Thinking this, Shigure exhaled softly.
"Haa..."
With that breath, the chaotic thoughts in his heart gradually calmed.
Zero Division certainly wasn't something to casually dismiss.
Ichibē Hyōsube wasn't someone to underestimate either.
Unless Shigure reached strength satisfying to himself, he had no intention of entering the Soul King Palace.
Even if one day the system's check-in task location became the Soul King Palace, Shigure would unhesitatingly choose to go only after elevating to sufficient strength.
Only by ensuring absolute safety could he have opportunities to continue.
This was the creed Shigure had steadfastly held in his heart since transmigrating.
This wasn't cowardice or fear. Simply because he found trouble bothersome.
As for that so-called "new dimension"...
Actually, Shigure had vaguely sensed it was... the ultimate form of all Soul Reapers!
Its manifestation was... fusion between Soul Reaper and Zanpakutō.
Not abandonment, not devouring, not domination... but complete soul fusion.
Just as Hollows could split their souls to create another self, Zanpakutō were likewise power separated from a Soul Reaper's soul.
Though through adaptation and training, Soul Reapers could gradually grasp and control this power.
Yet it still wasn't the most perfect method.
And now, Shigure had already begun... approaching perfection!
Last night in the 5th Division, after that conversation with the materialized Candle Dragon, he'd begun sensing his soul merging deeper with hers.
So when attacking Muramasa afterward, he'd tried directly using himself as medium to unleash Candle Dragon's power.
Originally just an attempt. His expectations weren't high.
Yet it succeeded.
Though only a first attempt, he handled it expertly, as if everything was already within his grasp.
The instant he raised his hand, though the spiritual pressure remained his own, his arm somehow felt like it had become the Zanpakutō itself.
His hand movements were blade movements.
So he directly bypassed Candle Dragon and controlled the wind.
To Shunsui Kyōraku and others watching from nearby, this seemed nothing unusual.
After all, wind-type Candle Dragon's power was always elusive. After materialization, even more so.
So in their view, Shigure had probably mentally commanded Candle Dragon, thereby activating the Surrounding Binding Lock to restrain Muramasa.
However, that wasn't the case.
As a fellow Zanpakutō, Muramasa instantly detected Candle Dragon's abnormality.
This was why he'd become so distraught after witnessing that power.
Because he couldn't believe it.
Moreover, in Shigure's speculation, Muramasa had probably already discovered this point.
This was... a Zanpakutō's final destination.
Not existing independent of the master, not standing alongside the master, but... becoming the master himself.
Probably precisely because of this, Muramasa had desperately tried to rescue Kōga Kuchiki... his sealed master.
He wanted Kōga to accept him.
Yet he never imagined that from the moment he rescued his master, before he himself reached this realm—
Shigure had already easily achieved it.
Moreover, with no side effects... permanent power!
Though currently, only the tip of the iceberg showed.
But when complete fusion was achieved in the future, it would certainly... be unstoppable!
Thinking this, Shigure's heart gradually relaxed. A faint smile reappeared on his face.
This Zanpakutō rebellion incident—initially Shigure had been somewhat averse, because he disliked others violating his power.
However, now he genuinely wanted to thank Muramasa.
Had circumstances not forced it, Shigure might have even considered letting Muramasa go.
Without his power, who knew how long before Shigure would have this opportunity.
"If that day truly comes, when I completely fuse with Candle Dragon, I wonder what it'll feel like..."
"That permanently existing 'All Things Without Rain'..."
Shigure walked under moonlight, murmuring softly.
The worry in his heart began dissipating. The smile on his face grew increasingly rich.
...
At this time, inside the 5th Division barracks.
The Soul Reaper squad members responsible for patrol and watch duty were all somewhat dazed.
"Wh-what's going on...?"
"Over a dozen captains and vice-captains... visiting simultaneously...?!"
"This... though our barracks also suffered considerable damage, it's... it's not severe enough for this, right...?!"
"Fool! The captains gathering together—how could it be for such trivial matters?!"
"Eh?! Mm... you're right..."
"Then what's... what's this situation... at this late hour, aside from the 1st, 7th, 11th, and 12th Division captains... everyone's assembled?!"
"Yeah... unbelievable!"
"Uh, they should... should be here for our captain, right? If it's Captain Segawa, having this kind of influence isn't strange..."
"Huh? Did something happen to the captain...?!"
"...Can't rule out that possibility... after all, didn't you see the captains' expressions when they arrived?"
"Mm... especially Captain Soi Fon and Captain Unohana—their faces didn't look good..."
These 5th Division members discussed quietly while conducting routine patrols.
Couldn't blame them for heavy curiosity. Simply because the 5th Division barracks had never seen such a situation.
In fact, aside from the 1st Division, no barracks would see such a formation.
At this time, inside the guest room.
The Gotei captains sat on their respective cushions, vice-captains beside them.
Some closed their eyes to rest, others lowered their brows in thought.
The atmosphere was extremely tense.
Just then, Rukia Kuchiki at the lowest seat suddenly raised her head.
She looked down at the captains ahead, swallowed hard, then carefully spoke:
"C-Captains, Captain Segawa... hasn't returned yet. He might not be back until very late. Would you... like to go rest first...?"
These words broke the frozen silence in the guest room.
However, hearing this, not a single person stood or made other movements.
After a moment, Retsu Unohana from one side raised her head, looked over, then showed a slightly bitter smile, saying softly:
"Rukia, this is ascension recruitment issued by the Soul King Palace..."
"If Segawa chooses to accept, then... he can never stay in Seireitei again."
"Do you understand what that means...?"
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