Chapter 152: Enemy Attack

Almost simultaneously, Masatsuki Aozaki and Sōjun Kuchiki sensed that something was wrong.

Given Kōga Kuchiki's personality, if he had suffered such a devastating blow, he would have either lashed out in a fit of rage or fallen into unbearable despair.

Yet now, he was disturbingly calm—indifferent to an almost unnatural degree.

Sōjun couldn't help but wonder if Kōga had lost all hope.

A deep sense of guilt welled up inside him.

He should have stepped in sooner, done something to ease the strained relationship between his father and Kōga.

As a former instructor at Shin'ō Academy, Sōjun had long been aware of the tension between them. But Ginrei Kuchiki was a stubborn man, and Sōjun's subtle attempts at mediation had been completely ineffective.

Now, with things at this point, he regretted not addressing the issue more directly when he had the chance.

Masatsuki, on the other hand, seemed deep in thought, mumbling to himself,

"This feeling… it's familiar. Kyōka Suigetsu, can you take a look for me?"

Without hesitation, he grasped the hilt of Banshō Senran, silently reciting the release incantation.

"Leave it to me."

A stunning woman, clad in an elegant kimono, floated gracefully in midair.

Her robe was adorned with delicate floral embroidery, exuding an air of refined nobility. A single-lens monocle perched on her face, adding an enigmatic touch to her presence. Her silky, jet-black hair was neatly tied up with an intricate floral hairpiece, enhancing her regal, almost untouchable aura.

And yet, Kōga and Sōjun did not react in the slightest, as if they couldn't see her at all.

So only I can see this? Masatsuki mused.

"Would you like to share this beautiful sight with others?" the woman teased, gently hooking a finger under his chin.

"Not a chance," Masatsuki responded in his mind, without hesitation.

The woman chuckled softly. "Such a selfish man… but that kind of selfishness is rather attractive."

Masatsuki kept his gaze locked on Kōga, who now seemed like a complete stranger.

So it really is an illusion created by Kyōka Suigetsu.

He knew this ability all too well.

Sōjun, still focused on Kōga, spoke softly. "Actually, Father—"

Kōga raised a hand, cutting him off.

"There's no need," Kōga said, his tone emotionless. "Ginrei-sama has already spoken to me. I know everything."

"Go back. I want to be alone."

Sōjun turned toward Masatsuki, as if seeking his opinion.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Masatsuki nodded.

"Alright, let's leave for now. Maybe giving him space to think things through will help him come to terms with everything."

Sōjun hesitated, then nodded silently. He said nothing more.

The two turned and left, leaving Kōga alone with his thoughts.

...

After parting ways with Sōjun, Masatsuki didn't linger in the streets. Instead, he headed straight home.

Seeing through Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion in the prison only confirmed one thing—Sōsuke Aizen had already gotten to Kōga Kuchiki.

Masatsuki had a general idea of what Aizen was after.

Kōga's Zanpakutō, Muramasa, was an invaluable weapon—capable of throwing Seireitei into chaos and even serving as a counter against Yamamoto.

"They left a fake body in the prison… meaning they're not planning an escape. So what are they up to?"

As Masatsuki absentmindedly sorted through the souls he had collected in the World of the Living, he tried to put himself in Aizen's mindset—thinking through his next move.

But before long, he gave up on the idea.

Trying to predict Aizen's overall strategy was one thing.

Trying to anticipate the exact plans of that genius?

That was another matter entirely.

Changing his train of thought, Masatsuki Aozaki mused,

"What about Kōga Kuchiki? He doesn't want to escape… so what is he planning once he's out?"

"Wait—this looks like he's setting up an alibi. That means his target is… the Tsunayashiro Clan!"

"They framed him and are now scrambling to cover up the truth. Is he going after them for revenge?"

"There's no point in overthinking it. I might as well go take a look. If the Tsunayashiro Clan is really in chaos, I might be able to gain something from it."

Masatsuki reached for a black cloak beside him and draped it over his shoulders.

The Tsunayashiro Clan had screwed him over one too many times—he hadn't forgotten. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to strike back.

If he had the strength, he would have marched in and slaughtered them himself. Now, he had the perfect chance to take advantage of the situation.

"Bakudō #26: Kyokkō."

With everything set, his figure disappeared into the darkness, moving swiftly toward the Tsunayashiro estate.

...

The Tsunayashiro Clan's territory lay at the heart of Seireitei. When Masatsuki arrived, he was greeted by the sight of ten fallen guards at the entrance, their bodies lying in pools of blood, slowly dissolving into reishi.

"So this really is their target."

Masatsuki sneered to himself, feeling not an ounce of pity for the dead. Without hesitation, he slipped inside the clan grounds.

The estate was eerily silent. The thick scent of blood in the air was the only indication of the brutal battle that had taken place moments ago.

Following the long, winding corridor, Masatsuki ventured deeper into the compound.

Along the way, he passed more than a dozen corpses—all Tsunayashiro guards, each killed with a single clean slash to the throat. Their faces bore no expressions of pain or surprise.

There was no doubt—whoever had done this was too fast, too efficient. The guards hadn't even realized they were dead until it was over.

After turning a few corners, Masatsuki quickly shrank back behind a wall.

Ahead, about twenty Shinigami stood guard, their swords drawn, maintaining strict vigilance. Among them, two carried the distinctive presence of Lieutenants.

"Still guarding this place even now? There must be something valuable here."

Masatsuki Aozaki weighed his options as he rested his hand on the Zanpakutō at his waist.

This time, he had infiltrated the Tsunayashiro Clan to seize the opportunity and plunder their collection.

As one of the Five Great Noble Clans, he didn't expect to find fragments of the Soul King, but as long as he could get his hands on something useful, it would be a worthwhile haul. Even if he came up empty-handed, killing a couple of Tsunayashiro members wouldn't be a loss.

With his decision made, Masatsuki Aozaki sprang into action. At his current level, he could take down these family guards even without releasing his Zanpakutō.

Still, he was always careful. Whenever he engaged in underhanded deeds like this, he would release his Zanpakutō without fail. He could forgo using other abilities, but Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion to deceive the Daireishokairō (Great Spirit Book Gallery) was indispensable.

"Who goes there!?"

"Enemy attack!"

The moment Masatsuki Aozaki cut down a Lieutenant-level guard and revealed himself, the Tsunayashiro Clan's guards immediately cried out in alarm.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake