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Chapter 403 - Chapter 403: Death Is No Regret

Kūgo Ginjō narrowed his eyes, thoughts racing.

It had been a long time since he first met Masatsuki Aozaki—so long that most ordinary humans would have already lived and died in that span. As the years passed, he had seen less and less of Masatsuki in action, and his understanding of that power had grown increasingly vague.

It was precisely that ignorance that had bred his misplaced courage—courage to defy Masatsuki Aozaki now.

But what truly caught him off guard was that even Masatsuki's subordinates possessed such overwhelming strength. If that was the case... how strong was Masatsuki Aozaki now?

...Should he consider surrendering?

If Masatsuki was also a first-class Spiritual Power, and had this woman's support, then he might really be done for.

But no—it was too late for that.

He knew all too well that once that cold-hearted man learned of his betrayal, there would be no forgiveness.

If that's how it is, then he'd have to strike first—to weaken their side, or... find a way to strengthen his own.

"Book of the End!"

At that moment, Shūkurō Tsukishima seemed to sense his thoughts.

Without hesitation, he poured his Reiatsu into the bookmark of the book in his hands.

In an instant, a katana with a chain dangling from the hilt appeared.

This was his Fullbring—Book of the End!

Tsukishima had been adopted by Kūgo Ginjō at a young age. Under his guidance, he had learned how to use Fullbring and hone his combat skills. To him, Ginjō wasn't just a father figure—he was the most important and trusted person in his life.

And so, no matter what, he had to be someone of value to Kūgo-sama!

Without hesitation, Tsukishima gripped the katana and swung it down at Harribel with all his might.

But in the next instant, searing pain shot through his wrist, as if the bones inside were being crushed.

His expression twisted in shock. He looked down—only to see a slender, pale hand gripping his wrist in an iron vice.

The strength in that hand was overwhelming. It felt like his wrist could be shattered at any moment.

"Being able to insert yourself into someone's past and rewrite their memories… what a disgusting ability."

Nelliel's eyes were cold, her voice laced with contempt.

Her glare was razor-sharp, as if it could cut through Tsukishima's very soul.

"Ah...!"

Tsukishima groaned, struggling to break free, but no matter how he resisted, that hand clamped down like a steel trap, leaving him completely immobile.

"Damn it...!"

His eyes widened, veins bulging across his forehead as he glared at Nelliel, gritting his teeth.

"To so easily steal another's bonds without any cost—that's despicable. You're nothing but a disgrace who deserves death."

Nelliel's voice dripped with scorn and fury. Her expression grew colder by the second.

She knew full well how dangerous Tsukishima's ability was to her. If she let her guard down and got struck even once, the consequences would be disastrous.

To her, past and future were equally sacred—essential parts of who she was.

There was no way she'd allow her past to be tainted by filth like him.

"But no matter how dangerous your ability is—if it doesn't land, it's useless, isn't it?"

Nelliel sneered.

There was a sharp glint in her eyes. She had already seen through his intentions.

The current situation reminded her of the time when Master Yamamoto fought Yhwach (Royd).

There had been a clear gap in Reiatsu and overall strength.

Yet the weaker side—just like Tsukishima now—still had the power to threaten someone far stronger.

One mistake, and she could fall into his trap.

But unlike Yhwach's impersonator, Tsukishima didn't have anything like Zanka no Tachi's defensive might.

So...

When Nelliel's elegant foot slammed into his gut—

Tsukishima's face went pale. His body convulsed violently as an indescribable agony exploded from his abdomen.

His eyes nearly bulged from his sockets.

He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out—only a trickle of blood slid down the corner of his lips.

Then he was sent flying.

Boom!

Tsukishima's body crashed into the wall like a cannonball, embedding into it as cracks spiderwebbed outward from the impact.

He smashed through wall after wall, until finally, he vanished from sight.

That one kick was enough to completely disable him.

Then, without pause, Nelliel pulled out a white glove from her robes, slipped it on, and leapt in the direction Tsukishima had flown.

"Useless bastard... and you two damned women!"

Kūgo Ginjō glared coldly at the two women before him, rage and killing intent boiling in his chest.

Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "You think this is enough to make me surrender? Don't be stupid!"

If that woman hadn't interfered, he would've rushed to support Shūkurō Tsukishima by now.

Tsukishima might not have much raw power, but his ability was dangerous—it ignored differences in Reiatsu.

If used well, The Book of the End might have even allowed him to turn these two powerful women to his side.

Then with the three of them united, what reason would they have to fear Masatsuki Aozaki?

As he watched Nelliel's fading silhouette, a flicker of apprehension flashed in Ginjō's eyes.

"With strength like yours, why take orders from Masatsuki Aozaki? Maybe we could work together!"

His gaze sharpened, fixed on Harribel as she stood atop the distant ruins, his words laced with both curiosity and subtle provocation.

What kind of power did Masatsuki Aozaki possess to make even these two Vasto Lorde-class Arrancars follow him?

Then he noticed it—when Harribel heard Masatsuki's name, her eyes softened.

That was all the proof he needed. Ginjō had no doubt—there was something deeper, something personal between them.

If he dared to insult Masatsuki Aozaki in front of her now, she'd charge at him without a second thought and fight to the death.

He was skilled at reading people, at manipulating hearts—and this, he was sure of.

At that moment, Ginjō made up his mind: if an opportunity to escape presented itself, he'd take it without hesitation.

An Arrancar queen who could go toe-to-toe with him in raw power, and a Valkyrie so fast she was nearly invisible...

These two were simply too strong.

He knew that unless he used his final trump card, he had no chance of winning.

He couldn't beat them. Not even close.

And if he kept dragging this out, he'd die a horrible death.

So he resolved—find the right moment, and get out.

He was painfully aware: if he delayed until Masatsuki Aozaki arrived, escape would be impossible.

As for Shūkurō Tsukishima... don't make him laugh.

Ginjō knew exactly what Tsukishima was.

That special ability of his was useful, sure—but in the end, he was just a tool to help collect Soul King fragments.

And Kūgo Ginjō would never risk his own life to save a tool.

In his eyes, anything without value had no right to exist.

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