Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 458

Chapter 458: Chapter 458: They’re Different

"Who dares barge in here without being announced!?"

The Inner Court Trooper turned around in shock.

Before he could react, a young man with brown, curly hair and glasses approached with a soft smile. His expression was calm, his demeanor bright and gentle.

He wore a sleeveless white haori, and a wooden badge with the character "一" (one) was tied to his arm.

The lords of the Central 46 Compound only glanced at the intruder briefly before shifting their eyes to the doorway beyond him.

There, a tall figure stood framed by the solemn stone gate, a radiant smile on his face—yet even under the sunlight, it sent chills down the spine.

"Masatsuki Aozaki, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, and Lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen—why are you here?"

"And you—Gotei 13 is only authorized to patrol the outer perimeter. How did you get inside?"

"To draw your blades in the Council Hall... are you attempting a rebellion?"

"Guards! Someone! Arrest these traitors at once!"

Amid the rising clamor of scolding voices, a furious shout rang out.

From hidden passages, a flood of Shinigami guards poured forth—clad in white masks and wielding iron forks.

Their movements were swift. In moments, Masatsuki Aozaki and the 11th Division squad members were surrounded.

Surrounded by guards and facing wise men and judges treating them like enemies, Aizen merely smiled with a touch of mockery.

"My lords, why such harsh words? We’ve come to protect you."

"Nonsense! The Central 46 Compound has its own guards—we don’t need your protection!"

"For you to intrude into the Council Hall uninvited is a grave offense. You clearly have no regard for the authority of those present!"

"Exactly. Captain-Commander Aozaki, I advise you to retreat at once."

At these words, a flicker of disdain passed through Aizen’s eyes. He chuckled softly.

"Oh? Is that so?"

With that, he gracefully drew Kyōka Suigetsu from his waist—his gaze pausing for a moment on one of the wise men.

That wise man’s heart trembled.

Meeting Aizen’s cold gaze, a sense of dread surged through him. He turned to flee.

But in the very next moment, a sharp blade pierced his chest.

Before he could even cry out, the long katana sliced upward, cleaving him clean from chest to skull.

The chamber was instantly thrown into a scene of shocking bloodshed.

A brief silence fell before an enraged voice exploded:

"How dare you! Committing murder in the Council Hall!? What are you all standing around for—arrest this criminal!"

"My lords, there’s no need to panic. Perhaps you should take a look at this."

Unbothered, Aizen calmly shook his head.

A wave of unseen Reiatsu surged from his body, distorting the surrounding air as it swept across the entire Council Hall.

He bent down, retrieving something from the pool of blood.

The wise men and judges narrowed their eyes, leaning forward to see more clearly.

In his hand was a red orb, shaped like a pill.

Even more astonishing—both the corpse and the blood on the ground began to disintegrate, crumbling into ash.

"Is that... a Gikongan pill developed by the 12th Division!? How could the Shinigami Research and Development Institute dare to create something like this!?"

One of the wise men couldn’t help but cry out.

As a critical experimental tool directly tied to the safety of Shinigami operating in the World of the Living, any research related to the Gikongan had to be reported to the Central 46 Compound from the outset.

Even though these wise men rarely left their chambers, they could still recognize such an item at a glance.

The color might be different, but it was unmistakably a Gikongan pill.

But then... how did that wise man end up with one inside his body?

These men weren’t fools. It only took a moment of thought for a terrifying idea to dawn on them.

With a casual pinch of his fingers, Aizen crushed the pill like a candy bead.

"You’re mistaken, my lords. While this does relate somewhat to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, the real responsibility... lies with you."

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