"Do you understand what this means...?"
Retsu Unohana looked at Rukia, speaking softly. The faint smile on her face carried bitterness.
Hearing this, Soi Fon and the others lowered their eyes. Expressions complicated.
Rukia's gaze trembled. She froze.
Back when they'd caught Shunsui Kyōraku's hints, they'd all learned the news came from the Royal Palace.
Then Jūshirō Ukitake offered his theory—the Royal Palace was extending a promotion offer to Shigure.
After he voiced this, Shunsui confirmed it. Most likely possibility.
So everyone learned simultaneously.
Aside from Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Kenpachi Zaraki—who expressed zero interest and left—all remaining captains and lieutenants gathered at the 5th Division.
At first, Rukia thought they'd come because they urgently wanted to know the outcome of Shigure's conversation.
That's why she'd said what she did.
But the situation wasn't what she'd imagined.
Originally, she'd been thrilled about Shigure's promotion.
But now, Unohana's words carried an underlying implication—they might never see each other again.
Realizing this, Rukia's gaze dimmed. She stared at Unohana:
"Captain Unohana... can't the Captain stay in the Seireitei for a while...?"
"Or... after he goes up there, he should be able to return, right? If it's the Captain, surely..."
She spoke rapidly, disbelief in her voice. Halfway through, a quiet voice cut her off.
Byakuya Kuchiki. Eyes still closed.
He didn't look at Rukia, but spoke coldly:
"Don't talk nonsense, Rukia."
"Squad Zero resides in the Royal Palace. They exist solely to protect the royal family."
"Unless the Seireitei faces absolute collapse... Squad Zero members cannot leave the Royal Palace and return."
"!"
Byakuya's words landed. Rukia's heart sank.
Then a soft sigh emerged.
"Ahhh..."
The sound carried melancholy. No one could tell who made it.
It appeared softly. Faded softly.
Yet it tugged at everyone's heartstrings.
Ukitake spoke again.
Perhaps seeing the atmosphere too gloomy, he smiled warmly:
"Heh heh, everyone shouldn't be so downcast."
"Segawa's promotion to Squad Zero is good news. We should be happy for him."
"Come to think of it, when Captain Kirio was promoted and left, we didn't get to say goodbye..."
"So this time, everyone must seize the opportunity. Give Segawa a proper farewell."
He finished with a smile, intending to lift spirits.
But the atmosphere remained unchanged. Everyone's expressions stayed grim.
Soi Fon sat on her cushion, head lowered, biting her lip. Face complex.
Beneath her wide sleeves, her hand gripped a transparent bead.
Inside, lightning danced.
The "Thunder-Sealing Bead" Shigure had given her during their first joint mission to the Death Qi Plains.
Fearing others might recognize it as Shigure's power, she'd carried it ever since but never used it once.
But now she realized.
If Shigure truly left, all that would remain—aside from memories—was this.
Beneath her sleeves, her pale hand clenched tight.
Her eyes flickered. She tried thinking of farewell words. Nothing came.
Just then, faint spiritual pressure descended on the barracks.
The instant it appeared, everyone stirred.
The spiritual pressure wasn't overwhelming. But they couldn't mistake this presence.
Sure enough, a tall figure in a captain's haori appeared at the entrance.
He wore a gentle smile. Just as always. Unchanged.
Everyone's gaze turned simultaneously.
Shigure smiled, stepping inside:
"Heh, looks like after I left, Captain Kyōraku told everyone that 'secret'...?"
Shunsui laughed:
"Ha ha ha, couldn't help it... They cornered me, insisting on knowing something. Had to tell them..."
"But anyway, what's the result, Segawa?"
"What's your decision...?"
Shunsui spoke casually with a laugh. But his gaze was unusually serious.
After his words fell, everyone's expressions grew solemn.
Promotion to Squad Zero wasn't small. Aside from those two weirdos Kurotsuchi and Zaraki, no one would take it lightly.
That's why no one spoke. They waited for Shigure's answer.
Shigure didn't stop walking.
He moved through their gazes, smile unchanged, speaking casually:
"Oh, I refused."
"?!"
The words landed. Everyone froze. Eyes nearly bulged.
Even the usually impassive Byakuya's eyes widened.
They could barely believe what they'd heard.
Refused...?!
The Royal Palace's invitation... Squad Zero's promotion... rejected so casually?!
Everyone looked like they'd seen a ghost.
But Soi Fon, Unohana, Rukia—their eyes lit up simultaneously. Joyful smiles bloomed.
Shigure continued forward, laughing:
"What? You all waited here late into the night—don't tell me you assumed I'd accept and prepared a farewell ceremony?"
"If that's the case, you really misjudged me."
"That kind of royal guard duty? I've never had any interest..."
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