Chapter 184 ⥤ Brothers Should Help Each Other

Rukongai, Junrinan District.

In the underground laboratory of the Mimihagi Shrine.

Aizen frowned as he stared at the container before him, observing the collision of souls within. Under his precise control, countless Reishi particles divided and collided, creating massive impacts that echoed throughout the laboratory.

Finally, a brilliant light erupted, illuminating the entire laboratory like a miniature sun.

Seeing this, Aizen let out a light sigh, and just as he was about to shake his head, an ear-splitting voice shattered his concentration.

"Ah, my eyes! Who threw that flash bomb? Who used Pride Flare?!"

As the light faded, Aizen removed his special glasses, just in time to witness a certain "blind man" stumbling around in the dimly lit area, occasionally crashing into the metal walls.

And leaving massive dents in them... Compared to Akira's head, these metals proved far too fragile.

Fortunately, the intense light stimulation wouldn't cause serious damage to one's eyes; they would recover naturally after a brief rest.

"Sōsuke, what are you messing with now?" Akira finally managed to feel his way to the room's sofa and collapsed onto it, "That light was as intense as a Hadō spell."

Aizen replied with resignation, "A forbidden experiment related to souls. Remember when I mentioned obtaining Arrancar technology data from Szayelaporro? My research has revealed that Hollows, particularly Menos Grande, have two distinct evolution paths."

"The first follows the current progression of Gillians, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde. This path makes Hollows more rational, their appearance and behavior becoming more humanoid. The second path maintains their original form while increasing their strength. Though these Hollows may lack in intelligence and personality, their power far exceeds their previous state."

"Baraggan told me that in ancient times, Hueco Mundo wasn't his sole domain. Another Adjuchas-class Hollow named Ikomikidomoe existed — a creature of enormous size and tremendous Reiatsu, capable of resisting even Baraggan's power of Senescencia. These two Hollows ruled Hueco Mundo together."

"Later, Ikomikidomoe ventured to the Soul Society in search of stronger opponents and vanished without a trace."

Aizen tilted his head slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"According to the Daireishokairō (Spirit Library), Ikomikidomoe likely reached the Royal Palace after defeating Captain-Commander Yamamoto, where the Royal Guard finally subdued him."

Akira pondered thoughtfully.

He clearly recalled his divination showing Ikomikidomoe's battle with a young Yama-jii, matching the detailed records in the Daireishokairō.

The creature had resembled a big frog with large limbs — quite a peculiar sight. Without doubt, this had been Genryūsai's greatest humiliation. Getting thrashed by a Hollow wasn't something one proudly admitted.

He had considered publishing these records in the "Seireitei Communication", but Shunsui had firmly stopped this suicidal venture.

His exact words were, "If you want to die, that's fine, but don't drag me into it."

Aizen ignored his wandering thoughts and continued, "Through experiments in Hueco Mundo, we've discovered that Hollows can transcend their soul's limitations by acquiring Shinigami-like power, completing their transformation into Arrancars."

"After becoming Arrancars, Hollows' strength multiplies several times over, sometimes even tenfold. The enhancement level varies with individual potential. A Vasto Lorde's transformation isn't necessarily stronger than that of an Adjuchas or Gillian. However, given a Vasto Lorde's base power, it's virtually impossible for an Adjuchas to surpass them after becoming an Arrancar..."

Before he could finish, he was cut off by someone who couldn't read the atmosphere.

Akira raised his hand, "That's too technical — save those discussions for Szayelaporro. Just tell me what problem you're facing now."

No one understood Aizen better than him.

The moment his eyes recovered and he saw the man's expression, he knew the mad scientist had hit an insurmountable wall.

"We're running out of experimental subjects." Aizen shook his head, not expecting Akira to grasp his earlier explanation, "Not Hollows — Shinigami."

Akira was taken aback, "Don't we still have plenty of rebels? I brought you a batch recently."

At this, Aizen tapped the control panel several times. The metal wall before them emitted grinding sounds as it twisted backward like a Rubik's cube.

A prison-like structure materialized, revealing several floating rebels whose faces were contorted into expressions even more horrifying than Akira's.

Syringe-like devices extended from all four sides of the prison, injecting high-concentration liquid Reishi into the unconscious rebels.

The rebels jolted awake with piercing screams. Within seconds, their bodies swelled grotesquely before exploding, dissolving into countless Reishi particles that merged back into the Soul Society.

"Their Reiatsu is too weak, and their bodies are too frail." Aizen said helplessly, "They can't even withstand liquid Reishi, let alone the subsequent experiments. We need stronger subjects — Captain-level Shinigami at minimum."

Akira furrowed his brow. This predicament was indeed his fault.

If not for considering his feelings, Aizen would have already unleashed havoc in the Soul Society. Whether Shinigami or not, anyone suitable for experiments would have been claimed by the madman through whatever means necessary.

The Visored had emerged under such circumstances.

Now Aizen's actions were more restricted, unable to operate as freely as in the original timeline. As a close friend, Akira felt compelled to help resolve this dilemma.

"Let me think about it." He mused while leaving the laboratory.

Watching his departing figure, Aizen shook his head helplessly.

If Akira hadn't inquired, he wouldn't have confided in him at all. Captain-level Shinigami were rare enough, and most were friends — even those with strained relationships were still acquaintances.

Even if he had to do it himself, he would need to adjust his mindset, let alone leaving it to the carefree friend-of-everyone Captain.

Aizen had little faith in Akira's help. Though they lacked Shinigami test subjects, it wouldn't stop their research — Hollows were abundant.

For now, they would simply have to focus their experiments in Hueco Mundo.

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11th Division.

"Kisuke, Kisuke!"

A demon-like voice calling for death rang out outside the room. Kisuke opened his bleary eyes, wondering which fool would disturb others' sleep at this late hour.

When he clearly saw the face pressed against the window, half of his drowsiness vanished from fright, while the other half was suppressed by pure survival instinct.

"Captain..." Kisuke let out a helpless sigh, got up to open the door, and let the demon in, "Everyone knows you're energetic, but you should consider your subordinates' condition too."

Before Akira could sit down, the poor workhorse began complaining.

"I've been working non-stop for seven hours these past two days. If this continues, someone's going to die."

After spending time together, he had figured out his Captain's personality.

As the Captain himself admitted, his bite wasn't as bad as his bark — he preferred soft approaches over hard ones. If you confronted him directly, this guy could devise 108 different ways to deal with you.

In this aspect, Kisuke had plenty of experience.

"Don't worry, don't worry." Akira sat cross-legged in the room's highest position, assuming the air of a mountain lord, "Today I won't propose any unreasonable work plans, you can rest assured about that."

Hearing these words, Kisuke's heart leaped to his throat.

From his experience with the Captain, what this man considered "not unreasonable" usually turned out to be tasks that made ordinary Shinigami's scalps tingle — tasks that might take three to five hundred years to complete.

Before the workhorse could continue his act, Akira got straight to the point.

"How much do you know about the Soul Society's regulations?"

Kisuke frowned, immediately sensing something wasn't right. Could his superior be planning a rebellion?

Given his Captain's rebellious nature, he couldn't rule out the possibility.

"I don't know much, but I have a general understanding. My lord, please think carefully before taking action. Once you start, there's no turning back. And the First Division isn't like the Eleventh Division where you can become Captain just by defeating the current one. Besides, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's strength..."

Hearing this, Akira became furious, "What kind of person do you take me for? I respect Yama-jii as my teacher — filial piety is ingrained in my bones. How could I be someone who defies authority and disrespects their elders?!"

Upon hearing these words, Kisuke glanced around the room but found no trace of Genryūsai. His gaze toward his Captain filled with disdain.

All talk and no action, even worse than Mayuri.

Seemingly detecting the ill intent, Akira's gaze instantly sharpened.

