That evening...
Behind Seireitei's west gate, at Shin'ō Academy.
In a lavish dormitory, Masatsuki Aozaki informed Rangiku Matsumoto and Gin Ichimaru of his decision to apply for early graduation.
"This year? At a time like this? Why would the Captain-Commander give such an order?"
Rangiku's expression tensed as she processed his words.
"Isn't this too dangerous?" Gin added, his tone heavy with concern.
Unlike the carefree Rangiku, Gin had been closely following the situation outside. Captain-Commander Yamamoto's decision was so shocking that he could hardly believe it.
They had only just taken down a captain-level Shinigami from the rebel forces—there was no way the Tsunayashiro Clan would let that slide.
Looking at Masatsuki, who sat cross-legged on the floor with a calm and amiable smile, anyone who didn't know better would think he was about to go on vacation.
This... this idiot!
"This isn't the right time to graduate. Why don't you just come up with an excuse to refuse the Captain-Commander?" Gin suggested. "You're unreliable most of the time anyway—just make something up, and he'll probably buy it."
Both the Gotei 13 and the rebels were gearing up for all-out war. The battles ahead would be nothing short of brutal.
Compared to joining the Gotei 13 now, staying in Shin'ō Academy was far safer.
"My master wouldn't send me to my death."
Masatsuki absentmindedly ran his fingers along the hilt of Banshō Senran, then smiled reassuringly.
"Once I join, I'll be the Third Seat of the Second Division, which also puts me in charge of the Detention Unit, overseeing the Nest of Maggots. I won't be on the front lines."
"Besides, the Onmitsukidō operates independently from the Gotei 13 and is entirely controlled by the Shihōin Clan. There's little need to worry about internal threats."
"If anything, joining the Second Division is safer than staying at Shin'ō Academy."
At that, he glanced at Rangiku and Gin.
If they wanted, they could graduate alongside him.
Neither had achieved Shikai yet, but passing the graduation exam wouldn't be an issue.
In the original timeline, Gin was a prodigy who graduated from the academy in just a year.
Now, with her soul complete, Rangiku possessed even greater potential than he did.
As Masatsuki's thoughts drifted, Gin suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "What happened to the rebels who attacked?"
"Do they know you killed a captain-level Shinigami?"
That was the real issue. Captain-class Shinigami weren't just symbols of nobility; they were the true backbone of Soul Society's power. Even the Four Great Noble Clans wouldn't take such a loss lightly.
Given the Tsunayashiro Clan's ruthlessness, ambition, and dominance, there was no way they'd let this go.
You're the Captain-Commander's beloved disciple—
But you're not the Captain-Commander himself.
"You really think those rebels will stay quiet?"
Masatsuki returned to the present, considered for a moment, then shrugged with a smile.
"They were sentenced to death and locked away in Senzaikyū under Onmitsukidō's watch. No one is allowed to visit."
"As for the ones who saw me kill... Captain Unohana took care of them. Now, barely anyone knows the truth, and those who do won't dare spread it."
Not to mention Yoruichi, Old Man Yamamoto, Ginrei Kuchiki, and Sōjun Kuchiki—no one would be foolish enough to provoke them.
Even the Fourth Division members who witnessed the incident were under Unohana's strict supervision. They wouldn't be released until things blew over.
"..."
Gin furrowed his brows.
Seeing Masatsuki's unwavering confidence, he knew the situation had been handled.
He wasn't sure how this guy had managed to get so many big names to cover for him—
But the outcome was undeniably perfect.
Masatsuki had saved Kuchiki-sensei. His role in killing a captain-level rebel remained hidden. And soon, he'd join the Second Division as Third Seat.
Everything seemed to be falling into place.
But was that really a good thing?
Gin studied Masatsuki's relaxed smile, unease creeping into his chest.
Masatsuki had done something that could shake all of Soul Society.
The Captain-Commander could protect him for now, but could he guarantee that safety forever?
This was nothing like the future they had envisioned when they first arrived.
And yet, Masatsuki had the nerve to tell him to keep a low profile.
"Masatsuki!"
Masatsuki looked at him curiously. "What's wrong?"
Gin Ichimaru pondered for a moment, narrowing his eyes before saying slowly, "I want to apply for early graduation too."
"Me too! Me too!" Rangiku Matsumoto chimed in excitedly.
Masatsuki and Gin rolled their eyes in unison, exasperated. They distinctly remembered how confused she had looked just moments ago, yet now she was eager to join in.
"What's your reason?" Masatsuki asked, tilting his head.
"I don't feel comfortable letting you, a total airhead, wander around on your own," Gin sighed.
Rangiku nodded in agreement.
Masatsuki was briefly stunned before breaking into a satisfied smile. "I knew I made the right choice. Bringing you to Shin'ō Academy was definitely a good decision."
"Unlike Rangiku, who just gives me headaches all day long. She never trains seriously, and if I'm not around to push her, she won't do anything."
As Masatsuki continued complaining, Gin glanced at Rangiku, whose expression was darkening. A strange look crossed his face.
"Anyway, since you both are so eager, let's do this together!" Masatsuki, completely unaware of the impending danger, grew more and more excited.
"Ahem..."
Noticing Rangiku's increasingly icy stare and the dangerous aura radiating from her, Gin coughed twice.
Masatsuki: "..."
"What I meant to say was, Rangiku is just too irresistible. I'd be more than happy to stay by her side. Supervising her training is just a bonus."
"..."
This time, it was Rangiku's turn to fall silent.
Watching the two, Gin pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation. That was the most awkward save he'd ever heard.
But before a second passed, Rangiku burst into laughter and threw herself at Masatsuki.
"I knew it!"
Gin: "..."
Masatsuki hugged her tightly, then waved at Gin. "I'll leave the graduation application report to you."
"I got it," Gin muttered through gritted teeth, his eye twitching.
Watching the two suddenly start flirting in front of him, he felt utterly drained.
They're both the same kind of trouble...
...
After Gin finished the application, Masatsuki submitted the early graduation request to Keito Satō.
Upon hearing his reasons, Keito Satō approved the request without hesitation. He also excused Masatsuki from attending further academy classes so he could focus entirely on preparing for the graduation exam.
In the days that followed, Masatsuki immersed himself in training the "Sōkotsu" technique he had learned from Yamamoto.
Rangiku and Gin trained alongside him, determined to improve as much as possible before the exam.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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