Dawn broke over Seireitei, the first rays of sunlight piercing through the morning mist.
Shigure's expression remained serene as he gently pushed open his door.
Two hours remained until the execution.
According to Seireitei regulations, all captains and vice-captains were required to attend the Sōkyoku Hill, standing witness until the condemned prisoner's sentence was carried out.
This had been Central 46's ironclad rule since the Sōkyoku's establishment.
Today, however, circumstances were different.
The Ryoka invasion had placed Seireitei under martial law.
During such wartime conditions, captains and vice-captains with critical duties were exempt from attendance—such as the 10th Division handling patrol and security, and the 12th Division's Department of Research and Development monitoring the situation.
Shigure walked steadily forward, heading to Ugendō to collect Ukitake Jūshirō.
Regulations required both captain and vice-captain to attend together; he couldn't go alone.
To his surprise, when he reached Ugendō, Ukitake Jūshirō was already waiting at the entrance.
The captain stood with his back turned, wearing his haori, gazing up at the sky.
Shigure approached to within two meters, speaking softly: "Captain Ukitake."
At his voice, Ukitake didn't turn around.
"Segawa... you're up quite early today."
His tone carried a contemplative weight.
Shigure lowered his gaze, responding calmly:
"Two hours remain until Rukia Kuchiki's execution. We should depart for the Sōkyoku Hill, Captain."
Even as his words faded, Ukitake remained facing away.
"Segawa..."
"You've noticed it too, haven't you?"
"All the irregularities surrounding this execution."
Shigure's heart quickened, his eyes lifting slightly.
He had long anticipated Ukitake Jūshirō would harbor such suspicions.
After all, in the original story, Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui were the ones who acted to destroy the Sōkyoku.
But Shigure chose not to respond.
Ukitake slowly turned, offering Shigure a gentle smile.
"It's time I fulfilled my duties as a captain... for Rukia's sake."
"Segawa, I'll need you to continue as acting captain and proceed to the Sōkyoku Hill in my stead."
He turned toward the exit, his voice steady:
"I need to... retrieve something."
Without awaiting Shigure's reaction, he departed.
His retreating figure radiated determination, without a trace of hesitation.
Shigure lowered his eyes, understanding perfectly what Ukitake intended to retrieve—the divine artifact from the Shihōin family's Tenshiheisōban that he planned to use against the Sōkyoku.
Clearly, their objectives overlapped.
But Shigure had no intention of revealing this.
If Ukitake learned of Shigure's own plans to destroy the Sōkyoku, his nature would compel him to intervene.
"Well then... time to go."
Shigure murmured to himself before launching into the air.
Destination: Sōkyoku Hill.
He traveled through the lower atmosphere using Shunpo, yet could still hear conversations from the squad members below.
Surprisingly, they weren't discussing the Ryoka invasion.
Instead, they debated Rukia Kuchiki's impending Sōkyoku execution.
Many questioned whether this punishment was justified.
Some even dared voice that Central 46 had grown senile.
Their teammates quickly silenced such remarks.
After all, Central 46 stood as Soul Society's supreme judicial authority—absolutely beyond question.
Though many Gotei members harbored doubts, none dared open rebellion.
Shigure continued forward while activating his Resonance Vision, monitoring various situations.
As expected, he observed the standoff between Kenpachi Zaraki and Tōsen Kaname.
Kenpachi was accompanied by Uryū Ishida's group and 11th Division members.
Opposing them stood the 7th Division under Sajin Komamura and the 9th Division under Tōsen Kaname.
"Everything... exactly as I remember..."
Shigure sighed softly, then accelerated toward the Sōkyoku Hill without further delay.
This was where the real drama would unfold.
Upon Shigure's arrival, several captains and vice-captains had already assembled:
1st Division: Yamamoto Genryūsai and Sasakibe Chōjirō
2nd Division: Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda Marechiyo
4th Division: Unohana Retsu and Kotetsu Isane
8th Division: Kyōraku Shunsui and Ise Nanao
That was all.
Of thirteen divisions, only four were represented.
Shigure descended from the air, approaching the group.
All eyes turned to him.
Seeing him arrive alone prompted expressions of surprise.
Unohana Retsu inquired:
"Segawa? Captain Ukitake's health has improved, hasn't it... why didn't he accompany you?"
Her question echoed the concerns of Yamamoto Genryūsai and Suì-Fēng.
Shigure bowed his head slightly, responding with composure: "Captain Ukitake mentioned urgent business and asked me to proceed ahead."
As he spoke, his gaze briefly met Kyōraku Shunsui's.
Kyōraku chuckled softly at this exchange:
"Has Ukitake grown lazy from too much rest?"
His words clearly served to deflect suspicion from Ukitake's true purpose.
Shigure chose not to expose this cover.
Less than an hour remained until the execution commenced.
Suddenly, rustling sounds emerged from the opposite side of Sōkyoku Hill.
Shigure looked up toward the source.
Rukia Kuchiki appeared in prisoner's garb, her shackles creating the metallic sounds.
1st Division guards escorted her from the Confession Palace's fourth underground cell to Sōkyoku Hill.
Throughout the journey, she kept her head bowed.
Her steps were heavy with resignation.
In this moment, all other sounds seemed to fade away.
Only her footsteps echoed in the silence.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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