Go with Yoruichi?
Was she really inviting her?
"Haah…"
Soi Fon's breathing grew heavier.
Why didn't she take her away a hundred years ago?
Soi Fon had asked herself that question for a century.
Since the day Yoruichi left, it had haunted her.
But now…
It no longer mattered.
This time, Yoruichi was the one reaching out to her.
Soi Fon raised her eyes, dazedly staring at Yoruichi's face.
Her lips parted slightly. The words "I do" lingered at the tip of her tongue.
But.
"Captain!"
A loud, honest voice echoed in the distance.
…Omaeda?
That voice jolted Soi Fon back to her senses.
She quickly broke free from Yoruichi's embrace, her expression turning serious.
She straightened up and declared, "I am the current Captain of the Second Division. There's absolutely no way I can leave with you."
However—
As she said this, a hint of loss welled up inside her.
But…
Her subordinates were nearby. She couldn't afford to show weakness.
Soi Fon sheathed her Zanpakutō, lifted her chin, crossed her arms, and said coldly, "I'll act like I never saw you. I won't bring you back to the Seireitei... but—"
"The next time we meet, I won't hold back."
With a soft scoff, she turned and walked away.
Yoruichi didn't stop her. Instead, she offered one last piece of advice.
"You'd best not explore any deeper into Hell."
Soi Fon paused briefly, then left in silence.
Yoruichi exhaled softly.
"Soi Fon…"
"You've grown."
She could tell Soi Fon still wanted to leave with her.
But she refused…
Because of her responsibilities.
Yoruichi's gaze followed her until she saw the Second Division members gathering around their captain.
She chuckled.
"She's more responsible than I ever was."
Back then, Yoruichi had abandoned everything. She'd left without a word, even forsaking her own squad.
No wonder Soi Fon still held a grudge.
This was fine.
For now, she gave up on recruiting Soi Fon.
But—
"We'll meet again," she whispered.
Lynn had shared some of Hell's upcoming plans with her.
Like Soul Society, Hell would soon begin the extradition of souls from the human world.
That would shatter the balance between the three realms.
There was no way the Court of Pure Souls would accept it.
Which meant...
Hell and Soul Society would inevitably clash.
That was the part giving her a headache.
She was born and raised in Soul Society.
Even if she had left, it wasn't like she didn't care.
If not for knowing about Aizen's plans, she would never have defected.
But now, she had no choice.
She stood on the other side.
Still, there had to be a way.
A balance had to be found.
No need for unnecessary conflict.
Yoruichi's eyes sharpened with determination.
She gave Soi Fon one last look and turned to leave.
---
Far off in the distance.
Omaeda scratched his head. "Captain, did something good happen?"
"…?"
Soi Fon glanced back. "What are you talking about?"
"Well…"
"You're smiling."
Smiling?
Soi Fon blinked and instinctively glanced in the direction Yoruichi had gone.
But—
Yoruichi was already gone.
Soi Fon quickly pursed her lips and said flatly, "You're seeing things."
"Huh?"
"But I just—"
Bam!
"Oww!"
Omaeda yelped as Soi Fon smacked him hard on the head.
Expressionless, she repeated, "I said, you're seeing things."
Omaeda winced and muttered, "But she was definitely smiling…"
"…?"
Soi Fon let out a nasal sound.
Omaeda froze.
"R-right! I didn't see anything! You weren't smiling!"
Soi Fon: "…"
She rubbed her forehead.
"…Idiot."
Then, she cast a glance at her squad, who had been watching the entire thing unfold.
Startled, they tensed up immediately.
Satisfied, Soi Fon snorted, "Let's return to Soul Society."
"Huh?"
The Second Division members were surprised.
"We're not going deeper?"
Soi Fon hesitated briefly, recalling Yoruichi's warning.
"No need. I already have a rough understanding."
Someone was definitely behind this chaos.
Since that was the case.
There was no need to probe further.
But...
That man who left with Yoruichi…
Isn't he still in Hell?
Soi Fon's gaze turned icy at the thought.
Her hand clenched around her Zanpakutō.
Thankfully, she restrained herself.
After taking a few deep breaths, she temporarily let go of her plan to kill Urahara Kisuke.
Before long, Soi Fon's team left.
Silence returned.
Except…
The fifth level of Hell was in ruins and undergoing restoration.
---
Time passed slowly.
A few days later.
Hueco Mundo.
Kikyo and the group found a high vantage point, overlooking a distant cluster of buildings.
After days of wandering, they had confirmed that Hueco Mundo was largely barren.
But...
That massive structure ahead.
It was bizarre no matter how you looked at it.
"Midoriko, the bad guy is in there!"
Nelliel puffed her cheeks and pointed toward Las Noches, visibly angry.
Midoriko reached out and rubbed her face.
Then she glanced at the building. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
That must be the Las Noches mentioned in their intel, right?
They had been heading toward it for days.
Still, even with that goal, it had taken time.
Mainly because they had been focusing on leveling up along the way.
And also because Hueco Mundo was absurdly large.
Of course.
If they moved at full speed, it wouldn't have taken that long.
Kikyo asked, "How does it look?"
Midoriko paused and then answered, "I can sense several strong spiritual signatures. Most likely, Ultimate-Class beings."
Kikyo sighed. "Then with our current strength, we'd be no match for them."
"Yeah."
Midoriko nodded.
She was the only Ultimate-Class among them.
"Let's level up first," she decided.
Watching their decision unfold from the screen, Lynn touched his chin.
After some thought, Lynn contacted Katerea via the group chat.
She was wasting her strength just sitting around.
Might as well use her as a beast of burden.
And while at it.
Lynn asked her to bring Ingvild along.
That girl had slept for a hundred years.
Zero combat experience.
Immense power, but clueless on how to use it.
That wouldn't do.
Ultimate-Class devils were going to be the main force for interdimensional invasion in the future.
They needed real combat experience.
---
At the same time.
Ai Enma sent a message.
The passage between Hell and the human world had stabilized.
And—
The first city was...
Karakura Town.
(To be continued.)