Chapter 296: Don’t Let Me Catch You!

In the heart of the Wandenreich stood a grand palace of ice—

Silbern, the Quincy stronghold.

Atop the fortress loomed a striking emblem, its arched star-cross design standing out against the pale backdrop.

"We have a guest. A Shinigami."

A cold, detached voice echoed as a figure emerged from the shadows.

The speaker was a tall, slender young Quincy.

With flowing golden hair and piercing blue eyes, his presence was both striking and unnervingly composed. His finely chiseled features resembled the work of a master sculptor, yet his expression was void of emotion—utterly indifferent to the world around him.

Draped in a pristine white Quincy uniform, he wore a flowing cloak adorned with a pentagram insignia. A sharp longsword hung diagonally at his waist.

Everything about him exuded nobility—like a knight lifted straight from the verses of Western poetry.

Just then, another voice—boisterous and full of bravado—cut through the stillness.

"A Shinigami? Here?"

The man speaking was another young Quincy.

His green-blue eyes gleamed with curiosity, while a towering mohawk of deep purple-red shot skyward.

A screw adorned his left ear, a nut-shaped earring hung from his right.

With his tall frame, cocky grin, and sharp gaze, he radiated a brash, hot-blooded aura.

A dark star-shaped pendant rested against his throat.

Black gloves and armbands wrapped around his hands, while his feet were clad in open-collared black cloth shoes.

At a glance, he was the type to ignite conflict without hesitation.

"This is our home turf—Silbern, the very heart of the Wandenreich. How the hell could a Shinigami even set foot in here?"

Bazz-B frowned, his tone laced with skepticism.

"Bazz-B, there's no need for you to question me."

The first Quincy, Haschwalth, spoke with serene finality, as if merely stating an indisputable fact.

While Yhwach slumbered, Haschwalth ruled in his stead, wielding his authority as the Wandenreich's supreme leader.

Bazz-B, on the other hand, was just another member of the Sternritter.

"A Shinigami managed to sneak in last time, didn't they? Have you found out what happened?"

"That one never even got close—he panicked and fled the moment he hit the outskirts."

Bazz-B spread his hands, his face twisting into a smirk.

"That guy probably wandered in by accident. No way those cowardly bastards would dare come back. You must be mistaken this time."

"He's already inside," Haschwalth stated flatly.

"...What?"

Bazz-B's brows furrowed even deeper, disbelief flashing across his face.

"Don't forget—this is the Wandenreich's domain."

"And yet, I've seen the future."

Haschwalth's gaze was calm and knowing, as if he had already witnessed the events unfold.

"Soon, you will meet that Shinigami yourself."

"...Tch."

Bazz-B clicked his tongue, crossing his arms.

"Let's go," Haschwalth said, turning toward the exit.

"Go where?"

"To where we need to be."

Without another word, Haschwalth stepped out the door.

Bazz-B: "..."

Where the hell was "where we need to be?"

Damn riddles.

...

"The hell kind of trick are these Quincy playing? Even with my Hōgyoku-enhanced perception, I can't sense their Reiatsu at all!"

Masatsuki Aozaki grumbled as he darted rapidly through the castle.

"Could it be that those guys aren't even in the same world as me?"

"Hm? Finally found some Reiatsu that seems a bit stronger."

A grin spread across Masatsuki Aozaki's face, revealing gleaming white teeth. In the next instant, he vanished from sight.

He appeared outside a lavish room, punched straight through a white wall, and slipped inside in a flash.

"Hoo—"

Warm steam filled the spacious, well-lit bathroom.

A delicate young girl lay soaking in the bathtub, quietly enjoying a moment of peace and relaxation.

Suddenly, a faint breeze stirred the air.

Her brows knitted slightly as she sensed an unfamiliar presence.

She opened her eyes—and froze.

Masatsuki Aozaki... also froze.

Before him was a petite woman with long black hair cascading past her waist, her slim figure accentuated by the warm light.

"Who are you?"

Her wide eyes locked onto Masatsuki Aozaki, shock written all over her face.

