Mayuri's words fell. Rukia showed a shocked expression.
Urahara and Shigure remained expressionless.
Aning seemed not to understand. Still stared with wide eyes. Looked him up and down.
Mayuri hunched over. Stared intently at Aning. Eyes gleaming.
Then, as if possessed, he rapidly muttered to himself:
"An Arrancar with a Hollow form, yet the spiritual pressure inside... completely a Soul Reaper's aura!"
"And this aura isn't someone else's—it's Segawa Shigure's!"
"But this spiritual pressure is so restrained that without careful examination, you might mistake her for a human!"
"At Las Noches... I discovered ruins with clear signs of laboratory equipment... meaning that was where Aizen researched the Hōgyoku!"
"So I spent most of my time there searching for anything interesting!"
"Hehehaha... Now the most suspicious thing has appeared!"
Mayuri suddenly raised his head. Grinned strangely at Shigure.
"In those ruins, there was an Arrancar corpse that hadn't completely become spiritual particles. Its form... exactly the same as this little one beside you!!"
He straightened up. Looked at Shigure with an excited smile.
"Segawa... you and I are both Gotei captains. Now, I want you to hand over this Arrancar for me to research... That request isn't excessive, is it?"
After he said this, Aning seemed to suddenly understand. Immediately looked up at Shigure. Then used spiritual pressure transmission.
After listening, Shigure's eyes moved. Looked at Mayuri with a light laugh.
"Aning says she really doesn't like you and wants me to beat you up, Captain Kurotsuchi."
"Hah?!"
Mayuri's expression changed. Somewhat displeased.
"Tsk tsk, spiritual pressure transmission... she can even do that, this little thing..."
He stared into Shigure's eyes.
"If defeating you would grant me research rights over her, I'd really want to fight you, Segawa... However, I don't want to do something that foolish."
"So I'll request once more—hand her over to me... Just one day!"
Before Shigure could speak, Urahara suddenly said:
"Mayuri, don't bother with her."
"When she had me surrounded earlier, I already analyzed her soul and physical structure."
Mayuri completely ignored him. Put on an expression as if he couldn't see him. Said indifferently:
"Who's talking? Wasn't I conversing with Segawa... Why did such an unpleasant voice appear?"
Urahara didn't get angry. Continued:
"After my research, the conclusion I reached is—"
"She's merely a life form forcibly created by Aizen using the Hōgyoku's power."
"Whether it's her soul structure or special abilities, they can't be judged by conventional knowledge—just like Miss Inoue's powers. These are abilities beyond the rules."
"So you're wasting your breath, Mayuri."
Mayuri suddenly narrowed his eyes. Quickly looked at Urahara. Gritted his teeth slightly. Said with displeasure:
"You bastard... still so infuriating!"
He looked at Aning once more with reluctance before looking away.
Though he disliked Urahara, he had to acknowledge Urahara's wisdom and abilities.
Since he'd said that, it meant this girl had no research value.
After a moment, he looked at Shigure again. Asked somewhat puzzled:
"I came here to use the boundary pillars to transfer Karakura Town back. Segawa, what are you doing here?"
Shigure answered:
"Because many personnel were injured in the decisive battle, Captain Unohana asked us to request Miss Inoue's help. So you'll have to wait a bit, Captain Kurotsuchi."
"Tch."
Mayuri clicked his tongue with displeasure. Turned and walked aside.
"I'll come back here in one hour. Move quickly."
He used Shunpo to return to the squad members in the sky.
Urahara spoke:
"Segawa, there's no time to waste. Let's go find Miss Inoue first."
He suddenly raised his hand. A green light flashed out. Rushed toward the blue barrier wall. Tore open a passage in the barrier. Revealed an opening.
"Let's go."
Urahara stepped inside.
The three followed.
After passing through, the surrounding scenery immediately changed.
From Soul Society's wilderness to a bustling modern city street.
Though there wasn't a single person on the street, this rapid visual shift made Aning show an extremely pleased expression.
As she followed forward, she curiously looked back at Soul Society through the passage.
But at that moment, Shigure suddenly stopped. His expression shifted slightly.
Urahara and Rukia immediately noticed. They also stopped.
Urahara's eyes focused.
"...Did something happen, Segawa?"
Rukia also looked grave. Shigure rarely showed such an expression suddenly.
Hearing their words, Shigure came back to himself. Shook his head with a soft laugh.
"It's nothing. Just suddenly thought of something minor. Let's continue."
Shigure walked forward with a calm expression.
Urahara and Rukia found it strange. But since Shigure said so, they didn't press further.
Though Shigure's gaze looked ahead, his mind felt strange.
Just now, in that instant, he'd inexplicably heard a dragon's roar.
And that roar came from his left waist—
The sealed Zanpakutō.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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