Bleach: I Love Making Friends

"Haruki! You're alive! Where have you been all these days?!"

Tanimoto Tetsu rushed over to Haruki, asking excitedly.

Haruki glanced at Aizen, who shrugged, signaling him to make up his own story.

"After we regrouped, we started heading back together, but before I knew it, all of you disappeared, and I was left alone," Haruki began to fabricate. "After that, I wandered around the Rukongai and was attacked by Hollows several times."

"Then, just now, a severely wounded Hollow came at me, and I finally managed to defeat it after a tough fight."

"That was... our captain," one of the Shinigami said with a somber expression. "The captain... was parasitized by a Hollow. If it weren't for his strong will, we would have all been killed."

"It's all over now," Aizen said softly. "The culprit has been dealt with. Let's return to the Seireitei."

Returning to the Seireitei...

A look of relief spread across everyone's faces. After being outside for so long, they had been constantly on edge.

Not only did they have to guard against the Menos Grande outside, but they also had to be wary of the parasitized Shinigami within their ranks.

It had become impossible to trust anyone, and such an environment was a tremendous mental strain.

Now, they could finally go back.

Haruki also felt a sense of relief. Over the past few days, he hadn't had to engage in the same mind games as the others, but the pressure on him had been immense.

Not only did he have to face Aizen, but he also had to survive alone in the dangerous Hueco Mundo.

Fortunately, the Vasto Lorde he encountered was Nelliel. If it had been any other Menos Grande, he would have had to flee for his life.

"You're really that strong?"

After returning to the Seireitei, Tanimoto elbowed Haruki. "Even if that Hollow didn't fully take over the Third Division captain's body, he was still a captain. Even in a severely wounded state, he would have been a formidable opponent."

"I heard the Third Division suffered heavy losses because of him. Even their vice-captain died."

"...It wasn't easy," Haruki said after a moment of silence. "By the time he appeared in front of me, Captain Aizen had already severely wounded him. That's why I was able to kill him."

"Regardless, this is a great achievement," Tanimoto said, patting Haruki on the shoulder.

Haruki forced a smile. The two of them had now returned to the area under the Fifth Division's jurisdiction.

Aizen had gone to the First Division to report, and the members of the Third Division had also returned.

"By the way, what about the others? Tanaka... and the people from the Ninth Division?"

"Tanaka is still alive, but he's injured and has been sent to the Fourth Division," Tanimoto replied. "The Ninth Division also suffered about half casualties, but with Vice-Captain Gin on their side, things are under control."

"However..."

At this point, Tanimoto's expression turned sorrowful. "Fujita is dead."

Fujita...

Haruki sighed as he thought of the Fifth Division's fourth seat.

Fujita had been the first to leave the group, tasked with delivering a message back to the Seireitei, but he was killed by a Hollow along the way.

Haruki returned home with a heavy heart.

Only when he was back in his own "safe room" did he finally relax completely.

He collapsed onto his bed and took several deep breaths.

Only now could he truly let go.

During his time outside, he had often appeared calm, but in reality, his nerves had been constantly on edge.

The only time he had truly relaxed was when he first arrived in Hueco Mundo, during the brief period after Aizen left.

At that time, his "Game Master" ability had deactivated, signaling that the "game" was over.

So Aizen must have really left, but it was only a brief moment of relief for Haruki.

He didn't know when Aizen would return, so after that short respite, he had to remain highly vigilant.

Only now, in his safe room, could he finally feel completely secure.

In his safe room, no one could possibly monitor him.

He had already created an illusion of himself returning home and going to sleep. Whether it was Aizen or anyone else monitoring him, all they would see was this fabricated scene.

That's why he could finally relax here.

"Haah..."

It took a while for Haruki to fully recover.

He might have understood why his Zanpakutō was called "The Lonely Hell of the Three Existences."

Although he had been making friends all along, he himself was always lonely.

Because from the very beginning, his friendships were driven by ulterior motives.

When you approach friendships with self-interest and hidden agendas from the start, how could you not feel lonely?

"Hah..."

Haruki chuckled and lay down on his bed.

This kind of thing...

It didn't matter anymore.

Whether it was just him or more people...

At the very least, he had to survive first.

Only those who survive have a future, and those who have a future...

can make anything possible.

By the next morning, Haruki had shaken off the late-night melancholy and walked out of his house with renewed energy.

No matter what, the most intense part was over. Now, he could enjoy life.

Moreover, since he had killed the Menos Grande that had parasitized the Third Division captain, he had earned some merit.

The Gotei 13 would likely reward him for this.

Aizen even wanted to promote him to vice-captain.

Life was looking brighter.

Haruki hummed a tune as he strolled through the streets.

He didn't have to "work" today. All the Fifth Division members who had returned were on leave, and Haruki had been given a full month off.

During this month, he could truly enjoy himself.

He planned to visit the Ninth Division to check on Shūhei and see how he was doing.

From what he had heard yesterday, although the Ninth Division had suffered heavy casualties, Hisagi Shūhei had survived.

However, when he arrived at the Ninth Division, he learned that Shūhei had been severely injured and sent to the Fourth Division for treatment.

After some thought, he decided to head to the Fourth Division.

The Fourth Division had many people with soul abilities, and he wanted to see if he could make a few friends there.

With this in mind, he set off toward the Fourth Division.

Each division of the Gotei 13 had its own jurisdiction, but the offices of the captains were all located in the central area of the Seireitei.

So visiting other divisions wasn't much trouble, though few people did it.

Of course, the Fourth Division was an exception.

They might not visit other divisions, but there were always plenty of people from other divisions visiting them.

After all, who didn't get injured at some point?

If you were injured, you'd definitely go to the Fourth Division!

Thus, the Fourth Division was always bustling. Seeing so many people with soul abilities coming and going, Haruki couldn't help but feel eager!