"It does cost money. I almost forgot."
Masatsuki Aozaki stroked his chin thoughtfully, then nodded.
"How about buffing this character a little?"
"You didn’t listen to a single word I said, did you?"
Kisuke Urahara’s mouth twitched.
"If you don’t understand game balancing, just sit back, collect your money, and play your games in peace."
"Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing?" Masatsuki Aozaki replied, completely unfazed.
Kisuke Urahara looked up at him, puzzled.
"...You haven’t just been sitting at home playing games this whole time, have you?"
"More or less. I play games, spend time with Yoruichi and the others, go out once in a while... It’s a pretty dull life."
Kisuke Urahara took a deep breath.
This guy’s life was way more comfortable than his.
They were both Captains—so why was there such a massive gap?
Meanwhile, neither his Lieutenant nor the Deputy Director ever let him have a moment of peace!
After glancing around to make sure no one else was listening, Kisuke Urahara leaned in and asked in a hushed tone,
"Masatsuki... You wouldn’t happen to have another person like Gin Ichimaru, would you? Maybe recommend someone to me?"
"Managing the squad all day is exhausting—I don’t even have time to play games... or do experiments!"
Masatsuki Aozaki thought for a moment, then said,
"There is someone similar to Gin, but they’re still in training and don’t seem too interested in scientific research."
"Oh, and don’t even mention it. Gin’s been so busy helping train him that he barely has time for squad duties anymore."
"Ryuuseki and Izumo are drowning in work every day, and honestly, they’re still a step behind Gin."
Kisuke Urahara: "..."
Why does it sound like you’re the one suffering here, when they’re the ones doing all the work?
Masatsuki Aozaki snatched back the game console, nodding as he selected his character.
"You don’t need to worry about managing the squad."
"Mayuri has an assistant named Akon, right? He’s from the Nest of Maggots too."
"I think he’s a decent choice—his strength is passable. You should give him a shot."
"Oh?"
Kisuke Urahara raised an eyebrow.
He knew Akon.
Decades ago, he had personally pulled him out of the Nest of Maggots.
But back then, the kid had a nasty temper, and Kisuke had neither the time nor the patience to train a troublemaker.
His talents had caught Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s eye instead, and he ended up becoming Mayuri’s assistant.
If anyone else had suggested this, Kisuke would have done a thorough background check first.
But if Masatsuki Aozaki was recommending someone?
That was different.
The guy had a talent for spotting potential.
Otherwise, how would he have picked out such an amazing friend like himself?
"Alright, I’ll let him try it out. I’ll start him off as Fourth Seat."
Kisuke Urahara reached down, swiped the game console from Masatsuki Aozaki’s hands, and was about to turn to leave—
When Masatsuki suddenly looked up and asked,
"Kisuke... Do you still have any Tenshintai left?"
"We’re out."
Kisuke Urahara shook his head.
"The Captain-Commander banned its distribution, so there’s no stock."
"You need one? Didn’t Gin already master Bankai? ...Wait, is this for that genius kid in your squad?"
"Man, the next generation is scary."
"If you want one, I can make it happen, but it’ll take some time."
"It’s for Shiro-chan. Get one ready for me."
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya’s reputation as a prodigy wasn’t just for show.
Before even entering the Shin’ō Academy, he had already reached the third rank of Spiritual Power and had seen the materialized form of Hyōrinmaru.
Whether it was during his academy years or after joining the 11th Division, his focus wasn’t on raising his Reiatsu level—it was on mastering his control over it. f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com
Reaching this level of power in just his fifties...
In terms of talent, he was only a step away from catching up to Masatsuki Aozaki himself.
After all, Masatsuki had only reached third-rank Spiritual Power in his early twenties!
"That thing is dangerous. It’s not really suitable for a kid."
Dangerous?
Hyōrinmaru had once willingly manifested itself, asking Tōshirō Hitsugaya to call its name.
If Tenshintai was used to summon it, the trial would probably be a breeze.
Masatsuki Aozaki patted Kisuke Urahara’s shoulder and said earnestly,
"Kisuke, have a little more faith in the younger generation. I believe in him."
Seeing Masatsuki Aozaki’s confidence, even Kisuke Urahara couldn’t help but feel a sense of trust forming in his heart.
...
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