"Shūsuke Amagai... What was this guy’s deal again?"
Masatsuki Aozaki frowned, lightly pinching his chin with his right hand as he muttered to himself, lost in thought.
Nemu Kurotsuchi couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Masatsuki’s response. With a sigh, she reminded him,
"Masatsuki-sama, were you even listening to me? He was brought in to help the squad find Princess Rurichiyo-sama!"
Thinking about how she usually maintained a deliberately cold and detached demeanor, the contrast made her unexpectedly cute in this moment.
"I don’t really remember... Something about him doing shady things? But he’s probably just some minor, unimportant character."
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded slowly.
Of course, what he couldn’t recall wasn’t the reason Nemu mentioned for Amagai Shūsuke joining the 11th Division.
His spiritual perception had already picked up on two unfamiliar Reiatsu near the office.
The stronger one was likely Shūsuke Amagai—just a top-tier, ordinary captain.
Comparable to Grimmjow of the Espada, a third-class spiritual powerhouse on the verge of reaching second-class.
Not someone worth paying much attention to.
A series of knocks echoed at the door.
Masatsuki Aozaki frowned slightly. Seeing that Nemu had finished fixing her hair, he gestured for her to open it.
When he saw the visitor, Masatsuki was slightly taken aback.
It was a man he had never seen before.
His appearance had a rough, untamed quality—long, unkempt hair, a scruffy chin covered in stubble, and clothes that were somewhat tattered.
He wore a bright, easygoing smile, giving off the impression of someone friendly and approachable.
Yet, Masatsuki couldn’t shake a strange sense of familiarity.
It was the same unsettling feeling he got when looking at Aizen in glasses.
Not that this guy was anywhere near Aizen’s level—he just gave off that same kind of fake, dissonant vibe.
Definitely someone up to no good.
The man stepped inside, glancing at Mashiro Kuna, who was lounging on the sofa playing a game. With a hint of sentiment, he remarked,
"I’ve heard that Captain Aozaki takes great care of his subordinates, and now I see that it’s true."
"To serve under Captain Aozaki is truly an honor."
"You must be Shūsuke Amagai, right?"
Masatsuki Aozaki propped his head up with one hand on the table, utterly indifferent to Amagai’s flattery.
The man was momentarily stunned by Masatsuki’s casual demeanor but quickly regained his composure and said,
"That’s right, I’m Shūsuke Amagai."
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto assigned me to the 11th Division as your assistant, under the rank of Lieutenant."
"You’re the great hero who ended the war—I originally wanted to seek you out on my first day here, but unfortunately, you weren’t around."
"When I heard you had returned today, I came to visit immediately."
"Please guide me well, Captain Aozaki!"
Shūsuke Amagai extended his hand without hesitation, his gaze sincere as he looked at Masatsuki Aozaki—like an eager fan meeting his idol.
Masatsuki Aozaki let out a sigh, slightly exasperated.
"That old man Yamamoto, making decisions without even telling me first."
"Well, these are unusual times," Amagai said with a sheepish laugh, scratching his head.
"I have confidence in my abilities, so please don’t worry, Captain."
"I get what the old man is thinking. My men are the ones who went missing—he’s probably just afraid I’ll go too far and sent you to keep an eye on me."
Masatsuki chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
"If there’s nothing else, just report to the Lieutenant’s office."
"The squad’s affairs are being handled by Gin and Shiro-chan at the moment. They’ll get you settled."
"Have Nemu report any updates to me."
Amagai withdrew his hand, smiling awkwardly.
"Captain Aozaki, you’re really easygoing. If that’s the case, maybe we’ll get along well."
"By the way, why have I never seen you before?"
Masatsuki leaned back lazily in his chair, reaching into a drawer and pulling out a bag of Konpeitō.
It was something Yachiru Kusajishi had hidden in his office.
According to their agreement, all assets belonging to the Zaraki Group for the next 3,000 years were now his.
Which meant, technically, all of Yachiru’s snacks were his property.
So eating them? Definitely not stealing.
How could it be stealing if it was already his?
"Because I’ve spent the past few years hunting Hollows outside of Seireitei. I was only reassigned here recently," Amagai explained with a smile.
"Tracking and hunting are my specialties. Maybe that’s why the Captain-Commander placed me in the 11th Division."
"Oh, and another companion came with me."
Amagai glanced at Masatsuki, as if seeking permission to bring them in.
After Masatsuki gave a nod, Amagai opened the door, and another person stepped inside.
It was a man with short red hair and purple-framed glasses.
He had a refined appearance but exuded a faint, chilling aura.
"This is Makoto Kibune, my companion from the expedition force. He has also joined the 11th Division," Amagai introduced.
"Pleased to meet you, Captain Aozaki."
Kibune stood beside Amagai and bowed deeply, his tone respectful.
"No need for the formalities," Masatsuki waved his hand.
"Kibune, your Reiatsu is pretty decent. Since you don’t have an assigned position yet, you can start as the 9th Seat."
Amagai and Kibune froze at his words.
Their Reiatsu had been completely concealed, not a trace leaking out—yet Masatsuki had seen through it instantly.
For people like them, who thrived in the shadows, suppressing their Reiatsu was a fundamental skill.
They prided themselves on being on par with the 2nd Division in terms of stealth.
Just how terrifying was this guy’s spiritual perception?!
That was way lower than they expected!
"Captain Aozaki, Kibune’s Reiatsu is at the Lieutenant level," Amagai couldn’t help but point out.
"I know. But this is the most fitting rank for him."
"If it weren’t for a certain someone refusing to take the 9th Seat and insisting on being 10th, Kibune’s position would have been the 10th Seat instead."
Kibune’s expression darkened slightly, though he quickly masked it.
Lieutenant-level Reiatsu... yet only a mid-ranked seat?
What kind of ridiculous squad was this?!
Even the 1st Division wasn’t this absurd!
Could it be that the two Lieutenants here—Amagai included—were actually Captain-class?
No way Yamamoto would allow such a division to exist!
"Actually, you don’t need to worry," Masatsuki said suddenly, grinning.
"In the 11th Division, strength is everything."
"If you want a higher rank, just challenge someone above you."
"As long as you win, you can take their position—including my captaincy."
At those words, Amagai furrowed his brows, feeling as if Masatsuki was baiting him.
Kibune’s eyes flickered, filled with a barely restrained eagerness.
Back when he graduated from Shin’ō Academy, his sole ambition had been to climb the ranks.
Before joining the expedition force, he had been part of the Gotei 13—
But because he was too obsessed with proving himself, he often disregarded his comrades’ safety in missions, which ultimately got him kicked out.
Now, having attained Lieutenant-level Reiatsu, there was no way he’d be content with a mid-tier seat.