The feline possessed lustrous obsidian fur, golden pupils gleaming in the moonlight.
Yet this was no ordinary cat moving with typical feline lethargy.
Instead, it employed high-speed movement techniques.
Upon closer examination... the footwork proved identical to Soul Reaper Shunpo!
This superior mobility allowed it to effortlessly evade the pursuing Gotei squad members below, who quickly lost their quarry.
Shigure's Resonance Vision maintained tracking capability because the creature's trajectory led directly toward his position.
Within moments, the black cat materialized mere yards from Shigure's location.
Shigure ceased his advance, alighting upon a rooftop with an amused smile as he observed the approaching feline.
No—more accurately described as...
Yoruichi Shihouin.
The instant Shigure halted, the high-speed black cat Yoruichi immediately mirrored his action.
Shigure's positioning clearly suggested intentional interception.
A gruff masculine voice emerged from the cat's throat.
"Impressive. Someone capable of tracking my movement patterns through darkness... who might you be?"
Shigure's eyebrows arched slightly upon hearing this voice.
The rough timbre exceeded his expectations—utterly impossible to associate with Yoruichi's true identity.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Segawa Shigure, current 13th Division Vice-Captain." He maintained his composed smile while offering introduction.
Yoruichi's feline form trembled violently upon hearing his response.
Her golden pupils dilated to maximum width instantaneously.
Beneath moonlight, those unnaturally wide eyes appeared distinctly unsettling.
"You... you're Segawa?"
Unmistakable surprise colored her tone.
Shigure immediately comprehended the situation.
His prominent activities over recent months, combined with Urahara Kisuke's connections, had clearly brought him to Yoruichi's attention.
He nodded with casual acknowledgment.
"Did Urahara-san mention me to you... Miss Yoruichi?"
THUMP!
Yoruichi's heart hammered against her ribs at his words.
Their first encounter, yet he possessed knowledge of her identity in this transformed state!
What manner of individual was he...?
After collecting herself, she began advancing with measured cat-like steps.
"...You truly match Kisuke's description—shrouded in mystery..."
The previous day, before their Soul Society infiltration, Urahara Kisuke had specifically approached her regarding Segawa Shigure.
Urahara had advised that should she encounter insurmountable difficulties within Seireitei, she might consider seeking assistance from the 13th Division Vice-Captain.
Yoruichi immediately recognized the reference—that prodigious vice-captain generating considerable discussion throughout Seireitei.
However, Urahara's reasoning remained unclear.
When she voiced this curiosity, Urahara Kisuke displayed his characteristic enigmatic smile.
"He represents a fascinating enigma... direct contact will provide understanding."
...
Black cat Yoruichi continued her approach until she stood directly before Shigure.
Moonlight illuminated their contrasting silhouettes—one towering, one diminutive—locked in mutual observation.
Without warning, she explosively launched herself airborne, razor-sharp claws extending toward Shigure's face!
The vicious wind pressure set his Shihakusho snapping violently.
Her talons targeted his eyes with lethal precision and zero hesitation!
Shigure remained absolutely motionless despite the assault.
His expression maintained gentle amusement, never blinking as Yoruichi's claws approached their target.
WHOOSH!
Her deadly talons halted precisely two millimeters from Shigure's pupils!
The fierce downdraft lifted his ebony hair while his serene smile persisted unchanged.
"Such testing methods... don't you consider this somewhat discourteous, Miss Yoruichi?"
"..."
Black cat Yoruichi suspended herself mid-air, hind paws balanced upon condensed spirit particles.
She slowly retracted her weaponized claws.
From intimate proximity, she studied Shigure intently before her feline features split into a broad grin.
"Hahaha... Kisuke spoke absolute truth..."
"You're genuinely peculiar... fascinatingly so."
Yoruichi descended gracefully, resuming her position atop the rooftop.
"However, I cannot linger here any longer."
She resumed her feline gait, circling around Shigure to continue her journey.
"Should circumstances arise... beyond our capabilities, I'll heed Kisuke's counsel and seek your assistance."
"Until then, you remain a Gotei Soul Reaper while I am Ryoka..."
"We are still 'enemies.'"
Her form accelerated into high-speed movement, vanishing from visual range.
Truly befitting someone bearing the "Shunshin" (Flash Step) epithet.
Within Shigure's Resonance Vision, her spiritual signature rapidly diminished.
Undoubtedly beginning her search for the scattered Kurosaki Ichigo and companions.
Alone upon the rooftop, Shigure watched Yoruichi's departure with subtle satisfaction.
Yoruichi Shihouin's declaration carried implicit meaning.
She had established temporary opposition until circumstances demanded cooperation.
Shigure would fulfill his Soul Reaper obligations against the Ryoka invasion.
When unforeseen complications arose, she would request his intervention.
Shigure pivoted, employing Shunpo toward 13th Division headquarters while contemplating recent developments.
Urahara Kisuke's strategic acumen proved formidable.
His operational planning had incorporated Shigure as an active participant.
Presumably, Urahara assumed shared opposition to Aizen indicated aligned interests.
However, he had miscalculated Shigure's independent objectives.
Ensuring the Sokyoku's proper activation and successful mission completion took absolute priority.
Until then, assisting Yoruichi's group remained impossible.
Conversely, he needed to facilitate Aizen's execution scheme.
Only through such measures could he guarantee mission success.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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