Chapter 284: Sleep Project
The entire Seireitei was in complete chaos.
The Central Great Prison was suspected of being invaded by the Wandenreich, with two major prisoners missing.
Yamamoto, Satoru, and Shunsui immediately launched an investigation at the scene.
That afternoon, a captains' meeting was convened.
All the captains arrived at the First Division barracks and stood in two rows.
Yamamoto stood at the head and spoke:
"Shunsui, Satoru, report your investigation findings."
Satoru stepped forward.
"Teacher, I don't think the culprit is necessarily the Wandenreich."
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
Yamamoto raised his eyebrows with a puzzled look.
Satoru thought for a few seconds, then shook his head: "Hard to say..."
Yamamoto was speechless.
What is this kid playing at, acting foolish at such a critical moment?
Meanwhile, Satoru suddenly seemed to remember something:
"Ah, that's right! I just recalled!"
"Didn't the Quincy use a special spell before that could completely seal off their space? No one could enter from outside, and no one could leave from inside."
"Under that spell, how could they come out to kidnap people?"
Yamamoto showed a thoughtful expression.
Satoru was right.
According to the intelligence they had obtained, the spell used by the Quincy back then was called Sternritter. Once activated, no one but Yhwach could dispel it.
That was precisely how they managed to escape from his grasp using this spell.
After some consideration, he turned to his other foolish disciple.
Shunsui stepped forward:
"Report, Yam... ahem, Captain-Commander."
"Though faint, traces of Shadow Space activity were detected at the scene."
"Among all known enemies of the Soul Society, only the Quincy of Wandenreich can utilize Shadow Space for movement and prisoner extraction."
"Moreover... the two who were taken: one previously instigated a rebellion and holds a grudge against the Soul Society, while the other led a special project and possesses extensive forbidden knowledge."
"Both would be highly valuable to the Quincy in waging war."
"Considering all factors, it's almost certain this was the work of Wandenreich."
"However, regarding the spell Satoru mentioned, it does present a contradiction. I'm not yet clear on the specifics."
Given the gravity of the matter, even Shunsui had uncharacteristically dropped his usual carefree demeanor.
Hearing Shunsui's report, Yamamoto nodded.
"From this moment onward, we shall provisionally classify this assault as the work of Wandenreich."
"Satoru, Shunsui—you two will alternate duties: overseeing the defensive modifications of the Central Great Prison and leading the pursuit operations against Wandenreich!"
"All divisions must enhance their readiness against Shadow Space incursions!"
"Second Division—conduct investigations throughout Seireitei and surrounding areas regarding shadow-based and spatial abilities. Immediately apprehend and interrogate any Zanpakutō wielders displaying similar attributes!"
As Yamamoto issued command after command, the war machine that was the Gotei 13 began moving once again.
Satoru's expression turned somewhat peculiar.
The actual culprit being assigned to protect the crime scene... well, it was rather amusing, to say the least.
As they exited the First Division headquarters, Ukitake approached him.
"Satoru, don't take it to heart. Investigations and analysis require comprehensive consideration."
"Though the teacher didn't say it, he must have taken your opinion into account."
"Notice how he ultimately assigned the Second Division to investigate potential Zanpakutō users with relevant abilities—that's the clearest proof."
Worried that Satoru might feel his input was disregarded, Ukitake had specifically come to offer reassurance.
Looking at the white-haired man beside him, Satoru felt a wave of emotion.
"Ukitake-senpai, you're truly a good man."
"Haha... I'm glad to be of some help."
Ukitake scratched his head, showing a slightly embarrassed smile.
...
...
Shinji returned to the Fifth Division and sat on the engawa outside his study.
Aizen approached carrying documents.
"Captain, since you're back, please process these documents."
Holding the files with one hand, he adjusted his glasses with the other.
Shinji glanced at the documents in Aizen's hands, then let his gaze travel upward until it settled on Aizen's face.
"Sōsuke..."
"Yes?"
"Where were you this morning?"
Hearing Shinji's question, Aizen's expression remained completely unchanged.
"Reporting, Captain. During the Hour of the Rabbit, I was practicing swordsmanship at the dojo. After training, I bathed and then handled division affairs."
"At the hour of Chen, dine in the cafeteria, then return to the study to organize the bookshelves, dust them, and practice calligraphy."
"At the hour of Si, visit Lord Gin's eyeglass shop, then proceed to the Eleventh Division to spar with Shiba Isshin..."
Shinji nodded. "Hmm, I think I understand now."
"Thank you, Sōsuke. Please take these things inside for me."
"Yes."
Aizen bowed his head slightly and entered the captain's study.
Watching Aizen's retreating figure, Shinji narrowed his eyes.
Calculating the timing, Sōsuke happened to be away from the division when the incident occurred at Muken Prison...
Meanwhile, after turning away, Aizen's eyes revealed a calm iciness.
Shinji... this guy is somewhat like Satoru, with overly sharp intuition.
It's not good for someone to guess too many things.
Captain, you'd better stop here and go no further.
He placed the documents in his hand on the desk and turned to leave.
...
...
"Lord Satoru, gentler, gentler!"
"Apply more pressure here, more pressure!"
In a laboratory of the Mikami Technical Bureau within the Second Division, Mayuri's anxious voice rang out.
He stood before a machine, rapidly operating the screen while dividing his attention to monitor Satoru beside him.
Satoru wore electrode-like devices on both wrists, connected to the machine.
His body surged with spiritual power.
Several researchers watched this scene nervously, hardly daring to breathe.
What was happening here was the most important experiment of their direct superior, Mayuri.
The "Sleep" Project!
The so-called Sleep Project wasn't actually related to sleep.
Mayuri's greatest lifelong pursuit was to create completely artificially manufactured intelligent life.
However, even with Shinigami technology and lifespan, accomplishing this plan was nothing short of dreaming.
Since it was dreaming, staying awake while dreaming would be too foolish.
Therefore, Mayuri named this project "Sleep."
Those who are asleep can dream freely.
Though filled with heavy irony, it still held a certain romance.
In this project, Satoru could finally be put to proper use.
Artificial life was a science based on Gigai technology, extended and modified.
Currently, the one with the best control over Artificial Soul Power in the Soul Society was naturally Kirio Hikifune.
But... getting Kirio's assistance wasn't that simple.
Kirio Hikifune wasn't just the captain of the Twelfth Division, but also a designated member of the Zero Division.
Before long, she would leave the Soul Society for the Soul King Palace.
Mayuri felt he didn't have enough influence to make Kirio take time from her busy schedule to assist him.
So, he turned his attention to Satoru.
Though Satoru had only been exposed to Artificial Soul Power for a few decades, his understanding of it had already reached remarkable depths.
Aside from Kirio, he was probably the best in the entire Soul Society at manipulating Artificial Soul Power.
After confirming this, Mayuri used various methods—including but not limited to helping Satoru create his ideal wife—to finally persuade this great figure to assist with his experiment.
"Lord Satoru, maintain the current output without any fluctuations!"
While giving orders to Satoru, Mayuri accelerated his own operations.
"I say, Mayuri, are you sure you can do this? Even with a genius like me helping, you've failed several times... What number experiment is this? Ten? Or twenty?"
Hearing this, Mayuri snapped irritably: "Seven times! This is the seventh time!"
"Can't you see the huge experiment title on the screen—'Mien No. 7 Activation Experiment'? Are your eyes broken or something?"
"?"
Satoru was enraged.
How dare this painted-face man talk to him like that!
Once the experiment concludes, he'd definitely have a proper discussion with him about this!
He didn't say anything more, simply stabilizing his Artificial Soul Power output as Mayuri instructed.
No one understood better than Satoru just how much pressure Mayuri was under.
Each generation of the Mien Project represented the birth of an artificial life.
Mien No. 1 through Mien No. 4 were all early prototypes that never became complete lives.
Mien No. 5 was successfully born, but soon ended its life in infant form.
Building upon No. 5, Mayuri developed Mien No. 6.
No. 6 survived, but unfortunately, its cells suddenly stopped dividing at two and a half years old, leading to death once again.
That day, Mayuri stood alone in the laboratory, remaining silent the entire night.
Satoru had thought Mayuri would become depressed after that, but to his surprise, less than a year later, he launched the Mien No. 7 Project.
According to Mayuri, he now had sufficient experience and would absolutely not make any mistakes this time.
Satoru remained noncommittal about this claim.
Every time the LSP series encountered critical bugs, Kisuke would make similar guarantees. Over time, Satoru had become completely immune to such promises.
Through their combined efforts, a small figure gradually took shape inside the glass tank.
Like a documentary playing in fast forward, the cells in the tank rapidly divided and differentiated, growing from a barely visible speck into a small mass of flesh, an embryo...
Light gradually appeared in Mayuri's eyes.
Satoru Mikami also found renewed motivation, pouring out Artificial Soul Power without reservation.
With a cry of birth, Satoru broke into a smile.
Researchers rushed forward immediately.
Some prepared warm water to bathe the child.
Others brought towels and swaddling clothes to keep the baby warm.
Mayuri stood among the crowd, barking orders and directing everyone with an irritable demeanor, perfectly playing the role of a bad-tempered mentor.
Satoru squatted to the side, watching the scene unfold with a slight upturn of his lips.
After the flurry of activity subsided, Mayuri approached.
Looking down at the squatting Satoru, he slightly bowed his head.
"Thank you, Lord Satoru."
He didn't say more.
For Mayuri, such a word of thanks was enough to express his feelings.
Satoru waved his hand.
Mayuri continued, "Lord Satoru, I have a feeling that this time I will succeed."
"To prove this, I've decided to give this experiment subject a name... not a code name like 'Sleep Seven,' but a real name."
Hearing this, Satoru showed a thoughtful expression, as if he had thought of something.
Mayuri grinned. "Since it's 'Sleep Seven,' I'll simply take a homophone of 'sleep' and call her Nemu."
"As for the surname... since she is a life I created, she should naturally take my family name."
"Kurotsuchi Nemu. How does that sound? Isn't it a wonderful name?"
Hearing Mayuri's words, Satoru's eyes widened.
He stared at Mayuri for a while, making the latter somewhat uneasy.
"...Is there a problem?" Mayuri asked, puzzled.
Under his confused gaze, Satoru suddenly stood up.
"Mayuri, I just performed a divination for you."
"Don't worry, this time you will definitely succeed!"
"Sleep Seven... no, Kurotsuchi Nemu, she will definitely grow up healthy."
"She will be your most successful experimental achievement. I guarantee it with my Zanpakutō!"
Seeing Satoru's confident expression, Mayuri was somewhat surprised.
He didn't know where Satoru got such confidence.
Even he, as the project leader, didn't dare make such bold claims, especially after the failure of Sleep Six.
But... for some reason, even though Satoru knew nothing about the specific technology and couldn't contribute to the project beyond providing Gigai power, seeing his firm attitude made Mayuri's own confidence grow.
He grinned, showing a smile.
"Alright, then I'll take your auspicious words."
"Don't worry, I will definitely nurture Nemu well!"
"When Nemu grows up and I record the experimental process, I'll list you as the second author!"
With a happy mood, Mayuri walked out of the laboratory.
Before, he had never quite understood why so many people were willing to follow Satoru and offer him their loyalty.
It wasn't until today that he suddenly understood.
Having someone who unconditionally trusts you like this is truly a very happy thing...
...
...
Noble Street, Kuchiki Manor.
In the exquisite Japanese-style courtyard, there stood a rock garden with a small stream flowing through.
On the lawn, a boy in a white short coat with delicate features was practicing sword techniques with all his might.
Holding a bamboo sword with both hands, he repeatedly swung forward in a very standard posture.
Sweat poured down like rain, but his gaze remained incredibly determined.
Even though no one was supervising him, he showed no slackness at all.
His name was Byakuya.
The man who bore the future of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the Five Noble Clans of the Soul Society.
From the time he became sensible, he knew he had to work hard to become capable.
His grandfather was already very old and long unfit for continued combat.
Although his father was young, his physical condition was very poor, only slightly better than that white-haired captain of the Thirteenth Division.
As the only reliable male in the Kuchiki family with sound physical condition, he had to grow up as quickly as possible.
With a sense of urgency, he quickened his movements.
Just then, a voice sounded.
"Your form is breaking. Focus."
Hearing this, Byakuya was startled and instinctively adjusted his posture.
The next second, as if realizing something, he looked up.
"Satoru!"
Seeing the figure standing atop the wall, his face lit up with delight.
Someone shook their head in exasperation.
"You brat, as Sōjun-sensei's good father, how dare you address me so informally?"
He jumped down from the wall.
Byakuya broke into a smile and was about to run over.
Suddenly, he stopped and glared irritably at the figure that had landed beside Satoru.
"Damn it, you wretched cat... Who gave you permission to enter the Kuchiki Clan!!"