บท 56: The pit

"Alright, don't get angry. I know... what I have to do..." Kiyota said in a calming tone.

~~~

In Soul Society, In the barracks of the Seireitei First Division, Chief Captain Yamamoto stood in front of the assembled captains, a serious expression on his weathered face. A sense of tension filled the air as he began to speak.

"Sosuke Aizen and Gin Ichimaru have betrayed and escaped Soul Society," Yamamoto announced, his voice carrying the weight of the dreadful news." In addition, we have received reports of an unknown Adhjchas-class Hollow engaging Sosuke Aizen, with three Hollows of the unidentified class as his subordinates."

The captains exchanged glances, their expressions all different, some interested while others wary of the danger associated with the term 'Hollow'. Yamamoto continued, "Portraits of them have been drawn and placed in the hall for you to view. If encountered, they must be treated with extreme hostility and captured immediately."

Yamamoto's gaze swept across the room, meeting each captain one by one." However, the Shinigami Research and Development Bureau has determined that the Hogyoku in Aizen's possession requires a considerable amount of preparation time before it can be used. This gives us a window of opportunity, even though Aizen and Ichimaru still pose a serious threat to the Soul Society and the human world."

Captain Ukitake stepped forward, his brow furrowed. with concern. " Captain, what steps have we taken to counter this threat?"

Yamamoto nodded, acknowledging the problem." I have now organised and mobilised an investigation force to gather intelligence and track their movements. We must be prepared for any possibilities."

The room fell silent as the captains digested the information. Each of them was aware of the gravity of the situation and the challenges they were about to face as some of them knew of the strength of facing another captain in terms of strength and the amount of strength required to kill one like Tosen.

"That concludes today's briefing," Yamamoto said, his voice firm." You may be dismissed. Stay alert, and may we capture these hollows and traitors."

As the captains filed out, thoughts of the coming conflict filled their minds. Aizen's betrayal had shaken the very foundations of trust built within Soul Society among the captains.

Mayuri was walking back to his squad section with a terrifying smile across his face, revealing yellow teeth. He mumbled something to himself that had something to do with the hollows and a mix of scientific jargon. He suddenly stops.

"This situation is so very interesting." He says with his ugly smile.

"Those Hollows," Mayuri continues, his voice rising slightly with excitement." Oh, what I wouldn't

give to experiment on them. Such unique specimens, and I missed the chance to observe them for myself."

He resumed his pace, but it quickened, driven by the new ideas forming in his mind. "The potential for research is immense," he mused.

"Their abilities, their evolution, their nature all of it begs to be dissected and analysed."

Mayuri's fingers twitched, as if already imagining the experiments he could conduct.

"I must find a way to capture one," he announced into the air. "The data I could collect... The progress I can make..."

As he approached the entrance to the 12th Division, Mayuri's smile became almost predator-like.

"Yes," he hissed, "this situation is more than a threat. It is an opportunity. And I will not be careless enough to let it slip through my fingers again."

With that last word, he disappeared into the depths of the lab located in the division 12 barracks.

~~~

A few days later, in the Hueco Mundo, Yuzuki was using Sonido to move quickly, her body was a blur in the endless desert. Her Light Pink hair and Shinigami robes fluttered in the wind with incredible speed. However, her mind was not on her surroundings, but other things.

"I hope Kiyota is safe," she thought to herself in worry.

"I also hope he finds ruins and makes it back quick."

Her thoughts turned back to Kain and Luna.

"I wonder how far along they are in recruiting the Hollows," she mused, her footsteps not slowing down at all. "I haven't found, let alone recruited any powerful Hollows yet." Yuzuki sighed softly, her voice almost drowned out by the wind.

As she continued on, a new idea appeared in her mind.

"Maybe I should focus on recruiting only vasto lorde Hollows. This will increase the overall strength of my '' unit'', and when Kiyota returns he will be pleased."

Immersed in her thoughts, Yuzuki's attention drifted away from her surroundings. She relied solely on sensing the spiritual pressure around her, which was a dangerous oversight. Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet disappeared. Yuzuki's eyes widened with shock as she realised too late that she had run straight into a huge canyon-like pit. Inertia caused her to lurch forward, and she found herself plummeting into the darkness that was under her.

As she fell, Yuki cursed her carelessness.

"Damn it... who put a fucking hole here anyway!" she cursed, her mind racing trying to figure out a way out of this situation.

In her panic, she lost all sense of reason she was moving too fast and couldn't concentrate. After a while of freefalling in the air, she eventually landed with a loud thud.

Yuzuki was covered in dust and sand, which she wiped off with a scowl. Looking around her, Yuzuki could make out a few details despite the darkness. The sides were extremely close making it narrow and there were many winding paths leading in different directions.

"This place looks like a maze. It will be impossible for me to find a way out." She sighed in frustration.