(T/N: I'm back! Second Chapter, 1 more to go!!)
Moments later, Nanatsuki and the others arrived at the expedition force's camp in Hueco Mundo.
Throughout the camp, bonfires lit up the area, standing out clearly in the dim and vast Forest of Menos.
"Why hasn't anyone noticed us yet?" Nanatsuki wondered.
They had rushed over without suppressing their Reiatsu fluctuations. The Shinigami stationed here should've come to greet them by now.
The two Shinigami guarding the entrance finally took notice of the group approaching.
One of them stepped forward and asked, "Are you Fourth Seat Saitō?"
"This is Instructor Katori from the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy, and these are academy students taking part in the early graduation exam," Saitō Akane introduced Nanatsuki and the others. "We're also here to deliver supplies. On the way, we were caught in a Reiatsu turbulence and swept into the Valley of Scream, which delayed us a bit. We've now brought the supplies."
"I see." The guard nodded, then continued, "Please wait a moment. I need to report to Captain Ashido."
After whispering a few words to the other guard, he dashed deeper into the camp.
A moment later, the guard returned with a red-haired Shinigami, followed by over a dozen others.
Leading them was none other than Ashido, the former Swordsmanship Department Head, whom Nanatsuki hadn't seen in a long time.
But Ashido showed no signs of reminiscing. Instead, he raised a hand, signaling the surrounding Shinigami to encircle Nanatsuki's group.
"Captain Ashido, what is the meaning of this?" Saitō Akane asked warily, her hand moving toward her sword hilt.
"I sincerely apologize, but for the safety of the camp, I have to do this."
Though Ashido wore an apologetic expression, he gave no indication of letting his subordinates stand down.
"Two days ago, a transport team delivering supplies was attacked by Hollows. All the Shinigami in that group were parasitized and controlled by Hollows!"
"The Hollow that took control of them was likely an Adjuchas-class Menos. It acted with such stealth that none of us detected anything off."
"They infiltrated the expedition camp… and caused a disaster."
"So I'm sorry, but I can't trust you until we verify your identities."
"The transport unit that arrived before us was parasitized by Hollows?" Nanatsuki and the others were shocked, but they understood Ashido's caution.
"That Hollow could manipulate its host so well that even our spiritual senses were fooled. That's why I didn't notice anything wrong," Ashido added.
"Then allow us to release our Zanpakutō to prove our identities," Nanatsuki offered.
"Very well. Please release your Zanpakutō," Ashido nodded.
The group each released their Zanpakutō. In an instant, the air around the camp entrance surged with powerful Reiatsu.
"Excellent. It seems none of you were attacked by that Hollow. Please, come inside." Ashido exhaled with relief and signaled his subordinates to stand down.
Ashido led the group into the camp.
Inside, the atmosphere was bleak. Few Shinigami lingered outside their tents, and those Nanatsuki's group did see looked hurried and grim.
"Instructor Katori, long time no see," Ashido said with a polite nod.
"Indeed. We haven't met since you were assigned to Hueco Mundo."
Nanatsuki paused briefly before adding, "We weren't entirely safe on the way here either. Not far from the camp, we encountered two Gillian."
"Besides those blocking our path, I sensed more Gillian in the surrounding areas."
"This suggests they're intentionally gathering near the expedition camp."
Saitō Akane followed up, "That's extremely suspicious. They must be targeting the camp. Why haven't you led a strike against them, Captain Ashido?"
"The expedition force doesn't have the strength to launch any offense now," Ashido replied grimly. "The supplies delivered two days ago were tainted — the food was laced with Hollow Poison. Most of the Shinigami here are now infected, and only a fraction of our strength remains."
"I've already sent a request for reinforcements from the Soul Society. If they don't arrive soon… the consequences will be catastrophic."
The pain in Ashido's eyes made it clear what he feared.
If reinforcements from the Seireitei didn't arrive before the Menos launched an attack, few would survive.
Nanatsuki glanced around the tents. He could sense the unstable Reiatsu of the Shinigami inside — their conditions were terrible.
Ashido brought them to the supply depot and had them unload their backpacks.
Looking at the academy uniforms worn by Hirako Shinji and the others, Ashido frowned. He didn't want students who hadn't even graduated to stay and die here.
"You've already delivered the supplies. Please leave immediately. Miss Saitō, Instructor Katori — take these students and go before the Menos attack!"
Understanding the situation, Nanatsuki spoke up: "If it's Hollow Poison, I can treat it."
Ashido blinked in surprise. He'd been stationed in Hueco Mundo for a long time and hadn't heard the recent news — he still thought of Nanatsuki as he was before, unaware that he had once served as the 4th Division's Vice-Captain and participated in the Quincy War.
"I remember hearing that Instructor Katori was skilled in Kaido back in the academy," Ashido said. "But… with so many poisoned, can you really handle it?"
"It'll take time. There are too many infected," Nanatsuki said seriously. "But it's their only chance to survive. You know that better than I do, Captain Ashido. The Menos are already stirring, and your call for help only just went out. The Seireitei won't make it in time!"
Nanatsuki recalled from his past life that Ashido would one day remain in the Forest of Menos alone. Putting that memory together with the current situation…
It was likely that reinforcements never came. The deaths of his comrades devastated Ashido and drove him to stay behind, hunting Hollows on his own.
"Captain… is that really the case?"
"Reinforcements from the Soul Society won't come?"
"You said help would be here soon, didn't you?"
"Then what do we do?!"
The two Shinigami who had followed them into the depot paled with panic after hearing Nanatsuki's words.
Ashido's face twisted in pain. "If I didn't say that, the camp would've fallen into chaos. And if the Hollows learned of our weakness, they'd attack even sooner."
He had personally scouted outside in recent days and knew more and more Menos were gathering beyond the camp perimeter.
He understood all too well how slim the odds were that help would arrive. But he clung to hope, unwilling to abandon so many comrades.
"If help really doesn't come… then those of you still able to fight must retreat from the Forest of Menos!" Ashido said firmly.
"Even if it costs my life, I'll carve a path out for you!"