In the dimly lit laboratory, the only source of light was the faint glow from the computer screen, just enough to illuminate the three figures—two light-skinned and one dark.
But light held no meaning for Kaname Tōsen. His pale, sightless eyes perceived only endless darkness.
All he could do was slightly twitch his ears, discerning the presence of a third person by the rhythm of their breathing.
The concealment skills of this third person were extraordinary—despite their proximity, their Reiatsu was completely undetectable.
"This should be our first official meeting, shouldn't it, Kaname Tōsen?"
Masatsuki Aozaki spoke warmly, standing in front of the screen without the slightest intention of moving, his fingers tapping rapidly against the keyboard.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Masatsuki Aozaki. From now on, we'll be comrades fighting side by side."
Tōsen ignored him entirely, walking straight to Aizen and handing over a glass container.
"Aizen-sama, this is today's harvest."
Aizen took the container and smirked as he gazed at the soul inside.
"This will be the last time. We won't need these anymore—we have a new target."
"Go on, Kaname, introduce yourself to Masatsuki."
"Yes, Aizen-sama."
Only after Aizen's instruction did Kaname Tōsen turn to Masatsuki Aozaki.
"I am Kaname Tōsen. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise." Masatsuki Aozaki didn't take offense to his earlier indifference—he couldn't care less what Tōsen was thinking.
Kaname Tōsen had lost his closest friend, Kakyō, and afterward, he had been deceived and manipulated by Tokinada Tsunayashiro, the very murderer responsible. Left in utter despair, he had become consumed by rage and hatred.
Aizen sought to change Soul Society, and so Tōsen had chosen to follow him, aiming to dismantle the darkness of this world.
But at his core, he was nothing more than a husk propelled by hatred, unable to truly grasp his own identity.
Masatsuki Aozaki clapped his hands together and chuckled. "Well, I'm done looking through the data. I'll be heading out first, Aizen-sama."
"Go ahead, Masatsuki." Aizen nodded. "Rest assured, everything has been taken care of."
With his back to Aizen, Masatsuki waved a hand dismissively as he walked out the door.
...
As the laboratory doors sealed shut, Kaname Tōsen finally spoke. "Can that man really be trusted?"
Aizen narrowed his eyes slightly before answering with confidence. "He won't be content to remain just a Shinigami. As long as that ambition burns within him, he will stay by my side."
...
Masatsuki Aozaki strolled leisurely through the bustling streets, taking in the lively atmosphere as he slowly made his way toward the Nest of Maggots.
That night.
After spending the entire day idling about, Masatsuki finally arrived at the Nest of Maggots.
As he pushed open the door, it was clear that the prisoners had already become familiar with their new overseer—all of them shrank back into the corners, too afraid to move.
But that was only temporary. It wouldn't be long before the isolation wore down their minds, numbing them to fear. Once that happened, they would start throwing punches at him again.
"Is the modification complete?"
Masatsuki stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the wall.
The prisoners behind him glanced at his defenseless back, hesitated for a moment, then lowered their heads.
"Pretty much done. Just need to get this thing inside."
Standing before him, Gin Ichimaru cradled a device in his arms—it looked like a compact computer.
"Aren't you being a little too nice to that lunatic? Don't tell me you actually have a soft spot for scientists?"
Masatsuki nodded before glancing past the staircase. He spotted a shadow cast on the ground and suddenly smirked.
The owner of the shadow wore peculiar earrings, distorting the reflection so that their silhouette had triangular-shaped ears.
Noticing his gaze, Gin Ichimaru chuckled dryly.
"That guy really is crazy. I have no idea what's going through his head, getting attached to that ridiculous getup."
"Well, geniuses tend to be a bit eccentric—that's just how it is." Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled.
Of the three geniuses he knew—including Mayuri Kurotsuchi—none of them were remotely normal.
Mayuri was, of course, a mad scientist.
Kisuke Urahara, on the other hand, was a man who loved to toy with others and shirk responsibilities whenever possible.
Despite his youth, he had the demeanor of a jaded middle-aged man. Yet at times, he could be frighteningly sharp, his contradictions making one question his sanity.
And Aizen? No need to even mention him—his lofty ideals were absurdly grand. He wanted to overthrow Soul Society's outdated system and build a new, more "just" order.
But between the three of them, Kisuke Urahara, for all his quirks, was ironically the most like a normal person.
"Maybe... you should go keep an eye on him?"
Gin Ichimaru had a hesitant expression, clearly debating whether to say it aloud. In the end, he couldn't hold back and voiced his concern.
There were plenty of traps set up in the room, but he was still uneasy. That guy, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, was insane—but undeniably intelligent.
"Precisely because he's intelligent, he knows what to do. Don't underestimate him. Yes, he's a madman, but he's a rational madman."
Masatsuki Aozaki lifted his gaze from the ground and spoke casually.
"As long as he doesn't go overboard, just let him be."
Gin Ichimaru remained silent for a moment before sighing helplessly.
This guy was always so confident. Gin honestly couldn't tell whether Masatsuki could truly see through people's hearts or if he was simply too self-assured in his own judgment.
But the fact remained—Masatsuki's instincts had never been wrong. It was as if everything naturally fell into place for him.
"Nice to see you again, Kurotsuchi-san."
Just as Gin was lost in thought, Masatsuki Aozaki's calm voice rang through the room.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi didn't even lift his head, hunched over the table, tinkering with something.
Masatsuki Aozaki stepped inside, scanning the room.
The cell had changed drastically. The space had expanded, and nearly half of it had been converted into a makeshift laboratory.
Where there was once only a single bed, the room was now cluttered with simple lab equipment.
Surveillance bugs had been installed along the walls.
These creatures, with their grotesque faces and numerous legs, clung to the corners of the room, transmitting both sound and images—functioning much like monitors.
"You don't actually think those little things will work on me, do you?" Mayuri suddenly spoke in a gruff voice.
"Well, Kisuke made them. Say what you will, but his technology is top-notch. I trust his craftsmanship."
Masatsuki Aozaki spread his hands, then pulled up a chair and sat down in front of him.
"And I trust that your intellect won't allow you to act like a fool."
"Oh? So I should be grateful for your faith in me?"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi let out a sneer and curled his lips in disdain.
"You and Kisuke Urahara really are insufferable."
"It's quite rude to refer to someone as just a You,' Kurotsuchi-san."
Masatsuki Aozaki spoke in an even tone, his eyes narrowing slightly as he smiled.
What a nasty piece of work... Mayuri's eye twitched slightly, but he said nothing, standing up and walking toward the bed.
If he had the strength, he would've already made a move.
Masatsuki Aozaki followed him closely.
Mayuri pressed his hand against a section of the wall by the bed.
A flash of white light streaked across the surface, and without warning, a hidden panel slid away—revealing the secret laboratory concealed behind it.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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