Although Shiba Kaien was clearly in trouble, Yoshio was powerless to help.
He didn't know where Shiba Kaien was, so he couldn't save him.
And he'd already obtained Shiba Kaien's "Appearance Mimicry"…
Forget it; it's fine.
Just as Yoshio had said long ago—and as his awakened Zanpakuto, Yoshio, had acknowledged—though he makes friends everywhere, he…
He only pretends to be friends.
He doesn't give genuine feelings; he only seeks others to give. He approaches friendships with utilitarian motives from the start. In that case, it's hard to invest true emotion.
So he can only fall into Lonely Hell. Lonely Hell is his Souls Ability, and also his predicament.
If anything, spending time together does create some feelings—Renji, Hinamori, Hitsugaya, Rangiku, and so on…
But for someone like Shiba Kaien—a tool he deliberately used to raise Souls Ability favorability—he didn't feel anything special.
If he could save him, he would.
If he couldn't, then so be it.
Thus he remained in the Fifth Division, waiting for the final selection.
Based on the thirteen Captains' opinions, it was decided that the Tenth and Eleventh Divisions would head to Hueco Mundo together.
Because the members of the first Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team were connected to those two squads.
The first team was mainly composed of Shiba Kaien and Shinigami from the Eleventh. So this time they would send those connected to Shiba Kaien: Shiba Isshin and the Eleventh's Captain, Zaraki Kenpachi.
Teaming up with Zaraki Kenpachi would be painful, but Shiba Isshin should be able to handle it.
Yoshio silently mourned Shiba Isshin—or rather, Rangiku—for a second, then asked about Rukia.
…
"What? Both Captain Kuchiki and Captain Ukitake agreed to let her go to Hueco Mundo?"
Yoshio's eyes widened.
At the time, he was drinking with Rangiku, Shūhei, Iba, and others, seeing Rangiku off.
From Rangiku, he learned that Rukia was actually part of the second Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team.
This was unexpected to Yoshio.
"I heard Captain Ukitake went to plead with Captain Kuchiki. As for why Captain Ukitake agreed, I don't know," Rangiku said casually, showing none of the dread of entering that hellish place, Hueco Mundo.
Her only pain was that once in Hueco Mundo, she couldn't often come out to hang with Yoshio and the others.
For Yoshio, that actually made things easier—without Rangiku around, impersonating him in Seireitei would be much easier.
But will "Rukia" really become "Hueco Mundo"?
That would be interesting.
Aizen might take advantage of Rukia leaving Seireitei to probe Dark Rukia. Right now, Aizen's interest in Rukia should be higher than ever.
Not just Aizen—Yoshio was interested too.
After leaving the restaurant together, Yoshio prepared to return to Hueco Mundo.
Next, the Tenth and Eleventh Divisions just had to wait for the Twelfth Division's coordinates; once set, they'd head to Hueco Mundo.
If he was going to participate, naturally he needed to go early to prepare.
"I'm heading out, Captain Aizen."
Yoshio returned to the Fifth Division, informed Aizen, then went to the secret lab, used the hidden passage Aizen left, and headed to Hueco Mundo.
…
"Back already?"
He emerged in Las Noches and heard Starrk's voice.
"I just got here and you appear—were you waiting for me?"
Yoshio rolled his eyes.
It was a bit startling to have someone pop up right after stepping through a Garganta.
"I really want to see the power of your Hollow mask transformation."
Starrk said bluntly, "Can you show me?"
"Uh…" Yoshio thought, then said, "I call that power Hollowfication, but it's not fully matured yet. Once it is, I'll come find you, how about that?"
"All right." Starrk didn't insist. Time meant nothing to him.
He'd existed for countless years; waiting a hundred more wouldn't matter.
"Actually, I need a favor." Seeing that Starrk didn't press for a spar, Yoshio relaxed. "Can you help me find some people?"
"Who?"
"A large antelope-shaped Menos Grande named Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. The rest are Shinigami. I want every trace of the Shinigami."
Starrk frowned. One Vasto Lorde Hollow, and the rest are Shinigami?
"I'll find them. I'll leave Lilynette with you."
"You idiot, Starrk—what are you saying?"
Lilynette suddenly jumped out, kicked Starrk, and said, "How can you leave me behind and go off alone?!"
"There's really no need to go alone," Yoshio reminded him. "Soul Society is sending two squads to Hueco Mundo, which means there will be two Captains. If you go alone, it could be dangerous."
Two Captains…
Hearing this, Starrk's expression didn't change—still the same listless look.
He had no impression of Soul Society's Captains; he rarely left Hueco Mundo and had almost never gone to Soul Society or the Human World, so he didn't care much about their Captains.
"Once you find the Shinigami's traces, don't alert them—just remember their locations."
"When you get back, I'll tell you a new story."
He said that last part to Lilynette.
"Yeah! But you haven't finished the story of the Shinigami Hokage yet!"
"Of course—once that story's done, I'll tell a new one."
Yoshio teased Lilynette like a child, then said, "Before long, you'll have more companions."
"You're going to create more Arrancar?" Starrk asked.
"Not me—Captain Aizen." Yoshio shrugged.
Hearing the name of the mysterious Aizen, Starrk said no more.
Starrk had a deep impression of Aizen. When Aizen first appeared before him, Starrk saw at a glance he was a strong one.
And…
He was a strong, lonely man.
He was…
Terribly lonely.
Though Aizen had never shown such an aura, Starrk—equally lonely for countless years—could still sense that loneliness.
Because he saw Aizen's strength and solitude, Starrk decided to follow the Shinigami the moment he met them.
He believed that if he followed them, he would no longer be alone.