Chapter 16 – Journey to Hueco Mundo
While the entire Soul Society turned its attention to the overwhelming spiritual pressure surging through the air...
At the same moment, in the Northern District 80 of Rukongai, Tachibana Kyūjō and Unohana Retsu had already vanished from the scene.
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In the Eastern District 75 of Rukongai, the two of them sat atop the released Shikai form of Unohana's Zanpakutō—Minazuki.
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Minazuki — a Zanpakutō that manifests as a living creature.
In its sealed state, it appears like a curved sword, more exaggerated than the average Zanpakutō. But once released into Shikai, Minazuki transforms into a giant one-eyed manta ray-like beast.
In this form, Minazuki can fly freely while carrying passengers—including its wielder—and can also heal those swallowed within its body.
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With his hand gripping his own Zanpakutō, Mugen, Tachibana Kyūjō activated his fully-enhanced Infinity Perception System.
Thanks to his sword's support, his observation range now covered all of District 75 and even spilled into the two neighboring sectors.
Within mere seconds, he had completed his scan. Shaking his head lightly toward Unohana, Kyūjō signaled that their target wasn't here, and it was time to move to the next district.
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Meanwhile, now that her wounds were fully healed, Unohana Retsu's instincts began whispering a quiet concern.
She turned toward Kyūjō and softly asked, "Tachibana-kun… are you planning to leave the Soul Society?"
Kyūjō nodded without hesitation. He wasn't trying to hide it. In fact, he could've flown there on his own, but instead, he chose to spend these final moments with Unohana—a quiet farewell before departure.
"Captain... looks like we'll be parting ways for a while."
"I've stayed in the Soul Society long enough. But here... I feel too restrained. I plan to head to Hueco Mundo for a time. The concentration of spirit particles there is far higher—I can grow faster that way."
"I only hope that by the time I return... you, too, have come to fully grasp your own path of the sword."
Everything he said was true. The amount of spiritual particles Kyūjō now required for training was far too vast.
If he stayed and trained in the Soul Society, it could throw the environment into chaos—and there'd be constant interference.
That's why Tachibana Kyūjō had long decided to leave. In the dense and hostile world of Hueco Mundo, he hoped to spend the next hundred years or more fully recovering—both in power and soul.
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Upon hearing that, Unohana could only offer a bittersweet smile and shake her head.
A Shinigami not even a century old… yet he had grown this much? It was unheard of.
And even with that absurd growth rate… Kyūjō still wasn't satisfied?
After scanning over ten Rukongai districts aboard Minazuki, Kyūjō finally located it:
A Garganta—freshly torn open within Soul Society itself!
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Garganta — a dimensional tear used by Hollows and Arrancars to travel between the Human World and Soul Society.
These gaps in space-time, especially when created by high-ranking Arrancar, could lead straight to Las Noches, the heart of Hueco Mundo.
To Shinigami, the closest equivalent was the Senkaimon—their interdimensional gate.
But for Kyūjō, this newly-formed Garganta was the perfect shortcut. He would use it... to reach Hueco Mundo.
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After his departure, Unohana Retsu returned to Seireitei alone, riding atop Minazuki.
As she arrived at the 4th Division barracks, she was met by none other than the Captain Commander himself—Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—accompanied by a large contingent of officers.
Without hesitation, Unohana gave her report.
She spoke truthfully about the duel with Tachibana Kyūjō, and his subsequent departure from Soul Society.
Yamamoto listened with eyes closed, both hands resting atop his cane.
He sighed deeply—then slammed his staff onto the stone floor with thunderous force.
A wave of raw spiritual pressure erupted from his body, fierce and scorching.
Even Captains nearby felt their lungs tighten under the heat and weight of it. His robes flared violently, and his long white beard fluttered like a banner in a storm.
"Captain Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division!" he bellowed. "For recklessly releasing your Reiatsu and causing severe destruction to Northern District 80 of Rukongai, you are hereby sentenced—under my authority as Captain Commander of the Gotei 13—to 200 years of confinement within the 4th Division headquarters!"
"During that time, you are forbidden from leaving its grounds!"
After a short pause, Yamamoto spoke again—his tone even heavier than before.
"As for former 4th Division Lieutenant—Tachibana Kyūjō... for willfully abandoning his duties and deserting the Soul Society, he is hereby stripped of all rank and status within the Gotei 13!"
"Sasakibe Chōjirō, I assign you command of the retrieval unit!"
"You will take Captain Yoruichi Shihōin of the 2nd Division, Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi of the 3rd, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku of the 8th, Captain Kisuke Urahara of the 12th, and Captain Jūshirō Ukitake of the 13th!"
"You leave immediately for Hueco Mundo!"
"I give you one month! Locate Tachibana Kyūjō and bring him back to Seireitei to face the judgment of the Central 46!"
"If he resists—you have my permission to execute him on the spot!"
"The Senkaimon will reopen after one month to retrieve you. Now go—immediately!"
Faced with the fury of the Captain Commander, none of the assembled captains dared to protest—even those who were once Kyūjō's allies.
Without a word, they exchanged glances, then turned and followed Sasakibe out of the 4th Division barracks.
Their destination: the 12th Division's technology lab. Their mission: to hunt down Tachibana Kyūjō in the endless wastelands of Hueco Mundo.
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A month. It seemed long—yet far too short.
Hueco Mundo was an infinite desert, and no one knew where that Garganta had flung Kyūjō.
Even with Division 12's advanced tech, finding him would be like searching for a speck of dust in a sandstorm.
And keeping six captains out of commission for too long would cripple the Gotei 13.
One month. That was the absolute limit.
In truth, Yamamoto had no choice.
Kyūjō's strength far exceeded expectations. If they didn't send elite captains, no one could bring him down—short of Yamamoto himself.
But deep inside, after sensing the full scope of Kyūjō's power, Yamamoto had begun to respect him.
That's why the order was to bring him back... not to kill.
Still, he couldn't show leniency.
If he didn't act decisively now, more Shinigami might follow Kyūjō's example.
And if that happened... the laws of the Gotei 13 would become meaningless.
So he mobilized six of their best.
Sasakibe Chōjirō. His two legendary disciples—Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake. And three other captains whose strength and intellect were among the greatest the Soul Society had ever seen.
Technically, Zaraki Kenpachi from the 11th Division would've been a perfect fit too...
But the problem was, Kenpachi had already bolted off on his own, hunting Kyūjō in the Rukongai. Completely uncooperative.
Besides, Kenpachi never followed orders. Sending him to Hueco Mundo would only lead to chaos.
Thus, the Kyūjō Retrieval Squad—made up of his old allies and mentors—began their pursuit...
Venturing deep into the void...
Chasing the shadow of Tachibana Kyūjō, now a rogue soul in Hueco Mundo.
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