Chapter 140: Shocking! The Chief of Staff Actually Led a Team to Publicly Skip Work!

“Hello? Is anyone there? If there’s anyone, give a shout? Hello?” Yamabuki Haruto called into his inner world, but silence answered. His Zanpakutō spirit, Silver Angel (Gin’ei Tenshi), had vanished, deliberately avoiding him.

Haruto’s face fell. Achieving Bankai required deep communion with one’s Zanpakutō. In Bleach’s later worldview, an Asauchi is a tool to unlock a Shinigami’s inner power. Communicating with the Zanpakutō, learning its name, and mastering its abilities is self-discovery. The deeper the bond, the greater the power unleashed.

Yet, Asauchi also tie Shinigami to the Zero Division’s control. Ichibē Hyōsube,knows all Zanpakutō names and can erase them, nullifying their abilities—a reason many consider him stronger than any Shinigami. As long as a Shinigami’s combat relies on these rules, defeating him is nearly impossible.

Haruto’s problem wasn’t weak reiatsu—his was vast, amplified by the Soul King fragment—but Silver Angel’s resistance. Why is she hiding? He wasn’t a mind reader. It felt like dealing with a spoiled, tsundere girlfriend demanding he guess her thoughts.

Unable to stay stuck, Haruto withdrew from Jinzen. Silver Angel was part of his power, yet her distinct personality—a tsundere, twin-tailed girl, he imagined—complicated things. What did she fear losing? He wasn’t a girl, so how could he know?

With hours before his duties ended, Haruto decided to seek advice from a “normal” girl. After weighing his options, he chose Kano Chimaru.

Among the women he knew, Chimaru was the most grounded. Her sister, Kano Chiharu, appeared noble but was a violent maniac who relished cutting people down. Saitō Furofushi? Barely human, more like an alien creature. Zenjoji Arihime, the Twelfth Division’s cunning loli? A pink-haired schemer, rotten to the core. Unohana Retsu? Her heart screamed one thing: killing, killing, killing!

Haruto sighed, tears welling up. Why are all the girls around me so weird? I just want to slack off, collect centuries of pay, and retire to tend flowers. Why is this world so cruel?

He wondered when Unohana’s bloodlust softened into the gentle healer she’d become. I’m not a pervert, but I wouldn’t mind a big sister’s comfort! Yet, only Chimaru seemed normal enough to help.

Haruto left the Eleventh Division barracks and strolled to the Eighth Division. At Chiharu’s request, Chimaru served under her sister’s command for safety. When Haruto arrived, he saw Chimaru entering, arms laden with documents.

“Instructor? Why are you here?” Chimaru asked, curious.

“I came for you. I need your help with something. Got time?” Haruto replied.

Chimaru hesitated. “There’s still a lot of work to handle…”

“I’ll help,” Haruto offered. Internal affairs were his specialty. With his aid, they finished an afternoon’s paperwork in an hour.

“Done! That’s great!” Chimaru beamed, relieved. Few moments matched the joy of a clear desk.

It was high summer, the sun blazing, cicadas chirping in the woods. Shinigami robes lacked short sleeves, and everyone wiped sweat from their brows.

“How about I treat you to some ice?” Haruto said with a smile. Chimaru’s eyes lit up—ice was a rare treat, with no ice makers and few ice-type Zanpakutō in this era.

Haruto led Chimaru to the Shihōin estate. Shihōin Chihiro, clan head, owed him a meal. Chihiro welcomed them warmly.

“Wait, Captain Shihōin, shouldn’t you be at the Second Division?” Haruto asked, eyebrow raised.

Chihiro forced a smile. “Chief of Staff, shouldn’t you be at the Eleventh Division? Why are you at my house?”

Smart people think alike. Who’d work in this heat? Staying home to cool off was the obvious choice.

“Come, let’s have some ice!” Chihiro said.

“Alright, no work talk! Let’s eat!” Haruto replied.

Chimaru’s eyes darted around—she’d skipped work too. Haruto never enforced attendance. Only failing organizations obsessed over such rules. The Gotei 13 was a partnership, not a hierarchy where captains lorded over subordinates. That kind of group won’t last, he thought.

“Instructor, you said you needed my help? With your abilities, what could I do?” Chimaru asked, savoring shaved ice, its coolness a delight. Skipping work with the Chief of Staff was heavenly.

Haruto said calmly, “Even I don’t understand everything, like a girl’s psychology. Tell me… what do tsundere girls like?”

Chihiro and Chimaru leaned in, intrigued. “Could it be… you like a girl? Not Unohana? You two live together! Hmm, I see, you’re one of those scumbags who plays with girls’ hearts and bodies, aren’t you?” Chimaru teased, eyes gleaming with excitement.