Chapter 51: Severe Ptosis

"So, you went to check on this brat, and it turns out he was hiding a little girl in a rundown shack?"

"Ahaha, Makoto, his name is Ichimaru Gin. He's a genius. I originally just wanted to check on his situation, but who knew things would turn out this way?"

"So, you just decided to bring him along too?"

Senju Makoto looked at the boy clutching a young and innocent Matsumoto Rangiku tightly in his arms, his expression complicated.

Ichimaru Gin—the future captain of the Third Division. A quintessential prodigy, and more importantly, someone who, for the sake of avenging his beloved and recovering her soul, would willingly sacrifice everything to infiltrate Aizen Sosuke's side. He would bide his time for over a century, waiting patiently for the moment to deliver a fatal blow.

But as Makoto's gaze fell on the young Matsumoto Rangiku held securely in Gin's arms, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of numbness creep over him.

When he first encountered Gin, Makoto had briefly considered taking advantage of Gin's youth. If the opportunity arose, he thought about sneaking up and landing a blow that would leave a lasting impression on the boy—perhaps even planting a seed that would shape his destiny.

However, Makoto had planned to do it discreetly, avoiding any direct confrontation with Gin. He was determined not to get tangled up in the cat-and-mouse game between Aizen Sosuke and Gin.

But now, with Gin showing up alongside a soul-deprived Matsumoto Rangiku, things had taken a turn for the worse. Not only did it all but confirm that the recent small-scale incidents of soul disappearances were Aizen's doing, but it also raised the question of whether to treat Matsumoto Rangiku's condition.

If he had a choice, Makoto genuinely wanted to steer clear of anything involving Aizen Sosuke, avoiding any deeper scrutiny or suspicion from the man altogether.

Healing the affected residents could still be written off as the duty of a Fourth Division member, unlikely to attract undue attention.

However, treating Matsumoto Rangiku was another story. Given that Gin would eventually become one of Aizen's closest confidants, intervening now could very well increase the risk of catching Aizen's eye.

Or worse... Aizen might suspect that Makoto knew some of his secrets, perhaps even imagining clandestine dealings with Gin.

As hesitation flickered across Makoto's face, Kujo Taimei misinterpreted it as lingering annoyance over Gin's earlier insolence.

"Ahaha, Makoto, this brat may have been rude to you earlier, but that was just a misunderstanding. No need to hold a grudge over something so trivial."

As he spoke, Taimei nudged Gin meaningfully.

Seeing this, Gin, motivated by the dire state of the young Rangiku in his arms, bent low and said without hesitation, "Please, Senju-dono. I'll be forever indebted to you."

Makoto's gaze settled on Gin, whose demeanor resembled a venomous snake poised to strike. His calm and gentle eyes seemed to weigh something carefully, making both Taimei and Senju grow increasingly tense.

After all, Gin's cold aura and earlier rudeness didn't leave the best impression. If Makoto refused, Taimei would have no choice but to turn to Vice-Captain Shiba for help.

As Taimei and Gin awaited Makoto's decision...

Ichimaru Gin's tension gradually intensified, while Senju Makoto, propping his chin with one hand, spoke slowly.

"Hey, Ichimaru Gin, can you open your eyes when you talk to me? Otherwise, it's kind of rude."

???

Ichimaru Gin, who was almost perpetually squinting, froze for a moment.

"S-Sorry..."

Caught off guard, Ichimaru Gin stammered an apology and instinctively tried to open his eyes wider, revealing a glimpse of his bright, sapphire-blue irises.

Even so, compared to normal eyes, Gin's still seemed as if they were reluctant to fully open.

"Are they open now? Try opening them a little wider," Makoto asked casually.

What the hell does this guy mean?

Gin's fists clenched tightly around Matsumoto Rangiku's hand—so tightly they might as well have turned to stone.

Me, Ichimaru Gin... is humiliated like this?

"I..."

Grinding his teeth, Gin forced a small, sycophantic smile and replied, "This is as wide as they'll go."

"Really?"

Makoto stood up, crouching in front of Gin. He extended a finger, pressing lightly against Gin's eye socket and pulling back his eyelid. Gazing into the brilliant blue eyes, he couldn't help but marvel.

"Such beautiful eyes—what a waste to keep them hidden all the time."

At that moment, Gin felt as though Makoto was threatening him: 'You wouldn't want Rangiku to remain untreated, would you?' He was being coerced into enduring things he never would have accepted before.

For Rangiku...

For Rangiku...

For Rangiku...

Gin kept repeating this mantra to himself, his clenched fists tightening and loosening in cycles.

Finally, forcing himself to endure, he stretched his face into a sinister grin and said, "If you want these eyes of mine, as long as you can cure Rangiku, I wouldn't mind giving them to you..."

He paused, the childlike features of his face betraying a sudden maturity as he added, "Even if your demands are... excessive, I'll comply."

???

Makoto.

Smack!

Makoto released Gin's eyelid, which snapped back into place, lightly flicking against his eye. Gin's pale complexion turned a faint red, though it was unclear whether it was from anger or embarrassment.

Why does this sound so wrong? Makoto felt like he was coercing a little boy into something wildly inappropriate.

"Stop, stop, stop. Why would I want your eyes? My name's Senju, not Uchiha. I'm not some collector of eyeballs."

*(TL/N - Yo what the fk bro?)

Makoto sighed, exasperated, before continuing in a serious tone.

"Ichimaru Gin, you have congenital severe ptosis. Left untreated, it could lead to symptoms like blurry vision, double vision, strabismus, and even amblyopia. I recommend immediate spiritual treatment combined with corrective surgery."

He adjusted his glasses, adding, "Oh, and I can throw in a free double-eyelid job—guaranteed to give you big, beautiful eyes like those in a Karzilan commercial."

???

Gin.

What the hell?

There's nothing wrong with my eyes! How did it turn into this after just one checkup? Now it sounds like I'm practically half-blind!

And what's with those "big, beautiful eyes"?

Gin couldn't help but imagine himself with large, fluttering eyes like Rangiku's. The mere thought made him shudder in discomfort, as if Makoto was plotting to train and remodel him into something entirely different.

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