Mayuri's words fell.
Silence.
Soi Fon's expression changed sharply. Her gaze turned ice-cold.
Before Shigure could speak, she flash-stepped directly in front of Mayuri.
Back to Shigure, she slowly raised her head, staring coldly at him. "Mayuri, what exactly are you questioning Shigure about...?!"
"?!"
Everyone startled.
Mayuri lowered his head, meeting Soi Fon's gaze without flinching. Then he grinned strangely. "Kehehehe..."
"Captain Soi Fon, why that expression?"
"I'm just curious... Aren't you curious too...?"
"From Aizen's betrayal to Muramasa's appearance... Segawa always seems to know things beforehand...?"
"Whether it's enemy plans or their abilities... he always somehow learns about them in advance...?"
"About these suspicious matters... aren't you curious?"
Mayuri laughed strangely, his sharp gaze fixed on Soi Fon.
Soi Fon's expression remained unchanged. Cold as ice. But air currents began swirling around her arms.
Her gaze equally sharp, she stared him down. "Are you trying to sow suspicion against Shigure... Mayuri?!"
"Even though he's saved us countless times... you still doubt him?!"
She gritted her teeth, anger burning inside.
After their conversation at the training valley, Soi Fon had made a decision.
Never doubt Shigure again.
She'd be like Yoruichi once was—even without outside recognition, she'd believe in whom she chose.
Shigure's words were truth to her.
She wouldn't question how he knew. She just needed to trust him.
That's why Mayuri's questioning made her this angry.
But Mayuri sneered. "Tsk tsk, Captain Soi Fon, aren't you overreacting...?"
"I know Segawa has saved you many times, but... I'm simply curious..."
He suddenly turned, sweeping his gaze across all the captains. Laughing strangely. "Don't you captains... find it strange?"
Before anyone could react, Soi Fon's expression darkened. She raised her hand.
"You bastard...!!"
But then a hand reached from the side, grasping hers.
Soi Fon trembled. She looked over quickly.
"Shi... Shigure...?"
Naturally, it was him.
Seeing her reaction, Shigure raised his other hand to her shoulder. He smiled lightly, shaking his head. "Soi Fon, relax. Let me handle this."
Her gaze trembled. She froze, then exhaled softly and nodded.
Shigure released her hand.
Mayuri turned back, still smiling. "So then, Captain Segawa, care to explain... how you knew this time?"
Shigure's expression didn't change. He didn't look at Mayuri but at the others. Calmly: "I know everyone may have doubts. This wasn't my deduction."
"Candle Dragon told me."
"Like your Zanpakutō, she materialized long ago."
"She witnessed the entire process of the Captain-Commander sealing himself with a barrier."
"I only learned this from her last night at midnight."
"To understand the situation, she materialized autonomously at the 5th Division barracks."
"The lightning flash then... many of you noticed it."
He turned toward Mayuri, his gaze calm. "You were there too, Captain Mayuri."
"So then, does this explanation... satisfy you?"
Shunsui, Nanao, and the others' eyes flickered.
They'd indeed noticed that lightning and rushed over. They remembered now.
Mayuri had been there.
Mayuri's expression shifted slightly. But he didn't speak, still staring at Shigure.
Then Retsu Unohana, silent until now, spoke.
Her usual gentleness was gone. Her face stern, brows furrowed. Heavily: "Captain Mayuri, please exercise restraint!"
"The Seireitei faces external enemies. The Captain-Commander is in danger..."
"Segawa and Candle Dragon are our greatest assets. I won't allow you to doubt him."
Her gaze was sharp. Her tone unprecedentedly firm.
Jūshirō Ukitake shook his head, smiling wryly. "Alright, if this continues, we'll drift off topic..."
"So, Segawa, now that we know Muramasa's true purpose, what's your plan?"
He spoke gently and warmly.
Immediately shifting focus to countermeasures. The atmosphere eased considerably.
Shunsui raised his head slightly, showing a lazy smile. "Right, Segawa... what should we do?"
Shigure wouldn't waste time on Mayuri. He looked at Ukitake and Shunsui, smiling lightly. "Muramasa will certainly leave us clues to find the Captain-Commander and implement his plan."
"But we can't let him lead us around."
"So next, we're going to... launch our counterattack!"
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