Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 240: Peace of Mind

"That's it?"

Kūkaku Shiba's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That's it," Masatsuki Aozaki shrugged. "It really was that simple."

"That doesn't make sense..." Kūkaku muttered to herself. "Did my instincts as a woman fail me? She should definitely have improper thoughts about you."

"That girl is just really shy," Masatsuki scratched his cheek.

"I see... So you agreed?"

"That's right, I did." Masatsuki nodded, then glanced at her. "What, are you unhappy about it?"

"How could I be happy about something like this?" Kūkaku rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. "But it's not like you don't know who she is... Just don't screw this up."

She let out a huff, her tone carrying a hint of lingering frustration.

"The head of the Kasumiōji Clan... Their influence is still greater than the Shiba Clan's right now."

"Does influence really matter? Worst case scenario, I'll just send them to join the Tsunayashiro Clan in the afterlife..."

Masatsuki smirked as he looked down at Kūkaku, who was still nestled in his arms.

Killing Gyōkaku Kumoi would take just a single slash. Wiping out the entire Kasumiōji Clan? One strike would be enough. Did power really mean anything?

"You'd really do that? That girl would be devastated," Kūkaku said, tilting her head slightly, amusement flickering in her gaze.

She knew Masatsuki Aozaki well—after all, they had shared a bed for decades. At this point, there were barely any secrets between them.

After knowing him for so long, Kūkaku understood that Masatsuki often appeared ruthless and indifferent.

But when it came to certain people, he couldn't help but show genuine emotion. That was when his humanity was at its most apparent.

"Just keep it from her and take care of it quietly," Masatsuki said softly, gently running his fingers through Kūkaku's hair.

Kūkaku's expression subtly shifted.

He didn't care about groups—only individuals.

The people he cared about were the ones he truly valued, and just because someone was connected to them didn't mean they held any weight in his heart.

To him, everyone else was just an extension of the people he favored, nothing more.

Forget the Kasumiōji Clan—if the day ever came when Masatsuki had to choose between her and his own brother, Kaien Shiba,

He wouldn't hesitate.

He would choose her without a second thought.

He was willing to let her brother get away with his usual recklessness because she was around to keep him in check, but that didn't mean he would tolerate everything.

Kaien had taken plenty of beatings before.

His "recklessness" just hadn't reached the point where it would cost him his life.

"So... there's really nothing to worry about," Masatsuki Aozaki said patiently.

"And what do you plan to do next? You're not seriously thinking about just being friends with her, are you?" Kūkaku Shiba asked.

"Of course not. I'll slowly help her build up some courage. I still want her to be a little more willful with me," Masatsuki said.

"You really are a bad man," Kūkaku snorted with amusement.

"Thank you for the compliment, my dear wife," Masatsuki replied shamelessly.

"Where the hell did you learn to be so thick-skinned? I should never have fallen for someone like you," Kūkaku huffed, feigning annoyance.

"I learned it from the Shiba Clan, of course. I inherited Uncle Isshin's teachings perfectly," Masatsuki grinned.

Looking down at Kūkaku in his arms, he lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

At this moment, words were unnecessary. The purest expression of emotion was far better than any flowery speech.

"That's it? You think you can get away with just that?" Kūkaku licked her lips slightly, pouting in dissatisfaction.

"What do you take me for? If Yoruichi and the others find out, they'll think I'm worse than them!"

"You're really making this a competition?"

Thinking of that energetic and mischievous cat, Masatsuki chuckled, watching Kūkaku's stubborn determination with amusement.

"Of course! You have no idea how smug Yoruichi is around me just because she's good at Hakuda," Kūkaku muttered.

"Well, maybe if you actually trained more instead of slacking off?" Masatsuki sighed, shaking his head. "Look at you—so fragile. How do you expect to keep up?"

With that, he lowered his head again, pressing another deep kiss onto her soft lips.

Kūkaku had incredible potential. Her talent wasn't far behind Yoruichi's.

She just didn't focus on training, pouring all her energy into her fireworks research instead.

Yet despite that, her Reiatsu had nearly reached Lieutenant-level.

"...Having you is enough. Besides, you're basically a walking power source," Kūkaku mumbled shyly, her face turning red.

Masatsuki's lips curled into a teasing smirk.

"Oh? Someone's still not being entirely honest. Sounds like you need some proper education."

Kūkaku's blush deepened. She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously, her tone playfully wary.

"Ara, what are you planning?"

Masatsuki didn't answer. Instead, he reached out, gently cupping her face, his gaze filled with warmth and affection.

Slowly, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered,

"My lady, it's late... time for us to rest."

The room gradually fell into silence.

...

"My lady, where have you been? You had me worried sick."

Seeing Rurichiyo Kasumiōji step out of the garden, Gyōkaku Kumoi finally let out a relieved sigh.

She was his source of power. This wasn't the time to lose her.

With two guards by her side, Rurichiyo felt somewhat safer.

"I went to see Masatsuki-sama."

"And did you meet him?" Gyōkaku asked cautiously.

"I did!" Rurichiyo beamed, placing her hands on her hips. "We're friends now!"

"Friends?" Gyōkaku muttered under his breath, his brows knitting together. This was not good news.

"As my friend, Masatsuki-sama is now free to come and go from the Kasumiōji Clan as he pleases."

Rurichiyo smiled and nodded confidently.

"Absolutely not!" Gyōkaku blurted out, momentarily forgetting his place in front of others.

"Giving someone as dangerous as him such a privilege is far too reckless. Please reconsider, my lady!"

"But I've already agreed," Rurichiyo replied nonchalantly, glancing at Gyōkaku's anxious expression.

Even she wasn't sure where this newfound confidence was coming from.

But when she thought of that man, she simply felt at ease.

"Masatsuki-sama also said that if you don't approve, you're welcome to go see him yourself. He assured me he has a way to change your mind."

"A way? What kind of way? Is he planning to tear this old body of mine apart?" Gyōkaku thought bitterly.

With a long, helpless sigh, he realized something—

The moment Masatsuki Aozaki was involved, this was no longer his decision to make.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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