Journal 5 - Entry 36
It's been about a month since the counter offensive started (code named Operation Continuing Promise), and it has been a grinding advance. The Wandenreich have established a heavily fortified defensive line along the near side of the Abyssal Scar. With the fact that the line is directly supplied by Torre Del Sol, which has a gate back to Soul Society in the center, interrupting the supply line from our end here in Hueco Mundo is near impossible. Right now I'm sitting in the bunker beneath Command Post FK2, getting some much needed rest to replenish a bit of my reiatsu after assisting with the most recent Kidō barrage.
The Quincy's ability to repair fortifications with reishi is the main sticking point that has made these attacks so difficult. With Aizen occupied at the Battle of the Negal Ruins, and Ichigo on some top secret covert assignment, Head Captain Soifon has been forced to send a large force to maintain our gains on this front. Even with the fact that this front is large, she still committed a ton of resources here. Four Captains and almost their full Divisions in fact: myself and the 13th, Renji and the 6th, Captain Grimmjow and the 11th, and Captain Isane with a smaller group, only about a Brigade (5,000 troops), from the 4th to support us.
We have made gains though. Quite significant ones in fact. Despite what it sometimes feels like, the Quincy aren't infinite, and they pushed so far into Hueco Mundo that they stretched their supply lines too thin and that finally allowed us our first real breakthrough of the war. We had really started to lose hope, and began considering Haschwalth may truly have the same level of omniscience that Yhwach held. The Battle of Arbol de Piedra proved they could actually make mistakes, that there was something we could exploit. We just need to figure out what circumstances lead to it occurring.
Anyway, these gains have been made possible due to the shift in tactics these new weapons brought about. The traditionalist in me hates it, but I can't deny that without these weapons we would not be where we are today. Thinking about how nii-sama would react to them does bring a small smile to my face, he would hate it so much… I miss him.
Enough reflection though, I have to focus. The Wandenreich Brigade on the other side of this division is being led by a Sternritter. I've clashed with him once, however it's clear he's content to hang back and allow his troops to bear the brunt of the fighting, only stepping in when I attempt to make a push towards his lines. He's also an annoying son of a bitch. The haughty and arrogant type. His power is simple but frustrating to deal with, and is the main reason the battle on my front has stalled. Sternritter C - The Concrete. Baldy prefers to sit back and reinforce fortifications rather than come out and fight.
I contacted Captain Grimmjow, if he can step away from his line for a short period, a Gran Rey Cero would likely be enough to punch through their fortifications so I could confront Baldy again.
As for how our first fight went, he's a very defensive fighter, and prefers to keep his opponent at range, and lead you into traps. He turned the sand of Hueco Mundo into concrete, then softened it into an almost liquid-like state before hardening it. When I encountered him for the first time, I had a squad of my men with me, and the ones that weren't able to escape in time were impaled by spikes of concrete once they were stuck. It seems he needs to use existing material to transform into concrete because when we created reiatsu platforms to stand above him, he used Heilig Pfeil to attack us at range.
His reinforcements arrived at that point, I made the call to pull back to avoid more casualties. Thus we entered the current stalemate. I never saw what his Vollständig is capable of, so I hesitate to use my Bankai because of how vulnerable it leaves me after use. I can't risk using it alone, I'd need another Captain here to watch my back. As strong as Lieutenant Kotsubaki has gotten, he just got promoted, and wouldn't be able to take a Sternritter in Vollständig.
Still, from our short confrontation, it seemed like my ice was fairly effective against his concrete. If I could get him one-on-one, I'm confident I could handle him.
…..
Well, just got good news while writing this, Spider Squad broke through and took the trench at point FN3. I need to go and lead a Platoon over ASAP. Baldy might have to respond personally to such an advance. Time to get back to it.
CPT Rukia Kuchiki
13th Division
February, 6 2006
Author's Notes:
A short one this time around, and I wanted to get back to later in the timeline. Most of the recent ones have been depressing chapters immediately after the Fall of the Seireitei, so I wanted something with a slightly more hopeful tone, as we get to see the Gotei making gains in the war.
Quick note on the Sternritters. These Sternritters later in the timeline are generally weaker than the originals (except those of Schutzstaffel Rank, they're still beasts). They generally sit in the range of mid Lieutenant to low Captain in strength, but they can be replaced. If a Sternritter dies, Haschwalth can pass the letter to another Quincy he deems worthy by calling them up to Yhwach's body in the Soul Palace and having them drink his blood.
Basically the Wandenreich generally goes the quantity route while the Gotei goes the quality route. In this chapter you have a Sternritter using terrain and the fact that he is on defense to even the playing field, despite the fact he is weaker than Rukia. The general rule of thumb in military actions is that attacking forces have to be at least three times stronger than defending forces.
Lastly, you'll notice how the use of military jargon increases the later we get in the timeline, and that's simply because the Gotei is adapting to the situations, and using things they are learning from the World of the Living to even the playing field. In this case, Command Post FK2 would be said as "Foxtrot Kilo Two" and FN3 as "Foxtrot November Three"
Sorry, long AN ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thanks for reading!