West Rukongai, District 1—Junrinan.
A man clad in a white haori strode out of Hakutōmon with great fanfare, greeted with deep respect by Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, a gatekeeper of Seireitei. As he checked the man's credentials, he also offered a polite greeting.
Having guarded Hakutōmon for centuries, Jidanbō was well aware of the man's identity—soone who frequently passed through these gates. But protocol was protocol; even when faced with a captain of the Gotei 13, he never neglected his duty. Still, a certain level of reverence was only natural.
After all, though the war had ended decades ago, many still rembered this man's extraordinary achievents. Jidanbō's respect was not flattery but genuine admiration—this was the great hero who had ended the war.
Of course, as the gatekeeper, he had no interest in the mysterious ring that had suddenly appeared in his arms. His reverence ca purely from the heart.
He pondered this as he watched the man step into Rukongai...
Masatsuki Aozaki walked through the streets of Junrinan, hands on his hips, exuding confidence.
"Masatsuki Aozaki! Masatsuki Aozaki has returned!"
"Aozaki-boss is back to see Ane-san again?"
"Aozaki-aniki is so cool! One day, I'm going to join the Shin'ō Academy and beco a Shinigami too!"
Masatsuki Aozaki accepted the praise without hesitation. Given his close ties with Kūkaku Shiba, it was only natural that he had beco one of Junrinan's big nas.
"Junrinan... If I rember right, this is where Tōshirō Hitsugaya grew up," he mused, stroking his chin as he walked. "I wonder if that brat's even been born yet."
He wasn't interested in Hitsugaya himself—just his Zanpakutō.
With a crowd gathering around him, Masatsuki Aozaki made his way toward the Shiba household.
...
The Shiba family lived in the suburbs of Junrinan.
Once one of the Five Great Noble Clans, the Shiba Clan had long since lost their prestigious status, but their noble blood still flowed through their veins. Though they no longer held power, the comfortable lives they now enjoyed were thanks to the strength inherited from their ancestors.
It was precisely this strength that had allowed them to establish themselves in West Rukongai and beco its dominant force. Rukongai had always been known for its chaos and bloodshed, and without the Shiba family's might, West Rukongai would never have beco the safest district in the region.
"We plan to get married next year," said Kaien Shiba, kneeling with a solemn expression.
"Next year, huh? I see... But what does Miyako even like about my brother?"
"I an, he's thickheaded, rude, not exactly good-looking, and as a Shinigami, he's nothing special. He's just one walking flaw after another! I can't believe soone actually likes him!"
Kūkaku Shiba shook her head as if she had just witnessed sothing unbelievable. A lock of her long, soft bangs swayed in front of her bright, expressive eyes.
Kaien Shiba let out a helpless sigh, covering his face with one hand. "Could you at least try to spare so dignity? Show a little restraint in front of Miyako!"
Hearing this, Miyako smiled gently. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and spoke softly,
"I know that's only how he appears on the surface."
"In reality, Kaien is not only kind and warm-hearted but also deeply loyal and principled. Many of his squad mbers admire and respect him, and I am no exception."
"But he..,"
Kūkaku seed like she had more to say, but before she could finish, Kaien cut her off.
"Ahem... Ahem... Kūkaku, there's a ti to stop, you know. Even as your brother, I'll get mad if you go too far!"
His sister's bluntness was honestly terrifying. It had taken him so much effort to find such a good wife!
"But I'm just worried she picked the wrong person!"
Kūkaku grinned mischievously, though she knew better than to push too far. Waving her hand dismissively, she said,
"Alright, alright, I was just joking."
"But you two ca back at just the right ti. Masatsuki will be dropping by soon, so I'll introduce you."
"You an Captain Masatsuki of the 11th Division?" Miyako asked in surprise, as if suddenly realizing sothing. That big na was coming here personally?
Born into an ordinary Shinigami family, she hadn't even known the Shiba family was once one of the Five Great Noble Clans. If she had, she would have been even more astonished.
"That's right." Kūkaku Shiba nodded.
"Masatsuki, that guy actually dared to co back?" Kaien Shiba's eyes widened as he slamd his palm on the coffee table in front of him.
Just thinking about that smug grin on the man's face was enough to irritate him.
He had worked so hard to raise his little cabbage, only to have it so easily taken by that pig!
If he'd known from the start, he never would have fallen for that guy's sweet talk. He should have just buried him alive and been done with it.
"He drops by every now and then—actually, pretty often. Unlike you, Aniki, who vanishes for months, sotis even half a year at a ti."
Kūkaku Shiba crossed her arms and scowled. "At this rate, you might forget about Ganju and altogether!"
"I've just got too much going on. I am a Lieutenant now, after all."
Kaien Shiba scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
Kūkaku huffed. "Masatsuki is still a Captain, though!"
"You don't understand Masatsuki's situation. Ever since he beca a Captain, he's been ridiculously carefree—just like Uncle Isshin. He barely takes care of anything and dumps all the squad's responsibilities on us Lieutenants."
Kaien Shiba clicked his tongue in irritation. "If you don't believe , ask Ichimaru. He'll back up."
Kūkaku couldn't help but laugh at that, her shoulders shaking.
"Haha! Aniki, aren't you a bit too old to be sulking like a kid?"
Kaien Shiba snorted.
After years in the Gotei 13, he'd weathered countless storms and honed a steady and resilient nature.
But the mont he thought about that man, all his composure shattered in an instant.
With a helpless sigh, he murmured to himself,
"That brat Ganju... After all this ti, he probably misses his big brother. Sigh... I wonder where he is now..."
Kūkaku, standing nearby, casually chid in, "Oh, Ganju went to find Masatsuki. The two of them are getting along pretty well these days."
"Ganju's grown up. He used to refuse all the training we put him through..."
"But now, he's the one going to Masatsuki for help. He's really matured."
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