Little Nel thought for a moment. Looked up carefully:
"The place you're taking her... is it really far from here...?"
Shigure nodded with a smile. "Not exactly close. It's called the Seireitei."
"Eh... Seireitei?"
Little Nel looked confused. Shook her head blankly:
"Never heard of it... Is it in Hueco Mundo's outer regions?"
Her expression remained adorably clueless. But Pesche and Dondochakka beside her were scared out of their wits.
Eyes practically bulging. Cold sweat pouring down their foreheads.
Nel might not remember, but they couldn't possibly not know!
After a moment, Pesche spoke carefully:
"Nel... the Seireitei is in Soul Society... it's the Soul Reapers' base..."
Little Nel looked over blankly. Repeated:
"Base? Soul Reapers...?"
Then, as if suddenly understanding, her little face went pale.
"Eh... ehhhhh?!!!"
She cried out dramatically. Looked up at Shigure.
Seeing Shigure still watching her with a smile, Nel shuddered. Quickly released her grip on his haori. Rapidly retreated behind Dondochakka and the others.
"I... I'm not going..."
Her head shook like a rattle drum.
After all, Pesche had repeatedly told her—most Soul Reapers were different from this Segawa Shigure.
Now, thinking about the Soul Reapers' base, the first images in her mind were all bloody, terrifying scenes...
Seeing how frightened she looked, Shigure laughed:
"For now, I'll take Aning and leave."
"Later when I come to Hueco Mundo, I'll bring you out to play."
Nel swallowed hard. Nodded.
Immediately after, Shigure focused his thoughts.
Within the Soul Wall palace, mysterious power began swirling.
Next moment, both figures vanished.
Aning felt a flash of white light. Somewhat blinding. She closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she wasn't in the white-walled palace. Instead stood in a lush green courtyard.
She naturally understood—she'd returned to this place called the "Seireitei."
But couldn't figure out how Shigure had done it.
She wouldn't ask though. Just looked up. Used spiritual pressure transmission to say things like "that's amazing."
Her eyes sparkled like they held stars.
Just then, someone entered the courtyard. Saw them. Froze.
"C-Captain... You're up this early?"
Shigure looked over with a smile. "Morning, Rukia."
Naturally the vice-captain—Rukia Kuchiki.
Hearing this, she realized she'd forgotten to greet him. Quickly bowed her head:
"Good morning, Captain!!"
"Mm."
Shigure walked toward her. Aning immediately followed.
Today she wasn't clutching his haori. Instead followed half a step behind. Posture very obedient.
Rukia stared in fascination. Suddenly heard Shigure's voice:
"Rukia, when you were at the Kuchiki house, did you ever access archives recording Soul Society's territories?"
Rukia froze. Collected herself. Looked up.
After thinking carefully, she nodded seriously:
"Brother Byakuya was worried I might break rules... He had me enter the Kuchiki archive room to read various texts. Many recorded different territories..."
Shigure's eyes flashed. He smiled:
"Perfect. Have you seen or heard of a place called 'Frostburn Valley'?"
Previously, the Segawa family archives had no such records.
But the Kuchiki family was different.
As one of the four oldest and most authoritative noble families, their archives far exceeded ordinary houses in quality and quantity.
Among them might be records about this "Frostburn Valley."
After hearing this, Rukia fell into thought. Tried hard to recall what she'd read.
But after just a moment, she cried out internally.
Back then, Byakuya had forced her to study. She hadn't read seriously. Now when trying to remember, only recalled superficial things.
"Ah... what do I do... If only I'd been more diligent... maybe I could help the captain now... ugh..."
Rukia's expression remained unchanged. Still looked thoughtful. But internally crying without tears.
Seeing this, Shigure immediately noticed. Chuckled:
"Looks like... you don't remember?"
Rukia's face instantly flushed red. All the way to her ears.
She quickly lowered her head. Somewhat incoherent:
"S-sorry Captain... I want to... but I really don't remember..."
Shigure chuckled. Waved his hand:
"It's fine. I was just asking casually. Not urgent."
"Since you don't remember, I'll just ask your brother directly. No problem."
"...Mm."
Rukia made a barely audible sound. Nodded.
"It's almost time for routine patrol. Rukia, go ahead with your duties."
"Yes!"
Rukia answered quickly. Then with her burning face, immediately turned and fled the courtyard.
Only then did Shigure think things over.
Originally, if Rukia had known, he hadn't planned to ask Byakuya. After all, this concerned his future check-in.
If Frostburn Valley was sensitive, such questioning could arouse unnecessary suspicion.
But now there seemed no alternative besides asking.
Thinking this, Shigure hesitated no longer. Looked at Aning beside him. Smiled:
"Let's go. Let's have some fun."
"I'll show you what the most elegant division barracks in the Seireitei looks like."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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