[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 41 - 45

Chapter 41: The strongest ice and snow type Zanpakuto?

The news of Uehara Shiroha slaying fifty Hollows in a single strike spread through the Soul Society like wildfire.

In the blink of an eye, his name, once only recognized by a few, became a legend.

Whether they had heard of him before or not, now everyone knew who Uehara Shiroha was.

The Seireitei was abuzz with chatter.

"Did you hear? That Uehara Shiroha is a monster!"

"Killing fifty Hollows with a single attack… Isn’t that captain-level strength?"

"A captain at only twenty years old?!"

"When I was twenty, I was still playing in the mud…"

"They say Uehara's Zanpakutō is a permanent Shikai, just like Captain Zaraki’s…"

"Wait… so are all permanent Shikai this terrifying?"

"The ability to freeze fifty Hollows instantly… This might be the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō in history!"

"Another monster has joined the Gotei 13!"

Meanwhile, Uehara's growing group of admirers could be heard shouting in unison:

"So handsome, Lord Uehara!"

Inside the tea room of the First Division, the usually composed Okikiba Genshirō took a sip of his tea, only to spit it out in shock—right onto Chōjirō Sasakibe’s face.

For a moment, Sasakibe didn’t react. His mind was still processing the battle report in his hands.

“…This…”

He blinked, still too stunned to wipe the tea from his face.

Both men stared at each other in silence before turning their attention back to the report, their expressions filled with disbelief.

"A captain-level Shinigami under thirty?"

They had seriously underestimated Uehara Shiroha. They had thought of him as merely "captain-worthy," but now it was clear—his strength was far beyond just barely reaching captain level.

In the Technology Development Division, Mayuri Kurotsuchi wasted no time acquiring battle footage of the incident.

Inside his private laboratory—cluttered with bizarre, grotesque equipment—he replayed the footage over and over, staring at the fifty frozen Hollows trapped in unyielding ice.

After several minutes of intense observation, he slammed his fist against the control panel.

"Damn it! This makes no sense!"

His voice echoed in the dimly lit lab.

"Why can’t I collect the residual Zanpakutō Reiatsu?!"

His golden eyes flickered with irritation as he muttered to himself.

"Permanent Shikai… just what are these strange Zanpakutō…?"

He tapped his long, sharpened fingernails against the table, deep in thought.

"Looks like I’ll have to go there personally and gather a few ‘samples’ for research… and perhaps… prepare some spare organs for [Sleeping No. 5]…"

A twisted grin spread across his face as he formulated his next move.

In the Sixth Division barracks, a young Kuchiki Byakuya stood before his grandfather, gripping his Senbonzakura tightly.

"Grandfather," Byakuya said, his voice firm, "I want to go to Hueco Mundo."

His grandfather studied him carefully.

"Why?"

Byakuya’s fingers tightened around his Zanpakutō.

Uehara Shiroha’s achievements had shaken him to his core.

He had always believed himself to be a genius, destined for greatness.

But now?

Uehara Shiroha had single-handedly rewritten the definition of genius.

His grandfather sighed.

"Byakuya, there is no doubt—you are indeed a genius," he said calmly. "If your desire to go is based on duty, then I will not stop you. However…"

He met Byakuya’s gaze.

"If it is simply for competition, then there is no point."

Byakuya remained silent, his mind filled with conflicting emotions.

For the first time… he was unsure of himself.

The Expedition’s Temporary Headquarters

By the time Uehara Shiroha and Ise Nanao returned to the temporary headquarters of the expeditionary army, the atmosphere had completely changed.

Before, the Shinigami soldiers had been wary of him—skeptical, even dismissive.

Now?

Their gazes were filled with shock, admiration, and respect.

The weight of his strength had silenced any lingering doubts.

This was the power of raw, undeniable strength.

Yet, despite the shift in attitude, Uehara remained completely unaffected.

He walked at his usual unhurried pace, as if strolling through a festival, utterly relaxed.

It was as if killing fifty Hollows had been nothing more than a trivial task.

That was when a booming, familiar voice greeted him.

"Our great hero has returned!"

Kyōraku Shunsui sauntered toward them, his wide-brimmed hat tilted slightly.

When his gaze landed on Ise Nanao, his smile grew even wider.

"Incredible," he mused. "You were gone for just a little while, and yet Nanao-chan has transformed from a rookie into a seasoned Shinigami."

He chuckled, clearly proud.

Then, with a dramatic flourish, he handed Uehara a small wine jar.

"The conditions here aren’t great, but… I hope you’ll forgive me."

Uehara took the jar, his eyes lighting up.

"Good wine!"

Without hesitation, he took a deep sip—draining it in one go.

A warm, potent sensation spread through his body as pure reishi and spiritual energy surged within him.

Even the fatigue lingering in his muscles vanished instantly.

This wasn’t ordinary wine.

This was an extremely rare spiritual wine, produced in limited quantities every year.

Even among the nobles and captains, obtaining a jar was considered a luxury.

Kyōraku turned to Nanao.

"Nanao-chan, you’ve fought hard. You should go rest."

Nanao hesitated, then glanced at Uehara, who nodded.

With a polite bow, she left to recuperate.

Once she was gone, Kyōraku exhaled dramatically.

"Brother Shiroha, you’re full of surprises… A twenty-year-old captain. I wonder if the Old Man was this strong when he was young…"

As the Commander, nothing was more reassuring than having an invincible trump card under his command.

He felt the pressure on his shoulders lighten significantly.

But before he could start rearranging battle strategies, Uehara casually put down the empty wine jar and burped.

"Brother Kyōraku," he said lazily, "I know you’re thinking of adjusting plans… but I regret to inform you—I’ll be moving independently from now on."

Kyōraku blinked.

"…Why?"

Before they had come here, they had agreed to advance and retreat together.

Hueco Mundo was full of dangers, but with the two of them working together, the expedition had minimal risk.

Uehara shrugged.

"Plans change," he replied. "I plan to charge into the Forest of Menos and contain the Menos-class Hollows. If we don’t, our soldiers will suffer too many losses."

Kyōraku sighed dramatically, pulling out another jar of wine with a pained expression.

"Brother Shiroha… you really don’t hold back."

Uehara immediately snatched the jar without hesitation.

With their strategies aligned, the war’s outcome was already set in motion.

In the end, it wasn’t a question of if the Shinigami would win.

It was a question of how big their victory would be.

Chapter 42: Forest of Menos, Seven Flashes!

Inside a heavily fortified tent, secured by multiple barriers and seals, Uehara Shiroha stared at the translucent system panel before him.

As expected—

[Standard: White Album] has been upgraded from [Proficient] to [Mastered].

A subtle smirk played across his lips.

This S-rank ability was now on par with a Zanpakutō Bankai.

Whether it was [Universal Barrier] or [White Album], they were absolute nightmares for any Gillian-class Hollow.

Ordinary Shikai-level Zanpakutō could never reach this level.

In fact, even some Bankai paled in comparison.

Of course, his S-rank ability was still nowhere near the overwhelming might of Yamamoto Genryūsai’s Zanka no Tachi—but it was definitely on par with the early-stage Bankai of Kuchiki Byakuya from the beginning of the story.

A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

With this, his power had taken another step forward.

The next morning, Uehara Shiroha awoke early.

After completing his daily training tasks, he casually greeted the two Shinigami guards stationed outside his tent.

A soft chime echoed in his mind—

[Spiritual Pressure +1, Universal Barrier +1].

The two guards looked stunned, almost flattered.

They hadn’t expected a figure of his caliber to be so approachable.

As he left the tent, he soon spotted Ise Nanao, who was already wide awake and brimming with energy.

Her previous timid demeanor was gone—replaced with the sharp, focused aura of a battle-hardened Shinigami.

Seeing her eager expression, Uehara sighed.

"Nanao," he called.

She immediately straightened, awaiting instruction.

"Do you remember the fundamental spiritual power control techniques I taught you?"

"Of course!" Nanao nodded. "You told me to visualize a perfect circle, fill it with the deepest and densest color, and then focus my mind into the center of the circle."

"Good," Uehara said, crossing his arms. "Try it now."

Nanao exhaled slowly, confidence in her posture.

After everything she had experienced on the battlefield, she had grown much stronger.

Failing at something so basic was simply unthinkable.

She shut her eyes and entered a meditative state.

Then—

A few moments later, her expression twitched.

Confusion flickered across her face, followed by frustration.

Something felt off.

She opened her eyes and looked at Uehara in disbelief.

"This…"

Uehara chuckled knowingly.

"This technique is the foundation for all Kidō and spiritual arts. You should practice it a hundred times before moving on."

Nanao quickly gathered herself.

She realized now—her rapid growth had made her foundation unstable.

She had gained strength too quickly, without fully mastering the basics.

If she wanted to truly improve, she had to put in the effort.

