"Your Excellency Hoshi, I can say with absolute certainty—Kenpachi Kiganjō is dead. I ended his life with my own hands."
Masatsuki Aozaki spoke firmly, his gaze unwavering, filled with determination.
"If you have any doubts, you're welcome to verify the autopsy report with the 4th Division."
"The examination was conducted by Seinosuke Yamada, former Lieutenant of the 4th Division and the current Acting Director of the Shin'ō Medical Institute."
"He's highly regarded among the noble families for his exceptional skill. I doubt someone like him would make a careless mistake."
Masatsuki appreciated people like Hoshi, who focused on getting things done, but if they thought they could make him spill any hidden truths that easily, they were mistaken.
Hoshi frowned at his response and pressed further.
"Then, when Kenpachi Kiganjō died, did anything unusual happen?"
Masatsuki furrowed his brow, sinking into deep thought, as if searching his memory for every detail of that battle.
After a moment, he let out a small sigh, then slowly shook his head.
"There was nothing out of the ordinary. His death was no different from anyone else's."
"That's strange... Could we have been mistaken? But then, where did Kenpachi Kiganjō's soul go?"
Hoshi studied Masatsuki's expression carefully, finding no trace of deception. After a long silence, he let out a sigh.
"If that's the case, I apologize for the trouble, Captain Masatsuki. I must return to my family and report back. I'll take my leave."
"You're too kind, Hoshi-sama. We all serve the Soul Society—it's only natural to help one another."
Masatsuki waved his hand casually, smiling.
"Ichimaru, see our guests out."
"Yes, Captain Masatsuki."
Gin Ichimaru responded respectfully, then gestured toward the door.
Once the visitors had left, Masatsuki turned back to his desk and sat down. After a brief silence, he called out,
"Third Seat Mashiro Kuna."
His voice wasn't loud, but just enough for Mashiro to hear.
Upon hearing the call, Mashiro quickly entered the office, closed the door, and stood before Masatsuki, bowing her head in silence.
Masatsuki didn't speak right away. He remained seated, back turned to her, as if lost in thought. After a while, he finally spoke.
"What's this? Have you stopped liking me, Mashiro? It's only been a little while, and now you're acting so cold toward me..."
His tone carried a playful tease.
"Ah, people really are fickle. It hasn't even been that long, and already I've been cast aside. How heartbreaking..."
His voice was filled with exaggerated sorrow, as if he had just endured some great emotional betrayal.
"I suppose I should be more careful around cute girls like you. You really can't judge a book by its cover."
Mashiro huffed, her frustration bubbling over. She suddenly jumped up and, in one swift motion, plopped herself right onto Masatsuki's lap. Her normally cheerful face was now puffed up in an adorable pout.
"Ugh! Masatsuki, you're so mean! You disappear for so long, and now you blame me for being distant? That's just unfair!"
Her big, round eyes glared at him, full of grievance, as she pouted and began to complain nonstop.
Masatsuki's long absence had left her without a partner for Hakuda training, and she had been beyond frustrated because of it.
"Alright, alright, it's my fault. But I'm back now, aren't I? I promise I won't be gone for so long next time."
Seeing Mashiro sulking so adorably, Masatsuki could only smile helplessly. He reached out and gently rubbed the tip of her nose, his eyes brimming with affection.
But just as he was enjoying this moment of warmth...
A pair of soft, delicate hands, as smooth as jade, skillfully slipped under his clothes.
Seven days later, in the dead of night, the full moon hung high in the sky. Its silvery light filtered through the window, casting scattered patches of luminescence across the floor.
In the 12th Division's laboratory, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was completely absorbed in his research on the anatomy of Shinigami.
Wearing gloves, he held a magnifying glass, meticulously examining a specimen laid out on the lab table.
Suddenly, the heavy black and white makeup on his face twisted slightly—he had sensed a Reiatsu approaching from outside.
However, upon realizing that the visitor was Masatsuki Aozaki, he made no move to stop him.
Instead, curiosity sparked within him. What could this troublesome man want at such a late hour?
"I've actually been meaning to visit for a while, but I just woke up. So, here I am."
With a crisp creak, the door swung open, accompanied by a playful voice.
A familiar figure appeared before Mayuri. Wearing his signature white haori over a black Shihakushō, Masatsuki stepped lightly into the room—without so much as a knock.
He moved as if he owned the place.
A faint smirk played on his lips as he added, "Relax, I'm not here to eat you."
"What do you want?" Mayuri frowned. "If you're here for a completed Artificial Soul, you're far too early."
"There's no way I'd have results in such a short time."
"That's not why I'm here. I need a favor."
Masatsuki smiled casually as he sat down across from Mayuri.
"What kind of favor?"
"My senior, Jūshirō Ukitake—you know him, don't you?"
"Yes, I know him. I met him before I was imprisoned."
"Then you're aware of his condition?"
"I am. And what does that have to do with you?" Mayuri asked impatiently.
"Can you cure him?" Masatsuki asked.
Mayuri's frown deepened.
This man was no saint, so why was he suddenly so concerned?
"I can try, but I won't know if it's possible until I examine him."
"Then I'll leave it to you," Masatsuki said with satisfaction.
Despite all this talk, he had complete confidence in Mayuri's abilities.
Ukitake had always been frail, but after losing his lungs, he had relied on a special power to sustain himself. If anyone could cure him, it was Mayuri.
Mayuri's talent was undeniable, but his research was still in its early stages—what he needed was time.
However, Masatsuki's true goal wasn't just Ukitake's recovery.
It was the One-Eyed God, Mimihagi, residing within Ukitake's body.
As a sickly child on the brink of death, Ukitake had been taken by his parents to the shrine of Mimihagi.
The entity had claimed his lungs in exchange for prolonging his life.
Masatsuki knew the truth—Mimihagi wasn't just some god.
It was the right arm of the Soul King.
In Hueco Mundo, the Hōgyoku had absorbed the Soul King's kidney, awakening ahead of schedule.
Now, Masatsuki wanted to see what would happen...
If the Hōgyoku absorbed the Soul King's right arm.
p@treon com / PinkSnake