XX-level Hokage

She stared at the outfit on the ground, an outfit that could shatter all her dignity, then at the unquestionable smile on Mashiro's face, and a storm raged within her. She remembered the "promise" she had made with Mashiro to save Gin Ichimaru, and the half-hearted compromise she had made that night. But that didn't mean she was willing to become his plaything, to satisfy such absurd demands like a slave! She was the lieutenant of the 10th Division of the Gotei 13, a Shinigami with her own pride and dignity, not a puppet to be manipulated!

"Since Captain..." For the first time, Rangiku's face lost its usual languidness and charm, replaced by solemnity and resistance. Her voice carried...

With a faint plea, she said, "Please don't joke like that."

“A joke?” Mashiro’s smile faded, replaced by a suffocating pressure. “I never joke.” She took two steps forward, stopping in front of Rangiku, and lowered her voice, her tone carrying a dangerous warning: “Besides, Rangiku, you seem to have forgotten our agreement. You are mine; your body and your soul already belong to me.”

These words were like ice water, instantly extinguishing the flame of resistance that had just ignited in Rangiku's heart. She closed her eyes, and the image of that night flashed through her mind—for Gin, she had willingly made a promise, listening to Mashiro whisper in her ear, "From now on, you and everything you desire will belong to me."

Yes, she had already "sold" everything to the woman in front of her, so what right did she have to resist?

When she looked away again, the resistance and struggle in Rangiku's eyes had turned into a bitter resignation and helplessness. She took a deep breath, bent down to pick up the clothes on the ground, and felt a sharp pain in her heart as her fingertips touched the cold leather.

"Please wait a moment."

She turned around, her back to Mashiro and Harribel. Her long orange hair fell down, obscuring her profile. Her shoulders, which had always been straight and full of confidence, now looked incredibly fragile.

The sliding door was gently closed, blocking the two pairs of eyes.

A moment later, when Rangiku reappeared in the tea room, even the air seemed to freeze. She was dressed in the exact same white clothes as Halibel.

Her skin contrasted sharply with the black lace, her long, wavy orange hair cascading over her shoulders, and her usually alluring eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Two stunningly beautiful women with contrasting styles knelt side by side at Mashiro's feet—Herribel's bronze skin possessed a wild, exotic beauty, while Rangiku's fair skin exuded a mature and alluring charm, yet both wore the same humiliating attire, like two carefully arranged works of art.

"Hmm, very good." Mashiro looked at the scene before her with a satisfied smile, like a collector seeing the most perfect collection. She slowly got up, walked to the two of them, and reached out her hands. With one hand, she lifted Harribel's still unwilling chin and gently stroked her cheek with her fingertips; with the other hand, she stroked Rangiku's helpless face and traced the corner of her lips with her fingertips.

Mashiro withdrew her hands, sat back in the main seat, and said in a lazy but authoritative tone, "Well then, my two new servants, start by brewing me a new pot of tea. Don't mess it up this time."

Chapter 272: A Date in the Modern World (Part 1)

Before the morning mist had completely dissipated over the Seireitei, the sound of rhythmic clapping echoed across the training grounds of the Gotei 13.

Rukia Kuchiki was practicing her new Kido, Toshiro Hitsugaya was meticulously studying the details of Hyōpomaru's release, and even the usually carefree Shunsui Kyōraku had unusually put away his folding fan, discussing tactics against Aizen with Jushirō Ukitake. The entire Soul Society was like a taut bowstring, every second gathering strength for the impending final battle.

But this tension seems to have nothing to do with Mashiro.

She leaned against the windowsill of the Fourth Division's rest room, her fingertips casually fiddling with the white lilies of the valley on the windowsill—flowers she had brought from the mortal world yesterday, now emitting a delicate fragrance.

In the distance came the sound of Retsu Unohana instructing her teammates on healing techniques, and nearby came the sound of Heribel carefully organizing documents, but none of this could dispel the boredom in her eyes.

"The calm before the battle is so boring." Mashiro sighed softly, her fingertips brushing against the petals of the lily of the valley, where dewdrops instantly condensed into tiny ice crystals.

She rose, straightened her black haori, and her figure vanished silently from the lounge like a ghost disappearing into the morning mist—since she couldn't find any fun in the Soul World, she might as well go to the mortal world to see that "interesting friend."

When the old wooden door of Urahara Store is gently pushed open, the sunlight of the present world shines through the glass window, casting dappled light and shadow on the floor.

Mashiro changed into a light blue tracksuit, her long black hair tied in a high ponytail, with wisps of hair swaying slightly in the wind. She looked less aloof than the Grim Reaper Captain and more vibrant with youth. She strolled slowly along the streets of Karakura Town, buying a strawberry dorayaki from a bakery. Taking a bite, the sweet aroma spread across her tongue, bringing a touch of warmth and life to her.

As she walked downstairs at Orihime Inoue's house, a peculiar aroma wafted out of the window—a blend of the saltiness of soy sauce, the fragrance of butter, and the sweetness of strawberry jam. The three scents collided, creating an indescribable fragrance.

Mashiro raised an eyebrow and walked involuntarily toward the kitchen.

The kitchen door wasn't closed properly, leaving a crack. Through the crack, Mashiro saw Inoue Orihime wearing a pink apron, standing in front of the stove, her hands on the spatula, constantly stirring the contents of the pot. She hummed a tuneless little tune in a soft, sweet voice, and occasionally gave an expectant smile to the "finished product" in the pot.

The fried eggs in the pan had turned a deep brown, with bits of red strawberry jam still clinging to the edges—it certainly looked quite "creative." "Good morning, Inoue-kun," Mashiro said, opening the door with a cool, slightly languid voice.

Orihime was so startled that her hand trembled, and she almost dropped the spatula. She turned around and saw Mashiro, her eyes widening instantly. She instinctively straightened her back, and the flour on her apron swayed as she did so: "Captain... Captain Mashiro! What are you doing here?"

She was so nervous that she stammered. After all, the person in front of her was the captain of the Gotei 13 and Mashiro, who had been very kind to her in school. The combination of these two identities left her at a loss for how to react.

Mashiro walked slowly into the kitchen, her crisp scent dispelling the strange smells in the air. She looked at Orihime's tense shoulders, reached out, and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her movements as natural as when she was in school: "I told you, there's no need to be so tense."

Her fingertips were slightly cool, which made Orihime feel inexplicably relaxed. "I'm not Captain Mashiro today, I'm just Mashiro taking a walk in the human world." "But..." Orihime was still a little hesitant. After all, the final battle in Soul Society was imminent, and Mashiro, as the captain, shouldn't stay in the human world.

"There are no Grim Reapers, no Espada, and no war today." Mashiro interrupted her, her gaze falling on the slightly burnt fried eggs in the pan, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. "There's only Mashiro, who wants to hang out with her friends, and Orihime, who's making breakfast."

Looking at the tenderness in Mashiro's eyes, Orihime suddenly remembered the rooftop in middle school—back then, before Mashiro's identity as a Shinigami was revealed, they often shared lunches together. Mashiro would listen to her wild fantasies and even help her chase away the delinquents who were bullying her.

That pure friendship instantly dispelled the distance between them caused by their different social statuses. She nodded firmly, a bright smile spreading across her face: "Yes! Mashiro-kun!"

“Since breakfast isn’t ready yet, why don’t we go for a walk?” Mashiro suggested, turning her gaze to the window. “I heard there’s a new event at the amusement park in Karakura Town today. Shall we go check it out?”

"An amusement park?!" Orihime's eyes lit up instantly, as if they were filled with stars.

Ever since the Hueco Mundo incident, she has been worried about the final battle and Kurosaki's safety every day. It has been a long time since she has looked forward to anything so simply.

She nodded vigorously: "Okay! I'll go change my clothes right now!"

Ten minutes later, Orihime changed into a white dress and ran out carrying a small crossbody bag.

Seeing her excited expression, Mashiro's smile deepened. She reached out and handed her the strawberry dorayaki she had just bought: "Have something to tide you over. There are plenty of rides at the amusement park."

Laughter and cheers filled the Karakura Town amusement park.

A giant Ferris wheel slowly turns under the blue sky, its colorful cabins resembling candies strung on a rope; a roller coaster roars across the track, the screams and cheers of passengers mingling together; a carousel plays classic nursery rhymes, its colorful paintings shimmering in the sunlight.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of cotton candy and the smoky scent of popcorn, instantly making one forget the troubles of the outside world.

As soon as Orihime entered the amusement park, her eyes were drawn to a pink plush rabbit at the shooting game booth. The rabbit was almost half her height and had pink bows tied around its ears. It looked soft and fluffy. She stood in front of the booth, her eyes glued to the rabbit, unable to move her feet.

Mashiro noticed her self-glow and walked up to her, asking, "Do you want that rabbit?"

Orihime nodded somewhat shyly: "But... shooting games seem very difficult. I've tried several times before but haven't hit anything."

"Leave it to me." Mashiro picked up the toy gun from the stall, smoothly cocked it, and aimed. Her eyes instantly became focused, and her finger gently pulled the trigger. With a "bang," the first bullet hit the bullseye precisely. The second bullet followed closely behind and hit the bullseye again. The third bullet was even more impressive, hitting the red dot in the very center of the bullseye.

The stall owner was dumbfounded, almost dropping his counter. He had never seen anyone hit all three shots so easily in all the time he had run this stall! He could only reluctantly hand the pink rabbit plush toy to Orihime: "Little girl, this is your prize."

Orihime, holding the rabbit, exclaimed with admiration, "Mashiro-kun, you're amazing! You're just like a sharpshooter in a movie!" "It's just basic stuff," Mashiro replied casually, putting down her toy gun and picking up a candied apple from a nearby stall. She tore open the wrapper and peeked inside. Sunlight shone on her face, the glistening frosting blending with the smile in her eyes, creating a particularly gentle effect.

Chapter 273: A Date in the Modern World (Part 2)

Next, they went on a roller coaster.

As the train slowly climbed to its highest point, Orihime gripped the handrail tightly, her heart pounding. But when the train suddenly plunged down, she couldn't help but close her eyes and let out a cute dolphin-like scream.

Mashiro, however, kept her eyes open the entire time, and even leisurely enjoyed the scenery rushing past her feet while experiencing weightlessness—for her, this thrill was nothing compared to even a fraction of the excitement she felt when fighting Hollows.

"Aren't you scared, Masahiro?" After getting off the roller coaster, Orihime was still panting at the top of the sky. Looking at the calm-faced Masahiro, she asked curiously.

Mashiro smiled and handed her a bottle of water: "This isn't scary enough to frighten me." They also went to the haunted house that was known as the "most terrifying place in Karakura Town."

The posters at the entrance depicted grotesque monsters with blue faces and fangs, and the eerie music sent chills down your spine.

Orihime initially clung tightly to Mashiro's arm, but when the first "goblin" jumped out of the darkness, her reaction surprised everyone. "Wow! This goblin's makeup is so realistic!" Orihime's eyes widened as she looked closely at the scars on the "goblin's" face. "Was it made with special effects latex?"

It feels so real!

And this blood plasma! She pointed to the red liquid on the "ghost's" clothes, "It looks like strawberry jam mixed with food coloring, and it even smells a little sweet! The mechanism of this guillotine is too ingenious!" She examined the props in the haunted house with a curious look, "Is it pulled by a steel cable?"

No wonder it looks so realistic!

The staff dressed as ghosts were dumbfounded. They had originally intended to scare the tourists, but they encountered someone who knew more than they did. They were even questioned about how the props were made. For a moment, they didn't know how to react and felt that their professional dignity had been challenged like never before.

Mashiro followed behind Orihime, wearing a disgusted expression the whole time.

These human actors playing ghosts had rough makeup and stiff movements. Compared to the real monsters in Hueco Mundo, which were twisted from souls and exuded an ominous aura, they were like children's scribbles. She even couldn't help but reach out and straighten the fake ear of a "ghost" that was about to fall off, which almost scared the other person into breaking down on the spot.

When they came out of the haunted house, the sun was already setting, turning the clouds over the pass into a brilliant orange-red.

Mashiro suggested going on a Ferris wheel, and Orihime immediately agreed—she had long wanted to experience watching the sunset from high above. The Ferris wheel cabin slowly rose, and Orihime, clutching her pink bunny, leaned against the window, excitedly gazing at the scenery below.

As you ascend higher, the entire view of Karakura Town gradually unfolds: the streets in the distance are bustling with traffic, the houses nearby are arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, and the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the rooftops, as if they are coated with a layer of golden gauze.

The cabin fell silent, with only the soft hum of the Ferris wheel turning.

Orihime turned her head to look at Mashiro sitting beside her—the light of the setting sun fell on Mashiro's profile, outlining her delicate features, and her long eyelashes cast faint shadows under her eyes, making her look almost unreal.

“Mashiro-kun…” Orihime spoke softly, her voice filled with emotion, “Thank you for coming to the amusement park with me today. I’m really happy.”

Mashiro turned her head, looked at the sincerity in her eyes, and smiled slightly: "We are friends, aren't we? Friends should do happy things together."

"Yes!" Orihime nodded emphatically, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

"Orihime, there's something I want to tell you." Mashiro's tone suddenly became serious. She looked into Orihime's eyes, those deep eyes reflecting the light of the setting sun. "Your power of refusal actually originates from your 'heart.' The more determined you are to protect something, the stronger that power will become."

Orihime was stunned. She had never imagined that her ability was related to "heart".

“Tell me,” Mashiro’s self-light deepened, as if it could see through her soul, “what do you most want to protect right now?”

This question, like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of Orihime's heart, brought back memories of Ulquiorra's black Cero in Hueco Mundo, where she could only watch helplessly; memories of Ichigo Kurosaki being wounded time and again by enemies to protect her, covered in blood yet still fighting on; memories of Chad shielding her from attacks with his body, and Uryu Ishida exhausting his last bit of spiritual power to buy her time... These images flashed through her mind, gradually reddening her eyes.

"I...I want to protect everyone." Orihime's voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes. "I want to protect Kurosaki-san, protect Tatsuki, protect..."

Chizuru, I protect everyone I care about, but…” Her voice trembled, filled with deep helplessness, “I’m too weak. My abilities can only heal, not fight. Every time I see everyone getting hurt protecting me, I can’t do anything but stand there and cry.”

Tears finally streamed down her face, dripping onto the pink rabbit she was holding.

Mashiro didn't speak, but simply reached out and gently pulled Orihime into her arms. Her embrace was warm and firm, like a safe harbor to rely on.

"Your power has never been weak." Mashiro's gentle yet powerful voice reached Orihime's ears through her hair. "It is not a weapon to hurt others, but a gift to protect—this power that can refuse harm and reverse fate is unique and enough to create miracles."

She gently patted Orihime's back, as if comforting a wronged child: "Don't be afraid of it, and don't doubt yourself. Trust your heart, trust the beliefs you want to protect. Because your heart is much stronger than you think."

In Mashiro's arms, Orihime gradually stopped crying. She could sense that Mashiro's words were not just words of comfort, but a heartfelt affirmation.

All the confusion and fear of the past seemed to be dispelled by Mashiro's gentleness at this moment. She hugged Mashiro tightly, and a firm strength gradually rose in her heart—she could no longer be weak. She had to become strong and use her own strength to protect the people around her.

As the Ferris wheel slowly descended to the ground, night had fallen, and the amusement park lights came on, their colorful lights intertwining to create a dreamlike fairytale world.

Orihime wiped away her tears, looked at Mashiro, and her eyes were no longer filled with confusion, only gratitude and determination: "Mashiro-kun, thank you. I know what to do now. I will use my power to protect everyone."

"Very good." Mashiro smiled with satisfaction as she watched her regain her spirits. The two walked out of the amusement park side by side and strolled slowly along the street.

The streetlights cast long shadows of them, and an occasional evening breeze brought a cool breeze. At the crossroads where they would part ways, Orihime, clutching her pink rabbit, bowed deeply to Mashiro: "Mashiro-kun, thank you so much for today. See you tomorrow?"

“Okay, see you at Mingguan.” Mashiro nodded.

Orihime turned and ran towards home, her white dress fluttering in the night like a light butterfly.

Mashiro stood still, and soon her figure disappeared silently into the night like a ghost, leaving only the faint scent of lily of the valley in the air as proof that she had been there.

Chapter 274: The Beginning

The wind in Karakura Town, carrying the warmth of early summer, swept across the street corner, completely dispelling the lingering smell of the decisive battle seventeen months ago.

The neighborhood, once torn apart by spiritual pressure and trampled flat by the claws of Hollows, has long since returned to its former glory thanks to Kisuke Urahara's "Reversal of Fortune" and the Tokumishō Technology Development Bureau's spiritual particle repair technique.

The neon lights of the convenience store still lit up at dusk, students chasing and playing with their backpacks on their backs after school, commuters crammed into trams complaining about the evening rush hour, and even the aroma of the old oden shop on the street corner was exactly the same as before the war.

For the people of this city, the disaster that had so clearly defined life and death was nothing more than a "massive gas explosion" mentioned only briefly in the news. The official casualty figures and subsequent reconstruction subsidies were quickly overshadowed by the mundane realities of daily life.

No one knows that there was once a group of Grim Reapers clad in black robes, and an orange-haired boy who used his life to protect what they saw as an "ordinary" life. Only Ichigo Kurosaki could clearly feel the emptiness beneath that "ordinariness."

Now a senior in high school, his daily routine is as precise as a clock: he is woken up by Xia Li's alarm clock in the morning, listens to Yu Zi recounting interesting stories about school during breakfast, doodles in his textbooks during class, jokes with Asano Keigo and Kojima Mizuiro during breaks, and goes straight to work at "Eel House" after school, only dragging his tired feet home late at night. He tries his best to play the role of an "ordinary high school student," but whenever his fingertips brush against the engraved wooden plaque in his pocket—that long-expired Substitute Grim Reaper license—his heart always feels a dull, empty pain.

He could no longer see the Hollows lining the alleyway, no longer hear Rukia Kuchiki's clear calls, and no longer use Zangetsu to cleave through the dangers blocking his path. The "Final Getsuga Tenshou" burned away all the Shinigami power within him, taking away his connection with that "non-ordinary" world.