A moment later, Sora's group arrived at the camp of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.
The camp was illuminated by bonfires, making it stand out in the dim light of the Forest of Menos.
"Why hasn't anyone noticed us yet?" Sora thought to himself.
They had traveled at high speed without concealing their spiritual pressure. The Shinigami in the camp should have come out to greet them.
The two guards at the entrance noticed the group approaching.
One of them stepped forward and asked, "Are you Fourth Seat Saitō?"
"This is Professor Katori from the Spiritual Arts Academy, and these are the students participating in the early graduation exam," Akane Saitō introduced Sora and the others to the guard. "We were also transporting supplies but were caught in reishi turbulence and swept into a 'Valley of Screams,' which caused some delay. We have brought the supplies now."
"I see," the guard nodded and continued, "Please wait a moment. I need to report the situation to Captain Ashido."
The guard whispered a few words to his partner and then ran into the camp.
A moment later, he returned with a red-haired Shinigami. A dozen more Shinigami followed behind him.
The red-haired man in the lead was Ashido, the former head of the Swordsmanship Department whom Sora had not seen in a long time.
However, upon seeing Sora, Ashido showed no intention of reminiscing. Instead, he raised his hand, and his Shinigami surrounded Sora's group.
"Captain Ashido, what is the meaning of this?" Akane Saitō asked, her hand warily on the hilt of her sword.
"My sincerest apologies, but for the safety of the camp, I must do this."
Ashido's face was full of apology, but he did not order his subordinates to stand down.
"The supply team that arrived two days ago seems to have been attacked by Hollows on their way. The entire transport team was controlled by parasitic Hollows!"
"The Hollow that parasitized them might be an 'Adjuchas'-class Menos. It was done very covertly, and we failed to notice anything unusual about them."
"They managed to infiltrate the expeditionary force's camp and caused a great disaster!"
"So, I am very sorry, but until I can confirm your identities, I cannot trust you."
"The transport team that arrived before us was controlled by parasitic Hollows?" Sora's group was surprised, but they understood Ashido's actions.
"When that Hollow was controlling the Shinigami's bodies, it could even deceive spiritual sense perception, which is why I didn't notice anything was wrong," Ashido said.
"Then we can release our Zanpakutō to prove our identities," Sora said.
"You may. Please release your Zanpakutō," Ashido nodded.
Everyone released their Zanpakutō, and for a moment, the spiritual pressure at the camp entrance surged.
"Excellent. It seems none of you were attacked by that Hollow. Please, follow me into the camp," Ashido said, relieved. He waved his hand for his subordinates to disperse.
Ashido led the group into the camp.
The atmosphere inside was bleak. Few Shinigami lingered outside their tents, and those Sora's group did see were all rushing about.
"Professor Katori, it's been a long time," Ashido said, making small talk.
"Indeed. We haven't seen each other since you came to Hueco Mundo, Captain Ashido."
Sora paused, then continued, "Our journey here was not without its own Hollow attacks. Not far from the camp, we encountered two 'Gillians'."
"Besides those two blocking our path, I also sensed other 'Gillians' in other locations."
"This indicates that these 'Gillians' have intentionally gathered near the expeditionary force camp."
Akane also asked, "It's very unusual for these Menos to gather here. They must have designs on the camp. Why haven't you led your men to exterminate them, Captain Ashido?"
"The current expeditionary force is in no condition to launch an attack," Ashido said gravely. "There was a problem with the supplies transported two days ago. The food was mixed with Hollow poison. Now, most of the Shinigami in the camp have been poisoned, and their strength is less than a tenth of what it should be."
"I have already requested reinforcements from the Soul Society. I can only hope they arrive quickly, otherwise... the consequences will be unthinkable."
The thought of that terrible outcome brought a pained expression to Ashido's face.
If reinforcements didn't arrive before the Menos launched their attack, few of the Shinigami in the expeditionary force would likely survive.
Sora looked at the surrounding tents. He could indeed sense that most of the Shinigami were inside, their spiritual pressure extremely unstable, their condition dire.
Ashido led them to the camp's warehouse and had them put down their supply packs.
He looked at the student uniforms worn by Shinji and the others. He didn't want these un-graduated students to stay here and die. "Your supplies have been delivered. You should leave this place at once. Miss Saitō, Professor Katori, take these students and leave quickly, before the Menos attack!"
Having understood the situation, Sora said, "If it's Hollow poison, I can handle it."
Ashido was slightly taken aback. He had been in Hueco Mundo for a long time and was out of the loop. He didn't know that Sora had later served as the vice-captain of the 4th Division and participated in the Quincy war. His impression of him was still stuck in the past.
Ashido asked, "I heard rumors back at the academy that you were skilled in Healing Kidō, Professor Katori, but... with so many people in the camp poisoned, can you really handle it?"
"It will take some time; after all, there are too many of them," Sora said gravely. "But this is their only chance of survival, isn't it? Captain Ashido, you should know the current situation better than I do. The Menos are stirring, and your request for reinforcements was only just sent. The Soul Society simply won't have enough time to respond!"
Sora thought of his past life's memories. In the future, Ashido would be alone in the Forest of Menos. Connecting that to the current situation, it seemed the expeditionary force ultimately did not receive reinforcements from the Soul Society. The death of his comrades must have been a great blow to Ashido, causing him to remain in the Forest of Menos, killing Hollows.
"Captain, is that really true?"
"Are reinforcements from the Soul Society really not coming?"
"Didn't you say they would be here soon?"
"Yes, what are we going to do!"
The two Shinigami who had followed them into the warehouse panicked upon hearing Sora's words.
A look of pain crossed Ashido's face. "If I didn't say that, the camp would have fallen into chaos. If the Hollows discovered there was a problem, they would likely have advanced their attack."
Ashido had been personally scouting the surrounding area these past two days and knew that the number of Menos gathering outside the camp was increasing.
He knew the hope of waiting for reinforcements was slim, but he still clung to a sliver of it, unwilling to give up on so many comrades.
"If reinforcements really don't arrive, then those of you who can still move should evacuate the Forest of Menos!" Ashido said, his expression firm, his voice deep.
"Even if it costs me my life, I will open a path for you!"
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