Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74 - 74: Encounter with a Captain-Level Shinigami

Masatsuki Aozaki eyed the two night patrol Shinigami in the distance and slowly drew Banshō Senran from his waist.

He had just taken a step forward when the two Shinigami suddenly stirred.

A chilling rip echoed from their bodies.

Like something straight out of a horror film, their joints twisted unnaturally, their limbs jerking as they raised their Asauchis.

The "corpses" slowly lifted their heads, pausing for a brief moment before suddenly breaking into a sprint toward Masatsuki.

Blood streamed from their seven orifices, their grotesque expressions making it clear—they were already dead.

"What the hell is this!?"

The two Onmitsukidō members hiding in the shadows froze, an icy shiver running down their spines.

A wave of cold sweat drenched their uniforms as they stared, horrified.

They had never seen anything like this before.

From all observations, these Shinigami were supposed to be dead.

And yet, they were still moving. Still running. Still swinging their blades.

Masatsuki stood in the middle of the passage.

Above him, the stars shimmered in the night sky. Around him, footsteps echoed from the lifeless figures concealed in the shadows.

The Onmitsukidō agents swallowed hard, their hands instinctively gripping the short swords at their waists.

Years of rigorous training allowed them to quickly suppress their fear and steel their minds.

They held their breath, readying themselves.

All they had to do was wait—wait for the undead to get close enough, then strike first and behead them.

...

Masatsuki's lips curled into a taunting smirk, as if he'd already seen through the illusion.

In a blur of movement, he vanished—reappearing behind the two charging Shinigami.

A flick of his blade.

Blood droplets traced a delicate arc in the air before splattering onto the ground.

The Shinigami's movements came to an abrupt halt.

A second later...

Under the stunned gazes of the two Onmitsukidō agents, the undead were cleaved cleanly in half.

"So this is Aozaki-sama's strength? That's terrifying..."

"I couldn't even see his movements. He's no weaker than a Lieutenant-level Shinigami!"

Both men instinctively swallowed hard, the same realization dawning on them.

Now they understood why this man had become a Third Seat immediately after graduating from Shin'ō Academy.

...

"Ryuuseki, Sixth Seat. Izumo, Eighth Seat. I tried using Tenteikūra, but it seems these guys were well-prepared—Tenteikūra has been neutralized."

Masatsuki lifted his gaze to the night sky.

Even to the naked eye, the air appeared slightly distorted, as if an invisible membrane was interfering with the natural flow of Reishi.

He swung Banshō Senran, focusing his Reiatsu along the blade.

A brilliant azure wave of energy slashed forward, tearing a gaping hole in the barrier.

The surrounding Reishi reacted instantly, clinging to the breach in an attempt to mend it.

But before it could fully repair itself, a massive surge of Reiatsu had already been unleashed—without restraint.

"Go get backup, preferably a captain. This opponent is a bit troublesome."

"..."

Ryuuseki and Izumo hesitated briefly, but Masatsuki Aozaki continued, his tone calm.

"The next battle will be dangerous. I won't be able to protect you."

Exchanging a glance, the two vanished into the darkness.

Masatsuki turned his gaze forward, his voice unhurried.

"If you don't come out soon, I'm leaving."

"Hah, as expected of the Captain-Commander's disciple. You actually noticed me—I thought I was hidden well enough."

A voice rang out.

Masatsuki's lips curled into a cold smile as he got a clear look at the person standing before him.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify