Boom!
A red fireball streaked along the ground, rushing forward.
Despite recognising who had arrived, a nervous researcher, unaccustomed to battle, accidentally released a fully charged Shakkahō (Red Flame Cannon).
The flames were scorching, distorting the air as they quickly reached Tokikaze.
Seeing the large fireball approaching, Kazumi's face twisted, his catfish-like features contorting in panic.
At that moment, he began thinking about where he should be buried.
The crime? Attacking a captain who is also a noble.
Even though he hadn't fired the Shakkahō himself, he was responsible for organizing the incident, and the one who launched the attack wouldn't get away with it either.
Looks like we'll all end up on the execution hill together!
Facing the giant fireball, Tokikaze calmly raised his hand. Before everyone's eyes, he caught it in his palm.
With a closing grip of his five fingers, the Hadō #31: Shakkahō was instantly extinguished.
Sparks scattered across the sky like dazzling fireworks.
At the same time, the crowd collectively held their breath.
It was well known that captains were strong.
But for someone like Tokikaze to simply snuff out a Shakkahō with his hand — that was something even most captains throughout the history of the Gotei 13 couldn't do.
"My… my Shakkahō..." the researcher who had fired it stammered, her pale, slender fingers trembling between pointing at herself and Tokikaze, unable to form a coherent sentence.
The other researchers and officers wore the same expression of disbelief.
Even Kazumi, the head of the spirit wave measurement team, stood with his mouth agape, his eyes bulging grotesquely as though they might pop out.
"My, how terrifying!" a sickly voice came from the crowd's edge. A strange man with black-and-white face paint and a captain's haori approached with quick steps.
"Who would have thought Captain Tokikaze would actually return from Hueco Mundo."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi drew closer, his eyes scrutinizing Tokikaze from head to toe.
Though Tokikaze's haori and Shihakushō were torn and scorched in places, Mayuri couldn't detect any serious injuries.
"Were you hoping I wouldn't?" Tokikaze raised an eyebrow, locking his spiritual pressure onto Mayuri.
In an instant, Mayuri felt like he had fallen into a frozen wasteland, surrounded by invisible blades ready to slice him.
Cold sweat trickled down from the paint on his face.
This pressure continued for quite some time, until Mayuri's undergarments were thoroughly soaked.
"Hey, you…" Mayuri said as Tokikaze's pressure lifted, allowing him to breathe again. His golden eyes darted nervously over Tokikaze.
He was already used to Tokikaze's way of exerting dominance—after all, Mayuri had nearly been turned into pulp twice before.
Though such injuries were easily recoverable for Mayuri with a bit of synthetic flesh, the pain was still very real.
It had only been half a day since they last saw each other, but Tokikaze had become even more terrifying. When Tokikaze locked onto him, Mayuri thought he saw shades of Yamamoto Genryūsai.
He knew that was absurd, but the oppressive force was undeniable, as if they had been cut from the same cloth.
"What a monster…" Mayuri muttered in dissatisfaction.
Tokikaze raised the golden chain in his hand, which he had used to stabilize the Bakudō spell binding the creature.
"Adjuchas-class Hollow, Abirama Redder."
"One of the subordinates of Baraggan Louisenbairn, the King of Hueco Mundo and ruler of Las Noches."
Hearing this, even Mayuri stepped closer to inspect the creature, his gaze scanning the red wings peeking out from under the restraints.
"Such firm flesh," Mayuri commented, touching the thick feathers. "What a fine gift."
"Captain Tokikaze, you never fail to surprise me."
Under Mayuri's touch, Abirama trembled, feeling as if a natural predator was watching him.
It had been long since he'd felt this way—perhaps not since he was a regular Hollow.
Mayuri let go of the feather and turned to Tokikaze, a grin spreading across his black-and-white face, revealing golden teeth.
"Research on Adjuchas-class Hollows can wait."
"Since you've returned from Hueco Mundo, I assume your battle there has ended."
"To celebrate your victory, let me show you my latest research breakthrough."
"One of the greatest miracles in the world!"
Tokikaze's face showed surprise.
As a proud, mad scientist, Mayuri was obsessively meticulous about his work.
It wasn't often that he referred to something as a "miracle."
After casting another binding spell on Abirama, Tokikaze handed the Adjuchas to Kazumi.
The researcher who had fired the Shakkahō earlier briskly activated the newly rebuilt research lab mechanism on Mayuri's command.
With the sound of gears turning, the left wall opened in layers, revealing a dimly lit tunnel.
The three of them entered the tunnel, the walls lighting up with a soft glow on both sides.
Compared to the traditional architecture of the other divisions in Seireitei, the Twelfth Division's Technology Development Bureau had a futuristic design.
Everywhere they looked, technology was woven into the fabric of the space.
And this was just the result of a few days of rebuilding.
