In the outer circle of Hueco Mundo.
Ever since Toshiro returned to the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force after the battle at Las Noches against Baraggan and Aizen, he had been leading the force in clearing Hollows from the outer circle.
Initially worried that Aizen might cause trouble, Toshiro had been cautiously on guard. However, after a long time passed without any moves from Aizen, Toshiro gradually relaxed.
He had the four corps of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force split into four groups, clearing Hollows from the north, south, east, and west directions of the outer circle. This greatly increased their efficiency.
Thus, Toshiro diligently performed his duties, leading the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force in sweeping through the weak Hollows in the outer circle.
Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, two years had gone by. Toshiro spent these two arduous years in the desolate, birdless wasteland that was Hueco Mundo.
In a valley within Hueco Mundo, Toshiro was leading the 1st Corps of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, over two hundred strong, in battle against a group of Hollows.
This time, the Hollow horde they encountered numbered only a few dozen, while Toshiro's side had over two hundred, possessing an overwhelming advantage.
So, Toshiro didn't even lift a finger, just lazily stood to the side, watching the 1st Corps members fight the Hollows under the command of Ando, the deputy commander.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
Under the 1st Corps's attacks, the Hollows emitted desperate, feeble wails before reluctantly collapsing and dissipating into Reishi.
With the 1st Corps holding absolute advantage, the few dozen Hollows were completely wiped out in no time.
"Commander Hitsugaya, all the Hollows have been eliminated," Ando reported to Toshiro.
"Ah-yawn… Is that so?" Toshiro said with a yawn.
"In that case, let's return to camp for today. We'll call it a day for now," Toshiro said, rubbing his eyes.
Inside Toshiro's tent at the 1st Corps' camp.
"Commander Hitsugaya, recently, we've been encountering fewer and fewer Hollows. Especially these past few days, the hordes we meet are all small ones with just a few dozen Hollows. We haven't encountered any large hordes with numbers in the hundreds at all," Ando reported.
"Hmm, that means our work has been very effective. We've almost swept through the entire outer circle of Hueco Mundo," Toshiro nodded.
Over these two years, Toshiro led the four corps of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, splitting into four groups to clear Hollows from the north, south, east, and west directions of the outer circle. They had practically plowed through the entire outer circle, significantly reducing the Hollow population there.
At this moment, a voice sounded outside Toshiro's tent: "Report, Commander Hitsugaya! I have a matter to report!"
"Enter," Toshiro nodded.
The person entered. It was a Shinigami from the 1st Corps, specifically one Toshiro had assigned to handle a particular task.
"Commander Hitsugaya, this is the reply from the Soul Society, including a personal letter from Captain-Commander Yamamoto," The Shinigami said respectfully, handing Toshiro a letter.
The task Toshiro had given this Shinigami was to report the situation of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force to the Soul Society.
The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force maintained periodic contact with the Soul Society. Due to being in Hueco Mundo, ordinary communication methods had significant limitations. So, Toshiro had someone establish a Senkaimon between the two worlds, sending a person back to report the expeditionary force's situation in person.
Toshiro took the letter, then waved his hand, dismissing the Shinigami.
Then, Toshiro opened the personal letter from Yamamoto and read it.
After a while, having finished reading, Toshiro placed the letter back into the envelope and fell into thought.
"Commander Hitsugaya, what instructions did Captain-Commander Yamamoto give in the letter?" Ando asked curiously.
"Ando, contact Ota, Amagai, and Kawano. Have them lead the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Corps back here," Toshiro said, not directly answering Ando.
Since the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force had been operating in four separate groups, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Corps weren't with Toshiro.
"Is there something important?" Ando asked.
"Yes, important instructions from the Soul Society. First, contact Ota, Amagai, and Kawano, have them lead their corps back. I'll announce it publicly then," Toshiro instructed.
"Yes, Commander Hitsugaya!" Ando responded and went to contact the other corps commanders, telling them to bring their corps back.
After Ando left, Toshiro muttered to himself, "Finally leaving Hueco Mundo, huh?"
Previously, when Toshiro had someone contact the Soul Society, he had explained that the Hollows in the outer circle of Hueco Mundo had been largely cleared by the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force under his command, and the Hollow population had been maintained within a reasonable range.
Therefore, in this personal letter, Yamamoto instructed Toshiro to return.
Thinking about leaving Hueco Mundo, Toshiro's feelings were somewhat complex.
Although Hueco Mundo's environment was extremely harsh, with endless deserts everywhere, far from the vibrant world of the Soul Society, Toshiro had gained much here.
Here, Toshiro broke through to beyond-Captain-level. Here, Toshiro led the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force in campaigns in all directions, winning everyone's admiration.
"But, I don't belong to Hueco Mundo after all. In the end, I must return to the Soul Society," Toshiro sighed.
For Toshiro, his friends and family were in the Soul Society. That was his home.
Since the four corps of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force had been operating separately in four directions, the distances between them weren't short. It took the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Corps three days to reunite with the 1st Corps personally led by Toshiro.
Now, all members of the four corps were gathered, waiting for the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's Commander to read the latest orders from the Soul Society.
Standing before the ranks of the expeditionary force, Toshiro glanced over and noted that after two years of campaigning, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's numbers had inevitably decreased somewhat.
Toshiro could only sigh at this. The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force was inherently a place with high casualty rates. Even with Toshiro's capabilities, he couldn't guarantee zero casualties.
"Members of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, thanks to everyone's efforts, we have largely cleared the Hollows from the entire outer circle of Hueco Mundo. Therefore, I have received instructions from the Soul Society to lead a portion of our forces back to the Soul Society. For Hueco Mundo, we will leave a contingent stationed here..."
After publicly announcing the Soul Society's orders, Toshiro again discussed with the corps commanders in his tent to decide who would return to the Soul Society with him.
This time, Toshiro wasn't returning alone. Those with merits, those due for rotation or leave, and others would return to the Soul Society with Toshiro.