Unohana's words fell. Squad members looked confused.
Whispers started immediately.
"Just in case... what does that mean?"
"Captain Segawa is so strong... why does he need an Arrancar with him...?"
"Right..."
They didn't understand. But the captains and lieutenants returning from battle understood perfectly.
This little girl's power was terrifying. You couldn't judge her by that cute appearance.
She showed no aggression with Shigure. But an outburst wasn't impossible.
If she went berserk, ordinary fighters couldn't stop her.
Keeping her with Shigure served two purposes. Reduce outburst risk. Let Shigure monitor her.
That's what "just in case" meant.
Ukitake looked at Shigure. Despite his pale face from injuries, he smiled gently.
"Looks like you'll be a guardian for a while, Segawa. Haha..."
Unohana smiled again.
"This might sound exaggerated, but... only you can suppress any variables the fastest."
Shigure had no reason to refuse. He smiled. "Understood."
Everyone began dispersing.
Most headed to Fourth Division barracks for treatment.
Soi Fon led the Punishment Force, taking the bound Harribel and the others to Second Division's temporary prison.
Sekkiseki stone walls there could contain the four injured Arrancar.
As Harribel left, she glanced at Shigure. Almost imperceptible.
That look held complex thoughts. Puzzling.
Shigure was about to head to Fifth Division barracks. Urahara suddenly called out.
Shigure stopped. Looked back. A breeze blew. Urahara held his hat with one hand.
"Captain Segawa, do you have time... to visit Karakura Town together?"
"There are some things I'd like to discuss."
Shigure's eyes flickered. He thought briefly. Nodded. "Alright."
Aside from this girl, nothing urgent to handle.
Since Urahara was suggesting conversation, no reason to refuse.
Rukia spoke up. "C-Captain, Urahara-san, should I come along?"
Before Shigure could answer, Urahara smiled.
"Miss Rukia, what I have to say isn't secret. Please come along."
Rukia's expression didn't change. She looked at Shigure. Waiting for his opinion.
Shigure nodded. "Let's go together. Nothing urgent in Fifth Division right now."
"Yes, Captain."
Rukia bowed slightly. Answered seriously.
Urahara chuckled. Eyes gleaming as he looked at Shigure.
"This feeling is strange... Captain Segawa, everyone who's had experiences with you ends up changed by you."
"Whether it's Captain Unohana, or Soi Fon and Rukia..."
Rukia kept her head down. Face slightly flushed. Said nothing.
Shigure smiled lightly.
"Don't make it sound mystical. Everyone gets changed by their environment. You should adapt to that, Urahara-san."
"...True enough."
Urahara paused. Then smiled and turned around. Walked south down the hill.
"Please follow me, Captain Segawa, Miss Rukia, and... this Arrancar named Alleste."
The instant those words fell—sudden spiritual pressure surged!
"?!"
Urahara and Rukia both startled. Looked at the little girl immediately.
That spiritual pressure felt identical to Shigure's. But its location came from the little girl.
The little girl's spiritual pressure remained connected to Shigure's.
Urahara froze. "Spiritual pressure transmission? She's... talking to you?"
Shigure laughed. Nodded.
"Seems she doesn't like you calling her 'Alleste' or 'Arrancar.'"
"Huh?" Urahara blinked.
Shigure smiled. Looked down at her. After a moment, raised his head.
"Call her 'Aning.' She says that's the only pronunciation from her name she actually likes."
"Uh..."
Urahara's face showed amused exasperation. "What a strange little thing..."
He turned his head. Continued walking down the hill.
Shigure stepped forward. Rukia on his left, somewhat nervous. Aning on his right, still clutching his haori.
A few minutes later, they approached the boundary pillar at Karakura Town's edge.
Urahara suddenly spoke.
"That was an incredible battle, Captain Segawa. And also... incredible soul containment technique."
His calm words fell. Rukia froze slightly. Shigure's expression didn't change. He smiled.
"My deduction was correct. You asked me here to discuss this."
"Worthy of someone skilled in soul research."
"..."
They conversed. Neither stopped walking.
Urahara fell silent. Then continued.
"Is this really okay, Segawa?"
"Using your own soul as a vessel to seal two existences as powerful as Aizen and the Hōgyoku..."
"Is this really... okay?"
Urahara suddenly stopped. Turned to look at Shigure with an extremely grave expression.
That look made Rukia hold her breath nervously.
She'd never seen Urahara show such a severe expression.
Shigure met Urahara's gaze. Face still wearing a faint smile.
"Urahara-san, don't worry."
"What I'm capable of... far exceeds the heights you can imagine."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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