Shigure's words hit the air. Everyone froze.
Wait... what?
Over? Already?
They'd just arrived to help. If Captain Segawa was saying this... had he really handled everything alone?
Or maybe all the enemies had fled Hueco Mundo?
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's face darkened. "Segawa. What exactly do you mean?"
Shigure smiled. "Wasn't I clear? I dealt with every enemy that needed dealing with."
"Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen already left for the World of the Living. Took some Arrancar with them."
"They're probably fighting the Head Captain right now."
Everyone's expressions shifted. Shock filled their eyes.
First—Shigure had eliminated all enemies in Hueco Mundo this quickly?
Second—they never expected Aizen to move so fast.
Unohana had warned them about Aizen's target and the final battlefield. But nobody thought it would happen this soon.
Relief crossed Unohana's face, along with Rukia's and a few others. At least Shigure had returned safely.
Suddenly, Shigure looked at Mayuri Kurotsuchi. A weird-shaped stone appeared in his hand. He tossed it over.
"Never got to use this. Here—take it back, Captain Kurotsuchi."
Mayuri caught it one-handed. He glanced at it, gripped it tight, and squinted.
"Tsk. You made me work for nothing, Segawa."
"I wanted to study that guy's true form. You're saying you never found him?"
"Right." Shigure nodded. "Never met him. But I found his corpse."
"What?!" Mayuri's eyes went wide.
Shigure chuckled. "Unfortunately, his body got destroyed in the later fighting. No research opportunity for you, Captain Kurotsuchi."
Mayuri's teeth ground together with an odd sound.
The others looked lost. This conversation made no sense to them.
Unohana spoke up. "Segawa, what are you talking about?"
Shigure smiled at her. "Remember that black aura from the corpse in your division? Right before we invaded Hueco Mundo?"
Unohana's face went serious. She nodded.
"Yes."
She'd been the one to notice it and call Shigure. When Shigure hit it with spiritual pressure, that power started absorbing his reiatsu. Shigure handled it, but that moment had terrified her. The memory was crystal clear.
Shigure continued. "After we reported to the Head Captain, I went to Captain Kurotsuchi. Asked him to make this device."
"Thought it might suppress that Arrancar's abilities."
"Turns out I didn't need it."
During his lab visit, Shigure had spotted that black mud creature in a test tube. Having absorbed its power before, he recognized it instantly.
Tōshirō cut in. "Enough small talk. We need to get to Karakura Town, right?"
His words snapped everyone back to reality.
Unohana's voice hardened. "Time to go. Captain Kurotsuchi—open a directional Garganta. You already have the Head Captain's coordinates?"
Mayuri looked over and rolled his eyes. "Opening a Garganta? No problem. But..."
"I have zero interest in your final battle."
"I'm staying in Hueco Mundo."
Some looked surprised. Others seemed to expect this.
Before anyone could respond, Mayuri turned toward the squad members behind them. He grinned wickedly.
"I'm not the only one staying. All you squad members who can't fight in the real battle should stay too."
"I finally made it here. Gotta bring something back!"
Tōshirō frowned. "Mayuri, Soul Society and the Seireitei are fighting for survival. You're just ignoring that?"
"What if we lose? What would your research matter then?"
Mayuri whipped around. His eyes went sharp. After a moment, he showed a mocking smile.
"Amazing. The arrogant Tōshirō Hitsugaya is thinking about defeat. And..."
"You're saying something completely stupid!"
Tōshirō's face soured. His teeth clenched. "What did you say?!"
Mayuri's grin widened. He glanced at Shigure, then looked back at Tōshirō with contempt.
"Heh. You think we might lose?"
"Don't make me laugh, Tōshirō."
"This final battle—with Segawa involved... where's the possibility of defeat?!"
Everyone gasped. Tōshirō's face went blank with shock.
Mayuri kept grinning. "Haven't you noticed? This guy still looks completely relaxed."
"I guarantee—even if the Head Captain loses, this guy won't!"
He didn't wait for their stunned reactions. He raised his hand casually.
"Quit wasting my time. Move."
"I'm opening the Garganta."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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