After leaving the 1st Division prison, Shigure directly departed from the 1st Division.
This arrest mission was already complete, and Kuchiki Byakuya alone could handle the report.
Shigure prepared to return to the 13th Division barracks.
Although the verdict hadn't been announced yet, he already knew the result.
Aizen Sosuke would continue impersonating Central 46 and issue a death sentence for Kuchiki Rukia.
When they had departed for the World of the Living to execute their mission, it was done without others knowing.
But now, basically the entire Gotei 13 should know about it.
The moment Shigure entered the 13th Division barracks, quite a few squad members immediately brightened up and hurried over.
"Vice-Captain Segawa!"
"Vice-Captain!"
"Vice-Captain!"
Their voices of greeting rose one after another.
Shigure was slightly startled. "Is there something you all need?"
As soon as he said this, 6th Seat Matsushima Tsuki immediately said carefully:
"Vice-Captain... um, we heard that you and Captain Kuchiki from the 6th Division went to the World of the Living together to arrest Rukia..."
Shigure's eyes moved, realizing this was what they wanted to discuss.
So he nodded. "That's correct. We've brought her back."
As soon as he spoke, someone immediately asked: "Then... how is she now?"
Shigure said indifferently:
"She's currently being temporarily held in the 1st Division prison, awaiting the verdict from Central 46."
"..."
As soon as Shigure finished speaking, the surroundings immediately fell silent.
The reason they were so anxious was because they had good relationships with Rukia.
But now, Rukia's situation was so dire.
Matsushima Tsuki asked with concern:
"Vice-Captain... do you know what crime she might be sentenced for..."
Although they were all Gotei squad members who knew Soul Society's rules strictly forbade Soul Reapers from sharing spiritual power with humans, they weren't clear about what specific punishment there would be.
After all, such incidents had rarely occurred throughout Soul Society's entire history.
Hearing this question, Shigure's eyes moved. "That's unclear."
"However, if things go as expected, Central 46 should interrogate her overnight tonight, and the verdict should be out by tomorrow morning."
"Everyone has been busy all day, so you should go rest first."
With that, he lifted his foot to walk forward.
The surrounding squad members immediately made way for him.
"Thank you for your hard work today!!" They bowed their heads slightly and said loudly.
Shigure didn't stop walking and headed toward his room.
Of course he knew what punishment Rukia faced. But there was no need to say such things.
...
The night passed without incident.
At dawn, Shigure punctually led the patrol teams out to carry out their daily routine tasks.
Due to the special nature of the 13th Division as the "Purification Squad," they didn't have many Seireitei affairs.
So their jurisdiction was also in a more suburban location, quite far from the center.
Coming to the top of a small hill, they could just overlook the Department of Research and Development not far away.
And today, just as Shigure was patrolling here, he suddenly felt a familiar spiritual pressure emanating from overhead.
Shigure immediately activated Resonance Eyes, and saw a golden spiritual pressure network appearing in the sky.
This was... Tenteikura?
This was Shigure's first time seeing Tenteikura in this form.
Immediately after, streams of spiritual pressure descended.
A serious voice transmitted from within.
"To all captains and squad members of the Gotei 13, this is 1st Division Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro."
"I now convey the verdict issued by Central 46!"
Hearing this, quite a few 13th Division members behind Shigure immediately became tense.
Only to hear Sasakibe Chojiro's voice transmit again.
"Two months ago, former 13th Division member Kuchiki Rukia went to the World of the Living to perform Konso duties."
"Midway through, she encountered a Hollow attack and was defeated, then privately shared her spiritual power with a human."
"And for the following two months, she remained attached to a Gigai, hiding in the World of the Living."
"Such actions severely violate Soul Society's laws!"
"After deliberation by Central 46, the verdict is as follows!"
"First: Completely destroy her Gigai and imprison her soul in Confession Palace, 4th Underground Prison!"
"Second: One month from now, under the Sokyoku, she shall be executed!"
"That is all."
As the voice fell, the spiritual pressure emanating from the sky disappeared.
But all the 13th Division members were completely stunned.
Their eyes revealed unbelievable shock.
"You've... got to be kidding..."
"Why would things... develop to this extent..."
"How is this possible... they're actually going to use that Sokyoku to carry out an execution..."
"Those guys from Central 46... did they make a mistake..."
Voices of shock and doubt arose one after another among the squad members.
Shigure's expression remained calm.
He had known this result all along.
...
At this time, in the 6th Division's patrol jurisdiction.
After hearing this news, Abarai Renji immediately went completely blank.
Almost instantly, he abandoned his patrol duties and ran toward the barracks.
He was going to question Kuchiki Byakuya!
Why...
With his noble status, why didn't he speak up for Rukia?!
Renji gritted his teeth tightly and rushed into Kuchiki Byakuya's courtyard.
But the scene he saw made him freeze.
Kuchiki Byakuya wasn't wearing his captain's haori and Soul Reaper uniform, but had changed into kendo practice clothes.
In his hands was a wooden sword.
At this moment, he was practicing sword swings by himself in the courtyard.
Sweat covered his face.
With each sword swing, sweat scattered.
But his expression remained so indifferent, without any emotion.
Seeing him like this, the words Renji hadn't yet spoken stuck in his throat.
...
At this time, on the other side, after hearing Sasakibe Chojiro's announcement.
Shigure led the silent 13th Division members back to the barracks.
Just then, the system's notification sound rang out at the perfect time.
"Ding, new check-in mission released!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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