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

"There are indeed traces of the young lady's presence, but she's nowhere to be found. Could she have already left?"

Marechiyo Ōmaeda's gaze sharpened. Without hesitation, he set out to search the surrounding area.

Yoruichi Shihōin hadn't even had time to take her shoes, so she couldn't have gone far.

The rebels were growing desperate, acting recklessly without restraint. Given Yoruichi's noble status, letting her roam freely was out of the question.

She needed to be found—immediately!

Under the watchful eyes of Masatsuki Aozaki and Yoruichi, Ōmaeda swiftly left the dormitory.

Once he was gone, Yoruichi let out a relieved sigh, then shot Masatsuki an annoyed look.

"This is all your fault—you've ruined my reputation."

Masatsuki chuckled. "You acted on your own, so how is this my fault?"

"Besides, do you even have a good reputation to begin with?"

Yoruichi's eye twitched slightly as she recalled Ōmaeda's words from earlier.

Masatsuki smirked. "What, not convinced? Want me to call Ōmaeda back so he can tell me just how 'good' your reputation really is?"

"Ahem, no need for that. I'm a magnanimous person—I'll let it slide." Yoruichi crossed her arms, feigning generosity.

Masatsuki didn't push the subject further and instead asked lazily, "Ōmaeda searched the entire place but couldn't find you. Where were you just now?"

Yoruichi raised her wrist. "See this silver bracelet? It conceals Reiatsu."

"And this cloak I'm wearing lets me turn invisible without using Kidō."

She twisted her body slightly, showing off with a smug grin.

"Our Shihōin Clan is known as the 'Tenshi Heisōban' (Guard of the Heavenly Gifted Armaments)' and has amassed countless divine weapons. These are just two of the more insignificant ones."

"I was wondering who made this cloak."

"Made? This is a divine artifact—who could possibly make it?"

Yoruichi shook her head, amused.

"That guy Kisuke likes tinkering with gadgets, but most of the stuff he makes is pretty useless."

"Kisuke?" Masatsuki's interest piqued, a smirk playing at her lips.

If this was the same Kisuke Urahara, then he was one of the masterminds behind the Hōgyoku.

"Kisuke Urahara. He's my childhood friend." Yoruichi arched a brow as if she had stumbled upon something amusing. "What, jealous?"

"Jealous? Please. I've barely known you for long. No—scratch that, we don't even know each other."

"Who says we don't? You just helped me trick Ōmaeda, didn't you? That makes us more than acquaintances—we're accomplices now."

Yoruichi grinned.

"Don't bother denying it. Your expression has already given you away."

…Was this woman completely living in her own world?

Sure, Masatsuki had his own thoughts just now, but they were definitely not about whatever Yoruichi was imagining…

Masatsuki felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth. With just a few words, Yoruichi had thrown his innocence out the window.

"What are you even saying…? You should probably leave soon. I'd rather not wake up in the middle of the night with your childhood friend chopping off my head."

Yoruichi burst into laughter, full of confidence. "That idiot Kisuke is just a prankster. He wouldn't get jealous over you."

Then, she grinned and declared, "Masatsuki, after you graduate, join the 2nd Division!"

"What's in it for me?" Masatsuki cast her a sidelong glance, smirking.

"In a few years, I'll be taking over as the captain of the 2nd Division," Yoruichi mused. "I'll make you Third Seat the moment you join."

Masatsuki went silent. He reached out, placed a hand on Yoruichi's forehead, then on his own.

"No fever. So why are you talking nonsense?"

Yoruichi's face flushed slightly.

She had almost forgotten how strong he was. Forget a Seated Officer—he was bound to become a Lieutenant sooner or later.

As she recalled more details about Masatsuki's abilities, her eyes lit up with an idea. She leaned in with a teasing smile.

"Our 2nd Division has plenty of beautiful women, you know. And there's this one girl—petite, absolutely adorable—who'll be joining soon. She's so cute that even I'm a little smitten. And wouldn't you know it? She's exactly your type."

"If you join the 2nd Division, I can introduce you two."

…Petite and adorable? My type?

Slander. Blatant slander.

If word got out, what would the other girls think? What if they stopped liking me?

This was outrageous.

Masatsuki put on his most sincere expression. "Captain, please let me join the 2nd Division."

Yoruichi chuckled. "You really want in that badly?"

"I'd march through fire for you, Captain!" Masatsuki grasped her hand, his face radiating pure devotion.

"Excellent! I'll take you in," Yoruichi declared with an air of generosity and confidence, squeezing his hand firmly. "Once I become captain, I'll make you Third Seat."

"For now, get some rest. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

Masatsuki blinked. "Pick me up? Where are we going?"

Yoruichi smirked. "You like training, don't you? I know a place you'll absolutely love."

"See you tomorrow!" With a flash, she was already at the window. As the darkness deepened, she vanished into the night.

Masatsuki shook his head, shut the window, and collapsed into bed.

…

Unnoticed, the crescent moon faded away, giving way to the rising sun.

Morning light spilled over the ancient buildings, their rooftops gilded in gold by the dawn.

Masatsuki groggily opened his eyes—only to find a petite girl curled up on top of him. He stared, momentarily entranced by her soft, delicate features.

"The sun's up! Time for class!"

Masatsuki lifted the small, sleepy girl from the blankets, then quickly scanned the room, looking for something—anything—to preserve what little dignity he had left.

He spotted some clothes on the floor and, while he was at it, helped Rangiku Matsumoto into her uniform.

Thanks to Yoruichi's antics, it wasn't just one or two Onmitsukidō squads hiding within Shin'ō Academy.

Nearly a quarter of the 2nd Division had been deployed, filling the academy's halls.

At this point, Shin'ō Academy was arguably the safest place in all of Seireitei—aside from the Gotei 13's barracks.

Normally quiet and empty, the academy now had patrol squads lurking around every corner.

The 2nd Division members were experts at staying hidden. Other than the captains and lieutenants, who doubled as academy instructors, hardly anyone could detect them.

After hearing the news, Raito Tsunayashiro stopped attending class altogether—too afraid that he'd either fail to recruit someone or end up losing his life in the process.

Masatsuki didn't bother with such trivial matters.

His mind was on Yoruichi.

Or, more specifically, the training ground she had mentioned.

…

As night fell, the streetlights flickered on one by one.

Masatsuki returned to the dormitory, where Yoruichi was already waiting.

"So, where are we going? Will this place really help with my training?"

"Just follow me. I promise you'll love it." Yoruichi's tone was confident—but there was the faintest hint of guilt beneath it.

Masatsuki arched a brow. "Oh? For a second there, I thought you…"

"Thought what?" Yoruichi huffed. "Don't tell me you don't trust me. I am the future head of the Shihōin Clan. Do you think I'd lie to you?"

She raised a fist as if to make her point very clear.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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