Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76 - 76: The Second Attacker

The white-haired man lay in a pile of rubble, struggling to lift his head as blood seeped from his mouth. A sense of disbelief washed over him.

His silk-threaded armor, along with the Zanpakutō that covered his right arm like a gauntlet, had been completely shattered and fallen away. His body fared no better.

A gaping, bloody hole had torn through his abdomen, his internal organs nowhere to be found.

And Masatsuki Aozaki had done it all with his bare hands.

The white-haired man's mouth hung open in shock. He panted heavily, his face twisted in panic and fear.

Seeing the extent of his injuries, Masatsuki Aozaki relaxed slightly. He rolled his shoulder, wincing at the pain, and let out a sharp hiss before grinning.

"Looks like you're in bad shape. I really did go all out, but I still couldn't shatter your body with a single hit."

"As expected, I'm still nowhere near Master's level."

The white-haired man let out a muffled groan, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Bracing a hand against the ground, he slowly pushed himself back until he was leaning against a nearby wall, slumping down to sit.

"...The Captain-Commander's Sōkotsu truly lives up to its name. I never imagined it could be so terrifying."

He tried to maintain a steady tone, but the tremor in his voice betrayed the truth—

Pain.

Excruciating pain, teetering on the edge of life and death.

With a hole torn through his gut, an ordinary Shinigami would've died instantly.

If not for his captain-level physique, which was far more resilient than that of a regular Shinigami—even without rigorous training—he'd have been long gone.

"Well, knowing how powerful Master is, you still dared to come and assassinate me?" Masatsuki Aozaki blinked. "Should I be impressed by your courage?"

The white-haired man took a deep breath, speaking with difficulty. "There are things in this world that someone has to do."

Masatsuki Aozaki scoffed. "That kind of noble talk doesn't suit you."

They knew each other too well.

Sure, he had done plenty of questionable things. But these guys were no saints either.

"No, this isn't some noble sentiment." The white-haired man sneered, shaking his head.

"What I mean is, this world is full of ambitious people."

"Some are cowards, too afraid of the Captain-Commander's power to make a move."

Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow. "And you're saying you're not afraid of the old man?"

"I am. But my ambition outweighs my fear. I want to rise above everyone else—I want to become a noble."

As if the pain no longer mattered, the white-haired man laid his ambitions bare, his final act of defiance.

"So I came. My ambition triumphed over my fear. I stood before you, and I have no regrets."

He let out a wild laugh before suddenly shifting his tone.

"Masatsuki Aozaki, geniuses like you are truly enviable."

"Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto—hailed as the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years—values you so highly. It's enough to make anyone jealous."

"But unfortunately for you, luck is on my side. The one who dies here today—won't be me."

Masatsuki Aozaki shrugged.

"Oh? Still hiding a trump card?"

"You're barely holding yourself together. What else could you possibly do?"

"Even if you've mastered Bankai, you're in no condition to use it."

At those words, the white-haired man shook his head.

"I never intended to use Bankai."

"But... do you remember the two I let go?"

Masatsuki Aozaki froze. A chill ran down his spine before he abruptly leaped backward.

Looking up, he spotted a trident embedded in the ground.

There wasn't just one attacker.

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