"However... I refuse!"
Shigure spoke with a smile, composed yet utterly decisive.
"What... did you say?"
Hearing this, Yamamoto froze again. He spoke reflexively.
Seeing his reaction, Shigure couldn't help but feel moved.
Since entering this world, he'd never seen Yamamoto display such an expression.
Moreover, unlike the disappointment when he'd frozen before.
This time, a strange light flickered in those weathered eyes.
Clearly, this answer was what he'd hoped for!
After a moment, Shigure continued with a smile:
"Captain-Commander, before me, that first exceptionally recruited Kenpachi Kuruyashiki... did he ultimately choose to enter Zero Division?"
Hearing this, Yamamoto's gaze shifted.
Then his frozen expression slowly melted. Rarely, a faint smile began appearing on that aged face.
He shook his head lightly, chuckling:
"Kuruyashiki... felt the title 'Kenpachi' shouldn't exist outside Seireitei, so... he refused the ascension recruitment."
Shigure smiled. This matched his memories exactly.
After gazing at Yamamoto briefly, he laughed softly:
"See? You said it yourself. Since this Kenpachi Kuruyashiki chose to refuse Zero Division... it proves this recruitment isn't mandatory selection."
"Then I have no reason... to necessarily enter either, right?"
"Though Zero Division apparently doesn't require performing duties, this kind of constraint isn't what I prefer."
"So I choose to refuse."
"It's that simple."
Shigure smiled, speaking methodically.
As he listened, Yamamoto's gaze grew brighter and brighter. Finally, a clearly visible smile appeared on his face.
For someone usually so stern and rigid, this was an extremely rare expression.
Yet at this moment, Shigure didn't find it incongruous.
Because he'd already seen from this Captain-Commander's words and actions the expectations he held for him, different from others.
From the very beginning at Black Ridge Prison, through the "Acting Captain" period, to later opposing Central 46.
Every time Shigure needed something, this Captain-Commander displayed a style different from his usual approach.
If Shigure chose to directly enter the Soul King Palace and join Zero Division this time, it would mean Yamamoto's expectations for him would inevitably fall somewhat short.
After all, what Yamamoto hoped Shigure would protect was precisely Seireitei.
Once Shigure joined Zero Division, he definitely couldn't guard Seireitei at all times, couldn't exist as the Gotei 13's pillar as he did now.
After a moment, Yamamoto suddenly restrained his smile. Then with a straight face again, he nodded slowly:
"...Good."
"Segawa, since you refuse ascension, then I'll shortly reply to the Soul King Palace on your behalf via Heavenly Wedge Message."
Shigure nodded with a smile: "Thank you for the trouble."
"Mm."
Yamamoto nodded, closing his eyes again before saying slowly:
"If so, then this matter is concluded."
"...These past days, Seireitei has faced constant turmoil. Though I wish to keep Seireitei safe, there are... matters beyond my capabilities."
"So... whether the battle with Aizen or the fight with Muramasa."
"I must express gratitude to you."
"Without your presence, Seireitei's victory... might have been extraordinarily difficult."
Yamamoto spoke unhurriedly, his tone carrying no fluctuation.
As the words fell, Shigure paused slightly, then chuckled.
He hadn't expected this Captain-Commander would have moments of lowering his stance to thank someone.
Thinking this, Shigure smiled humbly:
"You're too kind. I only did what a Gotei captain should do."
Saying this, Shigure straightened: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
Yamamoto nodded, saying nothing more.
Shigure stood, bowed, then left the tea room. Afterward, he walked straight out of the 1st Division barracks.
Walking along Seireitei's inner court streets, Shigure's expression remained calm.
Cold wind blew. Signs of approaching winter appeared.
Above the night sky, stars gradually brightened.
Yet in Shigure's heart, some mist began appearing.
...Zero Division.
In fact, when Shigure first obtained his original power Zanpakutō, he'd already vaguely worried about Zero Division matters.
More precisely—
About Zero Division's leader, that one called "The Monk Who Calls the Real Name"... Ichibē Hyōsube.
As possibly the oldest, most ancient Soul Reaper in all of Soul Society, the great power he possessed... was "names."
This power made his strength far surpass any other Soul Reaper.
And this bizarre power made Shigure, as a transmigrator, extremely wary of it.
As the namer of everything in Soul Society, when any Asauchi passed into a Soul Reaper's hands, he already knew these Zanpakutō's "true names" from the Soul King Palace!
Meaning no Soul Reaper could hide their Zanpakutō's power before him.
No Soul Reaper could understand Zanpakutō better than him.
So Shigure's heart had always held considerable worry about this.
However, later smooth sailing made him subconsciously overlook this matter.
But now, Zero Division suddenly... issued ascension recruitment to him.
In Yamamoto's view, this might be very normal. After all, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki's precedent existed before.
However, Shigure couldn't think so optimistically.
After all, he didn't originally belong to this world. The power he controlled likewise came from outside this world.
Candle Dragon was fundamentally different from ordinary Zanpakutō.
Moreover, with his current strength, he had no confidence in suppressing Ichibē Hyōsube who possessed the power of "names."
So he chose to refuse ascension.
Because Zero Division, for now... didn't deserve his trust.
More accurately, this Ichibē Hyōsube didn't deserve trust.
Rashly contacting him too early would only put Shigure's situation into unknown passivity.
Though he might not harbor ill will, Shigure wasn't willing to gamble on such matters.
Thinking this, Shigure raised his head slightly, looking at the night sky. He narrowed his eyes, murmuring softly:
"Being watched feels really uncomfortable..."
"Looks like I need to hurry and elevate my power to that 'new dimension'..."
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