Shunsui Kyōraku didn’t seem to notice that Masatsuki Aozaki’s thoughts had already drifted. He casually asked,
"My dear junior, I treat you pretty well most of the time, don’t I?"
How do you even have the nerve to ask something like that?
Masatsuki Aozaki curled his lip and replied with a helpless look,
"Senpai, when I run into perverts like you, I usually beat them up on sight."
He tried to keep his expression calm, but the next moment, his shoulder was smacked—hard.
Shunsui Kyōraku widened his eyes.
"What do you mean, pervert?! I’m asking if I treat you well!"
Masatsuki Aozaki rolled his eyes.
"Senpai, you know the answer to that better than anyone. But seriously, I’m just not interested in you."
Shunsui’s face twitched. This cheeky junior really had an impressive imagination.
Feeling the increasingly strange looks from those around them, he furrowed his brow slightly, let go of Masatsuki’s shoulder, and sighed.
"Forget it. As long as you remember I treat you well, that’s enough. The captain’s meeting is about to start, so let’s get going."
This guy... he’s acting really weird today.
Masatsuki shot him a suspicious glance, then resumed walking toward the 1st Division barracks.
...
Tap, tap, tap...
Light footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. A soft breeze brushed his face, making him squint in contentment.
The wooden door to the captain’s meeting room loomed larger in Masatsuki’s view. Once past the sunlit corridor, he pulled open the brand-new door.
"This may very well be the last captain’s meeting I convene."
Yamamoto swept his gaze across the room as he spoke.
The captains fell into a rare silence—except for Masatsuki Aozaki, who looked puzzled.
"What nonsense are you spouting, old man?"
"With how strong your voice sounds, you could probably live for another few thousand years."
Masatsuki broke the tension with a playful quip, though inwardly he was thinking:
The old man’s body is still solid. He shows no signs of weakness—especially not when he’s pounding on Shunsui Kyōraku.
Even if a few thousand years is a stretch, a few hundred more wouldn’t be a problem.
It’s not like he’s at death’s door, unsure if he’ll ever wake up again.
Why does this feel like the end of a story?
He really didn’t want to see that day come.
Was this some kind of ominous farewell? A final will and testament?
Yamamoto shot him a glare and pointed to the side.
Unbothered, Masatsuki scratched his head and made his way to his seat. Other than the unusually strange looks the captains were giving him, nothing felt out of place.
What’s with these guys?
Is there something on my face?
Or did they find the stash of snacks I hid in the meeting room?
Seriously, the Central 46 Compound is so stingy. Saving the world should’ve earned some solid rewards. Anywhere else, he’d be showered with perks.
But here? Just a line in the merit records. Even retirement is left up to their discretion.
Wouldn’t it be more practical to just hand out a cash bonus now?
"Don’t worry. Seireitei won’t forget your achievements. The elders of the Central 46 Compound won’t be stingy—they’ll reward you accordingly."
Yamamoto seemed to have seen right through Masatsuki Aozaki’s thoughts. He raised a hand to stop him from speaking and continued solemnly,
"In this battle with Hell, Captain Aozaki was the key to our victory. Without him, the Three Worlds wouldn’t have made it this far."
Masatsuki was a little surprised, but kept a calm face, only the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Your reward has already been decided by myself and the elders of the 46th Chamber."
Curious, Masatsuki asked,
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