Down in the city ruins below.
Aizen and Shigure stood high in the sky with nothing blocking the view. Everyone could see their battle clearly.
They all held great hope for Shigure's timely arrival.
After all, when Aizen betrayed Soul Society, Shigure had single-handedly suppressed all three traitors with just his Shikai.
Aizen was stronger now, but Shigure's Bankai was even more incredible.
"Maybe this time we really can only count on Segawa..."
Many thought this.
But the scene above left them stunned.
Right after Shigure released his Zanpakutō, all that lightning went to the girl on the other side!
Shigure's spiritual pressure rapidly weakened while the girl's aura grew stronger!
Ignoring her appearance, based on spiritual pressure alone, they'd think this was Shigure after Shikai.
"What?!"
"Even Captain Segawa's Zanpakutō power was... stolen?!"
"Aizen didn't just prepare to seal the Head Captain's Zanpakutō—he planned for Captain Segawa too!"
"What do we do now..."
Rukia, Rangiku, and others helping Unohana treat the wounded captains felt despair rising.
Even Segawa Shigure, the only one who could resist Kyōka Suigetsu, was in this predicament.
They had no idea what to do.
Even the usually calm Kyōraku and Ukitake tensed up, their faces grim.
No one expected such a dramatic turn.
Unohana, who was healing Ukitake, suddenly looked up with focused eyes:
"Captain Ukitake, don't you believe in Segawa?"
Ukitake was stunned, then smiled bitterly: "Captain Unohana, it's not that I don't believe in him... but in this situation..."
He spoke hesitantly, then noticed Unohana's extremely resolute gaze.
Her expression showed no worry or doubt.
Seeing this, Ukitake was taken aback, then laughed:
"I see... Captain Unohana has absolute faith in Segawa."
He looked up too.
...
Shigure's lightning was completely contained in Alleste's small body. No energy escaped—very stable.
But even now, Shigure's expression stayed calm.
Seeing his reaction, Aizen's eyes flickered, then he smiled:
"I admire you, Segawa."
"At your age and experience, even after losing your Zanpakutō's power, you're more composed than Yamamoto himself."
"If we weren't enemies, I'd really want you to join me..."
Aizen stared into Shigure's eyes, chuckling:
"Are you interested in that lofty 'Soul King'?"
Shigure looked up calmly: "Not at the moment."
He moved his hand. Spiritual particles gathered into a blade—his sealed Zanpakutō.
Aizen's expression didn't change.
As long as Alleste existed, Shigure couldn't use Shikai. His threat was nearly zero.
Even with a blade, he couldn't hurt him.
"'At the moment'... excellent word choice..."
Aizen said softly.
After a moment, he raised his hand again, smiling at Shigure:
"Our conversation was pleasant, but it ends here."
"Not every story sees the hero win. Unfortunately, you're going to lose, Segawa."
"I'll take charge of that special soul of yours."
Purple light suddenly emanated from Aizen's outstretched hand. The same purple light began appearing on Shigure's body.
Aizen's smile deepened.
He'd anticipated this moment since learning of Shigure's special soul.
Once he mastered this soul type, his evolution would transform completely.
This was why he'd created Alleste and modified Ulquiorra.
Everything was under his control.
But then something unexpected happened.
The purple light on Shigure's body suddenly contracted rapidly, then disappeared!
The light in Aizen's hand remained, but his opponent showed no reaction.
"What...?"
Aizen's pupils shifted as he looked at his hand.
Impossible... the plan was flawless... I calculated every step...
He immediately looked at Shigure again. His heart stirred and he frowned:
"Wait... you never actually killed Ulquiorra?!"
Shigure looked up calmly:
"My deduction was correct. You didn't have Ulquiorra guard that shell to protect her awakening."
"Whether dispatching the Espada to intercept us or placing that decoy in the lab—it was all to mislead my judgment."
"To make me naturally kill Ulquiorra, so..."
"The curse inscribed on his soul could transfer to mine, right?"
Aizen's pupils froze.
But Shigure raised his sealed Zanpakutō again, looking at Aizen indifferently:
"You've seemed quite pleased with this lightning and soul-stealing plan from the start."
"Time to rein in that satisfaction, Aizen."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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