Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221 - 221: Existence

"Kakyō, listen carefully. It's not even night yet, and it's pouring rain. I can't see a single star."

Tokinada Tsunayashiro lay at the bottom of a massive crater, dazed. In his delirium, he seemed to see his wife—the woman who had died years ago.

Buried beneath rubble and shattered wooden walls, he found an ironic sense of security in these once-impenetrable barriers. With his ear pressed against the ground, the only sound he could hear was the echoing thud of his own heartbeat, whispering to him: You're still alive.

One punch. Just one punch.

That terrifying man had struck him down from the peak of power within the Tsunayashiro Clan, sending him crashing to the very bottom.

"You sure were laughing a lot back there... Sorry to disappoint, but I'm still alive." He panted, his voice silent, as if speaking to someone he refused to show weakness before. "Yamamoto gave him Ikkotsu. I have to wonder... could he himself have used it with such power?"

His body ached, a searing pain spreading through every inch of him.

"It hurts so damn much... My whole body... Is this what dying feels like? Was it like this for you too?" He let out a hoarse chuckle. "What a mess... How many years has it been? Fifty? Sixty? A hundred?"

Tokinada blinked, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips.

"I can't remember anymore... but it doesn't feel so bad." His expression darkened. "Don't say something stupid. Just shut up already, Kakyō!"

"Save me? I don't need saving!"

"At a time like this, could you stop pissing me off!?"

"I don't need you to clear the storm for me. From the very beginning, I've stood above the clouds. I am the storm!"

"I'm no child in need of guidance, and you are not my Master! I studied at the Central Shin'ō Academy, under the headmaster of that time—Yamamoto himself. He was the one who taught me."

"But even he couldn't teach me properly. So don't delude yourself, Kakyō..."

He shut his eyes, as if that could make those gentle eyes vanish from his sight.

Darkness engulfed the ruins. Outside, the storm raged on, rain pouring relentlessly from the heavens. The broken walls and shattered stones hadn't buried him completely—water seeped through the cracks, pelting his face.

Tokinada hadn't expected this place to become his grave, nor had he thought death would come for him today.

Today was supposed to be a good day. By the time it ended, he should have been seated as the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan. But now, it seemed the clan would be erased from existence—him along with it.

This makeshift fortress gave him no sense of security. Not when he had no doubt that the man who had so effortlessly crushed him could just as easily destroy the entire Soul Society.

A bitter thought crossed his mind—if Masatsuki Aozaki were to wipe out this world along with him, that wouldn't be so bad. After all, it was a world he never cared for.

The moment he stepped into the high tower, something felt off. Then came the sight of that bizarre Zanpakutō. And then, the chilling realization—the elders of the Tsunayashiro branch had been slaughtered.

That man had come for the Tsunayashiro Clan, and he was terrifyingly powerful. Tokinada had known from the start—he might not be able to win.

Running away would have been the wisest option, but he had no intention of fleeing.

He had long known that she would come for him. Today might finally be the day. If it wasn't... well, then he'd get to enjoy himself a little longer.

At least he had done everything he wanted—committed every crime, indulged in every pleasure.

If he truly died today, it wouldn't be a loss.

He would go to Hell, away from her. That alone would be a relief.

To be honest, there was never any love between them.

She was a carefully selected test subject, chosen by the family for an experiment—one meant to determine whether a child could inherit their parents' fragments of the Soul King.

As a low-ranking branch member, he had no say in the matter. He accepted the marriage with indifference.

The experiment never interested him. What did intrigue him, however, was the thought of seeing Kakyō crumble upon learning the truth. So, on their wedding night, he told her everything.

But that wretched woman...

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify