At that moment, Masatsuki Aozaki seemed almost possessed by Retsu Unohana.
Just as Unohana had once done during a Zanjutsu class at the Shin'ō Academy, he pointed out each flaw in Suì-Fēng's combat technique with precise clarity.
The onlookers mentally reenacted the battle between the two and quickly realized that Masatsuki was absolutely right, prompting murmurs of amazement.
As she listened to him highlight her weaknesses and offer solutions, Suì-Fēng's sharp eyes lit up—only to dim again a moment later.
If this man is my rival, how can I possibly remain by Lady Yoruichi's side?
As soon as their sparring match ended, several team members clenched their fists in anticipation, itching to challenge him next.
Unlike their more laid-back superior, these members were brimming with motivation.
Masatsuki, however, had no interest in them whatsoever, his expression making it clear that he found the idea bothersome.
He was willing to humor Suì-Fēng because she was Suì-Fēng—but as for the rest, they could find something else to do.
Scratching his head, he absentmindedly grabbed Suì-Fēng's hand and glanced toward the mountains northwest of the barracks.
"The training ground tour is over. Let's head to the Nest of Maggots."
"There's a newcomer there—the most powerful and most cowardly criminal in its history."
Powerful? Cowardly? How do those two words even go together?
Suì-Fēng tilted her head in confusion, momentarily forgetting to pull her hand away from his grasp.
The moment they stepped out of the exclusive training ground for the 3rd Seat, they were immediately surrounded by an eager crowd of squad members.
Fortunately, with Marenoshin Ōmaeda's help, Masatsuki and Suì-Fēng managed to slip away from the overly enthusiastic group.
After leaving the 2nd Division barracks, they made their way through the moat and dense forest, eventually arriving at the Nest of Maggots.
Gin Ichimaru was already there, waiting. When he noticed the unfamiliar girl at Masatsuki's side, his expression remained unchanged—calm and indifferent, as always.
—He was used to this.
"This isn't exactly an ideal spot for a date," Gin quipped. "If you're trying to charm a little girl, you should take her to the Noble District instead. With your noble status, the 10th Division won't bother arresting you."
In the past, the 10th Division wouldn't have dared to provoke a noble. But under a captain dead set on making his mark, that might not be the case anymore...
Masatsuki pondered this briefly before turning his gaze toward Suì-Fēng, who was a short distance away, storing her Zanpakutō.
Her petite frame certainly gave her a youthful appearance, but from their time traveling together, he was certain she was already an adult—just still in the middle of growing.
Though Masatsuki didn't quite understand how someone could be both fully grown and still developing at the same time.
But whatever. If Suì-Fēng said so, then it must be true. After all, she was both cool and adorable—who was he to argue?
Gesturing for her to follow, he casually waved to Gin before stepping into the underground prison that housed the most dangerous criminals.
The prisoners, as always, exuded menace, but Masatsuki had long since lost interest in them. With little effort, he swatted away any who dared to get too close.
Suì-Fēng could clearly sense the prisoners' Reiatsu, and the sheer power radiating from them left her stunned.
It wasn't just the strength of these criminals that shocked her—it was the way Masatsuki moved through this place as if it were his own backyard.
And the most unsettling part? He had been suppressing his Reiatsu the entire time. The realization made the whole situation feel almost surreal.
Pushing open the heavy prison doors, they arrived at Takasugi Hirofumi's cell.
The sheer durability of his confinement and the appalling conditions within were far beyond what was standard for a prisoner in the Nest of Maggots.
There were no torture devices scattered around, no grisly instruments of pain—just an empty space, barren except for the chains and shackles binding him to the wall.
Immobile, restrained in a way that would surely drive a person mad over the course of three thousand years.
Masatsuki, however, remained completely unfazed. He didn't even acknowledge the prisoner's piercing stare, merely leaning against the wall with a nonchalant air.
Then, with a flick of his fingers, he unlatched the metal mask covering Takasugi's face.
"Long time no see, Takasugi. Or perhaps I should address you by your full name—Takasugi Hirofumi."
"This cell of yours is downright miserable. Not even a place to sit."
"Maybe we should install a sofa outside so I can drop by more often. What do you think?"
"Heh… it doesn't matter. I'll be out soon anyway. By then, you'll be the one staring at the walls… or maybe you won't even have the luxury of sitting here and doing that."
Takasugi Hirofumi let out a chilling laugh, his expression twisted in an attempt to kill with his glare. But even his threats sounded hollow, utterly lacking menace.
A man who could barely move a finger—how was he supposed to be intimidating?
Seeing Masatsuki Aozaki standing there, looking down on him with that arrogant expression, Takasugi snapped, his fury boiling over as he shouted:
"Why the hell are you here? Are you here to kill me?! Don't forget who's backing me—you can't just do as you please!"
"Just looking at you pisses me off. Do me a favor and get the hell out of my sight!"
Maybe he didn't realize it himself, but by the end, his words sounded more like a plea than a threat.
If anyone familiar with Takasugi Hirofumi saw the trace of fear in his voice as he faced Masatsuki, they would no doubt mock him mercilessly.
Then again, anyone who knew him even a little was well aware that, at his core, Takasugi was a coward. His reaction was hardly surprising.
After all, Masatsuki Aozaki—a young man thousands of years his junior—had nearly cost him his life not long ago. Even Takasugi's stronger colleagues had fallen at Masatsuki's hands.
To the unfortunate Takasugi Hirofumi, Masatsuki wasn't some prize to be hunted for glory—he was a plague to be avoided at all costs. All he could do was pray that Masatsuki would grow bored and leave of his own accord.
Of course, there was no doubt that someone would come to rescue him.
Until then, he had no intention of dying a meaningless death.
Masatsuki, completely unaware of Takasugi's frantic inner thoughts—and even if he was, he wouldn't have cared—simply looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.
"Come on, no need to get so worked up, Takasugi-san. I'm not some villainous monster. Why would I kill you?"
He stepped closer, a bright, friendly smile plastered across his face.
"Relax. We've got plenty of time ahead of us... to take things slow and have some fun."
Takasugi's whole body trembled. A chilling dread spread through him as a vision of Rentarō's gruesome demise flickered through his mind like a film reel.
Suì-Fēng's eyes widened in disbelief.
Takasugi Hirofumi's Reiatsu was undoubtedly captain-class—so why was he this terrified after just a few words from Masatsuki?
She still didn't know that Rentarō, a captain like Takasugi, had already met his end at Masatsuki's hands. If she did, she might have understood Takasugi's fear a little better.
Masatsuki turned away and called out, "Alright, Takasugi-san, we've got other people to see. We'll be heading out now."
"You bastard… do you take me for some kind of performer here for your amusement?!" Takasugi snarled through clenched teeth.
Masatsuki ignored his outburst. With a flick of his fingers, the metal mask snapped back into place, sealing Takasugi's mouth once more.
Then, without looking back, he walked off with Suì-Fēng, making his way to another cell.
It was time to show this inexperienced little girl his prized collection of masked monsters.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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