How ridiculous is Kurotsuchi Mayuri's statement?
Yes, looking at the current situation, Urahara Kisuke does seem a little underwhelming, always being watched by Aizen, unable to take any real initiative.
But at the very least, he was the original Director of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
The artificial Soul Reaper project, the Substitute Soul King Plan, the creation of the Hōgyoku, these and many other technologies were all enough for even Aizen to acknowledge Urahara Kisuke's genius.
And you, Kurotsuchi Mayuri… you were the one he promoted!
"You think just because you've developed a few bizarre gadgets and made artificial Soul Reapers, that your tech is flawless?"
"You think that means you've surpassed Urahara Kisuke?"
Shinji looked puzzled, a giant question mark practically written on his face.
No way… surely no one really believes that just inventing some weird tools makes you better than Urahara Kisuke?
The same Urahara Kisuke who lived rent-free in Aizen's mind and was recognized as a top-tier threat by Yhwach himself.
"Perfect?" Kurotsuchi Mayuri's eye twitched, and he sneered: "Perfect, you say?"
"The fact that you even used the word 'perfect' shows you don't understand scientists at all!"
"For us, perfection is an insult. It represents despair, because once something is perfect, there's no room left to improve it!"
"I can't accept that! That's why I never pursue perfection!"
He paused for a moment, then glanced at Shinji's Zanpakutō, and quickly added:
"Kuchiki Shinji, let's cooperate. If you let me live, I can help you with all kinds of research. What do you say?"
Cold sweat dripped from Kurotsuchi Mayuri's forehead as he anxiously watched Shinji's expression.
He hadn't surpassed Urahara Kisuke, not yet.
He couldn't die here. No, he mustn't die here.
At the very least, not now.
"That's not a bad idea."
Shinji spoke slowly.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.
But Shinji's next words instantly turned his face pale.
"But… Kurotsuchi Mayuri, I don't trust you."
"Yeah, let's just kill you again."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri is, without a doubt, an extremely capable scientist.
His mind and inventions are among the best in the Soul Society. He's developed all sorts of strange and powerful tech.
He can even modify and replicate Zanpakutō, changing their abilities and enhancing their power.
He's capable of transforming a Soul Reaper's body and creating artificial Shinigami like Nemu.
Those are undeniably impressive achievements.
But still
Shinji couldn't bring himself to trust him.
Even if Kurotsuchi Mayuri was terrified by the memory of that one strike, so terrified he wouldn't dare attack Shinji or anyone around him unless he was absolutely sure of victory
Shinji wasn't the type to gamble.
If there's a threat, eliminate it.
If someone poses even a potential danger to the people close to him, remove them completely.
That was Shinji's stance.
So, as Mayuri's pupils trembled in panic, Shinji raised his blade again.
"Wait, wait, hold on!"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's voice cracked in fear.
This time, if he got cut again, he was sure, there wouldn't be a single scrap of his body left.
To survive, Kurotsuchi Mayuri stared hard at Shinji and shouted:
"I have technology! A method that lets someone control another person's life!"
"I'll let you use it on me!"
"That way, my life will be completely in your hands! If I ever try to hurt you, you can kill me instantly!"
He held his breath after speaking, staring at Shinji with golden eyes, waiting for the final verdict.
Honestly?
This situation was unbearable.
To have his own life entirely out of his hands, like it could be crushed at any moment…
But to live, he had no choice.
As long as he lived, he could continue chasing his ambitions, his ideals, and prove once and for all
Urahara Kisuke isn't better than him.
Shinji stopped in place.
"It seems… there's no other way after all."
He rubbed his chin, staring at Kurotsuchi Mayuri thoughtfully.
To be fair, Mayuri's value as a researcher was enormous.
With his help, Shinji's fusion process might accelerate significantly.
And with Mayuri's expertise, maybe even Neliel could evolve beyond the level of a Vasto Lorde.
"You're saying you have a way? If I can trust you, you'll do anything?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded with firm eyes.
Survival came first.
He had to live before he could do anything else.
"Ah… I do have a way," Shinji said with a nod, his gaze indifferent.
"I'll implant an organ inside your body, your chest and brain."
