Chapter 360: Satoru's New Discovery
Soul Society, in a laboratory that no one could possibly find.
Aizen stood before an experiment table, pressing several buttons.
Beside him, inside a tall cultivation tank, a man slowly opened his eyes.
Seeing the scene before him, he showed a somewhat confused expression.
"Good evening, Captain Zaraki."
Hearing this gentle voice, he turned to look.
He saw a young man with brown cropped hair, wearing glasses, with a vice-captain's armband, smiling at him.
"You are..."
"I'm just an ordinary researcher. I awakened you this time because I wanted to confirm some information with you."
As he spoke, Aizen waved his hand, and a mechanical arm brought a screen before Sōya Azashiro.
Watching the content on the screen, Sōya Azashiro slightly furrowed his brow.
A few seconds later, his eyes suddenly widened.
"This is... the Vanguard Project?!"
"Yes."
Aizen nodded.
"After all this time, I have finally fulfilled your long-cherished wish."
"Through my efforts, along with many like-minded individuals, Central 46 has finally agreed to restart the Vanguard Project."
"Currently, various tasks are being carried out in full swing. The unfinished work you once pursued is now within reach."
"However, due to Central 46's thorough purge back then, even with our best efforts to preserve them, many documents were inevitably lost."
"To fill in the gaps, we need your help."
Hearing Aizen's words, Sōya Azashiro's face was filled with astonishment.
"Central 46 agreed to restart the Vanguard Project... How is that possible?"
"This was a project terminated by the will of the Soul King Palace!"
At this, Aizen smiled faintly.
He pulled a document from his sleeve and unfolded it before Sōya Azashiro.
Looking at the document before him, Sōya Azashiro was first stunned, then couldn't help but feel ecstatic.
Yes, it was a document approved by Central 46!
The format, seals, and signatures all complied with regulations—impossible to forge.
Central 46 had truly agreed to restart the Vanguard Project!
This was... unbelievable!
After a brief moment of excitement, he glanced at the nutrient solution surrounding him and the various tubes inserted into his body.
"Since the project has been restarted, my charges should have been dropped, right?"
"Why am I still imprisoned here?"
"Wait... Before that, why am I here... I should be in Muken Prison..."
At this point, he suddenly jolted.
"Satoru... Where is Satoru?!"
Aizen replied expressionlessly:
"No need to worry, Captain Zaraki. Satoru has been imprisoned by the Captain-Commander for committing grave errors. He can no longer interfere with you."
"As for your current situation, this is a necessary measure."
"Your abilities are too dangerous. If you were allowed to move freely in Seireitei, the higher-ups wouldn't be able to sleep soundly."
"So, at least for the time being, please cooperate with our work and remain here quietly."
Sōya Azashiro fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Understood. Since this is Central 46's will, I will comply."
"Good. Thank you for your cooperation."
Aizen nodded.
He turned around, operating the interface with his back to Sōya Azashiro.
He didn't want to look any longer at someone who, despite possessing immense power and grand ambitions, willingly prostrated at the feet of nobles and kissed their toes.
Earlier, Satoru had said that just mentioning Central 46 would make Sōya Azashiro obedient. Aizen had thought it somewhat absurd.
Now, it seemed not only was he obedient—he had become a mere puppet.
Speechless.
Just as he was organizing materials to begin discussions with Sōya Azashiro, an alarm suddenly sounded in the room—
[Warning: Ultra-dangerous target approaching. Prepare accordingly.]
Sōya Azashiro looked at Aizen:
"Ultra-dangerous target?"
Though he didn't know the criteria, just hearing the term suggested an formidable presence was approaching.
Yet, the young researcher before him showed little panic.
Under Sōya Azashiro's concerned gaze, Aizen removed his glasses and set them aside.
"No need to worry, Captain Zaraki. Please wait here while I handle something."
With these words, Aizen quickened his pace and left the laboratory.
The moment he closed the door behind him, a figure came rushing in.
"Sōsuke, please help me!!"
Looking at the excited Satoru, Aizen raised his hand to rub between his eyebrows.
Truly a special-class dangerous target - with just one sentence, he had managed to raise Aizen's blood pressure considerably.
"Sōsuke, I just thought of a brilliant plan!"
Under Aizen's gaze, Satoru spread his arms wide:
"If we use the Vanguard Project to create copies of Suì-Fēng, Yoruichi, Bambi... wouldn't I instantly become the master of paradise?"
Just imagining that scene made him feel somewhat excited.
Aizen: "..."
He tilted his head slightly upward, looking at Satoru with a gaze that suggested he was viewing garbage.
"Didn't I tell you before? Even with the Soul King's breath, creating copies close to the originals requires tearing off a small fragment of the creator's soul and integrating it into them."
"Do you really want to engage in indecent acts with a bunch of creatures fused with fragments of your own soul?"
"Satoru, I might have underestimated you. I never expected you to have such twisted tastes."
Hearing Aizen's words, Satoru was momentarily stunned.
That's right... those copied captains had clearly undergone significant personality changes because they were fused with fragments of Inaba Kagerōza's soul.
If they were fused with fragments of his own soul...
Satoru narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
Aizen also found himself unintentionally imagining the scenario.
A large group of Suì-Fēng, Yoruichi, Matsumoto Rangiku, and various other women, all with ferocious grins, tearing open the upper parts of their Shinigami Uniforms...
No, that was too much for his eyes.
Aizen closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
Feeling like he'd been screwed over by Komamura.
Satoru pondered for a moment:
"Then, how about we abandon combat strength entirely and focus only on appearance and personality to create a batch of modified souls?"
Aizen sighed.
"Don't waste my time with such foolish plans next time."
"Never mind how those women would react if they found out you did this—can you even get past your own conscience? Can you pretend nothing happened, betray their trust, and enjoy such a life?"
"Strive to become someone worthy of their trust and admiration. Stop entertaining these absurd ideas."
With that, Aizen waved him away dismissively.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he called Satoru back.
"By the way, make me another bowl of that tofu pudding from last time... the one with red beans. Thanks."
"Heh heh, finally succumbed to my culinary skills? If someday you can't taste my cooking anymore and find everything else unpalatable, don't blame me."
Satoru wore a triumphant expression.
If only he'd worn his master chef uniform today—he'd have definitely performed the towel-snapping move for this guy Sōsuke.
...
...
Eleventh Division, Captain's Study.
The study door was wide open, with members of the inner court continuously delivering documents and taking away processed files.
Yamamoto Shigekuni sat behind the desk, quietly reviewing documents.
Behind him stood Satoru, motionless.
Since the First Division barracks had been destroyed in the previous battle, Yamamoto had simply relocated his office to the Eleventh Division.
Not only had he commandeered Satoru's study, Yamamoto had also decreed that Satoru must remain present and observe throughout the entire document review process.
After returning to Seireitei, he had examined the documents Satoru previously processed.
They were flawless, almost unlike this kid's work.
When I'm gone, the work gets done perfectly, but the moment I return, you pretend to be incompetent?
Such convenience won't be allowed!
If you don't know how, then stand there and watch!
Standing beside Yamamoto, Satoru stared at the division paperwork on the desk.
The longer he looked, the sleepier he became.
Bored out of his mind, he began conducting simulated battles in his mind.
First, he created a simulated battlefield.
Then, simulated opponents.
Hmm... let's start with Senior Brothers Kyōraku and Ukitake.
In the mental world, Satoru wielded dual swords, clashing fiercely with his two similarly armed senior brothers.
Though simulated, their realm and techniques were identical to reality.
The only difference was that Satoru had never witnessed their Bankai, so he could only simulate their Shikai combat styles.
Fighting while playing around, he effortlessly defeated both within twenty minutes.
Next, he simulated all members of the Gotei 13.
Except Yamamoto.
In the mental world, battle after battle erupted.
The more he fought, the more surprised Satoru became at the astonishing realism of his simulations.
He never realized he possessed such talent before.
Who would have thought being tormented by Head Captain Yamamoto would yield such an unexpected benefit.
With some effort, he defeated all Gotei 13 members.
Still unsatisfied, he added Hueco Mundo's Three Great Generals and the Privaron Espada for the third round.
Eleven captain-level Shinigami and ten captain-level Arrancar—twenty-one opponents total—launched a ferocious assault reminiscent of the Bright Peak siege.
Initially, he could still fight back with dual swords.
As the fight intensified, an exhilarated Satoru directly threw away his sword, tore off his clothes, and charged into the crowd, wreaking havoc.
