Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 196: Fool

Today's "Hueco Mundo First Martial Arts Tournament" had an enormous impact on the Arrancars.

Banshō and Senran, the two Zanpakutō spirits, completely shattered the pride of these arrogant warriors—both Harribel and Ulquiorra were defeated at their hands.

It only reinforced what they already knew: their lord was truly a monster.

In this vast Hueco Mundo, was there really no one who could stand against him?

Fortunately, there were two.

If not for the two most fearsome Vasto Lordes still residing in Las Noches, Hueco Mundo might have already been completely conquered by this man!

...

Forest of Menos, Temporary Underground Base

"Still thinking about the tournament?"

Senran, clad in the form of Murciélago, kissed the young man before her.

Masatsuki Aozaki nodded slightly as he gently pulled a blanket over the sleeping woman beside him—a tall, cold beauty with long black hair and an alluring figure.

This was the real Miss Murciélago, Senran was merely borrowing her power.

Masatsuki Aozaki, however, didn't particularly care about such details. After spending some time with her, he understood that this noblewoman was a simple, ice-cold onee-san type.

She was completely different from the golden-haired queen, Tiburón, lying nearby.

Not only did she resemble Harribel in appearance, but her personality was also the classic cold exterior, warm interior type.

And it wasn't just them—around him were humanoid deer, humanoid pythons, humanoid lions... all bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Arrancars in their Resurrección forms.

But at this moment, Masatsuki Aozaki's thoughts weren't on them.

"The Reiatsu I sensed back then was definitely from a Shinigami. He hid it well, but there's no escaping my spiritual awareness now."

Masatsuki Aozaki spoke calmly.

During the four-on-four battle, he had detected an unfamiliar Reiatsu lurking in the shadows, observing them.

From the signature alone, he could tell the individual was a Shinigami with only third-class spiritual power—nothing remarkable. Since there was no killing intent, he hadn't given it much thought.

Now, after clearing his mind with Banshō, Senran, and their sisters, fragments of his past life's memories resurfaced, and he finally recalled the intruder's identity.

Over a hundred years ago, Soul Society had sent an expeditionary force to Hueco Mundo. Among them was Ashido, a close friend of Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.

In the original timeline, this man's presence had been so minimal that Masatsuki Aozaki had completely forgotten about him when he first arrived in Hueco Mundo.

"That guy... there's nothing worth paying attention to."

After briefly reflecting, Masatsuki Aozaki dismissed the thought.

Even though Ashido had been able to slay Adjuchas without releasing his Zanpakutō, that level of strength was utterly insignificant to him now.

And besides... the guy was just some random man.

Instantly, Masatsuki Aozaki lost all interest.

...

Arrancar Women's Dormitory

The atmosphere was oddly tense.

A group of girls had gathered in Harribel's room.

"Masatsuki-sama is too strong! He didn't even have to fight personally to defeat Harribel-sama. Could he end up ruling Hueco Mundo one day?"

Apacci was practically bouncing with excitement.

"I've always hated that old bastard! Sending people after us—what a bunch of damn idiots!"

"If Masatsuki-sama decides to rule Hueco Mundo, of course, we'll help him," Harribel said calmly as Loly and Menoly tended to her wounds.

"But against those two at the top... it's still too soon for him."

Without High-Speed Regeneration, an Arrancar's only method of rapid recovery was through Resurrección. Otherwise, they had to rely on external treatment.

"I have never fought them before, and during Las Noches' hunt for us, they never personally took action."

"But I've felt their Reiatsu—it's like an abyss. Even I am nowhere near their level."

"Not to mention, Baraggan is a Menos born in primordial times, from the very chaos of heaven and earth itself."

"He has ruled Hueco Mundo for nearly a million years. It's hard to even imagine how powerful he truly is."

After hearing Harribel's words, the Arrancars couldn't help but recall the history of Hueco Mundo that Masatsuki Aozaki had told them as stories. A sense of awe filled their hearts.

Millions of years had passed, and countless Vasto Lordes had been born, yet only this ancient king remained unshaken.

And Masatsuki Aozaki had mentioned before—nearly two thousand years ago, another ancient Menos invaded Soul Society.

Not only did he defeat his then-young master, the current Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, but he even broke into the Soul King's Palace!

Though he was ultimately sealed away by the Soul King's guards and turned into a Zanpakutō, the mere fact that he managed to breach the Soul King's domain was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of!

And more than a hundred years ago, one of Baraggan's Vasto Lorde subordinates had joined an invasion of Soul Society—only to be slain by a Shinigami.

"It's true. Thinking about ruling Hueco Mundo right now is too soon," Sung-Sun said thoughtfully. "But with Masatsuki-sama's talent, surpassing Baraggan is only a matter of time."

She had no doubts about Masatsuki Aozaki's potential.

Earlier, when watching the battle, she had been excited about his immense power. But after calming down and reflecting on it, a terrifying realization hit her.

As far as she knew, Masatsuki-sama wasn't even fifty years old.

That age, in the world of Reishi, was practically infancy!

And yet, he already possessed strength far beyond the average Vasto Lorde. His future growth was bound to reach an unimaginable level.

Without thinking, she glanced toward Masatsuki Aozaki's room.

Her decision back then had been the right one!

Why had the four of them come together in the first place?

Because they believed in Harribel-sama's ideals. Because they wanted stability, a life free from the constant threat of other Hollows.

And what could be better than standing beside someone as strong as him?

"Harribel-sama, the Shinigami actually have a lot we could learn from, don't they?" Sung-Sun asked softly, her long sleeves concealing her face.

"You're right. Techniques like Zanjutsu and Kidō, along with methods for refining Reiatsu, can all strengthen us."

Harribel nodded, her expression serious as if to set an example.

"Before I became an Arrancar, Masatsuki-sama taught me Zanjutsu, and I gained a lot from it."

"Oh? That's wonderful..." Sung-Sun replied, her voice laced with hidden meaning.

Hearing the strange tone in her voice, Harribel tilted her head slightly in confusion.

"Wait... don't you all want to learn too?"

"Of course we do!" Sung-Sun said smoothly. "But... it seems like Masatsuki-sama favors you the most. And... Harribel-sama, you like Masatsuki-sama too, don't you?"

"...I... I do NOT!"

Like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on, Harribel flinched, suddenly flustered and tense.

Seeing her reaction, the other girls grinned mischievously.

Only Mila Rose blinked in confusion before muttering,

"But I feel like Masatsuki-sama likes all of us..."

Apacci nodded in agreement.

Sometimes, those who overthink things miss the obvious truth.

But the rest of the group, far too entertained by teasing Hueco Mundo's queen, completely ignored the thoughts of the two "certified idiots."

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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