Chapter 82: Left Behind by Time
"There's nothing I can do about it. I'm too weak—I don't have the kind of power you guys do."
Masatsuki Aozaki looked down at his bandaged hands, his voice filled with frustration.
"If it were you facing Rentaro, you'd defeat him easily... just like when you saved Sōjun-sensei last time."
"I'm sorry," Yoruichi Shihōin whispered.
Hearing his words, she suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over her.
Her gaze fell on his hands, wrapped tightly in bandages, and her eyes reddened. Unable to hold back, she gently pulled Masatsuki Aozaki into an embrace.
If only she had taken him with her to Shin'ō Academy back then, maybe he wouldn't have ended up in this kind of danger.
If she really thought about it, when did his conflict with the Tsunayashiro Clan begin?
It must have started after he saved Sōjun Kuchiki.
If he hadn't rushed onto the battlefield for her sake back then, he wouldn't be in this situation now. He wouldn't have to live every day under constant threat.
She was the one who dragged him into this storm... and in the end, she failed to protect him.