The moment Sarapollo's spiritual pressure vanished, it wasn't just those nearby who noticed.
Genryusai Shigekuni stood before the central tent of their camp, gazing at the distant glow, his eyes narrowed.
Koryu Yashiki turned to him, puzzled:
"General Genryusai?"
"Koryu, issue the orders." Genryusai removed his glasses, polishing them with a cloth, his voice calm.
"All Death Gods in nearby camps are to send retreat signals, recall those still fighting, and initiate a strategic retreat toward the Sixth District."
His voice held no hesitation.
Clearly, this plan had been prepared long ago.
Koryu froze at the order.
A full strategic retreat?
How massive an operation would that be?
What about their current missions?
Questions flooded his mind, leaving him speechless.
"General Genryusai, this..."
"Don't think it's overkill."
Genryusai's voice remained calm.
"We didn't come to Hueco Mundo to fight to the death with its true ruler."
"Go deliver the orders."
"Yes, sir!"
Despite his confusion, Koryu obeyed.
Genryusai remained, staring toward Las Noches.
Even here, he could sense the overwhelming spiritual pressure from afar.
Before the expedition, he'd received secret orders from Yamamoto.
Their mission wasn't to kill as many Hollows as possible, but to maintain the balance of the three realms.
This was also a massive training exercise.
Through this campaign, many promising recruits would emerge, future pillars of the Gotei 13.
Unlike Saito, Katori, and Fujimiya, whose task was to intimidate Hueco Mundo, Genryusai was the voice of reason, inserted by Yamamoto to "apply the brakes."
Thus, he held the most critical command authority.
But...
Watching Sarapollo's spiritual pressure vanish, he sensed Fujimiya's resilient presence, still glowing faintly.
Genryusai smiled, an elder's pride.
"Well done, Fujimiya."
"And his Shikai is terrifying."
"To reverse the tide against such a powerful opponent..."
"I wonder how my Shikai would fare against his."
He imagined a fierce battle.
If Fujimiya knew his thoughts, he'd likely sigh:
Thank goodness he has no idea...
Or he'd avoid me like my tabi-clad Zanpakuto!
...
Deep within Las Noches:
"Crack."
A clear sound of bone shattering echoed.
Bayoruga remained seated on his throne of pure white bones, unmoving, his skeletal form glowing with dark fire.
Beneath his right hand, the throne cracked, as if consumed by decay.
All Arrancar guards held their breath, unmoving.
Even among the strongest, they sensed Sarapollo's familiar, mad spiritual pressure vanish.
Though distant, it was unmistakable.
Few in Hueco Mundo possessed such power.
"Sarapollo..."
"Died at the hands of a Death God."
Bayoruga's fiery eyes flared, flickering with emotion.
His lapse was brief; he quickly resumed his stoic demeanor, tapping the throne's armrest.
"Tsk."
"Another failure."
"A waste of my resources."
His disdainful voice made the Arrancar flinch.
They knew Bayoruga never wasted words, let alone anger, on ordinary Hollows.
This reaction meant one thing: his fury had peaked.
"Whoosh——"
As he spoke, Bayoruga rose from his throne.
The decaying throne crumbled, turning to ash, as if centuries old.
Bayoruga moved toward the exit.
"However..."
"Keeping uninvited guests waiting isn't Hueco Mundo's hospitality."
"They should learn their lesson."
He muttered, followed by dozens of Arrancar.
Even dogs attack on their master's command.
Sarapollo was one of his rare 'researchers,' irreplaceable.
By the time he reached the gates, a vast Hollow army stood behind him.
But they didn't head to Sarapollo's death site.
Instead, they marched toward the Death Gods' camp.
...
As Bayoruga acted, Fujimiya met with Saito.
"Damn! You're so lucky!"
Saito glared, jealous.
"You killed that bastard!"
"I wanted to slash his face myself!"
"Relax." Fujimiya, pale, waved weakly.
"I killed him, but he escaped... not completely dead."
"Escaped?" Saito froze, her eye widening.
