Chapter 73: Hurry up and thank Captain Huangmu!! (5th extra)

~18 min read 3,429 words

After encountering a strong enemy, everyone looked unusually exhausted……

Everyone, move the corpses back in order; next is rest time~

The well‑known heartless captain of Soul Society, Huangmu, descended from the sky before the troops, laughing as he spoke.

Finally we can rest.

Hearing this, the soldiers of the Eleventh Division were so moved they almost cried.

Obviously everyone felt Huangmu's painstaking care……

Move the corpses back!

For a moment, the troops orderly carried the remnants of the Great Void on the ground outward to the Great Void Forest.

Captain Huangmu, where did you run off to during the Great Void invasion just now?!

As Huangmu smiled while looking at the diligent Eleventh Division soldiers, Zhidao Zhiwu stepped up before him with a blank face and asked.

Huh? What did you just say? The wind's too loud, I didn't quite catch it……

Huangmu looked at the approaching Zhidao Zhiwu, first gave a light smile, then placed his right arm on Zhidao's shoulder.

Gloop~

Zhidao watched Huangmu's left hand stroking the hilt of his Soul‑Cutting Sword, beads of sweat seeming to well up on his forehead.

Actually I'm fine, so there's no need to trouble Captain Huangmu……

Zhidao looked at Huangmu's hand resting on the sword hilt; after a brief silence, his usually gloomy face reluctantly showed a smile.

You nervous?

Huangmu didn't let Zhidao leave, he kept his arm on Zhidao's shoulder and asked.

Not nervous—with you here, what do I have to be nervous about? You agree, right, Captain Huangmu?

Zhidao's mind raced, and he replied repeatedly.

I see your face is pale, yet you say you're not nervous?

Huangmu still wore a smile, the picture of a gentle captain.

Truly, truly not nervous……

Zhidao said that with his mouth, but his eyes kept fixed on Huangmu's hand gripping the Soul‑Cutting Sword's hilt.

What did you just ask?

Huangmu suddenly asked Zhidao.

No, I mean I have no problem……

Zhidao instinctively wanted to say he wasn't nervous, but he caught himself in time.

Actually…… I've long suspected there's a Great Void mole in our unit.

Huangmu whispered to Zhidao.

Hot spring?

Zhidao blinked, then frowned—how would the Great Void know about the hot spring?!

Besides, if Huangmu's guarding the hot spring, what's Jiu miàn jing yan tie doing? Building a sandcastle?!

Actually…… I've long suspected there's a Great Void mole in our unit.

Just as Zhidao was dazed, Huangmu's voice continued.

Um……

The moment Zhidao heard Huangmu's words, he felt his heart jump, and even the surrounding air seemed to grow a bit colder.

You mean…… this mole could be you?

Just as Zhidao panicked, Huangmu's voice continued.

Of, of course not……

Zhidao now felt his neck turn cold.

I think it could also be……

Huangmu didn't give Zhidao a chance to say more, speaking in a low voice.

Gloop……

At this moment Zhidao really panicked; he only heard his chest thumping 'thump, thump' wildly, and he was now on the brink of death.

Haha, just a joke—look how scared you got! How could you be a spy?

Before Zhidao could react, Huangmu gave a light laugh, brushed it off with a chuckle, and moved on.

Right, just a joke, a joke.

Zhidao now felt he was about to faint; Huangmu's words changed too fast.

So you think the spy might be me?

Before Zhidao could catch his breath, Huangmu asked again.

Impossible! You're the captain of the Hollow Extermination Squad—you absolutely won't have problems; even if there were any, it'd be the unit's fault……

Zhidao was startled by Huangmu's words into a shiver, looking at Huangmu he said repeatedly.

Don't be nervous—I'm not just joking with you; I also see you're sharp, so I'll give you a heads‑up: pay attention to everyone's movements in our unit and see who the spy really is……

Huangmu spoke earnestly to Zhidao, looking very hopeful of him.

