The World of the Living, Karakura Town—inside a traditional mansion.
"Masatsuki, Masatsuki, please help me!"
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji sat on a man's lap, looking up at Masatsuki Aozaki with pitiful eyes.
The next second, Masatsuki Aozaki gently patted her head.
She immediately fell silent, her cheeks turning bright red.
It seemed she was embarrassed.
Sitting on Masatsuki Aozaki's lap, she felt completely safe, with not a single worry in her heart.
Suddenly, Gyōkaku Kumoi and his assassins didn't seem quite as terrifying anymore.
"Why didn't you go straight to the Gotei 13? Why come to the World of the Living instead?"
Masatsuki Aozaki asked with a smile, holding the girl securely in his arms.
"If you had gone to see Master, he would have definitely protected you."
"It's not that we doubt Captain-Commander Yamamoto's loyalty to the nobility…"
Kenryū hesitated for a moment, as if realizing he might have misspoken, and instinctively glanced at Masatsuki Aozaki.
Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, Kenryū continued:
"But the situation was too urgent at the time. With just Enryū and me, we couldn't even get the young lady out of the Kasumiōji Clan."
"We had no choice but to use the Senkaimon to escape to the World of the Living, barely making it out alive."
Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow.
"Rurichiyo is still young, so it's understandable that she couldn't take on Gyōkaku."
"But you two—hereditary retainers—compared to that old bastard, you're doing a terrible job."
"How did you let him gain full control over the family's power? You didn't have any contingency plans?"
Kenryū let out a bitter laugh and sighed helplessly.
"Masatsuki-sama, you may not know this, but while Enryū and I are hereditary retainers, Gyōkaku was deeply trusted by the previous family head."
"After the former head passed away, Gyōkaku took over all family affairs in the young lady's name."
"Even if we wanted to stop him, we were powerless to do so."
Hearing this, Masatsuki Aozaki turned to look at Rurichiyo Kasumiōji.
Most of this story had already faded from his memory, leaving only a vague impression.
He had asked her about the Kasumiōji Clan's situation before, but she always insisted that everything was fine.
He had assumed that Gyōkaku Kumoi had abandoned any ambitions after recognizing how close he and Rurichiyo were.
Now it was clear—she had been putting on a brave face all along, never telling him the full truth.
Perhaps Gyōkaku Kumoi had sensed the pressure Masatsuki Aozaki posed, which was why he had chosen to rebel so early.
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji, realizing that her lie had been exposed, blushed even deeper.
She had simply wanted to maintain her dignity in front of Masatsuki Aozaki.
Who would have thought it would turn out like this?
In truth, she had sensed for a long time that something was wrong with Gyōkaku Kumoi.
But after her parents passed away, the authority of the clan leader fell completely into his hands.
She had almost no real power of her own.
Despite the fact that many of the younger generation were friendly toward her, the older generation was a different story.
The family elders were all ambitious, eager to seize as much power as possible from the main bloodline.
Both branch retainers and distant relatives were watching her like wolves circling their prey.
In the end, the only people she could truly rely on were Kenryū and Enryū, the two retainers who had been by her side since childhood.
As Rurichiyo Kasumiōji was lost in thought—
Bang!
Bang!
Two crisp thuds echoed through the room.
Kenryū and Enryū knelt down together, pressing their foreheads firmly against the ground.
"Please, Masatsuki-sama, you must help Rurichiyo-sama."
"We are willing to serve you however you wish to repay your great kindness."
Masatsuki Aozaki, completely uninterested, waved a hand dismissively.
"Sorry, but two grown men pledging themselves to me? That's not exactly appealing."
"Besides, there's no need for you to go that far. You don't even need me to step in."
"Just contact the Gotei 13. That small fry, Gyōkaku Kumoi, doesn't stand a chance."
With the old man's temperament, Gyōkaku Kumoi pulling something like this was just asking to get cut down.
If things played out as expected, it would be a complete massacre—nine times out of ten, Gyōkaku Kumoi would be dead before he even had time to react.
"But…"
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji looked up, her eyes red and brimming with tears.
She clung tightly to Masatsuki Aozaki and, in a trembling voice, continued,
"But… we can't contact Soul Society, Masatsuki!"
