Late at night.
Since 4th Division members were busy treating the wounded on Seireitei's streets, the 5th Division rescue squad sent people to bring the injured and unconscious from Sōkyoku Hill back to 4th Division barracks.
Though Shunsui Kyōraku and the others had only suffered minor injuries, Retsu Unohana still insisted they go to 4th Division for treatment.
After all, only two days had passed since the last battle in the World of the Living. Who could guarantee their bodies wouldn't develop complications?
Moreover, precisely because everyone's injuries hadn't fully healed this time, they'd appeared so passive in this sudden battle.
This point naturally had some connection to the captains being suppressed by their Zanpakutō just now.
After the wounded went to 4th Division, Shigure called out to the captains, then naturally returned to his own 5th Division.
Though the Zanpakutō had damaged the Seireitei barracks to some degree this time, fortunately casualties weren't severe.
After all, the Zanpakutō's focus was still on the captains and lieutenants.
Moreover, after all the Zanpakutō gathered at Sōkyoku Hill, 4th Division members had autonomously begun rescuing the wounded under the seated officers' leadership.
So in fact, not much work remained for each division now.
After arranging patrol squads, Shigure had nothing else to do.
So he went straight back to the captain's office.
However, just as he approached the door, it immediately opened. Then a small black figure rushed out, throwing her arms around Shigure.
Shigure had anticipated this. He smiled lightly:
"Hehe, Aning, I said I wouldn't be long. I didn't lie, did I?"
The person hugging him was naturally Aning.
Hearing this, Aning raised her head, nodding happily with a big smile.
Though she couldn't speak, her eyes seemed able to talk, revealing pure emotions from the heart.
Shigure could already feel Aning's emotions toward him growing increasingly close.
Leaving her alone in the barracks this time must have frightened her somewhat.
Earlier, after learning about Sōkyoku Hill at 2nd Division, Shigure had immediately departed with Yoruichi and Soi Fon.
But 5th Division barracks happened to be located between Sōkyoku Hill and 2nd Division.
So Shigure had quickly dropped Aning off here midway. After giving thorough instructions, he'd gone to meet up with Soi Fon and Yoruichi before heading to Sōkyoku Hill.
Fortunately, Aning no longer feared this place. She could wait peacefully in the room until now, when she'd caught Shigure's scent and run out.
The reason Shigure had decided not to bring Aning along was naturally because he hadn't known Candle Dragon's situation then.
With Aning's "Thunder-Guiding Feather" power, logically speaking, she could provide great help.
But if Candle Dragon had truly rebelled, the situation couldn't be explained by that simple theory alone.
After all, Candle Dragon was a dual-element Zanpakutō.
Very obviously, Aning's control over lightning naturally couldn't match Candle Dragon's mastery of wind.
This way, Aning would fall into an extremely disadvantageous position.
If it triggered some kind of rampage, that wasn't what Shigure wanted to see.
So bringing her along might actually become troublesome.
After hearing Shigure's instructions, Aning had initially shown willingness to help. But under Shigure's insistence, she'd agreed.
Staying alone in the captain's office, she'd naturally worried about Shigure somewhat.
So now, seeing Shigure completely unharmed, she appeared this happy.
Seeing Aning like this, Shigure smiled lightly too.
He had to admit, his worry this time was almost unnecessary.
Though Candle Dragon had indeed separated from Shigure under Muramasa's power, appearing in manifested form, unlike other Zanpakutō, she hadn't been affected by Muramasa's suggestion or will at all.
Not only had she not rebelled, she'd appeared before Shigure in an extremely friendly—even "affectionate"—manner.
"Alright, let's go inside first."
Shigure smiled lightly, gently patting Aning's head.
Hearing this, Aning immediately understood. She nodded seriously and released her arms from around Shigure.
Then she turned around, taking small quick steps to Shigure's side, reaching her hand toward his left hand.
Clearly, she wanted to hold Shigure's hand.
Naturally Shigure didn't mind such a small thing. He smiled and extended his hand.
But at this moment, something strange suddenly happened!
BANG!!
Just as Aning's hand was about to touch Shigure's, suddenly, a massive sound erupted from Shigure's waist.
It was the Zanpakutō!
Shigure's Zanpakutō hanging at his waist—at this moment, the scabbard actually exploded on its own!
Immediately after, the silver-white blade shattered, directly transforming into golden spiritual particles!
The next moment, the spiritual particles exploded, actually forming a sky-piercing thunderstorm!!
BOOM!!
The light beam shot skyward, directly shattering the ceiling above 5th Division's corridor!
The Zanpakutō had automatically released Shikai!!
This moment, the erupting spiritual pressure and momentum immediately startled Aning. She quickly withdrew her hand.
Though she possessed the power to control lightning, she completely couldn't understand the current situation.
Shigure's eyes sharpened. Without hesitation, he immediately reached out, directly grasping toward the lightning.
This moment his spiritual pressure surged out, immediately rapidly containing the lightning shooting toward the sky.
However, just as his hand was about to directly contact the lightning blade, the lightning suddenly escaped to the side.
Then it rapidly condensed, forming a human shape.
Finally, it directly became Candle Dragon's manifested form, wearing a white, oversized haori.
However, different from before—
At this moment, Candle Dragon didn't resemble her soft, ethereal appearance at Sōkyoku Hill.
Instead, she widened those blazing golden eyes, gazing at Aning ahead with an ice-cold look.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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