However, this also left Kano Ashido with a psychological knot. Because of his comrades' deaths, he decided not to return and to stay there to eliminate Hollows.
Because the Forest of Menos was where many Hollows were born. Eliminating more Hollows here would mean fewer people in the Living World suffering from Hollow attacks!
In fact, his idea was very good.
Unfortunately, Ashido did not understand the truth of the world.
The birth of Hollows is an inevitable natural phenomenon-
Unless Shinigami could construct a system similar to the cycle of reincarnation, allowing human souls after death to go directly to the Soul Society without needing a Shinigami's soul burial.
But this is impossible.
Because human souls are constantly being born.
Some souls don't even need their Chain of Fate to disappear… they can directly become Hollows.
Therefore, the appearance of Hollows is also inevitable!
Shinigami slay Hollows to maintain the world's soul balance, not to protect humans in the Living World.
Otherwise, with the Seireitei's combat power, if they truly invaded Hueco Mundo, wiping out all Hollows would be quite easy.
If one day Hollows truly disappeared, then the Soul Society would only do one thing!
Just like in the Thousand-Year Blood War, they would also gather the souls from the Rukongai and artificially eliminate them to achieve soul balance.
Now, Jing Bing was actually telling him that the Hollows had disappeared!
Perhaps Jing Bing only thought it was unusual.
But only Ichigo knew how serious this was!
"Really? Can you confirm it?" Ichigo hurriedly asked.
"One look, definitely true! If you don't believe me, go check the recordings!" Jing Bing replied. Ichigo thought for a moment, drew Zangetsu, and powerful Reiatsu emanated from his body. "Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu!"
Instantly completing Bankai, Ichigo transformed into an afterimage and disappeared from the spot!
Like Jing Bing, Ichigo rapidly swept through the entire Karakura Town.
As expected, not a single Hollow could be seen!
'So, have these Hollows been recalled by Aizen?' Ichigo pondered.
'Is Aizen's Hollow army building up strength early???'
"Let's send a message to ask the Soul Society!" Ichigo decided.
But he didn't know that the Soul Society was equally confused!
"Hollow numbers in Karakura Town reduced to zero!"
"Tokyo has three Hollows left, two, alright, none now. The Shinigami stationed in Tokyo sent an inquiry!"
"Report: Detected a large gathering of Hollows in Hueco Mundo!"
"Report: The number of Gillians in Hueco Mundo has suddenly increased dramatically!"
"Report: There is a report here from the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force!"
"The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force?" Hearing this name, Mayuri, who was directing his subordinates, was taken aback.
"Why is the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force contacting me? Complaining about the poor conditions in Hueco Mundo again, wanting us to provide them with some equipment?"
Mayuri speculated. Being extremely stingy, he was very angry. "Really, if you want equipment, buy it with money. What's with wanting freebies?"
"Reject it for me!" Mayuri said.
However, after he spoke, Akon, who had just delivered the message, remained standing there dumbfounded.
Looking at Akon, Mayuri frowned. "What, do you sympathize with them?"
"No, not that! Captain, I just think you should see this!"
Looking at the report in his hand, Akon swallowed hard.
"There's an explanation for these recent events!"
"But if it's really as the report says!"
"Then we have trouble. This might be the Soul Society's greatest calamity in a thousand years!" Akon said seriously.
"Oh?" Seeing Akon like this, Mayuri finally didn't make him leave.
Casually taking the report, Mayuri read it.
Simultaneously, his eyes widened more and more as he read!
Finally, Mayuri, his face dark, slammed the report on the table, making a loud noise!
Looking at the many researchers startled by his slap, Mayuri was furious:
"Damn it, what are you all standing around for? Prepare the computers for me immediately! I need to run data calculations!"
"Yes!" Akon hurriedly left.
Under Mayuri's tyranny, the 12th Division quickly prepared for high-speed calculations.
Using his brilliant brain, Mayuri began calculating.
However, as one result after another came from the computer, Mayuri's expression grew darker and darker, to the point his own disguise couldn't hide it!
Subsequently, the finished calculations made Mayuri abruptly stand up.
He even stood up so fast that his own stool was knocked over, making a screeching sound.
But Mayuri paid no attention. He quickly issued an order:
"Akon, watch over the Technological Development Bureau!! I need to see Captain-Commander immediately!"
Leaving that one sentence, Mayuri headed for the 1st Division's barracks with the newly printed materials!
And more than an hour after Mayuri entered the 1st Division's barracks,
A message sent directly via Tenteikura reached each Captain, whether in their sleep or in the arms of a beauty!
This message was roughly five words!
"Seireitei in danger, come quickly!"
Many Captains got up in the middle of the night and headed for the 1st Division's barracks!
Exchanging puzzled glances, Yamamoto tapped his cane and gravelly narrated Mayuri's findings!
Subsequently, three more orders were issued from the 1st Division's barracks!
Mobilize all Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force personnel. Under the command of Expeditionary Force's Commander, Amagai Shusuke, return to the Soul Society.
Immediately recall all 13th Division's Shinigami stationed in the Living World!
Recall Kurosaki Ichigo!
With the three orders issued, the Soul Society began to move again.
The next afternoon, while still training people, Ichigo immediately received the order to return to the Soul Society!
The news from Soul Society shocked him.
An all-night meeting continued!
Another day later, in the Soul Society, Seireitei, 1rd Division's meeting hall.
All Captains and Vice-Captains of the remaining Gotei 13 divisions after Aizen's defection were gathered.
From the highest platform, Yamamoto looked down at the assembled crowd and issued orders.
"Orders!"
"13th Division's Lieutenant, Kurosaki Ichigo, lead all 13th Division's members, plus portions of the 5th and 11th Divisions, to guard the White Road Gate!"
"3rd Division's new Captain, Amagai Shusuke, lead all 3rd Division's members, plus a portion of the 9th Division, to guard the Blue Stream Gate!"
"11th Division's Captain, Zaraki Kenpachi, lead 11th Division's members, plus a portion of the 5th Division, to guard the Black Ridge Gate!"