Chapter 50: The Verdict Delivered!

"Are you mentally prepared?"

As he finished speaking, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's gaze suddenly sharpened.

That piercing gaze seemed to carry an overwhelming power, capable of shaking one's very soul.

Even Shigure, for a brief moment, felt a tremor deep within his spirit. But in the next instant, he steadied himself, his voice calm and resolute as he replied, "I am ready!"

He couldn't help but marvel—Genryūsai Yamamoto, a man who had fought on battlefields for over a millennium, truly exuded an aura of authority unmatched by anyone else.

Hearing his response, Yamamoto merely uttered two words, "Very well."

At Shigure's reaction, both Shunsui Kyōraku and Retsu Unohana, standing nearby, broke into smiles.

"Well, well, not bad, Segawa... I still remember how Hitsugaya was utterly shaken by Old Man Yamamoto's pressure when he was promoted to captain," Shunsui said with a chuckle.

Unohana nodded in agreement, adding, "Vice-Captain Segawa has always given me the impression of a frozen lake—unmoved by storms or lightning, always calm and serene."

Shigure smiled politely and replied, "You flatter me."

"Ahem, let's not get sidetracked," Yamamoto interrupted with a light cough. "Segawa, first and foremost, you must understand that the reason we've summoned you here is to make it clear... we hold expectations for you that are different from others."

"Understood," Shigure answered earnestly.

Of course, he understood. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths.

When he entered the room, Shigure had already noticed the intricate Kido incantations inscribed on all four walls of the interrogation chamber. These spells were designed to completely block any external spiritual pressure and confine all sound within the room.

"Then I will speak plainly," Yamamoto said after a brief pause. "The decision from the Central 46 regarding your case is... exile to the 'Death's Abyss' near the outskirts of West Rukongai."

Shigure's eyebrows twitched at those words.

Having lived in this world for three years, he was well aware of that place.

Beyond the 80th district of West Rukongai lay an even more perilous region known as Death's Abyss. It was said to be the true edge of the Soul Society, though no Soul Reaper had ever reached its end.

The Near Abyss Unit, on the other hand, was a special division tasked with exploring the depths of Death's Abyss. Its members were invariably Soul Reapers who had committed serious offenses in Seireitei. While their crimes were not severe enough to warrant execution, imprisoning them would waste their abilities. Thus, under the Central 46's directive, these individuals were assigned to the Near Abyss Unit, spending the rest of their lives exploring the abyss.

Of course, "Near Abyss Unit" was merely a euphemism. The nobles of Seireitei referred to them more bluntly as—

Exiles.

At this thought, a chill ran through Shigure's heart.

So, this was Aizen's plan—to have him exiled to Death's Abyss, thereby eliminating any threat he posed to their schemes.

"But—" Yamamoto's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Shigure immediately refocused, listening intently.

"I personally vouched for you to the Central 46 and forced them to amend their decision."

Hearing this, Shigure's heart stirred. As expected.

"Thus, starting tomorrow morning, a new verdict will be carried out."

"You will be assigned to the third level of the underground prison, Black Corrosion Hell, for a week's duty."

As the words fell, a glimmer of light appeared in Shigure's eyes.

Noticing his reaction, Shunsui interjected, "Don't get too excited just yet, Segawa. Guarding Black Corrosion Hell isn't as simple as it sounds..."

Shigure's gaze shifted as he asked, "Could you elaborate?"

Shunsui nodded and began explaining.

"Since you've lived in Seireitei for some time, you should already be aware of the underground prison. Except for the eighth level, Muken, each level houses different types of criminals."

"As for the third level, it holds the Berserkers."

"They are individuals whose minds and spiritual pressure have completely descended into chaos. Regular prisons can't contain them, which is why Black Corrosion Hell exists."

"The unique materials within Black Corrosion Hell can effectively suppress their chaotic spiritual pressure."

"However, there's also a frequent phenomenon where the guards themselves become corrupted by the Berserkers' madness."

At this point, Shunsui's gaze turned serious. "This is precisely why the Central 46 agreed to halt your exile. They want to test your mental fortitude within Black Corrosion Hell—to see if you're truly fit to serve in the Gotei 13."

By now, Shigure fully understood. It seemed that due to the presence of the Berserkers, Black Corrosion Hell had become a peculiar and dangerous place, capable of influencing even its guards.

Yamamoto closed his eyes once more. "So, Segawa, do you accept this verdict?"

Without hesitation, Shigure lifted his head, a smile forming on his lips as he replied decisively, "I accept."

What a joke—how could he not accept? This just so happened to align perfectly with his current mission's target location.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered in Shigure's eyes.

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