[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 46 - 50

Chapter 46: Emergency Rescue

As Uehara Shiroha stepped out of the room, he was immediately met with the sight of Kyoraku Shunsui’s signature lazy smile and Ise Nanao’s slightly uneasy expression.

His eyes narrowed. Something was off.

“What happened?” he asked, already sensing that the news wouldn’t be good.

Kyoraku Shunsui maintained his usual relaxed demeanor, but his words carried undeniable weight.

“There was an issue with one of our intelligence points. Captain Suì-Fēng went to investigate, but just now, the Technology Development Bureau detected a sudden surge in her spiritual pressure—one strong enough to indicate that she activated her Bankai.”

Kyoraku paused for a beat before continuing, “She’s currently out of contact.”

Ise Nanao’s expression tensed further, but Kyoraku remained calm. “I’ve already requested backup from Captain Zaraki. But to be safe, you should head there too.”

Despite the casual tone, Uehara Shiroha caught the underlying concern in Kyoraku’s voice.

Hearing that Suì-Fēng had been ambushed, Uehara’s thoughts spun. He had suspected something was amiss ever since those Gillians had inexplicably gathered to attack the Eleventh Division. Now, with Suì-Fēng in trouble, it was clear—someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

However, rather than feeling troubled, Uehara saw an opportunity.

Lately, the Hollows in the Forest of Menos had stopped providing him with meaningful "experience points." He had already surpassed the level of an ordinary captain, so holding back wasn’t necessary anymore.

With a smirk, he simply said, “Prepare the wine and wait for me to come back.”

Before Nanao could respond, his figure blurred and disappeared in a Shunpō.

Left behind, Ise Nanao clenched her fists, her emotions in turmoil. The unease in her heart slowly transformed—into determination, pride, and a tinge of frustration.

This time, she didn’t insist on fighting alongside him.

She already understood.

Right now, she wasn’t strong enough to step into Uehara Shiroha’s world.

Kyoraku Shunsui adjusted his bamboo hat and spoke lightly, “You’re feeling frustrated, aren’t you, Nanao? I get it.”

He turned his gaze toward the horizon and sighed. “But this is war. No one is innocent, and no one gets to stay out of it. That said…” A small smile formed on his lips. “I have a feeling Brother Shiroha will return victorious.”

Far away, in the vast, unending desert, Kenpachi Zaraki sprinted forward at full speed, his massive Zanpakutō clutched tightly in his grip.

Wherever he passed, sand exploded into the air like a raging storm, his sheer force sending waves rippling through the golden landscape.

As he ran, his single eye gleamed with excitement. “Oi, Yachiru, are you sure this is the right direction?” he asked, his voice booming over the howling winds.

“Of course, Ajian!” Kusajishi Yachiru, perched comfortably on his back, patted her chest with confidence. “This is definitely the fastest shortcut! We’ll reach the battlefield before anyone else!”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “This time, that pretty boy Uehara guy won’t beat us there first!”

Kenpachi let out a loud, reckless laugh. “Hahaha! Good! It’s been too long since I’ve had a decent fight!”

His spiritual pressure flared wildly, sending invisible shockwaves through the desert. Any Hollow foolish enough to cross his path was crushed instantly—either by the sheer weight of his reiatsu or the brute force of his charge.

Meanwhile, in a desolate wasteland deep within Hueco Mundo, Suì-Fēng was covered in wounds, her white captain’s haori soaked in blood.

Her breath came ragged and uneven as she stared at the towering figure before her.

It was a blue-skinned, four-armed humanoid Hollow, its eerie, pupil-less eyes locked onto her with an unsettling stillness.

Surrounding it were three other Adjuchas-class Hollows, each with grotesque, monstrous forms. They formed a tight perimeter, cutting off all avenues of escape.

Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright.

Her spiritual pressure was nearly depleted. Her body felt sluggish, her limbs heavy as if bound by invisible chains.

A ripple distorted the air.

Before she could react, the four-armed Hollow vanished.

Sonído!

Suì-Fēng recognized the technique instantly, but her weakened body refused to keep up.

In the blink of an eye, her enemy reappeared behind her, its clawed hand tearing through the fabric of her shihakushō.

A deadly chill ran down her spine.

Death was an instant away.

Suì-Fēng struggled to move, to counter, but an inexplicable force was suppressing her spiritual energy.

Her mind screamed in defiance.

"I am Suì-Fēng, Captain of the Second Division! I will surpass that person! I refuse to die here!"

The four-armed Hollow sneered.

“Shinigami, your power has already been sealed by my ability,” it said, its voice deep and grating. “Struggle all you like—it will change nothing.”

Three of its arms lifted, black spheres of concentrated energy forming in each palm.

It wasn’t an ordinary Cero.

This was a specialized attack, something far more destructive.

Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth. Damn it…!

If she was going down, she would at least take this bastard with her.

Just as she was about to activate a forbidden technique, a sudden heatwave surged through the battlefield.

FWOOOOSH!

A brilliant burst of flames sliced through the air, followed by the flash of a blade.

The burning edge of a Zanpakutō tore through the night sky, aiming straight for the four-armed Hollow’s skull.

Alarmed, the creature twisted its body, retreating just in time to avoid being bisected.

Suì-Fēng’s eyes widened.

A figure emerged from the firestorm, standing tall and unwavering before her.

Her breath hitched.

It’s him…!

She stared at Uehara Shiroha’s back, her mind reeling.

This guy… his strength had grown even more terrifying!

But Uehara paid her no mind. His cold, calculating gaze remained locked on the enemy.

“So, you dodged,” he mused. “Not bad. Your nerve detection and reflexes are sharp. As expected of a Vasto Lorde.”

His grip on his sword tightened. “But evolving to the top of the Hollow hierarchy isn’t easy. Are you really in such a rush to die?”

The four-armed Hollow remained silent, but its posture shifted slightly, as if reassessing the situation.

Uehara continued, his voice calm but laced with menace.

“To reach this stage, you must have devoured countless others. First, absorbing enough power to become a Gillian. Then, achieving self-awareness and rising to the rank of Adjuchas. Finally, surviving the merciless slaughter of your own kind to evolve into a Vasto Lorde.”

He tilted his head slightly. “With all that struggle, why throw it away now?”

In the Hollow’s empty, black eyes, something flickered.

A brief hesitation.

Uehara’s eyes narrowed. He had a good idea of who was behind this.

…Aizen.

From behind him, Suì-Fēng struggled to speak through her exhaustion.

“Be careful… that thing’s ability… it seals spiritual pressure,” she warned.

Uehara glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

Her reiatsu was in complete disarray, and she was barely staying conscious.

Tch. How troublesome.

Without another word, Suì-Fēng staggered backward, focusing on recovering her strength.

Chapter 47: Hadō #99. Goryūtenmetsu, Just a Hot Bath

In the vast desert of Hueco Mundo, Uehara Shiroha stood with an unshaken expression, facing four Hollows.

Across from him, the four-armed Hollow—Valdez—locked eyes with him, his gaze cold and wary.

This Shinigami… was dangerous.

Just moments ago, Valdez had felt an overwhelming threat from the man’s blade and the searing flames that followed. It was only due to his quick reflexes and the use of Sonído that he had managed to escape in time.

But what troubled him wasn’t just the attack itself—it was why he had felt threatened at all.

The Shinigami’s spiritual pressure wasn’t anything extraordinary. Yet, it had left a wound that refused to heal.

For someone at the pinnacle of Hollow evolution, a Vasto Lorde with top-tier Hierro (steel skin) and super-speed regeneration, this should have been impossible.

Behind him, the three Adjuchas who had once exuded confidence were now visibly shaken.

“Señor Valdez… your arm…” one of them stammered, eyes widening in horror.

“This is impossible! That was just a simple sword strike… How can it do this?” another gasped.

“Why isn’t your regeneration working?!”

Valdez lowered his gaze to his abdomen—and his pupils shrank.

One of his lower arms had been reduced to ash.

And even now, it had yet to regenerate.

His expression darkened. What the hell is this power?

He quickly examined himself, only to discover that not only was his regeneration failing, but even his natural abilities had been partially suppressed.

His grip on his remaining weapons tightened. If I had been just a fraction of a second slower back then…

A chill ran down his spine at the thought.

Valdez exhaled, suppressing his unease, and spoke coldly, “Shinigami… I am Valdez, vanguard general of Barragan Louisenbairn, the Lord of Las Noches. By his decree, we have come to eradicate you.”

His tone turned sharper. “State your name and speak your last words!”

Uehara Shiroha, however, remained unimpressed. He glanced around, taking in the surroundings before replying with a casual tone,

“So, this is what gives you the confidence to ambush a Captain of the Gotei 13?”

His gaze flickered toward the barely visible barrier surrounding them. “A field that isolates sound, suppresses spiritual pressure… and your own peculiar abilities. And yet… I don’t see Szayelaporro Granz anywhere.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “What’s wrong? Why doesn’t he have the guts to show himself?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Suì-Fēng, who had been silent, suddenly tensed.

“Barragan? Szayelaporro?” she muttered, realization dawning in her eyes.

She sucked in a sharp breath. “So you’re the remnants of the invasion from a hundred years ago!”

Suì-Fēng had come across these names before—records buried in the archives of the Second Division.

A hundred years ago, a Vasto Lorde claiming allegiance to Barragan had invaded Rukongai—only to be slain by the Seventh Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.

Later, another Vasto Lorde—Szayelaporro—led a new Hollow incursion. But once again, they were driven back by the same Kenpachi.

Not long after, however, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was killed.

And the man who slew him… became the Eighth Kenpachi—Azahiro Soya.

Realizing that they were now facing those same old monsters, Suì-Fēng’s urgency to recover her strength intensified.

Elsewhere, In a Hidden Base…

Deep within the desert, inside a hidden research facility, a petite figure with jet-black hair sat before a monitor.

Her delicate fingers lightly tapped the console as she turned toward a man standing beside her.

“Lord Szayelaporro, is this really wise?” she asked softly. “That Shinigami… he doesn’t seem like someone we should be cooperating with.”

Her golden eyes darkened. “He may bring harm to His Majesty.”

Szayelaporro Granz, the scientist among the Hollows, didn’t even glance at her. Instead, his lips curled into an amused smirk as he watched the live feed on the screen.

“Loka, you worry too much.” His voice was dripping with arrogance. “It doesn’t matter who sits on the throne of Las Noches. My only desire is to further my research.”

His eyes gleamed with excitement.

“And thanks to our informant, I now have the perfect test subjects—two high-quality Shinigami Captains.”

He licked his lips. “With their data, my Anti-Membrane Silk Technology will reach perfection.”

A shadow crossed his face as he recalled the events of a century past.

Back then, his forces had suffered a crushing defeat.

Not due to a lack of strength—but because of technical flaws in his designs.

He would not make the same mistake again.

Even if it meant working alongside someone with questionable motives, the opportunity was too valuable to pass up.

Suppressing his own urge to step onto the battlefield, Szayelaporro turned and barked an order.

“Granz, don’t interfere!”

From the shadows, a deep, guttural chuckle echoed.

Szayelaporro clenched his jaw.

His brother, Yylfordt Granz, had always been obsessed with battle—just as Szayelaporro was obsessed with research.

Both of them had been consumed by their experiments, creating powerful new Hollows—only to be devoured by their own creation.

The two had fused, becoming a Super Vasto Lorde.

Yet, even now, their conflicting ambitions clashed.

And that was a problem Szayelaporro had yet to solve.

Back on the Battlefield

Valdez’ expression darkened at Uehara Shiroha’s words.

“You dare utter Lord Szayelaporro’s name so casually?” His voice dripped with fury.

