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"What?" Shutara Senjumaru was somewhat incredulous.
A Captain-class individual in his early twenties who could defeat a true Captain without using Bankai—this was even more terrifying than Yamamoto in his youth!
She somewhat understood where Hikifune Kirio's confidence in Aozaki Reiji came from, then immediately nodded.
"So, it's highly probable this child will ascend to the Zero Division in the future."
"Since you'll join the Zero Division sooner or later, as your senior, Reiji-kun, would you like to try to get on my good side?"
"When you enter the Zero Division a few hundred years from now, I, as your senior, will take care of you."
Aozaki Reiji raised an eyebrow and said, "Your suggestion sounds quite good…"
"Naturally," Shutara Senjumaru said proudly, "After you enter the Zero Division, I will make you new clothes every day."
Aozaki Reiji said helplessly, "You just want to find a free model, don't you?"
"Oh… was I discovered? What a smart child!" Shutara Senjumaru stroked her chin and said with a smile, "However, I also like smart children very much!"
"Mm-hmm… After all, I'm quite confident in my figure," Aozaki Reiji said narcissistically.
"Reiji-kun knows his strengths well, your figure is the best I've ever seen, so will you agree to me?"
Shutara Senjumaru smiled and winked at him.
Aozaki Reiji pondered for a moment, then asked, "But I heard that to be promoted to the Zero Division, one needs to create something of great significance for Soul Society, no?"
"There are exceptions, like the Seventh Kenpachi; as a regular Shinigami, he possessed strength comparable to the Zero Division, so he also received an invitation from the Zero Division."
"Comparable to the Zero Division, huh…" Aozaki Reiji sighed with emotion.
He truly was a formidable person!
"Don't underestimate the Zero Division."
Shutara Senjumaru presented the clothes she had made.
"Every Zero Division member has had their body and bones strengthened by the power of the Soul King, and their Reiatsu surpasses the Shinigami level. For his strength to rival ours is already an achievement to be proud of."
Upon hearing this, Aozaki Reiji thought of Yamamoto, the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.
Aozaki Reiji asked, "How does your strength compare to my teacher's?"
"Teacher?"
"Yes, Captain-Commander Yamamoto, he is my teacher."
"…"
Shutara Senjumaru's hand movements paused, and she froze there.
"Uh…"
Shutara Senjumaru wanted to say something but ultimately couldn't bring herself to speak.
Aozaki Reiji and Hikifune Kirio exchanged glances, looking at her with interest, clearly unwilling to give up until they got an answer.
After a long while, she slowly began to speak:
"Yamamoto… Captain-Commander Yamamoto is an exception. Besides the leader, no one should be his match."
"However, I am not afraid of him. I am strengthened by the Soul King's power; as long as my Zero Division Palace remains, I can revive even if my body turns to ash."
Listening to Shutara Senjumaru's unconvincing words, Aozaki Reiji and Hikifune Kirio exchanged a smile, both nodding indulgently, and chuckled as if coaxing a child:
"Senjumaru is truly amazing!"
Shutara Senjumaru seemed a bit embarrassed, her pretty face slightly flushed, and she said hastily:
"You… you shouldn't underestimate me, I'm very powerful."
She maintained her elegant sitting posture, but her words were stumbling. She looked at Hikifune Kirio as if seeing a lifeline.
"Kiryū, little Kiryū, you know how amazing I am, quickly tell Reiji-kun."
Hikifune Kirio knew she lacked confidence, but facing her old Captain and friend, she couldn't openly refute her. She could only let out a long, helpless sigh:
"Actually, Senjumaru is the inventor of the 'Shinigami robes.' This is a remarkable achievement; she became a Royal Special Forces member based on this very contribution."
"Yes! That's right, I invented the Shinigami robes."
Shutara Senjumaru recalled her contribution to Soul Society, subtly puffed out her not-so-impressive chest, and regained her confident composure.
Aozaki Reiji frowned and said seriously:
"Inventing Shinigami robes… that's not much of a contribution, is it?"
"I wear Shinigami robes every day, and besides their negligible, almost useless defense, they're no different from regular clothes."
"No, that weak defense can also be ignored; it can't even block the swords of ordinary Squad members, only bully defenseless ordinary souls."
"Simply put, it's useless!"
Aozaki Reiji delivered a sharp, incisive critique.
Shutara Senjumaru's breathing quickened, and she spoke very rapidly:
"How rude! This is something tied to the Shinigami identity, just like a Zanpakuto!"
"Becoming a Shinigami means having Shinigami robes and a Zanpakuto; these are the symbols of a Shinigami, not just for one individual!"
Aozaki Reiji stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then nodded:
"I see, so it's like a uniform, useless except for its symbolism, right?"
"…Reiji-kun." Shutara's eye twitched.
"What is it?" Aozaki Reiji lowered his head.
Then, Shutara Senjumaru suddenly showed a gentle and amiable smile, tilting her head as she said, "Be careful what you say, or it might bring trouble!"
Aozaki Reiji took a deep breath and said seriously:
"I apologize, Lady Senjumaru, I was rude!"
He was skilled at bullying the weak and fearing the strong!
This child seems quite interesting; life shouldn't be boring from now on…
Shutara Senjumaru let out a snort, then nodded elegantly and calmly:
"Very good, I like obedient children like you the most."
"Put on the clothes and let me see if they fit."
"Yes."
Aozaki Reiji nodded obediently and put on the custom-made underwear and outer clothes that Shutara Senjumaru had made for him, one by one.
Over the black Shinigami robes, he wore a long-sleeved white haori embroidered with the character "eleven".
It was the standard Gotei 13 Captain's style, nothing new.
Aozaki Reiji felt a slight disappointment but did not show it.
Shutara Senjumaru reminded him, "Reiji-kun, try injecting your Reiatsu into the clothes and feel it."
"Oh!" Aozaki Reiji injected his Reiatsu into the robes, and his eyes widened the moment he felt the change.
"Heh heh… Not bad, right?" Shutara Senjumaru said with a smug smile, "No matter how much this set of clothes is damaged, it can be repaired simply by injecting Reiatsu."
Aozaki Reiji nodded, "Anything else?"
"That's it."
"Heh… heh heh… sounds pretty impressive," Aozaki Reiji said, scratching his head awkwardly.
He thought there would be something else, like fighting with clothes or something, but that was it?
Besides saving money on buying clothes, what else was this thing for?
He wasn't short on money!
But it was her kind gesture, so he couldn't say much and sincerely said, "Thank you, Lady Senjumaru."
Looking at the white haori on him, he suddenly thought of something and glanced up at the clock on the wall.
"It's about time; I should go."
"Miss Kirio, Lady Senjumaru, I'll take my leave now."
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