Sōkyoku Hill, Underground Training Grounds.
Perched atop a massive boulder, Yoruichi Shihōin watched the two fighters facing off below with a playful smirk, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
In her arms, Suì-Fēng had turned a deep shade of red, her face as flushed as a ripe apple.
"W-Wow… this feels like a dream…"
Her mind blanked, her body turning soft as she instinctively nestled deeper into Yoruichi's warm embrace. The sensation made her tremble slightly, and in her embarrassment, she turned her head—only for her gaze to land on the strikingly handsome man standing in the arena.
"This should be the last round, right?"
Yoruichi gave a slight nod.
"Yes. If they don't finish soon, they'll be late for the captains' meeting."
Suì-Fēng blinked her wide, curious eyes.
"But… why is Masatsuki-sama fighting him?"
"Hah! Your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter, calling him 'sama' so naturally. You really live up to your reputation as the Vice President of 'Tsuki no Hana,'" Yoruichi teased, running a finger along Suì-Fēng's rosy cheek.
The younger girl squirmed, utterly overwhelmed.
"Y-Yoruichi-sama…"
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. He wanted to test Kisuke's Bankai, but…" Yoruichi trailed off, deliberately leaving the sentence hanging.
"But what?" Suì-Fēng leaned forward eagerly, her large eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Yoruichi chuckled, finding the girl's expression utterly adorable. She scrunched her nose playfully and hummed.
"I suspect Masatsuki is just using this as an excuse for revenge. Apparently, the last experiment ended in yet another explosion."
"Now that Kisuke has finally mastered Bankai, he probably challenged him just to get a few good hits in."
"After all, Masatsuki's Reiatsu is stronger than Kisuke's. Even without using Bankai, Kisuke isn't a match for him."
Yoruichi's smile widened as she watched the two men standing in the arena, poised for battle.
For over a decade, Masatsuki Aozaki and Kisuke Urahara had been two of the most prominent figures in the Gotei 13.
Masatsuki was not only considered the greatest prodigy in Soul Society's history, but he had also shattered the record for the youngest to achieve Bankai.
At under forty years old, he had climbed from Third-Class Reiatsu to mastering Bankai in just five years, and in the past few years, he had even reached Second-Class Reiatsu.
To nearly everyone in the Gotei 13, it was a foregone conclusion—Masatsuki Aozaki was destined to become a powerhouse on par with the Captain-Commander himself.
On the other hand, Kisuke Urahara, a former 12th Division Captain, had been personally chosen by Royal Guard member Kirio Hikifune as her successor. He had mastered Bankai at just over two hundred years old, a level of genius rarely seen in centuries.
One commanded the Gotei 13's battle divisions.
The other was about to take over its scientific research division.
That alone explained everything.
Masatsuki Aozaki had been trained directly by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, excelling in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Hohō, with extensive real-world combat experience.
By comparison, Kisuke Urahara—while skilled in hand-to-hand combat—was still, at heart, a scientist. The gap between them was immense.
That was why both Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng agreed—Masatsuki Aozaki would undoubtedly win this fight.
If Kisuke wanted to stand a chance, he'd need to turn into Iron Man on the spot and invent a suit specifically designed to counter Masatsuki Aozaki.
...
As the two onlookers chatted on the sidelines, the two combatants in the arena exploded into motion.
"Masatsuki, for the sake of our years of friendship, just let me off this once!"
"That last time was a complete accident—I swear I didn't mean it!"
"You're a generous man, aren't you? Just show me some mercy this time, please?"
Kisuke Urahara pleaded, his face twisting into an exaggerated grimace as he winked and fidgeted. His naturally comical expression was now scrunched up like a dried persimmon, practically radiating desperation.
Behind him stood a towering woman with long hair styled in a classical bun, wearing a sleeveless kimono. Her limbs had puppet-like joints—Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame, Urahara's Bankai.
Strangely enough, despite taking the brunt of the explosion in the lab, Masatsuki Aozaki was completely unharmed. The devastating blast—comparable in power to a Cero—had hit him directly, yet it didn't seem to affect him at all.
What the hell kind of monster had this guy turned into?
Instead, it was Kisuke's laboratory that had suffered, completely wrecked beyond recognition. After an inspection, it was officially declared a total loss.
Masatsuki crossed his arms.
"You wish. How could someone as smart as you make such a basic mistake?"
"And even if it was an accident, shouldn't you have given me some kind of protective suit before running such a dangerous experiment?"
Kisuke looked even more aggrieved.
"Didn't you say you didn't need one?"
This guy always boasted that his body was tougher than any protective gear, refusing to wear anything during experiments—so why was he blaming him now?
Where was the justice in this world?!
Masatsuki blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before his expression darkened. Clearly knowing he had no ground to stand on, he decided to go on the offensive instead.
"How dare you, Kisuke Urahara! Such a sharp tongue, and now you have the audacity to argue with me? Accept your punishment!"
In the blink of an eye, Masatsuki vanished from sight.
When he reappeared, he was already right in front of Kisuke.
"Not the face!"
Kisuke, well aware of Masatsuki's usual antics, instinctively raised his hands to shield himself.
But Masatsuki was faster.
Before Kisuke could react—bam!—a fist landed squarely on his face.
...
Ten minutes later.
Kisuke sat slumped on the ground, rubbing his swollen, bread-like cheeks, silently cursing his misfortune.
"You satisfied now?" he grumbled.
Masatsuki shook his head, looking somewhat unimpressed.
"Barely."
Kisuke nearly coughed up blood.
"Barely?! Look at me—I'm the one covered in bruises! My injuries are way worse than yours!"
Masatsuki patted his chest with a confident smirk.
"Relax. I was trained by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. I know how to control my strength. Your bruises might look bad, but they're just for show—you'll be fine."
Kisuke squinted at him skeptically.
"Uh-huh… right."
He wasn't sure whether to believe that or not. But either way, what was done was done—complaining wouldn't change anything.
With a long sigh, he pushed himself to his feet, dusting off his clothes.
"Since you've vented your frustration already, and it's getting late, let's head to the captains' meeting."
"Wait."
Just as Kisuke turned to leave, Masatsuki suddenly called out.
Kisuke glanced back.
"What? Is there something else?"
Masatsuki's expression was calm as he made his request.
"Kisuke, prepare a few Tenshintai for me."
Kisuke frowned, confused.
"For who?"
He couldn't help but feel suspicious.
After all, Masatsuki had mastered Bankai without even using a Tenshintai—so why would he need one now?
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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