Chapter 97: Help Me Reattach This Thigh
After several days of promotion, the prize pool for the first Seireitei Public Welfare Prize snowballed at a terrifying pace.
Every day, more people were lured in by the rapidly climbing total and threw themselves into this unprecedented activity. Even merchants and noble offspring outside the Gotei 13 were eager to join.
Watching the whole Seireitei catch fire like this, Shuhei finally relaxed. He led the Editorial Office in working overtime through the night and even swore a military pledge to his captain, guaranteeing the first drawing would be executed without a single mistake.
Takeru handed the entire operation to Shuhei with full confidence. He, meanwhile, carried a proposal straight to the Research and Development Institute to discuss cooperation with Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Cooperation?"
Inside a reception room designed to feel businesslike and modern, Takeru and Mayuri sat across from each other with a coffee table between them.
The setting was formal. The atmosphere was not.
Mayuri alone ensured that, wearing contempt like a lab coat.
"If you still have opinions about the denreishinki, or you want to use it to make money, I suggest you find someone else. The Research and Development Institute has plenty of talent who can meet your needs."
"It's impossible for me to help you. A plan of that caliber would only waste my valuable time."
"Thank you."
Takeru first thanked Nemu politely for the tea. Under Captain Kurotsuchi's furious glare, the kind that screamed Nemu what are you doing why are you serving tea to someone who is about to be kicked out, he began unhurriedly.
"For a research oriented talent like Captain Kurotsuchi, both time and energy are extremely precious. As a modern person, I could not be more aware of that."
"So I brought a proposal worthy of your consideration. Please take a look."
He placed a prepared document on the coffee table.
"I'd like to see what tricks you're playing."
Mayuri snorted, grabbed the document, and began flipping.
The moment he saw the title, his eyes narrowed.
As he kept reading, his relaxed posture straightened. He adjusted his sitting position without realizing it, growing serious and meticulous. The paper slid closer and closer to his face.
He turned pages faster and faster, eyes shining like a scanner, taking in ten lines at a glance while muttering to himself.
"This is…"
"Permanent anchoring of kido to space, a new theory of reishi arrangement, correction and elimination of the timeline…"
"What an astonishing concept…"
"Is this a god trying to build an amusement park for himself?!"
Then his expression snapped.
"Wait. Why are there no specific techniques? Where is the rest? Where are they?!"
Bang.
Mayuri slammed the document onto the table along with his palm.
He had gone from disdain to shock in seconds. The moment he instinctively rolled up his sleeves, ready for a major undertaking, he discovered the most crucial technical data was blank.
His mood was like a tower of theory suspended in midair, unable to rise and unable to land. He was so furious he looked ready to draw his Zanpakuto and cut down the man in front of him.
Nearby, Nemu, still in her maid role, flinched at her captain's reaction. She glanced down at the document and immediately caught the title.
Development and Creation of the Spirit Time House.
Spirit… time house?
"Captain Kurotsuchi," Takeru said calmly, "can we discuss cooperation now?"
Those words forced Mayuri to steady his breathing.
"Tch. Fine. I'll temporarily admit your plan is valuable enough to warrant my involvement." Mayuri's gaze sharpened. "Tell me. What are your conditions for selling me the plan?"
"Selling it to you?"
Takeru lifted an eyebrow.
"Otherwise? Without technical data, it's impossible to calculate implementation cost, but this is undeniably an unprecedented super scientific research project."
"If you could build the Spirit Time House on your own, you wouldn't be here cooperating with me."
"Deny it all you want, it's useless. Only the Research and Development Institute in the entire Seireitei can provide sufficient equipment and suitable facilities. If necessary, we can apply for more research resources. The Ninth Division does not have that."
Mayuri leaned back with a thin smile.
"That's right. If I have to describe it, you have the blueprint for a weapon, but none of the essentials. No tools, no forge, no blacksmiths."
"So it's better to sell it to someone who can build it, rather than letting it rot in the hands of someone who knows nothing about science."
"Alright. Bring out the rest of the documents. Information storage devices will do. State your conditions."
The theories had stimulated his nerves to the point of humming. In that instant, Mayuri guessed part of Takeru's intention.
Part of it.
"No documents. No devices."
Takeru shook his head.
"What?" Mayuri's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you expect me to develop the specific technology from your theories, work myself to death perfecting it, painstakingly build the thing, and then you walk in and use the finished product."
Mayuri stared so hard it felt like he was trying to dissect Takeru with his eyes alone. Somewhere in his mind, he was already swearing that if the brat dared to say yes, he would throw him out immediately and hang a sign at the door with his name on it that read No Entry.
