The power structure of Shino Prison had changed.
As the Prison Warden, Kurotsuchi Mayuri voluntarily applied for a demotion, yielding his position to someone more qualified, wiser, and stronger.
That person was Naraku Sora.
When Central 46 saw this application report, the entire group was left dumbfounded.
They didn't know whether to curse Kurotsuchi Mayuri for being spineless or Naraku Sora for his sheer audacity.
When the Tsunayashiro family incident occurred, if Kyōraku Shunsui hadn't blocked their doors, they definitely would have ordered the Inner Court Troop to deliver a secret decree forbidding Naraku Sora from making a move against the Tsunayashiro family.
No one could have anticipated that this guy would act faster than anyone else.
Right after taking out Tsunayashiro Taketori, without even pausing to catch his breath, he hastily rushed to exterminate the remnants of the Tsunayashiro family.
By the time they, the highest judicial authority, learned of the matter, the Tsunayashiro family was left with nothing but a few stragglers. The fact that they were even able to cling to life was only because Yamamoto had returned just in time.
Yet, not long after, Naraku Sora caused another massive uproar.
"Gentlemen, are we really going to let this guy run amok?"
The elderly Asano, sitting in the first seat, furrowed his brows. He tightly gripped the application report submitted by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, his wrinkled face filled with anger.
As a vassal of the Tsunayashiro family, they shared in both their glory and their ruin.
Now that the Tsunayashiro family had fallen, his days were numbered as well.
Even as a judge, his status within Central 46 was now lower than that of the sages below him.
Currently, out of respect for Yamamoto, everyone still adhered to the original hierarchy, maintaining the fragile laws of the Soul Society.
But such days wouldn't last long. Without the Tsunayashiro family's protection from behind, he wouldn't be able to hold his position as a judge for much longer.
"Heh, Asano, if you want to die, don't drag us down with you."
A disdainful sneer echoed from below, as if mocking someone's overestimation of their own capabilities.
"That guy even dared to hunt down and kill Tsunayashiro Taketori. Be careful not to provoke him, or he might just charge straight into the underground assembly hall with his blade drawn."
"Hmph, we are the highest judicial authority, responsible for maintaining the order of the Soul Society. We are the symbol of stability and peace."
Asano blustered, putting up a brave front to hide his inner cowardice.
"Besides, isn't Head Captain Yamamoto still here?"
"I refuse to believe that brute would even disregard his own teacher!"
Hearing this, a reprimand came from behind the curtain of the fourth seat:
"Asano, stop living in the past. After the last incident, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's trust in us has dropped to absolute zero."
"Setting up a teleportation barrier inside the underground assembly hall—one that leads directly to Hueco Mundo, no less—would be absolutely impossible without inside help."
"Originally, in Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's eyes, we could at least maintain a facade of fairness and still held some value."
"However, a betrayal occurred in the safest place in the Soul Society. You don't actually think he'll treat us the same way he used to, do you?"
"Asano, times have changed!"
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, everyone present knew full well that the setup of the teleportation barrier was likely tied to Asano and his faction.
After all, they were the only loyal partisans of the Tsunayashiro family.
Unconcealed irritation flashed across Asano's face. He wanted to retort, but he swallowed his words before they could leave his mouth.
"Then what about this application report?"
"Approved."
"Seconded."
"There's nothing to agonize over. It's just a mere Prison Warden position."
Soon, the resolution was passed unanimously, and the discussion fast-forwarded to the most important matter of this meeting.
"Topic: How to stabilize the current status of Central 46."
"Gentlemen, you may now speak freely."
Instantly, the underground assembly hall fell into dead silence.
The speed at which Kurotsuchi Mayuri caved in far exceeded Urahara Kisuke's expectations.
He had thought that a knowledgeable scientist like him would possess unshakable convictions and inviolable dignity.
Just like himself.
It was precisely because of this that Urahara Kisuke felt Naraku Sora's plan was completely unreliable.
However, facts proved that he had simply overestimated Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
"Are you saying that after I blew up that caterpillar, you are now unable to use your Bankai?"
Naraku Sora asked with a serious expression.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded, then explained the principles behind why a Bankai could not be repaired.
"However, based on my observations over the past few days, there is a possibility for my Bankai to recover. It will just take a bit longer."
