As soon as the system notification ended, Shigure immediately curled the corners of his mouth imperceptibly.
He had been waiting for this moment for quite some time, constantly cooperating with Aizen's plan and playing his part.
Now, it could finally come to an end.
The heat waves from the Sōkyoku ahead grew increasingly intense. Suddenly, that crimson spiritual pressure transformed directly into towering flames.
The black spear, wrapped in these blazing flames, began to change its shape.
Everyone present, except for Yamamoto Genryūsai, had their expressions stiffen.
This was the first time they had witnessed this form of the Sōkyoku.
Suì-Fēng's pupils contracted slightly. "This overwhelming sense of oppression... No wonder it's called the collective embodiment of a million zanpakutō..."
Kyōraku Shunsui beside her also looked up, gazing at the spear wrapped in flames.
He pressed down his hat slightly and sighed. "This is truly surprising..."
BOOM!
At that moment, a tremendous explosive sound suddenly erupted from the center of the flames, from within the spear.
Immediately after, the scattered flames began to rapidly converge.
Finally, they formed into a gigantic firebird!
The moment the firebird took shape, heat waves instantly swept over like a violent storm.
Several captains simultaneously froze, their breathing momentarily halted.
Yamamoto Genryūsai, however, remained expressionless and calmly explained:
"Kikōō..."
"The Sōkyoku spear has revealed its true form. It is the final executor of the execution."
"When it pierces through the condemned..."
"The execution is declared complete."
As Yamamoto Genryūsai's words fell, only the sound of Kikōō's flames burning remained around them.
Feeling this suffocating sense of oppression, Rukia on the execution stand no longer felt fear in her heart.
Instead... there was a sense of relief.
Under this bright and scorching firelight, she could no longer see clearly what was before her, but she still struggled to keep her eyes open.
Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes as she whispered to herself:
"Farewell..."
The firebird suddenly spread its wings wide, its flames burning even more intensely.
Looking up at Rukia above, Byakuya Kuchiki's heart trembled, and he suddenly closed his eyes.
At this moment, Yoruichi Shihōin, hidden in the shadows, watched this scene with extreme anxiety in her heart.
"Why... Segawa, why haven't you made your move yet...?!"
Kyōraku Shunsui also lowered his head slightly, sighing inwardly:
"Are we still too late... Ukitake..."
In the blink of an eye, Kikōō had already rushed forward rapidly.
That sharp fire-bird beak thrust toward Rukia Kuchiki without any hesitation.
Once it made contact, her soul would be directly vaporized.
A hint of despair rose in Yoruichi Shihōin's heart.
But just then, a sudden change occurred!
BOOM!!!
A deafening, violent roar suddenly erupted from the sky!
In an instant, a dazzling, magnificent thunder dragon, like a sword piercing heaven and earth, shot directly toward Kikōō's bird head!
BANG!!!
The firebird's massive body was struck onto the Sōkyoku platform by this thunderstorm impact!
Its beak hadn't even had time to touch Rukia's body before being directly engulfed by the thunderstorm.
Golden lightning instantly covered all the flames on the Sōkyoku.
At this moment, no crimson firelight could be seen on the Sōkyoku platform.
There was only... endless downward thunderstorm!!
"What?!!"
Seeing this scene, everyone around was stunned.
Only shock and disbelief remained on their faces.
Because the moment they saw this overwhelmingly oppressive lightning, they already realized—
The one who acted... was Segawa Shigure!!
At this time, golden lightning indeed appeared in his right palm.
Seeing this, no one failed to understand his purpose.
He wanted to destroy the Sōkyoku! Stop the execution!!
Rukia on the execution stand had already closed her eyes, but was also startled by this overwhelming presence.
Looking down below, when she clearly saw the lightning in Shigure's palm, her heart suddenly contracted.
He... is he saving me... why...
Suì-Fēng below saw this and immediately changed expression.
"You, what are you doing, Segawa!!" she roared with a stern expression.
She never could have imagined that Segawa Shigure, whom she had always trusted, would suddenly do such an unthinkable thing at this moment!
Byakuya Kuchiki beside her had a cold expression and said coldly: "Segawa!"
After speaking, he immediately moved, wanting to rush up and stop him.
He couldn't bear to watch... Shigure's rule-breaking behavior.
But just as he drew his sword and moved forward, an unexpected person suddenly blocked his path.
Kyōraku Shunsui!
Byakuya Kuchiki was slightly stunned and said coldly: "Captain Kyōraku... do you want to help the rebel?!"
Kyōraku Shunsui lowered his head slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"A rebel... I don't have that intention. I'm simply curious..."
"I want to see how Segawa... can destroy the Sōkyoku with just his zanpakutō's power."
Hearing this, Byakuya Kuchiki's expression immediately changed, and Yamamoto Genryūsai beside them also suddenly opened his eyes.
But even so, Shigure didn't stop his actions at all.
Because he knew that Kikōō was still alive.
"Well then... let me increase the spiritual pressure a little."
Shigure's eyes flashed as he directly raised his hand.
At this moment, the lightning ahead suddenly became even more dazzling.
Making it impossible for anyone to see clearly what was happening within.
At the same time, Shigure immediately concentrated his thoughts and secretly used his technique.
Within the thunderstorm, wisps of lightning suddenly condensed into sword shapes, forming thousands upon thousands of them, instantly surrounding the weakened firebird!
Immediately after, in a single instant, all the lightning swords simultaneously shot into its flaming body.
Candle Dragon Collapsing Spirit Thunder Sword!
BOOM!
Another tremendous explosive sound rang out, the resulting storm making it difficult for everyone to even open their eyes.
But this time, no one could sense the overwhelming spiritual pressure of Kikōō that had previously awed everyone.
Because its body was transforming into crimson spirit particles, slowly dissipating.
Only endless shock remained in everyone's hearts.
The Sōkyoku... had been destroyed.
The Sōkyoku platform fell into dead silence.
Everyone gazed at the drifting crimson spirit particles ahead.
At this moment, apart from the crackling sound of the intense lightning's electrical current, there was nothing else.
It wasn't until the moment Kikōō's spiritual pressure completely dissipated that the lightning connecting heaven and earth began to retract.
Three seconds later, it completely disappeared.
Only in Shigure's hand did the continuous lightning still flicker.
At this time, system notifications also rapidly appeared in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations host, you have successfully destroyed the Sōkyoku and completed the conditions for this check-in mission. Check-in successful!"
"System reward..."
"Initial Bankai: Azure Star Candle Dragon!"
"Ding!"
As the notification ended, Shigure immediately felt joy in his heart.
It's here! The long-awaited Bankai!
Ever since he had completed the check-in at Urahara's shop and mastered complete Shikai, he had been trying to comprehend Bankai for over two months.
However, he had made no progress.
This had once made him think he was using the wrong method.
But later, he suddenly realized.
As an ultimate zanpakutō, Candle Dragon's complete Shikai was already equivalent to other Soul Reapers' Bankai.
Their soul fusion degree had already reached its peak.
In other words, for Shigure, Candle Dragon's complete Shikai was already the final release state.
To break through this barrier and continue improving its power, Shigure understood in his heart that he couldn't do it on his own.
But now, he had finally received it.
Having obtained this reward, Shigure naturally wanted to examine it.
But at this moment, there was no time for detailed consideration, as a figure was rushing toward him at high speed.
Suì-Fēng!
Shigure's eyes jumped as he quickly retreated to dodge.
BANG!
Suì-Fēng's kick directly hit the ground, stirring up flying dust.
"Segawa!!"
Suì-Fēng roared with a stern expression: "Why did you do such a thing?! Why did you betray us?!"
"I clearly... clearly trusted you!!"
Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth, white airflow storms bursting from both fists as she charged directly at Shigure.
Her gaze contained too many complex emotions.
But just then, another spiritual pressure suddenly approached at high speed, directly embracing Suì-Fēng.
Not only did it forcibly stop Suì-Fēng's movement, but it also directly carried her away from the Sōkyoku platform!
Although this person wore a mask, Shigure could still recognize her at a glance.
Yoruichi Shihōin.
Suì-Fēng, being pulled forward by someone, naturally wanted to break free.
"Who is it... let me go!!"
But just then, Yoruichi removed her mask, revealing a light smile, and said:
"Yo, long time no see."
Suì-Fēng's pupils suddenly contracted.
"You are... Yoruichi?!"
...
On this side, on the Sōkyoku platform, after experiencing such a turn of events, the atmosphere dropped to freezing point.
Rukia, bound to the execution stand, looked down below with disbelief.
Shigure's power just now had made her feel absolute oppression.
But even now, she still didn't understand why Shigure would suddenly act to stop this execution.
Just as she was puzzled, suddenly, a belated figure appeared before everyone.
