CHAPTER 467: CHAPTER 467: DEFENSE DESCENDS

The Reigai of Retsu Unohana, Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Kenpachi Zaraki were undeniably powerful—top-tier even among all the Replicas.

Yet before Masatsuki Aozaki’s terrifying strength, they were cut down like nothing.

The rest of the captains clearly wouldn’t last much longer either.

With another punch, Masatsuki Aozaki effortlessly smashed the head of Reigai Shihōin Yūshirō, watching as his body slowly crumbled to sand.

Just as he was about to strike a pose, radiating invincibility and pride, an abrupt voice rang out:

"Hmph. Useless trash, all of you. Of course a bunch of fakes can’t be relied on."

Hearing that, Masatsuki Aozaki turned his head.

Not far off, a man with half-yellow, half-green hair, gaunt cheeks, and a grim expression was shouting in frustration.

Masatsuki Aozaki blinked, then let out a derisive laugh.

If you’re that bold, why didn’t you come fight me yourself?

He didn’t say it aloud. Instead, he simply locked eyes with Kagerōza Inaba and began walking toward him, one step at a time.

Kagerōza Inaba snapped out of his rage and instinctively shut his mouth.

Each of Masatsuki’s steps felt like a weight pressing down on his heart, echoing like drumbeats—thump, thump, thump.

As he stared into Masatsuki’s mocking gaze, a chill ran through him. He couldn’t help but step back.

He had acted fearless back in the lab, spouting arrogance like it meant something.

But now, standing face to face with Masatsuki Aozaki’s overwhelming presence, the fear hit hard. His instincts screamed at him to retreat.

Suddenly, Byakuya Kuchiki and Isshin Shiba appeared between them, blocking Masatsuki’s path.

They raised their Zanpakutō, ready to fight.

Among the Reigai captains Kagerōza had brought, only these two remained.

But before they could strike, Masatsuki Aozaki was already on them.

He surged forward, grabbed both of them by the face—

—and lifted them high into the air before slamming their heads into the ground with brutal force!

What looked like a simple move became a deadly technique under the weight of his Reiatsu and raw physical power.

Even Captain-level Reigai couldn’t dodge it, much less endure it!

Boom!!

The earth shook violently as massive cracks split the ground, as though the world itself were tearing apart.

Byakuya Kuchiki and Isshin Shiba’s upper bodies were driven deep into the earth, their forms battered, bloody, and unrecognizable.

Witnessing this devastating scene, the Gotei 13 members who had rushed to the barrier but were unable to enter began to cheer in awe and excitement.

These impostors had caused them so much grief—requiring entire teams to pin down and suppress.

Yet before Masatsuki Aozaki, they crumbled like paper.

Helpless. Defeated.

"Captain-Commander, you are truly formidable!"

"Captain Kuchiki and Captain Shiba are no match for you. You truly are our Captain-Commander!"

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Masatsuki Aozaki bore the gaze of everyone, expression indifferent, showing no hint of arrogance or pride.

He continued walking toward Kagerōza Inaba with steady steps.

"No, don’t, don’t come any closer!!!"

Just moments ago, Kagerōza Inaba had been furiously berating the Reigai captains, full of energy and presence.

Now, he was slumped on the ground in panic, his face twisted in fear and despair.

Ganryū Ryōdoji, standing nearby, gave his disgraced collaborator a contemptuous glance and muttered to himself,

"This guy’s got some serious nerve, doesn’t he?"

He had seen Masatsuki Aozaki’s overwhelming strength firsthand, but it hadn’t frightened him.

Instead, he decisively unsheathed the long sword at his waist, forged from Blanks.

With the pride of a high noble, Ganryū Ryōdoji stared at the approaching Masatsuki Aozaki, seemingly ready to stake everything in a final battle.

Masatsuki Aozaki’s steps seemed slow, yet in the blink of an eye, he was already in front of them.

His palms, sharp and unyielding like blades, came slashing down toward the two.

Kagerōza Inaba instinctively backed away, hastily raising his hands in front of him to shield himself.

Ganryū Ryōdoji, face filled with unwillingness, stared at the "blade" glowing with Reishi.

A deafening, earth-shattering wave of sword pressure exploded. A flash of blinding light sent both men flying thousands of meters, smoke blanketing the battlefield.

Yet, to their surprise, they didn’t feel the pain of death they had expected.

Kagerōza Inaba slowly opened his eyes. Looking down at his body, he couldn’t help but run his hands over himself.

His clothes were shredded and soaked with blood, but they were only surface wounds—his life was intact.

More importantly, the barrier that had trapped them was now broken.

Kagerōza Inaba froze as he stared at the shattered transparent barrier.

His eyes widened, his expression twisting in disbelief.

After a moment, his lips curled into a sinister grin.

So... my body has become this strong?

I actually withstood Masatsuki Aozaki’s sword pressure? How is that possible?

His thoughts were a mess, but more than anything, joy surged within him.

He had never imagined reaching this level, let alone defending against Masatsuki Aozaki’s attack with such ease.

At that moment, he saw himself in a new light.

"Hahahaha!"

Kagerōza Inaba suddenly burst into laughter, a manic edge creeping into his voice.

If I can block his sword pressure now, what kind of power will I have once I merge into Ōko Yushima?

His eyes gleamed with greed and ambition, as if he could already see himself standing at the pinnacle of the world.

Masatsuki Aozaki? He’d be nothing. Even the Soul King would have to kneel at my feet!

...

Unlike the delusional Kagerōza Inaba, Ganryū Ryōdoji remained calm and focused.

The moment he saw the barrier had shattered, he acted swiftly—raising his long sword and slashing it through the air.

He didn’t know whether the closure of the Dangai earlier had anything to do with this barrier.

But his vengeance wasn’t yet fulfilled, and he wanted to live. He had to try something.

Then, a miracle happened.

A passage actually opened in the space before him!

It was like a beam of hope illuminating Ganryū Ryōdoji’s path.

He turned his head, about to call out to Kagerōza Inaba to come with him.

The guy wasn’t reliable, but he was still somewhat useful.

Ganryū Ryōdoji’s vassals had been annihilated in this battle—he needed the other man’s Reigai to rise again.

But before he could say a word, a brilliant flash shot toward him.

Another blast of sword pressure!

This time, he felt the looming threat of death.

A spatial rift was right behind him. On instinct, he planned to use his partner’s shield technique to buy time to escape.

But to his surprise, his partner moved faster than he did.

Ganryū Ryōdoji felt someone yank his collar.

In the next moment, his entire body was flung forward—directly into the oncoming blade of light.

His body shattered on impact.