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Unbeknownst to them, a month had passed, and the storm that had once raged had now moved away from this small court.
The court that ruled Soul Society had once again returned to its usual solemnity and quiet, after all, as a gathering place for the privileged class, the population density was far less than that of Rukongai.
Everyone had long since grown accustomed to this peaceful life.
With the arrival of the weekend, people flocked to the streets, bringing a touch of vitality and life to the city.
… … … …
Squad Barracks Area, Eleventh Division.
"Ichimaru Gin, Fourth Seat, hurry up and tidy up. You're in charge of guarding the Squad Barracks today. I can't let the Captain find out I haven't prepared anything, otherwise, he'll scold me again."
Looking at the newly appointed Third Seat, Officer Kuna Mashiro, who had been recruited from another Squad, Ichimaru Gin's eyebrows twitched wildly.
It seemed like she wasn't that serious when she first arrived, so why is she so diligent today?
Normally, at this time, according to Officer Kuna Mashiro's habits, she would definitely sneak off to the cafeteria, rummaging through everything to find her favorite desserts.
Without fail, she would be caught by Ikkaku Madarame, who had been promoted to Vice-Captain, and be severely reprimanded as a negative example for the entire Squad.
Then Aozaki Reiji would act as a mediator, coming out to speak up for Officer Kuna Mashiro…
However, the reason she was so diligent today was because she was in charge of arranging the patrol for the Captain's Squad Barracks.
In fact, yesterday, Officer Kuna Mashiro even boasted that she would manage the Squad members well and wouldn't need Ikkaku Madarame's help. For this, she even specially called her Squad members to give them a lecture.
But looking at the flustered Officer Kuna Mashiro, Ichimaru Gin was deeply skeptical: could she really plan the guard arrangements well?
Thump, thump!
Along with the sound of footsteps, Aozaki Reiji's voice came from outside.
"Is my lovely Kuna Mashiro sister here?"
Listening to Aozaki Reiji's voice, even Ichimaru Gin, who always kept his eyes narrowed, couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Should one say Aozaki Reiji spoke well? Just the words "lovely" and "sister" made Officer Kuna Mashiro beam with joy.
"Coming, coming! Didn't the Captain go to Rukongai to find a friend? Why are you back so early? I thought you wouldn't be back until dinner time!"
Officer Kuna Mashiro ran out with a bright smile to greet him, then gave Aozaki Reiji a big hug.
Ichimaru Gin fell silent as he watched Officer Kuna Mashiro tightly embracing Aozaki Reiji.
Aozaki Reiji might have some interest, but Officer Kuna Mashiro genuinely wanted to take advantage, Ichimaru Gin could confirm.
"Did you new Squad members see that? In the future, you must learn from Officer Kuna Mashiro!"
Just as Ichimaru Gin was about to sigh, he heard Ryusui and Izumo scolding the Squad members.
Looking back, every female Squad members looked at Aozaki Reiji like hungry wolves seeing a sheep, and the eyes of several male Squad members were also a bit off.
"Has the Eleventh Division turned into some strange cult? Officer Kuna Mashiro, where are you touching? And, and, all you Squad members, can you wipe your drool?"
Ichimaru Gin felt a bit tired.
"Mashiro sister, this is the Botan Mochi I brought for you."
Feeling the fervent gazes of the crowd and the faint fragrance and soft body of the woman in his arms, Aozaki Reiji quickly handed out the gift in his hand.
It must be said that both Officer Kuna Mashiro and Soi Fon belonged to the petite loli type, but Officer Kuna Mashiro's body felt slightly softer, which should be related to their lifestyle habits.
Soi Fon had received Onmitsukidō training since childhood and was a fanatic of Yoruichi, demanding strictness from herself.
Whereas Officer Kuna Mashiro's life was much freer than hers, with not too many rules and regulations, allowing her to retain her natural side.
"The Captain brought me a gift? Thank you, Captain!" Officer Kuna Mashiro said shyly while excitedly opening the Botan Mochi packaging.
"Eat slowly, I know you like it. I saw it on the street and specially brought it back."
Aozaki Reiji said with a grin as he took Officer Kuna Mashiro's hand and walked in.
"I also found a dessert shop in the Noble District, and they will supply desserts to the Eleventh Division long-term, including Botan Mochi!"
"Yay! The Captain is truly amazing!" Officer Kuna Mashiro jumped up excitedly.
Ichimaru Gin, who had been observing the entire process from the side, fell silent. No one could understand better than him why so many girls liked Aozaki Reiji.
… … … …
Taking advantage of the Squad members sharing the desserts, Aozaki Reiji finally had time to return to the Captain's Squad Barracks.
He softly called out: "Gin…"
"I understand."
Ichimaru Gin nodded, sat on a chair in the hallway, and watched the wooden door of the Captain's Squad Barracks slowly close.
Aozaki Reiji, who had walked into the room, touched the hard object in his arms and took a deep breath. After calmly taking a sip of tea, he placed his hand on the portrait in the bedroom.
The painting depicted Aozaki Reiji, painted by his own hand.
The person in the painting gazed indifferently at the outside world, the clouds in the sky were dyed red, like fluttering battle flags, and the withered bones at his feet piled up like mountains, their peaks reaching the sky.
Regarding this painting full of chuunibyou spirit, Aozaki Reiji thought it looked cool. Yoruichi only gave him two words of evaluation— "Narcissistic."
A white light emanated from Aozaki Reiji's hand, and Reiatsu flowed into the portrait like starlight, moving rhythmically within it.
This door lock was specially commissioned by Aozaki Reiji from Urahara Kisuke.
To open this lock, fingerprints, Reiatsu, and a pictorial password are all indispensable.
Click!
The wooden bed slowly moved, and the hidden door under the bed opened.
A thumping sound echoed in the secret passage, the lights automatically turned on, and the dim passage gradually brightened.
Listening to this rhythmic and pleasant melody, Aozaki Reiji couldn't help but show a joyful expression.
This was his first true laboratory. The underground of Rukongai could only be considered a dilapidated room filled with equipment, and now even the equipment was gone, leaving only dirt and rubble.
"Hōgyoku."
Aozaki Reiji took out the beautiful crystal wrapped in crystals from his arms, bestowing upon the treasure the name he had longed for.
The gem, shimmering with blue-black light, seemed to contain endless mystery, making it unforgettable with just one glance.
This form was almost no different from the true Hōgyoku.
Aozaki Reiji understood that the Hōgyoku was merely a facade.
Unlike before, he could feel a faint power contained within the Hōgyoku, but he still couldn't do anything.
Let alone fulfilling the wish for evolution, it couldn't even break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow.
"Don't worry, I will satisfy you as soon as possible." Aozaki Reiji said with a doting smile, like a loving father looking at his child.
He placed the Hōgyoku into a specially made Kido protection mechanism, then eagerly turned to look at the other side.
A black cloak hung on the wall. That was a Reiatsu isolation tool developed by Urahara Kisuke, mimicking the Heavenly-Granted War Garment of the Shihōin Family.
Aozaki Reiji had noted down the production method while at the Technology Development Bureau and quietly made a finished product himself, with no difference in effect.
Considering Yoruichi's promise of a Senkaimon, Aozaki Reiji unconsciously curved his lips.
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