I think nobody in our unit would be a spy.

Zhidao spoke firmly.

You really think that?

Huangmu asked again.

Really!

Shidao's attitude was steadfast; at this moment he was more steadfast than ever.

Translation: Zhidao's attitude was resolute; at this moment he was more resolute than ever before.

Shidao's attitude was steadfast; at this moment he was more steadfast than ever.

Literal: Zhidao attitude firm, this moment he never before had such firmness.

We can translate: "Zhidao's attitude was firm; at this moment he was more firm than ever before." That seems fine.

We must keep as single line.

Hmm...

Translation: "Hmm…" (keep ellipsis). Use English sound: "Hmm…". We'll output: "Hmm…"

Araki said nothing this time, merely releasing Shidao's shoulder, turning, and marching on with the unit.

Translation: Huangmu didn't say anything this time; instead, he let go of Zhidao's shoulder, turned around, and followed the team forward.

We need to keep meaning: "Huangmu didn't say anything this time; instead, he released Zhidao's shoulder, turned, and went forward with the team." We'll output: "Huangmu didn't say anything this time; instead, he let go of Zhidao's shoulder, turned, and followed the team forward."

Why haven't you thanked Captain Araki yet?!

Just as Shidao was at a loss, Nigu Caizang came to his side and forcefully jabbed his spine with the hilt of his sword.

Translation: Just as Zhidao was at a loss, Nigu Caizang came to Zhidao's side and forcefully jabbed Zhidao's spine with the hilt of his sword.

Just as Shidao was at a loss, Nigu Caizang came to his side and forcefully jabbed his spine with the hilt of his sword.

Thank Captain Araki!

Translation: "Thank Captain Huangmu!"

At this moment, Shidao finally realized and expressed his thanks to Araki.

Translation: At this moment Zhidao finally understood and thanked Huangmu.

We'll output: "At this moment Zhidao finally realized and thanked Huangmu."

Hmm...

Translation: "Hmm…"

Araki said nothing, simply striding ahead.

Translation: Huangmu didn't say anything, but strode forward.

We'll output: "Huangmu didn't say anything, but strode forward."

Idiot.

Translation: "Idiot."

Nigu Caizang watched Araki walk away, then likewise strolled slowly forward. Before leaving, he silently cursed Shidao as a fool, while thinking to himself: "Do you really think no one can see what's really happening? Have you ever seen even a single hollow that a Soul Reaper wouldn't eat? Some things are best kept to yourself; some things should never be spoken in a lifetime, otherwise you might die without knowing how."

Translation: Nigu Caizang watched Huangmu leave, then likewise walked slowly ahead; before leaving, he couldn't help muttering an insult at Zhidao, "Stupid," while silently thinking: "Do you really think others can't see what's going on? Have you ever seen even a single Hollow that a Death God would let go? Some things are best kept in mind; some things should never be spoken in a lifetime, otherwise one day you might die without knowing how you died."

We need to keep all content. Let's translate carefully.

We'll translate: "Nigu Caizang watched Huangmu leave, then likewise walked slowly ahead; before departing, he still couldn't help muttering an insult at Zhidao, 'Stupid,' while silently thinking: 'Do you really think others can't see what's really happening? Have you ever seen even a single Hollow that a Death God would let pass? Some things are best kept in mind; some things should never be spoken in a lifetime, otherwise one day you might die without knowing how you died.'"

We need to keep quotes and punctuation.

All that can be said is that old ginger is still spicy…

Xu ye gong

Your Majesty Bailègang, we have let down your high expectations; we have lost…

The Arrancars knelt before Bailègang, heads lowered, not daring to look up at their mercurial king.

You did well~

Translation: "You fought well~" We'll keep tilde. Output: "You fought well~"

Very good, I'm very happy…

Translation: "Very good, I'm quite happy…" Output: "Very good, I'm quite happy…"

Unexpectedly, Bailègang blamed none of his subordinates this time; he actually seemed quite pleased.

