The Shinigami nearby exchanged doubtful glances when they heard Uehara Shiroha's bold declaration.
Though his reputation preceded him, many still found it hard to believe.
Unlike Kenpachi Zaraki and the Shinigamis of the 11th Division, whose battle-hardened aura oozed unrestrained bloodlust, Uehara Shiroha's presence was… refined.
Too refined.
He lacked the sheer domineering pressure that Shinigamis like Kenpachi exuded effortlessly.
Was he just boasting?
The Shinigami of the 11th Division were the first to voice their skepticism.
A group of battle-crazed Shinigamis, they had no filter and little patience for anyone they deed unworthy.
"That pretty boy? A deputy leader? Hah!" One of them scoffed. "Captain Zaraki should be the one in charge!"
"Damn right!" another added. "Zaraki Kenpachi is the strongest! He should be the chief commander!"
"The only one worthy of leading us is Captain Zaraki!"
Their voices rang loud and clear, filled with unabashed disdain for Uehara Shiroha.
However, just as their jeers continued, a cold voice cut through the chatter like a sharpened blade.
"Don't bla for not warning you," said Madara Ikkaku, his tone laced with displeasure. "If you know what's good for you, keep your mouths shut about Uehara Shiroha."
The rowdy Shinigamis turned toward him in confusion.
Ikkaku narrowed his eyes, his expression grim.
"From now on, stay as far away from him as possible. If you keep spouting that nonsense, I won't be the one pulling your bodies out of a river of blood."
His words carried the weight of experience—a lesson learned the hard way.
He still rembered his own defeat.
If Uehara Shiroha was weak, then what did that make him?
A helpless infant?
Beside him, Ayasegawa Yumichika folded his arms and added, "Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not beautiful. And the 11th Division doesn't need ugly-hearted mbers."
His words, spoken with elegant finality, left the group speechless.
anwhile, Kenpachi Zaraki had already charged ahead, rushing into the desert with reckless enthusiasm. His bloodthirsty laugh echoed in the distance, growing fainter as he ventured further into the unknown.
Behind them, rows of temporary military camps stood tall, surrounded by formidable barriers—a symbol of the Gotei 13's foothold in this foreign land.
Temporary Headquarters of the Expeditionary Force
Inside the main tent, Uehara Shiroha and Ise Nanao entered.
"Honestly," Kyoraku Shunsui sighed, rubbing his chin. "You should've stayed in Soul Society, Nanao-chan."
His tone was half-joking, half-serious.
Ise Nanao pursed her lips. She had expected this argunt.
But before she could respond, Uehara Shiroha smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh? That's interesting," he said. "Because I distinctly rember you being the one laughing the loudest when the old man threw into the fire."
Kyoraku chuckled sheepishly but didn't deny it.
The sudden appointnt of Uehara Shiroha as Deputy Commander had even caught him off guard.
It was an unorthodox move.
While the current Gotei 13 was far more structured than its bloodstained past, it was still, at its core, a military force.
Power determined status.
If Uehara Shiroha failed to prove himself, this title of "Deputy Commander" would beco a death sentence rather than an honor.
He would sink under the weight of expectation, dragged down by the daggers of those who saw him unfit.
"Even I was surprised by your appointnt," Kyoraku admitted. "Old Man Yama must really think highly of you. Who knows? Maybe I'll have to start following your orders soday, Brother Shiroha."
Uehara Shiroha's gaze flickered with amusent.
"If that happens," he said, "you'll suffer."
Kyoraku let out a soft chuckle, but there was an undeniable truth in Uehara's words.
Shifting the conversation, Uehara glanced at the spiritual barriers surrounding the camp.
"The spirit particle density here is much higher than in Soul Society," he observed. "Our strength gets a boost, and the barrier's defense is also stronger."
But then his expression turned more serious.
"That said, this is still Hueco Mundo." He glanced at Kyoraku. "What's the ga plan, General Commander?"
Originally, Uehara Shiroha had no intention of being this proactive.
But if leading ant faster power growth, strengthening his [Universal Barrier], and expanding his divine influence, then he might as well play along.
Kyoraku, for once, answered seriously.
"The Stealth Force's vanguard team has already been deployed. Our next move is to follow the strategic plan."
It was the safest and most calculated approach.
In enemy territory, reckless tactics only led to disaster.
This was sothing both n agreed on.
Uehara Shiroha had zero interest in foolish strategies about "overcoming the strong with the weak."
Pure, overwhelming force—that was the true path to victory.
With that discussion concluded, Uehara stretched.
"Excuse . Goodbye."
And just like that, his brief mont of enthusiasm for strategy vanished.
Before Kyoraku could react, Uehara was already walking away.
Ise Nanao, who had been diligently recording their conversation, scrambled to pack up her notes.
"Captain! I'm leaving too! Mr. Uehara, wait for !"
Kyoraku's expression darkened.
Left alone with nothing but paperwork, he sighed heavily.
"...There's only endless work, no fine wine, and no beautiful won." He stared at the towering stack of docunts on his desk.
"When will this nightmare end?"
Out in the Hueco Mundo wasteland, Ise Nanao hurried after Uehara Shiroha.
"Wait for —!"
But before she could reach him—
Zzzt!
A bolt of white lightning flashed past her, striking the stone pillar beside her with a deafening crack.
The pillar shattered instantly, crumbling into a pile of debris.
"Wha—?!" Nanao gasped, startled. "M-Mr. Uehara?"
Did she do sothing wrong?
Had she angered him?
She quickly lowered her head. "I—I'm sorry if I—"
But before she could finish—
An ominous, heavy pressure filled the air.
From the pile of shattered stone, a white mask erged—revealing a hidden Hollow that had been camouflaged within the pillar.
A chaotic, twisted spiritual pressure spread outward, its presence suffocating.
Within seconds, the creature dissolved into spiritual particles, completely eradicated by Uehara's Kido.
Nanao stood frozen.
If Uehara hadn't noticed it, she would have walked right past that Hollow—completely unaware.
"From now on," Uehara said coolly, "be wary of things that don't move. If sothing feels off, don't hesitate—destroy it."
His tone was calm, but his words carried weight.
This wasn't just advice.
It was a lesson.
"Yes, Mr. Uehara!" Nanao responded, her eyes filled with renewed determination.
As the two traveled deeper into the vast desert, they encountered more traces of Hueco Mundo's eerie ecology.
It wasn't as lifeless as it seed.
So tiny creatures, barely noticeable, scurried between rock crevices and shifting sands.
Even these smallest of life forms bore Hollow masks—proof of their cursed existence.
Nanao's eyes widened when she spotted a peculiar structure in the distance.
"...There are trees here?"
Uehara's gaze sharpened.
"That's not a tree," he muttered. "That's a branch."
Just then—
A ssage appeared before his eyes.
[Special Mission #9: Searching for The Forest of nos]
Objective: Explore the depths of Hueco Mundo's mysterious nos Forest and witness the legendary "Giant Clown."
Reward: A random ability or item.
Uehara's lips curled into a smirk.
"Looks like we have a destination."
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