Chapter 154: Deep Understanding

"Ahhh!"

Agonized screams echoed throughout the Tsunayashiro Clan mansion.

The sound made Kaname Tōsen frown slightly. The pitiful cries didn't stir any sympathy in him—he simply found them irritatingly loud.

"What a headache… Should we just ignore him, Aizen-sama?"

Kaname Tōsen wiped the blood from his face. In front of him, a Tsunayashiro Clan Shinigami lay motionless on the ground, a deep gash torn across his chest.

Despite his words, a faint, almost relaxed smile lingered on Tōsen's face—tinged with a morbid sense of satisfaction.

The moment he thought of Kakyō's tragic death and the countless sins of Tokinada Tsunayashiro, he couldn't help but tighten his grip on his sword, eager to strike down these people.

The nobles deserved to die—and so did those who aided them in their crimes.

"Aizen-sama, should we withdraw?"

He pursed his lips, flicking the blood off his blade as he spoke.

Judging by the Gotei 13's response time, it wouldn't be long before reinforcements arrived to aid the Tsunayashiro Clan. Now wasn't the time to openly turn against them.

Sōsuke Aizen smirked slightly and glanced toward the heart of the Tsunayashiro estate, his tone unhurried.

"There's still about ten minutes left. Kuchiki knows what he's doing, so let's leave him be and check out the rest of the area."

Kaname Tōsen nodded in agreement.

Aizen cast one last glance at Kōga Kuchiki, who was rampaging in the distance, then turned and walked away.

This operation was high-risk, but securing a powerful ally—one capable of restraining even Yamamoto or members of the Zero Division—was well worth it.

Besides, Aizen had confidence in himself. Once this was over, the fallout would remain within controllable limits.

Despite the heavy casualties, those who died were merely peripheral figures of little importance.

And really, how much would the Tsunayashiro nobles care? If anything, they'd likely welcome the thinning of their own ranks...

...

"The Tsunayashiro Clan really has quite the collection."

Masatsuki Aozaki stepped out of the hidden chamber, looking thoroughly satisfied.

He had only found a single laboratory, but that was already an unexpected bonus.

As the captain of the 11th Division, he knew all too well how quickly the Gotei 13 would respond to an incident like this. It was time to leave.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he slit the throat of a Tsunayashiro Clan member in a single stroke. Then, after spotting a small room nearby, he slipped inside.

Using Kidō, he contacted Gin Ichimaru and confirmed that the 11th Division members had already dispersed throughout the Tsunayashiro estate.

Removing his black cloak, he shed the disguise and once again became the respected captain of the 11th Division.

As he made his way out, retreating through the estate, several minutes passed before he came to a stop.

"Captain Aozaki."

Gin Ichimaru let out a small sigh of relief and pointed ahead.

Following Gin's direction, the group turned their eyes forward—only to see Masatsuki Aozaki stepping out of a small hut.

All eyes were on him now.

Having already been briefed by Gin Ichimaru, Masatsuki shook his head, his expression serious.

"I didn't find the intruder. What about you?"

Gin glanced at him discreetly, making sure he wasn't injured, then gave a slight nod and said with a puzzled look,

"Even you couldn't find the thief, Captain Masatsuki? But the Tsunayashiro guards said they saw him heading this way."

Mashiro Kuna narrowed her eyes slightly, her face tense. Turning to Ittora Yamazaki, she asked,

"Lieutenant Yamazaki, are you sure this is the direction the Tsunayashiro Clan told you?"

Why is she talking to me like I'm one of her subordinates? I'm a Lieutenant, damn it!

Ittora Yamazaki felt a twinge of irritation but, remembering who he was dealing with—the captain's wife, no less—he could only sigh and reply,

"There's no mistake. This is the direction."

Masatsuki Aozaki crouched down, examining the ground for a moment before speaking calmly.

"These people haven't been dead for long. Their Reishi has only just begun to dissipate."

A squad member stepped forward and saluted.

"Captain, message from Fifth Seat Ryuuseki—they've spotted the intruder west of the Tsunayashiro estate."

Ittora Yamazaki furrowed his brow.

"That's pretty far from here. These bodies should have completely dissolved into Reishi by now… Does that mean there's more than one intruder?"

Masatsuki Aozaki paused briefly before answering,

"We can't rule out that possibility."

Then, turning to Gin, he asked,

"What did the Tsunayashiro Clan say?"

"Everyone who fought the intruder is dead. They only saw a single person from a distance."

Gin's expression remained unreadable as he recalled his earlier exchange with the Tsunayashiro members.

"There's no point in staying here any longer. Ryuuseki and the others might run into trouble—we should move."

Mashiro Kuna clenched her small fists and declared loudly,

"Yeah, let's hurry! Whoever did this much damage to the Tsunayashiro Clan is no ordinary enemy."

"She's right," Ittora Yamazaki added. "Whoever they are, they're dangerous."

"Well, that settles it. Let's go."

Masatsuki Aozaki reached out and gently grasped Mashiro's soft green hair, inhaling the faint scent of lavender that lingered there.

"Masatsuki, you're messing up my hair…" she grumbled, smoothing it down with a small pout. "We need to hurry, or Ryuuseki and Izumo might be in danger."

She wrinkled her nose but didn't seem particularly bothered by his antics.

After all, considering everything Masatsuki had done for her, what was a little teasing compared to that?

"As expected of Mashiro—you're too cute."

Masatsuki wasn't the least bit annoyed by her reaction. Mashiro was sharp—she knew exactly what needed to be done.

"In that case, I'll go on ahead. Watch yourselves, and if things go south, let the others take the lead. What's the point of a bunch of grown men letting a girl stand in front every time?"

With that, he let her hair fall from his fingers and gave her cheek a quick squeeze. It was soft, pleasantly so. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned away.

"Yes, Captain! We understand. Go on ahead!"

The squad members responded in unison.

Masatsuki chuckled.

"I'm heading into battle, not paying a friendly visit. 'Go on ahead'… You idiots."

With a final amused curse, his figure flickered—and then he was gone.

...

"Fourth Seat Ichimaru…" Mashiro Kuna muttered, staring at the empty spot where Masatsuki had just stood.

"What's wrong?" Gin tilted his head.

"Masatsuki… felt different than when he first arrived." Her voice was cold.

Gin's heart skipped a beat. His ever-narrowed eyes opened slightly, and for a brief moment, a sharp, blade-like glint flickered in his gaze.

He was silently debating whether or not to let her continue speaking.

"That was Masatsuki. I know him better than anyone. Don't overthink it."

"I know…" Mashiro suddenly smiled. "Which just proves that I really do know Masatsuki, doesn't it?"

Gin was caught off guard.

He thought back to how distant she had been when he had impersonated Masatsuki before. Then, out of nowhere, he chuckled.

"You do. You understand him very well."

She wasn't suspicious. There was no hostility in her words.

At that moment, the two of them seemed closer than before—like comrades in the same trench.

...

(60 Chapters Ahead)

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