XX-level Hokage

Mashiro shrugged, a fearless smile on her face: "Come on, I won't be defeated by you so easily." Her tone was relaxed and confident, as if she was ready to face any challenge.

As their eyes met again, a silent game quietly began. This time, they were no longer content with simply chasing each other's shadows. Instead, they began to cleverly utilize every corner of the alley, every stone slab, and even the shadows cast by the occasional clouds and birds in the sky, paving the way for their progress with endless surprises and possibilities.

Saito Immortal, with his keen insight and outstanding reflexes, repeatedly escaped danger, each time leaving everyone in awe. Meanwhile, Mashiro, with her wit and agility, constantly created trouble for Saito Immortal, filling the game with laughter and excitement. The two weaved and leaped through the alleyways, as if performing a silent dance, every movement brimming with power and beauty, captivating the audience.

As time passed, the sun gradually slanted westward, and the light in the alley became soft and warm. The two shadows stretched long in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Shortening and then lengthening, it seems to be telling the story of the passage of time and its beauty.

Just then, Mashiro suddenly stopped and pointed to a corner ahead, saying, "Look, there's a new shadow over there." Her voice was filled with surprise and anticipation, as if she could already see the dawn of victory.

Following Mashiro's finger, Saito, who was neither old nor dead, saw a corner bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. There, a small figure waited quietly for them to arrive. A cunning glint flashed in her eyes, as if she had found an opportunity to retaliate.

"Looks like I'm going to win this round," Mashiro said confidently, a victorious smile spreading across her face. However, Saito Immortal smiled slightly and said, "That's not necessarily true." As she spoke, she suddenly took a step forward, cleverly using a disappearing shadow to instantly shorten the distance between herself and Mashiro.

Seeing this, Mashiro hurriedly stepped back, but accidentally stepped on a loose stone slab, instantly losing her balance. Saito Immortal reacted quickly, grabbing Mashiro's arm and helping her up steadily. The two looked at each other, a hint of surprise and embarrassment flashing in their eyes, but it was quickly replaced by smiles.

"Th-thank you," Mashiro said somewhat shyly, a blush creeping onto her face.

Teng Bulao Bu Si nodded gently and said, "It's alright, let's continue." Her tone was full of gentleness and encouragement, making Zhen Bai feel an unprecedented warmth and strength.

Saito, who was immortal, looked at Mashiro's smiling face and felt a complex mix of emotions.

She initially thought the game was just a small trap set by Mashiro to get closer to her, but she never expected that Mashiro would actually manage to tie the game with her wit and agility.

"Mashiro, you really surprised me," Saito Immortal said calmly, with a hint of barely perceptible admiration in his tone.

"Hehe, Saito-neechan, you flatter me." Mashiro remained all smiles, as if the intense "shadow-stepping game" had been nothing more than a piece of cake for her. "However, you'd better watch out now." Saito, seemingly immortal, suddenly changed the subject, a sharp glint in her eyes. "I won't keep letting you have your way forever."

"Oh? Then I'll be waiting to see." Mashiro raised an eyebrow, seemingly full of anticipation for Saito's challenge of immortality.

The two continued walking forward, and the light in the alley gradually dimmed, with only a few rays of sunlight shining through the gaps in the roof onto the ground.

Mashiro noticed that Saito, who was immortal, seemed very familiar with the environment, and she couldn't help but feel curious. "Saito-neechan, you seem to know this place very well?" Mashiro asked with a light laugh.

"Yes, I used to come here often." Saito, the immortal, nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "There are many interesting places here, and lots of delicious food."

Oh? For example? "Mashiro became interested in Saito's immortal past."

"For example, that old-established dessert shop over there is famous for its red bean dumplings," Saito said, pointing to a small shop not far ahead.

"Red bean dumplings?" Mashiro was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Saito Immortal to mention such a traditional sweet.

“Yes, red bean soup with glutinous rice balls.” Saito, the immortal, smiled. “Mashiro, would you like to try some? It tastes really good.”

Mashiro initially wanted to refuse, as she didn't particularly like sweets, but seeing the expectant look in Saito's eyes, she finally nodded. "Alright, I'll give it a try."

The two entered the small shop, where the owner, an elderly woman over fifty, immediately smiled kindly upon seeing Saito enter. "Saito-chan, it's been a long time!" the old woman greeted warmly.

"Yes, Grandma Sachiko, it's been a long time." Saito Immortal replied with a smile, his expression miraculously becoming peaceful. "I brought a friend here today to try your red bean dumplings."

"Okay, just a moment, it'll be ready soon." The old lady said, turning around to prepare. A short while later, two steaming bowls of red bean soup with glutinous rice balls were served.

Looking at the plump, round glutinous rice balls in the bowl, Zhenbai picked one up and put it in her mouth. The sweet but not greasy red bean paste and the soft and chewy glutinous rice ball skin blended together in her mouth, and the taste was indeed very good.