Yamamoto occasionally glanced at Satoru's reactions while reviewing documents.
Seeing Satoru occasionally furrow his brows or adopt a serious expression, he nodded slightly in approval.
Good, this kid was already starting to review division affairs documents alongside him.
To accommodate Satoru, he deliberately slowed his pace slightly.
Then he noticed Satoru suddenly curl the corners of his mouth.
Hmm... What, does he think this old man's document processing speed is inferior to his?
Feeling somewhat displeased, Yamamoto sped up again.
This time, he observed Satoru refocusing intently, battle spirit blazing in his eyes.
Heh heh, let's compete then! Let's see whether this old man who's commanded the First Division for a thousand years is more capable, or you with your extraordinary talent!
Yamamoto stopped observing Satoru and concentrated fully on the documents.
Meanwhile, Satoru's simulated battle in his mind reached its climax.
Simultaneously facing twenty-one opponents caused his body temperature to rapidly rise.
White steam emanated from the top of his head.
Yamamoto remained completely absorbed in reviewing documents, not even noticing the strange temperature changes around him.
Sasakibe came by once and, seeing the scene inside, couldn't help showing a puzzled expression.
Satoru stood there steaming, battle intent burning in his eyes.
Yamamoto was sweating profusely from the heat but remained unaware, frantically processing documents.
Sasakibe: "..."
What madness are these master and disciple up to again?
After a few seconds of silence, he quietly left to avoid having his intelligence lowered by association.
After an unknown amount of time, Satoru finally defeated his last opponent.
Yamamoto also completed his work.
Wiping sweat of unknown origin, he turned to look at Satoru.
He saw Satoru grinning and letting out a scornful laugh.
"Heh, that's it?"
"?"
Yamamoto was enraged.
After completing a full day's work at such speed, this was the evaluation he received?
The Eleventh Division members gathered outside, quietly discussing various plans to eliminate the Captain-Commander and install their big brother as successor.
Suddenly they saw their big brother and old man Yamamoto rush out one after another.
"Old fool! Don't go too far! I clearly didn't do anything!"
"This humiliation today cannot be cleansed unless I offer you to my blade!!"
Amidst the chase, chaos erupted once again.
...
...
That evening, Satoru visited Aizen again.
Aizen initially thought he came to discuss foolish applications of the Vanguard Plan again, but upon meeting, Satoru immediately laughed:
"Sōsuke, give me another shot of that medicine that accelerates thinking speed!"
"?
Even with Aizen's temperament, this statement shocked him.
Had Satoru finally gone mad?
After using the Superhuman Medicine, the spirit gains super acceleration while the body can't keep up with the thoughts.
After injection, a person becomes like a plant with runaway thoughts.
For someone of Satoru's personality, this medicine could be considered torture - why would he request it voluntarily?
Though I really want to complain, under Satoru's persistent pestering, a puzzled Aizen eventually gave him an injection.
Watching the motionless Satoru lying on the bed, Aizen approached a machine.
The machine screen displayed various physical function states of Satoru.
The Superhuman Medicine was still in experimental stages, not yet ready for practical use.
Initially, he and Mayuri Kurotsuchi developed this drug with the intention of diluting it approximately a thousandfold for use.
However, since the efficacy rapidly diminished each time it was diluted to around six hundred times, the research on this drug had to be shelved.
Now, with a test subject who was both effective, durable, and willing, he naturally welcomed the opportunity.
But the next moment, upon seeing the data on the screen, Aizen's eyes gradually filled with confusion.
The instrument data showed that Satoru's brainwave activity was rapidly spiking.
In less than a second, Satoru's brainwave activity had surged thousands of times!
"?"
Aizen frowned.
What was this guy doing?
How could anyone possibly use their brain to such an extent that their brainwaves became this active?
Even if accelerated a thousand times, it shouldn't be this bizarre, right?
As he pondered, he suddenly noticed with shock that Satoru's body temperature was rapidly rising.
What a joke... Was this guy cooking himself?!
Aizen swiftly grabbed the antidote nearby, Flash Stepped to Satoru's side, and administered an injection.
In those brief ten seconds, Satoru's body had become like a red-hot iron, completely boiling and steaming, his entire form as red as a giant shrimp!
Under Aizen's tense gaze, Satoru's eyes suddenly snapped open...