The morning was quiet in the captain's quarters, with only Masatsuki Aozaki and Mashiro Kuna lying in bed, idly waiting for ti to pass.
The two were in a state of deep contemplation, feeling like a re drop in the vast ocean of existence, marveling at the endlessness of the world.
Strictly speaking, their state of mind was akin to that of a sage—indifferent to all external matters, focused only on the pursuit of truth.
"Seriously, I thought I'd finally get to relax after the war. But I still have to work?" Mashiro Kuna grumbled, sprawled across the dark-haired man's chest.
"It's because the war just ended that there's so much to do. Once the aftermath is dealt with, we should be able to enjoy a long period of peace," Masatsuki replied with a smile.
"That's true. If it weren't for the rebel uprising, we'd have way more free ti." Mashiro nodded in agreent.
She had joined the Gotei 13 during peaceti. Back then, aside from training and the occasional deploynt to the World of the Living, there was barely anything to do.
As long as one was strong, being a Shinigami was a simple job.
"I just didn't expect to be involved in all this. I thought I was only responsible for fighting."
"Doesn't Gin handle most of the paperwork? As a combatant, all you need to do is report on battlefield conditions. You don't even have to write the reports yourself," Masatsuki reassured her.
"Ugh, but it's such a hassle! I'd rather be practicing Hakuda than wasting ti on aningless stuff like that," Mashiro whined playfully.
"Alright, alright. We'll head to the Hakuda dojo later. We worked on your muscles last night, so let's see how much stronger you've gotten today."
Masatsuki spoke indulgently, though his gaze drifted toward Banshō Senran, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
The way they used "quantified" data to help with his Bankai training had definitely increased his motivation.
If he had been able to quantify his learning efficiency back in his past life, he might've actually beco the kind of model student teachers adored.
According to Banshō, his understanding of them had reached 19.3%.
At this pace, if he trained once a day, gaining 0.1% each ti, it would take a little over two years to reach 100%.
Without external assistance, that wasn't a long ti at all—it could even set a new record in the Soul Society.
"Two years, huh...?" Masatsuki muttered, his eyes lingering on Banshō Senran.
Beside him, the young woman sat up and stretched, her graceful curves accentuated by the dim morning light.
She dressed quickly, and the sharp, efficient cut of her Shihakushō only enhanced her energetic presence. One look was enough to tell she was full of life.
"No wonder she's a high-ranking Seated Officer specializing in Hakuda. In so ways, she even surpasses Rangiku. The only one who could outmatch her is Yoruichi."
"Masatsuki, what are you looking at?" Mashiro asked, catching his gaze as she stretched.
Her lips curled slightly in satisfaction—she was secretly pleased.
Without hesitation, she grabbed Masatsuki and yanked him up from the bed.
Masatsuki instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist, glancing toward Banshō Senran.
It wasn't like he had seduced this energetic girl—she was simply too lively for her own good.
Banshō Senran's blade trembled slightly, but they didn't suddenly manifest to interrupt the mont.
"I have to go to the 12th Division at noon. Kirio-san is looking for , and I don't have much ti," Masatsuki Aozaki said, stroking his chin as he glanced at the old-fashioned clock on the wall.
"So that ans we only have two hours?" Mashiro Kuna asked, her face twitching slightly in frustration.
Despite always presenting herself as a researcher, Kirio Hikifune was actually one of the strongest captains in the Gotei 13. Over two hundred years ago, even Kenpachi Kuruyashiki had acknowledged her strength.
"To be precise, only one hour. The rest has to be spent cooking—if we don't get it ready in ti, sothing terrifying will happen!" Masatsuki exaggerated, trying to scare her.
Of course, he knew Kirio wouldn't actually get that angry. If anything, she'd take the opportunity to drag him into the dorm kitchen to cook, letting him learn while eating.
Spending more ti together should have been good for their relationship, but Masatsuki had already mastered the art of ti managent, strictly scheduling every part of his day.
The souls from the rebellion had all been absorbed into the Hōgyoku.
Whenever he had free ti, he planned to wander around Rukongai to look for suitable materials.
...
"Isn't it a bit inappropriate for a captain to be delivering als?" Kisuke Urahara mused as he accepted the food from Masatsuki.
"If people found out that Kenpachi Aozaki personally brings als to our captain every day, it might hurt the 11th Division's reputation."
Masatsuki shrugged. "What's the big deal about bringing food to your wife?"
"Would you dare say that in front of Captain Kirio?" Kisuke sneered.
"Nope!" Masatsuki declared with forced bravado, then winked. "Which is why you need to keep this a secret. Don't go blabbing."
"Heh, and here I thought there was nothing in this world you wouldn't dare do." Kisuke shook his head but nodded nonetheless.
Pranks had their limits—so things weren't worth pushing too far.
"Enough about that. Let's talk about you," Masatsuki said, raising an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. "It hasn't been that long since we last t, and you've already broken through to third-rank Reiatsu."
Kisuke chuckled, his smile carrying an air of maturity beyond his years. "I told you, I was confident. It was only a matter of ti."
"True. Kirio-san has high hopes for you as well," Masatsuki remarked. "So, do you think you're up to succeeding her as captain? How's your Bankai training coming along?"
"Just getting started." Kisuke waved it off before suddenly lowering his voice, glancing around suspiciously. Then, in a hushed tone, he asked, "You're training for Bankai too, aren't you?"
"Of course." Masatsuki nodded. It wasn't exactly a secret.
Any Shinigami who reached third-rank spiritual power would naturally attempt to train for Bankai—it was the logical next step.
Kisuke draped an arm over Masatsuki's shoulders, pulling him into the corner of the courtyard wall before whispering mysteriously, "Actually, I've been experinting with a new thod for achieving Bankai."
"What kind of thod?" Masatsuki already had a guess but asked anyway to confirm his suspicions.
"I've developed a device that can help materialize a Zanpakutō. The prototype should be ready next week!" Kisuke said excitedly.
"A prototype? Don't tell you're planning to use as a test subject?"
Masatsuki recalled his past involvent with the Shinigami Research and Developnt Institute's experints—several of which had ended with the lab exploding.
Scientific research was seriously dangerous!
Kisuke looked a little embarrassed but quickly patted his chest in reassurance. "Relax! This ti, there won't be any problems. No random explosions, I swear!"
Masatsuki shot him a skeptical look but eventually nodded.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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