"Yes. Before going to Hueco Mundo this time, Shunsui asked me to help find Ashido, the first commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. I found him in the Forest of Menos," Toshiro explained.
Hearing this, Yamamoto said, "Tell me the details."
So Toshiro explained Ashido's situation to Yamamoto.
Hearing that Ashido fought Hollows alone in the Forest of Menos for centuries, even the usually calm and experienced Yamamoto couldn't help showing a trace of surprise.
Finally, Yamamoto sighed, "Ashido is a model for all Shinigami. Such a Shinigami deserves to be entrusted with important duties in the Soul Society."
Then Yamamoto considered which important positions within the Gotei 13 could be assigned to Ashido.
Seizing the opportunity, Toshiro said, "Genryusai-sensei, you needn't worry about Ashido's assignment. While in Hueco Mundo, he already accepted my invitation to join the 10th Division."
"Heh, you're clever, preemptively recruiting Ashido for the 10th Division," Yamamoto said.
Then Yamamoto nodded. "Since Ashido has already agreed to go with you to the 10th Division, let it be decided."
Afterwards, Yamamoto specifically summoned Ashido and, in his capacity as Captain-Commander, encouraged Ashido on behalf of the Gotei 13.
Then Ashido and Toshiro headed to the 10th Division.
10th Division.
"Third Seat Hitsugaya, hello!"
"Third Seat Hitsugaya, you're back!"
"Third Seat Hitsugaya, it's so great you're back!"
Ever since Toshiro entered the 10th Division, everyone he met along the way excitedly greeted him.
Beside him, Ashido said in surprise, "Toshiro, you're only a third seat, right? Above you are the Lieutenant and Captain. Yet these 10th Division's members respect you so much. You're probably more beloved by your division's members than some division's Captains."
"Well, the 10th Division is a bit special. The Captain and Lieutenant are both lazy. So before, many of the 10th Division's affairs were handled by me, the third seat. That's why everyone respects me," Toshiro explained.
"I see," Ashido understood.
As they talked, they arrived before the Captain's office of the 10th Division.
Earlier, Isshin, Rangiku, Momo, and the others went to welcome Toshiro. But Toshiro had to go to the 1st Division to see Yamamoto, so Isshin and the others returned to the 10th Division first.
Therefore, Isshin should be in the Captain's office now.
Looking at the familiar captain's office, Toshiro couldn't help but feel emotional. "Two years... Now I'm back in the 10th Division again. I wonder how everyone's been while I was away."
Although everyone went to welcome him earlier, Toshiro had to report on the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force to the 1st Division, so he didn't have a chance to talk properly with them.
'Hehe, these past two years, Captain Shiba and Rangiku probably haven't had it easy.' Thinking of something amusing, Toshiro couldn't help but laugh.
Before, when Toshiro was in the 10th Division, Isshin and Rangiku often slacked off, so the division's work was handled by Toshiro. But after Toshiro went to Hueco Mundo, no one helped them with the work.
As the saying goes, 'From frugality to luxury is easy, but from luxury to frugality is hard'. When Toshiro was there, the two could laze around. But after Toshiro went to Hueco Mundo, no one helped with the 10th Division's work.
Thinking of the two struggling with work, Toshiro couldn't wait to open the door and see.
Toshiro pushed open the captain's office door.
Whoosh!
While pushing the door, Toshiro called out, "Captain, Rangiku, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack..."
Seeing the scene inside the captain's office, Toshiro's words got stuck.
The originally spacious Captain's office was mostly occupied by mountains of piled-up documents, leaving only a narrow path.
Moreover, because Toshiro opened the door too forcefully, it caused a breeze. The towering piles of documents wobbled and collapsed, burying Toshiro underneath like a landslide.
"Hey! What the hell is this?!" Toshiro stood up from the small mountain of documents and shouted angrily.
At this moment, Isshin, sitting behind the desk, stood up excitedly upon seeing Toshiro. "Toshiro! You're finally back!"
And Rangiku rushed over directly, hugging Toshiro. "It's so great you're back, Toshiro! These documents are all yours now!"
Toshiro only saw Rangiku rushing at him, then everything went dark as his head sank into something extremely soft.
"Hey, you... let... me... go..." Toshiro struggled while speaking in a muffled voice.
"Oh, oh, I got it." Seeing Toshiro struggling violently, Rangiku immediately reacted and released him.
"Phew... Haah..."
Toshiro immediately took deep breaths of air.
Just now, after being hugged by Rangiku, Toshiro almost suffocated between those magnificent assets.
After finally recovering, Toshiro frowned at the countless documents scattered on the floor. "What is this? Why are there so many documents? Don't tell me you haven't handled any work since I left!"
Rangiku immediately laughed it off. "No, no, that's impossible."
And Isshin added with a shameless grin, "We only handled the urgent work. As for the documents that weren't urgent, we saved them for you. See, Toshiro, how much I, your Captain, trust you. Shouldn't you thank me properly..."
Bang!
Before Isshin finished, Toshiro directly punched him in the stomach.
"Ah... that hurts!" Isshin hugged his stomach and cried out in pain.
"Why... why, Toshiro?" Isshin stretched out a trembling finger pointing at Toshiro.
"Hehe."
Toshiro sneered disdainfully. "You dare ask why? I thought after I went to Hueco Mundo, you'd be more diligent. But I never expected you could be this lazy. In just two years, you actually piled up a roomful of documents! And you have the nerve to say you trust me, leaving all this for me to handle!"