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

Yhwach was finally dead. That meant the long, brutal war between the Wandenreich and Seireitei had come to an end.

But this was only the beginning—countless complications still lay ahead.

For now, though, none of that concerned Masatsuki Aozaki. He had more important things to take care of.

He gave Aizen a few brief instructions, handing over full responsibility for the post-war cleanup.

Then, lifting Yhwach’s mangled remains onto his shoulder, he took a step forward.

In that instant, the ruins vanished without a trace. The chaotic swirl of Reiatsu faded from his senses, replaced by a tranquil scene.

A vast palace unfolded before him, its interior seemingly endless, shrouded in a soft white mist.

A gentle breeze drifted in through the windows, carrying a melody so soothing it felt like it could calm the soul.

It sounded like the music of ancient instruments—or the chorus of a million souls in harmony.

They were praising, chanting—filling the air with an illusion of serenity.

Though decades had passed, the Soul King’s Inner Palace still retained that familiar atmosphere.

Masatsuki Aozaki slowly swept his gaze around. Nothing seemed to have changed. No new furnishings. No signs of time’s passing.

Only the wind whispered at his ears, peaceful and soft—like coming home.

There was no divine majesty here. Only warmth, and an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.

"Yahweh, I’ve collected all the pieces of Yhwach. Hurry up and give me my reward!"

Masatsuki Aozaki sat casually on the stone steps, looking off into the distance.

Not far away, a broken corpse lay sprawled on the ground. The once-majestic white robes and black cloak were gone.

Yhwach lay there silently, eyes fixed on the ceiling, face still frozen in the terror of death.

Blood and organs were clearly visible. His body looked no different from any ordinary human’s.

He wasn’t breathing. Masatsuki Aozaki’s blade had ended him.

But Masatsuki remained where he was, quietly watching, unmoving.

To ensure there were no unexpected changes, he had used the power of stillness to lock the corpse at the precise moment of death.

Raising his hand, Masatsuki Aozaki spoke—not with triumph, but with calm composure.

"Your Majesty, stop pretending to be dead. Don’t tell me this guy is really the so-called Son of God?"

The middle-aged man shook his head. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. The unreadable stillness in his expression faded, replaced by his usual gentle smile.

"He was indeed born into the world according to my will—but he was never my son. It’s time for him to fulfill his true purpose."

Yahweh was blunt. Though Yhwach had claimed to be the Soul King’s son, Yahweh had never had a child of blood.

They had all come into being because the world required it. In that sense, they were more like brothers.

Soul fragmentation—that was how Yhwach had become the progenitor of the Quincy.

But in truth, the world’s first Quincy was the plain, unremarkable Soul King standing before him.

Even the origins of Shinigami, Fullbringers, and all other spiritual abilities—everything began with him.

He was the world’s first being of power.

Yet that identity brought him no pride. Yahweh looked at Masatsuki Aozaki with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Just leave it to Ichibei later. He knows what to do," he said softly.

At that moment, for the first time, Masatsuki saw a flicker of guilt on Yahweh’s face.

He didn’t know who that guilt was for—but the moment Yahweh saw Yhwach’s body, something had changed in his expression.

Maybe... that guilt was for his "brother."

Yahweh sighed. He looked like he wanted to speak, but in the end, said nothing.

He simply stared at Yhwach, his eyes filled with a complicated emotion.

That brother had been too weak when he was born—his soul deteriorating from the very start, crushed beneath a constant fear rooted deep within.

It was that fear of death that drove him to war, trying to return the world to a state without life or death, just to escape his terror.

But no matter the intent, it couldn’t absolve him of the sins he committed.

And that, too, was the result of Yahweh’s own indulgence.

As that thought passed, the Soul King lowered his gaze.

There was no question—even if it had been for the world’s salvation, he was guilty.

"Ichibei is already on his way. From now on, I leave everything here to you."

The middle-aged man took a deep breath and spoke each word with solemn weight.

"You are the Soul King."

The guilt in Yahweh’s expression faded into calm acceptance. He raised his hand and beckoned to Masatsuki Aozaki.

"You are the only god in this world. Everything here bends to your will."

"So, Masatsuki Aozaki—become the Soul King!"

"You can keep the body. But as for being the Soul King? No thanks. I’d rather stay me."

Masatsuki Aozaki lifted his chin defiantly and laughed.

"I’ve heard enough crap. The world’s still waiting for me to save it. Let’s get this over with."

Ruder and more direct than how he treated women, Yahweh could only shake his head helplessly.

Spreading his arms, his shattered body began to glow with a soft blue light, scattering like meteors into the void.

And just like that, the supreme god, the king of all souls, vanished from the world forever.

"You damn bastard, you roped me into this and ran off first."

Masatsuki Aozaki’s voice held a note of complaint—but before he could think too deeply about it, the door creaked open.

The great monk stepped in, his face tinged with sorrow. He locked eyes with Masatsuki Aozaki, and with a silent nod of permission, dragged away the broken remains of the fallen black king.

So in the end, I really did win the final prize?

Masatsuki Aozaki felt an unexpected sense of relief.

He stood there in the stillness of the great hall, watching as the white mist slowly faded. The space around him grew brighter, as if a boundless starfield was unfolding before his eyes.

The starlight shimmered.

In a moment of daze, he realized he was no longer within the Three Worlds. But it didn’t matter where he was anymore.

A crystal, glowing like a star, drifted down from the heavens and came to rest in front of him.

The Soul King’s remnants—along with the world itself...

Masatsuki Aozaki no longer bothered pondering the deep nature of existence.

He lowered his head. The light beneath his feet was swallowed by darkness, and countless stars began to fall from above.

Just like how the first thing you do when coming home is close the door, he felt he was doing the same now.

The last sliver of light vanished in an instant, leaving only the glow of the starry sea in the void, cutting off all retreat.

In that moment, Masatsuki Aozaki was becoming one with the world.