"You bastard, how could I possibly undertake something as serious as training with a brainless brute like you?"
Naraku Sora's eyes widened as he sharply rebuked him. "Don't think just because we're familiar with each other now that you can spout such outrageous nonsense."
"You should chat more first, raise my affection rating, and occasionally give me some small gifts..."
"Ahem, I'm getting off-topic."
"Spit it out. How exactly does this work? Do I need to slice you in half?"
Szayelaporro's eye twitched. Thanks to a certain someone's constant interruptions and gag routines, he had completely forgotten what he was about to say.
After a brief moment of thought, he organized his words.
"I have a condition."
"I can tell. You're a psychopath."
"Not that kind!"
Disregarding their difference in status, Szayelaporro glared at him.
"To be precise, it is a problem with my soul. Due to certain special circumstances, if I am forced into combat, I will enter a berserk state."
"As time passes, the condition will only worsen."
"This goes against my scientific aesthetics."
"In order to maintain my rationality at all times, I originally planned to forcibly split my soul in two. This was also the preliminary concept behind Gabriel."
"However, after meeting you, Your Majesty, I discovered a new direction."
"A so-called perfect lifeform should not be divided."
"Instead, it should be a flawless creature like yourself."
Naraku Sora nodded, speaking earnestly.
"Although I don't know much about science, I have a subordinate whose views differ somewhat from yours."
"In his understanding, there is no such thing as 'perfection' in this world."
Naraku Sora recalled the words Kurotsuchi Mayuri had once spoken to him.
"Although this theory is a cliché, it is the truth."
"Because only then will ordinary people revere 'perfection' and subsequently strive for it."
"However, 'perfection' is completely meaningless."
"That guy said he absolutely despises the word. Once something is 'perfect,' it means the end. It leaves no room for 'creation,' which means that wisdom and talent become entirely useless."
"For scientists like you, so-called 'perfection' is nothing but despair."
Szayelaporro froze in place, immediately becoming deeply immersed in this theory.
After a few seconds of contemplation, he revealed an unprecedentedly solemn expression.
"A very insightful perspective."
"As expected of Lord Naraku's subordinate. It seems the other party is also a scientist in pursuit of perfection."
Naraku Sora waved his hand dismissively.
"If there's a chance, I'll arrange for you two to meet. You can discuss this kind of topic then."
He had no real thoughts on the so-called art of science.
However, he was quite interested in a meeting between Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Szayelaporro.
If he had to say, the two of them were actually the exact same type of scientist.
They both possessed a disregard for life, a morbid pursuit of science, and a willingness to use any means necessary to achieve their goals.
In terms of pure technical skill, Kurotsuchi Mayuri was a bit stronger.
After all, he had studied various professional theories and was the sole member of the Soul Society's first scientific research team.
Even the predecessor of the Department of Research and Development was actually founded based on that research team.
He was truly at the forefront of the world in every sense.
In contrast, Szayelaporro wandered around Hueco Mundo all day—a place with nothing but sand—relying on extremely crude equipment and instruments.
In the very beginning, he was so impoverished that he had to independently develop biological equipment.
If he hadn't cooperated with Tsunayashiro Taketori, he might still be in an un-Arrancarized state.
But even so, Tsunayashiro Taketori remained wary of this Hueco Mundo scientist.
He had always refused to provide the Soul Society's core technologies.
It wasn't until Naraku Sora took over Las Noches that life started getting better, truly getting on the right track.
Not only was the laboratory renovated, but all sorts of unheard-of, highly sophisticated equipment and instruments were transported to Hueco Mundo one after another.
Along with them came Aizen's research data.
This greatly broadened Szayelaporro's horizons and substantially enriched his theoretical knowledge.
The once rugged and difficult path had transformed into a broad avenue to the heavens.
Naraku Sora was very much looking forward to the first meeting between these two psychopathic scientists; perhaps it would spark something entirely different.
He had been so focused on dragging Urahara Kisuke down with him that he had completely forgotten about Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
Once he could openly return to the Soul Society, he would figure out a way to get him to visit Las Noches.
Compared to Urahara Kisuke's stubbornness, Kurotsuchi Mayuri would definitely gladly accept everything Hueco Mundo had to offer.
While he was lost in thought, Szayelaporro had already finished calibrating the machine.
From its appearance, it looked somewhat like a centrifuge.
"My ideas might be a bit paranoid, but there are no issues with the theory and research."
Seeing Naraku Sora looking over, Szayelaporro patiently explained.
"The method of division is not advisable, so I have chosen to fuse my own soul. By absorbing the advantages of both calmness and madness, I will create a 'me' that is closer to perfection."
"So, what do you need me to do?" Naraku Sora crossed his arms, finding no apparent use for himself here.
Szayelaporro pointed at the giant sphere on the console and spoke seriously.
"You simply need to place your hand on it, actively Hollowfy, and then inject your Reiatsu into it."
"The process might take a little while. I hope you can remain patient."
Naraku Sora nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
Szayelaporro had made significant contributions to the development of Las Noches and appeared very loyal on the surface, so this small request was perfectly acceptable.
Furthermore, since Aizen had sent him here, it meant this had already been researched in advance and posed no danger.
Szayelaporro had neither the guts nor the ability to deceive Aizen.
Soon, the experiment began.
Szayelaporro stepped into the centrifuge-like instrument without hesitation and closed the cabin door.
All research carried risks.
Even the development of the Hōgyoku was built upon the voluntary sacrifices of countless test subjects.
Therefore, Szayelaporro's willingness to hand over control of the experiment to Naraku Sora already demonstrated his trust in him.
Accompanied by a series of beeping sounds, Naraku Sora actively initiated his Hollowfication. A bone-white, ferocious mask appeared and covered his face as he placed his right hand on the sphere.
A vast amount of Reiatsu continuously poured into it, causing the spherical object to bloom with an exceptionally brilliant light.
Eerie fluctuations emanated from the centrifuge.
Naraku Sora continued his output. He might not have an abundance of many things right now, but Reiatsu was certainly not one of them.
Although he was still quite a bit weaker than the likes of Aizen and Yamamoto, he was solidly in the top tier.
Moreover, he still had a considerable amount of room for improvement.
The experimental process did not last too long. When a bizarre sound of tearing flesh echoed from the centrifuge, the corresponding equipment ground to a halt.
The cabin door opened.
A dripping wet figure stepped out from within.
Rose-gold hair clung to his forehead, curved horns resembling those of an argali protruded from both sides of his head, and a monocle was embedded over his right eye.
A trace of madness seeped through his rationality.
Despite his disheveled appearance, it was still hard to conceal his elegant aura.
Compared to before the experiment, his Reiatsu had nearly doubled, exuding the intense aura of a powerhouse.
Naraku Sora merely sensed it briefly before revealing a surprised expression.
Even though this was just his base form, his strength was already catching up to his Resurrección state.
If there had been any debate before, he was now genuinely part of Las Noches' strongest echelon.
However, looking at his condition, it seemed he hadn't fully recovered yet.
The gaze he directed at Naraku Sora occasionally flashed with a hint of danger.
It was like he was threatening a creature that had intruded upon his territory.
Sensing this, Naraku Sora tapped his fingers and quietly released his Reiatsu.
Boom—
Before Szayelaporro could even react, he was directly pinned to the ground by this terrifying Reiatsu.
It had to be known that Naraku Sora was currently in his Hollowfied state.
Instinctively, he erupted with his own Reiatsu in an attempt to resist.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he could not break free from this confinement.
Aside from not having adapted to his own state yet, it was mostly due to the sheer difference in quality.
It wasn't until Szayelaporro's eyes regained their clarity that Naraku Sora finally let him go.
"Thank you... Lord Naraku..."
He shook his somewhat dizzy head, seemingly unable to temporarily shake off the side effects of fusing his soul's traits.
"As long as you've recovered, it's fine."
Naraku Sora grinned, speaking with satisfaction.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
"Get some good rest. There will be plenty of places where I'll need to use you."
Watching Naraku Sora's departing back, Szayelaporro took a deep breath, a look of gratitude revealing itself in his eyes.
To have a superior who could trust him unconditionally was truly a tremendous honor.
"There are actually this many people?"
In front of the Senkaimon, Kyōraku Shunsui stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, sizing up the gathered Captains.
"To be honest, Old Man Yama actually agreeing to let so many Captains go is truly beyond my expectations."
"Isn't he worried that something might happen to the Seireitei while we're away?"
In the crowd, Ukitake sighed.
"Hey, Kyōraku, if you don't want to go, you can swap with me. Leaving such an important mission to you makes it hard for people to rest easy."
Kyōraku Shunsui smiled and didn't reply.
He obviously wasn't going to agree to Ukitake's words.
For this rescue operation, he was the backbone. He would definitely make that group of Menos Grande pay the price!
Yamamoto leaned on his cane, calmly looking at the crowd without a single trace of worry on his face.
Yesterday, he had personally gone to the Department of Research and Development to ask the researching Urahara Kisuke about some "details."
Although he hadn't obtained any useful clues, he could confirm that this Urahara Kisuke was not *that* "Urahara Kisuke."
Since the person in question was fine, there was nothing to worry about.
The petty tricks of Hueco Mundo weren't enough to pose any threat to this group of Captains.
If he had to say, that idiotic disciple was the biggest threat.
Speaking of which, despite having decent strength, their performance in the war had been abysmal. A certain Captain had merely gotten his arm broken, yet he let out such a disgraceful scream...
Thinking up to this point, Yamamoto frowned and heavily struck his cane against the ground. The dull thud drew everyone's attention.
"Everyone, this expedition is primarily to rescue Naraku Sora. Do not be greedy for merit and advance recklessly."
"Once the mission is complete, return to the Soul Society immediately."
"Now, move out!"