Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 204: Clear Moon

The bright moon hung high in the sky, casting its glow over the Thirteenth Division barracks.

"Oh, I didn't even realize it was already dark."

Masatsuki Aozaki gazed up at the luminous moon, while Isane Kotetsu, cheeks flushed, shook her head helplessly.

"Captain Masatsuki, it's getting late. Captain Ukitake is probably growing impatient."

"Well, it can't be helped. After all, it's you we're talking about, Isane. We ended up chatting for so long without even noticing."

Sighing, Masatsuki Aozaki walked up to the entrance of Ugendō.

"That senior of mine is really something else... I'll be out soon."

"Yes, I'll wait right here."

Too embarrassed to even lift her head, Isane Kotetsu only let out a sigh of relief once she heard the wooden door close behind Masatsuki.

"How did it go? Did it work?"

As soon as Masatsuki stepped out of Ugendō, Kiyone Kotetsu burst out from the shadows, her eyes shining with excitement. The walk from the barracks to Ugendō normally took no more than ten minutes, but somehow, those two had dragged it out to nearly an hour.

If Isane came back saying she had failed, Kiyone would be devastated. But at this point, there wasn't much she could do—just convincing her sister to take the initiative had been a monumental effort. Asking her to try again would take even more persuasion.

The biggest headache was Isane's timid and indecisive nature. She was so shy that even when she had nightmares, she would run to Kiyone's room to sleep. Whether she was the one chasing after someone she liked or the one being pursued, her personality made things endlessly complicated.

Honestly, Kiyone had no idea how Isane would survive without her around.

What she hadn't expected, however, was that Masatsuki Aozaki actually seemed to like Isane too.

Because of her height and the way she spoke, people often mistook Isane for a boy. She had been teased about it more than once.

"Captain Masatsuki invited me to dinner tonight."

Isane squatted down, her voice soft and uncertain.

Thinking about Masatsuki's warmth and confidence, she couldn't help but admire him. That was the kind of person she wished she could become—like Captain Unohana, poised and graceful, not awkward and hesitant like herself.

"Good. Then tonight, you're making Captain Masatsuki yours," Kiyone declared, patting Isane's head with a determined expression.

She knew just how much courage her sister had mustered to get this far.

Isane avoided her gaze. "This... isn't it too fast?"

"A chance like this doesn't come every day! You have to take it while you can!" Kiyone said firmly.

...

"Junior, this isn't the time we agreed on, is it?" A calm male voice echoed through the room. "You really kept me waiting."

"Have I kept you waiting long? You can't blame me for that, Jūshirō-senpai! It's all Shunsui-senpai's fault—his laziness rubbed off on me, so I ended up late!" Masatsuki Aozaki replied.

He made himself comfortable, sitting casually on the tatami as if he were at home.

"You really inherited Shunsui's shamelessness," Jūshirō Ukitake quipped, still lying on the floor.

"I never thought you'd say something so harsh, Jūshirō-senpai." Masatsuki Aozaki helped him up, leaning him against the wooden wall. freёnovelkiss.com

"Well, I'm human too, you know. I get upset just like anyone else," Jūshirō chuckled lightly. "It's just that this body of mine doesn't allow it."

"Then... do you want to get better?" Masatsuki asked.

"You should know that when I was three—"

Before he could finish, Jūshirō coughed violently, spitting up blood. Masatsuki quickly grabbed a handkerchief and gently wiped it away.

"When you were three, you suffered from a severe illness. Your white hair is a lasting consequence of that," Masatsuki said.

Jūshirō nodded. "That's right. But what you don't know is that, due to certain circumstances, I only survived by sacrificing my lungs."

Masatsuki shook his head. "That's why I'm asking—do you want to recover?"

Jūshirō furrowed his brows. "You may not fully understand... A sacrifice like this can't simply be undone with Kaidō."

"Senpai, do I look like an idiot?" Masatsuki chuckled. "Of course, I'm not talking about Kaidō. I'm talking about science."

"Science?" Jūshirō was momentarily taken aback.

"That's right," Masatsuki affirmed. "The Deputy Director of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute has been researching this recently."

"I've been thinking... If traditional methods can't heal your body, then what if we repair it through organ replacement?"

Jūshirō sighed. "I appreciate your concern, but you don't understand. My body has long since—"

He stopped mid-sentence. The moment he met Masatsuki's eyes, he froze.

There was no need for words—the compassion and unwavering determination in those eyes said everything.

"...Senpai, just give it a try," Masatsuki said softly.

A long silence filled the room before Jūshirō finally gave a slow nod.

"...Alright. I'll give it a shot. But if it doesn't work, we let it go."

"However, this matter involves certain secrets. I need to inform Master."

"Of course, go ahead and tell the old man. There's nothing to hide," Masatsuki replied.

...

"Captain Masatsuki..."

Masatsuki Aozaki stepped out of Ugendō, only to hear a soft voice calling out to him.

Instinctively, he turned toward the corridor.

"Isane... Have you been waiting here this whole time?"

"Yes..." came a shy response.

"I've finished talking with my senpai. Let's go."

Masatsuki walked over and took her hand, slightly surprised when she didn't pull away in embarrassment this time.

Isane Kotetsu was still dressed in her Shihakushō, but her collar was slightly loosened—a subtle but noticeable change.

Masatsuki instantly realized this wasn't her usual style. Someone must have advised her, someone who knew exactly how to highlight her natural charm.

Feeling the two concealed Reiatsu observing them from the shadows, Masatsuki chuckled inwardly.

These two had been tailing them since they left the barracks, and while they had done their best to stay hidden, they couldn't escape his senses.

With that alone, he had already pieced together most of the situation.

Isane's body was slightly stiff as Masatsuki led her toward the Thirteenth Division's gates.

Bathed in moonlight, she looked even more radiant.

"Isane... You really do look like the moon hanging in the night sky," Masatsuki murmured, admiring the silver-gray strands of her hair.

"Captain Masatsuki, you're just teasing me. It's just that our hair color happens to be similar," Isane mumbled, her face flushing at his words.

Under the moonlight's glow, she looked even more delicate and charming.

Although Masatsuki had come to this world, his sense of beauty hadn't changed from his previous life.

He spoke plainly, making his admiration clear.

"Your hair is beautiful, Isane... but I wasn't just talking about that."

Masatsuki smiled.

Feeling Masatsuki's gaze on her, Isane's blush deepened.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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