Uchiha Yato arrived before the Senkaimon concealed by a barrier and immediately spotted Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara, both wearing pristine white captain's haori.
"Huh? Captain Urahara, Captain Yoruichi—"
"Kisuke and I came to meet you." The dark-skinned captain paused, then asked curiously, "Yato, what happened to your face?"
"Ah, this?"
The boy awkwardly rubbed the red palm print on his cheek and chose to make the king of Hueco Mundo take the blame. "Barragan slapped me."
Yoruichi Shihōin tilted her head, then looked at the female Soul Reaper beside him. "Captain Unohana, is it just me? You look remarkably well—"
"Oh my, do I?" Retsu Unohana smiled gently, the corners of her lips curving in satisfied contentment. "The climate in Hueco Mundo is lovely. The Reishi concentration is especially suitable for women like us, Captain Yoruichi."
"Is that so? I've learned something new—"
Suspicion flashed through Yoruichi Shihōin's golden-brown eyes. She scratched her chin with keen interest, like a cat that had caught the scent of fish.
As they spoke, the four had already undone the Senkaimon's seal and stepped inside.
Uchiha Yato's feet once again touched the ground of the Soul Society.
He took a deep breath. Only a few days had passed, yet it felt like a lifetime.
On the Soul Society side, Chōga Genshirō, the Third Seat of the First Division, had already been waiting.
"Captain Unohana, Captain Shihōin, Captain Urahara!" He first saluted the three captain-class officers, then said to the boy, "Third Seat Uchiha, the Head Captain has ordered that you report to the First Division barracks upon your return to the Soul Society."
"Alright, then I'll go right—"
"No rush. You may rest for a while. You've worked hard, Yato."
Chōga Genshirō gave a slight bow, his attitude far more respectful than before.