"Ding! A new check-in task has been issued!"
"Host is required to proceed to the Deathly Plains in West Rukongai during the Hollow Uprising to complete the check-in and receive system rewards!"
The system notification caught Shigure Segawa off guard.
"Deathly Plains?"
Wasn't that the place he had almost been exiled to before?
So it turns out he was destined to go there for a check-in task after all.
"During the Hollow Uprising..."
Shigure's eyes flickered with understanding. This task had a specific timing requirement.
Just like the novice mission that required a "threshold of spiritual particle concentration," this task couldn't be completed prematurely. He would have to wait for the right moment.
As he pondered this, Shigure brushed past someone.
It was Renji Abarai, the Vice-Captain of the 6th Division.
Shigure was leaving, while Renji was heading inside.
Renji appeared lost in thought, completely oblivious to Shigure's presence as he muttered to himself,
"That guy... What the hell is she doing? Why did she just disappear like that...?"
His tone carried a mix of frustration and deep emotion.
Watching Renji's retreating figure, Shigure immediately understood the reason for his visit.
Rukia Kuchiki.
It seemed Renji had learned through some means about Rukia's disappearance of spiritual pressure.
In his urgency, he had come to the Department of Research and Development to investigate.
But Shigure knew the outcome was already determined.
At this point, Renji would not be able to find her.
A soul residing in a Gigai (artificial body) becomes indistinguishable from a regular human.
The spiritual pressure detection instruments of the Department of Research and Development were incapable of locating her.
The next time Rukia would be found would be when Aizen manipulated the Central 46 to issue her arrest warrant.
Turning away, Shigure began heading back to the 13th Division barracks.
For now, he had no intention of intervening in this matter.
Back at the 13th Division, Shigure enjoyed a rare period of tranquility over the next ten days.
As the Vice-Captain of the 13th Division, his duties were relatively light.
During the initial few days, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentaro Kotsubaki assisted him in handling his responsibilities due to his unfamiliarity with the role.
Later, however, Shigure took over all tasks himself.
During this time, the system issued no new notifications, indicating that the so-called "Hollow Uprising" had yet to occur.
Unperturbed, Shigure continued to train his Resonance Eye daily.
As for Rukia Kuchiki, although her spiritual pressure remained undetectable, the Department of Research and Development confirmed she was "not deceased."
This conclusion only deepened the worries of the 13th Division members.
One afternoon, after completing the patrol of the district with the inspection team, Shigure returned to the barracks as usual.
But as soon as he entered his room, the system's notification rang out again.
"Ding! The Hollow Uprising has erupted in the Deathly Plains of West Rukongai!"
"Task conditions met. Host is advised to proceed to the designated area promptly to complete the check-in task!"
Shigure's face lit up with excitement. After waiting for over ten days, the moment had finally arrived!
Just then, a squad member barged into his room.
"Vice-Captain Segawa!"
Turning around, Shigure asked, "What's the matter?"
"Captain Ukitake requests your presence in the captain's quarters for an urgent discussion."
Raising an eyebrow, Shigure nodded. "Understood, I'll head there immediately."
However, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Although Ukitake often invited him for casual chats, it was rare for him to send someone specifically to summon him.
And to call it an "urgent discussion"...
With curiosity lingering in his mind, Shigure left his room and headed toward Ukitake's quarters.
The door was closed, and Shigure knocked lightly.
"Captain Ukitake, I'm here."
A weak voice came from inside, accompanied by violent coughing.
"Cough, cough... Segawa... Come in... Cough, cough, cough..."
Shigure's eyes narrowed as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
As expected, Ukitake was lying on the bed, his face pale—clearly in the throes of another severe bout of illness.
Yet, despite his condition, he still wore a faint smile.
Walking over, Shigure knelt beside him and lowered his head respectfully.
"Captain, is there something urgent you need me for?"
"Indeed," Ukitake replied softly.
"I've heard... troubling news about the Deathly Plains in West Rukongai..."
Shigure's eyes flickered.
Had the Hollow Uprising already been detected?
Ukitake, though weak, continued to explain,
"Just now, Chojiro Sasakibe, the Vice-Captain of the 1st Division, used Tenteikura to summon all captains for an emergency meeting..."
Raising an eyebrow, Shigure asked, "Has it become that severe?"
Closing his eyes briefly, Ukitake shook his head lightly.
"I'm not entirely sure of the situation, but with a meeting summons issued, it can't be ignored."
After speaking, he was overcome by another violent coughing fit.
Lowering his gaze, Shigure remarked,
"Captain, given your current condition, you should consider skipping the meeting. The other captains are more than capable of handling it."
Hearing this, Ukitake suddenly smiled again.
"And that's precisely why I called you here..."
Shigure looked up, puzzled.
"Segawa, I hope you... can attend the meeting on my behalf."
"What?"
The request left Shigure momentarily stunned.
"Captain, surely you're joking. Captain meetings are the highest-level gatherings in Seireitei. As a mere Vice-Captain, how can I possibly represent you?"
Smiling gently, Ukitake replied,
"True, that's how it's supposed to be... But I've already sought approval from the Captain-Commander."
"What?" Shigure was taken aback.
"The Captain-Commander agreed to this?"
Ever since his close encounter with Yamamoto Genryusai, Shigure had revised his opinion of the man.
Nonetheless, he still viewed Yamamoto as a staunch enforcer of rules.
To his surprise, Yamamoto had bent the rules in this case.
"Yes... Just go with confidence... And remember, avoid any disputes with the other captains."
At this point, Shigure knew he could no longer refuse. Bowing his head, he said,
"Captain, I understand. Please rest assured and focus on your recovery."
Ukitake's face lit up with a smile of relief.
After leaving Ukitake's quarters, Shigure stood outside and exhaled deeply.
The sudden turn of events had caught him off guard.
A Vice-Captain attending a Captain meeting in place of their superior was unheard of.
Yet, after a brief moment of reflection, Shigure's lips curled into a smile.
Perhaps this meeting would provide him with a legitimate reason to head to the Deathly Plains for his check-in task.
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