That Adjuchas died peacefully.
Under the combined assault of Fujimiya Makoto and Kifune Tokinada, a few unlucky mooks—who were barely mid-tier even among Adjuchas—were reduced to ashes almost instantly, not even lasting a fraction of a second.
All that remained were their bone-like masks.
Not that anyone cared.
While Shinigami weren't the type to rely on numbers to win...
When it came to the gap between seated officers and Adjuchas, sheer quantity alone could crush them.
After dealing with the small fry, Ganryū called the group together for a briefing.
The remaining Shinigami began setting up camp nearby.
Since the spatial fluctuations in the area would linger for a long time, and the spiritual pressure of Shinigami would stand out like a beacon to high-level Menos in the seemingly vast Hueco Mundo...
Running away was pointless.
Better to scout the surroundings first.
As one of the rare thinkers in the original Gotei 13, Ganryū had already formulated a plan before arriving.
"Tap!"
He placed the [Auto-Processing Device] on the table, alongside a gilded scroll.
Unfurling it, Ganryū began his explanation:
"This time, our mission is simple."
"First, using this spatial fluctuation as a base point, we'll conduct ecological surveys of Hueco Mundo in all directions and compile the data. This task will be handled by—"
He adjusted his glasses, glancing at the drowsy, distracted faces around him.
Finally, he let out a long, suffering sigh.
"Me."
"As for the rest of you, you'll handle the remaining tasks."
"Namely, weakening Hueco Mundo's strongest combatants according to the plan."
The moment the words "strongest combatants" left his mouth, the previously disinterested group suddenly perked up, eyes gleaming.
Good.
Bloodthirsty maniacs are only useful at times like this.
As he spoke, Ganryū placed several wristbands on the table and quickly explained:
"However, 'weakening' means just that."
"The Captain-Commander hasn't authorized you to run wild in Hueco Mundo."
"These wristbands will limit the total spiritual pressure of the Menos you kill—once you reach a certain number, or if your targets are strong enough, the indicator on the band will gradually fill up."
"Once it's full, it's time to return."
"Captains take the red ones, vice-captains and below take the black ones."
"Return?" Fujimiya caught the keyword immediately. "We're not staying here with you, Captain Ganryū?"
"Of course not."
Ganryū spoke as if it were obvious. "When you leave, you can't take the other squad members with you! At most, groups of two or three."
"The remaining Shinigami will stay here, attracting a steady stream of Menos looking to prey on them."
"Those, I'll handle."
"Hey! That's cheating!" Kifune's single eye widened in protest.
"You're just too lazy to run around, aren't you?!"
"Hmph! What do you know?" Ganryū crossed his arms, his tone lofty. "This is a military strategy called 'holding the point to ambush reinforcements'!"
"Making those kids run around with maniacs like you would be torture!"
Ganryū side-eyed Kifune. "Like you, Kifune. Once you start fighting, you forget you even have teammates, don't you?"
"..."
For once, Kifune was silent.
Fujimiya's eyes nearly popped out of his skull as he turned to the bespectacled, middle-aged captain.
[What devastating sarcasm, Principal!]
[You actually shut Kifune-chan up!]
"That's called striking the enemy's weak point!"
Ganryū chuckled smugly, clearly pleased by Fujimiya's admiration.
As expected, smart people always appreciate each other!
But as he thought this, Ganryū's gaze inadvertently flicked to the tabi sock tied around Fujimiya's sword hilt.
Well... even smart people can have their quirks.
He adjusted his glasses, forcing an explanation in his mind before swiftly changing the subject.
"Alright, that's the gist of it."
"As for where your individual targets are, that's what your [Auto-Processing Devices] are for."
"Hurry up and take your wristbands!"
Ganryū's loud urging felt a bit like overcompensation.
Fujimiya didn't notice the "principal's" odd behavior, joining the vice-captains in taking a black wristband.
But just as he was about to pull his hand back, Ganryū grabbed his wrist.
The principal gave him a meaningful look.
"Makoto-kun, lacking self-awareness isn't a good look."
Fujimiya struggled to free his hand.
"I'm being perfectly self-aware by taking the vice-captain level one! Captain Ganryū! Captain Ganryū—!"
But no matter how much he wailed, he couldn't escape the "higher expectations."
Ganryū forcibly grabbed a red wristband and clamped it onto Fujimiya's wrist with a resounding click.
Fujimiya's face twisted in disbelief.
What the hell?!
What is this?!
Ganryū adjusted his glasses, sighing wearily.
"Makoto-kun, I hope you can understand us old folks."
"That Unohana woman... I absolutely refuse to fight her head-on!"
"So if she has some... 'special instructions' for her disciple, it's only right that I accommodate them. Don't you agree?"
"Huh?!"
Fujimiya stared at him in shock.
What kind of world is this?!
Is the Gotei 13 Yamamoto's or Unohana-sensei's?!
Why is everyone so obedient to her?!
Clearly, Fujimiya wasn't thinking this through.
Otherwise, he'd have easily understood Senjumaru and Ganryū's reasoning based on his own experiences "submitting" to Unohana-sensei time and time again.
They're all just victims of circumstance.
The only one who wasn't afraid of Unohana—Kifune Tokinada—was currently laughing her ass off.
"Kiyo!"
"You actually tried to slack off?!"
"What an idiot!"
Fujimiya hung his head in defeat.
If possible, he'd have preferred to continue his safe, leisurely life in the Seireitei, slowly building bonds to increase his Reiatsu and skill levels.
"W-Well, it can't be helped!"
A soft, timid voice suddenly spoke up behind them.
Kamui Unohana, her glasses glinting, approached Fujimiya with a gentle smile.
"After all, everyone can sense it now, right?"
"Makoto-kun's Reiatsu is almost blurring the line between fourth and third class."
"If you pay attention, you can feel his Reiatsu fluctuating unpredictably at times."
Her explanation was sweet, but Fujimiya caught the dangerous glint in her eyes behind those plain lenses.
"Ah! No wonder!"
Kifune finally understood. "I kept feeling like Kiyo was about to level up these past few days!"
"So that's what it was?"
"Really?"
Fujimiya himself still seemed a bit lost.