Unohana Retsu's expression carried profound gravity.
Those water-clear eyes seemed capable of piercing directly through Shigure's very soul.
Upon hearing her words, Shigure lowered his gaze.
"Captain Unohana, what... abnormalities have you discovered?"
At his question, Unohana's attention shifted to Aizen's corpse.
Having decided to confront Shigure directly, she would naturally explain everything clearly.
"I have served as 4th Division captain for so many years..."
"I'm intimately familiar with corpse anatomy—this body shows no structural differences."
"Whether the destroyed Chain of Fate and Soul Sleep, or that pierced heart—all appear normal."
"Yet it consistently lacks the... essence that ordinary corpses possess."
Unohana Retsu frowned slightly, her voice soft but troubled.
"Despite repeated examinations, I cannot settle my unease."
"Initially, I attributed this to recent events... clouding my professional judgment."
"Therefore, I said nothing to the other captains."
"However..."
She looked up, her expression intensifying:
"From the instant you entered this room, I recognized in your eyes... the same disquiet I feel!"
Unohana Retsu's stare bore into Shigure with unwavering intensity.
Shigure's pulse quickened as he held her gaze for long moments before offering a rueful smile.
"Perhaps studying swordsmanship under you was a mistake."
"Before you, I possess no secrets whatsoever..."
Though Shigure spoke these words, his expression conveyed relief rather than regret.
Unohana Retsu understood his jest for what it was.
Yet it also confirmed her suspicions.
"You truly know something, don't you?"
Hearing this, Shigure sobered, his smile fading as he nodded slightly.
Having reached this juncture, further evasion was impossible.
However, to ensure his sign-in missions proceeded normally, complete disclosure remained out of the question.
After careful consideration, he spoke with utmost seriousness:
"Captain Unohana... what I'm about to reveal must remain our secret—temporarily."
Witnessing Shigure's grave demeanor, Unohana Retsu immediately grasped the situation's weight, nodding solemnly.
At her acknowledgment, Shigure's gaze briefly settled on Aizen's nearby form.
Then he raised his head, meeting Unohana's eyes directly.
His lips parted, words emerging in measured, deliberate tones:
"Aizen Sosuke... is not dead."
!!
The revelation struck Unohana Retsu like lightning, her perpetual composure shattering as her breath caught. "What...?!"
Disbelief flooded her features.
Shigure's expression remained unchanged as he continued:
"Though this may seem impossible to accept, he lives still."
"This corpse... is merely an illusion crafted through his Zanpakuto's power."
"Your sensing of abnormalities is entirely justified."
"His true form has already gone into hiding, awaiting the perfect moment to execute a far grander scheme."
Shigure spoke methodically while Unohana Retsu's pupils contracted sharply.
When she'd first detected the corpse's anomalies, similar thoughts had crossed her mind.
But hearing confirmation from Shigure carried entirely different implications!
Several seconds passed before she could process his words, her voice emerging with confused uncertainty:
"If... you already know this truth, why didn't you inform the captains present moments ago..."
Her own silence had stemmed from fear of being wrong.
But if Shigure possessed such certainty, why hadn't he spoken...
Shigure had anticipated this question.
His voice remained calm and measured:
"Because... among those present was his accomplice."
"His presence here served one purpose—monitoring whether you'd discovered anything suspicious."
"All to facilitate Aizen's subsequent plans."
As his words concluded, Unohana Retsu's expression shifted once more.
"...Who?"
Shigure lifted his eyes slightly. "9th Division Captain... Tosen Kaname."
Shigure's quiet revelation caused Unohana Retsu's entire frame to stiffen.
Though her facial expression showed minimal change, internal shock reverberated through her being.
More than shock, however, came rage.
Fury at such treasonous betrayal!
Shigure naturally observed Unohana Retsu's emotional turmoil, speaking carefully:
"Captain Unohana, please remember my words."
"This conversation remains strictly between us."
"Until the proper 'moment' arrives... I need you to guard this secret."
Shigure regarded Unohana with earnest intensity.
Unohana Retsu froze momentarily.
Her initial impulse had been to immediately notify the Captain-Commander and expose everything publicly.
Only now did she realize Segawa Shigure harbored deeper purposes.
"...Moment?" Unohana Retsu repeated softly.
"Precisely—the right moment."
A subtle smile graced Shigure's features.
"From this point forward, please trust me completely."
"Every situation you witness will unfold under my guidance."
"Therefore, regardless of what transpires... have absolute faith in me."
"..."
Witnessing Shigure's confident bearing, Unohana Retsu seemed infected by his certainty, her tension gradually easing.
Had anyone else approached her with such claims, she would have dismissed them entirely.
But Segawa Shigure was different.
Half a month of daily swordsmanship exchanges had forged resonance between their souls.
If Shigure harbored malicious intent, she would detect it instantly.
Instead, his eyes held only sincerity and unwavering confidence.
With this realization, Unohana Retsu nodded with solemn determination.
"I trust you... Segawa."
"Follow your convictions... and protect Seireitei!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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