There was a sharp crack, and Hyōsube’s sternum caved in instantly. His whole body was sent flying backward. But on closer inspection,
There was a sharp crack, and Hyōsube’s sternum caved in instantly. His whole body was sent flying backward.
But on closer inspection, it became clear—at the moment the punch landed, a large hand had already moved in front of him, absorbing most of the impact.
No wonder he was the leader of the Zero Division. That reaction speed was no joke!
With a heavy thud, Hyōsube slammed into the wall, knocking down the calligraphy and ink paintings hanging there.
Dust billowed up in an instant, clouding the view.
Masatsuki Aozaki narrowed his eyes. Reiatsu surged through his body, radiating a soft glow as he stepped forward, preparing to finish the job.
Just then, a burly figure burst out from the smoke—and a foot came flying straight at him.
Hyōsube reacted quickly, crossing his arms in front of his chest to block the kick.
There was a loud bang, even heavier than before.
The force crushed his arms against his chest, as if trying to embed them there.
His whole body was launched again like an arrow, soaring thousands of meters before crashing deep into the ground.
"What incredible strength..."
Hyōsube rose from the crater, crouching low.
He flexed his hands slightly, the joints cracking with each movement.
His left hand trembled uncontrollably. A deep, bloody hole had opened in the center of his palm, blood gushing out in a steady stream.
It dripped from his fingertips like spilled paint, tracing a vivid crimson path.
The bones in both arms were nearly pulverized, shattered into what seemed like countless tiny fragments.
All of it caused by just one punch and one kick.
They locked eyes. No one asked the obvious, foolish question—
Were they going to continue?
As another drop of blood splattered onto the cold floor, blooming into a red flower, Hyōsube suddenly moved.
His figure flickered like a ghost, black Reiatsu surging beneath his feet like a tide, spreading outward.
Without hesitation, he thrust his wounded arm into the ground, as if searching for a hidden source of power.
At the same time, Masatsuki Aozaki shifted slightly, instantly crossing thousands of meters and charging toward Hyōsube at blinding speed.
His palm transformed into a sharp blade, slicing downward with deadly force.
Hyōsube responded just as fast.
He brought his fingers together and slammed his palm forward.
Senri Tsūtenshō! (Heavenly Passing Palm of the Thousand Ri)
In a flash, a massive palm formed from Reiatsu appeared out of thin air, slamming down hard on Masatsuki Aozaki’s hand-blade.
But Masatsuki Aozaki’s attack didn’t stop.
His hand-blade sliced through at incredible speed, cleaving the giant palm cleanly in two.
Just then, Hyōsube vanished once more into the inky blackness of his Reiatsu.
The next moment, Masatsuki Aozaki’s hand-blade struck the handle of a giant brush.
This was no ordinary weapon. It was Hyōsube’s Zanpakutō!
And at that moment, Hyōsube’s body began to change.
His injuries healed instantly, as if he had never been hurt.
He tilted the brush handle, lifting the blade in one smooth motion. The tip of the brush grazed past Masatsuki Aozaki.
Suddenly, Masatsuki Aozaki frowned, staring at his arm in confusion.
There was no pain. No sensation at all.
Could it be... the Zanpakutō’s ability hadn’t activated?
Seeing the shift in his expression, Hyōsube clearly misunderstood and grinned.
"Hahaha, figured it out, huh? I don’t cut flesh—I cut names... That’s the power of Ichimonji."
"Anything struck by this brush will have its power halved—and its name split in two."
"In other words, the name ’Masatsuki Aozaki’ was just cut in half. Now, you’re just ’Masatsuki’."
With a twisted smile, Hyōsube swung his giant brush down at Masatsuki Aozaki once more.
But Masatsuki didn’t back away.
Instead, he suddenly sprang into action.
He raised his arm swiftly and forcefully blocked the descending brush.
Yet again, even as it struck his arm, he felt no pain—no strange sensation—and his strength hadn’t diminished at all.
Though it was odd, Masatsuki didn’t stop.
In battle, there was no room for hesitation.
He clenched his right fist without pause and launched a fierce punch forward.
Hyōsube’s eyebrows shot up, a flicker of surprise and confusion crossing his face.
Was this some reckless attempt at trading blows?
But after being hit twice by Ichimonji, Masatsuki’s power should have been down to just a quarter—how could he possibly harm the Ōken-enhanced body?
Then, all of a sudden, he realized something was wrong—very wrong.
As Masatsuki’s fist closed in, Hyōsube felt a terrifying force within it. The overwhelming pressure made his entire body tremble.
This power... was even greater than before!
He immediately tried to retreat, putting everything into pulling back from Masatsuki.
But Masatsuki was faster.
His fist pierced into Hyōsube’s body like a bolt of lightning.
At that moment, Masatsuki unleashed a long-unused technique from his original style—
The full force of the punch exploded against Hyōsube’s body!
The sheer impact swallowed him whole in an instant.
The searing pain ripped a scream from Hyōsube’s throat—a scream he hadn’t let out in hundreds of thousands of years.
At that moment, the other four members of the Zero Division, having sensed the disturbance, finally arrived.
Kirio Hikifune and Senjumaru Shutara had rushed over to stop Hyōsube after learning he was about to fight Masatsuki.
But what they hadn’t expected was to witness this—Masatsuki Aozaki slamming a brutal punch straight into Hyōsube’s stomach!
In an instant, the upper half of Hyōsube’s body detonated like a bomb, shredded into countless pieces of flesh and blood.
His lower body remained standing for a few seconds, swaying, then collapsed weakly to the ground.
Chunks of flesh scattered across the floor, blood splattering like blooming crimson flowers.
"Oi, oi, oi... what the hell did you do to yourself? You’ve gotta be kidding..."
Ōetsu Nimaiya stood dumbfounded, jaw slack, face full of disbelief.
Tenjirō Kirinji, holding his oar-like Zanpakutō, was equally stunned into silence.
Since the founding of the Zero Division, this was the first time anyone had left him in such a wretched state.
Even during internal spars, no matter how serious, no one had ever managed to injure him—not even once!
Even Ōetsu Nimaiya, second only to the monk in seniority, had never posed a real threat to him.
But Masatsuki Aozaki... this guy had done what none of them ever could!
Have the Gotei 13 captains become this terrifying now?
Looking down at the carnage, Masatsuki spoke casually.
"Baldy’s done for. So, who’s taking me to the Soul King Palace?"
"Kid, you just killed our leader. Shouldn’t you at least pretend to be a little shaken?"
Kirinji scoffed, frowning.
We’re royal guards, you know.
Sure, you killed the big monk—clearly stronger than us—but you could at least show some respect!
Masatsuki replied, "He’s not dead for good. Just hurry up and decide—we’re running out of time."
The Zero Division members exchanged glances.
It didn’t seem like Masatsuki was planning to invade the Soul King Palace.
"No wonder that guy told me to always be ready... I’ll take you."
Ōetsu Nimaiya let out a sigh and awkwardly raised his hand.
p@treon com / PinkSnake