Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82 - 82: Left Behind by Time

"There's nothing I can do about it. I'm too weak—I don't have the kind of power you guys do."

Masatsuki Aozaki looked down at his bandaged hands, his voice filled with frustration.

"If it were you facing Rentaro, you'd defeat him easily... just like when you saved Sōjun-sensei last time."

"I'm sorry," Yoruichi Shihōin whispered.

Hearing his words, she suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over her.

Her gaze fell on his hands, wrapped tightly in bandages, and her eyes reddened. Unable to hold back, she gently pulled Masatsuki Aozaki into an embrace.

If only she had taken him with her to Shin'ō Academy back then, maybe he wouldn't have ended up in this kind of danger.

If she really thought about it, when did his conflict with the Tsunayashiro Clan begin?

It must have started after he saved Sōjun Kuchiki.

If he hadn't rushed onto the battlefield for her sake back then, he wouldn't be in this situation now. He wouldn't have to live every day under constant threat.

She was the one who dragged him into this storm... and in the end, she failed to protect him.

Yoruichi Shihōin's heart sank.

Masatsuki Aozaki let out a sigh of relief and smiled faintly. He reached up and gently stroked her back, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Come on, it's not a big deal. Look, I'm still here, aren't I?"

"If you think about it differently, I defeated a Captain-level rebel and got promoted to nobility."

"That's a win. We should be celebrating."

Their positions shifted almost instantly.

Just moments ago, Yoruichi had been fuming with anger—now, she was nestled comfortably in Masatsuki Aozaki's arms, looking unexpectedly docile.

Retsu Unohana watched the scene unfold, her expression turning somewhat strange.

She felt like she was struggling to keep up with the times.

She simply couldn't understand the way these young people thought.

But more importantly, she was starting to realize something about herself...

That brief clash with Yoruichi earlier—why had she reacted that way? That wasn't like her at all.

...

"Oh, right," Yoruichi suddenly said, abruptly pulling away from Masatsuki Aozaki's embrace. She placed her hands firmly on his shoulders.

"What is it?" Masatsuki Aozaki flinched at her sudden shift in energy.

Wait... she didn't realize I was faking the whole 'pitiful act' for sympathy just now, did she?

"I went to see Kisuke yesterday," Yoruichi said seriously. "I asked him about the hot spring's construction progress."

Masatsuki Aozaki let out a quiet sigh of relief.

So she didn't notice...

But then, his eyes immediately lit up.

A hot spring!

He had been waiting for this for so long.

If the hot spring was completed, he could push himself even harder during training without worrying about injuries.

He could fight without holding back—something that would undoubtedly help his growth.

"So? Has Kisuke finished it?" Masatsuki Aozaki asked eagerly.

Yoruichi finally relaxed, a smile spreading across her face.

"It's basically done. It should be ready for use by next week."

Masatsuki Aozaki rubbed his bandaged hand against his chin, sighing.

"Next week, huh? That means I still have to wait a whole week before I can use it."

"There's no need to be so impatient. The hot spring isn't going anywhere," Yoruichi huffed, pouting slightly.

This guy's enthusiasm for the hot spring was clearly greater than any interest he had in her.

"You know I'm not the type to sit still. Being stuck like this is driving me crazy," Masatsuki Aozaki muttered, attempting to scratch his head—only to fail because of his bandaged hands.

Yoruichi fell silent.

She understood exactly how he felt.

Because they were the same.

If they weren't, they never would have earned the nickname "Black and White Twin Devils."

They were Seireitei's most infamous troublemaking duo.

"Masatsuki, you want to heal your injuries as soon as possible, right? Would you mind using some special methods?"

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