"Hey, hey, Mr. Mayuri, boasting isn't really in the nature of us researchers."
Urahara Kisuke seemed to spend all day hoping for a certain someone's misfortune, but when it came down to the wire, he didn't dare go through with it.
If Naraku Sora suffered a minor injury or got beaten up by Yamamoto, he would be more than happy to see it.
Whenever he heard news of a certain someone getting thrashed, Urahara couldn't control his smile; it had almost become a conditioned reflex.
However, if it truly required Naraku Sora to sacrifice his life, that was a bit unacceptable.
Setting aside how many people would be heartbroken if this guy died, the chain reaction his death would trigger was enough to throw the three realms into turmoil.
First was Hueco Mundo.
It had finally been pacified, forming a development model centered around Las Noches. The tragic scenes of Menos Grande slaughtering and devouring each other were no more.
If the current King of Hueco Mundo were gone, based on Urahara Kisuke's understanding of those Arrancars, it was highly likely that no one would submit to anyone else. They would fight among themselves and beat each other's brains out.
Second was the Soul Society. The main reason the nobles no longer acted arrogantly was largely because Naraku Sora had leveled the Tsunayashiro clan.
Furthermore, when this guy struck, he didn't care if you were a noble or not. As long as you provoked him, you would be locked up in Shino Prison at best, or stuffed into the Department of Research and Development at worst.
The current nobles would pale at the mere mention of Sora's name.
Finally, there was the World of the Living.
According to some unreliable rumors, the Quincies hadn't submitted to the Soul Society, but to Naraku Sora.
He was supposed to be sent to sign a treaty, but this guy ended up beating that group into submission by sheer force.
Today's Quincies followed Naraku Sora's lead exclusively.
No other Soul Reaper's words carried any weight; they only listened to this guy.
These factors alone were enough to cause unimaginable upheaval.
Not to mention the unruly new Gotei 13 currently residing inside Shino Prison.
"Hmph, Urahara Kisuke, do you think you know me that well?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri snorted disdainfully. "I told you before to give up researching that useless garbage, but you gladly ate it up, saying it would come in handy."
"Yet when it comes to the critical moment, it's completely useless."
"Urahara Kisuke, I am already steps ahead of you."
Looking at the smug Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Urahara Kisuke's mouth twitched.
He never liked comparing himself to others, but alas, there was always someone who refused to concede.
'Could science really be ranked like a competition? Everyone clearly specializes in different fields. Just with the artificial Soul Reaper alone, you're already ahead of everyone else,' Urahara thought.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Mayuri is a great genius," Urahara Kisuke replied perfunctorily.
Although he saw through the man's dismissive attitude, Kurotsuchi Mayuri didn't care at all, a bizarre smile appearing on his face.
Either way, he had won this time, and that felt incredibly satisfying.
"What exactly is this method Mr. Mayuri mentioned?"
Seeing that the two had settled their little contest, Aizen spoke up to interrupt.
He had no interest in the rivalry between them; he was only curious if Mayuri's method would actually work.
If it truly required trading a certain idiot's life for a first-generation captain, he would absolutely never agree to it.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri grinned, revealing a mouth full of golden teeth. Combined with the bizarre face paint, it gave off a highly twisted, disjointed feeling.
"Artificial Soul."
Aizen frowned, seemingly recalling something.
"Captain Hikifune's research invention?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded. "As early as a year ago, Captain Hikifune had already completed her research on 'Temporary Souls,' and based on that foundation, she developed the advanced technology known as 'Artificial Soul.'"
"Its core lies in implanting Reiatsu unrelated to oneself into the body, thereby elevating one's overall power level."
"This method was originally intended to enhance the power of Soul Reapers, but Captain Hikifune later discovered that it wasn't suitable for everyone."
"Furthermore, doing so would cause Soul Reapers who were still in their growth phase to stagnate, so it was never popularized."
"However, based on the Artificial Soul technology, she developed Artificial Soul Pills, making it easier for Soul Reapers to operate while carrying out missions in the World of the Living."
A thoughtful look flashed through Aizen's eyes.
He didn't know much about Captain Kirio Hikifune of Squad 12.
But he knew she was a scientist with considerable achievements in her respective field.
Although she rarely appeared in public due to her obsession with research, she was absolutely an existence that could not be ignored.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri pulled up the relevant data from the database. Lines of text that would make Naraku Sora's scalp tingle just looking at them appeared on the screen, scrolling down continuously.
"According to my research on Artificial Soul technology, it is entirely possible to implant enough Reiatsu into Lord Naraku's body to serve as the cost for the 'life for a life' exchange."
"Of course, the specific risks still need to be further eliminated, which requires us to conduct more in-depth research."
Urahara Kisuke leaned his head toward the screen, earnestly reading the text.
Although he had overlooked the emergence of this technology due to researching other projects, with his talent, he could completely master it in a short amount of time.
For the trio of Aizen, Urahara, and Mayuri, studying science was the easiest and most relaxing thing in the world.
Surprisingly, however, Naraku Sora also leaned in.
"Mayuri, you just said Artificial Soul technology can increase a Soul Reaper's strength. Is that true?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri saw through a certain someone's thoughts at a glance.
"Lord Naraku, you shouldn't think about taking such shortcuts."
"If this technology were effective on you, Captain Hikifune would have had Head Captain Yamamoto try it long ago."
Naraku Sora was speechless. "..."
What was up with these three guys? Had they learned some kind of mind-reading Kidō?
He clearly hadn't said anything, and he had even controlled his expression perfectly.
Seeing his reaction, Kurotsuchi Mayuri grinned, revealing a bizarre smile.
"Rest assured, Lord Naraku, there is no such absurd ability as mind-reading in this world."
"It's just that your thoughts are too easy to guess."
"?"
Naraku Sora suddenly felt that he was still too lenient with this painted-face man in front of him.
Ignoring the conflicted look on his face, the three of them quickly immersed themselves in researching and studying the Artificial Soul technology.
Seeing their obsessed expressions, Naraku Sora shook his head and simply left the laboratory.
He'd better leave the research to the professionals.
Having finally reaped a wave of profits, his hands were currently itching unbearably; he was craving a fight.
However, when Naraku Sora arrived at Squad 1, preparing to ask Yamamoto for some guidance, he heard from Sasakibe Chōjirō that the old man had gone out on business.
Together with the three first-generation captains.
It seemed they went to reminisce about the past or something.
Evidently, the old man was also sentimental and was preparing to see his former subordinates off.
Naraku Sora had nothing to say about this; at his age, he still couldn't understand the feelings of old men.
But with Yamamoto gone, it wouldn't be right for him to fight Sasakibe.
It wouldn't be good if he ended up dismantling the old man's lieutenant and couldn't put him back together.
Bidding farewell to Sasakibe Chōjirō, Naraku Sora returned to the Shino Prison barracks alone.
However, just as he reached the entrance, he heard an extremely arrogant voice coming from the training grounds near the grassy area.
"As juniors attempting to replace this captain, is this all the skill you have?"
"You're absolutely terrible, worse than small fry!"
Approaching, he saw a pink-haired brat standing with her hands on her hips, looking down at everyone haughtily.
Several figures lay scattered haphazardly around the training grounds.
To Naraku Sora's surprise, they weren't just Soul Reapers from Shino Prison; there were also two members of the Gotei 13.
Moreover, they were unfamiliar faces he had never met, yet they felt incredibly familiar.
A bald guy and a long-haired guy.
The yarrow armbands on their arms already indicated their identities.
Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika.
He didn't expect these two talented guys to have already become Soul Reapers of Squad 11.
To be honest, they had been beaten quite miserably.
If it weren't for recognizing them by their distinct features, Naraku Sora really wouldn't have been able to tell who they were based on their current appearances alone.
They had been beaten so badly even their mothers wouldn't recognize them.
However, if these two guys were here, didn't that mean Zaraki...
"Sora!"
A pink-haired loli rushed out from who knows where and, with a flash, hung herself directly onto Naraku Sora's body like a koala.
"Hehe, long time no see!"
Naraku Sora nodded. "It really has been a long time. You and Zaraki haven't visited in so long; don't tell me you've been lost this whole time?"
Yachiru blinked. "?"
"It's all Ken-chan's fault for being an idiot. If it were just me, I'd definitely be able to come play with you every day."
She shifted the blame with ease and familiarity, as if she did it all the time.
Right at that moment, a figure resembling a humanoid beast charged into the training grounds.
An intense killing intent washed over them, instantly making the battle-hungry Saitō's expression turn serious.
Thick black hair, a face as ferocious as a vicious ghost, and an open Shihakushō revealing a body covered in hideous scars. If a normal person had so many terrifying injuries, they would have died long ago.
But looking at him, he was still full of vigor, his aura terrifying.
Saitō had stayed in Hell for nearly a thousand years and had seen countless brutal Sinners, but compared to the guy in front of her, they all fell slightly short.
Even from a distance, one could smell the thick scent of blood on him.
"Your strength isn't bad. Come and fight me to the death!"
Zaraki Kenpachi raised his jagged longsword, pointing it forward as his golden Reiatsu erupted without any concealment.
Without waiting for a response, he pounced forward like a wild beast.
Because he frequently came to Shino Prison to get beaten up, the speed at which his power was unsealed far exceeded the original timeline.
And also because of Naraku Sora, he had never used that so-called high-tech eyepatch to consume his Reiatsu.
Looking at the current Soul Society, there were very few people who could defeat him head-on.
Blades clashed, and brilliant sparks flew wildly.
The moment they collided, Saitō's expression changed drastically. A terrifying force spread all the way up her arms, nearly making her lose her grip on her Zanpakutō.
'Another monster named Kenpachi,' she thought.
Sensing his opponent's endurance, Zaraki Kenpachi grinned, revealing a beast-like smile.
He suddenly raised his jagged longsword and brought it crashing down like a heavy hammer.
There was no so-called Zanjutsu technique, only pure instinct driving him.
*Clang—*
Visible ripples of air pressure spread in all directions, crashing into the distant walls and cracking them with fine fissures.
Saitō seemed to get fired up as well. Her expression became exceptionally fierce, and materialized crimson killing intent swirled around her petite body, causing the surrounding temperature to drop continuously.
However, even so, facing Zaraki Kenpachi, who was gradually getting into the zone, she found it increasingly difficult to keep up.
Visible white steam evaporated from his slightly reddened skin as Zaraki Kenpachi's smile reached the peak of ferocity.
A pillar of golden light instantly erupted, illuminating the entire martial arts arena. A terrifying skeletal demon appeared above his head, opening its bloody maw to let out a silent wail.
Accompanied by an unreserved vertical slash, the arrogant brat was sent flying backward, slamming hard into the perimeter wall and leaving a human-shaped crater.
Before Saitō could get up, Zaraki Kenpachi's narrowed pupils shifted, locking directly onto Naraku Sora in the crowd. He grinned savagely.
"Sora, come and fight me!"