Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 242: Why Did You Have to Provoke Him?

12th Division...

On his way to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, Jūshirō Ukitake was filled with both anticipation and nervousness.

Finally, he arrived at the door of Deputy Director Mayuri Kurotsuchi's private laboratory. Thanks to prior notice from Masatsuki Aozaki, Mayuri had been expecting him for quite some time. Even Kisuke Urahara had made a special trip to personally brief him on the experiment, only leaving once he was satisfied that everything had been thoroughly explained.

Listening to Urahara's professional and meticulous explanation, Ukitake gradually felt his initial unease ease. After all, Kisuke Urahara was a genius recognized by Kirio Hikifune, and his words naturally carried more weight than those of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a former prisoner turned deputy director.

At this moment, Ukitake was filled with confidence in the experiment. He firmly believed that if he went through with it, his body—long tormented by illness—might finally return to a normal state.

With that thought, he didn't hesitate. Removing his clothing, he resolutely lay down on the experimental table, his gaze steady as he looked at Masatsuki Aozaki and Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"Masatsuki, Director Mayuri, I'll leave everything to you."

When addressing Mayuri, Ukitake displayed a subtle sense of tact by deliberately omitting the word "Deputy." However, this gesture did nothing to please Mayuri. He merely scoffed, entirely indifferent to such flattery.

Waving a hand dismissively, he pulled out a syringe, a sinister grin creeping onto his face as he let out a low, eerie chuckle.

"Captain Ukitake, I'm about to administer the anesthetic. Please relax and don't resist."

"This syringe is custom-made, but even so, it can't break through a Captain-level Reiatsu defense."

"I'd rather not waste such valuable experimental equipment..."

Hearing this, Ukitake let out a small cough and sighed in exasperation.

"Alright, alright, I get it. It's just anesthesia. Can you at least drop that creepy grin? It's seriously unsettling..."

Mayuri, however, didn't respond. Instead, he silently turned away and placed the syringe back where it came from. Then, pulling open a drawer, he retrieved an even larger syringe.

This one was particularly striking—just a slight push of the plunger sent a faint purple liquid sizzling from the needle's tip.

Jūshirō Ukitake stared wide-eyed at the massive needle—nearly the length of his palm—and swallowed hard. His voice trembled slightly as he asked,

"This... this isn't right, is it? Director Mayuri... you're not trying to get back at me, are you?"

"Why would I? I'm not that kind of person!"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi turned to face him, that same unsettling, sickly grin creeping across his face.

"Well then, Captain Ukitake, let's begin. No need to be afraid—I'll be very gentle."

Though his tone was mild, there was something about it that sent a chill down the spine. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Before Ukitake could respond, Mayuri abruptly drove the needle deep into his backside.

Ukitake's expression twisted in an instant—his mouth opened soundlessly, his eyes clenched shut, and his body trembled before going limp. Within moments, he collapsed onto the experimental table, unconscious.

"Senpai, Senpai... why did you have to provoke him?"

Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head with a helpless sigh.

Mayuri was clearly taking this chance to settle a grudge.

Just looking at the sheer size of that needle was painful enough—actually getting stabbed with it must have been even worse.

Still, for Ukitake, the greater torment was likely psychological rather than physical.

That kind of pressure had nothing to do with strength. Even the most powerful individuals wouldn't be able to suppress their unease in such a situation.

"Well then, Captain Masatsuki, you may proceed however you see fit. Once you're done, the treatment will officially begin. I'll be stepping out."

Mayuri spoke with complete indifference, showing no hint of remorse for his actions.

"No need—you can stay."

Masatsuki glanced at him, the corner of his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"In case something unexpected happens, I might need Director Mayuri's assistance."

Mayuri narrowed his eyes, sensing a mocking undertone in Masatsuki's words.

"I didn't realize Captain Masatsuki had so much trust in me," he said stiffly.

"I only trust myself."

Masatsuki's confident smile remained unchanged as a powerful Reiatsu surged from his body.

Mayuri felt his breath catch—an immense pressure pressing down on him.

Masatsuki lifted his right hand, and in an instant, five spheres of condensed Reiatsu formed at his fingertips.

The spheres flickered like transparent flames, radiating an astonishing amount of energy.

Fixing his gaze on Ukitake's chest—where his lungs should have been—Masatsuki showed no hesitation. He thrust his arm forward, driving his hand deep inside.

Mayuri watched in shock as something dark and shapeless began to emerge from within Ukitake's body.

It was a blackness so pure that it seemed to swallow all surrounding light.

Yet it also carried an undeniable sense of majesty—an eerie, sacred darkness that exuded an aura of unfathomable power.

At that moment, everything around them seemed to lose its color.

Light, air, even the dust in the room—nothing left a trace upon that darkness.

It writhed silently, like a black hole in the vastness of space, drawing all attention toward it.

Then, an overwhelming and utterly alien Reiatsu exploded outward from Ukitake's body.

This was not a power any human could possess—it was something far beyond that.

It surged uncontrollably, as if it sought to engulf everything in existence.

Mayuri's eyes widened in disbelief.

Never in his wildest calculations had he imagined that Jūshirō Ukitake, of all people, was harboring such a terrifying force within him.

What in the world was going on?

How could this frail, sickly man wield such an earth-shattering power?

As the Reiatsu continued to surge, black markings suddenly began to spread across Ukitake's skin.

They twisted and intertwined, forming a dense web-like pattern that covered his entire body—a sight that sent shivers down the spine.

Even more disturbing was the way these markings seemed... alive.

They writhed and convulsed as though something hidden deep within Ukitake was stirring, awakening.

His entire form became engulfed in an abyssal, ink-black Reiatsu, so thick it looked almost solid—like an armor of pure darkness clinging to his skin.

"What... what is this?"

Mayuri leaned forward, his hands pressing against the table as he stared intently at Ukitake, unable to suppress the tremors running through his body.

His eyes gleamed with a crazed excitement.

He had only one thought now—

He needed to study Jūshirō Ukitake, inside and out!