Even without a captain present, there were quite a few captain-class fighters among them.
Shiba Kaien, Ikkaku Madarame, Ayasegawa Yumichika—so long as they didn't mess with a Vasto Lorde, they'd be fine.
Remember, Hueco Mundo hadn't been mass-upgraded by Aizen's Hōgyoku yet. Without Arrancar, only high-level Menos Grande were truly worthwhile.
Of course, there were also some special low-level Menos Grande capable of threatening captain-class Shinigami, but the deployed unit wasn't just a single Shinigami.
Plenty of fodder might die, but the truly strong ones could still come back.
It's just that they were destined never to find Hollow White, because even now, Aizen hadn't created a second Hollow White.
"It's just a squad reshuffle."
Yoshio smiled, comforting Hinamori. "The Fourth isn't far from the Fifth. You can still meet up easily."
"Yeah… I wonder how Abarai's doing. It's been so long with no news."
"Don't worry. Abarai's strong. I'm sure when he returns from Hueco Mundo, he'll have grown a lot. Maybe he'll become a Lieutenant before you and Kira."
"I don't want to be Lieutenant!" Hinamori blurted out. "I just want to stay in the Fifth Division!"
Right now Yoshio was the Fifth Division's Lieutenant. If she became Lieutenant, wouldn't she have to go to another squad?
No way—she had to stay in the Fifth. Only the Fifth had Aizen.
Seeing the longing for Aizen brimming in Hinamori's words, Yoshio sighed inwardly.
Poor kid, to believe in Aizen. That guy is truly cold-blooded.
After chatting a bit, Yoshio left the office with her.
He was about to step out for some fresh air when he found Aizen outside as well.
After Hinamori left, Yoshio said coolly, "Didn't I tell you? Don't show up unless it's absolutely necessary."
Anyone else hearing Yoshio talk to Aizen like that would think he'd lost it. But only Yoshio knew this Aizen wasn't Aizen.
This was one of Aizen's subordinates disguised via Kyōka Suigetsu.
The real Aizen had been in the lab lately, conducting experiments.
"Mr. Yoshio," the "Aizen Sōsuke" stepped up to him. "Aizen-sama's experiment appears to be complete. He asks that you come."
"I understand," Yoshio nodded.
Hollow White No. 2 was complete?
That was fast—only two years.
For a Shinigami, two years isn't much.
When Yoshio arrived at the lab, he saw Aizen seated at a computer, tapping away, configuring some program.
Curious, Yoshio went over to look at the code.
Damn it, I don't understand a thing.
Though he didn't understand what any of it meant, Yoshio's expression didn't change—like he'd already grasped it.
Oh, so that's how it is.
He'd been studying science lately—reading as part of his training.
Because he often read, he and Nanao had gotten closer, frequently visiting the library together, recommending useful books to each other.
But most of what Yoshio read was improving Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido, and some principles of reiryoku usage.
Though he tried to study scientific theory, he was at best a beginner.
In the Research and Development Institute, he'd probably run errands and haul stuff.
No matter. Thirty years east, thirty west—don't bully a poor youth. I'll work them to death!
"Captain Aizen, this isn't the same as 'Hollow White,' is it?"
He had no clue, but that didn't matter—he believed Aizen wouldn't go to such lengths to make a duplicate.
Scientists like Aizen pursue the unknown, so when their plans deviate, Aizen gets excited.
Even though Hollow White was an accidental product of fusing with Yoshio's [The Animals], its data and some principles had been clarified by Aizen beforehand.
In other words, Hollow White no longer held much "unknown" for him.
So why would Aizen go all out to create something he'd "lost interest" in?
Thus Yoshio guessed this Hollow White that Aizen was creating definitely differed from the previous one.
This had nothing to do with science; Yoshio simply felt he knew Aizen quite well.
Aizen smiled. "As expected of Yoshio-kun. You're exactly right."
He stood and led Yoshio to a device resembling a stasis pod.
Inside lay another "Hollow White."
However…
This Hollow White differed from the first version.
Pitch black all over, its outward form resembled the original Hollow White, but…
Of its facial features, only… a pair of eyes remained!
This "Hollow White" had no ears, no nose, no mouth. This appearance…
Reminded Yoshio of the original story's Aizen fused with the Hōgyoku.
When Aizen reached the Hōgyoku's second stage, his entire body was covered by a milky substance; his face had only a pair of eyes and no other senses.
Or like an Asauchi.
When Kurosaki Ichigo was training in the Soul King Palace, sword god Nimaiya Ōetsu had thrown him into a pile of Asauchi; they looked similar then too.
The only difference was that this "Hollow White" was jet black, whereas the "Hōgyoku," "Aizen," and "Asauchi" were white.
"This is… a Zanpakutō, right?"
Yoshio whispered.
Ōetsu Nimaiya had said before that Aizen's creation of "Hollow White" was the same process as Ōetsu's crafting of Asauchi. Its current look reminded Yoshio of that line.
Aizen…
Did he turn Hollow White into a true Zanpakutō?
Would Kurosaki Ichigo still need to go to the Soul King Palace to forge his sword afterward?
"You could say there are certain similarities," Aizen said. "But it is not a Zanpakutō. It's premature to call it a new species either. Let it go hunting first."
"Now?" Yoshio asked, puzzled. "The Soul Society is still very sensitive about 'Hollow White.' If No. 2 gets spotted, we might draw attention."
"Don't worry," Aizen turned, speaking lightly. "If something this small can obstruct it, then No. 2 is a failure."
"…I see," Yoshio murmured. "Captain Aizen, what's the biggest difference between No. 2 and No. 1?"
"Excellently…"
Aizen's lips curved slightly, teasing. "You'll see in time."