Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 254: The King and His Steed

"That's quite ruthless, Masatsuki."

Aizen gazed at the man before him, his expression unreadable.

The blade in Masatsuki Aozaki's hand had cut down his former friend without the slightest hesitation.

Aizen's eyes were unnervingly cold, as if he had long foreseen this outcome.

"But you don't seem as calm as you look."

Masatsuki raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Aizen's body, which was gradually being enveloped in white Reiatsu.

Aizen was evolving—proof that his heart was far less composed than his demeanor suggested.

"How interesting. You understand exactly what's happening to me."

Aizen slowly lifted his hand, examining it closely, a hint of barely restrained excitement creeping into his voice.

"So, you really did complete that as well. No wonder Kyōka Suigetsu had no effect on you. It seems you've already reached the next stage of evolution."

A faint smirk played on Aizen's lips, as if pleased by this revelation.

"Don't rely too much on cheap tricks like that."

Masatsuki scoffed, shaking his head dismissively.

The moment he stepped into the palace, he had sensed Aizen activating Kyōka Suigetsu in secret.

But the sheer gap in their Reiatsu made it utterly irrelevant—he had simply chosen to ignore it.

"You've known about Kyōka Suigetsu's abilities and weaknesses for a long time, haven't you?"

Aizen suddenly smiled and slowly extended a hand toward Masatsuki.

His voice carried an unmistakable note of satisfaction and admiration.

"Masatsuki, you truly are a man who can stand as my equal."

"I remember—you've never been fond of this world. You despise the way it is, don't you?"

"So tell me, have you never considered changing it?"

"Come. Stand by my side. With your strength and status now, you are more than worthy to walk alongside me."

"Together, we can create a new world—a better world! One that finally meets our expectations!"

Just like in the past, Aizen once again extended an olive branch, offering his invitation with sincere conviction.

"I don't really care about things like 'changing the world.'"

Masatsuki smiled faintly and shook his head.

"But... I do have a question for you."

"What is it?"

Aizen looked at Masatsuki in mild surprise.

Clearly, he hadn't expected one of Soul Society's highest-ranking nobles to so decisively acknowledge his ideals.

Masatsuki lifted his Zanpakutō, Banshō Senran, and stepped toward Aizen.

Then, he asked:

"Do you know the difference between a king... and his mount?"

At those words, Kaname Tōsen's face darkened.

But Aizen didn't seem insulted.

Instead, he fell into deep thought.

A strange silence settled over the scene.

After a brief silence, Aizen spoke slowly.

"You mean... domination and submission?"

His voice was soft, yet it carried an indescribable coldness that sent chills down one's spine.

"Exactly. There is only one throne in the heavens."

Aizen nodded slightly.

"If there can only be one king, then the other is destined to become nothing more than a steed—something to be ridden and controlled."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Let us see..."

"Who will finally put an end to this unbearable vacancy upon the throne of the heavens?"

"Who will truly stand at the pinnacle, Masatsuki Aozaki?"

By the time he finished speaking, his voice had risen with intensity, and his presence surged dramatically.

His eyes gleamed like a razor's edge, and his entire being radiated an overwhelming pressure, as if he had transformed into a sword so sharp that it could pierce through the heavens.

Though Aizen said no more, the sheer force emanating from him made it difficult to breathe.

...

As his words fell, a shadow descended from the sky, landing silently behind Kaname Tōsen.

The figure was small and slender, appearing fragile at first glance, yet it exuded an unfathomable aura.

Below, Ryūjin Jakka's flames raged, its inferno seemingly capable of reducing the world to ashes.

But the moment this figure appeared, the fire was instantly extinguished, as if crushed beneath an unseen force.

Masatsuki Aozaki glanced at Ryūjin Jakka.

She gripped her Zanpakutō tightly, a flicker of irritation flashing in her eyes.

The newcomer was a male Arrancar, no more than 1.6 meters tall.

His hair burned with a vivid crimson, like flames frozen in motion, standing out strikingly.

His Hollow mask, incomplete and jagged, took the form of a demon's horn, covering only one side of his face.

A distinct and unusual appearance.

Yet, unlike most Arrancars, his gaze was disturbingly vacant, hollow—soulless.

His eyes lacked even a shred of emotion or thought, making one wonder if he was even capable of independent reasoning.

"The Fire-Devouring Demon, Zieg Genora."

Aizen's voice echoed, tinged with subtle pride.

"Upon hearing that name, you must have figured it out by now."

His tone brimmed with confidence as he continued.

"That's right. In order to counter the immense heat-based Kidō within your Zanpakutō, I specifically created Zieg."

"His ability is both unique and absolute—he suppresses the flames within your Zanpakutō."

Aizen's words carried a deep satisfaction, as if admiring a masterpiece of his own creation.

With Zieg's existence, Masatsuki Aozaki's abilities would be severely restricted.

And combined with the power of the Hōgyoku embedded in his chest, Aizen's odds of victory increased significantly.

There was no way he would face Banshō Senran unprepared.

Among its many fearsome abilities, none were as devastating as its unrivaled mastery over flame-based Kidō.

Thus, through the power of the Hōgyoku, he had created an Arrancar for one sole purpose.

The birth of Zieg Genora was meant to counter the "flame" properties of Banshō Senran.

However, the price of sealing that power came at a cost—Zieg had lost his voice, his awareness, his knowledge, and even his reasoning.

Yet despite this, he still possessed formidable combat abilities, strong enough to momentarily hold his own against Baraggan.

"Fire-Devouring Demon?"

Masatsuki Aozaki tilted his head slightly.

Wasn't this the same tactic used against the old man?

And now, Aizen wanted to try it on him?

Did he actually think this thing could engage him in close combat?

Did he think it even qualified?

"Aizen, you must be underestimating me."

Masatsuki shot forward at astonishing speed.

Like a meteor streaking across the sky, he left behind countless afterimages, as if tearing through space itself.

"You don't actually think I still rely on that kind of power, do you?"

With a sharp exhale, the blade in Masatsuki's hand shimmered with a deadly cold light.

Like a crescent moon hanging in the darkened sky, it radiated a chilling, murderous intent.

In the blink of an eye—

The slash fell.

The so-called Fire-Devouring Demon didn't even last half a second before the blade's light sliced through him, splitting him cleanly in two from head to toe.

Blood splattered in every direction.

The air grew thick with the stench of death.

"...Impossible."

Aizen's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

He had to admit—he had underestimated Masatsuki Aozaki's strength.

Of course, he had never intended for Zieg to fight Masatsuki alone.

His original plan had been for Zieg to neutralize Banshō Senran's fire-based Kidō, giving Aizen the perfect opening to engage Masatsuki directly.

But against that attack just now—

Even he hadn't been able to react in time.