"Hōgyoku?"
At these words, Yoriichi had yet to react, but Yamamoto Genryusai, who was standing beside him, let out a heavy snort.
The sound was like a sudden clap of muffled thunder, causing the surrounding air to tremble slightly.
Immediately after, he slammed his cane onto the ground with a dull thud, and the ground seemed to shake three times in response.
Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes. Although his expression revealed neither joy nor anger, his stern demeanor and sharp tone easily conveyed his current fury.
"Kisuke Urahara."
"You actually conducted unauthorized experiments in private."
"This old man…"
"Wait, wait, wait." Kisuke Urahara quickly waved his hands to interrupt, an anxious expression on his face.
"Captain-Commander, you were the one who told me to resolve Captain Kensei's problem."
"Although Hollowfication can be reversed through Yoriichi's Bankai, it requires a long time."
"But my Hōgyoku is different."
"As long as I find a suitable Menos Grande, it won't take ten years; five years will be enough, or even less."
"By then, Captain Kensei will have broken through the limits of a Shinigami. Isn't that the outcome you desire?"
"To be honest, if it weren't for your request, I might not have revealed this plan."
"But now, our two plans overlap. Isn't this a perfect match?"
"Don't you agree?"
Kisuke Urahara rubbed his palms, revealing a relaxed yet probing smile.
"So… I was wondering if Seireitei could provide some convenience in this regard."
"It's all for the greater good, really. Shinigami Hollowfication isn't that big of a deal."
"It's just that the Five Great Noble Families listed it as a strict prohibition back then. Otherwise, by now, someone would surely have succeeded."
Yamamoto Genryusai slightly raised his eyes, giving him a cold glance.
"I am the Captain-Commander, Kisuke Urahara. Are you perhaps taking things for granted?"
"You want me to open the door of convenience for you. What do you take the duty of a Shinigami for?"
"Not at all." Kisuke Urahara quickly waved his hands.
"It is precisely because I understand that the duty of a Shinigami is to protect the balance of the Three Realms that I am conducting this research."
He explained, "The Hollows in Hueco Mundo are getting stronger and stronger, according to our detection."
"While Vasto Lorde are still quite rare, Adjuchas are becoming more and more numerous."
"Only the number of our Shinigami has remained unchanged over these millions of years, and our strength is far from what it was a thousand years ago…"
"Captain-Commander, don't you feel even a hint of urgency?"
"Standing still won't do."
"To defeat an opponent, one must first understand them."
"The upper limit of a Shinigami's power, in my opinion, is at your level."
"But even you… aren't necessarily truly invincible."
"Therefore, we must constantly improve, constantly break through our limits, so that in the future, we can defeat those evolved Hollows."
"All of this is for the peace of the Three Realms. I believe I have done nothing wrong."
Kisuke Urahara silently straightened his back, his voice incredibly firm.
As a researcher, without a strong heart and unwavering determination, some dangerous experiments would never succeed.
Yamamoto Genryusai listened quietly, the unusual glint in his eyes gradually fading.
He carefully observed Kisuke Urahara, seeing no sign of him lying, and that these words came from his sincere heart… His voice deepened slightly:
"Done nothing wrong? Good, very good, Kisuke Urahara, you truly surprise this old man."
To speak of conducting forbidden experiments, matters that affect the very foundation of Shinigami, with such freshness and purity, Kisuke Urahara was the first.
Even Yamamoto Genryusai could not find a single inappropriate point in his words.
Hollows… are indeed getting stronger.
Shinigami… are indeed getting weaker.
Yamamoto Genryusai inwardly snorted coldly:
"Kisuke Urahara."
"I will only ask you one question."
"Is the Hōgyoku controllable?"
"If it goes out of control, how will you handle it?"
Kisuke Urahara scratched the back of his head and chuckled.
"Those are two questions, aren't they? In my opinion, handling it is very simple."
"Because in my conception, the Hōgyoku breaking its limits is an instantaneous event, so whether it's out of control or not can be seen immediately."
"If it goes out of control… then there's nothing to be done."
"Captain-Commander, although I really don't want to admit it, Shinigami Hollowfication indeed carries serious risks."
"But given the current situation, as long as the risk does not affect the majority of other Shinigami, the experiment is worth continuing."
"Because someone has already completed it before me. One step slow, every step slow. You should understand this feeling…"
"The current situation is not in our control."
