Two hours later, as the moon rose in the west, inside the 5th Division barracks.
"Thank you so much for your guidance; I've truly benefited greatly from it."
Standing at the door of the captain's office, Shigure Segawa bowed deeply, his tone filled with apparent sincerity.
Aizen responded with a gentle smile, "Segawa, your talent is quite remarkable. Perhaps it won't be long before you surpass me… in every aspect."
Shigure kept his head lowered, a fleeting glint flashing across his eyes before he raised his head and replied with a polite smile, "You flatter me. I'll take my leave for tonight."
With that, he bowed once more before turning and walking away.
Aizen stood behind him, gazing at Shigure's departing figure for a long time. Then, he lifted his head to look at the bright moon, chuckling softly as he murmured in a voice barely audible, "Segawa, you're more interesting than I imagined… but also more troublesome."
Meanwhile, after leaving the captain's office, Shigure headed straight back to his own room.
Only then did he exhale a long breath.
During the past two hours, their interactions had appeared to revolve around discussions and lessons on calligraphy.
In truth, Aizen had subtly tested Shigure in various ways.
This made Shigure marvel at just how meticulous and terrifying Aizen's mind was.
However, Shigure no longer cared whether Aizen harbored suspicions about him. Right now, he had something far more important to focus on—the reward he had just received from the system!
"System, explain the details of the reward!"
Earlier, to avoid raising suspicion, Shigure had accepted the reward as soon as the countdown ended but hadn't yet delved into its effects.
At the time, he hadn't noticed any changes within his body.
Ding! "Mission Reward: Soul Source!"
"The primordial form of all souls in existence. Upon merging with the host's soul, it will forcibly alter your current soul attribute, transforming it into the 'Ultimate Soul,' capable of integrating with any type of power."
"The Ultimate Soul will also serve as the primary foundation for the host to surpass the 'Soul Boundary' in the future."
Thud!
As the system's explanation concluded, an overwhelming dizziness surged through Shigure's mind, bringing with it an intense drowsiness.
This fatigue, emanating from the depths of his soul, pressed down on his eyelids, forcing him into a deep slumber.
The next morning, a series of knocks and shouts echoed through the room.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Vice-Captain Segawa! It's time to begin the patrol duty!"
Shigure's eyelids twitched slightly before he fully awakened.
At the same time, a look of exhilaration spread across his face.
"Vice-Captain Segawa, the squad members have been waiting for quite a while. If we don't leave soon, we'll be late!"
Shigure responded, "Understood. I'm coming."
With that, he stood up and opened the door.
Outside stood the 9th Seat of the 5th Division, a petite girl named Shion Fushimi.
"9th Seat Fushimi, let's proceed," Shigure replied with a smile.
Shion bowed slightly, "Please follow me."
Yesterday, Aizen had assigned her to assist Shigure, helping him familiarize himself with the division's daily affairs.
Although he wasn't required to fully perform the duties of a vice-captain, since he now held the title, he had to at least handle some surface-level tasks.
Walking beside Shion, Shigure's face was alight with joy.
During his slumber, he had come to understand the full extent of the reward's effects.
This was a soul of unparalleled greatness in the history of the Soul Society—the Ultimate Soul!
A soul that embodies the essence of all forms of power in existence!
The process of Hollowfication for Soul Reapers and the Arrancarization of Hollows essentially broke the boundaries between Soul Reapers and Hollows.
However, this breaking of boundaries was merely a connection, not an absolute fusion.
Shigure's situation, on the other hand, was entirely different. After merging with the Soul Source and evolving into the Ultimate Soul, his soul could now seamlessly integrate all forms of power!
In an instant, Shigure understood the system's intentions behind this reward.
As the system had stated, this was the "foundation."
And this foundation represented boundless potential and limitless possibilities!
The reason Ichigo Kurosaki possessed such immense potential was that his body contained the powers of a Soul Reaper, a Hollow, and a Quincy all at once.
This intermingling of powers within his soul granted him extraordinary limits.
But even so, Ichigo Kurosaki's soul was not an Ultimate Soul.
From this moment onward, even without relying on the system, Shigure's potential had already surpassed Ichigo Kurosaki's!
No wonder the system's mission this time had been so challenging. With such a generous reward, it was well worth the effort.
As for the "Soul Boundary" mentioned by the system, Shigure wasn't entirely sure what it entailed. However, there was no doubt that it represented a breakthrough beyond the Ultimate Soul.
Bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun, Shigure's lips curled into a wide grin.
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