Given more time, Mayuri would likely turn the Technology Development Bureau into the most dangerous place in Seireitei.
At the end of the corridor, a braided, bespectacled researcher stopped in front of a large metal door.
"That's far enough, Niko," Mayuri waved her off. "Make sure you inform the First Division that Captain Tokikaze has returned safely. He'll report to Central 46 shortly."
"No problem, Captain!" she replied cheerfully.
The name felt familiar to Tokikaze, sparking a memory.
Watching her retreating figure, he tried to remember where he had seen her.
"Familiar, isn't she?" Mayuri smirked, seeing through Tokikaze's thoughts.
"That's Niko Kunan, younger sister of former Ninth Division Lieutenant Nemu Kunan. Before the Hollowfication incident, she often delivered snacks to her fool of a sister at the Ninth Division barracks."
"Unlike her dimwitted sister, Niko inherited all the intelligence in the family."
"Even I, as her captain, deeply admire her research."
Tokikaze suddenly recalled the related memories.
Due to Nemu's obsession with various snacks, Niko had developed a form of subspace technology.
She could feed her sister whenever she wanted by creating a portable subspace.
Remembering this, Tokikaze narrowed his eyes, a new idea forming in his mind.
"Come in, Captain Tokikaze."
Mayuri's strange laugh snapped Tokikaze out of his thoughts.
They stepped through the metal door, officially entering Research Lab 72.
The first thing that caught Tokikaze's attention was the towering cylindrical container, reaching from floor to ceiling, filled with thick green liquid.
Inside the container, a blurry humanoid figure floated.
"Behold the groundbreaking creation that will change the world!" Mayuri exclaimed as he rushed forward, excitement plastered across his face.
"This is the pinnacle of combining artificial body and soul technologies — a soul created from nothing."
"Capable of growing and advancing independently, this is my masterpiece!"
"I call it…"
Mayuri spread his arms wide, expression maniacal, golden eyes bloodshot with madness.
"Nemuri No. 7!"
Thud!
A figure inside the container lightly knocked against the glass, pressing its hands curiously against the surface.
The girl-like figure gazed out with wonder, her eyes scanning Tokikaze and Mayuri.
Tokikaze was taken aback.
Nemuri No. 7, also known as Nemu Kurotsuchi, was Mayuri's ultimate creation—a true artificial Soul Reaper.
The timing fit with Mayuri's research pace.
What surprised Tokikaze was that Mayuri would share such an important discovery with him.
What is this? Trust from a madman?
"Hey, you!" Mayuri snapped, irritated. "Aren't you going to react?"
"This is the best work I've ever made!"
Tokikaze nodded. "Impressive. Very strong. Well done."
A triple compliment.
Mayuri looked confused, as if he had just punched air and hurt his back.
In her girl-like form, Nemu was indeed cute, but what did that matter to Tokikaze?
Compared to this so-called masterpiece, Tokikaze was far more interested in Niko Kunan.
"You lack scientific spirit," Mayuri grumbled. "Nemuri No. 7 needs to be reported to Central 46."
"After all, a project like this touches on the interests of those fossilized old men."
Tokikaze sighed. "Is this your way of asking for my help?"
"No, it's proper cooperation," Mayuri replied stubbornly.
Tokikaze didn't mind his stubbornness and simply added, "Make sure Niko Kunan's research is sent to the Ninth Division barracks."
"I'm far more interested in the portable subspace technology."
...
After leaving the Technology Development Bureau, Tokikaze activated Shunpo and headed toward the First Division barracks. His figure streaked across the sky like a white line, disappearing over the horizon in an instant.
His increased spiritual pressure and mastery of Shunpo had significantly boosted his speed.
First-Class Spiritual Power placed him at the peak in terms of spiritual pressure ranking.
But Tokikaze knew the truth.
First-Class Spiritual Power was only a rank limit, not the true ceiling for certain monsters.
Take Unohana Retsu, for instance. Her spiritual pressure far surpassed what he had now.
She was among the elite of the First-Class Spiritual Power rank.
And the Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryūsai, had already reached the limits of what a Soul Reaper could achieve, meaning the First-Class designation didn't fully capture his level.
"There's still a long way to go…"
Tokikaze sighed as he extended his senses, noticing changes in Seireitei.
Unlike the Technology Development Bureau, which was built using killing stone, Seireitei felt less invasive, as if the reishi here had suddenly died.
If he hadn't broken through earlier, he might not have noticed.
But now, the difference was obvious.
"It seems Tsukishiro Sōya has left Seireitei."
Tokikaze slowed, arriving at the gates of the First Division barracks. Speaking to himself in a voice only he could hear, he muttered:
"I look forward to the battle for the throne of the King of Hollows..."
"Hopefully, Captain Aizen will appreciate this gift."