Little Chance of Victory

With Hirako Shinji and the others traveling at full speed, everyone quickly passed through the Dangai.

As the Senkaimon on the Seireitei side opened, the most anxious pair, Kurosaki Isshin and Kurosaki Ichigo, rushed out first.

After all, to the Kurosaki father and son at that moment, every second was incomparably precious.

If they wasted too much time along the way, then even if they managed to rescue Kurosaki Masaki in the end, there was no telling how much Sōsuke Aizen might have altered her. She might even have been directly transformed into a Hollow, or subjected to some other unbearable fate.

However, just as Kurosaki Isshin and Kurosaki Ichigo impatiently prepared to head to the Twelfth Division to find Kurotsuchi Mayuri and ask him to open a passage to Hueco Mundo,

they never expected Chiba Makoto, the First Division Lieutenant, to be waiting for them in front of the Senkaimon.

At that moment, both Kurosaki Isshin and Kurosaki Ichigo were undoubtedly quite shocked.

After all, as guests who had witnessed Unohana Retsu's ceremony of ascension as Captain-Commander, the Kurosaki father and son knew very well just how astonishing Chiba Makoto's prestige was within the current Thirteen Divisions.

Furthermore, since Captain-Commander Unohana Retsu was Chiba Makoto's teacher, it could be said that, on the surface, Chiba Makoto possessed the greatest authority in the entire Thirteen Divisions after Unohana Retsu.

Then, as if recalling something, Kurosaki Isshin spoke with a trace of concern in his voice.

"Vice-Captain Chiba? You aren't here to stop us from going to Hueco Mundo, are you?"

However, Chiba Makoto responded with a reassuringly gentle smile.

"Captain Shiba, it has been a long time. Captain Hirako has already informed me of the incident in Karakura Town. I am not here to stop you."

Hearing that, Kurosaki Isshin