"Damn it! Why was I the only one assigned to the 1st Division?"
Rangiku Matsumoto trudged through the streets of Seireitei, grumbling as she occasionally shot dagger-like glares at Gin Ichimaru.
Why did he get to go to the 2nd Division with Masatsuki Aozaki, but not her?!
Feeling the weight of her gaze, Gin shivered involuntarily.
Masatsuki Aozaki sighed. "I recommended you."
"What?! How could you do this to me?" Rangiku clutched her chest dramatically, her expression devastated. "Does this mean you don't like me anymore?"
Masatsuki rubbed his temples in exasperation. "Of course not. It's just that the 1st Division is safer. With Master there, I can rest easy. Don't forget what I told you before."
Hearing this, Rangiku furrowed her brows in deep thought before remembering Masatsuki's warning about a certain someone. Her excitement faded, and she reluctantly sighed.
"Fine…"
Gin sighed as well, clearly at his limit. "Can you two calm down? The 1st and 2nd Division barracks aren't that far apart."
"With Shunpo, you can meet up in no time."
"You're right!" Rangiku perked up. "Then I'll see you tonight!" She waved before sprinting toward the 1st Division.
...
Masatsuki Aozaki and Gin Ichimaru arrived at the base of a mountain. A long staircase stretched upward, winding through the trees and disappearing into the sky.
The hum of cicadas echoed in the air. At the foot of the steps stood a stone pillar marked with the kanji for "Two." The surrounding trees were lush and vibrant, their branches swaying gently. Dense grass covered the ground like rolling waves.
At the top of the stairs stood a grand traditional building—white walls, a golden roof, and wooden fences painted in red and green. Butterflies and insects danced around the entrance, drawn to the colors.
The patrolling Shinigami on guard saluted their soon-to-be superior. After receiving a brief nod in return, one of them hurried inside to report.
Before long, members of the Inner Court Troop emerged, even ahead of the guards, and personally escorted Masatsuki and Gin inside.
When they reached an office, Gin was made to wait outside while Masatsuki stepped in alone.
A purple-haired woman sat behind a desk. Her short, neat hair swayed with each slight movement of her head.
"You look like you're in a good mood."
Masatsuki adjusted his Shihakushō, preparing to formally greet his new captain—Yoruichi Shihōin.
"You can skip the formalities."
She waved a hand dismissively, stopping him mid-motion. After ensuring the Inner Court Troop members had left, she crossed her arms and smirked.
"You finally made it. So, what do you think of our 2nd Division?"
Masatsuki walked forward casually.
"Not bad. Feels just like being back at the Shihōin estate."
The 2nd Division's architecture was unique—not only was it old, but it also bore a distinct resemblance to the Shihōin Clan's style.
That was no surprise. The first captain of the 2nd Division, Chika Shihōin, had left his mark, and since then, generations of Shihōin captains had carried on the tradition. The entire division was molded by their influence.
Yoruichi grinned. "Sounds like you really like the Shihōin Clan. Want to come back with me?"
Masatsuki shrugged. "Anytime. I'm always free."
"Tch. Forget it." She sighed in defeat. "I'll take you to your office—it's right across from mine."
Masatsuki simply followed along, ignoring the slight embarrassment in Yoruichi's expression.
...
"By the way, Captain Shihōin, isn't the Detention Unit mainly based in the Nest of Maggots?"
"Hah! What do you take the 2nd Division for?"
Yoruichi shot him a sidelong glance before pulling open a door and stepping inside.
"As the Detention Unit's captain, your job is to manage the troops, not act as a security guard. Your office is here in the 2nd Division."
"As for your actual duties… it's simple—keep the team in line and make sure the dangerous ones behave."
"Of course, if you want to visit the Nest of Maggots, go ahead. It is under your jurisdiction."
"'Keep them in line,' huh…" Masatsuki stroked his chin. "Wouldn't it be better to introduce ourselves properly before toying with them?"
"Stop twisting my words and just look at what I prepared for you!"
Yoruichi gritted her teeth and pointed at two ridiculously thick stacks of documents on the table, each several hundred pages long.
"These are all people you need to know. Left pile—our division members. Right pile—detailed profiles on the dangerous inmates in the Nest of Maggots."
Masatsuki flipped through a few pages, nodding as he skimmed the contents.
"What's with this name being circled?"
"Oh, those are the ones you really need to keep an eye on. They haven't done anything that directly threatens Seireitei… but they could."
"Got it."
Masatsuki Aozaki pulled a notepad from his uniform, jotted down Yoruichi's words, and tucked it into his desk drawer. Then, with an exaggerated expression of shock, he blurted out:
"I'm honestly surprised… You're actually doing your job as a captain!"
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow at his teasing tone.
"…You little brat, you've been treating me like a fool this whole time, haven't you?"
"That's not what I meant…! It's just that I heard from Lieutenant Ōmaeda that whenever you handle squad affairs, you have this deeply pained look on your face—like you're truly suffering. And let's not forget how you used to sneak out to meet me all the time."
"Ugh, don't say it like that! You're making it sound weird. I just wanted to have fun, that's all."
"What's the difference?"
"Tch… You really haven't lost your talent for getting on my nerves."
Yoruichi folded her arms, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling. The look on her face practically screamed: I'm mad. Hurry up and make it up to me.
"Alright, alright. My bad, okay?"
"That's a pretty lousy apology."
Yoruichi pouted but continued,
"I am Yoruichi Shihōin, you know. There's no way I'd enjoy being stuck in an office all day… But I'm also the head of the Shihōin Clan. I was raised in that environment—I can't just abandon it."
"It's those damn pitying looks they give me. Makes it impossible to just walk away. What a bunch of annoying people."
Masatsuki chuckled.
"Well, of course. Forget your clan elders—even Master wouldn't let someone as talented as you slack off."
"Besides, don't you have your little brother, Yūshirō? A few more years, and once he graduates from Shin'ō Academy, he can help take some of the burden off you."
Hearing Yūshirō's name, Yoruichi's eyes lit up.
"You're right—there's Yūshirō! He's always saying he wants to help me. Well, now's his chance to prove it."
"Masatsuki, you're a genius!"
With that, Yoruichi suddenly hugged him, then practically bounced out of the office.
She moved so fast that Masatsuki didn't even have time to stop her.
Running a hand through his hair, he muttered to himself,
"…Weird. Why do I feel kinda guilty—like I just did something unfair to Yūshirō?"
"Well, he did always say he wanted to help his sister. He won't blame me for this… right?"
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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