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

After chatting for a while, they arrived at Masatsuki Aozaki's temporary laboratory.

The entire room was shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.

Masatsuki Aozaki stood at the center, surrounded by the Arrancars and Menos under his command. Among them, Harribel, who held a slightly higher status than the others and was acknowledged as a "companion," sat quietly at his side.

Masatsuki Aozaki slowly rose to his feet and stepped forward toward the Reishi membrane before him.

Inside the translucent barrier, a figure knelt, completely wrapped in tight bandages. Though concealed, the outline of a human form was still faintly discernible.

Raising his hand, Masatsuki Aozaki extended his fingers into the membrane.

In an instant, a brilliant white Reiatsu flared at his fingertips, radiating such an intense glow that those nearby instinctively narrowed their eyes.

With a sharp, crystalline crack—like shattering glass—the Reishi membrane ruptured.

At the same time, the bandages wrapped around the figure unraveled like brittle porcelain, falling away in fragments.

Amidst the scattered remains, a man clad in half a helmet knelt motionless, his hands slowly dropping to his sides.

"Welcome back, my companion—Ulquiorra."