Though Szayelaporro had not yet officially taken his own path, his status as a Super Vasto Lorde made him a candidate for the feared Espada Zero.

Even among Hollows, he commanded deep respect.

But Uehara Shiroha remained unimpressed.

His gaze flickered toward Valdez’ regrown arm. “I see you’ve recovered. Shall we begin?”

Valdez grinned menacingly.

“You think I was waiting for my arm to heal?”

His eyes gleamed with malice.

“No—I was waiting for you to step into my trap.”

With a sharp clap of his hands, a deafening BOOM echoed through the battlefield.

Suddenly, a strange white cocoon-like structure materialized from thin air.

Without warning, it burst open, unleashing a torrent of searing flames.

The inferno twisted and surged, forming five massive fire dragons that roared as they converged toward Uehara Shiroha.

The air itself seemed to burn, the sheer heat distorting the space around them.

Valdez threw back his head and laughed triumphantly.

“Hah! How does it feel, Shinigami?” he sneered. “To be reduced to ashes by your own element?”

He was certain of his victory now.

His own power, combined with Lord Szayelaporro’s traps, ensured that these two Shinigami were doomed.

Suì-Fēng’s eyes widened in horror.

“No—Shiroha! Move!” she shouted.

She recognized it instantly—this wasn’t an ordinary attack.

This was Hado #99—Goryūtenmetsu! (Five Dragons of Annihilation)

A Vasto Lorde—a Hollow—should not have been able to wield such high-level Kido.

But there was no time to dwell on that.

She pushed her battered body forward, desperate to help.

And then—

From within the inferno, a voice rang out.

A voice full of amusement.

“Tch. That’s it?”

The flames crackled violently, but they could not drown out his words.

“This?” Uehara Shiroha chuckled.

“This is nothing more than a sauna.”

Chapter 48: Valdez, that’s it?

Suì-Fēng and Valdez froze in disbelief, their eyes locked on the inferno before them.

From within the raging flames, a voice rang out—calm, mocking.

Uehara Shiroha stood amidst the fire, completely unscathed.

His posture was relaxed, as if the searing flames around him were nothing more than a gentle breeze.

Suì-Fēng’s eyes widened in shock.

Even from a distance, she could feel the oppressive heat rolling off the flames. Her own body, trained and hardened through countless battles, would have struggled to withstand such intensity.

Yet this man—this monster—stood within the fire completely unfazed.

How?

Every time she thought she had grasped the extent of Uehara Shiroha’s abilities, he shattered her expectations.

Even the three Adjuchas, who had moments ago cheered at Valdez’ attack, had gone silent.

Fear crept into their eyes.

This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t something a mere Shinigami should be capable of.

“This is impossible…” Valdez muttered, his shock evident.

He had seen it with his own eyes—his flames had engulfed Uehara Shiroha completely, and yet…

Even with Hierro and super-speed regeneration, Valdez knew he wouldn’t have walked out of those flames unharmed.

And yet, the Shinigami stood there—unburned, unscathed, and completely unimpressed.

The corner of Uehara Shiroha’s lips curled upward in amusement.

"Five Dragons of Annihilation, huh?" he mused. “A name like that makes it sound impressive, but in the end, it’s just a degraded replica.”

Valdez’ expression darkened.

Uehara continued, his voice carrying a hint of mockery, “This trap… it was left behind by Szayelaporro, wasn’t it?”

He had recognized it immediately.

The so-called Five Dragons Transmigration was nothing more than a fabricated construct—an imitation created using Anti-Membrane Silk.

Szayelaporro’s twisted scientific genius had birthed this black technology, allowing it to record and replicate spiritual pressure-based abilities from Shinigami, Hollows, and even Quincy.

Uehara Shiroha couldn't help but find the concept intriguing.

“How do you even know this?” Valdez hissed, his voice laced with disbelief.

This Shinigami saw through everything.

But Valdez had no time to dwell on it. He gritted his teeth and activated the Anti-Membrane Silk once more, channeling an even stronger flame.

The air quivered as the fire surged, the sky igniting in a violent inferno.

Simultaneously, Valdez raised a Cero Oscuras in one of his remaining arms, its sinister black glow pulsing with destructive energy.

If flames alone couldn’t take this Shinigami down, then he would annihilate him with overwhelming force.

Suì-Fēng instinctively stepped back, putting more distance between herself and the battlefield.

She knew that, in her current state, she would only be a hindrance.

Her gaze locked onto the inferno before her.

“The power of these flames…” she muttered, eyes narrowing.

Even though it was a hollow’s replication, it carried the structure of Hado #99—Goryūtenmetsu.

She immediately spotted the danger hidden behind the firestorm.

“Uehara Shiroha! Watch out!” she shouted. “That Vasto Lorde’s Cero Oscuras and his ability—he’s trying to overwhelm you with both at once!”

As the five blazing dragons surged toward him, Uehara Shiroha exhaled softly.

Without hesitation, he activated two abilities—White Album and Universal Boundary—in unison.

Instantly, the oppressive power of the flames diminished.

The once-mighty dragons twisted and contorted, shrinking until they became nothing more than flickering fire snakes.

Uehara Shiroha reached out.

The flames, no longer wild and uncontrollable, wrapped around his arm like living creatures—only to be crushed effortlessly in his grasp.

In the next instant, his sword was already in motion.

With a single precise slash, the deadly Cero Oscuras—the trump card of a Vasto Lorde—was cut apart, dispersing harmlessly into the night.

The battlefield fell silent.

Valdez’ eyes widened in sheer terror.

"You…" he whispered, taking a cautious step back.

Uehara Shiroha’s golden eyes sharpened.

“It’s my turn now.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Uehara Shiroha vanished.

Snap!

The sound rang out like thunder as Valdez instinctively leaped back, expanding his sensory field to the absolute limit.

He wasn’t taking any chances.

At the same time, the three Adjuchas surrounding him raised their own Cero and fired simultaneously.

But it was useless.

Uehara Shiroha’s defenses were absolute.

