"Whenever you're ready, Segawa," Shunsui Kyōraku said casually, addressing Shigure Segawa below him.
"Understood," Shigure replied with a slight nod. Slowly, he unsheathed the blade at his side.
Raising his hand, he reversed his grip on the sword, exhaling softly. At that moment, all the captains and vice-captains ceased their chatter, focusing their attention entirely on him.
The demonstration of his power during this initiation would determine his standing within the Gotei 13. The stronger he appeared, the more influence he would have in choosing his division.
Aware of this, Shigure decided to give them a glimpse of the Candle Dragon's power. A faint smirk played on his lips as he whispered:
"Awaken... Candle Dragon!"
Zing!
The blade in his hand emitted a resonant hum before shattering into spiritual particles. Shunsui Kyōraku raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and intrigue. He seemed eager to see how the other captains would react once they realized the true nature of Shigure's zanpakutō.
Boom!
Golden lightning erupted from Shigure's palm, forming a spear-like double-pointed weapon. But the lightning didn't stop there. It abruptly expanded, enveloping Shigure entirely in a radiant golden glow. In that instant, his form was clad in a suit of golden lightning armor.
Candle Dragon: Azure Thunder Cloak!
This ability allowed him to harness lightning to cover his entire body, isolating him from external spiritual particles and creating an impenetrable defense. Simultaneously, waves of electricity surged outward from his feet, spreading like a tidal wave across the entire training ground.
In an instant, the arena was transformed into a sea of golden lightning and overwhelming spiritual pressure, erupting like a volcanic explosion from Shigure's palm.
The vice-captains' faces were filled with shock, while the captains' expressions froze. The sheer visual impact and the oppressive force were almost beyond belief.
Could this really be just a Shikai?
The same question echoed in everyone's mind. Yet Shigure didn't stop there. Quietly, he intensified his spiritual pressure even further.
At that moment, the lightning storm began to solidify. The dazzling brilliance of the thunderclaps illuminated the training ground, and those watching felt an intense, searing pain in their eyes. But this wasn't merely a visual assault—it was a pain that struck directly at their souls.
Even the captains, who had remained composed until now, could no longer maintain their calm. The usually serene Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Retsu Unohana, and Sōsuke Aizen all instinctively averted their gazes, their pupils contracting sharply.
At that moment, no one dared to look directly at Shigure.
This... this was a power that demanded reverence, a force that could not be confronted head-on.
Noticing the reactions of the captains and vice-captains, Shigure's smirk deepened.
Candle Dragon: Heavenly Authority!
This ability transformed the lightning into an invisible sword imbued with the will of the Candle Dragon, striking anyone who dared to gaze upon it.
He had learned about this Shikai application from a reward he had received at Urahara's shop. Initially, he wasn't sure if he could activate it in a partial Shikai state. To test its feasibility, he had experimented on Shunsui Kyōraku the night before.
Now, demonstrating it at full power, the results were extraordinary. Except for the blind Kaname Tōsen, no one could withstand the Candle Dragon's Heavenly Authority. Not even Sōsuke Aizen could endure it without looking away. To face it directly, one would have to sever their own vision first.
Moments later, Shigure retracted his spiritual pressure. The lightning in his hand dimmed, and the storm engulfing the arena began to dissipate. As the thunderstorm faded, many found themselves holding their breath.
The training ground, constructed with specialized spiritual particles designed to withstand even the flames of Genryūsai Yamamoto's Shikai, was completely obliterated. The flooring and walls lay in ruins, shattered by the rampaging lightning.
This... this was destruction on the level of a Bankai.
Smiling, Shigure raised his head, holding the subdued lightning in his hand. He spoke softly, "This is my zanpakutō, Candle Dragon. What do you think, captains?"
His words hung in the air, unanswered. The captains were still reeling from the display.
Only Kenpachi Zaraki showed a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
After a brief silence, Shunsui Kyōraku was the first to speak, chuckling wryly. "Well, well, Segawa. It seems the release you demonstrated during the graduation exam completely suppressed the Candle Dragon's true power."
Shigure responded with a smile, "If I had gone all out, it might have destroyed the central pavilion of the Shinō Academy. That would have been troublesome."
Hearing this, several vice-captains instinctively swallowed hard, staring at Shigure in disbelief.
Rangiku Matsumoto, in particular, was utterly astonished. Her gaze was fixed on the lightning in Shigure's hand. The sensation it gave off was identical to the thunder dragon she had witnessed in the World of the Living.
At that time, the oppressive force had indeed come from Shigure. Yet now, he hadn't even displayed that full power.
Suddenly, Rangiku's pupils contracted. She realized that the current Shigure was still holding back. What he had shown today might not even represent half of his true strength!
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