After hearing Aizen's words, both Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru froze simultaneously.
Both had followed Aizen for over a century.
They naturally knew his soul research experiments had continued for a very long time.
So his sensitivity to souls far exceeded ordinary people.
Yet now he was saying Segawa Shigure's soul was "entirely new."
This statement left them unable to comprehend.
Aizen seemed to notice their changed expressions and smiled:
"Gin, remember when he blocked your Zanpakutō directly with his palm?"
Gin's eyes narrowed again as he nodded.
Aizen lifted his chin slightly, speaking calmly:
"Then I'll be direct."
"Without deliberately concentrating spiritual pressure, that level of skin hardness is impossible to achieve with a Soul Reaper's body."
"But due to his soul's special nature, he broke the rules and mastered this power."
Both men's expressions changed simultaneously, but Aizen didn't stop, continuing with the same calm expression:
"Initially, I was indeed somewhat surprised he could resist Kyōka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis."
"After all, since discovering its ability, such a situation had never occurred."
"But soon I realized that during the time I activated Kyōka Suigetsu, he wasn't unaffected."
"It's just that he directly abandoned information from his five senses."
"What?!"
Tōsen's expression changed drastically as he cried out instinctively.
How was that possible?!
How could anyone fight precisely against someone like Aizen while completely abandoning their five senses?
Even Kenpachi Zaraki, who relied on instinct, would surely have his judgment affected once caught in Kyōka Suigetsu...
Gin's narrowed eyes flashed slightly as he smiled: "So that's how it was?"
Aizen chuckled softly.
"Don't be surprised, Kaname."
"Segawa Shigure was simply using power beyond his soul to perceive everything around him."
"I suspect when you went to the Penitence Palace in secret earlier, the reason he showed no flaws was because he detected your presence through this power."
"And this power remains an unknown variable to me for now."
Aizen finished speaking unhurriedly.
Behind him, fine beads of sweat had appeared on Tōsen's face.
This wasn't fear, but shock.
Segawa Shigure's strength far exceeded his estimates.
Then Gin suddenly spoke:
"So, Captain Aizen, what about Ichigo Kurosaki, whom we've been closely monitoring? You mentioned his soul was special too...?"
Hearing this, Aizen's gaze flickered slightly, his expression unchanged.
"His soul is indeed special, but it's still too early for that kind of entirely new sensation."
"While Segawa Shigure's soul is unique."
"So our next objective needs to change slightly."
Aizen walked to the end of the palace corridor, then turned around.
Tōsen immediately bowed his head slightly, while Gin became somewhat more serious.
Aizen's eyes gleamed as he smiled:
"Creating the King's Key is necessary—it relates to every step of our future plans."
"But before that plan, I want to first seize Segawa Shigure's soul."
Both Gin and Tōsen were shocked simultaneously.
The smile on Aizen's face only grew deeper.
Meanwhile, in Soul Society's Seireitei.
The impact of Aizen's trio's betrayal couldn't be easily eliminated.
Especially the death of Central 46.
This directly marked the temporary collapse of Soul Society's judicial system.
Selecting new appointees—forty sages and six judges—from Soul Society obviously wouldn't be easy.
This involved extensive selection and competition, with very complex procedures.
Moreover, given the four great noble families' uncertainty about Seireitei's current situation, all current judgments and orders in Soul Society were decided by the Gotei 13's captain meetings.
Simply put, they were actually decided by Head Captain Genryūsai alone.
This was common knowledge, but no one would object.
After all, such times required someone with extreme authority and strength to control the situation.
And Genryūsai was undoubtedly the only choice.
That night, as the new moon rose.
Ukitake and Shigure brought the weakened Rukia Kuchiki back to the 13th Division barracks.
Since her judgment would be postponed to a later captain meeting, Ukitake took it upon himself to bring her back.
When the squad members, led by Kiyone Kotetsu, saw the three return, they were overjoyed and excitedly surrounded them.
However, Ukitake dispersed the squad members, saying Rukia needed temporary rest and they could visit later.
Though the squad members could barely contain their joy, they naturally wouldn't disobey Ukitake's words.
The three then entered an empty room.
Ukitake gently pushed open the door, turning with a smile:
"Welcome back, Rukia."
Rukia walked in somewhat dazedly, looking around with blurred vision.
Though only three months had passed, it felt like a lifetime.
Just then, spiritual pressure fluctuations came from overhead.
Rukia turned back. Seeing the expressions of the other two, she immediately understood it was a Tentei Kūra announcement.
After the spiritual pressure fluctuations disappeared, Rukia asked carefully:
"Captain Ukitake... is it a judgment meeting?"
Ukitake looked over, nodding with a light smile:
"Rukia, that sounds too severe. It's just a summary meeting about this major incident."
"Though I'd like to stay and chat with you, it'll have to wait until later."
He looked at Shigure beside him. "Let's go, Segawa."
"Yes." Shigure nodded slightly, responding.
Then he looked at Rukia, smiling: "Rest for now. Don't worry about the meeting."
With that, he followed Jūshirō Ukitake out.
Watching their departing figures, Rukia's expression was slightly dazed.
Moonlight shone on her face, her eyes clear and bright.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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