Under Senna's wary gaze, Masatsuki Aozaki approached at an unhurried pace.
The two floated in midair, with nothing between them.
She had no idea what Masatsuki was planning—but her instincts screamed that this man was serious trouble. If she didn't shake him off now, she might never get the chance again.
After thinking it through, she made a quick decision—grab the girl and run.
The way he moved so leisurely, as if even walking beside her was too much effort... she figured if he kept that up, it wouldn't be hard to lose him with her own speed.
Spinning around, she activated Shunpo and dashed forward, flickering several times across the sky. In a flash, she had already crossed several kilometers.
She smirked to herself.
"That should be far enough to lose him."
But as she glanced back, confident and smug, her smile faltered. Her brow creased slightly.
Was it just her imagination?
Why did it feel like—not only had she not gained distance—but he was somehow even closer than before?
She focused her gaze.
Masatsuki Aozaki was standing there, just a short distance away, smiling calmly. He hadn't even moved.
Senna blinked, confused.
"He's just standing there? Did he give up because he thought he couldn't catch me from that far?"
"How does someone like that even become Captain-Commander? Gotei 13 must not be that impressive after all."
The thought made her scoff internally.
Still, she didn't stop. She pushed herself harder and zipped ahead, soaring several more kilometers through the air.
Then she glanced back again.
Her heart nearly stopped.
He was even closer now.
Senna's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't an illusion—he really was getting closer, and she had no idea how.
What shocked her even more was that every time she turned to look, he was still in the same position—smiling, unmoving—yet always somehow nearer.
Her heart began to race.
Why wasn't he chasing her? Why did he only move when she wasn't looking?
Was he just toying with her?
Or did he have some even more terrifying motive?
The more she thought about it, the more unsettled she became. She had to act.
She turned away from him again—but this time, it was a setup.
In the next instant, she spun back around, hoping to catch him off guard.
But what she saw made her freeze in place.
Masatsuki Aozaki was right there—nose to nose with her, just centimeters away.
And one of his hands was already resting lightly on her shoulder.
She couldn't move.
"One, two, three, freeze—looks like you lost, young lady. Game over." Masatsuki Aozaki grinned, his smile bright and cheerful. To the Shinigami girl, however, it seemed like a devilish grin from the depths of hell.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
Senna let out a terrified scream that echoed through the skies, startling nearby birds and insects into frantic flight. Her face turned as pale as paper, eyes wide with panic and helplessness. She was utterly stunned by Masatsuki Aozaki's actions, her body trembling uncontrollably. Though he didn't appear intent on harming her, an ominous feeling gnawed at her. All she could do was silently pray, hoping for safety in the days to come.
...
While these two playful Shinigami were engrossed in their antics, in another realm closely connected to the World of the Living—a spatial bubble within the Dangai, the passage linking the Three Worlds—a group of formidable Shinigami sat quietly in a room, exchanging glances. The Kidō lamps emitted a soft glow, illuminating the room and imparting a quaint and solemn atmosphere. The decor featured natural wood tones, with portraits of men and women adorning the walls, all dressed in splendid aristocratic attire. At the center hung the portrait of an elderly man with a weathered face, silently observing the proceedings in the meeting room, as if bearing witness to the tides of history.
Despite their expulsion from Seireitei, those present clung to their ancestral customs, donning ancient garments. Their exquisitely crafted armor bore golden family crests, a testament to their bygone influence. Counting carefully, six Shinigami occupied the room: the family head and five retainers. The most esteemed seat was occupied by a white-haired man with facial scars.
A man with yellow and green hair entered slowly; he was Kagerōza Inaba, one of the Reigai created by Ōko Yushima.
Scanning the room for a suitable seat, he lightly tapped the table and spoke, "I must say, it's quite challenging to arrange a meeting with the esteemed members of the Ryōdoji family." As a partner to this noble house, his tone carried a hint of helplessness. He recalled their last meeting, where they had deliberated on whom to send to recruit Sōsuke Aizen.
Now, over half a month had passed without any word from the three Reigai, nor had there been any alliance meetings.
"Enough with the idle talk. Get to the point. Ganryū-sama has taken precious time out of his busy schedule to see you."
An impatient voice broke the silence, accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of fingertips on the table. Kagerōza Inaba turned toward the source but remained unperturbed, evidently accustomed to such behavior.
"Jai-sama, with so few members left in the Ryūdōji family, what pressing matters could there be?"
"You insolent wretch! How dare you insult the Ryūdōji family! Ganryū-sama, allow me to deal with this disrespectful..."
Jai rose, his massive frame making the room feel cramped. He slowly lifted the two crescent-shaped blades beside him, their edges clashing with a buzzing sound. Though the retainers refrained from overt disrespect before their lord, their hearts burned with anger. However, Kagerōza Inaba's words were not unfounded; with only six members remaining, there was little family business to attend to. This stark reality only fueled their frustration. Jests could be dismissed, but the truth cut deep, like a sharp blade piercing the heart.
"Enough. The glory of our family has faded. Let's proceed to the main issue." Ganryū Ryūdōji leaned forward slightly, his tone firm and serious. His gaze swept over each person before settling on Kagerōza Inaba. "So, regarding the most pressing matter: has the Lieutenant of the 1st Division agreed to our proposal?"
The Kidō lamps illuminated the room brightly, but a heavy silence hung in the air. It wasn't that the question troubled these survivors; their thoughts had drifted far away, leaving them seemingly soulless and mute. Rather than companions sharing life with their lord, they resembled servants or weapons of war. These retainers awaited orders daily, lacking the initiative to ponder such complex matters.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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