Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - 18: Black Cat

"Masatsuki, what's wrong? You could barely keep your eyes open in class. Did you stay up too late training? You need to take care of yourself, too."

Rangiku Matsumoto looked at Masatsuki Aozaki, her expression serious as she took in the dark circles under his eyes.

Masatsuki glanced at her, waved a hand dismissively, and said, "Don't worry, I was just up all night learning how to cultivate tea trees. It's nothing serious."

"The Captain-Commander knows how to grow tea trees?" Rangiku asked, puzzled.

"This has nothing to do with the Captain-Commander. It was Lieutenant Sasakibe who taught me," Masatsuki replied with a bitter smile.

All that trouble over picking a few tea leaves, and he ended up stuck in tea cultivation lessons the whole night. Next week, he was definitely going to complain to Yamamoto about this.

"I'm skipping training today. Gonna head back and catch some sleep."

Seeing how exhausted he looked, Rangiku nodded. "Alright, get some rest."

As their conversation ended, the two went their separate ways, and Masatsuki made his way toward the dormitory...

The moment he opened the door, his expression changed.

There was an unfamiliar pair of shoes in the entryway—ones that didn't belong to "Masatsuki Aozaki's group."

Masatsuki glanced around warily, moving swiftly along the wall as he advanced, carefully scouting for any intruders.

As he crept forward, he suddenly felt something soft and furry brushing against his leg.

At the same time, a rough voice spoke from below—

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Ghost!" Masatsuki's heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

He quickly looked down...

And saw a black cat grinning at him in an almost human-like manner.

Masatsuki jolted in shock.

This wasn't just any black cat—it was an exceptionally cute black cat.

But that wasn't the issue.

The issue was that this cat could talk.

After all his training under top-tier instructors, Masatsuki had honed his Reiatsu perception to an extraordinary level.

A regular Shinigami wouldn't be able to approach him unnoticed. Even members of the Onmitsukidō's patrol squads would have a hard time sneaking up on him.

And yet, this talking black cat had gotten right up to his feet without him realizing it.

Seireitei was home to all sorts of strange beings, but in all his years here, he had never encountered a talking black cat that could move this stealthily.

There was only one possible explanation...

"Yoruichi Shihōin?" _{fre ewebno(v)e\l.(c)om}

The cat's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and its tone softened. "You know me?"

"Not personally, but a certain Shihōin classmate has mentioned you before."

"Shihōin classmate?"

"Yūshirō Shihōin."

"...That kid really does tell everyone everything."

Yoruichi sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Her little brother was far too naive—completely lacking in subtlety.

Snapping back to the present, she suddenly noticed Masatsuki had already moved toward the living room, cautiously checking each room one by one.

Without hesitation, she followed after him.

"Relax, there's no one here but me."

Yoruichi Shihōin circled around Masatsuki Aozaki, her golden eyes filled with curiosity.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is Masatsuki Aozaki's dorm, right?"

"You're wearing a Shin'ō Academy uniform, got a Zanpakutō on your waist, and, well, you're pretty good-looking... You must be the so-called genius, Masatsuki Aozaki."

Masatsuki sat down on the sofa, glancing at the two pieces of clothing lying beside him. He nodded.

"I'm Masatsuki Aozaki. Are these yours?"

"Yep. This secret technique was just completed, but I haven't figured out how to transform clothes along with me yet." Yoruichi tilted her head up at him.

Masatsuki rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"So, in other words, you're completely naked in front of me right now?"

Yoruichi cocked her head, pondered for a moment, then declared confidently, "Of course not! A cat's fur is its clothing! So technically, I'm dressed!"

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