Chapter 279: This Old Man Won't Fall
"My life is over!!"
A mournful cry echoed from the room.
Kisuke: "?"
Lately, whenever he had free time, he would secretly go to Hueco Mundo to observe Aizen's Hōgyoku experiments.
Initially, Aizen looked down on him somewhat.
Although Aizen didn't hide anything and shared all research data with Kisuke, he always adopted a condescending attitude during discussions, like a senior instructing a junior.
Kisuke didn't take offense at Aizen's behavior, focusing entirely on learning.
Since he had previously worked on similar development plans himself, he quickly became proficient.
After a few more days, he began offering improvement suggestions to Aizen based on the existing results.
When Aizen heard Kisuke wanted to improve the Hōgyoku, he found it amusing.
Whether in terms of time, resources, or understanding of power, Aizen far surpassed Kisuke—what valuable suggestions could he possibly offer?
To his surprise, after carefully reviewing the thesis Kisuke submitted, he discovered that the improvement plan was actually valid!
Originally, when the Hōgyoku was used for Hollowfication experiments, it could only transform those at captain-level or above.
After transformation, subjects would inevitably lose their rationality, becoming monsters that acted solely on instinct.
With Kisuke's modified plan, the requirements for Hollowfication would be significantly lowered—roughly only vice-captain level Shinigami would be needed to withstand the Hollowfication process.
The retained rationality would also increase substantially depending on the individual's strength.
Aizen began to feel astonished by Kisuke's capabilities.
Not long after, Kisuke submitted his second research paper.
This paper focused on Arrancar modification—specifically, how to selectively enhance their abilities.
Originally, Arrancar Transformation randomly boosted certain attributes.
Now, during the transformation process, one could designate which abilities to enhance.
This breakthrough dramatically accelerated Aizen's long-standing research on developing an "Anti-Yamamoto Specialized Arrancar."
From this paper onward, his attitude toward Kisuke completely shifted.
He began involving Kisuke in nearly all experiments.
Their dynamic evolved from a supervisor guiding a graduate student to discussions between equals.
The two joined forces—a formidable partnership—embarking on an epic and tragic scientific journey across Hueco Mundo.
Until recently, when Aizen suddenly sensed something amiss.
That annoying fellow hadn't come to bother him in quite a while.
Recalling, he realized it had been over half a year since he last heard the familiar cry of "Sōsuke!"
Had Satoru, that guy, said something he shouldn't have while alone in the Soul Society, revealing his rebellious nature to Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who then tossed him into Muken Prison?
Out of curiosity, he asked Kisuke to check on that idiot's status at the Eleventh Division upon his return.
And the moment he arrived, he was met with such a shocking declaration.
Hearing Satoru's shout, Kisuke's pupils contracted. He swiftly pushed the door open and entered the room.
There sat Satoru cross-legged on the tatami, intently staring at the screen across from him.
On the screen, a burly woman lay helplessly in a broken wooden cart.
Several cats leaped and scurried about, pulling the cart along as they fled.
Satoru beat his chest and stamped his feet, overwhelmed with frustration.
Kisuke: "..."
He must have been too absorbed in his recent Hōgyoku research—his brain had rusted solid.
To think he'd actually worried that Satoru might be in some kind of danger.
As he stood there speechless, Satoru noticed someone had entered.
Seeing it was Kisuke, he leaped up joyfully.
"Kisuke! How did you know I cleared the Tigrex without taking a single hit today?"
No one asked you that.
Kisuke replied flatly, "I didn't see any no-damage run. All I saw was a cart pulled by cats."
"The cart! The cart... Does a cart in a no-damage challenge even count as a cart?"
Satoru's face flushed crimson as he jumped up in agitation.
"I took the cart because my no-damage run was already ruined! There was no point continuing, so I deliberately carted home!"
Kisuke's mouth twitched.
Then why not just quit? Why go through the trouble of dying to return? Doesn't that waste even more time?
Not to mention, that agonized scream earlier didn't sound acted at all.
Though he had ten thousand retorts, he knew voicing them would only bring misfortune upon himself.
He glanced at the screen and asked skeptically, "Satoru, don't tell me you've been holed up here playing games all this time?"
"Yep."
How could this guy answer so shamelessly without a hint of guilt?
Kisuke took a deep breath, his blood pressure slightly rising.
He lowered his voice. "Satoru, you're meant for greater things... How can you waste your time like this?"
