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

How do I change back?

"Hey, hey! Yoruichi, quit messing around!" Masatsuki covered a rather sensitive area and shot her a small grin. "Hurry up and tell me how to change back. Don't forget—we still have important business to take care of."

Yoruichi let out a thoughtful hum, as if reluctant to stop playing around. "Just reverse the technique. Once you change back, we'll go over the details of the plan."

Masatsuki gave it a try and, sure enough, it worked. Within seconds, he was back in human form. He chuckled.

"So, are we sneaking into the 4th Division as cats?"

"No way. If we turn into cats, we won't be able to bring anything with us. That'd be a pain."

Yoruichi spoke casually, and Masatsuki couldn't quite tell if she was being serious. He simply laughed along.

"Good point."

Their relationship had become... strange. One step closer, and they'd be inseparable; one step back, and they'd feel like strangers.

Masatsuki had no idea how to handle this complicated situation, so he decided to just take things as they came.

Yoruichi pulled a small notebook from her sleeve and gave it a light pat. "Everything's in here. I worked on it all night—it's foolproof."

"You stayed up all night?" Masatsuki finished dressing, sat across from her, and said in a softer voice, "Why go through all that trouble? Just let Kisuke handle the thinking. It's his stuff, after all."

"You think Onmitsukidō agents get to take it easy? I could go a whole week without sleep."

Yoruichi laughed, then gave him a knowing smirk.

"You should worry about yourself instead of me. You act all tough, but you don't know when to stop pushing yourself. Haven't you seen the state Sōjun Kuchiki is in?"

Masatsuki fell silent.

Yoruichi didn't dwell on it and instead got back to the plan.

"Here's how it's going to work: Tomorrow night, you'll distract Unohana by pretending to practice Zanjutsu. Meanwhile, I'll sneak into the 4th Division barracks."

Masatsuki straightened up, listening attentively.

Yoruichi was pleased with his reaction and continued.

"Kisuke has already figured out where the hot spring is. So, while Unohana is focused on you, I'll slip in unnoticed, get to the spring, and get out—simple as that."

"..."

"That's it?"

"That's it!"

Masatsuki blinked. She spent an entire night coming up with this?

Looking at Yoruichi's beaming expression, he thought about it again and understood.

For her, this was just a fun little game. The plan didn't need to be airtight. If anything, unexpected developments might make it even more entertaining.

With their plan set for the following night, Masatsuki said his goodbyes and left for his dorm at Shin'ō Academy. He had already spent too much time in Yoruichi's room.

As he walked away, Yoruichi stood on the upper floor, watching his retreating figure without calling out to him.

She knew exactly what kind of person Masatsuki Aozaki was.

He might seem carefree, even frivolous at times, but he was sharp and level-headed. He knew what he could and couldn't do—he'd never put himself in a truly dangerous situation.

And breaking the unspoken rules with Yoruichi was a dangerous situation.

Both of them understood that.

For now, there was no need to think about it.

Unless Masatsuki became a captain—gaining just enough strength to protect himself in the coming chaos—there was no moving forward.

...

Masatsuki Aozaki walked down a familiar street.

The night was still dark, the wind just as cold, but the faint scent of blood that once lingered was now completely gone.

It felt like ages had passed, yet he knew it had only been a little over five months.

"Masatsuki…"

At the dormitory entrance, Rangiku Matsumoto called out to him, her voice carrying a warmth that seemed to grow more familiar with each repetition.

Masatsuki smiled and responded with a simple "Mm."

Rangiku casually straightened his clothes, then asked, "You didn't just come back from the Shihōin estate, did you?"

Masatsuki glanced down at her. She had grown quite a bit—nearly as tall as Yoruichi. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before she surpassed her.

A Soul's growth differed from that of humans in the World of the Living, but it generally followed three stages: rapid growth in childhood, a long period of stability in early adulthood, and accelerated aging in later years.

Of course, there were always exceptions—like that little brat, Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

In the original timeline, he was nearly a hundred years old and still looked like a kid—an exceptionally rare case, even in Soul Society.

Rangiku's situation was unusual too. She was growing up too fast, yet Gin Ichimaru still looked like a child.

Masatsuki raised a brow. "What makes you say that?"

Rangiku chuckled. "You changed clothes. And that's the Shihōin family crest embroidered on them. Normally, only members of their clan wear that kind of outfit."

"If someone didn't know better, they might think you married into the Shihōin family."

Though she said it playfully, her tone was oddly complex. It wasn't that she actually believed Masatsuki had become Yoruichi's husband—it was more like… a subtle complaint.

What she really meant was that he hadn't come to see her first, making her worry until late at night.

Masatsuki smirked. "I almost did marry into the Shihōin family."

This time, it was Rangiku who froze.

For a woman who could put on an act with ease, she sure had trouble hiding the way her eyes immediately welled up.

Masatsuki had never been able to stand seeing her cry. He quickly added, "But I turned it down. I still have big dreams to accomplish. Marrying into a noble family would've made things… inconvenient."

Rangiku quickly wiped away any trace of tears, pouted, and mumbled, "Then… you have to stay with me tonight."

It was something she had wanted to say for years but never had the courage to. Back then, she had nothing. Now, as a striking young woman with golden hair, she was far bolder.

Masatsuki lowered his head slightly, inhaling the faint, sweet scent unique to her. After a long pause, he finally said, "I'm not going anywhere tonight."

Rangiku grinned. "Should I take that to mean… you're completely enchanted by me?"

Masatsuki nodded. "That sounds about right. You are Rangiku Matsumoto, after all. And I'm Masatsuki Aozaki. Isn't it only natural that I'd be captivated by you?"

"Smooth talker." Rangiku playfully flicked his cheek. "But I like hearing it."

By now, they had left the living room and entered the bedroom, where the outlines of a bed were faintly visible in the dim light.

Rangiku stopped at the doorway, smiling. "Go wash up and get some rest. It's late…"

Masatsuki nodded, but something about her words made his chest tighten. He gazed at her, sensing a deeper meaning behind them.

Without waiting for his response, Rangiku stretched lazily and climbed into bed, her maturing figure accentuated for just a fleeting moment before she wrapped herself snugly in the blanket.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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