"You truly live up to your reputation, Mayuri Kurotsuchi—the most dangerous prisoner in the Nest of Maggots, not because of brute strength, but because of sheer intellect."
Masatsuki Aozaki's eyes gleamed with admiration as he couldn't help but voice his appreciation.
Gin Ichimaru nodded in agreement.
He hadn't set up this mechanism—his role was only to deliver the equipment.
Which meant that Mayuri Kurotsuchi had built this hidden device in just half a day.
"It's just a simple projection, nothing too complex," Mayuri remarked, sitting cross-legged on the bed. The chains attached to his shackles clinked softly.
"It only works on those too afraid to enter this room. For you, standing here with me, it's completely useless."
Masatsuki Aozaki reached out and touched the wall, watching as his palm passed straight through. As expected, just an illusion.
Still, the fact that Mayuri could create something like this with such crude equipment in such a short time spoke volumes about his brilliance.
If I could recruit him and gain control over his knowledge and technology, he would be an invaluable asset.
Unfortunately, this man is unstable—a double-edged sword. I might be able to control and utilize him, but making him truly submit? Impossible.
Just then...
Tap. Tap. Tap!
A sudden knocking sound broke the silence.
"Mayuri Kurotsuchi, you haven't forgotten our deal, have you?"
Masatsuki Aozaki tapped the stone bed with one hand while absentmindedly stroking his chin with the other.
"I've held up my end of the bargain. I trust you haven't forgotten what I asked for?"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi hesitated for a moment before sighing and pulling out a slip of paper.
Masatsuki Aozaki took it and glanced at it—an address and a string of numbers.
"Go find it. I've backed up all my research and data there. Everything I promised you is waiting," Mayuri said, his voice trembling slightly.
Handing over his life's work like this—it was impossible not to feel some reluctance.
"Mayuri Kurotsuchi, there's no need for regret. When the day comes that you walk free and see the light again, you'll be thanking me," Masatsuki Aozaki said.
Leaning against the wall, Mayuri clenched his fists tightly, his trousers bunching up into intricate folds, like winding roads converging into a labyrinth.
He stared at Masatsuki's composed face and, after a moment, let out a quiet breath, smoothing out his clothes.
"I'll be waiting for that day..." Mayuri murmured.
The past was set in stone—what mattered now was the future.
This makeshift laboratory was nothing more than a distraction.
If he wanted to continue the research he had abandoned a century ago, he would have to escape this place.
"Be patient. You won't be disappointed," Masatsuki Aozaki assured him. "After all, I don't want your talents wasted here either."
"There are far more important things waiting for you out there."
Masatsuki Aozaki smiled, clapping Mayuri on the shoulder before turning to leave. He stepped out of the cell and ascended the long staircase, illuminated by the glow of torches.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked up, watching as his silhouette disappeared into the light.
The prisoners remained huddled in the corners, unmoving, as the heavy dungeon doors creaked open.
Outside, the Detention Unit stood in formation, a wall of shadows guarding every inch of the Nest of Maggots.
The guards bowed their heads respectfully, silently saluting the two high-ranking officers as they departed.
"Do you need me to go with you? The mad scientist's secret lair might hold unexpected dangers."
Gin Ichimaru spoke casually as he fastened his katana, glancing at Masatsuki Aozaki.
"Mayuri Kurotsuchi may not be that strong, but he has a certain talent. There's a good chance he's set traps in his lab."
"Of course there are traps, but he told me about all of them. He's not ready to let me die just yet."
As he spoke, Masatsuki Aozaki flipped over the note Mayuri Kurotsuchi had given him. The back was filled with dense writing, covering the entire page.
"You don't need to come with me. This has to be done in secret—the fewer people who know, the better."
"In that case, go find Rangiku and tell her I have something to take care of. She should stay home tonight and not wander around."
Gin Ichimaru was silent for a moment before nodding. "I'll tell her. Be careful."
"Mm, I'm counting on you."
As Gin Ichimaru walked away, Masatsuki Aozaki withdrew his gaze and lightly ran his fingers over Banshō Senran at his waist.
He had Aizen to thank for showing him Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai. Without it, the ever-watchful Daireishokairō would make it impossible to act too openly in Soul Society. But with Kyōka Suigetsu's ability to deceive the Daireishokairō, his concerns were significantly reduced.
Masatsuki Aozaki looked toward the eastern part of Seireitei. The sky was clear, with stars and the moon shining brightly. From the high ground, he could see the scattered lights of the streets and alleys below, twinkling in harmony with the stars above.
A hand tapped his shoulder. He turned around to see a vibrant young girl with purple hair twirl in front of him.
"Masatsuki."
"Yoruichi, done with work already? Didn't expect you to have time to visit the Nest of Maggots." Masatsuki Aozaki's face broke into a smile.
This energetic girl always had a way of lifting his mood.
"I barely got through half my workload today before realizing it just wasn't for me, so I dumped the rest on Marenoshin."
Yoruichi Shihōin crossed her arms, a grin playing on her lips.
"When I snuck out earlier, one of the squad members mentioned you were inspecting the Nest of Maggots, so I came to find you!"
"You really like this place, huh? You've only been captain of the Detention Unit for a few days, and this is already your second visit."
"It's all because of Mayuri Kurotsuchi." Masatsuki Aozaki sighed.
"Oh, speaking of Mayuri," Yoruichi clapped her hands. "Kisuke sent word today—he said you recruited him!"
"That's right." Masatsuki Aozaki leaned against a tree, meeting Yoruichi's gaze. "Not just him—Kirio Hikifune is on board too. She's going to convince Master to establish the Shinigami Research and Development Institute."
"You really are popular," Yoruichi sighed. "Even Kirio-san couldn't turn you down."
She sat down on the ground, stretching her arms and yawning as she enjoyed the cool mountain breeze.
Her gaze drifted through the trees to a shimmering lake in the distance. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips before she spoke, her tone deliberately casual.
"Kūkaku's doing well, right? I heard you asked Kisuke to make her some protective gear."
The moment she finished speaking, she had the sudden urge to slap herself.
Seriously? Did she really just say that? When did she start acting so awkward?
Masatsuki Aozaki was about to respond but suddenly tensed.
His brow furrowed as he sensed something off.
On the surface, Yoruichi's words sounded like simple concern for her best friend, but his years of experience navigating life-and-death situations told him there was something more beneath the surface—something dangerous.
Clearing his throat, he spoke carefully.
"Kūkaku and I are close, and she's your best friend too. She spends every day conducting dangerous experiments—it's only natural that you'd be worried about her."
"I just happened to come up with the idea, so I rushed to Kisuke for help."
"After all, you two are so close. If something really happened to her, I doubt you'd be fine with it."
"I'm sorry. That was my mistake—I shouldn't have forced my thoughts onto you."
Yoruichi froze at his words, caught off guard.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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