"Even though I have mastered Bankai, my understanding of Zanpakutō remains at a rudimentary stage."
"If Mr. Naraku hadn't blown up Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, even I wouldn't have known it possessed this property."
At this point, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's mouth stretched wide, revealing an incredibly eerie and bizarre smile.
Judging from his tone, the man truly harbored no resentment or passive-aggressiveness.
He was simply stating a fact.
For Kurotsuchi Mayuri, there was no eternal hatred, only the eternal pursuit of science.
Since someone could satisfy his ideas, serving him was only natural.
Just like when he had become a member of the Shutara Research Institute.
"So, what do you plan to do next?" Naraku Sora asked casually.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri pondered for a few seconds, countless data flashing through his mind.
"First, have Kuchiki Kōga attempt to materialize Ashisogi Jizō. Second, examine its condition, and then proceed with modifications based on the actual situation."
"According to previous research data, changes in the Zanpakutō spirit will, to a certain extent, affect the Zanpakutō itself."
Naraku Sora nodded.
Muramasa stepped forward and skillfully extracted his Zanpakutō spirit.
Soon, amidst a blooming light of Reiatsu, a frail and short figure appeared.
With grayish-white eyes, yellowish skin, wearing yellow clothes and a red scarf, and possessing butterfly wings on its back, it was a mix of bizarre and slightly cute.
The moment the spirit of Ashisogi Jizō appeared, it didn't hesitate at all, immediately unleashing its strongest attack against its master, Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
A massive amount of venom spewed from its mouth, pouring down like a torrential downpour.
"[Bakudō 39・Enkōsen]."
The well-prepared Kurotsuchi Mayuri instantly cast a defensive Kidō, blocking all the venom.
"[Bakudō 61・Rikujōkōrō]!"
The moment the Kidō incantation rang out, several staves of light descended from the sky, instantly sealing Ashisogi Jizō's movements.
"[Bakudō 63・Sajō Sabaku]!"
Several golden chains flew in from all directions, tightly binding Ashisogi Jizō in multiple layers.
Compared to Urahara Kisuke's previous battle, Kurotsuchi Mayuri seemed to finish things a bit faster.
He had successfully clawed back a point.
Looking at Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who was smugly showing off to him, Urahara Kisuke couldn't help but fall into deep thought. *'This guy just joined us, so how did he already get assimilated by a certain someone?'*
*'At this rate, will I also be unable to hold out for much longer?'*
The mere thought of potentially turning out like Naraku Sora in the future sent a wave of panic through Urahara Kisuke's heart.
He was just a harmless researcher! If he turned into a brute, what would become of him?!
While he was agonizing over this, Kurotsuchi Mayuri had already picked up Ashisogi Jizō by the scruff of the neck and walked toward the experimental equipment.
He was now itching to study the structure of the Zanpakutō spirit.
As if foreseeing its own future, Ashisogi Jizō's eyes rolled back as it let out a mournful wail.
Naraku Sora curiously leaned in, ready to see how Kurotsuchi Mayuri would dissect his Zanpakutō.
There were still many things he didn't understand about Zanpakutō.
After all, it was his first time being a Soul Reaper, so he lacked experience.
If he could gain some inspiration from the modification process, that would be for the best.
Speaking of which, his Reiatsu level had long since met the requirements.
It was about time he prepared himself and tried to learn Bankai...
Seeing the two huddled together, dense Reishi filled the laboratory.
Urahara Kisuke hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, his scientific curiosity triumphed over his internal conflict, and he shifted his gaze over.
Modifying a Zanpakutō was a brand-new research project. It would be far too much of a pity to miss out on it.
Only Kuchiki Kōga let out a deep yawn, completely uninterested in the matter.
To him, modifying a Zanpakutō wasn't nearly as fulfilling as bonding with Muramasa.
And so, their eyes met.
"Muramasa, Sora recently taught me a Hakuda technique called 'Ikkotsu'—the same one that nearly killed me with a single punch before."
"Do you want to learn it?"
Hearing this, Muramasa froze, then looked completely bewildered.
"Can a Zanpakutō also learn a Soul Reaper's Hakuda?"
Kuchiki Kōga scratched his head. "I don't know, let's just give it a try. Anyway, Sora only told me not to teach it to anyone else, but you aren't 'anyone else'."
"It should be fine."
Muramasa thought for a moment and nodded.
"That makes sense. Since my abilities have already been forbidden by Central 46, mastering a few other moves would be excellent."
The like-minded duo—one man and one blade—turned and left the laboratory, thoughtfully closing the door for the three people inside.
Tranquility.
Squad 1 Barracks, back mountain.
Having finished dealing with the piled-up squad duties, Yamamoto stood alone in front of a cascading waterfall. The roar of crashing water filled his ears, but at this moment, his heart was completely at peace.
Because of his rebellious disciple's outrageous actions—wiping out the Tsunayashiro family while he was away—he had expected turmoil to arise, but the situation was unexpectedly stable.
The aftermath was jointly swallowed up by the Shihōin and Shiba families, and the Soul Society remained the same Soul Society.
And he finally had the time to study the technique Naraku Sora had developed.
"Control the interval between the physical strike and the Reiatsu strike to within 0.000001 seconds, thereby generating a force capable of distorting space, and then erupt with a devastating blow."
Yamamoto recalled the details of [Black Flash], calmed his mind, and gave it a try.
Reiatsu coated his scorching fist as he threw a punch.
An ordinary-looking punch instantly hollowed out a massive chunk of the waterfall's flow in front of him, even leaving a scorched black mark on the rock wall behind it.
However, this performance only caused Yamamoto to furrow his brows tightly.
"No, the margin of error is too large. It doesn't even compare to that brat's [Black Flash]."
To become the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society, aside from outstanding talent, unwavering patience was also indispensable.
A single failure was not enough to make Yamamoto back down; instead, it further roused his competitive spirit.
If that brat could develop it himself, could he, standing on his shoulders, really fail to learn it?
And so, as if competing with himself, Yamamoto tried again and again.
Meanwhile, in a secluded alleyway of the barracks, within a pitch-black corner, the shadows cast by the sunlight twitched imperceptibly—
Almost like some kind of living creature.
A deep blue glow slowly emerged, rapidly weaving into shape to form an independent eyeball. It hovered within the shadows, darting around as if scouting the surroundings.
After confirming there was no danger, a gaunt figure stepped out from the shadows.
"Instructing soldiers is my bounden duty, but to think I, an instructor, would be made to gather intelligence as well. And to claim it's His Majesty's order... that guy Jugram Haschwalth..."
The man raised his gaze, looking at the sun in the sky through his glasses, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"After all these years, I wonder if the Soul Reapers have made any progress?"
*Punch.*
Just as he spoke, the man sensed a strong fluctuation of Reiatsu coming from the east, accompanied by a scorching, high-temperature aura that permeated the air.
"This power... it feels a bit familiar..."
Driven by curiosity, he concealed his presence and advanced toward the source of the Reiatsu.
Soon, the man arrived at the back mountain and saw an old man, bare-chested and bulging with knotted muscles, throwing punch after punch at the waterfall.
Although every punch cleared the flow of water, an attack of this caliber could be replicated by anyone in the Schatten Bereich.
Therefore, a look of disdain appeared on the man's face.
"According to the intelligence, this should be the Head Captain of the Gotei 13 from back then, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, right?"
"It seems he couldn't escape the ravages of time after all. He's old and decrepit, no longer what he used to be..."
However, right at that moment, crimson arcs of lightning surfaced on Yamamoto's fist. Space distorted, and scorching flames erupted from the ground, transforming into a towering pillar of fire that consumed his entire field of vision.
Accompanied by a deafening roar that echoed through the air, the expression on Quilge's face instantly froze. The scene unfolding before him was violently branded into his mind.
At the end of his line of sight, the mountain peak with the rushing waterfall had been erased out of thin air, permanently altering the terrain!
A Reishi storm raged, recklessly whipping up a hurricane that churned the thin clouds in the sky, its shockwaves spreading out majestically in all directions.
Looking at his masterpiece, Yamamoto slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a hint of satisfaction flashing across his face.
"Although the success rate is still a bit low, I can at least say I've grasped the basics."
"When that damn brat asks about it later, I won't have to embarrass myself again."