"What's... happening..."
"This spiritual pressure is... Aizen?!"
Including Kisuke Urahara, everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to that spiritual pressure, staring intently at Shigure's sword guard.
Having just experienced Aizen's spiritual pressure assault, they couldn't mistake it.
"Yes."
Shigure nodded lightly, still holding up his sword:
"One of my Bankai Candle Dragon's abilities is—"
"Spirit-Sealing Microspace."
Everyone's eyes immediately jumped.
Spirit-Sealing Microspace...?!
Hearing that name, they immediately grasped its general meaning.
Shigure didn't stop. Following the lie he'd prepared, his expression remained calm:
"After Bankai, my Zanpakutō's wind and lightning forms can be freely reorganized and transformed."
"You all clearly witnessed this during my recent battle."
"Among these, the only thing I cannot change... is the Spirit-Sealing Microspace."
"It exists fixed within my Zanpakutō's main body—the sword guard."
"It can rapidly compress external souls' volume, containing them within a separate space similar to a Garganta, completely sealing them."
"Aizen Sōsuke is currently sealed inside."
"Even I myself cannot open the Spirit-Sealing Microspace now."
Shigure finished methodically. Rukia and the others looked stunned.
But Urahara, Shunsui, and several others' eyes simultaneously sharpened.
Then a quiet voice suddenly came from the distance:
"Let me be clear... I don't mean to doubt you, Segawa."
"Your Bankai is indeed powerful."
"Even all the captains here combined might not possess that level of strength."
"But against Aizen, who has evolution power and fused with the Hōgyoku... can you truly seal him permanently?"
Hearing that voice, they knew without looking who it was.
Shinji Hirako.
The captains' eyes immediately flickered.
They undoubtedly shared that doubt.
Shigure slowly looked over:
"About that, everyone can rest assured."
"Unless... someone can completely shatter my Bankai from outside, or kill me."
"Otherwise, Aizen can never escape."
"As for the truth of these words... afterward, I'll prove it directly to the Captain-Commander and Central 46."
Everyone fell silent.
Segawa Shigure's attitude was clear.
He'd explained the general situation to everyone present. He had no obligation—no need—for deeper explanation.
And the spiritual pressure aura from his sword guard undoubtedly verified most of his words.
Just then, a Senkaimon suddenly opened in the nearby ruins.
Everyone's attention shifted over.
A large group of Gotei Soul Reapers emerged.
Leading at front were Soi Fon, Isane Kotetsu, and Kisenchiyo Ōmaeda.
Isane immediately looked over and called out:
"Captain, the support and rescue teams you requested have all arrived!"
Hearing this, everyone realized Retsu Unohana had sent people for post-battle assistance.
Only then did they realize—now wasn't the time for chatting. They should immediately inspect the battlefield and treat the wounded.
Unohana nodded:
"Isane, as usual, quickly assign the teams according to plan!"
"Yes!"
...
The teams quickly dispersed, beginning battlefield inspection.
Then Soi Fon brought Ōmaeda to everyone.
But before she could speak, Shigure looked over: "Soi Fon, how are you feeling now?"
Soi Fon had come to inquire about the situation, but hearing Shigure's words, her eyes flashed:
"Of—of course I'm fine!"
Shigure smiled lightly. "Good. We..."
He'd barely started when suddenly, Isane's Tenteikūra voice came from the sky.
It instantly interrupted everyone's thoughts. They listened intently.
"Pardon the interruption! All captains and lieutenants! This is 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu!"
"I'm currently in the ruins directly west of your position. We... discovered four living Arrancars!!"
"They... may still have some combat capability!"
"Any captains and lieutenants still able to fight, please provide support!"
Everyone's eyes immediately sharpened.
Then Byakuya Kuchiki narrowed his eyes slightly:
"The 3rd Espada who was struck down by Aizen Sōsuke in the previous battle... and her three Fracción."
Hearing this, everyone finally understood.
After brief discussion, everyone except the most severely injured captains headed over.
Unohana went elsewhere to meet with the heavily injured Captain-Commander.
Shigure and the others reached Isane's side within moments.
When Shigure looked toward the ruins' center, he could confirm Byakuya's words.
These four injured Arrancars were indeed the 3rd Espada... Tier Harribel, and her three Fracción.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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