"Shinigami, Ashido," a raspy, low voice emerged from beneath the antelope mask.
Only then did Kyōraku Callum recall the man's identity: the lieutenant of seventh Kenpachi, a friend of Sōya Azashiro, and former Lieutenant of the Eleventh Division—Ashido.
"Such a familiar name," Yumichika Ayasegawa frowned, searching his memory.
"Judging by your insignias, you're from the Fourth and Eleventh Divisions, correct?" Ashido asked, his speech slightly rusty from disuse.
"That's right. I'm Madarame Ikkaku, Third Seat of the Eleventh Division," Madarame Ikkaku replied. "This narcissistic fellow is Yumichika Ayasegawa, Fifth Seat of the Eleventh Division. And the one holding the Hollow is Kyōraku Callum, Fourth Division Lieutenant."
While the others showed little reaction, Ashido's gaze shifted to Kyōraku Callum upon hearing his name.
"Kyōraku family? What relation are you to Captain Kyōraku?"
Kyōraku Callum sighed. "I usually call him that stupid old geezer." He waved a hand, signaling the Shinigami to relax. "It's alright, he's one of us."
Ashido lowered his guard and approached them.
"Kyōraku Callum?"
Kyōraku Callum nodded. "My uncle mentioned you before.
You led a Shinigami expedition against the Hollows centuries ago and vanished without a trace."
Ashido, completely at ease, removed his antelope mask.
His face beneath was handsome and cold, somewhat reminiscent of Kuchiki Byakuya.
"That's right.
I am Ashido. My former teammates fell one by one to the Hollows.
Centuries have passed, and I'm the only one left."
Kyōraku Callum remained silent, showing respect for this Shinigami who fought for his beliefs, even if some of his actions were incomprehensible.
Considering the Eleventh Division's lack of Kidō proficiency—making a Senkaimon or forcibly opening a Garganta was impossible for them—he didn't dwell on it.
Over the centuries, Ashido had slain countless Hollows.
The Hollow masks he wore were trophies. His survival in this environment was a testament to his strength.
"These fleeing Hollows... they're connected to you, aren't they?" Ashido suddenly asked.
Kyōraku Callum nodded.
"We fought them a short while ago.
We couldn't stop them from escaping due to limited manpower."
Madarame Ikkaku and Yumichika Ayasegawa felt a bead of sweat trickle down their temples.
Wow, he's not satisfied with the current results?
At this rate, with a couple more teams, he'd probably conquer Hueco Mundo!
Ashido remained silent.
Long periods of isolation had left him ill-equipped to respond to Kyōraku Callum's unconventional thinking.
After a long pause, his raspy voice sounded again. "What's your purpose in the Great Forest of Menos?"
Kyōraku Callum didn't hide anything.
"A Hueco Mundo expeditionary force went missing recently, sending a distress signal to Soul Society. But when we arrived, we couldn't find them."
Ashido affixed his antelope mask to his shoulder. "No need to search. When I found them, they were already devoured by Hollows. You should leave as soon as possible.
The Great Forest of Menos is no place for the unprepared."
Madarame Ikkaku questioned, "Aren't you leaving with us?"
Ashido said solemnly, "The Great Forest of Menos, as the Hollows' nest, constantly sends Hollows to the World of the Living.
Every Hollow I kill here lessens the burden on the World of the Living.
Besides, I carry the hopes of my fallen comrades."
Kyōraku Callum crushed a stone under his foot, looking at Ashido. "You should leave with us.
Nnoitra's death in the Great Forest of Menos will likely alert Las Noches."
He briefly explained Nnoitra's background to Ashido, attributing the information to Kyōraku Shunsui. As one of the longest-serving captains in Soul Society, Kyōraku Shunsui was likely to possess such information.
"Slaying Hollows is a Shinigami's duty, but that doesn't mean we must remain in one place," Kyōraku Callum said calmly.
"Moreover, the world isn't simply black and white.
There's good and evil among the Hollows, just as there is among the Shinigami."
He patted Nelliel's head.
Persuaded by Kyōraku Callum, Ashido agreed to return with them.
This Hueco Mundo rescue mission wasn't a complete failure.
Now, only one problem remained.
"Waaah!" Nelliel cried, tears streaming down her face. "Ca-Callum, are you leaving?
Ne-Nelliel doesn't want you to go!"
Dondochakka and Pesche embraced and wailed, occasionally stealing glances at Kyōraku Callum.
Kyōraku Callum ignored the two, crouching to wipe Nelliel's tears.
"I don't want to leave you either, Nelliel, but Hueco Mundo isn't our home.
So, no matter what, we have to go."
Nelliel stopped crying, timidly looking at Kyōraku Callum. "Is there no other way?"
Kyōraku Callum pondered for a moment. "There is! But it requires a choice from you."
Nelliel looked puzzled. "What choice?"
Kyōraku Callum didn't reveal his plan immediately, instead asking, "Nelliel, do you trust me?"
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