Bowing respectfully, she answered, "Yes, Mr. Uehara!"

Satisfied, Uehara nodded and turned away.

After leaving Nanao to her training, Uehara retraced his steps back to yesterday’s battlefield.

If so many Gillian had gathered there so quickly, then there had to be an entrance to the Forest of Menos nearby.

It didn’t take long before he found it—

A hidden passage buried beneath thick layers of sand and stone.

Without hesitation, he stepped through.

The air changed immediately.

The narrow stone corridor ahead stretched deep underground, its walls slick with moisture.

Darkness loomed ahead, swallowing the light.

As he walked, a chilling malice wrapped around him.

An ominous presence.

Then came the roars—

Distant, guttural, and filled with rage, madness, and hunger.

Each growl sent vibrations through the cavern walls.

The air was thick with spiritual pressure, pressing against his skin like a tangible force.

But Uehara remained unshaken.

With a few swift Shunpo steps, he reached the end of the passage—

And emerged into a vast, underground world.

A boundless expanse of twisted rock formations stretched as far as the eye could see.

Giant, towering stone pillars rose from the ground, piercing through the cavern ceiling.

Among them, massive trees grew unnaturally tall, their roots twisting into the stone like creeping tendrils.

The ground was carpeted in a dense layer of gray-green moss, while mushrooms of various colors sprouted from the shadows.

This was the Forest of Menos—

The very nest of Hueco Mundo’s countless Hollows.

This place was a nightmare for any Shinigami.

Even captain-level Shinigamis struggled here.

The sheer number of Gillian-class Hollows that roamed these lands was overwhelming.

As Uehara expanded his spiritual perception, he sensed massive figures shifting in the distance.

The pressure intensified.

It felt like standing in the eye of a hurricane—

Powerful Hollow reiatsu surged all around him, like waves crashing against a shore.

But Uehara remained calm.

Then—

A sudden chime echoed in his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations! You have completed Special Mission (9): Finding the Forest of Menos. Reward: A-Rank Ability – Seven Flashes!]

Ability Unlocked: Seven Flashes

[Seven Flashes]

• Rank: A

• Proficiency: Beginner

• Type: Magic Technique

• Effect: Executes seven simultaneous slashes, instantly shredding everything in the vicinity. Upon mastery, allows the user to channel Kidō and barriers through slashes.

As Uehara scanned the description, his eyes gleamed.

At first glance, this ability seemed like a basic high-speed attack technique.

But the real treasure was its compatibility with Kidō.

The ability to unleash high-level spells—like Hadō through slashes—was extremely rare.

For example—

If he perfected this technique, he could theoretically cast multiple instances of Hadō #96: Itto Kaso (One-Blade Cremation) simultaneously.

Even Yamamoto Genryūsai, the strongest Shinigami in history, had to sacrifice an arm to unleash that spell.

But with Seven Flashes, Uehara could potentially cast it seven times at once.

A grin spread across his face.

This was a valuable asset.

One step closer to true domination.

He closed the system panel and turned his gaze to the darkness beyond.

A horde of Gillian-class Hollows had begun to gather.

Their eerie glowing eyes peered at him from the shadows.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled through the cavern.

The air grew heavier.

With a slow, deliberate motion, Uehara raised his Zanpakutō—

A flickering, invisible flame ignited along its edge.

He exhaled.

"Perfect. The targets for today's sword practice have arrived."

Chapter 43: Forest of Menos, Unparalleled Mowing

In the depths of the Forest of Menos, Shiroha Uehara stood amidst a sea of towering Gillians. Their massive forms loomed around him like a dense forest of grotesque giants, each one a walking mountain of spiritual energy. Yet, in Uehara’s eyes, they were nothing more than piles of "experience points" waiting to be harvested.

A Gillian, or Menos Grande, is formed when a hundred or more Hollows devour and fuse together. However, most Gillians lack self-awareness, reduced to nothing more than instinct-driven creatures that wander aimlessly through the vast underground domain of Hueco Mundo.

To Uehara, these mindless Great Hollows were nothing but sitting ducks.

That said, as Menos Grande, they possessed durable Hierro—iron-hard skin—and an incredible regenerative ability. Unless their heads or vital internal structures were utterly destroyed, they simply would not die.

Previously, Uehara had relied on an S-rank ability, consuming a vast amount of spiritual pressure to freeze the entire swarm of Gillians in one move. But this time, he had no intention of wasting that much energy.

Instead, his gaze fell upon one of his more specialized abilities, one that was particularly effective against Hollows.

