"Won...?"
"Did Segawa just say... he won...?!"
"Has Aizen been dealt with...?"
"What just happened..."
This final battle ended too quickly.
From when Segawa Shigure used his Bankai's final form, only ten short seconds passed.
Then Aizen's figure completely vanished in rainbow light. No trace remained.
Out of caution, they waited a long time.
But this time, no other changes occurred.
Shigure was descending to the ground.
Everyone knew—this battle had truly, genuinely ended.
However, everyone also knew—
Even with Shigure's victory, there would be no cheers or celebration.
This was destined to be a somber curtain call.
Though ultimately no captain or lieutenant died, this was undeniably an unprecedented failure for the Seireitei.
Including Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, multiple captains and lieutenants were severely injured, some near death.
And Shigure was undoubtedly the greatest contributor in this battle.
In fact, before him, everyone else's contributions seemed insignificant.
Former 9th Division Captain Kaname Tōsen, who defected with Aizen, was killed in battle against 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura and 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi.
As for the other traitor, former 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru—
In this battle, he shocked everyone by launching a fatal strike against Aizen.
Without the Hōgyoku's power causing Aizen's revival, Gin's sword would have ended the battle immediately.
So no one would deny Gin's actions and contributions.
But—
This didn't mean he could return to the Gotei 13.
Though his purpose was infiltrating Aizen's side to deliver that fatal blow—
He'd undoubtedly carried out numerous killings in Aizen's plans.
Whether under Aizen's orders or not, he'd committed many acts violating Seireitei law.
Unlike Shigure's destruction of the Sōkyoku, the blood on Gin's hands couldn't be washed away.
Everyone knew this.
Gin himself certainly understood... after the battle ended, he'd face judgment from the new Central 46.
The moment Shigure landed, Kisuke Urahara and several others immediately rushed over.
"Segawa." "Segawa!" "Captain!" "Captain Segawa!"
Hearing them, Shigure looked over with a smile:
"Mr. Urahara, Miss Yoruichi, Captain Unohana, Rukia."
These four arrived first. Others were slowly walking over.
Urahara immediately said quietly:
"Segawa, what about that seal?"
"Where is Aizen now... where's he sealed?"
The other three's eyes immediately flickered.
Though they'd heard the conversation in the sky and knew Shigure sealed Aizen—
Aizen's presence had completely vanished from here.
This kind of seal... was indeed strange...
Shigure's expression didn't change. Still that composed smile.
He naturally couldn't reveal the Soul Detention and Soul Wall Palace.
If they learned he had his own palace in Hueco Mundo, forget the Captain-Commander—Central 46 alone would cause endless trouble.
But when deciding on this sealing plan, Shigure had already prepared his explanation.
And he had an absolutely foolproof way to prove it.
Then Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, their injuries slightly healed, arrived with support.
"Hehe... Segawa, that Bankai was truly surprising..."
"If not for Captain Unohana's healing barrier, we heavily injured folks might've been killed by friendly fire... be more careful, eh?"
Shunsui lifted his lazy eyelids with a light smile.
Everyone immediately understood Shunsui was trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere with a joke.
But hearing this, his lieutenant Nanao Ise immediately stopped walking.
Her face showed displeasure. She scolded mercilessly:
"Captain, is this the time for such jokes?!"
"If you're seriously injured, please keep your mouth shut and focus on recovery."
"Not say such rude things to Captain Segawa, who's a hero!"
She spoke quickly and seriously, her gaze stern, giving Shunsui no face.
Shunsui's face immediately showed an awkward smile. Others showed good-natured smiles.
They'd reached Shigure's side. No one spoke.
Clearly, everyone was waiting for him to explain Aizen's disappearance.
Shigure didn't intend to drag it out:
"Everyone needn't look like that. I'll explain now."
"...After fusing with the Hōgyoku, Aizen's existence cannot be completely killed with our current power."
"On the contrary, each time we kill him might trigger new evolution. That would only make things worse."
"So the only method is sealing him."
"Mr. Urahara also discussed this with me through spiritual pressure transmission."
"As for the sealing method I used..."
His voice suddenly stopped.
Everyone's attention immediately focused. They held their breath.
Shigure suddenly placed his hand on the left sword sheath. With slight force, he drew out sword and sheath together, holding them horizontally before him.
Everyone froze slightly, not understanding his intention.
But then something chilling suddenly happened—
From Shigure's sealed sword guard, a faint spiritual pressure suddenly emanated—distinct from Shigure's own!
And this spiritual pressure's aura undoubtedly pointed to that man—
Aizen Sōsuke—
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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