Seireitei...
Today was the day the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force returned. Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, stood before the Senkaimon with the current captains of the Gotei 13, quietly awaiting Araki and the others' return...
As the Senkaimon opened, the captains all grew tense.
"What, Omaeda? Are you nervous?!"
Shihoin Sennichi, the current captain of the 2nd Division, looked at the tall, afro-haired man behind him and teased him.
"A-after all, I heard that the captain of that expeditionary force is a legendary figure who once fought Yhwach alongside you. I truly am incredibly nervous..."
The man surnamed Omaeda spoke respectfully to Shihoin Sennichi.
"Haha, relax! Araki is a refined and easygoing person, just like me."
Shihoin Sennichi softly reassured the old subordinate who had accompanied him for over fifty years.
"If he's like you, Captain, then I'm relieved!"
Omaeda slowly let out a breath upon hearing that.
Crack~
Just then, the Senkaimon had opened fully. One black-robed Soul Reaper after another walked straight out from it, and naturally, standing at the front of them all was—Unohana Retsu.
"Where is Araki?!"
Genryūsai frowned deeply and questioned Unohana Retsu.
"My, Captain Araki already returned ahead of us. Didn't you know that?!"
Unohana smiled gently at Genryūsai.
Across the entire Seireitei, only Unohana and Araki, among the very few others, dared speak to Genryūsai in such a casual tone...
"What?!"
When everyone heard that Araki had already returned, shock filled their faces. Even Genryūsai himself raised his brows.
"Lord Genryūsai, Araki asked me to give this to you..."
Just as Genryūsai was wondering where Araki had gone, Chōjirō Sasakibe appeared before him like a dark shadow and presented him with a bloodstained 11th Division captain's haori.
For a moment, where Araki had gone was self-evident...
"That wretched disciple! He's