A few hours passed, and morning had arrived.
They were still in the underground training ground.
"My Reiatsu has improved again!" Masatsuki Aozaki murmured excitedly, stirring the Reiryoku within him.
The effort he had put into Hakuda training hadn't been in vain. Despite staying up all night, he was still full of energy.
Behind him, Yoruichi Shihōin was fast asleep, wrapped in the haori that symbolized the authority of the 2nd Division Captain. She slept soundly, a satisfied smile lingering at the corner of her lips.
Masatsuki glanced at her sleeping figure, then turned to check the clock in the training hall. It was already getting late.
As if sensing his gaze, Yoruichi's eyes slowly fluttered open.
Since Masatsuki had his back to her, she immediately got up and draped herself over him, resting against his back.
Like a smitten young woman, she gazed at him with eyes full of affection and contentment.
"Did I wake you?"
Masatsuki turned his head slightly and reached out to touch her face.
Yoruichi, like an affectionate cat, tilted her head and rubbed against his neck before playfully flicking out her tongue for a quick lick.
"What time is it?" she asked softly, her voice carrying an alluring charm, completely different from her usual mischievous demeanor.
If he had to describe it, it was the difference between a woman and a girl.
"It's already past noon," Masatsuki replied, adjusting his grip as he lifted her onto his back.
Despite her usual confident, commanding presence, Yoruichi was actually quite petite—barely 1.6 meters tall. As she clung to him, her feet dangled in the air like a koala hanging from a tree.
He held her up not to take advantage of her but simply because he didn't want her to get tired hanging there.
After all, everything that should and shouldn't have been done between them had already happened. At this point, trying to steal such a trivial advantage would just seem petty.
Hearing his words, Yoruichi's eyes widened in shock. She quickly turned her gaze past Masatsuki and looked at the ticking clock.
"It's work time!" she blurted out, immediately jumping off him.
Masatsuki stared at her, speechless.
This woman always looked for excuses to slack off whenever possible, so why was she suddenly so eager today?
"Did you forget? We took a month off to train in Shunkō, and Master approved it," Masatsuki reminded her, exasperated.
It felt like she had lost a few brain cells overnight.
"Oh, right."
Yoruichi took a step forward, and any trace of her previous shyness had completely vanished. With no concern for modesty, she casually ran her hand along his chin.
"Ōmaeda and Ichimaru can handle everything. We can just enjoy our well-earned break."
"Enjoy? Don't forget why we took this leave in the first place," Masatsuki retorted.
"How am I supposed to train in this state? We should soak in the hot spring first to loosen up," Yoruichi said with a contented smile, shrugging. "I just hope it's still usable."
After an intense night of "training" between two Hakuda specialists, the hot spring had undergone some drastic changes.
"It should be fine," Masatsuki said, watching the water gradually clear. His tone carried a subtle meaning.
The artificial rock formation by the hot spring continuously released a steady stream of fresh water, replenishing the pool.
Anything crafted by Kisuke Urahara was bound to be top-notch.
As expected, he had accounted for everything—the hot spring's circulation system was flawless.
Beneath the pool lay an extensive filtration system. Once purified, the water would flow back through the rock formation, allowing it to be reused efficiently.
Yoruichi nodded in satisfaction before excitedly leaping into the hot spring. She let out a delighted laugh.
"This feels amazing! Masatsuki, hurry up!"
Watching her splash around in the water, Masatsuki smiled slightly before following her in.
Before long, the two of them drifted closer together.
Today was going to be a very enjoyable day.
…
Seireitei, Central District, 1st Division Headquarters.
Yamamoto sat in the captain's office, silently listening as Chōjirō Sasakibe and Rangiku Matsumoto delivered their reports.
Rangiku Matsumoto was now the 7th Seat of the 1st Division, serving as Sasakibe's assistant.
Yamamoto glanced at her, feeling a tinge of emotion.
Masatsuki really was fortunate to have such a girl by his side.
He was well aware of their relationship.
However, what concerned him more than their personal affairs was her talent.
She had graduated early from Shin'ō Academy and, within less than half a year of joining the Gotei 13, had already reached Sixth-Class Reiatsu.
That level of talent was second only to Masatsuki Aozaki—a rare genius seen once in a millennium.
People often underestimated Sixth-Class Reiatsu.
In most divisions, it was enough to secure a position as the 3rd or 4th Seat.
But this was the 1st Division—the most elite unit in the entire Gotei 13.
Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe was strong even among captains.
The officers ranked 3rd to 6th either had Captain-level Reiatsu but had yet to master Bankai, or were Lieutenant-level Shinigami.
Even though Rangiku's Reiatsu had reached the level of a top-tier Seated Officer, in the 1st Division, she could only hold the 7th Seat.
Yamamoto's eyes flickered slightly, and he let out a quiet sigh.
He still remembered when Masatsuki had recommended Rangiku for the 1st Division—he had been quite displeased at the time.
He had been training Masatsuki as his disciple, and yet the boy, who hadn't even fully established himself yet, was already busy helping others climb the ranks.
What kind of Master would be happy about that?
Now, he realized he had misjudged him.
Sending such a gifted recruit into his care wasn't nepotism—it was a show of faith in his Master's ability to cultivate talent.
That brat, always causing him trouble, still knew to rely on his Master when it truly mattered.
As these thoughts passed through his mind, the stern expression on Yamamoto's face softened. His gaze toward Rangiku turned kinder, more like an elder indulging a favored junior.
"Captain-Commander, the Tsunayashiro Clan elders sent a messenger last night with quite a few gifts," Rangiku reported as she reviewed the documents in her hands.
"For Masatsuki?" Yamamoto asked.
"Some were meant for 3rd Seat Masatsuki, but most were for you," Rangiku nodded. "They've even prepared a mansion for him in the Noble District."
Yamamoto remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Even he couldn't quite grasp what those nobles were thinking. Who gifts things to their enemies?
On the surface, they were all allies, working together to uphold the order of Soul Society.
But in reality, the distinction between ally and enemy was often paper-thin.
If anything, they should be figuring out how to eliminate their opponents, not sending them presents.
Chōjirō Sasakibe frowned. "Should we return the gifts?"
"They went out of their way to deliver them in secret at night, clearly not wanting anyone to find out. That can't be a good sign."
Yamamoto considered for a moment before tapping his cane against the floor. His eyes grew sharp as he spoke in a deep voice:
"No need. Let Masatsuki accept them. I want to see exactly what they're planning."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake