Bleach: I Love Making Friends

The Hueco Mundo expedition team was finally assembled a month later.

Led by Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien, the team consisted of the 3rd, 5th, 9th, 11th, 15th, and 18th to 20th Seated Officers from the 11th Division, along with over a hundred Shinigami soldiers.

Yes, there are actually 20 Seated Officer positions in total, but those beyond the 10th Seat are essentially just slightly more capable Shinigami soldiers, considered lower-tier officers with very little presence.

They don't even generate soul abilities, so Haruki didn't pay much attention to them.

Traveling to Hueco Mundo is no easy task. The Soul Society rarely sends Shinigami there, as their abilities don't naturally allow them to move freely between the three realms.

Shinigami rely on the Senkaimon to travel between the three realms, but while locating the human world is relatively straightforward, pinpointing Hueco Mundo is much more difficult.

Thus, a special Senkaimon had to be constructed specifically for Hueco Mundo, a task naturally assigned to the 12th Division.

By the time the expedition team was assembled, the Senkaimon was also ready.

Before their departure, Ukitake informed Haruki.

Haruki paid a visit to the Shiba household.

The Shiba family is one of the five great noble families of the Soul Society, but among them, the Shiba family is somewhat ostracized, or rather, the weakest of the five.

It's said that the Tsunayashiro family, the head of the five great noble families, led the exclusion of the Shiba family, which has led to their gradual decline.

Even so, the Shiba estate is still quite impressive. While it can't compare to the Kuchiki or Tsunayashiro families, it still exudes the aura of a noble household.

"Haruki, you're here!"

Shiba Kaien was genuinely happy to see Haruki, as Haruki had essentially saved their lives back then.

Kaien was a very emotional person, the type who would repay kindness tenfold.

In some ways, he was similar to Ichigo Kurosaki. They even looked somewhat alike and shared a similar approach to dealing with others.

This is partly why "Killer Ichigo" is considered one of the legendary figures in Shinigami debates. It's worth mentioning the significance of Shūkurō Tsukishima, the only antagonist who managed to bring out "Killer Ichigo."

Haruki admitted to himself that he couldn't achieve something like that, which is why he couldn't be the protagonist. He just wasn't "kind" enough.

Kaien's favorability toward him had already reached 79, meaning he was close to permanently obtaining Kaien's "Resemblance" ability.

And tonight, it should finally happen.

"Vice-Captain Haruki…"

Aside from Kaien, there were two other members of the Shiba family present.

One was Kūkaku Shiba, and the other was Ganju Shiba, Kaien's younger sister and brother.

Haruki noticed that Kūkaku's soul ability was "Fireworks Master," while Ganju's was "Sandification."

'Fireworks Master: Can transform objects into dazzling fireworks or powerful bombs.'

'Sandification: Can cause a designated object to turn into sand.'

Both abilities were quite useful. "Fireworks Master" would allow him to create bombs, while "Sandification" could be used as an offensive technique, adding more versatility to his combat skills.

However, what he wanted most right now was Kaien's "Resemblance," and he was just one step away from obtaining it permanently.

Isshin Shiba, however, wasn't present. Isshin was their uncle but didn't seem to live with them.

It didn't matter, though, as Isshin wasn't the reason for his visit anyway.

"How are the preparations going?"

Haruki asked, "You're about to enter a place like Hueco Mundo, after all."

"I'm fully prepared," Kaien said solemnly. "I've been waiting for this for a month!"

"Well, I hope you can find him and return safely. One of my subordinates volunteered to join the expedition team. If possible, I'd appreciate it if you could look out for him."

"Huh? He's not from the 11th Division?" Kaien was surprised.

"That's right, so he decided to transfer to the 11th Division. His name is Renji Abarai, a very talented young man."

"And he's a friend of Rukia's."

"Rukia…" Kaien fell silent for a moment, then gestured for Haruki to sit at the table. "Rukia hasn't returned to the 13th Division since she woke up. I wonder how she's doing."

Rukia Kuchiki had been unconscious in the 4th Division for about a week. After she woke up, the Kuchiki family took her home, and she hadn't returned to the 13th Division since.

It was said that she was recuperating at the Kuchiki estate, and she would only rejoin the division once the family confirmed she was fully recovered.

"The Kuchiki family is a prestigious noble house. They wouldn't fail to protect their own daughter," Haruki said with a smile.

Then he looked outside.

"Ah, Captain Ukitake is here too."

Today was essentially a reunion of the team that had fought White, though Rukia wasn't present. Then again, she hadn't really been a combatant against White in the first place.

Ukitake was the last to be discharged from the 4th Division. His body had always been frail, and during the battle, he had a sudden relapse of his illness, even getting his chest pierced by White.

Even though his external injuries had healed, his chronic condition couldn't be cured quickly.

His illness was incurable and could only be managed through rest. After leaving the 4th Division, he had been recuperating in the 13th Division's Rain Pavilion.

Only now had he finally improved somewhat.

"Captain Ukitake…"

The two of them went out to greet him. Ukitake's face still looked pale, indicating he hadn't fully recovered.

After they all sat down, Haruki moved the sake cup away from Ukitake.

"Captain Ukitake, if you want to drink, let's wait until you've fully recovered."

Ukitake was momentarily stunned, then smiled wryly. "You're right. And I'm not like Kyōraku."

Unlike Kyōraku, who loved his alcohol, Ukitake wasn't much of a drinker. He wasn't opposed to it, but he only indulged occasionally and in moderation.

In contrast, Kaien was the more boisterous type, especially now that he was grieving the loss of his wife. He needed alcohol to numb his pain.

"I can't offer much help for your journey to Hueco Mundo."

The three of them sat around a small table. Although they were in the Shiba household, Ukitake naturally took the seat of honor.

He looked at Kaien and said, "I just hope you don't let hatred blind you. If things don't go as planned, don't rush. The 13th Division will always be your home."

"…Understood!" Kaien nodded firmly.

"Captain, don't underestimate me."

"Hueco Mundo might actually be a place where I can grow stronger quickly. When I return, I might just surprise you."

...

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