Captain of the 13th Division, Jūshirō Ukitake.
Seeing his appearance, Kyōraku Shunsui shifted his gaze from Byakuya Kuchiki in front of him.
Then he looked toward Ukitake and chuckled:
"Ukitake... you came too late."
Jūshirō Ukitake had a grave expression, holding a large object in his hands.
He didn't respond to Kyōraku Shunsui's words, but looked toward the Sōkyoku platform, then toward Shigure.
After a moment of silence, he looked at Shigure with a faint smile appearing on his face, saying:
"You were too reckless, Segawa."
The thunder dragon's momentum just now was clearly visible to him even from thousands of yards away.
He had originally wanted to scold him, but... now wasn't the time.
When Byakuya Kuchiki and Yamamoto Genryūsai both clearly saw the object in his hands, their eyes moved simultaneously.
Now, they could naturally perceive Ukitake and Shunsui's purpose.
Yamamoto Genryūsai's face darkened as he suddenly struck his staff heavily on the ground.
"THUD!"
Everyone's gaze turned toward him.
He opened his eyes, his gaze like tangible pressure directly rushing toward Shigure.
Shigure looked over, his expression still calm. "Head Captain."
"Segawa!" Yamamoto Genryūsai's face was stern. "Do you have any reason for doing this?!"
He had always held extremely high expectations for Shigure.
He hoped he would regard protecting the Gotei as his life's duty.
And from his performance over the past few months, he had done perfectly.
So Yamamoto Genryūsai never could have imagined that he would destroy the Sōkyoku at the moment before the execution was completed.
Such an act, according to Soul Society's laws... was a capital offense!
Seeing this, Jūshirō Ukitake immediately spoke up: "Teacher Genryūsai, he..."
"Silence! Ukitake!"
Yamamoto Genryūsai glared and shouted loudly, interrupting his words.
Then he looked toward Kyōraku Shunsui beside him and said sternly:
"I'll deal with you and Kyōraku's matter later!"
"Now... it's Segawa Shigure's turn to answer!"
After speaking, he looked at Shigure again with a stern expression.
"Then, give me a reason that I can believe in you, Segawa!"
"Otherwise... I will personally take you down!"
As his heavy words fell, Kyōraku Shunsui and the others around were immediately stunned.
This sentence was completely unlike the usual Yamamoto Genryūsai.
His saying such words already indicated that he was still willing to believe in Shigure in his heart.
Being stared at intently by Yamamoto Genryūsai, Shigure naturally understood his meaning.
Just then, Captain Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly stepped forward.
Seeing this, several captains and vice-captains were simultaneously stunned.
Unohana Retsu slowly walked to Shigure's front.
Then, she actually turned around, facing Yamamoto Genryūsai directly.
In her eyes was unprecedented gravity and determination.
Seeing this, Yamamoto Genryūsai's pupils contracted slightly.
"Captain Unohana... even you..."
"Captain Unohana... even you..."
"Head Captain."
Unohana Retsu looked directly at Yamamoto Genryūsai and spoke.
Her tone was also different from her usual gentleness, very resolute.
"Please remain calm. Before long, Segawa will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."
"I firmly believe this, and... am willing to vouch for him!"
Unohana Retsu spoke sincerely, her gaze showing no retreat or wavering.
Seeing this scene, Isane Kotetsu beside her was somewhat lost.
Although she had long known that her captain was internally a very strong-willed person, she had never seen her stand in opposition to the Head Captain for the sake of a vice-captain.
"..."
Looking at Unohana Retsu's expression, Yamamoto Genryūsai, who had been furious moments before, was stunned for a moment.
He might not trust others and question them.
But having spent a thousand years with Unohana Retsu, he knew her character deeply.
As someone who also cared for Seireitei, Yamamoto Genryūsai had never doubted Unohana Retsu.
After a moment of silence, Yamamoto Genryūsai lowered his eyes, then looked at Shigure, saying:
"Since Captain Unohana is willing to vouch for you..."
"Then I will temporarily not pursue your transgression."
Yamamoto Genryūsai's voice was still heavy, but everyone could clearly feel his anger gradually subsiding.
Seeing this, Unohana Retsu and Ukitake and others beside her relaxed their expressions slightly.
Shigure also breathed a sigh of relief, silently grateful that he had already spoken with Unohana Retsu beforehand.
Otherwise, he might now be facing questioning from two millennium-level captains.
