Upon reading the final line, Hinamori Momo's heart contracted with violent intensity.
Her entire being froze in absolute stillness.
Her hands began trembling beyond conscious control.
"Segawa... Segawa...!!"
She rose through gritted teeth, approaching the prison bars.
With wartime conditions and her solitary confinement, no guards maintained watch.
Hinamori Momo raised her hand, employing Hado to effortlessly shatter the restraining chains.
She stepped through the cell door.
"I'm going... to find you this instant!"
Her face no longer bore traces of previous grief.
Instead, unwavering determination and blazing fury consumed her features.
...
Meanwhile, Shigure followed the 10th Division 9th Seat to Hitsugaya Toshiro's location.
After the messenger's departure, Shigure approached, speaking before Toshiro could begin:
"Captain Hitsugaya, requiring additional manpower for patrol duties... serves as pretext, correct?"
Toshiro's eyes flashed with acknowledgment.
"Actually... I've uncovered new evidence."
"Oh?" Shigure registered mild surprise.
Hitsugaya's expression grew grave. "Aizen's killer... most likely was Ichimaru!"
He proceeded to recount the post-meeting events in detail.
Naturally, Shigure possessed prior knowledge of these developments, though he maintained attentive pretense.
After Toshiro concluded his theoretical exposition, he inquired:
"That represents my current findings. So... Segawa, what's your assessment?"
He awaited response.
Shigure began lifting his gaze to reply when sudden catastrophe struck.
A diminutive black silhouette plummeted from above, landing adjacent to both men!
Shigure's attention immediately sharpened upon recognition.
Toshiro's complexion shifted with alarm.
"Hi-Hinamori?!"
"You're supposed to be detained... why have you suddenly escaped?"
Hinamori Momo rose slowly, ignoring Hitsugaya Toshiro's inquiry entirely.
Instead, she stood trembling, murmuring softly:
"I finally... found you..."
She raised her head, fixing Shigure with deadly intensity.
Simultaneously, her hand moved to the Zanpakuto at her waist.
Witnessing this development, Toshiro's expression hardened: "Hinamori... what do you intend?!"
"..."
Hinamori clenched her teeth, offering no response while swiftly drawing her blade.
The weapon reflected moonlight's cold gleam, its point targeting Shigure directly!
Pure hatred blazed within her gaze.
"Toshiro... why associate with such an individual... such a murderer..."
Her voice carried choking emotion.
"?!"
Toshiro's pupils contracted sharply at these words.
"What... are you saying, Hinamori!"
Hinamori Momo completely disregarded his reaction, raising her sword while screaming with near-hysteria:
"Segawa Shigure... murdered Captain Aizen!!!"
"Now... I'll avenge Captain Aizen!"
Before her declaration concluded, she launched forward.
"Bloom... Tobiume!!!"
Boom!
Zanpakuto release erupted—pink radiance instantly enveloped her blade before rapid transformation.
Her features twisted with intense hatred, all spiritual pressure concentrated upon the weapon as she struck toward Shigure without hesitation.
This represented her most devastating technique.
Clearly, she intended lethal force!
Hitsugaya Toshiro immediately comprehended the situation. His pupils contracted as he bellowed:
"Control yourself, Hinamori!!!"
He moved to draw his sword and intercept Hinamori Momo's assault.
At that instant, Shigure's form vanished from its original position!
?!
Both Hinamori Momo and Toshiro experienced simultaneous alarm.
"Whoosh!"
Like a tempest's passage, Hinamori Momo found herself forcibly halted by overwhelming oppressive presence.
The following moment, Shigure's silhouette materialized behind her.
The world descended into momentary silence.
"Puff!"
Crimson blood erupted violently from Hinamori Momo's arms!
Her ZanpakutoTobiume simultaneously produced a crystalline sound.
Ding.
Hairline fractures appeared across the blade's center before complete rupture!
Hinamori Momo's complexion transformed dramatically, terror flooding her features.
Bone-deep agony radiated throughout her form.
Her sword-bearing arms lost all strength, dropping limply.
The shattered Zanpakuto clattered groundward.
"No... impossible... impossible..."
Hinamori Momo's gaze turned vacant, incoherent sounds escaping her throat as her body collapsed to its knees.
She possessed no comprehension of Shigure's actions.
Why such pain wracked her entire being...
Why... her Zanpakuto had shattered...
Contemplation exceeded her remaining capacity.
Puff.
Blood spilled from her lips as she collapsed unconscious.
Hitsugaya Toshiro's frame petrified completely at this spectacle.
His grip remained fixed upon his sword hilt, mechanically rotating to observe Shigure's silhouette.
"Hey... hey..."
"What... what have you done?!! Segawa!!!!"
Hitsugaya Toshiro roared with savage expression.
Never had he anticipated Segawa Shigure's sudden aggression after prolonged silence.
A single strike obliterating Hinamori Momo!
Upon hearing Toshiro's accusatory outcry, Shigure slowly pivoted, regarding him with absolute indifference:
"Captain Hitsugaya, do you consider my actions inappropriate?"
"...Obviously so?! Do you comprehend your deed?!!"
Hitsugaya Toshiro snarled through clenched teeth.
Hinamori's injury represented his greatest fear!
Yet Shigure's expression maintained perfect apathy.
He met Toshiro's gaze directly, speaking with glacial detachment:
"During Ryoka invasion of Seireitei, Gotei members should unite against external threats."
"Yet Vice-Captain Hinamori, acting upon unverified suspicions, drew steel against me—an acting captain..."
"Under such circumstances, shattering her blade and preventing further endangerment to Seireitei..."
"Demonstrated considerable mercy, Captain Hitsugaya."
Shigure spoke with cold, emotionless regard.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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