Hearing Candle Dragon's words, Aning froze.
Shigure's eyes flickered. A moment later, he smiled.
Now he understood.
Candle Dragon's anger wasn't about being restrained before.
It was the spiritual pressure on Aning's body. Identical to his own.
When Aizen created Aning with the Hōgyoku, he'd used Shigure's spiritual pressure as the cultivation medium.
Like Ulquiorra back then, Aning possessed absolute resistance to Shigure's Soul Reaper spiritual pressure.
One foundation for her lightning control.
When Candle Dragon materialized, Shigure assumed she was angry about the restraint. He hadn't expected this...
Though her words clearly concealed other reasons.
But since she didn't plan to elaborate, he wouldn't press.
If he couldn't trust his own Zanpakutō, there weren't many left he could trust.
He smiled. "Since you don't like this scabbard, I'll have a better one forged. But..."
"You said you don't like Aning's aura. Which means... you admit you're angry at her?"
Strange smile. Staring.
Candle Dragon instinctively started to answer.
Then realized the trap. Eyes shifted. Head raised. "No! Why would I be angry at something like her?!"
Her expression became animated. Nothing like her previous coldness.
Shigure smiled. "So you are angry. Because she was about to touch you, you came out?"
"I said no!!"
Candle Dragon put her hands on her hips. Lowered her head. Beautiful eyes glared. Clearly upset. "How many times do I have to say it! I won't get angry at such an insignificant creature!"
"I'm... angry at you!!"
"Shigure!"
"You're making me furious!"
"Why... why are you interested in these people?!"
"Whether this little one, or those outside wearing the same clothes!"
"Obviously you've left them far behind in strength and vision!"
"Why show the same expressions in battle, worry about their lives?!"
"Someone like you should stand at the pinnacle!!"
"They... should only look up at you!"
"The one qualified to stand beside you! To hold your hand..."
"Obviously!"
"It should only be me!"
She spread her slender arms wide. Stared intently. Shouted with emotion.
Her voice clear and pleasant, yet resonating with the space like heavenly music!
The wind-thunder wings blazed with light!
Her black eyes filled with lightning again. Golden pupils of heavenly authority!
All spiritual particles grew chaotic under her pressure. Trembling violently!
BOOM!!
The corridor floor shattered beneath her!
Her light blue hair floated without wind. Golden lightning coiling at the tips.
Her presence peaked.
Aning froze in fear. Didn't dare move.
Shigure's expression froze slightly.
He'd dealt with Candle Dragon before, but never felt such intense, complex emotions.
Right now—powerful, beautiful, proud.
Still a girl's form, yet like a dragon again.
Her words undoubtedly expressed her true feelings.
Except for lightning, heaven and earth fell silent.
Candle Dragon's eyes locked on Shigure.
Waiting for his response.
After a moment, Shigure lowered his eyes. Laughed lightly. "These words... you've wanted to say them for a long time."
"..."
Candle Dragon froze.
Slowly lowered her arms. Bowed her head. After a moment, softly: "Shigure... do you still not understand..."
"This is why I secretly used Muramasa's power to achieve physical form..."
"I just... didn't want to continue being a cold blade... held in your hand."
"I wanted to become... that one person who could fight alongside you."
By the end, no emotion. Completely calm.
But this calmness made her words heavier.
Just then, Shigure stepped forward. Came directly before her.
Candle Dragon raised her head. Saw his gentle smile. He spoke softly: "I've never said I considered you just a blade."
"From the beginning, you've been that one person who could fight alongside me."
"...Haven't you?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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