"If you even think about hurting me or doing anything against me, it'll activate instantly and kill you."
"This system is irreversible."
"Also, the organ is undetectable and unremovable. You won't even be able to tell anyone about it."
This technique was originally used by Aizen on Tōsen Kaname.
Once Tōsen became completely incapacitated, the implant would automatically activate and kill him.
Shinji had just modified it slightly.
With the Hōgyoku's power, this was entirely feasible.
"If that's what it takes for you to trust me, then go ahead."
Mayuri finally relaxed and let out a deep breath.
He gave up all resistance and allowed Shinji to install the failsafe.
Yes, it was humiliating.
But at least… he would live.
See?
Shinji stepped forward and tapped Kurotsuchi Mayuri lightly on the chest.
At the same time, he silently called upon the Hōgyoku.
Responding to its master's will, the Hōgyoku granted Shinji's request.
A deadly organ was implanted in Mayuri's heart and brain, ready to be triggered at any time.
Simultaneously, an invisible force sealed it in place, just as Shinji described.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri could neither remove it, nor speak about its existence.
The seal was finalized.
With Mayuri's current Reiatsu and strength, it was impossible for him to break it or tamper with the system.
Shinji stepped back and withdrew his hand.
"All done."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri looked down at his chest, surprised.
That was it? Nothing felt different?
"Yeah. It's done."
Shinji gave a casual nod and stretched.
Behind him, his white captain's haori fluttered gently in the breeze.
"It's such a strange mechanism that even I can't feel anything."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri murmured at first. Now that his life was temporarily safe and no longer under immediate threat, his scientific instincts kicked in again.
He curiously looked at the green-haired standing beside Shinji, whose adorable expression softened when looking at Shinji, but immediately turned cold when looking at Mayuri.
"This is... that Adjuchas-class Arrancar called Nel? What's with her current form?"
A very interesting phenomenon.
Not long ago, she was just a child.
Why has she suddenly changed so drastically?
Could it be rapid growth over a short period?
No, that's unlikely.
Could it be some kind of transformation ability?
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's eyes were filled with analysis and curiosity, but he no longer dared to harbor any malicious intent.
"Let me correct you, Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri... Oh wait, you're technically dead right now, so you're not a captain anymore."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri: "..."
Shinji smiled lightly as he gently stroked Nilu's hair, which she clearly enjoyed. "Nilu isn't just some Adjuchas-class Arrancar. She's a female-class Menos Grande, a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar."
"What?!"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's pupils shrank instantly. He stared in disbelief at the gentle, cat-like woman clinging to Shinji and even snuggling up to him.
Nilu is... a Vasto Lorde Arrancar?!
Impossible!
The difference between a Vasto Lorde and an Adjuchas is far more than a mere level. It's a gap of dimension.
That kind of Arrancar possesses spiritual pressure and combat strength that far exceed captain-class Shinigami!
And Nilu… she's one of them?!
Then why is she following Shinji?
Did Shinji defeat her with sheer strength?
Or did he use some other method?
What kind of person is Kuchiki Shinji to earn the loyalty of a Vasto Lorde?
It made no sense at all.
"Shocking, isn't it?"
Shinji chuckled as he continued petting Nilu's hair.
"Haha... it's indeed very surprising. I truly didn't expect Nilu to be a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande. That's truly unbelievable."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri sighed.
If he had known that Nilu was a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar, he would never have tried to attack her, let alone antagonize Shinji.
Even dealing with Nilu alone is nearly impossible.
And more importantly, think about it, anyone capable of earning the loyalty of a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar obviously isn't just some nobody.
A simple logic even someone with average intelligence could grasp.
But he and others opposing Shinji had all been deceived by his harmless appearance.
"I've been pondering something lately."
Shinji said thoughtfully, "Is the Vasto Lorde really the pinnacle of Hollow evolution? What if there's something even higher? If so, what would a Menos Grande of the Vasto Lorde level evolve into?"
"That's why I've been working with Nilu to break through that limit, to evolve beyond the Vasto Lorde level."
"To become something even greater than the King-class Menos Grande."
Mayuri's eyes widened in shock as Shinji spoke each word clearly and slowly.
Because, with the power of the Hōgyoku, a Shinigami could evolve indefinitely, continuously breaking through dimensional limits.
Once reaching the "Fusion Evolution State," they would transcend the boundaries of Shinigami life itself.
Becoming a more advanced, perfected life form, closer to the Soul King's existence.
And with the power of Hōgyoku, this evolution can continue.
Shinji, who has already entered the "Fusion Evolution State," has repeatedly surpassed the limitations of a normal Shinigami.
So…
If Shinji uses the Hōgyoku on Nilu, then wouldn't she also be able to transcend the Vasto Lorde level and evolve into an even more perfect being?
"So, Kurotsuchi Mayuri… are you interested in helping?"
Seeing Mayuri's eyes light up like a kid in a candy store, Shinji gave a light chuckle.
"Haha... I didn't expect you to have such technology. You really are full of surprises, Captain Kuchiki Shinji of the 10th Division."
"I'm definitely interested in helping with this experiment."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri rubbed his hands eagerly and asked tentatively, "Then, could I get a little bit of Nilu's blood?"
Worried Shinji might misunderstand…
Or just genuinely afraid of getting slashed again…
Mayuri quickly explained, "I only want a sample for research. Observing the experiment's data will allow me to better analyze Nilu's current state."
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he forced a smile and awaited Shinji's response.
"Is that okay, Nilu?"
Shinji looked at the girl who was tightly clinging to him.
"Of course. If it's for you, Shinji, I'll do anything."
Nilu smiled with crescent eyes, not hesitating at all.
For her, Shinji is probably the most important person in the world.
The next second
She returned to her serious, regal demeanor and lightly cut her palm with a finger.
A thin line of blood trickled down.
Seeing this, Mayuri immediately took out a container, collected the blood, and tucked it carefully into his clothes.
This is the blood of a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar!
He couldn't afford to be careless.
Even after so many years as a captain, this was the first time Mayuri had gotten his hands on such a rare research specimen, far above captain-level Hollow data.
That's how precious Nilu's blood was.
Meanwhile, in Karakura Town.
Passing through a portal into the land of high spiritual density, Shinji, tracking his brother's Reiatsu, brought Nilu with him and sped forward with Shunpo.
Their destination resembled a central island, quiet and desolate.
Light rain softly struck the green leaves and fell to the ground.
Byakuya Kuchiki stood silently in the center of the island.
Around him, a layer of Reiatsu blocked the falling rain.
Swish! Swish!
Two quick flashes approached from behind, but Byakuya didn't react. It was as if he didn't care.
Tap
Shinji and Nilu landed beside him.
At a glance, Shinji noticed a massive crater in front of them.
A large-scale Reiatsu explosion had created it.
Inside the crater, there were two residual spiritual pressures.
One belonging to the enemy…
The other, unmistakably Kuchiki Sentō (likely another family member).
"Did something happen in the Soul Society?" Byakuya asked, turning to Shinji.
He was curious what had caused Shinji to delay his journey to the human world.
"Yeah. I sensed something, someone who shouldn't be alive, so I went after them to investigate."
"Who was it? Did you find out?" Byakuya frowned slightly.
Anyone worth Shinji's pursuit wouldn't be a small matter.
"It was someone you'd never expect… Even I doubted my own senses at first."
Shinji paused, then said clearly:
"It was Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the 12th Division Captain and Director of the Technology Development Bureau, the one we all thought had been killed."
Byakuya's pupils shrank. "Mayuri? He's still alive? With those injuries…"
Shinji nodded with a wry smile. "I'm shocked too. Even after I cut him so badly, he still survived."
Shinji considered whether to tell Byakuya about Mayuri's survival.
But ultimately decided to, because he wanted Mayuri reinstated as captain.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, as captain of the 12th Division and head of the Technology Development Bureau, would be far more valuable than a rogue researcher with no resources.
The Twelfth Division and the Tech Bureau hold countless precious instruments and irreplaceable research facilities, crucial for his experiments.
To continue his progress, especially for Nilu's evolution, reinstating Mayuri was essential.
And so, his captaincy must be restored.