After breakfast, with Gin Ichimaru heading to the World of the Living for his post, Masatsuki Aozaki found himself back at the 11th Division, overseeing operations—a rare occasion.
Sitting at his desk, he massaged his temples, preparing to tackle some paperwork, when a sudden, urgent knocking broke the silence.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
He had barely settled into his chair when the sound echoed through the room.
Pushing the door open, Izumo stepped inside.
"Captain, Rukongai is under attack by Gillians!"
Masatsuki glanced at the respectful Izumo and asked, puzzled, "Where's Lieutenant Zaraki?"
"Lieutenant Zaraki has gone to the 1st Division for further training," Izumo replied with a slight nod.
Masatsuki sighed internally. These brainless idiots really have a knack for causing me trouble… Maybe I should just build a ranch in Las Noches and keep them all contained. At least then they wouldn't be running around making a mess all the time…
Shaking his head slightly, he gave the order, "Gillian, huh? Gather two squads and come with me."
Gillians weren't even a challenge—he could handle them effortlessly. But he wasn't here to be a babysitter.
...
"I don't even see any Menos!"
Yachiru Kusajishi kicked a small rock on the ground, muttering to herself in boredom.
Her voice wasn't particularly loud, but the three others beside her heard her complaint loud and clear.
Masatsuki chuckled at her grumbling and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "We're almost there, Yachiru. Just be patient a little longer."
Then, his gaze shifted to Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, who stood behind Yachiru.
"This is your first time on an expedition. Make sure you give it your all."
Hearing this, Ikkaku and Yumichika immediately straightened their backs, their expressions turning serious.
"Yes, Boss Masatsuki! We'll go all out!"
Satisfied, Masatsuki gave them a nod before turning back to Yachiru.
She was grinning brightly, clutching the corner of his sleeve and tugging at it playfully.
Masatsuki sighed with a helpless smile. "What is it now, Yachiru?"
She giggled and whined, "Aozaki-chan~ I wanna eat konpeitō~"
Masatsuki furrowed his brow, pretending to scold her. "Didn't I just give you a bag?"
Yachiru held up the empty bag in her hands, looking pitiful. "It's all gone…"
Masatsuki chuckled, pinching her cheek. "You'll have to hold out for a bit. Once we get back, I'll take you to my place, and you can eat as much as you want."
"And there'll be dessert too."
"Really? Yay! Aozaki-chan, you're the best!"
Just as Yachiru was happily imagining all the sweets she'd get to eat, a sudden scream of terror rang out in the distance.
At the same time, a familiar Reiatsu surged in the air.
"A Hollow," Ikkaku noted, his grip tightening on his Zanpakutō. "Judging from the Reiatsu's strength… looks like a Gillian."
Without hesitation, he drew his blade, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let me handle it!"
"Wait!"
Yumichika quickly stepped up behind Ikkaku, his expression serious. "It looks like someone's under attack."
Masatsuki immediately took command. "Ikkaku, 7th Seat. Yumichika, 10th Seat. You two handle the Hollows. Yachiru, 6th Seat, and I will focus on rescuing the civilians."
He held onto Yachiru tightly, making sure she didn't rush ahead in excitement.
"But…"
Yumichika hesitated, his face showing concern.
However, Ikkaku Madarame cut in without hesitation.
"Don't worry, Boss! Leave that big guy to me!"
With that, he drew his Zanpakutō.
"Grow, Hōzukimaru!"
He connected the hilt and scabbard together, transforming his weapon into a sharp spear.
In a flash, he stepped forward with Shunpo and vanished from sight.
Yumichika Ayasegawa sighed, shaking his head helplessly before dashing after him.
As expected, just as Ikkaku had predicted, a massive Gillian loomed before them.
It stood like an immovable mountain, exuding an oppressive Reiatsu that warped the very air around it.
It seemed to be summoning something, and the pressure it emitted was suffocating.
Around it, several Hollows bared their fangs, attacking the panicked civilians who scattered in terror, their eyes gleaming with hunger and cruelty.
The scene was pure chaos—screams, desperate footsteps, and the relentless advance of the creatures hunting them.
"Bloom, Fuji Kujaku!"
With a loud shout, Yumichika activated his Zanpakutō.
The blade in his hand unfolded into four scythe-like extensions, resembling a peacock's tail.
Even in the middle of battle, he couldn't help but admire Masatsuki Aozaki and Yachiru Kusajishi's efficiency—within mere minutes, they had cleared the area, leaving behind a perfect battlefield.
"Alright, let's finish this!"
Ikkaku roared as he propelled himself forward like a cannonball, charging at the towering Gillian.
His speed was immense—within moments, he had covered dozens of meters and reached the beast's head.
With a fierce thrust, he aimed to pierce straight through its skull.
"Is that it?"
Mid-air, Ikkaku couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.
He had expected a tough battle, yet this seemed far too easy.
But in the next moment—
Clang!
A sharp, ringing sound echoed through the air.
Yumichika instinctively looked up, eyes locking onto Ikkaku.
For an instant, golden light flared across the Gillian's pitch-black body.
A glowing pillar of energy descended from above, enclosing the Gillian in an impenetrable barrier.
"That's… Negación?"
Before Yumichika could fully process it, Ikkaku was already sent flying, crashing into the ground in the distance.
He quickly picked himself up, blood trickling down his forehead.
Seeing that he was still in one piece, Yumichika exhaled in relief.
But when he looked up at the sky, his breath hitched.
A massive Garganta had torn open above them—within its depths, nine identical, monstrous masks loomed.
Each white mask was enormous, their bodies compressed together, forming a grotesque, writhing entity.
"Nine Gillians using Negación at the same time… No wonder you couldn't break through. Don't let it get to you."
A calm, unassuming voice cut through the battlefield.
Then, in an instant, a pure white blade pressure swept across the sky.
The Negación shattered like fragile glass, splintering into countless fragments.
But the attack didn't stop there.
The residual force surged forward, tearing through the Gillian it had protected—along with the nine others above.
"Boss…"
"Boss Masatsuki!"
"Aozaki-chan, that was amazing!!"
The three voices rang out in unison, filled with awe.
Ikkaku and Yumichika turned in shock.
Masatsuki Aozaki stood quietly behind them, his expression as composed as ever, sliding his Zanpakutō back into its sheath.
Only then did they notice—he was holding someone in his arms.
A small figure curled up against Masatsuki's broad chest.
"A girl?"
Yumichika murmured in confusion.
He examined her face closely—her features were undeniably delicate, carrying a feminine softness.
But as his gaze traveled downward…
A flat, wide expanse made him hesitate.
Wait… was this really a girl?
Or was this person just like him—a stunningly beautiful boy?
Masatsuki didn't seem to notice Yumichika's thoughts. At the question, he simply nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, the girl in his arms, blood at the corner of her lips, frowned faintly.
She had sensed something—a strange gaze, an inexplicable feeling of malice.
But her consciousness was already fading.
Before she could think too much about it, exhaustion overwhelmed her, and her head lolled to the side as she slipped into deep sleep.