Midnight. The crescent moon hung high.
Inside the room, Shigure slowly rose from the cushion. Facing Yamamoto, he bowed his head slightly:
"Then I'll take my leave, Head Captain."
"Mm."
Yamamoto slowly closed his eyes and nodded lightly:
"Go ahead boldly, Segawa... I have my own methods to suppress the nobles."
"Now, the pages of history will slowly begin turning... by your hand."
After speaking, Yamamoto exhaled as if relieved of a burden. Yet that breath also carried the weight of a faint sigh.
"...You can count on me."
Shigure answered steadily. Then slowly withdrew from the room and left the 1st Division barracks.
A cool breeze blew, lifting his haori and hair.
Shigure's expression remained calm. But his eyes held a faint smile.
After this detailed conversation with Yamamoto, Shigure had completely grasped his attitude on this matter—
No, his attitude toward the entire Central 46 and Shigure's relationship with them.
Clearly, the current Yamamoto was nothing like the rigid, stubborn Head Captain from Shigure's past impressions.
Quite the opposite. He gave Shigure sufficient trust and extremely high expectations.
This expectation and trust made him completely disregard the Seireitei laws issued by the Central 46 on this matter.
He stood entirely on Shigure's side.
That's why Shigure dared propose what followed in their conversation.
"Captain Segawa!" "Captain Segawa!"
Patrolling Soul Reapers stopped to greet him when they spotted his figure.
Shigure smiled and nodded at them. But didn't stop walking.
His next destination wasn't the 5th Division barracks. But the underground assembly hall at the very center of the Seireitei.
There, the Central 46 was already waiting for his arrival.
When he reached the assembly hall entrance, before Shigure could state his purpose, the guard Soul Reapers immediately opened the doors.
They must have been informed in advance about the Central 46's summons.
After Aizen's massacre of the 46 last time, the underground assembly hall now had many additional protective measures.
Steps and passages made of Sekkiseki stone. Walls and ceilings inscribed with barriers. Amplifiers for quickly transmitting messages to the outside.
These things were naturally arranged by the newly appointed 46.
Though useless before absolute power, they were necessary for these officials.
Only this way could they sit comfortably in their positions. Continue exercising their authority as supreme rulers.
Today marked just after the great battle's end. Through special channels, they'd already learned everything that happened on the battlefield.
Shigure walked across the Sekkiseki floor. Passed through the barriers. Lifted the curtain at the passage's end and entered.
The moment the curtain lifted, light dimmed around him.
Shigure's expression remained calm. He walked steadily forward until reaching the central position below. Then looked up and around.
Seated above were the newly appointed forty sages and six judges.
After Shigure stopped, someone immediately spoke:
"Gotei 13 5th Division Captain... Segawa Shigure, why did you arrive so late?"
His voice carried displeasure. Though he struggled to maintain a cultivated tone.
Shigure followed the voice and replied calmly:
"I bear no crime. I came only because the Head Captain said the honorable sages wished to 'consult' with me..."
"There's no regulation requiring my arrival at a specific time, is there?"
"..."
The man froze. They indeed hadn't specified a time. But only because they assumed Shigure would arrive punctually.
Who knew they'd wait nearly half an hour?
This made the previous speaker feel somewhat annoyed. Prompting his questioning.
He never expected to be shut down by the very first response... and had no rebuttal.
According to battlefield intelligence provided by subordinates, Shigure had indeed played the greatest role in the decisive battle. His violation of regulations came only at the final step. But this hardly constituted a crime.
They had no grounds for interrogation. So could only call it a "consultation."
After a moment of silence in the assembly hall, an elder from another direction spoke. He first cleared his throat with a cough:
"Captain Segawa, you indeed bear no crime, but... you violated Seireitei law."
Shigure raised his eyes slightly. Replied indifferently: "Is that so?"
Seeing his expression and tone, several people's faces immediately darkened.
Almost simultaneously, they all spoke:
"Segawa! Watch your attitude when speaking! This is the Central Assembly Hall!"
"Hmph, a young upstart who became captain mere months ago—does some achievement make you this arrogant?!"
"You stand before the Central 46, symbol of supreme authority!"
Even without hearing the content, their tones alone conveyed their fury.
Shigure didn't respond. Then, from behind the leftmost screen among the six seated in the highest positions, an elder spoke:
"Ahem, honorable sages, calm yourselves!"
"Captain Segawa is young and spirited. Since he doesn't know the regulations... let us remind him!"
"Seireitei Law, Chapter 2, Article 11: Any criminal who commits unpardonable crimes such as treason, once captured alive in battle, must not be dealt with privately by anyone. They must be handed over to the Central 46 for judgment!"
"You have now violated this provision—this is why we summoned you!"
"Regarding this, do you have... any defense?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (120+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!