Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 258: Happiness

Hueco Mundo, Las Noches.

In this silent land, silvery moonlight draped over every corner like a delicate veil. Yet, the sight before him was impossible to ignore.

Countless collapsed and shattered walls stood as grim reminders of an intense and brutal war. Scorch marks left by the fire of the sun, along with the lingering impact of Cero and Kidō, were scattered throughout the ruins. These remnants bore witness to a battle that shook the very foundations of this palace and hinted at the trials it had endured.

Kaname Tōsen led a large number of Adjuchas and Arrancar, including Harribel and Ulquiorra, in the restoration of Las Noches. Their figures moved busily through the vast halls and courtyards, working tirelessly to return the once-glorious palace to its former splendor.

From a room in a damaged tower, Sōsuke Aizen stood in silence, his gaze fixed out the window. Below, Masatsuki Aozaki was openly flirting with a female Arrancar, drawing curious glances from those around them.

Watching the scene unfold, Aizen couldn't help but be overcome with complex emotions.

Just a few days ago, he had fought a life-and-death battle against that man. Now, not only had he relinquished the palace he had so briefly ruled, but he had also become Masatsuki Aozaki's so-called "companion."

Yet, Aizen did not feel particularly resentful about this arrangement. After all, they were the same kind. And Aizen had always been tolerant of his own kind.

However, Masatsuki Aozaki's theory of "the king and his mount" lingered in his mind, drawing an involuntary sigh from his lips. That analogy left him with an inexplicable sense of helplessness and frustration.

A relationship of dominance and submission—there was nothing unusual about that. He was the defeated, and Masatsuki Aozaki was the undisputed victor.

But still... to think that man had so quickly reached his level—no, surpassed him—it was difficult to accept.

Was his own potential truly inferior to Masatsuki Aozaki's?

Aizen let out another quiet sigh.

So, in the end, the one who truly doesn't deserve to feel lonely... is me.

Masatsuki Aozaki.

That name was now seared into his soul, impossible to erase.

After the failure of his greatest power—the Hōgyoku—he had finally chosen to concede.

If this had been the past, he would have rather died than live under the humiliating title of "companion."

But now, he no longer had the courage to make that choice.

Being alone, there was nothing worth holding on to.

And yet, just days ago, he had come to a realization—he was not alone in this world.

I can be greedy? I can fear death?

The more he thought about it, the more it enraged him.

Frustrated, Aizen simply lay down on his spacious bed and shut his eyes.

For the first time in his life, he willingly chose to stop thinking.

...

One week later, late at night, in the Las Noches Palace—the bedroom of the self-proclaimed King of Hueco Mundo, Masatsuki Aozaki.

"Hm? You want to get stronger?"

Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by Harribel's request.

Harribel nodded, her face tinged with a faint blush. She knew exactly what it meant to be the King of Hueco Mundo.

"The Las Noches Palace has just changed hands, and everything is in disarray."

"You entrusted me with an important role, naming me the Queen of Hueco Mundo, but with my current strength, I fear I am unfit for the position."

"And yesterday... I heard from Sung-Sun and the others that Masatsuki-sama has a way to help us grow stronger."

"These past few days, I've indeed sensed their Reiatsu rising..."

"In order to fulfill the mission Masatsuki-sama has entrusted to me, I humbly ask you to help me strengthen myself."

Hearing this, Masatsuki Aozaki nodded.

The method Sung-Sun and the others spoke of naturally referred to the power born from his synergy with the Hōgyoku—a force mysterious and immense, capable of unlocking potential and significantly boosting strength.

Before attacking Las Noches, he had saved Harribel once again.

Since their first prolonged separation, Masatsuki Aozaki had visited Hueco Mundo several times. However, each visit was brief—just enough to check in and maintain relationships—never long stays.

Even so, their time together hadn't been short.

Over the years, Sung-Sun and the others had come to see his true nature.

Masatsuki Aozaki was, at heart, the same as them.

That was why this time, they insisted on repaying their debt to him.

Right now, Hueco Mundo was in a stage of rebuilding.

As its ruler, Masatsuki Aozaki was determined to devote himself to its restoration.

At first, he had tried every excuse to decline their enthusiasm.

But in the end, he couldn't resist their persistence. Worn down by their relentless persuasion, he had no choice but to give in.

He stifled a yawn—he hadn't shut his eyes in days.

Of course, given his physical constitution, exhaustion was never an issue.

It was simply a habit left over from his time as an ordinary human.

Masatsuki Aozaki finally spoke.

"That's actually a special ability I possess, but the process might be... a bit intrusive."

A trace of helplessness colored his tone.

"Your special ability?" Harribel looked up at him, a hint of confusion in her golden eyes. "Will it trouble you?"

She had assumed it was some kind of technique, not something intrinsic to him.

"No. If anything, I quite enjoy doing this."

Masatsuki Aozaki answered seriously.

"But I need you to confirm one last time—are you truly prepared for this? Once we start, there's no turning back."

Harribel took a deep breath and nodded firmly.

...

"Do you think Harribel-sama will succeed?" Apacci asked, sprawled out on the bed.

"She probably will... After all, Masatsuki-sama likes Harribel-sama the most."

Mila Rose crossed her long, toned legs, folding her arms in front of her chest, her healthy bronze skin accentuated by the movement.

"That's not what I'm worried about. When I went to see Masatsuki-sama, he hesitated for less than half a second... I'm afraid Harribel-sama might back out at the last moment!"

Apacci scoffed.

"You know how Harribel-sama is. She keeps everything bottled up and never says what she's really thinking."

Mila Rose paused, momentarily taken aback. She had nearly forgotten that about her.

"...Should we go cheer her on?" Mila Rose suggested.

"Cheer her on? Please, you just want an excuse to get involved." Apacci rolled her eyes.

As they chatted, the door swung open, and Sung-Sun hurried inside, slightly out of breath.

"Well? Well? Did Harribel-sama succeed?" Mila Rose asked eagerly.

"Of course. With me handling things, how could it fail?"

Sung-Sun confidently patted her not-so-prominent chest.

"Really?" Apacci asked skeptically.

The way Sung-Sun looked, it didn't seem like she was talking about Harribel-sama's success—it felt more like she was claiming victory herself.

"I'm serious. I waited outside for an hour, and once I heard the sounds, I left," Sung-Sun replied.

Mila Rose and Apacci exchanged looks, then shot her a glare full of disdain.

No wonder her face was flushed—so she had been entertaining herself before leaving...

How unfair.

She didn't even invite them!

That was Masatsuki-sama and Harribel-sama.

The two people they adored the most, together.

Just imagining it was almost too much...

...

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