"I didn't think even the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society would be late... old man."
Masatsuki Aozaki collapsed onto his knees, trembling, his hands pressed against the ground, a smug grin on his face.
Blood dripped from every inch of his battered body, pooling beneath him in streaks of black and red.
Pain coursed through his entire being. Every muscle felt drained of strength, and the dizziness from excessive blood loss hit him in waves, lulling him toward unconsciousness.
Yet, despite it all, his pale face still held a teasing smile.
"You always talk about how no one in a thousand years could match you in swordsmanship, Hakuda, or Kido... but your Shunpo still needs work. Guess you'd better keep practicing."
This damned disciple...
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's eye twitched. As he scanned the scene, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he fell silent.
His gaze landed on the corpse of Kenpachi Kiganjō.
This brat...
A long stretch of silence followed before Yamamoto finally let out a gruff murmur.
"Well done."
Masatsuki Aozaki let out a sharp laugh.
"Master, if you're struggling to say it, you don't have to force yourself. I know exactly what you mean—I'm well aware of how exceptional I am."
Yamamoto huffed heavily but didn't argue.
He had to admit—
This student was remarkable.
Unbelievably remarkable.
More talented than himself.
Where else could you find a student this young capable of killing a captain?
The two locked eyes, saying nothing, as if searching for something within each other's gaze.
It didn't take long before they both understood.
One was looking for warmth and acknowledgment.
The other was looking for expectation and reassurance.
And they both found what they were looking for.
Words were no longer necessary.
...
A graceful figure hurried forward, stopping behind Yamamoto. A soft voice spoke.
"Captain-Commander, we've arrived."
The familiarity of the voice made Yamamoto pause before he quickly turned, issuing orders to his subordinates.
"The traitor Kenpachi Kiganjō has been executed by 2nd Division's Third Seat, Masatsuki. He is seriously injured—Fourth Division, see to his recovery."
"Yes, sir," Retsu Unohana nodded slightly.
"I'll be in your care, Unohana!" Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled.
"Leave it to me."
Unohana gave him a slow, measured look, her gaze flickering as a small smile played on her lips.
If she'd heard correctly, Kenpachi Kiganjō had been slain by Masatsuki Aozaki.
This boy always found a way to surprise people.
The moment those words left her lips,
Masatsuki Aozaki felt something.
His expression stiffened, and his head snapped up.
The sight of that gentle, elegant face—paired with a warm, soothing smile—sent an involuntary shiver down his spine.
He knew that smile all too well.
There was no doubt about it—
She was in the mood for a sparring session.
Unohana, seemingly aware of his realization, gave him a playful wink, her fondness for him barely concealed.
With a graceful wave of her hand, she swiftly unsheathed her Zanpakutō.
As the name "Minazuki" rang out, the long blade transformed before everyone's eyes—
Into a massive, one-eyed manta ray.
"Long time no see," Masatsuki Aozaki greeted the old fish, fully aware of what was about to happen.
He was about to be swallowed whole. Again.
Although it left him sticky, he didn't particularly mind the comforting sensation.
Unfortunately, in his current state, he lacked the strength to leap inside on his own.
A shame, really—for both parties.
"Heh..." The giant manta ray opened its massive mouth.
Masatsuki Aozaki, ever cooperative, took two steps forward.
Minazuki glided toward him.
Man and manta ray moved in sync.
Then—
With a deep, resonant "gulp"—
Masatsuki Aozaki was swallowed whole.
...
"I'm sorry."
Yoruichi Shihōin arrived at the 4th Division, visibly injured, yet the first words out of her mouth were an apology—to Masatsuki Aozaki.
The ward was empty, leaving only the two of them.
The commotion outside was still ongoing. Yamamoto had returned to the 1st Division to take command, unfazed by the chaos, while the 4th Division members had rushed off to provide support elsewhere.
Masatsuki Aozaki snapped out of his thoughts, his gaze falling on Yoruichi's battered form.
Not only did he feel no inclination to blame her, but seeing her in such a state actually made his heart ache a little.
She must have gone through a lot just to get here…
He tilted his head.
"Sorry for what?"
"I'm sorry… I'm late again." Yoruichi lowered her head, her voice filled with regret.
"Isn't it common knowledge that the fastest people are always late?"
Masatsuki Aozaki spread his hands, his tone light, as if trying to break the heavy atmosphere.
"Besides, you are the Flash Goddess, after all."
"...What?" Yoruichi blinked, caught off guard.
"It's a title I came up with for you—Flash Goddess Yoruichi. Sounds cool, right?" Masatsuki Aozaki grinned.
"Uh… well, it does sound cool, but I don't think I deserve it."
A little embarrassed, Yoruichi had successfully been pulled out of her somber thoughts, shaking her head.
"Why not? Even Master said your Shunpo is almost on par with his. He even told me to learn from you."
Seeing his distraction tactic had worked, Masatsuki Aozaki puffed up with pride, as if he were the one being praised.
Yoruichi's face flushed slightly, the contrast against her tanned skin making her look both adorable and alluring.
Being complimented by the Captain-Commander was no small thing, but she knew her own limits and quickly denied it.
"I'm nowhere near as fast as Captain-Commander!"
The old man's been around for ages—of course, he has to slow down at some point!
Perhaps because of the strange books and discussions he'd had with Lisa Yadōmaru, Masatsuki Aozaki's thoughts inevitably strayed.
He coughed twice.
"I meant your technique. Master's Shunpo is only that fast because of his sheer Reiatsu. When it comes to technique, you're not far behind him at all."
"It's called specialization. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. You were born a genius when it comes to Shunpo."
Masatsuki Aozaki was about to continue showering Yoruichi with praise when—
"Hiss—!"
A sharp intake of breath.
Yoruichi had moved the wrong way, pulling at her wounds. The sting caught her off guard, and she couldn't help but let out a small cry of pain.
Masatsuki Aozaki's heart clenched.
Without a second thought, he scooped her up and dashed out of the 4th Division, heading straight for the underground training grounds.
To help Yoruichi recover, he had decided—
A hot spring therapy session was in order.
With Lisa Yadōmaru, his ever-reliable source of questionable knowledge, he had learned that aerobic exercise was beneficial for a woman's physical and mental well-being.
For the sake of Yoruichi's health—both body and mind—Masatsuki Aozaki was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
With all the speed and skill he had honed in his lifetime, he reached his destination in no time.
Yoruichi swallowed hard and feigned ignorance.
"What… are you planning to do?"
Masatsuki Aozaki stood at the edge of the hot spring, hands on his hips, looking every bit the villain.
"What do you think, little cat? This is your punishment for being late!"
"Should I help you, or will you handle it yourself?"
"...Fine, fine, I'll do it myself! Just don't hurt me."
Yoruichi slumped onto the ground, trembling slightly as she undressed. It was as if she had fully embraced the role—now a delicate, pitiful girl being bullied.
This kind of playful act was nothing new between them.
They both knew what came next.
As they entered the steaming water, Masatsuki Aozaki effortlessly pulled Yoruichi into his arms,
A motion so practiced that it elicited a soft, involuntary murmur from her lips.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake