The black shadow gate slowly closed.
White radiance gradually contracted, finally completely dissipating.
In the Fourth Division council hall, tranquility finally returned.
At this moment, only Yamamoto Genryusai remained alone within.
All Gotei Captains, including Kisuke Urahara, had followed Segawa Shigure into the Wandenreich.
Here, watching familiar figures enter that shadow gate one by one, Yamamoto Genryusai's weathered eyes flickered with faint light.
Since that battle with Yhwach ended, he'd begun understanding—
Soul Society, through Segawa Shigure's hands, was opening a truly new era.
And Segawa Shigure was precisely the absolute pillar Seireitei should rely upon in that new era spanning thousands of years.
So, as a remnant of the old era, after last night's conversation, Yamamoto Genryusai unhesitatingly chose to place this final battle's leadership entirely in Shigure's hands.
Revenge, protection, conviction, hope...
Everything—he placed unreservedly upon Shigure.
Perhaps to others, this was incomprehensible.
But throughout this journey, Yamamoto Genryusai had witnessed everything about Shigure...
From squad entrance examination, to later Underground Prison incident, Deadlands Hollow tide suppression, slaying the Ruination King, repelling Aizen's three-person rebellion, World of the Living Arrancar annihilation, Hueco Mundo conquest, Aizen's sealing, Muramasa's execution...
To now—rescuing Seireitei, repelling the Wandenreich and Yhwach...
What Yamamoto saw wasn't merely a junior's growth and rise.
He seemed to see his former self.
That unwavering justice.
"Haah..."
Yamamoto slightly lowered his weathered eyes, softly sighing, slowly murmuring:
"Like me a thousand years ago, return victorious..."
"Segawa."
"Then, don't be like me a thousand years ago, leaving seeds of sin..."
"Yhwach..."
"Utterly annihilate him, until... his spirit completely perishes."
Stepping into the shadow gate, passing through the pure white corridor.
From beginning to end, not one person spoke.
Though this counterattack held tremendous advantage, no one felt relaxed.
Even Kenpachi Zaraki—after that brief battle with Haschwalth—clearly understood the enemy's formidable strength.
After a moment, this pure white corridor reached its end.
Shigure again raised his hand. The black shadow gate opened.
Stepping out, following Shigure, the Gotei arrived at a vast, boundless new world.
Unlike Seireitei's seasonal changes and day-night cycles, in this world, time seemed frozen.
Above—sky like ink-black night.
No moon, no stars.
Ahead, an enormous white palace stood at the white wasteland's center.
It seemingly radiated faint light, illuminating everything around.
"...That's the Quincy base?"
Toshiro Hitsugaya carefully surveyed surroundings while softly murmuring.
Surrounding Captains immediately began observing.
Just then, Kenpachi Zaraki beside suddenly grinned, laughing:
"Tch... This palace looks somewhat... ruined..."
As his words fell, everyone's gazes immediately focused, looking carefully.
When first arriving, they'd only marveled at this place's incredibility.
But now, hearing Kenpachi's words, they suddenly noticed—
This magnificent ice palace, though grand in scale, showed clear signs of severe destruction...
Even distant palace ruins lay randomly scattered...
Just as they felt puzzled, Byakuya Kuchiki beside suddenly said flatly:
"Such severe destruction should be from the Head Captain's flames Segawa previously guided here."
Hearing this, everyone looked toward Shigure.
Their eyes flickered, finally recalling Segawa had mentioned this before...
Noticing everyone's gazes, Shigure also chuckled and nodded.
"Correct."
"However, with the Quincy's current strength, such wide-range flames can't cause them significant harm..."
"So next, everyone must prepare for prolonged battle."
Shigure naturally knew what damage those flames infused with his Reiatsu and Bankai could cause.
However, he naturally hadn't hoped that single attack could achieve much.
Next was the annihilation battle's true beginning.
Hearing Shigure's words, everyone's expressions immediately grew serious.
Indeed so.
Even now holding traps that could directly kill Quincy, they couldn't be careless.
Even when necessary, they'd need to separate and fight individually.
Because only this way could they prevent Quincy from discovering the Bankai theft trap.
This point—everyone understood.
"Let's go—"
"Approach the Ice Palace, then annihilate the Wandenreich."
Shigure spoke flatly, then unhurriedly walked toward the Ice Palace ahead.
His tone and expression—like a windless lake.
Utterly calm.
As if what he was about to do was merely a small matter.
Clearly stepping onto a true battlefield, yet to him, like taking a stroll.
Behind him, Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro exchanged glances, expressions somewhat helpless.
Then Shunsui smiled bitterly:
"Let's go. Follow Segawa."
Finishing, everyone immediately stepped forward.
However, just then, suddenly—four brilliant white beams violently shot from the distant Ice Palace!
BOOM!!
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