Chapter 682 Aizen's Probing

Kyoraku stroked the stubble on his chin, thoughtfully saying, "Hitsugaya-kun is indeed a suitable candidate. Promoting a young genius at a time like this could also help build some favorable public opinion. I've heard the Living World uses similar tactics to win over the youth. What do they call it...?"

"Building an idol." Saeko interjected flatly.

"Oh, right, right! That's the word!" Kyoraku slapped his thigh, shooting Saeko an appreciative look. "Captain Busujima, having come from the Living World, you certainly know your stuff."

Yamamoto turned his gaze to Kanae, his tone measured and assessing: "Lieutenant Kocho, how is your progress in mastering Bankai?"

After all, to become a Captain, Bankai was almost an essential threshold.

Of course, there were exceptions like Zaraki, who had hacked his predecessor to death with sheer brute force.

Kanae answered truthfully, "I still need some more time."

Yamamoto pondered for a moment, caught in a dilemma.

If Kanae had already mastered Bankai, there would be no need to consider other candidates.

But now, Kanae was still one step away from Bankai, and Toshiro also claimed to be in the process of mastering his. Their progress was about the same.

But from a public relations standpoint, as Kyoraku had pointed out, promoting a young genius would indeed have a stronger motivational effect on the younger division's members.

In the end, Yamamoto decided to postpone the decision on the next 10th Division's Captain for the time being.

After all, choosing a new Captain was too big a decision to be finalized in just one meeting.

Then, Yamamoto slammed his cane on the ground again and announced another equally important matter: "Next, I will announce the formation of a new Hollow Extermination Expedition to Hueco Mundo."

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew more somber.

On one hand, Isshin's detailed report explicitly stated that the Hollow that had incapacitated him was clearly an artificial creation, based on its Reiatsu composition and fighting style.

And Yamamoto's prime suspect was, naturally, that King of Hueco Mundo who had wreaked havoc in the Seireitei decades ago.

Secondly, recent monitoring data submitted by the 12th Division's Technology Development Bureau indicated that after decades of decline, the number of Hollows had begun to surge again.

It was necessary to dispatch an expedition to Hueco Mundo for a large-scale culling operation to maintain the balance of souls in the three worlds.

Aizen wasn't particularly surprised by this.

The reason the Soul Society hadn't formed a Hollow Extermination Expedition in the previous decades was that Makoto's group, in their rush to power up before Arrancarization, had massacred Hollows on a massive scale, nearly driving them to extinction. So there had been no need to send a dedicated expedition to cull them further.

But ever since Makoto had become the King of Hueco Mundo decades ago, he had adopted a policy of appeasement and sustainable development.

Hueco Mundo's ecosystem had recovered over these decades, with Hollow numbers gradually rising to a level that required the Soul Society's intervention.

Upon hearing about the formation of the expedition, Zaraki's single eye burned with undisguised battle lust. He shouted at Yamamoto Genryusai, "Hey, old man!"

Unohana turned and reminded him, "Captain Zaraki, Captain-class members cannot be easily deployed."

For the current Seireitei, every Captain-class combatant was a precious asset, especially after the crippling blow suffered decades ago.

Only in the event of a Vasto Lorde-class opponent would a Captain be sent as reinforcement.

But thinking back to the terrifying combat power of Makoto and his group of Vasto Lorde from decades ago, Unohana had a feeling it wouldn't be long before the expedition sent back a request for reinforcements.

"Tch!"

Zaraki clicked his tongue in annoyance and stepped back. Yachiru, perched on his shoulder, patted his head in consolation.

Yamamoto announced in a sonorous, authoritative voice: "Any Shinigami who has achieved Shikai may register with Chojiro at the 1st Division's barracks. The environment in Hueco Mundo is extremely harsh, but those who return successfully will be duly rewarded."

After the meeting, the Captains and Lieutenants filed out of the 1st Division's barracks.

Some Captains who were heading in the same direction left in small groups, chatting quietly about the meeting's contents.

Just then, Aizen quickened his pace and walked up beside Saeko. "Captain Busujima, could I have a moment of your time?"

As soon as he said this, Momo, who had been following behind Aizen, immediately became alert.

Her eyes darted back and forth between Aizen and Saeko multiple times.

The 5th and 7th Division's barracks weren't in the same direction, and Saeko was widely recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the entire Soul Society.

This set off alarm bells in Momo's mind.

Saeko saw through Momo's little thoughts at a glance and called her out directly: "Don't worry, little girl. I'm not interested in your man."

Momo's face flushed bright red. She waved her hands frantically in front of her. "N-no, it's not like that! I, Captain Aizen and I aren't in that kind of relationship..."

Aizen stood beside her, his face still showing his impeccable gentle smile, but the corner of his forehead twitched almost imperceptibly.

He couldn't help but think of that man who asked him every single time they met, 'Have you slept with Hinamori Momo yet?'

Afterward, the two Captains, accompanied by their Lieutenants, arrived at Aizen's calligraphy club.

The two sat facing each other. Kanae knelt quietly behind Saeko,

While Momo prepared tea for everyone.

Aizen picked up his teacup. "Captain Busujima, if you'll forgive my directness, you seem quite dissatisfied with Central 46's various actions?"

Saeko raised her teacup in return. "It's not any particular dissatisfaction. Their actions just remind me of some management I encountered before... oh, back in the Living World."

Aizen raised an eyebrow with interest. "Oh~ And how did they end up?"

"They all died."

Saeko set her teacup gently back on the table.

The people she was referring to were, of course, the Konoha's Council of Elders from the Naruto World, and the Five Elders and Imu from the One Piece World.

Of course, she hadn't personally met the Konoha's Council of Elders. She had mostly heard about them through Makoto and the others' accounts.

But even just hearing her man's retelling, she felt those people were simply idiotic to the point of absurdity.

Sometimes Saeko found it truly unbelievable... were all the high-level leaders in these game worlds complete idiots?

After hearing this, Aizen was silent for a moment, then asked in a meaningful tone:

"Captain Busujima, should I interpret that as implying Central 46's eventual fate?"

Saeko didn't take the bait. She was tired of beating around the bush. She asked bluntly, "Captain Aizen, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Seeing that the time was right, Aizen dropped his gentle, good-natured facade. "Captain Busujima, do you know the truth about this world?"

Saeko narrowed her eyes slightly. "I'm all ears."