First, regarding her personality, Rukia didn't know why, but occasionally she would suddenly become irritable, completely unlike her usual self.
Although it was only for an instant, it still made Rukia break out in a cold sweat.
Second, in terms of combat, Rukia felt her fighting abilities were advancing by leaps and bounds.
She hadn't been particularly skilled in Zanjutsu before, mainly excelling in Kidō, but now her Zanjutsu level was rapidly improving. During training, she instinctively knew how to swing her sword next.
These changes weren't obvious, but over time, Rukia still noticed them.
So, she had always had this doubt in her heart...
That is, did Hollow White really leave back then?
Could it be that...
It escaped to some place, some place... very close to her, but a place she would never discover?
Just thinking of this possibility made Rukia uneasy, and she even felt guilty for doubting her savior, Yoshio.
It wasn't until now that she finally mustered the courage to bring it up in front of Yoshio.
Looking at Rukia's serious expression, Yoshio was about to speak when a Jigokuchō flew in from outside.
The Jigokuchō flew to Yoshio's front, and he extended his hand, letting it land on his finger.
The next moment, some information was transmitted into Yoshio's mind.
Yoshio sent the Jigokuchō away and looked at the serious yet puzzled Rukia, saying: "You really want to know the answer to this question, right?"
"Then, this news should resolve your confusion."
"What...?" Rukia looked at Yoshio in confusion.
Yoshio said gravely, "The Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team found the Hollow from back then, and then..."
"They were completely annihilated."
?!
"What?!" Rukia instantly stood up, her eyes revealing unconcealable shock!
"Renji, he..."
"Don't panic yet." Yoshio also stood up, no longer in the mood to eat, and said: "We'll talk about the details later. The Captain-Commander's order has just come down; all Lieutenants and Captains in Seireitei must head to the First Division for a meeting."
"I know you're anxious, but being anxious won't help. Wait for my news. Rest assured, Renji is my subordinate and an important junior to me. I won't stand by and watch something happen to him."
"But..." Rukia still said anxiously: "Lieutenant Yoshio, can I go with you? I won't join the meeting; I'll just wait outside!"
Although they hadn't been in contact for years, her relationship with Renji was indeed special, especially since he went to Hueco Mundo for her sake.
Now that the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team had been completely wiped out, how could she calmly go back and wait for news?
Her earlier question had now been answered.
She had just asked Yoshio if Hollow White had really escaped to Hueco Mundo, and unexpectedly, she got a response right away.
Of course, Hollow White had gone to Hueco Mundo; otherwise, how could it appear in front of the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team and wipe them out?
Rukia's heart was filled with shame; Yoshio had saved her, yet she doubted his words, and as soon as she asked, it proved her wrong.
On top of Renji's situation, Rukia was instantly flustered.
"..." Yoshio was silent for a moment, then said: "That's your choice, but the situation is urgent now, so I won't wait for you."
With that, he paid the bill and walked out, then used Shunpo repeatedly.
Rukia quickly followed.
In the past, Rukia absolutely couldn't keep up with Yoshio's speed, but after that battle, Rukia's spiritual power had been continuously increasing, and her basic abilities were steadily improving.
She had thought this phenomenon was strange before, plus occasionally hearing strange voices and having strange dreams, as if Hollow White was always by her side, which is why she became suspicious.
But now it seemed...
Perhaps she was overthinking it.
However, no matter what, she could only keep up at first. After a while, the distance between her and Yoshio widened.
Yoshio had already arrived at the First Division. He quickly entered the First Division's second lieutenant's office, where Lieutenants usually held captain meetings.
Yoshio was already very familiar with coming here.
"You're a bit late this time, Yoshio." Rangiku was already there. She sat next to Shuhei and said.
"I was delayed by some matters." Yoshio found a seat and sat down, saying: "What's going on? They were actually wiped out?"
"You should ask Lieutenant Kotetsu about that. The only survivor is in the Fourth Division." After Rangiku finished, she and Yoshio both looked at Lieutenant Kotetsu.
Not just the two of them; everyone else did too.
After all, the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team was the elite of the Gotei 13. Aside from the top thirteen Captains who didn't go, the others were all elites.
Isane Kotetsu felt a bit nervous being stared at by so many people, but she still said: "Actually, it wasn't a complete wipeout; one person came back."
"It's Eleventh Division's Ninth Seat, Kinjo Chūichi. According to what he said before passing out, after the Bull-Head Hollow appeared, a battle broke out, but during the fight, other Menos Grande were attracted over."
"These Menos Grande not only attacked the Shinigami but also attacked the Bull-Head Hollow. In the end, the three sides got entangled, the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team scattered, and they completely lost contact."
"During the battle, Lieutenant Shiba opened a portal back to Soul Society, but for some reason, it seems only Kinjo made it back to Soul Society."
"So, this Kinjo probably can't serve as a Shinigami in the Eleventh Division anymore, right?" Yoshio glanced at Iba Tetsuzaemon and then at Yachiru.
Iba Tetsuzaemon was once a Shinigami of the Eleventh Division, and Yachiru was the current Lieutenant of the Eleventh Division.
Indeed, Yachiru said in a very flat tone: "Yeah, the Eleventh Division doesn't need a Shinigami who runs away like that."
"I told you." Rangiku pouted. "Those guys in the Eleventh Division won't come back until the mission is complete."
Yeah, for the Eleventh Division, which values combat above all, a Shinigami who flees in battle is an utter disgrace.
Although Kinjo Chūichi came back alive, he probably couldn't stay in the Eleventh Division.
"So, the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team is now scattered, and even the Twelfth Division can't find them?"
The usually silent Nemu Kurotsuchi spoke up: "Don't underestimate the Twelfth Division's technology. As long as the Captain is willing, finding them is easy."