Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece.

Chapter 187 Double Massage

The rising steam, bathed in the soft glow of the luminous pearl, slowly enveloped the entire hot spring pool in a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.

Uchiha Hakuba closed his eyes, leaned back against the pool wall, and the warm water washed over his chest, gradually relaxing the muscles that had been tense all day.

The rising steam warmed his face, and a few damp strands of hair fell across his forehead, curling slightly from the moisture, making his already handsome face appear even more gentle and languid.

Soaking in the warm pool, the fatigue accumulated in his body seemed to melt away little by little, seeping out from between his bones, turning into a tingling, numb weariness that made him not want to move a single finger.

The hot spring pool is spacious and built with natural rocks. The bottom of the pool is paved with smooth pebbles that feel warm and comfortable underfoot.

The pool water is a natural hot spring that springs up from underground. It has a faint sulfur smell, but it is not pungent. Instead, it has a reassuring smell.

The girls were scattered in twos and threes in the pool, each immersed in the comfort brought by the hot spring.

Artoria remained huddled in the corner furthest from Bai Yu, with only her head above water. Her long, wet golden hair clung to her cheeks and neck, with a few strands clinging to her collarbone, swaying gently with the slight ripples of the water.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson by the heat, the color spreading from her cheeks to her ears, then to her neck, and even the skin on her shoulders was tinged with a light pink.

Her eyes were fixed on the petals on the water's surface, as if those petals were the most important thing in the world, resolutely refusing to glance in Bai Yu's direction. However, her tense shoulders had relaxed considerably compared to before, the warm pool water gradually soothing her muscles, though her heart was still beating abnormally fast.

She heard her own heartbeat—thump, thump, thump—fast and heavy, like someone drumming in her chest.

She didn't know if Bai Yu could hear it, but she felt that if the sound were any louder, everyone in the hot spring pool would probably be able to hear it.

Matsumoto Rangiku leaned against the other side of the pool wall, two body lengths away from Shiraha.

She was more relaxed than anyone else, with her arms resting on the edge of the pool, her head tilted back, her eyes closed, and her long golden hair slowly spreading out in the water, floating like flowing gold, swaying gently with the ripples.

The rising steam tinged her porcelain-like cheeks with an alluring blush, her full figure appearing and disappearing on the water's surface. Water droplets slid slowly down her collarbone, returning to the pool and creating a delicate ripple.

Her lips curled up slightly, a satisfied smile on her face, like a cat that had basked in the sun, languid and content.

Retsu Unohana sat in a relatively quiet corner of the pond, holding the drowsy Kanna in her arms.

Connor's little head rested in the crook of her shoulder, her wet hair clung to her cheeks, and her little face was rosy, like a ripe apple.

Her breathing had become even and long, her small body rising and falling gently with each breath, one hand clutching the hem of Unohana Retsu's yukata, refusing to let go even in her sleep.

Retsu Unohana looked down at the little one in her arms, her eyes full of tenderness.

She had one arm around Kanna's back, and the other hand gently stirred the water, letting the warm pool water slowly wash over Kanna's calves and feet. Unohana's black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, with a few strands floating on the water, intertwining with Kanna's white hair.

"Is Kanna asleep?"

Matsumoto Rangiku opened her eyes, turned her head to look at Unohana, and lowered her voice so as not to wake the little one.

"Ah."

Unohana Retsu nodded gently, her voice as soft as water.

"I felt completely relaxed after soaking in the hot spring; I guess I was dizzy from the heat."

"That's just how kids are—"

Rangiku Matsumoto said with a smile, "It's especially easy to get sleepy when soaking in hot springs."

"I'll take her back to her room first."

As Unohana Retsu spoke, she made a move to get up.

"Sister Hua, you can keep soaking—"

Rangiku immediately said, "I'll take her back. I've already soaked enough."

"Need not."

Retsu Unohana shook her head: "We already agreed that I would take her back and then come over. You guys can continue soaking."

As she spoke, she slowly stood up from the water, holding Kanna in her arms.

Warm water cascaded over her body, making a crisp sound that was particularly clear in the quiet hot spring pool.

What an alluring body she possessed, yet her posture was composed and natural, without the slightest hint of coyness; such a scene was perfectly normal.

She carried Kanna to the edge of the pool, her steps light and steady. Kanna in her arms was not disturbed at all; she simply rubbed her little face against Unohana Retsu's shoulder, uttered a muffled murmur, and then fell into a deep sleep again.

Retsu Unohana picked up a dry towel prepared by the pool, wrapped it around Kanna, and then turned back to smile slightly at everyone: "I'll be back soon."

