Chapter 529 - 529 The Sword Demon

"What!"

Hearing Yamamoto refuse his proposal, Toshiro was greatly surprised.

Toshiro had volunteered to go to Hueco Mundo not only to help Nel rescue Pesche and Dondochakka, but primarily to safely bring back the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force to Soul Society.

Toshiro had thought that even if Yamamoto would be troubled and hesitant, he would ultimately agree to his proposal.

After all, it concerned the lives of hundreds of Shinigami in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. Yamamoto shouldn't have refused.

But Toshiro didn't expect Yamamoto to not only refuse, but to do so very resolutely.

"Genryusai-sensei! Why? Why did you refuse? This concerns the lives of hundreds of Shinigami!!"

Toshiro asked emotionally.

In Toshiro's view, Yamamoto was no longer the man once called the [Sword Demon], who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Even knowing this was Aizen's scheme, he should still send someone to Hueco Mundo to rescue them.

"Sigh..."

Yamamoto sighed helplessly. "Toshiro, you should know that this incident is clearly Aizen's scheme. He wants to use the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force as bait to lure us into sending a rescue party to Hueco Mundo, then take the opportunity to weaken our strength..."

"So what!"

Toshiro couldn't help but interrupt Yamamoto. "Just because we know it's Aizen's scheme, just because we know going to Hueco Mundo to rescue them will be dangerous, should we do nothing and watch the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force fall into despair?"

"Exactly!"

Yamamoto rebuked harshly. "Precisely because I know it's Aizen's scheme, precisely because I know it will be dangerous, I absolutely cannot allow you to go to Hueco Mundo to rescue them!!"

Looking at Yamamoto's stern, resolute refusal, Toshiro felt as if he were seeing, for a moment, the cold, ruthless man from a thousand years ago, the one called the Sword Demon.

Seeing Toshiro's expression, as if he were meeting him for the first time, Yamamoto sighed helplessly, his expression bitter. "I had no choice but to make this decision. Aizen's goal this time is clearly to disperse and weaken our Soul Society's military strength, so he can defeat us in one fell swoop during the decisive battle. And this..."

"This also proves that your earlier guess was correct. Aizen does intend to have the final battle with us ahead of schedule. And that final battle with Aizen will determine the survival of our Soul Society. So I cannot allow you to take risks in Hueco Mundo at this critical juncture."

"Although the lives of hundreds of Shinigami in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force are very important, the safety of the entire Soul Society is even more important."

Having said this, Yamamoto, the steadfast pillar of Soul Society, showed a pained expression before Toshiro for the first time.

How could Yamamoto not care that hundreds of Shinigami in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force were in danger? But compared to the lives of hundreds, the safety of Soul Society was more important.

So, after weighing the options, Yamamoto chose Soul Society, enduring the pain of a dilemma, and made the decision to abandon the rescue of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.

"Toshiro, you should know that all the Gotei 13's Captains have fallen victim to Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu hypnosis. Therefore, in the decisive battle against Aizen, you are our greatest asset!"

"Toshiro! You do not belong only to yourself! You are still the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13! The Captain of the 10th Division! The next Captain-Commander!! So I cannot allow you to take any risks!!!"

Yamamoto shouted, his expression grave and solemn.

As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, the pillar of Soul Society, Yamamoto usually remained unmoved even if the world crumbled before him. This was the first time he had been so out of character.

Because Yamamoto cared too much for Toshiro. In his heart, Toshiro was not only the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division, but also a disciple he cherished as his own, like Kyoraku and Ukitake, and moreover, the inheritor of everything he possessed.

Yamamoto had entrusted his career, his responsibility, his ideals, his beliefs… everything to Toshiro.

So, whether for public or private reasons, Yamamoto could not let Toshiro take risks in Hueco Mundo, even if it meant abandoning the hundreds of Shinigami in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.

Seeing Yamamoto so out of character for the first time, his expression agitated, Toshiro was taken aback. He hadn't expected this usually composed man to act this way.

But in the end, after a deep sigh, Toshiro said resolutely, "I'm sorry, Genryusai-sensei. Since you refuse to agree no matter what, I can only disobey orders and go to Hueco Mundo to rescue the Expeditionary Force on my own!"

Having said that, Toshiro turned directly, no longer looking at Yamamoto's figure on the screen, and prepared to leave the Inoue residence.

"Toshiro!!"

Yamamoto's worried and angry shout came from behind him.

"I'm sorry..."

Toshiro paused. "I truly cannot ignore the safety of hundreds of Shinigami in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force."

Then he took a deep breath. "It's alright, old man. Don't worry! Don't you know my strength? Even if Aizen has set up an inescapable net in Hueco Mundo, he absolutely cannot do anything to me! Just focus on preparing for the decisive battle against Aizen. I will definitely return in time for the battle!"

Having said that, Toshiro walked out directly with Nel.

On the communicator screen, Yamamoto was stunned upon hearing Toshiro's words.

Toshiro had always greatly respected Yamamoto, addressing him as 'Genryusai-sensei' in private. This was the first time Yamamoto had heard Toshiro use the informal address 'old man' like Kyoraku.

Yet, for some reason, hearing Toshiro call him 'old man' involuntarily put Yamamoto's mind at ease, and he no longer seemed as worried about Toshiro's safety.

…

Soul Society, 1st Division, Commander's Office.

Although Toshiro told Yamamoto not to worry, it was impossible for him not to be concerned at all.

"Chojiro, convey my orders. Have Captain Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division, Captain Kuchiki Byakuya of the 6th Division, Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the 11th Division, and Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri of the 12th Division go to the Living World and bring Toshiro back. You must bring Toshiro back. Do not allow him to go to Hueco Mundo to rescue them!"

Yamamoto instructed Sasakibe beside him.

"Yes, Genryusai-dono!"

Sasakibe acknowledged loudly, then asked somewhat cautiously, "What if the four Captains fail to bring Toshiro-dono back?"

Yamamoto glanced at Chojiro Sasakibe and said sternly, "If they cannot bring Toshiro back... then have them go to Hueco Mundo together to support him!"

Having said that, Yamamoto couldn't help but feel somewhat deflated.

"Heh..."

Hearing Yamamoto's words, Sasakibe chuckled softly.

"What are you laughing at, Chojiro! What's so funny!"

Yamamoto said, somewhat annoyed.

"No, it's nothing. Genryusai-dono is still very worried about Toshiro-dono after all. Knowing full well that Toshiro-dono cannot be stopped, you still send the four Captains. You just want them to go support Toshiro-dono."

Sasakibe, having followed Yamamoto for countless years, understood his thoughts perfectly.

"Hmph! You're so smart!"

Yamamoto said, a bit embarrassed.

"Ah, speaking of which, it's quite emotional. Genryusai-dono has become increasingly soft-hearted over the years. If you were still the man called the Sword Demon from a thousand years ago, you would likely stop at nothing to defeat Aizen. Whether it was the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force or Toshiro-dono, if it meant achieving victory, you would probably abandon them without hesitation. Not like now, knowing you can't stop Toshiro-dono, you still risk sending people to support him."

Sasakibe suddenly said with great emotion.

"Soft-hearted, have I... It seems that's indeed the case. But it just means I'm getting old. I probably won't be able to bear the burden of Soul Society for many more years. So, Toshiro, my successor, cannot come to any harm. You should know that too, Chojiro. So go, have the four Captains depart as soon as possible."

Yamamoto said, looking somewhat forlorn.

"Yes."

Sasakibe acknowledged and turned to leave.