Among the white towers of Palace of Repentance, Gosuke Shigure sat cross-legged.
Suddenly, the sound of dull footsteps rang out, especially jarring in this quiet Palace of Repentance.
He couldn't help raising his eyes to look over.
The first thing that caught his eye was a splash of bright color.
"It's really rare. I thought everyone had forgotten me and treated me as a real sinner. I didn't expect someone would come to see me."
Looking at the visitor, Gosuke Shigure spoke from the heart.
The corner of the visitor's mouth lifted in a faint smile. "How could it be? During this period of time, I have been running around for your affairs!"
"Really? Isn't it collecting information and clues related to the Kenpachi Azashiro?" Shigure exposed the truth behind the visitor's words.
The visitor did not deny it. "Gosuke, you're right. Recently, I have indeed been collecting information related to Azashiro Soya. Likewise, as the information has come together, I've grown more and more certain of one thing."
"What's that?"
"You are innocent."
The visitor said this with utmost seriousness.
Shigure showed no particular joy; he was calmer than expected, and more concerned with how long he would remain here than with hearing a declaration of innocence.
"Since I'm innocent, why haven't I been released? Why am I still being held here? Can you tell me, Captain Kyoraku?"
The visitor was none other than Kyoraku Shunsui, captain of the Eighth Division and one of the oldest existing captains in the Soul Society.
Shunsui looked more serious. "Gosuke, you also know Central 46 has a sequence for judging prisoners. Recently, with the surrender of Kenpachi Azashiro, the evidence of his crimes is nearly collected. Central 46 has focused all attention on judging him, so they don't have the mind to deal with you yet."
"But don't worry. I'll go to Central 46 to ask about your case later. You probably won't be kept here for many more days."
"I came today to ask that you not be disappointed with Seireitei and the Gotei 13 because of what's happened to you recently—much less resent Central 46."
"They're just following the rules."
A sneer tugged at Gosuke Shigure's lips. "A fine thing to 'follow the rules'."
Shunsui heard the dissatisfaction in Gosuke Shigure's tone. His brows lifted; he hesitated to speak, but in the end said nothing.
After all, it was Gosuke Shigure who had been imprisoned.
Central 46 had charged him with a grave crime before the matter was thoroughly investigated. Although current evidence has proved Gosuke Shigure innocent, it is plainly impossible for Central 46 to take the initiative to apologize to him.
They are nobles; they represent authority. How could they admit they were wrong?
Therefore, the one wronged can only be Gosuke Shigure.
In such a situation, Shunsui understood how outrageous it was to ask Shigure not to hold a grudge against Central 46.
Just when Shunsui thought Shigure would pour out his resentment toward Central 46, he suddenly heard him say, "Tell me about the Kenpachi Azashiro."
Kyoraku Shunsui nodded, then said, "Earlier, there was an incident of soul disappearances in Rukongai. It's now confirmed Azashiro Soya did it. Originally, I thought he was simply killing Rukongai's souls at random.
"Now, with his surrender and confession, we've realized things are far more serious than we imagined."
"He transformed souls from Rukongai, attempting to turn them into weapons of war. He wanted to use the power of those souls to destroy Hueco Mundo. The souls that 'disappeared' were those whose spirit particles collapsed and died because they could not endure the transformation."
"Although he did not succeed, the nature of the act is the worst kind—an ultimate offense."
"It is a great crime: attempting to destroy the balance between souls."
"After collecting evidence during this period, Azashiro Soya can basically be convicted now. Because he surrendered himself, he may not be executed, but at the very least he will be sentenced to a long imprisonment." While speaking, Shunsui offered his own speculation. "He may be imprisoned on the lowest level of the Central Underground Prison."
"It's really unexpected." After Shunsui finished speaking about the Kenpachi Azashiro, Shigure voiced his genuine feeling.
He couldn't help but think back to the moment he'd opened his eyes more than a year ago.
Reborn—awake.
It coincided with Kenpachi Kuruyashiki's death and Azashiro Soya becoming the new Kenpachi.
His name was Gosuke Shigure, and he was the vice-captain of the Eleventh Division.
According to the original record, he was very likely to become Kenpachi in the future.
Once he became Kenpachi, he must assume certain responsibilities.
At that time, he felt being vice-captain was good enough; there was no need to cling to a big tree and draw attention. He had even considered pulling Kenpachi Azashiro back onto the right path.
However, due to lack of information, he did not know when Kenpachi Azashiro had conceived the idea of treason.
In the end, he still couldn't stop it from happening.
But life is like this—always full of regrets.
Gosuke Shigure felt a little sentimental, but not overly distressed.
If, earlier in the Zaraki District, when he found Kenpachi Azashiro, if he had been willing to listen to persuasion, destroy the evidence, and turn back, that would have been best.
Unfortunately, Azashiro Soya had a deep obsession and decided to walk into darkness on that path. To accomplish that plan, he did not hesitate to strike at Shigure.
Now that the Kenpachi Azashiro incident has come to light, it is no wonder he ended up like this.
After all, it was his choice.
…
After meeting with Shigure, Shunsui left the Palace of Repentance.
Thus a few more days passed.
The Kenpachi Azashiro matter still had not reached an end. Although evidence was basically collected, Central 46 had not yet tried him and issued a final conviction.
However, the suspicion surrounding Gosuke Shigure had been completely cleared.
On this day, the Punishment Force came to the Palace of Repentance.
They released Gosuke Shigure, removed the many restraints from him, and returned his Zanpakutō, saying he could return to the Eleventh Division.
There was nothing further.
It was impossible for Central 46 to apologize to Gosuke Shigure.
*****
Support me on my Ko-fi page and gain early access to my creations.
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
You can access up to 30 advanced chapters.
You can read 30 advanced chapters of the following:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi