Tokikaze's sudden intimate gesture undoubtedly brought a considerable psychological impact to this sexy yet not completely matured lady.
Feeling the warmth from above, Matsumoto Rangiku's cheeks flushed, and her beautiful eyes carried a hint of bewilderment.
However, it didn't take long.
She quickly regained her composure and covered her momentary lapse with a hearty laugh, "Haha, as long as the salary is good, mere paperworks are nothing!"
Tokikaze slid his hand down Matsumoto Rangiku's smooth orange hair, and then, playfully pinched her cheek.
"You little..."
"Hmm, it feels even better than before. The things developed by the Research and Development Bureau are quite useful."
Before Matsumoto Rangiku could get angry, Tokikaze activated Shunpo, disappearing from the office.
"I have some other matters to attend to; I'll leave the office to you for now."
By the time she reacted, only Tokikaze's voice echoed in the building.
Matsumoto Rangiku bit her lip lightly with a hint of dissatisfaction in her eyes. She muttered annoyedly, "You little… Sooner or later, I'll..."
Seemingly remembering something she shouldn't, a blush once again appeared on her charming face.
Meanwhile, in the 5th Division's barracks...
In the Captain's room, a refined figure sat upright on a gray cushion, a dark red desk spread out in front. With slightly pale fingers lightly gripping a brush, the figure moved the paper away.
The brushstrokes created a winding script, resembling the movements of a dragon, conveying a sense of fluency.
As far as calligraphy skills were concerned, there were only few within the entire Seireitei who could surpass him.
"It seems Captain Aizen's calligraphy skills are getting better and better!"
A playful voice came from the doorway as a figure dressed in Soul Reaper attire walked into the room.
Beneath light purple short hair, slightly squinted eyes peered out from a deceivingly smiling face, concealing the snake within.
The oversized Soul Reaper uniform accentuated the thinness of the figure, with long, slender hands hidden within the sleeves, and his Zanpakutō hanging on his white sash.
Gin Ichimaru, the Vice-Captain of the 5th Division.
"It's just the result of daily practice."
Aizen put down the brush. His face was filled with an unchanged gentle smile, giving off an amiable aura.
"Gin, is there any important matter you need to report?"
Gin's mouth curved up, resembling a fox that had successfully schemed.
"It's about the Captain of the 9th Division, Tsunayashiro Tokikaze. Just now, he defeated Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame in 11th Division's barracks and apprehended him."
"The style of this new Captain is completely different from what you expected, Captain Aizen!"
Aizen, seemingly unperturbed by this information, maintained his gentle smile.
"Don't misunderstand, Gin. I clearly presented two possible judgments at that time."
"Captain Tokikaze's decisive actions were indeed one of the possibilities..."
Gin spread his hands, "Haha, then I apologize for my previous words."
"But it doesn't change the fact that we can't read what's in Captain Tokikaze's mind."
"He didn't choose Tosen as his Vice-Captain; instead, he asked Matsumoto Rangiku from 10th Division to transfer to 9th Division."
"Becoming Vice-Captain of 9th Division is now out of reach for Tosen."
Hearing this, Aizen's gaze paused slightly, "The lack of information can easily lead to misjudgment."
His indifferent voice echoed in the spacious room.
"This piece on the chessboard, clearly, is just a mediocre one."
In his plan, Tsunayashiro Clan didn't even appear on the chessboard.
And there was very little information about their heir, Tsunayashiro Tokikaze.
The little amount of information even hinted that this heir was nothing more than mediocre.
Compared to the genius of the Kuchiki Clan, they were not on the same level.
However, it had only been three years since he graduated from Shin'o Academy.
The mediocre individual at that time unexpectedly became a Captain-Class Soul Reaper, defeating Kaname Tosen in a head-on battle during the assessment, causing a slight deviation in his plan.
"Perhaps it's a rebirth after breaking the cocoon." Gin Ichimaru said with a playful tone.
A mysterious light reflected on the black-framed glasses, Aizen's gaze was focused to the table in front of him.
On the white paper, the perfected calligraphy was done.
Tsunayashiro Tokikaze!
Simple words, yet they revealed Aizen's current state of mind.
After a long time.
The gentle smile reappeared on his face.
"Gin, surprises often make things more interesting."
"Let's quietly await how this game unfolds..."
...….
Tokikaze had long been mentally prepared for Aizen's wariness of him.
The moment he graduated from the Shin'o Academy and joined the Gotei 13, he had officially entered Aizen's radar.
Genius or not, just the fact that he was the heir to Tsunayashiro Clan was enough to make anyone take notice of him.
In the past, there had never been a heir of Tsunayashiro Clan joining Gotei 13.
Tokikaze undoubtedly was unprecedented. Of course, the main reason was that the Tsunayashiro Clan manor was not particularly safe.
The existence of the current head of Tsunayashiro Clan, Tsunayashiro Tokinada, was enough to wear Tokikaze out mentally and physically.
Even if that guy was a failure, he was still a student of Yamamoto Genryuusai alongside Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro.
At the very least, he was a Captain-Class individual.
He was a skilled individual even without Enryakoten.
Considering Tokikaze's strength at the time, staying in the Tsunayashiro Clan's manor would likely have led to his demise at the hands of Tokinada.
For the record, before Tokinada assumed the position of the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, all the previous heirs were killed.
He himself was just a member of a branch family.
Tokikaze didn't want to confront that guy unless he was completely sure.
So, he would make use of every opportunity to become stronger.
Just like now.
North of the 9th Division' barracks, on a small island surrounded by a river on all sides.
Kido was hidden beneath the sky, forming a semi-circular barrier that enveloped the entire island without any blind spots.
Dozens of Soul Reapers wearing shihakusho were patrolling on the island, completely focused, with Reiatsu permeating in the air.
This was a prison specifically for those who had violated the laws of the Seireitei.
Unlike the Nests of Maggots, Palace of Penitence, and the Central Underground Great Prison, the criminals here still had a chance at redemption.
Of course, this possibility depended entirely on the mood of the 9th Division captain, Tokikaze himself.
As Tokikaze arrived at the scene, the barrier opened accordingly.
A transparent, glowing spirit pressure bridge slowly unfolded, extending from the island directly to Tokikaze's feet.