Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 246: Unohana Retsu’s Hollowfication Experiment

1st Division, Captain-Commander's Office.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat across from Jūshirō Ukitake, his deep, piercing gaze seeming to scrutinize him down to his very core.

With a calm voice, he slowly asked,

"So, Jūshirō, you're saying you've fully recovered?"

Ukitake met Yamamoto's gaze without hesitation, nodding firmly as he answered,

"Master, Deputy Director Mayuri Kurotsuchi has already conducted a thorough examination. There are no issues with my body."

Yamamoto gave a slight nod, acknowledging the response, though the doubt in his eyes didn't entirely fade.

At that moment, Shunsui Kyōraku, standing off to the side, interjected,

"Jūshirō, are you absolutely sure you're fine? How about letting your dear senpai double-check?"

As he spoke, he reached out as if to poke Ukitake, seemingly trying to confirm for himself that his friend was truly in good health.

Seeing this, Ukitake quickly reached out to stop him, his tone exasperated,

"Shunsui, cut it out. We're in public—what do you think you're doing?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face. After all, this was the Captain-Commander's office, and such behavior was hardly appropriate.

Yamamoto looked at his two disciples—one acting like a mischievous child, the other helplessly trying to rein him in—and let out a silent sigh.

It was as if he were thinking, How did I never realize what kind of people these two really are?

"Jūshirō, how are you feeling?" freёnovelkiss.com

Compared to Shunsui's antics, Yamamoto's question was composed and restrained, but there was no mistaking the genuine concern in his voice.

Hearing his Master's inquiry, the two momentarily set aside their playful banter.

Ukitake felt warmth spread in his chest.

Taking a deep breath, he answered seriously,

"Master, I feel great. No discomfort at all—just a little weak from the treatment."

"According to Deputy Director Mayuri Kurotsuchi, I should recover to a normal state after about half a month of proper rest."

As he spoke, Ukitake's gaze drifted toward Masatsuki Aozaki, who was calmly sipping tea beside Yamamoto.

If not for this junior of his, he would never have had the chance to live like a normal person.

...

The next few days passed peacefully.

Each day was a simple, quiet routine spent with his loved one, occasionally taking some free time to check in with Kisuke Urahara on the progress of the game development.

Though life felt somewhat monotonous, it was fulfilling.

As for his division's affairs, Masatsuki Aozaki had left everything in the hands of Gin Ichimaru.

Masatsuki valued this young genius and wanted him to start adapting to the responsibilities of a captain early.

—Or at least, that was how Masatsuki Aozaki had spun it to Gin.

Whether Gin actually believed him or not was anyone's guess, but Masatsuki certainly did.

...

One day, inside the underground training hall that Masatsuki had essentially claimed as his own, the atmosphere grew tense.

"Are you ready?"

Masatsuki Aozaki fixed his gaze on Retsu Unohana as she stretched and warmed up.

They were about to begin the Hollowfication experiment.

In truth, the Hollowfication process for the others had already reached completion.

Even Kūkaku Shiba—who had never been fond of training—had, under Masatsuki's relentless efforts, managed to raise her Reiatsu to the level of a Lieutenant and successfully completed the experiment.

The Seireitei's opposition to Hollowfication was, strictly speaking, more of a political issue.

In reality, there weren't many who genuinely rejected this power on a fundamental level.

The only one who had struggled with it was Isane Kotetsu.

She was naturally timid, so much so that she would wake up in terror from nightmares about kamaboko (a fishcake). The idea of breaking Seireitei's strict prohibitions was something that frightened her deeply.

But when faced with Masatsuki Aozaki and Retsu Unohana—the two people she admired most—she eventually mustered the courage to go through with it, unable to refuse their combined persuasion.

Still, none of that mattered today.

Because today's real focus was Retsu Unohana.

It wasn't that Masatsuki had hesitated to let her attempt Hollowfication out of fear that he couldn't defeat her.

His real concern was that if she lost control after Hollowfication, she might abandon technique in favor of raw power, resulting in unpredictable consequences.

Retsu Unohana, even in her normal state, possessed first-class Spiritual Power.

A single careless strike from her could already cause a massive disturbance.

And if her power were to be amplified through Hollowfication, the results would be... far from simple.

As these thoughts ran through Masatsuki's mind, his already dark, fathomless eyes flickered with an even deeper intensity.

Suddenly, transparent Reiatsu barriers formed around them, enclosing the entire space in an instant.

Super Reiatsu Barrier.

...

"Look, look, it's starting!"

Yoruichi Shihōin was sprawled excitedly on the edge of the hot spring, waving her hands with barely contained enthusiasm.

"I missed their last fight—no way I'm letting this one slip by!"

"Is it really that exciting?"

Kūkaku Shiba, standing behind her, wrapped an arm around Yoruichi's slender waist and smiled warmly.

"Masatsuki is obviously going to win. If even Bankai couldn't defeat him, simple Hollowfication isn't going to do the trick."

As she spoke, Kūkaku glanced at the other Shinigami women relaxing in the hot spring, an odd suspicion forming in her mind.

She was starting to seriously doubt whether Masatsuki had called her back to Seireitei just so he could keep her close for convenience's sake.

Yoruichi, absentmindedly toying with her thick, fluffy hair, grinned.

"We already know who's going to win, but that doesn't mean it won't be fun to watch, right?"

"I don't spar with Masatsuki much anymore. Every time we fight, he holds back—it's frustrating."

"That just means you're not working hard enough," Kūkaku smirked playfully. "Look at how fast I've improved. I'm almost at Third-Rank Spiritual Power."

"That's only because you were weak to begin with, so you had a lot of room to grow. I'm already close to Second-Rank. It's not the same."

Yoruichi shot Kūkaku an unimpressed look.

...

"I'm ready... Let's begin!"

Retsu Unohana took a deep breath, slowly closing her eyes as she allowed herself to relax completely.

Masatsuki Aozaki stepped forward, gently tilted her chin, and pressed a light kiss against her soft lips.

Then, the familiar process began.

Reiatsu surged. White energy condensed over her face, forming a Hollow mask, while her body slowly took on monstrous traits.

Unlike Ryuuseki and Izumo, whose transformation turned them into a towering beasts, Unohana retained most of her human form—her face now hidden behind a fearsome, demonic white mask.

Her skin had grown paler, yet her graceful figure remained unchanged.

Masatsuki observed her for a moment before Unohana suddenly lifted her head.

A dangerous wave of Reiatsu erupted from her, crashing against the Super Reiatsu Barrier—only to dissipate without leaving a trace.

Masatsuki licked his lips, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

It was as if he were taunting the bloodthirsty demon standing before him.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake