Hearing Yamamoto's words, Shigure's heart stirred slightly.
He'd considered various reasons Yamamoto might summon him. But not this—
"Captain-Commander, you're... telling me to preserve my strength?"
Shigure asked again.
Not because he hadn't heard clearly. He wanted Yamamoto to confirm once more.
But hearing the question, Yamamoto showed no hesitation whatsoever. He nodded directly, then said:
"...That's right."
"Segawa, your strength has indeed surpassed first-rate. Even... surpassed mine."
"But this war... isn't that simple."
Yamamoto lowered his eyes, turning again to face the window. After a moment, he continued:
"A thousand years ago, I already fought a decisive battle with the enemy commander... that man named 'Yhwach.'"
"In that battle, I used my Bankai and nearly exhausted all my strength to kill him."
"But... from what we see now, he's very likely... already revived."
"And that 'Wandenreich' the advance force mentioned... its leader must be him."
"Moreover, judging from their first strike..."
"Yhwach and those Quincies under his command seem to have gained many unknown powers..."
"They can even ignore the rules and... directly seal Soul Reapers' Bankai."
"Though I'm confident I can kill him again through direct combat, but—"
"Yhwach is cunning and ruthless. After experiencing defeat a thousand years ago, he might not face me directly at all."
"Plus, with their strange method of position movement, I... truly have no confidence in resolving everything alone."
"So, Segawa... you must preserve your strength."
"Among all the captains, perhaps only you... are the one besides me who can defeat Yhwach."
"So unless absolutely critical, unless everything becomes clear, I hope you won't act."
"Your power might possibly become... the Seireitei's final hope."
By the end, Yamamoto's voice became absolutely resolute.
After hearing such a long speech, Shigure's view of Yamamoto changed once again.
He'd thought that after Chōjirō Sasakibe's death, the Captain-Commander would sink into grief and rage.
But unexpectedly, even now, he maintained such clear rational thinking.
He'd even made this request of Shigure.
Thinking this, an idea suddenly popped into Shigure's mind.
After only a moment's consideration, his heart stirred. The next instant, his spiritual pressure domain expanded.
Whoosh!
An invisible spiritual pressure barrier rapidly surged out, instantly enveloping them both completely.
This way, no one could hear their conversation.
Though Shigure had kept his Resonance Eyes active, monitoring the surroundings. He'd already confirmed no one was present.
But double insurance was Shigure's style.
Yamamoto, with his back turned, naturally sensed Shigure's spiritual pressure immediately.
His eyes moved. He turned around again, looking at Shigure with surprise:
"Segawa, this is..."
Shigure looked at Yamamoto. The corners of his mouth slowly rose in a smile:
"Captain-Commander, actually, before you summoned me, I already had matters I wanted to discuss with you."
"Since you've finished giving your orders, then..."
"May I share my views... regarding this war and the enemy?"
Shigure smiled, speaking unhurriedly.
Hearing this, Yamamoto's expression shifted. After a moment of silence, he nodded:
"You're right. My words just now were indeed somewhat lacking. I failed to consider your perspective."
"Then, Segawa... share your views on the enemy."
Yamamoto looked at Shigure with a stern expression, speaking heavily.
At this moment, in his eyes, Shigure was no longer the junior who needed his support and guidance.
Three years had made him a perfect captain.
A new... central pillar of the Seireitei.
Looking at Shigure, Yamamoto's heart occasionally felt somewhat gratified.
From the moment Shigure joined the Gotei, he'd supported him without reservation.
Though back then, Chōjirō Sasakibe had worried about certain situations.
But now, the facts had proven that his decision from the very beginning... was correct.
Shigure pondered briefly, then began telling Yamamoto everything he currently knew about Yhwach, the Wandenreich, and the Sternritter.
...
Time flew swiftly.
Wind through the window ruffled both their captain's haori.
As Shigure's account progressed, Yamamoto's expression grew increasingly shocked. Finally, his pupils contracted to their smallest.
Shigure had never seen the Captain-Commander show such a loss of composure.
But he didn't stop. He continued at rapid speed, revealing all known intelligence.
"That's everything I know."
Shigure finished, lowering his head slightly.
Yamamoto's expression had long since transformed from initial surprise to shock.
"...You... Segawa... can you confirm all this...?"
This intelligence was completely unheard of to Yamamoto!
Even unimaginable!
His heart naturally held countless questions.
He was filled with confusion about how Shigure had learned these secrets.
But he'd said before that he wouldn't ask how Shigure knew. So naturally he suppressed those doubts.
Therefore, the only thing he wanted to confirm... was authenticity.
Once he could confirm this intelligence's authenticity, then... the entire Seireitei's situation would be completely reversed!
Yamamoto stared at Shigure. His gaze even showed flame-like light.
Shigure met his eyes without evasion, smiling confidently. He said softly:
"Captain-Commander, do you think... I'm the type to joke about such things?"
"The horn of the Seireitei's counterattack—it's time to sound it."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!