At this time, within Hueco Mundo's inner circle, among the gray-white boulder formations.
Shigure's group continued advancing forward.
Though they'd been attacked by some suddenly appearing Hollow packs along the way, they were all quickly eliminated by Shigure at the front.
He didn't even use his Zanpakutō, directly unleashing incantation-less Kidō instead.
Under his powerful spiritual pressure enhancement, the Kidō's power underwent tremendous transformation. The Hollow packs couldn't resist at all.
This also meant the others had no chance to act.
The route Shigure led them on also changed direction from time to time.
Just then, Shigure suddenly stopped.
His stopping didn't matter much, but the faces of those behind him immediately tensed. Kisenchiyo Ōmaeda's body went rigid.
Because every time Shigure stopped before, it meant Hollows were attacking!
Moreover, Shigure would always stop first, then they'd sense the Hollows' spiritual pressure.
This had initially surprised them greatly.
But later, they'd even developed a conditioned reflex.
Whenever Shigure stopped, they'd prepare for battle.
"Captain... are more Hollows approaching?"
Rukia placed her hand on Sode no Shirayuki's hilt and asked carefully in a lowered voice.
Hearing this, Shigure nodded lightly.
Seeing him nod, Rangiku Matsumoto beside them actually relaxed and breathed out softly.
Seeing this, Tōshirō Hitsugaya glanced over: "Rangiku, knowing it's a Hollow attack, why are you relieved instead?"
Hearing this, Rangiku laughed lightly: "Hehe, Captain Segawa will solve it instantly anyway, right?"
Hearing these words, Kisenchiyo Ōmaeda also couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
After all, thinking carefully, though the previous attacks had all been quite dramatic, they'd ultimately been resolved by Shigure within moments.
"R-right... with Captain Segawa here..."
They all relaxed, but Rukia standing beside Shigure still looked grim.
Because she noticed that this time, Shigure's expression was obviously much more serious than the previous times.
"Captain, is there something different about the situation?" Rukia asked carefully.
Shigure looked over and nodded calmly, then quickly glanced across everyone:
"Everyone be careful. This time... it looks like we'll officially begin fighting Aizen's Arrancar."
"?!"
As his words fell, those who'd just relaxed all changed expressions simultaneously.
"What...?!"
"Aizen already knows we've come here?!"
Shigure nodded and said flatly: "Actually, from the first Hollow attack not long ago, we've already entered Aizen's surveillance range."
Hearing this, Soi Fon's expression also shifted slightly.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya frowned: "If you discovered this before, why didn't you say anything?"
Shigure looked over coldly and said calmly:
"Given Aizen's caution and intelligence, he would absolutely maintain constant surveillance of his surroundings. So as long as we approach them, we'll definitely be detected. Isn't this obvious?"
"Or are you saying Captain Hitsugaya never thought of this?"
"Don't tell me you were planning to sneak up on them and launch a surprise attack?"
Shigure's rapid three-question combo instantly left Tōshirō stunned.
"Uh... I... indeed... you're right."
Tōshirō turned his head away, showing a deflated expression as he reluctantly admitted it.
Not just him—the others around also showed strange looks.
Because they hadn't thought of this either.
And they really had thought Shigure would lead them in a surprise attack...
Shigure turned back toward the front and said flatly: "The upcoming battle might be slightly troublesome."
"...Troublesome?"
Rangiku showed a somewhat helpless expression: "Captain Segawa... when you say troublesome, we have no idea what kind of situation that means..."
Shigure's eyes flashed slightly as he explained: "Four Arrancar are simultaneously approaching from ahead, and their strength... is all at captain level or above."
Through his Resonance Vision, he could naturally see the four figures rushing over from ahead.
He undoubtedly recognized three of them—Fifth Espada Nnoitra, Seventh Espada Zommari, Eighth Espada Szayelaporro.
As for the remaining one, the smallest figure, he hadn't seen before.
However, from how it advanced alongside the others, it should also be one of the Espada.
Previously, Shigure had killed Yammy in the World of the Living, meaning this one was likely the new Tenth Espada who'd taken his place.
Shigure's mind raced, instantly assessing the situation clearly.
But after hearing Shigure's words, Rangiku and the others all changed expressions.
"Four... captain-level Arrancar?!"
After swallowing hard, Rangiku resolutely spoke: "Captain Segawa, I... I think we need to notify Seireitei for reinforcements!"
Since Shigure was the decision-maker, she didn't choose to consult Tōshirō's opinion but spoke to Shigure instead.
Shigure nodded lightly and replied flatly:
"Mm, since we'll officially begin confronting Aizen soon, notifying Captain-Commander and the others isn't wrong."
Seeing Shigure agree, Rangiku immediately nodded: "Good!"
After speaking, she decided to start using Kidō, but then Shigure added:
"By the way, Rangiku, help me relay a message to the Captain-Commander and Captain Kyōraku."
"Hm?" Rangiku looked over in surprise: "...What message?"
Shigure narrowed his eyes slightly:
"Aizen's Ōken creation plan should begin implementation very soon."
"Tell them to prepare accordingly."
As his words fell, the others around simultaneously froze.
The term "Ōken" sounded somewhat unfamiliar to them.
But since Shigure had specifically emphasized it, Rangiku naturally wouldn't take it lightly. She nodded heavily and said seriously:
"Good! I'll notify the Captain-Commander immediately!"
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