Kensei Kenzuru walked along the path to the Maggot's Nest, with Soi Fon, whom he had just summoned, beside him.
Kensei continuously flipped through the prisoner files Soi Fon had brought. After all, if he wanted to fish someone out, he needed to check the severity of their crimes, otherwise, it would be hard to explain to Old Man Yama.
"Kurotsuchi Mayuri..." Kensei quietly read the recorded crimes, his eyebrows rising. "Secretly established an illegal laboratory in the Rukongai, conducted various dangerous experiments long-term, without authorization manufactured bombs capable of being implanted inside Shinigami bodies, harmed Shinigami sent to apprehend him..."
Soi Fon followed closely behind Kensei, her tone full of concern. "Lord Kensei, the file specifically notes that this individual is extremely dangerous, recommended for permanent imprisonment. Is such a person really suitable for release?"
"Suitable! Absolutely suitable!" Kensei closed the file, his eyes shining. "Being able to establish and operate an illegal lab long-term shows strong counter-surveillance skills. And the weapons he made are quite powerful. This person is practically a talent!"
More importantly, Mayuri believed his talent was no less than Urahara Kisuke's. Putting them together might even speed up technological iteration.
Let those two suffer a bit; Old Man Yama can shoulder the infamy.
As they spoke, Kensei and Soi Fon arrived at the entrance of the Maggot's Nest.
Two members of the Patrol Corps saw Kensei and Soi Fon approaching, stood at attention, saluted, and opened the heavy door for them to enter.
One had to admit, not only was the name "Maggot's Nest" disgusting, but the internal stairway was also quite frightening. The air was cold and damp; it would be normal for things truly matching the name to grow here.
Walking down the spiral staircase into the area where prisoners were formally held, Soi Fon's hand was already on her sword hilt, her eyes warily scanning the surroundings.
These people had been locked in this sunless place for too long; they would harass any outsider who appeared.
Kensei strolled leisurely as if browsing a market, occasionally glancing at the prisoners locked up on both sides.
"Hey kid, let me out. I can teach you..."
An old man grinned, revealing a mouthful of missing teeth.
"Are you the Fire Cloud Evil God?"
The old man was stunned. When did he get that title?
"Seems not."
Kensei shook his head in disappointment and continued toward his destination with Soi Fon.
At a solitary cell deep inside, Kensei looked through the iron bars at Kurotsuchi Mayuri sitting within—the most insane scientist.
However, this Mayuri had short blue hair. Though he also had black face paint, it was only near his eyes, not yet as exaggerated as later when it covered almost his entire face. His ears were each wrapped in a golden cone-shaped object.
"Oh? This time it's just a kid who's come in."
Mayuri glanced at Kensei outside, then looked down, quite bored.
"The moment he speaks, you know he's an old Frieza."
Kensei grinned, turning to Soi Fon beside him.
"Soi Fon, did you bring the props I asked you to prepare?"
Though unsure why Kensei wanted these things, Soi Fon had prepared them and handed them over.
Kensei draped a long cape over his back, stuck a crescent-moon-shaped upward-curling white mustache above his lips, raised the corners of his mouth, and extended his right hand toward Mayuri.
"Kurotsuchi Mayuri! Become my son!"
Kensei originally wanted Old Man Yama to do it since he actually had a white beard, but he was afraid of getting beaten and didn't dare say it.
"Oh? Since when does the Patrol Corps provide entertainment shows for prisoners?"
It seemed One Piece was all lies; this move was useless.
Kensei shook his head regretfully and switched back to his original "skin."
"Back to business. I want to establish a new organization within the Gotei 13 called the Technology Development Bureau, dedicated to scientific research and development. Are you willing to come out with me?"
"No."
Mayuri uttered the words flatly. Although it was boring here, his life was relatively stable. Besides, how credible could a kid's proposal be?
"What a pity. Seems I'll have to let Urahara Kisuke be the deputy director of this Technology Development Bureau. I've been quite interested in artificial Shinigami technology lately."
Kensei wore a look of regret, turning to leave.
"Wait." Mayuri, now showing a reaction, called out to stop Kensei. "You said... Urahara Kisuke?"
"Yes. Earlier, I even had him make a Tenshintai for me to accelerate Bankai training. In return, I gave him some extremely rare research materials on the soul."
Kensei felt he was the most generous superior ever, giving things without hesitation or deceit.
"I was planning to have you be a deputy director too. It would have been perfect to witness which of you had greater talent. What a shame..."
Kensei let out a long sigh and continued walking slowly toward the exit.
"Heh heh, artificial Shinigami, the soul..."
Mayuri kept muttering these two terms under his breath, as if possessed.
"I accept your proposal."
"But Urahara Kisuke spent three days making the Tenshintai I wanted. You have no achievements to show now," Kensei stopped, turning back to look at Mayuri with a conflicted expression. "How can I convince the members of the Technology Development Bureau of your talent this way?"
"Oh?" Mayuri looked up. His eyes, covered in black paint, gleamed with a nearly manic light in the dimness. "What kind of achievement do you want? Something Urahara Kisuke could make in three days... I would only need half that time."
"Simple. I want you to help me replicate a few items. The Shihōin Clan's Divinely-Bestowed Gear that can completely erase the user's spiritual pressure. Can you do it?"
Kensei thought this item was quite useful. Unfortunately, there were only two. When they went to Hueco Mundo, there would be at least three people, so naturally, the more prepared, the better.
"A child's toy. I can even improve upon it to create a superior product."
Perhaps feeling Kensei had underestimated his research talent, Mayuri proactively suggested improvements.
Kensei was deeply moved. This was a good employee! Urahara Kisuke should learn from him.
"Excellent. As a good superior, state your demands."
Mayuri's lips twisted into a frightening grin, the black paint on his face seeming to writhe.
"First, my future experimental materials will not be subject to Central 46 review."
Kensei nodded. "Agreed, but they must be approved by the Bureau Chief, Hikifune Kirio."
Kensei definitely wouldn't be the Bureau Chief himself. He had no time to waste on such trivial matters; it was better left to a professional for supervision.
"Second, after producing results, I want a copy of those soul research materials."
Mayuri looked at Kensei expectantly. This was what he desired most. With that data, he would be a huge step closer to realizing his ideal of creating artificial Shinigami.
"I can only give you the portion I previously gave Urahara Kisuke for now. The rest is with Sister Kirio; you'll need to apply to her."
Kensei didn't agree completely. After all, it was Sister Kirio's research; he couldn't make decisions for her.
"Acceptable."
Mayuri nodded. Having a chance was enough. After all, this kid in front of him didn't look like he understood research at all.
"Since you've stated your demands, for equality, you should also abide by my conditions."
"As long as it doesn't restrict my research."
Kensei raised one finger. "Just one rule: you are not allowed to experiment arbitrarily on innocent Shinigami. I don't personally care, but it would be hard to explain to Old Man Yama."
Mayuri's brow furrowed slightly. For him, not just other Shinigami, even his own body could become research material. But for the sake of artificial Shinigami, Mayuri thought for a moment and decided to agree.
He only said "innocent Shinigami." The Maggot's Nest still had plenty of criminals. They could be considered... recycling waste.
"Let's go."
Kensei opened the prison cell holding Mayuri and released him.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you earlier." Kensei spoke up just as they were almost at the exit, as if he'd just remembered. "The establishment of the Technology Development Bureau hasn't been officially submitted yet. So, for now, you can either go back and sit in jail for a few more days until it's built and I call you out again..."
"Or, you can only temporarily make do for a few days in the 12th Division's research institute while I secure funding and start construction."
The corner of Mayuri's mouth twitched. He looked at the Maggot's Nest exit so close at hand, then down at the seemingly endless staircase behind him.
"I'll temporarily go to the 12th Division to research the Divinely-Bestowed Gear. It will also let you witness the gap between Urahara and me."
"Don't worry. It'll be quick."
As if to comfort Mayuri, Kensei gave him a guarantee.
Unfortunately, his appearance wasn't very convincing. Before even leaving the Maggot's Nest, a trace of regret began to stir in Mayuri's heart.
***
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