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

"Masatsuki, what's wrong? You could barely keep your eyes open in class. Did you stay up too late training? You need to take care of yourself, too."

Rangiku Matsumoto looked at Masatsuki Aozaki, her expression serious as she took in the dark circles under his eyes.

Masatsuki glanced at her, waved a hand dismissively, and said, "Don't worry, I was just up all night learning how to cultivate tea trees. It's nothing serious."

"The Captain-Commander knows how to grow tea trees?" Rangiku asked, puzzled.

"This has nothing to do with the Captain-Commander. It was Lieutenant Sasakibe who taught me," Masatsuki replied with a bitter smile.

All that trouble over picking a few tea leaves, and he ended up stuck in tea cultivation lessons the whole night. Next week, he was definitely going to complain to Yamamoto about this.

"I'm skipping training today. Gonna head back and catch some sleep."

Seeing how exhausted he looked, Rangiku nodded. "Alright, get some rest."

As their conversation ended, the two went their separate ways, and Masatsuki made his way toward the dormitory...

The moment he opened the door, his expression changed.

There was an unfamiliar pair of shoes in the entryway—ones that didn't belong to "Masatsuki Aozaki's group."

Masatsuki glanced around warily, moving swiftly along the wall as he advanced, carefully scouting for any intruders.

As he crept forward, he suddenly felt something soft and furry brushing against his leg.

At the same time, a rough voice spoke from below—

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Ghost!" Masatsuki's heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

He quickly looked down...

And saw a black cat grinning at him in an almost human-like manner.

Masatsuki jolted in shock.

This wasn't just any black cat—it was an exceptionally cute black cat.

But that wasn't the issue.

The issue was that this cat could talk.

After all his training under top-tier instructors, Masatsuki had honed his Reiatsu perception to an extraordinary level.

A regular Shinigami wouldn't be able to approach him unnoticed. Even members of the Onmitsukidō's patrol squads would have a hard time sneaking up on him.

And yet, this talking black cat had gotten right up to his feet without him realizing it.

Seireitei was home to all sorts of strange beings, but in all his years here, he had never encountered a talking black cat that could move this stealthily.

There was only one possible explanation...

"Yoruichi Shihōin?"

The cat's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and its tone softened. "You know me?"

"Not personally, but a certain Shihōin classmate has mentioned you before."

"Shihōin classmate?"

"Yūshirō Shihōin."

"...That kid really does tell everyone everything."

Yoruichi sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Her little brother was far too naive—completely lacking in subtlety.

Snapping back to the present, she suddenly noticed Masatsuki had already moved toward the living room, cautiously checking each room one by one.

Without hesitation, she followed after him.

"Relax, there's no one here but me."

Yoruichi Shihōin circled around Masatsuki Aozaki, her golden eyes filled with curiosity.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is Masatsuki Aozaki's dorm, right?"

"You're wearing a Shin'ō Academy uniform, got a Zanpakutō on your waist, and, well, you're pretty good-looking… You must be the so-called genius, Masatsuki Aozaki."

Masatsuki sat down on the sofa, glancing at the two pieces of clothing lying beside him. He nodded.

"I'm Masatsuki Aozaki. Are these yours?"

"Yep. This secret technique was just completed, but I haven't figured out how to transform clothes along with me yet." Yoruichi tilted her head up at him.

Masatsuki rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"So, in other words, you're completely naked in front of me right now?"

Yoruichi cocked her head, pondered for a moment, then declared confidently, "Of course not! A cat's fur is its clothing! So technically, I'm dressed!"

Masatsuki shot the black cat a surprised look.

Was it just him, or did she actually look… embarrassed?

Was she more reserved at this age compared to how she'd be in the future?

Seeing Masatsuki close his eyes, Yoruichi asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

"Sleeping, obviously. I'm exhausted."

"I came all the way here to protect you, and you just wanna sleep?" Yoruichi huffed.

"Protect me? The Shihōin Clan would actually send their precious heiress to protect me? More like you snuck out for some fun."

"...How did you know?" Yoruichi froze for a second. Then, quickly correcting herself, she said, "No, I'm a member of the Onmitsukidō. I heard the Captain-Commander give the order and came out on a mission—so this doesn't count as sneaking out!"

"Alright, alright, I get it. You're very capable," Masatsuki said, giving her a look of exaggerated pity.

"But a cat isn't exactly great protection. You might as well use this time to quietly transform back and put your clothes on. I promise I won't peek."

Why does she seem a little... dumb and adorable right now?

Shame I didn't set up surveillance Kidō in my room. That would've made this an entirely different experience...

Yoruichi: "?!?"

...

Just earlier, she'd noticed someone sneaking toward this dorm.

Her first thought? This was a perfect target for a prank.

She had intended to transform into a cat and scare them. But the moment she saw the academy uniform and the Zanpakutō at Masatsuki's waist, she hesitated.

A Shin'ō Academy student. A Zanpakutō.

Putting the clues together, she immediately guessed his identity—

Masatsuki Aozaki.

A Rukongai commoner born in the World of the Living, admitted to Shin'ō Academy less than half a year ago.

He had already attained Shikai and received direct guidance from both Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Unohana.

Just yesterday, Yamamoto even confirmed that he had reached a lieutenant-level Reiatsu.

This was definitely his dorm.

But why did he look so suspicious sneaking into his own room?

After thinking about it, she decided to reveal herself and startle him a little—maybe even use the chaos to get a better read on him.

And the result?

He was just sleep-deprived?

Did the Captain-Commander not even let his students sleep?

As if sensing her confusion, Masatsuki forced himself to stay awake and said, "Yoruichi Shihōin, you haven't been to the backyard of the 1st Division barracks in the last two days, have you?"

Yoruichi blinked, then nodded. "No, but I was in the front yard."

"Then that explains it."

Masatsuki sighed in relief, licked his lips, and said slowly, "Yesterday, I went to see Old Man Yamamoto for training. On my way through the backyard, I spotted his favorite tea leaves."

"I, Masatsuki Aozaki, have always respected my teachers. I would never keep something that good to myself, so I gifted the tea to the Captain-Commander."

"And the reason I didn't sleep last night? That bastard Chōjirō Sasakibe bullied me just because he could!"

Masatsuki's tone turned indignant.

"Old Man Yamamoto drank the tea! If he has a problem, Sasakibe should take it up with him, not me!"

Watching Masatsuki spin nonsense so earnestly, Yoruichi couldn't help but laugh.

This guy… was kinda fun.

As she continued observing him, she suddenly realized—

This brat had already passed out.

Yoruichi raised a paw and gave his cheek a few taps, but Masatsuki only furrowed his brows and remained asleep.

"...Did he seriously just knock out?"

This guy's guard was way too low.

What if I'd been lying? What if I really came to kill him?

He didn't even try to stay on alert—just went straight to sleep.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake