Return to Seireitei

In the Hueco Mundo camp, the tense yet efficient cleanup work continued for several days.

Amagai Shūsuke's injuries had finally stabilized, but his foundation had been damaged and his Spiritual Pressure was in disarray. The hidden injuries caused by Bakkōtō's corrosion, in particular, would require a long period of recovery.

Now that the dust had settled, it was time to return.

The Garganta remotely opened by Squad 12 slowly spread open above the pale sea of sand.

Amagai Shūsuke, Kasahara Heihachi, and the camp's other key members, along with many Expeditionary Force members who could spare the time, had all come to see them off.

Their complicated gazes fell upon the three figures about to enter the Garganta—Liu Chuan of Zero Division, Ashido, and the gray-robed Arrancar, Starrk.

No matter how one looked at it, this trio possessed an eerie strangeness that defied common sense.

"Lord Liu Chuan, have a safe journey! The investigation is in your hands!"

Amagai Shūsuke bowed solemnly. Though his voice remained weak, his eyes had regained their usual resolve, tempered now by a quiet patience for the truth and absolute trust in Liu Chuan.

"Captain Amagai, take care of yourself and await news." Liu Chuan then said to Kasahara Heihachi and the others, "The camp's safety is in your hands."

"It is our duty!" everyone answered in unison.

Liu Chuan said no more. He gestured to Ashido and Starrk behind him, then took the lead and stepped into the churning darkness.

Ashido followed close behind, his steps steady.

Starrk paused for a moment. His one exposed right eye swept over the pale wasteland where he had "lived" for who knew how many years. Then he, too, stepped into the Garganta, his figure completely swallowed by darkness.

The Garganta closed, and the spatial disturbances gradually subsided.