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Time flew by, and dozens of days passed in a flash, with the end of the holiday quietly approaching.
Aozaki Reiji quietly gazed at the three identical-looking girls playing in the hot spring before him.
He was fully dressed, with Shinra Bansho carefully hung at his waist.
And why were there three identical-looking women? It all stemmed from the Shinra Bansho sisters.
At this moment, among these three women, besides Rangiku, the other two could actually be called Hime.
Not only were their faces and figures the same, but even their hair color was identical.
"Since I've already mastered Rangiku's Bankai, what should I do next?"
Aozaki Reiji lowered his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he recalled the meticulously planned schedule he had prepared for himself.
...…
At the entrance of the Twelfth Division, Aozaki Reiji looked at Kurotsuchi Mayuri standing opposite him and asked with a grin, "Are you all ready?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's lips curved into a slight, disdainful smile as he lazily replied, "There's nothing to prepare. It's impossible to get any valuable results in that damned prison, and there's nothing worth bringing out."
"What's more, you've always been wary of me. What else could I do besides amuse myself with those crude devices?"
Aozaki Reiji shrugged helplessly, spreading his hands to show his innocence:
"Don't say that. After all, Kiryū and Senjumaru both think you're a very dangerous fellow."
Hearing those two names, Kurotsuchi Mayuri couldn't help but frown, letting out a "tsk" and saying with a look of disgust, "Those two women are truly troublesome!"
As if recalling some unpleasant past events, his tone became even sharper.
"So, you're finally letting me out now?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's voice carried a hint of sarcasm.
He had been promised release long ago, but he had waited for over a decade.
"Of course."
Aozaki Reiji seemed to have seen through Kurotsuchi Mayuri's thoughts and expressed his understanding.
After all, waiting after receiving hope is always the most agonizing; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that every day felt like a year.
He finished speaking and reached out, patting Kurotsuchi Mayuri lightly on the shoulder.
"This is…" Kurotsuchi Mayuri couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
A surging aura, like a torrent, erupted from Aozaki Reiji's body, instantly sweeping through the surroundings.
This powerful, suffocating Reiatsu seemed to tear apart the entire space.
Facing such terrifying pressure, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's body trembled uncontrollably.
He felt as if he were a lone boat amidst raging waves, liable to be swallowed whole by the giant waves at any moment.
Although there was still a hint of fear and doubt in his heart, Kurotsuchi Mayuri gritted his teeth and struggled to hold on, asking, "Is this your confidence?"
Aozaki Reiji chuckled softly, as if a gentle breeze had swept across the sea, and the Reiatsu that had been surging like a tide suddenly vanished without a trace.
He turned his head slightly, his gaze deep as he stared at Kurotsuchi Mayuri, a faint, almost imperceptible hint of playfulness in the corner of his mouth as he retorted, "I'm sorry, but this is all I'm capable of at the moment. Am I a disappointment to you?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri immediately felt the heavy pressure on his body significantly decrease, and the tension in his heart gradually subsided.
However, he did not respond, only letting out a cold snort from his nose to vent his dissatisfaction.
He knew very well that Aozaki Reiji had released such powerful Reiatsu just now to give him a warning and make him recognize reality and his place.
But it was indeed effective. Such terrifying talent was unheard of throughout the history of Soul Society. If nothing unexpected happened, he would likely be suppressed by him for the rest of his life.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri sighed helplessly.
Seeing this, Aozaki Reiji's smile grew even brighter, but he remained silent.
Because he believed that this extremely intelligent person before him must have already understood his intentions.
After entering the room, Aozaki Reiji finally stopped, slowly turned around, and said to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, "From now on, you will be the Third Seat of the Twelfth Division, and concurrently the Deputy Director of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute."
"And this, is the laboratory specially prepared for you."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and asked, "Then who is the Director?"
His tone clearly carried a hint of unwillingness and doubt.
"That would naturally be Kisuke."
Aozaki Reiji replied nonchalantly, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Urahara Kisuke? It really is him!" Kurotsuchi Mayuri sneered.
Although he didn't have much affection for that man, it was undeniable that he was indeed talented.
It would make him feel a little better to have such a genius as the Director.
He didn't want to be subordinate to a bunch of good-for-nothings!
Aozaki Reiji's lips curled into a faint smile as he softly said, "Kisuke has clearly stated that here, your position is second only to mine and his. How does that feel? Pretty good, right?"
Upon hearing this, Kurotsuchi Mayuri frowned tightly, his face filled with an expression of disbelief, as if his intelligence had been greatly insulted, and he indignantly retorted, "Why can someone like you be above me?"
In his opinion, the person before him was intelligent, but in terms of pure intellect, he should certainly not be ranked above himself.
There must be some shady dealings here. Could it be that Hikifune Kirio, that woman, took a liking to this handsome man, so she let him use a back door?
"The reason is simple: I am also one of the founders of this department!"
Aozaki Reiji's face was beaming with pride and satisfaction, as if he had anticipated Kurotsuchi Mayuri's question.
Hearing this, Kurotsuchi Mayuri curled his lip in disdain, but considering the other party's strength and status, he could only choose to accept the arrangement.
Aozaki Reiji's lips curved into a slight smile as he softly said, "Alright, don't always look so grim. I have some good news for you. Do you want to hear it?"
Hearing this, Kurotsuchi Mayuri looked up, his gaze fixed on Aozaki Reiji as if trying to detect a clue in the other's eyes.
Seeing this, Aozaki Reiji smiled slightly and continued, "I know about your crazy experiments. Artificial Shinigami is truly a great concept, so… are you interested in seeing this great experiment through to the end?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri frowned tightly and replied, "I'll continue even if you don't tell me to."
These dangerous experiments had landed him in prison.
But precisely because of this, the Artificial Shinigami project had become an obsession in his heart, so how could he easily give up?
At this point, Aozaki Reiji suddenly changed the subject:
"Oh? In that case, I can rest assured. But speaking of which, given my understanding of your research projects, I presume Kiryū's temporary Souls should be able to assist you, correct?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with an expression of disbelief.
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