The moment Shigure Segawa stepped into the room, countless gazes immediately turned towards him.
Shigure's eyes quickly scanned the faces of everyone present, and he responded with a polite smile.
The thirteen divisions were neatly arranged, standing in two lines on either side of the room.
At the center of the room sat Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, occupying the main seat. Behind him stood a man with a straight posture—it was his lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe.
The people present were exactly as Shigure had anticipated.
2nd Division: Captain Sui-Feng, Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda.
3rd Division: Captain Gin Ichimaru, Lieutenant Izuru Kira.
4th Division: Captain Retsu Unohana, Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu.
5th Division: Captain Sōsuke Aizen, Lieutenant Momo Hinamori.
6th Division: Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Lieutenant Renji Abarai.
7th Division: Captain Sajin Komamura, Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba.
8th Division: Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, Lieutenant Nanao Ise.
9th Division: Captain Kaname Tōsen, Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi.
10th Division: Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto.
11th Division: Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi.
12th Division: Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi.
13th Division: Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Acting Lieutenant Kiyone Kotetsu.
The 13th Division's acting lieutenant was present because the former lieutenant, Kaien Shiba, had perished. As of now, there was no one suitable to officially fill the position.
Shigure lowered his head slightly and introduced himself, "Shigure Segawa, here to pay my respects to all the captains and vice-captains."
As soon as his voice fell, Shunsui Kyōraku was predictably the first to speak up. "Oh, Shigure, you're just in time. We were just talking about you."
Before Shigure could respond, a rough voice interrupted.
"Hey, hey, is this all there is to him? I can't sense any powerful spiritual pressure at all..."
Shigure raised his head and looked over to see Kenpachi Zaraki slightly lifting his chin, his eyes filled with disdain and mockery.
"Ken-chan, that's not a very nice thing to say," laughed Yachiru Kusajishi, perched on Kenpachi's shoulder. "I think this little Shigure feels pretty strong!"
Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the 13th Division, chuckled as he joined the conversation. "Captain Zaraki, you shouldn't judge someone's strength based on appearances alone. This young man is a prodigy who has broken multiple records at the Shinō Academy."
"Exactly," added Gin Ichimaru with a sly grin. "Someone who can push Captain Kyōraku to a draw... now that's someone worth getting interested in."
Thud!
The sound of Yamamoto's wooden staff striking the ground silenced the room instantly. All conversations ceased as the captains and lieutenants turned their attention to the Captain-Commander.
"Captains, please remain composed. Whether or not Shigure Segawa possesses the strength worthy of your interest will soon become clear."
"As for which division he will join, that will be decided after his demonstration."
At this point, Yamamoto slightly opened his eyes and looked directly at Shigure. "Now then... show us what kind of power you possess, Shigure Segawa."
Shigure nodded slightly. "Yes, sir."
Although no one explicitly mentioned it, every captain present knew the truth.
This young man, freshly graduated from the Shinō Academy, was the one responsible for the immense surge of spiritual pressure that had shaken the North Rukongai half a month ago.
As such, everyone was more or less curious to see what he could do.
The group moved to the training grounds located behind the 1st Division's courtyard.
The thirteen captains took their seats on the high platform, with their lieutenants standing behind them.
Shigure stood alone in the center of the training grounds.
"Captain Kuchiki, what do you think of this Shigure?" asked Jūshirō Ukitake, leaning slightly towards Byakuya Kuchiki.
Byakuya, with his eyes closed, replied in a calm and detached manner, "His manners are proper, and his spiritual potential is exceptional."
"Oh ho!" Ukitake laughed. "I didn't expect such high praise from Captain Kuchiki!"
Turning his gaze to the side, Ukitake addressed Renji Abarai with a smile. "Lieutenant Abarai, you'd better step up your game."
Renji immediately bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle and shouted, "Thank you for your guidance!"
But before he could say more, Byakuya opened his eyes and spoke, "Renji, you are too loud."
"Uh..." Renji's face fell as he lowered his head and muttered, "Understood."
Ukitake chuckled softly.
As the head of the prestigious Kuchiki Clan, Byakuya had always placed great importance on noble etiquette. He valued silence and decorum, which made it particularly challenging for someone as outspoken as Renji to serve as his lieutenant.
Meanwhile, Retsu Unohana, Captain of the 4th Division, turned to the man beside her with a gentle smile. "Captain Aizen, you seem rather indifferent towards this prodigy."
Aizen lowered his head slightly, his usual serene smile gracing his lips. "Not at all, Captain Unohana. Like everyone else, I too am quite curious to see what he can do."
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