Chapter Eleven: The Expedition Ends, Returning to the Rift

Chapter Eleven: The End of the Expedition, Return from the Rift

“Vice-Captain Shūhei, get some rest early!”

“Mm, you go ahead first, Renji.”

“Yes! Then… I won’t disturb you any longer.”

…

Inside the camp of the Hueco Mundo expedition team, within Shūhei Hisagi’s tent, he wearily returned to his quarters after fending off a wave of Hollow attacks. The one who had just spoken was Renji Abarai, whom Hisagi had saved.

“Who’s there?” Hisagi, slightly fatigued, lay on his bed and suddenly gripped his Zanpakutō, asking.

“It’s me!” A voice entered with footsteps.

Seeing the visitor, Hisagi sighed in relief. “My main body, you’ve made me suffer these decades without returning! If not for the spiritual power recovery potion, I couldn’t have held on.”

“Thank you for your hard work! Rest well!” Hisagi smiled at the tired reflection before him.

“Mm! I’ll leave the rest to you.” With that, Hisagi’s split dispersed into smoke.

“Sigh.” He sighed softly, donned the captain’s haori, and lay back on the bed, recalling the battle from a month ago…

“Intertwined lightning! Construct the cage of sins in the void! Absolute judgment! Transform into the Thunderclap Hall and descend eternally upon the other side! Suppress all sinners! The endless Thunderclap Hall!” As the incantation was chanted, the Thunderclap Hall exploded fiercely, transforming into countless lightning chains that surged toward Barragan, Stark, and Aaroniero. Then, space was shattered, and they vanished from the spot.

Closing his eyes, Hisagi slowly processed the memories of two decades of expedition—twenty years, a long time for ordinary people, but a fleeting moment for Shinigami…

Hmm! Recently, I saved that fellow Renji Abarai. Interesting! The one who will eventually replace me as Sixth Division’s vice-captain… quite intriguing…

Ah, Aizen and the others have also returned recently. Looks like the expedition is coming to an end…

“Kid, are you there?” A voice sounded outside the tent.

“Captain Hitsugaya? Please, come in!” Hearing the voice, Hisagi lay on the bed and replied. After that incident, apart from Byakuya Kuchiki, all others were addressed by their official titles.

“What’s wrong, kid? Are you exhausted from the fight?” Hitsugaya stepped in and saw Hisagi motionless on the bed.

“Yes, I truly feel that the slaughter of these twenty years has worn me out.” Hisagi remained still on the bed.

“Hey! You’re not sick, right? Don’t talk nonsense! Huh? No fever either?” Hitsugaya couldn’t resist teasing him.

“I said, have you had enough? Hurry up and tell me what’s the matter! I’m annoyed!” Hisagi pushed away the hand on his forehead, a bit irritated.

“...” After a moment’s thought, Hitsugaya subtly loosened his grip and said, “The Soul Society has ordered that the front lines in Hueco Mundo are temporarily stable, so the five captains stationed there have returned… But since Hueco Mundo is enemy territory, to prevent accidents during withdrawal, Aizen and the other three of us discussed it, and decided that one captain will remain behind to coordinate with the expedition force. After the other four captains leave, that remaining captain will return to the Living World via the rift…” When mentioning the Living World, Hitsugaya’s eyes flickered with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation…

“…Go and tell them. I’ll stay. All five of you captains return. Anything else?” Hisagi looked at Hitsugaya and understood—he was worried about Ichigo. After a brief silence, he spoke.

Hearing Hisagi’s words, Hitsugaya sighed softly in relief. According to regulations, he, as the leader of the Xingu Army Brigade, would stay as backup. But if he really had to go to the Living World, how would he face that person… However, when Hisagi finally said everyone else should leave, Hitsugaya clenched his fists and called out, “Shūhei Hisagi!”

“What is it…”

“You…” Looking at Hisagi, Hitsugaya fell into deep thought… This feeling was the same as when that person abandoned him before… No, it’s enough! The person he admired is gone. This friend must be held onto no matter what!

“Shūhei Hisagi! Enough is enough! I don’t want to see that expression on your face anymore! Today, let’s speak plainly…” Hitsugaya spoke passionately.

“…” Surprised yet somewhat understanding, Hisagi listened to Hitsugaya’s sudden confrontation. After all these years, it must have been difficult for her.

Stepping closer, Hitsugaya shouted, “Shūhei Hisagi! I know what happened with Hayate hit you hard, but you must understand—Hayate wasn’t your only friend! He died a long time ago! It’s about time you let him go!”

“…” Seeing Hitsugaya’s expression, Hisagi knew she still thought he blamed himself for killing Hayate… Maybe at first, but guilt alone changes nothing. What I must do is avenge Hayate’s death…

“…I no longer blame myself for Hayate’s death. I only need to avenge him. After all, that shameless uncle took care of me when I was a child…” This remark left Hitsugaya puzzled.

“…Thank you for worrying about me these years. I’m sorry to treat you this way. But some things I can’t let you know, yet I have to do…” Hisagi closed his eyes, lying on the bed.

“? You don’t mean…” Hitsugaya looked up at Hisagi, fear flashing momentarily in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, I won’t betray the Soul Society! It’s just that some things I must do without telling you…” Seeing her expression, Hisagi knew she was misunderstanding and quickly sat up.

“…” After a long silence, their eyes met quietly. Finally, Hitsugaya sighed, saying, “As the leader of the Xingu Army Brigade, charged with protecting the Soul Society, even though you promised not to betray it, I probably shouldn’t trust your word alone and should have arrested and interrogated you…”

“And then?” Hisagi didn’t show anger at Hitsugaya’s words, only smiled quietly at her.

“But as a friend, I choose to trust you once…”

“Then it’s settled. Keep this secret for me…”

One night passed.

The next day, before the dimensional gate.

“Hitsugaya, brother, go back and tell… never mind, it only takes a few hours. I’ll go back and say it myself…” Standing outside the portal, Hisagi smiled hesitantly and paused.

“Is that… your sister?” Hitsugaya said softly.

“…” Byakuya Kuchiki.

“Ah… I remember I left without saying goodbye to her when I came. I was avoiding it. So this time, I have many apologies to make…” Thinking of his cowardice in facing Rukia’s gaze after Hayate’s death, Hisagi self-mocked and then spoke.

At that moment, Aizen approached holding two bracelets each implanted with a blue diamond-shaped spirit crystal.

“Here, without Captain Nii’s skills, opening the rift may cause some backflow. To prevent getting lost inside the rift, better take these spirit stones first…”

“Oh, thank you!”

“Well then, time’s almost up. Captain Hitsugaya, Captain Kuchiki, let’s go… The rest is up to Vice-Captain Hisagi…” Aizen smiled politely to Hitsugaya and Kuchiki. Yet none noticed the deep meaning behind the lenses.

“Alright, we’ll go ahead… Let’s set up a meeting point in Soul Society’s Rukongai to celebrate…” Hitsugaya said as they approached the portal.

“Be careful…” Kuchiki warned.

“Got it. See you later!”

…

After safely escorting Kuchiki, Hitsugaya, Aizen, Tousen Kaname, Gin Ichimaru, and the vice-captains back with the expedition army, two hours later, Sui-Feng received a message from the Soul Society. Turning to Hisagi, she said, “They’ve arrived! Vice-Captain Hisagi, thank you for your defense. We’re preparing the portal for your return to the Living World…”

“Ah, thank you…”

After a moment, the portal was ready. Casting one last look at the Hueco Mundo where he had lived for twenty years, Hisagi inhaled deeply and approached the portal, saying to Sui-Feng, “Then, I bid farewell… Thank you for everything over the years…”

“No, it’s us who should say that…” Sui-Feng smiled warmly and scratched her head. “Safe travels…”

“Thank you for your good wishes.” With a faint smile, unlike Kuchiki and the others who entered the Soul Society’s portal, Hisagi stepped into the pitch-black rift. After laying a stable, broad spiritual path beneath his feet, he vanished into the darkness of the rift…

…

[ Soul Society ]

“Oh my, I’m first! Is there no reward?” Gin Ichimaru grinned cheerfully as he stepped into the long-unseen Seireitei, where all the captains and lieutenants of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, led by Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, awaited at the portal to welcome the returning heroes of the expedition…

“How about a duel with me as a reward, Gin Ichimaru?” Kenpachi Zaraki grinned, stepping forward. The 8,000-ryu on his back chuckled, “Little Kenpachi! Beat that fox spirit Gin Ichimaru properly!”

“Li…Little Gin? Oh my, 8,000-ryu, you’re still petty, holding a grudge about me stealing your dried persimmons? Only children are petty! Lieutenant 8,000-ryu, be magnanimous and let me go…” Gin said helplessly.

“Hmph.” The little loli 8,000-ryu snorted arrogantly.

“Are those the five captains and lieutenants who went on the Hueco Mundo expedition over twenty years ago?” Among the captains was a strange white-haired youth wearing the Tenth Division haori, looking at Gin, Tousen, Aizen, Hitsugaya, and Kuchiki—who had returned in succession.

“Ah, Captain Hitsugaya, this is your first time meeting these captains, right? Don’t worry, they’re all easy to get along with… Ahem…” Ukitake coughed and suddenly noticed Rukia in his division, her face filled with worry as she looked around. “Don’t worry… Vice-Captain Hisagi is only staying behind to guard; he’ll be back soon… You should think about what you want to say to him when you see him later!”

“I…” Rukia opened her mouth but was conflicted and hopeful at the thought of seeing her brother after more than twenty years. She knew he had no choice but to kill Hayate to save her, yet she still resented him. Perhaps back then she just needed someone to vent on, and her brother became that outlet…

P.S.: What a beautifully tragic story! The next chapter will be the conclusion of this book… cough, I just mistyped before!