[Sun Breathing]

• Level: B-rank

• Proficiency: Proficient

• Ability: Embodying the essence of the sun, this technique is the original breathing style from which all other fundamental breathing methods—Water, Flame, Stone, Wind, and Thunder—are derived.

• Sword Forms: Twelve variations, including Sun Crimson Mirror, Phantom Sun Rainbow, Train, Burning Bone Flame Sun, Yang Hua Tu, Flying Wheel Kagerou, Setting Sun Turn, Brilliant Enlight, Halo Dragon: Head Dance, and Flame Dance. These forms can be seamlessly chained together, culminating in the ultimate thirteenth form—[Reincarnation], an endless cycle of strikes.

• Introduction:

  • The peak of swordsmanship from Demon Slayer, created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, an existence so terrifying that even Muzan Kibutsuji suffered "Sun Breathing PTSD."

  • Unlocked upon completing [Special Mission 6 - Legendary First Division Commander].

  • "I wanted to walk among you as an ordinary man, yet I could not. Let me reveal my true self—I am a genius in the art of the sword!"

In a world of limited magic, Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s mastery of [Reincarnation] allowed him to unleash over a thousand strikes in a single second, nearly rewriting the fate of his world in one battle.

Now, wielded by Uehara Shiroha—empowered by immense spiritual pressure—[Sun Breathing] and [Reincarnation] would evolve into something even greater.

With a casual swing of his Sky-Breaking Blade, invisible flames danced across the space before him, their scorching heat warping the very air. The sacred fire within the blade emanated an aura that seemed to suppress all evil.

As the horde of Gillians closed in, Uehara moved.

In the blink of an eye, the Twelve Sword Forms of Sun Breathing erupted in full display.

Unlike rigidly structured attacks, Uehara seamlessly transitioned between forms, embodying the essence of Sun Breathing with each fluid motion.

Blazing arcs of his blade carved through the air, and wherever he struck, flames ignited. Every slash landed precisely on a Gillian, and with each flash of his sword, another massive Hollow was set ablaze.

The fire that erupted from the wounds did not merely burn—it consumed. The spiritual flames burrowed deep into the bodies of the Gillians, igniting their very souls.

Wherever Uehara passed, the Forest of Menos was left in chaos—massive pillars of fire surged skyward, illuminating the dark expanse with an eerie brilliance.

This was the power of the Sun Breathing, a technique that directly countered the high-speed regeneration of Hollows!

Then, as he reached the heart of the swarm, Uehara exhaled deeply and whispered:

"Reincarnation!"

In an instant, the twelve sword forms connected seamlessly, chaining together in an infinite loop. An endless, spiraling onslaught of fiery slashes consumed everything before him.

Dozens of Gillians fell in an instant, their bodies split apart and engulfed in sacred flames.

As the inferno spread across the battlefield, Uehara lowered his sword and surveyed his handiwork. The once-shadowy expanse of the Forest of Menos was now a blazing sea of destruction.

A satisfied smile formed on his lips.

Despite being only a B-rank ability, Sun Breathing was proving to be a devastating weapon against the Hollows. Not only did it provide a natural counter to their regenerative abilities, but its relentless offensive nature also honed his swordsmanship further. If mastered to its peak, it could serve as a trump card in future battles.

In this world, it was rare to rely on a single technique to counter everything.

Even the so-called strongest fighters had limitations.

Ichigo Kurosaki, when facing "Little Aizen" Yhwach's subordinate Askin Nakk Le Vaar, found himself utterly overwhelmed—his abilities rendered ineffective in an instant.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto, the wielder of the most fearsome flame-based Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, held the power to incinerate entire realms upon activating his Bankai. Yet, despite his overwhelming strength, he was constantly targeted and manipulated, unable to unleash his full potential in battle. When the time came, even his ultimate power was made meaningless, leaving him to perish in regret.

Even Hyōsube Ichibē, a being who had lived for countless millennia, was ultimately powerless before Yhwach’s Almighty, an ability that made even the strongest Shinigamis seem insignificant.

Uehara Shiroha knew this reality well.

No matter how powerful an ability seemed, in this world of gods and monsters, only continuous growth and adaptation could guarantee survival.

A thousand years ago, a lone monk had once used the Soul King’s right hand to counter the overwhelming might of The Almighty, blocking the [Eye of Omniscience and Omnipotence] directly. After a millennium of brutal warfare, Yhwach finally regained his vision and absorbed the power of the Soul King, believing himself untouchable. Yet, in the end, his overwhelming ability was neutralized by a single silver arrow, and he was reduced to nothing more than a new Soul King, bound in place.

