"Whoa! So this is a Tenshintai?"
"It's just a prototype," Kisuke Urahara replied, holding an unusual-looking doll in his arms as he answered Masatsuki Aozaki's question.
They were in the secret training ground beneath Sōkyoku Hill.
The doll Urahara had brought was a special spiritual tool called a Tenshintai—an instrument designed to forcibly manifest a Zanpakutō's spirit by piercing it with the blade.
"This prototype can only maintain materialization for about half an hour. I'm planning to develop a completed version that should extend the duration to around three days."
"A Tenshintai can only be used a limited number of times, but there will always be some restrictions."
Urahara spoke in a relaxed tone as he carefully placed the Tenshintai on the high platform in front of him.
"This particular Tenshintai was developed using data from Benihime. I've already tested it once."
"Now, Masatsuki, let's try manifesting Banshō Senran and see if we can actually perceive it…"
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded and stepped forward. The moment he did, the Tenshintai began to change.
"Huh?"
Even Urahara was caught off guard by the reaction.
Masatsuki hadn't even unsheathed his Zanpakutō, let alone pierced the Tenshintai with it—yet the Tenshintai was already stirring. Slowly, flesh and skin began forming over the doll's frame, reshaping it into the figure of a human.
A moment later, the Tenshintai transformed into a woman dressed in a revealing outfit, her eyes covered by a black leather strap.
"Hee hee! Hahaha! Wow~ It's Masatsuki-chan! I've been dying to see you!"
"Did you feel lonely? Hey, hey, hey, were you lonely? Or were you too busy getting all cozy with Yoruichi and just left me behind? Hee hee hahaha!"
Yoruichi, watching the woman whose pale skin peeked through the folds of her all-white kimono, turned to Masatsuki and said,
"…This is my first time seeing Banshō Senran, but your inner world is… wow. Honestly, it's too much. A paradise I'd rather not look at."
"That's not true! My Banshō Senran isn't this kind of woman! And there should be two of them!"
Masatsuki Aozaki frantically shook his head and waved his hands in denial.
Banshō Senran was supposed to be a pair of stunningly beautiful sisters. This woman was undeniably attractive, but she wasn't them.
And if he had to choose between two breathtaking women and just one… well, he already knew his answer.
"...Wait a second. Who are you? And how do you know my name?"
Masatsuki snapped out of his shock and took a step back, though he already had a feeling what the answer was.
At that moment, for some reason, the woman suddenly latched onto Yoruichi, pressing herself close as she purred,
"Hee hee! My name is Urozakuro! This may be our first time meeting, but I already know everything about you! Hee hee hahaha!"
The woman who called herself Urozakuro giggled uncontrollably, as if laughing at some joke only she understood.
She laughed for a moment, then suddenly lowered her voice and said something that made Yoruichi and Kisuke unable to sit still.
"I'm the Zanpakutō of Kenpachi Azashiro, who's currently imprisoned in Muken (Central Great Underground Prison)! Pleased to meet you!"
Masatsuki Aozaki clapped his hands, his expression lighting up as if he'd just had a revelation.
Looking at the stunning woman in front of him, he habitually reached out his hand in greeting. "Pleased to meet you, Urozakuro-san. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Heeheehee! Has Masatsuki-chan fallen for me? I like you too! Didn't Kisuke say this thing only lasts for half a quarter of an hour? Then let's not waste time—let's get started."
"My apologies, Urozakuro-san."
Masatsuki Aozaki stepped forward with a firm gaze. He knew this was a dangerous Zanpakutō, and to prevent any potential danger, he had already resolved to hold her off for the full duration.
"You! Get a grip!"
Yoruichi Shihōin, clearly annoyed, grabbed Masatsuki Aozaki by the back of his collar. No matter how much he struggled, it was futile.
No wonder this woman was dressed so provocatively—these two were truly a perfect match!
"What a shame, Masatsuki. Next time, I'll invite you alone to test the Tenshintai."
Kisuke Urahara covered his eyes with both hands, peeking through his fingers as he smirked mischievously.
"I'll leave it to you, Kisuke," Masatsuki Aozaki said solemnly.
Watching these two acting in sync, Yoruichi Shihōin felt her anger flare. The corner of her mouth twitched.
Then, with two loud "thuds," both of them suddenly sported large lumps on their heads.
...
"I see. The ability to fuse with all matter and living beings, to assimilate and control them, and to extend its reach across all of Seireitei... That's quite the power," Masatsuki Aozaki said, nodding.
"Right? Right? Little Masatsuki wants me too, doesn't he? I can give you my power—go ahead, use me however you like! I can even merge the inner world with the outer world. Once you have my power, we can always be together!"
As she spoke, Urozakuro suddenly turned her head, looking at the empty air as if speaking to someone unseen.
"Heeheehee! What are you eavesdropping for? What's the matter now? Are you jealous? Well, that's what you get for locking yourself away in Muken! Now you can only watch, completely powerless!"
While Yoruichi Shihōin was still puzzled, Kisuke Urahara had already pieced things together.
Masatsuki Aozaki clapped his hands, ignoring the latter half of Urozakuro's ramblings, and responded, "Oh? So you've figured me out? Then hand over your power!"
Hearing Masatsuki Aozaki speak so casually, Kisuke Urahara furrowed his brows and gave his assessment.
"In other words, due to the seal in Muken that weakens Zanpakutō, he can now observe Seireitei but is unable to interfere with the fusion process?"
"Heeheehee! As expected of Kisuke-chan—so smart! Just a few words, and you've already grasped his situation."
Urozakuro giggled, speaking to herself.
"You really are too much, telling me to get lost! Serves you right for being powerless, forced to just sit there and watch. Isn't this exactly what you hate most—'meaningless effort'? But, oh well, I forgive you! Because I love 'meaningless effort' the most!"
Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't see Kenpachi Azashiro's expression, but he could easily imagine how furious he must be.
And honestly, it was understandable. This woman was a real beauty, but she talked way too much—constantly running her mouth about everything.
Not to mention, in Kenpachi Azashiro's eyes, Urozakuro looked exactly like his sister. That alone was enough to kill any charm she might have had.
If Masatsuki Aozaki hadn't mentally prepared himself beforehand—and if he weren't exceptionally patient with pretty women—he might've been irritated too.
Yoruichi Shihōin asked, "So, why are you telling us all this? What's your goal?"
Urozakuro licked her lips and grinned. "I want to make that man feel threatened. That's what I enjoy the most..."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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