Following Shion Fushimi, Shigure arrived at the main gate of the 5th Division barracks.
Dozens of squad members had already gathered in formation.
While walking earlier, Shion had thoroughly explained all the tasks and precautions that Shigure needed to be aware of.
In short, his duty was to lead the squad to patrol the 5th Division's designated area three times a day—morning, noon, and evening.
Though the 10th Division was officially the "Patrol and Security Unit," their patrol zones were primarily focused on the outermost and central parts of Seireitei. This left the midsection relatively unguarded.
Thus, the midsection was divided into thirteen zones, each patrolled by a different division under the Gotei 13.
According to Shion, this patrol duty was the only task Shigure currently needed to fulfill as vice-captain.
As Shigure led the squad out, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts about the "Ultimate Soul" and the concept of "Soul Boundary Breakthrough."
He couldn't shake the feeling that these concepts bore some resemblance to the Hōgyoku.
After all, the Hōgyoku was also an entity capable of breaking boundaries.
However, there was a key difference: the Hōgyoku required the host to reach an absolute pinnacle before enabling evolution to the next stage.
In contrast, Shigure's "Soul Boundary Breakthrough" gave him the intuitive sense of completely erasing all limitations.
After pondering this for a while, he decided to set the matter aside. Since he didn't even have a clear idea of what "Soul Boundary Breakthrough" entailed, it was better to wait until he had something tangible to work with.
For now, his priorities were to await the next system mission and to find a way to leave the 5th Division—to escape Sōsuke Aizen's watchful gaze.
Staying under Aizen's command posed risks beyond the possibility of being discovered. It could also interfere with the progression of the main storyline, which would be far more troublesome.
Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, Shigure unexpectedly encountered someone he hadn't anticipated.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Walking alone, Hitsugaya approached from the opposite direction, unaccompanied by any members of the 10th Division.
The squad members of the 5th Division immediately bowed and greeted him loudly, "Captain Hitsugaya!"
Shigure also inclined his head slightly, "Captain Hitsugaya."
Hitsugaya responded with a curt "Hmm," but didn't continue walking. Instead, he stopped directly in front of Shigure and the squad.
Shigure smiled and asked, "Captain Hitsugaya, what brings you to the patrol zone of the 5th Division? Is there something urgent?"
Hitsugaya looked over at him and said, "How about we talk privately?"
Though he phrased it as a suggestion, his tone carried the weight of a command.
Standing beside Shigure, Shion Fushimi immediately interjected, "Captain Hitsugaya, today is Vice-Captain Segawa's first day of patrol duty. Could you perhaps wait until after the patrol is completed?"
Hitsugaya's expression remained cold, offering no reply.
Shigure turned to Shion with a smile, "It's alright. I trust Captain Hitsugaya won't take up too much of my time, right?"
Hitsugaya raised his eyes slightly, "Follow me."
With that, he used Shunpo to swiftly move to the rooftop of a nearby building.
Shigure briefly instructed Shion before using Shunpo to follow.
On the rooftop, Shigure stood behind Hitsugaya's back and asked, "Captain Hitsugaya, what instructions do you have for me?"
Hitsugaya turned around, his gaze icy, "What justification do you have… for taking Hinamori's position as vice-captain?!"
Shigure's smile faltered slightly.
He had almost forgotten about Hitsugaya's deeply personal feelings toward Momo Hinamori.
Whether it was friendship, familial love, or romantic affection, it was hard to define.
But one thing was clear: Shigure taking Hinamori's position was something Hitsugaya could not easily accept.
"Is crushing someone else's happiness with power such a casual thing for you?" Hitsugaya asked, his eyes fixed on Shigure with a hint of anger.
Shigure chuckled softly, "Captain Hitsugaya, I believe you've misunderstood. My appointment to this position is merely 'temporary.'"
Hitsugaya paused, "What do you mean?"
Shigure smiled, "The reason I joined the 5th Division was solely to learn calligraphy from Captain Aizen. And, of course, only by becoming vice-captain could I stay by his side for extended periods. Once I've achieved my goal, I'll naturally transfer to another division to fulfill my duties as a Soul Reaper. I mentioned this at the assembly in the main barracks. Don't you remember?"
"Uh…" Hitsugaya hesitated, realizing he hadn't paid much attention back then. "Are you telling the truth?"
"I never lie, Captain Hitsugaya," Shigure replied with a smile.
His brief interaction with Aizen had taught Shigure that, in this world, achieving one's goals sometimes required a certain level of necessary deception.
As expected, Hitsugaya's icy demeanor softened slightly upon hearing Shigure's explanation.
After all, if Shigure truly intended to leave the 5th Division, Hinamori could indeed reclaim her position as vice-captain.
Just as Hitsugaya was about to speak again, a sharp alarm suddenly rang out.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Both Shigure and Hitsugaya were immediately taken aback.
This particular alarm was unique—it signified that a squad under the Gotei 13 had been attacked by an enemy and that…
Squad members had already been killed!
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