"Only when we research the technology to undo Hollowfication can we regain control, and Seireitei will return to safety."
"It's similar to the trolley problem. On one side is the safety of Kensei Muguruma and the majority of Seireitei Shinigami."
"On the other side is the safety of those Shinigami undergoing the limit-breaking experiment… One side must be sacrificed."
"Of course, I will maximize the success rate on this basis."
"This way, even if we encounter Shinigami undergoing the experiment, there will be no sacrifices."
This long string of words made Kisuke Urahara let out a sharp breath.
He paused for a moment, then, facing Yamamoto Genryusai's slightly darkened eyes, delivered his final conclusion:
"From a public perspective, this experiment must proceed."
"From a private perspective, this experiment must also proceed, even if risks may arise."
"Kensei Muguruma's experience is precisely an opportunity."
"I don't believe you, old man, would overlook it."
Yamamoto Genryusai's mood was quite complex, probably akin to when he resolutely established the Gotei 13 back then.
He was not clear what results his actions would bring in the future.
But… it was undoubtedly the most suitable decision for the current situation.
For a moment, as Kisuke Urahara's voice fell, the surrounding air plunged into a long silence.
It was as if time itself had stopped, with only a gentle breeze passing by, bringing a hint of coolness.
It was a long time later that Yamamoto Genryusai's slightly resolute voice finally sounded again:
"Kisuke Urahara, I will trust you this once."
"From now on, the resources within the Gotei 13 are yours to command."
"No matter the cost, within three years, I want to see the Hōgyoku."
...
...
After Kisuke Urahara left, Yamamoto Genryusai slowly turned around, looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and instructed:
"I need you to suppress the Hollowfication state within Kensei Muguruma's body as much as possible."
"After that, have him go to the Eleventh Division to announce the appearance of a temporary Captain."
"In his current state, it's no longer possible for him to lead the Eleventh Division on missions."
"But for him to simply disappear… the impact would be too severe. To prevent the situation from deteriorating, we must play a trick."
"Regarding the temporary Captain of the Eleventh Division, I already have a candidate…"
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi, take my order to the Seventh Division and find a Shinigami named Komamura Sajin."
"From now on, during Kensei Muguruma's absence, he will be the Captain of the Eleventh Division."
...
Seventh Division.
A deep voice, like muffled thunder, suddenly echoed in the room: "I refuse."
The tall Komamura Sajin stood silently.
He wore an iron mask that gleamed coldly in the dim light.
Through the slits of the mask, his gaze was like a torch, fixed on Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who had come from the Gotei 13.
He nodded slightly, his tone a little deep, and slowly said:
"Although the Captain-Commander has bestowed upon me the grace of rebirth, with my strength, it is truly difficult for me to bear the position of Captain."
"I am merely a Third Seat."
"Why choose me?"
Yoriichi actually didn't know the answer to this question, but it was, after all, the Captain-Commander's order.
Perhaps it was because of his good character?
Before this, Yoriichi had never heard of Komamura Sajin… or rather, should he be considered a person?
Under Touhou Sekigan, Yoriichi clearly saw Komamura Sajin's appearance.
Brown fur, erect ears protruding like a fox's, those ears trembling slightly, as if on alert to everything around him.
A wild face, completely different from a human's, exuding a primal sense of power.
Is this a wolf? Or a dog?
Does Soul Society actually have anthropomorphic animals?
Incredible.
Of course, despite never having seen one and being somewhat surprised, Yoriichi did not show these emotions.
In his opinion, since Komamura Sajin hid his appearance beneath an iron mask, he probably did not want others to see it.
His own inadvertent actions might have already offended the other party.
To speak of this matter again would truly be impolite.
Considering everything, he chose to remain silent.
Seeing Tsugikuni Yoriichi remain silent and expressionless, Komamura Sajin couldn't help but feel a headache.
He was over two hundred years old this year.
He had joined Seireitei and become a Shinigami about twenty years ago.
In these twenty years, he had risen from an ordinary Rukongai resident to the position of Third Seat, all thanks to the Captain-Commander's promotion.
Born into a werewolf clan, he was not well-regarded in Soul Society because he was an anomaly.
And the Captain-Commander completely disregarded this, which, in Komamura Sajin's eyes, made him his benefactor.
Normally, he would certainly obey his benefactor's words, but now… his strength was not sufficient.
