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Watching Takasugi concentrate on escaping, Rentaro, who was slung over his shoulder, was seething with anger.
If this guy hadn't arrived late, he wouldn't have been injured so badly.
In that case, his ambition would have been fulfilled, and he would have become a high-ranking noble.
Not only that, the mission still had a chance to be salvaged, and Aozaki Reiji's life was within reach.
But this guy was too cowardly; facing a heavily injured, spiritually exhausted Vice-Captain-class Shinigami, he actually thought of escaping.
A dignified Captain-class expert, he ran away with his head in his hands after being slightly intimidated.
It was a complete disgrace.
Amidst the jostling, Rentaro spat out a large mouthful of blood and frowned, asking, "Why are you running? That guy was just bluffing you, he's already at his limit!"
But before Takasugi could answer, he heard a shout from behind him:
"Aozaki, Third Seat, are you alright?"
Rentaro looked back, and to his astonishment, he saw the two Second Division officers who had fled earlier.
They ran to Aozaki Reiji's side and immediately began to show concern for him.
Looking at the blood-soaked Aozaki Reiji, Ryusui, Sixth Seat, said worriedly, "Aozaki, your injuries are too severe. Please rest assured, I will immediately notify the Fourth Division to come over."
Aozaki Reiji looked up and realized that the barrier covering the Sixth District had been removed. He then said in surprise, "Did you two do that? From what the attacker said, I thought something terrible had happened to you."
"I didn't expect you to not only survive under a Captain-class rebel but also remove the barrier. Well done!"
Hearing this, the two scratched their heads awkwardly.
Izumo, Eighth Seat, said with a wry smile, "Actually, we really weren't a match for the rebel, and we almost died at his hands."
"But someone saved us, and they also broke the barrier."
"Someone saved you... who?" Aozaki Reiji said in surprise, "I must thank him properly."
"There's no need for thanks. If anything, I should be thanking you. You saved my life."
A familiar voice sounded from behind, and Aozaki Reiji turned to look.
It was indeed a familiar person, Kuchiki Soujun.
He was covered in bandages, smiling, and looking at him with gentle eyes.
"How are you? Do you need me to carry you to the Fourth Division?"
"So it's Soujun-sensei!"
With a Captain-class expert guarding him, Aozaki Reiji finally felt truly safe.
"There's no need to carry me to the Fourth Division. My body is fine; these minor injuries won't kill me."
"Alright then, you rest well." Kuchiki Soujun paused, "Also, from now on, can you please not call me Soujun-sensei? It sounds strange."
"Since you've joined the Gotei 13, you can call me Captain Kuchiki or Vice-Captain Cang Chun, or you can just call me by my name."
"You don't understand, calling you Soujun-sensei makes it feel more intimate," Aozaki Reiji said with a smile. "But since you don't like it, then never mind, Vice-Captain Cang Chun."
Kuchiki Soujun shook his head with a wry smile, saying in an annoyed tone:
"You little brat, really..."
Hearing Aozaki Reiji's address for him, he seemed to suddenly remember something.
"Speaking of which, this is our first meeting since you joined the Gotei 13, isn't it? I heard you became the Second Division's Third Seat."
"Then please guide me from now on, San Xi Shinji."
"Please guide me." Aozaki Reiji nodded with a smile in response.
After saving Kuchiki Soujun last time, he had been recuperating at home, so this was indeed the first time the two had met since Aozaki Reiji joined the Gotei 13.
The night wind blew over them, and Aozaki Reiji could still smell blood in it.
He suddenly came to his senses, "Wait..."
Kuchiki Soujun was also startled and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Those two were Captain-class Shinigami just now. Catching them would definitely be a great achievement," Aozaki Reiji said. "Aren't you going to pursue them?"
"One of them is severely injured and shouldn't have run far. Chasing them now might still be in time."
"Them..." Kuchiki Soujun pondered, "With my current physical state, it would probably be difficult to catch them."
"But don't worry, they won't escape. I'm not the only one in this world who worries about you, you know."
Aozaki Reiji was stunned.
On the other side, Rentaro gritted his teeth and said angrily, "What's going on? Why aren't those two dead?"
He was truly furious.
After such a long time, he couldn't even kill two mid-to-high-ranking officers.
How useless was this guy?
Or were all officers now as terrifying as Aozaki Reiji?
Wouldn't that mean everyone could become a disciple of Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto?
"Rentaro, is there something wrong with your head?"
Takasugi's eyes flickered, and he frowned, saying displeasedly, "Didn't I say... I ran into some trouble."
His face was also very unpleasant.
He saved this guy, and not only was this guy not grateful, but he was also questioning him.
If it weren't for the fact that the other party was an important Captain-class combatant, and leaving him to die might result in punishment.
He would have abandoned him and fled on his own long ago.
He sneered, "If you want to die, just say so. I promise I'll grant your wish, throw you here, and never care about your life or death again."
Rentaro snorted, but said nothing more.
He could die for ambition, but wanting to die and fearing death were two different things.
Now that he had escaped death and had a chance to live, no one would be at odds with their own life.
Rentaro frowned deeply, lost in thought.
However, a bad premonition grew in his heart.
To be able to save someone from Takasugi's hands, they had to be at least a Captain-class Shinigami.
If this Captain-class Shinigami caught up, he had no doubt that Takasugi would abandon him and flee.
In his current state, he had no resistance against a Captain-class Shinigami.
Takasugi was not in the mood to care what Rentaro was thinking.
He just wanted to escape as quickly as possible now.
Soon, they were only one step away from the world outside the Sixth District.
Time unknowingly arrived at dawn, the sun gradually rose, and its light shone on the earth, making people feel as if the world was full of hope.
Seemingly infected by this beautiful scenery, both of them collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything was finally over.
Both of them had this thought in their hearts.
Looking at the rising sun, they couldn't help but smile.
The anger and resentment in their hearts vanished without a trace in an instant.
Takasugi decided not to waste any more time, took a step forward, and prepared to leave this dangerous place directly.
But the next second, Pfft!!
Blood gushed out, Takasugi's legs went soft, and he fell to the ground.
"What!?"
Feeling the sharp pain from his sole, Takasugi lowered his head in surprise.
Just now, the moment he stepped forward, his sole was pierced.
Looking back, a black blade had pierced out from the shadow.
"Trying to run away after doing something bad, that's not what a good child should do, you know."
A lazy voice sounded, echoing in Takasugi and Rentaro's ears, yet it was so chillingly cold, making them feel as if they had fallen into an abyss.
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