This was the nature of power in the world of death—no matter how strong one became, there was always the looming threat of being countered.

For that very reason, Uehara Shiroha had no intention of relying on a single technique. Instead, he was determined to accumulate as many trump cards as possible, ensuring that even the likes of Hyōsube Ichibē could never erase all traces of his abilities with Ichimonji.

As he gazed upon the burning remnants of the Forest of Menos, his fighting spirit only grew stronger.

The Gillian-infested wasteland, which once made ordinary Shinigami tremble at the mere mention of its name, had now become nothing more than a training ground for him—an endless sea of experience and power to claim.

Three Days Later

Time passed in the blink of an eye. Over the course of three relentless days, Uehara Shiroha's proficiency in Zanpakutō, Sun Breathing, and Universal Barrier had improved tremendously. His strength was increasing at a visible rate, sharpening like a blade with each passing moment.

Throughout the entire process, he had only relied on the most basic applications of Zanpakutō and Sun Breathing.

And yet, because Sun Breathing possessed a natural advantage against Hollows, his efficiency in exterminating them had reached terrifying levels.

Soon, the Technology Development Bureau took notice.

At that moment, within the Expeditionary Headquarters, three captains—Suì-Fēng, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Shunsui Kyōraku—were gathered, discussing their next strategic move.

Beside them stood Ise Nanao, her spiritual pressure noticeably stronger than before.

After surviving the previous battles and receiving direct guidance from Uehara Shiroha, Ise Nanao had transformed. She no longer carried the aura of a mere Vice-Captain—there was now a genuine presence of strength in her demeanor.

However, the usual harmony of the meeting was quickly disrupted by Kenpachi Zaraki.

"Oi, ain't there any stronger prey around?" Zaraki grumbled, his tone filled with frustration. "These weaklings ain't even worth sharpening my sword on anymore."

His golden eye gleamed with irritation as he crossed his arms. "More importantly—where the hell is that Shiroha? When's he gonna show up and fight me?"

At first, Zaraki had been thrilled. Hueco Mundo had provided an endless battlefield of enemies to cut down.

But after days of fighting, the thrill had worn off.

Even the Great Hollow-class Adjuchas, which should have been formidable enemies, could barely withstand a single strike from him.

And after witnessing Uehara Shiroha’s power firsthand, his hunger for battle had only grown stronger.

Suì-Fēng, on the other hand, was not pleased.

"That guy may have made great contributions in establishing the expeditionary force," she admitted, "but as the Vice Commander, he should not be acting on his own."

Her sharp eyes narrowed. "His reckless actions only disrupt the operation and slow down our overall progress."

Standing nearby, Ise Nanao visibly tensed, wanting to refute Suì-Fēng’s words but unable to do so due to the difference in their ranks.

However, her expression left no room for doubt—she strongly disagreed.

Though Nanao had always been someone who valued rules and discipline, she trusted Uehara Shiroha.

If he was acting alone, there had to be a reason for it.

Seeing the rising tension, Shunsui Kyōraku chuckled, pulling a document from his sleeve.

"This just came in from the Technology Development Bureau," he said lazily, a knowing smile hidden beneath the shadow of his bamboo hat. "You might want to take a look."

Suì-Fēng frowned at his too-casual attitude, but took the document regardless.

The moment she opened it, her usually cold and impassive expression cracked—her eyes widened in disbelief.

"...He actually wiped out thousands of Gillian Hollows by himself?"

She reread the report twice, her sharp mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing.

"Is this report accurate? It’s impossible!"

Her disbelief was justified.

Everyone knew that Uehara Shiroha was incredibly powerful—possibly even on the level of a captain.

But for one person to annihilate thousands of Gillian Hollows in just a few days?

That level of destruction was borderline absurd.

In Hueco Mundo, Hollows were stronger than usual. The harsh environment amplified their physical abilities, making them much harder to kill in large numbers.

Shinigami, on the other hand, needed time to recover spiritual pressure and physical strength between battles.

So for one individual to continuously fight—without rest—and produce results this unbelievable...

Suì-Fēng herself knew she could not achieve such a feat.

Across the room, Zaraki Kenpachi’s lone golden eye glowed with excitement.

"Heh..." His mouth curled into a feral grin.

"I knew he was strong."

The bloodthirsty edge in his voice was unmistakable.

"Dammit... I should’ve fight him when I had the chance!"