"Putting aside everything else, Captain-Commander Yamamoto is a mountain blocking our path right now. If we can't overcome him, all our plans are just empty dreams!"
Hearing this, Satoru pondered for a moment.
Then he spoke up, "Actually, you don't need to whisper so quietly. If someone were eavesdropping, I would definitely sense it."
"Just like when you followed me and Sōsuke before, eavesdropping on our conversations four times—I knew about it all along."
"That's precisely why I could anticipate your actions in advance and set up a trap to catch you."
Kisuke: "..."
He even knows the exact number?!
He wasn't particularly surprised that his eavesdropping had been detected, as he was already aware of Satoru's strong counter-surveillance abilities.
But being caught red-handed all four times still left him somewhat shocked.
Previously, he had assumed that he'd been caught at most once or twice.
For a moment, Kisuke's feelings were rather complicated.
No wonder even a monster like Sōsuke Aizen always wore such a proud and triumphant expression whenever he mentioned Satoru.
This guy truly was a genius in certain aspects, beyond ordinary imagination.
Putting down the controller, Satoru stretched lazily.
"You don't need to worry about dealing with the teacher."
"I already have a perfect plan."
"Oh?"
Hearing Satoru's words, Kisuke raised an eyebrow.
If anyone else had said this, he would have laughed himself to death.
But... when Satoru said it, the effect was different.
What if he really had something astonishing to say?
Under his expectant gaze, Satoru crossed his arms and declared triumphantly:
"All we need to do is wait quietly, play games every day, play with Suì-Fēng, play with Arrancars, play with Bambietta... Once Sōsuke trains and becomes stronger, he'll definitely crush the teacher and reach the pinnacle!"
"?"
Kisuke took a deep breath.
This conversation was impossible to continue.
He stood up, preparing to take his leave.
But before he could move, he saw Satoru suddenly turn to look at him, his expression serious.
"Kisuke, the Tenshintai... you can still make it, right?"
"Yes," Kisuke nodded reflexively. "With the existing materials, I can make two more."
"I need five, by tomorrow."
Satoru held up one hand, showing Kisuke the number. "I'll prepare the materials for you. You'll voluntarily work overtime today."
"..."
Kisuke couldn't help but feel like he'd been screwed over by Komamura.
He asked curiously, "Mr. Satoru, why do you suddenly need so many Tenshintai?"
The Tenshintai was specifically designed for Shinigami at the level between vice-captain and captain, allowing them to learn Bankai in advance and skip the process of meditation and dialogue.
The requirements were strict, and the consequences of failure were severe. Normal people shouldn't even need such a thing.
Satoru pulled out a fan from somewhere and fanned himself cheerfully.
"This mountain man... has his own clever uses."
Seeing Satoru's confident expression, Kisuke suddenly had a terrifying thought.
He hoped he was overthinking it...
...
...
Rukongai, North 72nd District, a certain plain.
Komamura Sajin, Kaname Tōsen, Ichimaru Gin, and Suì-Fēng stood here quietly together.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on Satoru, who stood before them.
Under their watchful eyes, Satoru pressed his hand against a stack of large white human-shaped boards.
"...The above explains the effects and abilities of the Tenshintai."
"All of you are already capable warriors who can master Bankai, so I'm giving you this opportunity to learn it."
"The dangers and consequences of failure have already been explained to you clearly."
"Those who wish to try can sign up now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all four raised their hands almost simultaneously with determination.
Seeing this, Satoru nodded in satisfaction.
Kisuke stood to the side, unable to suppress the quickening of his heartbeat.
Absurd. This was utterly absurd.
The physical form of the Zanpakutō summoned by the Tenshintai possessed formidable combat prowess. Using this method to learn Bankai came with an extremely high failure rate.
If they failed, they might never be able to master Bankai in their entire lives!
Out of humanitarian concern, he couldn't help but speak up:
"Everyone, your talents are not in question. With gradual refinement, you will eventually learn Bankai."
"Using the Tenshintai only accelerates the process slightly while carrying enormous risks. I advise you to think twice..."
Upon hearing Kisuke's words, Kaname Tōsen was the first to shake his head, indicating he had no reservations.
Among the four present, his desire to grow stronger burned the fiercest.
When Satoru first discovered him, he was merely an ordinary soul, completely ignorant of combat.
Yet, driven by a fervent thirst for vengeance and a sincere wish to repay Satoru's kindness, he had surged to vice-captain level at an unimaginable pace.