Translation: "Who would have thought that Bailègang didn't blame any subordinates this time, but instead seemed quite pleased." Output: "Who would have thought that Bailègang didn't blame any subordinates this time, but instead seemed quite pleased."

Huh?!

Translation: "Huh?!" Output: "Huh?!"

This left the Arrancars, who had been ready to meet their end, all stunned. When had their Majesty ever been so easy to talk to?! Normally, their Majesty wouldn't fly into a rage, crush these failures to dust, then personally charge onto the battlefield to grind those clueless Soul Reapers into powder?!

Translation: "This left the Arrancars, who had been preparing to die, all stunned—when had their Majesty become so easy to talk to?! Under normal circumstances, their Majesty should have flown into a rage, crushed these failures into dust, then personally rushed to the battlefield to utterly grind those clueless Death Gods into powder…" We need to keep meaning. Let's translate more literally: "This caused the Arrancars, who had originally been ready to wait for death, to all be stunned; their Majesty, when had he become so easy to talk to?! Under normal circumstances, their Majesty shouldn't have flown into a rage, then crushed these failures into dust, and personally rushed to the battlefield to utterly grind those clueless Death Gods into powder…" We'll output: "This caused the Arrancars, who had originally been ready to wait for death, to all be stunned; their Majesty, when had he become so easy to talk to?! Under normal circumstances, their Majesty shouldn't have flown into a rage, then crushed these failures into dust, and personally rushed to the battlefield to utterly grind those clueless Death Gods into powder…"

Now throw all the Menos corpses you've collected into that pool! Once liquid forms inside, you all soak in it…

Translation: "Now throw all the collected corpses of those great Hollows into that pool! Once liquid forms inside, you will all soak in it…" Output: "Now throw all the collected corpses of those great Hollows into that pool! Once liquid forms inside, you will all soak in it…"

Bailègang continued to give orders to his subordinates.

Translation: "Bailègang continued to issue orders to his subordinates." Output: "Bailègang continued to issue orders to his subordinates."

We shall obey the king's command!

Translation: "We will obey the king's command!" Output: "We will obey the king's command!"

Naturally, Bailègang's subordinates dare not defy him; to those Menos-level Arrancars, his words are law.

Translation: "Bailègang's subordinates naturally dared not defy him; in the eyes of these Arrancar-level great Hollows, the words of the Hollow Circle's king, Bailègang, were heavenly mandate." Output: "Bailègang's subordinates naturally dared not defy him; in the eyes of these Arrancar-level great Hollows, the words of the Hollow Circle's king, Bailègang, were heavenly mandate."

Gurgle…

As numerous corpses were dumped into the Evolution Pool, the water instantly frothed with countless green bubbles.

Translation: "As a large number of corpses were thrown into the Evolution Pool, the pool water instantly bubbled with countless green bubbles." Output: "As a large number of corpses were thrown into the Evolution Pool, the pool water instantly bubbled with countless green bubbles."

Uh…

Translation: "Er…" Output: "Er…"

Despite the Evolution Pool's strange appearance, the Menos still jumped into it under Bailègang's influence.

Translation: "Although the Evolution Pool looked strange, the Hollows still jumped into it under Bailègang's authority." Output: "Although the Evolution Pool looked strange, the Hollows still jumped into it under Bailègang's authority."

Huh?!

Translation: "Huh?!" Output: "Huh?!"

As the wounded Menos immersed in the Evolution Pool, they all blinked in surprise.

Translation: "When this group of injured Hollows soaked in the Evolution Pool, they all were stunned." Output: "When this group of injured Hollows soaked in the Evolution Pool, they all were stunned."

What's wrong?

Translation: "What's wrong?" Output: "What's wrong?"

Bailègang frowned and asked what was happening.

