"What did you... say?"
The instant the Monk's words fell, Soi Fon beside him involuntarily spoke.
She stood dazed, as if speaking unconsciously, yet her pupils constricted tightly.
At this moment, everyone around couldn't help but frown.
Clearly, they hadn't expected the Monk would suddenly say such a thing.
Even Yamamoto Genryusai's weathered eyes flickered involuntarily.
At this moment, only Shigure's expression remained calm.
Seeing everyone's reaction, the Monk seemed completely oblivious, maintaining his loud laugh:
"Hahahaha, did I not speak clearly—"
"According to the Soul King's command, our first objective descending this time is..."
"To bring Segawa Shigure to the Soul King Palace."
He loudly repeated this sentence again.
At this moment, Soi Fon beside him could no longer restrain herself. Immediately gritting her teeth, expression fierce, she shouted loudly:
"What kind of joke is this?!!"
"I don't know how great Squad Zero supposedly is, but when Seireitei suffered invasion, you only cowered in the Soul King Palace..."
"What right do you have to take Segawa away?!!"
All anger gathered in her heart. Soi Fon roared it out.
Hearing this, Tenjiro Kirinji's expression immediately darkened. His toes slightly lifted, seemingly about to act.
But then, the Monk quickly glanced at Shigure, then instantly raised his hand, stopping Kirinji.
Only then did he look toward Soi Fon, smiling:
"Haha, Captain Soi Fon's words are rather biased..."
"We Squad Zero are the Royal Special Forces, existing specifically to protect the Soul King and Royal Palace."
"So without threats to the Royal Palace, or unless Seireitei reaches its most critical moment, we indeed have no need to act."
"Conversely, fighting for Seireitei—isn't that the duty you Gotei 13 should fulfill?"
"..."
Speaking here, the Monk suddenly paused.
Then his gaze seemingly casually glanced at Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki behind, finally looking toward Shigure, smiling:
"Moreover, in this war, your losses don't seem particularly severe..."
"With Captain Segawa here, truly avoided tremendous losses."
"Furthermore, in this battle, the rather interesting power you displayed completely exceeded my expectations."
"And exceeded... the Soul King's expectations."
"This is the main reason we descended this time."
"Do you understand now?"
The Monk methodically stated. By the end, everyone's expressions immediately froze.
Exceeded the Soul King's expectations...?!
In legend, didn't the Soul King know everything about Soul Society...
Why...
Just as everyone pondered, Kyoraku Shunsui, who'd remained silent, suddenly raised his head, chuckling:
"Heh, meaning..."
"Because the Soul King is interested in Segawa's power, you were dispatched to bring him up?"
"Sounds truly strange..."
Though his expression smiled, his words clearly carried heavy doubt.
In fact, not just him.
Other Captains also found this strange decree incomprehensible.
Seeing this, a slender woman among Squad Zero immediately spoke:
"Does Captain Kyoraku not believe the Soul King's decree?"
"This makes me rather curious..."
The speaker—Squad Zero's "Great Weave Guard," Senjumaru Shutara, creator of Shihakusho.
Hearing this, Kyoraku immediately pressed down his hat brim, chuckling:
"Not that I don't believe..."
"Just, our counterattack battle against the Quincy is imminent. Segawa is absolutely indispensable combat power and leader..."
"At this time, you suddenly say you'll take him to the Soul King Palace... merely to satisfy so-called curiosity..."
"Seems rather inappropriate?"
Kyoraku's face still wore an inscrutable smile.
However, speaking here, the council hall suddenly fell into complete silence.
All sound vanished.
Yet everyone understood—at this moment, invisible opposition formed between the Gotei 13 and Squad Zero.
Standing in the middle—Shigure.
Instantly, the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.
Just then, Shigure suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
He looked at the five Squad Zero members opposite, smiling yet not smiling:
"Heh, have me accept the Soul King's summons, go to the Soul King Palace...?"
"...Correct."
Senjumaru Shutara answered flatly.
As her words fell, the Monk immediately smiled:
"Hahaha, rest assured. You refused promotion two years ago. Naturally we won't forcibly keep you at the Soul King Palace..."
His tone seemed extremely sincere and honest.
However, Shigure's eyes flickered. He chuckled:
"Meaning, as long as I go up with you, after accepting the summons, I can return below?"
"Of course."
The Monk gave an extremely definite answer, smiling broadly, seemingly certain of Shigure's response.
But just then, Shigure suddenly chuckled:
"However, I refuse."
"?!"
As his words fell, not just those beside him—even the Monk's gaze involuntarily froze.
At this moment, Tenjiro Kirinji's expression darkened further:
"Hey... Segawa Shigure, this is the Soul King's will..."
"You... will defy the decree...?!"
As his words fell, everyone around immediately grew solemn.
However, Shigure didn't immediately answer. Instead, he suddenly raised his right hand.
At his fingertip, a strange black space instantly manifested!
Seeing this black space, the Gotei Captains behind immediately startled.
Because they clearly sensed—this wasn't Reiatsu or a Dangai fissure, but rather more like... shadow!
Combined with Shigure's earlier words, they naturally instantly understood—
This was the Wandenreich's entrance!
At this moment, the five Squad Zero members naturally also realized something.
But before they could speak, Annihilation Reiatsu suddenly exploded from Shigure!
BOOM!!
Invisible Reiatsu storm instantly surged out, pressing upon all Squad Zero members!
Their gazes instantly changed.
This moment, Shigure's Captain haori and black hair swayed together. His presence extraordinary!
His pupils radiated unusual light. Looking at the five Squad Zero members, he chuckled:
"We will now enter the shadow realm, immediately launching our counterattack against the Wandenreich Quincy."
"And you—if you want to stop me because of that so-called decree..."
"Feel free to try."
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