He shot up in bed, drenched in sweat, as if he had just taken a sunbath inside the sun itself.
Rangiku Matsumoto stood before him, staring in shock before slowly sitting down at the edge of the bed.
The room was empty except for the two of them.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Rangiku asked. "Or did you wear yourself out playing with Yoruichi Shihōin for too long?"
"I had a dream… I'm not sure if it was a nightmare," Masatsuki Aozaki muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Is training over?"
He stretched, feeling as if the world around him had become more attuned to him—more comfortable.
If he had to describe it, it was a sense of belonging.
It was as if, until now, he had been nothing more than a traveler in this world, but now, this world had started to feel like home.
Though if he went by that man's words, it wasn't that the world had changed—it was that he was finally accepting it.
"It's almost dinner time. You promised to only train with your Zanpakutō for an hour every afternoon," Rangiku huffed. "And you've been sleeping all day. Are you part pig or something?"
"No, I'm a snake…"
Masatsuki Aozaki blinked, startled.
He had thought he'd only been asleep for a few hours, but he had actually slept for an entire day and night. Looks like he really needed to pace himself better.
"I… didn't do anything weird, did I?"
"No, you were out cold like a dead pig," Rangiku said, shaking her head. "If you didn't wake up soon, I was about to call Captain Unohana."
Masatsuki Aozaki pressed a hand to his forehead.
When exactly had that strange dream begun?
Had it started the moment he lay down? When he first heard the wind?
Or… was he still dreaming?
The feeling of not being able to distinguish reality from illusion was irritating.
He reached out and smacked himself on the head—hard—then opened his eyes… and realized he wasn't wearing anything.
"…Don't tell me that guy—" Masatsuki narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, radiating pure murderous intent.
"It's not my fault…" Rangiku said weakly. "You were just lying there, completely defenseless."
"…Good thing it was you."
Masatsuki exhaled in relief before making a face.
No wonder his whole body felt sore, and he was still sweating—he must have just finished training.
But that dream… it had felt way too real.
He could still picture that middle-aged man's face with perfect clarity.
Normally, he only had eyes for girls—so why was a middle-aged man lingering in his mind so vividly?!
"Dinner's ready. Let's go."
"Oh, right."
Masatsuki grabbed a random shirt and threw it on before following Rangiku outside.
Once outside, Rangiku pulled out an ornate, gold-inlaid food box and began setting the dishes on the table—each one meticulously arranged.
"Hm, let's see…" She did a quick count, then pouted. "Nine dishes in total. And they're all your favorites."
She glanced at him.
"Don't give me that look. You know I can't cook. Ichimaru made them and sent them over."
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded.
Rangiku was fine when it came to eating—but cooking? No way.
These authentic chinese dishes smelled incredible—one whiff and he could tell they'd been made with true skill.
He really couldn't have picked a better little brother than Gin Ichimaru—the guy could handle just about anything!
"Hold on a second… I've got something even better."
Rangiku Matsumoto walked into the kitchen.
When she returned, she was carrying several bottles of sake.
"Well, for the record, Yoruichi and I didn't actually do anything…"
Masatsuki Aozaki swallowed hard. His head buzzed as he realized—she clearly wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily!
Rangiku picked up a bottle and raised an eyebrow. "Not willing?"
"Of course… I'm willing."
Masatsuki pressed a hand to his forehead, his face pale as he thought to himself, Am I going to end up like Sōjun Kuchiki…?
Sitting at the dining table, Masatsuki looked like he had just suffered a great loss.
"What's with that face…?" Rangiku, sitting beside him, wrapped an arm around him and puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"It's nothing, nothing."
Masatsuki forced a smile—only to suddenly realize that his body no longer ached, his back didn't hurt, and even his dizziness had disappeared.
"I'm not going anywhere tonight. I'll stay with you."
Rangiku brightened up instantly, nudging him with her shoulder over and over, clearly excited.
As dinner began, they sat in the dim glow of flickering candlelight on the wooden chairs of the dining room.
"Actually, Yoruichi came looking for you today," Rangiku said.
"You two didn't fight, did you?"
That was Masatsuki's biggest concern.
"What kind of people do you take us for?"
Rangiku shot him a glare.
"If anyone deserves a beating, it's you, you troublemaker!"
"Wait… don't tell me you two—" Masatsuki tensed, instinctively reaching for his waist.
"You had a mission today, but you didn't show up at the 2nd Division. That's why she came looking for you," Rangiku explained. "I told her what happened, and she said to let you rest."
…
Late at night, in the 2nd Division's territory, the Nest of Maggots was brightly lit.
Aside from Masatsuki Aozaki, who held the rank of 3rd Seat, every member of the Detention Unit was present—a rare occurrence.
The weather was raging. Torrential rain poured down, and howling winds swept through the area.
The Detention Unit members stood motionless under the storm, their figures rigid against the relentless wind and rain. In the uneasy darkness of the surrounding forest, only the flickering glow of Kidō spells provided illumination.
Standing amidst the downpour, Yoruichi Shihōin, Captain of the 2nd Division, gave a nod to the guards stationed at the Nest of Maggots.
From behind, a man's angry shouts rang out.
Yoruichi frowned. "I'll personally escort Takasugi Hirofumi inside. Is the solitary cell ready?"
"It's ready… Open the gate," Gin Ichimaru called out from his post at the dungeon entrance.
Takasugi Hirofumi might not have been the most dangerous criminal in the Nest of Maggots, but he was certainly the most powerful one ever confined there.
Leaving him in the same unrestricted conditions as the other high-risk inmates was too dangerous—he had to be placed in solitary confinement under strict supervision.
As the heavy doors creaked open, Yoruichi led Takasugi Hirofumi inside, securing his hands, feet, and neck with specially reinforced restraints.
"You can't do this to me! You know who I am!" Takasugi roared.
"Quit shouting. Of course, I know who you are."
Yoruichi smirked.
"But the fact that you're locked up here should tell you everything. They've already abandoned you, haven't they?"
"You don't understand at all," Takasugi sneered. "With that fool Rentarō dead, they can't afford to abandon me."
The Tsunayashiro Clan's branch family never had many captain-level powerhouses to begin with.
Aside from one branch member under house arrest and a few well-placed pawns within the Gotei 13, he was the only captain-class Shinigami left in the Tsunayashiro branch family.
His value to them was undeniable. There was no way they would simply cast him aside.
As far as he was concerned, his imprisonment here was the result of political maneuvering by rival noble houses—not the will of the Tsunayashiro Clan itself.
After all, the Central 46 had chosen to spare his life. That alone was proof enough.
"Hmph… Looks like you know quite a bit."
Yoruichi crossed her arms.
"If you're willing to share even more useful information, I might consider improving your treatment."
She leaned in slightly.
"It's been a while since you've had to suffer like this, hasn't it?"
For a moment, Takasugi seemed tempted. But then, his expression hardened.
He closed his eyes and fell silent.
Clearly, what he feared most… was losing his life.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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