As Ichigo's words fell, Shigure's eyes moved slightly.
Cross-dimensional message transmission from Kisuke Urahara?
With his abilities, he could indeed accomplish this easily...
"What did he say?" Shigure asked.
Ichigo's expression looked somewhat strange as he replied:
"Well... though I don't really understand what he meant, it was something like..."
"'The masked ones want to meet with you'... something like that..."
?!
Shigure's heart jumped instantly.
The moment he heard the word "masked" from Ichigo's mouth, he immediately knew who Urahara was referring to.
The Visored!
The group of eight led by Shinji Hirako, who were forced into Hollowfication by Aizen's schemes a hundred years ago and eventually taken to the World of the Living by Kisuke Urahara!
But why would they want to find me?
Shigure raised his eyes slightly: "Did he say anything else?"
Ichigo shook his head: "No. Oh right, besides that, he also said to thank you for helping Miss Yoruichi..."
Shigure's eyes flashed as understanding dawned.
It seemed Kisuke Urahara had somehow learned about what happened in Seireitei yesterday.
And the Visored had probably also learned about his battle against Aizen's trio.
That's why they were requesting to meet him.
Shigure pondered briefly, then looked up at Ichigo:
"When you return to the World of the Living, please tell Mr. Urahara that I'll consider it."
"Consider" was an ambiguous answer.
It held both the possibility of refusal and agreement.
After all, Shigure didn't know the Visored's purpose yet, nor was he certain he'd have the time. He could only deflect for now.
Hearing his response, Ichigo nodded.
At this point, Ukitake beside them shook his head with a smile:
"After a hundred years, Urahara's personality is still so unpredictable..."
Then he looked up at Shigure:
"So, Segawa, you'll be attending the captain appointment evaluation soon. Have you decided which division?"
As soon as he said this, before Shigure could respond, Rukia's face froze.
"Wait... Captain Ukitake, do you mean... Vice Captain Segawa is leaving our 13th Division?"
Ukitake was momentarily stunned, then laughed helplessly: "Of course, Rukia."
"After Aizen's trio's betrayal, there are now three vacant captain positions in the Gotei 13."
"Since Segawa's strength is already sufficient, taking up a captain position in another division is inevitable."
After Ukitake finished speaking, Rukia's eyes moved: "I... I see... that makes sense..."
She looked toward Shigure with a gentle smile, speaking softly:
"Someone as strong as you... it would indeed be unfair to remain only a vice captain."
"Which division are you thinking of choosing?"
Hearing this, Shigure pondered briefly, then looked up:
"If nothing unexpected happens... probably the 5th Division."
Hearing this, Ukitake raised an eyebrow slightly: "Any particular reason?"
Shigure smiled faintly: "Nothing special, really. I just think the 5th Division would be somewhat more relaxed."
Ukitake was momentarily stunned, then laughed: "Such lazy words sound like something Kyōraku would say."
Shigure smiled without responding.
He chose the 5th Division indeed simply because it was more free and relaxed.
The other two options were inferior to the 5th Division in this regard.
Among them, the 3rd Division, previously led by Gin Ichimaru, served as a support unit.
Its specific duties involved providing support to all divisions except the 4th when manpower was needed.
It also supplemented other divisions' personnel casualties and insufficient combat strength during battles.
The 9th Division served as the detention unit, with even more complex duties.
Not only that, the 9th Division captain also had to serve as Seireitei's Communication Editor-in-Chief, responsible for protecting all communication editing and publishing work within Seireitei.
Compared to the 5th Division's rescue unit role, these two were much more restrictive.
The 5th Division's general duties only involved rescuing Soul Reaper personnel who might encounter danger in the World of the Living, which basically didn't require the captain's involvement.
At this moment, after hearing Shigure's answer, Rukia lowered her head, lost in thought.
After sitting casually for a while longer, Shigure stood up, preparing to depart.
"Well then, farewell, Segawa."
Ukitake smiled cheerfully: "I look forward to receiving news of your appointment soon."
According to tradition, new captain appointments required a full Gotei 13 captain assembly.
So if Shigure passed the evaluation shortly, Ukitake would receive the assembly notification immediately.
After saying goodbye, Shigure didn't linger and directly used Shunpo to head to the 1st Division.
The moment Shigure arrived, Chōjirō Sasakibe was already waiting.
"The Head Captain and others are ready. Please follow me, Vice Captain Segawa."
Shigure hadn't expected them to be ready so early. He nodded: "Thank you for the trouble."
Following Chōjirō Sasakibe, he came to a place he'd never visited before.
Along the path, complex incantation marks and talismans were carved into the pillars on both sides.
After a moment, Chōjirō Sasakibe stopped: "Vice Captain Segawa, the evaluation room is ahead. Please enter."
Shigure nodded slightly and walked forward steadily, sliding open the door and stepping inside.
The moment he entered, he immediately saw three people sitting upright on cushions ahead.
In the center, naturally, was Head Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
On the left sat 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana.
On the right was 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, leader of the noble divisions.
The instant Shigure stepped in, both Retsu Unohana and Byakuya Kuchiki looked toward him.
Shigure bowed his head slightly, greeting all three.
Genryūsai raised his eyes slightly, speaking with ancient calm:
"Come forward, Segawa."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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