Meanwhile, in the Third Level of the underground prison, Black Corrosion Hell.
"Kid, today's the day you're leaving, isn't it?"
In the darkness, Sugisawa's weary voice echoed faintly.
"Yes, Mr. Sugi," Shigure responded politely.
"Once you're out, I bet you'll never come back to this place again… Just thinking about it feels bittersweet."
Shigure chuckled. "That doesn't sound like something you'd say, Mr. Sugi."
"Tch, can't you at least pretend to be moved? I don't say this kind of thing often, you know, kid…"
Sugisawa retorted with a playful scolding.
Just then, a rumbling sound came from outside the Black Corrosion prison's seal.
Both of them recognized the sound immediately.
It was the sound of the "shackles" being unlocked.
"Alright, go on now," Sugisawa said.
Shigure bowed slightly. "Until we meet again, Mr. Sugi."
With that, Shigure turned around and used Shunpo to reach the sealed gate.
He exhaled softly, waiting for the gate to open.
A black vortex appeared.
However, to his surprise, three figures emerged from the vortex.
Seeing Chōjirō Sasakibe at the front, Shigure wasn't too surprised. But when he saw Jūshirō Ukitake, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
And then, the third figure stepped out, wearing a gentle smile—Sōsuke Aizen.
Shigure's heart skipped a beat.
He hadn't expected Aizen to come as well.
Despite his surprise, Shigure maintained a composed smile and bowed respectfully to them.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, Captain Ukitake, Captain Aizen."
Ukitake chuckled. "I thought I'd see a different version of you after seven days, Shigure, but you're just as spirited as before."
Shigure smiled in return. "Captain Ukitake, you seem even more energetic than seven days ago."
He then turned to Aizen, bowing slightly with a polite smile. "After everything that happened, I'm grateful that you'd come here, Captain Aizen."
Aizen smiled warmly. "If I didn't come, I'd feel even guiltier, Shigure."
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the exit. "Let's talk outside. It feels strange to linger here."
Ukitake nodded with a smile. "You're right. Let's go, Shigure."
"Yes," Shigure replied, preparing to step toward the vortex.
But at that moment, everything changed.
From deep within the prison came a massive explosion!
BOOM!!!
Simultaneously, a twisted surge of spiritual pressure erupted into the air!
"What?!" Sasakibe exclaimed in shock.
All four of them immediately turned toward the depths of the Black Corrosion prison.
Before they could discern what had happened, Sugisawa's voice rang out from the depths.
"Sasakibe! The prison's been breached!! The madmen are rioting!!!"
Before his words had fully registered, a figure suddenly rushed out and stopped in front of them.
It was Sugisawa, but his face was pale, and his left arm was reduced to half its length!
Seeing his condition, Sasakibe immediately asked, "What happened, Sugi? Wasn't the Black Corrosion prison reinforced a century ago?!"
"I don't know!" Sugisawa's expression was grim as he spoke rapidly. "Just now, all the cells were destroyed in an instant!"
"I didn't even have time to sense the spiritual pressure before I was injured by the twisted spiritual pressure that erupted from the madmen!"
"Now… the entire Black Corrosion prison… all 473 cells have been unlocked!"
"Over 300 madmen have been set free!"
Hearing this, Sasakibe's pupils contracted sharply.
His initial thought was to leave immediately and seal the gate to the Black Corrosion Hell.
But now, with over 300 madmen unleashed, their combined strength could easily destroy the sealed gate!
Sasakibe quickly made a decision. "Captain Ukitake! Captain Aizen! Please hold them off for a moment while I use Tenteikura to notify all nearby captains immediately!!"
At that moment, a violent attack surged toward them.
An orange, disc-shaped flame, laced with twisted spiritual pressure, hurtled in their direction.
It was Hado #54: Haien!
Almost instantly, Ukitake reacted, raising both hands.
"Bakudo #39: Enkosen!"
A transparent, water-blue circular shield formed, blocking the fiery attack.
Ukitake's expression was grave as he spoke quickly. "Vice-Captain Sasakibe, our priority should be to subdue the madmen with our combined strength and prevent further destruction!"
Aizen immediately added, "Vice-Captain Sasakibe, Captain Ukitake is right. The madmen have been imprisoned for so long that not all of them may have strong combat abilities. We should focus on resolving the crisis now."
Hearing their words, Sasakibe's spirit steadied, and he quickly calmed down.
The earlier explosion and the overwhelming twisted spiritual pressure, coupled with seeing Sugisawa's severe injuries, had momentarily clouded his judgment.
But upon reflection, with their combined strength, there was no need to fear.
Both Jūshirō Ukitake and Sōsuke Aizen were captains, their strength beyond question.
And Shigure Segawa was a universally acknowledged genius.
However, Sugisawa suddenly spoke coldly. "This place doesn't allow large-scale battles involving captain-level power. Have you forgotten?! Excessive destruction could cause the first and second layers of the prison above to collapse!"
Hearing this, Sasakibe froze.
But Ukitake seemed to realize something. He turned to Aizen and said solemnly:
"Captain Aizen… it seems we'll have to trouble you this time."
Ding!
Before the words had fully settled, another Hado attack came hurtling toward them.
A voice shouted from the depths, "You Seireitei lapdogs! Die, all of you!!!"
BOOM!
Once again, the attack was neutralized by Ukitake's Enkosen.
Hearing Ukitake's suggestion, Sasakibe's eyes flashed with understanding. He quickly added:
"Captain Aizen… your abilities might yield unexpected results in this situation!"
Hearing this, Aizen's expression turned serious, and he nodded.
"I understand. Leave it to me, Captain Ukitake, Vice-Captain Sasakibe."
With that, he calmly drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.
Ukitake immediately turned to Shigure. "Shigure, step back. Leave it to Captain Aizen."
Shigure nodded lightly and took a step back.
Aizen, with his back to the group, allowed a barely perceptible smile to form on his face.
Slowly raising his hand, he reversed his grip on his Zanpakuto and softly spoke the release command:
"Shatter… Kyoka Suigetsu."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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