Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō
Chapter 385: The Theft of Divine Authority

Chapter 385: Chapter 385: The Theft of Divine Authority

A massive Quincy cross formation loomed above the entire city, with the very same pitch-black Tachi that had just been in Yamamoto’s hand now suspended at its center.

The blade radiated a terrifying, unending surge of power, releasing searing heat without restraint.

Everything around it ignited in an instant, consumed by roaring flames. Screams of both Shinigami and Quincy echoed from every direction.

Even the world itself seemed unable to endure the heat—it began to crack, break, and fall apart.

To make matters worse, the corpses of fallen Quincies began to disintegrate, turning into streams of Reishi. These streams surged toward both the golden barrier ahead and the ritual formation above.

Are they using the power of Zanka no Tachi to destroy us—and the entire world—with it?

Yamamoto didn’t hesitate. He launched himself into the air, furiously striking with punch after punch.

But the formation, built from the amassed Reishi of countless Quincies, only emitted a low humming sound. It didn’t budge—it was as immovable as a mountain.

"Pointless struggle, Yamamoto Shigekuni. You’ll vanish along with this world."

From across the field, Yhwach stood with arms spread wide, smiling arrogantly at the old man hurling punches his way.

"Damn you... bastard!"

Yamamoto seethed with rage.

The skin on his body blistered and peeled from the intense heat. Blood vessels burst one after another, blood boiling out—only to evaporate the moment it emerged.

Watching him in such a state, Yhwach let out a loud, mocking laugh.

"That’s enough, Gerard. You’ve done plenty."

"Yes, sir."

Gerard roared with laughter, striding toward Silbern with heavy, thunderous steps. His mountain-sized body made the earth quake beneath him.

"Stop!"

Retsu Unohana, hair flowing wildly, shouted in fury. She raised her blade and struck at Gerard.

"Hahahaha..."

Though his flesh was ripped and bloodied, his white bones even exposed, Gerard still wasn’t cut down.

On the contrary, he grew even stronger—larger.

Stomping across Quincy corpses, he laughed with open disdain.

"You’re all going to be buried here—slain by Yamamoto’s own Bankai!"

"Give it up! That old man’s already finished."

"You Shinigami and your feeble attacks only tickle me. They make me stronger! Who’s going to stop me now?"

"I will."

The voice came from directly above.

"Who?!"

Gerard froze mid-step, struggling to look up.

Just then, a sudden scraping sound came from his waist.

With a sharp clang, his body was split clean in two—top half and bottom half severed instantly.

A loud thud followed—an enormous blade slammed into the ground in front of him, embedding itself deep into the earth.

Huh?

Gerard’s mind blanked for a moment. As he tried to turn around again, a sharp, searing pain shot through his chest.

"AAAHHH!!"

A bone-chilling scream tore through the sky.

The massive sword had pierced straight through him with overwhelming force, pinning him to the earth like an insect—utterly helpless beneath a crushing mountain of steel.

The giant collapsed, as if struck down by divine judgment.

His eyes widened in disbelief, and terror surged within him.

Who could possess such monstrous strength?

Did this person know how much damage Gerard had already absorbed—from the old man, from the Shinigami? Even the terrifying woman’s assault now seemed weak in comparison.

And yet now... he was impaled without resistance, completely immobilized.

"Who are you?! Who the hell are you?!"

He howled in rage.

Pinned by the sword through his chest, he couldn’t turn. All he could do was twist his head as far as he could—but he still couldn’t catch a glimpse of the enemy in the sky.

Refusing to accept it, he struggled to see their face.

But no matter how hard he tried... he saw nothing.

Shk!

Without warning, the massive blade was wrenched from his chest.

Blood gushed out in a torrent, splattering across the ground.

"Ah!"

Gerard let out a pained scream, bracing himself on the ground as he struggled to lift his head.

At last, his surroundings came into focus.

Not far away, Haschwalth was speaking in a low voice to His Majesty. The Emperor gave a silent nod in response.

His gaze, cold and merciless, sent a chill down Gerard’s spine. It passed through the golden barrier—landing directly on him.

As the light around the barrier intensified, it became clear: the spatial transfer was about to begin.

The Sanctuary wasn’t built for defense. It was a last-resort method to transport Silbern—and preserve the Quincy forces.

And now, Gerard found himself outside the city. Above, the ancient black Tachi continued to blaze in the sky.

Was His Majesty... abandoning him?

Doubt and fear surged within Gerard.

High above him, a small figure stood, looking down at him from the sky.

The silhouette seemed vaguely familiar, but Gerard couldn’t quite make it out.

The figure smiled slightly and said,

"What? It’s only been a short while—don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten me?"

It was him—the intruder who had taken Pernida!

Gerard’s eyes widened. Even through the searing pain, his mind raced.

Why was Masatsuki Aozaki here? Wasn’t he supposed to have gone to the Soul King Palace?

And why was his recovery so slow? _{f|ree(w)ebn\o.vel.com}

What was interfering with his miracle?

Was it this man?

No... he dismissed the thought.

He was the Soul King’s heart—the embodiment of the one true god in this world.

How could some Shinigami brat suppress a miracle?

Still, there was no time to dwell on it.

Clutching his wound, Gerard let out a desperate howl, shouting a warning:

"Your Majesty... his eyes!"

...

Within the glowing Silbern, Yhwach narrowed his gaze, locking eyes with Masatsuki Aozaki.

He noticed those bright pupils—exactly like his own from a thousand years ago.

Double pupils.

"Well, now... this is interesting."

Yhwach said coolly, then turned silently within Silbern—as the city vanished with him inside.

...

"Looks like your master’s abandoned you."

Masatsuki Aozaki stood above, smiling as he held a blood-dripping Tachi in one hand.

"But don’t worry. I won’t abandon you... well, at least not your body."

He descended slowly, step by step, toward Gerard.

Gerard’s expression turned grim. From Masatsuki Aozaki, he could feel a strange, unfamiliar force radiating outward.

"I see now... you bastard! You dared to steal divine authority!"

Gerard snarled through gritted teeth.

"Congratulations. You figured it out—but sadly, no prize."

Masatsuki Aozaki’s voice was dripping with mockery.

He gave his blade a light flick in front of Gerard’s eyes. The massive sword reappeared, and blood trickled down the edge, splattering onto the ground.

Tenken!

Masatsuki Aozaki glanced off into the distance at the old man still punching with charred, blackened hands.

He scoffed with irritation.

An old geezer like that... instead of staying home and enjoying retirement, he ran out onto the battlefield—and got himself into a mess like this.

This kind of job should’ve gone to Kyōraku-senpai first.

If things went south, he could’ve just pulled everyone back, waited for my return, and I’d take care of the rest.

Why the hell did you insist on being the hero, old man?

Shunsui Kyōraku: So my life doesn’t count anymore, huh?

Masatsuki Aozaki’s body dissolved into countless particles of light and scattered into the air.