"Thank you for your guidance."
Shigure Segawa bowed slightly, his posture respectful yet composed.
Shunsui Kyōraku smiled warmly, taking a single Shunpo step back to the elevated platform. With practiced ease, he draped his cherry blossom-patterned haori over his shoulders and placed his straw hat atop his head.
The elder seated on the left finally calmed his racing thoughts. Clearing his throat, he announced loudly, "Final assessment: Shigure Segawa, passed!"
As the words echoed through the hall, Shunsui Kyōraku stepped forward again, his voice carrying a playful yet meaningful tone. "Well then, there's just one thing left to do. You know what it is, don't you, Shigure?"
Kyōraku's expression was a mix of amusement and intrigue.
"Yes, I understand," Shigure replied with a nod before raising his hand to unsheath the blade at his waist.
Kyōraku's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Alright then, let's begin."
"Show us... your Shikai!"
Kyōraku's face lit up with an expression of long-awaited anticipation as he focused intently on the figure below.
Shigure steadied his breathing, holding his blade in a reverse grip. He closed his eyes briefly, then parted his lips to speak:
"Awaken... Candle Dragon!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the blade emitted a sharp hum before shattering into fragments.
In the next instant, golden lightning erupted from Shigure's hand, crackling with immense energy.
The blade had completely vanished, replaced by a spear-like bolt of lightning that Shigure now held firmly in his grasp.
The five elders on the platform all widened their eyes in unison.
Down below, Shigure allowed a faint smile to play across his lips. His hypothesis had been correct—Candle Dragon indeed possessed a "semi-Shikai" state!
The release phrase he used this time was not the full Shikai command.
Instead, it was designed to awaken Candle Dragon's power without fully unleashing it, achieving a mere "awakening" state.
This strategy had been inspired by Yumichika Ayasegawa'sRuri'iro Kujaku. Yumichika's Zanpakuto, whose true name was Ruri'iro Kujaku (Azure Peacock), was often deliberately miscalled Fuji Kujaku (Wisteria Peacock) during its release. This allowed him to conceal the true extent of his Zanpakuto's abilities, resulting in a semi-Shikai state.
Similarly, Shigure's Zanpakuto, Candle Dragon, possessed overwhelming power. Unless absolutely necessary, Shigure had no intention of revealing its full potential. Thus, he devised a plan to mask its true strength.
Initially, he had no idea how to achieve this. However, after receiving a reward from Urahara's Shop that granted him complete mastery over his Shikai, he realized the solution.
By slightly altering the release phrase, he could easily limit the extent of the release.
And now, his plan had succeeded.
In Shigure's hand, the golden lightning of Candle Dragon crackled fiercely. Though its presence wasn't as overwhelming as a full Shikai release, it was still undeniably powerful.
The moment the lightning appeared, the expressions of the elders shifted dramatically.
"This... this oppressive force... it's unbelievable!"
"Just from the release alone, without even using any techniques, one can already sense its immense destructive potential..."
Even Shunsui Kyōraku's eyes flickered with interest. Raising an eyebrow, he remarked with a smile, "A rare lightning-type Zanpakuto, is it?"
"Yes," Shigure replied, meeting his gaze.
"Impressive. Your Zanpakuto... even without battling against it, I can feel its fierce intent and devastating power," Kyōraku said, his admiration genuine.
But then, his expression froze, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
Wait a moment... this Zanpakuto... what's going on?!
At first glance, it had merely seemed oppressive—typical of a lightning-type Zanpakuto.
However, as he continued to observe the golden lightning closely, a sharp pain suddenly stabbed at his eyes!
With his vast experience, Kyōraku immediately realized that this wasn't an illusion caused by his visual nerves. This was a genuine soul-based attack!
Noticing Kyōraku's sudden change in demeanor, Shigure quickly reined in the lightning. The spiritual particles condensed back into a blade, which he sheathed at his side.
Looking up, Shigure offered a calm smile. "So, I believe I now qualify for early graduation, don't I?"
Kyōraku appeared momentarily stunned before responding instinctively, "Yes, that's correct..."
But deep down, his thoughts were still preoccupied with what had just happened.
A mere Shikai release, yet it possessed the ability to attack the soul directly.
Kyōraku couldn't help but feel a sense of alarm.
This Candle Dragon... it might very well be the most powerful lightning-type Zanpakuto to date!
Kyōraku's gaze lingered on Shigure, filled with a complex mix of emotions.
"Captain Kyōraku," the elder seated on the left spoke softly, bowing slightly. "Since he has mastered his Shikai, the assessment is complete. May I trouble you to announce the results?"
Kyōraku took a deep breath, calming his thoughts. He nodded and turned to Shigure, a faint smile returning to his face.
"Well then, welcome to the Gotei 13, Officer Segawa."
Shigure bowed slightly. "Thank you for your guidance."
Just then, a familiar sound echoed in Shigure's mind—a system notification.
Ding! A new sign-in mission has been released!
Shigure's heart leapt with excitement. He had been waiting for this moment.
However, as he read the details of the mission, the smile on his face froze.
"No time limit: Become the Vice-Captain of the 5th Division and proceed to the 5th Division Captain's Office to complete the sign-in. Upon completion, you will receive a system reward!"
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