"Ahem, my lord, please speak freely." Kisuke, sensing his mortal peril, immediately returned to the main topic — a strategy that never failed with his pious Captain.

"Oh, well then." Akira, choosing to overlook this defiant behavior, said casually, "You must be aware of how vicious the conflicts between nobles were when Central 46 and the Tsunayashiro family were still around, right?"

Kisuke paused for a moment, then nodded. That period wasn't too long ago, so he naturally knew about it.

If it weren't for Akira's sudden rise, Soul Society would still be mired in darkness and corruption. The noble families had fought viciously over the smallest benefits, showing complete disregard for the lives of Rukongai residents. The family of former 11th Division Captain Sōya Azashiro was among the many victims of these conflicts.

Now, with the Tsunayashiro family's fall and the balance between the Kuchiki and Shihōin families, the nobles had become much more peaceful, and the overall environment more harmonious.

"I vaguely remember an ancient noble family called Ryōdoji, who were once high-ranking nobles." Akira said seriously, "This family got caught in the whirlpool of conflict and was later banished from the Soul Society by Central 46, forcing them to flee to the Dangai. Is this true?"

Kisuke searched his mind for related information.

To be honest, he was surprised. The House of Ryōdoji incident had happened a thousand years ago; he hadn't expected the seemingly unscholarly Akira to know about it.

"That's correct." His expression turned somber, "After all this time, the Ryōdoji family members must all be dead. The environment in the Dangai is even worse than the 80th District of Rukongai. With the occasional appearance of the Kōryū and Kōtotsu, one wrong move means death."

Akira snapped his fingers and said with a smile, "Then there's no problem. This mission is simple: help me find all members of the House of Ryōdoji in the Dangai. After it's done, I'll give you a day off — no, twelve hours — um, make that five hours."

Kisuke: "?"

Was this request even humanly possible? Setting aside whether the Ryōdoji Family was extinct, the Dangai alone was larger than all of Seireitei. In such a vast and desolate world, to search for Shinigami whose survival was uncertain...

He felt his Captain wasn't here to assign a mission but to deliberately make things difficult for him.

Seriously suspecting you're targeting me, Kisuke Urahara!

"Can't do it?" Akira sighed helplessly, "If it's not possible, I'll go ask Mayuri. I'm sure if I tell him this is something even Kisuke couldn't do, he would be very eager to help."

Kisuke: "?"

This guy looked foolish, but how did he understand human nature so deeply?

Perhaps because he was appointed as the 11th Division Lieutenant despite being junior, Mayuri had been constantly finding fault with him since his transfer. He frequently criticized Kisuke's research work and openly expressed his disgust for him as an individual.

If it weren't for Akira's mediation, Kisuke suspected this guy might have poisoned him and taken his place.

Considering that bringing two daredevils together might trigger some uncontrollable violent reaction, he gritted his teeth, steeled his heart, and reluctantly agreed.

"I'll try."

For the stability of Soul Society, he decided to sacrifice his personal interests for the greater good.

Unable to sleep, Kisuke headed to the newly renovated laboratory of the 11th Division — a facility upgraded under his Captain's supervision.

He had to admit, every task Akira assigned was challenging. At this rate, Kisuke suspected he might become completely absorbed in his work. The satisfaction of pursuing answers and conquering scientific challenges far exceeded any pleasure from idleness.

Though Kisuke was brilliant, Akira lacked patience. When the lengthy search proved fruitless, he brought in Mayuri to assist. If Kisuke could barely be considered virtuous, Mayuri was undoubtedly villainous.

Upon hearing Akira's outrageous request, Mayuri promptly developed a grotesque bug capable of surviving in the Dangai. These creatures, with optical nerves that connected to laboratory equipment, could be released to create a comprehensive monitoring system.

Their collaborative efforts soon bore fruit — they detected unusual fluctuations in the Dangai.

Kisuke stared at the screen data in astonishment.

"There really are Shinigami who survived in the Dangai..."

⤫⤬⤫

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