By the time Bankai was released, Kensei Muguruma had already returned to his normal physique and appearance.
Sensing the disappearance of the domain, Yamamoto Genryusai instantly appeared before them.
His stern eyes first swept over Tsugikuni Yoriichi, seeing that his expression was normal and he was unharmed.
Then, his gaze slowly turned to Kensei Muguruma, and his cane struck the ground heavily, making a dull sound, as he asked, "Kensei Muguruma, what happened just now?"
Kensei Muguruma struggled to raise his eyes, revealing a forced smile.
He exerted all his strength to maintain the stability of his own state, took a deep breath, and then said, "Reporting to Captain-Commander, you'll have to ask Sir Tsugikuni about this."
"Hmm?" Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of doubt flashing within them.
Before he could respond, Tsugikuni Yoriichi slowly spoke, "Teacher, this matter is of great importance, be careful of eavesdroppers."
"…"
Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Genryusai immediately understood what had happened.
Although the details were unclear, it must be very important.
And, looking at Kensei Muguruma's appearance again…
He nodded slightly: "Understood."
Once the barrier was cast, completely shielding out external sounds and sights, Yamamoto Genryusai looked back at the two and continued, "Tell me, what is it that has you two so nervous?"
His voice deepened slightly, and after a pause, he asked, "What exactly happened to Kensei Muguruma?
Why do I feel a faint, evil aura emanating from him?"
"…" Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Kensei Muguruma exchanged glances. The former immediately nodded and said, "Teacher, your perception is not mistaken. I want to ask you a question."
"If a Shinigami is infected by a Hollow, or perhaps, has mastered a part of a Hollow's power, but this power can be artificially controlled, how would you treat that Shinigami?"
"Hmm!" Yamamoto Genryusai immediately sensed that something was amiss.
His narrow eyes narrowed into a slit, his gaze like a torch, as he carefully scrutinized Kensei Muguruma.
He said, word by word:
"I will never let go of anyone who is lax in justice."
"The power of a Hollow is an anomaly, an existence that disrupts the balance of the Three Realms."
"Even if I don't act, other Shinigami certainly won't tolerate it."
After speaking, he looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi:
"Don't play games with me anymore."
"You mean, Kensei Muguruma was corrupted by a Hollow… is that right?"
Thump!
The wooden sheath covering Ryujin Jakka scattered with the wind, and the aura emanating from Yamamoto Genryusai became stern, making the surrounding air much heavier.
That powerful aura seemed capable of crushing everything.
His breath was somewhat scorching, and Kensei Muguruma swallowed, a dry voice emerging: "Captain-Command…"
"Silence!"
Yamamoto Genryusai growled, his voice filled with authority and anger:
"Kensei Muguruma, say no more."
"If you say another word, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist ending you with a single strike."
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi, you tell me, you tell me the whole story behind all of this!"
Hollowfication is an absolute anomaly, an existence that shakes the foundation of Shinigami, and for no reason can it be tolerated!
If it were normal times, upon learning of this, he would immediately slay Kensei Muguruma with his sword to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
Because he deeply knew that sacrificing one Captain was more valuable than sacrificing countless Shinigami.
But now, with his disciple involved in this matter, even if Yamamoto Genryusai was more ruthless, more decisive…
He couldn't help but hesitate.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi organized his thoughts and quickly relayed the deductions made within the domain.
When Yamamoto Genryusai learned that Kensei Muguruma had been framed, and that evidence might still remain, he instantly vanished from the spot like the wind:
"Stay here and wait for me!"
A minute later, Yamamoto Genryusai returned, his expression somewhat grim.
The blade oil Kensei Muguruma used had disappeared, presumably dealt with by someone…
This occurrence further corroborated this explanation!
Anger was evident on his aged face, and Yamamoto Genryusai said in a deep voice:
"Continue, Kensei Muguruma, do you know who is most likely to have done this?"
Kensei Muguruma paused, and the image of one person instantly flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it.
Because in his eyes, anyone could betray him, except Kuna Mashiro.
For her, her concern before and after the battle was difficult to fake, and there was no need to use such methods.
Before today, she knew nothing about it.
It was impossible to obtain the forbidden Hollow poison within two short hours.
Thus, Kensei Muguruma slowly recited a few names.
Yamamoto Genryusai wrote each one down, left the barrier, called a few Captains, and had all those guys arrested.
However, given that they were all caught, the poisoner was probably not them…
This discovery made Yamamoto Genryusai instantly realize the troublesome nature of this matter.
The suspect is unknown, and the culprit is unknown.
And the culprit may not even be the culprit; he might just be a scapegoat.
Although evidence was left behind, namely Kensei Muguruma's Zanpakuto, which should reveal Hollow poison upon analysis, these were not of practical use at present.
Considering the potential impact of this incident, Yamamoto Genryusai immediately issued an order.
—Any Shinigami leaving their Division must inform their Captain or Vice-Captain.
And they must not act in groups of less than ten, to prevent new Hollowfication incidents.
By the time everything was done, five minutes had passed, and Kensei Muguruma's condition gradually worsened.
He could feel the part of him originating from the Hollow stirring within.
Faint traces of violent aura emanated, and because of this, when Yamamoto Genryusai returned, the coldness in his eyes was undisguised.
