"What?" Senjumaru Shutara was incredulous.
A captain in his early twenties, capable of defeating a true captain without even using Bankai—that was even more terrifying than Yamamoto in his youth!
She could now understand where Kirio Hikifune's confidence in Masatsuki Aozaki came from and nodded in agreement.
"In that case, it's indeed highly likely that this child will be promoted to Zero Division in the future."
"Well, since you'll be joining Zero Division sooner or later, as your senior, how about we start getting along now?"
"When you finally enter Zero Division in a few hundred years, I'll make sure to look after you."
Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow. "That almost sounds like a good deal…"
"But of course," Senjumaru Shutara said proudly. "Once you join Zero Division, I'll make you new clothes every day."
Masatsuki Aozaki sighed. "You just want a free model, don't you?"
"Oh my, I've been found out? What a clever boy!" Senjumaru Shutara stroked her chin and grinned. "But I do like clever boys."
"Hmph… well, I am quite confident in my physique," Masatsuki Aozaki remarked narcissistically.
"Masatsuki-chan knows his strengths well. You have the best physique I've ever seen. So, how about it?"
Senjumaru Shutara smiled playfully and winked at him.
Masatsuki Aozaki hesitated for a moment before asking, "But I've heard that to be promoted to Zero Division, one has to create something of great significance for Soul Society. Isn't that the requirement?"
"Well, there are exceptions. Take the seventh-generation Kenpachi, for example—just an ordinary Shinigami, yet powerful enough to rival the Zero Division. That alone earned him an invitation."
"To rival the Zero Division…" Masatsuki Aozaki murmured, impressed.
That's one terrifying individual.
"Don't underestimate the Zero Division."
Senjumaru Shutara handed him a freshly made set of clothing.
"Every member of Zero Division has undergone bodily reinforcement through the Soul King's power. Our Reiatsu surpasses that of ordinary Shinigami. For someone to match our strength, that alone is an achievement to be proud of."
Hearing this, Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly thought of the old man—Yamamoto Genryūsai, the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.
He asked, "Then how does your strength compare to Master's?"
"Master?"
"Yes, Captain-Commander Yamamoto. He's my Master."
"…"
Senjumaru Shutara's hands froze mid-motion, momentarily stunned.
"Uh…"
She seemed about to say something but couldn't quite get the words out.
Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune exchanged glances, both looking at her with curiosity, clearly not planning to let the matter drop.
After a long silence, Senjumaru Shutara finally spoke.
"Yamamoto… Captain-Commander Yamamoto is an exception. Other than our leader, I doubt anyone could be his match."
"But don't get me wrong—I'm not afraid of him. With the Soul King's power reinforcing me, as long as my Zero Division Riden remains intact, I can revive even if my body is completely reduced to ashes."
Listening to Senjumaru Shutara's noticeably unconvincing words, Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune exchanged amused smiles before nodding at her indulgently, like one would when humoring a child.
"Senjumaru is amazing!" they said in unison, chuckling softly.
Senjumaru Shutara's face flushed slightly, and she quickly retorted, "You… you two better not underestimate me! I'm very powerful!"
She maintained her usual graceful posture, but her words came out flustered. Spotting Kirio Hikifune, she immediately latched onto her like a lifeline.
"Kirio, Kirio-chan, you know how strong I am! Hurry and tell Masatsuki-chan!"
Kirio Hikifune sighed in exasperation. She knew Senjumaru had no real confidence in that claim, but she also couldn't outright embarrass her old squadmate and friend.
With a helpless breath, she finally said, "Actually, Senjumaru was the inventor of the Shihakushō. That's an incredible achievement, and it's the reason she became a Royal Special Agent."
"Yes! That's right! I invented the Shihakushō!"
As Senjumaru Shutara recalled her contributions to Soul Society, she unconsciously straightened her posture—puffing out her not-so-impressive chest ever so slightly—regaining her composure and confidence.
Masatsuki Aozaki frowned, his tone serious.
"Inventing the Shihakushō… doesn't really count as an achievement, does it?"
"I wear a Shihakushō every day, and aside from its barely-there defensive properties, it's no different from regular clothing."
"No, actually, that so-called defense is practically useless. It can't even block an attack from an ordinary squad member's sword—it's only effective against completely powerless Souls."
"In short, it serves no real purpose."
His blunt critique was direct and to the point.
Senjumaru Shutara's breathing quickened, and she immediately shot back in rapid speech,
"How rude! The Shihakushō is an essential part of a Shinigami's identity, just like a Zanpakutō!"
"The moment one becomes a Shinigami, they are granted a Shihakushō and a Zanpakutō. These aren't just for personal use—they're symbols of what it means to be a Shinigami!"
Masatsuki Aozaki stroked his chin in thought. After a brief pause, he nodded.
"I see. So, it's basically just a uniform. Other than symbolic value, it doesn't actually do anything, right?"
"…Masatsuki." Senjumaru's eye twitched.
"What?" Masatsuki Aozaki looked down at her.
Senjumaru Shutara suddenly gave him a sweet, almost motherly smile and tilted her head.
"You should be careful with your words. They might come back to haunt you."
Masatsuki Aozaki took a deep breath and straightened up.
"My apologies, Senjumaru-sama. That was rude of me!"
He was quite skilled at backing down when necessary.
Senjumaru Shutara let out a small laugh, nodding with composed elegance.
"Very good. I like well-behaved children like you."
"Now, put on the clothes and let me see how they fit."
"Yes."
Masatsuki Aozaki obediently nodded and began putting on the tailored inner and outer garments Senjumaru Shutara had prepared for him.
A black Shihakushō, draped with a long-sleeved white Haori embroidered with the kanji for "eleven."
The standard Gotei 13 captain's uniform. Nothing special.
He felt a little disappointed but didn't show it.
Senjumaru Shutara suddenly reminded him, "Masatsuki, try channeling your Reiatsu into the clothing."
"Oh?" Masatsuki Aozaki did as instructed, infusing the robe with his Reiatsu. The moment he felt the change, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Hmm… impressive, right?" Senjumaru Shutara smirked proudly. "No matter how damaged it gets, as long as you infuse it with Reiatsu, it will repair itself."
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded. "Anything else?"
"That's all."
"…Ha. Haha… sounds really impressive." Masatsuki Aozaki awkwardly scratched his head.
He had expected something more—maybe a combat function, something flashy—but that was it?
Aside from saving him money on new clothes, what was the point?
Then again, since it was a gift, it wouldn't be polite to complain.
So he simply said, with genuine sincerity, "Thank you, Senjumaru-sama."
Glancing down at the white Haori, he suddenly thought of something and looked up at the clock on the wall.
"It's about time. I should be going."
"Kirio-san, Lady Senjumaru, I'll take my leave now."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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