No one knew why the Monk would directly attack.
The Gotei 13 Captains couldn't possibly understand. Yamamoto Genryusai didn't understand either.
Even the other four Squad Zero members fundamentally couldn't comprehend.
Though before descending they'd already received information transmitted by the Soul King's will, they'd never imagined using such domineering methods to take Segawa Shigure.
Because they deeply understood—Shigure's strength had long been sufficient to enter Squad Zero.
With such strength, battling him was completely the worst strategy.
The Monk couldn't possibly not understand this point.
Yet knowing this, he still released his Zanpakuto.
This was why the surrounding Squad Zero members were shocked.
Just then, release completed.
Clang!
The instant blade collision sounded, black ink smoke flashed around the Monk.
The next moment, in his left hand appeared an enormous brush.
The brush tip—a blade gleaming with cold light.
Ichimonji.
Yet the Monk paid no attention to everyone's gazes. Instead grinning, staring intently at Shigure, excitedly smiling:
"Come, come..."
"Outsider, let me see... what makes you transcendent...?!"
His words fell, undoubtedly declaring his stance.
Seeing this, everyone's expressions immediately grew heavy.
By now, they couldn't possibly not understand the situation's gravity.
This was no longer just personal conflict between Ichibei Hyosube and Segawa Shigure.
This was civil war.
War between Squad Zero and the Gotei 13.
The Monk as Squad Zero's leader, and Shigure as the Gotei 13's current leader, completely opposed.
No one expected things would develop to this degree.
At this moment, Yamamoto Genryusai naturally couldn't continue watching.
But just as he prepared to speak, Shigure suddenly turned his head, looking toward the Gotei 13 members.
Facing everyone's grave gazes, Shigure's face still wore a relaxed smile.
"Everyone, please remain calm."
"Obstacles are but momentary matters."
Finishing, ignoring everyone's expressions, he looked back toward the excited Monk opposite.
Others couldn't possibly know the Monk's reason for releasing his Zanpakuto and declaring war.
Because they didn't understand "transcendence's" meaning.
But Shigure understood—
The Monk, as Soul Society's most ancient existence, named everything in Soul Society, granting them 'concepts' and 'power.'
Calling him Soul Society's founder wouldn't be excessive.
However, this also meant he'd long transcended this world.
Almost everything fell within his knowledge.
So when he finally perceived Shigure wasn't an ordinary existence in this Soul Society—
He was like opening a new world's door.
He was pursuing the "unknown."
So he released his Zanpakuto, attempting to clarify everything.
However, he fundamentally couldn't imagine—
After completing absolute fusion with Candle Dragon, possessing complete Bankai, Shigure's realm had completely transcended this world's upper limit.
This upper limit—the Monk could merely touch.
Shigure chuckled, slowly placing his hand on his sword hilt, yet his gaze looked toward that giant brush opposite.
That was the Monk's Zanpakuto—Ichimonji.
Possessing... the power of naming.
Once the brush tip struck something, it could execute certain curses transcending Kido.
Like writing "hide" on the Soul King Palace could completely conceal it.
Writing "seal" could create an impassable barrier.
Before complete release, its ability was called "Cut the Name, Not the Flesh"—attacking opponents directly reduced half their power.
After complete release, the brush tip transformed into a blade.
Its ability, though still "Cut the Name, Not the Flesh," extended to making black things touched by the blade "lose their names."
Once an opponent's weapon lost its name, it couldn't manifest its power.
And this was merely Shikai.
Its Bankai—no, perhaps couldn't be called Bankai.
Because it was an evolved Zanpakuto born before Bankai existed in the world.
Shirafude Ichimonji.
Its ability—could rewrite new names on things whose names were erased by Shikai Ichimonji, regardless of original state, granting entirely new definitions.
This was "naming's" power.
True... godlike power.
Long ago, Shigure understood this was terrifying power.
So he'd always avoided approaching the Soul King Palace or Squad Zero, even unhesitatingly refusing promotion.
But now, different.
He needed no fear, even with that Zanpakuto before him.
Shigure still smiled, slowly drawing the Asauchi at his waist.
Cold light flickered. Blade unsheathed.
However, the instant his blade fully emerged, everyone's gazes froze.
This moment, they seemed unable to sense any other things.
Time seemingly frozen.
The only thing moving—only that blade in Shigure's hand.
The next moment, realizing this abnormality, everyone's hearts began震惊万分.
However, the excitement in the Monk's eyes intensified.
"Here... I come!"
Stomping forward, the Monk's figure instantly advanced. Ichimonji unhesitatingly slashed out.
That was a soundless blade.
The instant it fell, all Reishi became void black.
However, just as that blade was about to touch Shigure, his figure suddenly directly vanished from his position!
Not Shunpo—direct disappearance!
The next moment—
Shigure somehow already stood behind the Monk.
Blade already sheathed.
He smiled, silent.
Yet everyone suddenly felt cold rising.
The next moment, seeing the Ichimonji in the Monk's hand, everyone's scalps tingled.
This moment, hearts even stopped beating.
Incomprehensible.
No one understood what happened.
In the Monk's hand, that clearly released Ichimonji had somehow returned to... unreleased state.
That blade gleaming at the brush tip had reverted to ink-colored wolf hair.
His release—forcibly interrupted.
Realizing this, even the Monk himself completely froze, pupils constricting.
His mind completely blank.
However, before anyone could react, Shigure suddenly chuckled, then said—
"Heh."
"Rather boring battle."
"Since you don't plan to participate in the counterattack, then next, I'll directly send you... back."
"No need to thank me."
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