Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 363

Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Creating Souls?

After a night of indulgent relaxation, Masatsuki Aozaki and Ōetsu Nimaiya made their way to the Kirinden of Tenjirō Kirinji.

With Kirinji’s warm hospitality, the three of them enjoyed a soothing hot spring bath together. Once their time at the springs concluded, Masatsuki returned to Gatonden.

Not long after he left, a tall and imposing figure stepped into the hot spring. A warm and familiar voice sounded from behind the two remaining men.

"So? The kid did well, didn’t he?"

"Hmm?"

Ōetsu Nimaiya turned his head and looked at the kindly smiling bald man behind him.

As expected—it was Ichibē Hyōsube.

Instead of answering immediately, Ōetsu first splashed some hot spring water on his face. Then, with a deep sigh, he leaned back against a rock and spoke slowly.

"I finally understand now... why His Majesty the Soul King chose him."

With that, he closed his eyes. The image of that rough-hewn Zanpakutō surfaced in his mind.

The material that formed that blade—it was the same kind of soul-infused essence used in his Asauchi. There was no doubt about it. It wasn’t an artificial construct like the ones Kirio Hikifune created.

Unconsciously, he murmured,

"Not only does his Reiatsu surpass mine, a member of the Royal Guard... but he can even create souls. That kind of power is terrifying."

The three of them were beings whose Reiatsu had long since surpassed the realm of ordinary Shinigami. Their senses were razor-sharp.

So even though Ōetsu had spoken under his breath, the other two had heard him clearly.

Tenjirō Kirinji’s pupils contracted sharply, shock flashing across his face.

Create souls? That’s impossible!

He had never heard of anyone being capable of such a feat.

Only a god could do something like that...

No, even a god might not be able to. After all, he had never seen the Soul King himself perform such an act.

On the other hand, Ichibē Hyōsube simply waved a hand dismissively and let out a hearty laugh.

"Create souls? Hahaha... His power is probably far more complicated than that."

"Not soul creation? Then what is it?"

Ōetsu Nimaiya frowned, his confusion evident as he turned to Ichibē.

However, instead of a clear answer, Ichibē simply scratched his bald head and grinned.

"Even if you ask me, I can’t say for sure. Maybe His Majesty the Soul King is the only one who truly knows the answer."

He shrugged, making it clear that he had no real insight into the matter. _{f .r e\ewebnov(e)(l).c om}

"Only the Soul King knows...? Is that why His Majesty had us teach him the art of sword forging?" Kirinji asked, furrowing his brows in thought.

"I don’t know," Ichibē admitted. "But now that he’s mastered forging, Ōetsu has completed his task. His Majesty will probably meet with him soon."

With a clap of his hands, Ichibē signaled an end to the discussion.

Kirinji took the hint and didn’t press further.

It wasn’t as if he had much choice. Though all five of them were members of the Royal Guard, this monk was the strongest among them.

Even if the other four joined forces, they might not be able to take him down.

Ōetsu Nimaiya pursed his lips, nodding slightly.

It was obvious—teaching Masatsuki Aozaki the art of forging wasn’t his own decision. It had been decreed by the Soul King.

Otherwise, no matter how easygoing he was or how much he liked Masatsuki, there was no way he would have passed down such an essential technique to someone he’d only just met.

After all, the Zanpakutō was the very foundation of the Shinigami. It was because of the Zanpakutō that beings known as Shinigami even existed.

"...The Soul King probably doesn’t want him to forge just Zanpakutō, does he?"

Ōetsu exhaled deeply, his voice trailing off as if he were speaking to no one in particular.

But without someone to answer... his question remained hanging in the air, lost in the silence.

...

Three days later...

"Understood. I’ll be there on time."

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