Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 231: Patriarch

Gotei 13, 8th Division barracks...

Masatsuki Aozaki stood quietly in the distance, gazing at the pristine white building gleaming under the sunlight. It had a solemn, imposing presence, exuding an air of mystery and authority.

As the division responsible for intelligence gathering, its security was exceptionally tight—guards stationed every few steps, watchful eyes monitoring all who passed. Each office entrance was guarded by at least two Shinigami, as if protecting some deep, hidden secret.

Masatsuki Aozaki was a well-known figure here, and his popularity within the 8th Division was remarkable. Not only was he the junior disciple of the division captain, but he also shared a close bond with the Lieutenant. His ties to the 8th Division were so strong that they could almost be called family.

Of course, given that this was an intelligence unit, its members were highly perceptive. They were all well aware of the unspoken connection between Masatsuki Aozaki and their Lieutenant.

Taking his time as usual, Masatsuki Aozaki stretched what should have been a ten-minute walk into a leisurely half-hour stroll.

Along the way, he and Lisa Yadōmaru each held onto a small hand. The girl between them was none other than the 8th Division's cherished treasure—Nanao Ise, the beloved niece of Captain Shunsui Kyōraku. Her adorable presence had a way of brightening everything around her, as if the whole world became a little warmer just by having her there.

The sight of the three together—two adults and one child—gave off the unmistakable warmth of a small, happy family, despite the lack of any actual blood relation.

"We really do feel like a family, don't we?" Masatsuki Aozaki mused, his gaze soft.

"What family... Don't say such misleading things in front of the squad members!"

Lisa Yadōmaru's expression remained neutral, but she instinctively straightened her posture, like a proud swan lifting its head. Only the slight excitement in her voice betrayed the happiness she felt in that moment.

"I'm just stating the truth. Look—little Nanao is nodding, which means she agrees with me!"

Nanao Ise glanced up at him before giving a small nod. "Brother Masatsuki is absolutely right."

Masatsuki Aozaki grinned smugly, nodding in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Lisa Yadōmaru's cool expression twitched slightly—not because she agreed with him, but because the two people closest to her had so effortlessly teamed up to leave her out.

"I was just joking... You okay?" Masatsuki Aozaki asked cautiously.

"Do I seem like the type to get upset over something like this?" Lisa Yadōmaru sighed.

Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head.

After all, he had known this woman for decades—there was no one he understood better.

This was someone who could calmly read the strangest of books in public without the slightest hesitation. Even he had to admit, her composure was something he could never hope to match.

"You really don't know how to handle girls, do you? In moments like this, you should hold me tight, whisper sweet words, and then sweep me off my feet with something so bold I'm left speechless—like pinning me against a wall and..."

Lisa Yadōmaru lectured with a straight face.

Feeling the weight of the squad members' strange stares, Masatsuki Aozaki broke into a cold sweat and quickly clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Enough! There's a kid here!"

"I'm not a kid! In a few more years, I'll be a hundred," Nanao Ise protested, shaking her head vigorously. This time, she couldn't let it slide.

"You look so small, yet you're way older than me... Wait, that's not the point!"

Masatsuki Aozaki looked thoroughly flustered.

He could already picture how the squad members saw him—a shady older man luring an innocent girl. He wouldn't be surprised if the 10th Division was already gearing up to haul him off in chains. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

And knowing his dear brother-in-law, he was sure to receive special treatment.

"Come back to me when you're a hundred and twenty."

"A hundred and twenty... Does that mean I'll be like you guys by then?" Nanao wondered aloud.

"That depends. Some people are almost two hundred and still look like kids," Masatsuki Aozaki shrugged.

Lisa Yadōmaru, watching this exchange, finally felt a bit reassured. At least this guy had some boundaries—a hundred was still too young, after all.

"I've even seen people who still look like kids at three hundred," she added. "Some people mature early, some late. It's all normal. Don't worry about it, Nanao."

Hearing this, Nanao Ise's face twisted like she had just swallowed that three-hundred-year-old child whole.

"Actually, I think you've been growing pretty fast these past few years, Nanao."

Noticing the shift in her mood, Masatsuki Aozaki quickly tried to comfort her.

Nanao puffed her cheeks. "But you're younger than me."

"Well, I'm a special case. I've looked like this ever since I arrived in the Soul Society." He reached out and gently pinched her cheek.

Nanao lowered her head, not resisting.

She was used to this—Masatsuki Aozaki had always said she was too cute not to pinch. She actually liked it, just as she enjoyed when he patted her head. It was a small, reassuring gesture, and sometimes, when she felt overwhelmed, she would act out on purpose just to get him to do it.

And Masatsuki always played along, pinching her cheek with a warm smile, making it even harder for her to look him in the eye.

"Honestly, growing up isn't all that great. There's just more stuff to worry about," Masatsuki sighed, taking Nanao's small hand and crouching down so she could see his face clearly.

She glanced around, avoiding his gaze.

"Really?" She found it hard to believe. To her, this man didn't seem like he had any worries. He was carefree, living his days with an enviable ease.

"I get tired too, you know. There's a lot I have to deal with."

Masatsuki pouted, pulling a face like a sulky child.

"A lot of people depend on me, and I depend on them too. I carry them in my heart, and they carry me in theirs. I can't just ignore that..."

"Oi! What the hell are you telling our adorable little squad member, you damn idiot?"

Before Masatsuki could react, a large, powerful hand clamped down on his head like an iron vice.

At the same time, a lazy, drawling voice reached his ears.

"You wanna talk about grown-up problems? Keep it to grown-ups. She's still a kid—what are you filling her head with all this for?"

Masatsuki Aozaki stiffened.

That voice belonged not just to his senpai but—potentially—to his future uncle.

Being caught doting on the man's niece was one thing. Being caught this closely was something else entirely. Anyone in his position would feel like a nervous wreck meeting the in-laws.

But then he remembered—Nanao herself didn't even know about this familial connection.

So really, why the hell should he treat this guy like an uncle?

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake