Soul Society, Seireitei.
Northern outer court. A massive Senkaimon began opening.
Squad members waited outside, ready to welcome the captains and lieutenants back from battle.
This was Soul Society's victory. But nobody felt like celebrating.
Too much remained unfinished. Too many people awaited judgment.
Even Head Captain Yamamoto—undefeated for a thousand years—was returning with a severed arm.
That said everything about how brutal this fight had been.
The giant Senkaimon that Urahara and Tessai built started crumbling shortly after Shigure's overwhelming Bankai ended.
At least the battle with Aizen was over. The World of the Living would be fine.
Urahara reinforced the gate one more time. Then he and the Visored followed the Gotei captains back to Soul Society.
The real Karakura Town was still here, after all.
Many had suffered near-death injuries in the battle. But healing kidō had stabilized everyone. No more lives at risk.
Standing on the hill outside the Senkaimon...
The squad members watched the injured emerge. Heavy hearts. But mostly admiration.
Then they saw something weird.
Right in the middle of the captains and lieutenants—several restrained Arrancar.
All female. One was a little girl.
The four taller Arrancar kept their eyes down, faces blank.
The little girl's eyes were wide open. Looking around at everything.
Her small hand clutched a captain's haori.
The squad members followed the haori upward. Everyone froze.
Fifth Division... Captain Segawa!
"Eh?! What's going on...?"
"An Arrancar... looks really close with Captain Segawa...?!"
A petite girl whispered to her companion, shocked.
The other girl looked equally lost. She shook her head. "I—I have no idea..."
Shigure emerged from the Senkaimon. He noticed the stares.
This was both funny and frustrating.
The little girl clutching his clothes was Lightning Alleste. The Arrancar Aizen created with the Hōgyoku. The one who could control lightning.
Earlier, after dealing with Harribel and the others, they'd started discussing what to do about this girl.
When Urahara released her restraints, she didn't resist. She did something that shocked everyone instead.
She wrapped both arms around Shigure's waist. Refused to let go.
Her face looked innocent. But her actions showed clear affection for Shigure.
Surprising. But nothing they could do about it.
Her entire body radiated only Shigure's spiritual pressure. Zero hostility.
They had no choice but to let her follow.
Only when Shigure spoke did she agree to hold his clothes instead of hugging him.
Everyone emerged from the passage. The Senkaimon closed.
Unohana at the front suddenly stopped. She turned to face everyone.
"Everyone. The Head Captain's injuries are severe. He's entrusted post-battle reconstruction to me for the next two days."
Nobody reacted. They understood.
Unohana continued without delay.
"First. All injured captains and lieutenants, proceed to Fourth Division barracks. We'll focus entirely on healing."
"Another matter. Urahara-san..."
Unohana looked at Urahara. His eyes flickered. "Captain Unohana, please."
"During the Ryoka invasion, I noticed a girl among them. She could completely heal others."
"She should still be in Karakura Town right now."
"I hope you can find her, Urahara-san. Persuade her to help at Fourth Division... Please."
Unohana finished earnestly.
Urahara, Yoruichi, and Shigure immediately realized who she meant.
Orihime Inoue.
Her power—the Shun Shun Rikka—had incredible healing capabilities.
Urahara nodded.
Unohana calmly arranged every aspect of post-battle deployment.
Temporary handling of Harribel and the others. Temporary Gotei assignments.
"The boundary pillar and replicated Karakura Town... Captain Kurotsuchi can handle that after returning from Hueco Mundo."
"As for her..."
Unohana looked at the little girl beside Shigure. Then at Shigure with a gentle smile.
"Could I trouble Captain Segawa to keep her by your side for now? Just in case?"
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