Masatsuki Aozaki's gaze slowly swept over Rangiku Matsumoto and Yuhime in the distance.
Just as he had expected, the originally beautiful faces of the two women were now puffed up like little buns, their cheeks round and full of anger, as if they could hold two eggs inside. They looked unbelievably cute!
It was clear that these two beauties had gotten jealous over something.
"Are you two going to fight or not? Don't forget why we took the day off!"
At Masatsuki Aozaki's words, both Rangiku and Yuhime lightly flicked their silky hair.
Rangiku frowned and asked, "What should we do now? Did you come all this way just to fight me?"
The core of mastering Bankai lies in gaining the Zanpakutō's recognition. However, earning that recognition doesn't necessarily mean defeating it in battle.
Take Zangetsu, for example. The trial he set for Ichigo Kurosaki in the original timeline wasn't just a test of strength. In addition to fighting, Ichigo had to accurately pick out the real Zangetsu from among numerous strangely shaped Zanpakutō.
Masatsuki Aozaki's path to Bankai, however, was even more treacherous—he had to put forth every effort, exhausting both mind and body, to conquer Banshō Senran.
To this day, Masatsuki still remembers that experience vividly. The sight of the two sisters clinging to each other in their sleep remains fresh in his memory.
That battle had been nothing short of terrifying, lasting an entire three months without a single break.
And it wasn't just Banshō Senran—the other women within his inner world had also materialized. The sheer intensity of that confrontation had nearly driven even a battle-hardened warrior like him to surrender.
Yet, in the end, through sheer perseverance and relentless effort, he overcame every obstacle and claimed victory.
Yuhime's lips curved into a slight smile as she spoke softly, "I understand you, just as you understand me. You know what my heart desires."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "If you can meet my expectations, I will help you complete your Bankai training."
"Rangiku, Masatsuki wants you to master Bankai. You wouldn't want to let him down, would you?"
"How can this be?!"
Rangiku clenched her fists, the flames of anger in her eyes almost becoming tangible.
This feeling was too strange—like she was handing over her lover to someone else... Something so ridiculous was absolutely unacceptable!
But Masatsuki had always wanted her to grow stronger. If she failed to master Bankai, wouldn't that leave him terribly disappointed?
Rangiku's mind was in turmoil. Her steps were unsteady as she slowly, hesitantly walked toward Yuhime, trapped in a deep internal struggle.
"Haha, I really don't understand why you're so fixated on this. I look exactly like you—can't you just see me as a part of yourself?"
Yuhime gazed at Rangiku Matsumoto and couldn't help but laugh.
She couldn't understand it. Rangiku had always been kind and forgiving toward others, yet she was so strict with her—just because they shared the same face?
But the more you forbid me, the more I want to do it.
You never care about the other women, so why is it that I'm the only exception?
It's so unfair!
The more Yuhime thought about it, the more indignant she became. A strange mix of anger and resentment welled up in her chest. She truly couldn't comprehend why Rangiku was so lenient with others yet so harsh toward her.
Her eyes slowly locked onto Masatsuki Aozaki's charming smile, filled with a glimmer of expectation.
Rangiku had always treasured Masatsuki. For his sake, she just might agree.
After all, this wouldn't be the first time she compromised for him.
Thinking of this, Yuhime grew excited, and the tension in her body gradually eased.
"This is the perfect opportunity—it's right in front of me! As long as I seize this fleeting chance, I can finally be with Masatsuki..."
Covering her flushed cheeks with both hands, she let her mind wander with a mix of shyness and anticipation. Even her legs fidgeted restlessly, as if she couldn't wait to hear the answer.
...
Meanwhile, Masatsuki Aozaki, who had been immersing himself in his inner world and teasing Senran, suddenly sensed a burning gaze directed at him. His brow furrowed instinctively.
Still half-dazed, he looked up—only to see two alluring figures walking toward him.
Shouldn't they be focusing on their Bankai training? Why are they coming over? Are Yuhime and Rangiku slacking off together?
"Will this really work?" Rangiku asked hesitantly, a trace of concern in her voice.
Yuhime, on the other hand, continued to coax her.
"We can at least give it a try. Have you already forgotten how much of an effect the Banshō Senran sisters had on him?"
"...Now that you mention it, you might be right." Rangiku nodded, seemingly deep in thought.
Then, Yuhime suddenly proposed, "Why don't we follow their example and become sisters? From now on, you can call me 'Big Sister,' and I'll call you 'Little Sister.'"
"Are you kidding me?!" Rangiku shot back immediately. "I'm the master, and you're my Zanpakutō! Why would I be the younger one while you get to be the older sister? That's absurd!"
Yuhime, however, waved her hand dismissively, completely unbothered.
"That's just a minor detail! What really matters is winning Masatsuki's heart!"
"Think about it—Masatsuki likes you so much. If the two of us work together, what other woman could possibly compete with us?"
She spoke with a self-satisfied grin, as if she had already won.
Rangiku frowned, falling into deep contemplation over the feasibility of this plan...
Masatsuki had taken six whole months off to train his Bankai.
It had taken him three grueling months just to conquer Banshō Senran.
Based on everything they knew so far, no other Zanpakutō spirit had taken as long.
Now, with Yuhime's sudden appearance, this really did seem like an opportunity too good to miss.
After all, they looked identical—people would probably believe they were real sisters.
And honestly, a pair of twins with such striking resemblance might just be even more irresistible to Masatsuki Aozaki...
Rangiku hesitated before finally speaking.
"Maybe... we should give it a try?"
"Hahaha! Finally! I've been waiting for you to say that!"
Yuhime burst into laughter, excitement radiating from her as a powerful gust of wind surrounded her body. Like an arrow released from its bow, she shot toward Masatsuki Aozaki.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Seeing this, Rangiku hurriedly gripped her Zanpakutō and used the wind's momentum to propel herself forward, chasing after Yuhime.
Masatsuki Aozaki blinked in confusion. Before he could even process what was happening, his vision suddenly went dark—
As if two soft, warm objects had completely blocked his sight.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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