The 10th Division functioned as Seireitei's patrol and security squad.
They bore responsibility for the vast majority of surveillance and protection duties throughout the Court of Pure Souls.
Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō held the distinction of being Soul Society's youngest captain in history.
Their barracks occupied a position near Seireitei's central district.
Throughout the past two months, this marked Shigure's inaugural visit.
Regarding Hitsugaya Tōshirō's motivation for seeking him out, he remained completely uncertain.
After all, they hadn't maintained contact for two months.
Upon Shigure's arrival at the 10th Division barracks, he wasted no time inquiring about Tōshirō's whereabouts from a squad member. Learning this was Vice-Captain Segawa, the member enthusiastically volunteered to escort him personally.
Following this squad member's guidance, they encountered Matsumoto Rangiku before traveling far.
Rangiku appeared genuinely surprised by Shigure's unexpected arrival.
The accompanying squad member, reading the situation astutely, departed with tactful discretion.
Rangiku guided Shigure forward while inquiring with characteristic warmth:
"So today's kendo training has concluded already?"
Shigure nodded with gentle satisfaction:
"For quite some time ahead, continuation won't be necessary."
Upon hearing this, Rangiku momentarily froze, then broke into immediate smiles.
"Congratulations appear to be in order."
Shigure's relaxed demeanor contrasted dramatically with Matsumoto Rangiku's morning encounter.
She immediately recognized that Shigure must have achieved significant training breakthroughs.
Moments later, they arrived at the captain's office.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō registered their approach and looked up sharply, appearing momentarily startled. "Segawa?"
Shigure smiled respectfully: "Captain Hitsugaya."
Hitsugaya pursed his lips, directing his attention toward Matsumoto Rangiku:
"Rangiku, didn't you indicate he could only arrive this evening?"
Rangiku spread her hands helplessly: "That's precisely what Segawa himself conveyed..."
Hitsugaya turned away dismissively: "Fine. Please step outside and close the door."
"Eh?!"
Rangiku displayed exaggerated astonishment: "Captain... must you exclude even me from your discussion?"
Shigure appeared equally surprised. Hitsugaya Tōshirō evidently regarded this conversation with utmost gravity.
"Ah, the captain truly lacks faith in his lieutenant's discretion..."
Despite her protests, Rangiku naturally complied with Tōshirō's directive, securing the door upon departure.
Only then did Shigure focus entirely on Tōshirō:
"So, Captain Hitsugaya, what warrants such solemnity?"
Hitsugaya Tōshirō indicated the opposing seat: "Please, sit first."
Shigure nodded, positioning himself across the desk.
At this moment, he observed Hitsugaya Tōshirō's expression bearing particular intensity.
Though he typically maintained stern composure, this represented a distinctly different severity.
Shigure adopted matching seriousness.
Tōshirō's gaze flickered as he lowered his voice conspiratorially:
"Segawa... do you recall that devastating incident occurring two months ago, coinciding with your appointment as 5th Division vice-captain?"
Shigure immediately raised his eyebrows: "You're referring to that 'spiritual particle turbulence'?"
He hadn't anticipated Tōshirō revisiting this matter after such extended silence.
Upon hearing Shigure's response, however, Tōshirō shook his head emphatically.
"Surely you won't align yourself with those doddering Central 46 officials..."
"Such phenomena... how could they possibly constitute spiritual particle turbulence?"
Shigure's eyes sharpened with recognition.
He certainly understood it wasn't spiritual particle turbulence. Though lacking the Eye of Resonance at that time, preventing detection of concealed presences.
He had long confirmed that whoever orchestrated this assault belonged to Aizen's triumvirate.
However, voicing such accusations without substantiating evidence would prove futile.
Yet he couldn't fathom Tōshirō suddenly expressing such convictions.
He responded tentatively: "Then what represents Captain Hitsugaya's assessment?"
Tōshirō raised his head, eyes radiating arctic coldness.
"This constituted a calculated conspiracy."
"Last night... a 10th Division member nearly suffered identical circumstances."
"What?" Shigure's composure faltered momentarily.
That explained Tōshirō's urgent summons today.
However, a 10th Division member's near-encounter might genuinely represent spiritual particle turbulence.
It seemed unrelated to Aizen's machinations...
Just as Shigure processed this reasoning, Hitsugaya Tōshirō delivered his revelation:
"I detected captain-level spiritual pressure in that squad member's vicinity."
"Though extremely subtle, I successfully identified it!"
"The spiritual pressure's source was..."
"3rd Division's Ichimaru Gin!"
?!
Shigure's breathing caught involuntarily, his heart racing with sudden comprehension.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō displayed unmistakable confidence.
Shigure remained speechless. Given Tōshirō's assertion, the perception couldn't represent error.
Then this incident... might genuinely connect to Ichimaru Gin and his associates?
Shigure furrowed his brow in contemplation.
Observing this reaction, Tōshirō continued methodically:
"Recall two months past—when that tragedy unfolded, beyond our immediate response, he arrived first among the captains."
"Furthermore, he seemed determined to assign complete culpability to you."
"Additionally, he maintains apparent antagonism toward 5th Division's Captain Aizen..."
"I suspect Ichimaru Gin may be... orchestrating some conspiracy."
Tōshirō presented his analysis systematically, his gaze radiating frigid determination.
After absorbing this assessment, Shigure couldn't suppress slight amazement.
Indeed, Hitsugaya Tōshirō demonstrated exceptional analytical composure regarding matters unrelated to Hinamori Momo.
Though his conclusions had diverged from reality.
His deductions based on Ichimaru Gin's observable anomalies followed sound logical principles.
However, he remained unaware that these behaviors constituted pure performance.
The supposed discord between Ichimaru Gin and Aizen Sōsuke represented deliberate misdirection for their future schemes.
This strategy's purpose involved directing everyone's suspicion toward Ichimaru Gin.
Thereby obscuring the true architect... Aizen.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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