The post-war meeting ended with the sun high overhead.
Stepping out from the 1st Division meeting hall, Shigure led Rukia forward without stopping.
Due to its complex content, this meeting had lasted far longer than any previous one.
But no one would object.
After all, the Seireitei had experienced so much recently—practically a rebirth after catastrophe.
Plus, the covert reform of Central 46's authority made this meeting extraordinarily significant.
The results matched Shigure's predictions.
First, the "prisoners of war."
The 3rd Espada, Tier Harribel, and her three subordinates' disposition.
To ensure Las Noches' stability, the captains' meeting decided to return them to Hueco Mundo as the new rulers.
Shigure would execute this task.
Second, Gin's disposition.
Though this initially caused considerable dispute, it eventually settled—
Gin would be imprisoned in the seventh level of the Central Underground Prison. Sentence: 150 years.
After 150 years, Gin could be released, undergo evaluation, and rejoin the Gotei 13.
10th Division Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Rangiku would execute this.
Originally, Yamamoto planned to assign Ukitake.
But Ukitake saw through Rangiku's feelings and found an excuse to pass it to them instead.
Hitsugaya had no reason to refuse, so he accepted.
After the meeting, Rangiku specifically thanked Ukitake repeatedly.
The third point: discussing the Visored captains' and lieutenants' reinstatement.
Though Yamamoto wanted everyone to return, not all wished to stay in Soul Society.
Setting aside whether suitable positions existed, some still harbored resentment toward the Seireitei and attachment to the World of the Living. They politely declined.
Ultimately, those who decided to stay and resume duty were: Rōjūrō as 3rd Division Captain, Kensei as 9th Division Captain, plus Lisa and Mashiro.
As for Shinji, since Shigure was 5th Division Captain, he chose to return to the World of the Living with Hiyori.
Hachigen and Love also refused to return, remaining in the World of the Living.
Thus, the meeting concluded.
The two new captains' inauguration ceremonies were conducted immediately to avoid complications.
Next, Shigure didn't waste time.
After parting with Rukia, he followed Soi Fon to the 2nd Division.
After all, Harribel and her group were still imprisoned in the 2nd Division's cells. Shigure's task was returning them to Hueco Mundo.
Naturally, he needed to come personally to ensure no mistakes.
They walked side by side toward the 2nd Division barracks, unhurried, as if strolling. Soi Fon kept her head slightly lowered, a gentle smile on her face.
She'd already sent Ōmaeda away.
A breeze lifted her short black hair. She suddenly raised her head, looking ahead, and spoke softly:
"Shigure, since everything's mostly concluded, then..."
"That thing you mentioned before... the Hakuda training. Does it still count?"
Hearing this, Shigure paused briefly, then smiled. "Of course it counts."
Previously, for a check-in task, he'd asked Yoruichi to borrow a divine artifact called the "Shihōin Ring" from her clan.
But unexpectedly, two consecutive check-ins triggered immediately.
This time, the check-in task required him to elevate his Hakuda skills to the extreme.
So in the Frostburn Valley barrier, Shigure made his request to Yoruichi and Soi Fon.
He asked them both to serve as teachers, helping him train in Hakuda.
They had no reason to refuse.
Fighting someone as overwhelmingly strong as Shigure—even as instructors—was extremely novel for them.
But their training was interrupted by Muramasa's attack.
Shigure had subconsciously overlooked this, which was why he froze momentarily when Soi Fon brought it up.
Hearing Shigure's answer, Soi Fon's smile deepened. She nodded gently. "Mm... I'll be waiting."
Since learning Shigure had refused promotion to Squad Zero, she increasingly felt the happiness of being with him.
...
Upon entering the 2nd Division prison, Shigure immediately felt a subtle sense of confinement.
Not visual or spatial confinement, but something affecting spiritual pressure and presence.
The 2nd Division prison was constructed from the same Sekkiseki material as the Penitence Palace, completely blocking all spiritual particles and pressure.
Though it couldn't substantially affect Shigure's immense spiritual pressure, he still felt slight pressure.
When he reached the deepest white cell, he immediately saw the four inside.
They weren't bound by shackles. This innermost cell, through Sekkiseki and curse inscriptions, completely suppressed all their spiritual pressure, leaving them powerless.
Shackles became unnecessary.
And because Sekkiseki blocked spiritual pressure, their spiritual pressure sensing was infinitely weakened.
So only when Shigure stood before the cell did all four suddenly notice.
The moment they noticed, the three Fracción's expressions changed simultaneously, pupils contracting.
Even the composed Harribel's expression froze briefly before quickly masking it.
Shigure's terrifying strength remained their psychological shadow—their greatest fear in Soul Society.
Shigure stood outside the cell, hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face:
"Long time no see, everyone."
"..."
Though his tone was peaceful and polite, no one responded.
Instead, the three Fracción's gazes grew increasingly hostile, staring at Shigure.
Shigure didn't get angry. He maintained his smile, speaking softly:
"I'm here with good news. Staring at me like that seems rather rude, doesn't it?"
"...Hm?"
His words landed. All four expressions froze. Harribel looked up.
Their gazes shone with strange light.
Shigure's smile didn't change. He spoke softly:
"Congratulations... From now on, you're Hueco Mundo's new king, Tier Harribel."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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