Chapter 004
After passing through the Garganta, Kazuki felt his breath catch in his throat.
Compared to the Soul Society, the density of Reishi here was far higher-so much so that for one brief moment, it felt as though he were diving into deep water. The vast crescent moon hung motionless above him, bathing the endless white desert in cold silver light. Hueco Mundo was truly a world of eternal night.
Kazuki exhaled slowly, stuffing his hands into his pockets with mild discomfort. After adjusting to the suffocating surge of Reishi, he began assessing the area as part of his mission.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
"No problem. Loud and clear."
Urahara Kisuke's casual tone drifted through the speaker built into Kazuki's ear-mounted communicator.
"Fifth Seat Tone Kazuki, I'm detecting the signature readings of Hueco Mundo on my end. You've arrived?"
"Exactly as the textbooks described," Kazuki replied, glancing around the barren terrain with faint amusement. "No abnormalities detected so far. There aren't even any regular Hollows nearby."
It was the first time he had set foot in Hueco Mundo himself, and seeing it firsthand was vastly different from reading the reports. The instant he arrived, he understood why this realm's defining feature was combat.
With nothing to eat, no water, no warmth, nor any form of comfort or entertainment-it was only natural that the inhabitants would spend their endless existence fighting. He almost sympathized with them. The fact that the Menos Grande could retain their sanity after enduring years here was, in its own way, impressive.
Kazuki knew he could barely tolerate the Rukongai districts for too long without the comforts of food and leisure; expecting him to live here was unthinkable.
Hueco Mundo was bleak beyond words.
"Nothing unusual, huh?" Urahara's tone held no disappointment-only curiosity. "It's not that strange. The time and number of Hollows that invade the Soul Society through each Garganta are different every time. It's possible the enemy captured Hollows from elsewhere and used this route for transportation."
"Wait," Kazuki interrupted. "I've spotted...something."
He descended from the air and approached the dark rift's base. Two withered trees grew beneath it-lifeless at first glance-but when Kazuki focused his spiritual perception on them, his expression shifted.
These trees weren't natural flora. They were absorbing Reishi directly from the surrounding environment and channeling it into the Garganta.
They were acting as stabilizers-maintaining the boundary of the passage itself.
After reporting his findings, Urahara's tone shifted noticeably, his curiosity sharpening into excitement.
"Fifth Seat Tone Kazuki, press the second switch on the side of your helmet." The faint scrabbling of papers and low chatter filled the background on Urahara's end. "I've integrated a portable Reiryoku analyzer into your communicator. The second switch will activate it."
Kazuki sighed softly but complied. There was always some hidden feature in Urahara's devices-this was hardly surprising. Whatever eccentricities the man had, there was no denying his genius; even Aizen had been deceived by his inventions once.
As the device activated, faint mechanical tones and indistinct chatter filled Kazuki's earpiece. The analysis team at the Twelfth Division must have been working around the clock through the relay. He waited patiently, knowing better than to interrupt the scientists.
After several minutes, Urahara's familiar drawl returned.
"Fifth Seat Tone Kazuki, the Department of Research and Development finished analyzing the Reiatsu residue. During the past month, there have been multiple-"
"Time's limited, Captain Urahara," Kazuki interjected before the explanation could stretch into one of Urahara's rambling lectures. "Please, just give me the conclusion."
Urahara cleared his throat lightly. "Ah... right. In summary, most of the lingering Reiatsu signatures converge inside the Garganta. They likely belong to regular Hollows that were disposed of there. However, one of the traces is different. Its owner has been here repeatedly-interacting with the devices stabilizing the Garganta-and there are defined coordinates for both arrival and return."
"So that's the mastermind," Kazuki replied immediately. "Following that Reiatsu lead should reveal the source, correct?"
"Theoretically, yes."
"Perfect." He clenched his right hand with purpose. "Give me the direction, and I'll investigate now. One way or another, we'll have results."
It wasn't that he was eager for heroics; he simply wanted to finish the assignment quickly and return home to rest-a thought best kept to himself around superiors.
"Proceed thirty degrees west-south from your position," Urahara instructed. A brief hesitance entered his otherwise calm tone. "Be careful, Kazuki-kun. The Reiatsu density in that direction indicates at least Adjuchas-class Menos."
"Appreciate the warning."
Kazuki waved his hand dismissively, his expression indifferent. Death wasn't much of a concern when his clone ability allowed him to respawn after defeat. Worst-case scenario, he would simply return to report the loss and bring reinforcements next time. No Menos Grande could stand against the full force of the Gotei 13.
High interpretation: Hueco Mundo was the most dangerous realm among the three worlds due to its continuous hostility toward both the World of the Living and the Soul Society.
Low interpretation: it was nothing but a vast reserve for violent beasts.
Throughout the Bleach world, every faction had ravaged this place at some point. Shinigami sought balance; Quincy pursued vengeance; neither side treated Hueco Mundo with any dignity. It was no wonder this realm remained the weakest of the three.
Kazuki sighed under his breath. It was, perhaps, fortunate that he himself had not been born here.
He launched himself into the sky, his silhouette cutting across the pale horizon. The instant calm vanished as instinct screamed in warning-several oppressive waves of Reiatsu appeared behind him.
Malice moved fast.
From the dunes ahead, masked figures surged over the ridges-Hollows driven by the hunger carved into their being. Their intent was palpable even from afar.
Kazuki frowned faintly. "Charging straight at me without gauging strength... Really?"
Rolling his shoulders once, he prepared himself. "Fine. I'll clear this quickly and finish the assignment."