A Captain of a Thousand Years
Unohana sheathed her sword.
A thick, pungent smell of blood mingled with the murky aura of the dissipating Reishi, swirling around her.
The remains of the Menos Grande were melting away at a visible rate.
The crimson bloodstains were swept away by the Reishi and gradually faded.
Only cracks of varying depths remained on the ground, proving that the massacre had indeed occurred.
The moment Unohana sheathed her sword, the palpable killing intent vanished abruptly, as if it had never existed.
Her Reiatsu returned to its usual gentle and profound state. Her plain-colored Captain's Haori fluttered gently in the night breeze, its hem spotless, without even a drop of blood on it.
Unohana turned around and walked slowly toward the camp, her steps steady, her eyes regaining their usual gentleness.
It was as if the scene of beheading Adjuchas with a single stroke was just an illusion for everyone.
But no one would think that was an illusion.
The group in front of the camp remained frozen in place, their eyes following Unohana's figure, their emotions churning.
Isane Kotetsu gripped his sleeve tightly, half of his body hiding behind Wang Xun.
Beneath her silver-gray, tousled hair, her eyes were wide open, filled with shock and bewilderment.
She never imagined that Captain Unohana, who always spoke softly and was gentle to everyone, could be like this...
The horrifying side.
But... that's amazing.
His strength was so great that it aroused her longing.
If Isane Kotetsu is like this, then what about the members of the 11th Division?
Their eyes had long been replaced by extreme fanaticism.
The young members blushed, gripped their Zanpakuto tightly, and stared intently at Unohana.
That is the purest yearning and worship for the strong.
In the 11th Division's dictionary, strength is everything.
The strength that Unohana had just displayed had captivated them.
"The Fourth Division Captain seems even more ruthless than our 11th Division..."
A young member of the 11th Division murmured softly as he watched Unohana approach.
"What do you know, kid?"
Another older soldier swallowed hard.
"I've heard that Captain Unohana used to..."
"Before what?"
Seeing the curious gaze of the young man beside him, the slightly older soldier glanced at Unohana not far away and pursed his lips.
"Forget it, don't ask anymore."
He seemed to have thought of something, but didn't finish speaking.
The young man standing to the side looked even more puzzled. Seeing the senior's cryptic expression, he wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
At this moment, Wang Xun was standing at the very front of the crowd, calmly watching Unohana.
It wasn't until Unohana approached that the people around them snapped out of their daze, instinctively bowing and bowing, their voices trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement.
"Captain Unohana."
Unohana nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Wang Xun, and she spoke softly.
"Pack your things. We'll set off back to Seireitei thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, and at this moment no one dared to slack off in the slightest; their movements were several times more nimble than usual.
The encampment, which had been thrown into chaos by the attack of the Adjuchas, was instantly restored to order.
After everyone dispersed and went about their own business, Wang Xun slowly walked towards the center of the battlefield.
The Reiryoku Fragment left behind after the Menos Grande dissipated were gathering in one place, tinged with a faint blackish-red hue.
The fragments were all sucked into Wang Xun's body.
Instantly, a surge of powerful Reiryoku flowed into his body, and system notifications sounded one after another.
[Gained 3 large fragments of Menos Grande Reiryoku Fragment, Hollowfication Level Experience +1500]
[Gained 18 fragments of Menos Grande Reiryoku Fragment, Hollowfication level experience +1800]
[Hollowfication level increased ↑]
[Hollowfication: Iv4 (Experience: 2880/5000)]
A more profound Hollowfication power flowed through his body, Wang Xun could clearly feel that his control over Hollowfication had deepened to a new level.
Even without actually unleashing it, he could feel the growing power hidden deep within his soul.
He composed himself and was about to turn around and return to his post when he heard Unohana's voice behind him.
"Wang Xun."
Wang Xun around and saw Unohana standing not far away, a hint of contemplation in her eyes.
"What, have you noticed anything unusual?"
Wang Xun pondered for a moment, then walked to her side, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings.
"Captain, ever since we arrived in the South District 7, we've been attacked by Hollows one after another. First, it was low-ranking Hollows, then it was Gillian."
"Finally, even Menos Grande led by Adjuchas appeared. This kind of large-scale, progressively advancing attack is too strange."
He paused, then continued.
"Although Hollows appear frequently in Rukongai, they usually fight independently and rarely gather together. This kind of large-scale attack, led by Menos Grande organization, makes me suspicious..."
"Good."
Unohana spoke softly.
"This kind of thing has happened before. However, this time the scale is far smaller than the last time."
She looked up into the distance, her gaze seemingly piercing through the night and landing on an unknown place.
"About a hundred years ago, Soul Society experienced an invasion by Hollows led by Vasto Lorde."
"At that time, that Vasto Lorde led several Adjuchas and dozens of Gillian to invade Soul Society through the Garganta."
"Kenpachi led the entire 11th Division in an attack and repelled them. It was the most serious threat Soul Society had faced in nearly a hundred years."
Wang Xun listened quietly. He had seen records of this battle from over a hundred years ago in the books of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
However, the historical records are vague about the details of the battle, only mentioning the final victory of the 11th Division.
But this time, it's different from that time.
Unohana's gaze fell in the direction of the camp.
"They were like Soul Reaper itself, knowing there were many wounded here, drawn by something, rushing towards us again and again."
Wang Xun's heart stirred, and he suddenly spoke up to remind him.
"Captain, could their targets be in the temporary base?"
Unohana turned to look at Wang Xun and nodded gently.
"Perhaps."
She didn't say anything more, raised her hand and swept it across her body, causing the dense, mist-like Reishi to disperse.
"Make a note of this for now, and investigate it further when we return to Seireitei. Go back and rest; we have a long journey ahead tomorrow."
"Yes."
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, everyone was ready.
Unohana personally led the team, escorting the wounded on their journey back to Seireitei.
The journey was uneventful, with not a single Hollow appearing, as if yesterday's Hollow swarm attack was just a sudden nightmare.
Wang Xun turned around instinctively.
However, behind them, there was only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the grass and trees.
After their figures completely disappeared into the Rukongai South District 7, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
Aizen walked to the center of the battlefield from the previous night, his gaze sweeping over the remaining traces of Reishi on the ground, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
Although it was his spur-of-the-moment idea.
However, these phantoms lured by the bait couldn't even withstand a single blow from Unohana.
This result was not unexpected.
The first captain of the Gotei 13 a thousand years ago truly lived up to his reputation.
That palpable killing intent, the swiftness with which he slew Adjuchas, and his unfathomable strength.
Even Aizen felt a sense of threat.
He gently raised his hand, and a wisp of pale blue Reiatsu emanated from his fingertips.
The traces left by the bait that landed on the ground vanished instantly.
In this way...
Then no one will notice.