After feeling Gosuke Shigure's gaze, the Shinigami dressed in a Hollow disguise also removed the mask from his face. A handsome, composed visage was immediately revealed to both Gosuke Shigure and Yoruichi.
Yoruichi, upon arriving, had already sensed that the other person was a Shinigami. What puzzled her, however, was why a Shinigami would be present here in the depths of the Menos Forest within Hueco Mundo. Judging by his Reiatsu, this was not one of the Shinigami dispatched with them for the current mission. This man had likely been here for a long time.
As the stranger removed his mask, revealing a youthful and almost serene face, Yoruichi's curiosity grew.
"So that's what he looks like… not bad," she muttered to herself with mild surprise.
Gosuke Shigure initially furrowed his brows upon seeing the man's face, then his expression relaxed. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Are you… Asido?"
The other Shinigami whose face was now fully exposed was stunned. He hadn't expected this unknown Kenpachi to recognize him.
Yoruichi's curiosity was piqued further.
"Sensei, who is Asido?" she asked.
Gosuke Shigure explained calmly, "Asido was the third seat of the 11th Division. He served under the Seventh Generation Kenpachi, Tokuyashiki. Many years ago, he led a division expedition into Hueco Mundo."
"The entire expeditionary force disappeared without a trace. According to Central 46, they were presumed dead. I didn't expect a survivor… and yet, here he stands. Asido is alive."
His tone was distant and complicated, even. Whether that complexity was genuine or feigned, only Gosuke himself could say.
As someone who had lived two lives, Gosuke already knew Asido had survived. In fact, he remembered that Asido had hidden himself deep within Hueco Mundo, surviving alone for decades. During Kurosaki Ichigo's rescue mission to save Inoue Orihime, Asido had appeared briefly and even helped Kuchiki Rukia.
Gosuke had sensed his Reiatsu during the current mission but had prioritized confronting Tsunayashiro Tokinada. Only now, after that confrontation ended, had Asido made his presence known.
"You are?" Asido asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
After Gosuke had explained who Asido was to Yoruichi, it was obvious that he truly knew him.
Gosuke gave a faint smile.
"Asido, it's me Gosuke."
Asido blinked. "Gosuke?" He was silent for a moment, then realization hit him.
"Gosuke… is that really you?!"
When Asido had departed Soul Society all those years ago, Gosuke had only been a young boy trailing behind Captain Tokuyashiki. That's why Asido hadn't recognized him earlier his face had matured, hardened by combat and time.
Now, faced with the truth, Asido was stunned.
A child who had once barely reached his waist was now the bearer of the title Kenpachi.
It took him a moment to digest the revelation. Then, looking at Gosuke Shigure, Asido asked with a serious tone:
"Gosuke no, Gosuke Kenpachi I know this might be abrupt and impolite, but… can you tell me about Tokuyashiki Kenpachi?"
Asido's voice wavered slightly.
The fact that Gosuke had become Kenpachi meant one undeniable truth Tokuyashiki was dead. And though it was improper, Asido had to know how it happened. As his former comrade and friend, the question burned inside him.
Gosuke nodded solemnly.
"You're his friend. You have every right to know."
He began explaining: how Tokuyashiki had died at the hands of the next Kenpachi, Mole City (Murasaki Enshū). How Mole City had later committed crimes and been imprisoned in Muken. And how Gosuke himself had passed the brutal Kenpachi trials and taken the title as the Ninth.
Asido listened silently.
When Gosuke finished, Asido looked down, eyes heavy.
"So… Tokuyashiki was killed by Kenpachi Mole City…"
Gosuke prepared to say something comforting, expecting Asido to grieve for a while. But instead, the man's grief faded quickly.
"To die in battle… to pass the mantle to a stronger warrior… that's something Tokuyashiki would've accepted gladly," Asido said with calm finality. "If he was defeated by someone stronger, then it was a death worth dying."
"Though I never met Kenpachi Mole City, he must have been formidable."
Asido's gaze then shifted to Gosuke.
"And for you to surpass him and take the title… you must be even stronger. It's still unbelievable. The boy who trailed behind Tokuyashiki has become the one who stands at the top of combat strength."
Gosuke didn't respond immediately. Instead, he narrowed his eyes.
"Compared to your surprise, what surprises me… is that you're still alive."
He paused.
"So why didn't you return to the Soul Society?"
His voice became cold and sharp.
"Can I conclude, then, that you betrayed the Soul Society?"
The air thickened with spiritual pressure.
Asido stared back at him and despite knowing who Gosuke once was, the man before him now radiated a presence that could crush even seasoned warriors. There was no doubt: if Asido answered poorly, Gosuke would strike without hesitation.
After a moment, Asido responded.
"I did not betray the Soul Society."
"The reason I remained here… was to fulfill what my fallen comrades could not."
"When we entered Hueco Mundo, it was to stabilize the soul balance between the worlds. We fought tooth and nail. So many died here."
"Their deaths were never acknowledged. They were simply… forgotten. If I died too, there'd be no one left to remember them. No one left to honor their sacrifice."
He clenched his fist, eyes firm.
"I stayed here not for rebellion but for remembrance."