"Yes."
Shigure closed the door and walked forward slowly.
He stopped about ten feet away from the three captains.
Only then did Genryūsai speak slowly:
"Segawa, your captain appointment evaluation comes from the simultaneous recommendations of multiple Gotei 13 captains at yesterday's assembly."
"Given the current turbulent situation in Seireitei, we've bypassed Central 46."
"Now, a supervisory committee composed of Captain Unohana, Captain Kuchiki, and myself will conduct your comprehensive evaluation."
"Are you ready... Segawa?"
As Genryūsai's words ended, Shigure raised his head and replied calmly: "I'm ready, Head Captain."
"Good." Genryūsai nodded slightly, then said quietly:
"Though your strength has long reached captain level, with the achievement of single-handedly suppressing three captains."
"But since this is an evaluation, you must naturally demonstrate your power to us."
"This is also... the nobles' wish."
"So, for the first test—"
Here, Genryūsai paused slightly, his gaze growing profound as he said gravely:
"Segawa, you must show us your Zanpakutō's ultimate secret..."
"Bankai."
As his words fell, both Byakuya Kuchiki and Retsu Unohana immediately looked over.
Shigure's expression remained unchanged as he replied without hesitation: "Understood."
Hearing this, the three across from him merely raised their eyes slightly, showing no particular expression.
After all, in their view, Shigure's ability to suppress three captains must have required using a powerful Bankai.
Genryūsai narrowed his eyes again, saying quietly: "Captain Kuchiki, prepare."
Hearing this, Byakuya withdrew his gaze, bowing his head slightly: "I understand."
He then stood up, suddenly producing a silver square box from his long sleeves.
"Segawa, please step back and restrain your spiritual pressure."
Retsu Unohana spoke softly as a reminder.
Shigure's eyes jumped as he immediately stepped back several yards, then restrained his spiritual pressure as instructed.
Byakuya walked forward while raising his left hand, placing the silver box on his palm.
When he reached the center of the evaluation room, he stopped.
Closing his eyes slightly, he parted his lips:
"Hook of the North Moon, flower of the reverse-blooming cliff."
"Dancing ice crystals, carved in all directions, absolute phenomena."
"Mirror of illusion, binding void, sword of no-thought."
"Heavenly Gift Armament Silver Radiance..."
"Release!"
As his words fell, Byakuya's spiritual pressure surged out, flowing into the silver box in his hand.
A pale white light immediately appeared on the silver box.
At the same time, Byakuya stepped back to his seat while the silver box remained fixed in mid-air.
The pale white light instantly expanded, surrounding Shigure within it.
Finally, it formed a transparent barrier about thirty feet in length, width, and height.
At this point, Retsu Unohana provided a timely explanation with a gentle smile:
"Segawa, this is a divine artifact from the Heavenly Gift Armament family, the Shihōin clan... Silver Radiance."
"Captain Kuchiki specially borrowed it from the Shihōin family for this evaluation."
"Its function is to contain and fix your spiritual pressure within this Silver Radiance barrier without suppressing it, preventing damage to the surrounding environment."
"After all, your Shikai alone caused such massive destruction last time."
"If your Bankai isn't controlled by external force, the results could be quite troublesome."
"However, you needn't worry."
"Once Silver Radiance is fully established, its barrier strength level is... the highest grade in all of Soul Society."
"Please demonstrate your power with confidence."
Retsu Unohana finished with a smile.
She was naturally very eager to see just how powerful Shigure's Bankai would be.
Byakuya sat back on his cushion with a calm expression.
Genryūsai gazed intently at Shigure, saying gravely: "Since the barrier is established... Segawa, begin."
Genryūsai's expression was particularly solemn.
When Shigure had demonstrated his Shikai during the division entrance exam, its power already matched an ordinary captain's Bankai level.
Even the ground that Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai couldn't destroy had been damaged by the lightning storms emanating from Shigure.
So his Bankai... would surely be an entirely different, new realm.
Genryūsai firmly believed this, which is why he was so focused.
"Yes."
Shigure nodded with a smile and drew the long blade from his waist.
He had long learned through sword meditation about the special power his initial Bankai possessed.
Even demonstrating it wouldn't risk revealing anything problematic.
The moment the blade left its sheath, it shattered directly, turning into spiritual particle fragments before immediately transforming into explosive golden lightning that gathered in Shigure's hand.
Shigure raised his hand lightly. The lightning spear's tip extended across both sides, touching and churning against the surrounding Silver Radiance barrier.
The three captains at their seats immediately focused intently.
Shigure looked at the lightning in his hand, his eyes flashing as he said softly:
"Bankai."
At the same time, on the outskirts of Seireitei.
Four people were strolling across the green fields.
In front were Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, with Nanao Ise and Rukia Kuchiki following behind.
"Ukitake, aren't you curious about Segawa's Bankai at all..."
Shunsui spread his hands, sighing: "I begged Old Man Yama this morning to let me join the supervisory committee, but he refused."
Ukitake smiled: "Of course I'm curious, but there'll probably be chances to see it later, and besides..."
Halfway through his words, continuous roaring and explosive sounds suddenly rang out from the sky, deafeningly loud.
BOOM!!!
Immediately after, an invisible spiritual pressure so dense it was terrifying shot skyward!
The clear sky suddenly gathered dark clouds that completely covered the sun, turning everything dim and lightless.
Golden lightning began appearing endlessly within the clouds.
But it didn't flash and disappear... instead blazing continuously in the sky!
They were like golden claws tearing through the heavens, dividing the oppressive dark clouds into separate regions!
Within each region, invisible turbulent currents coiled and tore!
Just looking at it made one feel suffocated!
Just then, massive explosive sounds suddenly erupted from the center of Seireitei!
BANG!!!
The four people looked over, their pupils contracting simultaneously in shock.
Nanao Ise's entire body went rigid as she trembled: "That... that's the direction of the 1st Division!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds