12th Division, Technology Development Bureau.
Toshiro lay on a test bench, wearing a peculiar helmet. The helmet, and even his body, were connected by data cables to various instruments in the Technology Development Bureau. Beside him, Mayuri looked maniacally at the computer screen, his fingers constantly tapping the keyboard, analyzing Toshiro's data.
"What... truly astonishing data!"
Mayuri exclaimed.
"Hey! Mayuri, you bastard, are you done yet?"
Toshiro roared.
"No, no, no, Captain Hitsugaya. We've only just begun. What's the hurry?"
Mayuri said dissatisfiedly.
Then Mayuri got up from the computer and asked Nemu: "Are the things I asked you to prepare ready?"
"Yes, Mayuri-sama."
Nemu replied respectfully, then took a large syringe from an experiment table and handed it to Mayuri.
"Heh heh heh..."
Mayuri grinned sinisterly as he approached Toshiro.
Looking at the large syringe in Mayuri's hand, Toshiro instinctively shuddered.
"Hey, Mayuri, what is that thing in your hand?"
Toshiro demanded sternly.
"Hehehe... Nothing. It's the most toxic poison I've recently developed. I'd like you, Captain Hitsugaya, to help me test its properties."
Mayuri said with a smile.
"Bastard! What does that have to do with researching the Zanpakuto!"
Toshiro scolded.
"You can't say that. There is a bit of a connection. At the very least, it can test Captain Hitsugaya's poison resistance."
Mayuri said seriously.
"Hmph, I think you've probably already collected enough data just now, and you're just trying to sneak in some personal experiments, right?"
Toshiro said assertively.
Although Toshiro wasn't very knowledgeable about research, he could tell that his data had probably been mostly collected. After all, just collecting data wasn't that complicated.
But Mayuri obviously didn't want to stop there. He wanted to use Toshiro for other kinds of experiments.
After all, having a powerful Captain like Toshiro cooperate in experiments was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Then Toshiro prepared to pull off the various data cables and leave.
Click!
Just as Toshiro was about to get up, several holes on the test bench suddenly raised metal locks that clamped down on his wrists and ankles.
"Mayuri, what are you doing? Do you think this can trap me?"
Toshiro's expression turned ugly.
"No, no, no. Of course, I know this can't trap you, Captain Hitsugaya. But I must remind you, if you struggle and accidentally damage these experimental devices, thereby delaying the Zanpakuto research... I won't be responsible for the consequences."
With that, Mayuri raised the large syringe and prepared to inject Toshiro's arm, seemingly unafraid that Toshiro would resist.
"Heh..."
Toshiro chuckled disdainfully, then just watched expressionlessly as Mayuri prepared to inject him, as if he was really worried about damaging the experimental devices and delaying the Zanpakuto research.
Seeing Toshiro 'cooperating', Mayuri pressed the syringe towards Toshiro's arm, saying satisfiedly: "Mm, Captain Hitsugaya knows how to cooperate..."
Ding!
Before Mayuri could finish, the needle of the large syringe bent and broke the moment it touched Toshiro's arm! Mayuri awkwardly looked at the now needle-less syringe in his hand, then angrily threw it at Nemu.
"Useless thing! Can't you bring me a sturdier syringe?"
Mayuri scolded.
"I'm sorry, Mayuri-sama. I'll get a new one right away."
Nemu responded fearfully and immediately ran to get a new syringe.
"Hey, Mayuri, aren't you being too harsh on Nemu?"
Toshiro frowned.
"Hmph, she's just a tool I created. It's my freedom to treat her however I want. Even if you're the Vice-Captain-Commander and Acting Captain-Commander, it's none of your business."
Mayuri said dissatisfiedly.
Just as Toshiro was about to retort, Nemu came back with a new syringe, so he said nothing more.
Although Mayuri was very harsh to Nemu, even beating and scolding her, this might just be their way of interacting as 'father and daughter'.
Having read the Bleach manga, Toshiro knew that Mayuri actually cared deeply about Nemu, his 'daughter'.
"Mayuri-sama."
Nemu handed the new syringe, a 'large needle', to Mayuri.
"Heh heh heh... Captain Hitsugaya, this syringe is a special device developed by our Technology Development Bureau. Its needle is extremely sharp. It definitely won't break like the last one."
Mayuri said confidently.
"Then let's continue, Captain Hitsugaya."
With that, Mayuri again prepared to inject Toshiro's arm with the 'large needle'.
And, having learned from the previous lesson, Mayuri specifically infused the needle tip with his own Captain-level Reiatsu this time.
However, Toshiro was very confident in his body's defense and wasn't worried at all that Mayuri's 'large needle' could 'penetrate' it.
To his surprise, the needle tip of Mayuri's syringe actually pierced Toshiro's skin.
You see, Toshiro's Reiatsu density was far greater than other Captains, and his defense was extremely strong, comparable to the Hierro of an Arrancar. Even an ordinary Captain going all out would have great difficulty breaking through it.
He hadn't expected Mayuri to pierce his skin with a syringe. This truly surprised Toshiro.
In battle, if Toshiro stood still, Mayuri's full-power attack might indeed break through his defense. But remember, a syringe needle couldn't possibly fully withstand Mayuri's Reiatsu.
'It seems this syringe of Mayuri's is indeed extraordinary.'
Toshiro thought in surprise.
While Toshiro was surprised, Mayuri was even more shocked.
"How is this possible! This is the most toxic poison I've developed. No matter how strong you are, you can't have absolutely no reaction!"
Looking at Toshiro, who was unharmed and showed no signs of poisoning, Mayuri almost wondered if he had taken the wrong thing, and the syringe contained water instead of poison.
"Hmph, Mayuri, the Gotei 13's situation is not optimistic right now. I still have work to handle. I don't have time to fool around with you here. You should quickly research a way to resolve the Zanpakuto rebellion."
Toshiro frowned, then directly snapped the locks restraining his limbs, took off the helmet, and pulled off the various data cables.
"Hey! Toshiro, why... why did my poison have no effect at all? Even if your strength is great and your poison resistance is high, you can't have had no reaction whatsoever!"
Mayuri grabbed Toshiro's shoulder as he was about to leave, asking somewhat maniacally.
"Fool, no matter how potent the poison, it loses its activity in ultra-low temperatures. So your poison is meaningless to me, the wielder of the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto. Well, even though Hyorinmaru isn't by my side right now."
Toshiro explained, then grabbed Mayuri's hand on his shoulder. His powerful ice power instantly released, and before Mayuri could even react, he was directly frozen into an ice sculpture.
"This is a small revenge for you, Mayuri. Next time you try any tricks, I will definitely not forgive you."
Toshiro warned the frozen Mayuri, then walked out.
Watching Toshiro's retreating figure, Nemu hesitated: "Umm... Captain Hitsugaya, Mayuri-sama..."
"Don't worry. The ice will melt on its own in a while. I still need him to research the Zanpakuto. I won't do anything to him."
Toshiro waved his hand without looking back, then completely disappeared from Nemu's sight.