208: Chapter 208 Hueco Mundo Expedition

In Hueco Mundo at this moment, countless Hollows knelt on the ground, prostrating themselves in worship towards the direction of Las Noches. Meanwhile, within the meeting hall of the 1st Division in Soul Society, the Captains of various divisions had gathered for a meeting.

The heavy thud of a wooden staff striking the floor successfully drew the attention of all the Captains to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"Next, the Captain of the 12th Division, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, will explain the current situation in Hueco Mundo..." Captain-Commander Yamamoto's voice carried a firm, unquestionable tone.

"Currently, Aizen is absorbing the energy from the existing Hogyoku, including the two he created himself and the one made by Urahara. The overflowing Hogyoku energy has been dispersed by him throughout Hueco Mundo, accelerating the Arrancarization process of the Hollows..." Mayuri Kurotsuchi spoke at length during the meeting.

"So much talk, we don't understand it anyway. Just tell us what to do!" Kenpachi Zaraki picked at his ear and muttered.

"Silence!" Captain-Commander Yamamoto shot a glare at Kenpachi.

"We need to dispatch an expeditionary force. Before a large number of Hollows complete their Arrancarization, we must try to reduce the number of Hollows that can become Arrancar..." Mayuri Kurotsuchi weighed his words, somewhat hesitantly voicing his proposal.

"Now, regarding the personnel for the expeditionary force, Captain Mia, do you have anything to say?" Captain-Commander Yamamoto looked towards Mia, who was standing in the middle of the group, dozing off. Having kept vigil over Kaien all night, she was now somewhat listless. Her lazy demeanor momentarily attracted the gazes of all the Captains present.

"Captain-Commander, I just returned from Hueco Mundo. Do you have to exploit me like this?" Mia complained.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto didn't reply, just kept staring fixedly at Mia. After a while, seeing that Mia was still stubbornly refusing to take the hint, he said with a touch of helplessness, "You decide the personnel. All Shinigami under my command are available."

"Sigh, alright. As Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi said, Aizen is probably in an evolution phase right now and most likely won't attack us directly. So, what we'll mainly face are the seated Espada and the newly born Arrancar, right?" After speaking, Mia turned her head and looked alluringly towards Mayuri Kurotsuchi at the end of the line.

"Uh, yes, Captain Mia is correct," Mayuri Kurotsuchi also didn't want his partner to perish in Hueco Mundo, as he was still counting on her to bring back more specimens and experimental data. So, his reply was uncharacteristically sincere.

"Good, then I have a few requests. If the Captain-Commander finds no issues with them, I'll take on this mission." Mia bit her nail, thinking for a moment, then playfully acted coquettishly towards Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"Speak!" The old man's reply was concise and to the point.

"First, grant amnesty to the former Captain of the 5th Division, Shinji Hirako, and his group who are currently roaming in the living world. This includes all members of the Visored, including Kisuke Urahara. Second, regarding the reward for the undercover agent I dispatched, the former Captain of the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru, announce it throughout Soul Society to clear his name and reinstate his official position. Lastly, I need Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and the former Captain of the 12th Division, Kisuke Urahara, to cooperate fully, forming a remote command headquarters for the expeditionary force, providing technical support and contingency plans for any unforeseen events."

After Mia finished speaking, the meeting hall of the 1st Division fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Toshiro even heard the "creaking" sound of Captain-Commander Yamamoto nearly crushing his cane. After a silence lasting over ten minutes, the Captain-Commander uttered one word, "Granted!"

"Alright. The personnel I need to accompany me include... Shinji Hirako, making a total of one person."

"What?!!" Many Captains exclaimed in astonishment. "Just two people, to take on the entire Hueco Mundo?!"

Even the usually calm Byakuya Kuchiki looked at Mia in surprise, beginning to suspect if she wanted to use this opportunity to defect to the enemy. After all, Sosuke Aizen wasn't bad-looking, and it wouldn't be strange for Mia, a succubus with a face full of romantic Charm, to take a fancy to him.

"Tsk, tsk, what kind of looks are you all giving me?!! Am I the kind of woman who would fall for Aizen's handsome face ploy?" Mia felt offended.

"Use your rusty brains and think! What is Captain Shinji Hirako's Bankai? It's the perfect zanpakuto for ending weaklings. If I took all of you along, would you want to start fighting each other?" Mia repeatedly poked Kenpachi Zaraki's forehead with her finger, causing Yachiru to also learn bad habits, starting to mimic Mia by using her small hands to poke the head of Kenpachi Zaraki, the most dangerous man in all of Soul Society...

Kenpachi didn't make a sound, nor did he resist, just patiently waited for Mia and Yachiru to poke him. This scene once again made the entire meeting fall silent. Even Shunsui Kyoraku used his scabbard to lift the brim of his hat, trying to get a clearer look at this rare sight.

"Captain Shinji Hirako will be responsible for the Hollows about to evolve. I'll help him by cutting down the weaker ones. If any strong enemies attack, I'll hold them off. The goal is to weaken the enemy's forces, not to assassinate Aizen, right? Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi." Mia's explanation further dispelled everyone's doubts.

"As for those of you staying in the Seireitei, you'll either need to handle post-war reconstruction and rescuing the wounded, or prepare to face Sosuke Aizen and his group who will soon come to Karakura Town to collect souls. I suppose you'll all be busy enough. Because the energy of the Hogyoku, that battery, will probably be completely drained after this wave, right? Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi."

Mia's pink eye shadow multiplied the Charm of her already enchanting, pretty face exponentially. The Vice-Captain of the 13th Division, Kaien Shiba, who was also attending the meeting at the end of the line, looked at her with a gaze full of inquiry. He seemed to catch a whiff of something familiar about her.

"Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th Division, Vice-Captain Kaien Shiba, and... Isshin Kurosaki. You are responsible for contacting Kisuke Urahara's group in the living world to inform them of the Seireitei's decision. Have Shinji Hirako come to Soul Society immediately." Captain-Commander Yamamoto pondered for a moment, assigning the tasks. "Mia, you may go and prepare your belongings. Once ready, notify Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Begin the cleanup work in Hueco Mundo as soon as possible..."

"Meeting adjourned..."

As people left the 1st Division barracks in twos and threes, Gin Ichimaru, who had been waiting outside, greeted Mia with a smile shortly after she exited the meeting room. "Hey, you really got me an award! Mia-jie. But this thing is pretty useless to me."

"Whatever the reward is, just take it. Anyway, no matter what, you cannot participate in this war anymore. It's a war, not a battle! You take Rangiku and find a nice, deserted rat hole to hide in! Do you hear me?! I don't want to collect your corpse!!!" Mia was unusually stern this time, her tone revealing unwavering determination.

"Heh, Mia-jie, you talk as if you've calculated that I'll die. You're..." At this point, Gin Ichimaru himself paused. Mia really did have that shrine maiden physique, the kind that gets struck by lightning when she tries divination. It was quite possible she had foreseen his death at Aizen's hands.

"So, I will die, right? Mia-jie..." Gin Ichimaru grabbed Mia's slender, jade-like hand. The playful smile on his face remained, but it gave off an exceptionally serious feeling, his tone indescribably desolate.

"Get lost!! I already told you to find a rat hole and hide. You little fox, don't try to trick me into saying something that'll get me struck by lightning..." Mia irritably shook off his hand. "I need to go pack. Be good, listen to me..."