As Shigure Segawa entered the main hall, he gently closed the door behind him.
Jūshirō Ukitake had his hair tied back and was not wearing his captain's uniform but rather the casual attire of the Ukitake family.
Coupled with his gentle expression, he appeared just like an ordinary elder.
Seeing him in such a frail state, Shigure instantly understood.
Ukitake's absence from the previous interrogation meeting was likely due to concerns for his health.
With a composed demeanor, Shigure slowly took a seat opposite Ukitake.
Ukitake smiled warmly, "You don't seem the least bit nervous... about the 'Black Corrosion Hell.'"
Clearly, he had learned of Shigure's verdict through Retsu Unohana's communication.
"Of course," Shigure replied with a smile. "The Commander-General and the others have done so much for me already; the rest, I will handle myself."
"Hehe, I believe in you," Ukitake chuckled. "So, what brings you here today?"
Looking at Ukitake, Shigure's eyes reflected a smile. "You already know, don't you?"
After the captain's assessment had concluded, Ukitake had approached Shigure.
He had told him that if he ever considered changing divisions, the doors of the 13th Division would always be open for him.
Back then, Shigure had given a positive response.
Hearing Shigure's words, a smile also appeared in Ukitake's eyes.
But at that moment, he suddenly coughed.
What followed was a fit of intense coughing.
It took quite some time before he could calm down.
"Are you... alright?" Shigure asked cautiously.
Though Ukitake's face was pale, he waved it off with a light smile, "It's nothing serious."
Shigure's expression remained unchanged, but he sighed inwardly.
How could it be nothing serious?
From a young age, Ukitake had been afflicted by a disease that turned his hair white and left him in critical condition.
His parents had sent him to the shrine of the "One-Eyed Great God," a manifestation of the Spirit King's right arm.
In exchange for taking his lungs, the "One-Eyed Great God" saved Ukitake's life and granted him the power to become a substitute for the Spirit King.
Ukitake's survival to this day was solely due to that power.
"Segawa, do you know about the former lieutenant of the 13th Division, Kaien Shiba?" Ukitake suddenly asked.
Shigure nodded slightly, "I've heard my father mention him, the head of the Shiba clan, once one of the 'Five Great Noble Families.'"
"Yes..." Ukitake nodded gently, adding, "But never think that his position was earned merely through noble status."
"He possessed nearly all the finest qualities of a man. Thus, he was an irreplaceable lieutenant in the eyes of the 13th Division members."
Saying this, he looked at Shigure with a gentle smile.
"Though it may sound strange to ask this of you... I hope, Segawa, that you can become a lieutenant who is respected for more than just your strength."
Shigure's eyes flickered, and he bowed his head earnestly.
...
Leaving the 13th Division quarters, Shigure exhaled softly.
When Ukitake spoke with him, he did not position himself as a captain of the Gotei 13 but rather as an elder imparting wisdom to a younger generation.
Shigure felt touched by his sincere emotions and couldn't help but be moved.
Strolling outside the 13th Division, Shigure suddenly felt a desire to return to the Segawa residence.
The place where he had lived for three years now felt like it had a hint of home.
Surely, upon hearing Captain Unohana's verdict, they would be anxious...
With these thoughts, Shigure made his way back to the Segawa family estate.
...
The next morning, before the inspection team from the 1st Division could arrive, Shigure had already left the Segawa residence, heading proactively to the 1st Division's quarters.
The feeling of "home" from the previous day had been comforting.
But he knew that with the power he now possessed, he couldn't allow himself to be bound by it.
The entrance to the underground prison was located directly behind the 1st Division's quarters, essentially under their watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly man with slicked-back hair, a beard, and a partially black head of hair emerged.
Shigure immediately recognized him.
Chōjirō Sasakibe, the 3rd Seat of the 1st Division.
With a stern demeanor, he approached Shigure, glanced at him, and said, "Follow me."
"Yes," Shigure nodded slightly.
Shigure followed steadily.
Through a vacant area beside the 1st Division, Shigure followed Sasakibe to the entrance of the underground prison.
He stopped, turned to Shigure, and spoke with a strong voice:
"The underground prison has eight levels. Each level has its own set of rules."
"So, when passing through the first two levels, please do not linger or look around."
"Understood," Shigure replied respectfully.
"The third level, the Black Corrosion Hell, has only one rule," Sasakibe said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Do not attempt to converse with any of the 'madmen' within."
Shigure's eyes shifted, and he promptly nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then follow me down."
Sasakibe took out a wooden seal marked with the "卍" symbol, placing it between his palms before pushing it forward.
The seal, carried by his spiritual power, flew towards the massive door ahead.
The door opened in response, and the two stepped inside.
As the door closed, silence enveloped the surroundings.
The two continued downward, heading towards the third level, the Black Corrosion Hell.
The journey was shorter than Shigure had imagined.
Before long, they had successfully passed through the first two levels and arrived at the entrance to the third level.
In front of them stood seventeen white pillars.
Each pillar was entwined with deep purple chains, emanating a mysterious power.
Sasakibe once again retrieved the "卍" seal.
White light emanated from the seal.
He chanted a special incantation loudly:
"Sky of steel, land of mist, desert of ice and snow, ocean of flames!"
"Fall into oblivion, tremble, entwine, seal!"
"Red moon! White sun! Black star!"
"Named the prison of chaotic black corrosion..."
"Open!!"
As his words fell, seventeen beams of light burst from the seal, instantly dispelling all the chains on the pillars.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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