Ulquiorra's green eyes stayed locked on Shigure until the Garganta snapped shut.
Inside the barrier, Yammy's massive body began shrinking. The Spirit-Collapsing Thunder Sword had done its work.
When he'd shrunk to half size, the spiritual particles beneath his feet scattered. He plummeted.
Bang!
The impact shook the entire building. Yammy crashed through concrete and steel.
His spiritual particles were breaking down fast. His eyes grew unfocused.
But his mouth kept moving. Mumbling something no one could understand.
Shigure floated above, watching calmly. No emotion crossed his face.
Before opening the Garganta, Ulquiorra had told Yammy "mission complete."
He'd said that after they'd both taken Shigure's lightning storm head-on.
So Aizen's plan probably involved this exact scenario.
Shigure stepped through the air toward the barrier's edge.
He'd fought inside this prison for a reason. His power could've devastated the human world.
Ironically, Aizen had helped him. The barrier made it easier to eliminate Yammy and cripple Ulquiorra.
Shigure touched the light wall with one fingertip.
Ting.
The emerald barrier rippled like water where he touched it.
Then it faded. Gone.
Now he could see his squad members in the distance. They'd been watching the whole time.
Actually, they'd started gathering the moment Shigure released his Zanpakutō.
Their faces were still pale with shock. Many were soaked in cold sweat.
That battle was beyond anything they could imagine.
The spiritual pressure hadn't escaped the barrier, but just watching had terrified them.
Especially when Yammy fired his Cero and activated Resurrección. Even from far away, they knew—this was something far beyond ordinary Hollows.
So they'd kept their distance. Smart choice.
No one there could've interfered in that level of combat.
"Captain!" "Captain Segawa!"
"Are you hurt?!" someone called out, voice tight with worry.
Another squad member jumped in: "Are you kidding? The captain won completely! How could he be hurt?"
"I was just concerned..."
The squad surrounded Shigure.
But Rukia stayed back.
Only now did she finally breathe. Her heart had been pounding the entire time.
She'd watched Shigure fight Aizen before, but only from a distance.
This time, she'd seen everything up close.
This kind of strength had no weaknesses. None at all.
Shigure walked over. "Are all the 13th Division emergency rescues complete?"
"Yes, Captain!" Third Seat Shintani bowed deeply.
"Casualties?"
The mood shifted. Everyone's faces darkened.
Shintani kept his head down. "Seven dead. Nineteen severely wounded. The rest have minor injuries."
Shigure lowered his gaze and nodded.
After a moment: "Then we return to the Seireitei immediately. No delays."
"Yes, sir."
Shigure opened a Senkaimon.
But his Resonance Eyes caught something.
Two figures approaching.
One in green clothes with a striped hat.
The other in Soul Reaper robes, orange hair.
Urahara and Ichigo.
Shigure made a quick decision.
"Third Seat Shintani, lead the wounded back first."
"I'm staying to sweep for remaining Hollows in the area."
"I'll return alone afterward to report to the Head Captain."
Everyone paused, then nodded. Made sense.
This Hollow attack was too strange. It needed investigation.
Rukia spoke up: "Captain, should some of us stay to help?"
Shigure glanced at her, then shook his head.
"I'm enough."
"Move out."
The 5th Division carried their casualties through the Senkaimon.
The portal closed.
Shigure turned southwest, hands behind his back.
Sure enough, the two figures appeared.
They both froze when they saw his white captain's haori. Clearly hadn't expected him.
Shigure stepped forward. Instantly appeared before them.
He smiled faintly.
"Long time no see, Urahara-san. Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Segawa?!" Ichigo's face went white. "What are you doing here?"
Before Shigure could answer, Urahara chuckled.
"Kurosaki, looks like we're late."
"Captain Segawa already handled the Hollow problem."
Urahara turned toward the building where Yammy's corpse lay.
Under his hat, his eyes glinted.
"Truly remarkable..."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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