"We've arrived," said Hisagi suddenly.
Arata looked up at the massive gate standing in the middle of the desert, surrounded by dozens of members from the Department of Technological Development maintaining the passage.
"Everyone, attention!"
Amagai Shusuke, who was walking at the head of the column, suddenly raised his voice.
"Proceed through the gate by units! The wounded first! Students of the Shinō Spiritual Academy, follow the Fourth Division!"
The unit began to move in orderly formation.
Arata lay on the stretcher as medics from the Fourth Division carried him through the gate.
After he safely passed through the black cavity, a blinding light struck his eyes, and the familiar sensation of spiritual particles belonging to the Soul Society hit his face.
Finally home.
In Seireitei, on Sōkyoku Hill, the light from the gate slowly faded.
As soon as the last expedition member exited the passage, the shinigami from the Department of Technological Development quickly closed the gate connecting Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood at the front, leaning on his wooden staff, and behind him stood his two fine students, Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, as well as support from various divisions.
Captain Yamamoto swept a gentle gaze over everyone, his voice calm and firm.
"Welcome back, all members of the expedition."
"All captains and lieutenants remain, all other soldiers and students of the Shinō Spiritual Academy disperse to their units."
"The wounded will be taken to the Fourth Division barracks for further treatment."
"Statistics and rewards for the final exam will be announced in a week."
At the captain's command, the massive crowd began to disperse.
Arata was among the wounded and felt countless gazes falling upon him.
Some were full of admiration, some curious, and some investigative.
Arata didn't know that his incredible performance in Hueco Mundo had already been reported to the Soul Society by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and that he had gone from an anonymous sixth-year student to a star everyone was talking about.
A return to the familiar Fourth Division.
Since Unohana Retsu and Kotetsu Isane were retained by the Head Captain, the responsibility for managing affairs in the division temporarily fell to Iemura Yasochika.
"Hanatarō, take this Saito-san to the treatment room. Don't make any mistakes."
"Okay, okay!"
Arata really didn't expect that Yamada Hanatarō would be the one to take care of him this time.
That short, slightly withdrawn and shy boy was the future Seventh Officer of the Fourth Division, the one who would one day help Ichigo and the others evade the Soul Society's pursuit.
Only now, long before the events of the original story, Hanatarō was still just a lowly Twelfth Officer.
Although Arata actually didn't need any serious treatment, it wasn't a bad thing to rest for a few days in the Fourth Division.
After all, in the past few months since he received the system, he had trained and fought intensely nearly every day; it could be said he hadn't had a moment to relax or be lazy.
…
In the spacious conference hall of the First Division barracks.
Captain Yamamoto stood at the front, and behind him stood the First Division's lieutenant, Sasakibe Chōjirō.
On both sides stood the captains and lieutenants of all divisions.
At the very end stood the commander of this expedition, Amagai Shusuke.
"Captain Amagai, begin your report," said Captain Yamamoto in a deep voice.
Although he had already learned the basic information about the expedition from Kurotsuchi Mayuri, he still had to hear Amagai's report for the details.
Amagai Shusuke took a deep breath and opened the folder in his hands.
"Head Captain, this expedition to Hueco Mundo lasted five days and involved 586 shinigami, including 128 students from the Shinō Spiritual Academy…"
As his report progressed, the atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly heavy.
When they heard the part "22 dead, of which 10 were students," several captains furrowed their brows.
"The casualties are far more serious than we expected," said Ukitake Jūshirō with a light cough, concern visible on his face.
He had been a captain for a long time and knew well the data from previous Hueco Mundo expeditions.
Even in the expedition with the highest death toll, just over sixty shinigami had died.
But that number referred to an expedition that lasted a full month.
The circumstances of this expedition were special, 22 deaths in just five days.
If that rate were extended to a full month, the number of dead would likely exceed a hundred.
Amagai Shusuke wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued under the pressure of all the captains' gazes: "Although the casualties exceeded expectations, the performance of one student… was truly astonishing!"
"We're talking about the student who participated in the expedition as a graduate — Saito Arata. Not only did he defeat large groups of Gillians without much difficulty, but…"
"He even killed three Adjuchas on his own, and the only price he paid was a serious injury!"
The conference room instantly fell silent.
"Three Adjuchas?" A spark of surprise flickered across the face of the Sixth Division Captain, Kuchiki Byakuya. "Captain Amagai, are you sure you're not joking?"
"Indeed, even I wouldn't think of such words in my wildest dreams," added Komamura Sajin from the Seventh Division.
"Captains, what I say is the absolute truth," said Amagai Shusuke seriously. "Captains Unohana, Soi-Fong, and I personally found the traces of the battle, and Saito-san himself confirmed the fact."
Kyōraku Shunsui pulled his hat down lower over his eyes to hide the surprised expression on his face.
"This really is… a surprise."
"What is Saito-san's current condition?" asked Ukitake with concern.
"He's out of life-threatening danger," Unohana Retsu replied calmly, but her palms unconsciously clenched. "However, the enemy's poison has still done some damage to his body, so he'll need some time to recover."
Captain Yamamoto thought for a moment, his face showing no particular surprise. "Such a performance is truly outstanding. What are your thoughts on it?"
"An absolute genius!" Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, suddenly spoke, his eyes sparkling with excitement beneath his golden mask. "No, the word 'genius' doesn't even describe his talent. 'Monster' would be a more appropriate word."
"Head Captain, I suggest we transfer him to the Twelfth Division for further research—"
"Captain Kurotsuchi!" Unohana Retsu's voice suddenly rose, which was rare. "Please don't so lightly use students of the Shinō Spiritual Academy as experimental material for your Twelfth Division."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri shrugged, completely unbothered. "I was only joking. But…" He cast Unohana a meaningful glance. "Captain Unohana, it seems you're giving Saito-san special attention."
The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became tense.
"Ahem." Kyōraku Shunsui broke the silence at the right moment. "Anyway, a genius like Saito truly deserves special attention. I remember the last person who showed similar results before graduation was—"
"Lieutenant Captain Gin Ichimaru," Soi-Fong cut in coldly, turning her gaze toward where the Fifth Division stood.
Gin Ichimaru paused for a moment when he heard himself mentioned, then smiled like a venomous snake. "Oh, Captain Soi-Fong, you flatter me. Although I was an exceptional student who graduated early, even I was never able to kill three Adjuchas on my own."
"Alright." Captain Yamamoto tapped his staff on the floor, ending the discussion. "We will discuss the placement of Saito Arata after he recovers."
"There are currently two more matters."
"First, the return of former expedition member Ashida Kanō to the Soul Society."
"Second, the reform of teaching at the Shinō Spiritual Academy."
———
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