Meanwhile, Kyōraku Shunsui simply smiled, his usual carefree attitude not shifting in the slightest.

"I have to admit, I also find it a little hard to believe," he said, shrugging. "But this is the truth."

He folded his arms and leaned back slightly.

"Brother Shiroha single-handedly exceeded the expedition’s original goal."

His lazy voice carried an undeniable weight.

"If we're being honest, his efficiency alone is greater than all of ours combined."

Shunsui turned slightly, smirking at his Vice-Captain.

"And as much as my dear Nanao and I miss him and want him to return..."

His smile widened slightly, clearly teasing.

"It’s hard to argue against results."

Ise Nanao, who had been listening silently, suddenly blushed.

Her sharp glare landed on Kyōraku immediately.

"Captain!" she snapped, clearly embarrassed.

She huffed, crossing her arms, but the proud glint in her eyes was unmistakable.

Suì-Fēng fell into silence.

What could she even say?

The reality was simple.

Uehara Shiroha had not only completed the mission—he had exceeded expectations.

Her previous criticism now felt hollow in comparison.

She had accused him of slowing down the expeditionary force, yet in reality...

He had been the one moving faster than anyone else.

In the end, there was nothing left to argue.

Chapter 44: Shock

Uehara Shiroha was unaware of the discussions taking place at the expeditionary headquarters.

However, even if he knew, he wouldn’t have cared.

Right now, aside from completing his daily tasks, he spent all his time hunting Hollows, constantly pushing his limits in pursuit of strength.

Opportunities to train against suitable opponents were rare, but in the Forest of Menos, he had an endless supply of prey.

The feeling of rapidly becoming stronger with every moment was almost intoxicating.

And so, for the past few days, he had relentlessly pushed forward, carving his way toward the center of the Great Hollow Forest.

For any ordinary captain, such prolonged combat would have been impossible.

Even if their combat ability allowed them to keep fighting, their spiritual pressure, physical endurance, and mental state would never be able to keep up.

But Uehara Shiroha was different.

While he didn’t possess a natural monstrous physique like Kenpachi Zaraki, he had something just as absurd—

A Stand.

A Stand was the manifestation of one’s vitality and mental strength. The stronger one’s life force, the stronger the Stand.

And the reverse was also true.

For a Stand User, severe bleeding injuries were nothing more than superficial wounds.

Every time White Album’s proficiency increased, Uehara Shiroha’s vitality and recovery speed improved drastically.

This was why Kyoraku Shunsui had always looked at him with such envy—

Because Uehara Shiroha had an “unbreakable endurance”.

Now, having reached high proficiency in White Album, his physique had grown stronger than ever, closing the gap between himself and monsters like Kenpachi Zaraki.

Furthermore, with spatial clones and shadow clones, he could rest at will, allowing him to recover whenever necessary.

This ridiculous endurance meant that, even after days of continuous battle, Uehara Shiroha was still full of energy.

And so, once again, he reduced a swarm of Gillians to ash, flames devouring their massive forms.

Just as he was about to continue, his keen spiritual sense detected an unfamiliar presence approaching at high speed.

Uehara Shiroha looked up.

A lone figure was rapidly closing in from the distance.

The man had short, reddish-brown hair, dressed in a Shinigami’s shihakushō, but what stood out the most was the Hollow mask covering his face—

A mask resembling an antelope skull.

The strange attire instantly gave away his identity.

Asido Kanō.

A ruthless Shinigami who had spent hundreds of years in the Forest of Menos, dedicating himself to the slaughter of Hollows.

In the blink of an eye, Asido landed in front of Uehara Shiroha.

His gaze swept across the burning wasteland, where the remains of countless Gillians lay smoldering in a sea of spiritual fire.

His expression visibly shifted in shock.

"...Did you do all this?" Asido finally asked, his voice carrying disbelief. "Which division captain are you?"

For a man who had spent centuries in the Forest of Menos, Asido had long forgotten the feeling of holding a normal conversation.

And yet, as soon as he laid eyes on this scene, the questions slipped out naturally.

He couldn't comprehend what he was seeing.

In his memory, only one man had ever displayed such destructive power—his old friend, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.

And even then, Kuruyashiki had needed to activate Bankai to achieve such results.

For this young Shinigami to accomplish the same feat, Asido was convinced that he had to be a captain-level fighter.

"I’m Uehara Shiroha, Seventh Seat of the First Division," Uehara replied casually, watching Asido with interest.

"...Not a captain?"

Asido blinked in pure disbelief.

