"It does cost money. I almost forgot."
Masatsuki Aozaki stroked his chin thoughtfully, then nodded.
"How about buffing this character a little?"
"You didn't listen to a single word I said, did you?"
Kisuke Urahara's mouth twitched.
"If you don't understand game balancing, just sit back, collect your money, and play your games in peace."
"Isn't that exactly what I'm doing?" Masatsuki Aozaki replied, completely unfazed.
Kisuke Urahara looked up at him, puzzled.
"…You haven't just been sitting at home playing games this whole time, have you?"
"More or less. I play games, spend time with Yoruichi and the others, go out once in a while… It's a pretty dull life."
Kisuke Urahara took a deep breath.
This guy's life was way more comfortable than his.
They were both Captains—so why was there such a massive gap?
Meanwhile, neither his Lieutenant nor the Deputy Director ever let him have a moment of peace!
After glancing around to make sure no one else was listening, Kisuke Urahara leaned in and asked in a hushed tone,
"Masatsuki… You wouldn't happen to have another person like Gin Ichimaru, would you? Maybe recommend someone to me?"
"Managing the squad all day is exhausting—I don't even have time to play games… or do experiments!"
Masatsuki Aozaki thought for a moment, then said,
"There is someone similar to Gin, but they're still in training and don't seem too interested in scientific research."
"Oh, and don't even mention it. Gin's been so busy helping train him that he barely has time for squad duties anymore."
"Ryuuseki and Izumo are drowning in work every day, and honestly, they're still a step behind Gin."
Kisuke Urahara: "…"
Why does it sound like you're the one suffering here, when they're the ones doing all the work?
Masatsuki Aozaki snatched back the game console, nodding as he selected his character.
"You don't need to worry about managing the squad."
"Mayuri has an assistant named Akon, right? He's from the Nest of Maggots too."
"I think he's a decent choice—his strength is passable. You should give him a shot."
"Oh?"
Kisuke Urahara raised an eyebrow.
He knew Akon.
Decades ago, he had personally pulled him out of the Nest of Maggots.
But back then, the kid had a nasty temper, and Kisuke had neither the time nor the patience to train a troublemaker.
His talents had caught Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eye instead, and he ended up becoming Mayuri's assistant.
If anyone else had suggested this, Kisuke would have done a thorough background check first.
But if Masatsuki Aozaki was recommending someone?
That was different.
The guy had a talent for spotting potential.
Otherwise, how would he have picked out such an amazing friend like himself?
"Alright, I'll let him try it out. I'll start him off as Fourth Seat."
Kisuke Urahara reached down, swiped the game console from Masatsuki Aozaki's hands, and was about to turn to leave—
When Masatsuki suddenly looked up and asked,
"Kisuke… Do you still have any Tenshintai left?"
"We're out."
Kisuke Urahara shook his head.
"The Captain-Commander banned its distribution, so there's no stock."
"You need one? Didn't Gin already master Bankai? …Wait, is this for that genius kid in your squad?"
"Man, the next generation is scary."
"If you want one, I can make it happen, but it'll take some time."
"It's for Shiro-chan. Get one ready for me."
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's reputation as a prodigy wasn't just for show.
Before even entering the Shin'ō Academy, he had already reached the third rank of Spiritual Power and had seen the materialized form of Hyōrinmaru.
Whether it was during his academy years or after joining the 11th Division, his focus wasn't on raising his Reiatsu level—it was on mastering his control over it.
Reaching this level of power in just his fifties…
In terms of talent, he was only a step away from catching up to Masatsuki Aozaki himself.
After all, Masatsuki had only reached third-rank Spiritual Power in his early twenties!
"That thing is dangerous. It's not really suitable for a kid."
Dangerous?
Hyōrinmaru had once willingly manifested itself, asking Tōshirō Hitsugaya to call its name.
If Tenshintai was used to summon it, the trial would probably be a breeze.
Masatsuki Aozaki patted Kisuke Urahara's shoulder and said earnestly,
"Kisuke, have a little more faith in the younger generation. I believe in him."
