A cool breeze flowed like a gentle stream, and this was the first thing Masatsuki Aozaki felt as he regained consciousness.
From the distant horizon came the cheerful cries of small white-faced creatures, their crisp, melodious calls resembling heavenly music. Mixed with their sounds was the laughter of a girl—clear and sweet, like the ringing of a silver bell.
Masatsuki Aozaki struggled to lift his heavy eyelids, which felt as though they weighed a thousand pounds. He managed to crack them open slightly, and a hazy yet brilliant light filled his vision.
"Huh... my Reiatsu has increased again?"
An intoxicating sense of comfort washed over him, leaving him utterly enthralled.
After such a long period of slumber, his mind felt somewhat sluggish, his thoughts clouded.
The Hōgyoku had long since awakened, continuously refining and elevating his very existence.
After some time, Masatsuki Aozaki mustered his strength and slowly opened his eyes. Yet that indescribable, blissful sensation still lingered, pulling him deeper into its embrace.
"If simply accelerating my growth feels this good... I can't even imagine what it'll be like when the evolution is complete."
Stretching lazily, he murmured to himself.
In his current fused state, the power of the Hōgyoku had accelerated his Reiatsu growth to an overwhelming degree.
What had originally been estimated to take decades to reach First-Class Spiritual Power was now happening at an unprecedented pace.
Masatsuki Aozaki lay quietly on the soft bed, completely bare, with only a white sheet loosely draped over him.
His exposed form was in plain view, and the women who had been standing guard instinctively swallowed at the sight.
He could clearly feel the surging force within him, his Reiatsu climbing higher and higher.
Just one step away from First-Class Spiritual Power!
Even now, without even releasing his Zanpakutō, he was confident he could face an ordinary First-Class Spiritual Power-ranked warrior head-on.
"Has Masatsuki-sama awakened? You look so happy... did you have a pleasant dream?"
A soft and melodious voice drifted into his ears.
A pleased smile spread across Masatsuki Aozaki's face as he slowly turned his head toward the source of the voice.
His gaze landed on a well-defined bone mask emanating an air of quiet mystery. Beneath it, golden hair, neatly braided into three strands, shimmered faintly.
And those emerald-green eyes, gleaming like precious gems, were filled with nothing but concern.
"How could I not be in a good mood when the first thing I see upon waking is such a beautiful face?"
Masatsuki Aozaki looked at the slightly weary Harribel, who had clearly been by his side for some time, and the corners of his lips curled into a soft smile.
Harribel shifted uncomfortably.
She turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze, while her hand unconsciously reached up to touch her mask—her expression tinged with a hint of loneliness and sorrow.
Masatsuki Aozaki's eyes moved past her, toward the doorway.
Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose were tiptoeing out of the room—only to sneak their heads back in from the edge of the doorframe, peeking in with barely contained curiosity.
Harribel remained silent for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady her emotions before softly asking,
"Masatsuki-sama, you've been asleep for quite some time. Are you sure you're alright?"
Worry was evident in her expression.
In the dangerous world of Hueco Mundo, prolonged sleep was never a good sign.
Masatsuki Aozaki smiled and replied,
"Now that I've seen you, Harribel, I feel much better."
However, before he could finish, Harribel quickly lowered her head—
"Masatsuki-sama, you're finally awake!"
At almost the same moment, half of a rather handsome face suddenly appeared from the side. A pale, snow-white hand reached out and gently pressed against Masatsuki Aozaki's forehead.
A calm voice followed,
"Your body temperature is stabilizing, and there seems to be no major issues. Not only that, but your Reiatsu is continuing to rise, and your spiritual body is also—"
Masatsuki Aozaki and Harribel both turned toward Ulquiorra, who was seriously reporting his observations, with expressions of helplessness.
Finally, Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted the never-ending report.
Ulquiorra blinked slightly, momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. Leaning in close, he asked in an even, unwavering tone,
"What is it, Masatsuki-sama? Are you feeling unwell?"
Staring at his completely emotionless face, Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't help but wonder—
Did this man, who so formally addressed him as "Masatsuki-sama," genuinely care about his condition?
Or was he simply conducting an objective assessment, detached from any personal concern?
"If you feel any discomfort, you should inform me."
"I can call Loly and Menoly. I'm still unfamiliar with the equipment here, so I may not be proficient in using it yet..."
Masatsuki Aozaki cut him off directly.
"Could you step out for now? I'd like to be alone with Harribel."
"...But Masatsuki-sama previously stated that this was a necessary procedure. Am I disrupting something?"
For the first time, a hint of genuine expression flickered across Ulquiorra's otherwise statue-like face.
He frowned slightly, his emerald eyes showing a trace of uncertainty, as though genuinely questioning whether his actions had been intrusive.
After a long pause, he sighed.
It seemed he truly couldn't comprehend why following Masatsuki Aozaki's instructions had suddenly become an interruption.
Masatsuki Aozaki and Harribel exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.
This guy really had no awareness of the mood in the room at all.
Even with lingering doubt in his mind, Ulquiorra still chose to obey.
Just as he turned to leave, a pair of voices suddenly shouted from behind him—
"You, the new guy—get out of the way!"
At Sung-Sun's signal, Apacci and Mila Rose swiftly moved in.
Without hesitation, they each grabbed one of Ulquiorra's horns and, without resistance from him, dragged him backward out of the room.
Throughout the entire process, Ulquiorra remained utterly silent.
Not a single protest, no words of resistance—no struggle, no retaliation.
The mighty Vasto Lorde-class Half-Arrancar simply let the two Adjuchas Arrancar handle him as they pleased.
He resembled a motionless statue, his vacant gaze fixed on the ceiling as he was dragged away.
Masatsuki Aozaki watched the whole scene unfold and couldn't help but shake his head.
This guy was serious to a fault—but at times, unintentionally amusing.
Still, thanks to his interruption, whatever romantic atmosphere had been building in the room had completely vanished!
p@treon com / PinkSnake