Watching the three figures gradually recover beneath the glow of healing Kidō, the tense expressions on the Visoreds' faces finally eased.
As long as there was no danger to their lives, everything else could be dealt with.
The Shinigami medical system was highly advanced—lost arms or shattered bones were hardly a problem.
After all, the current head of the Research and Development Institute, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, had practically rebuilt his entire body.
Heart replacements, organ swaps—those were routine procedures to him.
The Institute could even repair damaged Zanpakutō.
As for unconventional injuries or strange conditions, handing them over to the Research and Development Institute was usually a guaranteed solution.
Of course, if any side effects appeared afterward, that was another matter entirely.
That was why, unless absolutely necessary, Gotei 13 officers would never willingly entrust themselves to that place.
Under the effects of healing Kidō, Hirako Shinji and the others gradually regained consciousness.
The moment Muguruma Kensei woke up, his body instinctively shifted into a combat stance—
—but when he realized that the one treating him was Shimo, his expression stiffened slightly.
He hadn't forgotten what had happened before he lost consciousness.
A single chantless Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi had completely stripped him of his ability to fight.
That level of power alone was enough to earn his respect.
Even though Kensei hadn't Hollowfied, nor released his Zanpakutō, seeing the other two companions in equally miserable condition made him feel… marginally better.
Kensei let out a sigh.
"How long was I out?"
Hirako tilted his chin up, blinking, that familiar unsettling grin spreading across his face.
"Less than two minutes, give or take."
Beside them, Aikawa Love calmly added,
"More precisely—one minute and ten seconds."
His Hollowfication could only last for less than three minutes, so his sense of timing during battle was extremely precise.
All things considered—including the delay caused by Kensei—the three of them hadn't even managed to last two full minutes.
For three former captains, now members of the Visored, that realization was… demoralizing.
But facts were facts.
No amount of frustration could change them.
"If I had the choice," Kensei muttered bitterly, "I'd rather have died."
Losing wasn't the issue.
But three people failing to last even two minutes against a single opponent—
That was humiliating.
It felt as though the pride he had accumulated over centuries had been thrown to the ground and stomped on without mercy.
That feeling was impossible to describe.
"…Um, Captain Shimo."
Hirako suddenly remembered their original purpose.
"Weren't we supposed to invite you here to discuss cooperation?"
Getting beaten senseless right after extending an invitation was… difficult to accept emotionally.
Shimo nodded, smiling lightly.
"Cooperation isn't a problem."
"Among current captains, your strength is solidly mid-tier."
"As for the specifics, I'll discuss them with Captain-Commander Yamamoto once I return."
Hirako finally let out a breath of relief.
Despite their lingering resentment toward Soul Society's past judgment, and despite some among the Visored still opposing cooperation—
Hirako had forcibly suppressed those objections using his position as the group's core.
Because according to the intelligence he had gathered—
If the Visored did not cooperate with Soul Society, they would inevitably lose the coming war between the two worlds.
Those bizarre Hollows—along with evolved Menos—had gained explosive increases in both raw power and combat efficiency.
Their frenzied fighting style and insatiable hunger for souls were enough to make even Hirako uneasy.
"Oh, right. There's something else I should tell you."
Shimo suddenly recalled Urahara Kisuke's research.
Hirako blinked.
"Please go ahead, Captain Shimo."
Shimo's tone grew more serious.
"Some Hollows are undergoing abnormal evolutionary changes."
"You've noticed it too, haven't you?"
He glanced around.
No one looked surprised.
"That's exactly why we reached out to Soul Society," Yadomaru Lisa said as she stepped forward, her expression grave.
"Our preliminary investigations show that those berserk Hollows are at least three times stronger than normal ones."
"We haven't encountered Menos yet, though."
Shimo nodded in understanding.
Menos were constantly monitored by the Research and Development Institute.
The moment one appeared in the Human World, the Third, Fifth, and Thirteenth Divisions would be notified to eliminate it—sometimes even the Eleventh would be deployed.
The Visored avoided direct contact with Soul Society, so they naturally lacked detailed intelligence on Menos activity.
"I can tell you this for certain," Shimo said calmly.
"Menos are experiencing the same—threefold or greater increase."
"And the Arrancar as well."
"What I'm about to tell you is directly related to these mutated Hollows."
He then relayed Urahara's research findings in full.
"In short, Hueco Mundo's overall combat strength has likely more than doubled."
"And their battlefield performance has improved drastically."
"So… this really is becoming a full-scale war between two worlds?"
"Doesn't matter how many Hollows there are—just kill them all!"
"—No. Plan first, then act."
The Visored began arguing among themselves.
"Hirako," Shimo asked, turning toward him,
"What do you think?"
Hirako fell silent for a moment, then answered solemnly:
"Take the initiative."
The room fell dead quiet.
A light breeze swept through the underground space, stirring dust and pebbles.
The Visored stared at Hirako in disbelief.
Smack!
A flying sandal struck Hirako square in the face.
The red mark that hadn't yet faded instantly deepened.
"Hirako, you idiot—have you lost your mind?!"
Hiyori shouted.
"That's the enemy's home base!"
"If we go there, we could all die!"
Hirako removed the sandal from his face and rubbed his cheek calmly.
"Waiting for them to invade us is worse."
"From the current signs, it's obvious Aizen is still gathering his forces."
"Soul modification doesn't happen overnight."
He analyzed coldly.
"If we give them enough time to prepare…"
"Then annihilation is the only outcome."
At those words, everyone except Shimo and Nel turned pale.
They had defined Aizen as their enemy and devoted everything to opposing him—
Yet now it seemed that even dealing with his subordinates might be beyond them.
"Hirako's reasoning is sound," Lisa said coolly.
"That's why we hope you'll relay our stance."
Even Hiyori fell silent.
The gravity of the situation was undeniable.
Shimo nodded.
"I understand."
"As for taking the initiative…"
He hesitated briefly, then spoke honestly.
"That decision ultimately lies with Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"Though judging by his character, he'll likely approve."
Given the pressure from Central 46, the desire to erase Soul Society's disgrace, and Aizen's looming threat—
All signs pointed toward a shift in Yamamoto's stance.
The collective death of the previous Central 46 had left the current council deeply paranoid.
As long as Aizen remained alive, they would never feel at ease.
Two centuries of deception, false convictions, and the defection of three captains—
All of it had become one of Soul Society's greatest humiliations.
Though Yamamoto had softened over time, some things remained unchanged.
Hirako exhaled slowly.
After that "difficult" battle, his trust in Shimo had increased considerably.
In his view, someone with Shimo's strength had no need to deceive them.
"Then… thank you, Captain Shimo."
Hirako lowered his head slightly.
Shimo nodded in approval.
Now that's the attitude of someone seeking cooperation.
Not like a certain short-tempered troublemaker who kept glaring at people like she wanted to kill them.
Afterward, Lisa asked Shimo several questions about Kyōraku Shunsui.
Shimo answered honestly.
As the former lieutenant of the Eighth Division, Lisa still held deep respect for Shunsui—
Even if he had always been unreliable.
...
...
Outside the Visored base—
Shimo tapped the air lightly, and a Senkaimon opened before them.
Turning back, he addressed Hirako and the others:
"The next time we meet… it may be on the battlefield."
"Make sure you're alive by then."
The group froze.
Just as Hiyori was about to explode, Shimo took Nel's hand and stepped straight through the gate.
"Tch. What an irritating guy."
Kensei finally relaxed once Shimo was gone.
Hirako stared at the space where the Senkaimon had vanished, his gaze deep.
"Captain Shimo… is a very dangerous man."
Hiyori snorted.
"Dangerous? I just think his personality sucks."
"Same type as Urahara Kisuke!"
The others exchanged strange looks.
Is there really anyone with a worse personality than you?
---
Inside the Senkaimon.
As Nel followed beside him, Shimo thought quietly.
The Visored weren't much to him personally—
But as soldiers, they were extremely useful against Arrancar and Espada.
After Hollowfication, their reiatsu multiplied severalfold.
They were… acceptable.
"Nel," Shimo asked, "What do you think of the Visored?"
She lowered her gaze, thinking carefully.
After a moment, she answered softly:
"Mediocre."
Shimo fell silent.
Wow. Zero mercy.
Coming from an Arrancar, Nel had every reason to be confident.
With her full power restored, reclaiming a seat among the Espada was inevitable.
"…It's true," Shimo sighed.
"But maybe don't say that to their faces."
"They're allies now."
Nel blinked, then nodded obediently.
"Okay. I'll listen to you."
Soon, the Senkaimon carried them back to Soul Society.
Since they had departed from the First Division, they reappeared at its gate as well.
After greeting the guards, Shimo headed straight for the Captain-Commander's quarters.
Yamamoto was waiting.
"You've done well, Captain Shimo."
Yamamoto remained courteous, even after receiving reports that half a city had been destroyed.
"Captain-Commander," Shimo nodded respectfully.
"You're already aware of the situation in the World of the Living, I presume?"
His gaze flicked toward the intelligence files on the desk.
Yamamoto nodded, his voice grave.
"The severity far exceeds my expectations."
"In that case," Shimo said evenly,
"I have a proposal."
Yamamoto looked up in surprise.
"What proposal?"
Shimo took a breath, then spoke clearly—
"March on Hueco Mundo."
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