In truth, even without the Tenshintai, he was now just one step away from Bankai.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, he would break through within twenty years.
But even those twenty years were too long for him to wait.
The sooner he gained power, the more likely he could be of assistance to Lord Satoru!
Ichimaru Gin smiled faintly, disregarding Kisuke's warning.
He bore no deep grudges nor held any particular life ambitions.
He simply wished to remain by Satoru's side.
In his view, he was like a snake—incapable of generating warmth, surviving only by absorbing heat from others.
And Satoru was his sun.
As long as the sun remained, he would grow without hesitation, become stronger, and move ever closer to its radiance.
That bite of dried persimmon in the heavy snow had been so sweet.
Even now, he hadn't forgotten its taste.
Komamura stood tall and proud. "Please rest assured, Lord Kisuke. I fear no danger!"
As a wanderer, a man abandoned by his clan, having found a place to belong was already the greatest fortune.
To repay the kindness of being taken in years ago, and even more so to repay the care he'd received since then, he had to become stronger without fail!
Suì-Fēng also gave a slight nod, seizing the opportunity to express her stance.
She was the captain of the Onmitsukidō's personal guard, as well as that scumbag-sama's bodyguard.
As a protector, her own strength was far inferior to the person she was meant to guard.
This was utterly humiliating.
Although during her time with Satoru, she had increasingly realized that surpassing him had become an impossible task, impossibility was no excuse for slacking off.
The more impossible it seemed, the harder she must strive!
Kisuke shook his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
At this point, there was nothing left for him to say.
He planted a single Tenshintai into the ground.
Kaname Tōsen was the first to step forward, drawing his Zanpakutō and thrusting it into the device!
...
...
As dusk fell.
The once desolate plain was now scarred with deep wounds left by rampaging Reiatsu.
Massive slashing marks, charred patches from explosions, smoking craters…
It looked as though a battle had just been fought here.
Kisuke stood beside a large boulder, remaining silent for a long time.
All four of them had succeeded.
All four had mastered Bankai on the same day!
Whether in terms of Reiatsu accumulation or combat ability, these four undoubtedly deserved to be called 'Captain-class'!
For a moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unreality.
The Eleventh Division… actually had four seated officers capable of using Bankai?
Plus Kenpachi Zaraki, who although couldn't use Bankai, possessed combat power rivaling Captain-class.
This could only be described as absurd.
...
...
In fact, not only Kisuke, but the entire Seireitei shared similar sentiments.
The four hadn't deliberately concealed their Reiatsu during their breakthroughs.
The terrifying Reiatsu fluctuations could be clearly felt even from halfway across the Soul Society.
After sensing the identities of the four Reiatsu signatures, the Shinigami were all astonished.
They were all from the Eleventh Division!
Although Suì-Fēng hadn't joined the Eleventh Division, everyone knew that girl was always following Satoru around.
At the First Division barracks, Chōjirō Sasakibe couldn't help but glance sideways.
"Lord Genryūsai, the Eleventh Division's power has grown too strong."
"A full four Captain-class… plus Lord Satoru himself and Vice-Captain Zaraki, that makes six Captain-class combatants in a single division!"
"This is no longer a force that can be contained within one division!"
Unlike Sasakibe, Yamamoto showed no particular reaction.
He held his brush, writing as usual.
As he lifted his final stroke, he slowly spoke.
"Chōjirō, do you not see the other side of this matter?"
"The other side?"
Sasakibe was momentarily stunned.
Under his gaze, Yamamoto turned his head.
The old man's face bore a pleased smile.
"A group of ordinary souls, all reaching Captain-class in less than a century under that boy's guidance."
"If just one Eleventh Division can achieve this under him, imagine what would happen if he inherited the entire Gotei 13?"
At these words, Sasakibe's expression changed.
"Lord Genryūsai, you…"
He instinctively thought something might be wrong with Yamamoto's health.
Although Shinigami had long lifespans, there was always a limit.
Most Shinigami lived for about a thousand years at most.
Exceptionally powerful Shinigami, like Yamamoto and Unohana, could live longer.
But even this longevity had its limits.
Yamamoto was already over two thousand years old. If…
Just thinking about that possibility made his heart tighten.
Seeing Sasakibe's reaction, Yamamoto grinned.
"Don't worry, Chōjirō."
"This old man is still far from that day."
"At the very least... I won't fall until I see Yhwach completely turned to dust!"