HYUZ - Chapter 248: You Might Die

Bang!!

A deafening explosion ripped through the air as an overwhelming force erupted like a volcanic blast, slamming down onto Retsu Unohana’s head.

The sheer impact seemed to tear the very world apart, compressing the surrounding air until it warped and distorted.

For a split second, the onlookers could clearly see Unohana’s long, flowing hair whipping wildly through the air—

And then, in the blink of an eye, she vanished from sight, sent hurtling away at an unbelievable speed.

A power beyond that of any Shinigami had struck her down.

In an instant, Unohana's body was driven deep into the ground, as if swallowed by an invisible colossus.

Another thunderous boom followed.

The ground trembled violently as countless cracks spread outward like a spiderweb.

The sheer force of the impact caused the surrounding terrain to collapse and shatter, triggering a cataclysmic explosion.

Rumble!!!

A massive shockwave surged in all directions, kicking up towering waves of dust and debris that blotted out the sky.

The earth itself groaned under the devastation, its deep, guttural roar echoing like a cry of agony.

Smoke and dust billowed furiously, forming a colossal gray vortex that swallowed everything in its path.

Everyone stood frozen, staring at the destruction before them, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.

Their mouths twitched, unable to fully process what had just happened.

...

"This… isn't this too much?" Mashiro Kuna muttered, her voice laced with shock and concern.

She couldn’t even begin to imagine the kind of damage a strike like that had inflicted on Unohana.

Just watching it made her feel like death itself had come knocking.

Wait.

Masatsuki Aozaki would never harm Retsu-neechan… let alone kill her.

Unless—

A sudden realization struck them all at once.

Their gazes shot toward Unohana, still embedded in the ground, and their pupils shrank in alarm.

Her body was trembling slightly.

Then, pressing her hands against the earth, she slowly pushed herself up.

She looked battered but… not gravely injured.

...

"These two are absolute monsters!"

"Yeah, but honestly, Masatsuki might be worse."

"He hasn’t even released his Zanpakutō yet..."

"If Retsu-neechan is a monster, then this guy is something even worse than a monster!"

"..."

The women exchanged disbelieving looks, as if struggling to accept the reality before them.

...

But just then—

"MASATSUKI, YOU DAMNED BRAT!!"

Yoruichi Shihōin’s furious voice cut through the chaos.

"He actually destroyed my playground! This is my territory! Would it kill him to hold back just a little?!"

Her heart ached.

This training ground was one of her favorite places—she had put so much effort into it!

...

Kisuke Urahara: ?

The thought of a certain absent man’s dumbfounded reaction flashed through Yoruichi’s mind, and she found herself nodding.

At least Kisuke was around. With his abilities, he should be able to restore the place to normal, right?

Otherwise, she wouldn’t even have a place to relax and have fun anymore.

Even so…

Rebuilding this place was definitely going to cost a fortune.

Last time, constructing the training ground had already drained a painful amount of her personal savings—savings she had spent forever accumulating!

This time…

Would she have to dip into the Shihōin Clan funds?

“How much is this going to cost?! No way, Masatsuki has to help me pay for it!”

“Well... let’s just consider it part of our joint marital property.”

At those words, the women around them fell silent.

Shouldn’t she be more concerned about more important things right now?

Wait...

What did she just say? Joint marital property?

You really are fearless, still daring to run off behind Retsu’s back.

Aren’t you afraid that once she regains her senses, she’ll come after you?

Masatsuki Aozaki gently cupped Retsu Unohana’s face, his touch soft and careful, as if holding a rare treasure.

Retsu stood motionless, her vacant eyes lost in a daze.

Her once-pristine captain’s haori was now tattered and torn, like a flower battered and scattered by a storm.

Slowly, her gaze refocused, locking onto the smug and satisfied smile in front of her, sending a tremor through her heart.

Suddenly, the mask on her face shattered into countless fragments, scattering to the ground.

For five whole seconds, she remained frozen before snapping back to reality, as if waking from a dream.

Everything that had just happened felt like an illusion—yet it was all too real.

Deep inside, she had fought her Hollow self in a fierce battle... and it had been exhilarating!

The wind gradually died down, and the thick fog lingering in the air began to disperse.

Smoke curled up from the ground, drifting toward the sky.

Meanwhile, the group of women had struggled to the edge of the hot spring, their trembling hands supporting their weary bodies.

Yet their eyes remained fixed on the two figures in the training ground, watching intently, unwilling to miss a single detail.

Through the fading haze, two silhouettes could be seen tightly embracing.

Curiosity surged among the women, and they began whispering among themselves.

“What’s happening? Is the fight over?” Isane Kotetsu asked anxiously.

“It looks like it…” Lisa Yadōmaru replied uncertainly.

“How are they done so quickly? Ours took way longer…”

Rangiku Matsumoto rested her chin in one hand, pursing her lips in a thoughtful pout.

“Wait, look! Are they… kissing!?”

With her sharp eyes, Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly stood up, pointing straight ahead.

“What!?”

The other women gasped in shock.

“…”

A mix of surprise and indignation welled up in them, their expressions full of disbelief.

Just then, a light breeze swept through, blowing away the last traces of smoke.

The scene in the training ground became crystal clear.

Their eyes widened in shock, mouths gaping at the sight before them.

Masatsuki Aozaki stood in the center of a massive crater, holding a delicate woman in his arms.

The so-called “frail” woman nestled against the tall man’s chest, the two unmistakably locked in a kiss.

“What a shameless display!”

“Did they forget we’re still here?!”

“Don’t do anything reckless, Yoruichi—Yoruichi-nee-san! That’s the captain! If you go over there now, you might not make it back alive!!”