Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 455

Chapter 455: Chapter 455: A Death Sentence Wouldn’t Be Unjustified

Masatsuki Aozaki stood silently atop the ruins, his presence blending seamlessly into the shattered landscape around him. His gaze was cold and unmoving, locked straight ahead.

As cracks began to spread across Shunsui Kyōraku’s body, the corner of Masatsuki’s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.

"As expected... a fake is still a fake. Can’t even handle a Bankai?"

Shunsui chuckled at the jab.

"Ah, your tongue is still as sharp as ever, junior."

He slowly sheathed his blades, as though he’d already accepted the outcome.

But just then, Masatsuki sensed something off.

His eyes narrowed.

The two weren’t far apart—just a few meters. Close enough for danger, but far enough for tricks.

He noticed the impostor’s hands beginning to glow. Reishi was rapidly concentrating at his fingertips.

The man sitting cross-legged in his straw hat gave a twisted grin.

"Shime no Dan: Itokiribasami Chizome no Nodobue!" (Final Act: Thread-Cutting Scissors upon a Blood-Streaked Throat)

In a flash, a gleam of cold light tore through the air with deadly precision, slicing straight toward Masatsuki.

A thread of Reishi instantly slashed through his neck.

But from a distance, Shunsui Kyōraku frowned.

Something wasn’t right.

There was no sensation of impact.

Sure enough, the beheaded form of Masatsuki Aozaki shimmered, then dissolved into glowing particles of light—vanishing without a trace.

And right in front of him, Masatsuki’s body reformed once more.

He stood there calmly, gaze locked on Shunsui, lost in thought.

These imitation captains... they were impressively accurate. From appearance to mannerisms, nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

But Masatsuki didn’t speak his thoughts aloud. He simply stared in silence.

Then, with a sudden motion, he raised his blade high overhead.

The cold gleam of the weapon immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Without hesitation, he brought it down.

The slash was blindingly fast.

Shunsui had planned to evade with Shunpo—but there was no time to react.

A sharp jolt of pain tore through him as blood sprayed from the wound.

His body crumpled to the ground, limp and powerless.

His life force faded, and before long, he dissolved into a pile of dust and gravel, scattering into the wind.

The battlefield fell into eerie silence.

Only Masatsuki Aozaki remained—standing tall, his pristine blade still in hand.

...

Swish—!

Late at night, Masatsuki Aozaki handed the two girls over to his two secretaries and the 3rd Seat, then quietly shut the door to the Lieutenant’s office.

"I’m back, Aizen-chan. So, what did you want to talk about?"

As the rain beat frantically against the cold window, Masatsuki grinned warmly at his friend.

But hearing that nickname, Aizen couldn’t help but feel slightly annoyed, as usual.

"You’re acting way too casual. With everything going on, I didn’t expect the Captain-Commander to still have time to go out and play around."

Masatsuki tilted his head. "Is it really that serious?"

Aizen froze for a moment.

Well, for this man, maybe it really wasn’t.

He shook his head.

"Do you know someone named Ōko Yushima?"

"Ōko Yushima?" Masatsuki rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Before he could respond further, Aizen continued.

"Chances are, he’s the mastermind behind all of this."

"He was once a researcher in the 12th Division. He proposed the Reigai Project to Central 46—creating Shinigami replicas to take on dangerous missions in place of real Shinigami."

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