Heading to Hueco Mundo

In the Vice-Captain’s Lounge, Liu Hao and Isane Kotetsu sat facing each other, neither speaking, simply waiting quietly. The clock on the wall ticked away, each second seeming exceptionally long.

Finally, footsteps echoed down the corridor. A messenger from the First Division opened the door and respectfully said, "Lieutenant Liu Hao, the Captain-Commander requests your presence in the Captains’ Meeting Room."

They've arrived.

Liu Hao stood up, straightened his haori, took a deep breath, and then strode towards the room that would determine his fate.

Isane Kotetsu wanted to say something, but in the end she just watched his back with worry. Unohana gently patted her shoulder, indicating that she didn't need to worry too much.

The door to the Captains’ Meeting Room slowly opened in front of Liu Hao.

The gazes of the thirteen Captains fell upon him as if they were tangible, each carrying a different meaning— Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's scrutiny, Unohana's calmness, Aizen's gentleness, Gin Ichimaru's playfulness, and Kaname Tōsen's seriousness...

Liu Hao walked to the center of the conference room and respectfully saluted the Captain-Commander.

"Liu Hao," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice was calm and even, yet carried an undeniable authority, "We've made contact with the Expeditionary Force. However, the Medical Corps needs someone to oversee it. Tell me, who in the Medical Guard Team would be suitable?"

This question, while seemingly offering a choice, actually contains a hidden trap.

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Liu Hao raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over the Captains present, finally settling on Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto: "Originally, the squad leaders of the Medical Guard Team could all handle the task. However, considering the complex environment of Hueco Mundo and the potential situation the Expeditionary Force might face... I request to go personally."

This answer surprised some people.

Kaname Tōsen immediately spoke up, "Lieutenant Liu Hao's personal visit will certainly better ensure the safety of the Medical Corps. However, won't this affect the normal operation of the Fourth Division in the Seireitei?"

"The Fourth Division has other Seated Officers and a medical sergeant," Liu Hao replied, "And I'm only going there temporarily, so it won't affect the division's affairs."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto turned his gaze to Unohana: "What's Captain Unohana's opinion?"

"I will follow Liu Hao's advice." Unohana's answer was concise and firm.

This caused a barely perceptible flicker of emotion to Aizen's eyes. He had originally expected Unohana to object, or at least offer some reservations. But this direct support...

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Alright, it's decided then. Tomorrow, Liu Hao will accompany the support troops to Hueco Mundo to oversee the Medical Corps of the Hueco Mundo Extermination Force."

The Captains’ Meeting has now concluded.

Back in the Fourth Division, Isane Kotetsu could no longer contain her anxiety. "Captain! Knowing they wanted to lure Liu Hao to Hueco Mundo, why did you agree to let him go?!"

"Isane," Unohana's voice remained calm, "You'll have to ask Liu Hao about that. It was his own decision to go."

Isane Kotetsu immediately turned to Liu Hao, her eyes filled with confusion and worry. "Liu Hao, why are you going?!"

Liu Hao helplessly shrugged. "There's no other way. If I don't go, all my poor squad leaders might die in Hueco Mundo. I can't let these people I've worked so hard to train go to waste so easily."

That's true, but not the whole story.

Isane Kotetsu knew this too, but she didn't press the matter further, only sighing, "So, what preparations have you made?"

"Let's take it one step at a time," Liu Hao said. "I'll see if I can... win over Gin Ichimaru and Shūsuke Amagai."

Unohana frowned slightly. "Is there still anything about Shūsuke Amagai here?"

Liu Hao's expression turned serious. "Shūsuke Amagai's father was the Captain-Commander's disciple. He was ordered to infiltrate the Kasumioji Clan to investigate the Bakkōtō. After being discovered, he was controlled by the Kasumioji Clan with the Bakkōtō and ultimately died at the Captain-Commander's hands."

He began to recount that long-buried past. "Before his father died, Shūsuke Amagai learned about the Bakkōtō and joined the Gotei 13 under an assumed name to investigate it. He didn't know the specifics of what happened, only that his father died at the hands of the Captain-Commander. So he had been gathering his strength, wanting to seek revenge on the Captain-Commander."

"What I do know is that he later joined forces with the Kasumioji Clan and used the Bakkōtō to try and kill the Captain-Commander." Liu Hao paused. "Perhaps because of my appearance, some things changed. So it's very possible... he had some kind of alliance with Aizen and the others."

Unohana was silent for a moment, then asked, "Should I report this to the Captain-Commander?"

"Not for now," Liu Hao shook his head. "I'll talk to him and Gin Ichimaru when I get to Hueco Mundo. If I can't explain it to them... just be careful. If all else fails, I'll escape to the World of the Living and wait until Aizen is fully exposed."

"I don't think Aizen and the others will just send Gin Ichimaru to Hueco Mundo to deal with you," Unohana reminded her.

Liu Hao nodded. "That's what I think too. Aizen will definitely go there in person, or send his subordinates from Hueco Mundo to deal with me."

"Does Aizen still have influence in Hueco Mundo?" Unohana asked.

"Yes," Liu Hao confirmed, "They're known as the 'Espada,' Hollows who have gained the power of Soul Reaper, also called Arrancars. But their strength is just so-so... Aizen's strength is still the main factor."

"I see," Unohana said thoughtfully, "As long as you're confident, it'll be fine."

"My strength is just so-so, it's only relative to people like you and the Captain-Commander," Liu Hao said with a wry smile. "For me, the best I can do is run away."

"Is that so?" Unohana suddenly smiled, a hint of amusement in her smile. "Then I'm even more relieved. Because I think your strength has already surpassed mine."

Liu Hao rolled his eyes. "Come on. If my strength surpassed yours, I would have already crushed you and made you give up that ridiculous Kenpachi succession."

This statement suddenly created a subtle atmosphere in the Captain’s Office.

Unohana squinted at Liu Hao without saying a word, but her gaze sent a chill down Liu Hao's spine.

Isane Kotetsu quickly smoothed things over, "Liu Hao, you're so brave. When you come back, I'll help you hold down the Captain."

"Isane," Unohana turned to her Vice-Captain, her eyes narrowing into slits, "It seems you'll need special training for the next while. Otherwise, how will you help Liu Hao keep me in check in the future?"

Isane Kotetsu hurriedly explained, "Oh dear, Captain, I just..."

Before she could finish speaking, Unohana interrupted her, "Alright, I know what you're thinking. But it's the mission I've given myself. For it, I don't care if I lose my life. Otherwise, living would have no meaning for me."

These words silenced both Liu Hao and Isane Kotetsu.

After a long silence, Liu Hao finally spoke slowly, "Captain, a mission can be to pass on traditions, to protect, to teach... but it should never be death. It certainly shouldn't be choosing death when there's still a choice."

Unohana didn't answer, but simply shook her head slightly, picked up the documents on the table again, as if the conversation had never happened.

But Liu Hao knew that some words had already been spoken, and some seeds had already been sown.

The following morning, Liu Hao arrived at the assembly point for the Hueco Mundo support forces—an open area on the edge of Seireitei.

In the sky, the technicians of the Twelfth Division had already prepared the equipment to open the "Garganta." The Garganta is a passage connecting Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, and it requires special technology to open stably.

Members of the support force arrived one after another. In addition to the members of the Third Division and Fifth Divisions, there were also some supplementary personnel from other divisions, totaling about fifty people. Most of them were experienced Seated Officers or elite members, and each of them was fully armed and had a serious expression.

Liu Hao wore a standard Fourth Division haori, and the Imperial Sword at his waist gleamed with a dark golden luster in the morning light. He looked calm and composed, as if he were just going to carry out a routine medical support mission.

Soon after, Gin Ichimaru arrived.

The Third Division Captain still wore his signature foxy smile, and when he saw Liu Hao, his eyes narrowed even more. "Lieutenant Liu Hao, you're here early."

"It's alright, I wasn't too early, Captain Ichimaru." Liu Hao replied respectfully, his manners impeccable, yet he maintained a respectful distance.

Gin Ichimaru didn't seem to mind and turned to the technical staff of the Twelfth Division: "Everyone's here, let's set off."

The technician nodded and began operating the equipment. Black ripples appeared in the air, and an unstable crack slowly opened, gradually expanding into a passage large enough for a person to pass through.

The interior of the Garganta was pitch black, with only a faint glow emanating from the edge of the passage. This was the only way to Hueco Mundo, and also an extremely dangerous space—there was no stable foothold, and one could only move forward by creating temporary footholds using Reiatsu.

"I'll go first," said Gin Ichimaru, stepping into the Garganta first.

His steps were light, and with each step he took, a blue foothold formed from Reiatsu appeared beneath his feet. That was a high-level Reiatsu control technique, capable of creating a temporary foothold in the void.

Liu Hao followed closely behind. He did not imitate Gin Ichimaru's method, but used a different technique—his right hand made a loose fist, and golden Reishi surged from his palm, condensing in the air into a more stable and wider platform.

Furthermore, Liu Hao connected the pedals he made with Gin Ichimaru's pedals to form a stable passage about two meters wide, allowing people behind him to pass more safely.

Gin Ichimaru glanced back, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Lieutenant Liu Hao is really amazing, able to control the location of Reiatsu creation so accurately."

"Most of the members of the Fourth Division can do it," Liu Hao replied, still maintaining a distance, "After all, medical personnel need to learn precise control of Reiatsu to perform treatments."

Gin Ichimaru smiled and continued forward, "Don't be so formal. We'll be fighting side by side from now on."

"Fighting side by side?" Liu Hao said meaningfully, "Will Captain Ichimaru fight alongside me, or will we fight against others together?"

These words caused Gin Ichimaru to pause slightly in his steps.

He turned his head, a sharp glint flashing in his narrowed eyes. "Lieutenant Liu Hao's words are quite interesting."

"Some things, once lost, are not so easy to get back," Liu Hao continued calmly. "If Captain Ichimaru is interested, we can talk before we arrive in Hueco Mundo."

For the first time Gin Ichimaru's expression changed noticeably. The foxy smile that always graced his face vanished, replaced by a deep seriousness.

"It seems Lieutenant Liu Hao knows quite a lot." His voice was much lower.

"At least we know Captain Ichimaru's future efforts," Liu Hao said frankly, "Although he didn't succeed, he still fell in the arms of the one he loved. How should I put it... it's a tragic ending, such a pity."

These words were like a sharp knife, precisely piercing the deepest part of Gin Ichimaru's heart.

His breathing quickened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and put on his smile again, "Is that so? You failed. But how could a venomous snake like me have anyone to love?"

"No?" Liu Hao's expression turned playful. "If you don't mind, I can help you look after her. After all, who can resist a big sister with such a great figure?"

This was a flippant remark, even bordering on rude.

But Gin Ichimaru's reaction was unexpected—he didn't get angry, didn't argue, but just looked annoyed for a moment, and finally let out a helpless sigh.

"Hmph," he turned back and continued walking forward, his voice carrying a complex emotion, "If they don't die before me, I don't care."

This statement is tantamount to admitting everything Liu Hao said.

He acknowledged that he had someone he loved, acknowledged his plans, and acknowledged his fate.