"Ahahaha..."
Ando laughed, trying to brush it off.
"Oh, right! We toasted Commander Hitsugaya for the first cup. The second cup should be for Ashido-senpai," Ando quickly said.
Toshiro raised his cup. "Although I know you're trying to change the subject, everyone indeed should toast Ashido."
Hearing Toshiro, everyone said, "Commander Hitsugaya is right. Not toasting Ashido-senpai would fail to express our respect for him."
With that, everyone raised their cups to Ashido and drank in one go.
Seeing everyone respect him so much, Ashido didn't hesitate either. He picked up his cup and downed it in one gulp.
"Good! Ashido-senpai is truly straightforward!" Everyone cheered.
Afterwards, cups clinked, and everyone enjoyed the lavish banquet.
In the end, except for Amagai, although the others loved to drink, they knew moderation. No one overindulged, so no one got drunk.
The next day.
The Senkaimon connecting to the Soul Society had been built. Those returning to the Soul Society with Toshiro had already assembled.
But Toshiro didn't leave immediately. Instead, he went to Amagai's tent and walked right in.
Inside the tent, Amagai lay on a mat, fast asleep, showing no sign of waking.
Besides Amagai, there was another person in the tent: Kibune Makoto, deputy commander of the 3rd Corps.
Kibune, with brown hair and glasses, saw Toshiro enter and quickly greeted respectfully, "Commander Hitsugaya, good day."
"Mm," Toshiro responded casually.
Toshiro didn't interact much with Kibune. After all, he was just a deputy corps commander. Except for Ando, who, as deputy commander of the 1st Corps, had status equal to other corps commanders and could participate in expeditionary force decisions, Toshiro didn't interact much with other deputy corps commanders.
Though they didn't interact much, Toshiro didn't have a good impression of Kibune.
Toshiro had some memory of Kibune from the anime.
Although Kibune usually appeared amiable and quiet, deep down he was cold-hearted and would stop at nothing for power, nearly killing Kira.
But he usually disguised himself well, and Toshiro hadn't found a reason to deal with him.
"Has Amagai been unconscious since getting drunk yesterday?" Toshiro asked with a frown.
After returning yesterday, Toshiro wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Amagai about his father's matter, to clear up his misunderstanding of Yamamoto, and prevent him from doing something foolish.
But before Toshiro could say anything, Amagai got drunk from one cup and became completely unconscious.
Kibune nodded. "Yes, Corps Commander Amagai hasn't woken up since passing out yesterday."
Just then, a voice came from outside the tent: "Commander Hitsugaya, the Senkaimon is open. Should we depart now?"
Hearing this, Toshiro couldn't help but ask helplessly, "When can Amagai wake up?"
Kibune thought for a moment. "Well, based on past situations, once Corps Commander Amagai passes out from drinking, it usually takes a full day to wake up."
"Do you have something to tell Corps Commander Amagai? You could tell me first, and I'll inform him when he wakes up," Kibune then asked.
Toshiro refused. "No need. I didn't have anything important for Amagai. Just wanted to say goodbye before leaving. Since he can't wake up now, forget it."
After speaking, Toshiro turned and left.
Toshiro didn't trust Kibune, so naturally he wouldn't tell him about Amagai's father and Yamamoto.
'It seems I'll have to wait for another chance to tell Amagai the truth about his father's death and clear up his misunderstanding with Genryusai-sensei,' Toshiro thought to himself.
Amagai would stay in Hueco Mundo for now. Even if he wanted to do something bad, like seeking revenge on Yamamoto, he wouldn't have the opportunity.
If Amagai wanted revenge, he'd need to return to the Soul Society first. Once he returned, as long as Toshiro explained the true cause of his father's death before he made a serious mistake, tragedy could be avoided.
At the center of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's camp, the Senkaimon connecting to the Soul Society was built there.
Currently, most of the expeditionary force had gathered here. Besides those returning to the Soul Society with Toshiro, the others came to see him off.
Toshiro walked to the Senkaimon, then turned back and said to everyone, "Everyone, serving as commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and fighting alongside you has been a great honor. I hope we can meet again someday. So, until then, don't die here!"
"Yes, Commander Hitsugaya!" Everyone shouted loudly.
"Commander Hitsugaya, take care!" The corps commanders all called out.
"You all take care too!" Toshiro said, then turned around, waved goodbye without looking back, and walked into the Senkaimon.
Behind Toshiro, Ashido and the Shinigami returning to the Soul Society followed.
After entering the Senkaimon, the scene shifted, and Toshiro was back in the Soul Society.
The location was still Sokyoku Hill, same as when he left for Hueco Mundo.
Knowing Toshiro was returning, many from the Soul Society came to welcome him.
Momo, Rangiku, Renji, Kira, Rukia, and the Captains: Isshin, Kyoraku, Ukitake.
It was quite a grand lineup. Of course, these people weren't welcoming him because he was commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, but because they were his friends.
"Shiro-chan! You're finally back!" Momo rushed forward, wanting to hug Toshiro excitedly, but felt shy with so many people around.
But Toshiro didn't hesitate. He pulled Momo into an embrace. "I'm back! Momo."
"Ara ara, so affectionate, Toshiro, Momo!" Rangiku teased.
"Rangiku-san!" Momo called out shyly, then broke free from Toshiro's embrace.
"Toshiro, you're back!"
"Yo, welcome back, Toshiro!"
"Yare yare, you're finally back, Toshiro!"
Everyone greeted Toshiro.