Translation: "Bailègang frowned upon seeing this and asked aloud." Output: "Bailègang frowned upon seeing this and asked aloud."

Feels so good… I feel power filling my body!

Translation: "So comfortable… I feel my body filled with power!" Output: "So comfortable… I feel my body filled with power!"

Even our long-standing bottlenecks seem to have eased.

Translation: "Even the bottleneck we've been stuck in for a long time seems to have loosened." Output: "Even the bottleneck we've been stuck in for a long time seems to have loosened."

Upon hearing this, the Menos all looked relieved; their fatigue vanished and their power gradually increased. What truly drove them wild was that the Menos corpses they had just thrown into the pool were mostly Gillians—meaning, with this pool they no longer needed to hunt same‑level Menos to evolve; killing Gillians alone would suffice.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, the Hollows all showed relieved expressions; they felt their previous fatigue vanish, their inner power gradually increasing, and what truly drove them mad was that the Hollow corpses they had just thrown into the pool were mostly Gillians—meaning that with this pool, they no longer needed to hunt same-level Hollows for evolution; killing Gillians alone could achieve the same effect…" Output: "Upon hearing this, the Hollows all showed relieved expressions; they felt their previous fatigue vanish, their inner power gradually increasing, and what truly drove them mad was that the Hollow corpses they had just thrown into the pool were mostly Gillians—meaning that with this pool, they no longer needed to hunt same-level Hollows for evolution; killing Gillians alone could achieve the same effect…"

Although Gillians have limited spiritual power, far less than that of Arrancar corpses, the benefit is safety—no need to risk being hunted by fellow Menos.

Translation: "Although the spiritual pressure of Gillians is limited, far less than that provided by Arrancar corpses, the advantage lies in safety—no need to risk being hunted by same-level Hollows." Output: "Although the spiritual pressure of Gillians is limited, far less than that provided by Arrancar corpses, the advantage lies in safety—no need to risk being hunted by same-level Hollows."

Indeed impressive…

Translation: "Indeed impressive…" Output: "Indeed impressive…"

Hearing this, Bailègang showed a hint of envy; frankly, he even envied those Arrancars. Back when he was still an Arrancar, he lacked such favorable conditions—his ascent to upper‑level Menos came solely from his own effort and his innate 'aging' ability.

Translation: "Hearing this, Bailègang showed a hint of envy; frankly, he even envied these Arrancars, for when he was still an Arrancar back then, he lacked such favorable conditions—his evolution into a top-tier Hollow came solely from his own effort and his innate 'aging' ability." Output: "Hearing this, Bailègang showed a hint of envy; frankly, he even envied these Arrancars, for when he was still an Arrancar back then, he lacked such favorable conditions—his evolution into a top-tier Hollow came solely from his own effort and his innate 'aging' ability."

Phew~

Translation: "Exhale~" Output: "Exhale~"

Elsewhere, outside the Menos Forest…

Translation: "On another note, outside the Hollow Forest…" Output: "On another note, outside the Hollow Forest…"

The Soul Reapers soaking in the hot springs felt none of the Arrancars' tension; after defeating the Menos, they all looked relaxed, their wounds healing as they soaked and sang, and they also discovered the hot springs' benefits for training.

Translation: "The Death God squad members soaking in the hot springs, however, felt no tension like the Arrancars; after defeating the Hollows, each wore a look of ease, soaking in the springs and singing while healing their wounds, and they also discovered that the hot springs benefit cultivation." Output: "The Death God squad members soaking in the hot springs, however, felt no tension like the Arrancars; after defeating the Hollows, each wore a look of ease, soaking in the springs and singing while healing their wounds, and they also discovered that the hot springs benefit cultivation."

