Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 - 7: 6th-Class Spiritual Power

Sōjun Kuchiki, who had stepped in front of Masatsuki, froze, his expression stiffening.

Before his shocked eyes, a pillar of Reiatsu shot up from Masatsuki, piercing the sky.

"Boom!"

In an instant, the force of the Reiatsu pillar blasted away the dojo's ceiling, flooding the entire room with blinding light.

The sudden surge of overwhelming Reiatsu sent several students with weaker spiritual pressure flying. They crashed into the walls with a series of loud thuds.

One unfortunate student was even flung out the door—only to be caught by a man wearing black-framed glasses.

"Young man, there's such a thing as knowing your limits when practicing Zanjutsu."

"Ah... Aizen-sensei, what are you doing here?"

"I just finished my class. What's going on in there? Either way, whether it's unleashing Reiatsu or throwing students out of the dojo, this is a bit excessive..."

Aizen adjusted his glasses and turned his gaze toward the dojo.

Inside, Sōjun Kuchiki had released his own Reiatsu—captain-class spiritual pressure of Third-Class Reiatsu Rank—to forcibly suppress Masatsuki's rampaging power, preventing it from harming the other students.

Through this clash of Reiatsu, he was absolutely certain—Masatsuki's Asauchi had fully transformed into a Zanpakutō. At this moment, his Reiatsu had reached the level of a Sixth-Class Rank, just a step away from breaking into the Fifth-Class.

His first thought was to be happy for his student.

But that joy was immediately replaced by confusion.

Masatsuki Aozaki had enrolled from Rukongai. His records were clear—when he first entered Shin'ō Academy, he had only possessed a Sixteenth-Class Reiatsu Rank. Yet now, he had skyrocketed to the Sixth-Class, surpassing most Seated Officers.

Even achieving Shikai shouldn't result in such a drastic increase...

Normally, when a Shinigami awakens their Shikai, their Reiatsu rank rises by one level, or two at most if they're exceptionally gifted. But to leap ten ranks in one go? That was unheard of.

Aizen stood motionless, his fingers tightening around the frame of his glasses. His entire body seemed frozen, his eyes locked onto Masatsuki Aozaki.

Unbeknownst to him, the usual gentle smile on his face had begun to distort, the corners of his mouth stretching wider and wider.

To the students watching, the ever-kind and approachable Lieutenant Aizen suddenly looked like a monstrous demon.

As a Shinigami born to commoners, Aizen had no knowledge of how to cultivate Reiryoku before entering Shin'ō Academy.

Yet, due to his unparalleled talent, he had reached the level of a top Seated Officer—Sixth-Class Reiatsu Rank—within less than half a year of beginning his training.

Even though he had concealed his true strength from others, he had always taken pride in it.

The records of the academy's most outstanding students throughout history were publicly available, and they made one fact clear—no one had ever surpassed his rate of progress.

So, while he had long acknowledged that Masatsuki was growing at an astonishing pace, his starting point had been too low.

Never, not even once, had Aizen considered the possibility that Masatsuki was a genius on his level.

At times, Aizen had wondered if he had simply been born different from ordinary people—something beyond them, something... superior.

That thought had often left him feeling utterly alone.

For a long time, he had subconsciously sought out someone who could stand at the same height as him, only to be met with disappointment, time and time again.

And just when he had been ready to abandon that search, fate had played a cruel joke on him.

This man... his talent is equal to mine.

Perhaps—just perhaps—he could stand beside me.

Once the thought took root, it refused to leave.

For the first time in years, Aizen found himself overwhelmed by a complex mix of emotions.

Even he wasn't sure what he was feeling.

This man is too dangerous. I should eliminate him as soon as possible.

No... perhaps he's just a fleeting anomaly. In a few years, he might fade into obscurity.

Why take the risk? The plan is approaching its critical stage—any potential threat must be dealt with immediately.

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