Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 229: Protagonist

"Masatsuki, it looks like Captain Yoruichi has been slacking off lately. That won't do. I'll take her to the 4th Division for a check-up. You head back first."

Standing at the entrance of the 1st Division, Masatsuki Aozaki heard the gentle yet spine-chilling words, followed by a faint plea for help. He watched as Retsu Unohana effortlessly grabbed Yoruichi Shihōin by the collar with one hand, hoisting her up before turning away.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small, white-haired figure standing at the doorway—clearly waiting for someone. Masatsuki walked over.

As the two walked side by side, Masatsuki spoke softly to his Lieutenant,

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. I haven't noticed anything unusual, and my body feels normal," Gin Ichimaru replied calmly.

He glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby, then lowered his voice and continued,

"Ryuuseki, Izumo, and I can only sustain it for about half an hour at most, but Mashiro has already broken past the sixteen-hour limit."

Masatsuki nodded slightly.

"Keep at it. This power is crucial for you. The longer you can maintain it, the better."

"It not only strengthens you but can also prove invaluable in critical moments."

Gin fully understood the significance of this power and silently resolved to train harder, refining his control over it. Only by mastering it could he better protect himself and those around him.

Masatsuki patted Gin's shoulder and reassured him, "No need to hurry—mastery takes time."

Gin nodded firmly. "Yeah, I get it!"

"Where's that little shadow?" he muttered.

Normally, whenever they came to the 1st Division, Rangiku Matsumoto would cling to Masatsuki like glue, refusing to leave until she had personally seen him off. Today, however, she was nowhere to be found—a rare occurrence.

Not that it was a bad thing. Having her around could be a hassle; she was always chattering nonstop and hanging off Masatsuki.

"I heard she tried to take another day off, but Chōjirō didn't just refuse—he made an example out of her. She's getting a lecture right now," Masatsuki said.

"Well, serves her right," Gin scoffed.

He knew Rangiku was a hopeless slacker, but taking days off left and right? Even Chōjirō Sasakibe had his limits.

She was even worse than Masatsuki...

Gin glanced at Masatsuki's grinning face and immediately felt a surge of irritation.

No, she wasn't worse. Masatsuki was worse. At least Rangiku had to ask for time off. This guy didn't even bother—he just slacked off without permission. He never did any real work anyway!

How did I end up stuck with these two?

He had no answer. But turning back wasn't an option—because this man was the reason he was still alive. What rotten luck.

"Gin, you should smile more. No girl's gonna like a guy who always looks so miserable," Masatsuki teased.

"Heh..."

"Actually, never mind. You smiling is kind of creepy."

"And whose fault do you think that is?"

"No idea, but it's definitely not mine."

...

Late at night, in the 11th Division barracks.

A blond man in a white haori was led by a squad member to the captain's quarters.

Once the door was shut, he pulled a deep blue and black jade from his robes and carefully placed it in the hands of the person before him.

Tears welled up in his eyes, as if he were bidding farewell to a lover.

"You don't have to be so dramatic. It's like you're actually in love with this stupid rock," Masatsuki Aozaki said.

Masatsuki shoved the blond man, who was clinging to his clothes, away.

If anyone saw two grown men tugging at each other like this, it would definitely leave a bad impression. What if rumors spread and the male squad members started getting the wrong idea about him?

Dealing with all the women was already a hassle—though he didn't mind it. But men? No, thank you.

"I'm just trying to emphasize how important it is so you'll take it seriously!"

Kisuke Urahara dropped his usual playful demeanor and put on a rare serious expression.

"You have to keep it safe. If it falls into the wrong hands, the consequences will be unthinkable!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You've said this at least eight hundred times already—my ears are practically calloused from hearing it."

Masatsuki waved him off, casually lifting the familiar jade in front of his eyes before slipping it into his robes under Urahara's watchful gaze.

"Happy now?"

"You must take this seriously!"

"I got it."

"Don't go mixing it up with the little trinkets I usually give you."

"Shut up."

"Oh...but—"

Before he could finish, Masatsuki grabbed his face and lifted him off the ground, gritting his teeth.

"Say one more word, and I swear I'll go straight to Master and rat you out."

Why the hell was this guy so damn talkative all of a sudden?

"I was wrong! Put me down first!" Urahara mumbled, struggling against Masatsuki's grip.

Masatsuki shot him a glance before finally letting go.

Urahara landed steadily, rubbing his sore face with both hands.

"That hurt, you jerk!"

"You wouldn't shut up," Masatsuki snorted. "Don't act like I actually used any real force. If I had, I would've popped your head like a melon."

"As if someone as obsessed with cleanliness as you would dirty your hands crushing my skull."

Urahara's lips twitched—not out of fear, but something else entirely.

He realized just how absurdly strong the man before him had become.

He hadn't let his guard down for even a second, yet Masatsuki had subdued him effortlessly with a single, casual grab.

The gap between them wasn't just wide—it was like they existed in entirely different realms.

But the stronger Masatsuki became, the safer the Hōgyoku was in his hands. Urahara could finally rest easy.

Opening his mouth, he started, "About—"

"Hm!?" Masatsuki shot him a sharp look, clearly telling him to think twice before speaking.

"...About Final Fantasy. I have an idea. Want to hear it?" Urahara carefully reworded his approach.

"You have an idea?" Masatsuki eyed him suspiciously. "Go on."

"I'm thinking of making the main character of the series look like you," Urahara sighed.

Masatsuki was about to reject the idea outright, but the words stopped at his lips.

He wasn't a celebrity. He didn't need money. Selling his likeness as a product didn't interest him in the slightest.

But then, another thought struck him.

If this game spread throughout Seireitei—reaching everyone from the nobles to the common folk—then when their daughters played it and found the protagonist was him...

As long as the character design had even a hint of charm, wouldn't that be a perfect way to win them over?

Genius. Urahara Kisuke was a damn genius.

"If we use your image for the protagonist, the game will fly off the shelves! It's a guaranteed goldmine!" Urahara declared, patting his chest confidently.

Not that he needed money himself, but as everyone knew, scientific research burned through cash like nothing else. The meager funding he received each year was never enough, so any chance to expand his budget was one he couldn't afford to miss.

"How about this—we split it 50-50. I won't take advantage of you. Sound fair?"

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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