Her gaze lingered on Bai Yu for a moment, a gentle smile in her eyes, before she turned and left, her footsteps fading into the distance and disappearing at the end of the corridor.

The hot spring pool was quiet for a moment.

Water vapor continued to rise gently in the glow of the luminous pearl, and flower petals floated lightly on the water's surface, enveloping the entire space in a hazy and tranquil atmosphere.

Then, Matsumoto Rangiku made a move.

She left her original spot and walked step by step towards Bai Yu, stepping on the pebbles at the bottom of the pool.

Ripples spread outwards around her, one circle after another, accompanied by a soft splashing sound.

She walked slowly, but her posture was calm and natural, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"Mr. Bai Yu——"

Her voice carried a hint of lazy sweetness: "Aren't you bored hanging out there all by yourself?"

Bai Yu opened his eyes and saw her walking towards him. Ripples spread across her waist, and her long golden hair floated in the water like flowing gold. More importantly, her prominent breasts were completely exposed...

"fine--"

Bai Yu's voice remained clear and gentle, carrying a hint of the languor unique to those who have just soaked in hot springs.

"Soaking in hot springs is meant to relax; there's no need to do anything else."

That's true—

Matsumoto Rangiku stopped beside him and then sat down naturally, with less than half an arm's length between them.

She leaned against the pool wall, turned her head to look at him, and smiled.

"But soaking alone and soaking together are different experiences, right?"

Bai Yu glanced at her but did not refute her.

They are definitely different.

Soaking in a hot spring alone offers a sense of tranquility and solitude.

At this moment, with another person beside him, the atmosphere of the hot spring pool subtly changed.

Rangiku's body temperature was transmitted through the pond water, faint yet impossible to ignore.

Her long hair floated in the water, occasionally brushing against his arm and bringing a slightly ticklish sensation.

Bai Yu didn't dodge or say anything; she simply closed her eyes again and continued to enjoy the comfort of the hot spring.

At this point, he prefers to be more passive.

Matsumoto Rangiku seemed quite satisfied with his reaction, and her smile deepened.

Following Bai Yu's example, she leaned back against the pool wall, closed her eyes, and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Ah, that feels so good!"

Her voice was languid: "Bai Yu-jun, do you rarely take baths?"

"Ah."

Bai Yu replied, "I prefer taking a shower when I'm alone."

"Then you should soak in the water more often in the future."

Rangiku opened her eyes, turned her head to look at him: "Taking a bath is good for your health, and..."

She paused for a moment, a sly smile flashing in her eyes.

"And it's more fun to soak together with everyone."

Bai Yu didn't reply, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he wanted to laugh but held it back.

Such a good thing shouldn't be overthought.

Just then, a faint sound of water came from the surface of the water.

Bai Yu opened his eyes and saw Violet walking towards him from the other side of the pool.

Her movements were slower and more unhurried than Matsumoto Rangiku's, as if to allow Shiraha to see more. Every step was alluring. Warm pool water flowed over her waist, and her snow-white skin glowed with a healthy and gentle luster under the light of the luminous pearl. Water droplets slid slowly down her waistline and re-entered the pool water, creating tiny ripples.

Her hair, still damp, cascaded over her shoulders, a few stray strands clinging to her cheeks and neck, making her already alluring face appear even more languid and captivating. A faint smile played in her eyes, her lips curved slightly upward, and she exuded a composure and charm unique to a woman who was both youthful and mature.

"Rangiku is right."

"It was indeed a bit lonely being there all by myself."

She sat down on the other side of Shiraha, forming a subtle balance with Matsumoto Rangiku on either side.

There were people on Bai Yu's left and right sides. The warm pool water rippled around the three of them, the water waves intertwined and then dispersed.

Bai Yu opened his eyes, glanced to the left and right, and then smiled helplessly.

"You two—"

Before he could finish speaking, Matsumoto Rangiku interrupted him.

"What's wrong with the two of us?" Matsumoto Rangiku tilted her head and looked at him innocently.

"We just thought Bai Yujun was too lonely, so we came to keep you company."

"yes……"

Violet chimed in, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Bai Yu-kun, you wouldn't mind if we bothered you, would you?"

"No."

Bai Yu spoke honestly.

"That's good--"

Matsumoto Rangiku smiled with satisfaction, then leaned against the pool wall again, stretched her body, and naturally put her arms on the edge of the pool, her fingers only inches away from Shiraha's shoulder.

Violet also adjusted her posture to make herself more comfortable.

There was only a thin line between her shoulder and Bai Yu's arm. In the warm pool, their body heat was transmitted through the water, faint yet impossible to ignore.

Then two soft mounds enveloped Bai Yu's arms...