However, before he could respond, a powerful attack shot toward him.

Boom!

A blue-and-white orb of Reishi blasted through the wall.

"Not bad," Masatsuki Aozaki remarked offhandedly.

"Stay right there!"

"I'd love to keep you company, but now's not the best time. Guess we'll meet again."

With a playful smile, he flickered out of sight in the blink of an eye.

Bambietta Basterbine's expression stiffened.

She could only watch as Masatsuki Aozaki vanished right after leaving that maddening remark.

"That damn good-looking bastard… and a Shinigami on top of that?! He better pray I don't catch him!"

Bambietta's face flushed red, her whole body trembling.

She had just become a member of the Sternritter today. She hadn't even had time to enjoy her new status, and yet this happened.

The humiliation and fury boiling inside her were unbearable.

But recalling his speed from a moment ago, it was clear—this man wasn't weak.

If she could catch that bastard, it would definitely be a great achievement.

With that thought, her anger cooled slightly, but the murderous intent in her eyes remained.

"How dare he humiliate me? If I find him... I'll kill him!"

Grinding her teeth, Bambietta growled under her breath.

She took a deep breath to steady herself, then swiftly grabbed her combat uniform from the floor and changed at an astonishing speed.

The outfit was deceptively cute—a mid-sleeved top paired with a pleated skirt.

A heart-shaped badge was pinned to the front, with a matching heart-shaped belt cinching her waist.

In less than a second, she was fully dressed.

As she finished, Reiatsu flared beneath her feet, followed by a series of explosions—then, she was gone.

...

Meanwhile, still lingering within Silbern, Masatsuki Aozaki found himself replaying the scene in his mind and gave a small nod.

"Hmm... that kid's still just a rookie."

With just a glance, Masatsuki Aozaki, an expert in such matters, had seen through Bambietta's nature.

"Is she really just a girl who enjoys killing men?"

No doubt, she was cute.

But it was a different kind of cuteness compared to Suì-Fēng or Rukia.

You could tell just by the nature of their hearts.

"Ahh, I really need to fix this habit. Why do I start analyzing people's minds the moment I see them?"

He lightly smacked his forehead, then, with a flicker, disappeared once more.

...

In the next second—

Bazz-B, his entire body ablaze, and Bambietta, her damp hair dripping as she radiated Reiatsu, appeared simultaneously.

"That Shinigami isn't here?!"

"Where's that good-looking guy?!"

Their furious voices rang out at the same time, thick with barely contained rage.

"Damn it! I'll catch you for sure!"

Bambietta clenched her silver teeth, her striking eyes practically burning with fury.

Unfortunately for her, her Schrift was "E" for Explode, not Bazz-B's "H" for Heat—so no actual flames erupted.

The thought of that man making a fool of her just moments ago sent a murderous impulse surging through her.

She wouldn't be satisfied until she tortured him to death for ruining her mood!

"What's got you so worked up?"

Bazz-B scratched his head, puzzled.

His own anger was understandable—his power was literally heat.

But Bambietta? She stood there, trembling with rage, Reiatsu fluctuating wildly, looking completely unhinged.

She was clearly not thinking straight.

"Hmph, it's nothing!" Bambietta huffed, turning her head away.

There was no way she was telling Bazz-B what happened.

It was too humiliating.

But in her heart, she had already made up her mind—

She would find that man.

And make him pay.

…

(Author's Note)

A thousand years ago, when Yamamoto fought Yhwach—

The Almighty's vision had already been sealed in advance by the Monk using the Soul King's Left Hand. Until the moment of Yhwach's death, his eyes remained closed.

Yet, during the Thousand-Year Blood War, the "closed-eye" Yhwach saw the future.

Perhaps because the Soul King's Left Hand had turned into a Quincy.

Perhaps because Yhwach had already died once.

Or maybe... both factors played a role. (Personal speculation.)

But whether the future could actually be changed remained unclear—since the original story never showed it happening.

Personally, I believe that while his closed eyes could see the future, he couldn't alter it.