"The technical data is complete," Takeru said, almost apologetic. "There's simply too much. I don't have time to write it down one by one. Please forgive me."
Mayuri's eyes widened.
"You… what did you just say?"
It was not strange for these documents to be personally written by Takeru.
But theory and technology were not the same thing.
A theory could be summarized in one sentence. Practical implementation demanded astronomical calculations, kido techniques precise enough to allow no error, specific spatial analysis methods. One branch alone could fill a small capacity information storage device.
And Takeru had recorded all of it in his head?
That meant either he memorized every last detail…
Or he truly understood it, able to recall any part, then translate it into text through his own comprehension.
Mayuri would rather believe the former. A monstrous memory was still more believable than a boy who genuinely understood everything.
Unfortunately, his extravagant hope shattered on the spot.
"I said," Takeru repeated, tapping his chest with a finger, voice firm, "I came here to discuss cooperation."
"What is cooperation? It means you and I team up and tackle this project."
"Money, I have. The Shihoin Clan, the Kuchiki Clan, and the Omaeda Clan are all willing to invest."
"I also have the technology. It's right here."
He tapped his head.
"But as you said, money and technology alone are not enough. I need a workshop to build the weapon, and I need skilled blacksmiths."
"Walking on two legs lets you go faster and farther."
"You, Captain Kurotsuchi, and the Research and Development Institute, are my other leg." Takeru's gaze did not waver. "I came here to reattach this thigh."
Mayuri laughed, furious to the point of nearly choking.
"That sounds pretty, but you're just trying to make the Research and Development Institute work for you. You want to make me your flunky and order me around as you please."
"And you have the nerve to call that cooperation?"
"Kid, you wouldn't have dared speak to me like that before."
"That's right."
Takeru admitted it without hesitation. He leaned forward slightly and met Mayuri's eyes head on.
"Isn't that precisely a sign of respect for you?"
"…."
Mayuri's anger stalled. His expression stiffened.
He had meant to mock the brat for getting smug after becoming a captain.
But Takeru's underlying logic was sharp as a scalpel.
Only after becoming a captain are you worthy of speaking to me like this.
If that was the logic, then those words did not sound quite as offensive anymore.
Still, Mayuri refused to yield. He picked up the document and began nitpicking desperately, trying to prove Takeru had no authority to dictate terms.
He regretted it almost immediately.
Not only regretted it, he started feeling confused.
Because Takeru was no longer merely answering smoothly through memorization.
Without revealing the core technology, he displayed an absurdly thorough grasp of the field. Even casual conversation carried depth that could not be faked.
There was only one explanation.
"You brat actually… truly understand scientific research?"
How?
A young man who had been in Soul Society for less than a year becoming a captain was already a miracle. Where did he find the time and energy to engage in scientific research, let alone develop something as outrageous as the Spirit Time House on his own?
Mayuri clenched his back teeth, forcing himself to stay calm.
"In that case, project leadership will be yours. Research and Development Institute personnel will be at your disposal. Everything will follow your will."
"Thank you for Captain Kurotsuchi's approval." Takeru nodded. "If you're interested in the Spirit Time House technology, I will record all data used during construction and provide you with a copy."
"As for confidentiality, I won't insult you by lecturing. You know what to do."
"Although I want to say confidentiality is redundant. Even with all the data, no one has the means to produce it. At most it will be reference." Mayuri's eyes glinted. "But knowledge is priceless, and I also hate it when people misuse my research results."
"So, like you, I will implant the data into my brain for storage. It will not be left on paper or devices."
"…."
Takeru felt Mayuri was developing a competitive streak in a strange direction, but since the result was good, he chose not to comment.
They both tacitly avoided the question of how to prevent leakage during construction.
That was nearly impossible.
Takeru would have to personally select trustworthy personnel, forming a dedicated Spirit Time House strategic research team to assist him and Mayuri. If they were only assisting, knowing some technical details would not matter.
On top of that, everyone would be under close surveillance.
The location would also be chosen carefully. If necessary, Sekkiseki and kido sealing of time and space would be deployed to blockade the surrounding area.
At that point, even those hiding in the shadows would only be able to watch helplessly.
In fact, Takeru insisting on leading the project was precisely so he could push security measures through. Otherwise, as Mayuri said, he could have thrown the project to the Institute. If he only wanted usage rights, that would have been enough. There was no need to go this far and insist on ownership of the Spirit Time House.
Regardless, the cooperation was settled.
Their relationship eased to the point they could sit and drink tea together.
