Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 419

Chapter 419: Chapter 419: Office Romance

A hospital room in the 4th Division.

Six captains—Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, Shinji Hirako, Isshin Shiba, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Yūshirō Shihōin—lay side by side in hospital beds. Several Lieutenants sat nearby, either at their bedsides or in chairs.

Among the Gotei 13, these six captains had sustained the most severe injuries and could only lie here to receive treatment. Other Lieutenants were present as well, including Lisa Yadōmaru, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Kaname Tōsen.

Notably, Love Aikawa and Kensei Muguruma were the most gravely injured among them. It couldn’t be helped. Their Reiatsu levels were average, and their Zanpakutō abilities weren’t particularly exceptional—yet they still bore the responsibilities of captains and had to face those monstrous enemies in battle. The fact that they even made it out alive was already remarkable.

At the end of the fight, both Aikawa and Muguruma had been on the brink of death. Fortunately, Retsu Unohana arrived just in time and personally treated them, saving their lives. Even so, the damage was too severe—they still required a lengthy recovery.

Given the large number of seriously injured captains, it clearly wasn’t practical to set up all the hospital beds in the 1st Division’s meeting room. So, the captain’s meeting was held here, in a room of the 4th Division. Besides the active captains, the attending Lieutenants were also present.

When Masatsuki Aozaki appeared, Jūshirō Ukitake greeted him with a bright, warm smile like the spring sun and waved cheerfully.

"Masatsuki, over here, over here!"

Everyone around seemed accustomed to Ukitake’s friendly enthusiasm. After all, they all knew well enough—this captain of the 13th Division, who had battled illness for centuries, had become noticeably more cheerful lately, and had grown especially fond of his junior.

In contrast, Shunsui Kyōraku seemed a little more mischievous. Grinning slyly, he teased with feigned rebellion,

"Captain Masatsuki really stole the spotlight this time. At this rate, replacing the Captain-Commander is only a matter of time."

"Go for it, Captain Masatsuki. Just a little more effort and you’ll knock the old man off his throne!"

Kyōraku kept stirring the pot, a playful glint in his eye.

"If you can’t bring yourself to do it, we can give you a hand."

"Back in the day, that old man gave us hell. We’ve been waiting for payback!"

Masatsuki Aozaki gave a helpless nod, then reached to his waist and pulled out a disc-shaped device, speaking into it:

"Old man, you heard all that, right? This wasn’t my idea—it was all Shunsui-senpai."

Kyōraku’s face instantly turned pale. Eyes wide, he stammered, "You... you little..."

His gaze locked on the familiar object. Memories came rushing back.

Wasn’t that the same communication tool he’d once borrowed from the Shihōin Clan to prank Masatsuki decades ago? He never imagined the kid would still hold onto it.

People always said his little junior bore grudges—and now it really seemed true. He had always treated Masatsuki with sincerity, but this... this betrayal truly stung.

That thought brought a look of deep heartbreak to Kyōraku’s face.

Meanwhile, when Retsu Unohana saw Masatsuki Aozaki, her usual serene smile returned. As Masatsuki turned to look at her, she folded her hands gracefully over her abdomen, her eyes as gentle as water, exuding the poise of a devoted wife and mother.

With that kind of soft, captivating aura, it was no wonder she’d long been voted the 9th Division’s top pick for "most desirable female Shinigami to marry."

Shinji Hirako stood quietly in a corner, silently observing the subtle tension rising between the two. Unable to stand it any longer, he averted his gaze.

He’d always hated workplace romances—especially as a millennium-old bachelor. It made him feel awkward and out of place.

Without thinking, he looked elsewhere—and his eyes happened to fall on his former Lieutenant. His expression grew complicated.

Over the years, even though they’d been assigned to different Divisions, Shinji Hirako had never stopped watching Sōsuke Aizen.

Recalling that night...

If it hadn’t been for Sōsuke Aizen stepping forward to shoulder the pressure from Hell, the Captain-Commander might never have lasted until Masatsuki Aozaki arrived on the battlefield.

Shinji Hirako remembered it vividly.

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