As Yamamoto's words fell, the tea room went silent.
Only their faint breathing sounds stirred quietly.
Shigure's gaze flickered slightly as he looked at Yamamoto across from him. After a moment, he spoke:
"Captain-Commander, before I answer, may I ask one question...?"
Hearing this, Yamamoto's expression showed no fluctuation, as if he'd known all along. He nodded lightly, saying quietly:
"Whatever questions you have, I'll answer them."
Clearly, this matter's severity went without saying. Even as Captain-Commander, he wouldn't show any negligence.
Hearing the response, Shigure exhaled softly and looked seriously at Yamamoto, saying slowly:
"Captain-Commander, what I want to know is..."
"Why would Zero Division suddenly choose me...?"
"Logically, 'strength' shouldn't be Zero Division's only selection criterion, right?"
"I remember reading in the archives that only those who've created something 'previously nonexistent' and made huge contributions to Soul Society... can complete ascension, correct?"
Shigure questioned rapidly but steadily.
This matter truly puzzled him. In his original thinking, even if Zero Division selected him, it shouldn't happen this quickly.
After hearing this string of questions, Yamamoto's expression remained calm.
However, he didn't answer immediately. After pondering briefly, he raised his eyes to gaze at Shigure seriously:
"Segawa, Zero Division's selection has always been led by the 'Soul King,' with Zero Division conveying it."
"The Soul King's will cannot be measured by common sense."
"Though I know of this 'default rule' you mention, I can understand this point—"
"After all, the Soul King may have already seen... the great potential you possess."
"Just as I saw it back then."
Yamamoto's voice rang powerful and deep in the tea room.
As Shigure listened, his gaze flickered slightly.
The Soul King's will...?
How could it be... that so-called "Soul King's" will...
As a transmigrator, Shigure undoubtedly understood the essence of the so-called "Soul King."
He had no will at all.
However, just as he pondered this, Yamamoto across from him seemed to see through his doubts and spoke again quietly:
"Segawa, you needn't be so confused."
"Actually, someone outside Zero Division's recruitment rules... with overwhelming strength like yours, isn't the first."
"?!"
As the words fell, Shigure's gaze moved. He quickly looked over.
Not the first...?!
Meaning before, there were also very strong people recruited by Zero Division based purely on strength...?
Who...?
Shigure's brain spun rapidly, but he couldn't find the answer in his memories immediately.
At this moment, Yamamoto tilted his head slightly back. Some nostalgic emotion appeared in his eyes.
After a moment, he looked at Shigure again, saying slowly:
"It's normal you don't know. After all, this was very long ago... nowadays, basically no one mentions it."
"That first person to receive Zero Division's exceptional recruitment was over two hundred years ago—"
"The bearer of the seventh 'Kenpachi' title..."
"Kenpachi Kuruyashiki."
?!
Hearing this, Shigure's heart jumped.
Kuruyashiki... Kenpachi!
Only after hearing Yamamoto's words did he recall this man's name.
He undoubtedly knew this name, but couldn't extract it from memory immediately.
Thinking carefully, the records about him did mention receiving Zero Division's invitation...
Then suddenly, he understood why he'd overlooked this.
Because back then, when Kuruyashiki Kenpachi faced Zero Division's recruitment... he firmly refused.
Thinking this, Shigure finally understood.
Those so-called "Soul King's will" and "rule-based selection" were complete pretenses!
What Zero Division valued was simply his exceptional combat power. Whether he'd created something nonexistent didn't actually matter.
What mattered was simply possessing strength capable of guarding the Soul King Palace.
Over thousands of years, Zero Division only had five members not because of other supposed constraints.
Simply because they felt others weren't qualified for the position.
Thinking this, Shigure's doubts naturally dissolved.
Immediately after, a faint smile appeared at his lips.
Raising his eyes slightly, Shigure looked at Yamamoto again.
At this moment, his gaze no longer held any confusion or puzzlement, but carried a faint smile as he said softly:
"Captain-Commander, if I enter Zero Division..."
"Does that mean... unless Seireitei faces destruction, I wouldn't need to perform any Gotei duties, just stay in the Soul King Palace...?"
"Does it mean... directly leaving Seireitei, commanded by the Soul King...?"
Shigure spoke calmly with a faint smile.
But hearing this, Yamamoto's expression suddenly froze. His breathing caught involuntarily.
After gazing at Shigure for a moment, he suddenly lowered his eyes. A trace of faint disappointment flashed across his face, quickly concealed.
After long silence, he nodded somewhat heavily, sighing:
"...Correct."
"Entering Zero Division indeed means... no longer bound by any Seireitei constraints, directly commanded by the royal family."
"So, Segawa, you..."
"You... have already made your choice...?"
At this moment, Yamamoto's voice seemed suddenly much older, no longer powerful and vigorous as before.
But Shigure's expression didn't change. Gazing at Yamamoto, his smile deepened:
"However... I refuse!"
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