Bleach: Soul Society Domination Through Check-ins

Fifteen minutes later, the Hollow Extermination Force officially began their return journey.

With the Hollow outbreak successfully quelled, the trip back proceeded without incident.

Yet precisely because of this uneventful return, Kenpachi Zaraki radiated waves of intense displeasure throughout the entire march.

Even his own 11th Division members gave him a wide berth.

The rebel Kazuko had been handed over by Kasahara Shinichi for transport back to Seireitei for judgment.

After all, attacking a Gotei captain constituted a capital offense under any circumstances.

Kenpachi Zaraki walked alone at the head of their formation, followed by Soifon and Shigure proceeding side by side.

Roughly ten paces behind them came Ayasegawa Yumichika and the remaining squad members.

Ordinarily, a Vice-Captain walking alongside a Captain would breach protocol.

However, not a single person harbored resentment about this arrangement.

They all knew Soifon had been rescued from mortal peril by Shigure.

Moreover, this devastating Hollow outbreak had been single-handedly pacified by him alone.

This Hollow extermination mission had been... virtually completed entirely by one man!

The 11th Division—originally designated as the primary combat force—had essentially accomplished nothing with their full thirty-member contingent.

Even the Stealth Force, Purification Squad, and Medical Corps had contributed negligibly, reduced to mere background presence.

In the face of Segawa Shigure's overwhelming power, all their carefully planned "tactical deployments" had proven utterly superfluous.

"Segawa." Halfway through their journey, Soifon spoke suddenly.

"Hmm?" Shigure glanced over.

Soifon's expression remained impassive as she reached into her haori and withdrew the Thunder Seal Device.

"This... I'm returning it to you. It was... indeed extremely useful."

She extended the device toward him as she spoke.

Shigure smiled warmly. "Since Captain Soifon finds it so valuable, please keep it as a gift."

"Eh?" Soifon blinked in surprise, turning to face him fully.

"But... wasn't this something you and that Mayuri worked so hard to create?"

Shigure chuckled at her concern.

Hard work?

Mayuri had indeed labored seven days to craft the containment vessel—that might qualify as arduous effort.

But for Shigure, the process had merely required releasing his Zanpakutō and compressing his spiritual pressure.

He'd barely exerted himself at all.

With this in mind, he replied: "This device serves little purpose for me personally."

"Rather than letting it collect dust in my possession, you should wield it. It could prove invaluable in future battles."

Recognizing the sincerity in Shigure's words, Soifon understood that further refusal would be discourteous.

She gripped the Thunder Seal Device firmly, averting her gaze as she murmured quietly: "Th-thank you."

As the distinguished Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander of the Stealth Force, she hadn't spoken those words in countless years.

Shigure smiled gently. "You're most welcome."

The Thunder Seal Device's capabilities were genuinely formidable.

When Shigure had first deployed it, the results could only be described as spectacularly devastating.

However, upon reflection, he recognized its limitations.

The device couldn't significantly enhance his own combat effectiveness—its power ceiling was predetermined.

Far better to entrust it to someone like Soifon, whose kidō abilities were somewhat less developed.

In her hands, it could deliver truly unexpected tactical advantages against unsuspecting enemies.

At dusk, the Hollow Extermination Force returned triumphantly to Seireitei.

Entering through the West Rukongai gates, they proceeded directly to the 1st Division barracks for debriefing.

Having departed at midday and returned by evening—such efficiency left the 1st Division personnel thoroughly astonished.

Sasaki Chojiro emerged into the outer courtyard and froze momentarily upon seeing Shigure and the others.

Had they truly... completed their mission and returned already?

"Captain Zaraki, Captain Soifon—has the Hollow outbreak been neutralized?"

Sasaki Chojiro approached while voicing his incredulous inquiry.

Soifon nodded curtly. "Correct. Vice-Captain Segawa has eliminated the threat."

"What?" Sasaki's gaze immediately snapped to Shigure's composed features.

Then he noticed the Stealth Force escorting a bound prisoner—one of the exiled criminals.

In that instant, he grasped that this mission had been far more complex than anticipated.

"Please proceed to the central courtyard. I'll notify the Captain-Commander immediately."

Sasaki Chojiro bowed respectfully before departing.

Soifon directed the Stealth Force to transfer the rebel to the 1st Division's detention facility, then accompanied Zaraki and Shigure toward the central courtyard.

Meanwhile, Sasaki Chojiro entered Yamamoto Genryusai's chambers and bowed deeply:

"Captain-Commander, the Hollow Extermination Force has returned."

Yamamoto Genryusai raised his eyes slightly. "So swiftly... This mission proceeded remarkably smoothly, it seems."

Sasaki's expression grew grave. "Captain-Commander, according to Captain Soifon, the one who annihilated the Hollow swarm was... Segawa Shigure."

"Segawa?" Yamamoto paused momentarily, then nodded with understanding.

"So when he volunteered for this mission, he genuinely sought combat experience against Hollows."

"However, his temperament remains steady and disciplined—unlike Zaraki. This puts me somewhat at ease."

Rising to his feet, he continued: "Sasaki, summon all division captains for assembly."

"This marks Segawa's inaugural mission for Seireitei. The captains must be informed of his distinguished service."

Sasaki Chojiro nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."

Departing the captain's quarters, he promptly activated Tenteikura.

"All captains, this is 1st Division Vice-Captain Sasaki Chojiro."

"The Hollow Extermination Force has returned successfully. Please assemble at 1st Division headquarters for immediate briefing."

"That concludes this transmission."

Sasaki withdrew his spiritual pressure, contemplating the situation.

Truthfully, with the mission completed successfully, no assembly was strictly necessary.

Yet the Captain-Commander appeared determined to leverage this opportunity—beginning to cultivate Segawa's reputation throughout the Gotei 13.

"Genryusai-sama has never commenced such early mentorship of any individual. Whether this bodes well or ill..."

Sasaki gazed upward, troubled by these thoughts.

Following the captain hollowfication catastrophe a century prior, Gotei leadership had suffered severe depletion for an extended period.

Yamamoto Genryusai had subsequently nurtured Komamura Sajin, whom he'd taken under his protection.

To honor the Captain-Commander's faith, Komamura had dedicated himself tirelessly, ultimately ascending to 7th Division Captain.

But presently, all thirteen captain positions were filled.

Recent decades had passed in relative tranquility.

Save for the emergence of prodigy Hitsugaya Toshiro, captain turnover had been virtually nonexistent.

Despite these stable circumstances, Yamamoto Genryusai had already begun grooming Segawa Shigure.

Though Sasaki Chojiro trusted his superior's judgment implicitly, unease gnawed at his heart.

Soul Society's history was littered with promising geniuses who'd perished before reaching their potential.

Sasaki Chojiro released a weary sigh.

"Sigh..."

"Segawa... I pray you won't disappoint Genryusai-sama's expectations."

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