Between his condensed spiritual pressure, his nigh-indestructible barrier, and his sheer mastery of movement, these intermediate-level Cero weren’t even strong enough to scratch him.

With two quick Shunpo, Uehara Shiroha appeared directly in front of Valdez.

For a brief moment, Valdez’ expression twisted into a sinister grin.

Yes—come closer.

This close, the power of the barrier would maximize his ability.

If Uehara Shiroha stepped just a little further… his spiritual pressure would be completely sealed.

In his mind, Valdez had already won.

But just before Uehara stepped into the trap—

He stopped.

His golden eyes glinted with amusement.

Did you really think I wouldn’t see through something so obvious?

Without a word, Uehara Shiroha raised his blade.

Sun Breathing: Twelfth Form.

The sword cut through the air—

A brilliant wave of flames erupted forward, engulfing Valdez entirely.

This time, the Vasto Lorde didn’t dare to take the attack lightly.

He activated every defensive ability at his disposal, his spiritual pressure-sealing field expanding outward in full force.

The invisible force pushed back the flames—

But it wasn’t enough.

The fire pressed forward, consuming everything in its path.

And then—slash!

Uehara Shiroha had already disappeared from his previous position.

Before Valdez could react, the three Adjuchas lunged toward Uehara Shiroha.

They moved in perfect synchronization—years of survival in Hueco Mundo had honed their instincts.

But against Uehara Shiroha, their tactics meant nothing.

His spiritual perception flared.

Shing!

A single slash—

And the flames of Sun Breathing engulfed the first Adjuchas entirely.

Before the second could react—

"Hado #4: Byakurai!"

A piercing white lightning bolt shot through its mask, killing it instantly.

The third Adjuchas, in desperation, swung a bladed arm at Uehara’s chest.

But Uehara didn’t move.

He simply raised his right hand—and stopped the attack barehanded.

A crushing force exploded from his palm, sending a shockwave through the air.

The final Adjuchas’ body shattered, its core obliterated in an instant.

All three were dead within mere breaths.

Valdez, witnessing the massacre, turned and ran without hesitation.

He had no intention of dying here.

But behind him, Uehara Shiroha sighed.

“…A Vasto Lorde, the so-called pinnacle of all Hollows… and this is the best you can do?”

His tone was filled with disappointment.

Now he understood.

There was a reason this Hollow never appeared as an Arrancar during Aizen’s reign.

Aizen probably thought he wasn’t even worth recruiting.

Shaking his head, Uehara Shiroha took a step forward—and vanished in a Shunpō.

Chapter 49: The taste is really good

It wasn’t until the figures of Uehara Shiroha and Valdez disappeared into the distance that Suì-Fēng finally snapped out of her daze.

She exhaled sharply, her mind still reeling from what she had just witnessed.

The battle had been too perfect.

Every movement Uehara Shiroha made, every counterattack, every maneuver—flawless. It wasn’t just power; it was absolute mastery over combat.

To face the siege of four Hollows—including a Vasto Lorde—without even breaking a sweat?

That level of experience, skill, and adaptability should have taken centuries to cultivate.

Yet this man had achieved it in just twenty years.

For the first time, Suì-Fēng felt something deep inside her waver.

How do you surpass a monster like that?

The pale moonlight cast eerie shadows over the endless sand dunes of Hueco Mundo, painting the wasteland with a sense of desolation and doom.

Even the crescent moon in the sky seemed ominous, as if it, too, was watching the events unfold with silent judgment.

Heavy footsteps shattered the stillness.

Valdez was running for his life.

His nerves were on high alert, his Hollow detection ability scanning the surroundings relentlessly.

Vasto Lorde had superior detection compared to the Shinigami's spiritual perception. Their reaction time and movement speed were, under normal circumstances, faster than even Shunpō.

That was why Valdez was confident he could escape.

As long as he could make it back to that person—

"Reincarnation!"

A fiery voice boomed from behind.

Before Valdez could even turn his head, a storm of slashes descended upon him.

Twelve blade forms of Sun Breathing—woven together into a devastating dance of the Fire God.

Valdez screamed, his own ability erupting instinctively in an attempt to counter.

“How can a mere Shinigami kill me!?” he roared.

But Uehara Shiroha’s Shunpō and his blade moved faster than even the Vasto Lorde’s nerve detection.

For a fleeting moment, Valdez saw nothing but a sky filled with fire.

And then—

Pain.

The right side of his body—completely burned away.

His nerves—severed.

His once-proud regeneration—halted.

The scent of burnt flesh filled the air, thick and acrid, like melted plastic and charred bone.

Valdez staggered, his mind teetering on the edge of collapse.

He had never faced an opponent like this before.

An enemy with unbreakable defense, overwhelming strength, and terrifying speed.

How do you fight something like this?

His will to fight shattered completely.

But he still had one last option.

Gathering what little strength he had left, Valdez channeled all his spiritual pressure, unleashing a barrage of black Cero and his remaining Hollow abilities in one desperate attempt.

Uehara Shiroha didn’t even blink.

With a casual wave of his sword, he countered effortlessly.

"Flying Wheel Sun Flame! Ice Coffin!"

Fire and ice collided.

Valdez was caught in the storm.

His left side—frozen solid.

His right side—consumed by fire.

Before he could react, Uehara Shiroha moved again.

Sun Breathing—Thirteenth Form: Reincarnation.

A pillar of crimson fire shot into the sky, engulfing Valdez entirely.

The sheer heat and force penetrated even the deepest layers of his Hierro.

A final scream echoed through the desert—

Then, silence.

Valdez, the Vasto Lorde, collapsed onto the sand—charred, broken, defeated.

Uehara Shiroha stepped forward and calmly ended it with one last strike.

His golden eyes regarded the motionless corpse with disappointment.

"As a Vasto Lorde, you had potential,” he murmured, shaking his head.

“If you had been a little more ruthless… if you had fought a little harder… you might have escaped.”

