CHAPTER 450: CHAPTER 450: WHAT KIND OF INDECENT DISH IS THIS?

The Central 46 Compound held an exalted position within Seireitei. From the Judges to the Wise Men, not a single one of them was simple—and replacing them quietly wasn’t something easily done.

He wasn’t Sōsuke Aizen. He couldn’t treat the Central 46 like his personal backyard.

But then again, his goal had never been to rule Seireitei, and trying to control it this way was unrealistic anyway.

Even just slightly influencing the Central 46’s decisions would be enough to cause serious trouble for the Gotei 13.

And now that the opportunity was right in front of him, he had to take another bite out of these people.

Kagerōza Inaba looked at the head of the household and nodded.

"It’s possible. But you’ll need to give me more materials. I’m running out of what I need to make Reigai."

Ganryū Ryōdoji agreed to the request without hesitation.

And just like that, the two proposals were "happily" passed.

Without waiting for Ganryū to formally end the meeting, Kagerōza Inaba got up and left.

He walked quickly, his mind preoccupied with complex scientific experiments.

Despite constantly addressing the clan head with honorifics like "-sama," their relationship was technically a partnership—he didn’t need to obey Ryōdoji’s every command.

...

"Kagerōza-sama, please wait a moment."

Just as he left the meeting room, the female vassal who had been seated beside Ganryū called out to him.

He turned around with visible annoyance.

He frowned.

"What is it?"

"If I remember correctly, Kagerōza-sama is also looking for something, isn’t that right?" the female vassal said with a smile.

"Hah. The Ryōdoji Family can’t offer any real help when it counts, but sure do keep a close eye on their allies. What I do has nothing to do with you."

Kagerōza Inaba’s tone dripped with disdain. He crossed his arms, staring at her coldly.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to say that we, the Ryōdoji Family, can also help you search for what you’re looking for, Kagerōza-sama."

The vassal placed her crossed hands on her abdomen. Her tone gradually turned serious.

"As allies, it’s our duty, isn’t it?"

She fixed her sharp gaze on Kagerōza Inaba, as if she could see right through his thoughts.

Kagerōza said nothing, but turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of Ganryū Ryōdoji inside the room.

The young head of the Ryōdoji Family was sitting silently, watching him without a word.

His eyes were cold and deep—completely unreadable.

They were all schemers. A lack of trust was only natural.

Their cooperation was entangled in personal gain and power struggles.

Kagerōza didn’t know what others were planning—but he himself was constantly calculating how to gain more from it.

"Then I’ll leave it to you. My Reigai will be delivered tomorrow."

He suddenly spoke, placing special emphasis on the latter half of the sentence.

There was a hint of threat in his tone—an unspoken warning to the Ryōdoji Family not to break their promise lightly.

"Very well, then we’ll be counting on you, Kagerōza-sama. Please wait in your lab for our good news."

The female vassal acted as if she hadn’t noticed the shift in his tone. She remained polite and firm.

She smiled as she replied, as if everything was proceeding exactly as planned.

But Kagerōza knew all too well—the Ryōdoji Family’s goals didn’t fully align with his own.

He sought revenge against Seireitei for their injustice toward him. The Ryōdoji Family wanted vengeance too—but they were even willing to destroy both realms to achieve it.

That difference made their partnership delicate, with suspicion and caution only growing deeper on both sides.

In a relationship mired in schemes and power plays, no one could predict how things would end.

Kagerōza Inaba narrowed his eyes.

Destroying both realms wasn’t his goal—for now.

But this wasn’t the time to burn bridges.

"I see. Those white things have been watching me, haven’t they?"

"Please forgive us. It’s for your safety as well."

The vassal’s voice faded into the shadows, her airy tone lingering in the air.

...

Masatsuki Aozaki strolled leisurely through the brightly lit room.

Because of his encounter with the two girls tied to the fate of the world, his return to the Soul Society had been delayed once again.

This was his usual post-meal walk.

He had stayed here for so long that even the girl lying in bed had likely become unconsciously accustomed to his scent.

The girl’s long, beautiful eyelashes trembled slightly as her eyes slowly opened in a daze.

What appeared before her wasn’t a dark laboratory or bubbling nutrient fluid—but an unfamiliar ceiling.

"Where... am I...?"

She blinked repeatedly, as if still unaccustomed to the dazzling sunlight pouring in through the window.

"You’re with me, so there’s nothing to worry about."

Masatsuki Aozaki gently stroked her hair.

Mm, truly adorable.

With shameless satisfaction, Masatsuki curled his lips into a smile, then sat down beside the bed, which was faintly scented with the girl’s fragrance, to rest for a bit.

As the man’s figure came into focus, the girl suddenly turned pale with fright and bolted upright.

Like a startled rabbit, she backed into a corner, clutching her chest with one hand and yanking the quilt up with the other to cover herself.

Wait—no!

She froze for a moment, then suddenly realized something. Lifting the quilt slightly, she peeked down at her body.

Thankfully, she was still dressed.

And... nothing else seemed out of place.

"Masaki’s junior high uniform. My favorite. Sadly, she can’t wear it anymore—but it fits you quite well. You look lovely in it!"

Masatsuki nodded, offering his "sincere" praise.

Hearing that, the girl let out a breath of relief.

"So it’s Masaki’s clothing..."

Then her expression froze.

Wait a second!!

Who the hell is Masaki!?

And this man...

This uniform—wasn’t it put on her by that girl named Masaki? There’s no way it was this guy who dressed her, right?

Looking down at the school uniform she was wearing, her thoughts spiraled into chaos. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t calm herself down.

"That’s right. I changed your clothes. Don’t worry, no one else saw you."

As if reading her mind, Masatsuki Aozaki offered a reassuring smile.

Idiot—how is that supposed to be comforting!?

Nozomi Kujō’s eyes widened. She was at a loss for words in the face of such shamelessness.

But soon, her anger gave way to surprise.

Was that... a Shihakushō and a Haori?

Could this man be a captain of the Gotei 13!?

No—don’t jump to conclusions. He might just be a fake created by Kagerōza Inaba.

Seeing her remain silent, Masatsuki picked up a bowl from the table and scooped a spoonful of colorful food toward her lips.

"You must be hungry. Here—this is rainbow porridge, a new recipe I just learned. Super nutritious, and ridiculously tasty."

The aroma hit her nose. She twitched slightly and her stomach let out a soft gurgle.

One bite probably wouldn’t hurt, and if he had wanted to harm her, he wouldn’t have waited until now.

With a "let’s just try it" attitude, she gave in and took a small bite—only to discover he wasn’t lying...

"Yaaaahhh! Y-you... what the hell is this thing you fed me!?"

"I told you, it’s rainbow porridge. Isn’t it good?"

Masatsuki Aozaki asked as he picked up a stray strip of cloth, watching the girl’s uniform burst apart like petals scattered by the wind.

The girl clutched the quilt with one hand and pointed at him with the other, shouting,

"It tastes good, sure—but you didn’t say it would do THIS!"

It made her clothes explode—what kind of indecent dish was this!?

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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