This voice—neither of them would find it unfamiliar.
So even without seeing his face, they could immediately identify who'd come.
Yoruichi's expression still showed some surprise, while Soi Fon's gaze clearly flashed with a hint of joy before she instantly concealed it.
"Segawa?!"
They spoke simultaneously. Then dispersed the Shunkō storm swirling around their shoulders.
In that moment, the surrounding dust was instantly cleared by the wind.
Revealed Shigure and Aning walking toward them.
Shigure wore a smile. "Seems I came at a bad time. Did I interrupt your training?"
Hearing this, Soi Fon didn't speak. Yoruichi beside her put her hands on her hips and laughed loudly:
"Haha, not really training. Soi Fon's Shunkō has already reached its peak. Just sparring with her."
"However..."
"Speaking of which, you actually came here on your own initiative, Segawa. How rare!"
At these words, Shigure froze slightly. Didn't understand what she meant. But Soi Fon's eyelid twitched sharply.
She seemed to anticipate what Yoruichi would say. But before she could speak, Yoruichi suddenly strode to Shigure's side. Hooked her arm around his shoulder. Said with a lowered voice and smile:
"When I was chatting with Soi Fon yesterday, she complained that you've never once visited the 2nd Division barracks..."
"Huh?!"
Hearing Yoruichi's words, before Shigure could react, Soi Fon's face instantly flushed red. She shouted:
"Lady Yoruichi! I—when did I ever say that?!!"
Hearing this, Yoruichi's face immediately showed a sly smile. Then Shigure chuckled softly too.
Soi Fon's exaggerated reaction now already proved she'd been exposed.
But because of her tsundere personality, she was too embarrassed to admit it...
Thinking this, Shigure smiled lightly at Soi Fon:
"Heh, I'm usually too lazy to make the trip, so I've always just wandered around the central court. This really is my first time here."
"But if you don't mind, I can come by often when I'm free."
"Mm... eh?!!"
Hearing Shigure's words, Soi Fon's gaze suddenly trembled. She made a strange sound.
Immediately after, the crimson on her cheeks instantly spread to her ears. She completely froze. Staring blankly at Shigure.
After a moment, she suddenly whipped around. Somewhat incoherently saying quickly and loudly:
"I-idiot! What are you even saying?!"
Her voice clearly carried a hint of panic.
Seeing this, Yoruichi suddenly looked at Shigure. Showing a somewhat sly smile. Laughed loudly:
"Hahahaha Segawa, Soi Fon's already fallen into your trap hahaha..."
Hearing Yoruichi's teasing words, Soi Fon's heart beat even faster.
But just then, her expression suddenly froze sharply. Her body stiffened slightly.
Immediately after, she suddenly extended her right hand. Quickly reaching behind her.
Seeing this, both Shigure and Yoruichi's expressions shifted slightly.
For convenience in daily movement and combat, Soi Fon usually kept her Zanpakutō bound horizontally at her lower back.
So with this reach, she pressed directly on the Zanpakutō's guard.
Shigure was puzzled when Yoruichi beside him suddenly spoke—
"Soi Fon, it appeared again?!"
Hearing this, Soi Fon slowly turned around. Though the crimson on her cheeks hadn't faded, her expression had become very serious.
She nodded heavily:
"...That's right!"
"And it's stronger than last night's sensation."
As her words fell, Yoruichi's face immediately darkened. The relaxed expression vanished.
Seeing this, Shigure immediately had a rough guess. Said:
"...Is there a problem with your Zanpakutō?"
Soi Fon carefully looked toward Shigure. Her gaze no longer dodged but frowned as she nodded lightly.
Then she organized her words before explaining:
"Last night before falling asleep, I suddenly felt strange sensations coming from my Zanpakutō 'Suzumebachi.'"
"I'd never experienced this feeling before. It was like... hearing unclear dialogue in my mind."
"Afterward, even when I called out to Suzumebachi, I got no response. The feeling disappeared."
"Then today, after Lady Yoruichi and I came to the training valley, I tried to activate Shikai... but found Suzumebachi extremely sluggish."
"It took a full four seconds before Shikai completed."
"Just now, that strange feeling suddenly came again..."
Saying this, Soi Fon removed her blade from her lower back. Gripping it in hand. Examining it carefully with furrowed brows.
She'd told Yoruichi about this last night.
But since Yoruichi almost never communicated with her Zanpakutō and never used it, she couldn't fully understand either.
After Soi Fon finished speaking, Yoruichi instead looked intently at Shigure beside her:
"Segawa, have you... experienced anything similar recently?"
"..."
Hearing Yoruichi's question, Shigure didn't immediately answer. Instead, he looked intently at the Zanpakutō in Soi Fon's hand.
In fact, without Soi Fon explaining what happened afterward, he'd basically already deduced the reason.
The reason she felt disturbances from her Zanpakutō—there was undoubtedly only one cause—
Kōga Kuchiki's Zanpakutō... Muramasa!
Only Muramasa's power could possibly affect the soul bond between Soul Reapers and their Zanpakutō like this.
Only he could conduct "soul-level dialogue" to instill thoughts of "rebelling against masters" in Soul Reapers' Zanpakutō. Awaken their "battle instinct." Even... completely dominate them!
In other words, the reason Soi Fon experienced this sensation was that Muramasa had already called out to Suzumebachi... since last night!
And this timing perfectly matched Shigure's earlier speculation after returning from Karakura Town.
Muramasa, taking advantage of Soul Society's weakest moment...
Had invaded Soul Society.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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