As Kirio Hikifune's figure disappeared into the distance, Masatsuki Aozaki and Kisuke Urahara both let out a sigh of relief.
Among the Gotei 13, Kirio Hikifune wasn't known for her combat prowess, but she was still a cut above the average captain.
Neither of them had reached captain level yet, and even if combat wasn't her specialty, she could still take them down in an instant if she wanted to.
Of course, they knew she wouldn't.
They just didn't want to get scolded for slacking off.
"That was way too close," Kisuke muttered, wiping away nonexistent sweat.
"Aren't you heading back? If Yoruichi finds out you snuck out, she'll probably lose all motivation to work too."
"I thought you were going to say, 'She'll drag me back to work.'"
"She's not that kind of person."
"True," Masatsuki nodded seriously, then chuckled. "Actually, that just reminded me of something."
"Hm? What is it?" Kisuke asked.
Masatsuki leaned in. "Can you make a protective suit? Something that can withstand Kidō attacks from a Seated Officer. Price isn't an issue."
Kisuke scratched his head. "What do you need a protective suit for? With your freakish durability, you really think a Seated Officer-level Kidō could even scratch you?"
"It's for Kūkaku," Masatsuki said, rubbing the back of his head with a grin.
"Kūkaku?" Kisuke stroked his chin. "Ah, I get it. With how reckless she is, her hobbies are pretty dangerous. Without proper protection, she definitely needs something like that."
"You really do read my mind," Masatsuki praised.
"No need for flattery," Kisuke sighed. "Just leave it to me. Kūkaku's my friend too, after all."
"If anything, I should be thanking you—I wouldn't have even thought about this if it weren't for you."
Masatsuki waved a hand with a smile. "Then I'll leave it to you. I need to find a new place to slack off."
"There's gotta be a limit to how much you slack… Well, not that I'm one to talk," Kisuke muttered.
As he watched Masatsuki practically skipping away, Kisuke sighed and strolled lazily back toward the barracks.
Meanwhile, Masatsuki carefully climbed onto the roof and slipped over the wall.
"Aozaki-san, why sneak over the wall instead of using the main path?"
A gentle voice drifted into his ears, warm and soothing like a spring breeze.
"Because it's more fun this way."
Masatsuki Aozaki answered instinctively before freezing for a moment. Then, his face lit up with recognition.
"Lieutenant Aizen! So it's you!"
Aizen adjusted his glasses, a polite smile gracing his lips. "It seems Aozaki-san is quite happy to see me. It's an honor that the Captain-Commander's disciple recognizes me."
"I should be the one honored," Masatsuki said with a grin. "Lieutenant Aizen's reputation is legendary at the Shin'ō Academy. There's not a single student or instructor who doesn't know your name."
"Many consider you an idol. Even now, your calligraphy is still displayed in the academy's grand hall. Every time I pass by, I can't help but stop and admire it."
"Oh? I didn't expect you to have an interest in calligraphy as well," Aizen said, feigning pleasant surprise.
Masatsuki nodded earnestly. "I've admired you for a long time, Lieutenant Aizen. Back at the academy, I wanted to enroll in your calligraphy class."
"But my training schedule was intense, and I didn't have the free time. Unfortunately, I had to give up on the idea."
"It's a shame I missed the opportunity to learn from you."
"Calligraphy can be learned at any time—it doesn't have to be at the Shin'ō Academy," Aizen said smoothly.
"I often practice in my spare time. If you're interested, feel free to come find me."
...
The patrolling Shinigami nearby had fallen into a strange silence, watching the two men shower each other with compliments.
Masatsuki hopped down from the wall and took a quick glance around. Strangely enough, no one seemed to be paying attention to him.
It wasn't arrogance—just a fact.
Even without the status of being the Captain-Commander's disciple, his presence alone would turn heads wherever he went.
Yet, right now, not a single person on the street was looking at him. Instead, their eyes were fixed on two unfamiliar figures in conversation.
Something was off.
"Long time no see, Masatsuki."
...Kyōka Suigetsu.
The familiar voice made everything click into place. Masatsuki gave a slight nod.
"Long time no see, Aizen-sama."
Aizen stepped out from the shadows, his usual composed demeanor unchanged. "You don't seem surprised that I came to find you."
"You already hinted at it through Gin back when I was at the academy, didn't you?"
Masatsuki smiled.
"Back in Rukongai, you told me I was smart. So, I hope you'll trust in my abilities."
Confident. Just as expected from a man worthy of walking alongside me...
"Come with me."
"Yes."
For a brief moment, Masatsuki thought he saw Aizen's smile widen.
...
The two walked side by side, slowly making their way westward, leaving the 12th Division barracks behind and stepping into the residential district of Seireitei's lower-ranking Shinigami.
The streets were still bustling with life.
Shopkeepers bickered with customers, their voices carrying through the air. Further ahead, someone stood in a dim alleyway, trying to lure in clients. Laughter and idle chatter blended into the lively atmosphere.
Aizen suddenly spoke, his tone casual yet contemplative.
"Masatsuki, what do you think of this world?"
Masatsuki raised a brow. He hadn't expected Aizen to bring up such a grand topic out of nowhere.
He fell silent, carefully considering his response.
If he wanted to gain Aizen's trust, his answer had to be right.
Aizen, however, wasn't in a rush. He simply stood there, watching him patiently.
Masatsuki took in the scene before him—the carefree pedestrians, the warmth of the sun, the illusion of peace. Then, after a moment, he spoke.
"If I only look at them, I'd say the world is beautiful… but when I think about everything else, it's clear that it's not nearly good enough."
Aizen chuckled. "Interesting answer. Who exactly are you thinking of? And what have they done?"
Masatsuki didn't hesitate. "The ones in power—the ones who only exist to make life difficult for everyone else."
Aizen let out a soft laugh. "It seems you hold quite the grudge against the Tsunayashiro Clan. Personally, I don't think highly of them either."
"Of course. After all, most of my troubles can be traced back to them," Masatsuki said with a shrug. "But it's not just them—the problem is Seireitei itself."
"In the end, it's the rotten system of Seireitei that grants them too much power, allowing them to act without restraint."
Aizen's eyes gleamed with intrigue. Though a flicker of emotion stirred within him, his face remained unreadable.
"I never expected you to have such a sharp political perspective. You truly live up to your reputation as a genius."
"This has nothing to do with being a genius," Masatsuki said, waving a hand dismissively.
"It's just that, at this moment, I happen to not be a noble. I've studied systems far more advanced than this one."
"And when I turn back to see this archaic, decayed court—a system so similar to the outdated monarchies of the Living World—it's only natural to feel nothing but frustration and disdain."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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