Mayuri Kurotsuchi, brimming with excitement, led Shigure Segawa to the end of the underground chamber.
Shigure noticed that the layout here was distinctly different from before.
The walls, floor, and ceiling were now inscribed with intricate Kido incantations.
With a wide grin, Mayuri explained,
"In Seireitei, releasing your Zanpakuto is strictly forbidden under normal circumstances... So, I've prepared this spiritual pressure-blocking barrier in advance."
"As long as you control your spiritual pressure properly, no one outside will detect a thing."
Shigure nodded in acknowledgment. This precaution addressed a concern he had earlier.
While Mayuri busied himself with a series of adjustments to the equipment, Shigure could only watch, unable to make sense of the complex operations.
Two minutes later, Mayuri placed a transparent glass plate in the center of the Kido inscriptions.
On top of the plate sat a small, black bead marked with "010."
Raising an eyebrow, Shigure asked, "Is this the new container?"
Mayuri's grin widened, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Don't underestimate it... This tiny bead can store the equivalent of ten minutes' worth of continuous Zanpakuto release!"
"And the best part? After use, it only needs a one-minute cooldown. Once recharged with spiritual pressure, it can be used an unlimited number of times!"
Hearing this, Shigure's eyes gleamed with surprise.
Initially, he had only considered this device as a minor tool to diversify his tactics.
But now, it seemed Mayuri had developed it as a potential game-changer.
"So, the next step is simple..."
"Release your Zanpakuto and direct its power into the container!"
"Remember, control your spiritual pressure and use your immense spiritual energy to guide the thunderstorm into the bead."
Taking a step back, Mayuri used a Shunpo to retreat ten meters, a sly smile on his face.
"Go ahead!"
Shigure turned to him with a smirk. "Do you really need to stand so far away?"
Mayuri rolled his eyes. "Are you an idiot? Not everyone can stand unscathed near such a thunderstorm like you."
Chuckling softly, Shigure slowly drew his Zanpakuto from its sheath.
Raising the blade forward, he whispered,
"Awaken... Candle Dragon!"
Boom!
The moment the words left his lips, the blade erupted, and golden lightning surged from his hand!
In that instant, every piece of equipment in the chamber malfunctioned to varying degrees.
Far from being annoyed, Mayuri's excitement only grew.
"Simply releasing your Zanpakuto can completely disrupt the flow of spiritual particles around you!"
"Collaborating with you was absolutely the right choice, Segawa!"
He shouted with fervor, his eyes glowing with exhilaration.
Holding the lightning in his hand, Shigure calmly focused on the black bead on the ground.
Raising his hand, the lightning transformed into the shape of a sword.
Gripping the hilt of the lightning blade, Shigure aimed its tip at the bead. With a single thought, the thunderstorm surged forward like a torrential flood.
Bang!
The moment the golden lightning touched the black bead, a dazzling light burst forth!
The entire underground chamber was illuminated as if the sun itself had descended.
Despite the blinding light, Shigure kept his gaze fixed on the bead, sensing a harmonious resonance.
Now was the time to inject the thunderstorm into it in one go.
Lightning poured continuously from Shigure's palm, enveloping him entirely in its radiant embrace.
Candle Dragon: Azure Thunder Cloak!
In that instant, even more ferocious lightning surged along the blade and into the bead.
This time, there was no outward display of light.
The moment the lightning touched the bead, it seemed to vanish entirely!
From a distance, Mayuri's grin widened.
This was the sign of a successful seal!
Moments later, Shigure felt a resistance in the flow of lightning from his palm.
Thanks to his exceptional spiritual sensitivity, he immediately realized the container was nearing its limit.
Quickly withdrawing the lightning, he sheathed his Zanpakuto.
As soon as he stopped, the black bead turned transparent.
At its core, a tiny golden light flickered and danced like a miniature thunderstorm.
Seeing this, Mayuri's expression twisted—though it was a twist of sheer exhilaration.
"Success!!"
"A spiritual tool capable of sealing the power of a Zanpakuto!!!"
He rushed forward, ignoring Shigure entirely, and grabbed the bead from the ground.
Shigure chuckled softly. Mayuri's obsession with technological breakthroughs was truly unmatched.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, it seems the container's capacity isn't as large as you claimed," Shigure remarked with a light smile.
Mayuri turned to him with a sly grin.
"That's because... the power you've displayed far exceeds what you showed during the recruitment test!"
His gaze flickered with a peculiar light.
"Originally, I thought this device would appeal to you as a useful tool. But now, it seems it still falls short of your expectations..."
Raising his hand, Shigure dispelled the lightning in his palm. As the spiritual particles coalesced, his blade reformed.
Sheathing his sword, Shigure replied,
"That's not entirely true. Since it's been created, I'll certainly make good use of it."
Extending his hand, he added, "Captain Kurotsuchi, you're not planning to keep it for yourself, are you?"
Mayuri rolled his eyes and tossed the bead over.
"Stingy as ever... Not very fitting for a genius!"
Shigure caught the Thunder Sealing Device with a smile.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, if you have any future projects requiring collaboration, feel free to reach out."
Mayuri's eyes sparkled as his grin deepened.
"You're quite the intriguing monster..."
After agreeing to help Mayuri create another Thunder Sealing Device, Shigure left the Department of Research and Development.
The interaction with Mayuri had subtly shifted Shigure's mindset.
He began to realize that there were countless ways to grow stronger.
And he would seize every opportunity to do so.
Just as he was about to exit the department's gates, a familiar system notification echoed in his mind.
"Ding! A new check-in task has been issued!"
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