But Valdez’ spirit had crumbled before the fight had even ended.

That was the difference between the strong and the weak.

Uehara Shiroha let out a sigh.

Honestly, this entire battle had been anticlimactic.

Hueco Mundo isn’t what it used to be.

Even Vasto Lorde-class Hollows were disappointing.

Szayelaporro and Barragan were considered powerful.

But one was obsessed with research, and the other was lost in his delusions of being a king.

Neither of them had the mindset of a true Shinigami.

This was why Hueco Mundo belonged to Aizen.

Barragan was a false king.

Aizen broke the old system and introduced evolution—a true competitive hierarchy with the Espada system.

Barragan's subordinates were weak, his palace was a joke, and he didn’t even have a worthy queen.

Meanwhile, Aizen’s Espada had palaces, servants, even loli subordinates—

It was like modern civilization against cavemen.

As Uehara Shiroha pondered the future, his thoughts turned to Szayelaporro’s trap.

This setup had been too precise.

It wasn’t just a random ambush—it had been planned with detailed knowledge of Shinigami captains.

The Five Dragons of Annihilation technique wasn’t something ordinary Shinigami even knew about.

And yet, Szayelaporro had it.

Which meant—

Aizen was already in contact with Hueco Mundo.

It wouldn’t be long before Aizen completely took over.

And when that happened…

The Hollows would evolve into something even more terrifying.

I hope they’ll be more interesting than this, Uehara thought to himself.

After all, even Yhwach had been interested in Hollows.

Ding!

A crisp bell sound rang through the air.

A moment later, a murderous aura surged forward like a tidal wave.

Before Uehara Shiroha could fully process it, an attack came from behind.

"Clang!"

A sharp sound of metal clashing echoed across the battlefield.

Without hesitation, Uehara raised his right hand, catching the incoming blade barehanded.

He lifted his gaze.

A wild grin greeted him.

A single eye, gleaming with madness and excitement.

Zaraki Kenpachi.

His bloodthirsty grin widened as he saw Uehara blocking his Zanpakutō with his bare hand.

The sword in his grasp was a tattered, jagged mess, looking like it could break at any moment.

And yet—this very blade had killed the previous Kenpachi.

Those who knew feared it.

But Uehara’s hand wasn’t even scratched.

Kenpachi’s eye burned with pure joy.

"This… this is it!" he growled, his voice trembling with excitement.

The fighting spirit radiating from his body made the air itself feel scorching.

It had been too long since he felt this sensation.

A real battle.

A real opponent.

And now, staring at Uehara Shiroha, he had finally found one.

As Kenpachi Zaraki’s excitement reached its peak, his body trembling with anticipation, a small pink head suddenly popped up from behind his broad shoulders.

Bright round eyes, a cheerful smile, and an innocent expression—

The 11th Division’s Vice Captain, Kusajishi Yachiru.

She clapped her tiny hands together, her voice ringing out in delight.

“Wow! So strong! Pretty boy is so strong!”

Despite being Kenpachi’s vice captain, Yachiru cheered for his opponent.

Why?

Because she understood Kenpachi better than anyone.

For him, nothing in the world was happier than finding a powerful opponent—a worthy adversary to fight to the death.

Facing Kenpachi’s overwhelming battle lust, Uehara Shiroha remained calm.

“I know you’re excited, but don’t be so impatient,” he said casually.

Then, with a smirk, he added, “By the way, didn’t you say last time that I could cut you first? Why are you the one attacking first? Isn’t that unfair?”

Kenpachi grinned wildly. Without hesitation, he ripped open his Shihakushō, exposing his battle-scarred chest, muscles like forged steel.

"Hahahaha! Fine then! Come on!" he roared, spreading his arms. “Use your strongest move and cut me as much as you want!

“I’ll even let you cut twice—neck, eyes, whatever you want! It’s all up to you!”

“Your words,” Uehara Shiroha said, drawing his sword without hesitation.

White Album—Time Capsule!

A burst of ultra-low temperature energy erupted from his blade, and in an instant—

Kenpachi Zaraki was frozen solid.

A massive ice sculpture now stood in his place, its face still wearing a gleeful, battle-hungry grin.

From a safe distance, Yachiru pouted angrily.

“Pretty boy! You can’t bully Ajian like that!”

Uehara Shiroha glanced at her.

“Got it.”

Before she could react, an icicle shot forward, encasing her in ice as well.

Now, under the eerie Hueco Mundo moonlight, two glittering ice statues—one big, one small—stood side by side.

Uehara Shiroha crossed his arms and nodded in satisfaction.

“A family should always stay together.”

With that, he turned and ran away.

Not long after, an explosion of spiritual pressure shattered the ice.

Kenpachi burst free, his single eye burning with fury.

“That bastard!” he bellowed, veins popping on his forehead. “Damn it!”

It wasn’t just that he had been frozen—

It was the frustration of not being able to fight at full force.

The sensation of being helpless—unable to swing his sword, unable to feel the thrill of battle—was worse than death.

“This ability is too damn annoying!” Kenpachi growled.

For the first time, he regretted wearing his eyepatch—the one that sealed his spiritual pressure.

If he had removed it, he wouldn’t have been frozen so easily.

With a furious swing, he sliced through the ice encasing Yachiru.

“Pretty boy! So annoying!”

Yachiru grumbled as she wiggled free, shaking off the frost.

She puffed out her cheeks, looking like she was about to spit curses.

She hated being frozen.

Meanwhile, Back at the Seireitei…

Uehara Shiroha had long forgotten about whether Kenpachi and Yachiru were upset.

He was too busy enjoying himself.

Seated comfortably, he had a table full of the finest sake, and behind him—

Ise Nanao, with her delicate fingers, was giving him a skilled massage.

Her usually serious face had softened, glowing with youthful beauty.

She worked her hands over his shoulders and back, using subtle Kido techniques to enhance the effect.

“Hnnngh.”

Uehara Shiroha inhaled sharply, relaxing as a wave of pleasure spread through his body.

