CHAPTER 457: CHAPTER 457: A RARE SIGHT

After Kensei Muguruma left, the man’s face darkened, and he let out a cold snort.

He raised his hand and casually adjusted his short, two-toned yellow-green parted hair, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.

"No need to be impatient... Masatsuki Aozaki may be formidable, but he hasn’t led the Gotei 13 for long. His foundation is still shallow."

Kagerōza Inaba sat in his chair, one hand propping up his chin as he muttered to himself:

"Hmph, to kill five captains right in front of all those squad members... quite the spectacle."

"But young people are still young—lacking depth and far too hot-blooded."

"Does he think captains are that easy to kill?"

A flash of disdain crossed his face—he clearly didn’t see Masatsuki Aozaki as a real threat.

"Those fools in the Central 46 Compound... at least this time, they might actually prove useful."

He took a deep breath, calming his excitement.

Given the current situation, it wasn’t yet time to confront Masatsuki Aozaki head-on.

After all, he was just an ordinary researcher. He didn’t have overwhelming power.

Only once he captured Nozomi Kujō and fused with her—becoming Ōko Yushima once again—and fully took control of the Zanpakutō, would he truly have the confidence to face everything.

When that time came, forget Masatsuki Aozaki—even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto wouldn’t be worth fearing!

What use is brute strength? Can it compare to my unmatched intellect?

I’m the only one capable of creating a perfect masterpiece like Reigai.

You loyal dogs of the Central 46 Compound—just wait.

As that thought crossed his mind, the corners of Kagerōza Inaba’s mouth lifted into a confident smile.

However, in that moment—

The fleeting thought that had crossed his mind while reviewing the data earlier suddenly returned like a looming shadow.

Why had the Reigai sent out this time died so quickly?

The five captains he’d dispatched to aid the Ryōdoji Family—while perhaps unable to defeat him—should at least have been able to stall Masatsuki Aozaki and buy them time.

These weren’t just ordinary Reigai. They were captains enhanced specifically for Reiatsu.

Even putting battle aside, just identifying that something was off about them—recognizing that they weren’t their originals—should’ve taken days, maybe longer.

Yet from the moment their Reiatsu spiked to when their life signals vanished, not even thirty seconds had passed.

What could anyone possibly do in that time?

Not even enough to finish a cup of tea!

Masatsuki Aozaki... just how did he pull that off?

Kagerōza Inaba’s brows furrowed, then slowly twisted into a grimace.

But even if the man could defeat five captains—so what?

He’s the Captain-Commander. Would he go to war with all of Seireitei?

At that thought, Kagerōza Inaba smirked.

Masatsuki Aozaki... don’t blame me for being ruthless.

If anyone’s to blame, it’s you—for being too impulsive, too showy, too reckless.

You brought this on yourself.

"Heh heh heh..."

He chuckled, the sound rising into a manic cackle.

His eyes gleamed with cruelty and madness, as if he could already see Masatsuki Aozaki’s death—and the downfall of Seireitei.

"Hmph... Masatsuki Aozaki, do you really think you can stop me? How naive."

"Seireitei will be the sacrifice that heralds my return. And you... you’ll be nothing more than an insect under my heel!"

Kagerōza Inaba growled through clenched teeth.

He turned and walked toward the lab, ready to continue executing his plan.

He would make sure Masatsuki Aozaki understood—anyone who stood against him would meet only one end: death.

This Masatsuki Aozaki... even after becoming Captain-Commander, he was still the same—no depth, no subtlety.

What exactly did that old man Yamamoto even see in him?

...

The next morning.

The 1st Division quickly dispatched the Captain-Commander’s orders to the other divisions, announcing that Seireitei had been infiltrated by unknown individuals.

All division captains were to report to the 1st Division to receive special equipment developed by the Shinigami Research and Development Institute and begin internal investigations within their squads.

Meanwhile, Masatsuki Aozaki himself led a group of 11th Division members in a swift deployment to Seijōtōkyorin, tasked with securing the safety of the wise men and judges of the Central 46 Compound.

It wasn’t a matter of distrusting the 1st Division squad members.

It was simply that some matters could only be handled by those cold-blooded executioners.

Inside the Central 46 Compound’s council chamber, a solemn atmosphere pervaded.

Behind barrier after barrier, the most powerful authorities in all of Seireitei had gathered.

From the six highest seats, a lone judge—distinctly not one of the Five Great Noble families—spoke in a raspy, aged voice:

"Masatsuki Aozaki brutally murdered five captains in the streets. This is outright rebellion—his crimes are unforgivable!"

"In my view, we must immediately issue orders for the Onmitsukidō to mobilize in secret. They are to apprehend Masatsuki Aozaki and his accomplices."

"At the same time, declare to all of Seireitei that Masatsuki Aozaki and Sōsuke Aizen are traitors."

"Effective immediately, issue a full-court warrant for their capture."

Upon hearing this proposal, several wise men who had once shown support for Masatsuki Aozaki frowned. Yet none voiced opposition.

After all, their presence here was to safeguard noble interests.

And what Masatsuki Aozaki had done this time was beyond outrageous—killing the heir of the Kuchiki Clan and even the head of the Shihōin Clan in front of witnesses.

If he could do that yesterday, who was to say he wouldn’t one day snap and turn his blade on the wise men and judges themselves?

Those aligned with the Kuchiki and Shihōin factions, however, didn’t overthink the matter. Instead, their expressions grew subtly strange.

Because just that morning, they had already received word:

Their clan’s heir and family head were both alive and well—not even a hair was out of place.

The Kuchiki Clan had even held a family meeting the day before. The young master, family head, the elder patriarch, and the senior elders had all gathered in a bright, spacious conference hall to discuss potential candidates for the young master’s future bride.

Word was, the young master had recently grown close to a commoner woman—much to the elder patriarch Ginrei Kuchiki’s fury.

The Kuchiki Clan was, after all, one of the Five Great Noble houses, and Ginrei was a staunch traditionalist. How could a mere commoner be allowed to marry into the clan?

So during the meeting, the old man didn’t hold back—he harshly scolded the young master and even gave him a spanking in front of everyone.

Although the young master felt wronged, he dared not resist.

Thankfully, the current clan head stepped in to mediate, saying things like "young people are impulsive" and "it’s understandable," which spared the young master from further embarrassment.

In the end, they tentatively decided to seek out a well-matched fiancée for him—one that would protect the clan’s honor and allow the young master to settle into his responsibilities.

Naturally, the young master disagreed and was now trying to maneuver around the decision.

Sadly, those wise men and judges—now bound to Seijōtōkyorin for life—would never witness that once-in-a-millennium scene with their own eyes.

...

The Inner Court Trooper who had just received the order froze.

Something had clearly occurred to him, and he hesitated for a moment.

But as a member of the Onmitsukidō, he had undergone strict training. No matter his doubts or dissatisfaction, he had to obey the orders of his superiors without question.

He accepted the command token and was just about to leave—When the sound of a large door opening echoed from behind.