"Now that the matter of enlisting Urahara's assistance is decided, let's continue with the next item."
Yamamoto said solemnly.
"This time, an Arrancar suddenly appeared in the Living World. Although it was eliminated before causing any harm, we can't guarantee the same will happen next time. The Shinigami stationed there are clearly unable to handle an Arrancar. So, I intend to dispatch an advance team to deal with any Arrancar that might appear in the future."
"Moreover, to create the Oken, Aizen's invasion of the Jureichi, Karakura Town, in the Living World is inevitable."
"To prevent being unable to respond in time should Aizen launch a surprise attack on the Living World, sending an advance team is also necessary. And the advance team's strength cannot be too weak. Therefore..."
"I intend for you to lead the team to the Living World to handle possible Arrancar attacks or sudden strikes by Aizen!"
Yamamoto looked intently at Toshiro.
"What do you think, Toshiro?"
Yamamoto asked again.
"Have me lead the team to the Living World?"
Toshiro fell into thought.
He recalled that in the original work, Hitsugaya Toshiro had led the advance team to the Living World. He didn't expect Yamamoto to choose him again this life.
Well, going to the Living World wasn't bad. He had been cooped up in the Soul Society for years with few chances to visit the Living World. Even when he did go occasionally for some matters, he was busy and had no time to relax.
Thinking this, Toshiro said to Yamamoto, "Alright, I'll lead the advance team to the Living World. But besides myself, who should be on the team?"
"Hmm... Select the team members from your 10th Division. I recall the 10th Division's overall strength is very high. Besides the two Lieutenants, you also have two Third Seats, and their strength has reached Captain-level."
"So, select a few members from your division. A Lieutenant, a Third Seat, plus yourself… that should be enough personnel."
Yamamoto said thoughtfully.
"Well, well, that's quite a luxurious lineup."
Kyoraku couldn't help but remark.
In fact, Kyoraku was right. Although Yamamoto had decided to select the advance team members only from the 10th Division, the 10th Division was the strongest among all the divisions of the Gotei 13.
Momo and Rangiku were both Lieutenant-level, quite capable.
And the two Third Seats, Sojiro and Ashido, though very low-key and not well-known in the Soul Society, were truly Captain-level.
So, including Toshiro, the 10th Division boasted three Captain-level fighters, two Lieutenant-level fighters, dozens of elite seated officers, and hundreds of ordinary Shinigami. Their overall strength surpassed even Yamamoto's 1st Division.
Therefore, even if the advance team was selected only from the 10th Division, their strength was still formidable.
"Toshiro, the safety of the Living World is entrusted to you. Delays could lead to complications. Form the advance team quickly and depart as soon as possible."
Yamamoto said to Toshiro.
"Mm, I understand, Captain-Commander."
Toshiro nodded.
"Alright, that covers the matters for this Captain's meeting. The meeting is now adjourned. It's very late... everyone should go back and rest."
Yamamoto told everyone.
It was indeed very late. The meeting had been called in the middle of the night. If it went on much longer, dawn would break.
So, after finishing the necessary items, Yamamoto dismissed the meeting, and everyone went back.
Toshiro, in particular, planned to get a good night's sleep, not even intending to enter his Inner World to chat with Hyorinmaru or train.
After all, he had to organize the advance team tomorrow and then hurry to the Living World.
…
The next day.
10th Division, Captain's Office.
"Momo, this stack of documents here are matters requiring priority. This stack can wait a bit. Also, this is the duty roster for our 10th Division's barracks, and this is the daily patrol schedule for Seireitei's streets..."
Toshiro, uncharacteristically 'wordy', was assigning 10th Division's daily affairs to Momo.
Since he was leading the advance team to the Living World, Toshiro didn't plan on taking Momo. Instead, he wanted her to stay and manage the 10th Division's daily operations.
"In short, Momo, after I leave, the 10th Division's affairs are in your hands."
Toshiro said solemnly to Momo.
"Shiro-chan, can't you let me come with you?"
Momo said hesitantly after a moment.
"Momo, you know you're better at handling administrative work than fighting. Besides, after I leave with Rangiku, Sojiro, and Ashido, someone needs to be in charge of the 10th Division. So, stay and manage the division for me. That's also helping me."
Toshiro tried every possible way to persuade her.
"Well... alright."
Under Toshiro's persuasion, Momo reluctantly agreed to stay.
Toshiro breathed a sigh of relief. Although it might sound somewhat selfish, his reason for keeping Momo behind wasn't just because the 10th Division needed someone to man the fort. Primarily, it was for her safety.
Fighting Arrancar in the Living World could be dangerous. Even with Toshiro there, he couldn't guarantee Momo's safety at all times.
Although Momo wasn't a weak, defenseless woman... on the contrary, she was a strong Lieutenant-level fighter, her heart was too kind. If exploited by someone with ill intentions, it could become a fatal weakness.
Staying in the Soul Society was undoubtedly safest. So, even if criticized, Toshiro wasn't going to let Momo come.
Knock, knock, knock...
A sudden knock on the door.
"Enter."
Toshiro said automatically.
"Excuse us, Captain Hitsugaya."
Two figures pushed the door open and entered.
"Rukia? Renji?"
Toshiro was surprised. He had thought it was Rangiku, Sojiro, and Ashido, but it was Rukia and Renji.
"What brings you here, Rukia, Renji?"
Toshiro asked.
"Captain Hitsugaya, we wish to join the advance team and go to the Living World. Please approve!"
Rukia bowed in request.
"Yes... I mean, earlier, Ichigo didn't hesitate to become an enemy of the Gotei 13 to save me. So this time, I want to see him. Besides, Ichigo is a Shinigami Substitute... he'll surely fight the Arrancar too. So, I hope to fight alongside him and be of some help."
Rukia hesitated, then frankly stated her purpose.
"Well, well..."
Toshiro rubbed his forehead helplessly, then looked at Renji with a strange expression. "Renji, you only want to go because Rukia is going, right?"
"N-No, that's not it! Ichigo is kind of my friend too. So, like Rukia, I'm going to the Living World to see him."
Renji refuted weakly, looking somewhat guilty.
'Yeah, right, and I'm the Soul King.' Toshiro scoffed inwardly.
However, he had no interest in meddling in the romantic entanglements between Rukia, Ichigo, and Renji.
"Rukia, it's fine for you to join the advance team. But if something happens to you, I won't be able to answer to Byakuya."
Toshiro said, somewhat troubled.
That 'brother-con' Byakuya would definitely try to kill Toshiro if anything happened to Rukia.
"Don't worry about my brother. I spoke to him before coming. He said, 'Since Hitsugaya is there, it should be fine. Go if you want.' Then he easily agreed to Renji and me joining the advance team."
Rukia explained.
"That Byakuya... really trusts me..."
Toshiro said with a speechless expression, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as he felt the heavy pressure from Byakuya.
"Well, since Byakuya has approved your joining, I have no reason to stop you. Go back and prepare. We depart this afternoon."
Rukia and Renji were quite capable... their joining the advance team would be a good thing, so Toshiro didn't refuse them.
Although Yamamoto had said the advance team should be selected from the 10th Division, he wouldn't object if Toshiro decided to add members from other divisions.
"Captain Hitsugaya, thank you so much!"
Rukia's face lit up with joy.
Then Renji and Rukia left to prepare, while Toshiro continued assigning daily tasks to Momo.