"It's been a while, Candle Dragon."
The moment Shigure's calm words fell, echoes rippled through the air.
Now, like the giant dragon before him, he possessed the power to influence this Zanpakutō's inner world.
Hearing Shigure's voice, the dragon raised its heterochromatic eyes. Looked over.
It opened its mouth slightly. A profound and ancient voice descended from the heavens.
"...What matter disturbs my slumber?"
Hearing this, Shigure couldn't help but smile.
"We haven't talked in so long. Why are you putting on airs again?"
Back when Shigure was still at Shinō Academy—
After obtaining his Asauchi and receiving the system reward of an ultimate Zanpakutō, he'd communicated with Candle Dragon in this inner space for over ten days. Learning the dragon's true name.
They'd basically reached the point of normal conversation without any barriers.
Later, to train his Bankai and its various applications, he'd also fought Candle Dragon many times in sword meditation.
But each time, Shigure basically just fought. Carefully studied the forms of power without speaking.
He hadn't expected that resuming conversation now, Candle Dragon would again adopt this noble and proud demeanor.
After a moment, Shigure walked before Candle Dragon. Said with a light laugh:
"A few hours ago, when I went to Karakura Town, you sent out a roar at me, right?"
"What was the reason?"
Though he had some suspicions about Kōga Kuchiki's Muramasa, Shigure naturally wouldn't jump to conclusions before understanding the truth. That's why he decided to ask first.
Hearing these words, Candle Dragon lowered its eyes to look at him. Its eyes held no emotion. After a moment of silence, it said calmly:
"It seems you're not as dull as I imagined."
"At that time... there was indeed a male voice attempting to communicate with me."
"As for the roar you heard, it seems to have been merely an unconscious resonance between myself and your soul."
Hearing this, Shigure's eyes moved slightly.
A male voice trying to communicate with it?
At this moment, he could confirm it—
This male should be Muramasa after manifesting physically. And conversing with others' Zanpakutō spirits was indeed one of his abilities.
"However..."
Shigure looked up at Candle Dragon again:
"You said that roar... was an 'unconscious' resonance you sent to my soul?"
"Before this... have you ever had such an unconscious state?"
By the end, Shigure's gaze suddenly became somewhat sharp. As if able to see through everything before him.
Seeing this look, even Candle Dragon's eyes couldn't help but flicker slightly.
After a moment, its ancient voice finally descended from the sky:
"...Never before."
"Whether sleeping or awake, my consciousness is always absolutely clear."
Hearing this, Shigure didn't respond. Just nodded.
It seemed this so-called unconscious resonance... was precisely the influence Muramasa had on Candle Dragon.
However, his power... could actually affect Candle Dragon?
Shigure felt a trace of surprise.
Candle Dragon was bestowed by the system. An ultimate Zanpakutō manifested from Shigure's powerful soul.
But now, without even directly contacting Muramasa, it had already been slightly affected.
"Looks like... I shouldn't underestimate him too much."
Shigure narrowed his eyes slightly. Muttered to himself.
Originally, he'd felt Muramasa's strength was insufficient to affect him. Now it seemed otherwise.
However, just as Shigure prepared to warn Candle Dragon, suddenly the ground beneath his feet began glowing with faint blue light.
Shigure's heart immediately moved—
Was Aning using spiritual pressure to touch his Zanpakutō?
No time to think further. Shigure quickly said to Candle Dragon:
"If you sense anything abnormal again later, communicate with me through soul resonance."
Then, without waiting for its response, Shigure quickly calmed his mind. Closed his eyes. Prepared to leave the inner world.
After a moment, the faint pressure on his soul completely disappeared. Only then did Shigure open his eyes.
The instant he opened them, he saw Aning's fair and cute face right before him.
Her expression seemed very serious. Her left hand gripped Shigure's Zanpakutō. Emitting pale blue spiritual pressure.
Shigure's first action wasn't anything else—he directly activated Resonance Vision.
After all, after entering sword meditation, he couldn't perceive external matters. So regardless of why Aning acted, he had to check personally to feel at ease.
But the moment Resonance Vision activated, Shigure couldn't help but smile wryly.
Where was any danger or suspicion?
It turned out two Onmitsukidō Soul Reapers were waiting outside.
Apparently their movements had startled Aning. So she'd quickly alerted him.
At that moment, voices also came from outside—
"Pardon the intrusion! Captain Segawa!"
"We have a first-class urgent order to convey to you. Please allow us to enter!"
Clearly, they'd noticed the spiritual pressure enveloping the captain's quarters. Didn't dare rashly intrude.
Shigure's eyes moved. He didn't respond immediately. First looked at Aning. Then moved her hand away and sheathed his blade.
Only then did he calmly reply: "Come in."
With those words, the spiritual pressure covering the room instantly dispersed. The two Onmitsukidō members immediately breathed easier.
When approaching the door, they'd already been unable to breathe under this spiritual pressure.
"P-pardon us!"
The squad member on the left said loudly. Then opened the door. Without hesitation, both immediately walked inside and closed the door.
However, when they saw the little girl beside Shigure, both froze simultaneously.
An Arrancar...?
Shigure naturally noticed their gazes. But it didn't matter. He said:
"What's the matter? Speak."
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