Chapter 248

The Miyano siblings are not the type of captains with strong personalities.

If it weren't for the training he received in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force over the years, he could even be described as weak.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been sent to Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force together by the two of them, leaving the Tenth Division with such a mess: during the time the two of them were away, the Tenth Division, which already had a poor reputation, became even worse.

Well, how should I put it?

The squad management experience learned from the Shusuha siblings wasn't well applied to the Tenth Division.

Perhaps it's because there aren't any good Seated Officer?

"Very good."

Haruto nodded.

"Now that everyone has reached a consensus..."

The more Captain-level combatants you can recruit, the better, since each Bankai will reduce the pressure when facing Vasto Lorde.

Haruto is here to bolster our fighting strength, not to send everyone to their deaths.

"Your Haruto."

The habit of the Miyano Fujimaru interrupting people is not a good thing.

However, Haruto didn't pay too much attention to it, since it's normal for someone from the Fifth Division to have a few bad habits.

"You say."

"... Are you the only one who came to Hueco Mundo to provide support?"

"Right."

"I've heard about the Great Kidō Priest..."

"The construction of the Black Gate was delayed."

When Tessai Tsukabishi taught Haruto the Ninety-Nine Kidō, he did say that he was "awarding the reward" in advance because he was going to Hueco Mundo. However, his preparations that time were actually to test the spatial stability on both sides of the Black Gate.

With the technical support of Kirio Hikifune, this troublesome step was naturally omitted.

Otherwise.

Haruto can find a more reliable fighting force in Hueco Mundo.

"Just the few of us..."

It wasn't that Miyano Fujimaru lacked confidence; the main problem was the vast difference between an ordinary captain and Vasto Lorde. If it weren't for that tacit understanding between the two sides... no, if that were the case, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force would probably consist entirely of veteran captains like Shunsui Kyōraku.

"I have help."

Haruto added quite readily.

"This?"

Miyano Fujimaru glanced at Tier Harribel on Haruto's shoulder, his expression showing a hint of disbelief.

"No, you'll see when you get there."

Haruto's gaze already forbade Miyano Fujimaru from asking any more questions.

"Haru Kusaka."

"Is there anything else you wish to instruct, Haruto?"

Compared to Miyano Fujimaru's numerous questions, Haru Kusaka was noticeably more "easy to talk to".

"Are all these nobles behind you direct descendants?"

The nobility is a hierarchical system of dependency. Powerful upper-ranking nobles, even if they are not the heads of their families, will have many nobles voluntarily siding with them.

In fact, some of these people have quite good judgment. As nobles who rose through the ranks based on their own strength, they are not nearly as rigid as the older generation. They fear the strong more than they fear the rules.

"It wasn't always like that."

Haru Kusaka shook her head.

"What's the meaning?"

"After you issued the death threat, they became my trusted subordinates."

Don't you want to stand together through thick and thin?

Then you can die.

Aristocratic loyalty can sometimes be so refined and easygoing.

"... Shouldn't you thank me?"

"Actually, their presence or absence makes little difference."

"Kusaka -sama!?"

Haru Kusaka's words sent a chill down the spines of the nobles behind her once again—they vividly remembered how the head of that mid-level noble family, whose voice had been slightly louder, had died... After all, less than half a day had passed.

"Just kidding."

Haru Kusaka waved the fan in her hand.

Come to think of it, he seems to really like his Zanpakuto, since Soul Reaper don't usually use their Released form all the time.

This consumes Reiatsu.

"I really must thank Haruto. Look, I accepted your suggestion without saying a word, didn't I?"

"You are indeed more suited to be the head of the priestly family."

Haruto expressed his heartfelt appreciation.

If his initial plan was simply to force Haru Kusaka to help him get rid of the trouble, this has now given him the idea of personally taking action to help.

"I thought so too when I was a child, until I went through several incredibly complicated sacrificial rites with my father... and all that messy interpersonal relationships."

"But your brother is quite happy about it?"

That's why I handed over the position of family head to him.

