Ōmaeda rushed non-stop to the Training Valley.
In fact, around sunset, he'd quietly come here to check.
After learning that Soi Fon and Shigure were still inside, he'd decided to clock out early and get some sleep.
But no matter what, he never imagined this one nap would directly delay such an important matter.
However, given that he hadn't been kicked awake by his captain, he could deduce that Soi Fon and the others should still be inside.
Sure enough, just as he arrived at the Training Valley, he immediately saw the back of a small black girl sitting on the steps.
"That's the Arrancar who follows Captain Shigure?"
Ōmaeda recognized her at a glance. He immediately held his breath and carefully advanced. Walking around her.
However, the instant he circled around and saw what was in front of her, Ōmaeda's heart jumped.
Then he felt somewhat helpless.
Under the moonlight, between Aning's hands, a black-purple butterfly was fluttering gracefully.
Around it were spiritual pressure walls unconsciously emanating from between the girl's ten fingers.
Right now, the Hell Butterfly kept hitting walls. Unable to escape.
And Aning kept her head lowered. Watching with great curiosity.
Seeing this, Ōmaeda's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
It seemed that wanting to keep this Hell Butterfly, the girl had unconsciously created a spiritual pressure seal around it. As a result, she'd trapped it inside without realizing.
And if a Hell Butterfly couldn't deliver its message to the target, it would never disappear.
Just then, Aning also noticed Ōmaeda and looked up.
However, her eyes held no hostility or fear. Only curiosity.
But meeting that gaze, Ōmaeda's heart involuntarily tensed.
A drop of sweat slowly slid down his forehead as he laughed dryly:
"Uh... I'm here to find Captain Shigure and the others. I won't disturb you..."
With that, he quickly walked toward the barrier's edge.
Though he couldn't visually see the situation inside, Ōmaeda could use spiritual pressure sensing to determine what was happening within.
"As expected, the Captain, Captain Shigure, and Lady Yoruichi are all still inside."
After understanding the situation, Ōmaeda unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
Moments later, he quickly used spiritual pressure transmission:
"C-Captain, this is Ōmaeda. There's an emergency summons from the Captain-Commander..."
The instant those words transmitted, he immediately felt spiritual pressure fluctuations from the other side.
At this time, inside the Frostburn Valley barrier.
Soi Fon was preparing to coordinate with Yoruichi once more. Attacking Shigure from front and back simultaneously. Using Shunkō's explosive blasts to trap him in a pincer attack.
Because this was what they'd determined to be the move most likely to threaten him.
However, just as she'd used flash step to circle in front of Shigure, suddenly, Lieutenant Kisenchiyo Ōmaeda's voice transmitted into her mind.
The instant she heard the transmission, her body naturally paused.
And this, of course, was noticed by both Shigure and Yoruichi.
Throughout the afternoon's continuous high-speed combat, Soi Fon's condition had remained excellent. Whether Hakuda or flash step, there were never any flaws.
Therefore, just this slight pause was enough to indicate something.
Immediately after, they also noticed the faint spiritual pressure fluctuations surrounding Soi Fon.
Shigure's eyes moved. He immediately straightened. And with a thought, dispersed his Shunkō.
Yoruichi also retracted her spiritual pressure and walked over. Asking in surprise:
"Is something wrong, Soi Fon?"
At this moment, Ōmaeda's transmission had ended. Soi Fon immediately raised her head. Her eyes sharpening:
"Ōmaeda transmitted that the Captain-Commander has secret orders."
"Emergency assembly at Sōkyoku Hill!"
?!
The instant those words fell, both Shigure and Yoruichi's expressions changed slightly.
Today was only the second day after the battle. Yet there was an emergency assembly at that place?
Not just Yoruichi—after saying those words, even Soi Fon's own expression was somewhat bewildered and grave.
And almost instantly, some possibilities flashed through Shigure's mind.
Then Yoruichi suddenly broke into a smile. Looking toward Shigure:
"Haha, looks like we'll have to stop here for today, Shigure. I wonder if you gained any improvements?"
The instant those words fell, Soi Fon also immediately looked toward Shigure.
Though the afternoon's combat had allowed them both to immerse themselves, the purpose was ultimately to train Shigure.
So naturally they wanted to understand Shigure's feelings.
Though day and night didn't alternate inside the Frostburn Valley barrier, they could of course know the approximate time.
Hearing this, Shigure withdrew his thoughts and smiled lightly:
"Being able to spar with you both for so long, the gains are naturally considerable."
In fact, after several hours of combat, his pure Hakuda level hadn't improved too much. After all, it had already reached excellence through sign-ins.
But in terms of Shunkō technique, he'd undoubtedly gained tremendous improvement.
And he believed this would serve as an important foundation for his Hakuda to eventually reach the ultimate level.
Hearing this answer, Yoruichi grinned. Then raised her hand and snapped her fingers lightly.
"Snap."
The finger snap fell. The surrounding environment began changing rapidly. Then white spiritual particles began rapidly gathering. Converging toward Yoruichi's palm.
She smiled:
"Though I still can't open the Frostburn Valley barrier, retracting this Shihōin Ring is quite simple."
Saying this, Yoruichi suddenly tossed the ring in her hand toward Shigure again. Smiling:
"I'll let you keep this. How about it?"
"From your look, you'll probably need another training session, right?"
Shigure's eyes moved. Without hesitation, he reached out to catch it. Smiling: "Then I won't be polite."
"We should go out first."
Soi Fon spoke seriously.
Though she had much to say about future training, right now, her mind was naturally occupied with something more important—the Captain-Commander's summons.
"Mm."
Yoruichi nodded. The three walked out together.
However, after just a few steps, Shigure spoke. His voice soft:
"Soi Fon, Lady Yoruichi, do you remember what I said this morning?"
The instant those words fell, both Soi Fon and Yoruichi froze slightly. Stopping in their tracks.
But Shigure's expression remained calm. Without stopping, he spoke flatly:
"Prepare yourselves mentally."
"That enemy who turned the Zanpakutō against us has appeared."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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