The voice was clear and composed.
Instantly shattered the silence and tension outside.
Though still deep night with the moon high, this voice was like sunlight, dispelling the gloom in everyone's hearts.
"Captain... Segawa?!"
"Captain!" "Shigure!" "Segawa!"
Soi Fon and the others spoke simultaneously. Eyes lit with joy.
Though they hadn't shown Nanao's nervous emotions earlier, naturally they'd felt tense inside.
After all, Candle Dragon's power was far different from other Zanpakutō.
If she rebelled, even her master might not be safe.
So hearing Shigure's still-composed voice, they naturally relaxed.
This meant the situation was under his control.
And whenever Segawa Shigure controlled a situation, victory was already locked in.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the courtyard.
Soon, Shigure emerged wearing a faint smile.
"My apologies, everyone."
"You all... probably came because of Candle Dragon's lightning, right?"
Shigure stopped. Smiled as his gaze swept across their faces.
However, almost everyone's expression shifted slightly.
Though Shigure looked composed, smile the same as always—
They immediately noticed something wrong.
At Shigure's waist... no Zanpakutō!
A Soul Reaper should never be separated from their Zanpakutō. No matter where, no matter when.
Even they, despite their Zanpakutō being turned against them, still wore them.
Yet Shigure, after experiencing some unknown event inside... had no Zanpakutō at his waist!
They clearly remembered—when coming down from Sōkyoku Hill, the materialized Candle Dragon had entered the asauchi at his waist...
Just as they should have relaxed, their expressions grew tense again.
Seeing this, Shigure's heart stirred. He followed their gazes.
One look. He immediately understood.
But before he could explain, a strange voice spoke.
Not Soi Fon or Nanao, who worried about him, but Mayuri beside them.
He stared at Shigure. Grinned with a weird laugh. "Tsk tsk... Captain Segawa, not even wearing an asauchi..."
"Could it be that what your Zanpakutō did at Sōkyoku Hill... was just an act?"
Everyone around froze.
They understood Mayuri's meaning—Candle Dragon had already rebelled...
However, Shigure's expression didn't change. He looked at Mayuri. Light laugh. "Captain Kurotsuchi, hard to believe even your brain would produce such baseless speculation."
"I simply found it troublesome, so I didn't wear my Zanpakutō."
"You should know Candle Dragon's power, right...?"
"If she'd truly been influenced by Muramasa and rebelled... would any acting be necessary?"
"..."
Mayuri froze. Then rolled his eyes. Stopped responding.
Ignoring his displeased expression, Shigure kept smiling. Turned his gaze to the others. "So this lightning was just an accidental incident. No need for concern."
"Though the process was somewhat complex and inconvenient to explain, everything's resolved."
"Though Candle Dragon has materialized, she's still my Zanpakutō. That hasn't changed."
"Whether past or future, Muramasa can't possibly affect her."
"You can all rest assured."
He looked at Rukia. Nodded with a light smile. "Rukia, thank you for blocking everyone who came."
"If everyone had entered, things would have become rather difficult to handle."
Rukia immediately nodded happily. Seriously. "Yes!"
Throughout their journey, she'd constantly received Shigure's help. So being able to help him was her greatest comfort.
Shigure's words undoubtedly affirmed her actions.
Naturally she felt happy.
Shunsui, listening nearby, gazed at Shigure for a moment. Then chuckled lightly.
Turned directly. Slowly strolled away. Lazily: "Let's go then, Little Nanao."
"See you tomorrow... Segawa."
He could tell Shigure had finished handling things. Nothing hidden.
So naturally, no need to stay.
Nanao immediately reacted. Bowed to Shigure. "Captain Segawa, see you tomorrow!"
Finished. Turned. Followed Shunsui's steps.
Then Mayuri raised his eyes. Stared at Shigure. Clicked his tongue unhappily. "Tch, boring."
"I originally thought... something interesting might have happened here, so I came."
"Didn't expect it to be so dull."
Finished. Without waiting for reactions, vanished with a flash step.
The others felt both exasperated and amused.
As Soi Fon, Isane, and the others left one by one, finally only Shigure and Rukia remained outside.
Shigure looked at Rukia. Smiled. "Tonight must have been tiring. Rest early, Rukia. After all... tomorrow might be even busier."
"...Eh?"
Rukia froze.
But after brief thought, she immediately understood. Bowed. "Good night, Captain!"
"Mm, good night, Rukia."
Shigure smiled in response. Then turned directly. Walked toward the captain's quarters in the courtyard.
Rukia raised her head. Watched Shigure's departing figure in the moonlight. Her eyes flickered.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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