This man's voice was heavy and deep, with a slight rasp.
Beneath the hood, his dark skin was faintly visible.
Hearing this, Yhwach immediately frowned slightly, glancing at the sky.
Above, still that impossible terrifying weather—chaotic lightning and churning dark clouds created by Segawa Shigure's Bankai.
After a moment, he slightly turned his head, looking at the three behind him:
"Didn't I order you to remain stationed in the Empire... Why come without permission?"
Hearing this, the dark-skinned Quincy's posture remained unchanged, head still lowered respectfully:
"Disturbing Your Majesty's interest—deepest apologies."
"However, before this expedition's departure, Adjutant Haschwalth informed us in advance—"
"If neither you nor Askin Nakk Le Vaar returned smoothly, it would mean... the plan regarding Special War Power had gone wrong."
"Therefore, we needed to come at this time to remind you to return to the Empire."
Haschwalth was the Wandenreich's Imperial Adjutant, even the absolute heir to the next Emperor—his status far exceeded the Schutzstaffel.
So though the Schutzstaffel didn't need to obey Haschwalth, in this decisive battle situation, they naturally chose to follow his arrangements.
Hearing this, Yhwach immediately narrowed his eyes, looking toward Haschwalth still trapped in Bankai and Shokkyaku Shōshō.
So this... was what you worried about... Haschwalth...
After brief contemplation, Yhwach again raised his eyes toward Shigure opposite, then spoke to the three behind him:
"Barro, Gerard, Pernida—lead all Sternritter and return to the Empire immediately."
"...As you command."
Schutzstaffel Captain Lille Barro slightly lowered his head, answering respectfully.
The two Schutzstaffel members behind him made no sound, merely silently lowering their heads.
Though they wished to fight, replacing Yhwach to battle these Shinigami without any fear.
But since Yhwach had ordered them to immediately lead the knights back, they naturally had no objections.
For them, Yhwach's orders were everything.
No questioning needed, no opposition needed.
Only obedience.
After a moment, the three figures were rapidly enveloped by black shadow gates, instantly vanishing.
Seeing this, Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes, expression somber.
Though he'd already learned of this from Segawa Shigure, only now did he truly notice their movement method.
Its bizarre nature—even after living over a thousand years, he couldn't see through it.
Seemingly noticing Yamamoto Genryusai's reaction, Yhwach suddenly stopped watching Shigure, instead turning his head.
After a moment, his black eyes flickered:
"Yamamoto Shigekuni..."
"You truly bet on the right place..."
"Secretly cultivating someone like Segawa Shigure, unhesitatingly giving him important position in the Gotei 13."
"This is probably the most correct thing you've done in a thousand years of foolishness?"
"Today, without Segawa Shigure's appearance, your life... would already be gone."
At these words, behind Yhwach, a black shadow gate manifested.
"...Very well."
"Though taking your life now wouldn't be difficult for me."
"However, with this genius subordinate of yours... things become slightly complicated."
Saying this, Yhwach looked toward Shigure.
But Shigure's expression remained unchanged.
Yhwach's escape was naturally within his expectations.
However, he didn't plan to stop it.
Because for the plan he intended to implement next, he had to let Yhwach leave here.
Yhwach needed time to recover. Seireitei equally needed time to reorganize.
Though with his power he could forcibly detain Yhwach, the cost would be enormous.
Cornered Yhwach would likely deliver devastating blows to Soul Society.
This was what Shigure didn't wish to see.
He never engaged in battles with minimal chance of victory.
Therefore, considering the smooth progression of his coming plan, letting Yhwach leave here was the optimal solution.
After all, when facing Askin and the other two Quincy earlier, the secrets of shadow had already been completely analyzed by Shigure.
Afterward, once timing was appropriate, he could directly lead the Gotei 13... to counterattack the Wandenreich!
All this was merely one part of his plan.
Yamamoto Genryusai beside him, seeing Shigure's expression remain calm, said nothing—merely quietly watching Yhwach.
Now, having lost Bankai, he'd already lost the power to directly battle Yhwach.
Therefore, he could only trust Shigure's judgment.
Just then, Yhwach suddenly opened his mouth, showing a strange smile, watching Shigure:
"Such a quiet state... makes me rather curious."
"I'm returning to the Empire—don't you plan any obstruction or desperate strike... Segawa Shigure?"
"Isn't this... what you most enjoy doing?"
Clearly, from two years of observing Shigure, he already knew Shigure's behavioral patterns.
So Shigure's current silence made him sense something strange.
The instant his words fell, Shigure's gaze suddenly stirred slightly.
However, not because of Yhwach's words.
But because, at this moment, in his mind, a long-absent voice suddenly rang out!
That voice held no emotional coloring, mechanical-like, yet in an instant, it stirred Shigure's thoughts—
"Ding! New check-in mission released!"
"No time limit. Please proceed to [Hueco Mundo] to check in—you will receive ultimate rewards!!!"
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