South Rukongai, District 80 – Shūrin.
Golden sunlight bathed the mountain forest, casting a sacred glow over the bloodstained land.
The morning had been overcast, yet by noon, the sky had cleared completely—as if even the heavens had acknowledged this "righteous" war.
Life-giving light poured down like a golden river, illuminating the battlefield where men clashed in combat, screams of pain echoed, and others fled in desperation.
"Kill them! Wipe out these rebels!"
"Protect the Soul King and the Five Great Clans—traitors must be eliminated!"
"Damn the nobles! We've been betrayed!"
Masatsuki Aozaki stood on the trunk of a large tree, draped in a black cloak that concealed his Reiatsu, gazing down at the chaos below.
The battlefield was a mess of battle cries, curses, and blood-soaked earth. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, warm against his skin. Severed limbs littered the forest floor, while the wind rustled the canopy above, adding an eerie undertone to the carnage.
Landing lightly on the ground, Masatsuki listened to the clashes still raging in the distance—soldiers and rebels locked in battle, blades colliding as each fought for the other's life.
The 11th Division handled the main front, while Kōga Kuchiki led the 1st Division's Special Forces to guard the perimeter, ensuring none of the enemy escaped.
Masatsuki glanced at Kōga without a trace of concern. He wasn't worried about being seen through.
Their Reiatsu levels were on par, and as long as he didn't use Bankai to amplify his presence, there was no risk of his illusion being exposed.
Besides, the two weren't particularly familiar with each other. Even in close proximity, Kōga wouldn't notice anything amiss.
"War... it's almost over," Masatsuki murmured, gazing into the distance with a trace of sentiment.
...
"Who are you? Why are you blocking our path?"
A squad of six had appeared behind him, clad in tattered uniforms bearing the rebel insignia. The leader eyed him warily.
"This is quite a distance from the main battlefield," Masatsuki remarked, glancing at their tense expressions. "Judging by your panicked faces… are you running away?"
The rebel leader's gaze flickered to the Zanpakutō at Masatsuki's waist. Narrowing his eyes, he drew his own blade.
"This has nothing to do with you. If you don't want to die, step aside."
Masatsuki rolled his eyes, tilting his head back to peer at the sunlight streaming through the leaves. "Cocky, aren't you? Reminds me of myself on an average day." His lips curled into a smirk. "But arrogance requires skill—and you just so happen to lack it. What a shame."
"What nonsense are you spouting? You think a coward hiding in the shadows has the right to be so arrogant against our righteous army?" The rebel leader raised his sword and charged.
Masatsuki sighed, effortlessly raising his blade to block the attack. He eyed the group with mild interest.
"You seem like a small-time leader, so let's not kid ourselves. Do you rebels even understand how worthless you are? Without noble backing, you're barely surviving in the Shūrin District."
The rebel leader's expression darkened, but before he could react, Masatsuki's gaze sharpened.
"Rank 10 Reiatsu? Not bad," he mused, sizing him up. "As for the ones behind you… average Shinigami level. They'll do for filler."
The intensity of Masatsuki's stare made the leader instinctively step back.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.
"That's not something you need to worry about."
Seeing his opponent falter, Masatsuki didn't waste words. In an instant, he appeared right in front of him. A single swing—blood splattered in all directions.
The remaining five rebels swallowed hard, hands trembling as they touched their foreheads in disbelief.
Just moments ago, their leader had been exchanging words with this man—then, in the blink of an eye, he was struck down. Worse still, he hadn't even been able to block a single attack. His Zanpakutō lay shattered, and his body crumpled lifelessly on the ground, save for the gaping wound in his chest still faintly bleeding.
"Relax, he's not dead yet," Masatsuki said lightly, flicking his blade. A graceful arc of blood painted the ground. "But he will be soon."
His golden eyes glowed with amusement as he gazed at the remaining rebels.
"Are you ready to join him?"
"N-No—"
They didn't get to finish their sentence.
Masatsuki had already moved.
In the next instant, the forest was drenched in blood.
...
"Didn't that guy say he was coming? Where is he now? Don't tell me Rangiku has him wrapped around her finger again, and he can't get away?"
Disguised by Masatsuki Aozaki's illusion, Gin Ichimaru stood on the cliff with a few escorts. Every now and then, he casually cut down a rebel while observing the battlefield, lost in thought.
...
On the other side of the forest.
"Captain." A 1st Division soldier saluted.
"What's the situation?" Kōga Kuchiki asked with a nod.
"The 11th Division has already broken through two defensive lines. The enemy is holed up in their stronghold, making a last stand," the soldier reported. "At this rate, I'd say the 11th Division will wipe them out in no more than four hours."
"But…"
Kōga frowned impatiently. "But what?" He hated when people dragged out their words.
The soldier hesitated, then said, "It's just… Kenpachi Aozaki doesn't seem to have any intention of making a move. He's been observing the battle the whole time. So far, only the squads led by the Seated Officers have been attacking."
Kōga, as if expecting this, smirked slightly and said, "That's where you don't understand. He's training the squad members. The 11th Division was always going to crush the rebels—this battle is nothing more than a live exercise for him."
"If the captain had to do everything himself, then the Gotei 13 would only need captains. Would the other divisions even have a purpose?"
He felt a bit smug about having asked Masatsuki Aozaki about the battle plan in advance—it gave him a perfect chance to show off his intelligence in front of his subordinates.
"I see," the soldiers said, their eyes widening with admiration.
But after a moment, they couldn't help but wonder… Since when had their reckless and impulsive captain become this sharp?
Kōga noticed their reaction and nodded in satisfaction.
He thrived on recognition. Even if these soldiers didn't hold a candle to Ginrei Kuchiki in his heart, their respect still lifted his spirits.
But the moment he thought about his father-in-law, that sense of satisfaction faded.
Before departing today, the old man hadn't offered him a single word of concern.
Masatsuki Aozaki had reminded Ginrei Kuchiki about it, but Kōga knew all too well—his father-in-law was stubborn. A few words wouldn't change his mind.
Still, wasn't he the man's son-in-law? Would it kill him to show a little care? Did Ginrei Kuchiki even see him as part of the family?
Frustration flickered across Kōga's face.
He had come from an ordinary Shinigami family, but from the moment he entered the Shin'ō Academy, he had always been seen as a dazzling genius.
Looks alone wouldn't have been enough to earn him a place in the Kuchiki Clan. It was his talent and reputation that made it possible.
Both nobles and commoners admired him.
Even the Captain-Commander himself had praised his abilities more than once.
Yet, the one person he revered most—his father-in-law—had never once acknowledged his talent.
He was always kind to Sōjun Kuchiki and Byakuya Kuchiki… So why was it different with him?
Was it simply because the blood of the Kuchiki Clan didn't run in his veins?
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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