The next day at noon, Kensei Kenzuru returned to the Technology Development Bureau, humming a little tune.
"Heh heh heh, fascinating. The spirit particle rejection rate is three percentage points lower than projected."
The moment Kensei pushed open the door to his advisor's office, he heard Mayuri's excited, shrill laughter from the adjacent lab.
"What dangerous stuff are you two messing with?"
Kensei poked his head in, seeing Urahara and Mayuri unusually sharing a single lab. One was frowning at data on an instrument, the other was poking and prodding at a twitching soul on the operating table.
"Kensei, perfect timing." Urahara ran a hand through his messy hair, looking somewhat helpless. "As planned, we were analyzing yesterday's 'gifts.' However, Mayuri seems to have discovered its special potential in certain... applications."
"See? My talent far surpasses yours, Urahara."
Mayuri turned around, his manic excitement making it seem like he might start imitating Dio and drilling his own temple with a finger any second.
"This is a revolutionary discovery for medical science! By extracting and applying restricted use of Hollow factors, we can achieve rapid regeneration! Far more meaningful than simple hemostasis and wound healing!"
"Hold up." Kensei quickly stopped him. He didn't want to get dragged into a debate between Mayuri and Urahara. "I'm here to pick up the thing I asked you to make yesterday."
"Ah, that." Urahara seemed to remember just then, temporarily shifting his gaze from the unsettling data stream. He handed Kensei a green vial along with a set of instructions. "Inject this reagent into the kidney area. One dose should suffice."
"Well done, Urahara. Truly the man whose wisdom is second only to mine."
Kensei didn't spare his praise, casually taking the vial and instructions.
The corner of Urahara's mouth twitched. He selectively filtered out this less-than-flattering compliment and pointed a thumb toward Mayuri's direction.
"If the effect on 'Captain Ukitake' is limited, Mayuri also has a concentrated, enhanced version over there."
Hearing this, Mayuri clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, complaining without turning around. "Why not just excise the substandard organs within the body and use my newly discovered regeneration technology to generate superior ones? Such a hassle."
Despite saying that, Mayuri carelessly tossed a smaller vial of darker liquid into Kensei's hands. "This kind of work, devoid of any technical challenge, is purely a waste of a genius's contemplation time."
"Fine, fine. You two carry on. I need to hurry and deliver this to Senior Ukitake. Can't keep him waiting."
Carrying the two special vials, Kensei soon arrived at the Kuchiki estate.
Kuchiki Ginrei was already waiting in a quiet room. Seeing Kensei arrive, a hint of barely detectable urgency surfaced on his usually placid, aged face.
"Lord Kensei, you've come."
"Brought the special medicine." Kensei pulled out the two vials and shook them before Ginrei. "The latest product from the Technology Development Bureau. Fast and effective."
Kuchiki Ginrei received them with both hands. Though he trusted Kensei wouldn't deceive him, he cautiously asked, "You have my thanks. However, I am unfamiliar with the administration method for these two reagents. Might I trouble you to accompany me to treat Sōjun?"
Kensei nodded. "Did you ask Sister Flower?"
"I sought out Captain Unohana for a prescription, which also included a medicinal bath method."
It seemed Kuchiki Ginrei had put considerable effort into curing his son's illness.
"Kensei, Father."
Kuchiki Sōjun saw the two enter his room. Having been told his diagnosis by his father yesterday, he felt slightly awkward now.
Kensei didn't bother with formalities. He simply had Sōjun lie down. He injected Mayuri's potent medicine into the kidney where the spiritual pressure core was located and, not wanting to waste it, used Urahara's medicine on the other kidney as well.
Sōjun didn't ask questions, placing absolute trust in his father and Kensei, the family's benefactor.
After Kensei administered the two injections, Sōjun felt a gentle warmth slowly spread from the kidney area, accompanied by a faint sensation of swelling and heat.
The healthy color of Sōjun's originally pale cheeks visibly returned. He felt a sense of physical plenitude long absent, and the heavy burden that had plagued his body for years seemed to lessen significantly.
Kuchiki Ginrei watched his son's complexion change intently, his hands repeatedly clenching and relaxing, his heart a mix of excitement and anxiety. When he saw the renewed vitality in Sōjun's eyes, the massive stone that had been weighing on his heart finally settled.
"How... do you feel?" Kuchiki Ginrei's voice trembled slightly, fearing this might be a dream.
"Father," Kuchiki Sōjun looked up, an uncommon joy on his face, "I've never felt this light."
"Good! Good!" Kuchiki Ginrei said 'good' twice, took a deep breath, and turned to Kensei, bowing formally. "Lord Kensei, from this day forward, should you ever require anything, please do not hesitate to command the Kuchiki clan."
"Well... Elder, don't celebrate too soon."
Kensei's words instantly made Ginrei tense. Was the chronic illness not fully cured? Had something else gone wrong?
"Mayuri's medicine seems a bit too potent. So Sōjun might be... a little over-energetic tonight."
Kensei's expression was peculiar. It looked like Kuchiki Byakuya was going to appear ahead of schedule.
"Haha! Perfect timing. This old man should retire and prepare to hold his grandson."
Kuchiki Ginrei was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. He no longer cared about noble etiquette, simply overjoyed as a father for his son.
Subsequent treatment just required following Unohana's prescription for recuperation. Kensei advised them to "exercise moderation" before taking his leave, not wanting to play third wheel.
The moment he stepped out of the Kuchiki estate, Soi Fon appeared before him.
"Lord Kensei, this is a message from Lady Yoruichi."
Soi Fon respectfully handed a sealed letter to Kensei. Today, Yoruichi had summoned her to the Shihōin family's Senkaimon using a special communication method and instructed her to deliver this letter to Kensei.
Kensei opened the letter, seeing Sōsuke's familiar handwriting:
Lab established and stable. Hōgyoku demonstrates a significant catalytic effect on Hollows. Efficacy exceeds projections. Captured low-level Hollow test subjects show positive reactions but exhibit tendencies toward uncontrollable evolution. Additionally, discovered traces of activity from a faction distinct from Baraggan's forces. Some captured Hollows bear signs of modifications.
After reading, Kensei curled his lip. "That Sōsuke. His reports read like lab logs."
Nevertheless, the content piqued his interest. The Hōgyoku's marked effect on Hollows meant his new Espada project could be moved up the schedule.
But the only one in Hueco Mundo known to perform modifications on Hollows was that pervert Szayelaporro Granz, right? He wondered if the guy had already split himself yet.
Kensei stroked his chin in thought for a moment, deciding to make another trip to Hueco Mundo to ensure Yoruichi and Aizen didn't run into trouble.
Wonder if I'll run into Nel again this time.
***
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