Chapter 61: The Three of Us...

Shinigami powers countered Hollows. Hollows countered Quincy. Quincy countered Shinigami. Logically, one person couldn’t wield opposing powers like ice and fire—mix them, and you’d get steam. Aizen’s experiments with Hollowfication consumed countless subjects to perfect the blend of Shinigami and Hollow powers. Only Kurosaki Ichigo and, a thousand years later, the Tsunayashiro’s artificial human, Hikone Ubuginu, fused Quincy and Shinigami powers, the latter aided by Sternritter V, Gremmy’s imagination.

Captain Commander Yamamoto didn’t deny the Quincy’s edge over Shinigami but stressed that absolute strength trumped all. “Quincy, huh?” he mused, turning to Yamabuki Haruto. “What do you think of them?”

Haruto, lost in thought, barely registered the question. His secret reishi manipulation gnawed at him. If Soul Society finds out, I’m done.

“Yamabuki, are you injured?” Yamamoto asked, his tone softening.

Haruto jolted, forcing a grin. “Nah, just thinking. What’d you say?”

“What do you think of the Quincy?” Yamamoto repeated.

“A war’s coming, but not yet,” Haruto said. The Gotei 13, once fully established, would crush the Quincy, who lacked Holy Texts or Vollständig a thousand years ago. Their strength paled against Soul Society’s, but Yhwach’s rumored “Almighty” ability was a wildcard. A preemptive strike sounded good, but the Quincy’s nomadic nature made them hard to pin down, while Soul Society was a fixed target. We’re exposed, they’re hidden. Headache.

Yamamoto chuckled at Haruto’s pained expression, patting his shoulder. “Don’t look so grim. No matter the enemy, I’ll cut them down.” Was he pushing the young Vice-Captain too hard? “If you have troubles, speak. I’ll help where I can.”

Haruto grinned. “Captain Commander, can I get next month’s salary early?”

“Get lost,” Yamamoto laughed, scolding him. The jest eased the tension, and they shared a smile.

With Yamamoto backing me, what’s to fear? Haruto thought. Even if things went south, the Captain Commander’s Ryūjin Jakka could incinerate any threat. Only Ichibei Hyosube of the Zero Squad could rival him.

Confidence restored, Haruto considered the future. The Quincy were elusive, but Hueco Mundo was the real wildcard. Hollows, born from human obsessions, were eternal—predating the Soul King’s division of the Three Realms. Asking humans to lack obsessions was like asking dogs to avoid filth. Soul Society would likely defeat the Quincy, but a weakened Gotei 13 could invite Hollows to exploit the chaos.

Before facing the Quincy, Hueco Mundo needed taming. Killing all Hollows was impossible—even the Soul King couldn’t—but culling their ranks, especially targeting Baraggan Louisenbairn, the Skeleton Emperor, was feasible. Aizen once flattened Hueco Mundo with two captains. Haruto’s lineup—Shihōin Chihiro, Kano Chiharu, Yanagi Junrei, Saitō Furofushi, Zenjōji Arihime, and Yamamoto—was more than enough to take down Baraggan.

“I say we hit Hueco Mundo first,” Haruto declared. “A decapitation strike on Baraggan.”

Yamamoto patted his shoulder, eyes gleaming. “Great minds think alike. We can’t stay defensive against Hollows. A counterattack suits me. I’ve long wanted a Hueco Mundo punitive squad.”

Haruto beamed. “No delay, then. I’ll rest tonight and lead the squad tomorrow.”

He left, spirits high, catching the aroma of food from the cafeteria. Kano Chimaru, Chiharu’s younger sister, was serving a heaping portion of meat to Sasakibe Chōjirō. Time to let the kid see something big, Haruto thought.

“Sasakibe, big squad event tomorrow. You in?” Haruto asked with a sly grin.

Chōjirō’s eyes lit up. “Of course! But, Brother Yamabuki, what’s the event?”

Others in the cafeteria perked up, eager for gossip. As First Division Vice-Captain, Haruto handled major squad matters.

“It’s a secret, but it’s good,” Haruto teased. “Want in? Sign up with the Captain Commander.” He paused, thinking. The Gotei 13 had barely six hundred members, enough for scattered Hollows but not war. They’d need to recruit after Hueco Mundo.

The cafeteria emptied as Shinigami rushed to sign up, Chōjirō among them. Haruto grinned. Time to sweep Hueco Mundo with my brothers!

The next day, Haruto stood smugly before the Senkaimon, waiting for his squad. Only two arrived: Chōjirō Sasakibe and Kazenami Haru.

“Where’s everyone else?” Haruto asked, glancing back.

Chōjirō shifted awkwardly. “They heard it’s Hueco Mundo… and ran. Only Haru and I signed up.”

Cowards! Haruto groaned, covering his face.

Yamamoto arrived with the squad’s officers: Shihōin Chihiro, Kano Chiharu, Yanagi Junrei, Saitō Furofushi, and Zenjōji Arihime. “You’re all here!” Haruto exclaimed. “Let’s flatten Hueco Mundo!”

Yamamoto raised a hand. “Calm down. With Quincy watching, Seireitei’s protection comes first.”

Haruto blinked. “So…?”

“This punitive squad is just you three,” Yamamoto said, pointing to Haruto, Chōjirō, and Haru.

“What?!” Haruto sputtered. “That’s Baraggan, the Skeleton Emperor! Just the three of us?”

“Don’t panic,” Yamamoto said with a half-smile. “I’ll support you spiritually.”

“Captain Commander, forget next month’s salary—cancel this!” Haruto pleaded.

“You proposed it,” Yamamoto replied. “No backing out.” He gestured behind Haruto.

Haruto turned to see the Senkaimon open. Before he could protest, Yamamoto’s kick sent him tumbling through. “Yamamoto Genryusai! I’ll remember this forever!” he shouted as the gate swallowed him.