Soul Society, Seireitei.
Masatsuki Aozaki led Nemu Kurotsuchi, Rurichiyo Kasumiōji, and the others through the Kasumiōji Clan's Senkaimon, stepping into Soul Society.
His gaze immediately fell on the battlefield, where Tōshirō Hitsugaya was locked in combat with Shūsuke Amagai.
He was momentarily stunned.
They had been in the World of the Living for five days—why was this guy still not dealt with?
And don't tell him it was because the enemy was too strong.
Amagai's strength was, at best, on the same level as Grimmjow.
Not every so-called mastermind was Aizen!
Even Aizen hadn't dared challenge the entire Gotei 13 before obtaining the Hōgyoku.
And this was Seireitei—the heart of Soul Society!
Even if there were five Shūsuke Amagais, they wouldn't stand a chance here.
Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't wrap his head around it.
Scanning the battlefield, he caught sight of a familiar figure and led the group toward him.
"Senpai, is that guy really that tough? It's been this long, and he's still standing?"
Masatsuki Aozaki asked.
"So, it's you, junior."
Shunsui Kyōraku lifted his straw hat slightly, glancing at Masatsuki with a lazy smile.
Beside him stood two striking women.
One was Lisa Yadōmaru, the Lieutenant of the 8th Division—someone Masatsuki knew all too well.
The other was an elegant, intellectual beauty with long black hair—Nanao Ise, who had long since grown into a mature woman.
"The siege has only just begun. You're back too early," Lisa Yadōmaru said, clearly unimpressed.
"You should've stayed with the Kasumiōji Clan's head and played around a little longer in the World of the Living."
"Oh? You sound upset," Masatsuki Aozaki teased.
"I'm not."
"Come on, don't be so stubborn. I really haven't spent much time with you lately—I'll make it up to you."
Lisa Yadōmaru huffed and shot him a glance.
"You should be more concerned about that so-called genius Lieutenant."
"Lieutenant Amagai isn't weak, and that weapon of his, the Bakkōtō, has some rather peculiar abilities."
Nanao Ise coughed lightly, adjusted her glasses, and patiently explained to Masatsuki Aozaki.
"Lieutenant Hitsugaya is struggling against it."
Noticing her gaze, Masatsuki turned his head and met her eyes directly, unfazed.
"Shiro-chan is really disappointing me. I had Gin Ichimaru personally train him, and yet he's still underperforming. Looks like I'll have to increase his training regimen."
"In all fairness, you can't blame Lieutenant Hitsugaya for this."
Nanao took a step closer to Masatsuki Aozaki, continuing her explanation.
"Lieutenant Amagai's Bakkōtō seems to have the ability to seal Zanpakutō."
"Hey, hey, hey—if you two keep getting any closer, your dear uncle here is going to get upset!"
"Hmph…"
Masatsuki Aozaki scoffed, making no effort to hide his disdain for Kyōraku's antics.
Years ago, after hearing Masatsuki Aozaki's fearless response to battle, Kyōraku had found an opportunity to personally inform Nanao Ise of their uncle-niece relationship.
Since then, he had taken it upon himself to act as the senior figure for both Masatsuki and Nanao, constantly interfering whenever the two got too close.
For this, he frequently received scoldings from the old man Yamamoto.
After all, Kyōraku was Nanao's uncle, and if things played out a certain way, he could end up being Masatsuki Aozaki's uncle as well.
An inexplicable disciple suddenly becoming a peer? That was something the old man just couldn't tolerate.
"Captain Kyōraku, you should focus on your own affairs. Let's not discuss family relations during work hours," Nanao Ise said flatly.
Upon hearing this, Shunsui Kyōraku's entire demeanor turned gray as he crouched down and started drawing circles in the dirt.
Masatsuki Aozaki took a few steps closer and could still hear Kyōraku muttering.
"Damn you, Masatsuki…"
Masatsuki crouched beside him and spoke in a soft, almost comforting tone.
"Don't be so down, senpai."
"You kept the truth from her for over a hundred years, and only now you decide to tell her?"
"This is what you get."
Kyōraku blinked, momentarily stunned.
"…Is that supposed to be comforting?"
"Of course," Masatsuki replied confidently.
"Well, thanks a lot then!" Kyōraku growled through clenched teeth.
"No need to thank me." Masatsuki patted his shoulder.
Kyōraku's eye twitched.
He had never met someone this shameless.
Masatsuki suddenly turned his gaze to the battlefield, speaking with a heavy sigh.
"Senpai, I can't really blame Nanao for what she said."
"Look at Shiro-chan. That guy's beaten him black and blue—I can barely recognize him."
"I entrusted Shiro-chan to you because I trusted you. And this is how you repay me?"
"You don't get it."
Kyōraku crossed his arms, eyes fixed on Tōshirō Hitsugaya as he spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness.
"You heard it too—Shūsuke Amagai's Bakkōtō can seal Zanpakutō abilities, and we don't know if it has any other powers."
"The Bakkōtō's abilities are strange, and we're lacking intel. Acting recklessly without understanding the full picture could make things worse."
Masatsuki Aozaki: "…"
Even he could see what was going on.
Hitsugaya was struggling, sure, but with the support of Mashiro Kuna, Ryuuseki, and Izumo, he was managing to keep Amagai in check.
Amagai didn't have the luxury of dragging things out.
In this situation, he needed a swift, decisive victory.
He had no room to hold back.
And there was no way a sharp mind like Kyōraku's hadn't noticed that.
"…You're not just stalling and waiting for the old man to show up and clean this up, are you?"
"What nonsense! Do I look like that kind of guy?!"
Kyōraku rubbed his hands together with a sheepish grin.
"Junior, your spiritual sense is sharper than mine. Why don't you check if Master's here yet?"
"Wait for Master? By the time he gets here, Shiro-chan will already be chopped into pieces."
Masatsuki rolled his eyes.
"Fine, I'll handle it. Can't believe I ended up with such a lazy-ass senpai."
That said, Masatsuki Aozaki knew the truth.
Kyōraku would never let Hitsugaya die at Amagai's hands.
If it came down to it, he would step in.
Masatsuki could see it clearly.
Kyōraku's Reiatsu was already nearing First-Class Spirit level, easily captain-commander material.
Even after unleashing his Bankai, Amagai was only at the peak of Second-Class Spirit level.
Kyōraku might not be able to kill him without releasing his Zanpakutō, but he definitely wouldn't lose.
…
On the battlefield, Amagai raised his large, red, hook-shaped blade, its hilt adorned with a shell-like guard, and swung it down at Hitsugaya.
His Bankai—Raika Gōen Kaku!
In a flash, Mashiro Kuna appeared behind Amagai.
With a swift kick, she struck the massive shell guard on his Zanpakutō.
The sheer force sent Amagai flying several meters before he managed to stabilize himself.
His brows furrowed as he turned to look at her.
At this rate, she was proving to be more troublesome than the white-haired brat.
Her base Reiatsu was higher than Hitsugaya's.
Even though she couldn't release her Zanpakutō due to the Bakkōtō's effect, her Hakuda skills were exceptional.
With her overwhelming Reiatsu and far superior hand-to-hand combat, she was making things difficult for him.
What the hell was going on with this division?
Since when did a mere 3rd Seat have this kind of power?
Amagai struggled to understand.
As he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Time's up. Time for a substitution, Lieutenant Amagai."
Amagai's expression darkened. He swung his blade up and pointed it at Masatsuki Aozaki.
"Masatsuki Aozaki! So it was you, you damned bastard!"
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been forced back to Soul Society early. I wouldn't have had to rush my plans!"
"And I wouldn't have fallen into your trap, exposing my identity!"
"You act all innocent, but you're nothing but a cunning, ruthless snake."
By the end, Amagai's voice was trembling with pure rage.
He had assumed Masatsuki Aozaki was just another fool like Yamamoto, that he had a chance to seize control of the 11th Division.
But in just a few days, Makoto Kibune had nearly been slaughtered by Kenpachi Zaraki.
And in the eyes of the squad, Amagai himself had become nothing more than a joke.
Masatsuki Aozaki: "…"
Sending people to tail you was Gin Ichimaru's idea.
What the hell does this have to do with me?
I've been in the World of the Living playing with lolis this whole time!
Watch yourself—I might sue you for slander!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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