"...What's wrong, Segawa?"
Seeing Shigure fall into thought, Soi Fon asked carefully.
Yoruichi immediately looked over too. Feeling somewhat puzzled.
Since she'd known Shigure, she'd always known him to be a mysterious person. This mystery meant he maintained absolute calm and confidence.
So he rarely showed this kind of contemplative expression over anything.
Even when facing Aizen and the Espada's final battle back then, Shigure's expression had been completely composed.
Clearly, those events had also been within his expectations.
But now, why would the disturbance in Soi Fon's Zanpakutō make him show this expression...
Could it be this matter had truly... reached a point even he hadn't anticipated?
Yoruichi's gaze flickered as she thought this.
However, she didn't know that Shigure's contemplation wasn't just because of Suzumebachi's disturbance.
What he was pondering was Muramasa's ability activation method.
Muramasa's special ability to influence Zanpakutō was called "Kairan Kyomu."
Earlier, when Shigure and Kisuke Urahara went to Karakura Town together, he'd deduced that his Zanpakutō might have already been contacted by Muramasa's Kairan Kyomu. Which was why it had made that disturbed roar.
What Soi Fon described now happened to confirm his speculation at the time.
But this way, one point differed from Shigure's deduction.
Kairan Kyomu's activation apparently didn't require Muramasa to directly approach the Zanpakutō itself. He could use this ability from far away. Entering the Zanpakutō's inner space to influence it.
This was Shigure's conclusion based on his Resonance Eyes.
Because at that time, when he'd sensed Candle Dragon's disturbance, he hadn't detected Muramasa's presence nearby.
In other words, Muramasa's ability was different from what Shigure had previously thought—it could be released remotely...
This also meant—
Going forward, his Zanpakutō Candle Dragon might be influenced by Muramasa's Kairan Kyomu again.
Thinking this, Shigure's heart stirred.
Though he had great confidence in Candle Dragon—after all, it bore the name "Ultimate."
But that last conversation with Candle Dragon still left some doubt in his heart.
His instinct told him Muramasa's exchange with Candle Dragon hadn't been that simple.
Countless thoughts filled Shigure's mind in an instant.
But after just a moment, he suppressed them all. Regaining his calm.
This didn't mean he wasn't suspicious about it. He just knew he had no need to worry.
With his current strength, even without relying on Candle Dragon's power, he could completely defeat Muramasa. There was no question about that.
So responding to changes with constancy was the best strategy now.
Thinking this, Shigure finally looked up at Soi Fon and Yoruichi. Then said:
"About the Zanpakutō disturbance, I actually noticed it before too..."
Just as Shigure said this, Soi Fon and Yoruichi's expressions immediately tensed.
Seeing this, Shigure chuckled lightly:
"I've already made a rough speculation about the situation. So you don't need to look so serious. This isn't a big deal."
Hearing this, Yoruichi's expression eased somewhat. She even breathed a light sigh of relief. But Soi Fon remained somewhat serious. After a moment, she said:
"Segawa, could you roughly explain what you understand about the situation...?"
Hearing this, Shigure nodded without any surprise.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, Soi Fon's personality would sometimes show particular caution. She would naturally want to understand the situation as much as possible.
Shigure thought briefly. Then said:
"To explain simply..."
"The reason both your and my Zanpakutō showed this disturbance isn't a problem with us... but rather, an enemy is secretly using an ability to communicate with our Zanpakutō."
"?!"
Hearing this, both Soi Fon and Yoruichi froze simultaneously.
Shigure's words were somewhat difficult for them to understand at first.
Someone could actually communicate with other Soul Reapers' Zanpakutō...?
But just then, Shigure suddenly raised his hand. Placing it on the Zanpakutō in Soi Fon's hand. Smiled lightly:
"Like I said, don't worry too much, Soi Fon."
"The enemy causing this disturbance should reveal themselves soon."
"When that happens, just respond calmly."
"..."
Seeing Shigure's still confident and gentle smile, Soi Fon's body suddenly trembled.
After a moment, as if infected by it, a light smile appeared on her face too.
This time, though her cheeks flushed red, her gaze no longer dodged. She looked directly at Shigure like this.
Both their hands gripped this Zanpakutō.
In this moment, it was like a bridge connecting their hearts. Allowing their emotions to flow between them.
As they looked at each other, faint light flickered gently in Soi Fon's eyes. She smiled and parted her lips lightly:
"Same as always, I still believe in you."
"..."
Sunlight fell on them both. As if forming a separate space.
Aning beside Shigure couldn't understand the situation at all. She looked back and forth between their faces with wide eyes.
Just then, Yoruichi suddenly broke the silence. Pretending to be unhappy as she said loudly:
"Hey hey hey hey! You two... at this rate, I won't even get a chance to speak!"
Hearing this, Soi Fon and Shigure smiled at each other again.
Then Shigure withdrew his hand. And Soi Fon slowly bound her Zanpakutō at her waist again.
Only then did Yoruichi suddenly seem to realize something. She slapped her forehead. Looked at Shigure with a surprised expression:
"Right, Segawa, did you come here looking for us about something?"
"Talking about the Zanpakutō thing, I almost forgot..."
Hearing this, Soi Fon immediately reacted too. Looking at Shigure with curious eyes.
Shigure chuckled lightly:
"There is something I need your help with. Mm... let's talk while we walk."
Saying this, Shigure prepared to turn around directly. But Soi Fon spoke with surprise:
"Are we going out to handle something?"
Shigure didn't turn back. Instead, he smiled lightly and raised one finger:
"To the Shihōin estate... to borrow something."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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