Lost Contact with the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force

After his trip to the World of the Living, Liu Hao returned to the daily routine of the Fourth Division. The training of the Medical Guard Team, the support of the General Treatment Center, and the communication with his teammates constituted his peaceful yet extraordinary life.

However, this peace was destined to be short-lived.

On this day, Liu Hao arrived at the Medical Guard Team's Training Ground as usual, but saw an unexpected figure.

"Vice-Captain Hinamori?" Liu Hao looked at the pink-haired girl standing seriously by the Training Ground with some surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Lieutenant Liu Hao, you're back." Momo Hinamori turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes when she saw Liu Hao, but she quickly regained her signature serious expression. "Many Medical Guard Team were selected for this Hueco Mundo Extermination Force. Captain Aizen asked me to ask if you'd like to participate. He can help with the recommendation."

She paused, her tone becoming more serious. "After all, you were the one who built the Medical Guard Team, and the mission to Hueco Mundo is quite dangerous. With you there, they can perform their duties more effectively."

Liu Hao remained silent for a moment.

The Hueco Mundo Extermination Force is a regular expeditionary operation organized by the Gotei 13. Several divisions jointly dispatch elite troops deep into Hueco Mundo to clear out Menos Grande and reduce the threat to the World of the Living. It also serves as a form of combat training.

As professional battlefield medical units, Medical Guard Teams are naturally selected to participate. This is a normal arrangement.

However, Aizen asked him through Momo Hinamori if he wanted to participate, and even offered to "help recommend" him...

This is somewhat abnormal.

"I won't participate in this operation," Liu Hao finally shook his head. "I can't accompany the Medical Guard Team on every mission. They need to learn to be independent too."

"I see..." Momo Hinamori seemed a little disappointed, but quickly nodded, "Then I'll go back and report to Captain Aizen."

She bowed to Liu Hao, then turned and left.

Liu Hao stood at the Training Ground, watching Momo Hinamori's departing figure, his brows furrowed slightly.

[Looks like Aizen wants to cause trouble in Hueco Mundo...] he thought to himself.

He quickly put the matter aside. In the days that followed, Liu Hao continued the training of the Medical Guard Team and the support work at the General Treatment Center, as if everything was normal.

Until this day.

"Lieutenant Liu Hao, something's happened!!"

Isane Kotetsu hurriedly found Liu Hao, who was treating the wounded at the General Treatment Center, his voice filled with barely concealed anxiety.

"What is it?" Liu Hao put down the medical tools in his hand and looked up at his Vice-Captain.

"The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force... has lost contact!" Isane Kotetsu's voice trembled slightly.

Liu Hao frowned. "How could this be?"

"I don't know," Isane Kotetsu. "The Captains are in a meeting right now, discussing whether or not to send someone to provide assistance."

"Who's leading the team?" Liu Hao asked.

"Shūsuke Amagai."

Upon hearing this name, Liu Hao's eyes narrowed slightly.

Shūsuke Amagai, former Captain the Third Division, was later transferred to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force. He is quite capable, but... in the original storyline, he was used by Aizen as a pawn in the attack on Soul Society.

"It's him..." Liu Hao murmured to himself, "Then there shouldn't be any problem. However... there probably won't be many team members who come back alive."

"What should we do then?" Isane Kotetsu asked anxiously.

Liu Hao sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Sigh, I guess... they'll want me to go to Hueco Mundo."

"Why?" Isane Kotetsu, puzzled.

"Aizen had Momo Hinamori ask me before if I wanted to go," Liu Hao explained. "Now that something's happened, naturally they want me to go. But if I go... I'll come back as a traitor."

These words caused Isane Kotetsu's expression to change. "Ah, how could this be?!"

"Let's wait for news," Liu Hao said helplessly.

He knew this was just the beginning. Aizen's Plan had already begun, and he was likely a crucial part of it.

Meanwhile, in the First Division Captains’ Meeting Room, the atmosphere was heavy.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat upright in the main seat, his hands folded on his cane, his eyes, which had seen a thousand years, sweeping over each Captain present.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, have you found out why the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force went missing?" the Captain-Commander asked.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi sat in his seat, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, producing a soft metallic sound. "The cause hasn't been found yet. However, it's very likely something done by an insider—after all, our communication equipment couldn't possibly malfunction."

This answer made the team Captains frown.

"Then let's discuss how to resolve this matter," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said.

"We should immediately assemble a support force, head to Hueco Mundo to locate the Expeditionary Force, and determine the reason for their loss of contact," Kaname Tōsen first, his voice firm and serious.

Sōsuke Aizen adjusted his glasses and replied gently, "Yes, as for personnel... we can select people from the Fifth Division to form Rescue Corps. That's also our duty."

"Selecting only from the Fifth Division probably won't be enough," Gin Ichimaru said with a smile, a smile as enigmatic as ever. "After all, the Fifth Division is Rescue Corps; they've only lost contact. Let's select some from our Third Division. As a support force, it's only right that we send some men."

"Simply having support and Rescue Corps isn't enough." Kaname Tōsen his face towards Unohana —though his eyes were covered by an eyepatch, the intention was clear. "The Fourth Division should also send some people. If the Expeditionary Force suffers casualties, the Medical Squad will definitely suffer heavier losses, after all, they aren't dedicated combat personnel."

These words seemed reasonable, but the Captains present all understood the deeper meaning behind them.

Unohana raised her eyes, looking calmly at Kaname Tōsen, then turning to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Their gazes met for a fleeting moment in the air.

In that instant, they both understood what the other was thinking—what Liu Hao had said after returning from the World of the Living.

Sōsuke Aizen... has his eye on Liu Hao.

He wanted to use this opportunity to lure Liu Hao to Hueco Mundo.

Unohana withdrew her gaze, her expression unchanged. "I will follow the Captain-Commander's orders."

This statement, seemingly compliant, actually hands over the decision-making power entirely to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Medical Corps... will not be sent for the time being."

This decision stunned the team Captains.

"Before the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force heads to Hueco Mundo," the Captain-Commander continued, his voice steady and powerful, "I've already spoken with Shūsuke Amagai. Once they enter Hueco Mundo, the first priority is ensuring the safety of the Medical Corps. Only then can they have a higher chance of survival. So I think Shūsuke Amagai won't allow Hueco Mundo Medical Corps to suffer too many losses. And this time it's about finding them, not about known losses."

He paused for a moment, then made his final decision. "This time, we'll send troops from the Third Division and Fifth Divisions to Hueco Mundo to search for them."

This decision surprised everyone.

As is customary, it is normal for teams heading to Hueco Mundo for support, especially those that may face combat, to bring along medical personnel from the Fourth Division. Especially after the establishment of the Medical Guard Team, almost every division takes some members of the Fourth Division with them on missions.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's decision was clearly to protect Liu Hao, or rather... to guard against something.

Sōsuke Aizen's gaze swept over Unohana and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, his eyes behind his glasses narrowing slightly.

[What do they mean... Do they know my purpose?] he wondered to himself.

But on the surface, his expression remained unchanged, still gentle and composed.

After the Captains’ Meeting, Unohana returned to the Fourth Division with Isane Kotetsu and immediately summoned Liu Hao to the Captain’s Office.

"The Captains’ Meeting just now confirmed," Unohana stated bluntly, "the Third Division and Fifth Divisions will send personnel to Hueco Mundo to locate the Expeditionary Force. The Fourth Division will remain inactive for now."

After listening, Liu Hao shook his head. "It's useless. I think after this result comes out, we'll be able to 'make contact' with the Expeditionary Force very soon. Then, citing the heavy losses of the Medical Corps, we'll continue to request the Fourth Division to send more people."

"Perhaps that's the case," Unohana admitted, "But the Captain-Commander and I don't intend to send you there."

"Who is leading the team?" Liu Hao asked.

"Captain Ichimaru."

"Sigh..." Liu Hao sighed, "This is really troublesome. Maybe... I should go instead. We can't let the Gotei 13 suffer too many losses."

Unohana gave him a deep look. "Then you'd better prepare to defect."

"Let's see how things go," Liu Hao said helplessly. "They've already got their eyes on me; they won't let me escape easily."

As the two were talking, footsteps came from outside the Fourth Division Barracks.

The messenger from the First Division has arrived.

"Captain Unohana," the messenger saluted, "the Captain-Commander urgently requests your presence at the First Division."

Liu Hao and Unohana exchanged a glance, both seeing the expected helplessness in each other's eyes.

"See?" Liu Hao shrugged, "The news has arrived."

"Sigh," Unohana sighed softly, a rare hint of annoyance in her voice, "This guy is so annoying... I just want to chop him up."

These words, spoken by someone who always has a gentle smile, carry an unusual weight.

"There's no other way," Liu Hao shook his head. "Let's go, Captain."

"Do you want to come with me?" Unohana asked.

"Just throw me out there at the meeting later and let me decide," Liu Hao decided. "There's no escaping it anyway."

After discussing their plan, the two headed to the First Division. Unohana to attend the Captains’ Meeting, while Liu Hao and Isane Kotetsu waited for news in the Vice-Captain's office.

The atmosphere in the First Division Captains’ Meeting Room was even more tense than before.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto glanced at the Captains present and slowly said, "News just came that we have made contact with the Expeditionary Force."

This news brought a sigh of relief to the team Captain, but the Captain-Commander's next words made the atmosphere tense again:

"But they seem to have run into some trouble. The Medical Corps has suffered losses and they need the Fourth Division to send reinforcements."

As Liu Hao had predicted, everything went exactly as he had expected.

Kaname Tōsen immediately chimed in, "I think that since we need to send the Fourth Division to provide support, we need a key figure with strong abilities who can oversee the Medical Corps."

"How about," Gin Ichimaru suggested with a smile, his tone clearly teasing, "Captain Unohana, come with me?"

"No," Sōsuke Aizen, his expression serious. "Captain Unohana, as the Fourth Division Captain, needs to remain in the Seireitei. I think... choosing a medical squad leader from the Medical Guard Team is sufficient. After all, Captain Ichimaru is already leading the team."

The suggestion sounded reasonable, but everyone present knew that although the squad leader of the Medical Guard Team was quite capable, he was probably not up to the task when faced with the dangers of Hueco Mundo, especially the potential "internal problems."

And the truly suitable candidate...

All eyes turned to Unohana.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto also looked at her, his voice steady. "Captain Unohana, what suggestions do you have?"

Unohana raised her head, her expression calm and composed. She knew it was time to lay her cards on the table.

"Captain-Commander," she began slowly, "I have a suggestion regarding the selection..."

"Explain."

"Medical Guard Team Lieutenant, Liu Hao," Unohana said, uttering the name. "He's not only capable enough, but he's also the founder and de facto leader of the Medical Guard Team. Sending him there will ensure the safety of the Medical Corps and provide maximum support to the Expeditionary Force."

The suggestion caused a brief silence in the meeting room.

Sōsuke Aizen's lips curled up slightly, a smile that was almost imperceptible.

Kaname Tōsen's expression became even more serious.

Gin Ichimaru was still smiling, but there was something more to that smile.

The other Captain had different expressions—some were confused, some were thinking, and some were simply waiting.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Lieutenant Liu Hao... is indeed a suitable candidate. But is he willing to go?"

This question was asked cleverly, neither agreeing nor refusing outright, but rather placing the decision-making power in Liu Hao's own hands.