Chapter 88 (continued)

"Am I really just a piece of trash?" Ginjo wondered to himself as he watched the ground slowly recede into the distance.

At this moment, as Kūgo Ginjō was also taken away by the Negación, the Menos Grande scattered throughout Seireitei seemed to realize the reality of their abandonment and unleashed even greater destructive power than before.

However, this desperate struggle was nothing more than a sign of defeat in the eyes of the captains.

When Xuanxin and the others returned to Seireitei, it was like a shot of adrenaline, making their counterattack even more intense.

Thanks to Xuanxin's preparations over the years, this invasion did not cause too much of a stir, but it did reveal some problems. However, now is not the time to discuss these issues.

Without Xuanxin giving any instructions, the other captains returned directly to their respective squads to perform their duties after arriving at Seireitei.

When Sajin Komamura saw Xuanxin return, he ran over immediately. His yellow eyes searched behind Xuanxin for a moment, but he couldn't find the figure in the end.

Then Komamura's body paused, and even the ears on his head seemed to droop slightly.

Disappointed, he turned and slowly left, returning to his own group to continue leading his men to wipe out the Void Horde.

Xuanxin looked at Komamura's somewhat forlorn figure without saying a word, for some wounds can only heal when licked alone.

At this moment, Soi Fon also came to Xuanxin and Yoruichi and began to report the current situation of the Seireitei.

"Lord Xuanxin, Lady Yoruichi. According to the reports from the Executive Militia, most of the streets in Seireitei have been recaptured by their respective squads, and they are now steadily advancing."

Upon hearing this, Xuanxin nodded and then took Yoruichi to the conference room to see if Shunsui Kyōraku needed any help.

The Captain-Commander, who should have been "caught a cold," was now sitting quietly in the conference room drinking tea, silently watching Shunsui Kyōraku process one battle report after another.

When Shunsui Kyōraku saw Xuanxin walk in, he coughed a few times and then started winking at Xuanxin.

Xuanxin immediately received the hint from his senior brother, and then stopped in his tracks, preparing to quietly leave this "place of trouble" with Yoruichi.

But just as the two turned around, before their feet had even touched the ground, the old man suddenly coughed loudly.

"Cough cough!"

Seeing this, Xuanxin had no choice but to abandon his plan to escape and pulled Yoruichi to the Captain-Commander's side.

"Master, your cold is better now. I told you to get more rest, you see..."

The Captain-Commander opened his eyes and looked at the exhausted Xuanxin: "Stop talking nonsense. Xuanxin, you've caused quite a stir here. Have you resolved the problem?"

Upon hearing this, Xuanxin also dropped his joking expression and shook his head. "I didn't expect Aizen to have Hollows supporting him; he still managed to slip away."

The Captain-Commander frowned, then Old Man Yamamoto slammed his cane down and said, "Shunsui Kyōraku, notify the Thirteenth Division to begin a detailed assessment of Hueco Mundo."

Upon hearing this, Xuanxin and the other man immediately understood the old man's intention. It seemed that the old man was about to initiate an unprecedented rework.

Shunsui Kyōraku smiled and replied decisively, "Understood, sir. But since your 'cold' is all better, how about this job..."

Upon hearing Shunsui's words, the old man suddenly coughed again, then reached out and tightly grasped Xuanxin.

Seeing this, Xuanxin immediately understood and helped Old Man Yamamoto up from the chair.

Seeing the actions of the old man and the young man, Yoruichi obediently went to the other side of the old man. Under the shocked gazes of Shunsui and the Captain-Commander the Sasakibe, she helped the old man walk quickly out of the conference room.

"... Is that right, Vice-Captain Sasakibe?" Shunsui Kyōraku looked at the three people who had already disappeared from sight.

"Ahem... I think the Captain-Commander must have his reasons for doing this. Alright, I need to go serve the Captain-Commander now. I'll leave Captain Shunsui in your care." With that, Sasakibe quickly left the meeting room, chasing after the three who had gone.

"Sigh~ This old man and this young man, they're such a handful." After saying that, Shunsui Kyōraku continued processing the endless stream of documents.

After Xuanxin and the other two left the meeting room, the old man's condition suddenly improved; his headache and coughing stopped. He then waved to Xuanxin and the other two and said:

"Alright, I have some things to attend to, so I'll be going now. You two can make yourselves at home." With that, Old Man Yamamoto disappeared from the spot.

