Masatsuki Aozaki flinched at an unpleasant memory and quickly waved his hands.
"No... Master, let me explain! I wasn't messing with you—I really did master Shikai!"
Yamamoto paused, his hand stilling mid-action. He frowned in suspicion.
"What do you mean? Was your Zanpakutō previously in a semi-released state? Or does it have multiple Shikai abilities and Release Phrases?"
Masatsuki Aozaki grinned. "As expected of you, Master—the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years. Sharp as ever! You figured it out right away!"
The flattery was awkward, but Yamamoto didn't seem to mind. He nodded slowly, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Getting this brat to say anything nice about him was a rarity—and when he did, it was usually laced with sarcasm.
For once, the praise felt genuine, and Yamamoto couldn't deny it was oddly refreshing.
Seeing the old man's expression soften, Masatsuki Aozaki grew bolder and continued casually,
"The Shikai I used before was actually in a semi-released state due to a mistake in the Release Phrase."
"During my battle with Kenpachi Kiganjō, after experiencing the brink of life and death, Banshō Senran finally revealed the true Release Phrase to me."
"And once I learned it, I was able to fully activate my true Shikai."
He stole a quick glance at Yamamoto.
The old man remained silent, his deep eyes fixed on him, as if waiting for something.
Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly recalled a quote from the British show Yes, Prime Minister:
"If you're going to be dishonest, you have to be clever; if you're going to be honest, you have to be dull."
It was a principle he often used when dealing with Aizen—never bothering to hide his own ambition when speaking to him.
...It looked like he'd have to apply that same strategy with his Master today.
Taking a deep breath, he smiled wryly before continuing.
"Upon full release, she has three abilities."
"First, she can imitate the Shikai of other Zanpakutō, with the power of the Shikai depending on my own Reiatsu."
"Second, when mimicking a Shikai, I can choose whether or not to alter my Zanpakutō's form."
"Third, I can use multiple Shikai abilities simultaneously, layering their effects."
Yamamoto's frown deepened. "What about the side effects?"
That was his biggest concern.
Banshō Senran's ability reminded him of the Tsunayashiro Clan's Enrakyōten.
That Zanpakutō could also copy others, but at a terrible price—it permanently drained the user's life.
The side effects were severe, yet its power still lured young Tsunayashiro heirs to it, generation after generation.
With Masatsuki's talent, he had no need for such shortcuts to become strong.
If his Zanpakutō carried a similar risk and he became addicted to it, that would be a problem.
"None." Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head.
Seeing his confident expression, with no hint of deception, Yamamoto finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Masatsuki Aozaki closed his eyes in thought for a long time before nodding in satisfaction, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
"Very good, Masatsuki Aozaki. You haven't disappointed me."
"Your Shikai ability aligns almost exactly with my deductions."
"Masatsuki Aozaki, you are my disciple. I won't lie to you, so I'll be honest..."
"But if you are deceiving me, I will have to reconsider whether our master-disciple relationship should continue."
Yamamoto paused, as if making a firm decision, then continued,
"I understand that as a master, I shouldn't doubt my disciple. That is my failing."
"I am not a qualified master. If you no longer wish to acknowledge me as your Master, I will allow you to leave my tutelage."
"Don't worry, once you leave, I will recommend you to Captain Unohana."
"You may not know much about her, but she was Soul Society's first Kenpachi—one of the strongest in the Gotei 13. She is more than qualified to be your Master."
Having Unohana as my Master... That sounds kind of exciting.
No, wait—why is the old man being so rigid? Did he really have to spell everything out? Couldn't he just lie to me a little?
I'm very easy to fool—just introduce me to a few beautiful Shinigami, and I'll pretend I never heard a thing!
There's no way he's saying this because he actually wants to get rid of me, right?
Then what was with that secret glance earlier?
...Wait, did I misunderstand again!?
Masatsuki's thoughts veered far beyond what Yamamoto had anticipated.
Shaking his head, he smirked and said with a deliberately irritating expression,
"You old geezer, don't tell me you're afraid of my talent—worried I'll surpass you one day—so you're holding back and trying to kick me out?"
"What nonsense! Do you take me for that kind of person?"
Yamamoto's eyes shot open in fury.
With all the powerful Shinigami he had trained, how could he possibly be hoarding techniques?
Only this brat would have the nerve to say something so outrageous!
A second later, Yamamoto caught himself—realizing his reaction might undermine his dignity. He quickly regained his composure and, with forced solemnity, asked,
"I simply want your answer, Masatsuki Aozaki. One last time—do you wish to leave the Genryū school?"
"No!" Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head firmly.
"What!?" Yamamoto nodded, then did a double take.
"I said, 'No!'" Masatsuki Aozaki waved his hand dismissively. "Why would I settle for being the disciple of the 4th Division's Captain when I could be the disciple of the Captain-Commander himself?"
"One commands the 4th Division, the other commands the entire Gotei 13. It's obvious who holds more power, isn't it?"
"I still plan to use your name to stir up trouble in Seireitei—don't think you can get rid of me so easily, old man!"
"You brat! Such disrespect—how dare you talk to your Master like that!?"
Yamamoto finally lost his patience and stood up, giving Masatsuki a light knock on the head with his cane.
Masatsuki rubbed his head in confusion.
The force was too light—not only did it not hurt, but he barely even felt it.
Yamamoto snorted, feeling increasingly irritated just looking at this unruly student.
"What are you staring at me for?" he grumbled.
"Go change your clothes. Since you can use Ryūjin Jakka, I'll teach you a few techniques."
"Having power but no skill—what separates you from a brute? I'd be embarrassed to even mention it!"
"How did I end up with such a foolish disciple!?"
Masatsuki Aozaki lowered his head, making it difficult to read his expression.
The two of them trained for an entire day, continuing until the sky darkened.
Even Masatsuki, who was obsessed with training, reached his limit before Yamamoto finally ended the lesson.
Masatsuki had used Ryūjin Jakka's power before, but just being near Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka was nearly unbearable.
A full day of training was already pushing his limits.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel, he suddenly asked,
"By the way, Master, how did you figure out my Zanpakutō could imitate Shikai?"
"Logically speaking, shouldn't you have suspected it was a Kidō-type Zanpakutō instead?"
p@treon com / PinkSnake