CHAPTER 478: CHAPTER 478: DON’T CORRUPT THE KIDS

Seireitei, Joint Training Grounds.

A vast open field surrounded by towering Reishi barriers. Today, it was filled with hundreds of Shinigami troops. Clad in black uniforms and wielding gleaming Zanpakutō, they formed a massive encirclement, sealing off the entire area.

Their faces were stern, eyes cold and focused on the figures in white standing at the center of the formation.

At the front of that white-clad group stood a strikingly beautiful and powerful woman—Masaki Kurosaki. She held a long blue spirit bow in her hand, her youthful softness now replaced with a look of maturity.

Flanking Masaki on either side were two other women, also dressed in white—Candice and Bambietta. Both gripped their respective weapons with serious expressions, ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice.

At the other end stood Ryūken Ishida and his son, Uryū Ishida, both bracing themselves against the approaching Shinigami forces.

For a few tense seconds, the air seemed to freeze. The oppressive atmosphere was suffocating.

Finally, Jūshirō Ukitake broke the silence, his voice echoing like thunder across the grounds.

"The drill begins—attack!!"

His command rang out, relayed swiftly down the chain of command until it reached every Shinigami present.

In an instant, the entire force surged forward. Their coordinated steps and unwavering formation showcased their elite discipline and combat readiness as they charged straight toward the Quincy.

Despite the overwhelming tide of darkness rushing toward her, Masaki Kurosaki remained completely still.

She took a deep breath, then drew back her spirit bow with force.

Her eyes sharpened, body tilting slightly as she prepared to unleash her power.

"Licht Regen!"

With a soft murmur, countless blue spirit arrows poured forth from her bow in a torrential storm. They streaked across the sky like meteors, brimming with potent Reiryoku as they spread in all directions.

The arrows shot toward the advancing Shinigami like a relentless downpour.

Seeing their commander act, the other Quincy quickly followed suit. One after another, they raised their spirit bows, unleashing a barrage of arrows like a storm of blades raining down on their enemies.

But the Shinigami seemed ready.

Those in the vanguard lifted both hands in front of them.

In response, golden light burst forth, forming radiant circular shields.

"Bakudō #39: Enkōsen!"

A powerful defensive spell.

The golden discs hovered above their heads, and as the arrows rained down, a sharp crackling sound echoed—an omen of the fierce battle ahead.

Under the protection of the light shields, the Shinigami were far from passive.

Chanting under their breath, they unleashed powerful Reiryoku. Crimson mist spread outward, followed by columns of blazing red fire erupting toward the Quincy formation.

"Bakudō #21: Sekienton!"

"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

From atop a cliff, Masatsuki Aozaki silently observed the clash below.

While the Shinigami suppressed the Quincy with concentrated firepower, they advanced methodically beneath the cover of the smoke.

Soon, the two sides clashed—transitioning into the Shinigami’s domain: close-quarters combat.

Shouts and the sounds of battle filled the air. The scent of blood thickened as chaos consumed the training ground.

Jūshirō Ukitake charged at the front, his Zanpakutō slicing through enemies with overwhelming force. As a captain, every swing carried immense power—enough to shake even the most hardened opponent.

Then he revealed a new power.

Placing one hand over his face, he dragged it down, revealing a white mask.

At that moment, his Zanpakutō split into twin blades. With a fierce roar, he launched himself into the Quincy lines, slashing with brutal precision.

Facing the threat so close, Masaki Kurosaki abandoned long-range suppression. With practiced precision, she reshaped the Reishi composing her spirit bow—morphing it instantly into two sharp spirit swords. Without hesitation, she dove into the fray, engaging the Shinigami in deadly melee.

As he watched the woman before him tear through their lines with astonishing speed, her expression unchanged, a wave of awe rose in his heart.

According to his junior, this was only the tip of her strength.

Even so, it was already overwhelming.

The Quincy... really are terrifying.

The battle below was still raging when Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly spoke.

"This exercise is about to end. Notify the 4th Division to prepare."

"Yes, Captain-Commander."

Retsu Unohana responded, then turned to Isane Kotetsu beside her. Isane nodded knowingly and turned to leave.

Smiling, Unohana continued,

"Isn’t it a bit much to have Masaki and the others lead the Quincy? That whole ’the Sternritter are stronger than Masaki’s group’ thing... last time, that Gerard guy didn’t seem all that terrifying, did he?"

Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled.

"They just exaggerated a bit. Pressure breeds motivation. Once you’re on the battlefield, no one cares how hard you’ve been working behind the scenes."

Before she could finish, a silvery, bell-like laugh rang out.

Turning curiously, Masatsuki saw Aura Michibane walking over, holding the hand of a girl who looked about twelve or thirteen.

The girl had long orange-red hair, like a blazing flame, and eyes that shimmered grey-blue, deep as a still lake. She stared directly at Masatsuki without a hint of fear—just wide-eyed innocence.

Masatsuki was momentarily stunned.

"Who is this kid?" he thought.

He didn’t recognize her at all, but the closeness between her and Aura Michibane suggested a strong bond.

Smiling, Aura explained,

"She’s an orphan I picked up in the World of the Living. She has a very special ability, so I decided to adopt her."

Masatsuki gave a slight nod.

He knew Aura had always wanted a child, but he hadn’t expected her to literally pick one up and raise her.

Looking at the cute girl in front of him, Masatsuki reached out and gently patted her head, smiling.

"You don’t need to ask for my permission on everything. I’m not that much of a control freak."

He scratched his head.

Just a kid. It’s not like he couldn’t afford to raise one. The woman constantly trying to flirt with him—wasn’t she someone he raised too?

"But what do you mean by special ability?" Masatsuki asked with a hint of doubt.

"I haven’t figured it out yet, but I promise it won’t disappoint."

With a mysterious smile, Aura pulled the girl in front of her and spoke gently,

"Come, Orihime-chan, say hello to the person you’ll like the most in the future."

What the hell!? Don’t go corrupting kids, woman!

Wait... what did you just call her?

Masatsuki Aozaki was unable to retort, and was suddenly taken aback.