Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172 - 172: Hueco Mundo

Masatsuki Aozaki left the World of the Living and stepped into the 11th Division headquarters in Soul Society.

Without the slightest attempt to hide it, he openly declared in front of Gin Ichimaru and the other division members that he was going to slack off.

Then, he summoned Gin Ichimaru into his office alone.

Once inside, Masatsuki Aozaki lounged in the chair behind the captain's desk, his tone casual as he said,

"For the time being, don't come looking for me, Gin. You'll handle the squad's affairs, and I'll let you know when I return."

Gin Ichimaru stiffened at the words.

It was the first time he had ever heard Masatsuki Aozaki request to be completely out of contact.

He straightened his back, his expression turning unusually serious.

"Where are you going? Is it dangerous?"

"Hueco Mundo," Masatsuki Aozaki replied indifferently.

"...Are you insane!?"

Gin Ichimaru couldn't help but shout.

The moment the words left his mouth, a bone-chilling cold surged up from the soles of his feet, climbing his spine and burrowing into his mind like an icy current.

This cold wasn't from any change in temperature but from the fear and unease welling up deep inside him.

The reason was simple—Gin Ichimaru knew Masatsuki Aozaki all too well.

Once he made up his mind, nothing and no one could change it.

"Why are you going to Hueco Mundo? It's too dangerous—it's the Hollows' territory."

Gin Ichimaru took a step closer, lowering his voice anxiously.

"You might run into a Menos, or worse, a Vasto Lorde. Just ten of them could destroy the entire Seireitei."

It was clear his understanding of Menos still came from the textbooks of Shin'ō Academy.

After all, the farthest he had ever traveled was the World of the Living—and that was only for his assigned patrol duties.

Forget Vasto Lordes—he had never even seen a Gillian, the lowest-class Menos.

"Well, you make a fair point, but I have my reasons for going."

Masatsuki Aozaki grinned.

Gin Ichimaru's body went rigid at those words, shock flashing across his face. But he quickly composed himself and said firmly,

"I'm going with you."

Masatsuki Aozaki, however, shook his head without hesitation.

"Absolutely not. With your current strength, you're nowhere near ready to handle the dangers of Hueco Mundo. Even I would struggle to protect you."

He clapped Gin Ichimaru on the shoulder, his tone carrying a rare note of seriousness.

"Stay here and take care of the squad's affairs in my absence. That alone is the greatest support you can give me."

Gin Ichimaru clenched his fists, his lips trembling slightly as if he wanted to argue—but in the end, he stayed silent.

Because he knew Masatsuki Aozaki was right.

As a Captain-class fighter with Second-Class Spiritual Power, if there was a threat even he couldn't handle, then as a Lieutenant with only Fifth-Class Spiritual Power, Gin Ichimaru would be nothing more than dead weight.

Masatsuki Aozaki sensed the turmoil and hesitation in him. He patted his shoulder again, smiling reassuringly.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify