Chapter 256

Haruto shook his head.

"I'm in great shape right now."

When the Expeditionary Force returned to Soul Society, they brought back information about Haruto: "Lieutenant Shihoin is preparing to hunt down Hollows alone in the Forest of Menos." This was the answer that Miyano and Haru Kusaka had discussed before setting off.

"Very good... huh?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke.

"In that case, you must bring Kitahara Kenshin back... dead or alive, no matter what."

"If possible, also send back some intelligence."

Shunsui Kyōraku added a comment following behind Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"If I were to bring my lovely teammates along."

"... I'll try my best."

Kitahara Kenshin's greatest crime was the massacre of the Central 46 Chambers. While the possibility of impromptu killings cannot be ruled out, it is hard to imagine that such a large-scale attack on the nobility was not the result of a conspiracy.

Shigekuni Yamamoto wasn't unaware of these things; rather, he specifically set aside time to train Shunsui Kyōraku and the other captains.

By the way...

The reason Captain-Commander Yamamoto agreed to Haruto's solo mission was simply because... he had killed quite a few Captain-level.

Not to mention the various Menos Grande mentioned in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force report, who were slaughtered by Haruto like animals.

Among the current Gotei 13, there is one with such extensive experience in Captain-level combat and who has successfully defeated opponents in battle...

To be honest, there aren't many.

"Lieutenant Haruto."

Retsu Unohana spoke up.

"Captain Unohana."

Haruto quickly bowed to this senior in respect—how dare Second-Class Spiritual Pressure be so arrogant? They probably don't even know what death means.

"Do you need my and Lieutenant Yamada's support?"

"No."

Captain Unohana was just going through the motions, so Haruto couldn't possibly accept that—not to mention that dealing with Kitahara Kenshin didn't require three Captain-level to intervene, the busy Fourth Division would be in trouble without these two.

"Captain Unohana, could you please inform Kiyone and... Hanatarō to come over?"

"Good."

Unohana nodded.

Upon hearing his younger brother's name, Kiyōnosuke Yamada glanced at Haruto with considerable curiosity: He, as the older brother, knew all too well what kind of abilities Hanatarō Yamada possessed; being brought to this kind of situation, he'd probably only be a guide...

All right.

In terms of familiarity with the Seireitei sewers, he doesn't seem to be as knowledgeable as Hanatarō.

Thinking about it this way, Haruto is quite good at getting along with people, considering that he still thinks of his Haruto brother when he's making a contribution. Both the Yamada Clan and Kiyōnosuke Yamada himself have a pretty good position in Seireitei, so it's not a bad idea to let Hanatarō move up a rank.

What about me?

Shunsui Kyōraku picked up where Captain Unohana left off.

"The usual."

"... OK."

Speaking of familiar faces from the Eighth Division, Nanao and Ayaka are naturally among them.

No squad leader would object to Haruto's behavior of taking the blame himself while sharing the credit with everyone else.

"..."

"It seems the mission requires no further instructions from me."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slammed his cane down.

"Let's begin, following Haruto Shihoin's suggestion!"

"Yes!!"

Then.

Haruto has just returned to Soul Society.

Before he even had a chance to rest, he began a new chapter in his career as the "Captain Killer."

At the same time.

Seireitei, the underground waterway area.

What you just said...

The Captain's Haori... no, the red-haired Soul Reaper had even abandoned his Shihakushō, was looking at the "helper" before him with a serious expression.

"Absolutely no lie whatsoever."

His impeccably tailored Shihakushō stood in stark contrast to the red-haired Soul Reaper.

"Can this really give us strength?"

"At least it will help you escape the pursuit of the Gotei 13... as long as it's not that Shunsui Kyōraku guy."

"Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome."

Since both sides knew each other's intentions, the deal seemed perfectly reasonable.

Test sample?

The Avengers?

These two identities...

There is no conflict between them.

Volume 1: Chapter 154, The Pursuit of Rot

Outside the Fourth Division Barracks.

Seireitei Sewers, General Inspection Entrance/Exit.

Why did we come here?!

Ayaka pinched her nose and said.

--His eyebrows were furrowed even more dramatically than his nose was raised.

"Pound."

Nanao stood behind Ayaka, tiptoed, and forcefully tapped her head with the spine of a book.

Be content!

It sounds nice, so it must be a good start.

"Just by running through the sewers a few times, you can get such a big credit... guess how many times your colleagues in the Fourth Division have gone through them?"

As Ayaka's "superior," Nanao had to obediently endure Nanao's criticisms—as she continued to grow taller, Ayaka no longer dared to call her "little follower"... In a few more days, Nanao would probably take the Third Seat.

Hehehe~

Hanatarō, who had just been called out, scratched his head and laughed.

I wasn't complimenting you!

Ayaka saw Hanatarō foolishly, she immediately went over to help him cool down.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Just as Hanatarō "suddenly realized" --

"Speaking of which, A-Qing, you didn't bring Isane along?"

Ayaka carefully looked around to make sure Haruto hadn't used "invisibility magic" to hide Isane.

Does Isane need credit?

Haruto said with a smile.

"We can't let her oust Lieutenant Yamada, can we?"

"That's true..."

Isane is already the Third Seat, so even if she is really interested in the vice-captain position, she only needs to wait for Kiyōnosuke Yamada to be poached by the nobles.

Let's calculate the time...

It doesn't seem like we'll have to wait long.

That's why!

"Ayaka, what are you trying to say?"

Ayaka's gaze had just drifted to Kiyone when it was abruptly cut off by a deafening roar echoing throughout the sewers.

Kiyone's voice became louder.

However, it has little to do with physical fitness; it seems to be a change brought about by the release of the Zanpakuto.

"A-Qing ~ Kiyone is mean to me~"

"Serves you right."

Haruto listened to the two of them joking around without even turning around.

"I didn't say anything."

After confirming that Haruto had no intention of helping at all, Ayaka immediately begged Kiyone for mercy—in truth, Kiyone's position was already quite precarious; at most, she could only replace Fourth Seat Iemura.

But.

Considering that the captains of the Gotei 13 will need to be replaced sooner or later, it would be good for everyone to share the credit promptly.

"Alright."

Haruto gestured for everyone to quiet down.

"Hanatarō."

A complex map with more than three layers appeared in Haruto's hands—this was just a rough sketch of the Seireitei sewer system; if the detailed construction drawings from back then were brought out, each person might not be able to fit them all in a bag.

"This location..."

Haruto pointed to the approximate location on the map.

"Could you please take us there?"

The Kakushitsuijaku started before it even entered the sewer.

Haruto's already enormous perception range was further enhanced—the straight-line distance doubled to over twenty spirit miles; if it weren't for the complex structure of the underground waterways, which affected his ability to pinpoint specific locations, he wouldn't have needed Hanatarō's help at all.

"Hi!"

"... Hanatarō, you don't need to be so nervous."

Haruto quickly tried to comfort her.

"Treat it like a picnic... that doesn't quite sound right. Let's think of it as a scheduled cleaning assignment."

If one can ignore the various sticky solids with pungent odors underfoot, then the overall environment of the Seireitei sewers is acceptable.

It must be emphasized that...

These things have nothing to do with poop.

Everything Soul Reaper consumes is converted into Reiatsu and absorbed; the more powerful the Soul Reaper, the more thoroughly it digests its contents.