Although Soul Reapers cannot directly absorb spiritual pressure like Hollows can, they can strengthen their spiritual bodies through this hot spring, thereby boosting their spiritual pressure—and that's the difference between the two hot springs…

Translation: "Although Death God squad members cannot directly absorb spiritual pressure like Hollows, they can strengthen their own 'spiritual bodies' through this hot spring to enhance spiritual pressure; the difference between the two hot springs lies here…" Output: "Although Death God squad members cannot directly absorb spiritual pressure like Hollows, they can strengthen their own 'spiritual bodies' through this hot spring to enhance spiritual pressure; the difference between the two hot springs lies here…"

The Hollows' Evolution Pool directly injects spiritual pressure into their bodies, like pouring water into a container, whereas the Soul Reapers' hot spring helps expand their capacity to hold spiritual particles, allowing them to absorb more and increase their spiritual pressure…

Translation: "The Hollow's 'Evolution Pool' directly injects spiritual pressure into the Hollow's body, akin to pouring water into a container, whereas the Death God squad members' 'hot spring' helps them expand their water-holding container, allowing them to absorb more spiritual particles to increase spiritual pressure…" Output: "The Hollow's 'Evolution Pool' directly injects spiritual pressure into the Hollow's body, akin to pouring water into a container, whereas the Death God squad members' 'hot spring' helps them expand their water-holding container, allowing them to absorb more spiritual particles to increase spiritual pressure…"

After the Eleventh Division soldiers and the Hueco Mundo Arrancars had healed their wounds and used up all the hot spring water and evolution fluid, they all simultaneously thought: 'Let's hunt Gillians!'

Translation: "When the Squad Eleven members and the Arrancars of Xu ye gong had recovered from their bodily injuries and exhausted the hot spring water and evolution fluid, they simultaneously conceived the idea: 'Hunt Gillians!'" Output: "When the Squad Eleven members and the Arrancars of Xu ye gong had recovered from their bodily injuries and exhausted the hot spring water and evolution fluid, they simultaneously conceived the idea: 'Hunt Gillians!'"

In response, the Gillians bellowed: 'Roar! Roar!!'

Translation: "In response, the Gillians roared: 'Roar! Roar!!'" Output: "In response, the Gillians roared: 'Roar! Roar!!'"

Indeed, ordinary Gillians lack intelligence, so they can't protest at all.

Translation: "By the way, ordinary Gillians lack intelligence, so they simply don't understand protest!" Output: "By the way, ordinary Gillians lack intelligence, so they simply don't understand protest!"

Based on the logic that if you can't protest, you don't want to, a joint operation between intermediate Menos and Soul Reapers to hunt Gillians seems to have begun…

Translation: "Based on the theory that being unable to protest means not wanting to protest, a joint hunt of Gillians by intermediate Hollows and Death God squad members seems to have begun…" Output: "Based on the theory that being unable to protest means not wanting to protest, a joint hunt of Gillians by intermediate Hollows and Death God squad members seems to have begun…"

As for whether this is too cruel, the renowned Hollow researcher and author of the encyclopedia 'One Hundred Ways to Kill a Gillian', Professor Araki, said: 'Lower‑level Gillians are heartless beings, so they don't understand cruelty! As for whether they feel pain, let me quote my idol Ace's famous line: Gillians feel no pain! So feel free to strike!'

Translation: "As for whether this is too cruel, the renowned Hollow researcher, author of the Encyclopedia *One Hundred Ways for Gillians to Die*, Professor Huangmu, said: 'Lower-level Hollow Gillians are creatures without hearts, so they don't know what cruelty is! As for whether Gillians feel pain, allow me to quote my idol Ace's famous line: Gillians have no sense of pain! So feel free to strike!'" Output: "As for whether this is too cruel, the renowned Hollow researcher, author of the Encyclopedia *One Hundred Ways for Gillians to Die*, Professor Huangmu, said: 'Lower-level Hollow Gillians are creatures without hearts, so they don't know what cruelty is! As for whether Gillians feel pain, allow me to quote my idol Ace's famous line: Gillians have no sense of pain! So feel free to strike!'"

(End of chapter)

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