"Hoo..."
The sand slowly settled as the full moon cast its glow once more across Hueco Mundo. Moonlight filtered through the leaves of the quartz trees, shining down on Masatsuki Aozaki and illuminating his blood-soaked robes.
Drip... drip...
Beads of blood fell steadily from the hem of his clothing. Head lowered, Masatsuki drove his fist into the body of the antlered, serpentine beast, shattering it completely. A pool of blood quickly spread beneath him.
There wasn't much left to say. After watching their leader fall, the deer, snake, and lion trio had rushed forward to challenge him without hesitation.
Unsurprisingly, they were at a disadvantage from the very start.
Panicked, they hastily summoned Ayon and launched a fierce assault. Massive quartz trees toppled one after another in the wake of the rampaging beast.
But Masatsuki, the one they challenged, didn't bother engaging directly. He simply stood back and used high-level Hadō to knock all three of them out cold from a distance.
After all, Masatsuki Aozaki came from a pure summoning background. There was no way he'd let himself get cornered and overwhelmed.
Summoning Ayon required each of the trio to sacrifice an arm, severely weakening their individual strength. Once he had them unconscious—mouths agape, eyes shut, sprawled across the ground—Masatsuki went in.
Against the mindless beast, he unleashed a barrage of merciless, brutal blows.
Under his iron fists, the monster howled in agony before bursting apart.
Swish!
With a final sweeping strike of his hand, a crimson arc traced elegantly through the air.
Masatsuki Aozaki bent down and hoisted the three women over his shoulders, striding off toward Las Noches like a mountain bandit who had just raided a noble house. His steps were wide, brimming with boldness and confidence—as if the entire world lay at his feet.
"My spine almost broke,"
Nelliel muttered, bending her arm to rub her lower back.
Though her injuries had healed, the memory of the pain still lingered.
When she looked up, her eyes met Masatsuki Aozaki's concerned gaze.
He was still carrying the three women, each of them limp and unconscious.
They were sleeping soundly—so soundly, it was clear they wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.
One of them was even snoring softly, a silly grin on her face like she was in the middle of a sweet dream.
Clearly, Masatsuki had gone easy on them.
If he'd actually been trying to hurt them, would they really look this peaceful?
"You..."
Masatsuki blinked apologetically and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Maybe I overdid it a little."
He hadn't meant to hurt them.
But still, he felt somewhat helpless.
Even if he suppressed his strength, the gap between Nelliel and the deer-snake-lion trio was like night and day.
When fighting strong opponents, it was nearly impossible to control everything perfectly.
"Masatsuki-sama, I'm fine."
As a proper knight, Nelliel clearly understood what Masatsuki Aozaki wanted to say—but there was no need for that. She didn't want him to worry.
Besides, ever since fusing with the Hōgyoku, her recovery had improved drastically—even faster than her former Ultra-Speed Regeneration. That minor injury from earlier? Long gone.
Still, even if the wounds were healed, some form of apology—and compensation—was expected.
Forget verbal apologies. Arrancars were straightforward folk. They preferred real, tangible payback.
Masatsuki got the message and nodded with a smile.
...
For about half a month, Masatsuki Aozaki remained in the emperor's private chambers—paying wages to the ever-dedicated knights.
He believed that since he now sat on the throne, it was only right to shoulder the responsibility that came with it. He wanted his loyal followers to feel valued—and to know they were cared for.
Only by doing that could he truly win their hearts and earn their loyalty.
You can't expect the horse to gallop and not feed it.
Masatsuki understood this well. He would never shortchange his subordinates. On the contrary, he did his best to fulfill the needs of his most capable people, stoking their drive and morale.
He still remembered the old man mentioning a Captains' Meeting at the end of the month, so he didn't let himself get too wrapped up in the pleasures of playing emperor.
He'd been through enough brutal battles to become desensitized. By now, he was well-versed in managing his emotions.
Besides, life was long—who knew when it might end? There was plenty of time ahead.
So he didn't rush. He did what needed to be done, then returned to the Soul Society.
...
"Yeah, having something like Reiatsu really does boost productivity."
"If I dragged these guys to the World of the Living to haul bricks, we'd make a killing."
"But why are they all looking at me like that? ...Wait, did I get more handsome again without realizing it?"
Masatsuki strolled leisurely across the pristine white floors, thoughts drifting as he walked.
Around him, squad members rushed by, hard at work repairing the damaged streets.
But Masatsuki had chosen to slack off, still replaying the blood-soaked chaos of Hueco Mundo in his mind.
It was just... those intense stares were starting to make him uncomfortable.
In the past, only the female squad members would look at him with such burning admiration. But now even the men were doing it—like crazed fans spotting a celebrity in the World of the Living.
Even someone as thick-skinned as him couldn't help but feel awkward. He was almost too embarrassed to keep daydreaming as he walked.
He sighed to himself.
"Ugh, being too popular really is a pain."
"If the old man doesn't hurry up and show off in front of everyone, I might just end up stealing his seat as Captain-Commander."
The Captain-Commander may serve the nobles, but the role still came with immense authority and prestige.
Not that Masatsuki cared much for that.
If he wanted the title, whether by playing fair or using shady tactics, he had plenty of ways to get it.
But the issue was—the old man would never approve of something like that.
...
Before he knew it, Masatsuki had wandered into the Shin'ō District. His steps came to a sudden stop as his gaze shifted to the side.
Standing beside a crumbling wall was an elderly man—Ginrei Kuchiki—quietly overseeing the restoration work.
A month ago, this reserved old man and his family—three generations—had all been lying in the hospital together.
Now, both he and his grandson had recovered and been discharged. Only his son remained bedridden.
That guy was such an idiot. Weak as he was, he still insisted on pushing himself. Always doing reckless things that made others worry.
But then again... if he didn't act like that, he wouldn't be the man they all knew.
Masatsuki shook his head with a sigh.
Just then, a teasing voice called out from nearby.
"Don't look so glum. Sōjun-niichan's out of danger. He should be fully recovered in another month."
Masatsuki turned his head and saw a brightly dressed swordsman—Shunsui Kyōraku—remove his straw hat and stride over, throwing an arm around his shoulder and locking eyes with him.
That look in his eyes...
Masatsuki shivered involuntarily.
Had this guy been single for so long that he'd finally gone full pervert?
The way Shunsui Kyōraku was looking at him made Masatsuki feel extremely uncomfortable. Goosebumps crept up his arms.
If you've got a fetish like that, I can hook you up with someone next time.
But seriously, count me out—I'm not into that kind of thing!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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