Game Master

The souls in Sector 62 East have disappeared, so we need to pass through the East Gate, the Azure Stream Gate.

The gatekeeper of the Azure Gate East Stream Gate is named Wei Wan. Gaoyu took a look and saw that he also possessed a Soul Ability.

His Soul Ability is 'Deeply Trapped Illusionist,' which allows him to induce a hypnotic state of illusion in himself.

It's useful. Although it puts him into an illusion, it can still be effective when necessary.

Hmm, another potential friend!

However, he definitely doesn't have time to make friends with Wei Wan right now. After their squad of Shinigami passed through the Azure Stream Gate, they continued to advance eastward at a rapid pace.

It's a considerable distance from the Fifth Division to Sector 62 East; they might not even make it in a single day.

Considering the possibility of combat upon reaching 'Flower Wither' in Sector 62, they needed to rest somewhere along the way.

When the sky began to darken, they set up tents in the wilderness. By this time, Gaoyu became even more cautious.

The last time they were stationed, Kensei Muguruma was attacked by Aizen and his group. He felt it would be the same this time.

But last time, Aizen went to such great lengths to deal with Kisuke Urahara and several Captain-level Shinigami. This time, it's just for him?

That's too much, right?

Gaoyu clicked his tongue and then greeted Toru Tanimoto.

"Tanimoto, is it our turn for guard duty at this time?"

Of course, not everyone in the squad could rest; someone always had to patrol outside.

Toru Tanimoto waved his hand and said, "No, you and Fujita are a pair."

The Vice-Captain and four Lieutenants were divided into three teams for rotating guard duty. The Fourth and Ninth Lieutenants formed one team, the Fifth and Sixth Lieutenants formed another, and Gin Ichimaru was in a group by himself.

Of course, these were just the Lieutenants; they also had to bring along some Shinigami.

The one on guard duty with Gaoyu was the Fifth Division's Fourth Lieutenant, Satoru Fujita. Gaoyu felt a bit regretful, as he wasn't particularly fond of Fujita's ability.

Fujita's Soul Ability is 'Sleep When You Want,' which allows him to fall asleep instantly whenever he wishes.

Damn it, what's the use of this ability!

I don't have insomnia!

Perhaps someone suffering from insomnia would desperately need this ability?

But...

Tonight, he really had no interest in trying to curry favor with others. He had to carefully watch his surroundings and avoid dying for no reason.

By the campfire in front of the tent, Gaoyu sat before the roaring flames, ready to use Black Sun.

Over the past few months, Gaoyu had been injecting about half of his Spiritual Power into Black Sun almost every day. With this continuous infusion, the power Black Sun now possessed was quite considerable.

However, he only had enough power for one use right now.

If only he could permanently obtain Destruction Death Ray.

Gaoyu looked towards the tent, where Toru Tanimoto was. Toru Tanimoto's favorability towards him was already high, but it hadn't reached eighty yet.

Of course, besides Black Sun, he now also had a Fireball spell attack skill, but he didn't know how destructive this ability was.

During this period, he had managed to acquire almost all the Soul Abilities within the squad. Although they were all single-use, they might come in handy at any moment.

For instance, at this moment, as Gaoyu looked at the skills he had mastered, he suddenly froze.

He noticed that the 'Game Master' skill was glowing.

This meant that this ability was currently in an 'activatable' state.

Game?

I'm not playing a game right now?

Gaoyu sat by the campfire, frowning, and then suddenly had a thought!

Game?!

That's right, although I'm not playing a real game right now, but...

Isn't this situation exactly like being in a game set up by Aizen?!

What is a game?

When the organizer considers it a game, and the participants also consider it a game, then it's a damn game!

Aizen definitely approached this chess game with a playful attitude, and he also saw it as a small game set up by Aizen.

Then this operation of his is truly a game, isn't it?

It's settled then!

Gaoyu suppressed the excitement in his heart and immediately activated the 'Game Master' ability.

In an instant, Gaoyu felt that everything around him had changed.

Gaoyu felt as if his surroundings had been refreshed. He looked at the Shinigami around him; they hadn't changed, but when he looked in Toru Tanimoto's direction, he saw a red figure appear inside the tent!

?

No!

Is it Tanimoto, or someone near him?

What does red represent?

Gaoyu's mind was a bit chaotic for a moment, but perhaps due to the 'Game Master' ability acting upon him, he quickly regained his composure.

He sighed softly and then stood up.

Satoru Fujita watched Gaoyu walk towards the tent and couldn't help but say, "Gaoyu, it's not time for your shift yet!"

"I know, it's just that I have something to do."

Gaoyu walked to the tent and then said softly, "Tanimoto, are you inside?"

After a moment, Tanimoto's voice came out.

"Yes? Gaoyu? Is something wrong?"

Gaoyu lifted the tent flap and walked inside.

He saw seven or eight Shinigami inside the tent, and notably, next to Tanimoto, there was a Shinigami emitting a red glow.

Gaoyu sighed and said to that Shinigami, "Kawai-kun? Oh, no, what should I call you now?"

Months of friendly interaction had allowed Gaoyu to recognize all the Shinigami in the Fifth Division; he could call each of them by name.

Kawai was a young man who had joined the team even later than Gaoyu, only three years ago. He looked fair and clean-faced. Upon hearing Gaoyu's words, he put on a confused expression.

Tanimoto found it strange. He looked at Kawai beside him, then looked at Gaoyu and said, "Gaoyu, what nonsense are you talking about?"

But in the next instant, Kawai drew his Zanpakuto and fiercely slashed at Toru Tanimoto!

The strike was incredibly fast and swift, and Toru Tanimoto never imagined that a subordinate beside him would attack him!

But just as the blade was about to pierce his Sealing Knot, Gaoyu intervened.

With a Flash Step, Gaoyu appeared in front of Kawai, his Zanpakuto already swung.

In an instant, the blade of the Zanpakuto sliced across Kawai's throat!

Pfft!

A large amount of blood gushed from Kawai's throat, splattering directly inside the tent!

"?!"

Tanimoto gasped for air, looking at Kawai dying right before him. He panted and quickly asked, "Wh-what's going on?!"

Gaoyu didn't reply. Instead, he looked at Kawai's 'corpse'.

The next moment, Kawai revealed a sinister smile!