The Nohara Household.
The underground space.
An extra person had joined the originally scheduled group: Rukia.
She was standing behind Byakuya.
"Rukia, why are you here too?"
Rukia was a member of the Thirteenth Division and was not included in the planned combat roster.
Before Rukia could answer, Byakuya explained, "The Sixth Division is short on manpower, so I temporarily borrowed Rukia from Captain Ukitake."
Shin nodded, though he thought otherwise.
Rukia probably insisted on coming herself. That Tsundere siscon, Byakuya, might not show it, but he dotes on her fiercely.
'Unlike me. I just get straight to the doting.'
Just as he was thinking this, Yoruichi arrived, bringing Ichigo and the others.
"Brother!"
Nel leaped toward him from a distance, the eyes of her mask shining gold, and slammed into Shin's embrace.
Shin stroked Nel's head. Nel was too clingy.
Mayuri stared at Nel with great interest. "Nohara-san, this is the Arrancar?"
Clearly, a Vasto Lorde-class Menos was quite appealing to him.
Shin nodded. "Yes."
Nel burrowed deeper into Shino's arms. The sudden appearance of so many Shinigami frightened her, especially the one standing before her, who clearly looked like trouble.
Shin glanced around, noticing that Uryū hadn't arrived.
"Where is Ishida? Yoruichi, did you notify him?"
Of course, the more people the better. Besides the Espada, there are still many other Arrancar.
"Yes, I notified him."
Yoruichi had already discussed the details of the operation with Ichigo and the others in the Human World.
Shin checked his phone, they were still a few minutes away from the scheduled departure time.
Ichigo and the others were already chatting with the assembled Shinigami.
"Rukia, why are you here?"
Ichigo's last memory of her was when they parted, so he was surprised to see her present.
"I recovered my Shinigami powers ages ago. Since you and Renji are going, of course I have to go too." Rukia gave him a punch without hesitation.
"Hey, Ichigo, after this is over, we need to have a proper fight, and so does our Captain." Ikkaku came up and threw an arm around his shoulder.
Ichigo's lips twitched.
Being targeted by these warmongers left him helpless.
A figure descended the stairs. It was Uryū, who had been absent for quite some time. He had recovered his Quincy powers under the training of his father.
"Ishida, you finally showed up." Ichigo stepped forward to greet him.
"I am only here to repay Nohara-san's life-saving grace." Uryū adjusted his glasses, omitting any mention of the agreement he had made with his father.
Uryū and Chad had been injured and poisoned during their previous fight with Mayuri. Without Shin, they would likely have perished right there.
"Since everyone is here, let's depart now."
The group grandly entered the Garganta, landing in Hueco Mundo.
"This is Hueco Mundo? The Reishi density is so high."
"It's so desolate."
The Shinigami who were visiting Hueco Mundo for the first time were all astonished.
The Reishi concentration in Hueco Mundo is higher than in both Soul Society and the Human World, allowing both Shinigami and Quincy to rapidly enhance their abilities here.
"Is that it? Las Noches!"
Zaraki looked at the massive white palace in the distance, extremely excited.
"Yes, that's right."
Shin looked at the group. "Next, I will outline our battle plan."
"Captain Unohana, you will lead a team to establish a base in the rear, providing logistics and medical support."
"Inoue, you will stay with Captain Unohana."
Both nodded, indicating they understood.
"Everyone else, charge straight in."
???
Everyone was dumbfounded by Shin's simple and brutal battle plan.
But one person was an exception.
"Hahahaha, that suits me perfectly."
Clearly, this plan was exactly what Zaraki wanted.
Ichigo asked, "Nohara, is that really going to work?"
Shin stated confidently, "It's not a big problem. Aizen will definitely reserve some forces to attack the Human World, so he won't send everyone to surround us."
He silently added in his mind, 'If he tries to surround us, I'll just go up there and hit them with a Tenpa Jōsai.'
"In fact, we can't use sneak attacks anyway. The entirety of Las Noches is under Aizen's strict surveillance. No matter where we launch our offensive, our movements will be completely exposed to him."
"So, just charge. I will be watching your backs from the rear and be ready to provide support at any time."
Shin looked at the group with a smile.
"Yachiru, you stay back and watch the fight. I'm going to cut down those Hollows." Zaraki grinned savagely.
All the combat personnel advanced toward Las Noches.
"Okay! Ken-chan! Charge! Charge!"
Yachiru cheered Zaraki on while hopping onto Shin's shoulder.
And so, Shin had two little girls perched on his shoulders, one on the left and one on the right.
"Ara, is Nohara-san trying to slack off?" Unohana walked up beside Shin.
"Hahahaha, Captain Unohana, you jest. My mission is also quite arduous. I have to keep an eye on Aizen from the rear."
Shin laughed awkwardly, then changed the subject, "I heard Captain Unohana was the first Kenpachi, possessing unparalleled swordsmanship. I wonder if I might be able to spar with you after this battle?"
"Hehehe. I am merely the Captain of the Fourth Division, responsible for healing. Where did you hear such things, Nohara-san?"
Unohana narrowed her eyes, lowering her head slightly, wearing a deceptively kind smile.
Shin felt his hair stand on end just from a single glance.
"Uh... just hearsay, merely hearsay."
"Hearsay is often untrue, Nohara-san. Don't be fooled again next time, alright?"
Shin laughed dryly. "Haha... Never again."
'My attempt failed before it even began.'
No wonder the Shinigami in Seireitei were all afraid when Unohana showed that smile.
As expected of the "The Most Heinous Criminal" who slaughtered countless people a thousand years ago. This killing intent is terrifying.
"Brother, I want to go find Pesche and Dondochakka."
After playing in the Human World for a few days, Nel missed them somewhat.
"No need, they're already here."
Shin sensed their Reiatsu approaching. Those two usually stayed around the outskirts of Las Noches.
The three quickly reunited, along with their pet, Bawabawa.
Unohana watched the group embracing and weeping. "Are those Nel's Fracción?"
"Yes. Although they don't look reliable, they are actually quite thoughtful."
Unohana stared at Shin with a meaningful look. "Is that how you managed to obtain that intel?"
"Hahaha."
Shin didn't deny it, always feeling as though Unohana could see right through him.
Nel and the others quickly started playing together.
Seeing Yachiru watching them, Shin said, "Yachiru, why don't you go play too?"
"Mhm."
Yachiru quickly integrated with the group and gave them loud nicknames: "Big Fatty," "Skinny Stick," and "Giant Bug."
Shin was very glad that Yachiru hadn't given him a strange nickname.
Apparently, the nicknames Yachiru gave Ikkaku were "Baldy" and "Little Steel Ball Head".
—
Meanwhile, at Las Noches.
Aizen was listening to Kaname's report.
Given the sheer scale of Shin's group, it was impossible for Las Noches not to detect them.
'Shin, you truly have brought me a massive surprise. If this is the case, the time I have left is even shorter.'
Aizen had originally planned to gradually divide Soul Society's fighting strength. He hadn't expected Shin to lead the Shinigami directly into Hueco Mundo.
Aizen then issued an order to Kaname, "Kaname, have the Espada below Ulquiorra deploy with their Fracción to meet them in battle."
Kaname sounded slightly confused. "Aizen-sama, why not deploy more forces?"
Aizen smiled. "If it's a game, then the duel must be fair."
(End of Chapter)
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