Watching the old man's departing figure, Yoruichi glanced at Xuanxin and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, you should go back and rest too. Leave the Second Division to me, but there are some things we can discuss after you've rested."

Before Xuanxin could react, Yoruichi vanished from her spot and headed towards the Second Division.

Seeing this, Xuanxin shrugged and slowly walked towards the Shihoin Clan's residence.

After a while, when Xuanxin entered his room, fatigue washed over him like a tidal wave, one after another, assaulting his spirit.

His spirit, which had been tense for hundreds of years, could finally relax a little.

He didn't even bother to wash up; overwhelmed by fatigue, Xuanxin took off his clothes and crawled into bed to sleep.

After the sun had completely dyed the western sky red, Yoruichi came to Xuanxin's bedside.

Yoruichi glanced at the sleeping Xuanxin, smiled helplessly, then pulled the blanket that had been kicked aside back over Xuanxin, left a cup of warm water, and left the room again.

When Xuanxin woke up again, it was already the morning of the next day.

Xuanxin groggily opened his eyes, then stretched twice, feeling more relaxed than ever before.

Xuanxin then noticed the warm water that Yoruichi had placed aside. Xuanxin touched the cup and found that the water had completely cooled down.

"It seems it was placed here this morning," Xuanxin thought to himself.

He immediately raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp. At the same time, he discovered the note under the glass, which read:

[You should get some rest now, I'll take care of the Second Division. Oh, and there's a surprise I prepared for you in the yard, remember to check it out!]

Seeing the playful handwriting, Xuanxin smiled, dressed, and left the room. Once in the courtyard, he looked closely and, sure enough, Yoruichi had prepared a "surprise" for him there.

If there are any people in Soul Society who are currently idle, then besides Xuanxin, only Ichigo few others remain.

The Second Division was responsible for collecting clues left by Aizen, the Fourth Division was working hard to treat patients, and the other divisions were constantly expanding their search area, preparing to completely wipe out the Hollow Earths in the surrounding blocks.

Only Ichigo and a few others had nothing to do. Although the warrant for the arrest of the Ryoka had been lifted, the Thirteenth Division was clearly still on guard against the outsiders.

While Ichigo and his friends were aimlessly wandering the streets, they encountered Yoruichi, who was leading the group.

Seeing that the group was idling around, Yoruichi tossed them a token and told them to wait for her at the Shihoin Clan after work. She knew that Ichigo and the others had many questions, and she would answer them one by one when she got off work that night.

Upon hearing this, the group nodded and arrived at the Shihoin Clan. Looking at the massive buildings of the Shihoin Clan, they couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Finally, Ichigo mustered up the courage to knock on the door of the Shihoin Clan, but the arrogant butler Ichigo had expected did not appear.

After Ichigo and the others explained their purpose, the butler looked at the token handed over by Orihime and then respectfully led them to the outside of Xuanxin's courtyard.

When everyone entered Xuanxin's courtyard, they were utterly astonished.

In the center of the courtyard, on the training field, stood a strikingly modern-looking parasol.

Under the parasol, there was a rocking chair, and even on the table next to it, there were various modern carbonated drinks and fruits.

But if that were all, it wouldn't have been enough to shock them. What was truly astonishing was that a large white cat was lounging comfortably in the rocking chair, wagging its fluffy tail.

Just as the group was too shocked to speak, Xuanxin's voice came from the white cat. "You're here. Make yourself at home. Yoruichi told me she'll come back tonight to explain your questions."

After saying that, Xuanxin pointed with his paw at a chair placed in the shade nearby.

Seeing Xuanxin's actions, everyone nodded numbly and walked to the chairs on the other side.

But after that, there was a long silence.

This silence made Ichigo and the others somewhat uncomfortable. At this moment Orihime suddenly spoke up and asked, "Xuanxin- san, do you really like these things in the World of the Living?"

Upon hearing this, a puff of smoke dissipated, revealing Xuanxin reclining in a rocking chair, dressed in an incredibly comfortable-looking kimono. He then picked up a soft drink and said:

"You mean these things? I'm using most of these things for the first time too. Ever since Yoruichi ran away to the World of the Living, I haven't left Soul Society."