"And now?"

"The future of the Kusaka Clan rests entirely on the decision of Shihoin."

"I had no idea you had this kind of talent."

"I'm just lazy, not that I don't understand the ins and outs... My brother, on the other hand, is so interested that he forgets he's not good at these things."

"..."

Their casual conversation came to an end.

Now that all the arrangements at headquarters are complete --

"Do you have any objection to the term 'hunting,' Miss Tier Harribel?"

Haruto turned his head to the shark loli on his shoulder and said.

Although they are enemies.

However, seeing the Soul Reaper devise such a plan, solely to kill his fellow Vasto Lorde, it's inevitable that Tier Harribel might develop some unhealthy thoughts.

"No."

Tier Harribel shook his head.

"The vast majority of Hueco Mundo are essentially in a predatory relationship... I'm well aware of how unusual my thinking is."

"Vasto Lorde is special in some way."

"... you're right."

The Menos Grande evolves...

The more it resembles a human form, the more it will resemble a human.

At the same time, their hearts will also begin to shift in a direction similar to humans... including the desire for companionship.

A desire for gregarious living.

That's something etched deep into human genes.

Even someone as powerful as Baraggan, his so-called rule over Hueco Mundo was, to some extent, a way to avoid being "lonely."

That's all.

After Haruto had gathered all the Captain-level combatants of the Expeditionary Force--

"?"

The residence of Ashido, which Haruto visited.

"Why are you back again?"

Ashido looked at Haruto and the "team" behind him, and said with a puzzled expression... "Didn't they already reach a consensus not to interfere with each other?"

"Let's go take down that Vasto Lorde in Las Noches."

Haruto suggested to Ashido.

He had only come here to try his luck, but he unexpectedly bumped into Ashido directly, which saved him the trouble of looking for someone everywhere.

What do you think of this proposal?

"... It's very difficult."

How difficult is Vasto Lorde?

Ashido had been tracking the other party for so many years, knew it all too well.

"But it's a one-time solution, saving you the trouble of constantly keeping an eye on them."

"... Vasto Lorde behind you will also help?"

Ashido had clearly spotted Tier Harribel "hidden" on Haruto's back long ago, but he didn't show any surprise: Ashido had obviously been watching the battle from the sidelines more than once during the Hueco Mundo general's pursuit of Tier Harribel.

But.

As for the wild Vasto Lorde — the Highest-class Menos Grande who have reached the pinnacle of evolution, their desires are extremely low— Ashido did not regard her as a threat, and his attitude was completely different from that towards the two from Las Noches.

"Yes."

How did you convince her?

"Appeal to their emotions."

--That's partly true, but it's mostly just a joke:

To ensure the safety of Apache and the other two, Haruto had already arranged for them to stay at the Expeditionary Force headquarters before departure... Yes, it seemed like they were hostages to each other, but in reality, neither side could harm the other's absolute safety.

The barrier set up by Haruto is so difficult that any captain who comes here has to spend an hour or two studying it before deciding whether to give up or waste time trying to break it.

"..."

"Okay, you've convinced me."

Although Ashido had no interest in "returning to the team," it didn't stop him from acting alongside the Gotei 13 when needed.

"However, if this is all the fighting force we have..."

Five Captain-level.

Add a Vasto Lorde as well.

This lineup is undeniably impressive, but in Ashido's opinion, it's still slightly lacking in the ability to instantly defeat a Vasto Lorde.

Baraggan had no interest in his men, except for the Adjuchas, who could be replaced at any time; he still valued Vasto Lorde.

If he fails to eliminate his opponent instantly, and the opponent escapes or attracts Baraggan... then truly no one here can rival the King of Hueco Mundo.

"I'll find someone else."

"Ah?"

Ashido's words surprised Haruto.

Find someone else?

Anyone below the Captain-level is simply not qualified to participate in the encirclement and attack on Vasto Lorde; Ashido should be well aware of this. Even weaker captains would need to prepare to use their Bankai from the start to be of any use.