Following Shigure's indifferent declaration, Toshiro remained frozen in place.
Upon reflection, his original objective had been identical to Shigure's.
Both sought to prevent Hinamori's actions.
The difference—he had hesitated to act.
While Shigure had intervened decisively.
Yet... to wound her so severely...
Toshiro gazed at Hinamori Momo upon the ground, clenching his jaw.
If I had recognized her intent sooner and intercepted her...
A voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
"Captain Hitsugaya! Vice-Captain Segawa!"
The gentle tone belonged to a familiar figure.
Both Shigure and Toshiro looked up simultaneously.
Unohana Retsu.
"Ca-Captain Unohana...?!" Toshiro's expression shifted with surprise.
He hadn't anticipated the 4th Division Captain's arrival—especially one responsible for medical assistance.
"Captain Hitsugaya, I overheard your entire conversation."
Unohana Retsu descended gracefully, approaching with grave determination:
"I believe Vice-Captain Hinamori has been deceived... Vice-Captain Segawa could never be Captain Aizen's murderer!"
Her tone carried absolute conviction, radiating persuasive authority.
Hitsugaya Toshiro registered mild shock at her declaration.
He studied Shigure intently before observing Hinamori Momo's prone form.
After prolonged silence, he spoke quietly:
"I... understand."
Unohana Retsu approached, regarding Shigure with gentle reproach:
"Nevertheless... Segawa, your response proved somewhat excessive."
Shigure's expression remained unchanged as he bowed slightly. "Yes."
Unohana Retsu possessed no time for extended discussion, swiftly moving to Hinamori Momo's side.
She extended her hands—emerald Kaido immediately enveloped the injured form.
"Captain Hitsugaya need not worry. Her injuries... will heal rapidly through Kaido."
Toshiro's gaze flickered, though he remained silent.
At that moment, a distinctive black butterfly materialized before the group.
Unohana Retsu froze with recognition.
"This—this is a specialized communication Hell Butterfly from Central 46?"
Both Toshiro and Shigure registered simultaneous alarm.
Central 46 employed various command distribution methods—secret emissaries, orders through 1st Division channels.
This Hell Butterfly announcement, however, bypassed standard protocols entirely.
Such deviation indicated extraordinary circumstances.
The messenger's crystalline voice emerged from the Hell Butterfly.
"To all Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13—we hereby convey an emergency directive from Central 46!"
"Concerning the execution schedule for condemned prisonerKuchiki Rukia, final modifications have been implemented."
"The definitive execution time is..."
"Thirteen hours from this moment!"
"This constitutes the ultimate decision—no further alterations will occur."
"Transmission concluded."
!!
Upon the Hell Butterfly's departure, all three individuals experienced simultaneous shock.
Unohana Retsu and Hitsugaya Toshiro's astonishment stemmed from Central 46's unprecedented decision—early execution orders had never appeared in their historical precedent.
Particularly involving such massive execution apparatus as the Sokyoku...
Shigure's horror, however, originated from sudden realization.
Aizen Sosuke... had accelerated his timeline once again.
During his contemplation, Hitsugaya Toshiro abruptly pivoted, launching skyward.
Unohana Retsu immediately called out: "Captain Hitsugaya, what are you doing?"
Without turning, Toshiro responded:
"The Sokyoku's release... premature execution... if this represents Ichimaru's objective..."
"I must prevent it!"
"I'm proceeding to the Central Assembly Hall immediately—seeking the 46 chambers!"
"...Please tend to Hinamori, Captain Unohana."
He departed via Shunpo without hesitation.
Shigure observed his aerial departure with calculating intensity.
Logically, Aizen's Central 46 impersonation served to protect the Sokyoku execution from Kurosaki Ichigo's interference.
This would enable him to harness the Sokyoku's devastating power post-release, vaporizing Rukia's soul and claiming the Hogyoku within.
Yet this represented merely one component of his dual strategy.
Presently, he should remain within the Great Spirit Book Corridor beneath the Central Assembly Hall, researching alternative Hogyoku extraction methods.
However, manga chronology indicated a twenty-nine-hour advancement.
The Hell Butterfly's message had compressed this timeframe by over half—to thirteen hours.
Shigure's expression grew increasingly grave.
Which means...
Aizenvery likely... has already accessed the Great Spirit Book Corridor and discovered the secondaryHogyokuextraction technique...
Hence his accelerated schedule.
Unohana Retsu, observing Shigure's complex expression, inquired with concern:
"Segawa... is something troubling you?"
Shigure refocused, meeting Unohana Retsu's gaze with profound intensity.
After careful consideration, he spoke deliberately:
"There's something... I originally intended to reveal on execution eve."
"However, given this advancement..."
"I must... inform you immediately."
Shigure's tone carried absolute gravity.
He simultaneously activated his Resonance Eye, ensuring complete conversational privacy.
Unohana Retsu immediately stabilized her Kaido barrier.
Rising to face Shigure directly, she responded with sharp focus:
"Please proceed."
Her demeanor had transformed to clinical precision.
Shigure lifted his gaze, speaking with measured weight:
"Regarding Kuchiki Rukia'sSokyokuexecution... it actually forms part of Aizen's conspiracy."
"He has long manipulated Central 46, issuing coordinated directives."
"Including what we just witnessed... the premature execution order."
"...Wh-what?!"
Unohana Retsu gasped involuntarily.
Shigure continued without pause:
"Because this intersects with my strategy, I won't temporarily interfere with standard execution proceedings."
"However, following Sokyoku release... I will act to destroy it."
"To successfully accomplish this objective..."
"I require your assistance."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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