CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 453: JUST MY BAD LUCK

In an instant, countless sparks flew, dazzling the eyes. The attacker’s once hawk-like sharp eyes widened in shock, staring incredulously at the man who had effortlessly raised his hand to block the strike.

"What incredible reflexes! Any other captain, except perhaps the top few, would never have evaded my blade." The assailant marveled inwardly but didn’t hesitate. He swiftly retreated several steps, creating a safe distance between them. As if fearing his opponent might decapitate him, he raised his long sword overhead, gripping the hilt with both hands.

The attacker trembled, seemingly consumed by fear; his face was as pale as paper, and his eyes revealed indescribable panic. Yet, Masatsuki Aozaki found this display somewhat amusing, though his smile remained chilling.

"Captain Isshin, what are you doing?" Masatsuki inquired, though his mind was already racing, contemplating how to showcase his extraordinary strength before the two young girls.

Unexpectedly, Isshin Shiba grinned—a smile as unsettling as a villain’s—and laughed aloud:

"Captain-Commander, there’s no need for pretenses now, is there? It’s just your misfortune that the two individuals we need are with you. Today is your demise!"

As his words fell, powerful Reiatsu surged from all directions. In the blink of an eye, the sound of a sudden storm filled the air—

Swish, swish, swish!

Agile figures materialized like phantoms, stepping into view. Upon closer inspection, they were familiar faces:

The 2nd Division Captain, Yūshirō Shihōin.

The 6th Division Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki.

The 8th Division Captain, Shunsui Kyōraku.

The 11th Division Captain, Kenpachi Zaraki.

The 13th Division Captain, Jūshirō Ukitake.

Each exuded a formidable aura, their presence imposing and suffocating, clearly indicating hostile intent. The sudden appearance of these five captains seemed to solidify the surrounding air, making the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

Faced with this overwhelming scene, the two inexperienced young girls felt intimidated, their eyes instinctively turning to Masatsuki Aozaki for comfort and support.

"Protect them; I’ll go stretch my legs," Masatsuki whispered reassuringly. Senna and Nozomi Kujō felt lost, but two women, dressed in kimonos and exuding an ethereal aura, appeared before them without warning.

Masatsuki then scanned his surroundings, his gaze sharp as a blade:

"Leave these impostors to me. Stay back for now, and ensure the patrol evacuates the area."

"Understood!" The 10th Division’s patrol unit immediately began clearing the area. Whether the captains were real or impostors, it was basic common sense for regular Shinigami to stay far away from a captain-level fight.

At that moment, an invisible barrier rose, like a steel wall spanning the sky—

A Super Reiatsu Barrier!

The five captains sensed the barrier’s might, their expressions growing serious. Clearly, someone had deployed an immensely powerful defensive technique.

Masatsuki narrowed his eyes and clenched his right fist, swinging it forward with force. A tremendous energy surged forth, blasting straight ahead with unstoppable momentum.

Boom!

Reiatsu collided, producing an earth-shattering noise. Masatsuki’s fist met Yūshirō Shihōin’s incoming kick squarely. The two immense forces clashed, generating a shockwave that swept in all directions...

In an instant, pillars of flame erupted from Yūshirō’s shoulders, the force seemingly piercing the sky. This power was no less than the original’s, perhaps even surpassing the real Yūshirō.

Simultaneously, Masatsuki exerted force through his arm. With a loud explosion, Yūshirō’s body burst apart, flesh scattering in all directions.

Witnessing this, the remaining four captains were stunned. Defeating a captain with a single punch—was this man even human?

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

With Byakuya Kuchiki’s low cry, the Zanpakutō in his hand instantly transformed into thousands of gleaming blades. Under the shimmering light, they fluttered through the air like falling cherry blossoms.

"Drink, Nozarashi!"

On the other side, Kenpachi Zaraki gripped his massive cleaver and brought it down on Masatsuki Aozaki with the force of a collapsing mountain.

But facing such a brutal strike, Masatsuki Aozaki merely shifted slightly. He raised two fingers and, as if brushing away dust, lightly tapped the side of the blade.

The devastating Zanpakutō shattered just like that!

Impossible!?

Staring at the broken weapon in his hands, Kenpachi Zaraki was completely stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

The storm of petals pouring down on Masatsuki brought no reaction—at most, they caused a faint itch. He ignored them entirely.

Then, with a casual swing of his fist—

Kenpachi Zaraki’s massive head burst open like an overripe watermelon.

"The flowery winds become disturbed, the god of flowers sings, the heavenly winds become disturbed, the devil of heaven sneers... Katen Kyōkotsu."

"All ye waves, become my shield. All ye thunder, become my blade. Sōgyo no Kotowari!"

Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake had finally finished reciting the fearsome release incantations of the Zanpakutō passed down through the lineage of Genryūsai.

At that moment, Jūshirō Ukitake stood quietly in the distance, twin blades in hand, eyes locked on the unfolding battle ahead.

Shunsui Kyōraku, meanwhile, acted with unwavering resolve. Without hesitation, he leapt into his own shadow.

In a flash, a pitch-black shadow blade surged out from beneath Masatsuki Aozaki’s feet, lunging forward with fierce momentum.

Masatsuki reacted instantly to the ambush.

His body flickered, and he shot upward with explosive speed.

Right behind him, Shunsui Kyōraku emerged from the shadow, matching his ascent mid-air, positioning himself level with the falling Masatsuki.

In the Soul Society, Shunsui couldn’t fly freely like a bird.

So in this moment of urgency, he made a decisive move.

He shouted:

"White!"

The moment the word rang out, Shunsui Kyōraku swung his blade without hesitation, slashing toward the white Haori draped over Masatsuki Aozaki.

This was one of Katen Kyōkotsu’s Shikai abilities—Irooni!

When a specific color is called out, only attacks targeting that color-covered area will be effective.

Moreover, the greater the surface area of that color on the one calling it out, the more powerful the resulting attack becomes.

But at the same time, it also increases the area they expose to enemy attacks.

And the reverse holds true as well...