided to transfer him to the Eleventh Division."

"Yeah, Abarai's different from Kira and Hinamori—he's not easy to handle."

"Alright, I'll tell him it's settled. Transfer him to the Eleventh and send him with those guys as part of the dispatch to Hueco Mundo."

Yoshio chuckled. "They could search for a thousand years in Hueco Mundo and still not find the target."

He walked out; Renji, having noticed Yoshio had gone into the Captain's office earlier, was already waiting outside.

Yoshio made an OK gesture and said, "Relax, I've spoken with Captain Aizen. But you'll need to transfer to the Eleventh first."

"In that case, we'll be in different squads."

"Hmm?" Hinamori beside them was surprised and quickly asked, "Abarai is transferring divisions?"

"I..."

Renji hesitated for a moment, but soon his eyes turned resolute.

"I'm willing to transfer!"

"Good. I think the dispatch team will be formed soon." Yoshio walked over, patted Renji's shoulder, and said, "I hope you can find that Hollow in Hueco Mundo, and then..."

"Return in triumph."

"Don't worry, Senior Yoshio." Renji smiled as well. "When I return, I'll make you see me in a new light!"

Chapter 57: The Dispatch Team

The Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team was assembled only a month later than planned.

Led by Lieutenant Shiba Kaien, it consisted of the 3rd Seat, the 5th Seat, the 11th Seat of Squad Nine, the 15th Seat, the Eleventh Division's 18th to 20th seated officers, and hundreds of Shinigami troopers.

Yes, there are twenty seats in total, but after the 10th Seat, they're essentially just slightly stronger-than-average Shinigami troopers—low-ranking seats with usually very little presence.

They haven't even developed Souls Abilities—hence Yoshio ignored them.

Going to Hueco Mundo is extremely difficult, because Shinigami rarely enter it from the Soul Society, and they don't have the innate ability to freely traverse the Three Realms.

Shinigami must use the Senkaimon to exit and enter the Three Realms; it's relatively easy to target the Human World, but locating Hueco Mundo is harder.

Therefore, a special Senkaimon to Hueco Mundo had to be constructed, a task naturally falling to the Twelfth Division.

By the time the "Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team" was assembled, the "Senkaimon" was also complete.

Before departure, Jūshirō Ukitake notified Yoshio.

Yoshio went to the Shiba Clan estate.

The Shiba Clan is one of the Soul Society's Five Great Noble Families, but among them, the Shiba are ostracized—or rather, the weakest of the five.

It's said that the Tsunayashiro Clan, head of the Five Great Noble Families, leads the ostracism against the Shiba, which is why the Shiba have declined.

Even so, the Shiba estate still has considerable grandeur. It's far from the level of the Kuchiki or Tsunayashiro estates, but it still shows a prestigious lineage.

"Yoshio, you're here!"

Shiba Kaien was happy to see Yoshio—after all, Yoshio had saved their lives.

Shiba Kaien is a sentimental man: treat him well, and he'll repay you tenfold.

He's a bit similar to Kurosaki Ichigo; the two look almost identical, and their manners are somewhat alike.

This highlights Tsukishima Shūkurō's significance, being the only antagonist to force out that version of Ichigo.

Yoshio admits he can't do that, which is why he can't be the protagonist—he's not gentle enough.

Shiba Kaien's favorability toward him had already reached seventy-nine, meaning he'd soon permanently obtain Shiba Kaien's ["Appearance Mimicry."]

Tonight—the time should come.

"Lieutenant Yoshio..."

Besides Shiba Kaien, there were two others in the Shiba estate.

Shiba Kūkaku and Ganju Shiba—Kaien's younger sister and brother.

Yoshio saw that Shiba Kūkaku's Souls Ability was ["Fireworks Artificer,"] and Ganju Shiba's was ["Grind."]

["Fireworks Artificer: can turn objects into dazzling fireworks, or into powerful bombs."]

["Grind: causes an object to undergo abrasive grinding."]

Both skills are quite good—the Fireworks Artificer is essentially bomb-making, and the scatter effect can serve as an attack method, enriching Yoshio's combat options.

But what he wants most right now is Shiba Kaien's [Appearance Mimicry]—he's just one step away from acquiring it permanently.

However, Shiba Isshin wasn't present; Isshin is their uncle, but he clearly doesn't live with them.

If he's not here, then so be it; he's not the reason for this visit anyway.

"How's the preparation going?"

Yoshio asked, "You're heading to a place like Hueco Mundo next."

"Of course I'm ready," Shiba Kaien said gravely. "I've been waiting a month!"

"Ah, I hope you find him smoothly and return safe. One of my subordinates also volunteered to join the dispatch team—if possible, please keep an eye on him."

"Hm? Not from the Eleventh?" Kaien was startled.

"Yes, so my subordinate decided to transfer to the Eleventh. His name is Abarai Renji, a very talented young man."

"And he's a friend of Rukia's."

"Rukia, huh..." Kaien fell silent for a moment, then sat at the table with Yoshio and said, "After Rukia woke up, she didn't return to the Thirteenth Division. I wonder how she's doing now."

Rukia Kuchiki was unconscious in the Fourth for about a week. A week later, she woke and was taken away by the Kuchiki Clan, and hasn't returned to the Thirteenth since.

They say she's recuperating with the Kuchiki Clan, and will only rejoin the squad once they confirm she's fine.

"The Kuchiki Clan is a famous noble house—they won't fail to protect their own young lady," Yoshio said with a smile.

Then he looked out.

"Ah, Captain Ukitake is here too."

Today was a reunion of those who fought Hollow White; although Rukia wasn't present, she wasn't really a fighting force against Hollow White anyway.

Ukitake was the last to be discharged from the Fourth. His health was already fragile, and the battle caused a relapse; he was even skewered through the chest by Hollow White.

Even if the external wounds healed, his chronic illness couldn't quickly mend.

His sickness can't be cured, only managed. After returning from the Fourth, he'd been recuperating at the Thirteenth Division.

He'd only just begun to feel a bit better now.

"Captain Ukitake..."

The two went out to meet him. Ukitake's face was still a little pale—clearly not fully recovered.

After they sat, Yoshio took the cup from Ukitake's hand.

"Captain Ukitake, if you want to drink, wait until your injuries have healed."

Ukitake froze for a moment, then smiled wryly. "You're right; I'm not like Kyōraku."

Unlike the booze-loving Kyōraku Shunsui, Ukitake doesn't love or hate alcohol—he only sips occasionally.

By contrast, Shiba Kaien is more freewheeling, and with his wife having just passed away, he's in deep grief, needing alcohol to numb himself.

"As for your journey to Hueco Mundo, there's not much I can do to help."

The three sat around a small table; though they were at the Shiba estate, Jūshirō Ukitake still took the head seat.

He looked at Shiba Kaien and said, "I only hope you don't let hatred blind you. If it becomes impossible, don't force it. The Thirteenth Division will always be your home."

"...Mm!" Shiba Kaien nodded heavily.

"Captain, don't underestimate me."

"Hueco Mundo is actually a place where one can improve quickly. When I return, I might just give you a surprise."