chapter 12: The Mission to Hueco Mundo

The outskirts of Nakruki City were eerily quiet, the usual bustling energy replaced by a somber stillness. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Yami stood at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of the wilderness below. His gaze was distant, lost in thought, as he considered the events of the day. The recent battle with the Hollow was still fresh in his mind, but now there was something else to occupy his attention.

Captain Benjiro came to stand beside him, his arms folded casually across his chest. The captain's usually jovial expression was replaced with a more serious one, though there was still a hint of mischief in his eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke, simply taking in the view before them. The silence between them was comfortable, a reflection of the bond they had developed as comrades. Captain Shiba Benjiro brought yami here to have a talk.

Captain Shiba broke the silence, his voice calm but carrying a weight that hinted at the importance of what he was about to say. "Yami, we've received new orders from Head Captain Yamamoto."

Yami's attention snapped back to the present, his thoughts shifting from the Hollow to the task at hand. "What kind of orders?" he asked, his tone steady and composed, though there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

Captain Benjiro glanced at him, his gaze serious. "It's a joint mission with the 11th Division. We're to head to Hueco Mundo and cleanse a few thousand Hollows."

Yami's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Hueco Mundo, but he quickly regained his composure. The idea of a joint mission with the 11th Division wasn't entirely surprising after all, the 11th Division was known for its combat prowess, and missions to Hueco Mundo were never taken lightly. But the scale of the mission was unexpected. Cleansing a few thousand Hollows was no small task, even for seasoned Shinigami.

"When does the mission start?" Yami asked, his voice betraying a hint of concern, though his expression remained calm.

"We leave in two days," Captain Benjiro replied, his gaze returning to the horizon. "I've decided to take you and about a hundred other Shinigami from the 10th Division."

Yami nodded slowly, processing the information. The idea of heading with a group of Shinigami into Hueco Mundo was daunting, but he trusted Captain's judgment. Still, there were practical concerns that needed to be addressed. "If we're all going to Hueco Mundo, who will handle the missions and reports here in the 10th Division?"

Captain Benjiro burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the cliffside. It was a hearty, genuine laugh, one that Yami had come to associate with his captain's unique personality. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Captain Benjiro always seemed to find humor in the most unexpected places.

"Don't worry about that, Yami," Captain Benjiro said between chuckles. "Haruto and Kenta , are going to stay back and handle things while we're away."

Yami couldn't help but sigh at that. Haruto was a capable Shinigami, no doubt, but leaving him in charge of the entire division's operations while they were in Hueco Mundo was a heavy burden. The third seat would be swamped with work, managing the day-to-day responsibilities that usually required the attention of multiple officers. But at the same time, Yami was relieved to know that someone reliable would be holding down the fort in their absence. Yami doesnt even want to think about Kenta.

"Poor Haruto," Yami muttered under his breath, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "He's going to have his hands full."

Captain Benjiro grinned, clearly enjoying Yami's reaction. "Haruto can handle it. He's tougher than he looks. Besides, this is a good opportunity for him to prove himself."

Yami nodded in agreement, though his mind was already drifting to thoughts of the mission ahead. Hueco Mundo was a dangerous place, home to countless Hollows, each one more deadly than the last. The idea of facing such a large number of them was both exhilarating and daunting. But there was something else that excited Yami—an opportunity that he wasn't about to share with anyone.

 Growing his shadow soldiers . 

Yami having unlocked the ability to absorb the souls of defeated Hollows and turn them into shadow soldiers, a power granted to him by his Shikai. The mission to Hueco Mundo would provide him with ample opportunity to expand his army, to gather more shadows and increase his strength. But this was a secret he would keep to himself. There was no need for anyone else to have knowledge of his true abilities.

Captain Benjiro seemed to sense Yami's inner thoughts, though he misinterpreted them. "You're worried about the mission, aren't you?" he asked, his tone more serious now.

Yami shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Not worried. Just thinking about what we're up against. Hueco Mundo isn't exactly a walk in the park."

Captain Benjiro nodded in understanding. "True, but we've got the 11th Division with us. Those guys live for battle. They'll be more than eager to take on any Hollows that cross our path."

