Gin Ichimaru stepped out of his quarters, glancing at the clock outside. It was already seven, yet the barracks remained silent. Skillfully, he called out to the soldier standing outside his door.
"Izumo, what time is it? Masatsuki still isn't up? Go wake him up. Tell him to hurry and remind him about today's business."
"No problem. But I'm afraid the captain still won't want to get up," Izumo responded, bowing before heading toward the captain's quarters.
"It's fine. It's not time yet, but at least he should be aware," Gin said, knowing Masatsuki Aozaki all too well. He had taken care of his savior with effortless familiarity.
Masatsuki might be someone who indulged in his desires, but when he truly set his mind on something, he gave it his all. He was never one to be easily swayed by temptation. Perhaps that was the very reason he had survived for so long.
Gin then made his way to the cafeteria, ordering the usual Chinese breakfast Masatsuki Aozaki liked. By now, most of the 11th Division members had gathered, brimming with energy and eager for battle.
...
Knock, knock.
Hearing the sound at his door and sensing the familiar Reiatsu, Masatsuki Aozaki, still lying in bed, lazily glanced toward it.
He had been awake for a while now, staring at the ceiling for nearly ten minutes, doing absolutely nothing but lingering in bed.
Three knocks—then silence. Masatsuki hadn't even spoken, yet Izumo's Reiatsu was already fading away.
After spending so much time together, Izumo understood Masatsuki's habits well. Three knocks were enough. No unnecessary words, no pointless reminders.
Masatsuki finally sat up against the headboard. Under the blanket, something shifted. He lifted it, revealing a familiar face.
"Ryuuseki? Izumo? Or Gin?" A lazy, sultry voice drifted out, carrying a hint of flirtation that sent a tremor through Masatsuki's heart.
Her appearance hadn't changed much, yet her charm only grew stronger with each passing day. Every glance, every smile—it was captivating.
The allure of a mature woman.
"It was Izumo. You've seen him plenty of times—how do you still not recognize his Reiatsu?" Masatsuki nudged the cute little nose of the blonde beauty beside him.
"I can't be bothered to remember. As long as I know friend from foe, that's all that matters," Rangiku Matsumoto huffed, then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
Masatsuki didn't argue. He knew she wasn't lying.
To be blunt, Izumo simply wasn't important enough for her to commit his Reiatsu to memory.
"I've got important things to do today, so I can't stay with you," Masatsuki said casually, spreading his hands.
"What!? That's not fair!" Rangiku whined, her voice adorably pitiful.
"I told you about this already, so don't play innocent. Now hurry up and get back to the 1st Division."
To Masatsuki, that was still the safest place in all of Seireitei—a security that only the old man could provide.
He knew Kyōka Suigetsu worked on the old man, but Sōsuke Aizen wouldn't dare try to deceive him so easily.
That was the kind of deterrence the old man carried. His very existence alone was enough to impose unseen pressure on those with ill intentions.
After some coaxing and playful resistance, Masatsuki indulged Rangiku for another half an hour. Once everything was in order, he finished breakfast in the cafeteria and headed toward the division's dojo.
In the captain's lounge next to the dojo, Masatsuki Aozaki looked at Gin Ichimaru standing across from him.
"Is everything ready?"
"The pre-battle mobilization is complete. Are you really not coming with us?" Gin asked.
"No, I have other things to take care of. Moving with you would be inconvenient." Masatsuki patted Gin's shoulder with a smile. "This battle depends on you, Captain Masatsuki Aozaki."
If anyone else had been in the room, they would have noticed that Gin Ichimaru's appearance had changed—he now looked exactly like Masatsuki Aozaki.
Gin, unfazed, simply nodded. "Understood. 4th Seat Gin Ichimaru, I'll leave the barracks in your hands."
Masatsuki ran his fingers over Banshō Senran at his waist. At some point, Kyōka Suigetsu's power had activated without a sound, and in the eyes of certain people, Gin Ichimaru had become Masatsuki Aozaki.
Having Gin take his place was a risky move, but it was one of Kyōka Suigetsu's inherent limitations.
The Zanpakutō's power altered the perception of those under its hypnosis, but it couldn't create something from nothing.
That was why Aizen, when deceiving Shinji Hirako, needed to prepare a double. It was also why, when faking his own death in the future, he left his Zanpakutō behind.
Without something to act as a substitute, he couldn't fabricate an illusion of himself from thin air.
For the so-called strongest illusion-type Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu had quite a few flaws.
It required precise conditions—specific targets, rituals, illusions, and Reiatsu alignment. Even the illusions created by its hypnosis had to be meticulously crafted by the wielder.
This was why Masatsuki rarely used Kyōka Suigetsu in battle. Its offensive power was limited, and its conditions for use were restrictive.
Against weaker or equal Reiatsu opponents, Masatsuki didn't even need Kyōka Suigetsu—he could crush them outright.
Against stronger opponents, the illusion wouldn't work, and splitting his focus to construct an illusion would only create openings for his enemy to exploit.
For him, it was just impractical.
Aizen, however, had managed to push Kyōka Suigetsu far beyond its natural limits.
...
"Oh, right—" Masatsuki suddenly spoke up.
"What is it?" Gin asked.
"Don't go around flirting with girls while wearing my face."
Masatsuki's expression was serious—this was his bottom line.
Gin rolled his eyes. "You think I'm like you? I have no interest in women."
"To avoid suspicion, I already sent 3rd Seat Mashiro Kuna out ahead of time. She should be on the road with the female squad members by now."
Masatsuki stroked his chin, clearly pleased with his considerate subordinate. "That's more like it." He waved a hand. "Since everything's ready, head out."
"You're not going to wait any longer?" Gin instinctively glanced toward the dormitories.
"No need. She's a bit tired and won't be coming to see you off." Masatsuki met Gin's gaze, shamelessly making his excuse.
Gin: "..."
He didn't need to ask—he already knew what had happened last night. That wasn't something a kid like him needed to know.
Masatsuki shrugged, looking a little helpless.
After all, Kūkaku Shiba, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Lisa Yadōmaru were either too far away or too busy due to their positions.
By comparison, Rangiku Matsumoto had the most free time and visited him the most.
As for Mashiro Kuna, she was the closest, though their relationship was still in its early stages. But it probably wouldn't take much longer to progress...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake