On this side, Shigure flash-stepped toward the 1st Division.
He naturally didn't know about the conversation happening after he left.
Though after Kyōraku's reminder he remained confused about the situation, he naturally had some guesses.
Moreover, from Kyōraku's expression at the time, it didn't seem like anything bad.
Therefore, Shigure naturally had no worries about it.
During this Zanpakutō rebellion, the 1st Division barracks, due to its location near Sōkyoku Hill, had suffered the most severe damage.
Not only had many outer buildings collapsed, even several inner wall training grounds near Sōkyoku had been affected.
So when Shigure arrived at the 1st Division, what he saw at a glance were densely packed Soul Reaper members.
Though the battle had ended, their expressions weren't relaxed.
On one hand, it was due to the destroyed barracks. On the other, naturally because of worries about the situation.
After all, Seireitei had enjoyed decades of peace and stability. But ever since that Ryoka invasion and Aizen's betrayal began, disasters had been continuous.
They'd thought after the Karakura Town battle, peace would return. But unexpectedly, just days later, new chaos erupted.
Though the captains had quelled it again now, they didn't dare relax.
After all, no one could guarantee a new crisis wouldn't suddenly appear.
Shigure landed inside and walked in. Though the 1st Division members were busy, they didn't forget to bow and greet him.
While responding with a smile, Shigure used his Resonance Eyes to search for Yamamoto's location.
However, when he saw clearly, his gaze flickered.
The location Yamamoto chose for this conversation wasn't his captain's office or council chamber, but that tea room.
Thinking back, when Shigure had been caught in Aizen's scheme and judged by the Central 46, sentenced to Black Ridge Prison for monitoring...
Before that judgment came down, Yamamoto had conducted a preliminary "trial" in his capacity as Captain-Commander.
In fact, after entering that judgment room, Shigure discovered it was actually a tea room.
Inside sat not Central 46 members, but three people: Yamamoto, Kyōraku, and Unohana.
They'd then discussed with Shigure about "Seireitei's hidden hand" regarding that strange death incident.
Of course, this matter was later proven.
The so-called hidden hand pushing the disappearance of captain-class Hollow souls was none other than the later-traitorous Aizen.
Now, Seireitei's landscape had completely changed.
However, seeing this place didn't just stir Shigure's memories.
More importantly, Shigure began to understand that this matter... the Captain-Commander also took very seriously.
After all, Shigure had been inside once before, so he knew this tea room wasn't simple.
Not only were all four walls, floor, and ceiling inside carved with Kidō seals, even the outer corridor pillars were made of spirit-pressure-blocking Sekkiseki stone.
Yamamoto placing this conversation here showed his importance.
As Shigure pondered, an elderly man with a stern face wearing Soul Reaper uniform approached.
1st Division Third Seat, Genshirō Okikiba.
Seeing Shigure approach, he immediately stopped and bowed slightly:
"Captain Segawa, please follow me."
"Mm."
Shigure nodded and followed him forward.
This task should have been done by Vice-Captain Sasakibe, but since he hadn't awakened yet and remained in the 4th Division, it naturally fell to Third Seat Okikiba.
This wasn't Shigure's first time meeting him. The person who'd led him into Black Ridge Prison was this Okikiba.
His personality was equally humorless, giving the impression he was always angry.
Shigure naturally had nothing to say, advancing silently.
After winding around, they reached that familiar corridor. But unlike Sasakibe, Okikiba didn't lead him directly inside. He stopped before the corridor.
He turned around, saying calmly:
"Captain Segawa, please enter. The Captain-Commander is inside."
"Mm, thank you, Third Seat Okikiba."
Shigure nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then raised his head and walked forward steadily.
Whatever Yamamoto would discuss with him, he was fully mentally prepared.
Opening the tea room door and lifting the curtain, Shigure stepped inside.
This time, only Yamamoto was in the tea room.
He sat upright beside that dark tea table, on a gray cushion, eyes closed in meditation.
After Shigure entered, he neither moved nor spoke.
Understanding, Shigure closed the door behind him and walked toward Yamamoto. Only when reaching the cushion's side did he speak:
"Captain-Commander."
Hearing this, Yamamoto raised his eyes slightly, looking at Shigure. After a moment, he said quietly:
"Sit, Segawa."
"Yes."
Shigure answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, sitting on the cushion opposite Yamamoto.
Yamamoto closed his eyes again, saying flatly:
"This conversation I summoned you for... should have taken place last night."
"However, due to Muramasa's appearance, it was delayed until now."
Yamamoto first explained the reason. Shigure's expression remained calm, saying nothing, waiting for his subsequent words.
After a moment, seeing Shigure remain silent, Yamamoto continued:
"Segawa, since you come from lower nobility, presumably... you have some understanding of Soul Society's history and structure?"
Hearing this, Shigure nodded slightly: "Some understanding."
His knowledge encompassed both his original world's knowledge and what he'd read from the Segawa family archives after transmigrating. He naturally understood these things somewhat.
But he hadn't expected that right after these words fell, Yamamoto suddenly opened his eyes.
Under the surrounding dim yellow lamplight, his aged eyes flashed with strange light at this moment.
Gazing at Shigure, Yamamoto slowly said:
"Then, do you know... about the Royal Guard Zero Division?"
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