"Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri, I leave this to you."
"Yes, Sōtaichō."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri stepped in front of the formation with that eerie expression of his and pulled out a strange device from his pocket.
When he pressed the button with a "click", a massive black crack slowly opened in the air, then gradually stretched into the shape of rectangular doors.
It looked as if the black void of Hueco Mundo had been fixed into a stable passage.
"These are the latest Expedition Gates developed by the Technological Development Bureau. Unlike traditional gates that lead to the real world, these are used exclusively for travel between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo." Kurotsuchi Mayuri proudly explained to everyone, his voice full of arrogant satisfaction.
However, from an angle that others couldn't see, his expression quickly darkened.
Although the truth was a bit disgusting, it had to be admitted that he managed to complete the research of the new type of gate within three months largely thanks to the legacy left behind by that guy, Urahara Kisuke.
The World-Kicking Instrument, a special Kidō technique created by Urahara Kisuke, which, through complex chanting, summons a black void that connects the real world and Hueco Mundo.
It was precisely based on the Kidō developed by Urahara Kisuke that Kurotsuchi Mayuri created these expedition gates specifically for travel between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.
Not only could they allow far more Shinigami to pass through at once, but the channel's stability was also much greater than that of the regular black void.
At the very least, before today's official departure, the Technological Development Bureau had already secretly used them several times to travel to and from Hueco Mundo without any issues.
"Of course, if some unforeseen incident occurs and your body gets torn apart by spatial turbulence, just remember that you wrote a farewell letter in advance~" Kurotsuchi Mayuri laughed sinisterly, his poisonous tongue as steady as ever.
Those words caused many students to pale, and even some of the Shinigami from the expedition unit became a little nervous, but most remained firm.
At the very least, Arata noticed that Hisagi Shūhei and the others showed not a trace of fear on their faces; they even seemed like they couldn't wait.
Perhaps it was the months-long special training that boosted their confidence.
Arata thought that was a good thing. As a Shinigami, having the confidence to face unforeseen situations and powerful enemies is better than being a coward who panics before the battle even starts.
"Everyone, move out!"
As Captain Yamamoto gave the order, the expedition team began to enter the gates in an orderly fashion.
Arata took a deep breath and stepped into the dark passage together with Hisagi.
The moment he came out on the other side of the gate, Arata felt dizzy. When he regained his senses, the scene before his eyes had completely changed.
A gray desert expanse stretched endlessly, a white orb resembling a moon hung in the sky, and unpleasant fluctuations of spiritual particles filled the air.
And for some reason, many of the reincarnated Sixth Generation students, as well as some weaker Shinigami, suddenly began to have trouble breathing and called for help from their seniors.
"Do not panic, you're just not yet used to the high concentration of spiritual particles in Hueco Mundo. Rest here for a bit. Captain Unohana, please deploy medical aid."
Amagai Shūsuke stepped forward just in time to clarify the situation for everyone. As the captain of the expedition unit, he had often led teams into battle against Hollows, so this situation was very familiar to him.
Unlike Soul Society, the concentration of Reishi in the atmosphere of Hueco Mundo is extremely high, and some young Hollows can gain enough energy to grow just by breathing.
Moreover, the high concentration of spiritual particles in the environment can noticeably enhance the abilities of living beings. Whether Shinigami, Hollow, or Quincy, everyone performs better in battle on Hueco Mundo soil.
At the very least, Arata clearly felt that the spiritual pressure in his body was already churning. Had he not practiced control over his spiritual pressure during the past three months, he probably wouldn't have been able to suppress it anymore.
Unohana Retsu also knew exactly what was going on and immediately ordered members of the 4th Division to begin treatment.
Shinigami from the other squads also began to carry out their tasks.
The 12th Division pulled out massive communication equipment and technical machinery from somewhere and immediately started building a temporary base on-site.
---
The expedition team and the 11th Division took responsibility for security and guarding.
The 2nd Division was in charge of reconnaissance and gathering intelligence on Hueco Mundo.
---
As for the sixth-year students, under the leadership of Shiba Kaien and other Shinigami from the 13th Division, they were assigned to appropriate teams and joined various combat groups of the expedition unit.
Because, according to the rules of the graduation exam and the order from Central 46, this group of students hadn't come to Hueco Mundo for a stroll or an autumn field trip, they also had to participate in the battle against the Hollows.
The entire combat performance of each student would be completely recorded by the reconnaissance equipment of the 12th Division and would serve as one of the criteria for passing the final exam.
If anyone was passive in battle or fled from the battlefield, that student would be marked as failed and returned to the Spiritual Academy for another year of education, and only then retake the exam.
Although a few students really had the mindset of "as long as I come back alive, it's all good", most of them wanted to do their best during this period.
On one hand, to prove that all these six years of hardship were worth it; on the other, their efforts were being watched by all the captains, with a bit of luck, maybe one of them would be recruited directly into a Division.
When it was time for Arata and the others to form teams, whether by luck or misfortune, the trio of Hisagi Shūhei and the others were neatly assigned to a combat unit of the 13th Division.
The captain of that group was none other than Shiba Kaien.
As for Arata, he was placed in a special team of the 11th Division.
Leading them were Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika.
Under normal circumstances, Arata's team should've been safer, since it was led by two fighters with vice-captain-level strength.
But considering the belligerent nature of Madarame Ikkaku, that battle maniac, Arata believed the likelihood of getting into serious danger was actually higher than for Hisagi and the others.
"The stench of these spiritual particles is kind of disgusting." At that moment, Meigetsu's voice echoed in Arata's head.
"Be careful, Master. I sense a horde of disgusting things approaching us."
As if confirming Arata's hunch, in the distance, on the horizon, a massive dust cloud suddenly rose.
The Shinigami on guard immediately sounded the alarm. "Attention! A swarm of Hollows detected! The number exceeds one hundred!"
"Everyone, take defensive positions!" Amagai Shūsuke shouted, pointing his Zanpakutō forward. "Combat units, prepare for contact! Student teams, participate in the battle, but don't forget, retreating and protecting your own life are priorities!"
"Oh ho! Haven't brawled with Hollows in who knows how long, my hands are itching!"
"Hahaha, let's show these brats from the Spiritual Academy just how strong we really are!"
"…"
Excited shouts rang out one after another from the direction of the 11th Division Shinigami.
Truly worthy of their reputation as the Combat Division, the moment the battle began, they charged forward without any regard for their own lives.
Arata did not just follow the order to retreat, but together with his team also charged forward, hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō, ready to draw his blade at any moment.
His heart was beating much faster than usual, but not because of fear of the Hollow attack.
But from excitement, the kind a hunter feels when he sees his prey.
———
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