“Saito-neechan, you’re right, this tastes really good.” Mashiro smiled slightly.

"Hehe, I knew it." Saito, the immortal being, chuckled smugly. "The red bean dumplings here were my favorite when I was a kid." "Looks like you came here quite a bit when you were little," Mashiro said softly.

“Yes, I would come here whenever I had free time back then.” Saito Immortal nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. “I was an orphan when I was a child. I finally escaped from Rukongai to Seireitei, but I had no money and couldn’t afford to eat. Back then, only Aunt Sachiko was willing to let me eat her family’s red bean dumplings for free.”

Looking at Saito's immortality, Mashiro suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable emotion. She realized that although Mashiro was very old, she had experienced a great deal.

But rarely, in a sense, she is still a loveless child pretending to be an adult.

Chapter Thirty-One: Shopping

"Saito-neechan, have you ever thought about what you would do if everything ended one day?" Mashiro asked suddenly after finishing the last dumpling in her bowl.

"Is it all over?" Saito Immortal was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Mashiro to ask such a question.

“Yes, it’s all over. The Gotei 13 has taken control of the entire Soul Society.” Mashiro nodded. “Back then, Captain, what kind of life did you want to live?”

Saito, who was immortal, remained silent for a while, seemingly deep in thought about the question.

"This... I can't answer that." Saito Immortal shook her head slightly. In a sense, she didn't actually know what she wanted to do.

Overthrowing the rule of the four noble families? Establishing a new order for Soul Society? These were merely Saito's thoughts after she became immortal and followed Yamamoto, but she herself was unclear about her own desires.

"And what about you, Mashiro?" Saito, the immortal, looked at Mashiro and asked in return.

“I think I’ll travel,” Mashiro said with a light laugh, seemingly expecting this. “To see different places, to experience different cultures and lifestyles.” “Travel?” Saito, seemingly surprised, asked, “Don’t you like a stable life?”

“A stable life is certainly nice, but I’d rather see the world.” Mashiro smiled. “Besides, travel is also a form of self-cultivation, which can help me become a better person.”

To truly understand oneself.

Saito, who was immortal, nodded; she understood Mashiro's thoughts.

Wasn't she the same? Although she had lived for a long time, her understanding of the world remained limited.

"So, Mashiro, have you thought about what kind of life you'll choose after the trip ends?" Saito the Immortal continued to ask.

“I haven’t thought about that yet.” Mashiro shook her head. “Maybe I’ll find a quiet place and live a simple life, or maybe I’ll continue to look for new goals and keep moving forward.”

This is a lie!

Saito, who was immortal, looked at Mashiro and suddenly felt an impulse. She wanted to tell Mashiro that no matter what kind of life she chose, she would be by her side, accompany her, and support her.

But in the end, she said nothing. She knew it wasn't the right time.

There are still many unsolved mysteries and unresolved emotions between her and Mashiro.

As the two walked out of the dessert shop, it was getting dark, and the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire street in a warm orange-red hue.

The hustle and bustle of the alley gradually faded, replaced by a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. Mashiro and Saito, the immortal one, walked side by side down the street, enjoying this rare moment of leisure. "Saito-neechan, where are we going next?" Mashiro asked as they walked.

"Hmm... let me think, after all, it's a rare time to rest." Saito Immortal frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought. "Oh right, there's a..."

There's a snack street there; there are lots of delicious things to eat. Want to check it out?

"Okay!" Masashi nodded with a smile.

"Then let's go." Saito Immortal smiled slightly and led Mashiro towards the food street. The two quickly arrived at the food street, which was indeed bustling with activity.

The streets were lined with all sorts of food stalls, and the air was filled with tempting aromas. Takoyaki, fried noodles, grilled skewers, fried chicken... the variety of delicious food was dazzling.

"Wow, it's so lively here!" Mashiro looked around excitedly, a strange glint in her eyes. The war had already begun, yet it was still so bustling here.

"The four noble families concealed their defeat, so the people within the Seireitei were almost completely unaware." Saito seemed to sense Mashiro's doubts.

The old man began to explain.

The two walked up to a takoyaki (octopus ball) stand. The owner, a middle-aged man, greeted them warmly, saying, "Ladies, would you like some?"

Takoyaki? Freshly made, it's delicious!

“Okay, two servings, please.” Saito Immortal nodded.

Soon, two steaming hot takoyaki were served.

Mashiro couldn't wait to put one in her mouth. The takoyaki was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The freshness of the octopus and the richness of the sauce blended together in her mouth. The taste was indeed amazing.

"Wow, this is really delicious!" Mashiro couldn't help but exclaim.

"Hehe, I knew it." Saito, the immortal, chuckled smugly. "The takoyaki here is my favorite." The two ate as they continued walking, and soon arrived at a fried noodle stall.

The stall owner, a young man, greeted them warmly upon seeing them: "Ladies, would you like some fried noodles? They're fresh out of the pan and smell delicious!"

"Okay, then two servings will do." Saito, the immortal one, nodded. The fried noodles were served quickly, golden in color and with a fragrant aroma.

Mashiro took a bite; the noodles were chewy, the sauce was rich, and the toppings were plentiful—the taste was indeed fantastic. "Wow, this is delicious too," Mashiro couldn't help but exclaim again.

“Looks like we’re in luck today.” Saito Immortal smiled. “The fried noodles here are also top-notch.” The two chatted as they ate, and before they knew it, they had finished two servings of fried noodles.

After having their fill of food and drink, the two continued to stroll along the food street, admiring the dazzling array of goods and the lively atmosphere of the bustling marketplace.

“Saito-neechan, let’s go take a look over there,” Mashiro suddenly said, pointing to a clothing store ahead. “Okay,” Saito Immortal nodded and led Mashiro toward the clothing store.

This clothing store is not large, but it is decorated in a very distinctive way, with the walls covered with clothes of various styles.

The shop owner, a young woman, greeted them warmly, "Welcome, ladies! What would you like to order?" "Let's take a look around first," Masashi smiled and began browsing the shop.

The store offers a wide variety of clothing, from traditional kimonos to modern fashions.

Mashiro was quickly drawn to a light purple kimono. The kimono was exquisitely made and had an elegant color, which perfectly suited her temperament.

“Saito-neechan, what do you think of this one?” Mashiro held up the kimono in front of her and held it up. “It looks great, it suits you perfectly.” Saito, the immortal one, nodded. “Would you like to try it on?” “Yes, sure.” Mashiro nodded, took the kimono, and went into the fitting room.

A short while later, Mashiro came out wearing a kimono, looking even more elegant and charming.

"Wow, it looks beautiful!" Saito Immortal couldn't help but exclaim. "This kimono really suits you." "Thank you," Mashiro smiled. "I also think it fits me very well."

In the end, Mashiro bought the light purple kimono. After leaving the clothing store, the two continued to stroll around the streets until it was completely dark. "Saito-neechan, we should go back now," Mashiro said, looking at the sky.

“Yes, it’s getting late.” Saito Immortal nodded. “Let’s go back to the Sixth Division barracks.”

The two walked slowly back to the Sixth Division barracks along the street, chatting and sharing their feelings and thoughts. "Saito-neechan, today was really fun," Mashiro said softly. "Thank you for keeping me company."

“I’m happy too.” Saito Immortal smiled. “Being with you is always so relaxing.”

“We can hang out together again in the future,” Mashiro suggested. “Let’s talk about that first; discipline is more important,” Saito Immortal replied.

Back at the Sixth Division barracks, Mashiro and Saito, who were both immortal, returned to their respective rooms. Although their day of fun was over, their hearts were still filled with joy and anticipation.

Lying in bed, Mashiro reflected on everything that had happened that day. "Two o'clock left, almost there...almost there..."

Meanwhile, Saito, who was immortal, was quietly contemplating in his room.

She began to realize that Mashiro was more than just a friend to her; she was someone important. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew she would always protect Mashiro, no matter what. Night fell, and the stars shone brightly.

On this quiet night, both of them were filled with beautiful dreams for the future.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Slaying the Name Without Flesh

As the war between the Quincy and the Shinigami intensified like wildfire, the entire Spirit World was shrouded in gloom. In this turbulent time, the four noble families chose to visit the Spirit King's guardian, the "Eye Monk" Hyosube Ichibei.

Then, this ancient being from a thousand years ago made a decision that shocked the Shinigami and Quincy—he voluntarily stepped out of the gates of Seireitei and embarked on a journey to the Wandenreich to negotiate directly with Yhwach.

Perhaps even the four noble families were unaware that Yhwach and the Guhyasamaja Empire's invasion was actually orchestrated by Hyosube Ichibei in secret. Now, it was time for him to push for the next step.

Hyosube Ichibei, dressed in a simple kimono and holding a seemingly ordinary cane that contained boundless power, steadily traversed the gap between the real world and the virtual world, finally arriving at the core of the invisible empire.

Yhwach had already learned of his arrival and personally greeted him outside the palace, surrounded by numerous Quincy elites; the atmosphere was extremely tense. "Hyōdō Ichibei," Yhwach's voice held a hint of amusement, "you dare come alone, monk, truly commendable courage."

His eyes gleamed with an all-knowing and all-powerful light, as if he had taken in everything about the Hyōju tribe.

Hyosube Ichibei bowed slightly, his gaze sharp, his tone calm yet firm: "Yhwach, I am not here to fight, but to seek peace. The war between the two worlds has dragged on for too long, and innocent lives have been lost in the flames of war. It is time to end all of this."