LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 276: Chapter 277: Isn't It All The Same?
Tōsen's aggressive stance made Makoto Senju instinctively glance at Aizen.
Seeing that Aizen's expression remained unchanged, Makoto immediately understood the situation.
If this had been orchestrated by Aizen, Tōsen wouldn't have acted so recklessly.
Throwing baseless accusations served no purpose.
With a sigh that conveyed mild resignation, Makoto spoke with an almost casual tone.
"My sense of justice was taught to me by Captain Unohana. If Captain Tōsen has any objections, how about I introduce you to her next time and let you have a quiet, one-on-one conversation?"
The room fell into an icy silence.
Tōsen's expression froze.
Newer officers might not grasp the true extent of Unohana's fearsome reputation, but Tōsen could never forget the nightmarish sight during the 'Hollowfication Incident'—how Unohana had dispatched hollowfied captains with surgical precision, one stroke per victim.
A quiet meeting? That would be as good as choosing his own gravesite.
Even the ever-serious Chōjirō Sasakibe, standing nearby, couldn't suppress a laugh.
"Captain Unohana's disciple, huh? Even the sharp tongue seems to run in the family."
Clearing his throat to maintain a semblance of authority, Chojiro spoke, trying to ease the tension.
"Vice-Captain Senju's suggestion is indeed prudent. And Captain Tōsen's concerns are not without merit. If we ignore the abnormal rise in Adjuchas numbers, it could severely disrupt the balance of souls."
He paused, his tone growing heavier.
"And the more Adjuchas that appear, the higher the chance of Vasto Lordes emerging. We must remember—every Vasto Lorde is a walking calamity, exceeding the strength of most captain-class Shinigami. We cannot allow this threat to grow unchecked."
From the Shinigami perspective, Hollows were inherently evil for their soul-devouring instincts. Chōjirō's words resonated with that fundamental belief.
"To maintain the peace between the Human World and Soul Society—and to fulfill our duty as Shinigami—we must purify the Hollows."
Yet, to the Hollows themselves, this ideology was absurd. They were essentially being targeted for annihilation simply because their growing numbers disturbed the so-called balance of other species.
Makoto, who had long since stopped restricting his thoughts to the narrow confines of a Shinigami's worldview, was acutely aware of the irony.
And yet, from the standpoint of his duty as a Shinigami, Chōjirō's reasoning was unassailable.
Out of the corner of his eye, Makoto caught a fleeting glimpse of disdain in Aizen's eyes—quickly replaced by a mask of solemn approval.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe makes an excellent point," Aizen said, his voice calm and reassuring. "Maintaining the balance of souls is indeed our mission. We embarked on this expedition fully aware of the responsibilities it entails."
He adjusted his glasses with a practiced gesture, the lenses flashing for a moment.
"However, as the expedition commander, I bear the duty of bringing everyone back to Seireitei safely. Recklessness is not an option. We will proceed with caution—expanding our area of operations gradually, purifying Hollows while collecting critical data to better understand the anomaly."
Tōsen was the first to respond, nodding vigorously.
"Captain Aizen is absolutely right!" he declared.
Makoto blinked.
Wait… what?
Hadn't Tōsen just chastised him for proposing a cautious approach?
Aizen's strategy was almost identical to Makoto's, except that Aizen had dressed it up with grand words about his responsibility for the troops' safety.
Is this what passes for leadership? Makoto thought, incredulous. They're the same plan. Just one sounds more heroic.
Yet, the Vice-Captains present seemed visibly reassured. Their eyes softened as they regarded Aizen with newfound admiration.
After all, a commander who openly prioritized his subordinates' safety naturally earned their trust.
Aizen caught Makoto's incredulous look and, ever so slightly, curved his lips into a faint, knowing smile before shifting the discussion to the tactical details.
---
Although Aizen was nominally the expedition commander…
The Central 46 and Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni would never grant full authority over a thousand Shinigami to a single captain.
Thus, the presence of captains like Gin and Tōsen, as well as multiple Vice-Captains from different divisions, ensured a system of checks and balances.
Even Makoto, as the head of the expedition's medical unit, had his responsibilities. Ise Nanao led the Kidō Corps, while other Vice-Captains oversaw their respective squads, forming a multi-layered operational structure.
Surprisingly, Aizen's strategic plan was reasonable.
He rotated the three captains through three roles: leading purge operations, providing mobile support, and securing the base. The arrangement struck a balance between offense, defense, and flexibility.
---
In the days that followed, the expedition settled into a routine.
The Shinigami operated in three rotating teams, purifying Hollows and gradually expanding the safe zone.
Makoto found himself with more free time than expected. The medical unit, under the capable leadership of Yamada Hanatarō, handled injuries with remarkable efficiency.
Hanatarō's growth as a healer placed him among the most skilled seated officers of the Fourth Division.
With his responsibilities lightened, Makoto wandered the encampment's perimeter, occasionally retreating to his tent to study Hueco Mundo's unique environment.
Unlike Soul Society, where the sun rose and set, rivers flowed, and landscapes shifted with the seasons, Hueco Mundo was a realm of perpetual night.
The black sky and pale sands created an unsettling dissonance.
The oppressive darkness, the stark white desert—everything about this place seemed to reject the existence of life.
Makoto often found himself staring into the distance, lost in thought, consumed by a profound sense of isolation.
"Was this world ever meant to harbor living beings? What purpose does Hueco Mundo truly serve?"
He couldn't find an answer.
---
Over the decades, Makoto had learned much about the world's structure.
His position as Vice-Captain, his long years beside Unohana, and even conversations with Soya Azashiro had all contributed to his growing knowledge.
The Soul King—an enigmatic figure—was said to have created Soul Society, the Human World, Hueco Mundo, and even the Dangai.
The king resided within the Soul King Palace, guarded by the Zero Division, an elite force operating beyond the Central 46's authority.
Makoto recalled memories from his past life: the name Yhwach, a powerful Quincy king who had once been defeated by Yamamoto a millennium ago.
But why did this world exist in such a delicate, fragile balance?
He gazed at the unchanging sky, the crescent moon bathing the desert in cold, pale light.
Isn't it all the same in the end?
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