Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129 - 129: Professionalism

"This is what a cute yet scheming girl looks like... One day, she's going to completely devour me."

As Masatsuki Aozaki walked back to his dormitory, he recalled the girl's shyness, the warmth of her lips, and the sweetness of her breath. He nodded to himself in satisfaction.

"A young girl's love really is sweet. I can still taste it even now."

"It's probably just because you ate too many peony cakes. A normal person's mouth wouldn't taste sweet!"

A voice cut through his pleasant daydream, dragging him back to reality.

Looking up, Masatsuki found himself facing an old... no, a silver-haired boy.

His expression grew serious. "Even Ran has grown up, but you still look like a kid. Don't tell me you're going to stay this size forever?"

"Even if I've crushed your fantasies, isn't that a bit too personal? Rangiku's case was special. My growth rate is perfectly normal!"

The white-haired boy squinted slightly, just enough for Masatsuki Aozaki to pause.

Most of his old friends had already grown into adults, making him unusually self-conscious about his own youthful appearance.

"Alright, alright, Gin, I was wrong. Don't get mad!"

Masatsuki Aozaki grinned, though his expression lacked even a hint of sincerity, which made Gin Ichimaru itch to punch him right in his smug face.

No one else in the 11th Division dared to tease Gin about his height—either they had been beaten into submission or they simply chose to be polite.

Masatsuki Aozaki was the only one bold enough to do it, and the worst part? Gin couldn't even win in a fight against him.

It was downright frustrating.

How had he been so blind back then, trailing after Masatsuki like a lost puppy? If he had known better, he might as well have just died in Rukongai. Now, he was stuck repaying his life debt.

Come to think of it, Masatsuki had saved him once again back in the 2nd Division. That made two times now.

How long was he going to be paying this guy back?

"So, does this mean everything's ready?"

Masatsuki Aozaki folded his arms and leaned lazily against the wall, the captain's haori crumpling against the pressure.

Gin Ichimaru didn't know what to say to this guy who treated his captaincy like it was nothing.

Most captains—except maybe Yoruichi Shihōin, who was just as much of a rogue—still carried some level of authority in their demeanor.

Masatsuki Aozaki, on the other hand, ran the 11th Division like a gang boss, no different from when he ruled over Rukongai.

And the worst part? His squad members absolutely ate it up.

They called him "Kenpachi," "Captain," or even "Oyabun" with respect, but their attitude toward him was the same as Rukongai thugs fawning over their leader.

Still, Gin wouldn't have expected this so-called captain—who spent his days beating up male squad members while going easy on the female ones—to actually take time out of his busy schedule to handle division matters.

Then again, it made sense.

On the surface, Masatsuki acted like he didn't care about anything, but in reality, he was always working behind the scenes on things best kept in the shadows.

There was no way someone like him would be truly indifferent.

This guy was rotten to the core.

Clearly, he had been keeping an eye on the rebels all along. But since this whole mess involved too many people, he had just chosen to keep everything to himself.

A thousand thoughts flashed through Gin Ichimaru's mind in an instant.

On the surface, however, he remained expressionless, simply staring into Masatsuki Aozaki's seemingly gentle black eyes.

"Kōga Kuchiki is waiting for you in the reception room. Lieutenant Yamazaki is seeing to him," Gin Ichimaru said, his tone laced with irritation.

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