Masatsuki Aozaki sat quietly at the edge of the cliff, holding Retsu Unohana in his arms as they overlooked the blood-soaked battlefield below, where agonized screams echoed without end.
Blood and blades seemed to dance through the forest, creating a spectacle that the two sadists watched with keen interest.
Compared to the ruffians of Kagarashi District, those from the Zaraki District were indeed stronger. However, few among them could truly rival the might of captain-class warriors like those from Kiganjō or Zaraki.
Lacking formal training, most of them remained at the level of ordinary squad members or low-ranked Seated Officers. Against a professional team of Shinigami, led by Seated Officers and wielding Zanpakutō, this so-called "band of great villains" was utterly helpless, slaughtered without resistance.
As they enjoyed the grim spectacle, the two conversed leisurely.
After about ten minutes, Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly frowned and turned toward the direction they had come from.
A powerful Reiatsu was steadily approaching from that direction, one so immense that it undoubtedly belonged to a first-class spiritual power.
It was sharp and oppressive, carrying a wild, aggressive intensity. Yet beneath its sheer power, there was also an undercurrent of restraint and weakness—like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"That way... is that Kusajishi District? Could it be... you've found him?"
Retsu Unohana sat up from Masatsuki's lap, following his gaze, her eyes flickering with excitement.
The presence drew closer. Even she could sense it now.
It was a Reiatsu she would never forget—not since that day.
Wild and untamed, it was the Reiatsu of a beast.
The Reiatsu of a monster.
"Who goes there?!"
"Stop! Don't take another step!"
"Are you from District 79?"
"We're not after you! If you don't want to die, go back to District 79!"
With a series of sharp shouts, several 11th Division members drew their blades and blocked the path.
Their eyes locked onto the approaching figure—a tall, gaunt man stepping forward one deliberate stride at a time.
His long, unkempt hair framed a face marred by a vicious scar running across his left cheek, his expression nothing short of menacing.
In his hand, he held a long blade. The guard was an angular, three-dimensional polygon, the blade slightly uneven, and the hilt wrapped in white cloth.
Even the dullest observer would recognize it—a Zanpakutō.
Yet Seireitei had never officially distributed Zanpakutō to the districts of Rukongai.
Which could only mean one thing: this man had once slain a Shinigami and taken their blade.
But what was truly startling—
This fearsome man, who had likely killed countless people, carried a small pink-haired girl on his shoulder.
She seemed utterly unfazed by the drawn blades surrounding them, even clapping her hands with a delighted smile, as though the impending bloodshed was nothing more than an amusing game.
Behind the long-haired man followed two younger individuals.
One had a perfectly round head, resembling a marble, with bold red eye shadow smeared around his narrow, defiant eyes.
The other had short hair and wore a gaudy yukata, predominantly purple, covered in bright red, green, and yellow patterns.
Together, they turned to face the Shinigami blocking their path. The bald man raised an eyebrow.
"Well... looks like those pathetic bastards weren't lying. The Shinigami really are here."
"We have been sent by Seireitei to eliminate the criminals of Zaraki District. Anyone uninvolved, step aside immediately, and you will be spared!"
From the crowd, Izumo stepped forward, his brows furrowed.
"What?"
As if they had just heard the funniest joke in the world, the newcomers burst into laughter.
Izumo's face darkened.
He disliked unnecessary killing.
Yet his good intentions were met with ridicule. Even with his usual patience, it was hard to suppress his anger.
Just as he was about to step forward, a hand reached out to stop him.
"Ryuuseki?" Izumo turned in confusion.
"Calm down, Izumo."
Ryuuseki kept his gaze fixed ahead.
"Look at the man and the child leading them. Do they match the description Masatsuki-sama gave us?"
Izumo hesitated upon hearing Ryuuseki's words.
"I'll notify Masatsuki-sama immediately."
...
"Hey! I heard a Shinigami captain is here too. Which one of you is the captain?"
The bald man smirked, lifting his blade as he pointed it at the Shinigami one by one.
The squad members cast indifferent glances at him but offered no response.
"Tch, figures. Weaklings like you couldn't possibly be captains."
Shaking his head, the bald man turned to the other side and asked again.
"Hey, is anyone here a captain?"
One of the Shinigami, irritated by his repeated disrespect, scowled.
A mere Rukongai thug, daring to act so brazenly before them...
Did he really think the Combat Division was just for show?
He tightened his grip on his blade and glared at the bald man.
"You bastard, are you joking? A lowly ronin like you dares to challenge a captain!?"
With that, he stepped forward, raising his sword high, preparing to strike.
But before his blade could descend, the bald youth suddenly lunged forward, slashing at the Shinigami in a swift, ruthless strike.
The attack was fast—too fast. If it landed, the damage would be severe.
At that critical moment, a hand shot out like lightning, seizing the bald man's face with pinpoint precision.
Then, with a forceful motion, the hand slammed him into the ground.
A sharp pain coursed through the bald man's body, forcing a pained scream from his lips.
He struggled to rise, only to realize his body had gone completely limp.
A cold voice reached his ears.
"Kid, you've got some skill, but don't get too cocky."
It was Ryuuseki, the one who had just made the move.
He looked down at the bald man, a glint of disdain in his eyes.
"We're willing to talk things out, but that doesn't mean we're afraid of you."
...
At that moment, the long-haired man carrying the little girl suddenly let out a chuckle.
"Oh... I didn't expect you to be this capable." His grin widened. "Then you can go first."
"What—!?"
Before Ryuuseki could even react, a worn, battered sword was already inches from his face.
A suffocating wave of killing intent rushed toward him.
His pupils shrank.
A hand shot out from the side—
With just one finger, it stopped the incoming blade dead in its tracks.
"It's Masatsuki-sama!"
"Captain is so strong!"
"Catching a sword barehanded?! That's insane! I wanna learn that too!"
The squad erupted in awe as Ryuuseki snapped back to reality.
Before his stunned eyes, Masatsuki Aozaki moved with swift precision, delivering a brutal kick to the long-haired man's stomach, sending him flying backward.
At the same moment, Masatsuki's left hand shot forward like a striking serpent, snatching the pink-haired girl up by the collar.
"Masatsuki-sama!!"
Ryuuseki couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.
Masatsuki-sama had saved him again!
This debt... he could never repay in a lifetime!
Masatsuki Aozaki paid him no mind.
He simply gazed at the little girl in his grasp, a faint smile playing on his lips.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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