"The Seventh Seat of the First Division is this strong?"

Had the Gotei 13 become so strong that a Shinigamis of this caliber can only join into lower-ranking positions?

If he returned to Soul Society now, would he only be an ordinary Shinigami?

The thought unsettled him.

After a long pause, Asido removed his Hollow mask, revealing his sharp features.

"My name is Asido. I am also a Shinigami."

His short, straight eyebrows furrowed as he continued.

"A long time ago, my comrades and I chased Hollows into Hueco Mundo, seeking revenge for the lives they had taken in Rukongai."

His voice was calm, yet there was deep pain beneath his words.

"All of my companions were slaughtered before my eyes. I remained, dedicating my life to exterminating the Hollows."

"This is their nest. Nearly every Hollow that invades the human world originates from this place."

And so, he had spent centuries here, fighting alone, ensuring that fewer and fewer Hollows would ever make it to Soul Society.

"...Have there been fewer Hollow attacks on the human world in recent years?"

His voice was not proud—there was no boasting in his tone.

He simply wanted to know.

Had his efforts been worth it?

Had he changed anything?

Uehara Shiroha sighed.

"I'm sorry, but no."

Some people did not want the Hollows to disappear.

There were those who viewed balance and control as more important than true peace.

To those who claimed to "put the greater good first," Asido's efforts were meaningless, perhaps even an inconvenience.

That was why Uehara Shiroha needed to keep growing stronger.

So that one day, he could stand before those same people and say—

"I am the one who decides the future."

Asido’s expression darkened.

But as he gazed at the sea of flames around him, his resolve hardened once more.

"...With a Shinigami like you here," he said with a faint smile, "maybe my failure doesn’t matter."

Uehara Shiroha then explained the Hueco Mundo Expedition to him, sharing details of the current conflict between Soul Society and the Hollows.

Asido listened carefully.

"So... There is now the Eleventh Kenpachi, My friend would like to fight this Kenpachi Zaraki"

A flicker of nostalgia crossed his face before he looked back at Uehara.

"Do you want to come back to my base and recover?" he offered.

In his mind, this Shinigami had surely expended immense energy after such an overwhelming battle.

His base was safe, and Uehara could rest there.

Uehara Shiroha did not refuse.

Half a Day Later...

Within a hidden cave, shrouded by a barrier that concealed spiritual pressure and sound, the two Shinigamis sat before a small fire.

Asido carefully roasted mushrooms over the flames, applying a dark green moss to them as seasoning.

Finally, he handed Uehara Shiroha a skewer of food that looked... questionable.

Uehara studied the blackened mushrooms with faint skepticism before taking a bite.

To his surprise, his eyes lit up.

"...Not bad!"

He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and then continued eating.

Asido, too, took a long drink, his expression turning nostalgic.

"...It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a drink with another Shinigami," he murmured.

Chapter 45: Top-level sparring partner

Inside an empty underground cave, Uehara Shiroha and Asido sat comfortably, having feasted on food and drink.

But now, their sparring match had begun.

Uehara Shiroha, well aware of Asido’s combat prowess, had no intention of letting such a valuable sparring partner go to waste.

At the same time, Asido was curious about Uehara Shiroha’s strength and eager to test himself against him.

Thus, the two engaged in a thrilling battle.

The moment their clash began, Asido drew his blade with a sharp motion, slashing straight for Uehara Shiroha’s right arm.

Clang!

Uehara reacted instantly, raising his sword to block—

But the instant their blades met, Asido vanished.

So fast!

Uehara Shiroha’s heart stirred slightly, but he quickly sensed Asido’s presence shifting behind him.

To his right—!

Without hesitation, he dodged just as Asido’s blade swept toward him.

Unlike reckless fighters, Asido fought with perfect precision.

Despite having spent centuries in solitude, his instincts were razor-sharp.

He didn’t rush in blindly; instead, he maintained careful distance, constantly circling and searching for openings.

Yet, throughout the entire exchange, his blade never strayed from Uehara Shiroha’s vital points.

Neither of them used Bankai, Kido, or special abilities—only Shunpo, Hakuda, and Zanjutsu.

For hundreds of years, Asido had relied solely on these three fundamental skills to slaughter countless Gillians and Adjuchas.

Through endless battle, he had honed them to the level of perfection.

At this moment, Uehara Shiroha realized something important—

Asido was not just fast.

If speed alone was his only strength, Uehara wouldn’t have had much trouble countering him.

After all, thanks to Shihōin Yoruichi, he was more than familiar with speed-type combatants.

But Asido’s true strength was not just his speed—

It was his experience and combat intuition.

Every movement was measured.

Every strike was precise.

It was as if Asido could predict his reactions before they even happened.

Within just a few rounds, Uehara could feel it—

Asido was reading his movements.

This… is the power of experience.

Uehara Shiroha let out a small sigh in admiration.

"To have survived in Hueco Mundo for centuries, endlessly slaying Hollows... This man's experience and combat skills are terrifying."

But that was exactly why he had chosen not to rely on his system abilities in this battle.

He had deliberately held back.

Because his goal wasn’t just to win—

It was to learn.

Experience and combat intuition had always been his greatest weakness.

And this fight was the perfect chance to fix it.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

Inside the cave, Asido’s cold, sharp expression was now filled with shock.

His blade trembled slightly—

A sharp edge rested against his neck.

His face mirrored the exact same incredulous look he had when he first met Uehara Shiroha.

Even now, he couldn’t believe it.

Just ten days ago—

He had completely dominated Uehara Shiroha.

His experience and skill had been an unshakable advantage, allowing him to suppress him effortlessly.

But now—

No matter how hard he tried, he found himself steadily falling behind.

It was as if—

In just ten short days, Uehara Shiroha had eliminated a combat experience gap of hundreds of years.

This growth rate… was monstrous.

Finally, Asido let out a deep sigh.

He lowered his weapon and spoke sincerely—

"You’ve surpassed me in every way," he admitted.

"You’re a genius."

Uehara Shiroha smiled slightly.

"Don’t say that," he replied.

"I’ve learned a lot from you as well. Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have improved so quickly."

With those words, he sheathed his sword.

Through countless battles, Uehara Shiroha had once again ascended.

His foundation had solidified.

His combat instincts had sharpened.

And his path to invincibility had taken another step forward.

Before leaving, Uehara Shiroha gifted Asido several bottles of fine wine.

Then, without hesitation, he turned and departed.

At no point had he asked Asido if he wanted to return to Soul Society.

Because he already knew the answer.

To Asido, remaining here was proof that his fallen comrades had once existed.

This place was their grave, and he would never leave it.

As he watched Uehara’s departing figure, Asido’s expression was complex.

Then, without another word, he turned back to continue his endless hunt.

Though his fight had ultimately changed nothing, he still felt a sense of satisfaction.

After all—

Even if it was only a little—

He had helped a Shinigami with limitless potential grow even stronger.

And that… was enough.

Expeditionary Headquarters – Uehara Shiroha’s Private Room

Upon returning to base, Uehara Shiroha immediately completed his daily tasks.

[Reiatsu +1, Seven Flashes +1]

A warm current flowed through his limbs.

He could clearly feel his Reiatsu had increased once again.

The spiritual particle density in Hueco Mundo was far higher than in Seireitei, making growth much faster.

And with the system’s rewards, his progress was even more absurd.

As he sat down, he casually opened his character panel.

[Character Panel]

• Name: Uehara Shiroha (Shiroha)

• Position: Seventh Seat of the First Division

• Reiatsu: Third-Rate Spiritual Power (Captain Level)

• Zanpakutō: Shunkyō (Second-Stage Shikai)

• Zanjutsu: Captain-Level

• Hakuda: Captain-Level

• Kidō: Captain-Level

• Shunpo: Captain-Level

[Abilities]

• Shadow Clone Technique (B-rank, fully developed)

• Stand – White Album (S-rank, fully developed)

• Sun Breathing (B-rank, mastered)

• Universal Barrier (S-rank, proficient)

• Magic Art – Seven Flashes (A-rank, proficient)

[Items]

• Camouflage Glasses (B-rank, Kryptonian Creation)

• Five Thunder Curse (C-rank, Cultivation Talisman)

• Death Gloves (D-rank, Extraordinary Creation)

• Horse Talisman (A-rank, Magical Creation)

Looking at the updated panel, Uehara Shiroha felt completely satisfied.

Now, all of his core combat skills were at captain level—

And flawless.

With this foundation alone, he could already dominate most enemies.

But Uehara Shiroha wasn’t satisfied with just that.

He didn’t want to be like others, who relied on one ultimate technique.

He wanted to master everything.

To be invincible in all areas.

To become like Aizen—a perfect all-rounder with no weaknesses.

And so, his future plan remained the same—

Complete more special missions. Train more. Become unstoppable.

Just as he was deep in thought—

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at his door.