No longer expecting Kensei Muguruma to provide new information, Yamamoto Genryusai looked at Yoriichi and asked:
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi, how do you wish me to deal with him?"
"Hollowfication is irreversible; even your Bankai can only suppress it for a time."
"I don't believe he can suppress the Hollow's evil with his own will."
"You told me all this, surely not hoping I'd just end him with a single strike, right?"
"Indeed." Yoriichi nodded.
"But your student believes that Captain Kensei, as the first Hollowfied individual who has not yet died, should ideally be kept alive for now."
"Because only in this way, when we face other Hollowfication incidents in the future, will we have time to analyze all of this and make appropriate preparations."
"Coincidentally, the Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kisuke Urahara, is skilled in various researches. Perhaps we should hand Captain Kensei over to him to examine."
"What if the research fails?" Yamamoto Genryusai countered in a deep voice, "Tsugikuni Yoriichi, do you know how great the risk of this action is?"
"If the situation spreads and affects the entire Twelfth Division, can you bear this responsibility?"
"This is a risk that must be taken." Yoriichi said firmly.
"If we refuse to research these due to concerns about the Twelfth Division being affected…"
"When Hollowfication incidents reappear in the future and become uncontrollable, that is when we will truly regret it."
"Teacher, there is no such thing as absolute safety in the world. Even eating and drinking carry the risk of choking to death, let alone scientific research."
"If we miss this opportunity, more people will only be harmed."
At this point, Yamamoto Genryusai fell silent.
This was undoubtedly his greatest concern at the moment.
However, as Tsugikuni Yoriichi said, even ordinary things like eating and drinking carry a certain degree of risk.
Should one choose to starve merely to avoid these risks?
The answer is clearly no.
Thus, after much deliberation, between the possible casualties of a few and the certain casualties of many, he reluctantly chose the former.
This was the first time he had gone against the justice in his heart.
He only hoped that his choice was the right one.
...
...
After suppressing Kensei Muguruma's condition, the two returned to the Gotei 13, and Kisuke Urahara rushed over.
His steps were slightly hurried, and the corners of his clothes fluttered slightly in the wind.
Initially, he mistakenly thought the Captain-Commander was looking for him again about the Red and White Hot Springs matter.
Unexpectedly, when he saw Kensei Muguruma and learned the truth of Kensei's Hollowfication, he suddenly froze in place, as if he had been petrified.
"Hollowfication?"
Looking at Yamamoto Genryusai, Kisuke Urahara said with some disbelief:
"Captain-Commander, you're not joking, are you? Isn't Shinigami Hollowfication a theoretical taboo?"
Due to the existence of an upper limit to Shinigami abilities, countless individuals have reached this limit over millions of years.
Therefore, the concept of Shinigami Hollowfication existed hundreds of thousands of years ago.
However, at that time, science was not developed, so the concept remained just a concept.
They were unsure how to transfer the power of a Hollow to themselves.
Some Shinigami, after conducting brief research, were discovered by the Five Great Noble Families.
To ensure the purity of Shinigami, the Five Great Noble Families executed all those Shinigami.
Since then, Shinigami Hollowfication became a lost art.
Now hearing Yamamoto Genryusai bring it up again, Kisuke Urahara felt it was utterly absurd.
Not to mention, Kensei Muguruma seemed to have succeeded… How was such a forbidden experiment conducted?
If it was true, he would be happy to help, as it was the inherent work of his Twelfth Division.
However, if this matter was told to him by Yamamoto Genryusai, it was quite strange.
It was like an old, serious, and dutiful elder suddenly telling his child one day that he had learned to smoke, drink, and perm his hair.
Even if it was forced, it was still very strange…
Kisuke Urahara was speechless.
At this moment, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, standing beside Yamamoto Genryusai, narrated the events in detail.
Kisuke Urahara's expression gradually shifted from helplessness to interest, and finally to deep contemplation.
When he finished hearing the entire incident, Kisuke Urahara's brows furrowed into a "well" shape:
"This… Yoriichi, if all of this is true, I can only say."
"The guy hiding in the shadows has been plotting for a long time."
"The initial incident was probably just a test, but unexpectedly, you dodged it."
"Now is the decisive blow. Battles between Captains cannot be without injury. As long as there is a battle between you and Kensei Muguruma, one of you is bound to Hollowfy…"
"It may not be specifically targeting you, but…"
"Is there a way to solve it?" Yoriichi asked.
He knew all these conclusions, but no matter who was targeted, the incident had already happened, and dwelling on it was meaningless.
Kisuke Urahara took a breath:
"Yes, but I need time."
"Actually, I've been researching Hollows recently, studying the differences between them and Shinigami, as well as the essence of Hollowfied Shinigami, and I've already achieved some results."
"If the experiment succeeds, it should stabilize Captain Kensei's condition and allow him to break through the limits of Shinigami."
"What should we do?"
"Just wait and see."
Kisuke Urahara said, "Research is not an overnight process. Even my experiment requires some Hollow energy as a foundation."
"Currently, I've collected about 30%."
"Once it reaches 100%, those energies can undergo a qualitative change, thereby transforming into something I desire."
"It can cause the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows to collapse, allowing any Shinigami or Hollow to acquire the other's power."
"I've named it, Hōgyoku."