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District 80 of South Rukongai.
Golden sunlight bathed the entire forest, cloaking the bloody landscape in a sacred aura.
The morning had been overcast, but by noon, the sky had cleared completely, as if heaven itself approved of this "righteous" war.
Life-giving radiance poured down onto the earth, like a golden Heavenly River flowing downwards to nourish all living things.
People were either clashing with swords, wailing in agony, or scattering in all directions.
"Kill! Exterminate these rebels!"
"Protect the One King and Five Nobles! The traitors must be executed."
"Damn nobles, we've been betrayed!"
Aozaki Reiji stood on the trunk of a large tree, wearing a black cloak that suppressed his Reiatsu, observing the chaotic battlefield below.
Shouts of battle and curses rose and fell, and blood stained the earth red.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow on Aozaki Reiji.
Mangled limbs were scattered everywhere in the forest, and the gentle breeze rustled the verdant leaves, making a soft shushing sound.
He landed on the ground, listening to the Squad members and rebels still bickering in the nearby forest, clashing blades solely to take each other's lives.
The main battlefield was left to the Eleventh Division, while Kōga Kuchiki guarded the periphery with the First Division's Special Forces, preventing any stragglers from escaping.
Aozaki Reiji watched him, yet felt no concern, not worrying that he would see through anything.
Their spiritual pressures were on the same level; as long as he didn't use Bankai to enhance his Reiatsu, he wouldn't have to worry about Kyōka Suigetsu being seen through.
Moreover, the two weren't particularly familiar with each other, so even close contact wouldn't reveal any flaws.
"The war, it's almost over," Aozaki Reiji said, looking into the distance, seemingly with some emotion.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?"
A six-person Squad stood behind him, wearing the tattered clothes of the rebels. The leader asked warily.
"This is quite far from the main battlefield, isn't it? Seeing how flustered you all look, could it be that you're fleeing?"
The leader saw the Zanpakuto hanging at his waist, narrowed his eyes, and drew his own Zanpakuto.
"That's none of your business. If you don't want to die, you'd best not block the way and get lost."
"How arrogant. It reminds me of myself on a normal day," Aozaki Reiji said, rolling his eyes as he looked at the sunlight filtering through the green canopy above. "But arrogance requires capability, and you just happen to lack it. Isn't that a pity?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Facing us righteous rebels, how dare a hidden scoundrel like you be so presumptuous?" The leading rebel raised his long blade and charged forward.
"You look like a minor leader yourself, so there's no need to deceive yourself, right? What kind of trash are you rebels? Don't you know yourselves? Without noble support, you can barely hold your ground even in the Shurin district."
Aozaki Reiji casually raised his blade to block the attack, scrutinizing the rebel as he spoke.
"Tenth-grade spiritual power, that's decent material. As for those behind you, they're at the level of ordinary Shinigami, and can also be used to make up the numbers."
Feeling somewhat unnerved by Aozaki Reiji's gaze, the rebel Squad leader couldn't help but take a step back. "Who exactly are you?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
Seeing that the other party dared to lose heart in front of him, Aozaki Reiji didn't waste any more words. In a blink of an eye, he appeared in front of him, raised his hand, and a single strike sent blood splattering.
The remaining five rebels swallowed, touched their foreheads, and were a little stunned.
Their captain had just been engaged in an intense verbal confrontation with the opponent, yet without another word, he attacked. And not only did he attack, but he couldn't even block a single strike, his Zanpakuto shattered. Now he lay on the ground like a dead dog, only the shocking wound on his chest proving that blood was still flowing.
"Don't worry, he's not dead yet, but he's close."
Aozaki Reiji, like an elegant noble, gently swung the long blade in his hand, and a graceful arc of blood splattered on the ground.
"Are you ready to join him?"
"No…"
Before the rebels could finish their words, Aozaki Reiji had already charged forward.
In an instant, blood filled the forest.
......
"Didn't that guy say he'd come? Where is he now? Has Matsumoto Rangiku entangled him again, making him unable to escape?"
Ichimaru Gin, wearing Aozaki Reiji's illusion, stood on the cliff with a few guards, occasionally striking down a few rebels and observing the battlefield with a thoughtful expression.
......
The other side of the forest.
"Captain," a First Division Squad member saluted.
"How is the situation?" Kōga Kuchiki nodded and asked.
"The Eleventh Division has already broken through two defense lines, and the enemy is stubbornly resisting at their headquarters," the Squad member replied. "In my subordinate's opinion, the Eleventh Division will be able to annihilate the enemy in at most four hours."
"It's just…"
"What is it?" Kōga Kuchiki frowned impatiently, as he hated it when people spoke hesitantly.
The Squad member said, "It's just that Kenpachi Aozaki doesn't seem to have any intention of making a move. He's been observing, and only the Squads led by the various seated officers are attacking."
Kōga Kuchiki seemed to have expected this, and said with a slight hint of pride:
"You don't understand. He's training the Squad members. The Eleventh Division is already overwhelmingly crushing the rebels, so this battle is like a training exercise for him."
"If everything required the Captain to personally act, then the Gotei 13 would only need Captains. Would there still be a need for the various Squads to exist?"
He was somewhat glad that he had asked Aozaki Reiji about the battle plan in advance, allowing him to show off his intelligence in front of the Squad members.
"I see," the Squad members' eyes widened, and they said with admiration.
Then they couldn't help but start to wonder how this usually reckless and impulsive Captain had suddenly become so smart.
Seeing the performance of the Squad members, Kōga Kuchiki nodded smugly.
He needed recognition, even if these Squad members couldn't compare to Ginrei Kuchiki in his heart, it still made him feel comfortable.
But when he thought of his respected father-in-law, his mood wasn't so pleasant.
Before setting out today, his father-in-law hadn't said a single word of concern to him.
Although Aozaki Reiji had warned Ginrei Kuchiki, the latter was clearly a stubborn person and wouldn't be swayed by just a few words.
He was his son-in-law, so why couldn't he even show some concern? Did his father-in-law truly consider him a member of the Kuchiki family?
Kōga Kuchiki showed an unwilling expression.
Although he came from an ordinary Shinigami family, ever since he joined the Shin'o Academy, he had always been a dazzling genius in people's eyes.
Otherwise, a good appearance alone wouldn't have been enough for him to marry into the Kuchiki family.
Whether commoners or nobles, people highly praised him.
Even the Captain-Commander had praised his talent more than once.
But his most revered father-in-law had never affirmed his abilities.
He was clearly very good to Sōjun and Byakuya, so why was he only like this towards him… Was it just because he didn't have Kuchiki blood flowing in his veins?
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