If he rashly became a Captain, losing face would be a small matter, but failing to live up to Yamamoto Genryusai's regard and expectations would be a sin.
He couldn't do that.
Taking a deep breath, Komamura Sajin's low voice sounded again, muffled and booming:
"Sir Tsugikuni, besides those words, what else did the Captain-Commander say?"
"Are there no other Shinigami in the Gotei 13, besides me, who can take on the burden of the Eleventh Division?"
"Where is the original Captain of the Eleventh Division?"
"You…"
"I am the ninth division captain." Yoriichi replied.
"Just now, the former Captain of the Eleventh Division, Zaraki Kenpachi, along with his Vice-Captain and two Seat Officers, were all transferred to the Ninth Division to challenge me."
"Currently, the Eleventh Division has no powerful Bankai users, nor any Shinigami capable of defeating a Bankai-wielding Shinigami."
"My teacher said you are very strong… Have you mastered Bankai?"
"…"
Komamura Sajin was silent for a moment.
His tall stature now made the surrounding environment seem somewhat desolate.
After about ten seconds, he let out a heavy breath, his voice helpless:
"Yes, but…"
"I am not proficient in the mastery of Bankai. With my current spiritual pressure, I can only sustain it for thirty seconds. Such a short time…"
"I am ashamed of the Captain-Commander's cultivation and regard, therefore…"
"I refuse."
"Why refuse?"
With his back to the sunlight outside, Yoriichi's voice slowly sounded,
"Since you have mastered Bankai, it means you are a Shinigami capable of standing on your own."
"Initially, I thought you hadn't mastered it, which is why I doubted my teacher's decision."
"But now, I understand, Komamura Sajin, my teacher did not misjudge you."
"Although I am not clear about the details of your Bankai mastery, given the current situation, you are undoubtedly the most suitable Shinigami for the Eleventh Division."
Loyalty, righteousness, and a subtle courage; his reason for refusing to become Captain was not like his own, preferring a peaceful life.
He made that choice out of fear of failing Yamamoto Genryusai's expectations, indicating that he held Yamamoto Genryusai in extremely high regard.
Such a Shinigami is quite rare within Seireitei.
This can be seen from the Captains and Vice-Captains of several divisions.
No one was more suitable than him.
Facing Tsugikuni Yoriichi's trusting tone, Komamura Sajin was stunned.
He wanted to explain his actions further, but the words caught in his throat, unable to come out.
Standing on his own?
To be honest, he was quite self-conscious, which is why he wore a mask, attempting to integrate into the Gotei 13 as a "human."
He really wanted to prove himself, but he also feared that by doing so, his appearance, which was so different from others, would be exposed, leading to ridicule and ostracism.
This contradictory mindset made him unsure how to respond to Yamamoto Genryusai's order.
Now…
His heart was heavy, as if carrying a thousand-pound burden.
Beneath the iron mask, Komamura Sajin lowered his head, then slowly raised his eyes, recalling his past life over and over again.
Finally, remembering what Yamamoto Genryusai had told him when he joined the Gotei 13, he took a deep breath, his voice becoming firm:
"If this is what the Captain-Commander believes, then I am also willing to trust his judgment."
"However… before I accept this order, Sir Tsugikuni, I would like to spar with you."
"You are the ninth division captain, so you must be very strong, I presume."
"I want to see how much of a gap there is between myself and the current Captains."
"I hope you will not refuse."
"Just a spar?"
"Just a spar." Komamura Sajin emphasized.
He was not the kind of Shinigami who enjoyed cruelty and slaughter; everything he did was for the safety of Seireitei.
If it was just to prove his strength by engaging in a life-or-death battle, leading to one side's death…
That would truly be a foolish act.
As long as one lives, strength will always improve, and one will always surpass their opponent.
So, when he spoke these words, he also silently made a decision.
When he became the Captain of the Eleventh Division, the first thing he would do was temporarily abolish the so-called rules of the Eleventh Division.
Whoever is stronger becomes Kenpachi, but the losing party will not die, because compared to simply dying, only by living can one better protect the Gotei.
This was also what he hoped for, learned from Yamamoto Genryusai.
Everything.
It was all for the protection of Seireitei!
With this determination, Komamura Sajin left the Seventh Division with Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
After explaining this matter to Yamamoto Genryusai, the two quickly found a sparring location, an outskirt area in Rukongai.