As the captains and vice-captains of the Expeditionary Force dispersed across Hueco Mundo, searching for the cause of the abnormal Adjuchas-class spiritual pressure fluctuations, the Seireitei was abuzz with urgency.
With intelligence reports streaming back from the Expeditionary Force, a captains' meeting was promptly convened to discuss countermeasures.
As expected, the prevailing attitude among the captains closely mirrored Aizen's assessment.
No matter the circumstances, the Gotei 13's foremost duty had always been the defense of the Seireitei—a responsibility that justified any cost.
Thus, upon confirming the mass disappearance of Adjuchas, and the looming threat of a large-scale Hollow invasion, the Seireitei immediately entered a state of emergency. Every Shinigami was ordered to carry their Zanpakutō at all times and remain ready for combat.
Despite concerns over the safety of the Expeditionary Force, which included three captain-class and five vice-captain-class Shinigami, captains such as Soi Fon, Unohana Retsu, and Kuchiki Byakuya firmly advocated for preparing reinforcements to support the team.
However, these proposals were swiftly and decisively shut down by the Central 46 and Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, who deemed that all available forces must be reserved for Seireitei's defense. There were no spare combat units to be dispatched to Hueco Mundo.
Similarly, the suggestion to recall the Expeditionary Force was also rejected by the Central 46 and Yamamoto, who argued that keeping them in Hueco Mundo would serve as a strategic deterrent.
Once the captains' meeting concluded, a portion of the official orders was promptly disseminated to the divisions.
---
Within the Fourth Division, the moment the orders arrived, Risa and Isane, who had been handling vice-captain duties in Makoto's absence, received the directives.
Without hesitation, the two immediately rushed toward Unohana's private courtyard.
Inside Unohana's quarters, they found the graceful captain, as serene and composed as ever, quietly sipping tea.
"Captain Unohana—"
Before they could even finish presenting the order documents, Unohana gently raised a hand, cutting them off with a soft gesture, signaling them to sit.
Then, she spoke. "You're both here because you're worried about Makoto, aren't you?"
Risa and Isane instinctively nodded, their expressions betraying undisguised anxiety.
The official orders merely outlined the potential threat of a large-scale Adjuchas invasion and instructed all divisions to remain in a heightened state of readiness.
If the Seireitei itself was at risk of such an attack, then what kind of peril awaited the Expeditionary Force in Hueco Mundo?
Yet, what unsettled them the most was that the orders contained no mention of reinforcements—nor any indication that more Shinigami would be dispatched to support the Expeditionary Force.
Unohana seemed to read their thoughts. Her gaze lowered slightly as she spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"The Seireitei has no plans to send reinforcements to the Expeditionary Force. Nor has any order been given to recall them."
For a moment, both Risa and Isane stiffened, their faces paling in shock.
"Then… then what about Vice-Captain Senju?" Risa blurted. "Are they just abandoning him there?"
"No way! Captain Unohana, we must find a way to bring Vice-captain Senju back!" Isane's voice was resolute.
Unohana lifted her gaze slightly, taking in their frantic expressions. A hint of playfulness crept into her otherwise gentle tone.
"Oh my? So your only concern is Makoto? You wish to bring him back to the Seireitei? But the Expeditionary Force consists of over a thousand Shinigami, including three captains. And yet… you're not worried about them?"
She paused briefly before adding with a soft sigh, "Makoto truly is well-loved, isn't he?"
"Even in the captains' meeting, Soi Fon openly defied Head Captain Yamamoto to demand reinforcements. And now… you two are just as adamant."
Risa and Isane flushed red. Only then did they realize how overwhelmed by emotion they had been. Their reaction had far exceeded the level of concern a subordinate should have for a vice-captain—and had even begun to show discontent with the Seireitei's decision.
Even so, Makoto's safety remained their top priority. They would not back down. They sat there, determined, refusing to leave.
Unohana quietly took a sip of her tea, her expression unreadable.
'Makoto… Just how many people have you secretly won over in the Seireitei without me noticing?'
Her lips curved slightly as a thought formed in her mind.
Then, in her usual gentle tone, she reassured them, "There's no need to worry. The Expeditionary Force is not currently in grave danger. Makoto has remained at their camp, and the Twelfth Division can open a direct Garganta to their location at any time."
Risa and Isane visibly relaxed upon hearing this.
Of course, Unohana's calm demeanor was largely due to her confidence in Makoto's abilities.
Even putting aside the mysterious abilities of his Zanpakutō, which even she hadn't fully grasped—his raw swordsmanship alone placed him at an exceptional level.
There was little chance that a mere swarm of Adjuchas could pose any real threat to Makoto.
'Besides… Makoto made a promise to return to me. And he is not the kind of man who breaks his word.'
As she thought this, Unohana's eyes drifted slightly toward a certain ikebana—one she had carefully placed within her line of sight while drinking tea.
A floral composition titled "The Forest and the Spiraea."
The spiraea blossoms remained as vibrant as ever, surrounded by lush greenery.
Since Makoto's departure for Hueco Mundo, Unohana's routine had subtly changed.
Though she outwardly remained unaffected, she no longer wandered to scenic tea spots as she once did. Instead, she chose to sit here, before this very flower, every single day.
'Still… Hueco Mundo is such a barren, lifeless place. He must be so out of his element. I wonder if he's already grown bored of it all?'
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
For the first time, Unohana found herself keenly aware of the passage of time—as if it were moving slower than usual.
A strange sensation. An unfamiliar feeling.
Perhaps it was simply that, with Makoto so far away, the world around her had suddenly started to feel… distant.
---
Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo…
Deep within a hidden cave, Makoto's boisterous laughter echoed endlessly through the darkness…
=======================
Consider joining me on P@treon For 50+ Advance Chapters:
P@treon: p@treon.com/JustaPasserby