Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57 - 57: Kūkaku Shiba

"Still working on fireworks?" Masatsuki Aozaki looked at the woman before him in surprise.

The woman had a striking figure, a headscarf tied around her head, and long black hair parted into two sections. A tattoo of the kanji for "空" (Sky/Empty) adorned her left arm, and a long smoking pipe was tucked into her waistband.

This was Kūkaku Shiba, younger sister of the current Shiba family head and, in truth, the real power behind the clan.

Not that it mattered much—there were only four people left in the family who still carried the Shiba name...

She called it fireworks research, but Masatsuki didn't see any blueprints or designs. The only thing different was the smooth, pitch-black sphere sitting in front of her.

"The gunpowder formula you taught me has significantly increased in power—no residue, no smoke. When combined with Reiatsu, it could even be used as a weapon."

Kūkaku smiled slightly.

"I really don't know how you come up with these ideas."

Masatsuki shook his head. "Honestly, I have Lieutenant Sasakibe to thank. He's passionate about Western culture and gave me a lot of inspiration."

Thanks to Chōjirō Sasakibe's fascination with the West, the Soul Society had never been affected by the two-century-long isolation policy of the World of the Living. In fact, even centuries ago, when Sasakibe was still young, he had begun embracing Western influences, never once breaking that connection.

While the Soul Society's technological development took a different path than the World of the Living's, books on chemistry and physics could still be found.

Without them, even knowing the formula for modern gunpowder wouldn't have helped Masatsuki—it would've been impossible to recreate.

Kūkaku chuckled. "So, those guys left?"

"'Those guys'? You mean your uncles?" Masatsuki smirked. "They've already gone back to report to Master. I'd say we'll have an answer in a few days."

"Uncle Isshin was here too?" Kūkaku asked, surprised.

Masatsuki raised a brow. "Ganju didn't tell you?"

"Should we go find him? It's not too late—I have a pass from Master."

"No need to go through all that trouble. It's not like he's never coming back." Kūkaku gave a small smile. "But why didn't you leave with him? Weren't you planning to join the Gotei 13?"

"Before long, you'll be a mighty Shinigami. You'll probably start looking down on us declining nobles."

Masatsuki shook his head. "That's nonsense."

Kūkaku grinned. "Oh? Don't want to part with me?"

Masatsuki hesitated, unsure how to answer, and simply let out a quiet "Mm."

"Tch. Now that Kaien's not around, you sure have some guts." Kūkaku spoke casually, as if it were nothing. "But once he's back, you'll still end up slinking off to Seireitei."

Masatsuki fell silent for a long time.

There were so many things he wanted to say to her, but he couldn't seem to find the words.

Back then, Kaien had been an immovable obstacle between them.

Born into the Shiba family, naturally gifted, and overflowing with Reiatsu, he had always loomed large.

Masatsuki had lost count of how many times Kaien had caught him visiting Kūkaku under the guise of business, only to chase him for miles.

Probably enough to circle Seireitei ten times over.

But things were different now.

His strength had already surpassed Kaien's—there was no need to sneak around anymore.

Even if he stood openly by Kūkaku's side, what could Kaien do about it?

"I'm not afraid of him anymore," Masatsuki finally whispered. But the words that followed were—

"...Let's have a baby!"

Kūkaku: ?

Even if she had been trying to provoke him into being bolder, wasn't this leap a little too big?

Wasn't the normal sequence supposed to be: confess, fall in love, get married... then have kids?

How did he just skip straight to the final step?

Kūkaku froze, momentarily at a loss.

The two of them sat side by side on the workbench. Masatsuki took her hand, interlocking their fingers, and slowly leaned in.

Kūkaku chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Masatsuki..."

"Hm?" Masatsuki blinked, caught off guard.

He had already thought of a name for the baby—wasn't it a little late to back out now?

But Kūkaku didn't seem fazed. Instead, she seemed to be speaking from the heart when she casually asked,

"Sometimes it passes in the blink of an eye, and you don't even know what you did with it." _{fre/ew.ebnovel.c om}

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