Masatsuki Aozaki: "…"
If you want my help, there's no need to be this dramatic!
He turned his gaze to Nemu Kurotsuchi, who stood silently nearby.
They exchanged a glance, and Nemu immediately understood.
She reached into her Shihakushō, pulled out a small communicator shaped like a token, and handed it over.
Kenryū and Enryū were overjoyed, quickly bowing as they received it.
Masatsuki Aozaki, not wanting to be dragged into another one of the old man's errands, quietly slipped away to join Nemu in looking over the clothes they had bought earlier, occasionally offering comments.
After a while, he picked up a particular outfit—an office lady's ensemble.
A sleek black blazer paired with a white blouse for the top, while the bottom was a simple form-fitting pencil skirt.
"Wear this tonight."
Nemu Kurotsuchi nodded calmly, as if she had already anticipated this.
Just then…
"Masatsuki, Masatsuki…"
A familiar voice called out from behind. A small hand tugged at the hem of his sleeve.
"Can you take us back to Soul Society?"
"Don't act all pitiful—I still want to enjoy my time in the World of the Living for a few more days."
Masatsuki Aozaki reached out and lightly tapped Rurichiyo Kasumiōji's forehead.
Though he barely used any force, she clutched her forehead as if in pain.
Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow.
Still acting?
Do I look like the kind of guy who would be charmed by a little girl?
The sun was already setting.
And tonight, he had something far more important waiting for him—Nemu Kurotsuchi in an epic-tier outfit.
Why would he waste time dealing with the Kasumiōji Clan's mess?
"Masatsuki, you're so mean."
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji pouted.
"You've already contacted Master, so what's the rush? Why not stay in the World of the Living for a few more days?"
Masatsuki Aozaki looked at her with feigned confusion.
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji blinked.
…That's right. Why didn't I think of that?
With the Captain-Commander stepping in, there was nothing to worry about.
She had finally managed to escape to the World of the Living, could stay by Masatsuki's side, and didn't have to fear for her safety.
Why go back so soon?
"I've decided—I'm not going back today."
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji folded her arms and declared her decision with conviction.
Kenryū: "…"
Enryū: "…"
"Perfect. I visit the World of the Living all the time—I know my way around. I'll show you a good time for the next few days."
Masatsuki Aozaki ruffled Rurichiyo Kasumiōji's golden hair.
Almost instantly, her face flushed red.
Looking at her adorable expression, Masatsuki Aozaki had the sudden urge to pinch her cheek.
But before he could act, a deep, familiar voice interrupted him—
"11th Division Captain, Masatsuki Aozaki."
Masatsuki Aozaki: "…"
He turned toward his communicator, where Yamamoto's stern face filled the screen.
The old man frowned and asked gravely,
"11th Division Captain, Masatsuki Aozaki."
"Are you, as reported, currently with the head of the Kasumiōji Clan?"
Masatsuki Aozaki turned, his expression calm.
"The head of the Kasumiōji Clan? Haven't seen them."
…And who's standing right next to you, then?!
For a split second, Yamamoto felt something stir within him—his blood rushing, his pulse quickening.
Damn brat…
Calm down… Stay calm…
Shigekuni, you must stay calm!
It's been so many years. You should be used to this by now!
Taking a deep breath, his voice returned, steady and firm.
"Captain Masatsuki, can you confirm that the person beside you is indeed the head of the Kasumiōji Clan, Rurichiyo Kasumiōji?"
Masatsuki Aozaki sighed.
"Yeah, she's the real deal—Rurichiyo Kasumiōji, the rightful head of the Kasumiōji Clan."
"Good."
Yamamoto nodded.
Everyone in Seireitei knew that the Kasumiōji Clan's young head had practically paid his disciple to be her friend.
The two had known each other for years.
If Masatsuki said there was no problem, then there was no problem.
When it came to serious matters, Masatsuki wouldn't joke around.
Yamamoto tapped his cane against the floor, his voice turning solemn.
"In that case, Captain Masatsuki—"
"I hereby appoint you as the personal bodyguard of the Kasumiōji Clan's head, Princess Rurichiyo."
"You are to ensure her safety until she returns to Soul Society."