“Not bad,” he praised. “Your technique has improved.”

After taking a sip of sake, he chuckled.

“But, Nanao, you’ve started to pick up some bad habits.”

He glanced over his shoulder at her.

“You’re using your teacher as an experiment.”

The awkwardness in her movements was obvious—this was her first time trying this.

Clearly, she had chosen him as her test subject, believing that his body’s endurance could handle it.

She wasn’t wrong.

The sheer amount of spiritual pressure he passively emitted was already stronger than most captain-level Kido barriers.

Nanao giggled, her voice lighter than usual.

Watching her, Uehara Shiroha realized something.

The serious, almost rigid Ise Nanao he once knew…

She was changing.

And maybe… this was the real her.

A version of her that was more open, more relaxed.

I kind of like this side of her, he thought to himself.

Elsewhere, in the First Division headquarters, Captain Kyoraku Shunsui was reporting the latest battle results.

Despite his usual laid-back demeanor, he was in high spirits.

This mission to Hueco Mundo had been a huge success.

His niece, Ise Nanao, had gained valuable battlefield experience.

And most importantly—

He didn’t even have to do anything.

A Vasto Lorde and three Adjuchas—all defeated by one man.

That alone would earn him a significant contribution in the records.

He didn’t care about promotions.

But he could trade this achievement for better sake—

Now that’s a reward worth celebrating.

Not only that, but the spies planted by the Tsunayashiro family within the Stealth Force had been eliminated.

Everything’s turning out great, thanks to Uehara Shiroha, he mused.

A Meeting of Captains

Shortly after, in the First Division’s captain’s office, the remaining captains of the Gotei 13 convened for a meeting.

Captain Ukitake Jūshirō was absent due to his illness, but the rest were present.

A messenger from the Stealth Force stepped forward, handing over a battle report to Head Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

The old Shinigami read the document, and for a brief moment—

His eyebrows raised slightly.

Without a word, he passed it to his vice-captain, Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Sasakibe took the report, skimmed it, then paused.

His expression changed.

After reading it again, he finally spoke aloud:

“7th Seat Uehara Shiroha single-handedly defeated a Vasto Lorde, rescued Captain Suì-Fēng, and eliminated three Adjuchas.”

Silence fell over the room.

Several captains’ eyes widened in shock.

They had already suspected that Uehara Shiroha possessed captain-level strength.

But even for a captain, slaying a Vasto Lorde alone was no easy feat.

Vasto Lorde-class Hollows were not only as strong as captains but also possessed greater physical prowess and intellect.

Only captains like Kenpachi Kuruyashiki—who were acknowledged by the Zero Division for their raw combat power—could reliably defeat a Vasto Lorde.

And yet…

Uehara Shiroha had done it.

And he wasn’t even a Vice-Captain, let alone a captain.

Some captains exchanged glances.

Ichimaru Gin, a genius from the same academy class, was still just a vice-captain.

Had Uehara Shiroha awakened… Bankai?

Chapter 50: Third seat in the first division, Uehara Shiroha!

Inside the First Division’s captain’s office, the air was thick with tension as the latest battle report was discussed.

Seated at the center of the gathering, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni remained unreadable, his expression as unshakable as a mountain.

Then, suddenly—

"Well done, Uehara Shiroha!"

A deep, booming voice rang through the room.

7th Division Captain Komamura Sajin clenched his massive fist, his wolf-like features brimming with pride.

"The Captain-General was right!" he added, his voice filled with admiration.

Komamura was a simple-minded man—he didn’t dwell on deeper implications.

For him, this was great news.

It was proof that Yamamoto's judgment was absolute.

At the other side of the room, Aizen Sōsuke quietly observed.

So, Uehara Shiroha had been hiding his true strength all this time…

Aizen had long suspected that the man wasn’t as ordinary as he appeared.

But this level of power?

Fascinating.

A small, almost imperceptible smirk formed on his lips.

Uehara Shiroha was still in Hueco Mundo.

Perhaps…

This was the perfect chance to test him further.

Would he reveal even more surprises?

Meanwhile, the 9th Division Captain, Tōsen Kaname, remained expressionless, his true thoughts hidden behind a mask of indifference.

The 6th Division Captain, Kuchiki Ginrei, sat in silent contemplation.

The words "I want to retire" might as well have been written across his face.

Across the room, the acting captain of the 12th Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, sneered.

His grating, mocking voice cut through the discussion.

"According to the records," he said with clear disdain, "Captain Suì-Fēng had already activated her Bankai before Uehara Shiroha engaged the Vasto Lorde.”

He folded his arms, his golden eyes narrowing.

“A Shinigami who hasn’t even achieved Bankai—taking down a Vasto Lorde? Impossible.”

He scoffed.

"This so-called victory… it must have been mere opportunism."

Then, with an insidious grin, he added,

“I’ve also heard that Captain Kyoraku has a deep friendship with Uehara Shiroha.

Coincidence?”

The implication was clear—

Had Kyoraku exaggerated the young Shinigami’s achievements?

"Are you questioning the Captain-Commander’s judgment?!"

Komamura’s voice boomed as he glared at Mayuri.

Tension crackled in the air.

Before things could escalate, Aizen stepped in, his voice smooth and composed.

"Captain Kurotsuchi’s concerns are… understandable."

He turned to Komamura.

"But I believe Captain Kyoraku would not falsely report Uehara Shiroha’s achievements simply due to personal bias."

His words were measured—calm, diplomatic.

Neither Mayuri nor Komamura had any objections to Aizen’s reasoning.

With a huff, the two ended their argument.

At that moment, a voice broke the silence.

"Captain-Commander."

All eyes turned toward the speaker.

It was Izuru Kira, the acting captain of the 3rd Division.

He stepped forward without hesitation and declared:

"Uehara Shiroha is more suited for the position of 3rd Division Captain than I am.

I propose that he replace me as the acting captain immediately."

A murmur spread through the room.

