Chapter 278: Isn't That the Same Thing?

Chapter 278: Isn't That the Same Thing?

Tōsen Kaname's aggressive stance made Senju Makoto instinctively glance at Aizen Sōsuke. Seeing Aizen's unchanging expression, he understood.

If it were Aizen's instruction, he wouldn't have allowed Tōsen to take such a meaningless action.

Name-calling is pointless.

Then, Makoto said with a seemingly helpless expression, "My sense of justice was taught by Unohana-sensei. If Captain Tōsen has any objections, how about I introduce Captain Tōsen to Unohana-sensei in a secluded place for a chat next time?"

Instantly, Tōsen's expression froze.

Perhaps some newly appointed captains or vice-captains weren't aware of Unohana Retsu's terror, but Tōsen couldn't forget her slaughter of the Hollowfied captains during the "Hollowfication Incident," one strike per captain.

A secluded place?

What's the difference between that and picking a secluded grave to lie in?

Even Chōjirō Sasakibe, who usually maintained a serious expression, couldn't help but chuckle.

'As expected of Unohana-senpai's disciple, even the hidden cunning is inherited.'

Then, Chōjirō Sasakibe coughed lightly, trying to regain his serious expression, and smoothed things over.

"Vice-Captain Senju's proposal is quite steady and cautious, and Captain Tōsen's concerns are not unreasonable. If we ignore the abnormally large number of Adjuchas in Hueco Mundo, the balance of souls will be disrupted..."

After a pause, Chōjirō Sasakibe said solemnly, "Furthermore, the more Adjuchas there are, the greater the possibility of Vast Lord-level Menos Grande being born. Every Vast Lord-level Menos Grande is a calamity that surpasses ordinary captain-level strength, so we must nip this in the bud."

It must be said that because Hollows instinctively devour souls from the Human World and the Soul Society, they are undoubtedly evil in the eyes of the Shinigami.

Therefore, Chōjirō Sasakibe's statement represents the basic understanding and belief of the entire expeditionary force!

[To maintain peace and justice in the Human World and the Soul Society, and to fulfill our responsibility as Shinigami, we are purifying the Hollows in Hueco Mundo!]

Although, from the Hollows' perspective, this statement is as ridiculous as saying they are being massacred because their numbers are affecting other races.

Senju Makoto, whose thinking was never limited to the Shinigami's perspective, understood this very well, but as a Shinigami, he couldn't refute Chōjirō Sasakibe's statement.

Aizen Sōsuke's eyes also subtly revealed a hint of contempt and disdain, but his expression seemed to become serious as he agreed.

"Vice-Captain Sasakibe is right. Maintaining the balance of souls is the responsibility of the expeditionary force. We have come to Hueco Mundo with the necessary resolve!"

After a pause, Aizen Sōsuke pushed up his glasses and said gently, "However, as the commander of the expeditionary force, I also have the responsibility to lead everyone safely back to the Soul Society, so we must not be reckless. While gradually purifying Hollows, we will gather information about the current situation in Hueco Mundo and act accordingly..."

Tōsen Kaname nodded first in agreement. "Captain Aizen is right!"

???

Senju Makoto.

Tōsen is just blatantly sucking up, isn't he?!

Is there any real difference between Aizen's conclusion and my statement?

Apart from Aizen's more flowery and grandiose language, and his framing of his actions as a responsibility to ensure the safety of his colleagues...

Isn't that the same thing? How can he fool people with that?

However, the vice-captains present seemed to buy it, and their eyes towards Aizen showed more friendliness and approval.

After all, a captain who always cares for the safety of his subordinates is easy to win hearts.

Then, Aizen Sōsuke seemed to give Makoto a deliberate smile, and then discussed the specific details of the arrangements and actions with the Shinigami present.

Although Aizen Sōsuke was the nominal commander of the expeditionary force, how could the Central 46 and Captain-General Yamamoto really give the command of thousands of Shinigami to a single captain?

Therefore, both Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname, as well as the vice-captains from different divisions, were there to check and balance each other.

And just like Makoto was in charge of the relief squad and Isane Kotetsu was in charge of the Kidō Corps, the other vice-captains also had their own direct subordinates, forming this massive expeditionary force.

To Makoto's surprise, Aizen Sōsuke didn't make any unreasonable arrangements.

Instead, he arranged for the three captains to take turns leading the purification of Hollows, ensuring that one captain was always available for mobile support and one captain was guarding the camp, showing considerable stability.

In the following days, while the expeditionary force was divided into three groups taking turns to purify Hollows, Makoto found himself much more relaxed than expected.

The expeditionary relief squad was led by Yamada Hanatarō, who had gradually grown, and in terms of healing and medical skills, Yamada Hanatarō was already at the level of a top-ranking seated officer in the Fourth Division.

Therefore, under Yamada Hanatarō's leadership, the expeditionary relief squad was more than capable of handling various injuries.

Makoto spent his days either intentionally appearing in various corners of the camp or studying the environment of Hueco Mundo alone in his tent.

Compared to the Soul Society's environment with its rotating sun and moon, mountains and rivers, Hueco Mundo's environment was undoubtedly unique!

Hueco Mundo had an unchanging night, and the soil was completely composed of countless grains of sand!

The dark sky, the pale earth...

Hueco Mundo seemed to have a strong sense of incongruity and conflict, making Makoto feel a sense of loneliness and emptiness when he occasionally gazed into the distance.

'Is this... really a habitat prepared for normal living beings? What is the meaning of Hueco Mundo's existence?'

Makoto couldn't understand.

Regarding the background of this world, Makoto was no longer as ignorant as he once was.

His position as vice-captain, his fifty years of living with Unohana Retsu, and the existence of Chijō Shūya had all gradually allowed Makoto to learn a great deal about the historical trajectory of the entire world.

The Soul King... created the Soul Society, the Human World, Hueco Mundo, the Dangai, and other worlds...

The Soul King resided in the Soul King Palace and was protected by the Zero Squad, which was not under the jurisdiction of the Central 46 and was known as the "Royal Family's Special Forces."

As for Yhwach, who had some impression in Makoto's previous life, he was the King of the Quincy, who had been defeated by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni about a thousand years ago.

(End of this chapter)