Shigure left the squad barracks and headed straight for the First Division.
At this hour, it wasn't wise to use Shunpo freely above the Seireitei. Might cause unnecessary panic.
Besides, his instincts told him the Quincies wouldn't attack anytime soon. No need to rush.
However, not long into his walk, he suddenly encountered a Soul Reaper patrol squad.
"Yo! Captain Segawa!!" A clear, sweet voice rang out.
The squad leader was naturally Rangiku Matsumoto, lieutenant of the Tenth Division.
Though now she'd cut her wavy long hair short to shoulder length. She looked much sharper.
But seeing Shigure, she immediately reverted to her less-than-serious demeanor.
The Tenth Division members following her stopped simultaneously, bowing to Shigure.
"Captain Segawa!"
"Mm."
Shigure smiled and nodded lightly. But he suddenly noticed one girl keeping her head down.
She seemed to deliberately shift her position, trying to hide behind another squad member.
The moment he recognized her, Shigure's heart stirred slightly.
He knew who this was, of course.
Though over two years had passed, her appearance hadn't changed much.
This was someone he'd expelled from the Fifth Division two years ago, who then went to train with the Kidō Corps—
Momo Hinamori.
Actually, Shigure had heard from Rukia long ago—
After completing her year of training, Hinamori hadn't returned to the Gotei 13 directly.
For some reason, she decided to continue training there another year. Only recently had she chosen to return, joining Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Tenth Division.
Since then, the two had never met.
Shigure hadn't expected to encounter her now.
But they were complete strangers now. No connection remained.
Since she didn't want him to notice her, Shigure naturally wouldn't expose her.
After some casual chat, Rangiku led her squad away to continue the Tenth Division's patrol duties.
Shigure didn't linger either, walking straight toward the First Division.
But shortly after he resumed walking, a black figure suddenly appeared before him with extremely fast Shunpo, immediately kneeling on one knee.
"Captain Segawa!"
Hm?... Inner Court Troop?
Shigure raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
Though he'd noticed this spiritual pressure approaching, he hadn't expected an Inner Court Troop member.
"What is it?"
"Captain Segawa, by order of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, I've come to request your presence at the First Division barracks."
"The Captain-Commander is in the duty room. He has urgent matters to discuss with you."
The female Inner Court Troop member kept her head lowered, speaking quickly.
Hearing this, Shigure's gaze shifted slightly.
He'd just been planning to find Yamamoto, and now orders came directly from him...?
"Understood."
Shigure nodded without hesitation and continued walking forward.
The Inner Court Troop member took the hint and immediately left via Shunpo.
Soon after, Shigure arrived at the First Division barracks.
Due to former Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe's death, the division's administrative duties fell to Third Seat Genshirō Okikiba.
Still wearing his stern expression, he led Shigure to the duty room, then left directly.
Shigure didn't stand on ceremony. He entered through the side door.
"Captain-Commander."
"You've come... Segawa."
Yamamoto stood with his back to Shigure, by the duty room window, gazing at the sky outside.
Shigure stopped about a meter behind him, waiting for Yamamoto to speak.
Since he'd sent the Inner Court Troop to notify him, there must be something important.
But though Shigure thought this, Yamamoto remained silent. Like a statue, gazing outside.
After a moment, Shigure spoke:
"Captain-Commander, the urgent matter you mentioned... what is it?"
His words fell. A moment later, Yamamoto slowly began to speak:
"Segawa, not long ago, Chōjirō mentioned something to me. He said that once when you met, you used spiritual pressure to transmit a message—
"Telling him to be careful. To watch for enemies that might appear in the Seireitei at any time...
"And you warned him not to use his Bankai carelessly. Told him to seek my help."
"Did you... truly say this?"
Yamamoto finished speaking with his back still to Shigure. His tone neither happy nor sad, but extremely slow.
Hearing this, Shigure lowered his eyes:
"...Yes. I did say that."
"But I never imagined that when encountering those enemies, Sasakibe-san wouldn't come to you first. Instead... he chose to fight alone."
"..."
Yamamoto raised his head slightly and suddenly let out a sigh.
"Haah—"
The sigh was heavy, yet contained various other complex emotions.
After a moment, he spoke slowly:
"Chōjirō has always been that kind of person... From when I first met him, he was already like this."
His words fell. The duty room sank into silence.
Shigure kept his eyes lowered, unable to respond. He knew this was the Captain-Commander's moment.
His memories needed no outsider's commentary.
After a moment, Yamamoto slowly turned around, looking back at Shigure.
After gazing a moment, he slowly spoke:
"Segawa, I won't ask... how you could foresee the current situation in advance."
"I won't inquire where your unimaginably powerful strength comes from."
"Because everything you've done for Soul Society, for the Seireitei until now, is enough to prove... your sincere heart."
As Yamamoto spoke, his eyes grew increasingly profound. Finally, he said in a deep voice:
"So I called you here to tell you this—
"As much as possible... preserve your strength."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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