Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō
Chapter 393: Watching the Show

Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Watching the Show

As expected, anyone who could hang around with that old geezer was never going to be a decent person.

Masatsuki Aozaki finally placed the face—wasn’t this Yoruichi’s charming ancestor?

That said, for the record, he really hadn’t done anything like "bullying men and dominating women."

The worst thing he’d ever done to the Shihōin Clan was probably picking on their head, Yūshirō, every time they met—bullying him until he cried.

Of course, that was just friendly teasing between old classmates.

Masatsuki had no interest in men. Even if Yūshirō looked slightly better than average—like a cuter, less heroic version of Yoruichi—he wouldn’t stir his heart in the slightest.

Then again... when you think about it, he did bully Yūshirō, and he did take Yoruichi.

So technically, he had both "bully a man" and "dominate a woman" checked off the list.

Kind of does sound like he lived up to the accusation, huh?

But hey, he was the Captain-Commander’s apprentice, the one and only top-tier troublemaker in all of Seireitei. Wasn’t bullying men and women just par for the course?

Thinking that, Masatsuki nodded to himself with zero guilt and even put on a smug little grin.

"Oh, I get it now. You’re here to stand up for them, aren’t you?"

"Hmph! Let me tell you, my Master is the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13."

"All of this? He’s the one who told me to do it. So if you’ve got a problem, take it up with him!"

"You little punk! Shameless to the core. You and your Master really are cut from the same mold!"

Chika Shihōin ground his teeth in fury, face contorting as if dredging up some very unpleasant memories.

"Ugh... that old bastard really is a dirty old man. I’ve been meaning to say it for ages."

Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow and joined in without the slightest bit of remorse, casually badmouthing his Master.

Honestly, it wasn’t even just behind his back—he’d say the same stuff to his face too.

But the reason he hadn’t started a fight right away and was instead chatting with Chika Shihōin... was because he was thinking.

Chika Shihōin—the original Captain of the 2nd Division from a thousand years ago.

He’d been one of the founding Captains who fell in the war against the Quincy. His Konsō ceremony had taken place over nine hundred years ago.

By all logic, the man should be in Hell as a Togabito—or reduced to nothing but dust by now.

Togabito, the damned souls of Hell.

Those who are sent there after death are chained and punished for eternity. Those who can’t endure the torment, whose spirits collapse under the strain, eventually crumble into sand.

Without a doubt, endless torment was not Masatsuki’s idea of a good time.

He’d rather enjoy life—not suffer in Hell.

And yet, here he was, staring at a very un-dead, very un-dusted Chika Shihōin who was definitely supposed to be in Hell.

Masatsuki instinctively glanced up at the sky, as if he could peer past the clouds and see that massive palace looming above.

Don’t tell me... Hell found out I’ve been conspiring with the Soul King?

That useless old man—can’t even keep his own turf in check.

Masatsuki muttered inwardly.

Like hell this is my fault!

But if you’re trying to survive in this messed-up world, what choice do you have but to cooperate?

Besides, Hell was way too dry for him—not his vibe at all.

His thoughts raced. Now Hell had come knocking, and even sent out an original Gotei 13 Captain to confront him. Were they friend or foe?

Hard to say.

But no need to panic!

It’s not like he didn’t have backing.

This was his turf too—his and the Soul King’s.

And what was Chika Shihōin anyway? Just another dead Shinigami. For now, at least, he posed no real threat.

Masatsuki kept reassuring himself, sighed deeply as he looked at Chika Shihōin ahead...

Then casually opened his hand—and a Zanpakutō materialized out of thin air.

"Amenominaka!"

That was the name Masatsuki Aozaki had given this blade.

He’d already wielded it once before in the great battle between the Gotei 13 and the Wandenreich.

Masatsuki gently swung the ancient tachi in his hand.

In an instant, the ground split open as if torn apart, and one after another, dark voids resembling Garganta opened across the battlefield.

Chika Shihōin frowned as he watched members of the 11th Division fall into the swirling black holes.

Yet, in his perception, their Reiatsu hadn’t vanished—it had simply reappeared somewhere far away.

With a hint of surprise, Chika asked, "Spatial ability?"

But just as he spoke, he suddenly let out a muffled grunt. His face twisted in agony.

Under the watchful eyes of Masatsuki Aozaki and Kenpachi Zaraki, black chains erupted from Chika Shihōin’s body, tightly binding him in place!

Both men looked up at once—behind Chika, a massive gate emerged.

On either side clung colossal skeletal forms, and from within the door, an endless darkness poured out like a flood.

Before long, the gates slowly opened, revealing the towering figure of a giant.

Easily fifty meters tall, with a dark purple body and a skull-like face—it was unmistakable.

Masatsuki recognized it instantly: the Warden of Hell, the embodiment of Hell’s laws—

The Will of Hell!

Suddenly, the Will of Hell reached out and seized the chains wrapped around Chika Shihōin.

With a powerful tug, it pulled him forward, grabbed him in its massive hand—and then began to fade.

Its enormous form broke apart, disintegrating into countless specks of Reishi that gathered and dispersed into the air.

But the strange thing was, Chika Shihōin didn’t vanish with it.

He dropped to the ground instead, slowly lifting his head.

His brown eyes now shimmered with an unsettling golden glow.

At some point, half of a skeletal mask had appeared on his face—its shape reminiscent of a Hollow’s mask.

Half his body was now clad in bone-like armor.

But through Masatsuki’s spiritual senses, there was no trace of Hollow Reiatsu from the mask or the armor.

Still, the aura it emitted was deeply familiar.

As a Shinigami who had purified countless condemned souls, Masatsuki knew exactly what this was.

The same power as the Gates of Hell.

Feeling more grounded, Masatsuki relaxed his clenched fist and spoke lightly,

"That’s it? You’re gonna need more than that."

Chika Shihōin rested his long blade on his shoulder, body bent in a loose stance.

Then he stomped the ground—vanishing in a flash, reappearing right in front of Masatsuki, and throwing a punch without hesitation!

Masatsuki’s Zanpakutō vanished the moment before impact. He raised one hand to block.

Boom!

With a thunderous burst, Masatsuki caught the blow effortlessly, his expression flat.

Then, with a sudden surge of strength, he hoisted Chika into the air and slammed him into the ground with a loud crash!

He turned toward Kenpachi Zaraki and chuckled.

"Didn’t you want a fight? This guy’s not bad. He’s all yours."

Kenpachi’s eyes lit up immediately. Laughing wildly, he charged forward, thrilled beyond measure.

He was secretly delighted—this was why following the Boss was the best. When good things came, he was always the first one considered!

Masatsuki Aozaki was just about to find a place to enjoy the show when he suddenly sensed something, turning around on instinct.

Through the curtain of heavy rain, several figures came into view, racing toward them with the roar of thunder.

Masatsuki sighed.

"Seriously? Can’t I just sit back and enjoy the show for once?"