Yami couldn't argue with that. The 11th Division was known for its fierce warriors, Shinigami who relished the thrill of combat. With them by their side, the mission would be more manageable, though still far from easy, especially if the whole 11th division is filled with a bunch of brutes 

Captain Benjiro turned to face Yami, his expression thoughtful. "Yami, I've seen how hard you've worked since you joined the 10th Division. You have shown a lot of dedication to the division. That's why I'm bringing you on this mission."

Yami felt a surge of pride at his captain's words. Coming from Captain Benjiro this was high praise. He had come to respect his captain, not just for his strength but for his leadership and his ability to see the potential in others.

"Thank you, Captain," Yami replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "I won't let you down."

Captain Benjiro clapped him on the back, a grin spreading across his face. "I know you won't, Yami. Now, go back to the division and start packing. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."

Yami nodded, turning to leave. But as he took a step away, Captain Benjiro called out to him one last time.

"And Yami," Captain Benjiro added, his tone lighthearted once again. "Try not to overthink things. especially about what happened to the squad today , things like these it happen but we all must push forward and carry our comrades wills that have left us forward as well."

Yami turned back, offering a small smile. "thank you, Captain."

With that, Yami began the journey back to the 10th Division barracks. The walk was long, giving him plenty of time to reflect on the conversation he had just had. Captain Benjiro 's confidence in him was reassuring, but the weight of the mission the Naruki city was still heavy on his shoulders but thinking of his captains words he smiled.

By the time Yami arrived back at the 10th Division barracks, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the division grounds in twilight. The barracks were quiet, with most of the Shinigami already preparing for the mission. Yami made his way to his quarters, his mind still focused on the task ahead.He entered his room and immediately began packing his belongings.

2 days later...

As he gathered his gear, his thoughts drifted to the battles he was about to face in Hueco Mundo. The Hollows there were unlike any he had faced in the Soul Society—feral, vicious, and powerful. But Yami wasn't afraid. He had trained for this, had honed his skills in secret, preparing for the day when he would be called upon to face such threats.

And then there were the shadow army .

Yami paused for a moment, his hand resting on the hilt of his Zanpakutō. The power of his Shikai had already proven to be formidable, allowing him to summon shadow soldiers to fight by his side. But in Hueco Mundo, he would have the opportunity to gather more—many more. The thought of expanding his shadow army filled him with a sense of anticipation.

But Yami knew he had to be careful. The power he wielded was not something to be taken lightly, and the more shadows he gathered, the more responsibility he would have to bear. He had to ensure that he remained in control, that his power didn't consume him.

With a deep breath, Yami finished packing his gear and slung his bag over his shoulder. He gave his room one last glance before heading out, locking the door behind him. As he made his way to the division's main hall, he could feel the excitement and tension in the air. Shinigami were gathered in groups, discussing the upcoming mission, checking their equipment, and preparing for the journey ahead.

When Yami entered

 the main hall, he was greeted by Haruto, the 3rd seat of the 10th Division. The young Shinigami looked slightly frazzled, likely from the sudden responsibility of managing the division while the others were away.

"Yami," Haruto called out, hurrying over to him. "Captain told me you're heading to Hueco Mundo with him . Is everything ready?"

Yami nodded. "Everything's in order, Haruto. We about to leave . Are you ready to hold down the fort?"

Haruto let out a nervous laugh. "I don't have much of a choice, do I? But I'll manage. Just make sure you all come back in one piece."

"We will," Yami assured him, placing a reassuring hand on Haruto's shoulder. "The 10th Division is in good hands with you. Just focus on keeping everything running smoothly here."

Haruto nodded, though Yami could see the worry in his eyes. It was a big responsibility, but Yami had faith in his fellow Shinigami. Haruto was more capable than he gave himself credit for.

As the two of them continued to discuss the logistics of the mission, Yami couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him. The journey to Hueco Mundo would be dangerous, but it was also an opportunity—an opportunity to prove himself, to test the limits of his power, and to protect the Soul Society from the threat of the Hollows.

But more than that, it was a chance for Yami to gather the shadows that would one day form the core of his strength. The shadows that would rise in his wake, following his every command.

hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, if there a hollows you would like to see as shadow soldiers let me know