Can men revive if that part remains?!
Unbelievable!
Never seen this before!
"He must've modified himself." Fujimiya, breathless, remained seated.
"...What a disgusting guy."
Saito shuddered at the thought.
"What about you? Another Vasto Lorde?" Fujimiya changed the subject, avoiding further questions.
"Nothing!"
Saito waved dismissively.
"I found a bone at the site, but sensed something wrong and rushed here."
"And you finished them all!"
She crossed her arms, proud.
So smart!
Saito awaited Fujimiya's praise.
"No rush."
Fujimiya calmed, gazing into the distance.
"You'll have plenty of fights ahead."
"But watch yourself."
"Genryusai's orders should arrive soon..."
As he spoke, their devices buzzed with Genryusai's signal.
The meeting point: their original camp.
Fujimiya smiled.
Genryusai was reliable.
But as he chuckled, Saito slammed his head.
Fujimiya turned, confused.
"Idiot~ Big idiot~"
Saito grumbled, annoyed.
So frustrating! He didn't even praise me.
Unconsciously, Saito's expectations from Fujimiya grew more natural and frequent.
"Yes, yes."
Fujimiya knew better than to argue with a woman.
Especially here, with no escape.
"So..."
Fujimiya embraced Saito, feigning weakness.
"Saito, I'm too weak to walk. Carry me?"
"Huh?"
Saito scowled.
"Why should I?"
"Weakling!"
"Even a weak Hollow beat you up!"
Fujimiya threatened:
"If you won't, I'll ask Halibel..."
"Wait——!"
Saito's tone softened.
"As a friend, I'll carry you."
"Be grateful."
Fujimiya smiled, grateful.
"Thank you, Saito."
"Hmph, that's better."
Saito, proud.
Halibel watched, muttering:
You never intended to refuse, Saito.
Noticing her gaze, Fujimiya, on Saito's back, winked at Halibel.
Don't spill the truth, Halibel~
Though silent, Halibel understood.
Death Gods... so troublesome.
Arriving at the camp, they found it deserted.
Only Genryusai and Katori awaited them.
"Hey——"
Saito waved.
Katori smiled at Fujimiya on Saito's back:
"Saito-senpai and Fujimiya-kun are close."
"He's holding on tight."
"..."
Saito's face darkened. She tossed Fujimiya to the ground, feigning anger:
"Stop holding so tight!"
"I wasn't running fast!"
But as she spoke, Katori rushed to Fujimiya, helping him up, concerned:
"We sensed your battle from afar."
"Amazing! Defeating such a powerful Vasto Lorde alone."
"Incredible~ Incredible~"
The innocent girl patted his head gently, soothing him.
Saito froze, suspecting Katori's innocence.
Fujimiya knew Katori was deliberate.
He whispered:
"You're cruel. I'm seriously injured!"
Katori whispered back, smiling:
"Only this way can I care for you alone."
"If you stay on another woman's back, I'll be jealous."
"Jealous women are scary."
Her innocent face remained smiling.
Fujimiya had no idea what a jealous woman looked like.
But Katori was definitely scary.
"Cough."
Even Genryusai intervened, reminding:
"Saito, take Fujimiya to the rear."
"The enemy's coming."
He turned, gazing at the sky.
"Huh?"
"I came to fight!"
Saito protested, glancing at Katori, who seemed 'restless.'
She reluctantly agreed.
"But it can't be helped."
"So annoying..."
As she complained, dark clouds gathered in the sky.
Bayoruga led the Hollows, overlooking the few Death Gods in the pale desert, his voice decayed and raspy:
"What?"
"Only a few left to die?"
Genryusai drew his Zanpakuto, pointing at Bayoruga:
"I'm Genryusai Shigekuni, Third Division Captain."
"Ready to challenge you."
Katori spun her Zanpakuto into a naginata, coldly:
"Weaklings are mine."
"Bold words."
Bayoruga chuckled.
"Then let the king teach you."
"About the gap in strength."