"What... did you say?"
Momo Hinamori stared at Shigure in disbelief.
Maintaining his polite smile, Shigure repeated, "Lieutenant Hinamori, what I said is that the seat I wish to challenge is yours."
As soon as he repeated those words, the division members erupted in an uproar.
"What the hell?! Is he serious?!"
"Who challenges the lieutenant's position right off the bat?!"
"Shouldn't he at least prove he's strong enough to hold a seat within the top ten before targeting our lieutenant?!"
Many of the division members were visibly agitated, feeling that Shigure's actions were a blatant insult to them. After all, this was the Fifth Division—a place of strict discipline and hierarchy—not the chaotic, might-makes-right Eleventh Division.
Moreover, many of them were close to Momo Hinamori and naturally didn't want to see her being targeted.
However, Shigure ignored their protests entirely, his calm smile unwavering as he gazed at Hinamori.
From the side, Aizen had already returned to his usual gentle demeanor. Smiling, he said, "Oh my, Segawa, I truly didn't expect such an answer from you."
Shigure replied, "Captain Aizen, is it really necessary for me to first claim a seat within the top ten before challenging Lieutenant Hinamori?"
Aizen tilted his head slightly, the reflection on his glasses obscuring his eyes. He smiled faintly and said, "Seireitei has no such rule, but it is an unspoken tradition in all divisions—except for the Eleventh Division."
Shigure nodded slightly. "Understood. In that case, I will first challenge your Third Seat and then proceed to challenge Lieutenant Hinamori. Is that acceptable?"
At this, the Third Seat officer's expression darkened.
A glimmer of light flashed in Aizen's eyes as he asked, "Segawa, you seem to have a strong desire to challenge the lieutenant. May I ask why?"
Hearing this, Hinamori also turned her sharp gaze toward Shigure. She certainly didn't want to lose her position as lieutenant. If that happened, she would be even further from Aizen...
Shigure, still smiling, replied, "Captain Aizen, isn't it stated in Seireitei's rules that to claim a seat, one only needs to prove their strength? I believe my strength surpasses that of Lieutenant Hinamori's. That's all."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hinamori froze momentarily, then clenched her teeth. "You..."
She was about to retort, but Aizen interrupted her.
"Hinamori."
Hearing Aizen's gentle voice, Hinamori shuddered. She looked at his face and immediately calmed down.
Only then did Aizen continue, "Segawa is correct. It is his right to challenge for a seat. However, the outcome of your strength comparison remains uncertain. Since Segawa is so insistent, I will allow you to duel."
Just as he finished speaking, a man stepped forward from the group of division members and said loudly, "Captain Aizen! Please allow me to test Segawa's strength first. There's no need for the lieutenant to act!"
The wooden badge on his left shoulder bore the kanji for "three." He was none other than the Fifth Division's current Third Seat: Takashi Shinya.
Aizen smiled gently at him. "Third Seat Shinya, I have no objections if you wish to stand up for the lieutenant. Segawa, how about you?"
Shigure turned to look at Shinya, nodding politely with a smile. "I have no objections either. Please guide me, Third Seat Shinya."
Moments later, the courtyard of the Fifth Division's barracks had been cleared. Standing in the center were Shigure and Shinya.
Aizen announced, "As this is not an official seat challenge, the use of Shikai is prohibited. All other techniques are unrestricted. Begin."
Shinya's expression darkened as he stepped forward, unleashing his mastery of Hakuda. The air around him surged, scattering the fallen petals in the courtyard.
Shigure raised an eyebrow. As expected of a Third Seat, his strength was indeed notable.
But compared to Shigure, it was far too lacking.
As Shinya charged forward, Shigure performed a single shunpo, appearing at his side, and delivered a swift kick.
What?! That speed?!
Not only was Shinya shocked, but the surrounding division members were also stunned.
This shunpo speed was nothing like that of a fresh academy graduate!
But by the time Shinya realized what was happening, Shigure's kick was already coming at him. He had no choice but to counter it head-on.
However, Shinya's proficiency in Hakuda was among the best in the Fifth Division. Gathering all his strength, he threw out a double punch with formidable force.
Yet, Shigure's figure vanished again!
Shinya's pupils contracted sharply. He couldn't believe that in such a short span of time, Shigure had performed a second high-speed shunpo!
Appearing behind Shinya, Shigure extended a single finger forward.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai."
BOOM!
A surge of white lightning erupted from Shigure's fingertip, blasting forward with immense force.
At such close range and with such speed, Shinya had no chance to evade!
"Argh!"
Struck by the Byakurai, Shinya's body seized up, his muscles paralyzed as he collapsed to the ground.
He could not rise again.
The surrounding division members widened their eyes in shock.
Many of them could cast Byakurai without incantation, but none of them could produce such overwhelming power and paralyzing force.
This was the absolute difference in spiritual pressure—something no amount of technique could compensate for.
While others' Byakurai might only be an inch thick, Shigure's was wider than Shinya's entire body, resembling a white thunder dragon.
The sheer magnitude of this display made it hard to believe that this was only the fourth-ranked Hadō spell...
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