Chapter 144: Is That a Dragon?
World of the Living.
Amidst an expanse of ancient buildings stretching as far as the eye could see, Masatsuki Aozaki walked through the streets, clad in a black cloak, quietly taking in his surroundings.
It had been three days since he left Soul Society.
Fortunately, he was known for slipping away under various excuses, so disappearing for a few days at a time wasn't anything unusual.
"This era is so outdated... The entertainment options are way too dull."
Just as he sighed, a piercing cry echoed from high above.
He looked up toward the sky and spotted a massive eagle circling overhead. Its face was obscured by a white mask, its sharp eyes scanning the ground as if searching for something.
It was obvious—this was no ordinary bird, but a Hollow with considerable Reiryoku.
Masatsuki Aozaki smirked. "Not bad. It's at least on par with a Low Seated Officer. The odds of encountering a Hollow in the World of the Living really are much higher than in Soul Society."
Hollows did appear in Soul Society, but it was an extremely rare occurrence.
Some were fallen souls who had degenerated into Hollows, while others were remnants from past invasions—stragglers left behind when Vasto Lorde-class Hollows had once breached Soul Society's defenses.