The courtyard fell silent except for crackling lightning.
The tension held for over ten breaths. Then Shigure spoke.
He stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Aning. Blocking their stare-down.
He looked up at Candle Dragon. Smiled lightly. "...This version of you matches what I expected."
True.
The Candle Dragon he'd imagined looked exactly like this. Proud.
The emotion he'd felt from his Zanpakutō in every battle.
Absolute power crushing all enemies.
Her emotions always showed contempt for opponents.
Whether Aning who commanded lightning, or Aizen fused with the Hōgyoku.
Candle Dragon never bowed.
That was her pride.
She'd appeared to him this way most often in the Zanpakutō space.
Which meant he could read her better like this.
He'd dealt with this version countless times.
Hearing him, Candle Dragon's expression shifted slightly.
The gold in her eyes faded. She looked at Shigure.
The "heavenly authority" remained, but it didn't affect him.
She met his gaze. Still silent.
Shigure smiled. "Why the aggressive look? Don't tell me you're reverting to old habits."
"Aning restrained your lightning before, but she's not an enemy..."
Aning's eyes widened. She understood now why the Zanpakutō showed such hostility...
She ran from behind Shigure to his right.
Grabbed his sleeve. Slowly poked her head out. Cautiously looked at Candle Dragon.
The instant she looked, Candle Dragon's gaze snapped back.
Cold. But this time Aning didn't meet it with defiance. She lowered her head gently.
She didn't know formalities, but she knew this showed friendliness.
Candle Dragon's expression flickered.
Shigure raised an eyebrow. Smiled.
Even after such hostility, Aning yielded. She understood.
Since Shigure didn't want them fighting, Aning wouldn't upset him.
He looked at Candle Dragon. "See? She has no hostility."
"Even with your lightning nearly touching her skin, she hasn't used her power."
"So... shouldn't you withdraw yours?"
He smiled, eyes glinting.
Candle Dragon withdrew her gaze. A soft snort. "Hmph, hostility...?"
"You think I'd have hostility toward something this small?"
She raised both hands, crossed over her chest.
Looked at Shigure, chin lifted. Clearly displeased. "Such a tiny existence couldn't stir my emotions."
"You know that, Shigure."
"Besides... I've achieved physical form now. The lightning is my power... why should I follow your orders? Hmph..."
She lifted her head higher. Stopped looking at him. Unhappy.
After that snort, her wings spread slightly.
But the golden lightning in her eyes faded rapidly. Her pupils returned to black.
The thunderstorm around her withdrew, condensing at her feet.
Shigure smiled.
Though Candle Dragon's words were dismissive, her body did what he said.
But... she claimed her emotions weren't stirred?
He smiled wryly. Pointed at the wood and steel fragments at his feet. "You shattered my scabbard completely... and you're not angry?"
After coming down from Sōkyoku Hill, he'd asked her to enter the Zanpakutō.
Promised not to restrict her movements.
That's how he'd brought Candle Dragon back to Fifth Division.
He hadn't expected her to suddenly release Shikai and materialize.
Without drawing the blade, the scabbard couldn't withstand her power. It shattered.
Hearing him, Candle Dragon glanced at the fragments. Looked up again.
Stared at him. Another snort. "Hmph, I just... didn't like her carrying your spiritual pressure!"
"Besides, who told you to use such a cheap scabbard?"
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