Return to Seireitei

"Gaoyu! You brat are still alive! Where have you been these past few days!"

Toru Tanimoto rushed forward and stopped in front of Gaoyu, asking excitedly.

Gaoyu glanced at Aizen, who shrugged, signaling him to make up a story.

"After we regrouped, we walked back together, but before I knew it, you all disappeared, and I was alone."

Gaoyu could only fabricate: "After that, I wandered around Rukongai and was attacked by Hollows several times."

"It wasn't until just now that another heavily injured Hollow came running, and it took me quite some effort to finally defeat it."

"That… was our Captain." A Shinigami standing nearby said with a dim expression: "Captain… was possessed by a Hollow due to a moment of carelessness. If not for his strong will, we would have all been killed then."

"It's all over," Aizen said softly. "The culprit has been killed. Everyone, let's return to Seireitei."

Return to Seireitei…

A hint of relief appeared on everyone's faces. They had been on edge for so long outside.

They had to guard against not only external Menos Grandes but also Shinigami who had been possessed internally.

No one could trust anyone else anymore. In such an environment, it was a great torment to one's state of mind.

Now, could they finally go back?

Gaoyu also felt a sense of relief. During these past few days, he didn't have to scheme like the others, but the pressure in his heart was equally immense.

He not only had to face Aizen but also survive alone in a dangerous place like Hueco Mundo.

Fortunately, the Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande he encountered was Nelliel. If it had been another Menos Grande, he would have had to run for his life.

"You brat, you're actually this powerful?"

After returning to Seireitei, Toru Tanimoto nudged Gaoyu and said, "Even if that Hollow didn't completely possess the Third Division Captain's body, he was still a Captain. Even in a heavily injured state, he was a formidable enemy to deal with."

"I heard that the Third Division suffered heavy losses because of him, and even the Vice-Captain died."

"…Fortunately," Gaoyu said after a moment of silence. "When he appeared before me, he was already heavily injured by Captain Aizen, which is why I was able to kill him."

"Regardless, this is a great accomplishment," Toru Tanimoto patted Gaoyu's shoulder.

Gaoyu forced a smile. The two of them had already returned to the jurisdiction managed by the Fifth Division.

Aizen went to the First Division to report, and the members of the Third Division also returned.

"By the way, what about the others? Tanaka… and the Ninth Division members?"

"Tanaka is alive but injured and has already been sent to the Fourth Division," Toru Tanimoto replied. "The Ninth Division also suffered about half casualties, but with Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru over there, there aren't any major problems."

"However…"

Speaking of this, Toru Tanimoto said with some sorrow, "Fujita is dead."

Fujita…

Gaoyu thought of the Fourth Seat of the Fifth Division and also sighed.

Fujita was the first to leave the group. He was supposed to relay the message back to Seireitei, but he was killed by a Hollow halfway there.

Gaoyu returned home with a heavy heart.

It wasn't until he got home, back to his own 'Safe House,' that Gaoyu finally relaxed completely.

He collapsed onto the bed and took deep breaths repeatedly.

Only then could he finally completely relax.

Having been outside for so long, he often appeared to have no psychological fluctuations, but in reality, his mind had been in a constant state of tension.

The only time he relaxed was shortly after arriving in Hueco Mundo, when Aizen left for a brief moment.

Because at that time, his Game Master effect had lost its efficacy, proving that the game was over.

So Aizen should have truly left, but that only allowed Gaoyu a brief moment of relaxation.

He didn't know when Aizen would return, so after a short period of relaxation, he returned to a state of high tension.

Only now, in his own Safe House, could he finally maintain a state of absolute safety.

In his own Safe House, no one could monitor him.

He had already generated an image of himself sleeping after returning. No matter who monitored him, whether it was Aizen or anyone else, they would only see such a scene.

That was why he could finally relax completely at this moment.

"Hoo…"

After a long while, Gaoyu finally recovered.

He perhaps understood why his Zanpakuto was named 'Lonely Hell Crowd.'

Although he had been making friends all along, he himself was always alone.

Because from the very beginning, making friends had been for a purpose.

If he made friends from the start with ulterior motives and for personal gain, how could he not be lonely?

"Heh…"

Gaoyu chuckled, then lay down on the bed.

This kind of thing...

Didn't matter anymore.

Whether it was one person, or more...

At the very least, he had to survive first.

Those who survived had a future, and those with a future...

Could achieve anything.

By the next morning, Gaoyu had completely shaken off the melancholic mood from the previous night, walking out of his home with renewed vigor.

No matter what, the most intense period was over. Now he could enjoy life.

Furthermore, by killing the Menos Grande that had parasitized the Third Division Captain, he had earned merit.

The Gotei 13 should reward him.

Aizen even wanted to promote him to Vice-Captain.

His future was looking brighter and brighter.

Gaoyu strolled through the streets, humming a tune.

He didn't have to 'work' today. All the Fifth Division members who had returned from the Fifth Division were given a holiday, and Gaoyu himself had a full month off.

During this month, he could truly enjoy life.

He planned to visit the Ninth Division to see Shūhei, wondering how he was doing.

He had inquired yesterday; although the Ninth Division had suffered heavy casualties, Hizaki Shūhei had survived.

However, upon arriving at the Ninth Division, he learned that Shūhei had been seriously wounded and sent to the Fourth Division for treatment.

He pondered for a moment and decided to head to the Fourth Division.

There were many individuals with Soul Abilities in the Fourth Division as well. He thought he might be able to make some friends there.

With that thought, he set off in the direction of the Fourth Division.

Each division of the Gotei 13 had its own jurisdiction, but the Captains' office jurisdictions were all located within the core area of the Seireitei.

So, visiting other divisions wasn't difficult, though it was uncommon.

Of course, the Fourth Division was a definite exception.

While they might not visit other divisions, it was common for members of other divisions to visit the Fourth Division.

Who didn't get injured at some point?

When you're injured, you definitely go to the Fourth Division!

Therefore, the Fourth Division was always bustling with people. Seeing the stream of people with Soul Abilities, Gaoyu felt a pang of envy!