"It's been quite some time, Rukia."
Shigure spoke softly.
Rukia's eyelids flickered as she slowly rose to her feet.
She approached with heavy, unsteady steps, her voice distant and confused.
"Why... why would Vice-Captain Segawa suddenly come here..."
Shigure smiled, preparing to respond, when his expression suddenly hardened.
An unexpected figure had appeared at the Fourth Underground Prison's entrance!
Since Shigure had come to complete a sign-in, he remained vigilant for potential complications.
Upon entering, he had continuously maintained his Resonance Vision to monitor the entire Fourth Underground Prison.
Now, through that enhanced sight, he witnessed the newcomer's identity.
9th Division Captain... Tosen Kaname!
Why would he suddenly appear here?
It seemed impossible—his relationship with Rukia hardly warranted a prison visit.
Moreover, given the current external crisis, he should be far too occupied to visit...
Wait... he wore a Spirit Concealment Cloak.
This meant he had secretly infiltrated the facility while masking his presence.
His purpose, therefore, must be...
Shigure's mind raced through the implications.
Within moments, his expression returned to perfect composure.
Feigning complete ignorance of Tosen's arrival, he smiled warmly at Rukia.
"Captain Ukitake has been suffering from poor health lately."
"He rarely leaves the barracks these days, so he asked me to check on you."
Rukia startled slightly. She had clearly noticed the momentary shift in Shigure's expression.
But it had passed so quickly.
Rather than pressing the matter, she offered a wan smile.
"Captain Ukitake... always so kind..."
"But I can no longer serve as his subordinate..." Rukia's head drooped.
Shigure continued observing her without response.
Through his Resonance Vision, Tosen steadily approached.
Eventually, he positioned himself approximately half a zhang away.
Though Tosen Kaname suffered from blindness, his spiritual perception remained exceptionally acute.
At this proximity, he could detect virtually every nuance of Shigure's behavior.
Shigure maintained absolute caution, continuing his casual conversation with Rukia.
Throughout this exchange, Tosen Kaname remained perfectly still.
This confirmed Shigure's earlier hypothesis.
Aizen had dispatched him... to surveil Shigure's activities.
After all, when Rukongai faced Ryoka invasion, a vice-captain had chosen to visit the Penitence Palace instead.
Such behavior might appear merely eccentric to most observers.
But Aizen would analyze every conceivable angle.
Hence Tosen Kaname's covert surveillance mission.
However, his actions remained completely visible through Shigure's Resonance Vision.
Shigure had initially intended to inform Rukia about Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions' arrival.
Under current circumstances, such disclosure was impossible.
After brief pleasantries, he resolved to depart.
With the sign-in completed, prolonged presence served no purpose.
"Well then... farewell, Rukia."
Rukia managed a fragile smile.
"Farewell... perhaps our next meeting will be at Sokyoku Hill..."
She had already learned of her impending execution.
Witnessing her despair, Shigure briefly lowered his gaze, though circumstances prevented him from offering comfort.
Without lingering, he strode purposefully toward the exit.
The instant Shigure moved, Tosen Kaname retreated a step.
Spirit Concealment Cloaks possessed inherent limitations.
Excessive proximity or overwhelming spiritual pressure could compromise their effectiveness.
Tosen Kaname understood this perfectly, hence his strategic repositioning to maintain optimal distance from Shigure.
Shigure gazed straight ahead, his demeanor betraying nothing as he maintained steady progress.
Even after exiting the Fourth Underground Prison, his Resonance Vision continued tracking Tosen Kaname.
This ability stemmed from Kyoka Suigetsu's power, rendering it completely undetectable to Tosen.
Only after descending the stone steps did Shigure allow himself a subtle, relieved exhale.
Aizen... truly possessed meticulous cunning.
Had Shigure been less cautious—had he not maintained constant Resonance Vision—he might have already betrayed himself before Tosen Kaname.
Such exposure would inevitably trigger Aizen's suspicions.
The consequences could force Aizen to alter his schemes, potentially targeting Shigure directly.
This would thrust Shigure into an unavoidable period of disadvantage.
Such an outcome was precisely what Shigure sought to avoid.
Upon leaving the Penitence Palace, Shigure prepared to return directly to the 13th Division.
According to Aizen's established timeline, Ichimaru Gin should have already repelled Ichigo Kurosaki at West Rukongai.
Next, Ichigo Kurosaki and his group would seek out Shiba Kukaku.
Subsequently, they would utilize her Kakaku Cannon to launch an aerial assault on Seireitei.
However, these events couldn't unfold within a single day.
Barring unforeseen complications, today would pass without major incidents.
Shigure intended to return and thoroughly examine his two newly acquired abilities.
...
Meanwhile, Tosen Kaname had also departed the Penitence Palace, secretly making his way to the 5th Division barracks.
"Lord Aizen, I have returned."
He bowed deeply, speaking with utmost reverence.
Aizen turned toward him, smiling pleasantly. "And... what did you observe?"
Tosen Kaname maintained his deferential posture.
"Segawa Shigure's visit to the Penitence Palace was motivated by Ukitake Jushiro's illness. He was conducting a prison visit on his captain's behalf."
"Oh?" Aizen's eyebrows rose with mild surprise. "Are you certain, Kaname?"
Tosen Kaname considered carefully before responding with measured confidence:
"Lord Aizen, I detected no abnormalities in his demeanor or spiritual energy fluctuations."
Upon hearing this assessment, Aizen's gentle smile returned.
"It appears I may have been overthinking the situation."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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