With the instructor's approval, Masatsuki left the examination grounds and made his way toward the crowd.
Halfway there, a sudden commotion broke out.
A group of nobles and commoners had formed a defensive line, dozens of them gathered closely together.
"Useless trash! You can't even handle something this simple?!"
A furious voice rang out from within the crowd, followed by the sharp crack of a slap.
One by one, trembling students in the front row began kneeling, their faces gradually turning pale.
Then, a figure clad in noble attire, a Zanpakutō resting at her waist, strutted out with arrogant confidence. The wave of kneeling students spread outward in eerie silence.
Asaka Tsunayashiro was furious.
She had been eager to represent her family in crushing a rebellious vassal, only for these incompetent fools to disgrace her.
What infuriated her even more was that a mere lowborn had dared to defy the Tsunayashiro Clan, and yet the people around her could do nothing but tremble in fear!
If not for the fact that her personal attendants were barred from participating in the Konsō internship, these Rukongai-born mongrels wouldn't even deserve the privilege of kneeling before her.
This was the most humiliating moment of her life.
"Disgraceful…"
Clenching her teeth, her dark green hair swayed as she spat out her frustration.
Her gaze shifted to two students dressed in Shin'ō Academy uniforms—her strongest servants.
"Out of my way! Don't block my path!"
Irritated, she kicked aside a kneeling student in front of her, then looked up to see a young man with delicate features walking toward her.
"Lady Asaka, I am Tetsuya Sugikami of the Sugikami family. By my father's orders, I am here to ensure your safety."
Tetsuya approached, knelt on one knee, and greeted her with an ingratiating smile.
Asaka barely spared him a glance before scoffing in contempt.
"Hmph, a lowly noble I've never even heard of."
"Why is it just a mere Seated Officer? Where are the rest of the Sugikami family?"
Tetsuya clenched his fists but quickly released them, keeping his voice steady.
"I am the only one of my generation attending Shin'ō Academy. From now until the end of the Konsō internship, we will protect you together."
"Tch… I don't expect much from a bunch of sniveling weaklings. Whatever. The Konsō internship won't last long, so I'll tolerate it for now."
She spoke carelessly, completely ignoring the sour expressions of those around her.
To her, these cowards who quaked at the mere sight of Masatsuki weren't worth a second glance.
Her gaze wandered until it landed on someone else—and in that instant, her eyes gleamed.
The greed and hunger in her expression made Gin Ichimaru instinctively frown. Uncomfortable, he took a step back.
"Well, well… this one's quite the looker."
Asaka ran her eyes up and down Gin, her gaze invasive and appraising.
Rangiku Matsumoto's expression turned odd.
Gin's face stiffened, and he unconsciously took another step back.
He had heard plenty of rumors about nobles who kept up a refined façade while indulging in all manner of depravity behind closed doors.
If she had really set her sights on him…
"Such a shame you're still so young. It'll be years before you grow up, and I don't have that kind of patience… I prefer strong, powerful men."
Asaka Tsunayashiro's gaze shifted away from Gin Ichimaru, landing on the figure behind him. A flush of excitement spread across her delicate features.
Her eyes burned with greed and possessiveness—an obsession so twisted it was almost incomprehensible.
Like a spoiled child laying eyes on a new toy they had never seen before, her expression gleamed with unchecked desire.
Rangiku stiffened, her body tensing before her teeth clenched in barely restrained anger.
"Who are you?" Asaka propped her chin in one hand, her breathing slightly uneven.
A large hand came to rest on Rangiku's head, ruffling her hair in a calming gesture.
He gently pulled her behind him before stepping forward, approaching the smirking woman at an unhurried pace.
His tall frame blocked out the sunlight, casting a looming shadow over Asaka. Looking down at the so-called noble lady, he smiled.
"Shin'ō Academy student, Masatsuki Aozaki. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Tsunayashiro."
The deep, magnetic tone of his voice carried through the silent training grounds.
"…Masatsuki Aozaki?"
Asaka was momentarily taken aback, then let out a laugh.
"So, you're the lowborn who dared to provoke the Tsunayashiro Clan?"
She paused briefly before continuing in the same amused tone.
"I must say, I didn't expect you to look like this. Not bad. But why choose to make enemies of us?"
Masatsuki chuckled, the curve of his lips making him appear almost like an easygoing, cheerful young man.
"No, Lady Asaka, I never intended to be your enemy."
"I simply wanted to earn a good score and avoid disgracing Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Asaka blinked in surprise before a pleased smile spread across her face.
"Well said! As expected of the Captain-Commander's disciple—completely different from these pathetic weaklings."
Masatsuki's smile remained, but there was no warmth in it.
"The Gotei 13 exists to protect Seireitei. I will soon be joining their ranks, and serving the nobility is both my duty and responsibility."
Rangiku and Gin exchanged bewildered glances, utterly baffled by his words.
They knew Masatsuki well enough to understand he wasn't the type to lower his head so easily. If he were, he wouldn't have caused such a mess in the first place.
And yet, judging by his tone, he was clearly up to something.
Masatsuki took a step closer, leaning in slightly as he spoke in a quiet voice.
"Lady Asaka, with your status and position, there's really no need to concern yourself with someone like me, is there?"
"You may have heard of me before. If you don't mind, I'd like to offer you a small gift—as a token of goodwill."
Asaka's eyes narrowed as she accepted the slip of paper from his hand.
Upon reading it, a satisfied smirk curled her lips.
"Hmmm…"
She carefully tucked the note away before locking her greedy gaze onto him once more, her laughter carrying a seductive lilt.
"Very good. I'll be waiting for you."
"With your talent, joining the Gotei 13 would be a waste."
"Wouldn't it be far better to marry into the Tsunayashiro Clan and become a noble instead?"
A collective gasp rippled through the gathered students. Disbelieving glances were exchanged, as if they weren't sure they had heard correctly.
Rangiku, listening from a short distance away, furrowed her brows, her chest rising and falling with restrained anger.
Masatsuki simply smiled and shook his head.
"You must be joking, Lady Asaka."
Asaka nodded in response.
"You still have time to think it over. The Tsunayashiro Clan is always generous when it comes to geniuses."
With that, she turned and walked away without a second glance, the students trailing behind her, too afraid to even breathe loudly.
As he watched her leave, the smile on Masatsuki's face slowly faded.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake