"Ando, Ota, Amagai, Kawano, from now on, I leave the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force to you all."
After discussing matters, Toshiro looked at the corps commanders.
This time, the corps commanders would remain in Hueco Mundo and not return to the Soul Society with Toshiro.
"Yes, Commander Hitsugaya. Don't worry. We will lead the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force well and not let you down," Everyone said, looking at Toshiro with reluctance.
Over these two years, under Toshiro's leadership, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force performed its duties excellently, and the casualty rate even dropped significantly. Therefore, everyone's initial doubts about Toshiro had transformed into genuine affection and admiration.
"Oh, right. After I return to the Soul Society, I naturally won't remain as the commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. What do you think about the candidate for the next commander?" Toshiro suddenly said.
Hearing Toshiro mention the next commander candidate, everyone paused. Clearly, the corps commanders had some thoughts about the commander position.
Originally, after the previous commander died in battle, the new commander should have been chosen from among them.
However, because the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force had suffered heavy losses from an attack earlier, and none of the corps commanders could handle the crisis, the Soul Society sent Toshiro.
But now, the issues facing the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force were resolved, and Hueco Mundo was generally calm.
Going forward, the expeditionary force just needed to perform routine, simple tasks step-by-step, which the corps commanders could manage. So, everyone wanted to compete for the position.
Everyone had their own thoughts.
They glanced at each other, understanding each other's intentions. Although they wanted to compete, they all knew it ultimately depended on Toshiro's opinion.
As the current commander, Toshiro had the power to recommend the next commander. Given the Soul Society's regard for Toshiro, once he recommended someone for the position, the Soul Society likely wouldn't refuse.
Thus, everyone said, "Commander Hitsugaya, we'll follow your lead."
"Hmm, in that case, the next commander of the expeditionary force will be 3rd Corps Commander Amagai Shusuke," Toshiro nodded.
"Amagai?!"
"Me?" Even Amagai himself was surprised.
In everyone's view, the most likely candidates to succeed Toshiro were undoubtedly Ando and Ota.
Although Ando was only a deputy corps commander, he was the deputy of the 1st Corps, which Toshiro directly led. So, Ando could be considered Toshiro's deputy, and his status usually wasn't lower than the other three corps commanders.
As for Ota, he greatly admired Toshiro's strength. Usually, whatever Toshiro ordered, Ota executed without question, never asking why. He was the most loyal to Toshiro.
Amagai, however, had always kept a low profile. Although usually optimistic and straightforward, there wasn't much else remarkable about him.
4th Corps Commander, Kawano had a somewhat pessimistic personality, and his strength was relatively low among the corps commanders, so he was the least likely candidate.
But unexpectedly, Toshiro ultimately chose Amagai, which surprised everyone.
Hearing Toshiro chose him, Amagai couldn't help but feel excited.
However, what excited Amagai wasn't becoming the commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.
'I never expected Commander Hitsugaya to choose me as the next commander. That's great. As long as I keep climbing higher, reaching a high position, I can get closer to Yamamoto Genryusai. Then, I can find an opportunity to avenge my father,' Amagai thought to himself.
Toshiro, unaware of Amagai's thoughts, continued, "It seems everyone is surprised I chose Amagai?"
"No... not exactly..." Ando said hesitantly.
Although Ando felt Amagai wasn't the most suitable candidate, openly contradicting Toshiro would embarrass him. Moreover, given Toshiro's prestige in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, Ando didn't dare oppose him.
"Alright, Ando, we're all comrades here. Speak your mind, no need to hold back. Besides, the reason I chose Amagai is simply because his strength is the highest among you all," Toshiro explained.
"Amagai's strength is the highest among us?!"
Ando, Ota, Kawano, and even Amagai were surprised.
The corps commanders' strengths were all Lieutenant-level. Although they had sparred before, they never went all out. Why did Toshiro think Amagai was the strongest?
"Although Amagai is Lieutenant-level like you, his Reiatsu has already reached the peak of Lieutenant-level, hasn't it, Amagai?" Toshiro said, looking at Amagai.
"Good grief, Commander Hitsugaya saw through me?" Amagai said, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile.
To avenge his father against Yamamoto, Amagai had been training hard. Now, he finally reached the peak of Lieutenant-level. Next, he could begin Bankai Training.
And once he completed Bankai Training and mastered Bankai, Amagai would be a Captain-level Shinigami, ranking among the top combatants in the entire Soul Society.
"Wha-? Peak Lieutenant-level?! Amagai, you've grown to this point without us noticing?" Ota exclaimed in surprise.
"That's right," Amagai directly admitted.
"Sigh... Among us corps commanders, you're the youngest and joined the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force the latest. Yet, you've quietly moved ahead of us," Ota said with some emotion.
Although Ota, Ando, and Kawano were also Lieutenant-level, they were just average within that tier. Amagai, having reached the peak, could begin Bankai Training. Once he completed it and mastered Bankai, he'd be Captain-level, a different level altogether.
Therefore, the others had no dissatisfaction with Toshiro's decision.
"It seems no one has objections. Then it's settled. After I leave, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force will temporarily be under Amagai's charge until the Soul Society's official appointment is issued," Toshiro decided.