A Gaze Across Distance

Hueco Mundo.

When Chiba Makoto set foot upon Hueco Mundo's sands once more, a trace of reminiscence involuntarily flashed through his eyes.

As the Soul Reapers following Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu entered this desolate world as well, Soi Fon, vigilantly surveying the surroundings, unconsciously asked,

"So this is Hueco Mundo?"

The other Soul Reapers also watched with guarded expressions, observing their surroundings for possible attacks while quickly acclimating to the environment.

"That's right. This is Hueco Mundo."

Chiba Makoto replied as his gaze swept over the Soul Reapers behind him.

Unohana Retsu, Soi Fon, Kuchiki Byakuya, Hisagi Shūhei, Ise Nanao, Matsumoto Rangiku...

The lineup of four captains and two Vice-Captains was nothing short of extravagant, accounting for more than a third of the Thirteen Divisions' publicly known combat strength.

However, Ise Nanao alone had once accompanied the Expeditionary Force to Hueco Mundo and fought here. The other Soul Reapers' understanding of Hueco Mundo was still based entirely on intelligence and various descriptions.

Chiba Makoto then spoke in a steady tone. "However, Las Noches is still some distance away, so there's no need to be overly nervous."

Hearing this, Kuchiki Byakuya seemed to realize something and asked, "Mr. Kurosaki Makoto, are you very familiar with Hueco Mundo?"

"I wouldn't call it familiarity, but I came to Hueco Mundo several years ago, so I know its basic circumstances fairly well."

Chiba Makoto answered without revealing a flaw. After determining their bearings, he pointed northwest and said,

"According to rumor, Las Noches, where the Hollow King resides, lies in that direction. Since Nel was brought back to Hueco Mundo by Aizen Sōsuke, she should be inside Las Noches."

At those words, all the Soul Reapers turned to look northwest in unison, light flickering in their eyes...

Their objective in setting foot in