Just as Shigure was about to speak his thanks, he suddenly discovered an anomaly through his resonance vision.
A figure was rapidly approaching this direction.
With a "whoosh," this figure used Flash Step to stand on the Sōkyoku execution stand, directly above Rukia.
Captain of the 9th Division, Tōsen Kaname!
"What?!"
"Captain Tōsen...?!"
The captains and vice-captains immediately looked over in shock.
Rukia also looked up in disbelief.
Tōsen's expression was cold, and without saying a word, he suddenly drew the sword at his waist.
Seeing this, Yamamoto Genryūsai's heart sank as he shouted loudly: "Tōsen... what are you doing?!"
However, Tōsen remained deaf to the Head Captain's words, raising his zanpakutō high.
Cold release words came from his mouth:
"Cry... Suzumushi!"
CLANG!
Continuous clear insect chirping sounds arose, his blade rapidly blooming with pale white light.
Rukia's pupils contracted. Feeling a captain releasing his zanpakutō at such close range, her mind went completely blank.
"Captain Tōsen... why are you releasing your zanpakutō here...?!"
Isane Kotetsu below said in horror.
The expressions of several captains naturally also froze.
At this time, Byakuya Kuchiki suddenly used Flash Step, directly disappearing from his original position and rushing toward Rukia.
Rukia's gaze trembled as she looked in that direction.
At this moment, Byakuya's face showed no indifference, but rather a trace of urgency.
"Byakuya... nii-sama..." Rukia murmured in a daze.
However, Byakuya Kuchiki's rushing speed ultimately couldn't match Tōsen Kaname's sword-swinging speed.
He swung down with one strike, and countless white double-pointed sharp blades suddenly appeared before him, flying downward like a torrential rain.
Suzumushi Second Form: Red Flying Locust!
BOOM!
The Sōkyoku execution stand directly broke under these endless slashing attacks!
Due to these flying blades, Byakuya Kuchiki's advance was forcibly stopped, having to use his blade to block.
Seeing this scene, everyone around was immediately dumbfounded.
Except for Unohana Retsu and Shigure, no one knew why Tōsen would do this.
Rukia's body lost the support of her restraints and fell rapidly downward.
The extreme sensation of falling made her feel dizzy, but her gaze remained fixed on Byakuya across from her.
Because she finally saw Byakuya's emotions toward her.
Just then, Tōsen Kaname suddenly waved his left hand, and pure white cloth strips flew out.
Instantly transforming into a storm-like state, they wrapped both him and Rukia within.
The next moment, the white cloth dissipated, and both of them had simply vanished from the Sōkyoku execution stand!
Byakuya Kuchiki's form instantly stiffened, frozen in mid-air.
Looking at the severed Sōkyoku execution stand, his pupils contracted, his face filled with fury.
Seeing this scene, Shigure's eyes also immediately flashed.
This was the advanced technique "Sentan Hakuja," capable of transferring the user to a pre-set space.
Since Tōsen Kaname had suddenly taken Rukia away, it meant that Aizen had already left the Great Spirit Book Gallery and was preparing to forcibly extract the Hōgyoku from Rukia's heart.
"Why... why would Tōsen Kaname do such a thing...?"
Jūshirō Ukitake murmured in shock.
Kyōraku Shunsui's expression also became grave, his eyes flickering beneath his hat.
Before the shock of Tōsen Kaname abducting Rukia had ended, another figure arrived at the Sōkyoku platform.
Vice-Captain of the 10th Division, Matsumoto Rangiku.
At this moment, her face was pale, her brow furrowed, her expression clearly somewhat panicked.
After seeing several captains, she immediately rushed over.
"H-Head Captain!"
"...This is terrible!" she said seriously with her head lowered.
Several people around immediately looked over.
Yamamoto Genryūsai narrowed his eyes and said sternly: "What happened?"
Matsumoto Rangiku raised her head, gritting her teeth as she said:
"Captain Hitsugaya... because he sensed the existence of some conspiracy, decided to go to the Central Assembly Hall to find the Central 46, but..."
"Just a short while ago, I discovered that his spiritual pressure suddenly disappeared after surging."
"So I went over there, only to find... Captain Hitsugaya severely injured and unconscious."
?!
Several captains around simultaneously looked stunned.
But Rangiku didn't stop there. Her expression became even more grave as she gritted her teeth and said:
"Afterward, I went to the underground assembly hall, only to discover..."
"Even all of the Central 46... have been killed!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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