During the Hollowfication Incident, the 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions had suffered massive losses.

The 9th Division was practically rebuilt from scratch.

During this transitional period, Izuru had been appointed as acting captain.

However, he had never been enthusiastic about the role.

Now, seeing Uehara Shiroha’s incredible achievements, he was eager to step down.

Yamamoto finally spoke.

"Uehara Shiroha has not yet achieved Bankai.

He is not qualified to be a captain."

His words were final.

But everyone in the room knew—

That was just an excuse.

Ordinarily, achieving Bankai was a requirement for captaincy.

However, there were exceptions—

For example, defeating the reigning Kenpachi and claiming the title.

And with Uehara Shiroha’s current level, it was only a matter of time before he unlocked his Bankai.

In reality, Yamamoto had other reasons.

He saw Uehara Shiroha as another Shunsui Kyoraku—

A free-spirited genius who still needed refinement.

Such a prodigy required more polishing before being given a captain’s seat.

However, Yamamoto did acknowledge his strength.

Thus, he issued a new order—

"Promote Uehara Shiroha to 3rd Seat of the 1st Division.

He will be responsible for Hueco Mundo affairs."

At these words, Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe’s expression turned… complicated.

He was happy that a young genius had emerged in the 1st Division.

But at the same time…

He felt a strange pressure.

No matter what, his position as Yamamoto’s right-hand man was secure.

Yet the fact that a twenty-something-year-old Shinigami was already making waves…

It was unnerving.

After a long pause, Sasakibe finally chuckled to himself.

"Well… at least I can rub this in the Fourth Seat’s face."

The thought amused him greatly.

As news of the Hueco Mundo battle spread, Uehara Shiroha’s name shook the Soul Society.

Flower Street, which had been quiet since the departure of two major figures, was lively once more.

Shinigami officers and vice-captains alike were in awe of Uehara Shiroha’s achievements.

Especially those from Rukongai—

To them, Uehara Shiroha was an inspiration.

A symbol of what a commoner could achieve.

Even the noble clans, who had previously dismissed him, were forced to acknowledge his existence.

Among them, the Tsunayashiro family, who once looked down on him, now saw him as a valuable ally.

After all—

A captain-level Shinigami was a precious asset.

And befriending one was never a bad investment.

At the Expeditionary Army headquarters, Uehara Shiroha sat with an easygoing expression as he received the latest appointment.

Across from him, Kyoraku Shunsui held out a parchment and grinned mischievously.

“Congratulations, Brother Shiroha!” he teased. “You’re now officially the Third Seat of the First Division.”

He watched Uehara’s reaction carefully before adding,

“How does it feel? A little disappointed, maybe?

If you had listened to me and applied for the Third Division’s captaincy, you might be wearing a captain’s haori by now.”

Uehara Shiroha lazily waved a hand.

“Being a captain is too much work.” He took the parchment without enthusiasm.

“Whoever wants the haori can have it—I’m fine with being Third Seat.”

Titles didn’t mean much to him.

As long as he kept getting stronger, whether he was Captain, General Commander, or even King of Soul Society, it wouldn’t make a difference.

If he ever revealed his full strength, he could already picture it—

When the Thousand-Year Blood War came, the captains would probably be shivering and saying, "It’s cold, someone give him a General Captain’s haori to keep warm."

Kyoraku Shunsui sighed dramatically, shaking his head.

“Well, it’s up to you. As long as you’re happy.”

Then, with a sly smirk, he continued,

“That said, you’re not off the hook just yet.

The Expeditionary Army’s mission is almost complete, and the main force will be withdrawing soon…

But you, as the newly appointed Third Seat, need to stay behind in Hueco Mundo a little longer.”

Uehara Shiroha blinked, then scoffed.

“So that’s why they promoted me. They were setting me up.”

Shunsui chuckled.

“You caught on quick.”

The mission to slaughter Hollows was to maintain the balance of souls between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo—and to protect the human world.

Now that Uehara had massacred an entire army of Hollows, the mission was basically complete.

What remained was merely clean-up work and security maintenance.

In truth, after the main forces evacuated, it was no longer necessary to keep anyone stationed here.

Uehara rolled his eyes.

“I don’t mind coming to this damn desert once in a while, but I don’t plan on living here.”

Compared to Soul Society, Hueco Mundo was beyond boring.

If not for the training opportunities and a chance to test his abilities, he would have never set foot in this wasteland.

But now that he had leveled up, he wanted freedom again.

Shunsui adjusted his bamboo hat, his voice carrying a knowing amusement.

“I figured you’d say that.

But don’t worry—you don’t have to stay here forever.

Finish the job, build a solid team, and you can delegate the grunt work.”

Uehara Shiroha smirked.

“Well, if I have to recruit people, I want talent—not just anyone.”

Shunsui raised an eyebrow. “Got someone in mind?”

“I want the Kidō Corps.”

Shunsui let out a low whistle.

“That’s a bold choice.”

Uehara shrugged.

“Science is power.”

Just look at Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi—

They created monsters like the Hōgyoku and the Blood Cages during the Thousand-Year Blood War.

With enough research backing, anything was possible.

Uehara Shiroha had zero patience for research himself, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t gather experts to do it for him.

He was ready to enjoy the life of a ‘client dad.’

Shunsui gave him a thumbs-up.

“You have good taste.”

Then, with a smirk, he muttered,

“If this keeps up, the Kidō Corps will cease to exist.”

Even as he joked, inwardly, he was relieved.

For years, he had disliked the existence of separate armed divisions like the Kidō Corps.

Their power structure allowed nobles to act too arrogantly.

If they ended up under Uehara Shiroha’s control, it would prevent Kurotsuchi Mayuri from hoarding them, which was a win-win.

As the Hueco Mundo gate opened, the departing Expeditionary Army prepared to leave.

Standing at the threshold, Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi turned back, giving Uehara “resentful” looks.

Uehara chuckled.

“Don’t stare at me like that. If you miss me, you can always come visit.”

