Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō
Chapter 284: Rude

Chapter 284 - 284: Rude

The next moment, Rukia spotted the familiar figure, and the weight in her heart finally lifted. She let out a breath of relief, her entire body relaxing.

"Masatsuki Nii-san..."

Without hesitation, she rushed forward and threw herself into Masatsuki Aozaki's arms.

"What's wrong?"

Masatsuki Aozaki was slightly puzzled by her flustered state.

Still, on instinct, he reached out and caught the small girl, holding her securely. With practiced ease, he ran his fingers through her silky black hair, a gentle smile forming on his lips as he asked softly,

"Did something happen? Are you hungry?"

"No..."

Rukia inhaled the faint scent unique to Masatsuki Aozaki, and her face instantly flushed red, like a ripened apple.

She quickly shut her eyes, trying to hide her embarrassment.

But to this "Nii-san," it seemed she had truly earned a reputation as a little glutton!

"Oh my, it looks like Captain Masatsuki is quite popular with children. That puts me at ease."

A strange voice suddenly interrupted Rukia's thoughts.

Curious, she turned her head.

In her rush to find Masatsuki Aozaki, she had paid no attention to her surroundings. It was only now that she noticed the man standing beside him.

A pale face, strange makeup, and a sinister grin—Rukia's expression twisted in shock.

"Glutinous rice... glutinous rice dumpling monster!"

The words slipped out before she could stop herself.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi: "..."

What is with these rude brats?!

"And who exactly is this girl?"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eye twitched slightly as he glanced at the "ill-mannered" Rukia.

Masatsuki Aozaki raised an eyebrow, holding the startled girl closer.

"Watch your tone, Deputy Director Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Didn't you hear her call me 'Nii-san'?"

His voice carried a hint of warning.

"She is now a member of the Aozaki family. Insulting a high-ranking noble is a serious offense."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi blinked, momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected Masatsuki Aozaki to say that.

As far as he knew, the Aozaki family only had one member—Masatsuki Aozaki himself.

He was aware that Masatsuki Aozaki hailed from the World of the Living, but... could this child be a distant relative from there?

That didn't make sense. Masatsuki Aozaki had been a Shinigami for years. There was no way he would still care about things from the World of the Living.

"Don't overthink it. She's just an ordinary kid I brought back from Rukongai."

Masatsuki Aozaki shot him an impatient glare.

Seeing the look on Mayuri Kurotsuchi's face, he didn't need to guess—this so-called genius was already overanalyzing things again.

Would he really be so kind-hearted?

Mayuri Kurotsuchi narrowed his eyes at him, clearly skeptical.

"Hmph, it's none of my concern. I've delivered the person to you."

"As for this 'Shadow World' you mentioned, I haven't found it yet. I'm heading back for now."

With that, Mayuri Kurotsuchi turned to leave.

"Mayuri-sama... are you leaving?"

A calm voice suddenly reached Rukia's ears.

She instinctively turned her head and saw a young girl standing there, her expression emotionless, her gaze steady and unwavering as she looked at the three of them.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi glanced at his creation and waved a hand dismissively.

"From now on, you'll stay here, Nemu."

"Yes, Mayuri-sama."

Hearing his words, Nemu Kurotsuchi lowered her head slightly in acknowledgment.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi shot her a cold, indifferent glance before shifting his gaze to Masatsuki Aozaki. His tone was casual as he said,

"Captain Masatsuki, Nemu No. 7 is my latest creation."

"My research is still ongoing, and I may need her again. Don't let her become useless too soon."

Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't help but chuckle at Mayuri Kurotsuchi's detached demeanor. He found the situation rather amusing.

Crossing his arms lazily over his chest, he tilted his head and smirked.

"Oh? Could it be that you're actually worried about your 'daughter,' Deputy Director Mayuri Kurotsuchi?"

At those words, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's expression briefly twisted with displeasure and surprise, but he quickly suppressed it.

His voice remained indifferent as he replied,

"Ridiculous. She's merely an experiment. Giving her my surname doesn't make her my daughter."

"If you'd like, you're free to give her a different name."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi sneered, his gaze filled with disdain, his tone as cold as ever.

"I don't have time to waste here. If you want idle chatter, Captain Masatsuki, find someone else."

With that, he turned and left.

Masatsuki Aozaki watched him walk away, the corners of his lips curling slightly into a mischievous smile.

Softly, he murmured,

"Is that so? Then I won't see you off. I'll take good care of Nemu. Take care, Deputy Director Mayuri."

Then, he reached out and gently patted Nemu Kurotsuchi's head, his gaze filled with expectation.

Nemu Kurotsuchi lifted her head, her expression serious as she looked at Masatsuki Aozaki.

"Masatsuki-sama, what do you need me to do?"

Masatsuki Aozaki smiled faintly.

"You don't need to do anything. Just stay by my side, like Rukia—I'll raise you both properly."

With that, he pulled Nemu closer and gently stroked her hair.

In his arms, Rukia's eyes widened in shock.

What?! I only just got here yesterday! I haven't even had time to do anything yet!

And now there's already competition?!

She felt a bit frustrated but was also curious about Masatsuki Aozaki's actions.

First, he took her in. Now, he had brought in another little girl.

...Weren't noble lords known for having strange hobbies?

The more she thought about it, the redder her face became.

Growing up in the chaotic 78th District of Rukongai, she had heard plenty of crude jokes and knew exactly what kind of twisted rumors existed about nobles.

Masatsuki Aozaki held Rukia in one arm while gently patting Nemu's head with the other, lost in thought about the future.

But when he glanced at the two small girls before him, he let out a sigh, his expression turning somewhat helpless.

"Honestly... I really don't have any experience raising kids."

Masatsuki Aozaki exhaled in mild frustration.

Back when he spent time in Rukongai with Gin Ichimaru and Rangiku Matsumoto, it wasn't exactly "child-rearing"—it was just normal interactions between friends.

Besides their appearances, those two had never acted like children.

Now, faced with actual "kids," he wasn't sure what to do.

Ruffling his own hair in mild exasperation, he muttered,

"Oh well. No point overthinking it. I'll figure things out when the time comes."

"And if I really can't handle it, I'll just find Sōjun."

"Byakuya was raised by him—he's got more experience with kids than I do."

Then, turning his attention back to the two little girls, he asked,

"I'm going to make breakfast. You two haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Both of them responded in unison.

"No."

They glanced at each other briefly before quickly looking away.

Rukia narrowed her eyes slightly, as if lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Nemu Kurotsuchi remained indifferent. She only gave Rukia a brief look before returning her attention to Masatsuki Aozaki.

Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled and led the two little girls inside.

After Nemu left the kitchen to help in the dining room, Rukia suddenly leaned against Masatsuki Aozaki, as if all the strength had drained from her body.

Perhaps because he had saved her, she had developed a strong sense of dependence on him.

Earlier, when Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu Kurotsuchi were present, she had restrained herself.

But now that they were alone, she hugged him tightly without hesitation.

"You really are a strange girl..."

Masatsuki Aozaki gently embraced her, gazing at the small girl in his arms with quiet affection.

His eyes met her deep violet ones—within them, it was as if stars were twinkling.

"From now on, you don't have to fear anyone..."

His voice was soft, but then he suddenly paused, as if recalling someone.

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