Chapter 61: Your device has his flavor, Hueco Mundo Arrancar

"Kanisawa, you did a great job!" Uehara Shiroha praised Hotaru Kanisawa with a satisfied smile.

He was well aware that the so-called assessment accident had been orchestrated by none other than that old fox, Aizen. His real objective? To subtly manipulate Hinamori Momo, Kira Izuru, and Abarai Renji—those three naive fools—by exploiting their emotions.

In the original timeline, Hotaru Kanisawa had unfortunately been one of the countless victims caught in Aizen's web of deception. But with Uehara Shiroha's intervention, the plot had already veered off course. Now, the Court Army had gained a diligent and capable squad leader.

For most Shinigami, Rukongai was nothing more than a slum—a place where the so-called untouchables lived, with no future or glory to be found in guarding its districts. However, Hotaru Kanisawa took her duties seriously. She never slacked off, showing unwavering dedication to her post.

Uehara Shiroha couldn't help but admire her work ethic.

Sure enough, the three Rukongai districts under her command were far more stable and well-managed than the others.

After leaving Rukongai, Uehara Shiroha and Ise Nanao made their way back to the Court Army's headquarters in Seireitei. Their residence was located in a luxurious sector, not far from the offices of the Gotei 13 captains.

As they passed by the Fifth Division's office, Uehara Shiroha instinctively glanced in its direction.

Standing there, dressed in his pristine white haori, was "Aizen," his usual warm and composed smile in place. He gave them a polite nod.

Uehara Shiroha responded with a casual nod in return.

Behind him, Ise Nanao, who was holding a book close to her chest, also noticed Aizen. Unlike Shiroha, she maintained proper decorum, offering the Fifth Division captain a respectful salute before quickly following after her superior.

Uehara Shiroha, however, merely curled his lips in amusement as a thought crossed his mind.

"So, that sly bastard has already taken notice of me, huh?"

It didn't bother him in the slightest. He had never intended to hide his presence entirely. If anything, playing along with their little game would be more entertaining.

That "Aizen" just now? Pure illusion.

In theory, only Shinigami who had fallen victim to Kyoka Suigetsu's ability could perceive it. This was Aizen's subtle way of testing whether Uehara Shiroha was truly under its effect.

But such tricks were useless against him.

After all, trying to deceive him with illusions while he possessed the power of the Mind Gem was like trying to light a candle in the middle of a hurricane—utterly pointless.

That's why, despite never having been affected by Kyoka Suigetsu, he could still see through the illusion as easily as spotting a flaw in an amateur's lie.

One glance. That was all it took.

Turning away from Aizen's office, Uehara Shiroha shifted his attention to Ise Nanao, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. He raised a brow before speaking.

"Still brooding over what happened in Rukongai?"

Nanao hesitated for a moment before sighing. She knew her teacher was too sharp to miss the thoughts troubling her.

"…Right," she admitted, pressing her lips together. "Honestly, I was relieved when I saw how much of a difference the Court Army has made. But even now, I can't believe how terrible those last few districts were. I never imagined such a cruel place could exist within Soul Society."

Her voice was filled with frustration.

"I don't understand… how could Soul Society allow something like that to continue?"

Growing up, she had read countless books about history, politics, and law. But books never truly prepared one for the reality of things.

The first time she had witnessed the horrors of Rukongai over a decade ago, it had shaken her to the core.

Back then, she had desperately wanted to do something—anything—to change the appalling conditions. But no matter how hard she tried, she was powerless. Even her uncle, Kyoraku Shunsui, had been unable to help. He had bluntly told her that the political structure of Soul Society was far more complex than she understood, advising her to give up on trying to change it.

Then came Uehara Shiroha.

In just a few decisive moves, the commander of the Court Army had swept through Rukongai, purging the corrupt aristocrats and criminals that had long plagued the districts. In an instant, many of the problems that had persisted for centuries were simply… gone.

It was an overwhelming contrast.

"Because they don't care," Uehara Shiroha stated plainly.

The truth was, he didn't particularly care either.

But unlike those nobles, it wasn't because he lacked empathy—he simply viewed all beings as the same. Commoners, nobles, captains, criminals… to him, they were just people. Nothing more, nothing less.

And that was precisely why he had become an "honest judge" in this rotten system—an impartial force capable of passing judgment without bias.

Even in a world where corruption ran rampant, where justice was often a twisted concept, a "ruthless judge" who punished all wrongdoing equally could ironically be seen as the fairest of them all.

Reality was often absurd like that.

Ise Nanao clenched her fists. "But they knew it was wrong. And yet, aside from you, no one did anything!"

To her, it was infuriating. How could everyone—including her own uncle—simply accept such injustice without lifting a finger?

"You're mistaken," Uehara Shiroha corrected her with a shake of his head. "It's not that they don't want to act… It's that they can't."

Take Madarame, for example.

On the surface, he looked like your typical hot-headed thug, but in reality, he had long since become disillusioned with Soul Society's system.

Despite being from a noble family, even he recognized the absurdity of their government. At one point, he had been so disgusted by it all that he had even contemplated throwing his life away.

Uehara Shiroha's evaluation? Incompetent. Powerless. Meaningless.

So many Shinigami—whether it be in the Gotei 13, the Kido Corps, or the Onmitsukido—were skilled in destruction but had no ability to govern, build, or improve. They were Shinigamis, not leaders.

That was the fundamental problem.

After a moment of contemplation, Ise Nanao let out a small sigh. The anger within her had cooled slightly, though it hadn't entirely faded.

She suddenly thought of something and asked, "Are you heading to Hueco Mundo next?"

"I am," Uehara Shiroha confirmed. "I plan to check in on Kurotsuchi Mayuri while I'm there."

Of course, that was only part of the reason.

More importantly, it had been a while since he last set foot in the Hueco Mundo territory. And frankly, his hands were itching to cut something.

Ise Nanao frowned slightly. "Should I accompany you, Commander?"

"You? To Hueco Mundo?" Uehara Shiroha glanced at her, then smirked. "Nah. No need to follow me this time."

While he had no doubt in her abilities, Hueco Mundo was no place for someone like Nanao.

Besides, he had his own plans—plans that didn't require unnecessary distractions.

"Understood." She nodded obediently, though her expression was filled with concern. "Commander, be careful."

With that, she turned and headed toward the Court Army's main office.

Uehara Shiroha opened the system prompt.

[Congratulations! Daily task—Territory Patrol Completed. Reward: Spiritual Pressure +1, Universal Barrier +1!]

In an instant, Uehara Shiroha felt a small but noticeable increase in his Reiatsu. His second-class spiritual power had strengthened slightly, and the Universal Barrier—which could block all attacks—became even sturdier.

The daily task requirements were actually quite simple. He only needed to patrol a portion of his territory to complete it; checking in on Hueco Mundo wasn't even necessary.

Yet, watching the Court Army grow from nothing into a formidable force gave him a certain sense of accomplishment.

It was more than just a tool for him—it was a way to subtly reshape parts of Soul Society that he found intolerable.

Since he had already checked on Rukongai and Seireitei, he figured he might as well take a trip to Hueco Mundo as well.

Soon, Uehara Shiroha arrived at the Court Army's underground base, hidden deep beneath Soul Society.

The base was heavily fortified, layered with powerful barriers that ensured its secrecy. Unlike the dim, shadow-filled laboratories typical of the Gotei 13, this one was brightly illuminated, leaving not a single dark corner.

Inside, Kurotsuchi Mayuri was leading a team of engineers from the Technology Development Bureau, busily working on upgrades to the Hueco Mundo Gate.

As soon as Uehara Shiroha stepped into the room, the third seat of the 12th Division, Akon, immediately straightened his posture and gave a deep bow of respect.

"Commander Uehara!" he greeted.

The other technicians quickly followed suit, lowering their heads in deference.

Strictly speaking, as the Deputy Director of the Technology Development Bureau, Akon didn't need to show this level of courtesy to Uehara Shiroha.

However, he understood the hierarchy well.

Unlike his own captain—who acted without scruples and saw human life as nothing more than a tool for experimentation—Uehara Shiroha was on an entirely different level.

Even disregarding his terrifying combat prowess, the sheer presence he commanded made him an intimidating figure. Compared to him, Kurotsuchi Mayuri almost seemed… tame.

Akon wasn't about to step out of line.

Meanwhile, near the Hueco Mundo Gate, Mayuri Kurotsuchi—his masked face as eerie as ever—fixed his piercing gaze on Uehara Shiroha. His eyes flickered with suspicion.

"I've finished recalibrating the system. This gate should now be far more stable than before," he stated coldly. "However… tell me, where exactly did this advanced equipment come from? I sense something distasteful about it."

Uehara Shiroha shrugged, responding casually, "Oh, I just picked it up somewhere."

Mayuri let out a sharp, irritated laugh. "Picked it up, you say? Are you seriously expecting me to believe that you just happened to stumble across technology that only that man had ever researched?"

His skepticism was justified.

Logically speaking, the Hueco Mundo Gate shouldn't have been sustainable for long. Its original designer had defected, leaving no one behind with the expertise to maintain or improve it. As a result, even supporting a single Hueco Mundo expedition had been pushing its limits.

Yet, after that very expedition, Uehara Shiroha had somehow acquired the necessary technology to keep the gate operational.

And now, he had even brought in highly advanced modifications.

It was too convenient.

There was definitely something suspicious about this.

Uehara Shiroha, however, merely smirked. "Maybe I'm just lucky. They say handsome men have good fortune."

"You—!"

For a brief moment, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's fingers twitched, almost as if he were about to launch an attack on impulse.

Rules? Regulations? He had never cared about such things.

After all, he had served time in the Maggot's Nest and climbed his way back to power. Fear was not something he was familiar with.

But then—

A vivid mental image flashed through his mind.

—The beaten and bruised figures of Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Zaraki Kenpachi, all lying in a miserable state after crossing Uehara Shiroha.

He could still picture Zaraki Kenpachi in particular—impaled and swinging like a candied hawthorn skewer.

Kurotsuchi Mayuri's anger instantly evaporated.

With a frustrated scowl, he turned away and barked at his subordinates, "Akon, don't forget to prepare the research materials I requested! We're leaving."

"Understood, Captain!" Akon responded quickly, his voice filled with relief. He bowed once more to Uehara Shiroha before hurrying after Mayuri.

That had been close.

Akon had already decided that if the two had actually started fighting, he wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Although he knew Uehara Shiroha was overwhelmingly stronger, he still owed a debt to his captain.

If anything happened to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, someone had to inherit his position.

Uehara Shiroha, on the other hand, barely paid any attention to Mayuri's outburst.

In fact, that had been his plan all along—to provoke Kurotsuchi Mayuri just enough to make him compete with Urahara Kisuke.

After all, competition was the greatest motivator.

With both of them working harder to outdo one another, he could simply sit back and reap the rewards.

Satisfied, Uehara Shiroha made his way toward the Hueco Mundo Base.

Upon arriving, he was greeted by a formidable sight.

The Court Army soldiers stationed here were hardened Shinigamis, each with a sharp, feral glint in their eyes. Their presence alone radiated aggression, like a pack of hungry wolves ready to tear apart their prey.

Yet, the moment they laid eyes on him, their demeanor changed instantly.

As if a switch had been flipped, they straightened up, their previous hostility vanishing like mist before the sun.

In unison, they lowered their heads and saluted, their voices loud and filled with unwavering respect.

"Greetings, Commander!"

Uehara Shiroha didn't acknowledge them.

His gaze swept over the base briefly, but he didn't linger. Instead, he stepped beyond the barriers, walking out without a word.

Anyone else might have been fooled by their obedient and disciplined behavior in his presence.

But Uehara Shiroha knew better.

These men were not ordinary soldiers.

They were monsters—each one a former big-time criminal from the most dangerous districts of Rukongai.

The 80th District and its neighboring areas were infamous for their brutality.

No laws. No order. No morality. Only kill or be killed.

In that kind of hell, only the strongest villains survived.

Even the most minor disputes—whether over food, water, or a simple glance—could end in bloodshed.

And yet, here they were.

Uehara Shiroha had handpicked them, brought them to Hueco Mundo, and given them power.

Why?

Because waste should be put to good use.

Instead of letting these ruthless killers continue their rampages in Rukongai, he had repurposed them into his own attack dogs.

At the same time, this also helped balance the spiritual population between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.

After all, the Court Army had slaughtered countless Hollows over the years.

It was only fair to return the favor.

A fitting exchange, wouldn't you say?

This time, Uehara Shiroha had come to Hueco Mundo for a simple reason—he wanted to cut down a few Hollows to unwind.

Sparring with the likes of Ichimaru Gin, Kuchiki Byakuya, and Zaraki Kenpachi was entertaining, but ultimately limited. No matter how intense the battle, they were still comrades—killing them outright wasn't an option.

And besides, some of his techniques weren't meant for public display.

Hollows, on the other hand?

No such restrictions applied.

Slaughtering them was satisfying, unrestricted, and—most importantly—useful for testing his recent power surge in actual combat.

Of course, he had another reason for coming here.

A hidden purpose.

This was also a chance to deliver a subtle blow to Aizen.

The cold, pale moonlight bathed the vast desert of Hueco Mundo—a land that had remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years.

Even with Aizen's so-called "beautification efforts," this realm was still as desolate and monotonous as ever.

The same endless dunes.

The same eerie silence.

Nothing had truly changed.

Releasing his Reiatsu, Uehara Shiroha quickly locked onto a target.

Without hesitation, he executed a Shunpo, vanishing from his position and reappearing as he cut through the wind, dashing across the desert at high speed.

But just as he was about to reach his destination, he suddenly slowed.

His expression remained neutral, but his sharp senses had already detected it.

An abnormality in the space.

A barrier.

Still, Uehara Shiroha didn't stop. He continued forward, unfazed.

And as expected—when he arrived—a powerful, invisible force field enveloped the area, subtly suppressing his spiritual energy.

A familiar technique.

"So it's you again…"

Decades ago, when he had infiltrated Hueco Mundo to rescue Suì-Fēng, he had encountered this exact type of barrier.

A creation of Szayelaporro Granz.

And now, the suppression effect was even stronger than before. Clearly, the so-called scientist of Hueco Mundo had continued refining his craft.

Yet, despite being trapped within the enhanced barrier, Uehara Shiroha showed no signs of concern.

Not in the slightest.

"Lord Szayelaporro is far too cautious," a voice sneered, echoing through the empty air. "There was no need to go to such trouble just to deal with a mere ant."

A figure flickered into view.

A humanoid Arrancar, clad in a pristine white shirt and matching pants, carrying an enormous blade across his back.

His face was rugged, reminiscent of a Westerner, though a shattered Hollow mask remained partially fused to his skin, leaving behind faint white fragments.

Were it not for the traces of his Hollow mask and the black void carved into his leg—the telltale Hollow hole—he could have easily been mistaken for a human.

The Arrancar grinned, flashing sharp teeth.

"Don't you think so, Shinigami?" As he spoke, a crushing spiritual pressure erupted from his body.

A suffocating, pitch-black Reiatsu—so dense that it distorted the very air around them.

In an instant, the barren desert seemed to darken, as if the world itself had lost its color.

The ground trembled violently.

Whirling sand and dust spiraled into chaotic patterns, twisting unnaturally beneath the influence of the oppressive energy.

Even the towering rock formations quaked, some beginning to crack under the strain.

The weak perished first.

Several small Hollows in the vicinity, unable to withstand the sheer force, disintegrated into spiritual particles, fading into nothingness.

This Reiatsu—it wasn't just powerful.

It was far above that of an ordinary Adjuchas—perhaps even stronger than the average Gotei 13 Captain.

At the very least, twenty chakkens in intensity.

And yet—

Uehara Shiroha didn't so much as blink.

No reaction. No discomfort.

Nothing.

As if the Reiatsu meant nothing to him.

Seeing this, the Arrancar narrowed his eyes in mild surprise.

Even under suppression from the barrier, this man stood as if he felt nothing.

Interesting…

Feeling the rough, chaotic Reiatsu emanating from his opponent, Uehara Shiroha finally spoke, his voice calm.

"You're no ordinary Hollow."

His gaze remained steady as he analyzed the force exuding from his enemy.

"In your spiritual pressure… I can sense the power of a Shinigami."

Then, his lips curled slightly.

"You're an Arrancar."

It wasn't a question. He already knew.

After all, Hueco Mundo had always harbored such creatures.

He was merely confirming what was already obvious.

The Arrancar tilted his head, intrigued.

"You can stay calm under my spiritual pressure, and you even recognized what I am…" He nodded, seemingly satisfied. "You're much stronger than the weaklings I've encountered before."

His lips twisted into a grin.

"You're worthy enough to know my name."

With a theatrical flourish, he straightened his posture.

"Listen carefully, Shinigami. My name is Jerome, a direct subordinate of Lord Szayelaporro."

Then, his eyes gleamed with amusement.

"And you? Who might you be?"

As a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar, Jerome was more than confident in his abilities.

In the past, he had clashed with several Shinigami from the Court Army.

None of them had impressed him.

To him, they were nothing but weaklings—easy prey, easily crushed.

But the man before him?

He was different.

Even with the barrier suppressing him, he remained composed.

This was no ordinary opponent.

Yet—the barrier is unnecessary.

Jerome had absolute confidence in his own strength.

He didn't need tricks or traps.

He would crush this Shinigami head-on.

Or so he believed.

Uehara Shiroha met the Arrancar's gaze, his expression still unreadable.

"The Commander-in-Chief of the Court Army."

His voice was calm. Steady.

"Uehara Shiroha."

At that moment, Uehara Shiroha immediately assessed the situation.

This Jerome—regardless of his rank or strength—was ultimately just another pawn.

A disposable foot soldier.

Whether in Las Noches or elsewhere in Hueco Mundo, beings like him were nothing more than cannon fodder.

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Sorry for long update, been busy going to my hometown on the holiday

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