Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's Camp.
After traveling for a while, Toshiro finally reunited with the expeditionary force.
Inside the large tent at the camp's center.
"Commander Hitsugaya, are you injured?" After Toshiro entered, the corps commanders immediately noticed the wound Aizen had left on him.
"Don't worry, it's already healing. It'll be fine in a while," Toshiro reassured.
"What about Baraggan, Commander? Did you defeat him?" Ando asked.
"Well, I did defeat Baraggan," Toshiro said.
Ota quickly asked, "So what about Baraggan? Is he dead?"
"Baraggan? He was frozen by my Hyorinmaru's ability. But later, someone suddenly appeared and rescued him, so he's probably still alive," Toshiro said shamelessly.
Seeing Ota's admiring gaze, Toshiro felt too embarrassed to tell them that although he defeated Baraggan, he had to flee in disheveled state when facing Aizen in the end.
Of course, he couldn't tell them about Aizen.
"Someone rescued Baraggan?! Who was it, Commander?" they exclaimed in surprise.
"I don't know. The person wore a black cloak hiding their appearance and used a special method to mask their Reiatsu Signature. So, I really don't know who it was," Toshiro said, blatantly lying.
For them, knowing about Aizen wouldn't be good, and it might even bring danger.
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
Toshiro looked at them and said, "In short, the matter with Baraggan ends here. Even if Baraggan isn't dead, after being defeated, he won't dare bother us again. So, let's continue our mission."
Although Baraggan was arrogant and overbearing, after nearly being killed by Toshiro, he likely wouldn't actively trouble the expeditionary force.
As for Aizen, as long as Aizen doesn't personally intervene, none of his subordinates are a match for Toshiro.
But if Aizen personally intervenes, then there's no choice. Toshiro will have to deal with it as it comes.
At worst, Toshiro can just run away again. As for the expeditionary force's members, they'll have to rely on their own luck.
Thus, in the following days, Toshiro led the expeditionary force in executing their mission, gradually clearing Hollows from the outer circle.
In a cave within the inner circle of Hueco Mundo.
Harribel and her three companions, Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose, lived here.
Their previous dwelling was destroyed in the battle with Pedro. This cave was newly found.
After a period of rest, Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose's injuries had healed.
"Hey, Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, Harribel-sama seems to space out often lately. Do you know what's up?" Apacci suddenly asked.
"Really? I didn't notice," Mila Rose said.
"Hmph, Mila Rose, you've been with Harribel-sama so long, yet even Apacci, a newcomer, noticed. You didn't?" Sung-Sun mocked.
"What did you say, Sung-Sun?! Want to fight?" Mila Rose said angrily.
"Alright, alright, you two. Stop arguing. We're supposed to be discussing Harribel-sama," Apacci mediated.
Mila Rose said somewhat reluctantly, "I'll let it slide this time. But what's wrong with Harribel-sama?"
Sung-Sun said with a sleazy tone, "What else? Must be thinking about a man."
Mila Rose said incredulously, "No way! Harribel-sama would fancy those smelly male Hollows?"
"Of course not those male Hollows. Remember the Shinigami who saved us and Harribel-sama from Pedro last time?" Sung-Sun retorted.
Mila Rose realized, "You mean that Shinigami last time? I think his name was Hitsugaya something...?"
"Hitsugaya Toshiro. Really, Mila Rose, he saved us after all. Can't you even remember his name?" Apacci said, somewhat speechless.
"Well, I couldn't help it. I was badly injured, my consciousness fuzzy, so I don't remember clearly," Mila Rose argued.
Then, Sung-Sun said mysteriously, "Recently, I accidentally overheard Harribel-sama muttering that name."
"Really?! Does Harribel-sama fancy that Shinigami?" Apacci said, somewhat incredulously.
"That Shinigami, Hitsugaya. But Harribel-sama being with him is impossible," Mila Rose said helplessly.
"True," Apacci and Sung-Sun said quietly.
"True what?! You three, stop talking nonsense here!" A voice suddenly sounded behind them.
Hearing the voice, Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun trembled, then stiffly turned around.
Harribel stood there, staring at them unfavorably.
"Harribel-sama, you... weren't you resting inside?" Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun stammered.
"Hmph, hearing you talk so animatedly, I came to see. Never expected you'd be spouting nonsense here," Harribel snorted.
Hearing Harribel, Mila Rose mustered courage: "Harribel-sama, please stop thinking about that Shinigami. It's impossible between you two!"
"What nonsense are you saying, Mila Rose? When have I been thinking about that Shinigami?" Harribel retorted.
"No? Then why have you been spacing out lately?" Mila Rose asked, puzzled.
"I was just thinking about whether I should devour other Hollows to increase my strength. Otherwise, next time we face danger, I don't know if I'll be as powerless as last time, forced to watch helplessly as the enemy harms you," Harribel said hesitantly.
"Harribel-sama..." Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun called out, moved.
Harribel had always been unwilling to grow stronger by devouring other Hollows. Now, to gain the power to protect them, she considered changing her long-held principles.