Seeing Masatsuki Aozaki's confidence, even Kisuke Urahara couldn't help but feel a sense of trust forming in his heart.
…
The Third District of West Rukongai, with Mt. Koifushi to the north.
This land belonged to the Shiba Clan and was once Shiba Kaien's personal training ground.
Now, it had long since been abandoned, overgrown with weeds.
Gin Ichimaru and Tōshirō Hitsugaya sat before Masatsuki Aozaki.
Gin Ichimaru could be considered half a mentor to Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Since Hitsugaya joined the Gotei 13, all his training had been under Gin's guidance.
Kenpachi Zaraki had wanted to take him on as a disciple as well.
After all, Hitsugaya's talent was plain for all to see.
With proper training, he could one day become a formidable opponent.
But while Kenpachi was an absolute powerhouse—stronger than Gin even when going all out—he was not suited to be a teacher.
Gin was simply the more reliable choice.
Under Hitsugaya's watchful gaze, Masatsuki Aozaki picked up a large, humanoid-shaped white board from the ground.
He examined it for a moment before speaking.
"…This is what the Tenshintai is for."
Then, turning his attention to Hitsugaya, he continued,
"Shiro-chan, you've long since reached the Third Rank of Spiritual Power, and your control over your Reiatsu is more refined than before."
"But I've already explained the dangers of using Tenshintai, so… are you backing out?"
Kisuke Urahara glanced at Masatsuki Aozaki.
Though his words sounded like genuine advice, something about them felt… off.
Almost like he was provoking the kid.
Hitsugaya's expression darkened in response, his brows furrowing.
"Who the hell do you think you're looking down on?!" he snapped.
"As if I'd be afraid of something like this! Just wait—I'll master Bankai and show you!"
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded in satisfaction.
This brat is way too easy to rile up.
He needs more experience. I should start giving him extra squad duties.
Meanwhile, Kisuke Urahara watched with mild concern.
No matter how you looked at it, Hitsugaya was still just a kid.
A literal child.
With a sigh, he decided to speak up.
"Shiro-chan, I know you've got talent."
"If you take your time and train properly, I have no doubt you'll master Bankai sooner or later."
"Tenshintai just speeds up the process—but at a huge risk."
"Once a Zanpakutō spirit manifests, it knows its own power better than anyone. And make no mistake—they're strong."
"My advice? Don't rush it…"
At that, Hitsugaya's eye twitched.
His gaze snapped toward Masatsuki Aozaki, burning with resentment.
Shiro-chan?!
Damn that bed-wetting Momo!
Hinamori had been the first to call him that—then Masatsuki Aozaki picked it up, and now Kisuke too?!
He knew Kisuke had been corrupted by that bastard!
Masatsuki Aozaki, you son of a—
Just wait till I master Bankai. You're dead.
Without another word, Hitsugaya thrust his Zanpakutō into the Tenshintai and began his training.
The artificial body gradually took shape—transforming into a tall man with deep green hair.
…
Two and a half days flew by.
The once desolate mountain was now blanketed in ice and snow, the land scarred by residual Reiatsu.
Kisuke Urahara stood beside Masatsuki Aozaki, watching Hitsugaya in stunned silence.
That brat actually pulled it off…
And in less time than I did?!
Gin Ichimaru leaned lazily against a boulder, arms crossed, his usual grin in place.
But in his eyes, there was something different—something like quiet pride.
He may not have been Hitsugaya's official teacher, but in practice, he was.
"Well done, Shiro-chan."
Masatsuki Aozaki burst into laughter, slinging an arm over Hitsugaya's shoulders.
"I hereby declare you the new Lieutenant of the 11th Division!"
Hitsugaya froze mid-step, completely caught off guard.
Just a second ago, he had been gearing up to finally get revenge for all the teasing…
Now?
"Wha—?! Get off me, you bastard!"
"And call me Lieutenant Hitsugaya!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake