XX-level Hokage

"But Saito, you'll be disappointed. I'm different. I love you, Saito. To die together would be the most beautiful thing for me," Mashiro said seriously, looking into Saito's ageless, pale purple eyes.

Upon hearing this, Saito Immortal was once again somewhat at a loss.

She hadn't felt lost in centuries, but today, in less than an hour, she had felt lost four times.

Of course, there are reasons why Saito would feel bewildered by his immortality.

Unlike the human world, Shinigami do not have many emotional needs. Therefore, the probability of Shinigami falling in love is very small. So, once two Shinigami fall in love, they will not care whether they are the same gender. In other words, same-sex love is as common as opposite-sex love in Soul Society.

Furthermore, due to the differences in emotions between male and female Grim Reapers, male Grim Reapers are less likely to be interested in love, thus, romantic relationships between female Grim Reapers are more frequent.

In Saito's immortal understanding, Mashiro's words were tantamount to a confession, but surprisingly, she didn't feel any rejection. Mashiro wasn't surprised by Saito's immortal reaction.

The suspension bridge effect refers to the phenomenon where a person's heart rate involuntarily increases when crossing a dangerous place, such as a swaying suspension bridge. If they encounter another person at this time, they may mistake this physiological reaction caused by the scene for a signal of attraction and thus develop feelings for that person. According to the two-factor theory of emotion, two factors are indispensable for a specific emotion: first, the individual must achieve a high level of physiological arousal, such as sweaty palms and an accelerated heart rate; second, the individual must be cognitively aroused by the physiological changes.

Hyuga Mashiro's mastery of the suspension bridge effect was almost superb. Back in the Uchiha Zero era, she used the suspension bridge effect to take down several female ninjas.

As a copy of Hinata Mashiro, Mashiro is the same.

Now, she and Saito Immortal are on the verge of death, and Saito Immortal has just experienced a major emotional shift because of her. This is the perfect time for the suspension bridge effect to take effect.

"I...I..." For a moment, Saito Immortal was at a loss for words. "You're so cute, Saito." With a soft laugh, Mashiro reached out and stroked Saito Immortal's face. It was so soft and bouncy.

Then, Mashiro's hand went all the way to Saito's immortal eye patch and gently pulled it off.

Just as Mashiro had expected, beneath Saito's immortal eyepatch, a pale purple eye filled with panic still shone. "Saito, you are indeed as beautiful as I imagined," Mashiro whispered, kissing Saito's immortal eye. Immediately, Saito's cheeks flushed crimson.

[Saito Immortality Favorability +10]

Saito is immortal and wears an eye patch to suppress her spiritual power, but because of her domineering nature, it doesn't really matter whether she wears it or not lately. However, she still wears it out of habit.

"So it seems you two really are that kind of relationship. No wonder, I was wondering who would risk their life to come and save you. Your Gotei 13 is clearly..."

"It should be an assassin organization, but it doesn't matter. This gravity field is about to collapse. Don't worry, I'll send you both to hell soon." At this moment, Bal, who had been eating dog food for a while, said in unison.

After hearing Balmer's words, Saito Immortal, unusually, did not retort. This was partly because Mashiro had made her somewhat irritated, and partly because Saito Immortal herself thought so too.

Looks like I'm going to die here again today. But it's not so bad, the way I envisioned my death was being killed by a Hollow alone.

They should have died, and then their entire families should have perished. But now it seems that the two of them weren't so bad after all.

"Mashiro, although I know nothing about relationships, I admire your courage. If... never mind..." Faced with death, Fujiwara, the immortal and immortal, ultimately chose to accept the thoughts deep within her heart.

Unlike Saito, who was immortal and had resigned himself to his fate, Mashiro wasn't worried at all. She knew perfectly well that reinforcements were on their way. Of course, the Crimson Royal Authority had to be maintained until the reinforcements arrived.

Although it sounds easy, maintaining such a forbidden technique is still a huge burden for Mashiro.

The loss of blood and life force caused Mashiro to gradually become dizzy and hallucinate. Her body moved faster and faster, and she became weaker and weaker. She could no longer even hold onto Saito's immortal hand.

Saito, who was immortal, also noticed this. She hugged Mashiro tightly from behind and suddenly laughed. Her laughter was pure and innocent, without arrogance or pretension, only a sense of calm.

"Zhenzi, you don't need to insist anymore, this is fine."

Faced with Saito's words about being immortal, Mashiro could only weakly reply, "Don't worry, as I said, I'm here to take you away."

Just as Mashiro finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps approached.

"Look, reinforcements have arrived." Masashi said with a smile as he looked back.

Chapter 18: Support Team

Mashiro was playing with her own life, so when planning this "hero saves the damsel in distress" scheme, she made sure to have a way to leave safely after the plan was completed.

First, before the Sixth Division set off, Mashiro briefly controlled a member of the Fourth Division using "Hive," instructing him to tell Shishima Chigiri, who was preparing to meet the Sixth Division, about the possibility of the Sixth Division being ambushed, one day after the Sixth Division left.

Upon learning of this, Shijima Chigiri informed Yamamoto, who, without hesitation, immediately dispatched the Third Division Captain, Ienhara Kinroku, to lead the Third Division to provide support.

As a result, the Fourth Division, which was originally scheduled to depart a day after the Sixth Division left, will be replaced by the Third Division.

Furthermore, on the way forward, Mashiro deliberately found a reason to have the Sixth Division rest overnight in the White Bone Mountains. Considering the two-plus hours spent fighting Baal and the one-plus hours that Saito, who was immortal, spent hunting Hollows after the battle, the Third Division was at most an hour away from the White Bone Mountains.

This is also why Mashiro is not worried about danger at all. She is very confident in the duration of her "Crimson Kingship," which can last for up to two hours, more than enough.

Just as Mashiro had predicted, an hour after Mashiro secretly followed Saito Immortal away, the Third Division arrived at the White Bone Mountain Range and met the Sixth Division, who were waiting for the Fourth Division to meet them there.

Clearly, the members of the Sixth Division were quite surprised by the arrival of the Third Division. After all, according to the division of responsibilities among the Gotei 13, the Fourth Division, as the medical team, had no combat capabilities and was therefore specifically responsible for supporting and treating other divisions that had completed their missions. However, the Third Division was different; it was the support team among the Gotei 13, specifically responsible for supporting other divisions that encountered danger while carrying out their missions.

After inquiring about the situation, Yan Yuanjinle decisively led the members of the Third Division towards the direction where Saito, the immortal, was hunting down a Hollow. This allowed them to arrive in time.

“He really is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Saito.” Yan Yuanjin said, looking at Saito, who was embracing Mashiro not far away, seemingly immortal.

"I was just tricked. As for you, shouldn't it be that guy Shijima?" Saito Immortal relaxed upon seeing Yan Yuan Jinle, and his arrogance returned.

“If it were Shimura who came, I’d probably have to take care of both of you by myself,” Yan Yuanjinle said, then looked at Balmo, who was lying on the ground not far away.

He was about to take a step forward when Mashiro stopped him. "Wait a minute, Captain Yan Yuan, let me release my Shikai first."

After hearing Mashiro's words, Yan Yuanjinle turned his gaze to Mashiro, then glanced at Balmo, who was being crushed to the ground not far away, and even at the several dead Kirian.

"Is this the new member that Lord Yamamoto mentioned to me before? He's quite capable," Yan Yuanjinle said.

“Of course.” Saito, the immortal being, said with a smug smile. “Just a trick.” With that, Mashiro released the Crimson King’s Power.

In an instant, Balmer, who had been pinned to the ground, was lifted into the air and fled into the distance.

"You go back first, I'll take care of this guy." With that, Yan Yuan Jinle drew his Zanpakuto and led the members of the Third Division to chase after them. This time, Saito Immortal did not force his way out and tacitly agreed to Yan Yuan Jinle's words.

"I told you, I came to save you. Although dying together wouldn't be so bad, it's definitely better to live." Mashiro smiled faintly, her face deathly pale.

“That’s true.” Saito Immortal breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. Then, the two fell into an odd silence.

The atmosphere between the two was very strange. Saito Immortal wanted to speak but didn't know what to say, while Mashiro chuckled and deliberately remained silent.

All that's left for Saito to do now is figure it out herself; anything she says would be superfluous.

After an eerie half-hour silence, Yan Yuanjinle returned with the members of the Third Division, along with news of Balmer's death.

Yan Yuanjinle then had the female members of the team help Saito Immortal and Mashiro back to the White Bone Mountain Range. After that, the group set off for the Tokami World.

Along the way, Saito, being immortal, quickly regained his mobility, while Mashiro remained extremely weak. After a day and a night, the group returned to the Tokami World.

Upon arriving at the headquarters of the Gotei 13, Saito Immortal and Iwahara Kinroku went to report to Yamamoto, while Mashiro returned to the Sixth Division barracks with the members of the Sixth Division.

In the room, Mashiro lay exhausted on the bed, mentally reviewing the gains from the mission.

First, there's the improved affinity with Saito's immortality. In Mashiro's opinion, this gain is far more important than simultaneously obtaining the initial points.

Saito, the first captain of the Gotei 13 who will control the entire Tokage world in the future, is immortal and among the most powerful and influential in the Tokage world. Through her, Mashiro can accomplish many things.

In addition, there are 4 initial points, 3 of which are from Saito's immortality and 1 from Iwahara Kinroku's recognition.

Name: Yan Yuanjinle Gender: Male

Zanpakuto: Pet Fang

Initial Release Phantasm: A vast expanse of sky! Shatter the cloud palace! Tear apart the dragon's fangs! Identity: First Captain of the 3rd Division of the Gotei 13 (Seireitei)

Optional route: Friends' approval rating: 15

Identification: 10 (starting points + 1) (already obtained)

Identification: 50 (starting point + 3) Identification: 90 (starting point + 5)

"4 starting points, where should I put them..." Mashiro muttered to himself, looking at his system panel.

Name: Mashiro Gender: Female

Zanpakuto: Zero White

Initial solution level: 3 (out of 7)

Solution level: 0 (maximum is 3, prerequisite: initial solution level 7)

灵力：一20（灵力10可带来灵压1）灵压：0（满为10）

Hollow Power: 0 (Maximum 10, prerequisite: Spiritual Pressure 8)

Quincy Power: 0 (Maximum 10, prerequisite: Hollow Power 7)

灵王之力：0（满为3，前置条件：灵压10、虚之力10、灭却师之力10）」

Looking at the system panel, Mashiro suddenly noticed that there was an extra spirit power bar, and this bar was negative.

After a moment's thought, Mashiro realized the reason. "Is it because of 'Crimson Throne'?"

In a sense, the Crimson Royal Power is formed by her offering up her life force and blood to obtain a large amount of spiritual power, which she then infuses into the royal power, greatly increasing its power.

"20. If I add two initial points to my spiritual pressure, will that restore my spiritual power to normal?" Thinking this, Mashiro added two points to her spiritual pressure.

The next moment, her body and soul, which had become extremely weak due to the loss of a large amount of life force and blood, returned to normal.

Chapter Nineteen: The Pure Glass Body

"Is that really the case?" Mashiro then opened her system panel again.

Name: Mashiro Gender: Female

Zanpakuto: Zero White

Initial solution level: 3 (out of 7)

2解程度：0（满为3，前置条件：始解程度7）灵压：0（满为10)

Hollow Power: 0 (Maximum 10, prerequisite: Spiritual Pressure 8)

Quincy Power: 0 (Maximum 10, prerequisite: Hollow Power 7)

灵主之力：0（满为3，前置条件：灵压10、虚之力10、灭却师之力10）此时她的系统面板中已经没有了【灵力：一20]的条自。

"It's not bad that the two of us exchanged starting points for physical recovery." Zhen had predicted his own physical condition. After losing a lot of life force and blood, even if he could recover, it would be a long recovery period.

With two points remaining, after some thought, Mashiro ultimately chose to add them to [Shikai] and [Spiritual Pressure].

Name: Mashiro Gender: Female

Zanpakuto: Zero White

Initial solution level: 4 (out of 7)

解程度：0（满为3，前置条件：始解程度7）灵压：1（满为10）

Hollow Power: 0 (Maximum 10, prerequisite: Spiritual Pressure 8)

Quincy Power: 0 (Maximum 10, prerequisite: Hollow Power 7)

灵主之力：0（满为3，前置条件：灵压10、虚之力10、灭却师之力10）

Thus, Mashiro obtained her fourth Shikai ability, the power of the Emerald Gem: Pure Ruri Body.