The moment Shigure's words fell, the assembly hall plunged into deathly silence.
Even the remaining gasps vanished. Everyone froze.
They couldn't even process what Shigure had just said.
The power dynamic between the Central 46 and the Gotei 13...?
The statement itself left them bewildered.
Since Soul Society had "history," since the Seireitei existed, the Central 46 had been there.
Always serving as the Seireitei's supreme judicial decision-making body.
Concentrating nearly all major powers in one place.
Only later did Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reform his assassin group, organizing and dividing it into thirteen divisions.
He himself became Captain of the 1st Division and Head Captain. That was the origin of the Gotei 13.
In other words, from the start, the Gotei 13 existed purely as a "military force" within the Seireitei.
In terms of "power," they couldn't compare to the Central 46. They'd always been subordinate.
But now...
This Segawa Shigure was saying he wanted to discuss this issue...?
Had he lost his mind?
Every sage and judge's expression stiffened with that thought.
Just then, Shigure spoke again:
"You seem confused. But... explaining it to you would be troublesome."
He suddenly turned toward the corridor entrance.
Then nodded slightly:
"Perhaps you should explain it to them yourself."
Seeing this, the Central 46 froze. Who was he talking to?
But then, at the corridor below the assembly hall, the black curtain lifted. Two figures emerged.
One behind the other, walking slowly forward.
But each step felt like a thousand-pound hammer striking the Central 46's chests.
Cold sweat ran down their faces as they stared at the two figures below. Utterly horrified.
"What... what's going on...?!"
"Vice-Captain Chōjirō... and Head Captain Yamamoto?!!"
"Why... are they suddenly here...?"
Hearing this, Shigure turned back. His tone indifferent:
"You say suddenly?"
"Don't misunderstand. The Head Captain and the others have been outside since shortly after I arrived."
"?!"
The Central 46's bodies jolted again.
Genryūsai Yamamoto had been outside from the start?!
Meaning... he'd heard every word spoken here...?!
If so... why didn't he intervene?!
Wasn't he... the Central 46's most loyal supporter?!!
The judges and sages stared below. Wanting to question Yamamoto.
However, when their eyes met his, not one dared speak.
Despite his missing arm and lingering injuries, Yamamoto's presence now felt even sharper. More overwhelming!
Without releasing any spiritual pressure, his aura alone seemed to suffocate them.
Eyes half-closed, not looking at any screen, he spoke calmly:
"It seems this old man's presence here was indeed necessary."
"The decision discussed with Captain Segawa... was equally necessary."
He opened his eyes. His gaze sweeping across the screens.
In that instant, sword-like spiritual pressure burst forth. Severing all forty-six white screens!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
The screens toppled instantly. Revealing their true faces. Everyone's body went completely rigid!
Now they knew for certain...
This was bad!!
If any other Gotei captain had done this... they'd still have hope.
Because they'd always believed... Soul Society's strongest, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, stood behind them.
Their greatest backing and shield.
As long as the Head Captain sided with the Central 46... no force or individual could shake their position.
But now... everything they believed was completely overturned!!
Heavy silence filled the assembly hall.
After a moment, one judge in the highest seat spoke through his trembling.
Though his hands shook uncontrollably, his gaze locked onto Yamamoto without flinching:
"The... the thousand-year Head Captain of the Gotei 13, guardian of Seireitei law..."
"Would actually join this law-breaking Segawa Shigure in such... such treasonous acts?!"
By the end, his tone became a low roar. But even raising his voice couldn't hide his bluster.
He was terrified. But he had no choice. He couldn't give up his authority as a Central 46 judge.
Hearing this, Yamamoto raised his eyes slightly:
"Absurd."
"Nominated to the Central 46, you should exercise your authority wholeheartedly for the Seireitei. For Soul Society..."
"But now... what kind of authority are you exercising?!"
His heavy words fell like a hammer. Invisible pressure descended instantly. Freezing everyone's expressions.
But Yamamoto didn't give them a chance to respond. He continued in a deep voice:
"This old man originally thought... facing the Battle of Karakura Town, you would choose to trust Captain Segawa. Trust our Gotei judgment."
"But now, this old man understands..."
"From the beginning, you only trusted the power in your hands."
"You never intended to cooperate with the Gotei to protect the Seireitei and Soul Society. You only wanted... to consolidate power and control the Gotei!"
By now, Yamamoto's aura had fully erupted.
All Central 46 members had only cold sweat on their faces. They felt their souls trembling.
Yamamoto's blade-like gaze swept across every face as he said heavily:
"When you tried to remove Captain Segawa from the Gotei 13 through judgment, didn't you ever consider..."
"Whether you alone... have the strength to control us?!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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