"That... that's the direction of the 1st Division!"
Nanao Ise spoke with a trembling voice, while Rukia Kuchiki beside her was completely stunned.
She currently had almost no spiritual power in her body.
Just looking at the dark clouds in the sky made her feel intense dizziness.
This was... oppression at the soul level!
Ukitake seemed to notice her condition and quickly reached out to support Rukia's body.
Shunsui looked up, but not toward the 1st Division. He kept staring at the sky.
His eyes gleamed strangely as he muttered to himself:
"Directly changed the originally clear weather..."
"Even forcibly fixed it into... an absolutely impossible meteorological phenomenon!"
"What an incredible 'Bankai'..."
The moment Shunsui finished speaking, both Nanao and Rukia's eyes trembled again.
Bankai...?!
Such terrifying power and phenomena... were caused by a Bankai?!
Thinking of this, combined with the explosion from the 1st Division just now.
The two exchanged glances, both reading the answer in each other's shocked expressions.
Segawa Shigure!
This power filled with supreme oppression... was his Bankai!
Ukitake's gaze fixed on the direction of the 1st Division barracks.
"What was that explosion just now?"
"Since Teacher Genryūsai knows Shigure's strength has unfathomable limits..."
"He should have prepared suppression methods before the evaluation."
"This kind of situation shouldn't be possible..."
Thinking this, he immediately turned to look at Shunsui beside him.
But at that instant, he found Shunsui's gaze also looking back at him.
Ukitake said gravely: "Should we go check on the 1st Division, Shunsui?"
Shunsui showed a gentle smile: "My thoughts exactly..."
Then he turned to look aside: "Little Nanao, can you still move?"
Hearing this, Nanao's spirits lifted as she turned back and nodded firmly.
A bead of cold sweat slid down her forehead, but her gaze was resolute.
Shunsui raised his head slightly, smiling: "Very good expression. Then please escort Miss Kuchiki back first. Ukitake and I will..."
"Wait... wait! Captain Kyōraku!"
At this moment, Rukia suddenly interrupted Shunsui loudly.
All three looked over in surprise.
Rukia bit her teeth, her expression determined: "Please... please let me come along too!!"
After speaking, she bowed deeply.
Ukitake's eyes showed concern: "Rukia, with this oppressive feeling... are you alright?"
"I'm... I'm fine! I can hold on!" Rukia kept her head down, gritting her teeth.
"Please... no matter what, I want to go...!"
Hearing this, all three around her were stunned.
But Rukia herself was also confused, wondering:
"Why did I suddenly say that..."
"Could it be... because I also desire such powerful strength like Shigure's..."
She wasn't clear about it herself.
After a moment of silence, Shunsui laughed helplessly, breaking the tense atmosphere: "Alright then, let's go together. I'll use my spiritual pressure to ease your burden."
After speaking, gentle spiritual pressure flowed from Shunsui's body, covering both Nanao and Rukia.
Only then could the two breathe a little easier.
The group then began heading toward the 1st Division.
Since Rukia had lost her spiritual power, Ukitake carried her as they traveled.
During their journey, Shunsui narrowed his eyes: "Ukitake, it's been many years since we felt something like this, hasn't it?"
Ukitake's expression was complex as he said gravely:
"Not many years, but rather..."
"Aside from Teacher Genryūsai's Bankai... I've never felt anything like this, Shunsui."
Moments later, the group arrived at the 1st Division barracks.
They immediately discovered numerous squad members gathered in the courtyard, discussing frantically with terrified expressions.
Obviously, the massive explosion from within the barracks and the phenomena in the sky had thrown them into panic.
"Hey hey... what's happening with the sky?!"
"...Has Soul Society's end come..."
"I... just looking at the sky makes me unable to breathe... what kind of power is this?!"
Shunsui's group descended from the air, ignoring the squad members and heading directly toward the evaluation room.
They naturally knew that Segawa Shigure and the others should still be inside.
But just then, Chōjirō Sasakibe suddenly appeared using Shunpo, blocking their path.
"Everyone... please stop!"
Ukitake's expression was grave: "Vice Captain Sasakibe, is everything alright inside?"
Chōjirō bowed his head slightly: "Please be assured, Captain Ukitake."
"Head Captain Genryūsai just sent word for me to stop anyone who comes here."
As he finished speaking, a petite figure wearing a captain's haori suddenly emerged from the side.
Nanao's face immediately showed shock: "Captain Soi Fon!"
Soi Fon looked over, raising her chin slightly with a "Hmm," then said:
"You're a bit late... though there's no way to see what's happening inside now anyway."
Ukitake and the others naturally understood that Soi Fon had also just rushed over after sensing the situation here.
Meanwhile, inside the evaluation room.
Shigure exhaled slowly and gradually sheathed his blade.
In front of him, the three seats were actually empty.
Genryūsai, Retsu Unohana, and Byakuya Kuchiki were now standing around him.
Moreover, both Byakuya and Unohana had drawn their swords, taking defensive stances.
On the ground lay silver fragments reflecting cold light.
Byakuya stared at the sword at Shigure's waist, his expression beyond what could be called surprise—this was fear!
His pupils contracted tightly as he unconsciously held his breath.
Though gripping his sword, his body had completely frozen.
Beside him, Unohana's face was also extremely grave, still unconsciously releasing spiritual pressure around her body.
Even Genryūsai's profound eyes held traces of shock at this moment.
Although beforehand, all three had extremely high expectations and estimates for Segawa Shigure and his Zanpakutō Candle Dragon.
But... the Bankai just now had completely shattered their expectations!
Even the Shihōin family's Silver Radiance barrier, supposedly the highest strength level... had been instantly destroyed!
As a result, all three had to act simultaneously to prevent his dispersing power from completely destroying the entire 1st Division!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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