Bleach: Starting From Joining Squad 6

"Where are you two heading?"

"Generally speaking, even if a newly enlisted soul reaper holds a seated officer rank, they're not given any assignments on their first day."

Yoruichi's curious gaze landed on the two of them—Nagasawa Masaru and Kuchiki Byakuya. She didn't seem to care that she hadn't even met Masaru before this, greeting him with a striking sense of casual familiarity.

Masaru responded with a meaningful glance that barely lasted a tenth of a second before he shrugged, replying as if they were old friends.

"Captain Kuchiki told us that Head Captain Yamamoto wants me and Little Bro Byakuya to head over to Squad 12. Apparently, someone there is waiting for us."

"We were just on our way when you showed up to say hello."

Masaru wasn't some clueless rookie.

Being appointed as Squad 6's Third Seat was already a big deal. After all, the pay and benefits of a Third Seat were on a whole different level than those of an ordinary squad member.

If slacking off as a basic soul reaper was considered minor payroll theft, then slacking off as a Third Seat was highway robbery.

But who'd complain about too much money?

Still, assigning him to work under Kuchiki Sōjun while also placing Byakuya, whose strength could easily qualify him for the Fourth Seat, under his supervision? That felt just a bit too deliberate.

And now, on his way to Squad 12, a complete stranger like Shihōin Yoruichi just so happened to "bump into" him and strike up a conversation?

Yeah, no way was the Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force and Captain of Squad 2 this idle.

Unless he was overthinking things, Masaru was pretty sure this was all arranged by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

Honestly, he didn't really mind. If he were in Yamamoto's position, he'd probably do the same.

What caught him off guard was how, before he could finish analyzing the situation in his head, Yoruichi suddenly clapped her fist into her palm and said with a look of realization:

"Ohh, so that's what this is about. Old Man Yama told me to tag along with you, but he didn't say what for. Guess I had no choice but to come and ask you directly."

"..."

Masaru: "???"

Was that a fastball straight to the face?

Cards on the table already?

So you're done pretending?

Yoruichi's blunt honesty startled Byakuya, who had been leading the way while sneakily listening in. He stumbled a step.

Barely regaining his balance, a vein popped on Byakuya's forehead as he snapped at her without holding back.

"Hey, you damn cat demon! Do you even understand what it means to be the head of the Stealth Force?"

"Is it really okay to just blurt out the mission to its target?"

Hey! I'm the mission target, standing right here. Could you at least spare a thought for my feelings?

Watching the two of them bicker while totally ignoring his existence, Masaru's mouth twitched ever so slightly.

Byakuya must've finally remembered that Masaru was there, because he abruptly stopped yelling at Yoruichi. Without turning his head, he offered Masaru a handsome view of the back of his head and coldly declared:

"Just so we're clear, I don't particularly like you. But as the heir of the Kuchiki Clan, I would never stoop to something as disgraceful as spying on someone."

"I don't care why you joined the Gotei 13, but you'd better not give me a reason to expose your true motives. Otherwise, I'll make sure you understand what happens to traitors."

Listening to that frosty warning laced with adolescent drama, Masaru found it really hard to connect this kid to the future cool, aloof Byakuya he knew.

Maybe that's just how growth works.

Trying to lighten the suddenly tense mood, Yoruichi shook her head and adopted the tone of a doting elder.

"Sorry about that, Masaru-kun. I spoiled Byakuya rotten when he was little, so please don't take it personally. He's actually a good kid, just has a bit of a temper."

"If he could just work on that, I'm sure he'll grow into someone truly exceptional."

Naturally, her words ignited Byakuya's temper again. The fire that had just barely been put out flared right back up.

"Damn cat demon! Who gave you the right to apologize for me?"

"Looks like I'll have to give you a firsthand demonstration that I've long surpassed you in strength!"

Watching the two of them squabble, Masaru somehow felt… oddly at ease. He even had the energy to make a joke.

"Relax, relax. With the right pay, I'll even take on the Four Emperors."

"I'm just looking for a high-paying job to retire early. But Captain Yoruichi, are you really not worried about getting in trouble with Head Captain Yamamoto for just revealing your mission like that?"

Though she didn't understand what this "Four Emperors" thing meant, Yoruichi kept nimbly dodging Byakuya's attacks and waved her hand nonchalantly.

"Old Man Yama did tell me to follow you, but he also said I should use my own judgment to decide whether you're friend or foe. If anything, I should be thanking you."

"Thanking me?" Masaru blinked, confused.

"Yup. I heard from Ōmaeda that during your fight, you just knocked him out with your spiritual pressure and didn't actually injure him."

"That guy was totally shaken when he came to. He even told me that, for a moment, he thought he was going to die right then and there. Said he saw the word 'death' flash before his eyes. What a drama queen."

"If you hadn't held back, I'd have had to take back the work I finally managed to ditch. So, shouldn't I thank you for that?"

Masaru went speechless. Wait, Ōmaeda plays Sekiro too?

No, that's not the point. What kind of professional freeloader talks about shirking responsibilities so righteously?

He really ought to take notes from Yoruichi.

The three of them were exceptionally skilled in Shunpo. Even while bantering and goofing around, it didn't take them long to reach the Squad 12 barracks.

Masaru scratched his head as he looked up at the compound—technically called Squad 12, but in truth the headquarters of the Department of Research and Development.

So, what exactly did Yamamoto want him to do here?

"About time, baldy!"

Just as he was about to tell his "vice-captain" Byakuya to knock on the gate, a loud and impatient yet youthful voice rang out from atop the wall.

"Ba... baldy?"

Masaru twitched slightly.

Japanese insults really are weird…

He looked up to see a small-framed, blonde girl, no older than thirteen or fourteen with twin pigtails and a shihakushō, crouching atop the Squad 12 wall with a thoroughly annoyed look.

Before he could say anything, the feisty little blonde threw out one final line and turned to walk off without so much as a backward glance.

"Enough talk. Follow me. I've been waiting forever."

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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter