"What's the rush? Young people are still growing; of course, they need their rest."
Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head.
Yesterday, this woman had enjoyed herself far more than he had.
"Masatsuki, are you jealous?"
likes me better—there's nothing you can do about it. After all, I met her first."
Yoruichi Shihōin teased, glancing playfully at Masatsuki Aozaki.
"Young people always struggle to see things clearly. She'll understand the value of her captain in time."
Masatsuki Aozaki met Yoruichi's gaze, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
His eyes were calm, as if he could see through to the true nature that Yoruichi kept hidden.
Yoruichi crossed her arms around Masatsuki, speaking with confidence.
"That's why I'm here."
With her arms wrapped around him, Yoruichi closed her eyes and leaned against his back, her voice soft.
"Of course. We made a promise."
Masatsuki Aozaki clasped the hands resting against his chest.
Under the dazzling white light, on the desolate rocky terrain, the two held each other tightly.
As time passed, several more years slipped by in the Three Worlds.
Inuzuri, the 78th district of South Rukongai.
Despite its vast expanse, it was a place of ruin and danger.
Tens of thousands lived in its scattered towns and villages, struggling through hardship and adversity.
For those who called this district home, life was an unrelenting challenge.
The threats here weren't just from the harsh environment—people were an even greater danger.
Yet, in this perilous corner of the world, a young man strolled through the streets, dressed in opulent attire, completely at ease.
The predatory eyes of wandering ruffians fixed on him, but he remained unfazed.
"Still nothing. Was today another waste of time?"
Masatsuki Aozaki sighed softly.
His gaze swept over the ragged figures in the alleyways and streets, and a trace of helplessness surfaced in his heart.
He had deliberately chosen a magnificent kimono for his visit—its ancient patterns embroidered with gold thread, jade pendants dangling as embellishments.
Paired with his refined and gentle demeanor, he exuded an air of noble elegance.
It was all carefully planned.
Had he worn his captain's haori, no one would have dared to approach him.
But he hadn't come here to intimidate or flaunt his status—he was searching for someone.
Dressing and wandering a place rife with danger?
The attraction was undeniable.
Simply put, he was baiting the trap.
"You useless thing! I ought to just let you starve!"
"Ever since I bought you, I haven't had a single good day!"
"I don't know what possessed me to take you in... I must've been blind!"
"All you do is eat! I don't even make as much as you consume!"
Masatsuki Aozaki frowned instinctively and glanced in the direction of the commotion.
What he saw made him pause.
The central area of Inuzuri was relatively stable.
Several shops lined the streets, though they only existed because they had the backing of ronin. Without protection, no one would dare run a business in a place .
A particular establishment caught Masatsuki Aozaki's attention—a tavern.
For ronin who lived by the blade, alcohol was an indispensable companion, numbing their pain and helping them forget their troubles.
Naturally, the tavern was always packed, business booming without pause.
The owner was a plump middle-aged woman who, judging by her features, must have been quite attractive in her youth.
At that moment, she stood at the entrance, furiously berating a small girl curled up on the ground. In her hand, she gripped a bamboo stick.
The child's body was covered in bruises and scars—evidence of a recent beating.
Perhaps it was jealousy, or maybe nostalgia for her own lost beauty, but as she looked down at the trembling girl, the woman's insults poured out like an unrelenting storm.
The small figure was dressed in a tattered yukata, her short black hair messy and unkempt, resembling a wild sprout.
Despite her young age, there was already a delicate beauty to her features.
She clenched her teeth and curled in on herself, enduring the woman's tirade.
One thought echoed in her mind:
One day, I will leave this place. No matter what, I will leave and never come back.
But for now, she could only endure the angry shouts.
"Tell me, you little freeloader, what have you ever done for me?!"
"You're nothing but a burden! If you're useless to me, I'll just sell you off to the North District tomorrow!"
The plump woman glared at the cowering girl, her voice filled with resentment.
"How much do you want for her? I'll buy her."
A calm, pleasant voice echoed through the tavern, silencing the room.
The woman and the gathered ronin turned in unison.
Some swallowed nervously, their eyes locked onto the finely dressed man.
How much would those clothes go for?
Ten lifetimes' worth? No... a hundred!
But no one dared make a move.
The fabric alone was worth a fortune—no ordinary Shinigami could afford such attire.
Which meant he had to be a noble.
In Rukongai, killing a Shinigami wasn't unheard of.
Some ronin even carried Asauchis, weapons taken from the corpses of fallen Shinigami.
It was easy enough—lure them into the wilderness, kill them, and disappear. Who would ever find them?
That was another story.
Killing a noble could mean the entire district being wiped off the map.
Even fleeing into the mountains wouldn't be enough.
After all, nobles were the ones who ruled Soul Society.
The small black-haired girl stared blankly at the man with the warm smile.
Masatsuki Aozaki crouched down, gently brushing aside the girl's messy hair.
"Rukia. My name is Rukia."
She was naturally beautiful, her features delicate despite the dirt and bruises.
It was easy to see why the woman mistreated her—jealousy.
Masatsuki Aozaki murmured, his gaze lingering on her small figure.
She looked a little older than Tōshirō Hitsugaya, but by Soul Society's standards, she was still quite young—barely a century old.
Now that he thought about it, her age lined up with what he remembered from the original timeline.
The future noblewoman of the Kuchiki Clan... had once suffered in Rukongai?
It seemed she had endured enough hardship to finally run away, choosing to survive on her own.
A spiritually gifted infant abandoned in the 78th district wouldn't have survived without someone taking her in.
And in a place , her caretakers were unlikely to be kind people.
The plump woman forced a smile.
"She's clumsy, eats more than she works, and she's nothing like the servants in your household. You sure you want her?"
Her eyes flicked to Masatsuki Aozaki's hand, which was gently ruffling Rukia's hair.
She bit her lip in frustration.
I still have some of my old charm, don't I? Why didn't he come for me instead?
Rukia hesitated, staring up at Masatsuki Aozaki in panic.
Perhaps it was the warmth in his gaze or the sheer contrast between him and everything she had known.
For some reason, she felt... safe with him.
She wanted to go with him.
"It doesn't matter. I have more than enough money. Raising a little one won't be a problem."
Masatsuki Aozaki patted her head lightly.
Money was the least of his concerns—every noble in Seireitei was practically tripping over themselves to send him gifts.
Forget gifts—some even sent him people.
The idea of him lacking money was laughable.
"Tell me the price. I'll take her."
"Ah... well, since Lord Noble insists, I suppose I can't..."
The woman's face lit up with greed.
She glanced at Masatsuki Aozaki, then at Rukia.
He was obviously wealthy.
She had raised the girl, fed her—she wasn't going to let this deal pass without squeezing out every coin she could.
Her eyes flicked to his waist.
She froze. A cold sweat ran down her back.
Why hadn't I noticed that before?!
In her world, only two kinds of people carried swords—Shinigami and ronin.
A noble wouldn't be a ronin.
Her expression shifted in an instant.
Forcing a smile, she quickly waved her hands.
"No, no, sir! What are you saying? If you want her, how could I dare take money? She's yours, no charge at all!"
p@treon com / PinkSnake