"Why haven't you left? Aren't you the captain of the Second Division? It would be so easy for you to go and explore the World of the Living!" Orihime asked curiously.

Xuanxin took a sip of his soda and let out a satisfied burp. "As for why, you'll have to ask Yoruichi. I think the story would be more convincing if she told it."

Ichigo and the others didn't understand why, but they still nodded.

Just then, an unexpected figure appeared in everyone's sight. It was Retsu Unohana, carrying a box, who slowly walked in.

"You're all here. Where's Yoruichi? Why isn't the person who invited you here?" Sister Hana said after looking around.

Hearing Sister Hana's slightly barbed words, Ichigo and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the same gossipy thought in each other's eyes, "Wow! There's juicy gossip!"

As soon as the Second Division finished speaking, Yoruichi returned to the Shihoin Clan with Soi Fon, who was carrying a pile of things.

"I think I heard someone talking badly about me. You're here early, did you bring everything?" Yoruichi said, giving Sister Hana Yoruichi provocative look.

Not to be outdone, Sister Hana patted the box in her hand and said without backing down, "Of course it's ready. How could I dare to be perfunctory about Lady Yoruichi's request?"

After they finished speaking, their eyes met in mid-air, sparks flying.

Looking at Captain Unohana's gentle smile and the ever-growing distance between them.

Ichigo and the others even found it increasingly difficult to breathe. Their survival instincts made them silently keep their distance, fearing that the two might accidentally send them, the high school students, to their deaths as well.

At this critical moment, Xuanxin stepped forward, walked to the two of them, and then, to Ichigo and the others' astonishment, put Xuanxin arms around their waists simultaneously, and said gently:

"Alright, there are still outsiders watching. Is there anything else we need to prepare? I can help."

Upon hearing Xuanxin's words, Yoruichi and Sister Hana immediately ceased their efforts. Unohana gave Yoruichi cold snort and, along with Unohana and Soi Fon, carried their belongings into the room.

Seeing the two of them calm down, Xuanxin sighed, then transformed back into a white cat and curled up on the rocking chair.

At some point, Ichigo and Uryū found themselves near Xuanxin and asked:

"Captain Xuanxin, could you perhaps teach us a thing or two...?"

"Hmm? What are you going to teach?" Xuanxin glanced at the two of them.

"It's... that! It's how you could do that at the same time..." Ichigo said awkwardly.

Xuanxin glanced at the two of them and said, "Since you've asked so earnestly, I'll tell you. It's actually very simple."

Upon hearing Ichigo and the other's eyes lit up, with Ichigo even pulling out his notebook. But just as they were filled with anticipation, Xuanxin simply uttered two words:

"Charm!"

Upon hearing this, Ichigo's expectant expression vanished instantly, replaced by a helpless look as he gazed at the white cat lying on the chair, wagging its tail.

Just then, the last person invited to the banquet arrived at the Shihoin Clan.

Kisuke Urahara walked in, looking travel-worn and exhausted. Seeing his Xuanxin Kisuke Urahara his head and asked, "What happened? Why do you look so haggard?"

Kisuke Urahara then gave a wry smile and said, "Ever since Aizen escaped to Hueco Mundo, Mayuri Kurotsuchi and I have intensified our investigation of Hueco Mundo, but it seems to be in a strange state right now, making it impossible for us to obtain any useful data."

Upon learning of this, Xuanxin couldn't help but take a deep breath, as sending troops rashly without detailed information could potentially lead to unnecessary sacrifices.

Just as Xuanxin was at a loss, Sister Hana, Yoruichi, and the other two came out carrying a steaming hot pot. Then Yoruichi said:

"Alright, we'll talk about the rest after we eat. Come on, let's eat!" With Yoruichi's cheer, dinner at the Shihoin Clan officially began.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside Las Noches was completely different.

Aizen sat on the highest throne, coldly looking at the crowd below. The atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly heavy as the eerie light emanating from Aizen's chest flickered.

"Alright everyone, let's talk about the next steps."

Aizen's voice came from above. The others exchanged glances but said nothing. Just then, from a corner of the palace, a resentful voice rang out in everyone's ears.

"I need power. I need the power to defeat those hypocritical Grim Reapers."

Upon hearing this, Aizen smiled with satisfaction after hearing Kūgo Ginjō's Aizen and then said:

"Of course, but..."