Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō

To his shock, Ryūken Ishida saw Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly raise his hand and catch the spirit arrow effortlessly, moving at a speed that defied belief.

"?!"

The white-haired youth's eyes went wide in disbelief. He had never imagined anyone could catch his arrow barehanded.

No matter what words were exchanged or what friction existed among them, the Quincy all acknowledged this prodigious young man.

His talent far surpassed his father's, and his strength had already overtaken Sōken Ishida.

Yet this Shinigami—who didn't even look that old—had caught his arrow like it was nothing?

Who the hell was this guy!?

Masatsuki glanced at the arrow in his hand and gave a small chuckle.

"A bunch of self-proclaimed noble Quincy... not even as good as some rookie kid."

With a flick, he casually crushed the spirit arrow into glittering shards. Then he raised his head, surveying the fallen Quincy scattered around him.

These arrogant Quincy looked utterly pathetic before him.

Their pride and confidence had been shattered in an instant.

Finally, his gaze locked onto Ryūken Ishida. A grin spread across his face.

"You're the last one standing. You seem like the strongest among them. Want to surrender on their behalf?"

...

The orange-haired girl slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was that unmistakable face.

"Hey, you're awake?"

Masatsuki Aozaki asked softly.

She nodded instinctively, her eyes dazed, clearly not fully alert. Her expression was adorably blank.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open, and she screamed in panic, pointing at Masatsuki.

"You—You villain! Why didn't you kill me!? Why am I still alive!?"

"Huh?"

Masatsuki blinked, caught off guard.

"Right—Uncle Sōken! Where's Uncle Sōken? Is he... is he dead!?"

The girl's voice trembled with panic and fear as her body began to shake uncontrollably.

"You mean Sōken Ishida?"

Masatsuki raised a hand and casually pointed behind him.

"He's standing right back there."

She quickly turned her head—and let out a breath of relief.

Sure enough, Sōken Ishida was standing quietly behind Masatsuki.

Though he looked a little disheveled, his breathing was steady and he showed no signs of serious injury.

What caught her off guard was the group of trembling Quincy behind him.

She looked at Sōken, Ryūken, and the few survivors and suddenly said,

"Big brother... you really are a good person!"

Masatsuki scratched the back of his head, confused. How had he just earned a "good guy" card?

"Huh?"

"Never mind that. Come on! You're essential to the negotiations!"

"Negotiations?" the girl tilted her head, puzzled.

Masatsuki led her over to where Sōken and the others were waiting, then raised his voice.

"By order of the Captain-Commander—"

"From this day forward, all Quincy are forbidden from using their powers against Hollows without Soul Society's approval!"

"In emergencies where human life is at risk, the restriction may be temporarily lifted for self-defense, but the local stationed Shinigami must be notified. Unauthorized killing remains forbidden!"

"Additionally, the World of the Living's Quincy will now fall under the jurisdiction of the 11th Division. In plain terms—submit to Seireitei."

The announcement sparked an uproar among the Quincy. Whispers and grumbling spread like wildfire.

Masatsuki swept the crowd with a razor-sharp glare and barked,

"Who agrees? Who objects?"

The murmuring instantly died.

Silence fell like a curtain.

Then, a voice called out—

"You want to keep us like livestock! Dream on! We're proud—"

The voice didn't finish.

A bolt of lightning tore through the speaker's body, reducing him to ash in an instant.

Everyone froze, stunned by Masatsuki's ruthless response.

Especially the ones who had been so fired up before the battle—they now looked pale and miserable.

Sōken Ishida watched in silence, a heavy sigh in his heart.

He didn't speak right away. He simply reflected.

Given the overwhelming disparity between the two sides, the terms from the Captain-Commander were surprisingly lenient.

If this decision had been left to the merciless young man before them, it might have ended in the annihilation of their entire race.

The girl saw only the Quincy who still stood—but failed to grasp how many had already been erased from existence by the Shinigami.

Sōken couldn't help but recall the past.

He had once been branded a traitor, a lapdog of the enemy, scorned and attacked by his own kind.

But now, after witnessing Masatsuki's overwhelming might...

Only now did they understand the true difference between them.

Only now did they remember what it meant to be crushed under the heel of the Shinigami.

...

As more and more Quincy processed the brutal deaths of their comrades, all eyes slowly turned to Sōken Ishida.

And Sōken could only feel bitter resignation.

How could these people be his kin?

Not long ago, they had treated him and his family like enemies.

Now, they pinned their hopes on him.

With a quiet sigh, Sōken Ishida quickly spoke up.

"Aozaki-sama, this matter is of great importance. Please grant us a bit of time to discuss it."

"Ten minutes," Masatsuki Aozaki replied flatly. "If you haven't decided by then, consider that your answer."

Sōken nodded solemnly and bowed in acknowledgment, then turned and walked into the gathered crowd of Quincy to begin discussions.

Their expressions were grim, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.

Masatsuki stood in place, quietly observing the people around him, as though waiting for something.

The orange-haired girl watched Sōken's retreating back. Her lips parted like she wanted to speak, but she swallowed the words.

A trace of helplessness and quiet resignation surfaced on her face.

Even if Masatsuki hadn't shown up, her own situation wasn't great to begin with. She was, after all, just a guest in someone else's home.

Uncle Sōken was kind—but to most of the Ishida family, she was little more than a tool to preserve the pureblood Quincy lineage.

Besides gentle Uncle Sōken and her older brother Ryūken, who else really cared about what she thought?

Certainly not the rest of the Ishida family. And definitely not those other, unfamiliar Quincy.

Masatsuki, sharp as ever, noticed the shift in her emotions. Without thinking, he instinctively placed his hand on her head, gently stroking her hair.

It wasn't calculated. It was pure instinct.

The simple gesture made her feel a sudden warmth, and she looked up at him with a grateful gaze.

...

Ten minutes later, Sōken Ishida returned with the Quincy to their original position.

Their expressions were heavy—it was clear the conversation had been intense.

"Aozaki-sama," Sōken said respectfully, a trace of weariness and bitterness in his tone, "we accept the Captain-Commander's terms."

"Oh? That quick to come around?" Masatsuki smiled faintly, amusement dancing at the corner of his mouth. "That's great to hear."

"But tell me, Ishida-san—are you speaking solely on behalf of the Ishida family, or are you representing all the Quincy here?"

A flicker of awkwardness passed across the faces of Sōken and the others behind him.

They exchanged glances, and after a moment, Sōken responded,

"Aozaki-sama, I am now the leader of the Quincy. I speak for everyone present."

"Excellent. Knowing when to yield is the mark of a wise man—you've made the right call."

Masatsuki gave a satisfied nod.

"With that, I consider this matter resolved."

"However..."

His voice sharpened as he shifted tone.

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear."

"My old man—he's getting on in years. He went easy on you this time."

"But from this day forward, all of you fall under the jurisdiction of the 11th Division."

"And I hate trouble. So next time... there won't be any negotiation."

Sōken lowered his head and, after a pause, replied quietly,

"Understood, Aozaki-sama. I will take full responsibility for the Quincy in the World of the Living and ensure nothing like this ever happens again."

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake