Bleach: Sea of butterflies

Musashi stood before Captain Ginrei, flanked by Arasaka and the girl that was defeated in semi-finals. The captain regarded the trio with a composed expression, his hands folded neatly on the desk in front of him.

"I want the three of you to accompany me," Ginrei announced, his voice calm but firm.

Musashi and Arasaka exchanged a glance before noticing Saju standing to their left. Arasaka, ever the social butterfly, stepped closer to her with a grin. "Heya, what's your name? I'm Yuuji Arasaka."

Saju's expression remained cold, and she ignored him entirely, her focus shifting to Musashi instead.

"Don't annoy her, Arasaka," Musashi said, already walking after the captain.

Before Arasaka could retort, Saju moved to walk beside Musashi. "My name is Kahiko Saju," she said, her expression noticeably softer than it had been with Arasaka.

Musashi gave her a brief nod. "Masaharu Musashi."

Arasaka hurried to catch up, his usual energy undeterred. "Hey, wait up!"

The three followed Captain Ginrei to his office. Once inside, the captain seated himself behind his desk, fixing them with a steady gaze.

"You three are the best among the new recruits," Ginrei began. "Musashi, your skill and power are undeniable. Were it not for your lack of experience, I would appoint you lieutenant immediately. For now, you will serve as Third Seat. Arasaka, you will take Fourth Seat, and Saju, Fifth Seat. Normally, I would have you compete with those who have served longer, but your strength far exceeds theirs."

The trio stood at attention, absorbing the weight of their new positions.

"You are dismissed for the day," Ginrei concluded. "Spend the rest of your time as you see fit. Dismissed."

Bowing slightly, they replied in unison, "Yes, Captain."

As they exited the office, Arasaka turned to Musashi, an eager look on his face. "Hey, Musashi, what about—"

Before he could finish, Saju smoothly stepped between them, taking her place next to Musashi.

"That little—" Arasaka fumed internally, his frustration mounting.

"Masaharu-san," Saju said, addressing Musashi. "Would you spar with me today?"

Musashi gave her a sidelong glance before nodding.

Arasaka's face fell, and he clutched his chest in mock despair. "No! My beloved Musashi is running away with a girl!"

Musashi shot him a sharp look. "I've told you not to talk like that."

With that, Musashi and Saju left for the training grounds, leaving Arasaka behind to stew in his theatrics.

Later that night, Musashi and Arasaka stood outside a small bar. Inside, an elderly woman greeted them from behind the counter.

"So, Arasaka, what kind of sake are you buying today?" she asked, a knowing smile on her face.

Arasaka smirked and nudged Musashi forward. "Not me today. This is Musashi's first time buying liquor."

The woman looked Musashi over, her sharp eyes glinting. "So, this is the friend you've been talking about?"

Musashi purchased the sake, and the two made their way to a nearby lake.

To their surprise, Yoruichi wasn't there yet.

"Where is she?" Arasaka wondered aloud, leaning against a tree.

They waited, chatting idly, until the sound of rustling leaves caught their attention.

"Yo," a familiar voice called.

Yoruichi appeared, leaping down from the trees with someone slung over her shoulder like a sack of rice.

"You're late," Arasaka said. "We thought you ditched us."

Yoruichi grinned as she set the man down. "Like I'd say no to sake and fun. I was held up because of this guy."

The man straightened up, revealing messy pale brown hair and sharp gray eyes.

"Hello," he said simply, his tone polite and weak.

Arasaka pointed at him. "And who's this?"

Yoruichi smirked. "This is my childhood friend, Urahara Kisuke."

Arasaka wasted no time throwing an arm around Kisuke's shoulder. "Nice to meet you, Kisuke! I'm Yuuji Arasaka. Just call me Arasaka. Now, why aren't we drinking yet?"

Musashi pointed at Yoruichi, who was already cradling a bottle of sake in her hands.

"She stole it again," Arasaka groaned.

Yoruichi grinned mischievously. "Tonight, we're playing a game. If you don't catch me, I'm drinking this bad boy all by myself."

She patted the bottle lovingly before vanishing in a flash step.

"Hey, wait!" Arasaka shouted, chasing after her.

Moments later, a loud *thud* echoed through the clearing as Arasaka collided headfirst with a tree.

"Hahaha!" Yoruichi laughed from a branch above him. "You should've seen your face!"

Musashi turned to Kisuke, who extended a hand. "So, as you know, I'm Urahara Kisuke."

Musashi stared at him, unimpressed. 'I don't like this guy,' he thought, squinting slightly before chasing after Yoruichi.

Kisuke could do nothing but sigh.

---

The game lasted for over an hour, leading the group to a hidden area beneath Sōkyoku Hill.

"What is this place, Lady Yoruichi?" Musashi asked, looking around the underground space.

"This? Kisuke and I built it," Yoruichi replied proudly. "And stop calling me 'Lady.'"

Musashi shook his head. "No."

He turned to Kisuke, his arms crossed. "You weren't in the academy, and you're not wearing shinigami clothing. Who are you really?"

Before Kisuke could respond, Arasaka sighed dramatically. "Musashi, stop being such a party pooper. You're starting to sound like an old geezer."

Yoruichi burst out laughing. "Hahaha! An old geezer! I can totally see it!"

Musashi's glare turned on Arasaka, who immediately ducked behind Yoruichi for cover.

"Help me, Yoruichi!"

"You need to hear this. Today, Musashi nearly killed me! If it weren't for Captain Kuchiki, I'd have been scarred for life!"

Musashi began unsheathing his blade. "Maybe you need one for real."

Kisuke watched nervously, while Yoruichi only laughed harder.

"And then he ran off with some girl named Saju," Arasaka added dramatically.

Yoruichi's grin widened. "Oh? Saju, you say?"

Musashi groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. His patience was wearing thin.

'This is going to be a long night.'

(End of a chapter)