Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

Even though the camp remained tightly sealed by a Kido barrier to control entry and exit, thanks to Ise's detailed explanations, Makoto had no trouble finding a hidden path through it. The entire process was smooth and seamless.

The Kido barrier appeared like a thin, transparent membrane from the outside.

Beyond its exceptional durability, the barrier contained numerous nodes resembling neural structures. Any approach or forceful breach would trigger an immediate alert throughout the camp.

However, with Ise's guidance, Makoto understood that this barrier wasn't as airtight as it seemed. If it were, the Expeditionary Force inside would have suffocated, cut off from the outside air.

While Makoto hadn't mastered high-level techniques, his extensive theoretical knowledge of Kido allowed him to quickly identify the weak points in the barrier and slip through undetected.

The trick lay in utilizing the small openings designed for airflow. By suppressing the detection nodes around these passages, he moved through like a needle threading fabric—passing without disrupting the barrier's integrity.

Soon, Makoto left the camp behind, discarding his Shihakusho and donning a gray cloak that concealed his figure. He set off toward Aizen's location, guided by the distinct spirit particle signature linked to Kyōka Suigetsu.

He wasn't entirely sure if Aizen had figured out which of the countless spirit particles forming his Zanpakutō was the one Makoto had planted. But this was still the best lead he had to track Aizen.

A slight regret lingered in Makoto's mind. If Aizen had delayed his plans a little longer, he might have used the opportunity of treating Tōsen's blindness to plant a "Seed of the Forest" within Tōsen as well.

With that, he could have tracked Kyōka Suigetsu, Gin, and Tōsen simultaneously, significantly narrowing down Aizen's movements.

Still, there was some relief. The spirit particle signature of Kyōka Suigetsu had been constantly shifting, indicating that Aizen was staying on the move.

'Is he... searching for something?'

The thought flashed across Makoto's mind as he maintained a steady pace, using Shunpo to traverse the endless sands of Hueco Mundo.

It was only now, traveling through the barren desert, that he truly grasped the world's bleakness. The eternal interplay of black skies and white sands never converged. Everything appeared frozen in an unyielding landscape of desolation and solitude.

For someone like Makoto, accustomed to the vibrant, flower-filled courtyards of the Fourth Division, the stark contrast was unsettling. He even experienced an odd illusion—that he was endlessly wandering through an infinite, lifeless expanse.

One day passed. Then another.

The monotony dulled his senses. He rarely encountered even an Adjuchas-class Hollow, leaving him no opportunities for either distraction or confrontation.

Then, without warning, Makoto's body tensed.

Within his spiritual perception, a powerful presence surged into range—an immense spiritual pressure.

Adjuchas?

No… this far exceeds an Adjuchas. A Vasto Lorde?

His pulse quickened. Before he could analyze further, another large cluster of Adjuchas-class signatures followed close behind.

Wait… there's another Vasto Lorde?!

Makoto's eyes narrowed as the growing mass of Hollow spiritual pressure drew closer.

Without hesitation, he moved toward the nearest quartz-like deadwood, leaning against it with his palm.

"Spirit Particle Manipulation."

The spirit particles composing the tree responded instantly, shifting to mimic its texture and density. In moments, Makoto was camouflaged beneath a layer of hardened bark.

From a distance, the tree appeared unchanged—its trunk just slightly thicker than usual. Combined with the spiritual pressure-suppressing cloak Yoruichi Shihōin had given him, Makoto virtually vanished into the landscape.

Soon, several figures came into view, their movements frantic and disjointed.

Makoto's gaze swept past three grotesquely shaped Adjuchas, dismissing them instinctively as his eyes locked onto the humanoid figure among them.

The sight was striking.

Golden hair, radiant even against Hueco Mundo's pale backdrop. Sun-kissed skin, lean and athletic. Her toned frame was clad in minimal bone armor that guarded only her most vulnerable areas. Her curves, long legs, and slender waist stood unshielded.

A confident, battle-hardened presence emanated from her.

To Makoto, accustomed to grotesque Hollow forms, the woman's appearance was almost mesmerizing.

Wait… that's Tier Harribel!

Recognition struck. The memory surfaced from his past life: Tier Harribel, the future Tercera Espada of Aizen's Espada.

His gaze shifted to the trio flanking her. Though monstrous in form, their identities clicked: Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun—Harribel's future Fracción.

His eyes lingered momentarily on Harribel's chest.

A deep, unhealed wound marred the skin beneath her bone armor.

All four of them bore various injuries and bloodstains, their ragged state making one thing clear.

They're being hunted.

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