Then, with a smirk, he added,

“Oh, and it’s getting cold. Make sure to put on extra layers.”

“Hmph!” Kenpachi scoffed, gripping his Zanpakutō and stepping into the gate.

Nearby, Suì-Fēng approached.

She bowed her head slightly, her cold, serious expression unchanged.

“Thank you for saving me.”

Then, with sharp determination in her voice, she added,

“I will repay this debt—but more importantly, I will surpass you.”

Her pride was still intact.

She was grateful, but she refused to be overshadowed forever.

Even if she knew it would be difficult, she would not back down.

Uehara admired that about her.

He smirked and teased her,

“I have high hopes for you.mIf you keep working hard, you might reach my current level… in your next life.”

Suì-Fēng’s expression froze.

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and left.

Behind her, a few remaining Onmitsukidō personnel followed silently.

The ones from noble families had all perished.

With the main forces gone, Uehara Shiroha surveyed his new recruits.

Former Kidō Corps members, looking at him with expectant expressions.

Ise Nanao, standing beside him, adjusting her glasses.

For the first time, he thought—

Maybe… this arrangement isn’t so bad after all.

Being far away from Soul Society, with authority over his own domain, had its perks.

His position in Soul Society meant he couldn’t stir up too much trouble.

But here, in Hueco Mundo?

He could do whatever the hell he wanted.

Daily duties? Minimal.

Luxurious entertainment? Abundant.

Uehara Shiroha had already made arrangements with Kyoraku Shunsui to meet at their usual spot in Flower Street that evening.

Of course, every time he used the Dangai Gate to return to Soul Society, it consumed a significant amount of resources.

But since the Gotei 13 was footing the bill?

Not his problem.

The more Uehara thought about it, the more he realized—maybe running a little operation in Hueco Mundo wasn’t such a bad idea.

And if, one day, he found himself bored of the Gotei 13…

He could always switch sides and become the "Father of the Ten Espada."

The only issue?

Aizen had a terrible track record of dealing with "traitorous Shinigami."

The only two defectors he had personally executed were Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin—his own men.

Meanwhile, the Shinigami who had actually opposed him had all survived.

Honestly, it was outrageous.

At that moment, Ise Nanao approached him, her energy renewed after staying behind.

“Mr. Uehara, what are our next steps?” she asked, adjusting her glasses.

She had volunteered to remain in Hueco Mundo, not just to assist in finishing the mission, but because she was reluctant to leave Uehara Shiroha.

She wanted to continue learning Kidō from him.

And deep down, she found the work here more fulfilling than the endless bureaucracy of the Soul Society.

Uehara Shiroha didn’t hesitate.

“Your job is extremely important,” he said.

“First, learn everything about the Gate from the Kidō Corps experts.

Then, strengthen both the gate and the barriers around the base.”

This place was too valuable to simply abandon.

He had put effort into establishing a foothold in Hueco Mundo, and it would be a waste to let it go.

Since anyone in Hueco Mundo can claim territory, why shouldn’t I?

At this point, he had already started seeing this entire base as his personal property.

Ise Nanao nodded immediately.

“Yes, Mr. Uehara!”

She never questioned his orders—only followed them without hesitation.

As his subordinates busied themselves, Uehara Shiroha decided to take action himself.

Aizen was right… The Shinigami are too arrogant.

If they had been smarter, they would have fortified Hueco Mundo long ago.

Instead, they let it fester, making no attempts to regulate it.

Luckily for them, Barragan was just a reclusive “king” with no ambition.

Had he been a true visionary, Hueco Mundo could have been industrialized—and Soul Society’s survival would have been at risk.

Well… not that Hueco Mundo could sustain an economy anyway.

The inner ecosystem of Hollows was a disaster.

Their evolution was limited—any major damage to their masks or souls could halt it permanently.

Without Aizen’s Hōgyoku, their abilities remained primitive, centered around survival skills like Hierro (steel skin) and regeneration.

But for now, that was Aizen’s problem, not his.

His focus was simple—

Use this base, kill time, and grow stronger.

To solidify his newhold, Uehara personally walked the perimeter, reinforcing the Kidō barriers.

Then, he retrieved something he had been saving for a long time—

The Five Thunder Curse Talisman.

It was only a C-rank artifact, but lightning-based techniques were especially effective against Hollows—just like Sun Breathing.

He affixed the talisman to the barrier’s core, setting up a continuous energy loop to power it.

Now, if any Adjuchas-level Hollow tried to breach the barrier, they’d be reduced to ashes before they even touched it.

Taking a step back, he admired his handiwork.

The barrier now flashed intermittently with blue sparks—a visible deterrent.

Satisfied, he clapped his hands.

Time to go.

Before departing, he gathered the remaining Kidō Corps members.

“No one,” he instructed, “enters or exits through the Gate without my direct command.”

He knew this wouldn’t stop Aizen if he really wanted in.

But that wasn’t the point.

This was a declaration.

A way to say—

This place belongs to me now.

With that, he and Ise Nanao stepped through the gate, returning to Soul Society.

The moment Uehara Shiroha arrived in Soul Society, he headed straight to Flower Street, where Kyoraku Shunsui had prepared a grand banquet in his honor.

Laughter, music, and the scent of fine sake filled the air.

Uehara, who had been absent for some time, was greeted like royalty.

The moment he stepped inside, it was as if the king had returned.

The courtesans surrounded him eagerly, their voices filled with excitement.

One of them giggled.

“Shiroha-sama, it’s been too long! You haven’t forgotten about us, have you?”

Another wrapped her arms around his, purring,

“You always leave without saying goodbye… It breaks my heart!”

Uehara smirked, raising his sake cup.

“How could I ever forget you?”

The atmosphere was electric—a stark contrast to the barren wastelands of Hueco Mundo.

This was where he truly thrived.

As he relaxed into the night’s festivities, someone whispered nearby—

"The legend continues…"

"The courtesans come and go… but Uehara remains forever."