"Defense?"
Shigure repeated the word. Then raised his chin slightly, looking up at the judges with an indifferent expression:
"What do I need to defend?"
"I don't think I did anything wrong."
Hearing this, the judge's eyes instantly darkened. His fists clenched on the armrests.
Then, forcibly suppressing the fury in his chest, he said through gritted teeth:
"Segawa Shigure, I believe... I shouldn't need to repeat what I just said..."
"Your actions clearly violated Seireitei law!"
As his words fell, a sage seated directly below him spoke up:
"Captain Segawa, since we summoned you here, it means we already know what you said—"
"After sealing Aizen inside your Zanpakutō, you currently have no way to transfer him out. You said something like that, correct?"
This sage didn't sound as elderly as the others. His voice was quite young. His tone relatively mild.
Hearing this, Shigure nodded. Replied calmly: "That's right."
Shigure decided to say that at the time precisely to keep Aizen within the Soul Wall palace. That way, his other plan could proceed smoothly.
So he wouldn't hand over the sealed Aizen.
If he did, forget executing that plan—he couldn't even verify his hypothesis.
Hearing Shigure's words, another elder immediately spoke up. His expression stern:
"Since you admit saying that, then why do you still think you did nothing wrong?!"
"Strictly upholding Seireitei law... isn't that what every Gotei captain should do?!"
"I say you're completely unfit to be a Gotei captain! Your Zanpakutō should be completely handed over to us for disposal!!"
"..."
His heavy words fell. Echoing through the assembly hall.
Immediately, several sages voiced their agreement:
"Lord Izumiyama is absolutely right!"
"Yes!"
"Someone who disregards Seireitei law has no right to be a captain!!"
Voices rose one after another. Shigure raised his gaze slightly. His face impassive as he said calmly:
"In that situation, besides me, could anyone else have sealed Aizen while he was infinitely evolving?"
"Or are you saying you had a better method... to deal with him at that moment?"
As Shigure's words fell, quite a few people froze.
But just moments later, a somewhat frantic voice came from behind him:
"Don't make excuses! Segawa Shigure!!"
"Since you couldn't kill Aizen, you should have found a way to restrain him and bring him back for our interrogation!!"
"Even if you couldn't do it alone, you should have united with the other captains to accomplish this!"
"Not make such an arrogant unilateral decision!!"
As those words fell, many people's emotions instantly ignited. Voices of agreement erupting:
"Exactly! Segawa Shigure, what right do you have to make such an unsafe judgment?!"
"A power even you can't confirm... how can you guarantee you'll keep Aizen imprisoned forever?!"
"Only by bringing him back and sealing him in the safest place—the Muken—would be the best method!!"
They were worked up. Condemning Shigure without mercy.
For a moment, the entire assembly hall became so chaotic that individual voices couldn't be distinguished.
After a while, one of the six judges in the highest seats—the leftmost one—spoke:
"Everyone! Please calm down!"
Clap! Clap!
He clapped twice. The assembly hall gradually quieted.
Only then did the judge narrow his eyes and say in a deep voice:
"...Segawa Shigure, now then... you should understand, correct?"
As his words fell, everyone's sharp gazes fixed on Shigure's face below. They wanted to see his reaction.
But unexpectedly, at this moment, a faint smile suddenly appeared on Shigure's face.
Seeing this smile, many froze—
After enduring so much condemnation, facing potential sanctions... he could still smile?
Just then, Shigure spoke with a light laugh:
"Heh, I do understand now."
"Why you power-holders chose to judge me first after the war, rather than the traitor Gin Ichimaru who returned—summoning me here overnight..."
"Because you're worried about your own lives."
"You're... afraid my Zanpakutō's seal isn't secure enough. That Aizen might escape and kill you all again, right?"
As his words fell, most of the sages' faces changed dramatically.
"Outrageous!!!"
"Segawa Shigure! Don't twist the facts here!!"
"We summoned you entirely because you violated Seireitei law!!"
"Not only do you refuse to admit your mistake, you even turn this situation back on us—what are your intentions?!"
From behind the screens came their frantic voices.
Their faces were livid. Veins bulging on their foreheads. Their eyes almost hysterical.
Shigure kept his head raised. His smile turning to faint contempt and disdain.
Clearly, their true purpose had been exposed. That's why they were so agitated now.
Finally, this group fervor was again ended by a judge.
However, even seated in the highest position, his face looked equally unpleasant as he loudly rebuked:
"As the Central 46, we took this action entirely out of concern for the Seireitei's safety!"
"On the contrary, you've shown complete disrespect for our decisions from start to finish... Such deplorable character makes you utterly unfit to be a Gotei captain!!"
"We will now deliberate... to remove you from the Gotei 13!!!"
His words fell heavily. The surrounding Central 46 members all voiced agreement. Shigure just sneered.
"Tch."
"Since you love making decisions so much... why didn't you stand there and directly command me when I swung my sword at him?"
As his words fell, the Central 46's breathing caught.
But Shigure's expression didn't change as he continued:
"Oh right, I almost forgot..."
"You people—forget going to that kind of death battle... you can't even stand before my spiritual pressure, can you?"
"For example... like this."
Shigure smiled lightly. Suddenly raised his left hand. Then gently pressed downward.
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