Had Kyōraku Callum not felt the sweat on his palms, he might have thought the previous events were an illusion.
"It's over now," he said, crouching down to embrace Nelliel.
"Waaah!"
Seeing Kyōraku Callum return to normal, Nelliel burst into tears.
"I... I thought... I thought you..."
Kyōraku Callum chuckled wryly, letting Nelliel's tears soak his clothes.
Nelliel's childlike state was certainly something.
Following Nnoitra's death, the Hollows scattered.
The Gillians, under the Adjuchas' orders, retreated deep into the Great Forest of Menos.
After a brief pursuit, the Shinigami regrouped around Kyōraku Callum.
"Lieutenant Kyōraku," Hanatarō Yamada said, his pale face barely concealing his excitement.
"In this engagement, the 6th Medical Squad eliminated 289 Gillians and 30 Adjuchas.
A remarkable achievement!"
Kyōraku Callum remained calm, nodding. "Keep up the good work.
Your formation coordination still needs improvement.
Furthermore, every squad member must master large-scale Kidō.
Only then can you be considered a competent squad."
The Eleventh Division Shinigami, listening to their conversation, were dumbfounded.
What was this?
The Fourth Division, a support unit, had not only achieved a kill count comparable to theirs but also handled medical treatment for the entire team.
"Why does the name '6th Medical Squad' sound so irritating?" Madarame Ikkaku mused, stroking his chin.
"I feel the same," Ayasegawa Yumichika agreed. "It's like they're mocking the Eleventh Division."
"A support unit with a kill count rivaling a combat division? If this gets out, the Eleventh Division will be utterly humiliated," Ayasegawa Yumichika added.
Kyōraku Callum offered some comfort. "Don't be disheartened.
After a year of my training, Hanatarō and the others have made tremendous progress."
Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika exchanged helpless glances.
A year of training... those selected for the Hueco Mundo rescue mission had all survived countless battles.
They might lack Kidō skills, but their combat prowess was equal to any other division's.
Yet, they'd been surpassed by a support unit after only a year of special training.
Did this support unit possess some unique talent? Ayasegawa Yumichika pondered seriously.
No, the true reason was different.
It might have something to do with this man.
Ayasegawa Yumichika looked intently at Kyōraku Callum, who was now playing with Nelliel, his gaze profound.
Kyōraku Callum suddenly stopped petting Nelliel's head, looking towards the depths of the Great Forest of Menos.
"Shinigami spiritual pressure. Assemble! Proceed to the depths of the Great Forest of Menos!"
He immediately gave the order, sprinting towards the source of the spiritual pressure. Madarame Ikkaku led the Shinigami in pursuit.
Kyōraku Callum leaped through the branches of the quartz trees, carefully controlling his speed to avoid leaving the others behind.
To Kyōraku Callum's surprise, Dondochakka's battle insect, Bawabawa—the eyeless, monstrous Hollow—moved across the ground at a speed comparable to a Shinigami, even while carrying Dondochakka and Pesche.
"Impressive insect," Kyōraku Callum remarked.
"Nelliel's almost suffocated," Nelliel poked her head out from Kyōraku Callum's arms, looking at Dondochakka on the ground.
"The Endless Chase Hide-and-Seek Game begins! Catch us, beat us up, then watch us cry!"
On the ground, Dondochakka and Pesche's bone masks stretched wide.
"Pesche, are we really going to beat up Callum?"
Bang!
"Idiot!" Pesche almost drew his Zanpakutō, whispering furiously. "That guy cut Nnoitra Gilga in half with one strike! He's the fifth Espada, even Nelliel—" He stopped abruptly, cautiously looking around.
"Forget it. Since Nelliel wants to play Endless Chase Hide-and-Seek, let's play along. That Shinigami doesn't seem hostile.
So Bawabawa, charge!"
Pesche and Dondochakka stood on Bawabawa's head, pointing ahead.
Kyōraku Callum, monitoring the Shinigami's spiritual pressure, was surprised to find them heading towards them at incredible speed.
"Alert!" Madarame Ikkaku also noticed, sensing something was wrong.
Figures flickered in the darkness; red Cero erupted from above.
"Seems there's a battle," Kyōraku Callum observed, noting the mix of Shinigami and Hollow spiritual pressure.
It seemed the Shinigami had encountered fleeing Hollows.
By the time they arrived, the battle was over.
The air was thick with the chaotic spiritual energy of deceased Hollows.
In the center of the battlefield, a strangely dressed Shinigami stood calmly, sheathing his sword, looking towards them.
He wore a strange antelope skull mask and a thick fur coat adorned with several Hollow masks.
"Another Hueco Mundo expeditionary force?"
A somewhat hoarse voice emanated from the strange Shinigami.
His calm gaze swept over the approaching Shinigami.
"Who are you?" Madarame Ikkaku stepped forward, curiously examining the strange Shinigami.
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