Vacation Cut Short?  

Whether facing the Espada in Hueco Mundo or the Vandenreich in the Thousand-Year Blood War, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's performance had been nothing short of textbook perfect.

While other Shinigami often emerged from battles against Quincy battered and bruised, relying heavily on support, Kurotsuchi consistently dominated his opponents, emerging unscathed, his captain's haori pristine.

His only true setback had been against Uryū Ishida. Perhaps his only regret was the loss of Nemu Kurotsuchi. While he had used her brain to complete his ultimate creation, Nemu #8, he would have preferred to see her reach her full potential naturally, rather than through such drastic means.

Ailin decided not to explain Kurotsuchi's resilience to Uryū. In time, Uryū would witness it firsthand.

"I know a few things about Quincy," Ailin said. "I've studied the Soul Society's records. There have been cases where Quincy, like you, unleashed tremendous power, rivaling even captain-level Shinigami. But afterwards, they lost their Quincy abilities." He paused, letting the words sink in. "However, some of them did regain their powers, and when they did, they became even stronger."

Uryū's body tensed. The news sent a jolt of hope through him. He hadn't realized it was possible to recover after using the Sanrei Glove. The future suddenly seemed less bleak. He knew Ailin hadn't sought him out just for idle chatter.

"Senior Ailin, do you know how I can regain my powers?"

Ailin sighed inwardly. Haruko, I'm afraid I've strayed from the path of righteousness. I'm about to tell a lie. He hoped Uryū wouldn't hold it against him.

"I'm sorry, Uryū," Ailin said, shaking his head. "The records didn't mention how they regained their powers. However, I did find something else that might be of interest."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"During the Quincy war, there was a… peculiar group living in the villages protected by the Quincy. They looked like ordinary humans, but they possessed the ability to absorb human souls, stealing their lifespans to extend their own. They could achieve a form of immortality by constantly feeding on souls." He paused, a look of disgust crossing his face. "They lived forever at the expense of others, yet they complained about being ostracized. A truly repulsive and hypocritical race."

Uryū remained silent, but he agreed with Ailin's assessment. They were indeed a despicable lot. He couldn't understand why his Quincy ancestors had protected them.

"I'm telling you this, Uryū, because your current situation is similar to theirs. They, too, possessed spiritual pressure but no way to channel it. However, after the Quincy disappeared, they somehow acquired something from the Quincy's legacy that allowed them to use a power called 'Dolls.' I believe you might benefit from seeking them out. Perhaps, in return for the Quincy's past protection, they would be willing to share their secrets.

It might provide a temporary solution, a way to overcome your current weakness. But ultimately, you need to find a way to restore your own Quincy powers. I'll check the Great Spirit Library when I return to the Soul Society. You should also research here in the World of the Living. There might be conflicting information between Shinigami and Quincy records."

Ailin stood up and place his hands in his pockets. "Good luck, young Quincy." With that, he turned and walked towards his hotel, his involvement in the Bount affair was concluded.

He wouldn't interfere further. The Bount incident was a crucial part of Ichigo's development. Ichigo's rapid growth, from an ordinary human to a force capable of challenging Aizen, was largely due to his Hollow and Quincy mentors.

But without the trials and tribulations he faced along the way, even the combined power of his inner Hollow and Zangetsu wouldn't have been enough to unleash the Final Getsuga Tenshō. The confidence gained from overcoming adversity and the unwavering belief in himself were the true fruits of Ichigo's journey.

…

Ailin and Haruko spent the next week exploring the World of the Living, visiting famous landmarks and revisiting places from their past. Many of the places they remembered were gone, lost to time and development. Some, however, still bore traces of their former glory. One place, in particular, had been remarkably preserved: the village they had once protected.

Their former home had been transformed into a renowned shrine. Haruko, through years of embellished storytelling, had become a legendary figure, a powerful shrine maiden who had vanquished countless demons. Compared to the priests and shrine maidens of that era, Haruko's Kidō, with its visible and tangible power, had been truly awe-inspiring. The accounts of her feats, passed down through generations, had cemented her status as a legend.

Ailin and Haruko visited the shrine. Ailin made a mental note to cherish the look on Haruko's face forever.

…

A few days later, as they prepared to continue their travels, Ailin's Denshin Shinki rang. He glanced at Haruko, who nodded, giving him permission to answer.

"Ailin speaking."

"Captain Ailin, this is Akon from the Twelfth Division."

Before Akon could say anything further, the phone was snatched from his hand.

Normally, Akon would have protested, even if it was Captain Kurotsuchi. He had served under three captains as the Third Seat, a testament to his skill and knowledge.

While lieutenants could be appointed by their captains, other seated officers earned their positions through merit. He had been the Third Seat under Kirio Hikifune, Kisuke Urahara, and now Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

He had seen captains come and go, his position unwavering. He had participated in countless experiments, often serving as a guide and mentor. If not for his limitations in combat, he might have even become a captain himself.

But when Captain-Commander Yamamoto took the phone…

"Captain Ailin, this is Yamamoto."

"Captain-Commander?" Ailin feigned surprise. "I believe I still have a week left of my vacation."

He knew Yamamoto wouldn't contact him without a good reason. The only issue currently plaguing the Soul Society was the Bount. But he had already reported on them. Was the Soul Society struggling to deal with them?

"Indeed. We wouldn't normally interrupt your vacation, Captain Ailin. However, a figure from a thousand years ago has resurfaced in connection with the Bount incident. I must request that you return to the Soul Society immediately."

"A figure from a thousand years ago?" Ailin was intrigued. Who could warrant such attention from Yamamoto? Could it be one of the original Gotei 13 captains? As far as he knew, only three remained: Yamamoto himself, Retsu Unohana, the First Kenpachi, and Senjumaru Shutara of the Zero Division. But even their involvement shouldn't require his immediate return.

"It's Ran'Tao, a scientist from before the Gotei 13 was formed."

"Ran'Tao?" Ailin asked, feigning surprise. "The one whose experiment destroyed a tenth of the Seireitei and created the Bount? What does her reappearance have to do with my vacation?"

Yamamoto was surprised by Ailin's knowledge. "Very well. Since you're aware of her history, I won't waste time with introductions. A day ago, the Bount infiltrated the Seireitei. I was prepared to have them eliminated, but Ran'Tao approached me and explained the… significance of the Bount's existence."

"The significance of their existence?" Ailin scoffed. Before Haruko's insight, he might have believed Ran'Tao's noble intentions, her desire to create immortal souls to save a dying world. But now, he saw through her charade.

What dying world?

Ran'Tao's true goal was likely to achieve immortality for herself. The Bount were the product of a failed experiment, immortal souls created by accident. Their numbers were fixed. They couldn't reproduce. But there was one anomaly: Yoshino Sōma.

Yoshino was Ran'Tao's clone. A clone should be an ordinary human or Shinigami. Yet, she was a Bount, a being created by absorbing the spiritual particles from Ran'Tao's failed experiment. What did this mean? It meant that even after her exile, Ran'Tao had continued her research, and she had succeeded, at least partially.

When Ran'Tao was banished, her spiritual pressure had been sealed. Without it, she should have aged and died like an ordinary human. Yet, a thousand years later, she was still alive, her appearance unchanged. This was highly unusual.

Even Retsu Unohana, a master healer, bore the marks of time. Yamamoto's transformation was even more drastic. How had a mere scientist, stripped of her spiritual power, survived for a thousand years?

Souls. Ailin suspected that Ran'Tao had modified her own soul, granting herself the same immortality as the Bount, the ability to absorb human souls to prolong her life.