Masatsuki Aozaki emerged from the underground training ground, his gaze sharp and clear, completely unaffected by the passionate affections of his lovers. His energy remained as boundless as ever.
With his current strength, even if all of them attacked together—including their Zanpakutō spirits—they still wouldn't pose a threat to him.
"This Hollowfication is quite interesting, but the duration is far too short..."
Recalling everyone's performance just moments ago, Masatsuki couldn't help but shake his head in mild disappointment.
The ability to help a Shinigami break through their limits was not to be underestimated—it greatly enhanced one's physical abilities.
Unfortunately, it just didn't last long enough.
Aside from Retsu Unohana, the only one who could maintain it for a decent amount of time was the exceptionally talented Mashiro Kuna.
The moon cast its silvery glow over Seireitei, bathing everything in a serene tranquility.
Masatsuki Aozaki walked alone along the main avenue of the Noble District as the once-quiet surroundings gradually grew lively.
He strolled leisurely down the white-brick road, savoring the slightly damp breeze as it brushed against his face, while the distant hum of the marketplace reached his ears.
The nobles living here were nothing more than a group of people drowning in material excess, their spiritual lives utterly hollow.
To satisfy their ever-growing thirst for entertainment, countless recreational activities and establishments had sprung up along this very street.
At this hour, the area was bustling with noise and activity, as crowded and lively as a marketplace.
However, the moment Masatsuki appeared, everything changed.
Or, to be precise, the moment people caught sight of the white haori draped over his shoulders—emblazoned with the bold kanji for "Eleven"—the mood shifted instantly.
The once-busy street fell into an unspoken order as both nobles and servants alike instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path for him.
"Look, my lord, it's Masatsuki Aozaki! The family head specifically warned us—under no circumstances should we provoke that man!"
"Wow, he's incredible! That's Captain Masatsuki Aozaki of the 11th Division... Tomorrow, I'll tell my father—I want to join the Gotei 13!"
"You? Please. Every noble family is scrambling to send their daughters to Lord Masatsuki's household! Even if you make it into the 11th Division, what makes you think he'd even glance at you?"
Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd, growing louder with each passing second.
Every pair of eyes that landed on Masatsuki was filled with both admiration and deep reverence.
This reaction was nothing new to him.
Though he was only an upper noble in title, that status alone already placed him at the highest rank ordinary nobles could ever hope to achieve.
By Seireitei's laws, he did stand above the middle and lower nobles, as well as commoners.
However, a noble title without real power or family influence meant little in a society where power reigned supreme.
But in Masatsuki's case, the deciding factor wasn't just his status—it was his sheer strength.
And that was something no one could ignore.
The shop owner, who had been busy inside, immediately rushed out at the familiar voice, his face lighting up with a sycophantic smile.
"Oh my, Aozaki-sama! You're here again."
"Yeah, had some free time today, so I thought I'd stop by. Same as usual."
With that, Masatsuki casually found a seat inside and sat down.
This had long since become a habit—sitting here, listening to the chatter of those around him, picking up on all sorts of interesting stories.
It was, in its own way, quite entertaining.
"Alright, just a moment! It'll be ready soon!"
Hearing Masatsuki Aozaki's order, the shop owner immediately understood—his esteemed guest must have had another exhausting day.
Without wasting a second, he hurried to the kitchen, urging the cooks to prepare the dishes as quickly as possible.
Masatsuki slowly turned his head, resting it on one hand.
Through the window of this small yet exquisitely designed shop—an establishment that exuded both elegance and extravagance—he continued admiring the view of the Noble District.
He wasn't particularly arrogant toward the weak, nor did he see ordinary people as mere servants to command.
After all, there was little amusement in bullying those who posed no threat—unless, of course, they ever chose to stand against him.
Despite being called the Noble District, the area wasn't exclusively home to nobility. A significant number of commoners lived here as well, most serving as attendants or house staff. Others, like the shop owner, provided services catering to the nobles.
"Aozaki-sama, your meal is ready."
The shop owner carefully arranged the dishes on the table.
Masatsuki gave a slight nod, then shifted his gaze to the food before him. Casually, he picked up a piece of lamb kidney and placed it in his mouth.
It wasn't as if he needed this for any health reasons. His body was in perfect condition—strong, resilient, and without weakness.
This was simply a long-standing habit.
Back in the day, when he handled business with noblewomen and ladies of high society, they often brought him to this very restaurant.
The establishment wasn't just known for its fine dining; long-term patrons were even granted free lodging.
Scanning the restaurant now, Masatsuki noticed several familiar faces, many of whom greeted him with a nod.
Truth be told, this place made the best lamb kidneys in the entire Noble District.
Whenever he craved them—and was too lazy to cook—this was where he came.
Just then, a conversation from a nearby table caught his attention.
"Hey, did you hear? Kōga-sama has gone to the World of the Living!"
"Oh, that? Yeah, I heard about it while on patrol this morning. Apparently, he received direct orders from the Captain-Commander."
"The Captain-Commander himself gave the order? Did something major happen?"
"It's about the missing Shinigami! Captain Aizen from the Third Division was sent to investigate, but there's been no word from him for ages. That's why Kōga-sama volunteered to assist."
"One captain wasn't enough? Why did Kōga-sama have to step in personally?"
"He's trying to bring honor to the family, of course! Ever since he became a captain, he's been working hard to prove himself. Besides, the Captain-Commander is taking this case very seriously."
The two branch members of the Kuchiki Clan carried on their discussion, completely unaware that Masatsuki Aozaki was eavesdropping.
"Kōga, what the hell is this? Why didn't he inform me? Does he even recognize me as his leader anymore?"
Masatsuki set his chopsticks down, gazing out at the bustling streets, his expression contemplative. A faint, unreadable glint flickered in his eyes.
Aizen leaving Soul Society to investigate the missing Shinigami—Masatsuki already knew about that.
Tōsen leaving for the same reason? No surprise there.
And now, Kōga Kuchiki was using the exact same excuse to slip away?
Masatsuki didn't even have to think—this so-called "missing Shinigami incident" was undoubtedly a staged act by those three.
But even if Aizen was behind it, Kōga should have at least informed him. Yet, he hadn't said a word...
As he pondered the situation, a Jigokuchō suddenly fluttered into view, landing right in front of him.
p@treon com / PinkSnake