"If you want to stop me because of that so-called decree..."
"Feel free to try."
Shigure smiled warmly, his expression like gentle sunlight.
However, that exploding Annihilation Reiatsu—to Squad Zero's five members—was like thunderous lightning!
They'd never imagined...
Merely releasing Reiatsu—this intense oppressive force could reach this level!
This heaviness and viscosity even altered the gravitational flow around them!
If they hadn't quickly countered with their own Reiatsu, the ground beneath their feet would've directly collapsed!
This moment, every Squad Zero member's expression grew exceptionally serious.
Even the constantly joking "Sword God" Oetsu Nimaiya—his smile now seemed forced.
"Hey... Monk..."
"This degree of oppression—you sure this is really just Reiatsu?"
As the oldest and wisest Shinigami, who named everything in Soul Society, the Monk possessed Soul Society's indisputably strongest knowledge and experience.
So Nimaiya chose to ask the Monk.
Yet even he—this moment—lost his usual carefree demeanor.
He'd never thought "Reiatsu" could reach this degree.
This had already... far exceeded the Shinigami realm.
He slowly shook his head. After a moment, suddenly nodded.
Then in his enormous eyes, a trace of excitement appeared.
Though only an instant, Shigure completely captured it.
The next moment, the Monk slowly grinned, face bearing faint smile, loudly saying:
"This is naturally Reiatsu..."
"Even... Reiatsu worthy of being called perfect..."
"However, this way—not just your Zanpakuto, the mysteries shrouding you grow more and more numerous..."
The Monk slowly spoke. Finally, his smile intensified, almost word by word:
"...Outsider, Segawa Shigure."
The Monk's words fell, finally like a tangible hammer, heavily striking everyone's hearts.
"?!"
Everyone's hearts immediately tensed.
They naturally understood—the Monk was utilizing the power of words.
However, the word "outsider" in that final sentence—they fundamentally couldn't comprehend.
Because everyone knew—Segawa Shigure was basically raised by Ukitake Jushiro, the eldest son of lower noble Segawa family.
This point had long been verified by the Great Spirit Book Corridor. Fundamentally impossible to fake.
Yet the Monk still maintained his excited smile, looking at Shigure opposite, seemingly wanting to see through him completely.
However, even hearing this, Shigure's expression remained unchanged. His smile intensified instead.
He naturally understood the Monk's meaning.
This was precisely why two years ago, he hadn't planned to advance into the Soul King Palace.
Because he understood—with the Monk's power, his identity could be seen through anytime, even... controlled.
But now, Shigure no longer had any worries.
Even if the Monk saw through him face-to-face, he wouldn't feel any burden or fear.
That complete Candle Dragon Bankai had already let him thoroughly possess... power sufficient to oppose all of Soul Society!
Not just Ichibei Hyosube alone—even if Squad Zero's five joined forces, no possibility of defeat existed for him.
This wasn't the strongest Bankai!
"Strongest" required battle to prove.
Only winning until the end could prove the strongest position.
However, "invincible" was an outcome already determined before battle even began.
These were completely different concepts.
Now, controlling this power, Shigure deeply understood the difference between the two.
The black shadow gate at his fingertip suddenly began rapidly rotating. Then instantly expanded, becoming a person-height circular doorway.
Within it—clearly a pure white corridor.
Only then did Shigure continue chuckling:
"Heh, Monk, you talk too much."
"If you're just planning to show off your wisdom, with me, it's meaningless."
"And if you don't plan to stop me here, then all step aside. Don't delay our shadow realm conquest."
These words immediately brought strange smiles to many Gotei Captains' faces.
Among them, Soi Fon, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Kenpachi Zaraki smiled especially intensely, even carrying mockery.
Clearly, from the start, they'd disliked Squad Zero's manner.
Now, Shigure with one person's Reiatsu completely suppressed all Squad Zero's Reiatsu.
At least in presence, he'd completely overwhelmed them!
So now, Shigure's words made their hearts feel refreshed.
Now, after successfully modifying their Bankai, they only wanted to quickly enter the shadow realm's Wandenreich, counterattack the Quincy. No mood to continue listening to Squad Zero's chatter.
With that fingertip shadow gate's complete opening, Squad Zero had to take a stance.
Either—at this moment, at the cost of battle, stop Segawa.
Or—obediently step aside.
"...I see..."
Hearing Shigure's words, the Monk suddenly slightly lowered his eyes. However, that smile at his lips rapidly spread.
That was a yearning smile.
That was an excited smile.
That was a pursuing smile.
Two years ago, Shigure had seen this smile on Aizen's face. Then, it was because Aizen saw through Shigure's identity.
This time, it appeared on Ichibei Hyosube's face, who'd seen through him.
The next moment, the Monk slowly raised his head. His lips deeply curved, smiling:
"Hehe, Segawa Shigure, since you say so..."
"I'm even more curious about your power as an outsider..."
"Then—"
"Turn black... Ichimonji!"
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