"You're asking for death!"
"Die!"
"..."
Several furious roars rang out at once as the prisoners lunged at Masatsuki Aozaki, attacking with fists and kicks.
"Ikkotsu!"
He grinned, the surge of dopamine electrifying his brain. His face twisted with excitement and madness, appearing no different from a demon in the eyes of the crazed prisoners. Cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
At this moment, Masatsuki had the urge to shout, "Yachiru Unohana, you were right! I do love to fight!"
Boom!!
Thick, solid walls shattered as two prisoners crashed through them, leaving massive craters in their wake and sending dust billowing into the air.
Whoosh!!
A sharp explosion tore through the atmosphere, the deafening sound ringing in their ears.
Shing!!
Two prisoners appeared at Masatsuki's flank, their sudden movement knocking aside weaker inmates. Their fists and knife-hand strikes came crashing down on him with ruthless force.
Their attacks landed!
But what happened next defied all reason—
With two resounding booms, Reishi rippled outward like a shockwave. The powerful punch and knife-hand strike slammed into Masatsuki's chest and neck, yet instead of wounding him, they merely forced him back a few steps.
The prisoners' pupils shrank in disbelief. Masatsuki Aozaki stood there, completely unscathed—not a single mark on him.
"You monster!"
A shocked voice rang out, but Masatsuki had already disappeared from their sight.
Bang!!
A dull impact echoed as a heavy fist crashed into the abdomen of the prisoner who had swung his knife-hand strike.
His body instinctively curled forward, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets, his mouth gaping wide.
A strong hand seized his black hair and smashed his head into the ground.
A cold, bloodthirsty face filled another prisoner's vision.
"You two are too weak. Why aren't the others joining in?"
Masatsuki swiftly reached out, gripping the prisoner's throat and lifting him off the ground. He sneered.
"Are you so-called dangerous criminals actually afraid of me?"
"You'll die here!"
A surge of pain shot through the prisoner's neck, but the choking sensation only fueled his viciousness. His bloodshot eyes burned with pure malice.
The surrounding prisoners, feeling humiliated, bared their teeth and charged at Masatsuki with savage roars.
But Masatsuki only smirked mockingly. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the prisoner forward. The airborne body smashed directly into the incoming attackers.
Boom!!
A powerful shockwave sent dust swirling, and a cluster of prisoners was knocked away like bowling pins.
Without missing a beat, Masatsuki twisted his body and shot backward like an arrow loosed from a bow. His small fists, carrying an overwhelming force, slammed into the prisoners with relentless power.
"Argh!!"
"Ugh!!"
Agonized screams filled the air. Prisoners coughed up mouthfuls of blood, their eyes losing focus as they were sent flying.
"Damn it! We're the ones the Central 46 fears!"
Their crazed roars echoed through the dungeon, as if trying to muster the courage to face a true monster.
But Masatsuki's wild, predatory gaze only grew more menacing. He shook off the blood staining his hands, his eyes flashing with savage intensity. The crimson streaks on his skin only made him look more terrifying.
"Sōkotsu!"
With a furious roar, Masatsuki Aozaki unleashed an overwhelming force upon the prisoners.
Boom!!
The devastating impact sent one prisoner flying, crashing into several others behind him. Blood sprayed through the air, a crimson mist spreading throughout the dungeon as the ground and walls cracked under the sheer force, leaving deep fissures.
The difference in power was crushing… Masatsuki's close-combat prowess was so overwhelming that anyone below the level of a captain could only despair.
But the prisoners didn't care. They had long abandoned reason, lost in madness. Even as they witnessed the carnage, they laughed and continued their reckless charge toward Masatsuki.
...
"Aozaki-sama is as formidable as ever. He's been in there for so long!"
"Of course. The first time Aozaki-sama went in, the prisoners were all lying on the ground when he came out. This time will be no different."
The squad members stationed outside the dungeon spoke among themselves.
Gin Ichimaru approached the entrance, his suspicions already forming, but he still asked,
"Where is Masatsuki-sama?"
The squad members bowed before one of the gatekeepers responded, "Masatsuki-sama is inside, patrolling the dungeon."
Gin's gaze lingered on the door as he sighed inwardly, though he showed no outward reaction.
He knew Masatsuki Aozaki had once again buried himself in his training.
Yoruichi Shihōin appeared behind him, watching quietly for a moment before speaking with a rare seriousness in her tone.
"He went in alone? No other squad members accompanied him?"
"Yes. Aozaki-sama turned off the surveillance bugs and strictly ordered us not to enter without permission." The squad member stood at attention and answered respectfully, "Whenever Aozaki-sama patrols the dungeon, he prefers not to be disturbed."
Gin's ever-present smile remained, though it teetered on the edge of amusement. "Captain, no need to worry. Masatsuki will be fine. This is just routine training."
Yoruichi spoke calmly, "Aside from the Captain-Commander, no one understands his strength better than I do. Of course, I trust him. No one in this prison can threaten his life. But now is not the time for training."
"..."
Gin was momentarily taken aback. What could be urgent enough to make the usually carefree Yoruichi sound so serious? Had the 2nd Division been attacked? Or had Seireitei been infiltrated?
Still, as the 9th Seat, he wasn't in a position to question Yoruichi, so he remained silent.
Yoruichi, sensing his thoughts, spoke lazily, "It's nothing classified."
Gin tilted his head slightly. "Then what happened?"
Yoruichi leaned against the wall, her tone casual but her words carrying weight.
"Shin'ō Academy was attacked by rebels. Marenoshin has already led the Patrol Corps and the Executive Militia there."
"Tch. The Central 46 really loves making a fuss. It's just some rebels, and yet they issued an order for us to deploy immediately."
The surrounding squad members instinctively turned their heads, pretending they hadn't heard anything.
Mocking the Central 46 was something Yoruichi could do freely—but they wouldn't dare acknowledge it.
Gin furrowed his brows.
Now it all made sense. The attack on Shin'ō Academy had prompted the 2nd Division's deployment.
Since this was an official order from the Central 46, Masatsuki, as a high-ranking Seated Officer, was expected to be there. And judging by Yoruichi's tone, she likely intended for him to gain some merit from the situation as well.
Straightening up, Yoruichi issued her command.
"Gin, you'll oversee the Detention Unit in my absence. Leave enough men to guard the Nest of Maggots and the barracks. Take the rest and head to Shin'ō Academy. Hold the position until Masatsuki arrives to relieve you. I'll go ahead."
"Yes."
Gin's tone was uncharacteristically serious. Turning to the guards, he instructed,
"When Masatsuki-sama comes out, inform him that Shin'ō Academy has been attacked by rebels. The 2nd Division has sent reinforcements."
"I'll take the squad ahead and wait for him there."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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