"Oh, right."
Mayuri took a sip, cleared his throat, and remembered something.
"Shimiya. You just said where the investment came from?"
"The Shihoin Clan, the Kuchiki Clan, and the Omaeda Clan."
Takeru answered as if he had not noticed Mayuri's furrowing brow.
"So many?" Mayuri's voice turned sharp. "I can understand Omaeda. They have money but can't contend with you, so I'm not worried about them making outrageous demands."
"But the Shihoin Clan and the Kuchiki Clan aren't charities. I don't want inexplicable outsiders coming to dictate my research."
"Don't worry. That won't happen." Takeru's tone was steady. "Byakuya owes me a favor. And both the current and former heads of the Shihoin Clan are very familiar with me. They set no conditions."
"Even putting that aside, it's better to have more people, isn't it? The funds are spread out, so the exchange conditions each family can demand also drop."
"Just like the Omaeda Clan you mentioned. After I explained the Spirit Time House's function, Senior Hisanoshin readily agreed."
"He originally hoped the Omaeda Clan would have a permanent usage slot. But because they can't be the sole investor, it became a promise instead."
"What promise?"
"One slot, ten opportunities."
Mayuri snorted softly.
"Even so, he's making a massive profit. Is he planning to use it for his son?"
The proposal made the Spirit Time House's function clear.
It was a special training ground.
The internal environment was extremely harsh, unfavorable for survival. But because the reishi concentration resembled a high oxygen environment, once a spiritual body adapted, it would naturally, like organisms adapting to an environment, evolve, or transform. However one wanted to describe it, it would become stronger.
Then add the time flow difference.
One day outside, one year inside.
There was one opportunity to use it every month.
The Omaeda Clan had ten opportunities.
That meant ten extra years of training time.
And the results of ten years inside might be achievements one could fail to reach even with a hundred years.
"Senior Hisanoshin decided to keep the slots for now," Takeru said. "He's likely saving them for descendants with higher potential in the future."
Mayuri sneered.
"A wise judgment. Sending someone inside without sufficient strength is no different from sending them to die."
"Once you enter the Spirit Time House, you cannot leave until the year ends. Without captain level strength, you would drown in that reishi density."
"Compared to that entry requirement, the limitation of one person at a time is nothing."
Takeru could not help feeling a bit of regret for an old acquaintance, Marechiyo Omaeda.
Hisanoshin was the former vice captain of the Second Division, Suì Feng's former superior, and Yoruichi's subordinate. Marechiyo was his biological son.
Unlike his son, Hisanoshin was strong, shrewd, and capable. A man like that was not easily fooled, and he would not make unreasonable demands.
That was precisely why he had been chosen as an investor.
It was a pity Marechiyo had not inherited all his father's ability. It was hard to say how long it would take him to reach captain level.
Hisanoshin understood that. That was why he avoided mentioning his son's name. He only specified the slot and the number of uses, never naming who it was for.
That way, even if Marechiyo disappointed, the promise could remain as an heirloom, helping future talented descendants grow rapidly.
Takeru considered the plan thorough.
As for the so called drawback Mayuri mentioned, he did not care.
One person per use. Captain level minimum.
Strict, yes.
But the lack of restrictions on how long someone could stay inside across different uses was already enough to satisfy Takeru.
Everything else was minor.
Because this training ground was made for him.
As long as he could use it, that was enough.
It would be nice if acquaintances benefited too, but he would not force it if they could not.
Now, it seemed these strict requirements were not an issue at all.
Quite a few of his acquaintances were already qualified.
"Regarding the energy source, I plan to apply for deployment of the Pure Realm Chapter," Takeru said abruptly.
Mayuri pondered, then nodded.
"It would be a waste not to use existing energy. But speaking of which, you didn't come to me only to drag me along to persuade the Captain Commander, did you?"
Facing Mayuri's suspicious stare, Takeru denied it flatly.
"How could that be? You're overthinking."
"True." Mayuri's tone turned dry. "With your relationship to the Captain Commander and such a justification, you wouldn't fail to apply for a mere Pure Realm Chapter."
"What are you saying, Captain Kurotsuchi?" Takeru replied smoothly. "How could a mere single Pure Realm Chapter be worthy of your involvement?"
Mayuri's eyelid twitched.
"Then how many do you intend to use?"
"Those dangerous explosives are just sitting around." Takeru's expression did not change. "We might as well use them up."
"That way we can build a semi permanent Spirit Time House in one go, and kill two birds with one stone."
"…You really did come here to drag me in as your lobbyist!"
.....
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