Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39 - 39: A Paragon Among Nobles

Masatsuki Aozaki and Yoruichi Shihōin stared at the headless corpse of Sazanosuke Takasugi, their expressions unreadable.

He had implicated the entire Tsunayashiro Clan—and in public, no less.

If word got out that one of the Four Great Noble Clans was involved in the rebellion, it could shake the very foundations of Seireitei's rule.

If you had no ties to the Four Great Nobles, the worst you'd face would be the crime of slandering the nobility.

But the problem is, you really are from the Tsunayashiro Clan, and now you're a rebel.

If they take you back for trial, the very people judging you will fear for their own lives.

If you don't die, who will?

"Masatsuki, did you hear anything just now?"

Wiping the blood from her face, Retsu Unohana turned to Masatsuki and asked.

"I didn't hear a thing!" Masatsuki Aozaki responded instantly, shaking his head firmly.

Retsu Unohana nodded in satisfaction, thinking to herself that the boy she had her eye on was as sharp as ever.

"What about you all?"

She turned to the nearby 4th Division members.

"We didn't hear anything either!" They mimicked Masatsuki's response, shaking their heads in unison.

Retsu Unohana's gaze drifted down to Masatsuki's feet, pausing for a brief moment.

"I didn't hear anything! Don't kill me! I'll do anything!" The long-haired man reacted swiftly, immediately begging for his life, sobbing uncontrollably.

Shinigami like him, who willingly became executioners for the sake of wealth and power, were nothing like the loyal, battle-hardened warriors raised by noble families. These types valued their own lives above all else.

"If you can't do it, let me. This is what the Onmitsukidō is for," Yoruichi Shihōin said flatly, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary for her.

Masatsuki hesitated for a brief moment.

Most of the time, this girl acted either playful or charming in front of him, like a mischievous neighbor with a teasing streak.

It was easy to forget that she had been trained in the Onmitsukidō since childhood—where assassination and execution were just as natural as breathing. She had carried out countless missions before.

"No need. I won't hesitate to kill someone like this."

Masatsuki Aozaki turned and slowly stepped beside the long-haired man. With a graceful flick of his blade—shhk—the man's head fell.

The pitiful wailing stopped instantly, and the world suddenly felt much quieter.

Seeing the relief on Masatsuki Aozaki's face, Retsu Unohana arched an eyebrow, feeling both pleased and somewhat amused.

"Why do these so-called Captain-class Shinigami feel so weak? They don't seem anywhere near the level of the Gotei 13's Captains," Masatsuki murmured, gazing at the lifeless corpse with a hint of disappointment.

Retsu Unohana smiled.

"That's only natural. Reiatsu is classified into different levels, and just because someone has attained Third-Class Reiatsu doesn't mean they're qualified to be a Captain."

"Take Kensei Muguruma, Captain of the 9th Division. He's also classified as Third-Class Reiatsu, just like this small fry. But unlike him, Kensei has mastered Bankai."

"You've learned Shikai, so you should know—activating Shikai increases your Reiatsu three to five times.

Bankai, on the other hand, boosts it five to ten times. That's the difference."

"Besides, these so-called Shinigami who are kept by the nobility—their Reiatsu is mostly superficial."

"They don't follow their masters to grow stronger; they do it to live in comfort."

"Apart from Reiatsu, they've neglected every other aspect of their training. They can't even utilize their own spiritual pressure properly in battle."

"That's why their combat ability is nowhere near what you'd expect from a Captain."

Small fry?

For some reason, it felt like Retsu Unohana was delivering the harshest critique to Kensei Muguruma—while using the gentlest tone possible...

Masatsuki Aozaki thought to himself, then nodded, feeling an even stronger desire to attain Bankai.

Clang!

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