Three days had passed since Shimo put forward his proposal.
Yamamoto had yet to give a definitive answer.
Even after Shimo laid out every possible advantage and risk in detail.
According to Urahara's assessment, Aizen would still need at least two more months to fully fuse with the Hōgyoku.
That meant Yamamoto had ample time to deliberate.
However, regarding the Visored's proposal, Yamamoto agreed in principle and entrusted Shimo with conveying his goodwill.
As victims themselves, the crimes once imposed upon the Visored deserved to be overturned.
The process would take time—but it would be done.
Yamamoto decided to formally submit the matter to the Central 46 for review.
As Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he could not directly interfere with their rulings,
but under special circumstances, he could file an appeal.
Reportedly, Central 46 raised little objection.
In fact, the moment the Visored's intentions were discussed, their attitude turned noticeably enthusiastic—
They even suggested that Shinji Hirako return to Seireitei and resume his former post as Captain of the Fifth Division.
When Shimo heard this, he couldn't help but laugh softly.
"As expected… once power is involved, corruption follows."
"Those who slay beasts eventually become beasts themselves."
Still though, he had no objection.
After relaying the proposal through Urahara, the Visored responded that they needed time to consider.
Being suddenly asked to return to Seireitei after more than two hundred years—
That kind of emotional whiplash wasn't something anyone could adapt to overnight.
Aside from Hiyori Sarugaki, who openly expressed her disgust toward Soul Reapers,
the others clearly still harbored nostalgia for their days in Seireitei.
As for whether they would return—
that decision would take time.
---
With the Hollow disturbances in the Human World resolved, Shimo's mission concluded.
He returned to the Third Division barracks, resuming his leisurely, almost lazy routine.
But that peace didn't last long.
On the fourth day after his return, an unexpected visitor disrupted his plans.
"Captain Shimo."
Nemu Kurotsuchi stood respectfully.
"Captain Mayuri has requested your presence at the Research and Development Institute."
Shimo raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Mayuri wants to see me?"
"Which screw in his head came loose this time?"
Mayuri had repeatedly attempted to probe Shimo's Zanpakutō in the past—attempts that ended with Shimo personally "educating" him.
And with a very clear warning:
If it happened again, it wouldn't end with a light punishment.
If Shimo truly acted, he was confident he could annihilate Mayuri completely.
Liquid, gas—it wouldn't matter.
He could erase him permanently.
Nemu lowered her head, voice calm.
"I'm sorry, Captain Shimo."
"Captain Mayuri did not explain the details.
My only task is to invite you."
Shimo nodded, thinking briefly, then smiled.
"Understood."
"You can return first. I'll head over shortly."
Nemu did not doubt him.
She stood, bowed, and replied:
"Thank you for your understanding.
I'll await your arrival at the Institute."
She left without waiting for a response.
Watching her go, Shimo tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
"Mayuri never acts without profit."
"Looks like he's found something beyond his control…"
"Or something related to me."
After working with him repeatedly, Shimo understood Mayuri well.
Beneath the madness lay obsession—
an obsession with imperfection.
And above all, belief in equivalent exchange—
At least, when it came to others.
Mayuri himself had never been a good man.
"Nel, are you coming with me?"
Shimo drained the sake in his cup and looked toward Nelliel, who was earnestly studying.
To better adapt to life in Seireitei, she had been diligently learning Shinigami etiquette.
She peeked over her book, emerald eyes shining.
"Can I?"
Shimo smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
Shimo was always unusually indulgent toward her.
In all of Soul Society's history, Nel was the only Hollow ever accepted into the Gotei 13.
And the reason was simple—
She followed him.
How could he ever treat her poorly?
"Yay! I love you the most, Shimo!"
Nel cheered and launched herself into his arms.
Thump!
A dull impact echoed through the room.
This time, Shimo didn't raise his spiritual pressure to defend.
With Hierro now integrated into his body, his defensive strength had reached an absurd level.
After returning to Soul Society, he had tested it personally.
Probing attacks from captain-level opponents couldn't harm him at all.
As for the upper limit?
He hadn't bothered to find it.
His spiritual pressure would continue to grow with the trials of the Staircase of Time—
and so would his defense.
Testing it now would be pointless.
Better to remain a content, well-fed slacker.
Nel always lost control of her emotions around him.
Whenever she was happy, she charged into him at full speed.
Thankfully, Hierro made that a non-issue.
Shimo gently stroked her soft green hair, inhaling her faint scent.
Perhaps… this was what he truly wanted to protect.
---
Twelfth Division – Research and Development Institute
Upon arriving, Shimo attracted little attention.
The Twelfth Division's members were completely absorbed in their work.
Once immersed in research, they shut out the world.
Nelliel looked around curiously—it was her first time here.
The equipment fascinated her.
The Twelfth Division's members, meanwhile, were… unsettling.
Take Ashisogi Jizō Communications Section Chief Mashiro—
With his oval head, he looked like a failed evolutionary experiment.
While staring at his monitor, his eyeballs suddenly popped out of their sockets.
Casually, he pushed them back in and continued working.
"Their self-modifications are even more extreme than I expected," Shimo muttered.
The aftermath of the Hollow crisis still lingered here.
Nemu soon emerged from inside.
"Captain Shimo."
She bowed slightly.
"Please follow me."
...
After passing four corridors and three security gates, Shimo finally saw Mayuri Kurotsuchi—
His face twisted in manic delight.
The moment he spotted Shimo, Mayuri let out a screeching laugh like nails on glass.
"Kehahahaha! Captain Shimo!"
"You're finally here—come, come! Look at my latest discovery!"
All past grudges seemed forgotten.
He eagerly ushered Shimo into his private laboratory.
They stopped before a glass-like containment tank.
Inside floated a pitch-black, amorphous mass.
Shimo frowned.
"What is that?"
Mayuri's grin widened in a twisted way.
"Kehahaha—don't blink!"
He pressed a button.
White mist flooded the chamber.
Shimo raised an eyebrow.
"Condensed reishi gas?"
That wasn't difficult to research—but the cost was enormous.
Compressing ambient spirit particles into a gaseous state required immense resources.
Mayuri usually hoarded this stuff.
"Hehehe… necessary expenses for research."
As the mist enveloped the black mass, Shimo sensed something wrong.
His brows knit together.
Space itself was distorting inside the tank.
Weak—but unmistakable.
"Where did you get this?" Shimo asked sharply.
Mayuri's grin stretched to its limit.
"From the World of the Living, of course!"
A suspicion formed.
"Is it… a Hollow?"
Snap!
"Correct! No prize for you."
Mayuri continued excitedly:
"After days of research, I discovered—
its properties are remarkably similar to your Zanpakutō, Captain Shimo."
Shimo murmured instinctively:
"Spatial Suspension…"
He looked up.
"When did you obtain it?"
"Two days ago!"
"I was experimenting with amplifying Flesh Bombs—even tried implanting them into Menos."
"The experiment failed."
"Cost me a heart and two kidneys."
Shimo's suspicion solidified.
Ulquiorra and Yammy's appearance in the Human World—
This thing was part of it.
Aizen really is going all out just to counter me…
Even experimenting with spatial abilities.
—
He turned to Mayuri.
"So what's your objective?"
Mayuri froze—then smiled triumphantly.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"To deal with threats like this, you must cooperate with me!"
"Once I develop countermeasures, you'll be able to fight without restraint!"
Shimo cut him off.
"When did you get the idea that I need your help?"
Mayuri blinked.
"What?"
Shimo placed his fingers on the tank.
Spiritual pressure seeped in.
"You really think this thing can threaten me?"
Space froze inside the container.
In an instant, the black mass was reduced to countless microscopic fragments.
Mayuri's pupils shrank to pinpoints.
Even through the isolation barrier—
Shimo's power penetrated effortlessly.
Pure spatial annihilation.
Mayuri clenched his golden teeth, suppressing his shock.
Then—
"Drop the scheming."
Shimo's gaze lowered, filled with disdain.
"Coveting power that was never yours…"
"Only invites disaster."
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